South Wales Echo

"South Wales Notes. I -As there will probably be some attempt made to say that the futile opposition of the Tories at the meeting of Mr Yeo's supporters at Gower Road on Saturday, was not the "result of organisation I may as well Jut in evidence a fact which came within my own knowledge. I saw Mr Wright and the '"titled" gentleman from Swansea making 'themselves very busy among the people and when before the chapel gate in which it was first proposed to hold the meeting, I heard one of them say to the other-" It's 'all right there's nobody here but our own jfeeople we shall have it all our own way." Slow entirely this was falsified the report •of the proceedings shews; but the etermination to upset the pro- ceedings was clearly enough evinced. It was, moreover, intensely ludicrous to see I Mr Wright afterwards on the wagon which constituted the platform shouting out ab- *urdities'for some twenty minutes, and then -declaring that he was not allowed a hear- ing. Of the twelve or fifteen hundred people present, there were not above fifty who voted for his amendment, and the action of those fifty was probably explained by the ominous shouts of Screw, screw," which rose from all parts of the meeting. )BuT the most ludicrous sight of all was the Spectacle of Mr Wright when, at the close pf the meeting, he mounted the platform frnd howlod declamations to the dispersing Drovvd. The faithful band of fifty stood found TV?)tie a few loiterers stopped to grin with amusement at the scene. V last the faithful few could stand no more of it, and the last glimpse I had of the speaker was as he thundered out Tory twaddle to the rerorterKX table, three empty chairs, and the footprints of those who, a few minutes' before, had enthusias- tically cheered the Liberal speakers. I almost pitied him as the cheers which greeted Mr Yeo and his supporters as they Separated came like a mocking chorus to add to his discomfiture. It will be some time, I should think, before even in Gower-road he tries organised opposition again while as for hif. club—I expect he hates it already. W HAT has not inaptly been called the season of charitable appeal" nears apace. Before we get into the throes of it, so to speak, I am asked to mention the oouth Wales and Monmouthshire Infirmary. Its expenditure having increased, the fund committee are casting about with much solicitude for subscriptions to a like total. They want, in round figures, £ 1,000. To realise this, some- thing of the nature of a strong pull and a pull altogether—at the purse strings that is—will be required but there is no doubt that the desert is as great as the need, or greater. MANY of the leading colliery proprietors of South Wales on Saturday appeared by deputy before the guardians of the Merthyr Union in assessment committee assembled. Their cry was for a reduction in the rating assessments which the existing trade de- pression renders excesssive. In the heart of a great colliery district the tale unfolded by Mr Rees Jones could well be understood. There was no necessity to produce figures to show that depression everywhere prevailed. The fact cannot be gainsaid. Enough was mentioned to induce the committee to grant a reduction in the valuations of 5 per cent. Coalowners have doubtless had great losses of late—more than can be estimated by the low prices obtained-and few will grudge them this concession. Indeed, as it was put on Saturday, such a reduction is pro- bably nothing more than a mere act of justice. THEY seem to be rather smart in detective work in Newport. The other day I referred to the decidedly clever capture of an alleged murderer, and I see by the police report that a widow has made a most successful debut as a detective. Widows we know, on the world-renowned authority of Mr Samuel Weller, senior, are dangerous, and able to throw out alluring fascinations for the ensnaring of man. But in this case the motive certainly was not matrimonial. A workman of preda- tory tastes had stolen some clothes from his landlady's cottage, and she, with even more than the usual suspicion of her sex, followed the man to Newport, and although he had changed his face by having his beard shaved, she recognised, accused, and hauled him into a shop, where her embrace was only exchanged for the grip of the law. As in Mr Pickwick's case, so in this, documentary evidence of in- tentions was forthcoming. Pawn-tickets may not be more amatory than chops and tomato sauce," but they are quite as incul- pating, and on the strength of these pledges of a mis-spent moment, the man has gone to gaol for three months. Not only honest men but thieves must now bevare of viddies." THE Cardiff Free Library is experiencing the fortunes that an institution of the kind, well-managed and surrounded by a rapidly- growing population, is certain in a short time to encounter. All its departments are so congested that an enlargement by way of an addition has become indispensa- ble to its full efficiency. I have been often struck with the numbers frequenting the budding. The matter has, no doubt, aflected others as it has myself. I have a regard for personal convenience when read- ing, and I have a perhaps stronger regard for an atmosphere not too seriously vitiated. At the library committ ee meeting to-night, I trust the matter will be seriously discussed.

THE pernicious literature with which we are flooded has long been a source of danger to youth, but the danger was never greater than now. Under a system of compulsory education every child learns to read, and the writers of the contents of the "penny dreadfuls," with an eye to business, have risen to the occasion. Time was when the publishers of trashy literature could easily be numbered, but now they are legion and the more unreal, imaginative, and cold- blooded the plot they give currency to, the more popular the tales become among a certain class. The Religious Tract Society, the Sunday-school Union, and other kindred societies issue from their establishments a vast fund of really good, sound, and in- teresting reading but, notwithstanding low prices, they fail to reach the children of the majority of working people who live in the pent-up atmosphere of the back alleys of large towus. It is there, but not there alone, where debasing authors find their greatest support, and feed a flame that cannot pro- duce good. On Saturday evening we saw two Cardiff street arabs, vendors of wax matches, standing at a window in the Arcade poring over a number of The Boys of New York," and their exclamations of delight at the exploits of a boy thief were as genuine as their appearance was suggestive of what they themselves would do if they got the chance. How to effectively deal with these publications is a difficult pro- blem to solve, and it behoves parents and guardians to watch with a jealous eye all reading that comes under the notice of their children. It is recorded ihat the children of the QUEEN never read a book without its first having passed the rigid scrutiny of the late PRLNXTJ CONSORT. As with spoken lies, so with printed falsehoods and demoralising sentiments, give them five minutes start, and it is ten to one they will never be over- taken and eradicated by that which is pare and true.

THE TERRIBLE DEATH OF A CARDIGANSHIRE LABOURER. An inquest was held at Lkngybi on Friday on the body of Evan Jones, of Cellan, near Lam- peter, whose decapitated body was found on the Manchester and MUford Railway, near that place, on Thursday. It appeared that deceased, who seetns ti have had no fixed plac? of abode, was at a wedding at Cwmbach on Wednesday, and got on to the railway, where he either fell or lay down by the side of the metals, his head being on the outer ra;L His hands were in his pockets, and it is probable that he was asleep when the train ran over him. The driver (Salmon) saw something on the rails, but could not distinguish what it was till too tate to stop the train. A verdict of Accidental death was re- turned.

SUCH Tory meetings as the one held at Abercame on Saturday .,can only have one result—to cause amusement to all except the few infatuated persons who curry favour with the house of Tredegar by supporting one of its members. In pladea where the Tory candidates are known to be in a minority, it has now become the fashion for the chairman to refuse to put an amendment to the sterotyped re- solution declaring the candidate to be a fit and proper person, &c. At the Abercarne meeting on Saturday afternoon, the Tory; candidate, the Hon. F. O. MORGAN, having made his little speech, amid almost constant interruptions from an audience which did not think exactly as he did, a Mr GREEN moved a resolution pledg-, ing the meeting to use all proper means to secure Colonel MORGAN'S return. Our special reporter says that the Chairman then put the resolution, and, anjiftat disorder in., the hall, declared it carried without sub- mitting the contrary to the meeting. This action led to a demonstration of dissent, in the midst of which Mr GEO. JONES ascended the platform to move an amendment. The Chairman said that he had already declared the resolution carried, upon which half the audience exclaimed with one voice, We'll have an amendment," but the Chairman retorted, "The business of the meeting is finished." Our Tory contem- porary declares that previous to declaring the resolution carried, the chairman asked if there were any amendments to be moved, and there being no response, the motion was put to the meeting and carried with only one dissentient." The people who were present at the meeting will know which of these two versions of what transpired is the correct one. Our Tory contemporary may succeed in deceiving its readers in other places, but if this sort of thing is often attempted, the public of the district in which it circulates will form their own con- clusions.

ABOLITION OF COMPULSORY I PILOTAGE AT SWANSEA. Agitation for Compensation. Great activity is being displayed by the Execu. tive of the United Kingdom Pilots' Association in conuecion with the attempt that is about to be made by the Swansea Harbour Trustees to obtain the requisite Order in Council to amend and alter their bye-laws for the purpose of abolishing com- pulsory pilotage. A special meeting of the Active Committee was held on Saturday, when it was unanimously determined that the whole strength of the association be used to restrain the action of the Harbour trustees until the new Parliament meets, when the whole pilotage subject will be brought before the House by several well.known advocates of the pilots' interests. The somewhat peculiar time the Harbour Trustees have chosen for obtaining their Order in Council, on the eve of a general election, was freely commented upon, and it was suggested that counsel's opinion be obtained as to the advisability of asking for a Chancery injunction against the trustees' petition until a complete scale of compensation to the pilots had I been agreed upon Meanwhile, a petition to the Board of Trade is being drafted to this end.

I DEAN VAUGHAN ON POLITICAL I SPEAKING. Preaching at Llandaff Cathedral on Sunday afternoon lroin Psalm xxxi, 22, ''Thou shalt hide them privily by thine own presence from the provoking of ail men; thou shalt keep them secretly in thy tabernacle from the strife of tongues," Dean Vaughan said: 0, you know well enough that there are words Written and spoken in the party rage of the day after the writing and speaking of which a man could not say his prayers. Such words written or spoken must be unbecoming, must be unworthy of a Christian. Do not imagine that even the most sacred cause -n,ty, that least of aJl-demandii of us, or can palliate violent, acrimonious, unjust, or untrue speech. For every idle word that men shall speak" and no excep- tion is made in favour of words spoken on plat- forms or published through the printing press at seasons of political excitement-" they sha'l give account thereof in the day of judgment, for by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Say not in thy heart, I may say this or that, which I know not to be true, which I half suspect of being calumny, or suspect of being invention, because be of whom I say it is a political antagonist whom it is my business to supplant, or a leader of meu who is public property, and who must take what comes." By these excuses, by these obli- quities of the moral sense and vision the public tone is lowered, and the national character discredited. Deeply responsible are the public journals which guide the opinion of the multitude for that to which they give currency concerning men and things. For their selections of topics, for their revelations of crimes, for their tone of morality, tor the treatment of individuals, for their estimate of right and wrong, for their jesting on things sacred, for their random shots and bows drawn at a venture, the daily press of England in the metropolis and in the provinces incurs a heavy responsibility in the sight of God and man. Yet, after all, we, the readers, can depute and delegate no responsibility of our own. Private judgment, if in one sense a right, L in a thousand senses a duty-to our own master we stand or fall. Who art thou that judgest another ? I

THE COLLIERY ACCIDENT AT I MAESTEG. I An inquest was held on Saturday at the Police- station, Maesteg, touching the death of Henry Dove, stoker, at Nog Level, under circumstances previously reported.—Mr Humphrey Thomas, High-street, engine driver at Nog Level, said Dove was stoker for him. Deceased was tarring the rope, which was his duty. He saw Dove drawn over the drum into the cogs, and witness reversed the engine as quickly as possible. He had a copy of the colliery regulations, but he did not read them. He could read very little in Welsh or English. There was a fence around the engine, but not round the drum. If there had been a fence hur feet high round the drum, in his opinion deceased could be drawn over.— Mr James Pmsser Jones, deputy-inspector of mines, said he had visited the colliery that morn- ing, and found the fencing exactly as drawn in the tracing now lui J on the table. The cranks of the engine Were capitally fenced, but the cogs were totally unprotected. In his opinion if there were a fence four feet high in front of the cogs this accident would not have happened. By rule 2 of the Mines Regulation Act all machinery should be kept excluded. At the request of Mr James Tamblyn, agent to the company, David Rees, overman of the machinery, was called. In reply to Mr Tamblyn, David Rees said he had known the colliery 18 years, and the fencing was now better than ever. He considered the present fencing secured from danger. The jury gave a verdict of Accidental deatb," and recommended the fencing of the drum. "t_

FIRE AT NEWPORT. Sliortly before seven o'clock on Sunday even- ing, a fire was discovered in the shop occupied by Mr T. Perkins, outfitter, &c., Watch-house- parade, Alexandra Docks. The proprietor of the premises, who resides in the dwelling-house at the rear of the shop, had left an hour or so before. The flames burnt very fiercely, aud the contents of the shop were completely destroyed. The police reel and the volunteer fire brigade did good setVice in preventing danger to -the houses and business works adjacent. Mr Perkins, had been in business only a few months, and the stock was anew and valuable one.

MYSTERIOUS DEATH AT FERN- DALE. Dennis Hundred, 60 years of age, and un- married, was found in a dying state about 6.30 on bunday morning, near the playground of the board schools, at Pei-ndale. Information was sent to oergeant Lewis, who had the body conveyed to the police cell, but it was found on arrival that life had become extinct. A quantity of blood had exuded from a wound on the head, which gave rise to the supposition of foul play, but the general theory is that deceased, who had imbibe J somewhat too ireely on the previous evening, had fallen to the grouivi, then slept, and ultimately JÜj¡Qm.,Q3¡¡l:e to the 9lg.

LIBERAL MEETING AT GOWER- ROAD. Speeches by Sir H. Vivian, Sir John Jenkins, and Mr. Yeo. The election campaign for the West Glamorgan or Gower Parliamentary Division was com- menced by the Liberals on Saturday afternoon at Gower-road. The scene of the meeting was sup- posed, from the fact that the principal employers of labour are extreme Tories, to be the strongest centre of Conservatism in the division, but, as subse- quent events proved, the Tory feeling even there is very weak indeed. The meeting had for a week previously been looked forward to with considerable interest, because of reports of the strenuous opposition which it was reported would be offered to the demonstration, which formed part of the programme, by the members of the firm of Wright, Butler, and Beck, and those in their employ. Two members of the firm, with Sir Francis .Milman-a militia adju- tant, and a slighted Tory candidate for the division—were in the neighbourhood of the station when the Liberals assembled there to form in procession, and ere a move was made to perambulate the village, they took up a stand with a dozen supporters outside the chapel in which it was intended to hold the meet- ing. The Liberals, headed by a baud, proceeded in procession round the village, passing on the way the new Tory Club, from which a blue flag was flying, but before the chapel was reached it was observed that the numbers were so large that it would be impossible to nearly accommodate them in the chapel, and, therefore, it was decided to meet in a Held near tiie London and North-Western Railway Station. A platform having been impro- vised, fair Hussey Vivian, M. P., was voted to the chair. He was supported by Sir J. Jones Jenkins, M.P., and Mr Yeo, the Liberal candi- date. The CHAIRMAN said that for the first time large numbers of those present were electors, and soon for the first time tbey would cakf; part in the election of a parliamentary representative. This imposed on them a very grave responsi- bility, and it appeared to him that to disci)arge it properly they had two questions to ask themselves-first, whether they were Liberals or Conservatives; second, whether the gentleman who now offered himself for their suffrage would be a fitting representative for the great division. (Cries of "He is," and cheers.) Nearly all present were working men, and he would ask them how they could hesitate in choosing between a Liberal and a Conservative. There was a good old English proverb which said they must judge the pudding by the eating. (Hear, hear.) He asked what the Conservative pudding had been. (A voice All flour and no plums.") What the Liberal pudding? What had the Conservatives done for the working-men ? (Cries of Nothing.") He advised them to judge of parties by the past. Promises were very indefinite things, but the actions of the past were definite for they formed part of history. Therafore they, as working-men, knew what they owed to the Liberal party. (Cheers.) What party opposed the first Reform Bill—(cries of The Tories "')-which was really the charter of our liberties? (Hear, hear.) Why, the Conservative party consistently and constantly opposed that measure. (Hear, hear.) What party opposed the great measure of reform which bad been recently carried ? Why, consistently and con- stantly, the Conservative party. (Applause.) He urged them not to be led away by any statement that the Conservative party joined in carrying that great measure, for the extension of the franchise was consistently and constantly opposed by the Conservative party. (Hear, hear.) Mr Trevelyan again and again brought forward the question, and it was oiten opposed by the Con- servatives, and it was only when they found they e Could no longer resist it that they made the best bargain they could with regard to the carrying of the measure. (Applause.) What party imposed a duty on the importation of foreign corn ? Again the Conservatives. (Applause.) What party repealed the Corn Laws? The Liberal party. (Cheers.) They fi,eed the poor man's bread (applause) their bread was now cheap, and every other article of nece-saty consumption was as cheap as it could possibly be, and for this they had to thank the Liberals ot past days. Then who had consistently opposed c. viI and religious liberty and the opening of the uni- versities to Nonconformists but the Tories ? (Hear, hear.) Who carried the Test and Corpora- tion Act, which did away with the odious question with regard to religious disabilities ?-the Liberals. (Cheers.) Who opposed now the disestab- lishment of the Church ? Why, the Con- servative party — (hear, hear, and a voice 'Gladstone.") No, Mr Gladstone did not oppose it—(applause and Three cheers for Glad- stone ")—and if his interrupter read Mr Glad- stone's manifesto, he did not think he would find that he was at all justified in that assertion. (Hear, bear.) If the people wished to continue as they were-if they were prepared to see laws enacted in the interest of one class and not in their own interest, and to see the present sys- tem of Church Establishment continue, then for goodness sake vote for the Con- servatives. (Applause.) But if they were not, they should on no account allow any local in- fluence to induce them not to support the Liberal candidate. (Applause.) He assured them that the working of the ballot was distinctly secret. The Ballot .Act was passed by the Liberal party —(cheers)—it was a perfect protection for the working man against the vindictiveness of his mastu-(hear,bear)-and he asked them not tosell their birthright for a mess of pottage. (Applause.) He proceeded to touch upon the future legislation included in the Liberal programme. There were, he said, the great questions of disestablishment, free education, local self-government, and a great many other questions to be dealt with, and they must bear in Dllud that if they wanted them carried they must not vote for the Conservatives. (Cheers.) There was Mr Yeo a fit and proper representative for that great division ? (Cries of Yes," and three cneers for Mr Yeo.) He had known Mr Yeo for many years, and could bear testimony to his great com- mercial ability, for he had known no man in their community who had done greater service in his day for the progress and prosperity of the neigh- bourhood. (Hear, hear.) -He believed his politi- cal views to be those of a sound and progressive Liberal-(hear, hear)-atid. being sure that his qualifications well fitted him for the representa- tion of that division, lie confidently and heartily recommended him to the voters. (Applause.) The R!3v KILSBY JONES moved, That this meeting hails with satisfaction the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone's assurance that he will con- tinue,to leart the Liberal party, and, expressing unabated confidence in his home and foreign policy, hopes that he will be returned again to office by an overwhelming majority. (Applause.) Mr T. FRRKMAN seconded. Sir JOHN JENKINS, NPP., who was received with cheers, supported the resolution, and alluded to the political views of the people of the district, and said he had heard several stories of great pres- sure brought to bear on the workpeople of Gower- roadby employers of labour. (Cries of "Shame," "We feel it," and an interruption from Mr Wright.) He saw Mr Wright there, and shonld be very glad to have him on the platform. It would be more worthy of him as a gentleman and a large employer to mount the platform, and give expres- sion to his view in due course rather than inter- rupt. (Applause.) He would give him an oppor- tunity of denying a statement which he (Sir John) had heard within the last 24 hours. He had beard that members of other religious bodies than the Church of England had been sent away from the neighbourhood because they wanted to worship God according to their consciences and not accordingtothe views of the Employers. ("Shame.") The CHAIBMAN then put the motion, and nearly everyone present held up his nand in its favour. As, however, the chairman was about to call for the contrary, Mr WEIGHT wished to be ^allowed to deny Sir John Jenkins's statament. Sir John Jenkins had been told that he discharged some men because they did not go to church. All he (Mr Wright) asked was that he should give him the names and also the name of the man who told him, because he (Mr Wright) knew it to be a lie. In conclusion he moved That this meeting has no confidence in the policy of Mr Gladstohe—(laughter)—neither has it any conti- dence in any member brought forward for the division whose political opinions are in unison with his. (Loud laughter.) Mr GREENER seconded. Before the a.mendment was put Sir JOHN JENKINS obtained permission to state that with regard to the allegation against Mr Wright be was perfectly willing to refer it to the arbitration of some independent person. (Applause). The amendment was then put and the CHAIR- man said he counted 50 hands in its favour, but how many there were against it it was impossible to count. (Cheers.) The motion was then put, and a forest of hands being held up in its favour it was declared carried amid cheers for Gladstone and Chamberlain. Mr POWELL moved that Mr Yeo was a fit and proper person to represent their constituency. (Applause.) The Rev. J. LLOYD JONES seconded, and the Rev. J. JONES (Llanelly) supported, and the utjtk -jxAt rarried- witiaabout 24 dissentients. Mr YEO, who was received with enthusiasm, alluded to the mistaken idea of believing there was a Conservative working man. He knew there were men who dared not openly avow their politics, when there was a secret power which made them think, perchance, that their bread might be in danger. (Cheers.) And he was now glad to find there were many working men whose employers dared not intimidate them-a happy state of things due to trades' unions and similar associations. He asked the working men to con- sider the history of Liberalism. It had been one continued struggle to secure advantages for the working men against the deter- mined opposition, tooth and nail, of the Conserva.- tive,, and therefore working men could not pos- sibly be Tories. (Applause.) The great question now was, what were the measures they should have in the next Parliament? The Established Church was an anomaly that should not be tole- rated. The question was ripe for solution, and lie trusted Mr Dili wyn- -(cheers) -would live to see this act- of justice done to the people of Wales. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the. proceedings.

COLONEL MORGAN AT ABER- CARNE. Extraordinary Conduct of the Chairman. Col. the Hon. F. C. Morgan, M.P., Conserva- tive candidate for the representation of the Southern Division of Monmouthshire, addressed a meeting of the electors in the Drill Hall, Aber- carne, on Saturday afternoon, Mr Thomas Beynon presiding. The building was crowded, and the proceedings were of a somewhat lively character. In opening the proceedings, the CHAIRMAN argued that there should not be disestablishment in Wales, because, he said, the effect would be similar to that which had been broughtaboutby the Welsh Sunday Closing Act. It was now the case that a great number of Welsh people were com- pelled to travel over the border into Monmouth to get their drinks on Sunday, and if disestablish- ment took place, they would have to travel to Monmouthshire to get their religion as well as their beer. (Laughter and applause.) Colonel MORCAN, who was received with applause mingled with hisses, said that his inter- ests were bound up with those of the workmen of the country, a sta ement which provoked laughter. In reply to this outburst, he said they had a perfect right to check him and interrupt him, but he should take it with all eood humour. He alluded to the depression in trade, and asked why the Liberals should attempt to boycott a commission of enquiry on the subject, upon which someone shouted out that they knew the commis- sion was a sham. How, asked the colonel, could they know it to be a sham, seeing that it had not yet been tried ? He said that the arguments against it .were shams. He went on to re- mark that it was all nonsense to talk about the parcelling out of land. If some of the land on the surrounding hills were given to them, he thought they would preter to look at it, and have a cottage in the valley. (A voice But we want land in the valley.") On, said the colonel, but they could not all have it there. (Another voice Oh, yes there is room for all." Laughter and applause.) That (said Colonel Morgan) was one of Mr Chamberlain's schemes. (Loud applause, and Three cheers for Chamber- lain." He was much obliged for that outburst, because it gave him time for a little recreation. (A voice Yon can have unlimited recreation, if you like.") As to free education—how was it to be done, who was to pay for it ? (A voice Knock off some of the big men's salaries," and much laughter.) That (said the colonel) was no argument. Free education meant secular educa- tion. (A voice We have our Sunday schools." Referring to disestablishment, he said he did not see how any really good man could wish to disestablish the Church. (Laughter and applause.) It did not cost much to keep it up. (Derisive laughter.) It had not cost the poor man a far- thing it did not cost the state anything. (A voice We understand that too well we have paid too much," applause, and cries of" turn him out.") He knew as much of the work- ing classes (continued the colonel) as anyone. (Cries of No, no.") Very well, then he was wrong again. (Laughter.) At any rate, he had no fear of placing his candidature before them. (Applause and hisses.) In reply to some questions which were put to him, the honourable candidate said he would go in for a bill to compensate leaseholders, but he would not support Mr Broadhurst'a Bill—(" Oh, oh," applause, and hisses) — for he looked upon it as confiscation. With regard to local option, he agreed with Lord Salis. bury. (Groans.) Asked whether he would sup- port local option with compensation, and would he compensate the owner or the tenant, Colonel Morgan replied that he supposed the tenant was the man who should receive compensation. Mr J. G. GHEEN moved a resolution pledging the meeting to use all proper means to secure Col. Morgan's return. (Applause and hisses.) Mr F. JAMES seconded the resolution, which was supported by Mr HOLLAND, general manager of the Ebbw Vale Works, and by Mr WILKIN- SON, but the audience declined to hear the last- named gentleman, and he resumed his seat with- out making any speech. The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution, and amidst disorder in the hall, declared it carried without submitting the contrary to the meeting. This action led to a demonstration of dissent, in the midst of which Mr George Jones ascended the platform to move an amendment. The chairman said that he bad already declared the resolution carried, upon which half the audience exclaimed with one voice, We'll have an amendment," but the chairman retorted, The business of the meeting is finished," and thereupon the. audience slowly dispersed, many giving expression to feelings of disgust.

LIBERAL DEMONSTRATION AT RISCA. j On Saturday afternoon a Liberal demonstration upon an extensive. scale took place in the Risca district, and was the means of creating a good deal of political interest. At two o'clock the electors of Risca assembled in Llanarth-square, Pontymister, from which place they marched in procession, headed by a brass band, to Cross Keys, where another contingent was met. The united party then proceeded to Cross Keys station, where they gave a warm reception to Sir Henry Jackson and Mr Warmington. Afterwards the procession proceeded through Risca to the bottom of Pontymister, returning thence to the place of meeting. The Public Hall was crowded. Mr C. M, BAILHACHE moved This meeting expresses its unabated confidence.in. Mr Gladstone and the chief leaders of the Liberal party, and pledges itself to use every legitimate means to procure their triumphant return at the general election. Mr EDWARDS formally seconded the resolution. Sir HENRY JACKSON, who met with a reception of the utmost cordiality, the audience rising and singing a stave of He's a Jolly Good Fellow," criticised the attitude of the Conservative party towards popular reforms, and charged them with having always endeavoured to arrest the stream of progress. Speaking in that district on a former occasion, he bad said in answer to a question put to him—he was then a young and somewhat inexperienced politician-that he thought the House of Lords ought to be ended instead of mended. He would now like to somewhat retract that expression of opinion. We live and learn, and he had learnt that the House of Commons had a great deal more to do than it was capable of carrying out, and there- fore the work should be in something like a fair proportion divided between the Upper and the Lower House. But he must not be understood to say that he was satisfied with the present consti- tution of the House of Lords. He thought that it required a very radical reform, but be believed that it would be to the interest of this country, at any rate for the present, to have a second legislative assembly. The land question was a most complicated one,and in dealing with the subject at Newport, Lord Salisbury-(groans)-carefully and systematically excluded many matters connected with it. He said nothing upon the question of primogeniture, which he (Sir Henry) was most anxious to see abolished and nothing about the question of the settlements of property, which he was most anxious to see curtailed. Alluding to Ireland, Sir Henry said it was necessary to put the Irish, if possible, on the same footing as ourselves. (Applause.) We talked of United King- dom, of Great Britain and Ireland, and all the time maintained a Viceroy in Dublin. He would like to see a cessation of the Viceroy's rule, for he believed that when it passed away the people of Ireland and England would be happy and united. In addition to the abolition of Dublin Castle, and an alteration in the laws of self-government in Ireland, he at the same time desired to see English- men and Welshmen returning such a majority to the House of Commons '1\S to make the vote of the Irish members of very little importance. Ha did not wish that they in Wales should ba liko Ireland in many respect^ he weut on, but they had had one thing in common. Until Mr Gladstone's legislation on the suoject, Ireland was saddled, as Wales is now, with a church alien to the majority of her people. He was anxious that what Mr Gladstone's Govern- ment had done for Ireland they should do in the next Parliament for Waies. (Ap- plause.) If they returned proper men to Parlia- ment, men who like himself would support a measure dealing with the Welsh Church on similar lines to those upon which the Irish Church had been dealt with, there was little doubt that in the next Parliament disestablishment in the Principality would be brought about. (Cheers.) Mr WARMINGTON, who was warmly welcomed, remarked that the land laws must be altered, but not in the seuse of benefiting the landlords. They had had a long and a good innings. The custom of primogenitive and the law of settle- ment should be abolished. He very much ques- tioned whether, since the time of Queen Elizabeth, the land of the Cecils had been in the hands of a man who bad a further interest in it than that of his own life. The result had been to prevent the land coming into the market, and also to create an exclusive and autocratic feeling, which was foreign to the genius of this country, and hostile to the welfare of the people. Referring to disestablishment, he said that the position of the English Church in Wales was, and always had been, first. an English Church and secondly it was, and always had been, an English Church in Wales. If there was to be a national church at all (he was against any such institution, as they knew) it ought in Wales to be a Welsh Church of Wales. But as they knew, it had never been a Welsh church, and it had never been of Wales. The resolution was then put to the meeting,, and carried unanimously amid much enthusiasm. Mr CoRNKr.iua JONES moved This meeting expresses its entire confidence in Sir Henry Jackson as the Liberal candidate for South Monmouthshire, and pledges itself to use every legitimate effort to secure his return by a lare majority. Mr GEOBGE LEWIS seconded the resolution, which was supported by Mr SIMONS, of Merthyr, and, like the other, carried with acclamation. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting.

THE SWANSEA LIBERAL AS- SOCIATION AND MR. DILLWYN. At a meeting of the executive committee of the Swansea Town Liberal Association, the following resolution has been unanimously passed That this meeting hears with very great satisfaction that Mr Dillwyn, M.P., is making very favourable progress in his recovery from the severe accident he sustained, and desires to offer him their sincere con. gratulations.

MR. TREVELYAN, M.P., AT TAUNTON. Mr Trevelyan, M.P., spoke at Taunton, on Saturday, in connection with the presentation of a testimonial to Lord Kilcoursie for his services to the Liberal cause at the last election. Mr Trevelyan took occasion to contradict the statement published in the Quarterly Re- view" as to the condition of Ireland, which was undoubtedly far better than it had been since Mr Gladstone returned to power, and emphatically denied the assertion made by Lord Salisbury to the effect that the condition of Ireland, which was now so dangerous and discreditable, was due to the administration of Lord Spencer and himself. Wilan he and Lord Spencer were in Ireland, rent was paid more regularly than in England but at the present moment in many pares no rent was being paid. and boycotting was more universal than it was then. But the most inconceivable state- ment of Lord Salisbury was that the Crimes Act did not check outrages. In 1881 there were 4,439 agrarian outrages, whereas in 1883, after the Crimes Act was passed, there were 762, while murders had decreased from 26 in 1881 to none in 1884.

The State of Trade. THE SOUTH WALES COAL TRADE. MEETINGS OF MASTERS AND MEN AT CARDIFF. REDUCTION OF WAGES. A series of meetings, which occupied the mem- bers of the Monmouthshire and South Wales Collieries Association and the delegates of the workmen the whole of Saturday, were held at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff. The first was a meeting of the Sliding-scale Joint Committee, Mr W. Abra- ham, the vice-chairman, in the absence of Mr W. T. Lewis, presiding. On the part of the masters there were present Mr E. Jones (chairman of the association), Mr A. Hood, Mr E. P. Martin, Mr C. B. Holland, and Mr W. Gasceyne Dalziel, secretary on the part of the workmen, Mr W. Abraham, Mr D. Morgan, Mr J. Evans, Mr D. Edwards, Mr John Jenkin, and Mr J. Morgan. OFFICIAL REPORT. The secretary of the Masters' Association (Mr Dalziel) has handed to us the official report of this meeting The Monmouthshire and South Wales Collieries Association, Cardiff, Oct. 17th, 1885. A meeting of the sliding scale joint committee was held to-day at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff, to receive the reports of the joint accountants, Messrs J. C. Kirk and Co., Leeds, and Mr C. E. Parsons, Newport, on the result of their audit of the account books for the four months ended 31st Aug., 1885. The result is that the wages payableto thework- men in the Monmouthshire and South Wales Associated Collieries shall be 10 per cent. above the standard rates of December, 1879, being a reduction of 2! per cent. as and from the 1st November, 1885. (Signed) Edward Jones, W. T. Lewis, John Nixon, F. A. Yeo, Archibald Hood, E. P. Martin, C. B. Holland, W. Abraham (vice- chairman), David Morgan, David Edwards, Isaac Evans, John Jenkin, John Morgan. Witness to the signatures of the parties hereto, W. GASOOYNB DALZIEL, Secretary. This reduction is in accordance with the agree- ment entered into by the workmen and masters on the 6th June, 1882, and was adopted unani- mously by both parties. DISPUTES WITH WORKMEN. The committee next considered a dispute at the Abercwmboy Colliery at Aberaman, and belong- ing to the Powell Duffryn Coal Company. The question in dispute was the price paid for "driving headings" in the seven feet seam. Mr Hann attended before the committee, and gave evidence on behalf of the oompany, and Mr D. Morgan did the same for the workmen and after a very long discussion the dispute was referred to Mr Bedlington, mining engineer, on the part of the associa- tion. and Mr D. Morgan for the workmen. dispute that had arisen among the hauliers at the Gnoll Colliery, Neath, was thrown out, as after hearing the evidence the committee came to the conclusion that the dispute was outside their jurisdiction.—A dispute among the colliers at Messrs Pearse and Company, Penlan Colliery, Gower-road, also gave rise to a long discussion. The difference here arises from the fact that the Messrs Pearse have recently acquired the colliery, and the colliers allege that the prices paid by the .Messrs Pearse differ from those paid by their pre- decessors. Mr G. L. Pearse attended and gave evi- dence, and so did also Mr Isaac Evans for the workmen, but the committee ultimately referred the dispute to Mr Archibald Hood and Mr I. Evans, who would hold an inquiry at the colliery and settle the dispute there. The subject of a dispute at the Aberdare Works and Colliery Company's Colliery, Cwmbach, was next brought forward for discussion, but was adjourned till the next meeting as the committee came to the conclusion that the evidence before them was insufficient, MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION. A general meeting of the master's association was then held, Mr S. Jones in the chair. There were also present Messrs Evan Lewis, L. Taylor, J. Colquhoun, C. J. N. Gray, R. Jordan, A. Hood, E. P. Martin, R. Bedlington, W. W. Hood, E. M. Hann, E. L. Pearse, W. Simons (solicitor), and W. G. Dalziel (secretary). The report of the sliding-scale joint committee, relative to the reduction of wages, was read by the secretary and adapted. It was also re- solved that the 2 per cent. reduction affecting the wages of colliers should also apply to the wages of engiuemen and stokers. The proprietors of the following collieries were then admitted as members of the association:— The Llynvi and Tondu Company's Collieries (in- troduced by Messrs Forster Brown and Rees; the Naval Steam Coal Company, Penygraig; the Ffalddau Steam Culhery Company, Garw Valley (introduced by Messrs JPyman and Watson, Car- diffl^. These GoUUriea tefiircmt an outawb of 700,000 tons of coal annually, ^ud the output the associated collieries now represent 13,500,0"" tons of coal anuually.—Meetings of tha assoclw tion were also held under the presidency of ldf E. Jones, when some amendments were made ill the internal arrangements of the association. The proceedings, which commenced early in tb*. morning, terminated about 6 o'clock in the eve;\ ing, during which time the resolutions proposaoj were unanimously adopted by masters and men. .I THE STRIKE AT THE GWERNA ) COLLIERY, MAESYCWMMER. 1 COLLIERY, l\IAESYCW.MMER. This strike has now lasted upwards of seven\ weeks. Happily there are very favourable hopeS that a speedy settlement of the question will sooll be brought about, as efforts have been put forth during the past week to refer the dispute t" arbitration. Mr John Jenkins, Llanvabon, oø8 of the liouse-coal representatives on the. board of conciliation, and Mr E. R. Lewis, head LianagOl of the colliery, it is expected, will be the a rbitrw tors, a third gentleman being selected as umpire Some of the men have obtained work elsewhere. APPEAL OF COALOWNERS AGAINS?) THE MERTHYR ASSESSMENT. REDUCTION OF FIVE PER CENT. At the meeting of the Merthyr Assessment Committee on Saturday, under the presidency oi Mr R. It. Rhys, Mr E. Lewis stated that gentle- men representing Dowlais, Cyfarthta, Plymoutbt Nixon's Navigation, Powell Duffryn, Harriss Navigation, Gadlys, Evans and Company, Broff den's, and other collieries, requested to see tW committee in reference to the valuation of their collieries. Consent having been given, Mr Rees Jones, of Messrs Harris's Navigation,and colliery owners' representatives, entered the room.-Mt I Rees Jones said the committee in their wisdoJ# J and fidelity to the interests they represented J had put them up in April, 1884, Ik per cent, on the value of their industries. rxlie Chairman suggested that they need not f,9 into the matter. Would the speaker point out what it wab he now desired 1 —Mr Rees Jones he did not inlu..Ind to review that action. ThO committee were there to represent the common interests of the coiw^unity at large, and, the! fore, why the coal trade should have been singled out for exceptional action was to him personally I an inscrutable mystery. He thought there were other interests which should be dealt with.- The Chairman Allow me to s^-y the railways were taken in haiid.-A-lr Jones did no refer specially to railways. He explained that the coal owners,in submitting to the format' ac^an?j of assessment, did so in the belief that if it shoul be found to work unsatisfactorily, they wooid bØ able to come to the committee torare-adjuitnifc'nt, They were there that day to ask the committee to { review the position. The price of coal had falie^ i at different places, and he thought from 12 to V per cent, less would be a reasonable tigure to assess the value ot the coal now as compared witil the time when the alteration was made. Th" j reduction of work in some places was from Z4 days in the month to seven and eight.rhe Chairman We all know the coal trade is very ( different to what it was.—Mr Rees Jones went 011 to say it was not simply the reduction in prices of coal put on board ship that the losses of a colliery owner the frequent stop' pages of pits also occasioned large losses. If itb principle the committee introduced into their decision when they increased the assessment by 7 per cent. in April, 1884, is to be ob, served, then,, he said, the colliery ovner5 were very largely entitled to a decrease now, —The Chairman asked Mr Rees Jones II' he was prepared to have the collieries reassessed —Mr Rees Jones said individually he had no ob' jection, but he would not say as much on bebalt of his colleagues, whom he had not had an oppor' tunity to consult on the point.—The Chairman » Do you contend that the price of coal at present in the market is lower than it was in 1869 or 187?1 —Mr Rees Jones said, speaking from memory, be was disposed to believe that there was no great difference between the prices obtainable in 1869 and now.—Dr. James inquired how it if priccs were so low, that coal was sti^ 13:3 a ton in Merthyr ? Mr Bell You must go to the middleman for tbat. The Chairman remarked that he always thoU#*1^ the colliery owners were wrong in charging inhabitants 2s a ton mora than they cbargëd to send it away.—Mr F. James (clerk) said thore was a great monopoly in Merthyr.-The Ohs-It- man said it was quite clear that the coal trade waS in a most depressed condition. He admitted, that during recent years the cost of raising co had increased at the rate of Is or Is 6d a toO- He thought, however, the matter was so serious that it ought to be adjourned for further co»' sideration. This course was objected to by Lewis and others. The deputation having e- tired, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Davld I Davies (Aberdare). seconded by Mr Tbo-all Jenkins, that the valuation of all coal propertIeS in this union be reduced by 5 per cent. -——————— I

PROPOSED EXTENSION OF CARDIFF FREE LIBRARY. A report issued by the Cardiff FEW Libntf Committee is being circulated having reference to the proposed extension of the present buildings, about which, it will be remembered, there was discussion at the last town council, though more' particularly in relation to the preservation of ad- joining sites. The report urges, among otbef reasons for the utilisation of this adjoining groutl& as the leases terminate, the congestion which baS;, taken place consequent on the great populaxitl. which the institution has acquired. lø,) d the lending department the books issue during the past year amount to 80,000/ which is about 16,000 above the preceding year I More than 2,700 volumes have been added, bring' ing the total up to 20,000. At the present rate, of increase it is calculated that the issue ne"tr.: year will be 120,000. The issue in the reference department is about 10,000, which also shows large increase. The extension is, moreovoro desired for the specification of patents, the want of which is much felt. The number of visits to the reading-room is estimated to amonnt in one year to 250,000, a daily average of 800. which causes the present room to be inconveniently crowded. An extension of the ladies' room 11 also urgently needed for a like reason. The meagre space allotted to the art gallery elioit* the prediction that if a more convenient gallery were provided, it would induce the offer by gentlemen to place paintings now in their posses- sion at the service of the town. In the science and art schools the floor is fully occupied by the various classes, and their further development would, it is said, be materially aided by increased space.

CAPTURE OF A SHARK FOLKESTONE. On Saturday morning a shark, measuring about 7ft., got entangled in the mackerel nets of soins Hastings fishermen who were trawling in the Channel off Folkestone. The nets were greatly damaged, and it was with much difficulty the huge fish was caught. The men made a trium- phal procession with their trophy through the town of Sandgate, and the town crier preceded its entrance into the neighbouring towns, where attempts were made to raise a sum of money sufficient to buy new nets.

I BURNING A CHILD. Jnlia. Buckingham, dressmaker, aged 18, single woman, was, on Saturday, taken into custody by the Barnstaple police on a charge of having concealed the birth of her illegitimate child, and afterwards burnt it. The neighbours noticed that she was enceinte, and did not see her for some days, when they detected a peculiar sinell from the house. On being interrogated by the police, she at first denied having been con- fined, but afterwards admitted that a child was born, and that she put it on the fire m the grate and burned it.

RAILWAY COLLISION AT TO I PRESTON. Shortly before seven o'clock on Saturday even- ing a passenger train for Manchester ran into two engines standing on the London and North* Western Railway at Ribble Bridge, Preston Station. Reuben Johnson, stoker of the passen- ger train, sustained severe internal injuries, and Mrs Hough and Annie Helm, of Preston, »nd Margery >V ood and Clement Elliott, of Leyland, were all badly contused. The dri ver of the train was unable to see the signal owing to a fog.

UNFAILING REMEDY FOR HEADACHES KERNICK'S VEGETABLE PUJA FOR INDIGESTION Sold by all Chemists, dee., in nd, ISid, and i^ryARR afTmsxkwarn