The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality

CONWAY. 130ARD OF GUARDIANS. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of this Board was held on Thursday last, the 3Ut ult. Present :-John Williams, Esq., chairman; Messrs Thomas Parry and Jeftery Thomas, vice-chairmen; Jolm.Jones, Caeihun E. E. Davies, Couway; Robt. Roberts, Uyffin Wil- liam Roberts, Dolgarrog; W. J. Hughes, Dwygyfylchi; Edward Morris, Eirias; Owen Jones, Llanbedr; Wil. liam Roberts, Llandrillo Thoa. Jwnes, Llaueliati Wil. liam Junes, Llangelynin; Hugh Williams, Llaugns- tenyn and Thomas Foulkea, Llysfaen. The Assisaant Clerk (Mr Parry) read the minutes of the previous meeting, which were confirmed. Vote of thanks.—On the motion of Mr Thomas Parry, seconded by Mr J strrey Thomas, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Richard Davies, Eeg., M.P., Benartb, fur the substantial Christmas treat which he had given to the inmates of the Workhouse. Pauper ltdicf.—A comlllunication was read from the Poor Law Board, in reference to certain poiuts connec- tell with the administration of Poor Relief, to which their attention had been recently directed. Attention was called to the necessity of gupplyiug the Relieving- officers with weights and scales, as several bakers had recently been convicted of giving short weight, thu? defrauding both the ratepayers and the poor. Th(: Board recommended tYat the Gua^d.ans should, as a general rule, appoint some one or more places in each parish (not being a public house or a shop.) at which, at a time fixed by them and duly made public, it should be the duty of the Relieviug-offwer to attend, for the purpose of admiuisteriug relief. They further strongly advised the Guardians to require the Rulievmg-ollicers to keep a diary, as was already done in some Unions, to be laid before the Guardians at earh meeting, containing such particulars as they may deem requisite. Financial.—The following sums were paid ia outrelief during the last fortuhrht:— 1st week. 2ud week. Mr Robert II ughes £ 65 10 0 IC59 16 3 Mr Jessie Jones £ 95 8 0 £ 76 5 0 £ 160 18 0 £ 136 1 3 Balance in the hands of Treasurer, £1117 3s. ld.

LLANGEFNI. SEASONABLE BENEVOLENCK.—The poor of this parish have been this year again the charitable objects of Airs and Miss Bramston Smith, of Pencraig, near this town. The benevolent ladies, in their accustomed manner, through the liev. H. Owen, and the Rev. W. Edwards, t be respected rector aud curate, distributed in coal and money, amongst no less a number than 150 of worthy recipients being chiefly dccripit old men and women.

MACHYNLLETH. BDROLAHY AND ATTEMPTED MunDEH BY A GOVERNESS AT RHIWLAS.—A singular case of burglary and attemp- ted arson was investigated at the Machynlleth Petty Sessions on Wednesday afternoon, before the Kevs. W. G. Davies aud J. W. Kirkham. A ladylike person, named Mary Jane Grey, was brought up on remand charged with having burglariously entered the dwelling house of Air William Henry Davies, and stolen a silver tankard, and a quantity of silver spoons, forks, and other articles. From the evidence it appeared that on the night of December the 14th the house of the prose. cutor, who is an independent gentleman residing at lthiwlas, a place about two miles distant from Machyn- lleth, was broken into, the entrance being effected by a window in one of thv Cillars. A quautity of silver plate and a variety of small kni.'k-knacks of trifling value were found to have been taken away by the thief, who, from the light impression of a small foot in the garden, but outside the window, and from the fact of two glass buttons being found in the cellar, was believed to be a woman. Police were communicated with, and a further search of the premises led to the belief that the burglar had also endeavoured to set fire to house. On the upper fia Jieno.'k of the dining room there were traces of a caudle haviug been placed there for some time, the wood work Leing greatly charred and the kitchen and hall doors, a large beam running across the kitchen, and a portiou of the stairs, presented a similar appear. ance. From inquiries prosecuted by the police, it was ascertained that a woman, bearing the appearance of the prisoner, was inquiring at Machynlleth station, between three and four o'clock on th" morning of the burglary, respecting a train which she had just mied, At 6. SO ou the same morning she Wa seen at, Oemmes itoau station ill a very wet and dirty condition, and carrying a small bag. She appeared desirous of not attracting attention, and left by the 9.15 a.m. train for Welshpool, whence she proceeded to Oswestry, and at four o'clock the same evening she offered a silvcr creamjug in pawn at Messrs. Dale's, the Cross, who declined to receive it, but a small dark lantern, which was identified by the prosecutor as being his property. On the 19th December, she was was apprehended at Shrewsbury by Chief Constable Darnley, and in her box was found a knife belonging to the prosecutor, aud on the body of a dress belonging to her there were missing two outtons similar to those found in the cellar. The prisoner had until recently been in the employ of Mr Davies as a nursery governess, aud is said to be well connected. She appeared to be very ill, and fainted when the bench illtiroated that they should commit her for trial at the March Montgomeryshire Assizes. She denied having any inteution of robbing Mr Davies, aud said that she had gone to Machynlleth in order to see his children.

I RUTHIN. BOAUD oe GUAUDIANS.—Th's meeting was held at the Board-room, iu the orkhou"c, ou ;\Iuu,¡"y, the 28th ult. Present—Kev. David Huberts, chairinan He v. E. J. OWJII, yice.chairman; Messrs Edward J oiietg, LIan. e!Uau; Thomas Williams, Uaugau'uafal; Henry Gran- fh tm, Llanrhaiidr; Hey", Wm. Williams, Llanychan; Jo'm Griffith, Llanynys. The minutes of the last meet- illg were re id aud confirmed. The, was uo business uf puolic iuterest.—Out Relief.—T. Griiffths, £ 1U9 W. II Ji)nei, X65 -Is. Balance against the treasurer, X1325 90 2d. Number in tho house, 102, corresponding fortuight last year, 100. The master reported that he had given the inmates the dinuer its directeol last board, and that they were llJuch pleased with the entertain- ment. The dining-hall (which was visited by several of the guardians) was beautifully decorated and reflected great credit upon Mr and Mrs \V illiams, the master aud matron, and the other officers of the Workhouse. Mr Ellis, the soda water manufacturer and his family, as usual attended on Christmas Day, and distributed oranges, buns, toffy, &o., to the children.

CBONTCL C R M R U, PRICK ONE 1>K\TNY. A WEEKLY NEWSPAl'KK, PRINTED IN THE WELSH LANGUAGE. C^ONTAININO wdl-selected Articles, Re- J ports. Local Intelligence. Spirit of the Press, Agri- culture, Markets, &c. U is extensively circulated among the Lower and Midlife Classes of Waies, Knd amous 'W(-)shn?nf;eneraUy in London, Liverpool, .Mal1dlester, I Bristol, and other towns in E.gl,,?,1, IreUivd, a"d Scot- taHd. An excellent medium for adverting, as its pre- »dui circulation exceeds 9,000 cop i es wee k ly, .dISII}iN:n :xcs '(IHeo\c;I,WC'¡¡O!l1CT.E are respectfully reminded that one red stump will cover the postage of the two papers printeA at this Oflice-im. pressed stamped copies must be sent depurate. Orders for Papers, Advertisements. lie., must be sent early in the week to the Proprietor, JOHN KENMUIR DOUGLAS, Chronicle Office, Bangor. Crown go? pp. 304, -cetel.th cover, p,*? 3s. 1\/fIS?LI?EOU? POEMS and PEN- 1 AND-INK SKETCHES, chiefly of WELSH SCENERY ..a noted Places in Carnarvon shire also. selections from the Letters of "WELSH GIRL" and OLD MOUN- TAINEER," by RICHARD RICHARDS, "North Wales Chronicle" Office, Bangtr. Published and Sold by Mr J. K. Douglas High-street, Bangor, to whom orders for the work may be addressed. SIR JAMES MTJRRY'S PURE FLUID MAGNESIA has been prescribed by the Profession during sixty years as the bese remedy for Acidities, Indi- gestion, Heart-burn, Gravel, and Gout. It averts the dangerous concretion caused by the use of Solid Magnesia or Granular Citrates. His Acidulated Lemon Syrup, when mixed with hi. Fluid, forms a pleasant effervescing aperient, peculiarly adapted for ladies and children. Sold by all Chemists in Bottles at Is and 2s 6d. CAUTION —To guard against spurious imitations, Sir James Murray's name is affixed to each label. 56 Torin of Bubicription to the Horth Wales Chrolaitle. VtlHPtD, UJt8TAUP&D. Ct?. Crtdit. | y«»Tly 19«. ■ .21b. Ht[f-y.<r)y.<!d..tO'.M. QuarWrIl 6, 6,,6d Cash- Credii Yearly 14«. 10«. lhlt-yurly 7. 88, QUlrterly 3s. 4s Port-office orders c. be made payable to the Proprietor JOHN KENMUIR DOUGLAS. TO ADVERTISERS I WhiUtvjttakteare totecurc I)v r:RlIg:ll advftLimtntt :t k: tor &.C;i;.t.' a/;i: I ariiinp 1i1,(/fom. TO CORRESPONDENTS. No notice can tafcen 8f anonymong conununitationi. What. ever is intended (or insertion mild be authenticated bf th. maw "nd aa Ires so(, he" il?r; not .?,,??ssarify for puhllcatim but at ftUuranf.ee of his food Caith. We CIDDOL undertake Lc fitttia rejected com1uuuiu.tiou&.

NEWS OF THE WEEK. It is stated on good authority that on the re- assombling of Parliament the Queen will attend and deliver a speech from the throne. At an early hour on Thursday morning, George Cole Baker, Esq., justice of the peace for the county of Tipperary, was shot dead near his own house. It is supposed that the recent serving of some ejection writs has induced some ruffian to assassinate him. A violent gale swept over the whole country on Saturday night and early on Sunday morning, and the wind continued very high, with gusty but inconstant violence, during the day. The wind began to rise on Saturday afternoon, when there were several fbshes of lightning, with thunder and tremendous storms of hail. Throughout the night the stormy weather continued, and early on Suuday moruing the wind had reached a gale, blowing generally from the W.N. W., and accom- panied by violent squalls. Many serious accidents have occurred, and great damage has been done to property. Captain Speirs, the Liberal member for Ren- frewshire, died on Wednesday of typhoid fever. He was aged 28, and was first elected in 1865. This is the third death which has occurred among members of the Legislature since the general election. The Conservative committee of Glasgow aud Aberdeen universities have determined not to proceed with the petition against Mr Moncrieff, the Lord Advocate for Scotland. The See of London became vacant on Wednes- day by the confirmation of Dr. Tait to the Archie- piscopal See of Cauterbury. The Prince of Wales and Crown Prince of Denmark started on Tuesday on a tour through Sweden. Sir Richard Mayne, chief commissioner of the metropolitan police, who had been ill for some time, died on Saturday night, at the age of seventy-two years. lie was fourth son of the late Honourable Mr Justice Mayne, one of the judges of the Court of 'Queen's Bench in Ireland, and was born in 1796. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1822. In 1829 be was ap- pointed a commissioner of the metropolitan police and for his services in that capacity was created a C.B. in 1847, and was made a K.C.B., civil divi- sion, in 1851. It is to be hoped that the awful list of catastro- phes which are a special characteristic of 1868 will terminate with the last day of the year. Cer- tainly the present year seems determined to keep up its unhappy prestige in this respect to the last. A colliery explosion at Wigan, with the loss of at least twenty-two lives, and a railway accident at Stockport, by which thirty persons were more or less injured, figure among the more important accideuts of the week, while as to minor disaster, their name is legion. We exclude from the cata- logue the loss of the Starry Banner, the graphic account of which seems to be regarded Its a lioax. We hope it may be so, but, if so, we think the talents of the writer might have been applied to a bettor purpose. The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has passed a resolution which directs an inquiry into the conduct of all members of the erder who voted at the late election for candidates pledged to dis- establish the Irish Church, and has given instruc- tions that, if necessary, such members shall be expelled from an institution they have dis- graced." We disapprove of the action of the Orange Lodge in Ireland as much as we do of "chapel screw" in Wales. The stability of the Portuguese Cabinet is con- j sidered doubtful. The Ministers have stated, at a meetiug of the principal bankers and capitalists of Lisbon and Oporto, that they cannot accept the exorbitant terms asked in Paris for a loan, nor could they yield in honour to the exigencies of foreign rtilwty couipaiiies. The statements of the Ministers were well received, and the meeting, expressing confidence iu the Ministers, appointed a committee for the purpose of providing funds for the present necessities of the Treasury. Intelligence has been received of the suppression of the revolt in San Domingo. Advices received at Sydney state that 50 Euro- peans and their families have been massacred at New Zealand by the Maories. The Government is said to be incompetent to deal with the rebel- lion. A volunteer force was being enrolled at Victoria to assist iu putting down the rebellion. Intelligence received from Hayti, via New York, announces that Salnave is organising a re- newal of the attack on Jacmel, and it is reported from a doubtful source that he has captured, pil- laged, and burned Miragoane. The Republican leaders in Spain, after due consideration, have determined to continue their efforts to establish a republican form of govern- ment, in preference to supporting the candidature of Espartero for the throne. The monarchial committee have appointed six of their members to act with the government to secure "liberty and moral integrity at the elections." The papers which are supposed to represent the views of the Provisional Government say that the Government will not entertain any proposal which may be made by the United States for the purchase of Cuba. President Johnson has issued a proclamation granting an unconditional pardon to all partici- pants in the rebellion, with restoration of all rights, privileges, and immunities under the constitution and laws enacted in pursuance thereof. The news with reference to the Turko-Greek quarrel is of a pacific character. There is every probability now that a conference will be held, and it is said that Turkey and Greece are showing a more conciliatory spirit than hitherto. It has been officially announced at Athens that the Porte has granted three weeks longer for Greek subjects to leave Turkey. It is now stated that the Enosis has not been sunk, but that she is being detained at Syra until the Greek tribunals have given their decision. A telegram states that the Crete insurgents have made their submission to the Turkish Government. The Russian authorities have suspended facili- ties granted to Greek ships to assume the Russian flag.

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I THE "CHAPEIJ> SCREW." SINCE our last mention in an editorial shape of the now famous" Chapel Screw as applied at the recent general election in North Wales, our own columns and those of our contemporaries have, if not actually deluged, at least been superabund- antly occupied, by protests on the part of our Nonconformist friends against the allegations which we, in the discharge of a public duty, have felt it incumbent upon us to make. The repre- sentatives of some congregations have denounced us almost violently for wilful misrepresentation others, more temperate, have taken the charit- able view and attributed to us, not deliberate falsehood, but misapprehension of the influence the Dissenters have exercised upon their congre- gations. We had always understood that the Radical party (and .wo include amongst them, of course, the great portion of the Dissenting com. munity) abjured and abhorred "influence" of whatever kind, and no section of the press has, in the past so persistently—we had even thought consistently deprecated priestly directiou in matters political and yet we find the part that so many Nonconformist ministers have taken in the recent political struggle upheld, and not only up- held, but justified by almost scriptural precedent. We find no fault with the legitimate exercise of clerical influence; we believe that in many matters that influence can be brought to bear with good results, but politics and the pulpit, we think, should be separated. It is with this feel- ing that we have denounced the action taken during the months preceding the election. We are aware that by so doing we have given public offence to some of those who, differing from us, yet wished us well but, if it be any consolation to those of our subscribers we do not hesitate to say that we should have adopted a precisely simi- lar course to any of the Established Church who bad committed themselves and degraded their high office, by converting the house of God into a political rostrum :-we should have adopted a no less independent tone ill this particular instance than we have done with regard to that great curse of the Church of E tig] arid- excessive Ritualism. Because, then, it has fallen to our lot to expose the one as we had previously and contemporaneously exposed the other, we see no reason for the thunderbolts that have been weekly launched at our head, and we feel assured that in the end none will regret more the use to which religion has been put in deciding the great controversy of the day than those who have abused, or have abetted in the abuse of the power held over the minds of a semi-educated and impulsive people. We have been so often told that the "cha- pel screw," the screw seiat," or by whatever name Nonconformist intolerance is known, is a pure myth, that we have begun to doubt our I senses, and to imagine that the idea of our Dis- sentjng brethren condescending to that which in I others they have so condemned, was, after all, Kit the offshoot of a nightmare. We can no longer, however, entertain such a delusion in the face of two f,.ets: one, that a number of Dis- senters, of what particular sect we know not, have left their chapels and joined the communion of the Church, because of the preaching of polities in their chapels, instead (if the gospel. The other, that anyone in the Dissenting ranks who dares to avow himself a Tory is held up to opprobrium and ridicule of his fellow-religionists. This latter is abundantly exemplified in a notice which, previous to the election, we infer, was posted on the door of a chapel school at Rhostryfan, and which will be found in another columu. Thir- teen individuals arc execrated because of their proclivities, but the thunder of the Calvinistic Methodist Vatican descends upon the head of "John Roberts, tailor." The reason which in- duced Mr Johnltoberts, tailor, to "shoulder the musket" iu the Tory army is certainly a novel one. He confessedly, at any rate, is not under the influence oi the screw," but he has a "big brother"—a "brother Ellis," who is a parson in some parish in Anglesey," and he it is, so it seems, who commands his pigmy fraternal relation to desert the flock and vote-iio, we beg pardon, not vote, but remain neutral in a crisis which is to de- termine almost the future well-being of the coun- try. Poor Hugh Hughes, Coedybrain," too, has the audacity to desert, or at least to waver, from his co-religionists, and he is forthwith placed in the pillory with John Roberts, tailor, when the "other ten" (the Calvinistic Methodists of Rhos- tryfan are evidently not a mathematical body- two from thirteen, according to our schoolboy ex- perience, being eleven) "are likely to be seen driven to the poll, like other animals, and the tailor, with his needle at the point of his staff, goading them on." Pleasant this for the animals" goaded on by the bodkin of the tailor, who gloats with every prick of his weapon (we had, hitherto, considered the instrument very harmless) upou the idea that "peradventure lie will please his landlord and his conscience by so doing." Joking apart, does it not strike our Noncon- formist political brethren that all this is literally straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel"- seeing monster" beams" in the eyes of their oppo- nents and from want of examination, allowing their ow a optics to be a bit clouded ? Does- it not strike them that hereafter their duties M ministers of the gospel are amply sufficient to occupy their attention, without adopting so readily the role of electioneering agents ? Let u3, after this, hear nothing further of in- diguation, so virtuously protested, against the assertions of chapel ,,crew "-rttlier let the in- strument be buried in the oblivion of the past. I

ftirtto, ^Um'tages, anil jjatusi Notices of Births, Marriageft, and Deatht should be authenticated by the name and address of the senders, or transmitted to us through our accredited Agmts. We beg to intimate, that in future, notices of Births and Mar- riages will be charged as Advertisements at the uniform rate of One Shilling eacb; and except where the party sending has an account at the office, prepayment must be made, or the notice will not appear. If more convenient to the sender, pays merit may be made in Red Postage stamps. Obituary notices will be inserted frte as heretofore. BIRTHS. On the 25th ult., at 83, High-street, Portmadoc, the wife of the Rev, Thos. Thomas, curate, of a son. 68 On the 28th, ult., th. wife of the Rev. E. Pughe, Llantrisant Becteiy, Anglesey, of a dauglter. 89 MA.RRIAGE. On the 29th nit., at the Bangor Cathedral, by the Rev. John Pryce, vicar, Mr. William Hall, of Worcester, so. of the late John Hall, of A enton Penbridge, near Leominster, to Charlotte Mary, daughter of Mrs, Dykins, of this town. 84 DEATHS. 'On the 22nd ult., at No. 1, Park Terrace, Upper Bangor, after a long and severe illness, Jane Roberts, 'late of the British School, Menai B,idg?, g?d 25 years. sc:o:¡,1 :Igs: 12:t:l:inf.nt son of Mr, Thomas Lewis Fr on Deg, Bangor,-&Red (; weeki. i Le;rt::tr::In::t:; Mr T. Birkett' grocer, Pe-rhyn Home, High street, Bangor, Samuel Williams, Min- ffordd,—aged 18 years. On the 26th ult., after a long and severe ilInes8, 1fr Edward Edwrd Price, ki..?,, U,=e,?t, I)enbigh. g?d 62 y?. -highly respected. On the 31st ult,, at Tyddyn, l.lanllechid, Mr. W. H. Jones, draperJaged 20 years. On the 2tith ult., Richard, youngest son of Mr. John Morgan Cadnaut, Menai Bridge,—in his 17th year,

COUNTY COURT SITTINGS FOR JANUARY. R. VAUGHAN WILLIAMS, ESQ., JUDGE. Jan. Jan. Holywell o Denbigh Ruthin — Wrexham 20 St. A.aph 8 Llangollen — Rhyl — Ftiut. Bangor 11 Mold 22 Carnarvon 13 Couway — Holyhead ,Llau?wst _I' Holyhead — Llaurwst — Llangefni 14

We are requested to say that the day fixed for the Bangor Church Conference is Tuesday, January 12th, 1869, and not the 21st, as named in our last Saturday's number. A tine adult specimen of the Martin cat (which haS almost become extinct) was recently killed at Nannerch near Mold, and presented to Mr Stivens, dental sur, geon, Chester, by LL F. Lloyd, Esq. Air Corbet, the master of the Cheshire Hounds, has had the bone of one of his legs broken by a fall at Spur- stow, and Sir Phillip Egertou is master pro. tern, during his absence from the field. EXCISE APPOINTMENT.—Mr B. M. Johnson, OJlicer, Pwllheli ride, Bangor collection, has beeu appointed to Crediton ride, Exeter collection; Mr Edward Fincher, First Class Assistant, Campbeltown collection, has been appointed Officer of Pwllheli ride, Bangor collection. Instructions have been given to th* Post-office officials in different parts of the country to the effect that on and after the 1st of January next the issue of dog licences will form a portiou of their duties. The directors of the National Provincial Rank of England have again voted a bonus of 10 per cent, to all their officers and clerks on their salaries for the present year. On Tuesday, 22nd ult., the members of the English and Welsh choirs of St. Mary's, nuinberiug [about sixty persons, were kindly invited to supper by Mr and Mrs Davies, of Caellepp3, which was served at the National Schools, Dean-etreet. The eveuing was most pleasantly spent in singing, &c., and addresses very appropriate to Ille occasion alld purpose of their meeting were made by the Hcv. John Pryce, Mr Davies, Mr T. T. Parry, Bodivir, ami Mr T. Uwen, National School. Mrs Pryce, Miss Swainson, Mrs Pritchard, Miss James, Miss Wil- Hams, HeV. J. Morgan, Mr T. T. Parry, Mr Evans, churchwardens of the Cathedral Church, &c., were pre- sent during the eveuing. The wonderful energy and untiring preseverance which Mr Davies has brought to bear upon the trainiug of the ebloir- and he is most suc- cessful- 6 beyond all praise. Criccieth Post-office, is open for savings banks de posits and withdrawals after the 1st iust. THE BANGOR DRUM AND FIFE BAND.— W eare glad to see that at last the strenuous efforts of this baud bai culminated in success. On Christmas Eve the inhabi- tants of our old city wore delighted with several very popular, and certainly, all things being coudsidered, very well performed tunes. We wish them success. ANOTHER COLLISION ON Ttn; LONDON AND NORTH- WESTERN IIAILWAV.—The North Staffordshire train frum Manchester, due at Stoekpirt at 2'35 p,m, came into collision at 2 50 on Wednesday, at Stockport sta- tion, on the Loudou aud North-western Railway, with an engine which had been disabled in a collision at Lougsight on Tuesday afternoon. The disabled engine was on its way to Crewe for repairs, and was drawn by another engiue. Both were brought to a standstill on the maiu line, about 2,10 yard" from the station, and close to the extensive viaduct counccting Heaton Norris with Stockport, which is about 100 feet high, awaiting the despatch of a goods train from the station. The danger signals were put on, and a fog signal put on the rails. In the face of these precautions the Staffordshire train came up at the rate of about twenty miles an hour, and dashed into the disabled engine, The buffer. plank of the passenger engine was knocked off, nearly the whole of the carriages were disabled, and about 30 of the passengers were more or leas injured. No one was killed. Thomas Slater, joiuer, Ashbourne; Esther Lever, Manchester; W. C. Hope, Suiford Andrew Cowan, Manchester; Henry Wood, railway clerk, Poynton Sidney Meakin, Hulwe; Prudeuce Sheldon, Leek; Patrick M'Greavy, Mayo; and Henry Bedford, Macclesfield, were tikeii to the Stockport lutirmary, where they had their wounds dressed. Wood and Sheldon are the only ones iu the infirmary. CHRISTMAS DAY AT TIIE BANGOR WORKHOUSE.— In spite of the wind and rain and the inclement weather, Christmas Day was a bright and happy day to the in. mates of the Bangor YVorkhouse. Nowhere in Bangor was there such a Merry Christmas," nowhere was the time-honoured holiday so well observed, and nowhere was joy and mirth more apparent. As is their custom, the guardians of the Bangor and Beautuarit) Union kindly treated the inmates of the workhouse to a sump- tuous dinner and tea, the first consisting of true British roast beef and plum puddiug, and the tea-table was of course graced with an unlimited quantity of bara brith, cakes, and numerous other luxuries, which could not fail to gladden the hearts aud to brighten the pallid faces of the poor inmates. In addition to the dinner and tea given by the guardians, several ladies and gentlemen had sent a number of valuable presents to the inmates, and not the least importaut were an ad libitum supply of "baccy" for the old tneu, and a quantity of that invaluable commodity, yclept sunil; for the ladies." Between diuuer and tea old and young alike gave themselves up to enjoymetit,-giooni had to give way to rejoicing, and sorrow disappeared to make room for gladness.. The gaiety of the occasion was greatly increased by the two Christmas trees which had been presented by the Misses Parry, of Bodifyr, and Mr Francis, hairdresser. The following lines were fixed to the tree presented by Mr Fraucis And AS 'TJE now just Christmas time, Pudding and beef will make a rhyme But only those can join the glee, That have those thirgs as well as me Thus then for this 1 send my mite To fill some others with delight. To help provide, if nothing more, A Christmas Tree for the P..r. Valuable contributions had also beeu received from Captain and lrs Verney, Mr Evan Evans, Gwynfryn Mr John Thomas, Miufford; Air William Hobert" grocer, and others. The dining-room was very tastely decorated with flowers, evergreens, and suitable mot- toes, some of which had been skilfully worked by an aged pauper named Henry Griffith, whose works vi art adorn the walls of several rooms in the workhouse. The following ladies and gentlemen assisted at dinner and tea;—Mrs Williams, Tyddyn; Mrs R. M. Griffith, Bank Mrs T. T. Parry, Boddifyr; Miss Thomas, Cpper Baugor Miss A. Thomas, High street; Miss Davies Messrs. George Simpson, T. T. Parry, E. Evans, yn. fryn; John Pritchard, Plaalhvyd terrace i William Roberts, grocer; G. Simpson, JUD., Hobert lJavíc8, kr: 4c. In tlie evening au amateur concert w&ggiv^ti it. the dining hall, which was well filled. The programme- consisted of select pieces from the works of the great composers, together with olle or two comic 8ong The Christmas trees were drawn for at intervals between the pieces, and a most agreeable evening was spent. The arrangements were carried out under the direction of Miss Evans and Mr Owen, who spared no efforts to cheer and amuse the poor inmates. On St Thomas's Day £ 20 w**th of winter clothing was distributed at Llan,l*idiol(!u Chtirch,by the rector and chufchwardenvlftang the gift of R. G. Duff, Esq., of Vaynol. During the past week, a ship load of coal has been distributed by Robert Davies, Esq., Bodlondeb, among the poor people of Penrhos-garnedd, Penychwintan, and the neighbourhood, in quantities of 4 cwt. and 5 cwt. SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT PKNRHVN QUABRY, IJETHESDA. -On the 29th ult., as two men were stamping some gunpowder, an explosion occurred, by which both men were unfortunately injured. One of the men, who had his haud blown off, was immediately taken home, and: Dr. Httghes, of Bethesda, was soon in attendance The other, John Jones, Brynhafodywern, was so severely injured as to necessitate his being taken to the Infirmary at Bangor, where, under the skilful treatment of the house surgeon (Dr. illiams), we are happy to state he is progressing most favourably. He sustained the following injuries :-one arm fractured, lower jaw and left eye severely injured. ACCIDENT AT THE BANGOR RAILWAY STATION.—0 the 30th ult, John Jones, one of the railway porters at Bangor Statiou, whilst engaged in coupling two wag gons, sustained a very serious injury, his arm being jammed between the buffers. He was taken to the Carnarvonshire and Bangor Infirmary, and he is now fast recovering. Lead mining in Wales is being profitably and exten- sively prosecuted, and though unostentatiously, is im- perceptibly filling up the gap created by the falling off in our Cornish mines. Minera, Talargoch, Lisburne, &c., are brilliant instances. Large fortunes have been and are being made, and losses the exception, for speculative and wild companies for jobbing find small favoui. The Principality bids fair to take the first place iu lead, as it is now doing in coal, and to outstrip Durham in lead, at it is now doing in coal. Fresh districts are being dis- covered, and good discoveries are being made in old and neglected fields. Cardiganshire mines have for cen- turies been celebrated, and the contiguous county- Montgomery-is opeuiug up some of the richest lead mines in this county. Within a radius of two or three miles round Llauidloes there are 1'4e8 which, for size and richness, have no parallel. Flintshire, long cele- brated for founding county families from its mineral wealth, is again manifesting signs of activity. The old .Mold mines are being opened by a local proprietary. A new 85 in. cylinder-engine has been erected, and is wot k- ing, ar.d the mine about half drained. The courses of ore left in tue mine are known to be rich, and cannot fail to yield large returns on the same rich lodes to the west and adjoiniug. The Glan Alun Company is work- iiig very rich and profitable courses of ore are here dis- covered, worked down as deep as they could go with a turbine. A large water-wheel is in course of erection, and nearly finished, and the shaft, for extensive and per- manent working, has been widened, and will be com- pleted in a mouth's time. The wheel and turbine will command the workings for an indefinite period, fur they are further assisted by the large engine of the Mold mines, workiug on the same lode. Already the water is reduced to one-halt, and, according to present appear- ances, they will soon have a dry and profitable wiue.

ANOTHER COLLIERY EXPLOSION. LOSS OF TWENTY- WO LIVES. On Wednesday, another fatal ignition of fare-damp took place iu tbe Wigan coal field, resulting, it is be- lieved, in the 108B of at leasl 22 live,. The exploion occurred iu the collieries of Messrs. ltichard Evans and Co., which are situate about the centre of the town,hip of Haydock, three miles from St. Helen's and seven from the borough of Wigan, and are known by the name of the Haydock Collieries. The Queen pic is sank to a depth of 2O yards, and at it are obtained two seams of coat— the Raveuhead maindelf and the Wigan nine-foot, It was in the latter where the casualty occurred. It is said that about 10 men were employed in this mine; but the particular district in which the explosion has taken place had only been worked about two years, and only 25 meu were engaged in it, all descending to their work on Wednesday morning last. Shortly after noon the colliers tn¡:agd in some other porti"n of the pit noticed a derangemeut of the ventilation, and on exami- nation beiug made it was f"uII,1 that a very serious ex- plosion had taken place. Mr Chadwick, the under- ground manager, and Mr Billinge, the underlo<>k«.-r in charge of the 9-feet workings, were at once «om muni- cited with, and an exploring party was organised. As soon as the current of air could be restored, an exami- nation of the district in which the grs bad fired W: com- menced. The work was one of considerable difficulty, iu consequence of the damage done to the stoppings and in the air-ways. Three persons were found to have been severely hurt, aud they were removed to the sur- face, where their injuries were attended to. As the ex- plurel's prueecded tbey found the bodies of the deceased in the levels, and forwarded them to the surface, where they were placed in a workshop which had been hastily arranged for the purpose. Up to 11 o'clock on Wednes- day hiahi 17 bodies had been recovered, aud search was then beiug made for the remainder. Many of the de- ceased have been much burnt. The explosiou is supposed to have occurred alout 250 yards from the pit-eye, but of course uothiug is known as to how it originated. It is supposed, however, that the accumulation of g*& has been cauoed by souie de- rangement of the ventilation, probably in consequence of a fall of roof or something of that nature. The mite was ventilated in districts, and this will account for only one portion having been affected by the explosion. Altogether about 300 men were engaged in the woi kings cOnlmllnica1ÎlIg with the shaft. Several of the deceased commenced work that m,)rning forthe first time in the pit, and it is said that many of them are men who had worked in the HindJry Green mine, but had refvised toresUlne wot k after the explo. sion there. The explosion did not cause much noise, and many yf the colliers in other parts of the miue remained at their work unconscious that anything unusual had hap- pened.

MEMORIAL TO SIR RICHARD MAYNI.—Steps are being taken to erect a monument in memory of Sir R. Mayne. The initiative has been taken by the metropolitan police force. The subscription of each man mutt not be more than a day's pay, nor less than Is. THE SCHOOLMASTER GOING ABROAD.—An odd misap- p:icatioB of a well-known line was made at a meetiug held at Whitchurch last week for the purpose of pre- senting a clock to a schoolmaster who was leaving the neighbourhood. The chairman, after addressing the honoured gentleman in affecting terms, wound up by expre>sing the hope that he might enjoy health and happiuess in his new sphere of existence, and that in the end he might not fail to reach 0 that bourne where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest." The fervent utterance of this hope that the schoolmaster might not escape ultimate burial evoked loud applause from his assembled friends. A CUURCU COI.LKCTIOX ON THE FRONTIER. ~A preacher in a frontier settlement had been collecting money for ?ome church object. There was ettttMm. 20 dot).? wanting, and after vain efforU to make up the deiiciency he plainly iutimated, aa he locked the church door one day after service, that he intended to have that said M dollars before.any of them left the house. At the sauie time he set the example by tossing five dollar,, on the table. Another put down a dollar, another half t.do)tar. another quarter of a dollar, and so on. TlIe" oarsou read out every now and then the state of the fluids- There's seven aud a half, my friends." Ti.ar'e nine and a quarter." Ten aud six bits are all that are iu the hat, triends and Christian brethren." Slowly it mounted up. Twelve and a half." "Fourteen." "fifteen." Sixteen and three bits," and so on until it stuck at 19 dollars 50 cents. "It only wants 50 cents, friends, to make up the amount. Will nobody make it up ?" Everybody had subscribed, and not a cent more was forthcoming. Silence reigned, and how lung it might have lusted it is difficult to say, had not a half-dollar been passed through the open wiudow, and a rough explanatory voice shouted Here, parson, ther> is your money let out lilY gal, I am about tired ot waiting for her. American Paper.

I THE PENMACHNO ASSAULT CASE. The cross summons obtained by William Owen and John Evans, against George Hunter, gamekeeper to Lord Penrhyn at Penmachno, for feloniously shooting at the complainants, with intent to murder; and against YY'illiam Thomas, an tinder-keeper, for aiding and abettiug, came OIL for hearing at Bc-ttwsycoed, on Thursday, before R. 0. Moulsdale, Esq., Rev. J. W. Griffith, W, F. Chapman, Esq., and Vernon Darbishire, Esq.—Mr Ellis Eyt"n appeared for the complainauts and Mr J. R. Griffith for the defendants Mr Barber watched the case on behalf of Lord Penrhyn.-Our report being incomplete at the time of going to press, w. defer its publication until next week.