Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register

—It is easier for a woman to return a kindness than a borrowed stewpan. —The great difficulty about common sense is that it is 80 tremendously scarce that it isn't common. -16 Doea the cellar leak ? "No. It's had two feet of water in it ever since I've been in the house. Not a drop has got out. —It is said that in China opium often replaces coins ju currency. It isn;t often one hears of money beiug a drug in the market. -Hi low Now, look here, Bloobumper, I wouldn't be a fool if I were you." Bloobumper:" No, if you were me you wouldn't be a fool." -Elfrida wants to know How many people read the best books ?" Not over two hundred. At least that is all the publishers ever sold of mine. Y oung lady (to assistant in book shop) Have you Scruples'?" Assistant (cautiously) That depeuds on what you want me to do, miss." —The vioitor (viewing the new baby) Do you think lie is guing to resemble his father;" The Mother I shouldn't be surprised. He keeps me up every night." —Mrs H. M. Stanley "Will you kindly hand me my handkerchief from my dress pocket, Henry?" Mr Stanley (after a long pause) I can't find your pocket. —Customer: Your safety matches are abominable tilings. I can't ever get them to light. "-Shop. keeper II Well, what greater proof of safety could you rtquire ? —A pretty good joke was that played on an alderman who wandered about the street,3 bearing a placard on liia broad back inscribed, Widened at the expense of the corporation." —There is a woman in Plymouth who has not allowed herself to be seen by men for twenty years. We fancy it will be perfectly safe for her to come out now. —A Lancashire man has the name Stealing, and he liates it. He thought to soften matters a littie for his only child, a daughter, so he gave her the Christian name of Worth, What is a hero ?" asks a contemporary. A hero is a man who can pass a crowd of boys compounding snowballs without turning his head to make sure that khey have no designs on him. —Doctor: "You are Buffering from heart failure." Patient: "That's juit what the other doctor said." Doctor: "Indeed?" Let me examine you once more. I must have made a mistake." Look here I understand that you referred to me as an educated hog." Yes, I did bat I am willing to modify the statement." You'd just better." Very well. I'll take back the word educated." —" Officer Brannigan is a man of uniform kindness," remarked MrsTrivvet to the policeman's wife. Faith, an' he is thot," replied the gratified woman "an' sure he's jist as koind when he hasn't his uniform on." —A man never begins to find out how little he knows about domestic matters until his wife asks him to keep his eye. on the baby, and to see that a saucepan of melted butter is kept stirred while she goes into the attic to look through her rag bag. —Country shopkeeper There's a sayn' that Time is money,' but I don't take much stock in it." Loafer You don't, eh ?" Country shopkeeper No, I don't an' I wish you'd spend a little more of your money here an' a little less of your time." —One of those simpletons who bother the attendants in public libraries is said to have actually made the following rpqnest I don't recollect the title of the book I want, but there was a remarkable passage in the last part which I should remember if I saw it. —The telegrams say the Czar of Russia ia getting prematurely old through worry and anxiety. If the Czar had to go about like an Englishman, and had, every time he went out, to decide whether to carry an umbrella or his muffler, he might talk about anxiety. —Judge Can you remember nothing of what took place ? Try to recall some of the circumstances." Witness: "I havo tried, your honor, but I can't. My mind U a perfect blank." Judge You may step aside, but don't leave the court-room. We need you for a juror," —" Don't you think Mr Anthracite a very uncere- monious person ? So far as I know I should say lie wacl. Never knew him to stand on ceremony, did you?"—" Certainly not. He's so busy standing on the scales while he is weighing his coal that he hasn't time to stand on anything else." —Maud: "Oh, girls! Have you heard the newa Ethel Vane is engaged to Mr Barrel, and she told me he was as rich as a Turk Omnes How perfectly lovely And her brother, George, has been accepted by Miss Barrell, who has three hundred thousand dollars in her own right!" Oh, the mercenary wretch!" -At some of the Western fairs a great secret" is sold in sealed envelopes at twopence a piece. Here ia the secret Never buy an article before ex- amining it. If you had known this before you would not have paid twopence for this worthless envelope when you could get more than a dozen good ones for the same price." —Mrs Garrulus: Ob, Lawyer Briefs, we are getting up a masked ball, and want you to attend, of course so you must decide on your costume and get it ready." Mr Garru'us (who d"es not like Briefs) Why don't you go as Necessity?" Briefs Why Mother of Inventions ? Mr Garrulus No Because 'Necessity knows no law' —A prominent politician was blown up in a boiler ex- plosion in the north of Ireland, but escaped with a shaking. Interviewed by a reporter the same nieht, and describing his sensations at the time of the accident, he remarked that all the bad deeds of his whole life seemed to pass through his mind while he was in the air. A local paper of opposition politics commented upon this statement next day, and pre- sumed tliht the unfortunate gentleman must have been up about six week?. —In the pioneer days of California, when the popula. tion consisted mostly ef men, just as the orchestra of a San Francisco theatre had begun to play, an infant in the pit uttered its wail. Instantly a man in the gallery shouted, Stop those fiddles and let the baby cry. I haven't heard such a sound for two years." With yells, stamping of feet, and clapping of hands, the audience applauded the speaker. The musicians stopped fiddling, and the baby continued its crying to the delight of everyone. -An American paper, in discussing the facilities for divorce given in some of the States, mentions the charming complications which once arose in the menage for a divorceé with two girls who married a widower with two boys and had a second family by her new husband. It is said that when a terrible rumpus was heard in the nursery one day the nervous husband shouted upstairs Whatever is the matter ?' And the little wife answered sweetly over the banisters It's only my children and your children having a row with our children, dear.' -A lad narrating a fight in which he had been engaged, said :—"I'll tell you how it was. You see, Bill and me went down to the wharf to fish and I felt in my pocket and found my knife, and it was gone; and I said, Bill, you stole my knife and he said I was another and I said, go there yourself and he said it was no such thing; and I said he was a liar, and could lick him if I was bigger'n him and he said he'd rock me to sleep, mother and I said he was a bigger one and he said I never had the measles and I said for him to fork over that knife, or I'd make him ready for a tombstone and he said my grandmother was no gentleman; and I said he dersn't take it up but he did well, you never did then I got up again, and said he was too much afraid to do it again and he tried tG, but he didn't; and I grabbed him and throwed him down on the top of me like several bricks and I tell you it beat all-and so did he; and my little dog get behind Bill and hit him; and Bill kicked at the dog, and the dog ran, and I ian after the dog to fetch him back, and I didn't catch him till I got home and I'll lick him more yet. Is my eye very black ?"—Pearson's Weekly,

THE VERY LATEST To rightly mould a pleasing lay, One imitates Jim Kiley's way; So watch me in fantastic vein, Run Again. liiley Up Down And There's something philosophic quite, Comparing rhymes' and riches' flight; Fur speculation—loss and gain- Runs Again. People Up Down And Now, After doggerel like this, One really can't bold those amiss Who read and frown and loudly swear- Run Rbymsters -Pllct Down-and keep 'em there,

I GENERAL NEWS. Something like 900 houses are added to London every month. —The mortality from influenza in New York during the past week amounted to 1,347. —The departure of the Queen from Graese has been definitely fixed for the 28th inst. —A baronetcy has been conferred on Sir James Stephen, late a Judge of the High Court. —There has been another rise in the price of flour. This makes a total advance of 8a 6.1 per sack of eighteen stone since February. —The tenders for 21,000,000 Treasury hills were opened on Monday at the Bank of England, The total amount applied for was E3,592,000. —Preparations are being made for extensive evictions in South Wexford, on the estates of Col. Tottenham, the Marquis of Ely, and others. —Mrs Wells, landlady of the Prince of Orange public house, East Greenwich, committed suicide on Sunday night by jumping out of the window. —The death occurred at Nottingham on Friday of Mr Michael Browne, the borough coroner, at the age of 91. He had held the office 56 years. —The death was announced on Monday of Dr. George Osborn, for many years one of the most distinguished of Wesleyan leaders. He had just completed his 83rd year. —Among the wreaths placed on Lord Beaconsfield's tomb on Primrose Day" were two from the Queen —one composed of immortelles and the other of primroses. —The breach of promise action, Evelyn v. Huribert, in which an actress claimed 210,000 damages against a married man, ended on Monday in a verdict for the defendant. —Mr Henry Hucks Gibba was returned without opposition on Saturday as member of Parliament for the City of London, in succession to the late Mr T. C. Baring. —Mary Abbott, or Crockatt, aged 24, was committed for trial at Dundee on Monday charged with drown- ing her infant, aged nine months, by placing it in a water tub. —A strike in the engineering and kindred trades of Manchester is threatened, the men having decided to strike next week unless a reduction ta fifty-three hours per week is conceded. -Twenty-five people who were supplied with milk from a farm near Glasgow are suffering from poison- ing. and it is stated that the cow from which the milk was obtained had fdver. —The Lower House of the Minnesota Legislature lias rejected the famous anti-tights bill by a decisive majority. Previous to the division, quite a dramatic scene occurred on the floor of the house. -On Sunday morning a wolf appeared in the Bukowina, in a suburb of Czernovitz, and before it was killed by a blow from a heavy cudgel by a peasant thirty-two persons had been bitten by it. —The police of Budapesth, in offering a reward for the arrest of a forger, mentioned that he bore a striking resemblance to King Milan. The police have now been obliged to withdraw this description of the fugitive. —Charles Curnock, a joiner, 51 years of age, and living at 24, Long-lane, Walton, committed suicide on Sunday a'ternoon by cutting his throat with a razor. Since the 13th Curnock had been ill with inflammation of the lungs. —Five deaths were last week certified from influenza in Sheffield, while the number of deaths from pneumonia, which is the common sequel of influenza, rose from 20 in the previous week to 40, and there were also 40 deaths from bronchitis. -Mr Balfour, answering Mr S. Smith on Monday, said the statements in The Christian Herald that there were 4G.OOO ether drinkers in the north of Ireland imbibing annually 18.000 gallons of this liquid were wholly exaggerated. —There is a prospect of a general strike among the coal miners at Ofrumwa, Iowa, on May-day, in which case upwards of 10,000 hands will be idle, and a stop will be put to the output of coal, which amounts to 4,000,000 tons annually. —Emin Pasha seems to be getting weary of Central Africa, and says that it is his intentior to reply to Mr Stanley's charges against him. He has, he says, sent a large quantity of ivory to the coast, and his present journeyings will be his last. —Mr John Ellis has obtained the first place next Tuesday for a motion conferring upon local authori- ties the power of control over the issue of intoxicating liquor licences, and with respect to the days and hours on which licensed houses shall be open. —Duiing a football match on Saturday, at Granni county Tipperary, a young man named John Cleary was kicked in the stomach by another player named Thomas Maher. Cleary died shortly afterwards, and Maher was arrested, charged with having caused his death. —An inquest was held at Birmingham on Saturday on the body of George Heibeit Monk, aged 15, who committed suicide. His stepmother pawned his over- coat at the beginning of the winter, and latt week she pawned his best clothes, which fact so distressed him that he hanged himself in his bedroom. —The guests at a wedding at Lyndon, numbering about 6fty, soon after the breakfast had been eaten complained of serious indisposition, and all displayed symptoms of arsenical poisoning. The bride and bridegroom, who had left upon the honeymoon, had to return, and are now in a dangerous state. -General Booth, in opening a two days' convention of the Salvation Army at Exeter Hall on Monday, announced that the finances of the Army were in extraordinarily low water, as the success of his "Darkest England" appeal had had the effect of absorbing their regular supply of funds to a very serious extent. -On Sunday night a woman named Robinson, living at Crook, about eight miles from Bishop Auckland, hung her infant child with a silk handkerchief to a bedpost. She fled after the occurrence, but was chased by her father and husband and banded over to thd police. She is and has been for some time de. ranged in her mind. —A Rawtenstall mechanic, named Clement, has com- mitted suicide. He had been at Southport for the benefit of his health, but returned home unexpectedly, walking from Accrington after midnight. He stayed outside the house several hours, and when admitted said he had come home to dia. In the afternoon he hanged himself. —Mr J. Morgan, of Aliwal-road, Battersea, refused to fill up his census paper a fortnight ago on the ground that the questions were of an inquisitorial nature. On Saturday he refused to pay a fine amounting with costs to 37s for contravening the Census Act, and was accordingly committed to prison for seven days. -At a crowded meeting of London carpenters and joiners, held in Exeter Hall, on Friday evening, in connection with the agitation for an increase of wages to tenpence per hour and a reduction of working hours from 52 to 48 per week, a resolution was carried by an overwhelming majority in favor of striking on May 2nd next in case where firms resist the demand. —Messrs J. R. Parkington and Co. state that the total quantity of Champagne forwarded from the Champagne districts for the year ending March 31st amounted to 25,776,194 bottles (the largest quantity on record) being an increase of 2,451,623 bottles, as compared with 1890. Present stocks in cask and bottles equal about 110,256,000 bottles, or about five year*' consumption. —More than 200 miners employed at the Duke of Sutherland's Florence Colliery, Longton, were im. prisoned in the mine for fourteen hours, from Saturday afternoon till Sunday morning, through an accident to the cagep, which ran into each other and smashed. Refreshments were sent down, and eventually the men were brought out in bogie buckets. The mine- shaft was much damaged. —On Monday night Sir Wilfrid Lawson was the principal speaker at a large meeting held in Colston Hal), Bristol, in favor of local option. He said that he believed that unless the people in their own locality were allowed to manage their own affairs there was no real freedom in the country. All they wanted was that the principle of local government should be ape plied to the liquor traffic. —The Mayor of Bradford received a letter stating that a number of men had been told off to take his life, and that the same fate awaited the chairman of the Watch Committee and the Chief Constable. Partly in consequence of these threats, but mainly as a precaution against a repetition of the riots of last Sunday and Monday, the town on Tuesday wore the aspect of a huge military camp, —An extraordinary race was reported on Saturday from the Curragh Military Camp in Ireland. As the clock struck twelve o'clock at night a mysterious pro- cession of officers and men left the camp and proceeded to the racecourse, where a race between two well- known officers' polo ponies was decided. The match had been arranged at the officers' mess. The race caused great excitement. The winner came in a great number of lengths ahead, and the loser was nearly lost in the dark. —It transpired at the inquest on the bodies of ten men and boys killed by an explosion at a colliery near Newcastle, Staffordshire, that two collieis on leaving the pit some time previously noticed a variation in the ventilation, which indicated to their minds that something had happened. They did not report the matter, allowing more men to go down the pit, and awaited for the return of the men with the news of the disaster. The coroner said in his opinion they were a disgrace to their calling. -At Naizen, in Hungary, a canon has been shot at the chief altar in the Cathedral while he was cele- brating mass. A shoemaker who was standing among the congregation took aim with a revolver, and fired three shots, which all took effect. A young chorister was also wounded. The canon in a quarrel between husband and wife took the side of the latter, and would not approve the man's intention of separating from her. The church has been closed, being desecrated by the blood spilt on the altar. —A hue and cry was raised at Alfreton on Saturday morning, owing to the discovery that a horse had been stolen from the stable of Mr Morewood J.P. Later in the day the police arrested at Nottingham a smart-looking young "man," who proved to be the daughter of Mr Morewood'a coachman. Early in the morning she had donned male garments, taken the horse from the stable, and travelled with it sixteen miles to Nottingham where, when arrested, she was about completing the sale of the animal. I —Captain Verney, M.P., was brought before Sir J. Bridge, on Saturday, charged with having conspired with a woman named Rouillier, alias Florent, to procure a girl under the age of twenty-one (Miss Nellie Maud Baskett) for immoral purposes. Rouiller was sentenced to four months' imprisonment at the end of last year for the offence. Released from gaol about a month ago, she cannot now be found. The only evidence given was that of Miss Baskett, who declared that Captain Verney was identical with the Mr Wilson that she met in company with Madame Rouillier at Paris last September. Shortly before the Court met, however, she had failed to recognise him when placed among several other men. The case was adjourned for a week, and bail allowed.

I WELSH AND BORDER N.OTES. -The Duke and Duchess of Westminster have arrived at Cliveden from Eaton Hall. -:A young rrarried. woman on Friday morning gave birth to a child whilst in Richmond-row, Liverpool. -The Bishop of Chester becomes entitled, owing 80 the resignation of the Bishop of Truro, to take his seat in the House of Lords. -The Lords of the Admiralty intend in future landing and embarking troops to and from Ireland at Holy- head, instead of Liverpool. —The Venerable Archdeacon Thomas held his visita- tion at Llanfyllin on Tuesday, when there was a large attendance of the clergy and churchwardens. —The welcome notes of the cuckoo were first heard at Llanyniynech on Monday morning, near Llwynygroes, the residence of the Rev. R. and Miss Temple. Mr Craft, the tithe, auctioneer, again visited the famous Meifod valley on his. usual errand on Friday and Saturday. The proceedings passed off quietly. -At Llangefni, Hugh Williams, jorkey, has been committed for trial for having biitsn off about an inch of the middle finger of a publican's left hand. —On Wednesday evening, Mr Stanley,, the African explorer, and Mrs Stanley arrived in Liverpool on board the Inman Line steamship City of New York. —The bells of the pariah churches of. Tregynon, Aberhafesp, Bettws, and LIanwnotf, rang throughout Monday, in honor of the coming of age of Lord Sudeley's eldest son, —A domestic servant named Mary Eccles was com- mitted for trial at Birkenhead on Saturday charged with attempting to murder her mistress by beating her with a large key on March 12th. —Mr Richard Williams, who has been a, Guardian fer forty year?, and chairman of the Board for thirty years, was unanimously re-elected chairman, on Tues- day, of Holyhead Board of Guardians. —The Rev. H. Elvet Lewis, of Hull, author of "The Sweet Singers of Wales and other works, who has accepted a call to the uattorate of Park Congrega- tional Church. Llaneily, will entar upon his duties t Ie first Sunday in June. —Mr Herbert Pritchard Morgan, the only son of Mr W. Pritchard Morgan, M.P. for Merthyr, died at his aunt's residence, at Newport, on Wednesday after- noon, from sudden hemorrhage of the langs. He was twenty-six years old. -Sir John l'uleston, M.P., met with an accident to his knee as he was leaving his house on Tuesday morning. Mr Bond, who was almost immediately in attendance, states, however, that it probably may not keep him to his room more than a few days. —A Cambrian Railways guard was at LlynclyB removing some trucks when his attention was attracted by a lump on the face of the wheel-tyre. He examined it and discovered that it was a thrush's nest, and contained five eggs. The neat and eggs were removed to Oswestry. -At the quarterly meeting of the Cheshire Standing Joint Committee a resolution was carried by eleven votes to three censuring the clerk to the Nantwieh bench of justices for failing to secure the representa- tion of the said j ustices at an appeal to quarter sessions against their decision to refuse a public house licence. —An extradition warrant was granted at Llandudno, on Monday, against Hugh Pierce, on a charge of falsifying his accounts and embezzling moneys belong- ing to Colonel Hughes, Ystrad Dairy, Denbigh. The amount of the defalcations were said to be about 2200. Supt. Williams reported that Pierce was believed to have sailed for New York. —The Queen has given orders for a goat to be sent from her farm at Windsor t) the 2nd Battalion Welsh Regiment, to take the place of the regimental goat which died some time ago. The late regimental goat had been for years with the battalion, and was a remarkably fine animal. Its head now adorns the ante-room of the officers' mess. -At Bangor on Tuesday, Wm. Williams, employed at Ystrad Farm, Denbigh, was fined 10s and costs. Defendant was taking a pony by road from Holy- head, and when at Bangor it fell, cutting the knee joints to the bone. He was seen the next day riding it near Aber, and its condition attracted such com- ment that he sent it on by rail from Llanfairfechan. —At Swansea, on Tuesday, a representative meeting of the tin plate workers of South Wales confirmed the resolution to stop all works for one month, com- mencing June 27th, for the purpose of regulating the supply of tin plate according to demand. Forty-five manufacturers were present, and it was reported that sixty-four works, comprising 367 mills, will be ready to cease work at the time agreed upon. -At Dowlais Police Court, William Ameabury, pugilst, was charged witn fatally wounding a com- batant named John Davies during a prize fight. The encounter took place on Dowlais Hill, in the presence of a crowd of spectators. After half an hour's struggle Davies fell helpless to the ground, and wasTonveyed to Emlyn Castle Hotel, where he succumbed to his injuries. The prisoner was remanded. —A policeman on Monday found the dead body of Moses Williams in a quarry at Llanishen, near Cardiff. The man had been shot through the heart and mouth, and by his side was a revolver, two chambers of which had been discharged. The deceased took part in the famous charge of the Light Cavalry Brigade at Balaclava. He had been employed by the Taff Vale Railway Company for twenty-three years. —The first Mahomedan marriage ever celebrated in England took place on Saturday at the Moslem Institute, Liverpool, where the followers of the Prophet in that city regularly assemble. The bride was Miss Charlotte Fitch, eldest daughter of Mr Charles Fitch, J.P., of London, and the bridegroom a Mahomedan barrister practising in London, whose father is revenue secretary to the Nizam of Hyderabad. —The Home Secretary has written to Mr J. H, Jones. of Cardiff, the solicitor who defended Wilson, the secretary to the Sailors and Firemen's Union, at the last Quarter Sessions, to the effect that he has carefully considered the petition in favor of the re- lease of Wilson, for a modification of his punishment, and that he has also consulted the Recorder of Cardiff on the case, with the resu:t that he cannot see his way to interfere with the sentence passed. —The North and South Wales Liberal Federations have each elected their representatives upon the Com- mittee appointed at the recent meeting of the Welsh National Council to carry on the Disestablishment campaign. The representatives of the North Wales Federation are Messrs A. C. Humphreys-Owen, Glansevern C. R. Jones, Llanfyllin Owen Owen, M.A., Oftwestry the Rev. Abel J. Parry. Cefn and the Rev. J. Machreth Rees. The representatives of the South Wales Federation are Messrs T. Williams, Gwaelod-y-Garth; Frank Edwards, John Griffiths, T. J. Hughes (Adfyfr), and Abraham H. Thomas, Dr. Enoch Uavies, the Rev. Aaron Davies, the Rev. W. Thomas, and the Rev. W. M. Thomas. —A meeting of the executive committee of the Bansror Normal College was held on Tuesday, the Rev. D. Griffith (Dolgelley) presiding. The question of appointing a vice-principal was left to the senate. Mr H. Lewis called attention to a circular which had been addressed to schoolmasters in North and South Wales alleging that there was an attempt on the part of the University College of North Wales authorities to prop up that institution at the expense of the Normal College. He strongly protested against such ah accusation, for which thsre was not the slightest ground. Mr Peter Roberts (St. Asaph) moved the previous question, objecting strongly to Mr Lewis reopening that matter, which had been fully discussed at a previous meeting. The chairman ruled Mr H. Lewis out of order. In sitting down Mr Lewis disclamed any personal feeling in the matter.

CAERGWRLE NOTES AND I COMMENTS, Ambulance Work in this district will lose a staunch supporter by the promotion of Mr J. L. Hedley, assistant inspector of mines, to Newcastle district. Primroses were much in evidence last Sunday. Many of our church-goers are anxious for a new organ, but the school debt stands in the way. The desire for a Choral Union in this neighbour. hood is strongly expressed. n --H_- It is a pity that the musical training acquired by our young people at school, should not be followed up in after-life. The mileage question for telegrams is being looked into by our Hope friends. Can anything be meaner than to rob a grave of its flower ti ibutes Many ludicross surmises are ventured as to the ultimate fate of the Mission Church. After three year's training the members of the Caergwrle class have been declared fully qualified ambulance men. The benefit concert for Thomas Powell was a decided success. Another time the promoters would do well to engage a larger room.

THROAT IRRITATION AND COUGH.—Soreness and dryness, tickling and irritation, inducing cough and affecting the voice. For these symptoms use Epps's Glycerine Jujubes. In contact with the glands at the moment they are excited by the act of sucking, the Glycerine in these agreeable confections becomes actively healing. Sold only in boxes, 7d tins Is ld, labelled "JAMES Epps& Co., Homoeopathic Chemista, London." Dr Lennox Moore, in his work on Nose and Throat Diseases," says: The Glycerine Jujubes prepared by James Eppa and Co., are of undoubted service as a curative or palliative agent," while Dr. Gordon Holmes, Senior Physician to the Municipal Throat and Ear Infirmary, writes: "After an ex- tended trial, I have found your Glycerine Jujubes of considerable benefit in almost all forms of throat disease'" 2011 HIMRODS CURE FOR ASTHMA.—Established nearly a quarter of a century.—Prescribed by the Medical Faculty throughout the world. It is used as an inhalation, and without any after bad effects. Testimonials of efficacy from the late Lord Beacons- field, also from Miss Emily Faithfull, Sir Morell Mackenzie, Oliver Wendell Holmes. Trial sample free by post. In Tins at 4s 3d. British Depôt-46 Holborn Viaduct, London and also of Newbery and Sons, Barclay and Son?, Lynch and Co., Sangers. and all Wholesale Houses. 1980 Try it! Worms dislodged in Children and Adults. Post free, 15 stamps.—56, Boaler-street, Liverpool. 1642 In answer to inquiries, we wish to state that the PEKOE BLEND advertised by PHILLIPS AND Co., is an Indian Pekoe Tea. It is superior to the old-fashioned Orange Pekoe of China in being stronger and richer in flavour, besides being absolutely pure. It is sold in wrapper printed in red ink at Is 8d a pound, for net cash only. 99

CORRE SPONDENCE. THE MINERS AND THE AGENCY QUESTION.—Mr John Edwards, Plas Madoc, Ruabon, asks us to announce that he is not the author of the letter signed Collier," which appeared in laet week's Advertiser. ONE OF THE EXECUTIVE."—We cannot publish the letters. We have already said that the candidate referred to has been recommended by the gentlemen named. I THE NORTH WALES MINERS' AGENCY QUESTION. SIR,-At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the North Wales Miners held at Wrexham on Monday, a proposal was submitted from several collieries that in order to enable all the collieries throughout the district to be visited by the four candidates, the polling for the appointment of agent be postponed for one month. It is difficult to comprehend what motive induced the committee —by a majority of one, and that one the casting vote of the chairman—to refuse so reasonable and modest a request. Surely a question which has been in abeyance for so many months could not possibly suffer much by a delay of another II sbort month in its settlement. The weight of argument was decidedly on the side of postponement, for it was shown that a vast number of colliers, notably those in Flintshire have neither seen or heard some of the candidates. And was it fair to those colliers, or to the candidates, that the polling should take place without giving the miners an opportunity of making themselves acquainted with the men who sought their suffrages, and thereby enable them to judge for themselves as to their suitability for the post? It ia to be feared that the interests and welfare of the miners generally have been sacrificed in this case as in a great many others.—I am, &c., ANOTHER COLLIER. SIR,-In your last issue of the Wrexham Advertiser I notice a letter upon the above subject signed Collier." I reckon it one of the most sensible letters I ever read, as it is to the point in connection with the appointment of an agent for the North Wales miners. I admire his remarks upon that it is not essential for a man to be a practical collier to be their representative." I am of the same opinion. It is not down the pit they require a man to advocate their cause and grievances, but at the meeting of delegates, and there they must have a man of intelligence, a scholar, a fluent speaker in Welsh and English, a man that is in sympathy with them, a man that will not budge when he is advocating their cause, and will see that justice is done to them. Talk about a man being a practical collier as the most fit person to be appointed I It is all a farce. It is not requisite. We know of gentlemen who have been appointed managers of banks who never were brought up in a bank, but because of their commercial experience. Chief constables are appointed, not because they have been policemen, but because they have had experience in discipline, such as military officers, &c. gaolers, not that they have ever been in gaol, but because they have had that command about them that adapts them to that position. The astronomer has no occasion to go and reside amongst the planets to study astronomy nay, he can do that from the platform of this old mother earth. Therefore, why should an agent for the miners be a practical collier ? I find there are four gentleman proposed for this appointment. Now the question is this, is it a practical collier and nothing but a collier, or a man that is a thorough geologist, athoroughly sympathetic man, that will fight for the men be represents, a good English speaker, a true hearted Welshman, and can speak the language fluently and grammatically, a splendid correspondent in both languages, that is required. I say this, choose the latter if you are men of common sense. If not, you will regret it all the days of your life. Pardon me for being plain with you, if you lose your man now, you will lose for ever. Before I close I think it would be fair for you to test the four candidates, and the tost test will be, to have meetings held through all the districts in North Wales where they have to re- present, and let each candidate's opinions be tested by those whom he is to represent, and then choose the best man. Do not vote for friendship only, for you will regret it, but vote conscientiously for the best man that will promote your interest. That is the ad vice of a WORKING MAN. I SUNDAY OBSERVANCE. SIR.-I fully expected that "Churchman would have allowed the fairness of my contention that the discussion recently on the above subject was to be condemned upon the evidence of the newspaper re- ports of it, as such were often not a complete sum- mary of all the points dilated upon and that he would also allow that this reminder was due in simple justice to the Deanery meeting, whose de. liberations upon the above-mentioned subject he had pronounced woi thy only of a Jewish synagogue meetine-, basing its deliberations upon the Talmud for any savour of Christian doctrine contained in the discussion as reported in the papers. My reminder to him, in explanation, was just what anyone might naturally infer, namely, that the report did not contain a summary of all the points of the argument. As "Churchman" upon reading the report had not made this inference, but proceeded without any mental reservations to supply the supposed deficiencies in the arguments for Sunday observances, and to make certain re- ferences which were unnecessary and irrelevant had the report been a complete summary, it was incumbent upon some one who was present at the meeting to make such an explanation as I ventured to make. Instead of frankly accepting the ex- planation, Churchman" in his second letter glances off at a tangent to discuss the reliability or otherwise of newspaper reports, and deprecates readers or speakers" raising a lame objection that they were incorrectly reported." It appears to me that "Churchman" has misundersood the meaning of my words, that newspaper reports are seldom a complete resnmé of all the arguments advanced- many salient points being often crowded out," which I further qualified by advisedly adding that such a summary may be correct as far as it goes, thus implying that inadequacy is not synor.ymous with incorrectness otherwise he would not have remarked if the press reports are so defective it were better far to have no reporter present, &c." If au error has gone forth, &c." I differ from your correspondent here, inasmuch as I consider it better to be inadequately reported than not reported at all and indeed in these days of frequent meetings and much speaking incomplete reporting is inevit- able, and verbatim reports, or even complete sum- mary the privilege of the few. In answer to the question whether or not I deny that the seventh day Baptists repudiate the Christian Sunday, and whether making Sunday a day of gloom and austel i ty is not a monstrous perversion of it, I reply as implied in my brief reference to these points in the former letter that Churchman would never have asked such unnecessary questions if he had been present at the meeting, or had not fallen into the error of taking it for granted that nothing was said there but what is referred to in the report. Since the names of Lord Salisbury and the Duke of Westminster are again introduced by your corre- spondent, I take this opportunity to say that I made no reference to them in my letter because I j am in no way responsible for the unfortunate intro- duction of their names at the meeting, ncr for the cry of Shame that was raised by a few only. I am happy to tell Churchman upon what authority I base my observance of the First Day of the week. I do so upon the authority of the New Testament, in which marked precedence is given to the First Day of the week, as a day unique for the assembling of Christians together for almsgiving and the partaking of the Holy Eucharist, interpreted as those incidental references to the First Day are, by the uninterrupted custom of the Church everywhere, and at all times, to congregate for worship on this day-a custom whose origination cannot be traced to any legislative enactment, edict of an Emperor, or canon of any Synod or Council. J. W. THOMAS.

THE NEW CROSS-COUNTRY RAILWAY. On Friday further evidence was given before Mr W. James's Select Committee of the House of Commons in support of the Bill to authorise a rail. way line from Warrington to Sutton on the Lincoln- shire coast. Mr Horace Mayhew, mineral estate agent to Mr G^adstme at Hawarden, and a colliery owner at Wigan, supported the proposed line. For the Wigan coal trade and the Hawarden tsrra-cotfca industries the existing railway facilities were inadequata, and the new line would offer much better facilities, and open the way to numerous markets. He believed it would give lower rates. In his cross-examination he feaid that that they now sent bricks from Hawarden all over England, including Newcastle. This would be a very convenient route, but, of course, if the rate was the same it would make no difference. He did not know a single body or person likely to contribute one penny to the making of this line. Mr Thomas Hughes Jackson said he was one of the firm of Fletcher and Co., Liverpool, owners of Clay. cross Collieries at Brampton, in Derbyshire. He thought this line was very much needed from the Derbyshire coalfield to the canal at Warrington. He lived at Birkenhead, and there they found that owine to the mileage distance between the collieries and Birkenhead they were practicallv shut out from that markEt.-Ill reply to Mr Worsley Taylor, O.O., he said that North Wales and Staffordshire sent coal to Birkenhead. The rate from Flintshire to Birken- head was 2* a ton from Chesterfield 5s 4d, and he expected he wou!d get a rate of 4s or 4s 3d bv the new line.

CADBLRT S COCOA has, in a remarkable degree those natural elements of sustenance which giv3 the system endurance and hardihood, building up muscle and bodily vigor, with a steady action that renders :t a moat acceptable and reliable beverage.Health. 2459

HOUSE OF LORDS.—FRIDAY. With the view of allowing delegates to be heard at the Bar if they desired it, Lord Knutsford under- took to defer the second reading of the Newfound- land Fisheries Bill till Thursday or Friday. Several Bills were advanced a stage. HOUSE OF COMMONS.FRIDAY. The morning sitting was occupied with further discussion of Mr J. Morley's amendment to the Irish Land Purchase Bill, requiring the assent of County Councils, to be established next year, before guaranteed land stock advances may be made. On a division the amendment was defeated by 247 votes against 170, a majority of 77.. At the evening sitting a debate took place on the dissatisfaction I existing in the Post Office, Earl Compton opening it with a proposal for the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the administration of that Department. Ultimately his amendment was rejected by 163 votes against 93, a majority of 70.

I HOUSE OF LORDS.-iNIO-ND,&Y. I I The House at a brief sitting formally advanced I several Bills a stage. I HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY. I I Mr W. H. Smith said, in reference to the ex- clusion of Mr Davitt from the Labor Commission, that the Government had carefully considered the evidence of Mr Davitt before the Parnell Com- mission and the judgment of the Commission with regard to him. As a result they concluded that Mr Davitt was not qualified for appointment on the Labor Commission. The issue of a new writ for the Stowmarket Division of Suffolk was ordered. The London (City) Trial of Civil Causes Bill was read a second time. In Committee on the Irish Land Purchase Bill, Clause 1 was agreed to, and one amendment to Clause 2 disposed of.

I HOUSE OF LORDS.—TUESDAY. I The House advanced several Bills a stage. I HOUSE OF COMMONS—TUESDAY. At the morning sitting, the discussion of the Irish Land Purchase Bill was resumed, and one or two amendments to Clause 2 disposed of. The issue of a new writ for the Harborough Division was ordered. On the reassembling at nine o'clock only fourteen members were present, and the House was at once counted out.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY. Mr Ritchie proposed to amend the Standing Orders so that Bills promoted by the London County Council may be introduced as private measures. After some discussion, however, the motion was withdrawn, but is to be put down for a future day.—Mr S. Evans moved the second reading of the Places of Worship Enfranchisement Bill, whose object is to enable trustees of religious bodies to obtain the fee simple of places of worship on paying due compensation. The Bill was stoutly opposed by the Home Secretary and others, but on a divison the second reading was carried against the Government by 218 votes to lJOj. a majority of 108.

I HOUSE OF LORDS.—THURSDAY. The principal feature was the appearance at the bar of the N-ewfoundlatitl (lelegatas to protest against the Newfoundland Fisheries Bill. HOUSE OF COMMONS—THURSDAY. Mr Goachen delivered his Budget speech, at the close announcing that he intended to devote the greater portion of the surplus of nearly £ 2*000,000 to free education.

WYNNSTAY RUNT HORSE SHOW AT ELLESMERE. On Monday a show was held at Ellesmere in connection with the Wynnstay Hunt. The departure is entirely a new one, and has for its object the improving of the breed of horses in the extensive district o.ver which Sir Watkin and his well-known foxhounds hunt. Invitations were issued to upwards of a thousand of the tenants and laaded proprietors in the hunting district, and the attendance at the show and luncheon which followed was very large. Amongst those present were Sir Watkin and Lady Williams Wynn, Lord Kenyon, Lord Combermere, Captain the Hon. G. Ormsby Gore, Mr Edmund Peel, Brynypys the Rev. W. C. E. Kynaston and the Misses Kynaston, Colonel Rivers Bulkeley, Mr Dumville Lees, Mr E. Burke-Wood, &o. The entries numbered over a hundred, and were confined to those who had received invitations. The animals exhibited were the pick of the tenants' horses, and were much admired. The president of the show was Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, and the judges for hunters and hackneys Lord Combermere and Mr Owen Williams cart horses, Mr T. J. Dutton and Mr Roberts. Captain Ormsby Gore acted as treasurer and secretary, and the committee which carried out the arrangements consisted of the following ■—Lord Kenyon. Sir Robert Cunliffe, Bart., the Rev. E. W. O. Bridgeman, the Rev. T. Puleston, Captain Rivers Bulkeley, Mr S. K. Mainwaring, Mr S. Sandbach, Mr Edmund Peel, MrJG. Dumville Lees, Mr Brownlow Tower, and Mr John Jones. After the judging and parade nearly a thousand people sat down to lunch in a large marquee, when Sir Watkin presided, and was supported by the Lady Margaret Gore, Lady Cunliffe, Lord Combermere, Lord Kenyon. Mr Edmund Peel, Brynypys, the Rev. E. W. O. Bridgeman, and Colonel Myddelton Biddulph, Chirk Castle, and the vice-chairs by Sir Robert Cunliffe, Mr A. Wynne Corrie (Oswestry), Colonel Bulkeley, Mr Robert Wynne, Mr E. Burke-Wood, Mr S. K. Mainwaring, and Mr Brownlow R. C. Tower. The President proposed the loyal toasts, which were duly honored.—Lord Kenyon, in proposing "Sir Watkin and his Foxhounds," met with a hearty reception. His lordship said, referring to the question of barbed wire, that out of fourteen counties in which he had hunted Shropshire was the one which had the least wire in its fences. (Cheers.) Barbed wire was an abomination too horrible to be called by a name- (cheers)—and as an instance hh lordship quoted an accident which happened the other day when out hunting with the Flint and Denbigh hounds, when he saw a hound tearing its chest open by coming in contact with wire. They were all extremely in- debted to Sir Watkin for hunting the country entirely at his own expense, (Cheers.) He had taken great pains to maintain the prestige of the Wynnstay kennels, and a short time ago wt.nt to the South of England and brought home the best pack of hounds that could be procured in the country—(cheers)—and his lordship was very glad to see how they had improved the running of the hounds during the year. (Cheers.) Sir Watkin had the subject of the Wynnstay Hunt very much at heart, and the sfepa he had taken were taken in the right direction. (Cheers.) The toast was re- ceived and drunk with much enthusiasm, and Sir Watkin, in responding, said he esteemed it a great privilege to have the honor of addressing such a large gathering, who consisted of the great bulk of the larger farmers over whose lands they hunted. The members of his hunt were only too pleased when it was put before them. at the idea of enter- taining the farmers over whose land they hunted- (cheers)—and he could not say too much in the way of praise and thanks to those who were present for the manner in which they had supported the Wynn- stay hounds. (Loud cheers.) In conclusion, he warmly appealed to farmers generally to dispense with barbed wire, a sentiment which evoked con- siderable cheering, and proposed the toast of The Farmers of the Hunt," to which Mr Jones, of Cole- mere, responded. Sir Robert Cunliffe proposed, and Mr Humphreys, of Evenall, responded to the toart of The Prize Winners." Mr S. K. Main. warlu,cr proposed the health of the secretary, and Captain Gore appropriately responded. The prize list is as follows C ass I.-For the best four-year-old likely to make a hunter 1, Alfred Hulme, Fenemere. Baschurcb, Shrews- bury. bay gelding 2, John Joyce, Wicksted Hall, Whit- church, brown mare, Juno 3,1\1'9 Lawrence, Bridgew-ter Aims, Eilesmere. bay mare; r., W. B. Oswell, Earaiston, West Felton, Oswestry, bay gelding, Son-and-Heir. Class 2 —For the best hackney over 14 bands 1, Frank Povey, Lee Farm, E'lesmere, brown eldin, The Doctor, aged 2, Edward Dicken, Pentrecoed, Ellesmere, brown gelding, 4 srs. 3, G. Phillips, Breidenheatb, Ellesmere, brown gelding, Tommy, 3 yrs. r., William Robinson, Old Marton Hall, Ellesmere, bay gelding, Snowball, 4 yrs. Class 3.—For the best hackney under 14 hands 1, T. E. Ward, Pentre Kenrick, The Lodge, Chirk, black filly, T..psy; 2, Qtmuel Co trell, Ash Hall, Whitchurch, brown gelding. Bob, 3 yrs.; 3. E. K. Bickley, Lee, Eilesmere, gray cob r., Thomas Emberton, Birch Hall, Ellesmere, bay mare, Polly, 3 yis Class 5.-For the best three-year-old cart colt, gelding, or filly 1, W. B. Oswell, Eardiston, West Felton. Oswes- try, Eardiston Lad, bay colt.: 2, Thomas Green. Knockin, O?westry. roan gelding: 3, William L?a, Park House, Oswestry, Ellesmere, bay filly, Darby; r., E. Williams, Hordley, Greenhill, Ellesmere, bay filly. R Weaver. Carden, Malpas. brown gelding, Captain Thos. Studley, Overton, Ruabon, bay colt. Class 5.-For the best two-year-old cart colt, gelding, or filly: 1, Edward Griffiths, Knockin, Oswestry. brown colt, Hypothesis 2, Thomas Kelsall, Bettisfield Hill, Whit- church, brown gelding 3, E. K. Bickley, Lee, Ellesmere, bay filly. ciahs6.—For the best yearling cart co't, galding, or filly: 1, Wm. Humphreys, Evenall, Oswestry, bay filly; 2, John Davies. The Fields, Oswestry, brown filly: 3, Thos. Owen, Knockin. Oswestry, bay colt; r., James Large, Horseman's Green, Hanmer, Whitchurcb, bay filly.

In answer to inquiries, we wish to state that the "PEKOE BLEND" advertised by PHILLIPS AND Co. is an Indian Pekoe Tea. It is superior to the old-fashioned Orange Pekoe of China in being stronger and richer in flavour, besides being absolutely pure. It is sold in wrapper printed in red ink at Is 81 a pound, for net cash only. 99 The Editor of the Medical Annual for 1890 poins out that potash is largely used to add to the solubility of many of the Cocoas at present sold, but that, in marked contrast MESSES. CADBUBY supply an absolutely pure Cocoa of the highest quality and that the name CADBCBY on any packet of Cocoa is a guarantee of purity. 2459

RAILWAY LAB-OR. I MEETING- IN WREXHAMi On Sunday afternoon a public meeting was held in the Public Hall to consider the excessive hours of labor imposed upon railway servants,. and the best means to adopt in restricting the same, especially Sunday labor. The notice convening the meeting contained the following remark :— "We regret having to hold our meeting on Son- day, but the nature of our duties prohibits us from holding it upon any other day." The Mayor presided, and there were present on the platform Mr E.: Harford, general secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales the Rev\ D. Stantey Davies, vicar of Rhosddu; Mr J; E. Powell, Mr J. Meredith-Jones, J. P., Mr A. Paddon, Mr S. H. Bird, and deputations from Crewe, Shrewsbury, Wellington, Oswestry, Corwen, Ruabou, and Chester. There were also present- Messrs Ll. Hugh Jones, J. Woolley, Gbmer Davies. Gomer Jones, George Bevan, D. Dodd, E. E. Humphreys, R. Roberts, E. T. Fitch, &c. The proceedings opened with the singing of the hymn, "All hail the power of .Tesu'a name,'r Mr J. G. Sudlow, organist of the Baptist Church, pre- siding at the piano, and prayers were then read by the Vicar of Rhoa-Jduv Mr Dickin (Wellington) read letters of apology for absence. The Ven, Archdeacon HoweH said he could not be present because he had to read him- self in at Gresford. Bat for this he would, uninvitedly, 4iave been present. The Rev. P: A. Hudgell, who wrote from Bristol, regretted that he was unable to attend the meeting owing to absence from home. Letters of, regret were also received from Mr Bernard Lewis, Mr C. M. Holland, Brvnvgrog, aud Mr Simoa Jonea. The Mayor said when he was requested to take the chair he had no hesitation in doing so, especially when he found that Sunday was the only oay upon which a meeting could be held. He deeply sympathised with the men, who could have no recreation at all, and he most heartily agreed with the objeo of the meeting, which was to procure less work on Sunday, and more reasonable hours of labor on the week day. (Hear, hear.) He was no advocate of Sunday work for the work's sake, because he thought there was some which was necessary, but he believed that much of it could be postponed to a week day without loss or inconvenience. (Applause.) He was in favor of shorter hours of labor. on week daya, because of the responsible nature of the men's work. In a signal box at such important centres as Crewe or Chester, there were a very large number of levers, and unless a man was fresh and active, it would be very easy to grasp a wrong one and produce a very serious catastrophe. (Cheers.) He believed that men could not be active and fit to perform duties upon which their own, as well as the lives of others depended,.unless they had shorter hours of labor, and longer periods for rest. (Cheers.) What was true with regard to signal men, was al&o true of the shunters, and with regard to the hours of the men generally, he considered to em- ploy men from fourteen to eighteen hours at a stretch, was unreasonable. He hoped that the steps taken to secure shorter hours, would be successful. (Applause.) Mr Harford then addressed- the meeting at con- siderable length. He pointed out that the object of the meeting was to enable that part of the country to do what many other parts of the country had already done, and express an opinion adverse to the long hours of labor which were in force upon the railway lines of the country. The subject was no new one, in fact the railway servants had for a considerable number of years been protesting against overwork, which was the curse of the system. The revolt of the Scotch servants called attention to the matter, and now a Select Com- mittee of the House of Commons had been appointed to inquire into, the subject, and he trusted the result of that inquiry would be a step towards the overthrow of the system, which was not only fraught with danger to the men themselves, but to the public who used the lines. Dealing with the question of overwork and its causes, Mr Harford pointed out that one cause was putting down in the time-table more work than could be done in the time allowed. If the time-tables were examined, it would be found that work which would take thirteen or fifteen hours, was only allowed ten or twelve. He thought ic was a libel upon the managers of the line to say that state of things could not be altered. What should be done was to put down work tabled to be done in seven or eight hours. and then it might be done in ten or eleven. (Applause.) Another matter which called for notice in relation to overwork and a fruitful cause of long hours, were the black crosses to be found on the working time-tables of the London and North-Western Railway. These marks, which were set against goods and mineral trains, indicated that they were to stop at sidings and collieries indicated, to collect traffic. This practice led to a large expenditure of time, and caused the overtime of which they complained. He was an old goods guard, and spoke from ex- perience of the extra work which the additional hours entailed upon the men. Mr Harford also condemned the running of extra trips after the ordinary day's work was done. This often took place when trade was brisk in order to clear out the sidinga and collieries. What he had said, he thought, was sufficient to show that the men's complaint about overtime was not unfounded. At present railwaymen had no time for rest, for re- creation, for the cultivation of the mind, nor for paying attention to those social and public duties which it was the privilege of other workers to do. (Applause.) Overwork was a source of much calamity, because men could not, after working long hours, ba as active or smart as they ought to be, and a blue- book which was in his hand, and which had only been published on Friday, showed that there was an increase in the number of rail- way servants killed and injured, and be had no doubt that many of the cases referred to in that return were due to the long hours which made them weary and tired, and consequently not only legs able to look after others, but themselves also. (Applause ) He was sorry that it was not possible to obtain the information when the men were killed or injured, but he believed if it were possible to get that information, it would be found that in the majority of cases, the accidents occurred after they had been long at their work, and Mr Harford appealed to those present whether in the cases of accidents which had happened in their own experience, and to their own friends, the men had been working long hours. He pointed out that shorter hours were desirable and necessary, because railway men were subject to diseases which were peculiarly their own, and quoted from Dr. Norman Kerr strong testimony in favor of shorter hours. He regretted that in some cases men had worked from thirteen, eighteen, to forty-five and even fifty hours at a stretch- (shame)—and he asked if it were possible to expect men to perform their work satisfactorily under those conditions. He thought that such facts as these were only to be brought before the public, and they would secure its sympathy and support. (Applause.) He was of opinion that if the hours of labor were shortened, the comfort of the men would be not only increased, but the work would be done better. (Applause ) In proof of this he quoted two opinions. Mr Mather, M.P. for Gorton, a very large employer of skilled labor, said his firm was one of the first to adopt the nine hours system, and he would not go back to the old system on any account. He said the firm had more good work in the shorter hours than was the case in the longer time. In the Eastern Counties a gentleman connected with a large chemical works said since the adoption of the eight hours system the work had been better done, and be also said that Union men worked better than those out of it. (Cheers.) Mr Harford then explained what the men demanded. He said first of all they wanted a ten hours day, and that was moderate when all round, men were asking for eight hours. They made an exception in the case of shunters in large yards, for whom they asked eight hours. With regard to this branch of the work, he showed that during the year one in 200 shunters were killed, and one out of every eighteen was injured in the course of a year, so that at that rate the entire number of shunters at present at work, supposing them never to be moved, would be swept off the face of the earth. They also asked for a nine hours day for the platelayers, whom he claimed to be a useful man who was capable of using the tools of the skilled tradesman. They also proposed that overtime should be paid at the rate of time and a quarter, and Sunday work at time and a half. If overtime and Sunday work were luxuries, then Mr Harford urged they ought to be paid for. (Cheers.) Dealing with the question of Sunday work, he said that some Sunday work was necessary, but much of it was absolutely unnecessary and could be stopped at once. He was of opinion that some elasticity should be allowed in the matter, but even then much of the present Sunday traffic could as easily and as conveniently be taken on week days. Some time ago he was at Swindon on the Great Western Railway one Sunday afternoon, and while there for about three-and-a-half hours five goods trains came in. He examined them and found them laden with pig iron and coal. (Laughter.) If they had been laden with fruit, meat, or perishables, he could have understood the haste, but pig iron would keep. (Laughter.) MrHarford quoted at length from a Parlia- mentary return of hours worked on railways, moved for by the Earl De La Warre, who was one of the vice-presidents of the amalgamated societies, and showed from the figures therein contained, that the number of hours worked was large and excessive. He referred to the statement made by Lord Stal. bridge that engine-drivers on the London andNorth- Western Railway if they remained out over fifteen hours were fined. His lordship, who was chairman of the company, said many men had been so fined, but he (the speaker) had never found one, and he appealed to any London and North.Western men who might be present to stand up and declare. Another practice which was to be condemned was that of calling men on duty before they had proper resting time, and he found that the worst offender in this respect was the Wrexham Mold and Conuah's Quay Railway. (Laughter and cheers.-). H. urged that as the Board of Trade appointed numerous inspectors to look after cranks and wheels he thought-the human mechanism ahoutd be looked after as well. (Applause.) He believed that all they wanted could be got by peaceful aad reason- able means. and he ridiculed the cry of Sir Edward Watkin that those who advocated shorter hours should be put in prison. (Laughter and applause.) He was told by some that the movement was only another way of increasing their wages. He did net deny tt—(laughter—but he also desired that the men in having the shorter hours should have those advantages which workmen in other trades- had. ^Applause) Mr  Pearson, Wrexham, '"?? the following resolution-" That this meeting adapts the pro- grammefor shorter hours of (luty on rail ways, as put forth by the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, believing the demands set forth therein to be reasonable and just, and pledges itself to use every legitimate effort to bticg it to a successful issue In the course of his remarks, Mr Pearson urged upon all those men, who had not done so to join .the Society. Mr R. Williams, Crewe, seconded the resolution ia vigorous terms. He said the men had no reason to fear joining, because the Society was able to protect them. Mr Bird and Mr Paddon, as tradesmen in the town, made short speeches, in which they expressed their sympathy with the movement. The resolution was then put and carried. Mr Cathrall, Chester, proposed That with the view of giving speedy effeot to the foregoing.reso- lutions, this meeting urges all railway servants in this neighbourhood to band themselves together in the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. thereby giving strength and support to the move- ment for a reduction of hours." Mr Dickson, Shrewsbury, seconded the resolu- tion, which was supported by Mr Gough, of Rhosddu, and carried. The proceedings closed with a vote-of thanks to the Mayor, proposed by Mr Harford.

I HOURS OF LABOR ON THE CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS. ¡ EVIDENCE OF THE MEN. On Tuesday the Select Committee of the House of Commons inquiring into the hours of labor of railway servants heard further evidence with regard to the employe of the Cambrian Railways Company. Sir M. Hicks-Beach presided. At the previous sitting of the Committee Mr Bather, miller, Oswestry, quoted several affidavits sworn by shunters and signalmen at Oswestry, and the Committee determined to call some of these men before tliein. John Jones, Oswestry, a shunter of five years and a. half in the employment of tiii Cambrian Railways, said the affidavit given in by Mr Bother for him was hardly correct, for the hours he worked were 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. night duty, and 8 a.in. to G p.m. day duty. This WAS an arrangement made bv the shunters themselves the Compauy's time was ti.a.rn. to 6.p..m. It was true that they worked from 6.p.m. on Tuesday to & a.m. on Thursday. This was because of Wednes- day being the market day at Oswestry, and two shunters being required. They had no rest except for meals during that period. The night shift week was- Monday, 6. p.m. to 8. a.m. Tuesday, 6, p.m. to Thursday at s.. a.m;. Thursday, 6 p.m. tj & a.m. Friday, the same and Saturday, 6, p.m. tJ 2 a.m. on Sunday. His day shift week was-Monday,2,ra.m. t > 6. p. m. Tuesday and the rest of the week, 8-a.m. to G p. m. Beyond what he had said about Sunday they had no Sunday work. His pay was 1901 a week, and overtime began after the u-3tia.1 hours in the shunting yard, via., 6. p.m., when the payment was the same for the ordinary houts. It was within his knowledge that time returns had been sent back to the men to be altered, but it had not been done in his. own case. Sir M. H. Beach I do not think you can take this as evidence,, unless the witness is prepared to give the namep.. It is an allegation without proof. Mr Chaniiing Can you give the names of men who had been directed to alter their times ? Yes, but I have no authority from the men to give them. The committee then cleared the room to consider the admissability of such evidence, and on the public being readmitted The Chairman We have decided to strike out what the witness said about the alteration of the timei, as he had no authority to give the nainss of the men referred to. The witness, in reply to members of the committee, said he and others had frequently complained of their long hours, and that overtime had been very frequent. The long shift from Tuesday t) Thursday I&-tz)d for moat of the time he had been at Oswestry, but it ceased on the 26h November, when the com- pany put on more men, and feliey now had regular day and night shifts of twelve hours' each, according to the Company's time. He was satisfied with these ahtft", but they still worked overtime, but he could not say to what extant. Last week it was about half a day-occuring on the Monday morning. This took place once a fortnight. There were about twenty trains a day. The long Monday hours were because there was no shunting on the Sunday night. No accident had occurred during his shunting. Alfred Thomas, signalman, Oswestry, said ha had been signalman for eight months at the south cabin there. His hours were 14 on the night shiit and 10 on the day shift. During the day nine trains passed each way, and during the night eight trains passed altogether. In addition to that he had to signal for the shunting, which was almost constantly going on. On three occasions he had been on duty for about fotty hours, his mate being away on special duty. He had very hard work to keep awake, and tie only intervals he had ware for meals, but he was not allowed to leave his box for them. He had also been on for 25 hours, 34 hours (with an interval of six hours), 24 hours, 37 hours 40 hours, 23 hours, 33 hours (with five hours interval). t-iese ext mdinjj over 1890 and coming down h January 2G. 1891. He bad never asked for overtime. His weekly wage was 15s, and overtime began after 60 hours in day shift and 84 on the night shift. He might have an hour's rest now and then during these long shifts. His cabin was close to the company's main offices, and the manager frequently passed it. He was cenured on one occasion for leaving the box for food, although no train was due for some miuutae. He was always alone in the box until relieved. By the Committee He complained that the com- pany did not keep sufficient extra men. There had been no accidents while he had been in the box. On one occasion after a loner shift he was off for 24 hours. Since the end of Jan. he had had no longer shift than 14 hours, and he supposed some rearrangement must have been made by the company. He was a porter for four months, and his week!y wa^e was 14s then. His box was connected with a double line. He had not complained about his hour-i, and he thought that twelve hours was a fair shift. He thought a 40 houry shift was rather hard lines, and if he fell asleep during that time and an accident happened he thought the company should be blamed, and not himself. He would like shorter shifts, and he would not mind the means so long as he got them. During the night there was a three-hour interval between the trains, but he had during that time to go out and count the wagons in the yard and call up men for the early trains. There was a level crossing at his box, to which he had to attend. Thomas Hughes, shunter, Oawestry, said that he had been employed by the Cambrian Railways for eighteen mouths. His evidence was similar to thafc given by the other shunter at Oswestry who had been examined by the committee. The change by which the long shift from Tuesday to Thursday had been done away with took place before November. He thought the hours were still tjo long for the money he got (laughter)—although he could work them with safety to the public. He had had no accident during hi-i shifts, but he had been off ill through over- work. James Thomas, signalman, Newtown, stated that he was formerly a signalman at Montgomery, and that he had a broken leg caused by having be- come exhausted through overwork and falling under a train. The affidavit Mr Bather presented at the last committee meetiRg as prepared by himielf was accurate. William Francis, signal- man, Welshpool, authorised him to state that he had been on duty for fifty-one hours at a stretch, but he could not state what was the cause. Witness had since Christmas been working thirteen hours a day for five days in the week, and sixteen hours on Tues- days. He was not; allowed any overtime. lie slipped off the axle box when his accident happened. Ha had been working eleven hours that day. and every- one agreed that that was too long for a lad of his age. No accident had occurred while he was in the signal box. John Bunting, signalman, Oswestry, gave thirteen instances during seven months where his hours had varied from twenty-four to thirty-eight hours. These long stretches had ceased since January. His wages were 133 a week. and overtime at the same rate as for ordinary hours. Since he had been signalman he had been off work through a serious illness, and had to undergo an operation. Hia medical attendant in a letter to Mr Bather expressed his opinion that the excessive hours were injurious to his health, and tended to aggravate his disease." If the Company would take away the out-door work he would have no complaint about the work and the hours in the cabin. He would like shorter shifts of ten hours a day, but not with smaller wages. They were too low at pre- sent. There had been no accident since he had been in his signal box. It is probable that next Tuesday evidence will ba tendered on behalf of the Company. The following circular was issued to the company'ct employe by Mr Conacher, on seeing that Mr Bather had undertrken to bring their case before the Select Committee, although no complaint In to wages or hours of labor had been received by the company I CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS COMPANY. Secretary and General Manager's Office, Circular No. 423. Oswestry, 11th April, 1891. To all Servants of the Company.— Uourt of Labor of Railway Servants. At the meeting yesterday of the Select Committee of the House of Commons, appointed to inquire into the above subject, a list of the witnesses who had offered to giY8 evidence on behalf of the railway servants was handed in. and amongst them was a witness from Oswestry, who it was understood, desired to make a statement with refer- ence to the hours of labor of servants of the Cambrian Company. As this witness is not in the employ of the Cimbrian Company, his evidence can only be hearsay, and I there- f,-re beg at once to announce that it is the desire of the Directors of this Company to assist the Select Committee in their inquiry by every means in their power, inetnd? the granting by the Directors of ample facilities for obtain- ing the direct testimony of any Cambrian servant who may tender, or be asked by the Select Committee to give, evidence as to their own hours of duty, or thnh°W of ? duty of any of their fellow servants To such servants a free pass to and from London *rin t,« furnished on their being summo?ned tn att?  tbe Select Committee, and I hereby undertake onLSeS £ « Company that no servant who gives evidence on behalf either of bimself or of bis fellow-servants s £ u suffer any respct in his position or prospects in the Compan)". service^by reason his Kg^SnilSe^tO ttSrt   statement of the hours of 1&001: worked by him or them. J. CO4Cu.