The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

Mr. James Wilson, of St. Albans, says The Australasian, has obtained the highest price ever given in Australia for a yearling thoroughbred, and the highest average yet reached at a year- «nS sale, viz., 1,500 guineas for a sister to First King, and an average of 1,000 guineas for the five yearlings submitted to public auction. POTENTILLAS.—If any Villa gardener wishes to make a sensa- tion in his garden during the coining summer, or to give occa- 8ion to a pleasant surprise among his garden-loving friends and Neighbours, he cannot do better than make a trial of some of the tyettyl,oteiitillus. A neighbour of ours, with a great love for his uttle garden, last summer came into possession of two or three Plants of double Potentillas, but was quite unaware of their character. He planted them with care, and tended them with that regard that overcomes many difficulties in plant culture; and when they bloomed lie was indeed surprised at their ex- ceeding brilliancy and attractiveness. He will now always grow Potentillas, and he has so persistently trumpeted forth v^nd most deservedly so) their charms that some of his neigh- bours are ordering plants on his recommendation. And though lt is said that button-holes are getting unfashionable in society, our neighbour still sports one, and the background almost in- variably consists of a pretty silvery leaf of a Potentilla with Peculiarly handsome cut edges.-Gardeners Chroniele. How TO KILL GREEMLY. — As the season is rapidly approach- Ing when we have to wage war with that troublesome insect greenfly, the following recipe, which has been in use here for some years with most satisfactory results, may be ef use to your readers. Half a pound of seft soap dissolved (but not foiled) in soft water, 2 oz. of strong tobacco (common shag) boiled for an hour with 1 oz. of bitter aloes mix with 3 gallons ojf warm soft water. Dip or syringe the plants affected with fly. £ he above ingredients are inexpensive and easily obtained, and the mixture will be found thoroughly efficacious. I wish I could sav it is as effective in the case of mealy-bug, but I think Jt has yet to be discovered how to make a mixture which shall oe death to the bug without injury to the plant. I see by an advertisement we are offered a new fumigator, the use of which IS to kill amongst other things mealy-bug and scale without damage to the plant. If this is possible, it will be a. marvellous thing. I have seen many things tried, but the plant generally Suffered more than the insect, excepting perhaps in cases where the finger and thumb, only aided by a small pointed stick, were Used. One correspondent recommends paraffin, but that is dangerous, as it varies so much in strength. Bridgford's Anti- septic has been recommended, but I know where there is a breed of mealy-bug that refuses to succumb to that. I remem- ber three or four years ago trying an experiment in a melon pit after the plants had been cleared out. Half a pound of sulphur was placed in two saucers in the pit, and set burning for the Purpose of killing red-spider. Half a dozen fine specimens of Oiealy-bug were introduced in a saucer. They Walked about very deliberately during the time the sulphur was burning, and When it was finished they appeared none the worse, although, I suppose, the quantity consumed would have been sufficient to Oestroy the largest collection of stove plants. I would urge upon those who would try new washes and mixtures the neces- sity of great-caution. Don't trust all your eggs in one basket. ?°nie years ago I was being shown through a fine range of houses. I observed the whole of the vines in three vineries and Peach trees in a peach house had been killed to the ground. jrOis, I was informed, was the result of painting them over with ueat's-foot oil, which had been recommended as a certain de- j °yor of mealy-bug. And doubtless many more cases equally might be cited. Then I would say if you will try ex- periments don't risk a fine plant, but try them on a small portion fi-? Plant, as the effect can be just as well observed, and if a ure the loss is but small.—G. Duffield, Winchmore Hill, in rrieners' Chronicle.

THE PARIS EXHIBITION OF 1878. Q "e learn that the stand of Messrs. Sutton and Sons, the Qlteen's seedsmen, and seedsmen by special warrant to H.R.H. Prince of Wales, will be one of the most exhaustive dis- rf*ys of horticultural and agricultural produce ever brought J?Sether. Taking advantage of the occasion of what will be the juost wonderful "World's fair" ever held, and of their high position as seedsmen to his Royal Highness the President of the 5*oyal Commission, Messrs. Sutton have been actively engaged 'nearly twelve months in preparing their elaborate stand of jonety-five feet in length. We understand that there are more two thousand models from nature of the principal kinds of jBticultural and horticultural plants and roots, in addition to &rly 500 specimens of permanent pasture grasses, as well as samples of seeds. The display occupies a large portion of °f the extensive buildings erected at the special desire of a^-H. the President, for illustrations of English Agriculture, is already in such a forward condition that it will be quite iSWy for his Royal Highness's private view on the 26th of April. only inside are Messrs. Sutton making such an extensive LrPlay, but in the Exhibition grounds nearly three acres have sown with Messrs. Sutton's grass seeds, which are now jjPialy forming a beautiful sward. In addition to grass seeds, Ij^ssrs. Sutton have supplied an endless quantity and variety of »a-6r seeds, which will be transplanted during the summer in MJ^OUS parts of the Exhibition grounds, and a most brilliant is anticipated. of the attractive features of the agricultural depart- WLwL this exhibition will be the stand of Messrs. Edward and Sons, the Queen's Seedsmen of Werdsley, Stourbridge. jjTjsxtensive collection of specimens and beautifully finished e ils of Webbs' improved varieties of agricultural roots, gSetables, flowers, and agricultural and horticultural produce rally will be exhibited, also a large and neatly-arranged dis- of specimens (in the straw) of the noted cereals—wheat, jjjf|ey, black oats, white oats, &c., &c.—raised by his eminent W* of seed growers at their extensive and model seed farms,at ver-hill, together with upwards of 1,000 bags of various s of seeds for the farm and garden, and an interesting col- of 300 dried specimens of the natural grasses—grown at CelftK*8' Webbs' Experimental Grounds—whien compose Webbs' l^^rated mixtures of grasses for permanent pastures, parks, counf' > autl which are specially arranged for the soils of all gpjrtnes, according to their geological formation. The limited biti ,at command prevents a reference to the whole of the ex- t^jt Messrs. Webb ancl Sons, but it will be sufficient to say *griJ |ey include many other articles connected with the of natural and horticultural seed trade. We learn that a portion gjOe exhibition grounds at Paris have been sown with Webbs' ..un-

CORN AVERAGES, The For the week ending April 20. f„f<?^°wing are the quantities sold and the prices this year 4"d last year:— QUANTITIES SOLD. PRICES. or. This year. Last year. This year. Last year. Vjueat 40,845 43,980 51s. lid. 53s. 9d. J?arley 10,511 9,534 41s. 7d. 41s. 4d. ^ats 3.6S8 3,353 25s. 6d. 24s lOd. Corn, &c. in).IVERPOOL, TUESDAY.—A good business was done to-day Xur~.eat» at an advance of Id. to 2d. per cental on the rates of reqUg /iast- Flour brought steady prices. Beans in moderate r"Jian alul quarter easier and the same applies to peas, tniip.) ^°ni quiet, at a reduction of 3d.$quarter; prime new -American held for 26s. 3d.$quarter. America «R. PRICES (this day). s. d. s. d. Entiii?. ?, Wheat,$cental of 100 lbs 9 6 to 12 0 Foreign £ loUr>$2S0 lbs 41 0 40 0 Emri;°K r^ey> 60 lbs 3 3 3 8 Etrvr t ats, 'iJ 45 lbs 4 0 4 4 J^mun Beans, 480 lbs 36 0 36 6 an corn, American new >vhite 0 0 0 0 r "b- mixed American. 26 0 27 6 1 WEDNESDAY.—The market was quiet, but late {irtiC]B, e)re well maintained for both wheat and flour. Other barter a'Jy> but little business done.—Arrivals Barley, 379 terg. Foreign wheat, 22,800 quarters barley, 3,010 quar- Sactl ° 28.7DO quarters; maize. 17,680 quarters; Jflour, 6,080 ^<1 13,80 barrels. CURRENT PRICES OF GRAIN AT MARK LANE. Wlw Shilling « qr. new Essex and Kent (whiter 56 to 60 Ditto ditto (red) 48 52 Norfolk, Lincoln, and Yorkshire (red) 49 51 Oati8^ (Chevalier) 40 50 English feed 24 28 Iw?8 (Mazagan) 30 34 • White boilers (English) 38 42 „ (foreign) 39 41 J?? 27 35 CEST Town tiousenoias, v sacs 01 ZAU 10"1., to OUS. tICEFIELD, THURSDAY.—The market, being held off the the Ql, y> was only thinly attended by buyers. No change in Sfi- iuns 01 auy article. Oay SATURDAY.—Our market to-day had a holi- gOo(j ejj^ter, and business was limited. Wheat met with a l^lev U-iry> alul last week's full prices were easily obtained °*er at unaltered rates.. Oats and beans Is.$sack • Prices were as follow: v*r. B. a. s. a. lioi?.Wheat, m4 75 lbs 7 9 @ 9 4 ^,llltto' » 7 6 8 6 (malting), '& 33 quarts 6 4 6 9 » 4 9 5 0 oats, 225 lbs 21 o 27 0 £ «a»lS, 225 lbs 20 0 21 0 « 225 lbs 20 0 23 0 J* <& imperia! bushe! 9 0 9 6 v5 SATURDAY.—Good red wheat to-day was worth bushel. There is no change to note in the value of ■Bfc and oats. JJ^GNORTH, SATURDAY.—The quotations at the close of iHvT'w were: White wheat, 7s. 4d. to 8s. Od. # 72 TT>s.; It. %t, 69. 6d. to 7a. 6d.; foreign wheat, 10s. 4d. to lis. 8d 144 149 barley 42s. to tgs. V imp- quarter; grinding barley, barley, 4*8a- imp- quarter; grinding barley, 8c0J to 16s. Od. scores. Beans, 14s. 3d. to 16s. 9d.$ 6 Ifia o8, I>eas» -^3' to 17s- 6d. io scores. Oats, 13s. 6d. Ne, 6d- » 8 scores. Indian corn, 12s Od. to 16s. Od.$10 Jpiij Malt, 9s. 0d. to 9s. 6d V bushel.—There was a good threat11?6 farmers, corn factors, millers, and maltsters. „ "letl lower. Good samples of barley for sowing were for, and both English and French for malting "hanced in value. J^^YSTWYTH, MONDAY. — Wheat, 7s. 6d. to 8s. 6d. w r?tor barley, 5s. 6d. to 6s. Od.; oats, oS. bd. to 5S. od.; eg^s, 0?' shilling; salt butter, 0s. lid. to Is. 0d. fresh butter, S?- Od' f* Is. 6d. « lb.; fowls, 3s. 6(1. to 5s. 0d.$couple; ducks, s- Od't° 0s. Od.; geese, 0s. pd. to 0s. Od. turkeys, 0s. od. to \yRr ach; potatoes, 0s. Od. to 8s. Od. I? cwt. B^ey ^OOL, MONDAY—Wheat, 8s. 0d. to 8s 6d V 80 fts.: 0rl-to 7s-40 iluu'ts; oats> m tr> K to IS for a shilling butter, Is 4d. tols. 6d.$3 lb., °d. to 5s. 3d. couple; ducks, Os. Od. to 0s. 0d. q? • Pofeese. 0s.Od. to0-s. Od. each.; turkeys, 0s. Od. to 00s. Od. ^^toes, 6.s. Od. to 6s. 3d. IP measure. N^HEI. ,^WN, TUESDAY (Apr. 23).—Wheat, 0s. Od. to Os. Od. ¥ K716 f^'ley, 0s. Od. to 0s. 0d.; oats, 00s to 00s$bag eggs, 0s 6d •'i?' "Wiling; butter, 0s. Qd. to Is. 6d. lb.; fowls, 0s. Oa. 8n0(l. tri, couple, ducks, 0s. Od. to 0s. Od.$couple; geese, Vft for S' ^fl- each; turkeys, 0s. Od. to 10s. Od. each; potatoes, Od }lxPence; beef, lOd. to lid.$lb.; mutton, lOd. to lid.; 0 ^\Vl? hlmb, Od. to 12d. K^Uti SFRY, WEDNESDAY (Apr. 24).—The following were the ir 6s n i' Wheat, 7s. 4d. to 7s. lOd. -§ bushel; barley (malt- I' **l. ao »' to 6s. 9d.; oats, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d.; butter, Is. 4d. tp Os .-»,eS?s> 14 to 10 for a shilling; fowls, 4s. 6d. to 5s. Od. is *1' «a L f 0s- to 6s. Od. couple geese, 0s. Od. to s fri? eys> 0s- °d. to 00s. Od. each; potatoes, 12 lbs. to 'tiB )Yi;dN^^y. — Whoaten flour, 00s. to 00s.$ OOs/1 "iS'oats, 28s. Od. 315 lbs.; oat- ^J°3°s. Od. 240 lbs.; Indian corn, 17s. Od. qp 240 lbs.; °0^, hiitt0 7s 0d' ? I20,' butter, 0s. 9d. to Is. 3d.$! lb.; ill,?-' ls- 10( nS-Ai -i !h,; f°wls, 3s. Od. to 3s. 4d. Ort pot?* 0s to tl°°"Ple; geese, 0s. Od. to 0s. Od. V f 0s- t° hobbet; new potatoes, Od. to ^°<i 10cl- to 13fl" V to 14d. 13 lb.; veal, Vi^Me i P°lk, od- to 0(lt 7 rabbits, 2s. 2d. to 2s. 4d. ^b P'SS' 00s- fc0 00s- e:lc,h; suckers, 18s. to 24s. Od. 0s. to 0s. 120.; codfish, 2s each; freshwater b. Cattle. MONDAY.-—There was a moderate supply [, .^Coty lriarket, and prices exhibited an upward tendency. ^r»T 4r,rea^zed 6s. 4d.; Norfolks a good trade at 6s. to as ]1,116 for choice quality large coarse oxejn about the jS trade generally slow, but dear. The foreign all i Portuguese 6s., Auieiicans 5s. 8d. to 5s. lod. °°Wru eit|K top prices. All grades of mutton advanced P rj'i (ll"t'; 6s. 2d. stone large-framed white-faced to 5s. 8<i.; lambs a good trade at as. to 0s.$stone. JfW 6sl i • 6s- 6d. to 6s. 4cl.; mutton, 5s. Od. to 6s. 2d.; JO r. c0tlsi-t° 6S. od.; pork, 4s. Od. to 5s. Od. The stock on iiiof i of 2,260 beasts, 0.980 she*p, 70 calves, and sheepU hi which were S50 foreign beasts and 150 LIVERPOOL, MONDAY.—The stock on offer consisted of 1,789 beasts and 2,735 sheep and lambs. There was a large increase in the supply of cattle, and a falling-off in the number of sheep and lambs, being about 450 more beasts and about 1,200 fewer sheep and lambs than last week. Prices were much lower for cattle and for sheep about the same. There were 68 Spanish and 400 American beasts on offer to-day. A good attendance of country buyers.—Best beasts, 8Jd. to 9d.$tb.; second ditto. 7d. to 8?fd. lb.; sheep, in wool, lOd. to lljd.$lb.; clipped ditto 9d. to lud.$lb.; lambs. 40s. to 50s. each. SHREWSBURY, TUESDAY. — There was a very good show of .stock, both fat and stores, and a brisk trade was done, good meat fit for the butcher being a little slow in price. There was a great show of bulls, which realized only moderate prices. Barrens and store bullocks sold well.—Beef made 9d. to 9id. V lb.; mutton, 1M. to lid.; lambs, 38s. to 42s. each; veal, 9d. to 9kl.$lb. Pigs, hoth stores and porks, lower than last week, BIRMINGH AM, TUESDAY—We had 209 beasts in the market to-day. Anything choice realized full prices; inferior met a steady trade. Sheep 545, for which there was a batter demand, at late prices. Fat pigs 524, and a clearance was made.—Current quotations: Beef, 8d. to 9Jd.$! lb.; mutton, in wool, 9d. to 1034-d.; ditto, shorn. Scl. to 9d.; bacon pigs, 9s. Od. to 10s. 8d. ZtJ score porket ditto, 10s. 6d. to lis. Od. SALFORD, TUESDAY.—The supply of cattle at market was larger, and the quality of a fair average character. Trade ruled slow for all classes, at lower prices. About 400 foreign beasts (Spanish and Canadian) fetched, from 8d. to 9eld. tJ lb. There was a smaller show of sheep, and better trade was experienced, prices advancing in most cases Jd. '1;1 It). A moderate trade was done in calves, and late figures were maintained.—Prices Beef, 6Jd. to 9d.$lb.; mutton, 7jd. to 9Jd.; veal, 9d. to 9Jd. LONDON DEAD MEAT MARKET, MONDAY.—The follow ing were the quotations 13 8 lbs. by the carcase: Middling and inferior beef, 3s. 4d. to 4s. 6d.: prime ditto, 5s. Od. to 5s. 6d.; inferior and middling mutton, 3s. 4d. to 5s. od.; prime ditto, 5s. Od. to 6s. Od.; veal, 5s. Od. to 5s. 4d.: large pork, 3s. 6d. to 4s. Od.; small ditto, 4s. 4d. to 5s. Od.-There was a full supply of meat on offer, and with only a limited demand, prices as a rule were a little flat. Miscellaneous. LONDON PROVISION, SATURDAY.—The butter market con- tinues very slow, with good supplies; all kinds of foreign being pressed for sale, prices have further declined, and are very irre- gular, according to qualities. The bacon market has ruled firm, with a good demand; early in the week, Hamburg advanced 2s.$cwt, and later, Irish also advanced 2s. IRISH AND AMERICAN PROVISIONS, LIVERPOOL, THURS- DAY.-Butter: Little choice old remains on the market, and such as there is seils at very irregular rates, the season now being so far advanced. Bacon has been quiet at about previous currencies. Lard without change. Cheese in fair request; white, from scarcity, brings outside figures. Beef and pork are both a trifle easier. LONDON POTATO, SATURDAY.—A dull market prevails for potatoes, and prices are semewhat unsettled. Anything sound is firm in price. Kent Regents 200s. to 240s. ï\] ton. Essex Regents 130s. to 190s. Rocks 100s. to 140s. Flukes 200s. to 240s. Victorias 190s. to 220s. LONDON HOP, MONDAY.—The hop market is dull, and prices are nominally the same. The holidays naturally tend to reduce business. The supplies are very moderate of really choice hODS. East and Mid Kent £ 3 10 £ 4 o £ 5 10 Weald of Kent 2 15 3 io 4 10 Sussex 2 10 310 4 4 Farnham and Country 4 10 5 0 5 15 Worcester 4 4 415. 5 10 WOOL, MONDAY.— In the wool market there is still no feature of importance. Since the close of the public sales, transactions in Colonial produce have been on a limited scale, and prices have ruled about nominal. English wool has sold slowly. scale, and prices have ruled about nominal. English wool has sold slowly. CURRENT PRICES. This year. Last year. (Per lb.) s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. FLEECES.—Southdown hoggets ..1 3 tol 4 ..1 31 to 1 5, Half-bred ditto. 1 2i to 1 3J—1 4 to 1 ó Kent fleeces 1 3 tol 3k.1 4 tol 6 S. Down ewes and wethers 1 3 to 1 i 1 4 to 1 6 Leicester ditto 1 21 to 1 31..1 3 to I 4 SORTS.—Clothing, picklock 1 5 tol 6 ..1 5f to 1 6 Prime 1 4 to 1 5 ..1 4J to 1 5A Choice 1 3 tol 4 ..1 3 to 1 Super ] 2} tol 3J..1 2.V to 1 3) Combing wether mat 1 6 to 1 7 1 7; to 1 8 Picklock 1 4 tol 4J..1 4J to 1 5 Common 1 21 to 1 3 ..1 2 to 1 3 Hog matching 1 to 1 6J..1 6} to 1 7 Picklock matching 1 4 to 1 4|l 4^ to 1 5 Common 1 2J to 1 3 ..1 2 to 1 31 "T,?:T '"J.r,y n" LJ 1 v liiiruoii nooij, 1111 K5i)\v.—mere is no improvement in the demand to report this week, and the only sales worth mentioning, in addition to a. few lots of Peru, Lima, Buenos Ayres, and black Spanish, are 325 bales inferior alpaca at 7Jd. and lild. V lb., and about 250 bags mohair at from 2s. 6jd. to 2s. lid.$lb.—Current quotations are: East India, white, 5d. to 131d. V lb.; yellow, 4id. to lild.; gray, &c., 3d. to 10d.; washed Peruvian, lOd. to "l5Jd.; washed River Plate, lOVd. to 13id.; unwashed River Plate 6d. tolOd.; washed Morocco, 8d. to lO.^d.; unwashed Morocco, 5d to 7d.; Egyptian white, 8d to 14UI.; Oporto fleece, 12kl. to 13d.; mohair, 2s. 10d. to 2s. lld.; alpaca, Is. 6d. to Is. 9d. LONDON PRODUCE, THURSDAY. Sugar: The market was very quiet, without alteration in values. Coffee dull and neglected. Rice firm, but inactive. Cotton market remains dull. Jute quiet, and unaltered. Tallow, new, 38s 6d. to 38s. gd., V cwt. on the spot. Oils Rape 33s., linseed 26s. 10ld. V ewt. LIVERPOOL PRODUCE, WEDNESDAY.- Sugar was quiet, but a firm feeling pervades the markets for rum, coffee, cocoa, and especially rice. Nitrate of soda firm at 16s. to 16s. 3d. V ewt. on the spot. Linseed oil steady at 26s. 9d. to 27s. 3d. in export casks. Rape oil, refined Stettin, 42s. Cottonseed oil 31s. 6d. to 32s. 6d. for Liverpool refined. Palm oil steady. Olive oil without change. Lard 36s. 6d. to 36s. 9d.$cwt. Tallow 38s. 6d. to 39s. for North American. Ashes, old pots 22s. 6d.; new 23s. 6d.$cwt. Rosin, common, 5s. 3ll. 1)1 cwt., Spirits of turpentine, 24s. to 24s. 3(t. P ewt. Petroleum, refined oil 10d. gallon. LEATHER.—LEADENHALL, SAUTRDAY. p lb. s. d. S. d. Hides, crop, 28 lbs. to 40 lbs 1 0@1 4 Ditto, 40 lbs. to 60 lbs 1 3 1 9 English butts, 14 lbs. to 24 lbs 1 1 2 5 Ditto, 25 lbs. to 36 lbs 1 5 2 10 Foreign butts, 16 lbs. to 50 Jbs 1 1 2 3 Crop bellies 0 7 0 11 Shoulders. 0 10 1 4 Dressing hides, common 0 11 1 G Ditto, shaved. 1 1 1 8 Calfskins 1 4 2 6 WOLVERHAMPTON HIDE, SKIN, AND FAT, SATUR- DAY.—Hides, 95 1b. and upwards, 5d. íJ tb.; 85 to 94, 4d.; 75 to 84, 32d.; 65 to 74, 3|d.; 56 to 64, 3d.; 55 and under, 3d.; Cows, 2Jd. to 2d.; bulls, 2fd.; flawed and irregular, 2Jd.J kips, Od. to 3d. Horse hidbs, Os. Od. to 12s. 6d. each. Calf, 17 lb. ami upwards, 1,id.; 12 to 16, 5:1,cl.; 9 to 11,51d.; light, 3d.; flawe i and irregular, 3:1-d. Wools, A-l, Os. Od.; A, 7s. 3d.; B, 5s. 2d. each. Pelts, A, 0s. Od.; B, 0s. Od. each. Lambs, A, 0s. 0d.; B, 0s. Od. each. Fat, 2Jd. to 2|d.$lb.—JNO. S. D'ARCY, Broker, Claveland-street. HAY AND STRAW.-LONDON, TUESDAY. s. d. s. d. Prime meadow h,,ty (:P ton) 85 0 @ 102 6 Inferior ditto 70 0 So 0 Prime clover 100 0 140 0 Inferior ditto 85 0 95 0 Straw (P load) 44 0 53 0 AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE.—LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY. Hay,$20 tbs. s. d. s d.$ton. Old 0 10 @1 2 s. d. s. d. New 0 0 0 0 Carrots 0 0@0 0 Straw— Turnips 0 0 0 0 Wheat. 0 9! 0 10 Mangel Wurzel.. 0 0 34 0 Oat 0 74 0 8J Manure 5 6 7 6 Barley 0 7! 0 0 Grass,$20lbs. 0 2 0 2i Trade Intelligence. WOLVERHAMPTON IRON TRADE.— WEDNKSDAV. Shyness characterized the iron market this afternoon. The continual uncertainty touching the war, combined with the absence of strength in several quotations, make men hesitate to buy beyond pressing requirements. In the open market prices were declared unaltered. Some works are resuming in part. Most activity is observable where gasometer plates, girder plates, best sheets, and Government requisites in large sections are being turned out. Stocks of pigs are increasing. Furnaces producing best pigs are being prepared to be laid off, but preparations are in progress to increase the make of medium sorts.

THE CROPS AND THE CORN TRADE. The Mark-Lane Express says :-The light soils have been benefited by the recent rains, which have also favoured the de- velopment of winter and spring-sown cereals Grass, too, has made a fresh start, after remaining nearly stationary for two or three weeks, and the pastures are beginning to furnish a more nourishing bite for cattle. Some damage his been done to the fruit trees by the recent east winds, especially in the southern counties, but the injury has not been so general as was anticipated. Scotland has been visited by some heavy snow- storms, which have checked spring-sowing in the north; but this operation has fortunately been brought to a close in the central and southern districts, where farmers have been busy preparing the turnip land and planting potatoes. The winter- sown wheat crop looks well, and the plant has recently thick- ened considerably, tillering having taken place early and well, especially on the high-formed land of the Home Counties. The trade has been steady. There has been a steady retail demand, at prices which, if not quite equal to those of the previous Mon- day, were somewhat better than those obtainable on the pre- ceding Friday business was, however, limited.

I FATAL ACCIDENT TO AN EN GIN KM AN AT OSWESTRY. An inquest was held at the White Lion Inn, Willow-street, Oswestry, on Tuesday (yesterday) afternoon, before Mr. J. Sides Davies, borough coroner, on the body of Edward Evans, a fireman, employed by the Cambrian Railways Company, who had died in the Cottage Hospital on Sunday, April 21, from in- juries received on the morning of the previous day. Mr. Geo. Owen, the Company's engineer, Mr. H. Cattle, traffic manager, and Mr. Walker, locomotive superintendent, were present at the inquiry. Edward Evans, shoemaker, The Cot, Llanidloes, identified the body of the deceased as being that of his son. He was twenty- four years of age. Had seen his son on the previous Saturday, but he had not said anything as to how the accident had hap- pened. y John Foulkes, Gate-street, Oswestry, an engine driver in the fe™ ™-y °5 t*le Company, said that on Saturday morning, about three, he came up to the station with his engine, tr. backing down to the train, and on getting close ctcr,r.o,l J*»n' &oin £ quietly, his mate, the deceased, heard him °f.„n°uplei the train on to the engine. He O see What out' and stePPed off the engine f3 ^e matter, and found him fast T .J eLe abtf>H "r the waSS°n. He said, Oh dear, 'fnnrwi i lt;ness moved the engine away, and on gomg back found deceased catching hold of the hook of the waggo deceased away, and called the pointsman v!n\ !irip *DeceaspdC«v ? i!'1'1 calIecl for Morris, the watchman, who cam jS.Kf was hurt in the lower part of the stomach. it]Tor some of the cleaners from the shed w 'frain WitnP^Use HosPital- Witness had to go off with his train. W Itness was quite sober, and had only just (Tot out of bed- got out of beo. u"<lu" ln ""P11"3"» George Evans, a pointsmau in the employ of the Company, said that about thret 0 clock the engine p:lss0d over the points, which witness turned foi him, and the driver, Foulkes eased down towards his tram. Directly afterwards witness heard a shout, not a very loud one. Witness opened his window and asked what was the matter Heard the deceased <nve three groans, and ask his mate to ease ahead." Witness went down with the hand lamp, and the engine was then removed two or three feet from the train, and the last witness was lioldinf the deceased's shoulders and head up from the ground Witness called Morris, the watchman, and he came, and the guard with him. Deceased told them where he was hurt. The night men were fetched, and the injured man was at once taken on a stretcher to the hospital. By Mr. Cattle-As far as he was able to judge, the waggons were standing just over the lieel of the points, so that 'when the engine backed they would be able to couple. Mr. Cattle stated that the firemen always coupled the engines on to the train. Without wishing to reflect upon the poor young man, he should say that he should, strictly speaking, have waited until the engine had stopped before going between it and the vehicles. The Coroner having gone over the evidence, the iury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."

I THE MINERAL WEALTH OF WALES. On Wednesday evening, April 24, a lecture on this sub- ject was delivered before the Society of Cymmrodorion, at I the Frsemasons' Tavern, London, by Professor Rudler, of Aberystwyth. The chair was occupied by the Rev. Robert Jones, vicar of All Saints, Rotherhithe. A large map of Wales, prepared for the occasion, and showing ap- proximately the distribution of useful minerals, was hung upon the wall; and there was also exhibited a huge tabu- lar statement showing the quantity and value of the minerals raised in Wales, and the metals smelted there- from, during the last ten years; After some introductory remarks, in which humourous reference was made to some of the events of the day, the Lecturer observed that in countries where fisheries were not of great value, the chief sources of material wealth were drawn, directly or indirectly, from the earth. So largely was this the case that some of the older political economists went so far as to assert that the earth is the only source of wealth. Thus one writer says, What we call commodities is nothing but land severed from the soil. Man deals in nothing but earth. All things in the world are originally the produce of the ground, and there.must all things be raised." Wales draws the ele- ments of its material wealth almost entirely from the earth, either from the soil or from the solid rock, thus giving rise to two kinds of industry—agriculture and mining. Leaving the subject of agriculture to his newly-appointed colleague, Professor Rudler referred only to the raw materials which lie at the base of mining and the allied art of metallurgy. In inviting the Cymmrodorion to review the Mineral Resources of the Principality, he remarked that such a work was at the present commercial crisis singularly op- portune. He referred to the causes which have lately been in operation to bring about the unfortunate state of trade, and cited the Commercial History of 1877 which recently formed a supplement to the Economist. If the present depressed condition of our mineral industries is to be ameliorated, it is to science that we must look for means of improving our methods of extraction and pro- duction. No improvements in raising minerals or in working them into commodities can, however, be of avail to a country, if it does not possess the necessary stores of raw material to work upon. Labour is not creative, and can only employ itself in modifying the resources which nature supplies. It was, therefore, of no small interest to review the stores of mineral wealth which Wales yet possesses. In commencing this review, attention was, of course, directed to the distribution of coal. Although coal is abundant in Wales, yet by far the larger part of the coun- try is composed of rocks in. which men might dig till Doomsday without finding so much as a shovelful of coal. The age of the old slaty rocks of Wales was explained, and reference made to abortive at- tempts at coal mining in some of the shaly beds. The distribution of the true coal measures was traced on the map. The great coal field of South Wales forms, an oval area with its longer axis directed E. and W., and measuring more than eighty miles in length, while its greatest width is about twenty miles. The area of the coal field is nearly 1,000 square miles. The series of coal measures reaches in some parts the enormous thickness of between 10,000 and 12,000 feet. Reference was made to the surveys of the field by the late Sir W. Logan and Sir H. T. De la Beche to the valuable work for the Coal Commission by Mr. Hussey Vivian and Mr. G. T. Clarke and to a paper by Mr. Forster Brown. In describing the basin-shape of the South Wales coal field, it was explained that some of the most valuable, coals occurred in the lower part of the series, and that these would have been well-nigh lost to the miner, but for a ridge or anticlinal axis, which threw them up within a moderate distance from the surface. Another natural advantage was dwelt upon namely, the intersection of the field by a number of deep narrow valleys running from North to South, and serving as channels of transport to the sea, while by cutting through the seams they enable tunnels to be driven from the sides of the valleys into the heart of the coal seams. The different varieties of coal found in South Wales were pointed out, the ordinary household or bitu- minous coal free-burning or steam coal; and the anthracite or stone coal. The value of the anthracite was explained, and the quaint description of George Owen (1595) was cited This kind of cole is not noysome for the smoake, nor nothing soe lothsome for the smell as the ring cole is, whose smoake annoyeth all neare st, as fyne linen, men's handes that warm themselves by it; but this stone cole yieldeth in a manner noe smoake after it is kindled, and is so pure that fine camerick and lawne is usually dried by it, without any stayne or blemish, and is a most proved good dryer of malt, therein passing wood, ferne, or strawe." About 80 seams of coal, with an aggregate thickness of 1201 feet, are contained in the coalfield of South Wales but only about 84 feet can be profitably worked. The outcrop of the coal must have attracted attention at an early date, and in Monmouthshire a flint implement was found imbedded in a seam of coal. In 1876 there were, accord- ing to Mr. Hunt's "Mineral Statistics," 400 collieries, with an output of 11,973,336 tons. The coalfields of North Wales are less important than those of the South. Commencing a few miles south of Oswestry, the coal-measures stretch in a narrow strip northwards, through Ruabon and Wrexham into Flint- shire, and terminate at the estuary of the Dee. An up- heaval has separated the measures into two-distinct areas. The two fields have an area of about 82 square miles and in 1876 the number of collieries was 128, and the produce 2,207,250 tons. The variety of coal known as Carnel, found in Flintshire, was described; and reference was made to the probability of the coal-measures extending into Cheshire and Lancashire beneath the New Red Sand- stone. In addition to these fields there is a small coal-producing area in Anglesey, with three coliieries in work. From coal the transition was naturally effected to iron. The ores of this indispensible metal are largely distributed through the coal-measures of both South and North Wales in the form of clay-ironstone. The carboniferous limestone also contained some small quantity of hematite, while the older rocks contain a pisolitic ore. It must be confessed, however, that Wales is not rich in those fine red hematite deposits, which are so valuable for yielding pig-iron, to be afterwards convertedjinto Bessemer steel. Allusion was made to the large displacement of wrought iron by steel for rails, and to the effect which this dis- placement has had on the iron trade of South Wales, where rail-making was a staple industry. The economical production of steel by the Bessemer process has enabled the manufacturer to turn out steel rails at prices which, taking into consideration the much longer life of a steel rail, render them far cheaper than iron. Most of the plant in South Wales is not adapted for steel making. Out of 108 Bessemer converters in Great Britain, Wales possesses only twelve. At the same time it should be re- membered that the Siemens process is largely carried on at Landore and eleswhere. Still the fact remains that while steel is in demand much of the metallurgical plant in Wales must be idle. Nor at the present unreinuner- ative prices can manufacturers be expected to invest capital in the adaptation of their works to the altered requirements of the times. Although steel will be the metal of the future, a new application of malleable iron will probably be found in the substitution of this metal for wood in the sleepers of permanent way. Among the metallic minerals which have contributed largely to the wealth of Wales, a high position must be assigned to the ores of lead. These ores (chiefly galena), occur partly in carboniferous limestone, as in Flintshire and Denbighshire, and partly in the old slaty rocks of central Wales—Cardiganshire, Montgomeryshire, and Merionethshire. Lead appears to have been worked in Wales at a very early period, and Meyrick asserts that "The Ancient Britons wrought the mines of Cardigan- shire probably from their first settlement in Cambria;" Most lead ore, if not all, contains silver, and in some cases this renders the mineral of great value. The silver lead of the Cardiganshire mines was worked by Sir Hugh Myddleton, and yielded him the enormous revenue which enabled him to execute the great work of bringing the new river to London. It is said that from a single mine he drew a clear profit of £2,000 a month. After his death in 1631 the lead mines were worked by Thomas Bushel with still greater success. Charles I., in 1637, granted Bushel the privilege of erecting a mint in Aberystwyth for the purpose of coining the silver extracted from Cardiganshire lead, so that he might have no difficulty in obtaining coin for the pay of his numerous miners, or, as the grant expresses it, for the better encouraging of the poor miner by a more timely and speedy pay out of their own labours." By the courtesy of Mr. Arthur Hughes, of Aberystwyth, several specimens of these ceins are exhibited in the library of the University College of Wales. When the civil war broke out Bushel proved his gratitude to his royal patron by clothing the entire army of the king, by raising a regiment of miners, and by advancing £ 40,000. In 1876 there were 23,226 tons of lead ore raised in Wales, yielding 17,479 tons of lead, and 142,216 ounces of silver. The value of the lead was 2379,293; that of the silver £ 30,815. Brief allusion was made to the effects of lead mining on the pollution of rivers, and to the opera- tion of the recent enactment. Zinc occurs chiefly in association with the lead, and is found partly in the form of a carbonate or calamine and partly as a sulphite, forming the well-known ore termed Blende or Black Jack. Eight thousand two hundred and seventy tons of zinc ore were raised in Wales in 1876; this yielded 2,315 tons of zinc or "spelter," worth £ 54,171. There can be little doubt that copper was worked in the Principality in the time of the Romans. The lecturer referred to the discovery of several cakes of copper in Wales, such as those described by Pennant in his famous Tour," and more recently by Mr. T. F. Evans, of Am- lwch, and bv the Hon. O. Stanley. The latter were found in Anglesey', and it is there that the most important de- posit of copper ore occurs. The history of Parys moun- tain was sketched and the method of cementation or obtaining copper from the coppery waters by means of scrap iron, was explained. Copper ore also occurs in the Carboniferous limestone of the Great Orme's Head and in some of the older slaty rocks of Carnarvonshire but it is not profitably worked. The smelting of copper is largely carried on at Swansea, but the furnaces are not fed with Welsh ores. The history of the Swansea trade has been written by Major Grant Francis, one of the Council of the Cymmrodorion. In 1876 the copper ore raised in Wales amounted to 3,897 tons, which yielded 114 tons of metal of the value of £ 9,496. With reference to gold, Professor Rudler alluded to antiquarian researches which showed that the glittering metal had attracted the eye of the ancient Briton, and that the gold mines of Wales had excited the cupidity of the Roman conquerors. He referred to the old workings at the Gogofau, near Pumpsant, in Carmarthenshire. Of late years gold has been worked in North Wales, and reference was made to the gold fever which resulted a few years ago from the discoveries in Merionethshire. Mr. Arthur Dean, in 1843, discovered gold at the Cwmheisian mine, near Dolgelley, and numerous mines were after- wards opened in the district between Dolgelley and Barmouth, and also near Bala. The gold occurred partly ™ tho Lingula flags and partly in the still older Lower Cambrian rocks. In 1876 only one mine—the Clogau- appears to have been worked. This yielded during the year 288oz. 18dwts., 6gra. of gold, of the value of £ 1,119 10s. 9d. The history of the Welsh gold mines is to be found in the writings of Professor Ramsay, Mr. War- ington Smyth, Mr. Robert Hunt, Mr. Arthur Dean, Mr. T. A. Readwin and others. Mr. Readwin has been good enough to present a series of speciments illustrating the occurrence of Welsh gold to the museum of the University College of Wales. Among 11011-metallic minerals, the most important (next to coal) is slate, the working of which forms the staple industry of North Wales. The geological position of the slates worked in Carnarvonshire and Merionethshire was explained; and the history of slate working was traced. Until quite recently the slate trade has been active, in spite of the general stagnation, but signs of decline are now manifested. Mr. D. C. Davies's recent work on "Slate and Slate Quarrying," was eited to show the advantage of applying scientific knowledge to such iudustries. b Brief allusion was also made to other non-metallic minerals worked in Wales, such as phosphate of lime and barytes, and a passing reference was then made to the paving stones of Penmaenmawr, and to the red clay which has led to the recent foundation of a pottery at Cardigan. Professor Rudler made an urgent appeal to those who were interested in the mineral wealth of Wales to assist him in the formation of a collection at the Museum at Aberystwyth, which shall worthily represent the mineral resources of the Principality. Samples of ores and other mining produce, with specimens illustrating the working of these raw materials into manufactured commodities, a will be exhibited in the technological department, with descriptive labels setting forth their properties and uses. In conlusion, the lecturer insisted on the value of scientific training to those who are about to take part in the development of our mineral industries. In 1845 a paper "On VVerneriaa Schools" was read by Mr. N. Gibson before the Liverpool Cyinulreigyddion Society, iu which he strongly insisted on the importance of establishing mining schoolsjiu Wales. "No part of her Majesty's dominions," says he, "presents a more urgent claim for mineralogical schools than the Principality." Most of the subjects taught in a mineralogical school— mineralogy and geology, chemistry and physics—are now taught at the College at Aberystwyth, and an opportunity IS thus afforded forthe technical instruction of those who are destined to take part in mining and metallurgy. Of these subjects mineralogy is that which biars most immediately on the development of our mineral wealth and yet there are at present but few who avail themselves of the advan- tage of this class. There are many reasons, no doubt, for this. In the first place it cannot be denied that miner- alogy ia not an easy or a showy subject. A student opens a text-book, and is appalled by the crystallographic details with which its pages are necessarily laden. But this need not cause alarm. It is true that the thorough mastery of crystallography demands a good dsal of knowledge of solid geometry and spherical trigonometry, and it is not every young man who is attracted by those rather ill- favoured individuals whom Mr. Tennyson calls The hard-grained Muses of the Cube and Sphere. But for the purposes of the practical man, who is to engage in mining pursuits, it is by no means necessary to dip so deeply into the subject. Nor will a judicious teacher carry his instruction beyond the point at which his class will derive profit from his teaching. When Solon was asked whether he had given the Athenians the best possible laws, he replied, "The bast they are capable of receiving." And in like manner, a teacher of tact will accommodate his instruction to the power and needs of his class. No one then need neglect mineralogy on this score. Another cause which deters ordinary students from attending a mineralogical class is that the science does not pay'' as an examination subject. There is, no doubt, a good deal of truth in this objection; but it is an objection which cannot be urged by the student who requires it for professional purposes-as one of his Brod- studien. Probably, however, the student who is eager to apply his science is repelled by the fact that in mineralogy lie has to learn a great deal which appears, at first glance, unprofitable, which does not seem to bear immediately upon his profession. But this is to take much too low an estimate of science. Its advantages may not be appa- rent until by perseverance much progress has been made but the advantage which a man with a scientific training possesses over another, destitute of such training, is evi- dent enough in the long run, and no one who seeks an intelligent knowledge of mining can afford to be ignorant of so important a subject as mineralogy. As long as we are buoyed up on the high tide of com- mercial prosperity, as long as high prices are ruling the market, and a wide margin of profit is thus left to the producer and manufacturer—as long as this is the case we can, perhaps, afford to snap our fingers at science, and cling to our old-fashioned methods, however extravagant. But when the tide turns, when our manufactures are de- clining, and we find our trade ebbing from our shores, then it, behovas us to learn from science whatever she may have to teach as to the value of new materials, or the economic development of the old. Every day the compe- tition with foreign countries becomes keener, and nothing," said Humboldt, but serious occupation with chemistry and natural and physical science can defend a State from the consequences of competition." We are passing at present through a great commercial crisis, but our hope for the future lies in an intelligent appreciation of the advantages of scientific knowledge. If Britain is to retain her commercial supremacy, it will be by means of improvements in her methods of developing hose vast natural resources which are still at her command. It is as true to-day as it was in the days of Isaiah, that Wis- dom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times." Believing this, it behoves us to offer every encouragement to those educational institutions which are striving to show the application 'of knowledge to the arts and manufactures of our country. A review of the Mineral Resources of the Principality, their present position and their future prospects, has convinced us that technological science must needs take a high place among the things that make for the weal of Wales.

DOLGELLEY. BOARD OF GUARDIANS, SATURDAY, APRIL 20TH.— Present: Mr. Edward Griffith, in the chair, Mr. W. R. M. Wynne, Mr. Lewis Williams, Fronwnion, ex- officio, Messrs. T. H. Williams, Llwyn, H. Lloyd Williams, John Scott, John Jones, Talyllyn, E. D. Evans, John Evans, R. Williams, D. Williams, Owen Owen, Evan Jones, Peter Price, Win. Phillips, Robert Parry, John Jones, H. Davies, W. Williams, and Joseph Roberts, clerk. Statistics.-Out-relief for the past fortnight, Talyllyn district, per Mr. John Jones, 1;93 19s. 2d., to 402 paupers Barmouth district, per Mr. Morris Jones, £ 55 12s. 2d., to 252 paupers. Number in the house 27, corresponding period last year 24. Vagrants relieved during the past fortnight 29, last year 32. Vote of Thanks.— Mr. E. D. Evans said he understood that no vote of thanks was passed at the last meeting of the Board. He therefore before the business of the day commenced, begged to propose a vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr. John Vaughan, and the first and second vice-chairmen, Mr. Davicl Jones and Mr. Edward Griffith.—Mr. Scott seconded, and it was agreed to unani- mously. Election of Chairman.—On the motion of Mr. John Jones, Talyllyn, seconded by Mr. Daniel Williams, it was unani- mously agreed to re-appoint Mr. John Vaughan, chair- man of the Board for the ensuing year. Mr. Lewis Wil- liams proposed and Mr. E. D. Evans seconded Mr. Griffith as first vice-chairman, and Mr. Evan Jones pro- posed and Mr. Scott seconded Mr. Jones, Talyllyn, as second vice-chairman. The proposals were agreed to without contradiction. Committees.—The following committees were appointed: Assessment: Messrs. W. R. M. Wynne, Lewis Williams, John Vaughan, and Charles Jones, ex-officio; Edward Griffith, Dolgelley, John Evans, Mallwyd and Llany- mawddwy; John Jones, Talyllyn and Llanfihangel; John Scott, Llangelynin; Robert Parry, Llanenddwyn and Llanddwywe R. Williams, Llanaber; John Jones, Llanelltyd, Llanddwywe-uwch-Graig, and Llanfaehreth W. Phillips, Llanegryn. During the appointment of the committee, Mr. Scott and Mr. W. R. M. Wynne were of opinion that the committee should be composed of differ- ent members than those of last year.—Mr. E. D. Evans raised thequestionlas to whether Dolgelley should be repre- sented by two Guardians.—On being put to the meeting, it was agreed that only one member should be appointed for Dolgelley. Towards the end of the appointments, Mr. Wynne proposed that the parish of Llanegryn should have the member which had been cut off from Dolgelley and Mr. E. D. Evans and Mr. John Evans proposed that the parish of Llanymawddwy should have him. The meeting decided in favour of Llanecryn. -Visiting Com- mittee The Dolgelley Guardians and Messrs. H. Davies, Peter Price and Owen Owen.—Finance Committee The Chairman and Vice-Chairmen, Messrs. Williams, Llwyn, Dr. Williams, Owen Owen, and Evan Jones.—Sanitary and Education Committees The whole Board. Meetings of Committees.—On the suggestion of the Clerk, it was agreed to hold meetings of the Sanitary and School Attendance alternately. A meeting of the School Attendance Committee was fixed for after the next meet- ing. The Clerlship.-The Clerk stated that he had received no communication from the Local Government Board re- lative to the clerkship. Mr. Vaughan, the chairman, had also written but had received no reply. DolgeUey Arrears.—Mr. Thomas Parry, the collector for the parish of Dolgelley, presented a list of persons in arrear. Some of the arrears extended over a period of ten or twelve years. The total was about EIOO.-The Board were of opinion that the overseers should summon every person in arrear. Poor Laio Conference.—The Clerk read a letter from Mr. Charles S. Main waring, hon. sec. of the annnal conference, stating that this year's meeting of Chairmen, Vice-Chair- men, and Guardians would be held at Rhyl on May 3rd, when the subjects of discussion will be County Boards," "Districts of Medical Officers of Health," and "The Working of the Education Act as it Affects Boards of Guardians."—It was resolved to request the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen, Mr. W. R. M. Wynne and others to attend the conference.

TREMADOO. MEDICAL.—Mr. Robert Humphreys Jones, third son of Mr. Robert Isaac Jones, Tremadoc, a pupil at Dr. Dick's Royal Veterinary College, Edinburgh, passed his exam- ination successfully before the London examiners on Monday, April 22. Mr. Jones's two eldest sons are in large practice as medical men, one in Pennsylvania, and the other at Bettws-y-Coed.

BALA. BOARD OF GUARDIANS, SATURDAY, APRIL 20TH. Present: Dr. Richards, ex-officio, Messrs. John Wil- liams, Gwernliefin, David Morgan, currier, William Ellis, Red Lion, Evan Jones, Mount-place, F. Parme- ter, Bryn'raber, Robert Williams, Llechweddiigin, John Jones, Braichdu, Peter Jones, Bryntirion, John Jones, Llandderfel, Thomas Jones, Cefngwyn, Morris Peters, Rhydwen, and Thomas Ellis, clerk. Appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairman.—This being the first meeting after the election of Guardians for .>- the several parishes comprising the Union, the appoinl ment of a chairman and vice-chairman was taken int consideration.—It was proposed, seconded, and carrie unanimously, that .Dr. Richards be re-elected chairman and Mr. John Williams vice-chairman, for the ensmini year. Sanitary ComnLittee.-It was moved and carried that th whole Board be appointed same as last year. Assessment Committee.—Three ex-officio and six Guard lans were appointed to constitute this committee, namely Dr. Richards, Messrs. E. G. Jones and W. P. Jones Messrs. John Williams, David Morgan, Thomas Jones, F. Parmeter, Evan Jones, and John Jones, Braichdu. School Attendance Committee.—Llangower and Llanuwch- llyn—Proposed and carried that Mr. Morris Peters be substituted for Mr. Richard Jones, who had resigned — The other old members, viz., Messas. John Williams, F. Parmeter, Thomas Jones, and Morris. Peters, were re- elected with the two ex-officio. Visiting Home Cotiziii ittee. -Pro nosed by Mr. Williams seconded by Mr. William Ellis. and carried, that the whole Board of Guardians be appointed to serve, and that an arrangement amongst themselves should be made to serve in rotation at various times during the year, and that the following should undertake the duties to the end of May-, namely, Messrs. David Morgan, William Ellis, Evan .Jones, and Peter Jones. Land and Building Committee.—The following were elected, Dr. Richards, Messrs. Win. P. Jones, Win. Ellis, Evan Jones, F. Parmeter, and John Williams. Statistics. Second week—In-door paupers 13, out 277 amount paid C28 4s. 9d., vagrants 26. Third week—In paupers 12, out 277, out relief i:26 15s., vagrants 27. Sale of Land, and Loan.—Phe results of the meeting held on the 8th April were explained to the Board, namely, that the piece of land as pointed out, measuring fifteen yards in width, and about eighty-one yards in length, was sold to the Gas Company, and accepted by them for the sum of 2s. od per square yard, the Guardians to oear the expense of building" a boundary stone wall, with mortar, five feet high, and the Gas Company to contri- bute £ 15 towards it.—Ordered that the Clerk write to the Local Government Board to sanction the saJe, and also for their permission to borrow JS600 towards paying the following sums, viz., Mr. Robert Roberts,contractor, £ 475 Mr. Spaull, architect, £ 64, mortuary, sheds, tramp sheds, and yard, £100, expense of -building a wall, £ 50. Bad IVater.-A letter from the Medical Officer of the Union was presented and read. The following is a copy —" Bala, 20th April, 1878.—Dear Sir,—Some of the in- mates of the Workhouse have been suffering from diarrhoea, caused most probably by the water, which is strongly im pregnated with coal tar, and therefore utterly unfit both for drinking and domestic purposes. Will you please ask the Guardians to see to this at once?—Yours faithfully, R. HUGHES. T. Ellis, Esq."—Ordered that the matter be referred to the Visiting Committee. The Medical Officer and Inspector of Notisaiices.-Pro- posed by Mr. John Williams, seconded by Mr. Robert Williams, and passed unanimously, that Dr. Jones be re- elected sanitary medical officer for the union, and Mr. Edward Morris, jun., be re elected inspector of nuisances. The reports of the Inspector of Nuisances were laid be- fore the Board, and inspected by some of the Guardians duly selected to look over them, by which it appeared that special attention was called to a drainage in Llan- dderfel Village, to seven cottages or dwellingbouses in Parkbach which were without one privy belonging to them, Mr. Edward Jones, of Llandrillo, being trustee of this property, and also to a case in Llanuwchllyn parish. —Ordered that steps be taken to remedy the nuisances forthwith. The report of theJMedical Officer of Health was read by the Clerk J To the Chairman and Membera of the Bala Union Rural Sanitary Authority. Gentlemen,—I beg to enclose tabular statements of the sick- ness and deaths which occurred in the Bala Union Rural Sani- tary District during the year ending 31st December, 1877 Deat.hs.- The number of deaths registered during the year was 81, making a death-rate on the estimated population of the dis- trict of 15 3 per 1,000. The average annual rate of mortality in England and Wales in 1877 was 216, so the death-rate in this district is less by six than the general rate of mortality. From the enclosed tables it will be seen that only six deaths were due 5ases. an infectious character—Whooping cough 1, typhoid ljSimpIe fever 1, diarrhcea 1, pyamia 1, and puerperal fever l. rhe following deaths occurred at the undermentioned es :-Under one year, 13 under five years, 5 under sixtv 25; seventy to ninety and upwards, 33. Births.-Tlie number of births registered in 1877 was 114 making a birth-rate of 21'6 per 1,000. The Sanitary State of the Disrtict.-In compliance with the requirements of the Sanitary Act, 1872, 1 made special inspec- tions of the district, as follows Parish of Ltanycil.-Popul-,ttion 1,025. Inspected this parish four times. There are many houses in a very poor state, but I saw nothing in their condition that was detrimental to health. \Vhenever I came across a nuisance, a verbal request that it should be immediately removed or abated was complied with. The sanitary state of the parish in the past year was satisfac- tor> Water supply good. A general system of land drainage would be a great improvement to the parish. Llanuwchllyn Pariah. — Population 1,171. Inspected this parish seven times. What has been said of the parish of Llany- cil may be equally applied to this parish as regards the condition of the houses and want of a general system of drainage. All the cases of scarlet fever that were reported to the Sanitarj Authority recovered. The usual means were adopted to arresi and prevent the fever spreading. The two schools were closed for about three weeks. Llangower Parish. -Population 322. Inspected this parish three times. I found it in a satisfactory sanitary state. Llanfor.—Population 1,438. Inspected this parish six times What has been said of Llanycil and Llanuwchllyn parishes wili also apply to the condition of this parish. Llandderfel Pariih.-Poptil-,ttion 1,109. Inspected this parist four times. I found it in a fair sanitary state. The rainfall for the year 1877 was 60 95 inches. I have the honour to remain, gentlemen, your obedient ser vant, RICHARD OWES JONES, „ „ Medical Officer of Health. Bala, 15th March, 1878. Vouchers.-It was ordered that cheques be drawn on the Treasurer, payable to the following persons :-Out-rehef, Edward Jones, £ 55; non-resident poor Wrexham Union I £1 12s. 6d.; county and police rates, £ 277 19s. 3d. vaccination, £ 1 Is.; extra medical fee, 10s. 6d. sundries, 5s. 5^ gas, Mr. J. R. Jones, £ 4 18s. 4d. J. Thomas, sundries. 10s.; Mr. Thomas Ellis for election of Guar- dians, £ 7; tlw like for Llanycil contested election, 97 18s. 2d.; Llandderfel COai^atad election, £ 3 3s. lid. Contribution by the parish of Llanfor, S100 Llanuwch- llyn, £100. Llandderfel Pa)-ish.-Fabi-ication of a Nomination Paper. —A nomination paper was produced, written in a fair and legible hand, with the name, "Robert Evans, Hafod, Tud ur"Jappended to it, as the nominator of William Jones, Merllyn Gwyn, but from the evidence before the Board it was clear that the nominator's name had been fabricated and it was the wish of the Chairman and some of the Guardians that payment of the expenses of the con- tested election should be deferred in order that all possi- ble enquiries should be made to bring the person who com- mitted such a serious offence before the magistrates to be dealt with accordingly.

LLANBADARN FAWR. PETTY SESSIONS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24.-Before Thos. Jones and W. T. Bonsall, Esqs. School Board P?-osec utiotts. -Elizabeth Williams, spin- ster, whose child, 10 years of age, had Rever been to school, was fined 5s., including costs, for neglecting to send her child to school.—Walter Williams, labourer, Pendre Village, whose wife brought her boy into court to show that he could not wea.r his shoes, and afterwards created a scene in court. She said that if she was annoyed much more she would keep her husband from the neigh- bourhood, and the other six children would go into the workhouse. Fined 5s., and costs.—William Davies, la- bourer, Pendre Village, was also fined 5s.—Harold'At- wood, solicitor's clerk, Llanbadarn-row, who did not ap- pear, but who promised to send his child to school in future, was fined 5s.-Lewis Jones, labourer, Cwmbadarn, summoned both as a parent and a guardian was fined 10s., 5s. in each case.—Mr. David Jones, clerk to the Llan- badarn Fawr School Board, prosecuted, and Mr. Lewis Jones, attendance officer, proved the cases. Assault.—John Richards, miner, Garth, Penrliyncoch, charged Anne James, carrier's wife, of the same place, with an assault on April 19.—Complainant said that on Good Friday he was in a field near his house, and he saw a horse belonging to Anne James coining into the field. James's son was leading the horse. He called out to the boy to take the horse away. Com- plainant afterwards saw a man leading a horse which was drawing a cart into the field of corn. There was no cart way there. A boy by the name of John James who was leading the horse, stopped on being spoken to. The defendant, Anne James came into the field, how- ever, threw the gate of its hinges, and brought the horse and cart into the cornfield. He asked her what she meant, and she challenged him to strike her. She had some dung in the field and she wanted to get at it. She afterwards got up to complainant, took hold of him by the throat and pulled his whiskers. He did nothing to her. Complainant's wife then arrived on the scene and a row ensued, but his wife did not threaten defendant with anything. On being asked what her defence was, defendant, who vvas a muscular woman, put her arm around complainant's neck, pulled him slightly backwards, and showed the Bench what she had done to him on Good Friday. John James, a lad, corroborated the main facts deposed above.—The case of Jane Richards, complainant's wife, v. Ann James, for an assault was then gone into. Mrs. Richards said she went out, and the first thing she saw was the defendant holding a shovel over her husband's head. She tried to put the gate back into its place with her husband's assistance. Defendant resisted and they fell down with the gate, when defendent who was doing the mischief, called out to the complainant in the last case, Don't kill your wife." Complainant was bruised about the legs, and defendant also took hold of her by the throat.-The Magistrates' Clerk asked who began the row, and defendant replied that it was the gate.—The third case of Mrs. Richards v. the son of Ann James, was next taken. The lad was thirteen years of age, and appears to have taken the part ef his mother against the complainant when the row occurred.—The Bench decided to dismiss the case as between the women, but fined the defendant, Ann James, 10s., and costs, far the assault on John Richards. Constabul(t?-y. -James Evans (No. 2) was sworn in as constable.

NEWTOWN. THE CRESCENT CHAPEL.—Mr. Stuart Kendel has con- tributed £ 2o to the bniiamg fund of this chapel. BAPTIST YOLJXG MEN S SOCIETL-The members of this Society concluded their session on Thursday, April 18, by holding a soiree in the vestries adjoining the chapel. About fifty partook of tea. The tables were presided over by Mrs. T. W. Thomason, Kerrv-road; Miss A. Edwards, Cambrian Villa; Miss Fanny Lewis, High- street and Miss S. Owen, Crescent House. After tea a miscellaneous entertainment took place. Mr George Thorne, The Elms, in the absence of the President of the Society (the Rev. T. W. Thomason), was voted to the i The Chairman, in opening the meoting. congratu- lated the members upon the success that had attended their Society during the past session. Messrs. T. Parry Jones, George Morgan, and E. P. Morris addressed the meeting, and some excellent recitations were given by Miss Eliza Lewis, Miss Harriet Edwards, Mr. W. H. Edwards, and Mr. George Daries. Mr. Albert S. Cooke gave a reading, and several solos and duets were sung by -Y-Jf Eliza Lewis, Messrs. Owen Parry, George Trow, Eddy Morns. andJ. Watkin Davies. MissFannvl. jewis presided at the harmonium. At the close of the entertain- ment Mr. George Morgan proposed, and Mr. Parrv Jones seconded a warm vote of thanks to the ladies who had so ably fulfilled the duties of teamakers, to the Chairman, to. Miss Lewis as accompanist, and to those members who entertained them with so long and excellent a programme. A vote of thanks was also accorded to Mrs. Price, Park- street, tor the loan of the harmonium. THE NEW COXGREGATIONAL CHURCH.—Theopeningser- vices were continued on Sunday, April 21, when the Rev. Professor Morris, of Brecon, preached. The collections amounted to about £18. The Rev. T. Gasquoinepreaches on Sunday, April 28. The first marriage in the new build- ing was celebrated on Saturday, April 20th. The newly- wedded pair. according to time-honoured custom, received a handsome Bible, as a present from the Church. DEATH OF MR. WASTELL BRISCO.—We regret to have to announce that Mr. Brisco, the proprietor of consider- able property in the neighbourhood, and one of the wealth- nsst of landowners, died at his residence, Bohemia House, Hastings, on Monday, April 2L Shutters were put up. at rvewtown in token of respect. Mr. Brisco was a son of the late Captain Wastell Brisco, of Coghurst, Sussex, and brother of the late Mr. Musgrave Brisco, who was M.P. for Sussex from 1844 to 1854. The deceased gentle- man was born in 1800, and had therefore reached a good old age. He was a justice of the peace and a deputy- lientenant for Sussex. ASSAULTING A WIFK.—At the Justices' Clerk's (Office, before J. H. Blythe, Esq., and Richard Lloyd, Esq., lhomas Swain, hawker, was brought up in custody charged with assaulting his wife, Rose Swain, at New- town, on the 16th April.—Complainant said that on the 16th April she went out to work. She was at Edward Rees's house in Ladywell-street when prisoner came and called her out. He asked witness what she was talking to a lot of little girls for ? and slapped her on the face. After that, between ten and eleven o'clock, witness was going home, and prisoner met her in Ladywell-street. v we?t h°lne with her, and opposite Mr. Stephens's ( house he struck her on the side of the face with his open hand a violent blow. He went on. Witness could hardly move. Cross-examined: I am not continually carrying i things out of the house.—John Stephens said he lived in Ladywell-street. On Tuesday night, he was by his door j when prisoner and his wife came down the street. She said something to him. He turned back and struck her. t The blow nearly knocked her off her feet. It < was a severe open hand blow. He said take that."—Prisoner was committed to prison for one month. WHITE STAR FOOTBALL CLUB.—The members of the White Star Football Club partook of their annual dinner at the Greyhound Inn, when between forty and fifty members and friends sat down to an excellent and sub- stantial repast provided by Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Jones. After dtnner, the Chairman (Mr, T. Evans), and the Vice-Chairman (Mr. T, Price), proceeded to give the loyal and complimentary toasts.—The Chairman next pro- posed •'Success to the White Star Football Club," and associated therewith the name of Mr. T. Price, the captain of the team, who said that during last season they had played thirteen matches, won eight, drawn four, and lost one.—Mr, Edward Jones having been asked by the Chairman to express his opinion of the club, said that it required no words of his to speak in praise of their qualifi- cations and merit as football players, as the statement. just made by their captain already proved them to be players of no mean order, when it was borne in mind the clubs with whom they had contended were ranked amongst the leading clubs in North Wales, and thought they were rightly called "the plucky little club." Alluding to their performance in the Welsh Challenge Cup Tie, he thought that performance redounded greatly to their credit, and said their defeat—if it may be termed » a defeat—was no disgrace to them, but one of which they ought to be heartily proud, when the circumstances con- nected therewith were taken into consideration. He also thought that they should be the promoters of a county cup for Montgomeryshire, and thus be independent of the Wrexham committee and the expense attached to the winning of their cup, and he had no doubt, if their secre- tary would put himself in communication with other clubs in the county, that the result would be successful.— Lhe Chairman next said that he had now a most pleasing duty to perform, and that was to present Mr. William Jenkins with a writing desk. They were all aware what he had done at all times for the club, and the committee thought it their duty to recognize his amongst them, and as a token of esteem to present him with a. writing desk. He remarked that had it not been for Mr. Jenkins they would not have had the handsome balance which now lay to their credit in the bank. The Chairman, in suitable language, then presented Mr. Jenkins with the writing desk.—Mr. Jenkins thanked them for their hand- some present and the manifestations of kindness which they had always displayed towards him.—The desk was of burr walnut wood, highly polished, and inlaid with brass corners and caps, lined with figured velvet, with secret drawers, and had a plate bearing the inscription:- Presented to Mr. W. Jenkins, as a taken of esteem, by the W.S.F.C. April, 1878."—Several other toasts fol- lowed, and the evening was brought to a close with the singing of the National Anthem. BOARD OF GUARDIANS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17TH. — Pre- sent Messrs. J. Pryce Davies and R. Lloyd. ex-officio. John Smout, Dnlas-villa, Llanidloes, David Lloyd, Plasvdeon, Llan- wnog, Edward Lloyd, Llwydcoed, Aberhafesp, John Thomas Lluastcerrig;, Llanwyddelan, Richard Bennett Newtown' Matthew Henry Davies, Trefeglwys, Thomas Francis Ty- mawr, Pentstrowed, John Nutting, Vrongreen, Llanllugan John Hall, Caehilin Cottage, Newtown, Edward Morgan, Lower Garth, Bettws, Thomas Williams, Green Villa, Llanid- loes, David Davies, The Cross, Llandinam, Edward Prvce, Maesmawr, Llandinam, Evan Woosnam Savage, Glandulas, Moughtrey, Edward Davies, Llanidloes John Rhys Pryse, Pantdrain, Llanaruriir, John Baxter Owen, Glandulas, Llan- gurig, Edward Morris, Gilfach, Kerry, Richard Davies, Gwer- nan, Trefeglwys, James Hall, Crescent, Newtown, Pryce G. Hujrhes, Cwmearl, Kerry, J. Pryce, Tynybryn, Tregynon, and R. Williams, clerk. Correspondence.—The Prohibitory Order.-A communication was read from the Local Government Board stating t1).at, after having received a report from the Local Government Board In- spector, they did not see fit to allow the suspension of prohibi- tory orders with reference to the eceIpt of out-door relief by able-bodied paupers, as the distress",had not been so widespread as was at first supposed. Appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairman. — On the motion of Mr. James Hall, seconded by Mr. T. Williams Llan- idloes, it was unanimously agreed that Mr. J. p. Davie* should be re-elected chairman of the Board.—Mr. J. Smoiit TtrnnncBri and Mr. Edward Morris seconded that Mr. James Hall be an' pointed vice-chairman, which was unanimously agreed to Committers. The following committees were appointed Visiting. Messrs. Cornel.us Morgan (chairman) John Llovd Edward Lloyd, John Smout, Richard Bennett, ADAVIDS DW Lloyd, John Baxter Owen, P. G. Hughes, and E. W" Sava4 Finance: Messrs James Hall (chairman). Edward Morris, John Hall, John Xutting, J. Francis, and Edward Prvce Children's: Mr. James Hall (chairman) Captain Crewe-Read. Messrs'. O. J." Crewe-Read, Richard Lloyd, John Smout, Edward Llovd. Thos. Pryce, Edward Morns and Edward Prvce. Assessment: "esfTJr chairmfln\ O. J. Crewe-Read, Richard Lloyd, Edward Davies (Llanidloes), John Smout, J. B. Owen, Edward Morris, Andrew Davies, M. H. Davies, J. Pryce, and James Hall. School Attendance: Messrs. J. p. Davies (chairman), O. J. Crewe-Read. Edward Davies, Richard Lloyd, Edward Lloyd, Richard Jones, David Lloyd, John Prvce Thomas Francis, P. G. Hughes, E. W. Savage, and EdWard Morgan. Rural Sanitary Authoritv: The same as Attendinop Committee, with the acception of'Mr. C. J. N ylor instead of Mr. R. Lloyd. 1 Y°t.c of Thank*.—The Vice-Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to Miss Marsh lor the attention she had bestowed on the erin cation of the children belonging to the union who were boarded out, as well as to those who lived in the Workhouse He did not know what they would have done without the assistance of Miss Marsh.—Mr. J. Smout seconded the motion which was unanimously carried.. 1 The Late Election.—On the proposition of ir. John Smout seconded by Mr James Hall, it was decided that the sum of £10 should be awardedthe clerk for the services durin" the late election. „ ° The Member Attendance .-On the suggestion of Mr. Smout it was decided that the Clerk should furnish the Board with a return of attendances or members for the last year.

BALA LAKES AXD RIVERS (XORTH WAI.ESV—Trout fishing has commenced here. On Friday, the 12th April, Mr. Price of Rhiwlas, had a good basket, including two irravim of l^lb. each taken at one cast on fine-drawn gut in the ticket water of th4 Dee.—BLUE DUN in The Field. t