The Cardiff Times

NOTES IN THE HOUSE OF I COMMONS. (BY A WELSH HEMBEB.) NDON, Saturday,—It really seems as if the Work13 °b3truction threaten to reduce the •a** ^le begun with so much th*jS^neS?' to zero. One evening in 6 1,aS^ week was absolutely wasted ,in a gabble provoked by Mr O'Donnell. It was a 'serable scene, which most members who look the legislation of a great country as a serious Usiuess must have witnessed with unmitigated _*sgust. There v, as probably not a man in the °Use who had the smallest sympathy with the attacks made by the member for Dungarvan upon the ambassador-designate from France to this country; not a man who did not leok pon it with distaste amounting to loath- Ing. Every one of the Irish members who spoke emphatically condemned his proceed- And yet from about five in the a ternoon till 1 o'clock in the morning, all business Was stopped by excited and incoherent talk about this wretched matter. And what rendered the whole thing more pitiful was the fact that the cader of the Opposition, who usually conducts miself with great temper and moderation, was enipted, by the opportunity of making a hit against the Prime Minister and Mr Bright, to add his influence to swell and perpetuate the dis- treditable broil. Mr O'Donnell, himself is im- penetrable to all appeals to good sense or modesty, .otherwise he might surely ask himself whether one man, who represents 120 constituents, is entitled to WMte the time and irritate the temper of four or five hundred gentlemen, on a question that has absolutely no relation to the business on which they have been sent by the country to Parliament. Happily, when he made an attempt on Thursday to renew the tumult, he was p it down by the Speaker with a mixture of firmness and dignity which was quite refreshing, and when he marched out amid the cheers and Iaught r of the whole House, there were not a few who hoped that he was shaking off the dust of his feet, and departing to return no more. On Tuesday, Mr Richard had an opportunity to bring forward his motion on the European arma- ments. It is a curious illustration of the kind of confused impression which even well-informed men have of public questions that this has been referred to by several papers as though it were an "annual motion." But so far is that from being the case that Mr Richard never before introduced any such proposal in the House of Commons. Seven years ago he brought for- ward and carried a motion on International Arbitration, which was an entirely different mat- ter. No doubt, in some quarters, this reference to an "annual motion" is made merely for pur- poses of disparagement, with a view to represent the member for Merthyr as boring the House by the reiterated discussion of a crotchet. But others fall into it through mere oversight. Be that as it may, nothing could have been more respectful and lerious than the reception accorded to the motion, or more encouraging to Mr Richard than the whole tone of the discussion. If there has been any dis- position out ot doors, of which we are not aware, to treat it with levity, there certainly was none in the House of Commons, As Mr Bax- ter said, in supporting the motion, M.r Richard made his speech to "a far more sympathetic audience than he had ever addressed before." The deep interest with which the sub- ject was regarded was strikingly testified by the fixed attention and the cordial cheers with which the speech was received. And in the debate that followed. if that might be called a debate where AU the speaking was on one side, not a word of opposition or disapproval fell from the lips of any 'peaker to the sentiments uttered by the proposer, or to the object he had in view. Even Captain Burnaby, the representative of the military party, ipoke of the motion with entire respect, and Acknowledged that there ought to be a diminution European armaments. Mr Gladstone, in his 'peech, though he was not willing to accept the Motion in the form proposed, so thoroughly 'odorsed Mr Richard's views as to the appalling Bvijs the present armed condition of Europe, aDu was, moreover, so noble- and eloquent in exposition of his own pacific policy, that it would ave been well worth while to have introduced the subject in the House were it only to have elicited such a speech. But there was a very •Pecific declaration on the part of Mr Gladstone, Vhat the Government were associated with Mr ftichard in the desire to substitute pacific methods for those belonging to the way of violence, though he asked him to allow the Government lome discretion as to the time and circumstances bringing so delicate a matter of this kind Before the governments of Europe." And ulti- nately he allowed an amendment, suggested by Mr Bright, which really did nearly all that Mr Richard asked for.thoughin theform of a resolution of the House instead of an Address to the Crown. to be passed without a dissentient voice. That amendment was, That in the opinion of this House, it is the duty of Her Majesty's Govern- merit on all occasions, when the circumstances admit of it, to recommend to foreign nations a reduction of European armaments." And when this was passed, members came crowding around AIr Richard to congratulate him on what they re- garded as "a real victory." Some of the London papers who represent for the most part the cynical temper of the clubs, have tried to minimise as much as possible the significance of this event. But we have had very abundant evidence, within the last few months, that they at any rate do not represent the serious opinion of the country. On Eiiday evening Sir Wilfrid Lawson, after BO many years of strenuous and unrequited toil, scored a remarkable victory. Towards the close of the debate there was a very crowded House, and the only question was, among his friends, what would be the number of his minority. The division was delayed for half an hour by an inve- terate bore who came in at the last election, a Mr Warton, member for Bridport, who sits on the Conservative side, and who threatens to be- come a standing nuisance. He speaks, or tries to speak, on almost every question that comes before the House, and he does this with self-confident and nonchalant air which Is peculiarly irritating and offensive.' And when, at half-past 12 o'clock on Friday night, it a time members' were anxious for a division, he itarted up, there w as a loud groan through most d the benches, as of men who felt they were objected to an intolerable infliction. This was followed by a fixed determination not to listen to I him, and amid loud and incessant cries of J divide," "agreed," question," and other lu- iCOlS and inarticulate nokes, the conflict went \1 on between the tore and the House, and lasted for Dearly half-an-hour. Not a syllable of what he was heard, and when he sat down he was IfWeted by a shout of relief, which betokened how thankful we were for the deliverance. As the mem- bers were trooping out to the two lobbies great cu- riosity was felt a to how Ministers would vote. Mr Gladstone and Lord Hartington went against the motion, but Mr Bright, Mr Forster, Mr Chamberlain, Sir Charles Dilke, and other mem- bers of the Government went forit. And when, on the return of the members to the House the Clerkat he table handed the paper with the numbers on to Sir Wilfrid Lawson, itself a proof that he had won, a ringing cheer went up, partly for the suc- cess of the cause, and partly also for Sir Wilfrid personally, who is very popular with all parties, and whom everybody felt was, at last, reaping the reward of a long and gallant fight. When the numbers were announced the cheering was re- newed, and in the lobby the members of tLe Al- liance who had crowded the galleries and other parts of the House, were rushing about in wild excitement, shaking each other's hands with a violence that threatened dislocation of the jointlr.

THE UNITARIANS AND THE SUNDAY SCHOOL CEMTENAIiY. We are informed that the Unitarians in London by way of. celebrating the centenary of the Sunday-school, have resolved to e.ect in the fore- OOQrt of Essex-street Unitarian Chapel, Strand, London, a thoroughly unsectarinn memorial, on "hich the names of Theophilus Lindsey, Mrs ^ewcome Cappe and James Heys, as well sthose of Robert Raikes and others belonging to different lurches, will be duly recorded. The memorial feet high, with moulded aud base in stone, and with carved Itout and side panels in polished grnnite for in- lCriptionø, surmounted by a life-size marble tue, re; resenting a Sunday-school boy, seated, the Bible on his knees, looking up for the feller's explanation. The words of Christ— Feed my Lmbs," and "Suffer little children \0 come unto ice, and- forbid them not, for of •uch is the Kingdom of Heaven," are carved Gllderneath. The monument will be unveiled about the end this month, with a ceremony worthy of the This will be accompanied by suitable among the young people in Loudon, cost of which will be met by teachers and Wends in the metropolis. But as the monument a national character, and will cost £500, help for its erection everywhere. The following inscription is being carved on the latved face of the monument" Erected to IOtnlllelIlorate the Christian efforts of the origin* ators of Sunday-schools (members of various *»). from the time of Cardinal Borromeo, 1580, that °f The„philus Lindsey,and Robert Raikes, U'\n ?r&titude to God,for His blessing on Sun- •y-^hbol labours during the last centuiy, and hope that the time may soon come en difference 0f 0pjnj<)ij ^ill no longer separate plea of Christ in works of usefulness.' 1880,

CARDIFF WATCH COMMITTEE. THE REORGANISATION OF THE POLICE FORCE. A special meeting of the Cardiff Watch Com- mittee was held on Monday. The Mayor (Mr J. McOonnoohie) presided, and there were present— Aldermen Elliott, Bowen, Lewis, Jones, Win- stone, Taylor, and Evans; Councillors Bird, Tre- seder, R. Davies, T. Rees, Proger, Newbery, J, Evans, Trounce, Lougher, Rees Enoch, David Jones, Shackell, Bet van, Stone, Vachell, A. Thomas, Rowlands, Cory, Rees Jones. Jacobs, D. Duncan, T. Evans, Sloper, W. Sanders, Arm- strong, D. E. Jones, and W. E. Vaughan. The meeting, an adjourned one, was for the consider- tiou of the report of the Chief-Constable as to the distribution of the police force. The Chief-Con- stable, it may be remembered, asked for 12 men in addition to the police force. In answer to several questions, the Chief-Con- stable stated that the effectiveness of the police force during Whit-week was not interfered with, for night constables did the special duty at places of amusement. One inspector and three constables from the town division were required for the pur- pose of serving summonses, executing warrants, and attending to prisoners one constable was required for the relief of vagrants, and one for the foreign cattle lair. The three men first n med were required at the police-court on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, until three or four o'clock. An inspector and one constable had to take the prisoners from the police-court to the gaol, and they had to be in attendance at the court every da", except Thursdays. It was im- possible to do without a certain number of police at the police-court. As for the relief of vagrants, that work occupied a constable five hours each day, including Sundays, and the constable at the foreign cattle lair was required by Order in Coun- cil—the cattle were not required to be slaughtered for 14 days after landing. The rate of wages paid was 22s, 24s, 26s, and 2t$s per week, for const i- bles for sergeants,30s and 34s; and inspectors,35s. Mr R. DAVIEB said it would be more satisfactory were the services of a policeman in attendiug to the chief constable's horse done away with. Alderman WINSTONE said that in Carlisle the population was 34,000, whilst there were 32 police- men. The number of summary convictions was 1,132, which gave 33 convictions for each police- man. In Cardiff there were 80,000 people, and there were 90 policemen. The convictions num- bered 2,207, giving something like 24 to each policeman. If there was less crime in Cardiff than in Carlisle, then we did not want more policemen. Here already we paid very heavily for police work —more heavily than any town of the same size of hich he was aware—somewhere, namely, about £7,900, and of which we received £3,100 Govern- ment grant. In Carlisle there were no detectives, and they had one inspector and four sergeants. t In Cardiff we had three detectives, four inspectors, and 11 sergeants. But it seemed to him if the same description of management were"o be carried out here, we should want considerably less policemen than at present. The Chief Constable pointed out that in Carlisle there was quite a different class of people to deal with, for in Carlisle one constable would be quite sufficient for the whole length of Bute-street, from the Hayes Bridge, while in Cardiff it was neces- sary to have six or eight of a Saturday night. There was a detective at Carlisle. We had here only two detectives, and one was the chief in- spector, whose time was occupied to a great extent at the police-court. If Mr Alderman Winstone had taken Birkenhead for an example it would have been a much more suitable comparison than Carlisle, which was an inland townof an altogether different character to Cardiff. As regarded the number of convictions, the Chief Constable in- formed the committee that in Carlisle every person seen under the influence of drink was ap- prehended, whereas here a drunken person was not locked up unless it was found absolutely necessary. That made at the end of the year a great difference in the statistics. Alderman 1 BOWEN agreed that the present arrangements in respect to the duties of the police were unsatisfactory. While he was not in favour of increasing the force by 12 men, he thought a smaller increase mighf be made, and that then the committee should go into the whole question of the police arrangements. In a private specula- tion like the Alexandra Park, the persons entering into it should employ their ownmen. Mr Heming- way had said the extra" duties did not interfere with the efficiency of the police as a force, as the men were taken from the night st iff but after being at the Alexandra Park or elsewhere for five or six hours, he (Mr Bowen) did not think a con-, stable could efficiently perform his duties at night. Mr BEES ENOCH said Whitinore-lane and Char- lotte-street had been done away, but the bad characters who used to reside there had now taken up their quarters iu Roath. Roach required more protection. Mr BEAVAN also maintained that'more constables were required at Roath. The parish of Roath contained a population of, say 22,000 persons, which was half the population of the town division, but the number of constables was for Roath only 14 fcr Canton, 13 whereas there were 42 for the town division. There was a greal deal in what Mr Rees Enoch had said. Through the pulling down of Whitmore-lane and Charlotte- street, and the dens of infamy hich used to exist there, a vast number of bad characters had mi- grated out to the back end of Roath, making the place very unruly and disoiderly indeed and in addition there had been a migration going on from the docks of the same sort of characters for the last year or two—Roatli-wards. He had been out to see for himself at one, two, and three o'clock in the morning, and his nocturnal visits had proved to him that at Roath they wanted half a dozen more policemen in order that life and pro- perty might be properly guarded, for at present the beats were too long, and the policemen were themselves exposed to great danger. Mr T. REES said that Cardiff, like every ship- ping port, required a larger number of policemen to the population than an inland town, and until the school boards had done their work they must keep up an efficient and a large staff of policemen, but. afterwards tley would be able to reduce that staff in numbers.ESHe moved that four additional policemen should be appointed, and that in future all policemen should be employed for strictly police purposes. Alderman EVANS suggested fthat six 'new con- stables should be added to the force, and reminded the meeting that wherever people gathered together in large numbers the police must be. If we had not an efficient force the Government grant would be taken away. Alderman ELLIOTT supported an increase in the police force. The Alexandra Park was, he pointed out, a permanent place of enjoyment, and a line must be drawn between that land flower or agri- cultural shows or fetes. He considered that the Alexandra Park, as a permanent place of public amusement, should be protected by men under the control of the proprietors. Take such fetes as the Hibernians, or the Oddfellows, or the Fores- ters the proceeds of these did not go to the bene- fit of private [individuals, but for the benefit of widows and orphans, and the event only came once a year. To these he didjnot object to police men being sent, but he did object to policemen being sent to private speculations such as the Alexandra Park. Mr.R. DAVIES seconded Mr Rees's proposition. He maintained that if private individuals re- quired the services of the police they should be charged noles than 5s per day. In Swansea, where thereas quite as large a population, they could do with 72 policemen, and here we should surely be satisfied with 94. Alderimn WIKSTONE said there were only 64 policemen at Swansea. Mr R, DAVIES remarked that the morality of Wales stocd high. and he should be sorry to see Cardiff break through the rule of one policeman to every 1,000 of the population. In answer to Mr David Jone?, the Chief Con- stable stated that at the Hibernian Fete, on Whit-Monday, tnSre ï\âš a large number of people drunk—more than 20. He cautioned the pro- prietors of the refreshment tents, But on Whit- Tuesday there was a much more respectable class of people in the Bicycle Grounds, and he did not see more than three drunken persons there the whole of the day. Mr ARMSTRONG suggested the appointment of a small committee to thoroughly investigate the whole matter. His own opinion was that if they took away the constables from these places of pri- vate speculation no increase in the force would be required. He had been greatly surprised at the statements made by Mr Beavan as regarded the immorality of Roath. He did not live very far from it, and he certainly could not endorse the statements made by that gentleman. He did not wander about at two or three o'clock in the morn- ing, but he did not think so much protection was required in the outlying districts as in the centre of the'.town. Re-arrangement was certainly re- quired, for at present Roath had only 14 con- stable?, while Canton, with half the population, had 14. At, Mr TROUNCE said it was very necessary to have an increased police force at Roath, for Roath-road was getting almost as bad as Bute-street between 11 and 12 o'clock, and there was not a single con- stable on the East Moors. Mr TBESEIIJR supported Alderman Evans's amendment for six extra men. But he contended that it was not right for policemen to be told off for duty at places of private speculation such as the Alexandra Park, where blacklegs and betting men assembled. Flower shows and agricultural shows educated the eye and the mind, aud were indeed on an altogether different footing. Mr STONE thought more policemen were re- quired in Cardiff, nd would begin by increasing the staff by four. He disapproved of the practice of sending men for duly at places of Drivale specu- lation. objected to going to the expense which would be entailed by the appppintment of 12 new constables, and said he thought ne sons who had places of amusement should protect the If a redistiibution of the men were resorted to no increase would be necessary. Mr D. DONCAK said that neither the mover of the one resolution nor the mover of the other had given, to his mind, sufficient reason for the increase of the police force, He did not aay that an increase might not be desirable, but he thought the best course to adopt now would be to adopt Mr) Armstrong's proposi- distribution of the police force was at to ha.ve the e t OI1 I I WOU d into. To have such a number of 'd to "Tin dance each day at the police-court seem to be a waste of force in mere ofticial Par*d • the case of Inspector Price. If his^ servict of any value to the town two-thirds ot his time should not be taken up in the police-court, ne presumed that it was part of the duty of the Superintendent to attend there, and surely it was not necessary for his lieutenant to be present at the same time as himself. In the B division there were two inspectors and five ser- geants to look after 42 men, and if that was sufficient, surely we did not want one inspector and two sergeants in Canton division, where there were only 13 constables,and tl e same remark applied in a much stronger sense to the Roath division. Mr Beavan's arguments were fallacious, for the mere extent of the population could never be a basis for the distribution of the police force. Had he contrasted Canton and Roath he would have had a stronger argument. « Alderman JONES sympathilied,with Mr Beavan, bat thouahjt HwJte war badly lot 1WA$e mn so many bad characters there. There were. he policemen to gatbenngsd,wff IC t thing to sending year or so was a very I eren andtf we had not one policeman to every thou- sand of the population we should lose the Govern- Twelve extra men would cost £ 600 a yea"! He'agreed with Mr Rees that four men Jhould be added, but he did not approve of tying the hands of the Mayor for the time bemg In the dlMrWM S AIROKRSF reminded the committee that in addition to the 80 or 90 town constables we had ( here about 25 men belonging to the Dock police, and there was a considerable force about the Rhymney and Taff Vale. In fact he did not know a town in England where there was such a police force But in its organisation it might be changed, and he felt sure that Mr Superintendent Heming- way was the man to do it. If the matter wera taken up by Mr Hemingway and a committee,and thoroughly inquired into, and if they ceased to employ their men at private enterprises, it would be fouud that we might do with a less force than the present one. Mr SHACKELL thought the employment of the police ought to be left entirely to the discretion of the Mayor and superintendent of police. Alderman LEWIS said that the presence of the police was required at every large gathering of people of a legitimate character, and illegal gatherings ought to be stopped by the police. Alderman Evans's amendment was that six additional policemen should be appointed, and that the question of telling off policemen for places of entertainment and processions should be left to the discretion of the Mayor and Head- constable. Mr TROUNCE seconded this. Upon a show of hands, 20 voted for the amend- m nt and 11 against. On the motion of Mr ARMSTRONG, seconded by Mr DUNCAN, it was then resolved Ti;at a sub- committee consisting of the following persons be appointed to investigate the question of the reorganisation of the police force,and to report as to, whether there was^any necessity^for the increase or not, and its general condition and efficiency. The committee is comprised as follows:—The Mayor, Aldermen Lewis, Elliott, Winstone, Bowen, Jones; Councillor Sanders, T. Rpes. Duncan, kee Jones, Bird, Stone, Trounce, and Armstrong. The Head-Constable, in answer to Mr Beavan, said his remarks about the bad characters at Roath were perfectly correct. There was no other business of public interest.

BIBLE on RISTIAN DISTRICT MEETING CARDIFF. The public servicsconnected with the above meet- ing began on Tuesday evening, when a temperance meeting was held in the Diamond-street Chapel. The Rev. W, F. James, pastor of the church, presided. He gave the members of the district meeting a welcome to Cardiff, and spoke of the strong adherence of the denomination to total abstinence, almost, if not quite, every minister being a pledged abstainer from intoxicating liquors. The Rev, G. Holmes, of Abersychan, spoke on li the ill effects of the moderate use of strong drinks." The address was earnestly delivered, and con- tained some excellent points. The Rev. J. Gifford, of Swansea, dwelt on The social aspect of the Temperance question," and showed in a telling manner the evils wrought by intemperance in social life. Mr Davies, of Newport, treated The legislative aspect of the Temperance cause," and delivered the speech of the evening. His facts and arguments, his incidents and ap. peals, produced a great effect upon the audience.

THE THEATRE ROYAL, CARDIFF. On Monday evening, the first time in Cardiff, the popular comic opera Les Cloches de Corne- ville" was presented at the Theatre Royal. The plot is but slight, but it affords plenty of scope for good acting, even although it is subservient in some measure to the singing and tableaux. Ger- maine. the heroine, Miss Annie Poole, having been some few years previously saved from drown- ing, promises in return that she will give her love to Grenichiux, an adventurer, who falsely repre- sents himself to be her rescuer for the purpose of gaining the wealth he imagines she will inherit from her (supposed) father, an old miser named Gaspard, Mr Fawcett Lomax. Gaspard has been acting as steward of the castle revenues for many years, more to his own advantage than for the benefit of the heir, Henri, Marquis de CorneviUe, Mr W. Broughton, and under pressuie from the Bailie, Mr J. H. Rogers, Gaspard offers the Bailie Germaine's hand in marriage. Germanic runs away from home, and along with Grenicheux, is engaged at a hiring fair, in Normandy, as a servant by the returned Marquis. Henri discovers that Ger- maine is the girl he paved from drowning, and as her right to the title of Comtesse is incontestably proved, marriage naturally follows. Grenicheux is not left altogether lamenting, for he wins back the love of his former sweetheart, the pretty Serpolctte, Miss Irene Verono, and all end hap- piiy. The dialogue is remarkably bright through- out, and the audience was on Monday evening kept in the most perfect good temper by the absurdities of the pompous old Bailie, who imagines himself a great legal authority, and another luminary in the parchment line, Gobo, Mr Harry Collier. Mr Fawcett Lomax realised the part of the old miser to perfection, especially when discovered by the Marquis in the cha- teau, '.counting his ill-gotten gains. Miss Annie Poole is a charming Germaine, and Irene Verona a delightfully natural Serpolette, In fact each member of Mr Charles Bernard's company recognises the importance of their own role, the special hits they can make in the witty sallies, but none on Monday evening exaggerated a small part. They play well together, and Messrs H. H. Farnie and R. Reece, the authors of the English libretto, could not desire to be better interpreted. The music by Mr R, Plan- querette was ably rendered, the band having been increased for the occasion. Mr M. Conolly acted as conductor. It need only be added that in re- gard to the.scenic effects, Mr A. Whyatt has once more proved his efficiency as an artist. The cos- tumes are by Monsieur and Madame Alias, London, and are of the most elegant descriptfon, as indeed are the whole appointments. Mr Bulwer, the manager, and Mr Daw, the lessee, deserve credit for this spirited engagement.

CORRESPONDENCE. CARDIFF PILOTAGE BOARD BILL. To the Editor of the CARDIFF TIMIS. SIR-Thoughtful and intelligent ratepayers'who desire that o ir local government should be ad- ministered with proper economy, and a freedom from all bias or prejudice against any particular section of trade or commerce, especially when that particular branch of trade or commerce has so greatly aided in the prosperity of our town and port as the shipping trade undoubtedly has, will thank you for the very sensible article in the South Wales Daily New., of the 17th inst. The promoters of the above Bill have gained from a Committee of the House of Commons what they desired to attain, viz., direct representation on the Pilotage Board for shipowners and pilots, solely in the interests of trade and commerce, and in the furtherance of a principle fully ad- mitted in all recent legislation, viz., that, upon such port authorities as harbour trusts, pilotagG boards, port or n vercommlsioner., &c., shipowners as a body should always have direct representation. It may poesibly be said that it is absurd to talk of the Corporation having any bias or animus a"ainst the shipowners of Cardiff: but II submit that the whole,course of action taken by the Cor- poration in the matter of this Bill goes to show considerable feeling of this kind among a leading section of our town government, and I much fear that the majority of our Corporation, who incline to more reasonable and common sense views, are not taking a sufficiently independent stand in this matter, and are consequently particeps criminism an unnecessary and extravagant waste of the ratepayers' money. What has been the course of events? In the first instance grave and admitted defects or faults were found to exist in the admin- istration of the Pilotage Board. One member, or two members, were found to be virtually the administrators. It was found that prosecutor and judge might exist and might sit in both capacities unlthe board; that timely representations as to the:existence of a shoal had not been madejto the proper authorities; and that the pilots had no voice in the management of their own superannua- tion fund "and, lastly, that the shipowuiwg -in- terest as a body had no representation whatever. The Shipowners' Association waited upon the Pilotage Board for information they were coldly received, and got no information. They then waited upon the Corporation, opened their minds, and asked that one of the three members of the Pilotage Board whom the Corporation had power to place on the board should be a representative of the shipowning body, viz., the chairman of the Shipowners' Association, whoever he might be, for ti e time being. This request was declined. A Biil was then prepared by shipowners and pilots jointly, but previous to definite steps being taken, every means was exhausted by shipowners and pilots to induce the Corporation to consent to a moderate representation of shipowners, pilots, and merchants, wi hout avail, although a large number of members of the Corporation were in favour of such representation. With the vindic- tive opposition which the Corporation, in conjunc- tion with the Bute Trustees, have given to the Bill, I do not believe the to vn sympathises, and for the reason that t: e objects sought to be ob- tained by that Bill do not affect the interestsof the ratepayers prejudicially in any way whatever; and should the town a ithorities decide to follow the lead of the dock authorities, and again oppose the Bill in a higher House, I trust before doing so they will take such s-teps as will give to them a fair and reliable knowledge of the opinion of the ratep yers. I do not wish to pveat. at length what has been done inthe course of this opposi- tion. The passing of a formal resolution not to oppose, the pilots representation the signing » petition on the same day, to oppise the Bill in toto the vacilation and indecision at first shew n by the Corporation as a body, then the epger junc- tion with the Bute authorities, and the determined opposition ef a section of the Council to the Bill and its promoters there, as well as the large gath- ering in London, the Banquet at the Bedford." tl:e SIX dars fight.nd the six "refresh- ing of diffeieot kinds to Council and witnesses respectively, these are now things of the past. Whatjof the future ? Are the ratepayers' funds to be med for the purpose of carrying out the cap- ricious views of a certain section of the Council Are the independent members and their views to he totally ignored, and is the Pilotage Board to be the administrator of the bye-laws of the Bute Docks, with dock-masters sitting as judges and jury combined ? Or are we to have fair play to shipowners and pilots? Fair play Is always U a I je.vel." and I trust that yon, sir, will assist in gating it for the ratepayers of .rune 21st, 1880

A part of the perfection of this life II to belier* •acwlre* Ik km jpfrtwtiai*

HOWELL'S SCHOOL, LLANDAFF. ANNUAL EXAMINATION. The annual examination of the pupils attending this school prior to the midsummer vacation took place before the local governors, on Wednesday, The Rev. Canon Hawkins presided, the only other governor present being the Rev. W. Bruce. There were besides the Rev. Mr Thompson, Datchett Rectory, the examiner of the school appointed by the Drapers' Company; Rev. G. Wood, Sully, examiner in German Alderman Thomas Evans, surgeon to the school; Miss Kendall, head mistress Miss Haynes, assistant mistress, etc. The attendance was large, and among the visitors were many of the principal residents of the neighbourhood. The dress of the scholars on the foundation, which was at one time striking from its antiquated style, has now been modernised, aud all the scholars of this class wore brown princess robes, tastefully trimmed. The school at present contains 102 scholars, 32 of whom are on the Foundation. Prior to Wednesday the Rev. Mr Thompson had conducted a written ex- amination of the scholars, to whom printed papers, containing a series of questions on all subjects taught at the school, hnd been sent. The examination on Wednesday was of a viva voce character, tending to test the pro- gress of the scholars from year to year. and was based on subjects which had formed the general system of education since the last exam- ination. The viva voce examination referred to Scripture history, French reading and translation, general questions on English history, geography, grammar, etc. The examination lasted about two hours, and the Beries of questions answered during that time embraced a very wide range of subjects. Some French dramatic selections and also the dialogue between Brutus and Cassius, from "Julius Caesar," were given by scholars in the first class, amid considerable applause. At inter- vals the pupils sang duetts, trios, etc., and several of them gave pianoforte selections very skilfully, affording abundant evidence that music was thoroughly viell taught, and the specimens of drawing by the pupils hung round the room were very creditable. At the conclusion the examiner, the Rev. Mr Thompson, read his report. He said that the loig illness of the late principal, Miss Ewings, and the change of management had pre- judicially affected the school, but the results were better than he had hoped for. He proceeded In the first class Beatrice Furze has maintained, and more than maintained, her position at the school. She has obtained 381 marks out of 410, including full marks in arithmetic, and is nearly 100 marks in advance of any other. Her papers are clear, accurate, and v ell-expressed. Her French is greatly improved from last year, though in French composition she has still much to learn. The next to her are Edith Peake and Harriet Wright, equals, with 290 marks, and Fanny Geake and Agnes Griffiths, with 281 and 279 respectively This class is the largest fiist class I have known, including 14 names, only eight of whom, I am sorry to say, obtained half.marks. One, however, was prevented by illness from attending the whole of the examination. In the second class, the prize has been gained by MargaritaJHallam, 276 marks out of 302. I would also select for commendation Mary L. White and Florence Ritchie. On the whole the work in this class has been very fairly done, only one of those who were present during the whole examination failing to obtain half- marks. Of class three, an equally good account cannot be given. Edith Ann Banning has gained the very respectable number of 263 out of 295 marks; and Marie Ellen Hancock and Isabel Bushby have also distinguished themselves. There are, however, a number of names at the lower end of this class who have failed signally both in French and arithmetic, and who will require great attention before they are fitted to enter a more advanced class. In the fourth class, Florence Morgan is first-235 out of 256 marks Ellen Harvey and Minnie Akers being the only others whose marks exceeded 200. There are some failures in this class, but there is also some very promising material, and, for a class so low in the school, the handwriting is for the most part excellent. The fifth class contains so many who must have been recently admitted into the school that it is difficult to express an opinion of any value as to the merits of the instruction which they have received. I cannot be wrong at all events in pointing out their very imperfect ac- quaintance with the portion of French grammar they are supposed to have studied. Their know- ledge must, of course, be rudimentary, but there is no reason why it should not be accurate as far as it goes. On the whole, though I cannot speak in terms of praise, there is no reason for dis- couragement. There are a number of pupils coming forward who, if they will exert them- selves, c n easily raise the standard to a much higher level. There is, I am convinced, on the part both of the local governors and of the new Principal, Miss Kendall, an earnest wish to make this great school fully equal to any of its class in the country and there is surely no reason why by a hearty and united effort it should not speedily become so. That it is tit present some- what behind its proper position is due to the un- certainties and drawbacks of the last two or three years. Of the late headmistress, Miss Ewings, I would speak with the greatest respect. In spite of continual weakness and an ever-increas- ing illness, which at last proved fatal, she did her duty to the utmost of her power. But with the appointment of another principal a new scene opens, and we shall, I am sure, join most heartily in wishing her every success in her impoitunt aid arduous work." The Rev. G. WOOD also rend his leport on the examination of the scholars in German. He said —"As in previous years, I have, at Mr Thomp- son's request, examined the few girls who are learning German as to their proficiency in that language. These, being only seven in number, are necessarily grouped in one class, though there seems to be considerable disparity in their attain- ments. Two passages of average difficulty were given for translation from Hans Andersen's Tales, the book which they have been reading during the term. This was done very fairly by three of the class. The others failed, more or less, partly from not having sufficiently mastered the con- stiuction, partly from forgetting the meaning of the words. In grammar, most of them were able to decline with accuracy substantives of the 1st and 2nd declension, and had a tolerable acquaintance with the perplexing rules of gender. One showed a correct knowledge of the irregular verbs. It would, I think, be well if German could be began lower down in the school, or more time appropriated to this study, so that the more advanced students before leaving might have read some of the masterpieces in that language-say one or two plays of Schiller, Out of a maximum of 100 marks, Beatrice Furse obtained 83. The next, after a long interval, were Harriet Wright and Maude Patterson, with 49 each, closely iol- lowed by Gertrude Howell and Fanny Geake, with 48 and 47 respectively. The CHAIRMAN then distributed the rrizes, which consisted of handsomely bound books on various subjects by standard authors, to the successful competitors. We append the prize list:—Conduct—Ellen J. Howell, Marian Jenkins, Fanny Geake, Edith Peake, Maude Coe, Hannah Ireland, Martha Davies, Lydia Kelly, Henrietta Coleman, Helena Fennell, Anna Browne, Alice Fennell. English Studies — Beatrice Furse, Margarita Hallam, Mary Thomas, Florence Morgan. Arithmetic— Maude Coe, Hannah Ireland. Needlework- Maude Patterson, Lydia Kelly. French — Beatrice Furse, Margarita Hallam, Flo- rence Morgan. Music-Beatrice Furse, Edith Clarke. Dl wing-Fanny Geake. Examiner's Prizes Beatrice Furse, 1st class Margarita Hal. 2nd Edith Banning, 3rd 1 lorence Morgan, i« mii £ Le \is, 5th. Reward for insirwting oth Class—Gertrude Baynes. At the conclusion, the CHAIBMAN referred in feeling terms the loss of their head mistress, Miss Ewings and her valuable services to the school. It could not but be expected that during her long illness the school must suffer, and that it had not suffered more than was apparent from the exam- iners report was due to the great efforts uhich •lSif paynes a°d the staff of teachers connected with her put forth. They had now another head mistress, and, from what he had heard and seen he believed she felt the responsible position which she had undertaken, and under her management- with the assistance of the staff thatMissEwinirg'had around her, it was to be hoped, and he believed that the school would maintain the high position which it had hitherto maintained as an educa- tional The National Anthem was then sung, and the proceedings terminated,

GLAMORGAN AND CARMARTHEN ENGLISH BAPTISTS,, The annual conference of these churche. was commenced in Brecon, on Tuesday. The meet- ings were held in the Kensington Baptist Church. Amongst those present at the opening service were Mr William Davies (Swansea), president; Rev. T. Cole (Bridgend), vice-president; Rev. J. Owen (Swansea), secretary Revs, Mr Howells, Mountain Ash J. P. Williamp, Canton; — Parry, Penarth; T. Pryce, Maesteg — Jones, Aberdare; J. Meredith, Brecon; W. E. Winks, Cardiff; Evans, Cardiff; D. T. Thomas, Cardiff; — Rosser, Treherbert; — Davief, Higb. street, Merthyr; — Morgan, Tondu — Thomas, Carmarthen; Humphries, Dowlaifl. The President, in his address, referred to the growth of Baptist principles, and said that only a short.time 8P;0, within a radius of eight miles in the neighbourhood of Swansea, there was only one small Baptist chapel, and that in a very" out-of-the-way neighbourhood. Now there were upwards of 30 in the same district. This was not due to any excessive denominational zeal, but was attributable to the spirit of free inquiry charac- teristic of our age. This is an encouraging fact to Christian workers, and it should stimulate U8 to look more closely after the various organisa- tions of our churches. The Sunday-school should have our special attention; we should take measures to prevent the minds of the young be- coming imbued with false and sceptical doctrines. Mr Winks moved, that membership of this absoci- a' ion be not restricted to churches in Glamorgan and Carmarthen, but churches in neighbouring counties.—MrPardoe (Aberdare) seconded, and it was carried. Letters were read from the Mon- mouthshire Association recommending the Rev, S. P. Edwards (Breconshire), and the Rev. J. P. Jones (lae of Builth), as members of the associa- tion, and they were admitted. Cardiff was fixed as the place for holding the next meeting. The Rev. Mr Winks (Cardiff) WM fixed upon to write the next letter, the subject being Religion and Politics." The conference was adjourned, the delegates and friends being entertained in the ad- joining school-room. In the evening the Rev, J. Pryce (Maesteg) was to be the preacher,

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GLAMORGAN ARTILLERY AND RIFLE VOLUNTEERS. ANNUAL PRIZE MEETING AT PORT TALBOT. The twentieth annual prize meeting in connec- tion with the Glamorganshire Aitillery and Rifle Volunteer Association was commenced at the ranges, Port Talbot, on Wednesday, under very favourable auspices. The p- esident for the year is the Lord Lieutenant of the county, Mr C. R*. M, Talbot, M.P., who has acted in that capacity since the formation of the association, and has contributed something considerably over £1,000 to the prize funds of the different years, and the committee is comprised as follows :—Major Cress- well, Lieutenant-Colonel Dillwyn, M.P., Lieu- tenant IS. D. Evans, Major Hall, ILieuienalJt- Colonel Hill, Captain John Jones, Captain D. R. Lewis, Major Llewellyn, Captain Miers, Lieu- tenant-Colonel Nicholl, Captain Nicholl, Major Pitman, e Major a Richardson, Captain Sliackell, Lieutenant-Colonel Vivian, M.P., find Captain Whitaker. On Wednesday the wind blew a fair breeze from the right. The sighting was good, and in fact better shooting weather could hardly be wished for. Captain Jo n Jones, 1st Corps, Cae Hir, Aberaman, again acts as secretary, and the arrangements he has made have proved of the most satisfactory character to all concerned. The catering of Mr D. Jones, Victoria Hotel, Aberavon, the refreshment contractor, has met with unqualified approval. A great improve- ment upon the former arrangements has been effected in the erectiou of a permanent woodeu structure, in which the official business is transacted, and which serves at the same time as a covered resting place for the competitors. Shooting was commenced shortly after ten o'clock. The first event was the first series in the association prizes, in which prizes to the amount of jE36 were offered. The entries, 176 in number, were confined to the members of the county volunteer force. Last year tI'e entries in this numbered 180, and in the year 1878 they reached the same figure. But if there was a slight diminution in the numbers this I year, the shooting was superior, the highest scores in 1879 being 32 points entered opposite the names of Private D. Sherries, 15th corps, and Drum-Major Thompson, 16th; whilst this year I Capt. John Jones, Cwmavon, and Sergt. George Williams, 1st Swansea, tied with 34 points. On the other hand, the lowest number was last year 27 points, whereas this year it was 30 points. The shooting in the first series was on the ground considered in ti e highest numbers to be eoual to Wimbledon work. ASSOCIATION PRIZES-First series, £36. For members of the Volunteer force of the county. Long Snider Enfield rifle. Seven shots at 200 yards. Points. Captain John Jones, Cwmavon -95 31 Sergt. George Williams, 1st Swaiisea-Z4 34 Colour-Sergt. Griffiths, 2nd Cardiff-R,2 69 32 Captain Darling, Dowlais-92 5s 32 Private Ryan, 1st Cardiff— £ 2 5s .82 Sergt. Kemp, Dowlais-42 5s .32 Corporal Connellan, 2nd Cardiff-41 48 31 Corporal Owen Evans, Dowlais-fl 4o 81 Sergt. T. Griffiths, Mouatain Ash— £ 1 48 31 Private Lattey, Cardiff-El 4s 31 Corporal Edward Jones, Dowlais-LI 48 31 Private L. P. Berry, Merthyr, 15s 9d « 30 Private O. Daniel, Merthyr, 15s 9d.i 30 Sergeant Powell, Merthyr, 15s 9d 30 Private G. F. Harris, Merthyr, 15s 9d 30 Corporal T. James. Taibaeb, 15s 9d.30 Private John Thomas (Groes), M irgam, 15s 9d 30 Private Hopkin Jones, Bridgend, 159 9(1 30 Private Frederick Rhys, Bridgend, 15a 9d 30 Sergeant Hill, Hirwain, 15s 8d .30 Private D. Sherries, Neath, 15a 8d u 30 Sergeant Gregoi-y, Neat, 158 8d .30 Lieutenant Fitzroy, Cwmaman, 15s 8d 30 Private John Williams, Dowlais, 158 8d 30 Coi-poml Hodge, Carciff. 15s 8d .30 In shooting eg the ties Sergeant Williams, 1st Swansea, made a "magpie," whereas Captain John Jones, Cwmavon, scored a bull's eye, thus winning: the first prize. „ The following qualified for the Ladies' Prizes :— Private Thos. Puxley,i lst Swansea; Private W. Hopkin, Bridgend; Sergt. J. Hopkin, Bridgend; Quartermaster-Sergt. T. E. Jones, Hirwain Cor- poral Newton, Neath; Sergt. Hardage, 2nd Cardiff: Capt, Charles, Neath; Corporal J, Owen, Dowlais Colour-Sergt. Evans, Merthyr; Sergt. B. Howell, Margam; Sergt. Jenkin Thomas, Margam Col.-Sergt. G. Griffiths, Mar- gam Uol.-Sergt. Hepburn, Cardiff; Isaac George, Taibach and W. Harrison, Dowlaifl. Fourteen men who had attained 28 points were counted out. —ASSOCIATION PRIZES—SECOND SERIES ( £ 42).— In the second series the competitors were under a similar obligation—that they must be members of the county volunteer force. There were 172 entries, as against 177 in 1879, and 16C in 1878. Again there was an immense stride in the shooting in the direction of improvement, for last year Corporal H. Howell, 3rd Corps, took the leading position with 33 points, and he was alone in this; but in the present competition two attained 33 points, and the lowest figure in the prize list is now 28, whilst in 1879 25 was the lowest p, ize- winuine number. „ Points. Sergt. Kasrsrett, 3rd Swansea— £ 2 10s 33 Private J. Thompson, 2nd Cardiff-Z2 10s 33 Sergt. E. Roderick, Ttibach-42 vo Private John Evans, Dowlais— £ 2 M Corporal J. Roberts. 1st Cardiff— £ 2 81 Sergt. J. Coilins, 2nd Cardiff— £ 2 31 Corporai H. Howell, 3rd Swaiisea-41 4s 30 Corporal T. H. Thomap, 3rd Swinsea-Li 4s 30 Corporal E. Jmes, Dowlais— £ 1 4s. 30 Private A. Lloyd, Dowluis— £ 1 4s 30 Private Lattey, Dowlais— £ 1 4s 30 Sergt. Thomas Jonn, Margam—17s 2d 29 Major Cresswell, I o vlais—17s 2d .29 Seigt. John Price, Dowlais—17s 21 29 Private L1. Richards, Swansea—17s 2d 29 Sertrt. Dowdswell, Swansea—17s 2d ..29 Col.Serc;t. Evans, Merthyr— 17s Id. 29 Private D. Noble, 3rd Swansea—17s Id 29 Private ltyan, 1st Car(liff- 15s .28 Sergt. D. Kent, Margam—IPs 28 Qrtermaster-Sergt. T. E. Jones, Hirwain-15s 23 Sjrgt. Goodrich, 3rd Swansea—15s. 28 Xhe following qualmed for the Juadies Prize:— Corporal H. Cound, Taibach; Corporal O. Evans, Dowlais; Colour-Serjrt. John Evans, 3rd Swan- sea John Hilditch, Taibach; Private F. Farr, 2nd Cardiff; Corporal J."James,Taibach; Sergeant George Smith, 1st Swansea; Sergeant Powell, Merthyr; Private G. T. Harris, Merthyr; Private William Hopkin, Bridgend; Private P. Owen, Merthyr; Sergeant Ilardage, 2nd Cardiff Capt, Howell, Aberdare Sergeant Shannon, Aberdf.re. There were three twenty-sevens counted out. OFFICERS' SWEEPSTAKES, of J61 Is each. Ten rounds at 500 yards Snider rifie 1at prize one half, 2nd prize one-third, 3rd prize one-sixth of the stakes, less the value of the ammunition. Lieut. Edmond, 3rd Swansea— £ 5 10s 41 Capt. Trick, 1st Swansea— £ 3 18s 4d "41 Capt. Charles, Neath— £ 1 lCs 8d "40 Capt. Charles, Neath— £ 1 lCs 8d "40 1HE .LORD LIEUTENANT'S PRIZE.—First stage £ 75. 1st prize, a enp or £ 10, presented by Col' Clark, with je5 added, and the bronze medal of the National Association. The shooting had not concluded on Wednesday evening. At 200 yards the chief scores were as follows ivoints. Sergeant Powell,Merthyr' 24 Co'our-Sejgeant Shannon, Aberdare 33 Lieutenant Thomas, Cowbi idge ,33 Quartermaster-Sergeant Price, Cardiff 33 Captain T. Evans, Taibach. S3 Sergeant J. James, At erdare .33 Captain Jones, Cwmavon .32 Private D. Sherries, Neath.32 Col.-Sergt. Thos. John, 3rd Swansea 32 PrIvate Morgan Williams, 1st Swansea 32 Lieutenant Evans, Merthyr 32 Private Wni. Ree,, Ist Merthvr 32 Private Win. Williams, Margam 31 Coi-pot-ai A Moiii-oc, Neatij.. 81 Corporal J. T. Williams, 3rd Swansea 31 Private W. E. Hopkins, 1st Swansea 31 Sergt. George Smith, 1st Swansea .1 31 Col.-Sergt. Hepburn, Ist Cardiff 31 Corpl, C. Hodge, 1st Cardiff 31 Corpl. Ryan, 1st Cardiff., .31 Private W. Giles, Bridgend.31 L'eut. E. li. David, Maigam 30 Lieut, W. S. Daniel, Mar/am .30 Sergt. R, Howell, Margam. 30 Sergt. Parker, AberJare 30 Serzt. E. Roderick, Taibach .30 Corpl. W. Hunt, Taibach .33 Private George Hanson. Margam .30 Corpl. S. W. Thomas, 3rd Swansea. so Private J. Thompson, 2ud Cardiff ..30 Scrjrt. Evans, 2nd Cardiff 30 Corpl. B. Owen, Merthyr 30 Seret. Jenkin Thomas, Mirgam 29 Private Isaac George, Taibach .29 Corpl. Owen Evans, Dowlais 29 Capt. Darling, Dowlais 23 Major Cresswell, Dowlais 29 Private IVin. Harrison DowlaiS 29 Private Dd. Jones Dowlais 29 Sergt. Angore, 2nd Cardiff.29 Corpl. Connellan, 2nd Cardiff 29 Private Lattey, 1st Cardiff., 29 Sergt, G. Rees, Bridgend 29 Private Hopkin Jones, Bridgend. 29 Private John Lane, Bridgend .29 Corp. Benjamin, 2nd Cardiff .29 Private Frederick Rees, Bridgend 29 Private Gwyther, Merthyr.29 The shooting conluded shortly before seven o'cloclc.

BIBLE CHRISTIAN DISTRICT MEETING. These meetings were resumed at Diamond- street Chapel, Cardiff, on Wednesday. The Rev. S. Pwcoe, of Dean Forest, preached in the morn- ing from Psalm xcii. 13-15. At the business meeting there were present Revs. C. Bridgman (Aberavon); J, O. Keen, D.D. (Swansea); J. Suiallridge (Llantrisant); li. Rogers (Chepstow); K. Edgcombe (Newpoit); G, A. Joslin (Dean Forest); W, F. James (Cardiff); G. Holmes (Abersychan) W. Miller, Cardiff: J, Collings (Neath); J. Gifford (Swansea); S. Pascoe (Dean (Neath); J. Gifford (Swansea); S. Pascoe (Dean Forest); A. H. Bird (Neath); and Messrs E. Davis," J. Nancekivel (Newport); E. Payne (BIaenavon); W, Mogridge (Chepstow); D. W. Roberts (Neath); H. J. Stokes (Aberavon); E. Bowles (Swansea); W. Rutter_ (Cardiff). In the course of a resolution expressing ardent thanks to God for the Buccess of the work, it was recorded that while the depression of trade had caused some districts to suffer, others, especially Aberavon, Swansea,. Cardiff, and Llantrisant had budded and bloomed like the garden of t e Lord." During the year 347 persons had been admitted on trial, and the net increase, allowing for deaths and removals, was 158 members. There are now iu the district seven circuits, 13 ministers, 99 local preachers, 37 chapels, 1,399 members, 32 Sunday-schools, 252 teachers. 1,992 scholars, the latter having increased 234 during the past year. Most of the stations report a pleasing increase in their various receipts. A flattering resolution asking the conference to re-appoint Mr James, pastor of the Cardiff and Llantrissant circuit, was passed. A resolution was adopted showing the necessity of speedy and decisive action to remove the undue pressure from the missionary exchequer. At the evening service the Rev. C, Bridgman preached from Haggai ii„ 4, after which the Sacra- ment of the Lord's Supper was administered. There was a large attendance.

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THE ALLEGED ARSON AT POTYP{UDD. PRISONER COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. At Pontypridd police-court, on Wednesday— before Mr Gwilym Williams (stipendiary), and Mr F. R. Crawshay—Mr John Meth Evans, Cro sbrook House, Taff-street, was charged with arson. Mr Price (Spickett and Price) prosecuted on behalf of the police authorities, and Mr Bowen Rowlands, barrister-at-law, instructed by Mr David Rosser, solicitor, defended. The case ex- cited great local interest, some of the leading business men attending the court during the hear- ing, Mr Price, in opening the case, remarked that defendant had some while ago carried on business at Neath, where—to put it mildly—he had been the victim of commercial misfortunes. He had then removed to Pontypridd, and at Crossbrook House carried on miscellaneous dealings—those of ironmonger, grocer, oil dealer, 4c, The learned gentleman proceeded to detail the circumstances of the case as given in the subjoined evidence, en- larged upon its suspicious" features, and argued that there was abundant motive for the crime, as defendant had insured the property to the amount of £400. Mr Rowlands £300 on the stock and £100 on the furniture. Mr Price There was clearly, I say, plenty of motive, preparation, and opportunity for the offence. Edward Rees, 13 years old, said I was assis- tant to defendant. Last Friday,a crate of buckets arrived for him about dinner time; it was unpacked on the front pavement, and the buckets were taken into the shop. Mr Evans also removed there the crate with the straw inside at six o'clock or so. There were two shops communicating with each other, and the crate was taken to the lower shop. None of the buckets were taken to the stable. At eight o'clock I went to the Fly pit, the neigh- bourhood of Fowler's colliery, with some goods (I was defendant's only assistant). I returned at from nine o'clock to 9.30. Defendant was outside 011 the pavement. I went with him to the shop, an emp'y basket in my hand there were two lights full on." I put the basket under the counter defendant told me to get something to put on and go with him—I kne.v where—to meet Mrs Evans. She, her sister, the child.and the servant (Margaret Jenkins),had left at about three p.m. in a trap, for Cardiff. I got a coat, and de- fendant and I left the shop. Before leaving I saw him raise his hand to turn the light off. I saw no light there then. I went on alone, stayed a little on the pavement fronting the shop, and then be- hind. At the bridge turning I lost sight of defen- dant. He had told me at the shop to go on las he was going to wait a little on the pavement to see if Thos. Jones, the lodger, was coming. He de- sired to give Jones the key, and if Jones did not come he would leave the key at his brother-in- law's (Morgan Edwards). Defendant deals in mattresses, and on this Friday evening there were some in the shop.tI did not see one out of its place, or torn open. There was some bay in the shop too — defendant had brought it there at about 7.30 p.m, from the chaff- room over the adjoining stable. He told me to take it next door to Mr Williams's. I did so, but Mr Williams directed me to take it back, all he was so full. I obeyed, and put it on the crate in the shop. There was a: vinegar cask near, which rested on a box, and close by was another box, which I believed contained paraffin. There was. a handful or so of straw on the floor. There were no loose matches on the floor. I saw none of the straw on the crate. Mr Evans overtook me by the Glyntaff school—a mile away from the shop. He was by himself, and we walked on togetherjto Ca point below the Fox and Hounds, Upper Boat. The candle at that inn was being extinguished as we got there. The door was closed. The inn shuts at 10. I met a policeman in disguise between the Gwaenygerion turnpike- gate and Gwaenygerion bar. I told defendant that the officer was always in disguise. After passing Upper Boat we sat down for about half an hour.: Mrs Evans then drove up, and we re- turned to Pontypridd, and found a policeman in possession of the premises. During our walk to L pper Boat defendant told me that hehndfor. gotten to leave the key at Morgan Edwards'. Cross-examined Defendant came out whilst I was talking to Mr Williams, and was very anxious that he should take away the hay that night. I sa.w no difference in the position of things in the shop when I returned from the Fly Pit than when I went. I wanted to sweep the straw away before I proceeded to the pit,butl had to go on with the good". Defendant expressed surprise at Mrs Evans being so late. He sat down near Upper Boat because he was too tire to proceed further. Re-exnmiued I played with tLe cat in the straw during the day, and there were no matches there then. fcarali Jane Reynolds, 13 years old, daughter of Mr Reynold*, tailor, Merthyr-nad, said I went to Crossbrook House at 9.30 last Friday night with my brother and two sisters. With the ex- ception of staying to put a jug under Tralhvn well I proceeded straight to the shop—a quarter of an hour's work. The shop was shut, and with- out troubling to go round to the front I went to the side door, but I found it shut too. It was not lociced, however, and I stepped down to the kitchen (or back) door. That was partly open. There was no light there. I knocked, and event- ually defendant came from inside the house. I had heard footsteps crossing some boards before I saw him. I asked him for a lamp which my mother had bought, and gave him a jar for some paraffin. He took the jar, and I heard him again cross the bonded floor. In about five minutes he returned with the lamp and the jar which he handed to me and my brother, remarking as he did so, h It is too dangerous to get the paraffin to-night." Mr Evans had his overcoat and baton,readyto go out, I and my brother went away after Mr Evans gave us the lamp and jar, As we weie going up the s'ens Mr Evans said, "Ten your mother it will do for her to have the paraffin in the mo:ning." I left him on the steps, and. did not see him more that night. William Williams, clerk under the Taff Vale Railway Compiny, Pontypridd, deposed: Between 10 and 11 o'clock last Friday night, as I was near Crossbrook House, I saw prisoner coming out of the Tre.legar Arms, and heard an alarm of fire. It was then about 10.20, I immediately went to Crossbrook House, raised up the lid ot the letter- box in the shop door, and saw fire on the floor. I then went to the side door, found it on tho latch went dov. n the steps to th»l ack door aud found it locked or bolted. I kicked it in. The door opened into a room—the back kitchen. I believe that opens into another room between the back-kitchen and the shop. and I lit the gas in the second room. There was no light there before. The second room has a boarded floor. The kitchen floor is a stone floor. The door between the second room and the bhop was fast, and I forced it open and found the shop full of smoke. I.'couldjnot see any flames from this door. I could not go in because of the smoke. Another young man was with me. I did not go into the shop until the police came. I shut the door and went out when I found I could not go in. Cross-examined: The police burst the front door of the shop open. The police went in fiibt, and I with others afterwards. Sergeant Evan Jones stated On Friday night I was at t e police-station, and at 10.30 a fire was reported there. I went at once to CrossbrookHouse. with reel and hose, accompanied by several con- stables. When I got there all the front was fas- tened, and smoke was oozing out through the lower shop-door in front. We burst the door 01 en, and found the smoke was so thick that we could not go in. I then turned the water on, and played on the buming parts for about half an hour until the fire was extinguished. I next made an exami- nation of the place with Sergeant Jenkins others. In the centre of the lower shop 1 found a large heap of hay and straw on the wooden floor, close to two casks containing vinegar— nearly full, and the other containing from two to three gallons of par ifiin. The casks were about 36 gallon casks, and each was standing on end upon a wooden box on the floor. The boxes were empty. The were side by side, and on each there was a tea chest with a few pounds of tea in them. On the top of the chests thennnl8 a quantity of packing paper. The hay and stra v we e in front of the casks, with part of the hay and straw burnt. Portions of the straw were attached to the mattress cloth produced. This cloth was amid the straw, in the centre of the room. I also found the mat pro- duced in the straw, and part of a crate. The mattress cloth is partly burnt. Other straw, similar to mattress straw, vasin folds on the floor of the shop. The straw in folds was f-imilar to the straw attached to the cloth (by stitcher). In my judgment, some of the straw I found on the floor had been in a mattress. It was like straw I found attached to the cloth. It appears to me that a portion of the mattress had been torn open. The edge of the cloth produced seema to have been torn. There is no sign of fire about part of the edge. TLe parts of the crates produced are partly burnt. I found them by the vinegar cask, and 1 also found a quantity of p eking paper in the heap on the ground. The paper was partly burnt, I further discovered a quantity of paper bags partly burnt in the heap also the bottom of a basket and two }ong-handle¡blusheF. The brushes were at the bottom of the he I found a quan' tity of lucifer matches in the bean—partly in a box and partly loose. There were the remains of other match boxes. About the eighth-of-an-inch deep of one side of the vinegar cask was charred. and the wooden part was almost wholly burnt. I found three other mattresses in the shop. One was leaning against a division in the counter, with one end about two feet from the fire. This end had [been (opened andfpartially burnt. Another mattress was lying in a similar position on the other side of the fire, but the end of this was unoriened. Inside the counter on the right- hand side of the shop I found a small heap of hay and straw, which had been partly burnt, and in this heap I found, too, a quantity of loose matches and three match boxes—two partly burnt, a packet of egg powders,and;several{pieces of partly burnt match boxes and pieces of paper. The last- mentioned heap was between the counter and some fixed shelves. On the two lower shelves I found 576 boxes of marches, directly over the heap that had been on fire. The lowest shelf stands one foot seven inches from the floor at that point, and the second 14 inches above the first. As soon as I saw the straw in the heap in the middle of the shop, all persons" ho had entered the shop besides the policemen were turned out. No one up to this time had been be- hind the counter where I found the second heap on the inside of the left-hand counter. I also found a quantity of straw and paper bags partly burnt. The straw was similar to that in the middle of the heap in the middle of the shop. On some shelves near the heap I found 281 boxes of ma'ches. I did not find any matches amongst the straw. The had burnt the framework of the shelves, and two or three places in the ceiling aud the floor were also burnt. counters were slightly burnt. The gas-buiners which lighted the shop were all turned off. There was only some salt in the upstairs store-room. There was not an account-book in the shop. There was a quantity of invoices. &c.. in the desk, but no money. I left Sergeant Jenkins in charge of the premises, and left, and went towards there again at about one o'clock. I met Jenkins, and defen- dant was in his charge. They proceeded to the police-station, >>nd I went on to the shop premises, and put another officer in charge. I afterwards s returned to the police-station, and told defendant 1 akould detain kiio on JWWiçioD of getting fire to his shop that night. He inquired, How is that?" I replied, "Because I have found a large heap of hay and straw close to the vinegar and paraffin casks in the centre of your shop also a crate partly burned, a mat, two brushes across each other, and matches." Defendant answered, With regard to the hay, I sent it back to Mr Williams, the hay merchant, at night, because- it was mouldy. His hay place was full, and they were putting hay in at the time, and it was only delivered to me this evening, so I left the crate and si-raw in the shop that night. I left the house, from half-i ast nine to a quarter to ten, to meet Mrs Evans and her sister. I locked the house and shop, and went with the boy to the door, where I met Mrs Rey- nolds's little girl, and I served her with the lamp, I then went with the little girl after the boy. Cross-examined There were no matches on defendant. There was paraffin in the cask to the height of about teu inches. That is my guess. I did not find a trace of paraffin or oil of any kind in anything I took up. Mr Phillips, the shop- keeper—a tradesman — was with me and the officer examining the premises. Mr Price I very much fear that I shall be obliged to apply for a remand. I have not had an opportunity at all of seeing this witness Phillips —not taken his brief-for I was only instructed this morning. I don't know whether the learned counsel will make any observations if I don't call him. To prevent such a contingency, I apply for a remand now. Stipendary: Oh, I cannot grant a remand rl now, Mr P ice, you may not want the witness. Mr Price I may not, but I cannot allow the prosecution to be exposed to animadversion if I don't call the man. The Stipendary Very well, I think you had better go on as far as you can. I will then decide, Cross-examination continued: The gas was not turned off at the meter. Acting-Sergeant John Jenkins deposed At about one o'clock on the Saturday morning, the defendant's wife and baby, two other women and a boy, drove up to the side-door of Crossbrook House. I let them in, and Mrs Evans asked "what is the matter?" I told her the shop had been on fire. She said, "dear me," and turning to defendant and remarked, "It is all your fault I told you to come home before." I afterwards asked de- fendant in the lower shop how he accounted for the loose straw and hay, and I showed these and the matches. He answered, "It is my neglect that I did not remove it." I remarked that he was the last seen in the shop that night, and he said, "I w as through the shop at about 10 o'clock or a few minutes after, fastened it, and saw that everything was right." He also said that he had left a little gas burning. I subsequently took him to the police-station. Cross-examined: The door opening to the street was fastened by a bolt. Defendant did not reply to his wife's remarks. P.C. Llewellyn said I saw defendant at the police-court charge-room after lie had been taken there. I said to him, It is a bad job, Mr iliVans, about the fire last night* He observed, Yes, it is a bad accident. I left the gas burning at the shop. It is not a thing I generally do." I remarked, No, there's no gas in the shop, as I was the first man to go in. and noticed that the burners were ail right, and that there was no smell of gas. Defendant did not reply. Mr Williams, merchant, agent for the Sun Fire Office at Pontynridd, deposed: About 12 months Office at Pontynridd, deposed: About 12 months ft_ T.1.t .r-I:1-l" ngu ± asueu uerenaant to insure with me, and I effected an insurance upon his shop-stock at Hafod, where he then resided. On the 3rd of March a fresh policy was granted on his household goods and stock at Crossbrook House. Mr Rowlands admitted the receipt of a notice to produce the policy, but said that it could not be found. Witness then gave the particulars already given as to the amount, &c., of the policy. The pre- mium, he added, was high in consequence of oil being kept. ,c. Cross-examined The Insurance Office does not prosecute defendant. I reported the fire to the secretary. It was defendant who fixed the amounts of the insurance. He said the value of his stock fluctuated. I have known defendant many years. I never had anything against him before. It was I who suggested to defendant that he should take ou',a fresh policy upon his removal to Pontvpridd. Mr David Evans, auctioneer and valuer,"Ponty- pridd, said that he had by instruction of the police superintendent valued defendant's household goods and stock-in-trade. He placed the value of the shop-stock at £132. Cross-examiued Myvalua'ion is of the goods before they were damaged. I cannot tell you what my valuation of the furniture is-whether I it would amount to £100. Mr Price again remarked to his Worship that he would like an adjournment, in order that the other wittiess in the case might be adduced. The Stipendiary did not think that course neces-ary. He had enough evidence to justify him in committing prisoner for trial at the a'siz^s. Prisoner then formally pleaded not guilty, and his defence was reserved. OOOA6 accepted bail, prisoner himself in r™, a'1( three sureties—t ne in £ 100 (Mr Morgrn E'1 wards) and two (Mr Lewis Hughes aud Mr btephen Davies) in B50 each.

monmoutTishIRITchamber OF AGRICULTURE. A meetine- of thiachamber was held on Wed- T>eBuv^' Newport, to consider the Hares aud Rabbits Bill, and the abolition of the Malt, Tax. Mr xv., Stratton presided, and amongst those pre- sent were Mr A. A. Williams, Mr T. E. Cooke, Mr H. YViliiams, Mr Charles D. Phillips. Mr D. Baker. Mr Woodhall, Mr J. S. Stone, Mr Valen- tine Parsons, Mr W. Jones (Cefnllogell), Mr ,T. Lawrence, Mr W. Price, Mr Mortimer, Mr Bence Cox, Mr Baker, Mr Seys, Mr Peacock, Mr Walter Collett, Mr Thomas (Ely), Mr Thomas Parry, Rev. J. E. Jones-Machen, &c. The CHAIRMAN regretted the small attendance. Air A. A. WILLIÃM8 said he did not think that the operation of the Hares and Rabbits Bill would have much effect as between landlords snd tenants. He thought it was an exceutiou and nrit the rule, where landlords keep ha;es and rabbits to the detriment of the tenants. He asked for information as to the meaning of Clause 5. Mr H, VVILLIAMS said that the preservation of game in this county %i as the exception and not the rule. He rejoiced to see the Bill, He be- lieved the difficulties which beset the game la s were not so much.between the landlord and tenant as between the lessee of the game and the tenant. (Hear, hear.) This Bill would strike a blow fit the letting of the right to kill game. Landlords let the land to one man, and the right to kill game to another. In England they had one of the worst climates in the world, and when they had also to contend with game, it was impossible for the farmers to make both ends meet; or to say what losses were due to the cro, s, or what to the ravages of game. Gentle- men were not likely to listen to that which was against their own interests, and if a gamekeeper said that loss of crops was bronght about by bad farming, they were much more likely to believe the keeper than the farmer. (Hear, hear.) Mr THOMAS (Ely) did not beHeve that the pass- ing of the Bill would have much effect. Mr D. BAKER believed the measure v. as one of the utmost importance to the farmer. No one could estimate the damage done .by game, and to talk about compensation was absurd. He once had experience of an attempt to get compensa- tion, and; it was all nonsense, although Le sns- tained damage to the extent of at least :Cloo. This w;.s one of the best measures for the farmers that had bceu brought forward for the last 50 years. Rev. J, E. JONES-MACHEN (LlantLe^y) said that the state of agriculture was s<:h that the time had gone by for preserving game, and when I. ndiordauiUat forego the enjoyment of sporting snd shooting rabbits aud hares. If there was anything that interfered with the proper produc- tion of crops, and the best means ot realising pro- duce for the farmer, then he, for one, would say, aw.iy with it. He would say Perish game, and perish the Game Laws from the country, if they interfere with the proper interests of the tenant farmer." (Hear, hear.) To preserve game was a sheer luxury, and an expensive luxury to the farmer-kept up at the cost of honest people. If anyone wanted sporting and shooting, there was plenty of it to be had in North America. (Laughter.) Something was said as to I ares and rabbits bt:ing food for faxe., and unless these were pre- served, the poultry would greatly suffer. The CHAIRMAN spoke in opposition to the measure, and assured his reverend friend that shooting could not be had in America for nothing. It would have been better if hares and rabbits had been simply struck out of the gau e list. He moved "That in the opinion of this Chamber the Hares and Rabbits Bill is unworthy the support of this Chamber." Mr W. PRICE seconded the motion. Mr THOMAS PARRY moved an amendment. Although in Monmouthshire they were not in- flicted to any large extent with game preserves, yet there were other districts .of the country that were so affected, and in the interests of those who did suffer from the ravages of game, it was their duty to help them, if possible, by supporting the Bill before Parliament. He deemed it an excel- lent Bill, and his regret, if any, was that it had not been introduced into Parliament by "our own party." (Hear, he.r.) He moved an amendment "That this Chamber approves of the Hares aud Rabbits Bill now before Parliament," Mr WILLIAMS seconded the amendment. On being put to the vote, however, it was lost by 5 to 3. The next matter for consideration was the pro- posal of Mr Gladstone to abolish the Malt-I ax. The CHAIRMAN thought that no one would disagree with that proposal, and now he could say with Mr Pai-ry that his regret was that it had not been introduced by our own party." He concluded by moving that the Chamber tiupport the proposal of the Government This was duly seconded. Mr PARRY objected to the motion, but he would not be obstinate, and propose another amendment. He would siinuly say that he could not see what good would resut from the abolition of the tax, and gave his reasons for the opinions he held, which were endorsed by others present. The motion was agreed to. The Honorary Secretary, Mr J. S. STOWK, announced that Sir George Elliot had communi- cated his desire to become a life member of the Chamber. _——.——

FITS.—EPIXWTIC FITS OR FALLING SICKnsS.- Sensations, Giddiness, Fal-ts.-A certain method of cure has been discovered for this distressing1 compiaint by a Physician, who is desirous that all sufferers may benefit from this providential discovery. It wiil cure the most hopeless case after all other means have been tried. Full particulars will be sent l:y post free of chanre.— AiiUress, Mr WILLIAMS, 10, Oxford-terrace, Hyde Park L0"^0"' m 8285—4517o' WHY IS HORNIMAN'S TEA SO FAMOUS ?—Be- cause they Import direct taving all intermediate profits; because they disallow the use of mineral facing powder, plumbago and. prussian bhie generally used on tea to hide the worthless brown leaves because they mark the pri, e pwii I v on each packet, and give a guarantee of Sterling good quality, and full value of money because they ensure at all times, a full-bodied, Strong, rich tea, with a most delicious flavour ;-they sell over the Mil- lion packets every year, a proof in itself that their Tea deserves the preference it has commanded for over 40 years.—To avoid spurious imitations see the name Horniman is on each packet. A list of loW Agents, Chdnifib*. fcc., ia urint«U in thu paper,-— ftau

IMPORTANT DISPUTE ABOUT MINERALS. In the High Court of Justice, Chancery Divi- sion. on Monday—before Yice-Chancellor Sir C. Hall—the hearing of the cases of Llanover v. Homfray, and Phillips v. Llanover, arising out of Lady Lianover's claims for damages for the al- leged wrongful working of coal at Abercarne, by the Tredegar Iron Companv, was resumed. Mr Graham Hastings, Q.C., and Mr S. Green held a watching brief for the defendants, Hom- fray and Hardy. Mr Kay, Q. C., (with w hom was Mr Kekewich, Q.C., and Mr Howell for Lady Llanover,) re- minoed the court that be had on Friday last stated from the pleadings the main issues in the case, as to the legal relations between customary tenants and lords of manors, and as to the actual customs ot the manor, with reference to the coal in question. He would now give the court shortly the history of the manor. In early times the property belonged to the earls of Pembroke, but in 1703 or 1713, (the date was uncertain) both the manors of Abercarne and Machen were in possession of Lord Windsor, who at that period sold the latter property to a Mr Morgan, and the former to John Burgh, in 1723. Abercarne manor continued in the possession of the Burgh family until 1790. when it was purchased by Samuel Giover. William Crawshay next bought it in 1807, and in the following year his son-in-law, Benjamin Hall, appeared to have purchased it—at all events, it was then conveyed to him by William Crawshay. Benjamin Hall died in 1817, having by his will devised the estate in trust for his son, Sir Benjamin Hall, afterwards Lord Llanover. Lady Llanover had now succeeded to the property, as equitable lady of the manor. The prope ty comprised a tract of mountainous country, about 24,000 acres in extent, containing several rich veins of coal; 11,000 acres of the manor were held by "customary tenure." Do \n to 1795 the property was almost inaccessible for the purpose of making the coal a merchantable com* modity, but in tint year a canal was commenced from IS ewport, about 12 miles distant, to Crom- leigh, and was opened four years afterwards. For the firt time this wild region then became access- ible to commerce. In connection with the canal, some tramways were made fein 1804, penetrating further into the mountains and another tramway was constructed in 1811, opening up the district to a greater degree, and making it possible for the minerals existing there to be maue merchantable. In 1814 that tramway was extended from a place bearing amost awful Welsh name to another still more formidable." (Laughter.) His Lordship We wdl call it simply" the further extension." (Laughter.) Mr Kay continued Those tramways were made under the powers of the 32nd George III., cap, 102, sec. 128 (Tbe Monmouthshire liailway and Canal Act) which made the tramways usable by the public, on paymeut of tolls to the pro- prietors, for the passage of minerals and beasts. In 1828 the tramway, which had then become of considerable importance, as the getting of coal in the manor was then a considerable business, was disconnected with the canal at Abercarne, and a new and wider tramway was made in its place. One of the most important witnesses for the plaintiff would be Mr William Llewellyn, who, in 1832, began to act as clerk to his father, who was laud and mine agent for Sir Benjamin Hall, and from that date positive knowledge existed of everything done as regarded the mines. Mr Llewellyn became bimself land and mineral Llewellyn became bimself land and mineral agent of the property in 1844, and continued so to act until 1865, In 1859 MesersPhillips, who were equitable owners of a customary freehold called Troedrhi gwair, agreed to lelse the minerals under it to the defendants, the Tredegar Iron Company; and a contract was made in 1863 between those parties, for the sale of the customary freehold with the minerals. A dispute arose on the agreement between the parties, and it was in the result discovered that the Tredegar Iron Company had been %i orkir)g the mines under the customary freeholds, by in- stroke from the adjoiuing property belonging to them. which was not customary freehold. Liti- gation commenced in September, 1866, between Messrs Phillips and the Tredegar Iron Company, to set aside the agreement of purchase, and for an injunction, and an account of the minerals woiked, a cross-action being brought by the Tredegar Iron Company for the specific performance of the agreement of sale. A decree was made in both suits in favour of Messrs Phillips, and thereupon Lady Llanover gave notice to both the Tredegar Iron Company and Messrs Phillips, that she put forward, as lady of the manor, a superior claim in respect of the coal wrongfully gotten or the pro- ceeds of it. This action Lad been the result. Counsel proceeded to delineate the- i rot«rty on plans which were produced, tracing in particular the Upper and Lower iVlynyddislwyn ems of coal described by counsel as good vein" from three to four feet thick, cr. pping out in consequence of the denudation of the valleys high up on the hill sides, and the first of which only had, it was stated, been worked to any considerable extent on the copyhold tenements, and the workings being dignified by the name of "collieries," though con- sisting only of galleries in connexion with an as- cending and descending tramway to thenearest road the whole concern being worked without engines or machinery of any other kind, and by the em- ployment of a few horses or donkeys. Several other veins of coal existed, extending down to the Great Risca Vein, which was nine feet thick at a depth of some 1.200 yards. lie t ere nee was next made to the law of customary freeholds i.e. free- holds held according to the custom of the manor and it was contended that under that kind of tenure the freehold was absolutely in the lord of the manor, and that the mines were in law his absolute property alao, though neither the lord nor the copyholder could work the minerals with- out the consent of the other. Mr Hy. Matthews, Q.C., (Mr Freeling), for the defendants, said the only question was whether there was or not a c stom existed in this manor to the contrary. It was admitted that the customary copyholder might fell timber, and the question was whether the corresponding right of getting coal did not exist by custom of the manor. Mr Kay submitted that the proof of such a custom lay with the tenant. The coal was by law absolutely the propel ty of the lord, so that if he could get it wit'.out disiuibing the surface of the copyhold he might do so without consulting the tenant. Usage and certain documentary evidence were relied on by the defendants to establish the custom ti.ey alleged, but it was undoubtedly the fact that during the present century no trace of such a user could be f^und, the coal having, in fact, b en worked under licences from the lord. EigL ty-one of those licences were, it was stated, proved in evidence, and there had been besides a number of periodical licences given. Wherever wot kings had been carried on without such licences being obtained the lord had intei-fei ed azid stopped them. If any acts previously were relied on by the defendants it must be remembered that in early times the Earls of Pembroke lived away from the spot, and there was no trace of the lords of the manor having lived in the neighbourhood until the Burghs came into possession during last century, but at that time there were no means existing by which minerals could be ma le merchantable. No means of transport exis- ted until the canal and tramways were made, so that it was absolutely impossible that there could have been any workings for com- mercial purposes or on any extensive scale previously. A reasonable suggestion as to hat had really happened was this—that theie being nobody in early times to look after the custoniarv tenants, they may have scratched out a small quantity of coal from the Mynycdislwyn vein fur their own use, or they might have even carried it away on the backs of hordes along the mountain paths, and then sold it where they could find a market; but the evidence was clear that the only working which had been carried on to any extent duriug the present century had been under the direct licence of the lord, and in a manner which entirely negatived the notion of the alleged custom having existed. To establish such a custom, the usage must be proved to have existed without iu. terruption from time immemorial. Counsel then referred to the various actions commeuced from time to time to restrain the unlicensed working of coal, and proceeded to read the evidence filed on the one side and on the other, of the inhabitants of the district holding customary tenements, and others, r.s to the existence of the alleged custom. Many of the witnesses (said counsel) seemed, as was not uncommon in Wales, to have Christian and surnames similar to each other; and it was fair matter of comment that not only did many of the persons referred to appear to be reuetitions of the same individuals, but not one of the witnesses condescended to a positive statenunt, of the locality of the alleged workings hy customary tenants. No getting of the coal had ever taken place, 80 far as appeared from the evidence, which could by any stretch of language Lave been called a colliery. All the evidence proved w as that mere scratchings had at times occurred on the part of some of the tenants, but nothing approaching a colliery could be traced. It was a matter of com- mon knowledge that the moment any systematic working for coal began it obtained the name of a colliery," which had never been the case here. True, one of the witnesses spoke of what he called the Pontllwyn colliery," but he gave no information who the proprietor* were, and no mention of the colliery appeared elsewhere on the evidence. Therefore it was clear on the evidence that do* n to 1799, when the dig. trict became open to conveyance, there had been no considerable Quantity of coal worked at all, and that when the getting of coal really began, the lord of the manor at once asserted his right to it as his freelioffl. The previous getting had been only that which might easily be imagined to have token, place where the coal sctuall-y cropped out on the surface, and had only occurred to such an extent as might be managed secrectly, for the use mainly of the tenanta themselves, a matter which did not call for the interference of the lord. Counsel then proceeded to put in evidence the liceiises hich had been granted from time to time by the lords of the manor for working the coal, and submitted that on the arguments and evidence he had presented to the court, he had made out the plaintiff's case. The case wAs adjourned. In the High Court of Justice, Chancery Divi- sion, on Tuesday, Vice-Chaucellor Sir C. Hall again had under consideration the cases of Llan- over v. Homfray and Phillips v. Llauover. The action was to determine Lady Lianover's right to recover the proceeds of coal alleged to have been wrongfully got under the manor of Abercarne by the J redegar Iron Company, Mr Kekewich, Q.C., the second eoansel for Lady Llanover and her trustees (Mr KayV, Q.C., open- ing speech having been already rep«rte<l), said his first duty would be to put in the evidence, and practic d!y without comment. For the most part the evidence was documentary, but there were a few affidavits on each side to which attention mu*t, of course, be called. The deposi- tions in the former suits involving the question of the lady's rights, and the custom of the manor as regarded the tvnatttw rights in the minerals a and timber, had also been made evidence in this action. Admissions between the parties were then recapitulated showing the posi- tion of the manor of Abercarne; its extern the number of actes held by custorrat-y lenure, and tha^ the holdhigg passed by admittance under a gavelkind tenure. The positions respectively of the lords and tenants were carried back to the time ot Heury btirali, lord of the manor in the early part of last cesituryf and traced the amhse- aueut POi.a through Samuel Glover. John ———— Crawshay. and finally to Benjamin Hall in the beginnin.; of the present centurv. Further ad» missions "ere made of the position of Messrs Phillips, through whom the Tredegar Iron Cei claimed as beneficially entitled to thl lroedrhiwgwair property,according to the custom of the manor and of copies of the proceeding) in earlier suits bet een the lords of the manoi and various tenants, bearing on questions now raised. A great number of licences forgetting coal were next re;>.d, made between the lords and various copyholders from the year 1809 to the present time. Reference was made to the old Chancery suits between the lords and the copy. holders during the last century, involving practi- cally the question involved in the present suit, and the term- were stated on which they had been either decided or arranged, as well us the evidence then taken of aged witnesses, given with regard to the customs of the manor. All those former suits were settled in favour of the lord, principally by compromise, and t ough in some cases injunctions had been granted, the main quer- tion bad never yet been thoroughly thrashed out. It was finally submitted that if the plaintiff succeeded in establishing her claim to the minerals as lady of the manor she would be entitled to stand in the shoes of Messrs Phillips, who had already recovered for the wrongful getting of the coal, ig.,tinst the Tredegar Iron Company, Mr William Llewellyn, formerly mining and ceneral agent of the Abercarne property for Lady Llanover, was then cross-examined on his affidavit bv Mr Henry Mathews, on behalf of defendants. He ssid that the outcrops of the Mvnyddislwyit veins, which had been worked in the cot yhold, were within the manor, but he could not give t';e acreage under which those veins existed. The Upper Mynyddislwyn was pretty free from faults and in good condition, and it varied from 3 feet to 3 feet 6 in., and even in places 4 feet. It would yield from 3,000 to 3,fi(¡0 tons an acre, and the Lower Mynyddislwyn would produce 1,500 tons an acre. He could not say what had become of an important parchment roil of presentments to the manor, now lost, dated October, 1G31, which appeared to have included a survey of the property made for the then Earl of Pembroke. He had never seen it, but had seen a paper book purporting to be a copy of the parch- ment roll. The coiirt-rolls ei e always kept by the steward of the manor, and witness had had nothing to do in-itli tihem. Had h ard his father say that no one knew anything about the origin of the book, or considered it an authentic copy of the roll. In fact it was not considered to be » genuine document, and none of the lords of the manor had so regarded it. The witness was then cross-examined as to the position of the various tenements o.i the manor, and as to his knowledge of the customary holdings, the circumstances affecting them, and tlie acts of person* by whom they were held with regard to getting the minerals. He had always under. stood that Pentllwyn and the other tenements oa which the defendants alleged the customary work- ings had been carried on, were freehold, and not copyhold of the manor. The royalty paid on the coal by the actual getter under licences would average from 8d to lOd per ton. The tenants on the manor had in some cases been allowed to get stone from the quarries for their own use with- out interference. In re-examination the witness said that 28, ears1 purchase would be a gool price for the copyhold land. It would not have paid the copyholders to work the coal under their holdings by pits and shafts. and it would only have p1.id them if the coal were very near the surface. There was no trace of anything but the merest surface working on the customary land, and there, of course, pits had been opened. Tùe case was then adjourned. In the High Court of Justice on Wednesday, (Chrncery Division), before Vice-Chaucellor Sir C. Hall, the cases of Llanover v. Homfray, and Phillips v. Llanover, were heard. The hearing of these actions raising a disputed question of title in Lady Llanover to the proceeds "f coal which has been wrongfully worked, as alleged, by the Tredegar Iron Company, under the manor of Abercarne, "liS resumed. After further remarks, his Lordship at once made an order for the appointment of a Special Examiner to take the cross-examination of the defendants' witnesses, as they could not attend. Air Matthews, Q.< then said he appeared for, the defendants; and for Messrs Phillips in these actions, and would first refer to the pltiii question of law involved in the case. As to that there was no question. With regard to the right to miuerali and trees on property of this kind it was quit. settled that in the absence of custom to the com trary, the lord had the freehold of the soil but on the other Land, the tenants bad the actual possession of tbem. On that point he referred to the long ago decided case of Lewis v. Branthwaite i, itli regard to this very manor, Lewis being one of the cus- tornary holders and alleging trespass. In that case Lord Tenterden and Mr Justice Littledalc had held tliat the copyhold tenant had possessioi of the minerals, and4couhi maiutaillall action fa damaces iu respect to them, the possession of tin soil being in him from the surface to the ceiitn of the earth, and tiiat such an action was main- tainable by the copy Ilolder even against the lort himself. That was so decided in 1808, just before Benjamin Hall purchai-ed the manor. In the celebrated case of Bourne v. Taylor, Lord Ellenboi ough lielul that trespass wouid be qgains4 the lord for taking minerals. unless a special cus1 torn existed to warrant him in dointr so, la thii manor, the evidence' would show that the general presumi tion of law that the absolute propei ty as in the lord, did not prevail. That was so ad* mittedly, with regard to the timber on the pro- perty, and the question would be whether the coal must not be treated like the timber. The evidence Iso shewed that the occu: ,ier, of the customary tenements had been in the habit of taking limestone without the content of the lord, and on Tuesday it was admitted by M, Llewellyn, the plaintiff's mining agent, that" til. stones," a kind of heavy slate had.been (rot by the tenants. Of course the question as to ti e right te and the past working of the coal was a question of fact for the court, but the defendants lu p-d to satisfy his lordship on tliat point. The learned counsel proceeded to refer to the former suit h in reference to the manor, and to the depositions ir. them. The earliest survey of the manor, in 1621" was next referred to, as well as another suney made subsequently for the Earl of Leicester. then admitted that the evidence showed tlia, e original survey of 1631 had disappeared ",hi Benjamin Hall's possession, he being lord of L, manor at the beginning of the c, ntvry, i; ua 1 also a subsequent survey of 1653. Had tho e docu- meuts still been in existence, they would of them, selves have proved the defendant s c >se, and the inference was irresistible that Benjamin HalL who was a most astute man, and fully aware ol their value as against his claim to the minerals foi the first time asserted by himself, had deliberately destroyed them. None of the pievious owners had for a moment set up that claim, alld 71, fore ):< acquired the manor several collieries h:. if 'n full work in the Mynyddislwyn veins o ■> v liold tenements, and, in fact, the lor, chased the coal from the tenants. The case was then adjourned.

CAEDIFt'NATURALISTS' SOCIETY The first semi field day this season of the mem- bers of this society was held on Wednesday, when an invitation from Mr Albert E. Heed, manager of the Ely Paper Works, to visit the woiks at Ely, was accepted. About 70 members, including the Mr Louis Tjlor, Alr, and Miss I ylor, Mr Alfred Tylor (late president of the Geological Society, London). Dr. and inlin Vachell, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Milward, Dr. Fiddi.in, Dr. and JN1 iss Granger, Mr J. H. and Mrs Wilson, Mr and Mrs Trounce, the Misses Davies, Mrs Vachell and puty, Mis Sheen. Mr Seward, Mr Peter Prico, 1r. and Miss Price, Rev. Father Richardson,Mr King, etc., etc., left the Great Western Railw ay Station at Cardiff, by the 1.20 p.m. train. On arriving at Ely they were escorted along the railway to the Ely Paper Works, tinder the charge ot one of the inspectors on the railway. At the wotks they were received by Mr Reed, who then proceeded to read a very valuable and interesting paper on the "Manufacture of paper as carried on t Ely/ He explained that the paper manufactured tli,,rt WüS only of a kind to mc t the public demand for penny newspapers, or such large sized papes as ti e Cardiff Times, iht South Wares Dailji Ncios, and the London dailies. He complained of the unequal position in which the English manufacturer was placed as co ) p tred 1\ ith the foreign manufacturers, for while foreign manufacturers had been able for some yeflrs to supply large quantities of paper to the London penny dailies, the heavy import duties on paper in foreign countries prevented the English manu' facturer from sending paper for competition in the foreign markets. Still, they had been en" bled in consequence of the diminished value of paper in this country to send considerable qua.tities to Fiance for some of the leading daily papers there during the past 18 months. The pi ice of paper now was such that five or six years ago a manufacturer would have declared it impossible to make it for what it was now sold at. The cost of production had been reduced chietiy by increasing production of mills, and economising and utilising waste. He then proceeded to explain the materials from which the ;aper at the works was made. These were of various kinds, ItS eeparto grass, flax, hemp, jute, cotton, straw, pd. metto, wool, and waste-paper. Of theset_ esparto, straw, palmetto, [Ind wood were re- ceived in the raw state, while otiters were received as waste or refuse materials. The most important was esparto fabric, of which a much larger quantity was used than any other material, and of this material that imDorted from Tripoli, which is the cheapest, was principally used by them. Spanish esparto was used in the mantl. facture of the finest qualities of paper, and for such newspapers as The Times. He th'1l referred- to the processes through which the esi alio, stra palmetto, or idwarf palm, are subjected in the manufacture of paper. He also stated tlut they sometimes used waste paper, which %as re- manufactured, and last week they made use of some very singular inaterial, being a large quantity of the old West of England Bank notes. Mr leed and his assistants ti eo, conducted the members, in four detachments, over the works, explailling. the whole process, from the sorting and preparing the tihre, wood, etc., until they reappeared in the form of finished' paper. Mr led also pointed out that electricity was largely gf-nerated in the (ii yiu- of ptiper on rollers, drawing electric sparks from the paper, and, by allowing a current to pass through hit arm, he lighted the Rp-s above with it. At tlt4 conclusion, the party returned to Ely. highly pleased with their visit, wi,eu a special train., brought them back to Cardiff. The dav was in, every respect most successful.

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