Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills

OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION. On Monday morning, a preliminary investiga- tion was held at the ticket-office of the Taff Vale Railway Station, Pontypridd, by Mr. James Hurmnn, the traffic manager. The inquiry, so far as can be ascertained, was merely for the pur- pose of enabling the principal officials of the company to arrive at the precise facts connected with the occurrence. Several witnesses were examined, including the trainmen of .the special and of the main line Merthyr train, the signal- men who were on duty in the upper junction box, and in the box at the Pontypridd, Caerphiii y, and Newport Junction box, and others but the general character of their evidenqe did not tran- spire, the investigation being of a strifctly private nature, and oniy those employees who were directly concerned in the matter being present.

GRAND UNITED ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS. ANIVERSARY A.T PONTYPOOL. The anniversary of the Pride of Pontypool lodge, No. 1396, of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows, Blaenavoc District, held at the Old Bath Beerhouse, Pontypool, was celebrated on Monday, when, notwithstanding, the unfavour- able weather, a fairly large number of the mem- bers came together and a very enjoyable evening was spent. Host and Hostess S. Tovey had prepared a splendid spread, to which complete justice was done by the 35 members present. After dinner, the tables having been removed, P.N.G. F. N. Brace was voted to the chair, and Bro. W. R. Long, to the vice-chair. The Chairman, in commencing the proceedings, said he wa44 very pleased to find that they had been able to enjoy themselves so well that day. It was the first time he had had the honour of attending a dinner in connection with the" Pride ot Pontypool Lodge, and he hoped it would not be the last. By next year he hoped they should have a turn-out," and he dared say the majority of the members were of the same opinion. He was sorry to find that there were not as many present as they could have expected. There were between 50 and 60 members, of whom about 35 had put in an appearance. He should be glad if all could have attended. (Applause.) The Chairman next proposed the loyal toasts, which were heartily honoured. The toast of the Army, N-i vy, and Reserve Forces was coupled with the names of Bro. F. N. Brace and Mr. A. Kay. The next toast, that of the Pride of Ponty- pool Lodge, G'.TJ.O.F. was coupled with the names of Bros. Jesse Walkley and C. Worth- ington. Bro. fT. Walkley said he was very pleased to be a member of the Pride of Pontypool" Lodge. He had been in it between five and six years, during which time it had increased very mnfeh* and he could only hope that it would in- crease nwre-ia^ytLe future than in the past. (Hear, hear.) Bro. C. Worthington said that, like the last speaker, he felt proud to be a member of the "Pride of Pontypool Lodge G.U.O.F. and en- dorsed what had been said with respect to the increase of membership during the last few years. He knew that from the report of the last biennial meeting held at Bradford, the Order had increased to a very great extent. In England they had opened 60 new lodges, besides various lodges abroad. He was certain that in financial affairs they were as strong as any Order in the United Kingdom, that was, per member and he was glad to say that as far as the district was concerned, they were working in an amicable manner. In the past they had a lot of difficul- ties, including a law-suit, but Tie was glad to say that all that sort of thing had been settled, and that they were working now in a peaceable manner. As far as the "Pride of Pontypool" Lodge was concerned, he could only hope that it would be as successful in the future as it had been in the past. (Cheers.) The Chairman next proposed the toast of "Kindred Societies," associating therewith the names of the Vice-Chairman and Mr. J. Bevan. The Vice-Chairman said he wagfproud to say that he was a member of the Rechabites-an association to which he was afraid that not many present belonged. (Laughter.) He had been in that Order about five years, and it had increased in membership very largely, whilst they were worth 34s. per member. (Hear, hear.) Mr. J. Bevan returned thanks for the cordial way in which the toast had been received. As they were aware he was connected with the Ancient Benefit Friendly Society. He was very pleased to be present on that occasion, and hoped to see the members of the two lodges fraternise in future. (Cheers.). The Chairman, in proposing the toast of the Host and Hostess," said it was the first dinner to which they had sat down in that house in con- nection with the Pride of Pontypool" Lodge. The catering of the host and hostess had given entire satisfaction, and he hoped Mr. and Mrs. Tovey would live long to provide for them on those occasions. (Cheers.) Bro. Tovey, in responding, said that until a week before he had had no experience of pro- viding public dinners, and this was only the second he had undertaken. He had tried to give satisfaction, and if he had succeeded he felt amply rewarded. By next year when he would have had more experience, he hoped to be able to give them greater satisfaction still. (Cheers.) The toast of "The Press" (coupled with the name of the Free Press reporter) completed the list, after which a number of songs were well rendered, together with a humorous recitation by Bro. J. Jenkins. Amongst those who contri- buted songs were Messrs. Jesse Walkley, J. Jenkins, J. Phillips, S. Tovey, I. Hyatt, J. Bevan, E. Burke, J. Molloy, W. Duffield; &c. The pianoforte accompaniments were nicely played by Mr. A. Kay.

FIGHT BETWEEN DARKIES." Two negroes employed at Messrs. John Sanger and Son's Circus, at Bexhill, on Saturday night, had a fight at the close of the performance. One of them, John James, a native of Demerara drew a knife, stabbing his opponent, named Frisco, or Hicks, seven times. The police con- veyed Hicks to the Hastings Hospital bleeding profusely. His assailant was brought before the Hastings County Bench to-day, and remanded. Medical evidence showed that the injuries were very severe, but on the whole Hicks is progres- sing favourably.

ATHLETICS/ If F I BY "ENTHUSIAST." r I I regret that a report of the AWrsychaii-Llan- vair match, played on Bank Holiday, was omitted last week, owing to its not reaching me until Thursdays lljad it been sent a day earlier it would have been acceptable. My cricketing friends seem to think the comps. only work on Thursdays. Their communications should arrive on Tuesday, when they would stand every chance of publicity. The match between the Pontypool Cricket Club p.nd Liverpool House, Newport, played at Pont, pool Road on Thursday week, was remark- able i or the excellent bowling of A. Saxon, and the stubborn resistance offered by the last wicket of the home team. The Newport men had put together 42 runs—not a large total- and Pontypool, with eight wickets down wanted over 20 runs to save deteat. However, Bird ani G. Saxon got together and merrily whacked the bowling all over the field, especially Saxon, who compiled 17 not out. This, with a number of extras which the batsmen obtained through smart running, brought the total to 60 runs, before Bird fell for a capital innings. A closely contested and enjoyable match was played between Pontypool and Pentwynmawr, j at the Recreation Grounds on Saturday last. Batting first, the homesters totted up 72 runs, the top scorers being M. Hopkins (18) and W. j Jones (14). There was nothing very remark- i able about the remainder of the team, except that (as on the previous Saturday) two men j were again run out. The visitors responded with 61 runs, of which the Rev. J. Griffiths con- tributed 22 by some capital batting. The rest of the te.-m did little, and the homesters secured a victory by 11 runs. Gower was the most suc- cessful bowler, for the Visitors, and TomHopkins and A. Saxon divided honours for PontypooL The visitors de.v^rve a word of praise for their excellent fielding. cvu A return, match between PontypiooT 2nA XII and Panteg was also played at the Recreation "Grounds, on Saturday, when the latter secured' the victory on two innings by 21 runs. For the losers, G. Pecock accomplished a remarkable bowling- performance in the first innings, being responsible for the whole ten wickets. With tne exception of W. Reynolds (25 not out) none of the team could do anything with him. He also claimed the majority of the wickets in the second innings. Pontypool made a poor show in batting, aa against 39 and 28 they were only able to put toge ler 31 and 15. For Panteg, F. Thomas and deserve commendation for their good bowiwig. The former took 10 wickets and the latter 8 in the two innings. The members of the Pontypool bicycle Club are in high spirits just at present. Have they not brought oh the great R.R. with immense success ? Have not the piiblic rallied around them, and shewn by their presence and their cheers that they are leady to support them? Well done, bo-i I I congratulate you one and all. I trust that the good wishes of the public will always be with you, and that as time goes on you will find more supporters, especially of the financial sort, to keep the pot a boiling." With regard to the proceedings of Thursday week I will, without further parley, proceed to comment upon THE PONTYPOOL BICYCLE CLUB'S 20 MILES ROAD-RACE. The long-talked of road-race in connection with the Pontypool Bicycle Club came off on the afternoon of Thursday week, and proved a great success. As I ventured to predict, a hrge amount of interest was taken in the race, and at the time appointed for the starting of the limit" man, there could not have been assem- bled at the Old Turnpike less than two hundred persons, all of whom evidently took a lively interest in the chances of the various competi- tors, and indulged in a large amount of specula- tion as to the winners. Amongst those present I noticed Mr. Edmund Potter, Newmarket (formerly of Pontypool); Dr. E. S. Wood, Mr. H. J. Parkhurst, Mr. Thomas Williams, and other well-known townsmen. The course se- lected was from the Old Turnpike at Ponty- moil, through New Inn, Caerleon, Llangibby, and Usk, to the milestone near the Woodlands- a distance of twenty miles, descriWng almost a circle. In addition to prizes for' the first four, [ time medals (bronze) were offered to all the members riding the distance in 1i hours. Of course the handicapping was a point of consider- able moment, it being found necessary to include in the committee a number of members who were taking part in the race—in fact only one of the committee did not ride. Under these cir- cumstances, it is a matter for congratulation that the handicapping proved very satisfactory, and as close as ()iiE; could possibly expect. Twenty- six members of the club sent in entries ior the race, but eleven of these for various reasons were unable to take part. The machines ridden in the race consisted of 4 pneumatic safeties 3 cushioned safeties, 6 solid-tyred safeties and 2 ordinaries. The weather was fine and warm, and the roads in good condition, but a stiff wind from the west was-vie wed with some anxiety by the'riders, especially those who weref on the look-out for time-medals. Mr. F. Probyn acted as starter, Mr. Charles Davis as judge, and Mr. W. H. Pitten as timekeeper. Punctually at 2.43, the limit man,- Mr. A. Ailmark, was despatched on his journey. At 2.46, Messrs. R. Williams, J. Truman, and S. Linnard were started. At 2.48, Messrs. Edmund Mends and W. 0. Phillips left. Mr. U. Hopkins started at 2.50. Messrs. E. Price, W. Neath, and T. T. Osborne followed at 2.52. Mr. E. O. Millard started at 2.53. At 2.56, the first of the pneumatics, ridden by Mr. C. Francis, pushed off, followed at 2.57 by Mr. E. Bailey. Then at 2.58, Mr. James Williams left, and at 3.0—last, but not least-the club's champion," Mr. R. Pritchard, started, amidst an encouraging cheer from the spectators. At New Inn, Croesyceiliog, Ponthir, Caerleon, Llan- gibby, and Usk there were knots of spectators, who very good naturedly kept the road clear, and encouraged the riders as they passed. The competitors, with two exceptions, did not meet with accident. The exceptions referred to were Messrs. W. O. Phillips and J. Truman. The former ran over two dogs at Caerleon in rapid succession, with the result that he was pitched into the hedge, his machine was damaged, and Mr. Phillips had to return home by train. In the case of Mr. Truman, both pedals became loose, and the rider spent some minutes in wait- ing for and using a spanner. On the road to Caerleon, the wind did not greatly interfere with the riders, but from Usk to the finishing point they were right in the teeth of it. Natu- rally, this affected the pneumatics and cushions to a greater extent than the solid-tyred machines, and therefore it is not surprising that one who rode a machine of the latter type was the winner of the first prize. The following table shews the winners, with the time each rider finished and occupied FINISHED TIME AT. OCCUPIED REMARKS. h. m. s. h. m. s. T. T. Osborne (solid) 4 11 6 1 19 6 1st prize E. O. Millard (cush.) 4 12 9 1 19 9 f 2nd prize R. Pritchard (pneu.) 4 12 56 1 12 56 3rd prize E. Bailey (pneu.) 4 16 0 1 19 0 § 4th prize W. Neath (cush.) 4 17 4 1 25 4 time-medal J. Williams (pneu.) 4 19 37 1 21 37 time-medal C. E. Francis (pneu.) 4 19 39 1 23 39 time-medal E. Price (cush.) 4 20 55 1 28 55 time-medal A. Allmark (solid) 4 21 32 1 38 22 S. Linnard (solid) 4 22 18 1 36 18 J. Truman (solid) 4 23 5 1 37 5 U. Hopkins (ordy,) 4 25 25 1 35 25 W. Duncan (solid) 4 30 30 1 44 30 E. T. Mends (ordy.) 4 38 20 1 50 20 R. Williams ("scorcher") did not finish. Pair of Bronze Statuettes and a bronze medal. f Sil- ji ver medal with gold centre. i Silver medal. § Bronze Medal with silver centre. It is worthy of note that six out of the first seven machines were made by Starley & Co., Coventry, of Rover fame. As will be seen from the above table, the first three finished re- markably close: Mr. R. Pritchard is to be com- plimented on riding fastest time, and there is very little doubt that in the absence of such a strong head wind he would have been able to give a better account of himself. The winner who was astride a "Psycho" semi-racer with solid tyres, rode a very plucky race throughout, and his performance is a highly creditable one. He overhauled all the men who started in front of him, before reaching Llangibby. Hereabouts he was overtaken by Millard, who was riding very strongly a Special "Ormonde" with cushion tyres. The two riders kept together (Millard leading) as far as Usk, where Millard increased his lead to nearly half-a-mile. From Usk, Os- borne pedalled strongly, a»d caught up with Millard near the Beaufort Anns, on the Usk road. Millard now shewed signs of distress, but urged on by his club mate contrived to hang on to the latter's hind wheel. Being taken with cramp in the right leg, Millard was unable to go the pace, and Osborne, drawing gradually away, !L obtained a lead of about a Quarter-of-a-mile, which he maintained to the end. At the finish- ing point, a large crowd of spectators were as- sembled, and as Osborne rode in with a spurt he was greeted with loud eheers, and cries of" Well- done, lad l" He finished somewhat "pumped," but after resting a few minutes on the bank, re- 3*ounted his machine and rode home. Millard sodli afterwards rode in evidently distressed, followed quickly by Pritchard, who finished i .<¡ stro Diilev arrived in fair condition, \it: Neath was in difficulties. The riding of the re- 1 mainder calls for no particular comment, but taking the /Work as a whole, the Pontypool Bicycle Club are to be hearftly congratulated on the times achieved by the majority of the riders. •As I said before, the race was viewed by a large number of spectators, who were most orderly in their behaviour, and the moat fastidious had no cause for complaint as to road-racing." Truly, ihis was a red-letter day in the annals of the P.B.CL The committee of the club desire to heartily thank Messrs. Wheeler & Glee, Cardiff, who kindly presented a handsome pair of bronze statuettes, valued at JE3 3s., for the first prize also, all the gentlemen who took an active inte- rest in the race, viz*. Messrs. F. Probyn, C. Davis, and W. K,; Pitten—the first'-named of whom kindly subscribed half-a-guinea to tke funds. To complete the day's proceedings, a SMOKING CONCERT was held in the evening ^t the headquarters, the Crown Hotel, Pontypool, and, evidently "catch- ing on" the enthusiasm aroused by the race, was largely patronised, and proved a great suc- cess. The room usually occupied by the club for committee meetings, &c., was filled to its utmost capacity, and a capital programme was gone through. The chair was very ably filled by Mr. Otto Carstensen, who conducted the pro- ceedings with all the jovkilitv of an old Parlia- mentary lirud." Messrs. A. R. Beynon and D. Davies accompanied at the pianoforte, and gave the utmost satisfaction. Toasts were drunk, consisting of Messrs. Wheeler & Gee," The Starter, Judge, and Timekeeper," and "The Prize-winners," and were responded to by Mr. Maggs (Messrs. eeler & Gee's agent), and by Messrs. T. T. Osborne, E. 0. Millard, R. Prit- chard, J. Williams, £ ud E. Price. The following was the prografume :-Pianofo;rte solo, Mr. A- R. Beynon; song, "Kiilaloe Mr. T. T. Osborne song, Anchored," Mr. R. Pritchard song, (comic), Get hair cut," Mr Jas. Williams song," The Nor Pole," Mr. E. T. Mends-; song, Masfj^y Davies song, Mr. W. Byrde song, MrT song, The little hero," Mr. Magcrt; song, Mr. T. Moore; violin-solo, Mr. W- Duncan song, Mr. James Williams song, Where are the boys of the Old Brigade ? Mr. U. Hopkins; pianoforte solo, Mr. D. Davies song, "I must have been. drunk," Ir. A. C. Buchanan recitation, The progress of mad- ness," Mr. D. Chas. Gardner song, Alone on the raft," Mr. U. Hopkins recitation, Echo boys,"Mr. R. Oakes duet, "Round the town," Messrs. R. pritchard and J. Williams Auld .Lang Syne," the Company finale; the Natioaal Anthem. A meeting of the Abersychan Thursday Foot- ball Club was held at the Coffee Tavern, Station- street, on Wednesday week, there being a very good attendance of members. Mr. A. E. Rosser "a having been voted to the chair, remarked upon the success of the team last season, and hoped it would be equally successful in the coming season. The mo t important business of the meeting was the lection of officers, which was soon dis- posed —,nd after some little discussion the fol- lowinf Tere duly elected :-Captain, A. E. Rosses •, vice-captain, — Roderick treasurer, V. Underwood secretary, J. N. Lewis..

THE RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION. PROPOSED ALTERATION OF SCORING RULE. The annual Se ptember general meeting of the Rugby Union will be held at ihe Westminster Palace Hotel, London, on Wednesday, Septem- ber 16th. The committee will propose that the recommendations of the International Board at the recent meeting of that body, be engrafted in the laws of the ùnion. The most important, that in relation to scoring, is as follows :—A try shall equal two points, a penalty goal shall equal three points, a goal from a try (the try not also to count) shall equal five points. Any other goal shaU equal four points. Upon the dead ball question it is proposed that Laws 8 and 13 be struck out, and that Law 12 read thus :—"A player when on one side may take up the ball at any time, except (1) in a scrimmage (2) when the ball has been put down after it has been fairly held (3) when it is only on the ground after a player has been tackled." It is also proposed that 25 yards be the maximum ex- tent of the dead ball line.

TEMPERANCE & PROHIBITION =' NOTES. ;? f (FROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) The Walsall election has resulted, as was anti- cipated last week, in the return of Mr. Aldermaa Holden, who is a supporter of the Direct Popu- lar Veto over the liquor traffic. By his election, Walsall has given a plain answer to the preten- tions of the liquer-sellers, who united in stronff loi cea in support of Mr. James, in return for hit promise to oppose all attempts at interference with the trade. The Walsall election was the olst contested bye-election during the existence of the present Parliament, and is the 47th which has resulted favourably tothe Temperance partyi while in 7 cases both candidates pledged them- selves in favour of the Direct Veto. At Lewisham the Temperance forces are dis- playing considerable activity. The United King- dom Alliance London Auxiliary has by resolu- tion pressed upon candidates and electors the importance of current Temperance questions. Perhaps the most significant point in this elec- tion as indicating Temperance progress is that Mr. Warmington, the Liberal candidate, is not oiiiy a thorough Temperance reformer, at one. with the Temperance demand that full power be given to the-peopl-e over the liquor trade, but he does not shrink from announcin gin his address uhat he is in favour of the Direct Popular Vete) as the meane by which that power can best be given. A series of unusually important items of Tem- perance progress come this week from the colo- nies. The Bill referred to last week as passed by the Cape Colony Parliament turns out to be more important than at first appeared. The changes made by the House in the Government Bid were all in the direction. of giving wider powers to the people, and the principal amend- ment was, that tne House decided that a majority of the voters may prevent the issue of n<*w licences or the renewal of existing ones. This is so much the worse for the liquor trade,. and so much the better for the interests of the A proposal in favour of compensation eing given when licences are stopped was. rejected by a vote of 2 to 1—40 votes to 20. The Bill as passed marks a distinct era in the history of colonial liquor legislation, and it ought t. Erove a powerful weapon in the constant etween the people and the liquor traffic. New South Wales also contributes points of exceptional interest, the recent general election in that colony having resulted in great triumpk for the Temperance forces. A list of 136 mem- bers, made up before the election ended, shewl- 2G pledged to Prohibition for the whole colony, 29 to complete Local Option without compensa- tion, and 20 former members pledged against compensation, besides a number of others, total abstainers, who, though they declined to sign a test question, expressed their willingness to vote for Prohibition, should such a measure be intro- duced. This is the first time that National Pro- hibition has been made a test on British soil. Another striking fact is, that many members of the Labour art came out straight in the drink question. Many of the Labour members are both total abstainers and prohibitionists, and Labour party as a whole is opposed to the drink faction. The great Health Congress which has beea held in London during the past week, devoted the sittings pf one of its sections on Thursday to the consideration of "The relation of alcoholism to the public health, and the methods to be adopted for its prevention." A number of dis- tinguished doctors of various countries took part in the discussion, and all agreed that alcohol i* never necessary, but generally harmful for children and young people. Several eminent doctors combatted the total abstinence view, but all deprecated drinking except at meals, and then only in very small quantities. Dr. Norman Kerr and several other physicians of standing contri- buted most important addresses in support of total abstinence, compulsory treatment of inebriates, and amended legislation while Dr. Isambard Owen strongly denounced the misuse so frequently made, especially by the liquor interest, of certain figures contained in a report drawn up by him, from which it has been most erroneously deduced that not only drinkers, but even drunkards, live longer than total abstainers. Nothing could be plainer or more emphatic than Dr. Owen's repudiation of any such deduction. During the same discussion several speaker* declared the Maine Liquor Law to be a failure but Professor F. C. Rebinson, of Maine, member of the State Board of Health and State Assayer, made short work of all such theories. He disavowed being a "temperance crank," and speaking impartially as a public official, affirmed that the law is thoroughly well enforced, that it absolutely stops the common sale of liquor in the greater portion of the State and in all the smaller towns, while in the few large towns no drink can be obtained in any respectable place. The larger towns are constantly recruited from the smaller places by young people who reach the age of twenty and upwards without ever having seen a drink saloon. Public opinion so strongly approves the law that on a recent occasion a proposal to reverse it was, in the expressive American language, completely snowed down." Those who say the law is a failure would find if they came there they could neither sell nor buy intoxicating drinks. This country has been favoured of late with the presence of a number of prominent temper' ance men from other climes. Mr. MattheW Burnett, the Australian evangelist, is still here, and has been addressing crowded meetings at Mr. Charrington's Great Assembly Hall, Mile End-road, on several recent Saturdays. On each occasion Mr. Burnett has met with a most enthusiastic reception, and his fervid appeals have been responded to by numbers coiuiog forward to sign. the pledge. A personal friend ot Mr Burnett's, Mr. H. Glenny, J.P., F.R.G.S., of Ballarat East, Victoria, is also just now in London. He is well known' in the Colonies as a writer under the signature of Silverpen." Mr. Glenny has acquired for the Australian Colonies the patent rights of a new system of photograph printing, called photophane," for the launching of which an extensive company is being formed. The exact process is a secret, but the results are simply marvellous. Speakihg likenesses of Mr. Burnett Mr. Glenny, Dr. Ll. Bevan, Rev. S. G. Laws, the well-known missionary, and other distinguished colonials have been produced by the photophane system, while the thousand and one products of the company for commercial, artistic, and other uses have already won unstinted praise. It is satisfactory to know that well known and highly respectable temperance men are at the head of the concern. It is stated that the liquor trade propose bringing in a Bill to extinguish the magisterial discretion guaranteed by the Sharp v. Wakefield decision. They may bring in their bill, but others beside the trade will have much to say about it. They might as well expect to get the moon by crying for it, as expect to pass such a measure.

NEWPORT GAS COMPANY. HALF-YEARLY MEETING. The balf-yea-rly meeting of the shareholders of the Newport Gas Company was held at the offices, Newport, on Monday. Mr. E. J. Phillips, chairman of the directors, presided. The Chair- man, in moving the adoption of the directors' report, said that the accounts were much better than those for the last half-year, but there was an increase in the cost of labour, and the high price of coal continued, the cost of the latter showing an increase of £2,200 over the corres- ponding half ot 1890. The income of the com- pany showed a considerable increase all round, and the company was in a very satisfactory con- dition. There was an increased make of gas during the half-year of 6J million cubic feet, and the income from private consumers showed an increase of nearly E2,000. Since the last meet- ing, the directors had been deprived of the ser- vices of two directors, one, Mr. Henry Farr, who was a director for 21 years, through death, and Mr. R. G. Blow, who has retired through ill- health, ana Messrs. J. T. Firbank and W R. Geen have Deen appointed to fill the vacancies Referring to the provisional order obtained by the Newport Corporation for the supply of elec- tricity, the speaker said that the interests of the company had been safeguarded by the insertion of special clauses. He thought that if the Cor- poration attempted to use their powers it would only be at great cost to the ratepayers, as the experience of other towns had shown. The directors had found it necessary to withdraw a sum of £ 508 14s. 4d. from the profit and loss account "in order to pay the usual dividends. The adoption of the report was seconded by Mr. J. T. Firbank and the motion was carried unani- mously. Mr. E. Cook suggested that the direc- tors should further increase the price of gas. The increase in the prices was lower than that made by any other company he knew of.—in reply, the Chairman said that by the next half -year the directors hoped that the increase in the revenue would be sufficient to cover the ordinary divi- dends.—Messrs. H. M. Brewer and T. M. Llew- ellin, the retiring directors, were re-appointed. The usual dividends were declared for the half- year, namely 5 per cent. on Class A Stock, 31 on B Stock, 3 £ on C Stock and Shares, and 2i on Perpetual Debenture Stock.

A MERTHYR SOLICITOR AND HIS PARTNER. At Merthyr Police Court, on Monday, there were two summonses entered for hearing, in which Mr. William SinlOns, the well-known soli- citor, preferred certain charges against his part- ner, Mr. John Plews, solicitor, Merthyr. It was rumoured that Mr. Cugney voouth-eastern Cir- cuit) had been instructed in Simons' behalf, and that Mr. J. Plews had retained Mr. B. F. Williams, Q.C. The cases were not, however, heard, and at about a quarter to 3 o'clock it transpired that the charges had been withdrawn. Many persons occupied seats in the court throughout the day, 1D the expectation of hear- ing the cases gone into. =

Fl!llN £ EARL.—At th« Isle of Wight County Bench on Saturday^ the Earl of Dysart, -iio has a residence at Bonchurch, was sum- moned • -kfeod Be venue for keeping a dog S>ut *a nC?nce.-Mr. for the de-fe^e, said has lordship had &««« yachting, and i t,e P&tte-r bAd been overlooked.- The Bench inflicted ft ^hichj with costs, amounted to £ 117s.

CRICKET. [Correspondents are requested to send accounts of matches, &c., not later than Tuesday in each week.] PONTYPOOL V. LIVERPOOL HOUSE (Newport). —Played at Pontypool Road on Thursday week, resulting in a victory for the home team by 18 runs. A. Say-on bowled finely for the victors. PONTYPOOL. v- E. C. Daniel, b Davies 2 W. Hopkins, c & b Strawbridge. 0 D. R. Morgan, b Strawbridge. I A. Saxon, run but 6 C. Saxon, b. DaVies I "K. Oakes, c Davies, b Strawbridge 0 T. a^pkins, b Strawbridge 3 W. ^Whillips, b Strawbridge 4 WJ Symonds, b Davies 0 G. axon, not out 17 H-. Bird, run out 9 Extras 18 Total 60 LIVERPOOL HOUSE. T. Harrhy, c 0. Saxon, b A. Saxon 8 J. Thomas, b A. Saxon I T. Davies, b A. Saxon 0 W. Strawbridge, b A. Saxon 0 I tC-ft* Piatt,bA.Saxon o Gnfiths, b A. Saxon 0 Smith, not out 17 H. Hughes, b Morgan 3 J. Taylor, run out 1 Perkins, run out 4 B. Thowaw,b A- Saxon. l Extras 7 Total 42 PONTYPOOL V. PENTWYNMAWR—This match was played at the Recreation Grounds, Ponty- pool Road, on Saturday last, and resulted in a victory for the home team by 11 runs. The Rev. J. Griffiths batted well for the visitors. Scores:- IN POlmPOOL. W. Hopkins, run out*. 1 T. Hopkins, b Rev. J. Griffiths 7 M. Hopkins, b Gowef 18 P. J. Osborne, run ont 6 W. Symonds, c Williams, b Gower 5 C. T. Low b Gpwer 2 A. Saxon, b Gower 5 S. Auckland, b Gower 0 W. Jones, lbw, b Gower 14 C. Powell, tot out 3 H. Hopkins, c Williams, b Edwards. • • • 2 Extras 9 Total 72 PENTWYNMAWR. Rev. J. Griiffths, b Saxon 22 W. Griffiths, b M. Hopkins 3 J. Griffiths, c & b T. Hopkins 5 T. L. Williams, run out *1 T. White, b Saxon I W. Shepard, b Saxon 0 E. Cosslett, b Saxon 9 II. S. Edwards, c Symonds, b T. Hopkins 0 Gower, b T. Hoplans ■ • • 5 E. Moseley, c & b T. Hopkins 2 A. Evans, not out a Extras 10 Total i 61 PONTYPOOL 2nd XI v. PANTFG P]aYed at the Recreation Grounds, Pontypool Road, on Saturday last, resulting in a victory for Panteg by 21 runs. For the pinners, W. Reynolds played a not-out innings of 25 in good style, and G. Pocock and F. Thomas bowled well throughout for their respective sides. Scores:— PANTEG. Istlnmng8. 2nd Innings. H. Herbert, e J- Pocock, b. Q- Pocock 2 b Watkin9 i C. Lloyd, b G. 0 n0tout 0 C. Morgan, b G. Pocock 3 bG. Pocook 4 F. Thomas, c J. Pocock, h Pocock ? lbw, b G. Poooek 0 c *BaxrOW, b Ib G'Pocock B. Turner, c Mountjoy, b «• Pocock 1 c J. Pocock, b G. „ Pocock 4 L. Thomas, b G. Pocock 0 c Watkins, b G. Pocock .0 o. rhomas, hw, bG. Pocock.. I b Watkins- 0 A. Perry, b G. Pocock .Ib G Pocock .0 W. Reynolds, not out 7 J. Edwards, st Truman, b G. Pocock 1 0 J. Pocock, b Watkins. 0 Extras Extras 3 Total. 39 Total 28 PONTYPOOL 2ND IL 1st Innings. 2nd Innings. G. Williams, b F. Thomas bB\ Thomas • • ■. 0 G. Probyn, b Perry b c & b Perry 0 J. Pocock, b Perry L* c Storgan, b Perry 0 T. Maskelyne, c Edw'ds, b Perry ^S out 2 W. Fieldhou.se, b F. Thomas j. P Thorn as 4 G.Pocock,bF-Thomas 2 b £ • Thomas •••• 0 H. Stead, b F. Thomas c « b F. Thomas.. I F. Watkins, b Perry i not0llt 2 J. T-uLuan, b Perry 0 c b F. Thom^" 0 J. Mountjoy, not out 0 runout 0 F. Gething.eMorgan,b Perry.. 0 0 %rrow, b F- a Jhomas 0 Lrxtras .3IzXtras .6 Total 31 Total ST. HILDA'S (Griffithstown) v. AJAMHILAD- Played at Panteg on Saturday week ) and ended in a win for Mamhilad by *5 rtms on the first innings. For the visitors* Williams exhibited great patience, first and carrying out his bat. Appended is the score ST. HILI)A!S. 1st Ionings. ,_2°^Innings. J. Rosser.cJones, bgoaser 0 £ ^L 3 A. Perry, b Messenger 3 7 C. Morgan, b Messenger 8 ?at 17 j. Oromn,b Messenger 0 b J°nes j5 W. A. Jenkins, b Messenger— 6 b Jones 2 A. James, lbw, bl'rosser l not out 3 A. Sumner, bProsser 4 F. Gething, b Messenger o.. 6 J. Oonyers, b Proper 0 S. SintOn, run out 4 C. Gething, not out 0 -c Extras 5 Extras., 21 Total 37 TOTAUFOFGWKTS) *61 Innings declared closed- MAMHILAD. 1st Innings. H- Prosser, b Perry 0 not out •. 6 W. H. WtfiianiB not out 5 „ C. J. Cook, ran out 4.' 0 b 2 O. Jones,lbw, b Perry 1 run otlt F. Messenger, b Morgan 0 F. Rowlands, b Perry 1 W. L. Bvrde, b Perry 16 e&bI'erry 2 Major Williams, b Perry ••• 5 not out O. Howells, e Rosser, b Perry 2 A. Howells,b Perry 0 H. Baneks, b Perry 2 Extras 11 Extras <, Total 52 Total (for 4 wkts) 37 TREVETHIN v. MANUILAD.-The Trevethin Cricket Club recently journeyed to Mamhilad to play$beir return match with that club, whom they defeated by 20 runs on the first innings. Score :—Trevethin.: H. Davies, 1 J. Price, 1: J. Jones, a—7 *• A. Breeden, 21—1; A. Stockcten, 16—12 T. Jones, 6—1 j S. Rogers, il—4 S. Phillips, 0—0: J. Williams, 3 C. Jones, 6-3 P. Jenkins, 0; Extras, 5—13 Total, 72—41. Mamhilad H. Moseley, 6 C. F. Jones, 22 F. Rowlands, 5 C. J. Cooke, 1 W. Byrde, 3 A. M. Williams, 5 F. Messenger, 0 A. Parry, 3 H. Bancks, 2 J. Jenkins, 0 A. Howells, 0; Extras, 5 Total, 52. (The score sheet was in- complete, therefore we could not give the match more prominence.) I

PRIZE DAY AT PONTYPOOL HIGH SCHOOL. I The distribution of prizes to the successfui pupils in the recent examination at the Ponty- j pool High School, Park-terrace, took place on Friday afternoon last. At the request of the > Master (Mr. R. FarquharMcKerrow), the Vicar, the Rev.C. E. T. Griffith, M.A., presided, and j there were present, in addition to various friends of the pupils, the Rev. W. R. Thomas, M.A., Vicar of .Abersychan the Rev. Joshua Evans, Vicar of St. James's Mr. T. B. Smith, late head master of the Pontypool Board School; &c. On the tRble in front of the platform were a I number of fine plants kindly lent by Mr. R. Greenway, J.P. 1 The Chairman said his first duty that after- noon was to make an apology, and that was for the absence of his wife, who had promised to be j present to distribute the prizes—a duty which she would have had the greatest pleasure in dis- charging—but she was somewhat indisposed, and unable to attend. Acting upon instructions, be would now call upon Mr. McKenqow to read the report. Mr. McKerrow, having bidden the visitors welcome, said that the school in its present form (it having been resuscitated) had only been in exifitence fdr-a-ferm of 19 weeks. As a rule, the examination only took place at the end of the year's work, but always at that time of the year, and unless they took advantage of the present, they would not have another opportunity until tnat time next year. Under those circumstances, he decided to have the examination now. In the examination he had been most ably and kindly assisted by the Vicars of St. ames's and Abersychan, and was sure that had the exami- nation been conducted by one of the official exa- miners who were on circuit at that time of the year, it would iiot have been more efficiently conducted than it had been by Mr. Evans and Mr. Thomas. (Hear, hear.) Proceeding, Mr. McKerrow read the report, as follows :— Mr. Chairman,r.Ladies, and Gentlemen,—At the request of parents, who required other. education than was thenobuainable, I resumed the work of the High School (which had been closed for upwards 01 a year) some few months ago. and as the summer is the usual annual end of the school year, I have taken my earliest opportunity of submitting mv pupils to an examination. It is icertainly rather early for such an event, but the corresponding period of next year would have been quite as much too late. Altogether, we now number seventeen pupils, and several others have been promised for next term. Instruction has been given in Greek. Latin, French, English, Mathematics, and Divinity. 1 or the period of our resuscitation, 19 weeks, the work has been generally very satisfactory. ti, pupil (Robinson) I prepared in Greek for £ ne entrance examination at the Baptist College nere. In that period he gained a sufficient know- ledge of the language to be able to commence"#ead- mg the Greek Testament. His examination at the college took, place on the same days as our own examination was being conducted, and I have much pleasure in saying that he has-been successful. The Vicars of S. James's and Abersychan have very kindly acted as my examiners—the former in i>mnity, the latter in Classics, Mathematics, and tne! U/uglish. Language. I took the remaining sub- Jects, English History and French, myself. The re2H.s;have been very satisfactory. ilhams. w-ho is being prepared for the Christ- mas Preliminary Medical Examination, takes the P.rilze the highest aggregate number of marks in ^,8ab3ects. (" Discoveries and Inventions of the 19th century.") Bunning-, for the second highest aggregate num- ber of marks. (" Little Lord Fauntleroy.") Hughes (1st), for Euclid, 1st prize. ("Pictorial Chronicles of the Mighty Deep.") Jones, for Euclid, 2nd prize. (" Half-Hours with the Best Authors.") Hughes (2nd), the Latin prize.(" Darwin's Journal of _a Veyage Round the Worlu.") In Divinity,isabelle Louise Farquhar McKerrow (' Little Lord Fauntleroy"), and Brown ("'The Boys's Book of Games "). each of whom answered 19 ques- tions out of 20. 1 have the honour to remain, Your obedient servant, ROBERT FABQTJHAB MCKBBBOW. (Cheers.) We L. e requested to state that Williams is a son of Mr. Williams, M.R.C.V.S., of Abersy- I cisan that Jones, who resides at Griffithstown, and is a pupil at Pontymoil School, attends the Intermediate Classes at the High School on I Wednesdays and Saturdays for Euclid and Latin only and that the other prize-winners belong i to the town. The Rev. J. Evans then said it gave him very i great pleasure to be present on such an interest- ing occasion. He was present with two objects, the first of which was to express his appreciation of the valuable services rendered by Mr.1 JpJKerrow as a teacher in the town, and the Second to express his satisfaction at the manner in which the boys whom he had the honour to examine passed their examination, and to extend them his best wishes for their future progress. Perhaps many of them were aware that there was an amount of anxiety connected with an examination. It was the day of trial, and they wtre, as it were, awaiting the verdict after the trial was over. They had now heard the verdict which pad been given by Mr. McKerrow. Two feelings animated him in connection with the examination. The first was that of imparti- ality, for he did not know any of the boys, and only gave marks according to merit; and thei second was that of satisfaction with the manner in which the pupils passed their examination. He was struck very forcibly with the interest I they took in the subject. He examined them in 1 the first ten chapters in the Book of Joshua and in the first eight chapters in the Gospel accord- ing! to St. Matthew. They were very much in- terested in the examination, and none of them fell asleep. He need only say that he was very much pleased with their proficiency, for they passed an exceedingly good examination, which gave promise of future efficiency and greater progress still. That he was convinced of, after the examination was over he put them some testing questions, questions which did not imme-' diately arise from the subject, and the pupils proved to be very well up in the contents of the Bible in general.' He could not help seeing the effects of the master's teaching reflected in the answers of the pupils. He could at once see that great efficiency had been displayed in the mode of teaching by Mr. McKerrow. He was glad to find that the Bible had been made a special sub- ject of study in the school. In that way God's blessing might be expected to rest upon the school. Having remarked upon the importance of the boys making methodical and prayerful study of the Bible, the speaker resumed his seat amid applause. The Rev. W. R. Thomas M.A., said he had been called upon by Mr. McKerrow, a few days ago, to occupy a position he had never occupied before, that of a public examiner. It had afforded him great pleasure to examine the boys in Latin grammar and also geometry and he must say that the answers, considering the inci- pient condition of the school, as already referred to, since its recent resuscitation, were very satis- factory The boys answered remarkably well in Euclid. Hughes, sen., obtained full marks in the upper division and Bunning, a very sharp lad, secured highest in the lower division. The whole class was well versed in the rudiments of Latin. Special mention should be made of Wil- liams in the upper division, who took an extra object, viz., the former part of the ^Eneid of Virgil. Bunning and Hughes, jun., in the lower division gave very sharp and accurate answers, and on the whole he thought they might well co <rratulate the head master upon the effective way in which he had taught th, boys. With re- gard > Euclid, a boy named Jones did remark- ably v, 1; and he would suggest, if circumstances permit 1, 1, that a second prize should be given to m,iJ8' x **6 had been faithful to the end, he would no dt nbt have secure 1 a Latin prize. After again exprt; ing his satisfaction with the work done, Mr. Thomas resumed his seat amid applause. The Chairman then said he was glad to be pre- sent that afternoon, although in a humble capacity. His personal experience of the school was and must be slight, for in the first place he was a new-comer, and in the second place the school might also be called new at any rate, it was a resuscitated school. Its life had not been a very long one, and they might still regard it as in its babyhood. However, after what they had heard from the examiners and Mr. UcKerrow, he thought it was a very fine baby, and that it would develop and grow into ave., y fine man. The reports of the examiners must very satis- factory to Mr. McKerrow, tb<* -»v vcj, is of the boys, and all concerned, i. j was ory glad in- deed to find that the classics were taught in the school. In these days there was such a race, and competition. was so great that it seemed to him the chief object of parents was to fit their chil- I dren in the most thoroughly practical way they Could f ov lighting their way m the world. That, he thought was a very proper and very natural position to take up; but it was one m which what he might call the finer and more liberal! parts of education were more likely to be neglected. Proceeding, the Chairman said it was a matter f ot regret that many parents, whilst sending their children to schools which were admirably and perfectly applied with respect to imparting general fa £ d practical-knowledge, sent them to schools -tfhieh taught theftf absolutely nothing of their Creator and their Guide. That was one of the most serious questions with which they were face to face at this time. Lord Shaftesbury gave it as his opinion that their belief,in the Bible had kept English people from revolution at rfiore than one'great crisis which had <Fertaken t't^ie nation's life. Speaking to the boys, the Chairman askecTthem to remember that the success of the school, both intellectually II and morally must rest in a very great measure upon the scholars themselves. They should look upon the school as a community, and each boy should regard thtf stchool as a sacred charge com- mitted to him, feeling that he was responsible for its honour and welfare. In conclusion, the Vicar announced that on the next occasion he himself would have great pleasure in giving a prize to the successful Divinity student. (Cheers.) Mrs. Ill vans, Pontymoile House, in the absence of Mrs. Griffith, then gracefully presented the prizes to the successful students.—Mr. Edwin Fowier, with his usual generosity, presented a handsome bouquet which was handed to Mrs. Evans by Miss Isabelle Louise Farquhar McKerrow. On the proposition of Mr. McKerrow, seconded by Mr. Thomas, a vote of thanks for presiding v/as heartily accorded to the Chairman, who re- sponded, and proposed a similar compliment to Mrs. Evans. On the proposition of Mr. T. B. Smith, seconded by Mr. McKerrow, and supported by the Chairman, the examiners were cordially thanked for their services and the compliment having been acknowledged, the interesting pro- ceedings terminated.

A PAROCHIAL ROMANCE. At a recent meeting of the Holborn Board of Guardians, the Clerk reported that a local school- master had been suianaoned before the Clerken- well magistrates, and ordered to pay 9s. 4d. in respect of his lunatic wife. The ClerkenWell out-relief committee recommended that the hus- band be allowed to appeal against this decision, because the circumstances were of an extraor- dinary character. Mr. Scheil said he had inves- tigated the matter, and ascertained that the schoolmaster married an actress in Switzer- land when visiting there some eight years ago. After eleven months of married life, the wife absconded to America, and was not heard of for seven years. She, however, became a pauper lunatic in America, and the authorities there paid her passage to her native village in Switzerland; but it happened that, in passing through London on her way to Switzerland, she was met by a man who knew both her and her husband. This friend took her to his house but when he found she was ipsane, he took her to the Holborn Work- house. Here it was discovered who her husband was, and ne was sent for. He did not at first recoguiso her after so long an absence, but at length admitted ilj, and was ordered by the magistrate to pay as stated.—Several members- agreed that the order against the schoolmaster should be reduced, and the recommendation of the committee was adopted.

THE QUEEN OF THE BELGIANS. The Queen of the Belgians, who is recovering from the severe attack of illness which seemed to threaten her life a-few days ago, is one of the most active among the active lady Sovereigns of Europe. It is said of her that she never sits down except when she is playing the piano or harp, both of which instruments she plays with the touch of the master's hand." Altogether her Majesty is passionately fond of music, and one of her chief amusements is a visit to the theatre or opera, where, however, she is content to sit all alone in her box rather than weary even a single lady-in- waiting with taking part in an entertainment for which she may possibly have no taste. Another or the Queen's amusements is horsemanship. She .aS ?°i^ only a splendid menage of hep own, but s ? a special pride in breaking in her own saddle horses, and in teaching and perfecting her daughter, Princess Clementine, in the art of, equitations. At Leaken and Ostend, her favour- ite country seats, theQueen delights in long walks, and spends long hours, together wiih her daughter in fishing expeditions. v

ACCIDENTS ON RAILWAYS. The Board of Trade returns for 1890 show that during the year 1,076 persons were killed and 4,721 injured. Of these, 118 killed and 1,361 injured were passengers; but of these only 18 were killed and 496 injured in consequence of accidents to or collisions between trains. The fatal and other accidents to the remaining passengers were principally due to want of caution on the part of individuals themselves. Of the remainder, 499 killed and 3,122 injured were persons employed on the railways. There were 77 suicides on the railways, and of tres- passers 252 were killed and 123 injured. Eighty- three were killed and 35 injured at level crossings, and from miscellaneous causes 47 were killed and 80 injured. In addition to the above, com- panies returned 59 killed and 6,847 injured from accidents on their premises unconnected with the movement of railway vehicles. The proportion of passengers killed and injured during the year from all causes was one in 6,930,034 killed and one in 600,840 injured, the rate being considerably lower than in 1889.

STRANGE ADVENTURE OF A WOMAN. A THREE WEEKS'FAST. About three weeks ago a woman named Jane Carswell or Deaney, about 40 years of age wife of a seaman, left her house near Rothesay. No tr3»c6of her was found till Sunday week, wheri Mr. William McArthur, builder, Govan, along with some friends, was taking a walk and in passing through part of the upper end of the Keoch Wood, saw the woman lying under a tree among long grass. After making a few inquiries they left her, and reported the matter to the police. Constable McKay and Mr Hendry, accom- panied by Mr John Slaver and Mr McArthur, after procuring lamps and stretcher, at once went in search; but Mr McArthur being a stranger to the locality, the party searched for over an hour before they came to the woman. When she was spoken to, her voice was very weak and she com- plained of thirst. Water was procured, and she was placed on a stretcher and conveyed to a house in Mill Street. A correspondent called on Tuesday afternoon and found her in bed and very weak, but she is being carefully treated. She stated that it was three weeks since she left her brother's house, and that she had not tasted food during all the time. She did not feel hungry, but Suffered greatly from thirst which she quenched from the water running in the drains and from the bushes. She had wandered into the wood and I could not retrace her steps, and consequently took shelter under the tree. During her wander- ings she had frequently heard voices, but was un- able to make herself heerd, and latterly got so weak that she was unable to walk any distance. The poor woman some months ago met with a severe accident by railing into the fire, and the injuries she then received were suoh that she was not expected to recover. The medical attendants consider that by careful treatment she may soon overcome the fatigue and weakness caused by her long fast.

THROAT IRRITATION AND. COUGH.—Soreness and dryness, tickling and irritation, inducing cough and affecting vpiee. For these symptoms use Epps s Glycerine Jujubes.—In contact with the glands at the moment they are excited by the act of seeking, the Glycerine in these agreeable confections becomes actively heal ing. Sold in tins lid., labelled "Jame bipp & Co.,Homoeop»tlllc Chemists, London." sDr. G Moore, in his wor on "Nose amd Throat DiJ oases, f,ys: "The Glycerine Jujubes prepared by ames pps and Co., are of undoubted service as a curative or palliative agent," while Dr. Gordon Holmes, Senior Physician the Municipal Throat and Ear Infirmary, writes.: After an I extended trial, I have found your Glycerine Jujubes of considerable benefit in almost all form- of throat disease."

FIFTEEN PERSONS INJURED. A Pt iNTYPOOL STUDENT AMONGST THE SUFFERERS. OB Saturday night, a few minutes after eight •sclo b, the Taff Vale Railway Station, at FfcEtypridd, wast the scene a terrible disaster, the r esult of ti: ordinary down Merthyr train J runciiig into a passenger train standing opposite entrance to the station on the down line. The >.<t-named train, which was a speciai,"had just brought a large auraber of rifle volunteers, including the Bicycle Corps, from Treorky. After emptying the local Volunteers, it was to Tun no to Mountain Ash with the corps con- nect' with that town. The locomotive was deta.d from the front of the train and passed down ):he line to a junction some hundreds of yard- 0,low, and beyond the signal box near the Sitrcjice to the Poircypridd, Caerphilly, ana ewjx.rt fine to be reversed, and then to pass up the n«k line beyond the Pontypridd Station to anoi\ i■>r junction then to run on the main line to be backed to the rear of the Volunteer tjain. All the Pontypridd contingent had left the carriages. At the tail end of the standing •arii i^es was a great van 30ft. in length and 01 massive- construction, belonging to tae IJreau Wefiem Railway. This had been sent up from Card) :i to convey tack from Treorky Station tae hicveks of the Bicycle Corps. The presence of thfe gr^at van at the tail end of the tram saved the Uv33 in all huroan probability ot all the Mountain Ash Viplinteert, and doubtless, also, the Ii res of very -many travelling by the Merthyr tram for when the collision took place, the van acted as a powerful buffer between the standing eerri&oes and the engine in front of the rushing dovrn Merthyr train. The.down train came with tremendous momentum towards the station, tne down platform of which was thronged with pas- sengers waiting its arrival. Luckily, many of thop^. when they saw the trail' coming in the darkness, realised the peril, and ran down the platform. Elias Thorogood, an old servant of the company, and a thoroughly experienced., man, was the driver of the train fror.. Merthyr. When about 20 yards above the Slat form, he saw the standing carriages ou the own line opposite the station, and instantly applied the full force of the vacuum brake to his mill. But it was too late, and his engine came into terrible collision with the van contain- ing tae bicycles. The effect wa tremendous. The massive van, largely composed of heavy iron framework, was thrown on its side, with its roof suspended over the down platform. Large splinters of wood flew in all directions. The great iron bars composing the netlike bed of the van were driven together and twisted into all shapes. The hind part of the next passenger carriage was smashed to atoms, and the iorepart ef .the carriage in front of that was driven into the hind part of the carriage before it. The iron buffers of all the carriages were knocked into all shapes, and massive pieces of iron were split like matchwood. The down engine had driven every- thing before it for at least a distance of 20 yards before it came to a standstill. There is no ques- tion, in Hurman's opinion, that, .had it not been for the presence of the immense van and its trenendous resisting power, the whole of the carriages containing the Volunteers would have been telescoped from end to forepart, causing a disaster an 1 loss of lives which one recoils from eont mplating. Meanwhile the scenes on the platf orm were appallinsr. The concussion had filled tne place with dust and steam, so that no- thing could be seen. Heartrending cries rent the air, end presently the redcoats weae seen struggling out of the various shattered carriages. It wa oon ascertained that several of the Volun- teers were badly injured, but, happily, they were all able to-Ni-alk. But in a few minutes the Rev. W. Howells, student at Pontypool Baptist College, and the Rev. Henry Jenkins, a fellow- student, and a boy named Waldron, of Llantwit- Vardre, and son of a signalman in the box below the station, were found lying on the platform, bleeding fearfully from terrible gashes in their legs. Mr. Ashby, the local agent of Messrs. W. H. Smith and SOD, in charge of the station book- stalls, had escaped most miraculously. The van had rolled to the side of the platform, and massive pieces of splintered wood flew abcAt, directly opposite to his stall and within a few feet of it. The moment he heard the smash, he had the presence of mind to leap to the top of a table holding books and newspapers, and thereby escaped any injury, while the others named, who were near the bookstall, received frightful hurts. The two worst injured were the Rev. W. Howells and the boy Waldron. One of the boy's legs, below the knee, was crushed in an awful manner, and he had received other injuries. One of Mr. Howells' legs had been cut in a shocking manner, and the shattered bones were visible. He had also sustained a compound fracture of the bones of the right arm. A party immediately conveyed the poor lad to the union infirmary. Mr. Howells was conveyed to Mr. Coombes's coffee tavern, near the station, and restoratives were given him. Drs. Hunter, Jenkins, Davies, Lewis, and Evans were quickly in attendance on the various sufferers, of whom there were many in addition to those named above. Later in the evening Mr. Howells was tenderly conveyed to the union infirmary, where the medical gentlemen held a consultation in reference to him and Waldron. It was decided that their condition was such that all that could ,be done that night to alleviate their sufferings had been done. One of the volunteers also was detained in the infirmary, but he suffered chiefly from shock to the system, and was not supposed to be in any danger. Mr. Howells was about to leave college, having beefi a student with Mr. Passmore Edwards, Pontypridd, and at Ponty- pool College about five years. In a fortnight's time he was to have been installed minister of a Baptist Church at Maesceg. He is the son of Mrs. Howells, Post-office, Fishguard. Mr. Jen- kins lives with his parents at Tavern-y Coed, near Treforrest. Mr. Howells was to have 5reached on Sunday at Navigation, and Mr. enkins at Tail's Well. Mr. Byron, commercial traveller living on the Graig, Pontypridd, was in the Merthyr train. He sustained a contusion of the spine and abdominal injuries. His watch in his vest pocket was smashed to pieces. Dr. Hunter, assisted by Mr. Canning Hunter, at- tended to six injured volunteers, and sent them home in cabs. As might be expected, the acci- dent caused immense sensation in the district, and thousands of people rushed to the station from every direction. Mr. Hurman, who was accompanied by Mr. Mathias soon arrived on the Scene from Cardiff. Gangs of men were quickly engaged in clearing the line. Mr. Price, the respected stationmaster of the place was also there. When the enormous traffic passing through Pontvpridd Station, and the smallness of the space. there for it are considered, it re- dounds greatly to the credit of the railway officials at Pontypridd that the place is so sel- dom the scene of disaster. LIST OF INJURED. It is thought that the number of the injured is about fifteen, but, of course, it would be impos- sible to tell exactly, as people who only sustained shocks and bumps went home by the first avail- able train. Others actually got out of the station and walked home. The following is a list supplied by the police authorities as giving the names of those known to them as injured, together with the injuries sustained, and the places to which they were taken 1. Henry Ashfield, Church Village, 30 years, bruise on right arm and cut on head. 2. Rev. Henry Jenkins, minister, Llantwit, 24 years of age, injuries to left leg. 3. George Mansford, mason, 29, Graigwell-terrace, Pontypridd, cut on left cheek, bruises on right leg-, and ribs broken. 4. William Rees, 10, Woodland-street, Mountain Ash, 26 years, deep cut above right eye, and bruises on legs. 5. William Trevathan. sinker, Cwm Neol-street, Cwmaman. 39 years of age. compound fracture of right leg-. 6. Thomas Adams, collier, 47, Napier-street, Moun- tain Ash, 20 years, general injuries to body and j.E W. M. Howells, Baptist minister, Maesteg-, injuries to leg and arm. injuries to leg and arm. it John Waldron, near Tont^" Llantwit, youth, right leg broken and internal injuries. J. Samuel Thomas, labourer, 29 years, lodging at Marsh's Lodging-house. Union-street, Pontypridd, deep incised wound on head returned to lodgings. 10. Mrs. Mary Powell, wife ef David Powell, 4, Edmund-street. Britannia, severely shaken. 11. Miss Maggie Davies, near Church Village Rail- Xay gt*ion, severely shaken. CONDITION OF THE INJURED. At s; x o'clock on Sunday evening a consultation was helJ by the medical gentlemen over the case of Mr. tJowells, the young minister. It was thought pos.,dble to save the leg if not too much crushed, but examination of the limb it was a^clared absolu.^ly necessary to proceed with Nation. Drl #oward Davies (medical the union^ l^sOuspartner), Dr AHW» Evans, and Dr. B. M. Lewis, assisted bv Mr Snink (assistant to Dr. Jjt^clne) and Mr. '<>„ £ • £ »™8) As in the case of the **>7 Waldron, so in of Mr. Howells, the limb amputated at the thigh J AtW>vation was successfully "tiK> JltieS cUoro W Y TLZa tlie weftKness arising from h*SrhSe on the previous night the careful nur«in» throughout the day so far strength- ened the patient as to enable!^ to undergo the operation without the medical gentlemen enter- taining any fear as to the consequences. The Ktient was subsequently cheerful, and appeared tter. The boy Waldron is still very weak. Adamm's injuries are more serious than was at first supposed, and his condition was worse on Sunday night. Mr. Henry Jenkins, Baptist 'student, who is at his sister's house in Treforest, sustained severe contusions of the knee, and hit hands had been so badly injured that bleeding from his finger tips took place for a considerable time. He is being attended to by Dr. Hunter.