Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
7 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
THE WORLD'S GOSSIP.
THE WORLD'S GOSSIP. The Queen, as you perhaps may be aware, is an excellent sailor. That is to say, a choppy sea does not seem greatly to affect her. The Marquis of Lome, on the other hand, is very much at sea when on the sea. This fact was made painfully evident when her Majesty, accompanied by the Marquis and other Royalties, went for a trip on the Alberta round the warships lying' in Cowes Roads. The weather was lovely, and the sea calm enough to please the most fastidiouH but, if report speaks truly, it was not smooth enough to please the Marquis of Lome. At an early stage in the proceedings, he was compelled TO retire to a cabin, and must have been heartily glad when the trip was over and he touched dry land agaiu. Her Majesty is evidently no believer in the old super- stition anent the ill-luck of the peacock. The new Indian dining-room at Osborne is lavishly adorned with those birds of supposed ill-omen, and at State banquets a stuffed peacock, tail and all, frequently :adorns the Royal dining-table. Her Majesty takes a keen and most intelligent interest in literary curiosities, and all kinds of relics pertaining to her predecessors on the throne. The other day she purchased rt hymn in the hand- writing of Queen Adelaide. and an old manuscript containing some contemporary particulars of Mary, Queen of Scots. No one, save and excepting Sir Henry Ponsonbv, has so much influence over Her Majesty as her Indian Moonshi. He has, indeed, become almost the keeper of the Queens con- science. and a member of the Household told me only last week that it is everyone's endeavour to stand well with this Oriental pundit, for it is quite within his power, if not to cause the dismissal. at least to initiate the disgrace of anyone giving him offence. Tullv five years ago the Prince of Wales wanted 'to be sent to Dublin in lieu of the Lord Lieuten- ant, and would have gone, too. had not the Queen expressed her strong dissent thereto, chiefly based upon the fear lest any harm should_ come to the Heir-Apparent, who was much hissed on the occasion of his last visit to the Green Isle. It was said at the time thab H.R.H. was a little appre- hensive of personal violence: but. however, this may have been, he was certainly disposed to go across St. George's Channel five years ago, and there remain in a Royal residence for a portion of the year. The Duchess of Albany has been making herself at home with the poor. On a recent visit to a home she. after visiting each department, went into the mangling-room, and, amid the enthusiasm of her poorer sisters, gave the handle a turn or two, and finished the piece of work that was being -done. The Duke of Albany's widow is evincing great interest in providing employment for poor liondon girls by increasing the number of farms that cultivate "Sweet lavender" in Surrey, thus finding them work to do in plucking the fragrant flower. Among those new Ministers to whom Her Majesty is not particularly partial is Mr. John Morley. who, however, ought to get on at Court, so cold, and calm, and passionless is he. But it is not the- man so much as the politician the Queen dislikes. There are others that Her Majesty would rather regard", through a telescope than deprcs but, as to these, I will name no names, on the principle that the least said (about them) is the soonest mended. Mr. John Morley lives in Elm Park Gardens, off the Fullham-road. His house is wholly unpretentious outside, and simplicity is the note within. In the entrance hall quite a number of portraits of notable men are hung. Few of the portraits are of politicians, however. Mr. Morley's study, which is upstairs, is simply packed with books. Perhaps it is as true to-day as it was long ago. that Mr. Morley is never more happy than when among his books. These are melancholy momcilts for Mr. Xabouchere, as to his exclusion from Mr. Glad- stone's Administration. I understand that Mr. Gladstone has written informing him that he (Mr. Gladstone) is entirely responsible for his not being invited to take a place in the b-overnment. Jttr. j Gladstor states that he did not submit Mr. Labour1 's name to Her Majesty in consequence of in1: n his public career which cast no re- flee," .ever upon his public character or c.r' xnis probably points to Mr. Labouchere's don with Truth, and to some of the articles have appeared in that journal. That which luust add great bitterness to the feelings of the __I J: r\ A ■_ r1 ,j. 1. ro .4- 4-1. hon. inerauer lur VLiceii Aiiut's vjriiut; is Liittt tiie moment of his own defeat is the moment of his old enemy's triumph. Sir Edward LawsAn has obtained the baronetcy which Labouchere strained every nerve to put out of his way, while he, with all his Parliamentary experience, known ability, and consummate audacity is left out in the cold. Mr. Labouchere's lively narrative in Truth, recalls a story which Lord Beaconsfield used to tell with creat gusto. It was about a member of his party who ranked his services higher than the leaders did, and was always hinting about his reward. At last the time came, and the expectant member suggested a peerage. Lord Beaconsfield pleasantly evaded the subject, but the request was persisted in, and at last the Tory Premier tried to effect a compromise on the following terms I can't make you a peer," he said, but if you like you may say that I offered you a baronetcy, and that you refused it." The announcement that the office of Master of the Buckhounds is shortly to be dis- continued is eminently satisfactory. The Here- ditary Grand Falconership, abolished last year, had at least an air of romance about it. and, although it was an absurd sinecure, was perfectly harmless. But this Buckhound business had nothing what- ever to recommend it. The hunting- of tame deer cannot by any stretch of imagination be called sport, and what pleasure lords and ladies could find in. witnessing the subjection of tame animals to cruel torture it is hard to understand. The wonder is now. not that this sort of thing is come to an end, but that it has had the privilege of Royal sanction so long. o Few of the new members of the House of Com- mons will have a more mixed career to look back upon than Mr. J. C. Macdona, who is the new Conservative M.P. for Rotherhithe. His official description, made for Parliamentary purposes, is as follows Was a clergyman of the Church of England is a barrister president of the Kennel Club." Mr. Macdona, what time he wore the cloth, was looked upon by his brother parsons as dis- tinctly eccentric. The most probable reason for this was the fact that he had absolutely mistaken his vocation. Although an excellent man in every respect, he knew a great deal more about dogs than he did about theology, and was long noted as the possessor of the finest strain of St. Bernards in England. His development into the President of the Kennel Club was a matter of course, but why so excellent and honest a man should have -exchanged the surplice for the long robe entirely 'passes my comprehension. It is a strange illustration of the perversity with which Mr. Gladstone's name is pursued that imme- diately after that gentleman published a letter praising the exercise of cycling, the Lanrrt dis- covers that it is a most baneful practice, straining the blood vessels and generally destroying the system. Cyclists to whom money is an object will do well to avoid France. In that country of the free a tax is imposed upon every cycle which enters it, and at St. Malo the other day an Englishman had to pay 9 6 3s. 4d. before he was allowed to take a couple of tricycles away from the steamer. For- tunately, there are other countries open to wheelers where no impost is enforced. A rather caustic portrait of Mr. Cyril Flower, 'Lord Battersea that is to be, says that he is one of those gentlemen who are fond of posing at the Bar of the House, quite unconconscious, of course, that it is the only quarter which is visible to two- thirds of the Ladies' Gallery." He can never forget that Punch called him the handsomest man in the House," and he likes to think that behind the grille fair lips are asking who is that with the auburn hair. Like a woman, his hair is his glory, and both head and mane are ever carefully groomed. There has been a pretty little scandal in high -places this last few days. The matter is connected with the threat of two or three prominent book- makers to post a Royal sportsman. It is well- known, of course, that amongst the Princes there are those who owe the ring more than they will ever pay, and it is said that one of these personages treated a prominent member of Tattersall's with great contempt when spoken to on the subject. 'The result is likely to be a co-operation among the fraternity, and a scandal which would easily be the first of the season. Naturally, there are many '"layers" who dare not make a fuss, as there are many great racing men who never pay the rins: but in this instance the bookies are quite strong enough to carry out their threat.
[No title]
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OPEN LETTERS TO WELSH LEADERS…
OPEN LETTERS TO WELSH LEADERS OF OPINION. + XXIX.-T. MARCHANT WILLIAMS, B.A., J.P. MY DEAR MARCHANT,—The letters after your name are the honourable signs of an ambitious and successful career. It has been said that you are descended from an old but humbled Welsh family, which was once well known in the bleak neighbourhood of Blackmill, but which was but an obscure one when it migrated to the busy centre of Merthyr Tydvil. That a collier's son, with few adventitious aids, should become a graduate of the University of London, and a county magistrate of Radnorshire, shows what indomitable energy and undoubted talents can do. y Born some 45 years ago, at a time when Wales possessed but few educational advantages, you seemed to have but little chance of reaching the distinguished position you now hold. You first of all became pupil-teacher in the British School at Merthyr, and then proceeded to Normal College, Bangor. After spending several years as a school- master, you took advantage of the founding of the University College of Wales, and became one of its first students. You graduated at the London University, and shortly afterwards was appointed an Inspector of Schools under the London School Board. You remained as Inspector of Schools for seven or eight years, and then, some eight years ago, you Letook yourself to the law. You "were I r called to the Bar, and joined the South Wales Cir- cuit, where you have en joyed a considerable junior practice, and where you have just been appointed Deputy Clerk of Arraigns. In the meantime, you had married the charming lady who graces your home, and who softens your cynicism and shows that it is but the veil that obscures but cannot conceal the real kindness of your heart. This is but a very bare and dry recital of your success, but it suffices to show how merit, when not accompanied by a too overwhelming modesty, meets with its reward. I I have called you a Leader of Opinion," and though you are a follower of that Joseph who has forgotten Canaan, and who seems destined to remain for ever a mummy embalmed in the sweet- ness of Egyptian duchesses, you are still a leader of opinion in Wales. Wales is not so forgetful of your services to her when she was in sore need of champions as to discard at once and for ever one of the first and most active promoters of her Uni- versity Colleges. It is yet in the memory of many how the report of the Departmental Committee, of which Lord Aberdare was president, threw the whole of the Principality into a fever of excite- ment. Everyone was eager to start at once to establish Intermediate Schools in Wales. But when the first flush of excitement had passed away, there followed an apathy, deadly and hopeless. It seemed likely that that the energy of the Celt had expended itself-as it has many times before and since—in words, words, words. Fortunately for Wales, there was one national institution which was, and we all trust, will remain a permanent one in our country. The National Eisteddfod was held that year at Denbigh, and at the meetings of the Cymmrodorion Society, which were held in connec- tion with the Eisteddfod, a new impetus was given to the movement. Papers on Welsh Education were read, and at one of the meetings it was pro- posed by that old veteran patriot Mr. Gee and seconded by Mr. Lewis Morris, and carried with acclamation, that a conference should be held later on in the year for the purpose of deciding upon the steps necessary for carrying out, without further loss of time. the recommendations of the Depart- mental Committee. In spite of your protests- which partook somewhat of the nature, perhaps, of the proverbial nolo cp iscopnri—you were ap- pointed the convener of this conference. Later on in the year you called on the late Henry Richard to ask his advice on the subject of the conference. Mr. Richard put himself in communication with Lord Aberdare. Lord Aberdare, whose interest in and whose services to Welsh education can never be lost sight of, placed his library at your disposal for a preliminary conference. A meeting was held, his Lordship taking the chair, and Henry Richard, C. H. James. H. G. Allen, Osborne Morgan, Sir Robert Cunliffe, Stephen Evans, and yourself were among those who attended. You were called upon to explain the reasons why you had called together the meeting. You began by referring to the reso- lution which had been passed at the Denbigh Eis- teddfod, and to the necessity of establishing forth- z, with an Intermediate School System in Wales, in accordance with the recommendations of the De- partmental Committee. You had not gone far. however, before Lord Aberdare, in his most abrupt and peremptory manner, stopped you, and pointed out that the conference could not move at all in the matter until Mr. Mundella's scheme for Welsh Intermediate Schools had been disclosed. This was a" bolt from the blue" that would have effec- tually stunned a less determined character. Here had the Cymmrodorion Society and every Welsh educationist been for months striving and struggling and scheming for Intermediate Schools, and ;it one word from Lord Aberdare it was seen that all their efforts had been vain, that they had been buffeting the air, and that there was no chance for Welsh Intermediate Education as long as Mr. Mundella's scheme was not disclosed. You were wounded in the house of a friend the unceasing labours of months were rendered ineffectual at a word. Then, however, on the impulse of the moment you did a rash blind thing, which will for ever connect your name with our University Colleges. No one, I believe, had dreamed before of obtaining more colleges until intermediate schools had been established. Driven, however, to a corner by Lord Aberdare's declaration, and determined not to see your untiring efforts utterly wasted, you did a rash thing which proved to be a stroke of genius. You dealt with Lord Aberdare's objection as one that was quite natural, and one that had been long foreseen, and said Exactly, my Lord and that being so, is it not our duty, seeing that Mr. Mundella has taken in hand the question of intermediate schools to save further loss of time, and take in hand ourselves the question of the University Colleges It turned out that you had seized the Psychological moment." The idea caught on at once, and it was resolved that a con- ference of the representatives of every public interest in North Wales should be held at Chester for the purpose of deciding upon the steps necessary for establishing a University College in North Wales. North Wales was chosen in pre- ference to South Wales, because in South Wales the ground was supposed to be to some extent covered, as Aberystwith is geographically in South Wales The Chester Conference was attended by over 300 representative North Walians. Lord Aberdare, in virtue of his position as chairman of the Departmental Committee, presided. It were beside my purpose now to speak of the doings of the conference, exciting and amusing as they were for, lo was there not a skit published in the (ioieuad, describing how you worked your marionettes, how you beckoned to a baronet and he came, how you winked at a peer and he spoke, and how you nodded to the crowd, and they voted I I can only just mention here that you and three others were appointed the hon. secretaries of the North Wales University College movement, which eventually led to the founding of the Bangor University College. From the time when you were appointed by the Cymmrodorion meeting at Denbigh the convener of the Conference, to the time when you nominated and secured the election of your old friend Cadwaladr Davies as secretary and registrar of the College, the bulk of the secretarial work devolved upon you and though there may be no mention of your services in the official account that has lately been published of the rise of Bangor University College, no one who knows anything of the steps, that led to its foundation will deny the invaluable and gratuitous work which was done by you, which alone made possible the foundation of the college. Had you been paid for your services it is not probable that they would have been forgotten but as they were given f-eely and generously the well paid officials of the Bangor University College think r, y little of them, who. after the manner of their kind, are disposed to measure the value of a man's services by the salary he receives. It was your impulsive stroke of genius that gave us our University Colleges, and, though the cart was put before the horse and we are still waiting for our Intermediate Schools, the fault was not yours but of Red-tapeism: and we can, at all events, con- gratulate ourselves on the possession of colleges, which have already done a vast amount of good, and which will be ready to receive all the best talent of our Intermediate Schools. But it is not only in matters of education that Wales owes a lot to you. You have been pro- minent, if not foremost, in the endeavour to modernise the Eisteddfod. Want of organisation has been the curse the Wales and of all her insti- tutions. The calling of the National Eisteddfod and the arrangements generally used to be in the hands of that degenerate class of bards who may year by year be seen on our Eisteddfod platforms, ready to sing the praises of every Philistine with a long purse, possessing nothing in common with the ancient bards except their metre, and marked by none of the great qualities but by all the lack of business capacity of the old Welsh poets. It was imperative, if the Eisteddfod was to live, that it should be (rescued from the clutches of these degenerate sons of the prophets. The National Eisteddfod Association was formed, and yon have been from the first its hon. secretary. There can be no doubt that the Association has done a vast amount of good, but that it is perfect you will be the last to admit. It is time that the Association should be placed on a more representa- tive footing. It seems absurd that by subscribing half-a-guinea to the funds of the Association, anyone and everyone should have a voice in the management of our ancient institution. I am a democrat to the core, but I cannot stomach that. Suppose, for instance, two hundred Englishmen of evil purpose and malice aforethought, paid in their half-guineas, and proposed and carried that the Eisteddfod for 181)4 should be held at Portsmouth. Eisteddfod for 181)4 should be held at Portsmouth. As far as I know, there is nothing whatever to prevent such a scheme being successfully carried out. Or let us put away suppositious cases alto- gether, and use only the famous case of Swansea v. Pontypridd which was tried at Brecon Eistedd- fod three years ago. It was said by the advocates of Pontypridd, I don't know with how much truth, that the Swansea men had simply 11 rushed j of Pontypridd, I don't know with how much truth, that the Swansea men had simply 11 rushed" j the Association, and that the new subscribers, hailing from Swansea, as effectualty swamped the the Association as the new peers will the House of Lords, if that effete body of fossils determine to oppose the popular will. Whether that did actually happen or not. I don't know but I know that it was quite possible. Surely there ought to be some means of placing the management of our only national institution in the hands of repre- sentative Welshmen, who have other claims to the confidence of their countrymen than the ability to subscribe half a guinea to the Association. funds. You are a great organiser, and there is no doubt that you have done good work in making the Association what it is. But there is still something to be done, and we look to you to do it. Up to 1886 I know of no one who seemed more fitted to represent Wales in Parliament, or more likely to be selected by a Welsh constituency. Alas'! How things are changed since then You went astray in 1886—in good company, indeed— but still astray you went. As far as I can gather from the opinions you express in your clever novel, The Missing Member," you refused to follow Mr. Gladstone in his Home Rule policy because you thought that Irishmen were unfit for self government. I need not point out to you that their capacity for self-government has been since conceded by the Unionists themselves when they proposed an Irish Local Government Act, and surely the men to whom you entrust the casting votes in the Imperial Parliament are capable of managing the internal affairs of a small island. But I have no wish or intention to argue the question of Home Rule with you. I will only point out to you how your one great error has caused you to stultiiy almost all your old convic- tions. I cannot but believe that you are conscious of that fact yourself, and hence it is that you are now and then so bitter in your Land of mv Fathers "and in your interviews with my friend "Aliquis." You see yourself placed in opposition to the majority of your countrymen. You are conscious of the best intentions on your own part towards Wales, and you know that you are as ready and eager to serve her as you were in your buoyant and ambitious youth. You can perceive no change in yourself therefore you argue the change must bo in the so-called Welsh National- ists." You bitterly mock, and flout and sneer at Welsh D.D.'s and Welsh members and you have even gone so far as to say that once the Church is disestablished you see no reason why you should remain a member of the Methodist Connexion. But though you profess to be—and are, I really believe—a Welsh Nationalist. youi fatal lapse in '83 has compelled you to fight on the side of the party that has always ignored or ridiculed Welsh sentiment, that even now does not understand or appreciate its force but tries to conciliate it in a blind and helpless fashion, and that is pledged to defend to the last ditch the Establishment in Wales -the greatest barrier to national unity that still survives. One can't help conjecturing how different things might have been, if you had remained firm in '86 or had found salvation with Trevelyan, as was once thought probable. We would then have Marchant fighting the battle of Welsh Nationalism at St. Stephens his fine talents would not then be frittered away on the ineffectual railings of The Land of my Fathers and" The Missing Member his genius for organisation would have a splendid scope in bringing into some order that shapeless and hideous mass, the Welsh Party" his sturdy independence and fighting qualities might have imparted some backbone to a party that boasts of its independence, but fights its elec- tions with the aid of English gold and his powers of speech, his gift of stinging sarcasm and biting epigrams, would have given to the Welsh party a refined and civilised Tim Healy. I would like to speak at some length of your services to the Temperance cause, but my space is exhausted, and your name in that connection is better known in England than in Wales. I have only to hope, in conclusion, that you will yet find salvation, like your friend and fellow-worker in the Temperance cause, W. S. Caine. It is no small matter to break off with all your old friends, even though your differences are only political. Wales has need of such as you. She wants men of inde- pendent character, who will dare to give her wholesome advice but the voice of the adviser must come from the ranks of her friends, not of her enemies. She wants men who will fight for her, and for her alone, and who will think not of the pride of place and the pleasures of power, and will not hanker after peerages and baronetcies. She wants men who know her history and her literature, who understand her strength and her weakness, not those who think that by talking glibly of the national revival and •' national aspirations and national everything they are doing all that can be expected of them as Welsh Nationalists. Wales is tired of shams and frauds and humbugs, and she can ill afford to lose one who, whatever his errors may have been, has always been an ardent and patriotic Welshman, and a true lover of his country. When I contrast you with some of the Parliamentary representa- tives of Simree Feed," as one of them pronounced it, I am tempted to cry out, as Randolph did on another occasion. '■ Come over and help us." By doing this you will ibe helping yourself and you will once more be fighting foi those principles and objects which animated you in what I may be pardoned for calling the best portion of your career. With my best wishes, My dear Marchant, I remain, Your candid friend, THEODORE DODD.
GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY.
GLAMORGAN CONSTABU- LARY. RETIREMENT OF INSPECTOR KING. PROMOTION OF INSPECTOR RTJTTER. Inspector Thomas King, of Penarth, is retiring from the Glamorgan police force, after a service of 36 years. Inspector Rutter, of Treherbert, will be promoted to the Penarth station in place of I Inspector King, thus creating a vacancy at Tre- herbert, which has not yet been filled up. We are sorry to state that Inspector King's health is in a poor state but in common with Inspector King's -numerous friends we hope that, in his well-earned retirement, he may recover his health, and live for many years to enjoy the reward of his very active life. It is the lot of but very few officers, fortunately, to see such exciting times as the worthy inspector has. he having been connected with the district right through the making of the several districts. A present, subscribed for by the whole of the district, would be a fitting mark of the public appreciation of Inspector King's 35 years service in the upholding of public law and order.
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TERRIBLEI COLLIERY EXPLOSION…
TERRIBLE I COLLIERY EXPLOSION AT TONDU. — 141 MEN BURIED ALIVE. GREAT LOSS OF LIFE. HEARTRENDING SCENES. LIST OF THE MEN. On Friday morning, shortly after half-past eight o'clock, a terrible explosion occurred at the Park Slip Colliery, Tondu, by which it was at first feared that the whole of the men (to the number of 111) engaged in the pit at the time had lost their lives. The first intimation which was given to outsiders that anything unusual had occurred was the awful sight of a body of flame issuing from the mouth of the pit, followed by a loud report. The tidings of what had happened were quickly known in the villages for miles around, add hundreds and thousands of anxious men, women, and children rushed with all speed to the scene. The Park Slip Colliery is not a very large one, the daily output being about 300 tons, and the number of men usually employed being about 300. At the time of the explosion the day-men were all in the pit; but owing to its being St. Mary Hill Fair, a number of the men who would have been present under ordinary circumstances, had taken a holiday. Of the 143 men actually engaged at work, only two persons who happened to be near the entrance of the shaft came out alive and one of those was seriously injured by the force of the explosion. By a singularly fortunate circum- stance the night shift had all left the mine about half an hour before the explosion occurred. But for this fact the death-roll, already enormous, would have been stupendous in its magnitude. Great damage was done by the explosion to the works at the mouth of the pit and the adjoining offices. The immediate effect of the explosion on the surface was that the old fan-house was almost entirely demolished, and the roof of the engine-house fired, and the casements of the offices and lamp room blown in. Relief parties were quickly organised, and they set to work with a will. In the course of the after- noon the explorers discovered that the main shaft was broken about 30 yards from the pit's mouth. and drew the further inference that a prodigious fall of coal had occurred between the heading No. 1 and Xo. 4. for the engineman stated that the pro- gress of the train suddenly broke off at the latter point. The rescue gangs worked with the utmost energy throughout the day. frequent relays being forthcoming, so that the work was prosecuted with the extreme of vigour. In the course of the after- noon the crowd at the pit-head assumed enormous proportions, and above the din caused by the con- stantly* moving throng could be heard at points the wailing of women and children for whom every possible consideration was shown. Still no tidings of the results of the explorers' labours could be gleaned, and it was not until a quarter to five o'clock that a thrill was sent through the people by the signalling from below that six men had been found in what was known as No. 4 range, all of whom had apparently been killed at the same instant. Their tools were close by, thus showing that the poor fellows had no warning x>f the dire calamity. In each case death was found to be due to after-damp. Up to midnight no other bodies had been recovered. No reason can be assigned for the explosion. The atmospheric conditions were good. The pit has been free from gas, and has enjoyed an immunity from accident or fatality for several years. As an instance of the grief and desolation which such a disaster as this produces, it may be mentioned that five members of one family, all brothers, are among the unfortunate men below. It appears that the day shift, consisting of from 130 to 150 men, went down between the hours of six and seven o'clock in the morning. The time fixed for the commencement of winding was half- past seven. All went well until about half-past eight or a quarter to nine, when a terrific report was heard that 'alarmed the district, over a wide area, the report being heard as far away as Maesteg, which is situated about seven miles distant. Of course, the shock was heard with still greater dis- tinctness in the adjacent districts of Tondu and Aberkenfig, at which places the bulk of the colliery workmen reside. The alarm quickly spread, and caused a general rush to the pit on the part of men, women, and children. On their arrival the scene was that of harrowing descrip- tion which has been so frequently witnessed in connection with great mining disasters. The women and children were shrieking lamentably at the pit's mouth, and the attention of the sterner sex was diverted between a laudable desire to assist in any way in the work of rescue, and at the same time pacify and calm the heartbroken wives, mothers, and relatives of the poor fellows below. The latter effort was, after a time, to a certain extent successful, owing to the encourag- ing hope which was held out that all might ultimately be well with those underground. This inspiring hope was fortified by the circumstance that the ventilation in the pit had been through- out maintained, the fan working at an average of 49 revolutions on a maximum of 53. The effects of explosion above ground were to send up a large mass of flame and dense volumes of smoke with a quantity of debris from the workings. The roof of the old fan-house was completely demolished, and the roofing of the engine-house was also dis- turbed and the rafters set on fire. while the windows were blown out. Similar destruction occurred at the adjacent offices, and the windows in the lamp-room were shattered. The coping at the mouth of the slip was carried away, and the walls bulged outwards. AN EXPLORING PARTY. With all promptitude the officials were on the s spot, and the first to descend was Mr. Davidson, E the colliery manager, he being accompanied by a s numerous rescue party. Later on Mr. D. S. Rees, ( colliery manager, Wyndham Pit. Ogmore Valley < Mr. Lewis Morgan, manager at Cefn Cribbwr 1 Mr. Barrow, jun.; Mr. Jenkin Jones, manager at 1 Maesteg Coegnant Colliery, Maesteg and Mr. 1 Jonah Jones, manager of the Cardiff Navigate n < Collieries, Llaiiharran, came with a rescuing party 1 ready to render all the assistance in their power as soon as opportunity offered. About one o'clock Mr. Fred Gray, her Majesty's Inspector of Mines for th3 district, arrived upon the scene from Neath, accompanied by Mr. J. Dyer Lewis, her Majesty's Inspector of Mines, Swansea. These were followed by Mr. Rees, of Messrs. Foster, Brown and Rees. Cardiff, engineers of the pit; Mr. Dawson, Cardiff; Mr. E. Blakemore and Mr. S. J. Onions, manager at the Tynewydd Collieries. In order to understand with some degree of clearness the precise nature of the difficulties which attend the work of reaching the unfor- tunate men entombed, it is necessary to state that the pit is of somewhat.unusual construction. The workings consists of two main diagonal shafts, the one being known as the slip and the other as the horse-way. The two run in practically parallel lines for a distance of about 1,300 yards, the angle of descent varying slightly, however, at different levels. From these two parallel inclines, there branch off at different depths and at right angles to the main ways, what are known as ranges, and in which the actual workings of the colliery are situate. These ranges vary in length, some of them extending a mile in an easterly and westerly direction. There are four ranges in work, known by consecutive numbers, but near to the' outlet of the inclines there are disused ranges. The slipway is the downcast, and the horse-way is the return or upcast. It is not definitely ascertained where the explosion actually occurred, but seeing that Nos. 1, 2, pnd 3 ranges were disused, it follows that it may have been in No. 4. The two seams worked appear to be known as the Cribbwr and Vawr, the first-named being the most important of the two, and another part of that same seam which is worked at the Morfa Colliery. VIOLENCE OF THE EXPLOSION. The explosion is described by those who were eye-witnesses of it as having been of a most appalling character. The mass of flame that belched forth from the pit's mouth was accom- panied by volumes of suffocating smoke that darkened the atmosphere for some moments even in the clear, breezy mountain air. Broken pieces of timber, stones, earth, and other debris were borne along with perfectly irresistible force, and the large stones were thrown from the slope as far as the Great Western-line to Porthcawl, which runs past the colliery at a distance of something under 200 yards. The flames encompassed the old fan-house, distant some 12 or 20 yards from the pit's mouth, and, after almost wrecking the structure and clearing the roof of slates, set the rafters and other timbers on fire. A gang of surfacemen set to work with all possible energy and despatch to subdue the fire, and in their efforts they were, happily, soon successful. The full significance of the situation seems to have been taken in at a glance by those in and about the surface buildings, and an immediate examina- tion of the workings, so far as it was possible to penetrate them, showed that the inclines were blocked with immense falls of roofing, broken timber, fcc.. and that an immense amotmt of labour must be expended in removing these huge piles of debris before access could be had to the luckless workers within. The arched roof of the main slip was completely wrecked at only a short distance from the mouth, while a similar result had attended the explosion, in the horse way. A HEAVY FALL. A cursory examination showed that the pit was blocked by a heavy fall in the main shaft, com- mencing about 300 yards from the mouth, and that the return airway was also blocked. The whole of the day shift, numbering 143, were down at the time, the last lamp having been given out at seven o'clock. Two of the men, however, named Henry John and Henry Belcher, pump men, happened to be coming up the return airway, and narrowly escaped being caught by the failj which took place to the rear of them, though Beleher was so injured by the force of the explosion as to necessitate his being conveyed home. Clear- ing gangs were at once organised, and the work of removing the debris. which blocks both outlets to the mine, was vigorously proceeded with. The severity cf the explosion was. however, such as to create grave apprehensions as to the safety of the men. The workings extend a distance of about 1,700 ynrds and the first working place is about 500 yards frocr. the mouth of the pit. CUSTOMARY INSPECTION CARRIED OUT. It would seem that the usual inspection of the mine was made on Friday morning, before the day shift entered for work, and when the night shift came out at three in the morning everything seemed in its ordinary state. Between the leaving of the night shift and the coming on of the day qhift the firemen entered for the purpose of making their customary inspection and presenting their report. There were five firemen employed at the pit, namely, Thomas Stunner. Thomas Hopkins, Jonathan Harry, Gwilym Williams, and William Morris. Lewis Morgan was formerly a fireman, but now holds that post no longer. Had anything been returned as wrong with the workings the day shift would not of course have been permitted to enter. With commendable promptitude a large number of doctors were at the pit's mouth. among them being Dr. Thomas Jones, of Aberkenfig Dr. Twist and Dr. Hinds,assistants to Dr. Jones Dr. Thomas, Bridgend Dr. Richards (his assistant) Dr. Wil- liams. Ogmorc Valley Dr. Thomas, Nantymoel and Dr. Dick. Aberkenfig. The Rev. James Jones, chaplain to the County Asylum, Bridgend, also came upon the scene, and offered what service he could. Colonel Warlow Turbervill. of Laleston House, near Bridgend, sent a message of kind inquiry, and proffered assistance in the shape of nourishment and nursing. Miss Turbervill is deeply interested in the work of nursing, and has practical knowledge of it. Her services in such an emergency were gratefully accepted. Colonel Turbervill, accompanied by his daughter, arrived soon after, and brought various medical and other appliances. p _u A nuuioer or county police were speedily on the spot under the command of Sergeant Row and Acting-sergeant Button, to render what assistance they could in keeping order. Incidentally it may be mentioned that Sergeant Row was engaged at the great colliery explosion nearly 12 years ago at Penygraig. when 101 men were killed. It is a great advantage to have an officer of experience in command on such occasions as these. and Sergeant Row discharged his duties in an efficient and satisfactory manner. Amongst other officers present at the pit on Friday were the Chief-con- stable (Captain Lindsey). and Sergeant Hill, of Maesteg. The scenes witnessed at the pit's mouth when it became known that no fewer than 141 men and boys were in the depths beneath were literally of a heartrendering character. Women and children in the wildest consternation rushed hither and thither, ea.gerly inquiring whether relatives, husbands, fathers, or brothers were below at the time of the explosion, and upon learning that they were in, in such an appalling number, their grief became intense. Many of the more snsitive females gave way to despair, and wept and lamented with hysterical violence, wringing their hands and moaning in a manner that moved many of the more collected bve-standers to join in their sorrow. After a time, when they realised how un- availing the outward maifestatipn of their anguish was. and that there was the possibility of their loved ones being still alive, they became more collected and self-possessed. A large number of managers. assistant managers, andd others from adjacent collieries came quickly over to the Park to render what service lay in their power. Among those may be mentioned Mr. David Rees. of the Wyndham Colliery, in the Ogmore Valley, a pit also owned by the North's Navigation Company Mr. Jonah Jones, overman, from Llantrisant': Mr. Thomas Da vies. Maesteg Mr. Lewis Morgan, manager of the Cefn Collieries, Kenfig Hill; Mr. William Blackmore. mining engineer, Cardiff. who was manager of the pit under the old Llynvi Company Mr. Treharne Rees, mining engineer, of the firm of Messrs. Forster Brown and Rees, Cardiff: there also arrived on the spot in the course of the morning, Mr. Fred A. Grey. Her Majesty's Assistant Inspec- tor of Mines. XefLth Mr. J. D. Lewis. Assistant Inspector. Swansea, and Mr. J. M. Sims, Assistant Inspector, Cardiff, and they worked no less inde- fatigably in the work of reaching the inner work- ing than did the managers from this and other collieries. In the afternoon, Mr. Forster Brown arrived from Cardiff, and lent his valuable aid at the con- sultations which took place in the colliery office as to the methods of procedure which should be adopted. Mr. F. A. Gray, one of the mines inspectors who accompanied the afternoon shift of explorers, described the after-damp in the return as being so thick that it could be cut with a knife. Not even a dog could live in it. The main slope had been shattered to pieces, and huge falls blocked the passage all the way down. Most of these falls would have to be cleared before any measures could be taken to recover the bodies. could be taken to recover the bodies. County Councillor T. J. Hughes, of Bridgend. wno represents tne district in wnicn tne colliery is situated, was present on Friday at the pit head anxious to do what he could to relieve the sufferers. A number of clergymen and ministers came upon the scene and remained in the vicinity of the pit to be in readiness in case any should be brought up in a dying state, to administer the last consolations of religion. Among these may be mentioned the Rev. D. Davies, vicar of New- castle the Rev. David Lewis, of Bridgwater the Rev. Powell, Laleston and the Rev. W. Davies, Aberkenfig. PERSONAL NARRATIVES. INTERVIEW WITH MR. HEWARD. A press representative had an interview at the top of the pit with Mr. R. L. Heward, the general manager of the collieries of North's Navigation Company at Tondu and Aberkenfig. In answer to questions, he said :—" It is a very serious outlook just at present, but Mr. Davidson, the manager, is working, with a will, and has divided the men who are working below into six-hour shifts. I don't know what amount of truth there may be in it, but I have been told there is very little likelihood of the men in the pit at the time of the explosion being taken out alive. That is a surmise that must be guided by subsequent discoveries." What is the chief difficulty that has to be con- tended with 7" The fiills are so heavy that little progress can be made. Some of the men reported early in the stage of exploration that after they had gone a certain distance down the horseway, they felt the strong effects of after-damp in coming up. There are two ways running into the mine, the slipway and the horseway, and the one is dis- tant from the other about 20 yards. The workers, in going down the horseway, got further into the pit than they could have done down the shipway. The two ways run nearly parallel." What is the system of timbering in use here —" The same as that employed in nearly all the collieries throughout South Wales. It is known as the' Long wall' system. All the collieries of this company are in that respect on the same principle." What sort of reputation has the pit enjoyed ?" —" A very good one. It is not considered by any means a fiery mine, and I have been told that with the exception of small occurrences, there has not been an accident of this kind in the pit for 15 years. It has been worked, I understand, ever since Messrs. Brogden and Sons started the Tondu pits, they being at that time the owners of nearly the whole of the collieries in this district. This particular pit was the one that supplied the iron- works at that date with coal." Did you feel the effects of the explosion at all —" Yes, very severely. At Coytrahen House, and also at Tondu House, the windows were shaken violently, and the whole houses seemed to quiver. The report was so loud and severe that I thought the gas in the tubes at the ironworks had ex- ploded." I suppose there is no theory as to the cause of the accident?"—"None whatever up to the pre- sent. What seems to have astonished everybody is this, that on a bright, clear day like this, when the, air is fresh and the breeze strong, such an awful catastrophe should have occurred.. It i", still more remarkable from the fact that the barometer is going up steadily. When the barometer is low, and the atmosphere heavy and damp, the circum- stances Ate conducive to an explosion. These circumstances were present a few days ago, when everything went oil all right, but to-day they have been entirely absent." '•Have any reports as to gas having been found in the workings reached you! X one have come to my knowledge. I understand that the reports received from the firemen were quite satisfactory. Had they not been so none of the men would have been permitted to enter the pit." THE ENGINEMAN'S STATEMENT, John Liddon, the. engineman, in reply to ques- tions, said I went on duty here at seven o'clock this morning. At about 20 minutes past eight, as near as I can say, I was engaged in winding up a journey of trams, when quite suddenly the rope slacked. I shut off steam and stopped the engine. Just at that moment I saw a huge mass of flame shoot out from the mouth of the pit. It was followed immediately by a tremendous report and a shock which shook the entire engine-house and room adjoining. I at once rushed out of the engine-room to see what had occurred, and taking in at once the fact that an explosion had taken place, I did what I could in the way of rendering assistance." EXPLORERS' EXPERIENCES. William Evans and David Howell, who went down with the first exploring party shortly before ten o'clock on Friday morning, in reply to a re- porter said, The ifirst thing we observed was that the neck of the arch at the entrance to the slip had been entirely dislocated. Proceeding over tons of debris we came to a fall which was at least thirty yards long. For a couple of hours we were hard at work in burrowing our way through this huge mass. We did so by removing the stones at the side and creeping through on all fours. Having got through, we were then able to walk for four of five yards, when we were again met by a huge fall of about twenty yards. Con- siderable time was spent in getting through, and to accomplish this we had to force our bodies through a narrow passage which we made for our- selves along- the side. We encountered a large number of other falls almost as formidable, except that we were able to creep slowly over the tops of these, and so worked our way onward to the deep. We noticed also that the;huge arch, 80 yards long, in the pitch of the slip had been cracked all along its length, and that about five yards of the masonry at its entrance had been blown down. When at I last we got to -No. 4. we saw at once that all must be over with the poor fellows within. We saw Gwilym Williams. Thomas Hopkius, and Thomas Webster in the fireman's cabin,, all dead. Further on in the parting of the drift we saw the bodies of Lewis Morgan, Thomas Hopkins (a haulier), and a boy named Nicholas, who was a doorboy, in the south drift, on the way to the Cribbwr. We worked our way 40 yards deep into the north drift, and then we were compelled to return owing to the overpowering fumes of the afterdamp. Several of our party were overcome and had to be carried away dazed or senseless. Among them were Jonah Jones, William Havman. and Evan Thomas. It was four o'clock in the afternoon before we came to the bank again, and then, after a short rest, we went back into the slip to help to get the remainder of our party out. There are two horses lying on the footway in No. 4. The shifts of ex- plorers who are now down are making an effort to force a passage down the main dip to No. 5, and the lower stages. 6, 7. Replying to our repre- sentative. the men gave it as their opinion that the explosion must have happened in Nos. 6. 7. or 8. No. 5 was a disused working. They were confident there had been no fire in No. 4, and that the unfor- tunate fellows in that range must have fallen vic- tims to the afterdamp. As indicative of the frightful force of the shock, the explorers pointed out that out of the hundreds of timbers that lined the way down the 700 yards of the slip leading to No. 4, no more than 20 pairs were now left stand- ing. Thomas Evans. the night fireman, William Evans, David Howell, and Rees Davies were the first four to force their way down the main slip to No. 4." I LIST OF THE DEAD. The following is a list of those killed by the accident. The total number of deaths is 107 the number of widows, 56 children, 122 dependent relatives, 10 :— 1 John Thomas. repairer, Aberkenfig, married, large family. 2 John Osborne. Aberkenfig. married, no family. 3 Henry Mitchel, Aberkenfig, married, four in family. 4 James Berrick. Fountain, Aberkenfig, married, large family. 5 Eli Howell. Aberkenfig, married, no family. 6 John Chapel, Aberkenfig, married, four in. family. 7 Thomas Baker. Tondu. married, family. 8 James Richards, Bryncoch, boy. 9 William Stenner. Cefn. married, family. 10 George Cockrane, Aberkenfig, married, two children. 11 Charles Xichol1. jun., Fountain, boy. 12 John Gibbon, Bryncoch. married, family. 13 John Lovell, Fountain, single. 14 George Dunster, Fountain, married, family. 15 Thomas Lukins, Aberkenfig, married, family. 13 Lewis Cochrane, Aberkenfig, married, family. 17 William Davies, Pyle. married, large family. 18 John Cochrane, Aberkenfig, married, family. 19 Thomas Cochrane, Aberkenfig, married, family. 20 James Lyddon, Aberkenfig, married, two chil- dren. 21 Eva.n Morgan. Aberkenfig. single. 22 R. H. Webster, Llangeuwdd, married family. 23 Thomas Hopkin, Tondu, boy. 24 George Lyddon. Aberkenfig. single. 2.-) George Lowman, sen., Aberkenfig, married, large family. 28 Thomas Williams. Bryncoch, single. 27 Ph. David, sen., Cefn-IIirgoed, married, family grown up. 28 H. Hurley, Aberkenfig. married, two children. 29 M. Morgan, Aberkenfig, boy. 30 William Williams. Graig, Cefn. married, family. 31 Chris. Warren. Bryncethin, Boy. 32 Herbert Sanders. Cefn. married, three children. 33 John Berwick. Fountain, single. 34 Thomas Webster, Cefn, single. 35 Jenkyn Jenkins, Cefn-Hirgoed, married. 38 George Jacobs, sen.. Bryncethin. married. 37 Thomas Jacobs, Bevncethin, boy. 38 Fred. Roberts, Aberkenfig, single. 3n Evan David, Cefn-Hirgoed, married, family. 40 David Harry. Aberkenfig, married, family. 41. W. J. Painter, Aberkenfig. boy. 42. George Henson, Aberkenfig, single. 43. David Thomas, Cefn, boy. 44. David Jones, Cefn, boy. 45. John Roberts, Cefn, single. 46. Thomas Williams, Llangeuwdd, single. 47. Thomas Taylor, Cefn, married, no family. 48. Enoch Davies, Cefn, single. 49. John John, Aberkenfig, married, grown up family. 50. Edward Down, Laleston. married, family. 51. Thomas Rees, Llangeuwdd, married, no family. 52. William Williams. Penyfai, grown up family. 53. Thomas Williams, Penyfai, married, large family. 54. William Rosser. Aberkenfig, boy. 55. Arthur Martin, Penyfai, married, no family. 56. William Lyddon. Fountain, single. ,,7. Henry Lyddon, Fountain, single. 58. James Gibbs, Fountain, single. 59. David Davies, sen., Penyfai, widower. 60. David Jones, Cefn, single. 61. George Tackle. Fountain, single. 62. Evan Jones, Evanstown, Aberkenfig, boy, 63. David Jones, Evanstown, Aberkenfig, boy. 64. John Carter, Aberkenfig. single. 65. Edward Humphries, Cefn. married, no family. 66. Thomas Henson, Aberkenfig, boy. 67. R. Davies, Cefn single. 68. H. Barnett, Cefn, single. 69. James, Painter, Aberkenfig, boy. 70. David Daniel, Aberkenfig, single. 71. Richard Davies, Penyfai, married, family. 72. Elias Howells, Penyfai, married, family. 73. Benjamin Davies. Cefn, married, family. 74. R. H. Webster, jun,, Llangeuwdd, single. 75. George Davies, Cefn. boy. 76. Thomas Daniels, Aberkenfig, single. 77. Herbert Lyddon, Fountain, single. 78. Thomas Carter. Aberkenfig, single. 79. John Rosser, Tondu, married, no family. 80. David Davies, Cross Inn, Cefn. single. 81. James Davies, Cefn. married, no family. 82. Ivor Thomas. Fforddygyfraith, single. 83. David Powell, Cefn, single. 84. James Bowen, Penyfai. married, family. 85. Thomas Bowen. Penyfai, single. 86. David Bowen. Penyfai, single. 87. Alfred Burrows, Penyfai, single. 88. David Hopkins, Llangeuwdd, single. 89. Griffith Roberts, Cefn, married, family. 90. Lewis Morgan, married, no family. 91. Thomas Stenner,Llangeuwdd, married, family. 92. William Morris. Cefn. married, family. 93. Jonathan Harry, Aberkenfig, single. 94. Gwilym Williams, Laleston, married, family. 95. Thomas Hopkins, Aberkenfig, married. 96. David Major, Tondu, married, family. 97. George Edwards, Bryncethin, married, family. 98. James Evans. Tondu, married, no family. 99. John Harry, Tondu, married, two children. 100. Allen Lyddon, Fountain, single. 101. Moses Bromham, Aberkenfig. single. 102. David Powell, Aberkenfig, married, family. J 103. Beniamin Strike, contractor, Aberkenfig. 104. Elija Driscoll, Aberkenfig. 105. John Driscoll, Aberkenfig. 106. Charles Stenner, Aberkenfig. 107. Thomas Jones, Aberkenfig, married, family. HISTORY OF THE PIT. The colliery, which is owned by North's Naviga- tion Company, has been worked by means of the Park Slip for the last 20 years, although during a considerable period before then the coal was brought out through the Velinfach Pit, which stands close to the Tondu Railway Station. An explosion similar in nature, though fortunately far less disastrous in its results, happened in this identical colliery on the 4th of April, 1834, when two lives were lost, one of the victims on that.. occasion being a brother to Mr. Jonah Jones, who rendered such conspicuous service in yesterday's work of exploration. There are two seams of coal worked at the Park Slip, one being known as the Vawr Seam, and the other called the Cribbwr. It is in the latter vein that the present disastrous explosion is believed to have taken place. This seam, it may here be remarked, is identically the same seam as that in which the disaster happened in the Morfa Colliery, Taioach, a little over two years ago, when more than 80 lives were lost. The coal in this seam is of a most fiery description and partakes in a large degree of the peculiar r qualities of both the steam and the anthracite coal measures. The number of colliers daily employed in the Park Slip Colliery is estimated at 250, of whom 50 or so are engaged during the nights in repairing and other work. The difference between the number of men in the pit at the time of the disaster and the number daily employed is- accounted for by the providential circumstance that from fifty to sixty of the workmen hact absented themselves from work in order to attend the horse and pleasure fair on St. Mary Hill. The pit is worked on the single shift system, the hours being 54 per week. RECEPTION OF THE NEWS. t* Naturally the reception of the news of such a dreadful calamity evoked a untversal outburst of sympathy. In the Maesteg, Garw, and Ogmore Valleys, the first impulse of those who were themselves engaged in mining was to at once rush to the scene of the explosion, and offer their ser- vices as rescuers. This was not merely a passing sentiment, as all present at the pithead can vouch. Within a very short time after the explosion hun- dreds of men were at the Park Slip anxious and ready to go down and explore, and, if possible, to rescue some of the unfortunate miners. The diffi- culty of those in charge of the exploring gangs was not to obtain men to make up the number re- quired. but to select the most suitable, whilst at. the same time trying not to wound the feelings of those who wished to be actively engaged them- selves. In addition to the colliers 'n the valleys the news was received with sorrow in the adjacent villages, and all the roads leading to the Park Slip were filled with an eagerly rushing multitude. Many in their anxiety to know the worst did not scruple to cut straight across country, and with a large number travelling in vehicles and on horse- back there was soon a great crowd at the pit. In Aberkenfig, where a large number of the meu. entombed lived, the streets were filled with weep- ing female relatives, and Oil all sides there were to he seen groups of people discussing the matter. Some of those who had relatives in the pit. and wished to inform members of the fami ly who lived at a distance of the sad occurrence could not bring themselves to write the bad news, but many friends were to be found who were were willing to discharge this mournful duty, in order to save those more nearly concerned a pang. Truly such a dreadful catastrophe evokes all the- sympathy of which people are capable, and in Wales especially this sympathy (as has been proved many times before) speedily finds a practi- cal expression. RELIEF FUNDS. The intimation that relief funds are formed for the relief of the distressed widows and orphans has been received in the afflicted district with feelings of gratitude, and there is no doubt that these funds will soon reach a very substantial figure, so that the relief afforded will be a lasting benefit. A SAD RECOGNITION. All through Friday and Saturday gangs of ex- plorers. under the leadership of the various mana- gers, whose names are given above, continued their work, and the crowds at the pit-head remained as dense as ever. On Friday evening the first body was brought to the surface, followed by a second on Saturday evening. Our reporter was present in the place set apart for the reception of the dead when the second body was identified by the father. It was that of a boy 16 years of age—David Thomas—and a sad feature in the case was that deceased had a brother among the undiscovered. The father — Morgan ThoIDâs-a contractor, en- gaged in the pit, had been down in the miue with the exploring gangs, and when the body of his younger son had been brought up and carefully deposited in the deadhouse he was after a time summoned to view it. It was then about eight o'clock, and the shades of evening had fallen. The gloomy place wa." only lighted up by a single oil lamp, and the body rested upon a. raised platform just as it had been brought from below. The man in charge, at the request of the father held the lamp to the poor lad's face, white he carefully scanned the features, which looked as though the boy were sleeping. The father, break- ing heavily, said huskily to the man in eharge. "Hold the lamp to his feet. Let me see the soles of his boots." This was done, and by the nails IIL his boots the father knew that the dead was biJ.- and saying sadly, It is, It's my boy fell upoB the lad and kissed his dusky face. Then inouril- fully, and with greatly saddened mien, the little party withdrew from "the chamber of the deadj, thinking, alas how many more such scenes woulw be witnessed ere the calamity was a thing of the- past. Truly no man could witness such a sight the one described above without feeling a keen pang of regret and sympathy with the bereaved. No service was held at the Ebenezer Independent Chapel, Aberkenfig, on Sunday evening. In the morning a short prayer meeting was held at which the Rev. E. Davies attempted to make a few re- marks relative to the t<ad calamity which had be- fallen the village, but he was so overcame with emotion that he utterly broke down before ut er- ing many words. In the evening it was decided that the Rev. E. Davies and Mr. E. Hopkins should visit the Tondu district to see the bereaved re- j| latives, and offer the heartfelt sympathy of the • members of the congregation with them in their ■ affliction. Messis. Robert Thomas and Jenkins visited West-street and Dunraven-terrace, K Aberkenfig, and Messrs. J. Hopkins, D. Richards ft (drape:'), Lewis Thomas, D. Jones, and W. Thomaal visited the upper portion of Abenkenfig. Cefn, Hirgoed, and Penyfai. The following 0f the killed were members of the congregation at this chapel, viz. :-Lewis Morgan, deacon Wrm. Morris I deacon and secretary of the Church Wm. Wil- liams, Thomas Hopkins, Wm. Rosser, Richard Davies, John Roberts, Evan Morgan, Morgan Morgan, Evan Rees Jones, David Rees Jones. John Rosser, Thomas Hcpkins (boy), John Cochrane, and Lewis Cochrane. The Tondu Football Club has suffered very much by the disaster. The following members of the club were in the pit at the time of the explosion —Joe Painter. David Johns, John Johns II. Hurley, Tom Bennett, and David Daniels. of- these David Johns, John Johns, and Tom Bennett are the only one^saved. The best batsman of the Tondu Cricket Club has lost his life. We refer to Mr. David Powell. of Dunraven-place, Aberkenfig. He won the bat pre- sented by the club for the best baiting average. last year, and his services have always been of great value to the club. — PUBLIC MEETING AT TONDU. FORMATION OF A RELIEF COMI* MITTEE. M OVER £1,200 RAISED. On Monday afternoon a meeting of the residents of Aberkenfig, Tondu, and surrounding districts was held at the British Schoolroom, near the iron- works atTondu.for the purpose of forming a local committee and collecting subscriptions towards the relief of the widows and children and other dependents left unprovided for by the explosion. The chair was occupied by Colonel Picton Turbervill, and among those present were Mr. T Foster-Browne, Mr. Lockett, Mr. Harley, and Mr" Waite, directors of North's Navigation Company • Alderman David Jones, Cardiff; Rev. James J ones* chaplain to the County Asylum Rev. David Davies. vicar of Newcastle Rev. W. Christopher Tondu Rev. R. Roberts, St. Bride's Minor Rey" David Phillips, Llaageinor Rev. David Lewis St" Bride's Minor; Mr. W. Blakemore, M.E., ]yjr^ Heward, Mr. Treharne Rees, Dr. Thomas, Bridg- end and others. j The Chairman said the Queen had been pleased M to send a gracious message, expressing her sorrow .^1 at this terrible occurrence. For that they owed^^l i Her Majesty their heartiest thanks, and would at once move that tne same be oonveyei|V her. A H The resolution, which was carried unanimo^ was as follows :— £ That we, the inhabitants of Aberkenfio- anafCr tender our most grateful thanks to he/mrf^* Majesty for her kind expression of syr< (For Continuation see pa I .1