The Merthyr Telegraph and General Advertiser for the Iron Districts of South Wales

PONTYPRIDD LITERARY INSTITUTE. DISTRIBUTION OF VALUABLE PRIZSS IN AID OF THE LIBRARY. ruHE Committee of the above Institution direct public attention to the following list of Valuable Articles which, with many others, amount:? together to upwards of TWO HUNDRED PRIZES, from 40 Guineas to not less than Five Shilling*, will be publiclv DraWn for in the presence of several influential Gentle- men, at the ASSEMBLY ROOMS, NEW INN HOTEL, on TUESDAY, the .9th of October, 1866. It is intended •lao to exhibit the Prizes on the Monday previous to the Drawinir. LIST OF PRINCIPAL P R I Z E S:- FIBST PFizz-A HANDSOME FINE-TONED NEW ROSE-WOOD PIANOFORTE, VALUE FORTY GUINEAS. VALUE. VALUE. VALUE. TT • GCINEAS* PRIZE GUINEAS. P*IZK GUINEAS. 2nd—A full sized Harmonium by 7th—Good Silver Lever Watch 5 15th -Good Pair of Blankets 14 Alexandre 20 8th-Saddle and Bridle 5 16th—Elegant Gold Pin 1 3ra~ Valuable Gold Watch 15 9th -Case of superior Wine 4 17th Time-piece 1 4th—Musical Box in handsome 10th—Handsome Paisley Shawl 4 18th—Moderater Lamp 1 inljud case 5 I Ilth-Good Silk Dress 4 19th-Setof Vases. 1 5ih-Mahogany Chest of Draw- 12th-Rich Lace Shawl. 3 20th-Stereoscope with set of era 5 13th-A Lady's Work Table. 2 Slides 1 6th-Elegant 8-day Clock 5 14th-Easy Chair. 2 The Committee guarantee the articles stated above, and all the other Prizes to be of the full value. 'LIST OF AGENTS. PONTYPRIDD From any of the Tractfesfigople. Ystrad—Mj^flgfBT^hoinas, Chemist. Treforest Mr. J. Richards, Grocer and DraperT* Trehtrfpvt^-mx. David Jenkins, Chemist. m V Txr „M^John G«>cer and Draper, L-^T Mr. Richard Thomas, Post Office. Tag's Well- Mr. E. Mountjoy, Junction Shop. „ Mr. Evan Cule, Grocer. Duncan, Cardiff Times Office. Cffwliridge —Mr. Ebenezer Davies, Bookseller. Brvigcnd Mr. Wrigley, Hairdresser. Tondu^Mr. Thomas Williams, Grocer. Mountain Ash-Mr. Abel James, C^emffit. Gy/ci^on-^MtRichard Evans, Post Office. A^|2*nof Mr. H. Bould, Agent- Ebbw Fa/e—MrNt^nkin Jenkins, The Shop. fTroedyrhiw (MerthyrGrogan, Station Master. Tonyrefail-Ur. Thotona Morgan, Grocer. If IMerthyr Tydnl Williams, TELEGRAPH Office. LIantrisant-Mr. JohnT^&arne Draper Mfterdare—Mft-^vans, Draper, Cloth Hall. Rhymney Mr. Franklyn Dix^Qiemist. I „ "Tttr. J. W. Thomas, Chemist. And at all the Railway Stations. J The List of the successful members will be published in the MERTHYR TELEGRAPH, Cardiff Times, and Gwlad- I gtmor, of the 13th of October. 63T TICKETS, SIXPENCE EACH. Appointed Agents in every Town and District. G. GRIFFITHS, R. C. HUNTER. I „ c J. GRIFFITHS, rHon- Secretaries. S511! J. COOMBES, ) RHYMNEY ART UNION PRIZE DRAWING, In aid of Funds to be raised for Educational Purposes, and for improvement of School Buildings at Rhymney. rpHE DKAWING will take place at TWTNCARITO SCHOOL ROOM, the Third Week ip Sep- tember, in the presence^ of S. Buchan, R. Bedlington, J. Matthews, H. Trump, J. Prosser (Chemist), and T. Pntchard, Esqrs. The following valuable Prizes will be drawn for :— FIBST PMM.—A MAGNIFICENT GOLD WATCH AND CHAIN, VALUE FORTY GUINEAS. VAICE. VALUE. VALUE. PB1ZK GUINEAS. PRIZE GUINEAS. JRIZE GUINEAS 2nd.—- Handsome Fine-toned 10th.—Handsome Mahogany 18th —Good Iron Bedstead 1J Pianoforte in Wa'nut.25 Conch 4 19th.—Pair of Good Blankets IS Srd.—Ladys Gold Watch and 11th.-Gold Albert Chain 3 20th.—Telescope li "A, "i_* 12th. We-Jther Glass 2 £ 21st.—Flannel Dress 1J 4th.~Eight-day Clock 6 13th.—Silver Watch 2 £ 22nd.—Perambulator ..11 Sth.—DoubIe-barreHed Gun 5 14th.—Galvanic Battery 2 23rd — Silk Umbrella 1 6th —Silver Lever Watch 5 15th—Gentlemen's Elegant Dres- 24th —Spring Balance, to weigh 7th.—Chest of Drawers (ma- sing Case 2 3001bs.7. 1 hogany) 5 16th —Lady's Elegant Dressing 25th.—Electro Plated Cruet Sth.—Rich Black Silk Dress 4 Case 2 Stand. 1 9th.—Rich Paisley Shawl 4 17th.-Doz. Ivory Handled Table Knives and Forks 2 26,27, Concertina, 15s. each 28, 29, Workbox, 15s. each 30, 31. Microscope, 14s eaeh; 32, 33, Portmanteau, 14s. each; 34, Case of Mathematical Instruments, 10s.; 35, Gold Scarf Pin, 10s. Also a Choice Selection of other Articles of the value of not less than 5s. each, making the total number ot Prizes upwards of TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY.-All Prizes to be delivered Carriage Free. Ri" TICKETS, SIXPENCE EACH. The Drawing will be on the principle of the Art Union, and the successful members will be published in the Cambria Daily Leader, MERTHYR TELEGRAPH, The Byd Cymreig, and Banner Cymreig. A list of Winning Numbers will be forwarded to any person who will send a Stamped Addressed Envelope for the same. Treasurers—JOHN HAVARD, Esq., and DAVID P. MORGAN, Esq. Hon Secretaries—Messrs. J. GRIFFITHS, Albion House, D. B. JONES, Upper Shop; D. B. OWEN, Twyncarno E. DAVIES, Vulcan Cottage; D. Lewis, British School, Twyncarno. Auditors—Messrs WM. EVANS, Draper JAS. EVANS, Grocer D. MORGAN, Draper, Pontlotyn. [ 5510 NEATH ART UNION. THREE HUNDRED PRIZES! NO PRIZE UNDER FIVE SHILLINGS -¡r- POSTPONEMENT *0 F DRAWING. IN consequence of the Town Hall, Neath, in r,e d for the County Court on the 5th and 6th July. the DRAWING is necessarily POSTPO D. Th Drawing will therefore commence at the TOWN HALL, on MONDAY NEXT, the 9th July. 7 TICKETS, SIXPENCE each, may be obtained at e Offic of this Paper, and of their Local Agents. W Applications for Books of Ticketsto be made. either of the Hon. Secretaries, Mr. WALTER JONES, 1 Neath, 2nd, July, 1866. „ B H. THOMAS, VNeath. 5444] „ ED. WM. JONES, J TABERNACLE, MERTHYR. THE SECOND ANNUAL GREAT EISTEDDFOD Will be held at the above Chapel on CHRISTMAS-DAY, December 25th, 1866, WHEN there will be awarded a large number of Prizes, including the following:- C) To the Choir, not under 40 in number, that will sing best-" Mor fawr ydyw dyfnder," from Mendelssohn.- See Cerddor Cymreig, Nos. 33, 34, and 35 JE15 To the Choir of one congregation, not under 30 in number, that will sing best the congregational tune Aberdare." —See Ieuan Gwyllt's Tune Book £2 To the Band of Hope Choir, each singer under 15 years of age, not under 30 in number, that will sing best— Gweddi'r Publican."—See Owain Alaw's "Sunday School Tune Book," X.2 P.S.—A conductor and two bass singers will be allowed with the Band of Hope Choirs. PRESIDENT REV. J. EMLYN JONES, M.A., LL.D., (Pencerdd). ADJUDICATOR REV. W. HARRIS, Trecynon. TREASURER Mr. D. DAVIES, Grocer, Glebeland. For further particulars, &c., see Programmes, which may be bad of the Treasurer, or of the Secretary, Mr. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, 6, Pleasant View, Grawen Terrace. Merthyr Tydfil. July 3rd, 1866. [5535 J. D. WILLIAMS, WATCH MANUFACTURER, RESPECTFULLY invites the attention of intending Purchasers to his Stock of LEVER WATCHES. Having devoted much time and attention to this important branch of his business, he flatters himself that for quality and elegance of style, his Watches cannot be excelled, every Watch being carefully examined on tne Premises under his own supervision, he leels the greatest confidence in recommending them. A warranty and a trial of two years allowed with each Watch. Silver Levers in Strong Cases, from X4 4s. Od. to £10 10s. Od. Gold do. Ladies' Size from SS 8s. Od to JE16 16s. Od. Golfi do. Gentlemen's Size from Xl 0 1 Os. Od. to X31 10s. Od. GENEVA WATCHES. Silver Cases from £1 Is. Od. to 13 10s. Od. Gold do. from X3 3s. Od. to £10 10s. Od. A Choice Assortment of Gold Guards and Alberts of the Newest Designs, always in stock. 129, High Street, Merthyr. [5513 FUNERALS COMPLETELY FURNISHED, And every article of Family Mourning, at THOMAS P GENERAL DRAPERY MERTHVKS^ A NEW Stock of the following Goods just arrived, viz., Black French Merinos, Coburgs, Alpaccas, French Twills, Baratheas, French De Laines, Black Shawls and Jackets, Crapes, Mourning Bonnets, &c., &c. [5519 I- PERAMBULATORS PERAMBULATORS A lARGE STOCK OF CHILDREN'S SUMMER CARRIAGES HAVE JUST ARRIVED AT THE SOUTH WALES IRONMONGERY DEPOT, High Street, Merthyr, which can be had at prices varying from 7s. 6d. to 50s. each. [5514 SELLING OFF! AT S. B. WITCHELL'S Home-made Wholesale and Retail Fashionable BOOT AND SHOE ESTABLISHMENT, VICTORIA STREET, ABERDARE. SB. "WITCHELL respectfully invites public attention to his Superior Stock of BOOTS and • SHOES, suitable for the present season. Ladies' Elastic Side Boots at 3s. 6d. Ladies' Elastic Side Stout Bottoms, 4s. Ladies' Elastic Side Fine Kid, 4s. 9d. Babies' Slippers, 5Ad. Babies' Patent Boots, lOd. Gentlemen's Cossacks, 5s. 6d. Gentlemen's Elastic-Side Boots at 7s. 9d., only |to be had at Witchell's. Children's Elastic-Side Boots from Is. lOd. 0* Observe the AddressS. B, WITCHELL, Cheap Boot Establishment, opposite the Queen's Hotel, ABERDARE. ORDERS PUNCTUALLY ATTENDED TO. REPAIRS DONE ON THE PREMISES. [5512 A GRAND FORESTERS' FETE AT ABEMAYEMT. ARRANGEMENTS have been made with the London and North Western Railway Company A for a MONSTER EXCURSION to ABERGAVENNY, on MONDAY, July 9th, 1866, for which occasion jreat preparations are being effected to make the above Fete one of grea4^itraction and interest to all classes, and duly authorised persons will be appointed to attend to the comfort and dpnv^ience of the Excursionists, as well as to the residents 01 Abergavenny and ifs adjoining localities, who desire to W £ tic aate in the festivities of the day. The Grounds selected for the Grand Fete are pleasantly situated, being on Wi iffiftrd Road, and about five minutes' walk from the Railway Station. Three spacious MARQUEES will be erected, and REFRESHMEJi TS pAvided at moderate Charges. The Fete-Champ^tre will consist of the following Sports, &c.: Croquet, Archay, and Cricketing; Donkey, Foot, Hurdle, and Wheel-barrow Racing Quoits, Aunt Sally, Jumping in Sacks, qd otler Popular Amusements. Robin Hood, Little John, and William Stutley, will ta^e/i art in this Great FestivaL A PROCESSION will start from Brecon-road Station, Abergavennyy at 11 4.m., headed by the 9th Monmouth- shire Volunteer Band. The Tredegar Brass Band, a Drum and Fife Band, and two String Bands are also engaged for 4hc occasion. FARES to-and-fro (including Admission into the Field):— Covered Carriages. First-Class. Tredegar (Nantybwch Station), Trevil, and Beaufort Is. 6d. 2s. Od. Btynmawr Is. 2d. Is. 6d. Children under Twelve Years of Age, Half-price. The Proceeds will be devoted towards the Establishment of a Widow and Orphans' Fund in connection with the above Society. Full particulars will bg given in future announcements, and any further information may be had on application to P.C.R. RICHARD BELL, or P.G.R. DANISL MORGAN, Church Street, Tredegar. Court Room, June 18th, 1866. [5456 BED COW INN, GLEBELAND-STREET, MEBTHYB TYDFIL. WILLIAM CHIRM RESPECTFULLY informs the public that he has just opened the above old-established INN, and begs to intimate that all Ales and Spirits sup- plied are of the very best quality, he being determined to merit a. trade by the excellency of his goods, Every accommodation is given to Commercial Gentlemen and Visitors, the stabling room being of the most ample <character. The patronage of his friends and the public will be W> ..teewód a favour,' [5408

ONE POUND REWARD BODYWYGIAD EaTATE, PENDERYN. N orICE is hereby given, that the above RE ward will be paid on the conviction of any person TRESPASSING on the above Estate in pursuit of Game, or for the purpose of Fishing. All persons are herety cautioned that in each case of Trespass a prosecution wii. be instituted, and followed out with the utmost rigour. All Dogs found upon the Estate will be immediatt ly destroyed. -Application to be made to GEORGE W OOLLLX Gamekeeper. May 1st, 1866. [tf2d

TO CORRESPONDENTS. WE do not undertake to return rejected correspondence If writers send us anything they deem important they should preserve a copy. Gr Our Correspondents are requested to favour us with their communications as early in the week as possible, as we are obliged, every week, to omit many commu- nications which would appear if we received them be- fore Thursdav. i N NOTICE.—The Railway Time Tables are published with a much care to ensure correctness as possible, but should they contain any errors, the publisher does jot hold himself responsible for any inconvenience that way arise therefrom, is changes sometimes take place in the arrival and departure of trains without the knowledge of the Editor —

THE PROSPECT OF BAD TIMES. IT is peculiarly our misfortune that an uninter- rupted stream of prosperity is denied to the inhabi- tants of Merthyr. From the autumn of 1865, until the summer of 1836, the times have been very good-* ?«id 80 genewl fead widely spread was the prosperity; that even the poor who crouch at rich men's tables, and eat the crumbs, had so plentiful a feast that the public were not appealed to on their behalf. The months came and went, and the only cry in the iron works was, More men, more labourers." Workmen who had put by a few pounds, and were bent on emigrating, looked at the promising picture they had thought to leave, and decided to remaiitf yet a little longer; and from afar poured in a great host of strangers to fatten and grow pompous on the earnings of the clasb they affect to despise. ) We have but to look through the town to see its prosperous condition. There is scarcely a va- cant house to be seen, and lodgings we are assured are both rare and dear. Go amongst the houses of the working class, and a glance will show you that they are comfortable and the streets any night tell the same tale, though the sketch is drawn in harsher and blacker lines. So permanent appears this condition of things that the Board of Health has been of late more than usually open handed. The costly sewerage is in steady operation, and the neighbouring districts are now as well supplied with water as the inhabitants of the town. If the Board had do.ae all they talked about, ratepayers would now draw still longer vis- ages, and look at approaching prospects with gloomier brows. For the fiat has gone forth, and a reduction of wages seems to be amongst the un- avoidables. For some little time past the iron trade has been declining, and now that the storm of war has burst over the Continent, and man is essaying to rival the thunder and lightning of Heaven by his artillery, one great market for our produce is stopped up. So long as the Prussians, Austrians, and Italians only talked there was but little harm done. Ironmasters thought this blus- tering would soon come to an end, and the stream of trade flow the more rapidly from the temporary obstruction. But with the flash of steel and charge of armed men the hope has fled. Vulcan has now to forge bayonets and cast iron balls, and for many a long day it may be the destiny of the iron rail to lie unrequired, and the iron bar to rust. Prospects are indeed. bad. When ironmasters begin to stack iron instead of sending it off by rail and canal, a reduction is not far off. Aiid so with the beginning of August we may expect to hear of reduced wages but to what extent cannot yet be stated, from the very reasonable cause that the amount is not decided upon by the employers of labour. It may not be more than 10, and it may be as much as 20 per cent. This de- pends on the advance or further decline of the trade, and the whole hinges, we expect, on the attitude this country may take in the next few weeks. The coming Autumn may be a time of trial, and of suffering. We may re- quire all our courage and endurance. On the other hand it must not be disguised that, so far as England is concerned, the picture is brighter. The harvest prospects are good, the cattle plague has all but died away, and the great evil we dreaded so much, the cholera, still keeps aloof. So it will be wise to practice a little of true practical philo- sophy, and while preparing for the worst hope still for the best.

MR. CRAWSHAY AND THE PENTWYN REGATTA. IF the Pentwyn Regatta is to be a thing of annual occurrence it is to be hoped that it will be conduc- ted henceforth in a much better way than it was last week. Mr. Crawshay, who, it seems, was the chief promoter and patron of the Regatta, did all he could to disgust everybody with the proceedings of the day. I should like to know by what right he appropriated to the exclusive use of himself and a few of his select friends a large portion of the west side of the lake ? So carefully was the best piece of ground at Pentwyn kept sacred for the use of Mr. Crawshay and a few of his favourites, that policemen were actually stationed there to prevent the public from enjoying a walk in grounds that ought to have been open to all, especially on a holiday when thousands of people were congregated together. But why did the policemen obey the commands of Mr. Crawshay ? Are they not the servants of the public, paid to look after the interests of the people, and not to keep the people from their own grounds ? It seems that Mr. Crawshay thinks that Pentwyn lake and grounds are as much his as his own park and pond are, and that the policemen are as much his servants as his own gamekeepers and fishermen. I thought it was enough for Mr. Crawshay (who has a fishpond of his own) to be allowed to carry on illegal fishing in Pentwyn lake, without his keeping away, with the aid of policemen, the people from its best banks. How long yet are these things to be per- mitted I But this, though bad enough, is not all. A worse thing was done. Yes, Mr. Crawshay did a deed before the Regatta was over that outraged every sense of morality and common decency. About seven o'clock in the evening, when there were five thousand people present, half of whom were women, and many of them ladies of respect- ablity and refinement, Mr. Crawshay offered a prize for the best swimmer, and so about a dozen men took off their clothes in the boat house in the sight of everybody, and then walked down to the water, stark naked, through a crowd of men and women, and swam across the lake and back, under the gaze of the thousands who everywhere sat on the banks If Mr. Crawshay has no respect for morality, decency, or modesty, surely he ought to have had some respect for the hundreds of ladies who were present, many of whom it seems were his personal friends. If such things as this are to be countenanced in Merthyr, then, as regards mor- ality, we are no better off than the barbarians, heathens, and savages whom we affect to pity and I pray for. I have no time to say more now, but, with your permission, I will return to the subject I next week. GRACCHUS. [We understand that the swimming prize was offered by Mr. W. Crawshay, jun., and we are not aware that Mr. R. T. Crawshay knew of it until the contest had actually commenced.—ED. M. T.]

MERTHYR LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH. At the fortnightly meeting of this Board, held on Thurs- day last, the chair was occupied by G. T. Clark, Esq. There were also present—Messrs. E. Purchase, D. Davies, D. Rosser, J. Jones, R. Harrison, F. James, G. Martin, and F. W. Scale. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and signed, THE SURFASYOR'S REPORT was read as follows:- To the Merthyr Tydfil Local Board of Health. Gentlemen, -1 beg to report that. during the month of June, a total length of 968 yards of sewers, of the value of JE477 11s. 5d., as per detailed account, were constructed by Mr. J. Dixon under his contract, and that the sum of JG428 18s. 3d. is now due to him on account thereof. You will observe that the works are not progressing at anything like the rate required to ensure their completion within the time allowed by the contract. I beg to lay before you a statement of the consumption of water by meter during the quarter ending at midsummer last, showing that water of the value of JE84 Is. lid. was consumed for machinery and motive power, and of tLe value of £17 4s. for other purposes. There are now in use in your district 46 water meters fixed over a large area, the extreme pomts of which are the Troedyrhiw Railway Station, the Pant Railway Station, Mr. Pearce's the Cefn, and the Six Bells brewery, Penheolgeiig. I beg to report that the cast iron pipes supplied by Mr. Spittle for the extension of the water supply to Cefn and Penheolgerrig have been well tested, and have borne the pressure satisfactorily, and that the b dance of £68 15s. 2d. is due to him according to the terms of his contract. With respect to the complaints of Mr. ^Cresswell and Mr. Dyke of the want of sanitary regulations at Pengarn- ddu, I beg to report that on the day after that on which you last met, I met there several of the owners of cottages, and pointed out to them the necessity of ventilating and otherwise improving their cottages. They, however, are prejudiced against ventilation, and allege that their diffi- culty is to keet out the air, and that certain cottages which had recently been ventilated had rather been in- jured than improved by what had been done. But as the sleeping rooms of these cottages (with few exceptions) have no fire place, and only one small sash window, there can- not possibly be a sufficent supply of fresh air to these rooms at all times. I would recommend you to require the provision of means of ventilation to the row of ten cot- tages belonging to Mr. Stephen Jones. When this is done the other owners will probably carry out your require- ments in this respect. Since your last meeting I have had made an accurate survey of the place, and now lay before you a plan showing such further improvements as appear desirable. The parts tinted brown in the said plan should be cleared by the removal of the small buildings, walls, and mounds, and added to the paths adjoining the houses so as to form roads of sufficient width for the passage of carts. The said roads should then be installed and the paths paved at the expense of the owners. Nine-inch pipe sewers with gullies as shown should be laid down at the expense of your Board. The cost of the sewers and gullies will be atraut .£60.- rengarn-ddu has had a service of scavengers weekly since March last, and last week the whole of the gutters were by the request of the chairman of your Board washed and cleansed by your men. i beg to lay before you a series of reports from your medical officer of health. The complaints and suggestions contained therein have hackprompt attention, and, as far as practicable, where your officers have your authority for doing the necessary works, the causesv of complaint are being removed, and the suggestions are: being acted upon. But these reports include notices of accumulations of ashes and of other nuisances, in the outskirts of Merthyr and Dhwtais, beyond the limits of the scavengers' districts, viz., at Penheolgerrig, Mountain Hare, Penwainfawr, Blaen Dowlais, &c., for the removal of which your orders will be necessary. I beg to report tKit I have received plans and notices of the following intended buildings. I have examined the site of each, and see no objection to their erection, viz. :— 1. From William Edwards, of a house and outbuildings, to be used as an inn, near the Quaker's Yard railway station. 2. From James and William Williams of two houses, at Mount Pleasant, Troedyrhiw. I am, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, SAMUEL HARPUR, Surveyor. Merthyr Tydfil, 5th July, 1866. THE SEWEBAGE CONTRACT. With reference to the paragraph of the report alluding to the slowness with which the sewerage was proceeding, Mr. Rosser asked was it for want of bricks the sewerage was behind? The Surveyor thought it was.. In pursuance with a suggestion from the chairman the money due was first granted to the contractor, and then The Chairman said the first question was whether they would say anything to him about the slowness of the work. Mr Purchase thought it would be the best thing for the clerk to write to the contractor requesting him to hurry on (hear, hear). The Chairman said that was the best thing to do, be- cause the late state of affairs in regard to money had, no doubt, kept him back. Mr Harrisson: I think Dowlais ought to have been com- menced long before this. I don't see why operations could not be carried on in the two places together. The Surveyor said if that was done the staff of workmen would have to be increased. Mr Harrisson Then, I suppose, we are to wait in Dow. lais till the works in Merthyr are finished. The Surveyor said it was necessary to wait till arrange- ments similar to those in Merthyr were made Mr. Harrisson Why could not those be done in Dow- lais as well as here ? The Surveyor said they would entail additional ex- penses. Mr Harrisson Even so, I think justice ought to be done to both places. The Chairman: I think it was distinctly understood that the great division of Dowlais was not to be left till Merthyr was done. Mr Harrisson: I think it would be better to have a dis- tinct contract for each. Mr Rosser The man cannot get sufficient materials for Merthyr, and how then would it be if you commenced at the same time in Dowlais ? Mr Martin: I think the question refers more to the supply of material than anything else. The Surveyor I believe that is the principal question. The Chairman: We should call the contractor's atten- tion to the slowness of the proceeding, and desire him to get on as well as he can. Mr Rosser: If he cannot get enough of bricks surely he cannot proceed quickly. Mr. Harrisson Could not the bricks be got from Dow- lais ? The Chairman We cannot make bricks enough for our- selves there, and we have to buy them elsewhere. Mr Purchase It is very evident that it is not an easy matter to push on the work at the present time. We all know money is rather tight" at present, and perhaps that may have effected our contractor. Mr Rosser But, the swoner we go on with the work the better (hear, hear). The Chairman I believe the contractor is terribly be- hind, and he ought not to be so. It is quite true we give him money from time to time, but then he has to find the ready cash till he gets our money, and I think that may produce some effect on him. I don't know, though. Mr Rosser What is a contractor if he has not money to lay out ? Mr E. W. Scale I think we may call upon the surveyor to give us a reason against the next Board day, why the work is backward, and why the Dowlais contract is not commenced at once. Mr Purchase: It is likely the contractor himself will find us a reason. The Surveyor: The principal reason why the Dowlais worK cannot be done is, because the present work is going on so slowly. The contractor is doing only about one third of what he ought to do, and if that »was divided between Merthyr and Dowlais it would only be making very small portions of the whole affair. Mr. E. W. Scale: Then, I think we had better get ano- ther contractor for Dowlais. The Chairman: Take care of that; interfering with the contractor is rather a difficult matter. The Surveyor believed the Board could not interfere with the contractor, as there was still a good deal of time to elapse before the period mentioned in the contract would expire. After some further discussion, Mr. Harpur was directed to see what could be done as to the matter of pushing on the sewerage works in Merthyr quicker, and commencing that in Dowlais. THE WATER SUPPLY. On the reading of the next clause of the report, referring to the consumption of water during the quarter ending last midsummer, Mr. James asked was there an increase ? The Surveyor said there was an increase of about £20. Mr. James; Where has it rose chiefly ? The Surveyor: There are JE10 new from the Dowlais Gas C"mpany, Mr. James I am afraid that is only temporary? Tbe Surveyor We are also giving the baths water worth about JLa per quarter. Mr. Scale: I see they have reduced the rate of bathing. Mr. James: That is because they are so flourishing (laughter). Mr. Scale I think we ought to send them notice that we will charge them for the water. Mr. James: Leave it to them for the twelve months, and then charge them. Mr. Scale But you must consider that this is a private speculation. The Chairman I have no interest in the thing myself, but then we all are, I am sure, anxious to see the great unwashed washed (laughter). There are those who have an interest in it, and if they find out that only the higher classes go there, you may depend on it they will not reduce the price. They did so to catch the multitudes, I suppose. The matter dropped. The sum of £68 15s. 2d., due to Mr. Spittle for the sup- ply of cast iron pipes for the extension of the water supply to Cefn and Penheolgerrig, was ordered to be paid. TBE SANITARY REGULATIONS. The paragraph of the surveyor's report referring to the sanitary regulations of Pengarnddu was then read, and The Chairman said he went up to Pengarnddu after the last meeting in the middle of the warm weather, and he should say he looked specially at that part reported by Mr. Dyke. He found under the eaves of each house a gutter full of dirty matter, and, of course, the stench of such a gutter came into the interior of the houses without opposi- tion. He wondered how anyone could live there. As to fevvr, it was just the sort of place in which fever would most delight. In front of the bouses there were high mounds of earth, four or five feet in elevation, and there was such a narrow foot-path between the houses and the mounds that it was most miserable to look upon. They I were far worse there than any of the Irish piaces he had ever seen—regarding the exterior appearance of the places. Therefore, he immediately wrote a letter to Mr. Russell, and he took on himself the responsibility of having some- thing done to the places at once. Something was done, and the reason he (the Chairman) interfered was, because he felt the urgency of the case was one which demanded his interference (hear, hear). As to the remarks of A)r. Har- pur that the people there were opposed to ventilation, he thought that was very probable, and he advised the Board to insist on, and see to having those thiugs done (hear hear). Tur Surveyor sailllhr best plan would be to summon Mr Stephen Jones, it he did not addopt his (the Surveyor's) suggestion, and then the Magistratres would make him do so. The Chairman Of course, I suppose it would be very mm h cheaper tor the owners if we did these things. The Surveyor said it would he a matter 01 difficulty if the owners and occupiers ottered any obstruction. Mr Jamts: When the policeman calls with a summons to them, then never tear they will do it. The Chairman And we must take care that they do it well. Mr Martin believed Mr Stephen Jones would do it once he was asked. Mr James also thought so. After some further conversation an order was made that proceedings should be taken according to the a"t of Parlia- ment against the owners of those houses, except they carried out the instructions of Mr Harpur, Surveyor. The intended buildings notified to the surveyor, were then sanctioned. A series of reports were read from Dr. Dyke referring to some accummulationsof ashts, &e., outside o^the scavt nuing districts, and orders were made that they be cleared away. SLAUGHTER HOUSES. Mr Lewis, Magistrate's Clerk, appeared before the Board and said some two yeais ago a committee of this Board in. spected the Crawshay's Arms slaughter house. Various alterations and improvements were suggested by the sur- veyor and oariied out at very considerable expense. Not tar off, in a public street in the town, there was another killing; place, and since the last Board, great, alterations and exten- sion ot tlii premises had been made, and in a place where there was room enough to kill one beast before, there was now room to kill twenty. Tnis would aifect the interest" of the other slaughter houses very much, aud he (Mr Lewis) wished to know what the Board were about to do to protect those iuteiests. [We believe the house referred to by Mr Lewis in the one near the Crawshay's Arms. occupied by Mr Milward], The Chairman did not think the Board had power to inter- fere in this malt. r. Was there anything in a sanitary point of view complained of ? The Surveyor said the house had been occupied by them now lor many years, with the slaughter house. Mr James: So tar as the Crawshay's Arms is concerned we have nothing to do with that, but here is a case iu which a slaughter house is enlarged without our permission, and I think they have no right to do that. The Surveyor: It is not enlarged as a slaughter house, they have had only reduced the size of one loom, and increased that ot the other. Mr Ja nts: Has he a right to alter them without the per- mission ot the Board ? The Purveyor: Most decidedly. Mr James: If what Mr Lewis says is true, and that the man can now kill twenty cattle where hetnre he used only to kill one, then I think that is an enlargement of the slaughter house, and as such, permission tor it ought to have been asked from us. TheChaiiman: Suppose the man has a licence for the slaughter ho'we, then it does not matter how many cattle are slaughtered. Mr J anxs And cm they enlarge the place to any extent^ Mr Roster: It seems it is only tBe internal part they have altered. The Chairman Has he had the licence enlarged ? The Survryor No sir, the licence included the whole of the premises. Mr. Lewis: Excuse me for interrupting you, but you are making a misrepresentation to the Board. That part of the killing placer was never registered as a slaughter-house. The Surveyor It was connected with the slaughter- house. There was an opening from the one room into the other. The Chairman It appears to" me he got a license for kill- ing a certain number of beasts, and he has exceeded that number. Mr. Harpur I am not aware of that. The Chairman Well, it is alleged that he has. After some time a letter on this subject was wid, which stated that the premises were first owned by a Mr. Joseph Griffiths, who got a license for the house, and they subse- quently fell into the possession of Mr. Millward. Some discussion subsequently followed, which ended by Mr. Harpur being- directed to see the premises and report on them at the next Board. Mr. Dyke's quarterly report was read..It was compiled in that gentleman's usually clever and complete manner, and Mr. Harpur was directed to see that it should be pro- perly attended to. Mr. Dyke's engagement ends next quarter, and the question of its renewal and the state of the salary he now gets. was adjourned till the next Board. It was reported that there was some of the water being used in the construction of the Volunteer Drill Hall, and it was resolved not to charge for it.. Mr. James brought under the notice of the Board that a man with one arm was now in the habit of fishing by night at the Pentwyn reservoir, and killing a large quantity of fish there Considerable discussion followed, during which the swim- ming in the reservoir on the day of t.he regatta was noticed, and a strong opinion against bathing there was expressed. Mr. Atkins's attention was called to both matters. The report on the state of the county roads will be pro- duced at the next Board.

EBBW VALE. THE DOG NUISANCE.—All the efforts put forth by the authorities to nd the town of the dog nuisance have hereto- fore been in vain. It is true that many of the canine speices have met with a watery grave, but some people imagine that when they pay dog taxes they can let their dogs run at large unmuzzled to the great annoyance and danger of the community. We are glad to find that the last method of getting rid of these unwelcome intruders has, at last, been resorted to. Every dog running about the village in future unmuzzled will be shot. We presume our police officers will be competent to do service as veterans by the time they have killed all useless puppies in this neighbourhood. BAD NEWS FOR THE WORKING CLASSES.—Whether it is the war raging on the Continent, the failure of the banks in London, the thunderstorm of last week, the cattle plague, or any other plague, that has caused the ironmasters to give notice for a reduction in wages we cannot say, but such is the case. The notice came upon the devoted beads of the working men quite suddenly, and many of them can- not and will not believe it; but believe it they must. What makes it the more strange is that the workmen were just in high expectation of having an advance, in which they are sadly disappointed. The news has cast a gloom o\er this town. Provisions here are constantly getting dearer, and we have no doubt the difficulties of the working population will now be very great. To the Editor of the MEBTHYR TELEGRAPH.—Sir,— Probably you are aware that your local correspondents are placed in somewhat critical positions, asit is too often the case, that when they have tried to please everybody they have pleased nobody, and they stand exposed to the virulence of every impertinent puppy in the neighbourhood, whose con- duct they are called upon to represent. I know, sir, that every correspondent of the press ought to be a truthful per- son, and should, to the best of his ability, give a correct report of every event that comes under his notice, without courting the smiles or dreading the frowns of any petty party but, sir. it cannot be expected that he should be in- fallible and not liable to err, which, indeed, happens not unfrequently, although the error may not be committed wilfully, nor with any intent whatever to injure the feelings of those parties to whom it has special reference. I do not intend, Mr. Editor, to take up much of your space in mak- ing remarks on the ebulitions of Fair-play, whose letter appeared in your last impression, relative to the cricket match that took place between the Ebbw Vale and Beaufort cricket clubs, although I cannot pass them by without thanking the pswdo gent for Ms complaints and his friend- ship to myself. I admit, sit* that he is a garcon d'esprit, and there is every probability of his becoming a wonder to many. The object Fairplay had in taking up the sub- ject is quite evident. tHe appears much dissatisfied with the account given by your own correspondent of the cricket match, and tries to make the public believe that the Beau- fort club were more experienced in cricketing than the Ebbw Vale, and that the latter won the match only by fortune. Now, sir, it is quite patent to all that" Fair play wishes to under-rate. and bring the Ebbw Vale eleven into disrepute; but I contend that the Beaufort club were far from coming up to the mark. On this part of Fairplay's epistle suffice it to say that the superiority of the Ebbw Vale eleven was quite manifest in their beating the Beaufort by 48 runs In conclusion, sir, let me say I hope Fairplay will affix to his very able letter the motto which Hurdis prefixed to his first poem (DUllt relego, son- psisse pudet), and for ever after adhere to the principles of integrity and truth. YOUR JUVENILE CORRESPONDENT. RHYMNEY AND PONTLOTTYN. NOTICE OF A "REDUCTION OF WAGES."—On Saturday last notices were placed on the doors of the various offices connected with these works, announcing that at the end of the month, from that date, there would be a general reduc- tion of wages in the Rhymney works. Saturday, the 7th, is the pay, and the end of the Company's year. This re- duction will depress trade, and undoubtedly, cause consider- able changes to take place. CONCERT AT UCHDIR CHAPEL, NEW TREDEGAR.—A grand concert of classical music was given at this chapel on Wednesday last, by Llew Llwyfo and his daughter, Miss Llwyfo Lewis, who were kindly assisted on the occasion by the Misses Burn. The pianist was Mr. Owen (Alaw Maelor), of North Wales. The programme consisted of