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

MERTHYR TYDFIL LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the JLl ACCOMJTS of the Merthyr Tydfil Local Board of Health, for the year ending the 31st day of December, 1869, will be Audited by Mr, Edward Jones, Poor-Law Auditor for the South Wales District, at half-past four o'clock on Wednesday, the 18th day of May, 1870, at the office of the said Local Board, 71, High Street, Merthyr Aforesaid. A Copy of the accounts to be audited, together with the Books, Hills, Vouchers, and receipts, will be deposite1 at tke said Office seven days before such Audit, and will be open during Office hours for the inspection of all persons interested therein. THOMAS WILLIAMS, Clerk to the said Local Board. Dated this 26th day of April, 1870. 3110

MERTHYR TYDFIL LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH. SEWAGE M A N U R E. THE BOARD are desirous of receiving TENDERS from Persons willing to purchase and re- taove the Mannre arrested by theSewage Tanks on Aberfan Road. The quantity will be 14 or 16 tons per Week, and will be taken out of the Tanks and phced conveniently for removal, and must be cleared away within twentv.four hours. Tenders, Stating the Sum offered for the same per Calendar Month, to be left at the Offices of the Board, 71, High-Street, Merthyr, on or before the 17th instant. THOMAS WILLIAMS, gill Clerk. PONTYPRIDD UNION. THE Guardians of this LTnion are prepared to receive TENDERS from persons willing to CON- TRACT for the supply of COFFINS, and undertake for the BURIAL of Paupers. A Specification and form of Contract may be seen at my office. Tenders must be sent to me on or before the 25th day Of May, 1870, 3107 E. C. SPiCKETT, Clerk. TO BUILDERS & OTHERS. TENDERS are required for the Erection of a New Congregational Chapel at Troedyrhiw. Plans and Specifications may be seen on application to Mr W. Sharp, Grocer, Troedyrhiw, to whom Tenders are to be sent on or before the 10th of May, 1870, The lowest Tender not necessarily accepted. 3095 LLANDRINDOD WELLS. j LLANERCH HOTEL. J THIS old established Family Hotel and Boarding-house, IS NOW READY FOR THE RECEPTION OF VISITORS. T b R X 8 From the 1st of April until the 15th of June. £1 l's. per week, including Board, Lodging, and Attendance, After that date, t:3 2s. per week. Proprietor E, DAWSON. 3105 BE OWN & P0L803V8 CORN FLOUB IS GENUINE. PREPARED SOLELY FROM MAIZE- INDIAN CORN TO OBT\IN" EXTRA PROFIT BY THE SALE, OTHEH QUALITIES BEARING A FALSE NAME ARE UNSCRUPULOUSLY SUBSTITUTED INSTEAD OF BROWN AND POLSON'o CORN FLOUII, Which is prepared solely from Maize-Indian Corn. 1- BR O W N AND POISON B were the first to adopt the name of Cora Flour, and they are greatly interested in maintaining its, reputation, which is liable to be discredited by the iMwurran table appropriation of the name to articles of a different cha- racter. BROWN AND PO L S O N • s CORN FLOUR » With Milk for Children's Diet, BROWN AND POLSUJI'S! CORN FliOUK to thicken Soups and Sauces. [ BK O W N AND POL SON'S I B CORN FLCJB, 1 to thic), j Beef -tea. BROWN AND POL.RFSI B cop.N FLOUR ¡ for Custards. I BROWN AND P o L A o N • S I CORN FLOUR for I Blanc-mange. I RO W N AKP, POLSON'8 Blanc-mange. I RO W N AKP, POLSON'8 B CORN" FLOUR for Puddings. j T) E A R JL I N A Is "deli in albuminous properties'. Prepared by BROWN and POLSON j PEAELIN A J ■ Is rich in flesh-forming properties. I Prepared by „ BROWN and POL;=rON. I "p E A 11 L I N A i Has the sustaining properties of Oat-noil — — without being1 sn fw-.itinff EARLIN A PE ARLIN A I JL May be used with or without Milk- "spared bv BROWN and POLBON. PE AiiLIN A wat er> »nd a little salt, fg the most digestible Si pper. PEAKLIIN A For Bnsa kfast. Pre pari :dby BROWN and POLSON PE AiiLIN A For Baked Pro Idings. Prepared by BROWN and POLSON PE A R L I N A For Plum Pu ddings. Prepared by BROWN and POLSON. PEAELINA Recipes upon each Package WØ6 Price 6d, LONDON HOUSE, TREDEGAR, WILLIAM DAVIES BEGS to announce his return from the LOX- DON and other MARKETS, and his EXTENSIVE SHOW ROOMS WILL BE OPENED ON SATURDAY NEXT, APRIL 30th, with a MAGNIFICIENT STOCK OF MILLLINEEY, STRAW HATS AND BONNETS, FLOWERS, FEATHERS. MANTLES. PALETOTS. FUIOHJbS. DRESS MOHAIRS. ) FRENCH MERINOS. BOURNOUSE CLOAKS. LACE SHAWLS. STAYS, CORSETS. Ac. GLOVES. HOSIER F. RIBBONS. LACES. FRINGES AND TRIMMINGS. LADIES' CLOTHS. SKIRTINGS. OVERSKILLTS. SUN HATS. SUN SHADES. UMBRELLAS. TABLE LINENS. CARPETS, FT.,LTS. DRUGGET S. HEARTHRUGS. GRENADINES. MUSLINS. PalNTS. WOOLLEN CLOTHS. DOESKINS, &c. A Large Stock of New Straw and Felt Hats. 3103 ROLLERS WANTED at a Large Bar Mill, JL\; also at a. Plate Mill. Men perfectly competent. a-d of good ch aracter. Wages about £ 4 per week. Ap- ply to M.E. at the Office of this Paper. 3094 To G roars Assistants and Others. Wi^NTED immediately a respectable Young Mao, mus't be willing- and active. Apply to ALW XANDER GL N- High-street, Merthyr. TO PARENTS & GUARDIANS. WANTED a well-educated Youth as an vt Apprentice tc* < Chemist and Druggist.—Apply bo JOHN JONES, Stamp Office, Aberdare. 3113 HOUSEKEEPER WANTED. WANTED a. Middle Aged Woman as HOUSEKE EPER to a Branch Establishment. No other servant kept. Apply- to Mr WILLIAM HAKRIS-, 144, High street, Merthyr-^L'ydfil. 3109 TO BREWERS AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS. ~Y\TANTED b}- the Adver tiser, -who has had extensive experience in. the Iron Districts, a situation as TBAVI.lllh. Good K eferenees and Security will be given. Apply to JOHN DOUGHTT, at the Office of this Paper. 3015 MILLINERY AND STRAW BONNET MAKING. APPRENTICES WANTED to the Millinery and Straw Bonnet Making, wht*re they will have a thorough knowledge of the business*. Also Im- provers Wanted, In-doors or oat. Apply TO .Mrs. PRICE, Nos. 25 and 26, Wellington Street, Merthyr. 3001 DERRI, NEAR RHYMNEY. TO BE LET with immediate possession, a HOUSE & SHOP, suitable for a Grocer, with Fittings complete, a ud a good Dwelling: House attached. Rent Moderate.-Apr <ly to Mr EDMUND LEWIS, Ysgwydd- gwyn Uchaf, Derri. 3106 GLAMORGAN 1 UFLE VOLUNTEERS. Orders for the Week Ë, utiny Saturday, May 14th. TUESDAY—Company drill '8, p.m., Drill Hall. WEDNESDAY—Company D. rill 8. p.m., Drill Hall. THURSDAY—No. 2 Sectioi » will assemble at 4.30 p.m., jt at the Shooting Gro, md, for Class Firing. FRIDAY,—Recruit drill 8. p.1 D., Drill Hall. SATURDAY.—No 2 Section w all assemble at 6.3& p.m., at the Shooting Groun d, for Class Firing. OFFICERS FOR FHS WEEK :— Lieut. James, Sergeant S*&\ wn, Corporal Charles. 1 3054 ]

DIVISION OF THE PARISH INTO WARDS. THE proposal to divide the parish of Merthyr Tydfil into wards for election purposes, is the first step towards an important change in the local re- presentation. It is, in fact, one of the most notable "signs of the times," for it is nothing less than an attempt to erect a bulwark which may pre- vent our Local Boards from being either swept away altogether, or materially impaired. There are many among the middle class and artizan population who are anything but satisfied with the results of recent elections. The trades-people may, indeed, be said to have no vote at all. They are entirely swamped. As for the Ironmasters— once almost omnipotent—their influence has been very nearly extinguished. The parish is practi. cally at the mercy of demagogues, who unscrupu- lously canvass in the interest of candidates, whose qualifications to serve on any public Board they cannot even themselves describe. Men are nomi- nated, and are also supported by a considerable number of votes, who may have private virtues, but are utterly wanting in that experience which is requisite for discharging a public trust with any degree of credit to the community. During the last election of Guardians, for example, very objectionable means were used by certain parties, with a view to defeat those whose return might prevent their own friends from being successful in their candidature. Canvassing is, under any cir- cumstances, an objectionable proceeding but we have been credibly informed that written papers, containing the names of the candi- dates for whom the electors ought to vote, were industriously circulated by local agitators from house to house, so as to produce on the minds of many the impression that none but the persons mentioned on the papers could be returned. As the same busy-bodies had it in their power to carry on the same manoeuvre in every corner of the parish, the consequence was that they achieved a considerable amount of success, and by manu- facturing dupes wherever they went, secured a greater triumph for their cause than such measures deserved. The unwarrantable means which they adopted could hardly have much weight with the intelligent reading classes, but with others they prevailed, and the consequence was that many votes were recorded in favour of candidates whose re- turn—fortunately, in some cases, prevented— would have been anything but an honour to the town. It is hardly to be expected that the large employers of labour, the middle class, and the cream of the working people, will look quietly on such movements. The demand for wards is their appeal against the recent past. It is true that Mr. Simons, with that shrewd reticence which proved that he was well fitted to take the lead in this re-action against an abuse of popular power, merely remind 3d the Guardians that they were familiar with the arguments in favour of division, and therefore did not require to have them set forth at length. His policy was sound, but no person, not altogether shut out from ordinary cur- rent information, can doubt that the result of the last election precipitated Mr. Simons's motion, and suddenly brought us face to face with a proposal which might otherwise have been confined to drawing rooms and street corners for years to come. The simple, unvarnished fact is this—the last Reform Bill placed Merthyr elections for all time to come in the hands of the working classes, to the exclusion of other interests. No sensible man will deny the right of the working classes to a fair proportion of electoral control. They have as much right to vote as any other subjects of the realm. But it is equally clear that no sensible man will deny the right also of the middle or the upper classes to a fair proportion of electoral con- trol, not in name, but in deed. It is not the mere vote that we claim for them. That may become a farce. If they are to be entirely swamped by another class, having little or no respect for their interests, they might as well be disfranchised at once. Of what advantage would it be for such men as Mr. Fothergill, Mr. Crawshay, and Mr. Clark, to have a vote, if they were so situated as never to be able to return a member capable of representing their interests ? They would be fools for their pains if they took the trouble to vote at all, under such circumstances. But they are, to some extent, practically in this position now. The difficulty of securing representation on our Local Boards is increasing with them year by year. They may nominate; they may canvass; but their efforts may be entirely thwarted, not to find room for more competent men than they wish to see returned, but to find a place for whoever may be the pet of the period, whatever be his lack of qualification. At the same time, we are not sur- prised beyond measure at the disappointment which recent elections have occasioned among the great employers and the tradesmen. When the Boards were virtually elected by the Ironmasters, the in- terests of the masses were never consulted, and the tradesmen had only spirit enough to groan under the yoke, without standing up like men to resist. It is impossible to deny the remark made by Mr. Daniel in opposing Mr. Simons's motion, that under the old franchise it was found to be im- possible to return any gentleman on that or the "other Board, unless he was one of the nominees "of the Ironmasters of the district." Besides which, it must be remembered that the Board of Health, which was at first opposed by the Iron- masters, but afterwads because an institution entirely under their control, mismanaged the finances of the town under their very noses. All this was very aggravating. It keenly irritated the people, and when the opportunity arrived, they applied the broom with little mercy. Whatever class unjustly swamps another, or takes advantage of its helplessness, may confidently expect a day of retribution. The poor oppressed will find an opportunity of retaliating on the rich oppressor, and the rich aggrieved will find an opportunity of repaying the poor in kind. The Ironmasters and tradesmen have reaped what they sowed, and if we were to study the result, as mere philosophers, and not as citizens concerned for the well-being of the town, our verdict would be "served them right! But the working classes have had their opportunity, and we think they might have turned it to bet- ter account. They might have listened less to demagogues and the inventors of misrepresentation and abuse, and consulted the interests of the com- munity and of all sections of it. The election of a favourite, merely as a favourite, is no com- pliment to one's public spirit, and less than no ser- vice to the community. The division of the town into wards will contribute powerfully towards pre- venting the repetition of so foolish a freak. It will effect another revolution in our local representa- tion, and convince all that one's own interests are best consulted when he does not forget the interests of others. The proposal in favour of this division was strongly resisted by two gentlemen who have unquestionally suffered from the present arrange- ment. It is only fair to mention this, for it is much to their credit. There is no doubt that strong efforts were used at the last election to pre- vent Messrs. W. L. Daniel and Thomas Williams from being returned. Their want of subserviency to the very party which the division of the parish into wards will blow away like chaff, cost them many a vote, and gave them the benefit of many false reports but, in spite of the persecution, they contended for the continuance of the present sys- tem, in the belief that until we have the ballot, the wards will be entirely in the hands of the Ironmasters. We cannot but sympathize with Mr. Daniel in the line of argument he adopted, but we believe that the change proposed has become an .absolute necessity. We hope the Ironmasters will nv">t attempt to take undue advantage of the influ- eace which the division of the parish will give then*. The ballot will come, and they may be sure that any undue influence will be avenged. Their control of the wards will only be temporary, but if thoy act with discretion, and show due con- sideration for all, they may maintain their ground, I Bven when secret voting has become the law of the

I LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. I A RETURN CRICKET MATCH was lately played between the Tydfil School and Mr Lloyd's school, when the former won by 49 runs. TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH. — At the Rolls Court on Thursday, in the case of Nixon v. the Merthyr Board of Health, Lord Romilly reserved judgment until Monday, as he was anxious to go carefully through the affidavits. THE BRECON AND MERTHYR RAILWAY TIME TABLES.— Our readers are informed that the time tables of this rail- way are incorrect. The necessary alterations will appear in our next issue. PEDESTRIANIsM.-On Monday evening last a. foot race came off on the Plymouth road, between two young men, named W. Payne, and H. Fennell. The distance was 300 yards and a very spirited race ensued, the flying tailor' however winning by some yards. As is usual in such cases, a good deal of interest was manifested in the event. TROEDYRHIW.-The kind interest evinced by R. Fother gill, Esq., M.P., in the Troedyrhiw British Schools, has for the second time taken a most practical form. Some time ago Mr Fothergill took upon himself to pay annually one half of the interest of the debt on the building, and this week the secretary had the satifaction of receiving a cheque for X10 towards that object, for which the managers feel most grateful, as it greatly relieves them of a heavy burden. THE HIGH CONSTABLE.—C. E. Matthews, Esq., the high constable for the present year attended the police court on Monday last, his year of office having on that day ex- pired, and handed his Worship, n accordance with the usual custom, a list of gentlemen qualified for the appoint- ment. Mr Fowler then remarked, and we are sure the public will heartily concur in the observation, that he had every reason to believe that Mr Matthews had discharged his duties with great satisfaction, and he congratulated him that nothing unpleasant had occurred during his year of office. Mr Mathews then left the court. We understand that thejgentlemen nominated by Mr Matthews, were Messrs Todd, High-street, T. Thomas, High-street, and B. Kirk- house, Llwyncelyn, the first of whom will receive the ap- pointment. WE are pleased to hear that the Rev. John Evans, pastor of the English Methodist Church at Aberdare, has just ob- tained his degree of M.A. at the Glasgow University. We understand that Mr Evans was a student for some time under Mr Evan Williams, M.A., ot the Tydfil School, Mer- thyr, previous to his obtaining Dr. Williams's valuable scholarship, and entering the University. His career has been hitherto a credit to himself and teachers, and we trust it is an earnest of his future usefulness. THE VOLUNTEERS—Shooting for the Ladies' Cup came off for the first time this year on Thursday week last, with the following result. The ranges were 200, 500, and 600 yards Points. Points. Private Thomas 35 Private Jones 19 Sergt. Davies 34 „ Vaughan 18 Ensign Roach 32 „ Kent. 18 Private O. Evans.. 32 Avis 16 Sergt, Evans. 30 „ J. Evans 14 Seddon 28 „ Jomes 12 Private H. Evans. 24 Davies. 11 „ T. Smith 24 Rees 10 White 21 „ D. Thomas 5 „ R. Smith 12 Rees. 2 It will be seen by the above that Private Thomas is at pre- sent the successful competitor, but before he receives it, he has to win it three successive times. DUNVILLE & 'Co., Belfast, are the largest holders of whisky in the world. Their Old Irish Whisky is recom- mended by the medical profession in preference to French brandy. Supplied in casks and cases for home use or ex- portation. Quotations on application to MESSRS. DUN- VILLE & Co., ROYAL IRISH DISTILLERIES, BELFAST. 3065

GREAT_FIRE. DESTRUCTION OF MR. MEREDITH'S DRAPERY ESTABLISHMENT, MERTHYR TYDFIL. Fire, at all times alarming when it bursts out unex- pectedly, is one of the most terrible scourges that can visit a populous neighbourhood. Everyone is kept in suspense. The possibility of saving one building is counterbalanced by the probability of losing another. Every person becomes more or less excited. Presence of mind disappears at the very moment it is needed. The rush of the crowd to the scene of the conflagration adds to the confusion, while rendering little help. There have been some very serious fires of late in various parts of the country. In one case a whole village was des- troyed. The details of these alarming incidents are harrowing to the reader's mind, even though the scene of the conflagration may be quite unknown to him. But the excitement, the alarm, the uneasiness are increased tenfold when a fire bursts into active operation in our very midst. The spectacle presented last Monday even- ing by the furnace-like blaze which lighted up the High street, and, in fact, a great portion of the town, will not readily be forgotten by anyone who witnessed it. We have seen many great conflagrations in other towns, but it must seldom, if ever, have fallen to the lot of anyone to look at such a sight as this. Had the place of business been designed for effective conflagration, it could not have answered its purpose better than it actually did. The work of destruction seemed to come and go in a moment. Some of those who ran down from Courtland Terrace to see what their informants described as a splendid blaze, saw nothing on their arrival but smoke. The construction of Mr. Meredith's premises was un- fortunately well suited to the ravages of the destroying agent. The interior of the shop was open up to the second floor. and consequently whenever a few combus- tible articles caught fire, the flames rushed upwards, and the whole establishment was converted into a furnace or chimney, through which the strong blast swept with appalling force, and with a roar which proved that its work would soon be completed. This quickly destroyed the whole edifice, but it no doubt helped materially to save the neighbouring shops. The open vent carried much of the heat and flames upwards, and with such rapidity as to prevent their lateral progress and thus allow them to envelop the adjacent tenements. The origin of the evil was very insignificant. An anti- macassar in the window was wafted into a gas jet, and the flame which it quickly eaught leaped from arti- cle to article, at first confining its ravages to the stock displayed in the window, and then springing from storey to storey, until the roof fell in suddenly with a crash, and the work of demolition was carried to its utmost ex- treme. Nothing now remains but the naked wall, stand- ing like a ghastly skeleton, with a heart-rending wreck of what was once valuable property in its midst. We have had several fires in Merthyr within the last year or so, but not one at all equal to this. The rapidity with which the work of destruction went on or rather flew is scarcely credible. Many persons who passed the place at half-past nine o'clock, neither saw nor smelt fire, and yet at half-pa-it ten, the whole of the building was a ruin. Unfortunately water could not be had at once, and the turncock is said to have been missing at the time. The frequency with which the necessary supply of water fails in these emergencies should excite grave con sideration everywhere. We cannot afford to be unpre- pared for fire. It is one of those subtle elements to cope with which we must always have our resources at hand, and it would be well to have every town provided with an official who would be hold bound to keep all neeiful ap- paratus in working order, so that whenever fire makes its appearance it may be grappled with, and put out without loss of time. Tradesmen who have very com- bustible materials on their premises, would do well to keep ready means of extinguishing fire at hand. It is not absolutely necessary for them to be left to the mercy of officials for an efficient supply of water. A comparatively small canister, called an Extincteur, may be kept on one of their shelves, and used on any outbreak of the insidious element. It is kept in readiness at many of the metropolitan warehouses, and would be no less ser- viceable to the retailers of ootton. and other combustible fabrics. It contains a mixture of acid and alkali in water, and by simply turning on a tap attached to it, a flood of water and carbonic acid (choke damp) may be poured with great energy in any direction, and flames may thus be speedily subdued. In the case of the fire to which we are adverting, we believe that even a bucket of water thrown at once upon the articles suspended in the window would have put a stop to the evil; but even after the fire had considerably increased, one extincteur applied with a firm hand would speedily have reduced the flames, and restored the premises to safety. Of course, it may seem easy enough to write in this way after the fire has done its work, but a stitch in time saves nine" is the verdict of a homely proverb, and such a precaution as that which we suggest, after having wit- nessed the operation of an extincteur, would be useful in future emergencies. It would be well for builders of houses to remember that many of our modern Merthyr edifices are well fitted to produce splendid illuminations, and they will be seriously to blame if they do not pro- vide less food for the raging element to consume. As a means of precaution, a correspondent suggests another plan, which we think would be found most effective. It is that in ea ch shop there should be an inch water tap, -with a coil of vulcanized tubing, (always screwed on,) sufficiently long not only to command every portion of the shop, but to reach when necessary the second or third storey. If, in addition to this, a few buckets were conveniently stowed away, ready for immediate use, they would be found of great advantage. It appears that when the fire at Mr. Meredith's shop was first discovered the premises were about being closed, and the gas had been partially turned off. Mr. Mere- dith was absent at the momsnt, and on one of the young ladies seeing the fire in the window, she ran to the back of the premises to look for Mr. Meredith, who instantly arrived, but such was the rapidity with which the fire had spread, that when he reached the window the whole was in a blaze, and he was obliged to recede, as the fire had then extended some distance into the interior of the shop. Seeing the danger, and that it was folly to at- tempt to suppress an enemy that seemed as omnipotent as it was merciless, he and his assistants hastened to asssist in the removal of the family, there being besides Mrs. Meredith and three domestic servants, five small children who were in bed. We understand that the life of one of the apprentices, a young man from Ystradgyn- lais, and a nephew of Mr. Meredith, was placed in great jeopardy, he being at the time of the fire in the cellar, and did not know of its existence until he suspected something wrong, from the fact that he heard a noise and running in the shop. Had he not have observed this, his life would inevitably have been lost. Mr. Mere- dith had them all, including the assistants and appren- tices, placed in safety, and then returned to the scene of the fire, for the purpose of saving the books, but found it impossible to reach his desk, and had to return to the back of the house with only one ledger and an old day- book. By this time Supt. Thomas, assisted by Sergeants Dance, Thomas, and Jennings, and a large staff of officers, were on the spot, but for a considerable time they were unable to obtain water, and in this helpless state—every minute appearing trebly lengthened—they were merely acting as spectators, for without water their skill and determination were perfectly unavailing. At length Mr. Harpur arrived, and shortly after him the turn-cock, and in a minute afterwards there was a plen- tiful supply of water, which was directed towards the fire, but by this time there were no hope of savinp- either the house or the goods, and the efforts of Supt. Thomas, Mr. Harpur, and Mr. Cocker, were then direc- ted to prevent the spreading of the fire, either to the back of the premises or to the houses on either side. Supt. Thomas continued to pour water into the burning mass, whilst Sergeant Dance, assisted by other officers, and a number of gallant volunteers, prominert amongst whom were Mr H. W. Lewis, Plymouth Works, Mr Edward Richards, Mr E. Biddle, smith, Mr A. Wil- liams, Mr W. Brown, Mr T. Thomas, Messrs Alexander and J. W. Gunn, were directing their energies in con- fining the fire in the front building alone. This they did very effectually, for, although from the rapidity with which the fire was burning—a rapidity which could not have been greater had a powerful blast been turned on —their work seemed hopeless, yet after continued per- severance, and an abundant supply of water, the fire eventually exhausted itself. We scarcely need state that the entire stock was destroyed in fact although the estimated value of the goods on the pre- mises was said to bo between .£3,nOO and £4,000, it has been stated that £30 would be above the value of the salvage stock now in the ruins. Much of the furniture we are rejoiced to state was saved, that "is, probably one- third was removed; but beyond this nothing was se- cured, not even a particle of clothing for the children, beyond what they had on in their beds, and not a change of clothing for the family or assistants. Great sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Meredith in all directions, and if personal courpge, skill, and perseverance, could have lessened the calamity we are sure there was no lack of either. We understand the house was insured for £500, and the stock, furniture, and fixtures for .S2.000, in offices of which Messrs Harris and Taylor, are the local agents, but that the estimated loss to Mr Meredith will probably be not less than nearly £2,000. The premises will shortly be re-erected, and in the meantime we under- stand that Mr Meredith will open a shop temporarily in Victoria Street, so that his patrons may not be subject to any avoidable inconvenience. Ho desires us in our report to express to his friends and the public his gratitude for the assistance rendered in extinguishing the fire, and for the expressions of sympathy so gene- rally accorded him. He deems it invidious to mention more than one name where all his friends have proved so sympathetic, but he deems it a special duty to thank Richard Thomas, Esq., for so generously telegraphing the expression of his regret at the misfortune, and offering the Court House or the Worn, as a residence for his family until the necessary arrangements fur a house are completed. We must not omit to notice, among so much that was commendable in the conduct of the police, officials, and public, in their endeavours to extinguish the fire that some heartless miecreants availed themselves, both at Mr Gunn's and at the Globe Inn, of the opportunity for petty pilfering, and in both places several acts of thievery were discovered. There was also one act of extreme folly perpetrated, no doubt arising from mis- taken zeal. A person residing in High-street went down to the Gas Office, and ordered the stoker in charge to turn the gas off. from the town, and thinking the person had been so authorized by Mr Cocker, the man turned it off, and thus the whole place, even the Cefn, was thrown into complete darkness. This certainly might have increased the fearful disaster, but happily Mr. Cocker was immediately at the Works, turned the gas on, and sent the gas-lighters to re-light the lamps It is a pity that men—at ordinary times sensible men— should in cases of this kind act so indiscreetly, and take upon themselves duties of which they know nothing. The young ladies and assistants who have temporarily been thrown out of employment, and deprived of their wardrobe, have already received a large amount of pub- lic sympathy, and that too in a substantial shape. We repeat, that we are sure every one sympathizes deeply with Mr. Meredith and his family, and will be glad to see him once more behind his counter.

MERTHYR POLICE COURT. SATURDAY.—(Before J. C. Fowler, Esq.) CLAIM FOR WAGES.—William Henry Castle v. David Edwards. The particulars of this case appeared in our re- port of last Monday's police news, the case being ad- journed until to-day for bis Worship's decision, which Was as follows In this case a boy named William H. Castle, being under twelve years of age, agreed by his mother to work under the defendant, a collier, undergound, in cutting coal. A dispute having arisen as to payment of his earnings" which turns mainly on the question whether he was to be paid 7s. a week, no matter whether there was work for him or not, he comes to us for redress but my inquiries inform- ed us that the conditions laid down for boys under twelve years of age to work underground had not been complied with. By section 2 of 23 and 24 Vict. c. 151, it is enacted that a boy above ten and under twelve may be employed in collieries provided a competent schoolmaster certifies that he is able to read and write, or that in the second and every subsequent month of the employment, the owner shall ob tain a certificate from a schoolmaster that the boy has attended school for three hours a day for two duys in each week during the month preceding. In the present case the boy can neither read nor write, and it is admitted that no certificate of attendance at school was produced to the manager of the pit. The contract was made with a work- ing collier, and not with the owner of the mine, and it is quite clear that the boy was withdrawn from the Cyfarthfa works and sent underground, ignorant as he is, in order to increase his mother's receipts. Such being the facts of the case, I am of opinion that the agreement was illegal, and that it cannot be enforced during the time the boy was under 12 years of age. No contract can be enforced which was orignally made contrary to or in evasion of the provi- sions of law. It must also be observed that in this case, the complainant is an infant in law, and it is a rule that a con- tract unfavourable to the inteiests of the child is void. There is a case which exemplies this rule very clearly; A youth agreed to go into service, and the master was em- powered to stop hiS; wages whenever the steam engine stopped working from any cause. Lord Denman said that an agreement to serve for wages might be for the infant's benefit, but that an agreement to serve at all times while the master had power to stop his work and wages at pleasure could not Le beneficial to the servant. It is in- equitable, Jand wholly void." I have no doubt that Lord Denman would have held the present agreement to be in- equitable and void. The child was a mere tool in the hands of his mother, and was sent underground without the legal provision for his mental or moral instruction, and either in ignorance or contempt of the law, which was passed to pre- vent boys being hard worked without any instruction. Under these circumstances we shall make no order for payment of wages earned until the boy was twelve, and though after that it may be deemed that a new contract was entered into, under which he might fairly claim payment, yet as the boy himself told his master and the overman that he was 14, I consider the whole affair was an evasion of the law and illegal; 1 make no order. The summonses will be dismissed, and 1 hope that this will show to parents that it is neither right nor prudent to try to evade the law. DISCHARGED —Two men named John Thomas, and John Jones, appeared in answer to summonses charging them with being in the Stag and Pheasant Inn, George Town, Merthyr, t:> during prohibited hours. The defendants con- tended that they were not in the house but in the garden, nor were they drinking. Mr Fowler after hearing the evi- dence dismissed the charges. ASSAULTING THE POLICE.—David James was brought up charged with assaulting P.O. Pointz. The ofheer stated that he saw the prisoner very drunk and riotous in Mill- street, Aberdare. He persuaded him to go home, but he re- fused, and some time afterwards assaulted him. Remanded to Monday. CHARGE OF ARSON.—The lad John Rees who was charged at the Aberdare Police Court on Tuesday last, with attempting to set fire to the van of Mr James Green- wood, Cheap John," was again brought up. Mr J. H. Maxwell said he was an auctioneer to the prosecutor. On Tuesday the 14th instant, he saw prisoner light his pipe and throw it on the straw near their van on seeing it ig- nited the prisoner ran away into the slaughter-house, wit- ness following and capturing him- (witness) asked him why he did it; in reply he denied doing so he then took him back and gave him a good horse whipping. His Wor- ship considered that the prisoner had received sufficient chastisement, and after cautioninc him, he was discharged. MONDAY.(Before J. C. Fader and E. J. Davies, Esqrs.) PITCH AND TOSS.—A lad named Patrick Collins was brought up charged with playing pitch and toss on Sun- day, the 1st inst. P.C. Charley proved the charge. This being the second time that the lad has been brought up on a like charge, the Bench sentenced him to three days' im- prisonment. DRUNK AND RIOTOUS.—John Welsh appeared to answer a summons charging him with being drunk and riotous in High-street, Meithyr, on Saturday night, the 30th ult. P.C. Coles stated that he saw the prisoner about half-past eix in the High-street, very drunk and creating a disturb. anee on being taken to the station he became very violent and kicked another officer. The Bench fined him 10J. and costs. SIMILAR CIL\RGE.-Cornelius Murphy and Thos. Murphy appeared in answer tQ summonses chargoing thela with being drunk and riotous at Pontlottyn. P.C. Davies proved the cases, and the defendants were fined 10s and costs, 01' 14 days' imprisonment. TRANSFER OF LIcESSES.-The Swan Tnn, from :\IrJohn Davies to 2\11' Adam Woollands the Plough Inn, from Mrs Milli ard, deceased, to .1\11' John Curnew; and the Red Cow, Glehelaud street, frum Mr D. Humphries to Mr. Robert Palmer. [Remainder of Police News held over till next woek. ] —————— MERTHYR LOCAL BOAllD OF HEAL1'H. The ordinary meeting was held on \Yednesday, when there were present, Messrs W, JoneR, (chairman), J. Jones, T. Williams, W. Gould, W. Rice, J. W. James, A. J. Morris, and R. K arrison. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. THE IRONMONGERY TEND: RS. Messrs T. Williams, and W. Gould, the committee ap- pointed to examine the above tenders, reported t,hat the tender of 1\11' James, of the South Wales Ironmongery Co., was the lowest. They therefore recommended that his tender should be accepted. This was agreed to unani- mously. SURVEYOR'S REPORT. The following report was then read — To the Merthyr-Tydfil Local Board of Health. GENTLEMEN.—I beg to report that on Friday last your 1\iedicÜ Officer of Health and I, in oheùience to your order, examined the drainage of the Gas Works, in :\Ierthyr. \V e found that the sur- face of the works, the closets, the two houses on the prtJmises, and the coke hearth are drained intn the River Tafl', as they have been ever since the works were established between 30 and 40 years a<;o. The works are kapt dean and orderly, and no tar or chemical refuse of Rny kind, but such as is unavoidably carried from the floor of the works by min water gets into the drains. The amoni- cil liquor is evaporated in water in the ash-pits of the retort furnaces. We examined the River Taff from the Gas Works down to the Vale of Neath It>Lilway Bridge, and found evidence of tar, and refuse gas liair, having been thrown into the river, but not recently. It is in fact admitted, that somc years ago the refuse lime and other impure matters were deposited on the bank of the river to be carried off by floods. We were informed that fish, especially eels, are now frequently taken from a pool in the river just below the works. While the injunction of the Court of Chancery, restraining you from permitting the connection of drains with your sewers is in force, we do not recommend you to take any proceedings against the Gas Company. I beg to report that owing to the extension of the cinder tip at Rhydycar, the three inch water main laid down for supplying the Rhydycar, Lower Colliers' Row, and Lower Wern, is buried to a great depth, and has broken, causing a considerable loss of water just beneath the deepest part of the tip, where it is almost impos- sible to get at it for the purpose of repairing it. I have therefore found it necessary to put in a temporary pipe for diverting the water round the foot of the tIp. The best permanent remedy will be to extend the water supply from Upper to Lower Wern, using the old materials as far as possible. The cost will be £ 50 to £ (50. I beg to report that owing to the continued dry weather the Pentwyn Reservoir was brought down to the twenty-million feet on the 25th ultimo, and the Callan Brook Stream is now greatly reduced in volume. The effect is to lessen the supply of water at Penbryn while the (lraft upon the pipes in the town for street watering and other purposes is increased. I have therefore found it necessary to shut off the pressure at Penbryn for two nights in the week between the hours of eleven and five. I take this op- portunity of correcting a rumour that the water was shut off on the occasion of thejlamentable tire that occurred in High-street, in .i\lerthyr. on Monday evening last. The water was not shut off, but was on at its full pressure 20i feet at the spot" and a most bountiful supply was available from two hydrants within reach. I also deny thcre was as much as five minutes unreasonable delay in attaching the stand pipes and hose, and in pouring the water on the tire. I beg to report that I have received the following building plans and notices, to wInch I see no objection, V1Z;- 1st. From John Gabe, of a chapel to be built in Cardiff-"oad, Troedyrhiw, for the Troedyrhiw Congregational Building Com- mittee. 2nd. From Evan Jones, of addition to house, Victoria-street, Dowlais, for Mr John Morgan. 3rd. From william Miles. of back-kitchen and oven, of No. 16, Horeb-street, Penydarran, for himself. I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, •SAMUEL HARPUR, Mcrthyr Tydfil, May 4th, 1870. Surveyor. THE GAS WORKS DRAINAGE. 111' W. Gould thought they had no alternative but to leave the matter alone for the present. Several other members wert aha of this opinion, and the subject was thtn allowed to drop. THE WATER AT RHYDYCAR &c. The suggestion of the Surveyor respecting diwerting the water pipes for supplying the district :mentioned in his report were adopted, anti he was ordered to carry out the work. THE LATE FIRE. 1\11' Daniel remarked that he was there during the whole of the time, and could hear out the Surveyor's statement. There was however a short dehy occasioned by the people standing on the pipe and preventing the water passing through, but that was only for a few minutes. The Chairman was very glad to finl that the rumour was incorrect. He had also heard that there was no water to be haJ for some time. Mr Daniel remarked that ilir Meredith had called upon him, and told him that he had occasion to leave the shop for an instant, and wben he returned he found it all or a blaze. Mr Meredith was certain that he was not away two minutes altogether, so that would give them an idea of the rapidity with which the flames extended. Mr Gould said he came in by the last Vale of Neath train and tben saw the house on tire; by the time he got around the corner the water was then being poured on. The Surveyor said that in the report of the fire in tbe Hestan AIait that morning, itJwas stated that about twenty minutes had elapsed before a supply of wa,ter could be pro. cured, This he begged to say was incorrect, for he was there himself, and he was positive that there was a plenti- ful supply in a few miuutes after the hose arrived. A member remarked that the correspondent of the paper in question was from home, and doubtless the report refer- reel to was supplied by a junior correspondent. BUILDING PLANS. The plans referred to in the Surveyor's report were agreed to. BRIDGE FOR ABERCANAID. A deputation appeared before the Board asking the Board to appoint a Jay for the meeting of the two com- mittees. 1\11' Morris (addressing the deputation) remarked that the Board had been so much engaged of late in SOlIle trouble- some legal matters, that they had no time to discuss the question or the proposed bridge. They however, had now more tune at theIr disposal, and could therefore meet at once. He had been informed that Mr Green intendell seeing Mr R. E. Davies, Gwaelodygarth, with reference to smrie land for a site for the bridge. Had Mr Green seen Mr Davies Mr Llewellyn, one of the deputation, replied that he had, but they had received 110 satisfactory answer. The Board then agreed tbat the committee should meet on Tuesday next, and report to the Board upon the ques- tion. THE WORKSHOPS' REGULATION ACT 1867. The following was tben read — Gentlemen,At D a. m. on Saturday, the 23rd of April, I visited the workshop of Messrs Phillips and Evans, dress and mantle- makers, High-street, and found at work—1st, in the dressmakers' room, the fore-woman, the assistant fore-woman, and four females. 2nd, in the machine room, two females. At 9.10 p.m. on the same evening, I found in the workshop of 1\11' Morgan Samuel, High-street, two females engaged at work. At 2.00 p.m. on Saturday, the 30th of April, I saw in the work- shop of Benjamin Thomas, weaver, at No. G, James-court, Pont- morlais East, one female at work. The names of the persons seen at work are written on a paper attached hereto. The IiJth and 7th seetions of the Workshops' Regulation Act, 1807, are those which relate to these cases. I am, gentlemen, your obedient Servant, T. J. DYKE, Inspector of Workshops. Names of persons seen at work, 23rd and 30th April, 1870 :— At Messrs Phillips and Evans' dressmakers' room, on 23rd of April, 9 p.m., Misses Pinker, Mary Ann Lewis, Susan Lloyd, Jane Beddoe, Mary Richards, and Mary Williams. In the machine- room, on the 23vd April, at 9 p.m., Misses ElIzabeth.J ones and Ann Cole. At Mr Morgan Samuel's workshop, 23rd of April, at D.10 p. m. Misses Jane Hees, and Mary Ann Thomas. At ;]1' Benjamin Thomas's, 30th April, at D.10 p.m., Miss Sarah Jane Jones. Mr Dyke stated that after he nad reported Messrs Phil- lips and Evans before, they applied to the Secretary of btate fDr permission to work until 8 o'clock on Saturday, the half-holiday being given on another day, viz., Thurs- dëty. 1\11' Bruce granted their application, and they have eVer since given the half. holiday on Thursday, and had worked until 8 o'clock on Saturdays, though on this par- ticular day they were working at 9 o'clock. The Chairman saill there was a letter from Messrs Phil. lips and Evans, which he then read, asking tbe Board to hear them before they took any steps in the matter. 1111' Dyke lemarked that he might as well mention to the Board that there were only four towns in the whole of South Wales that obeyed the law in this respect, viz Merthyr, Cardiff, Swansea., and Pontypridd. Messrs Phillips and Samuel were then called into the room. Mr Phillips stated that they were very often put in an awkward position by the Factory Acts, for sometimes they had to finish an order in one day, but they could not work the assistants. They were placed in a great disadvantage in this re8pect, for they had to compete with other towns, in which the Act had not been put into operation. The Chairman said tllat it was at Swansea and Cardiff. Mr Phillips did not think it was in Cardiff. Mr Dyke replied that it was in force there. Mr Phillips said the reason that they were working so late on the occasion referred to by 1\11' Dyke was that they were obliged to finish an order for some mourning. Mr Daniel asked if the young people unuerstood thai, they were to have the time that they worked over at some other period. Mr PIJillips replied that the young people were quite as anxious as they were, to work III slIch a Case of emergency, for they always had the tmle they overworked on some other day. The Cilairman asked if the room where they worked was a well-ventilated one. Mr Dyke replied that it was. Mr Morris asked if they must necessarily put the Act in force. The Chairman thought they must, for this was the second offence of Messrs 1- hillips and Hvans. Mr Dyke, III reply to the Chairman, stated that he noticed tbat the young- ladies were working upon some black material. 1\11' Morris remarked that Mr Samuel was doing a wedding ordu, which might be as important and as urgent as an order for mourning. (Laughter.) Mr Samuel said thitt he was also placed in a very awk- ward position by the Acts in question. The Chairman said he was quite aware of it. Messrs Phillips and Samuel then retired. The Chairman then said that there were extenuating cir- CUlllstances in both cases, for tirst of all Messrs Phillips and Evans were completing a mourning order, and with respect to 1\11' Samuel, it was his first offence. 1\11' Morris thought that they ought to leave the matter stand over for further consideration. The Chairman thought that they could not do that, for they had adopted the Act and they were now bound to leave it to the magistrate to decide, though ot course their Clerk wight mention the extenuating circumstances, and that since Messrs PhILlIps and Evans had been tined before they had observed the Acts most rigidly. The Surveyor said that in the Act relating to drapers, &c., it stated if the goods were to be sold by retail, j TtÜs was not the case at present, for they wert: doing a mournmg order. Mr Murris moved that the matter be left over until next meeting, the Clerk in tbe meantime to look into the law, as affecting the question raised by the Surveyor. MEDICAL OFFICER'S BEVOBT. Mr Dyke read an exceedingly valuable and carefully com. piled report for the quarter ending 31st March, 1870, show. lllg the number of births and deaths m. the parish during that period. He also referred to the vanous epidemic con- tagious diseases which had prevailed at lVlerthyr, and the ariangements [hade under the Sanitary Acts for their treat. ment, especially commending the provision of hosvÜals at Mertbyr and Dowlais,, to which the luck, more particularly those suffering from typhus, were removed from their houses, and through which the disease had ceased on the 12th of March, having been effectually "stamped out." Mr Dyke in his report also paid a high compliment to Inspector Howells for the indefatigable zeal, at irreat personal risk, which he had shown in carrying out his duties. A short conversation ensued after which Mr Daniel pro- posed that the Fever Arrangements Committee be re-ap- pointed, and to which be added the names of the Chair- man and Mr W. Gould. This was agreed to unanimouly. INSPECTOR HOWELL'S REPORT. Mr Dyke read a report from this Inspector, addressed to himself, as Medical Officer of Health, in which he gave an abstract of his labours during the past quarter, embracing the inspection of houses let for lodgings, the inspection of nuisances, of slaughter houses, and of market houses, and the disinfection of houses in which fever had prevailed. He a)so referred to other duties in which he had been engaged. The report was satisfactory, showing that everything had been done in carrying out his duties under the Medical Officer of Health. MEDICAL ATTENDANCE AT THE HOSPITAL. A letter was read from Dr Webster, enclosing an account of £21, for attendance at the Fever Hospital. Ordered to be paid. FINANCE. The report of the Finance Committee was read and adopted, and cheques, amounting.to £51;3 2s 6d, were or- dered to be signed in payment of the various claims. THE AUDIT OF THE ACCOUNTS. Mr James asked if the notice of the audit of the accounts had been inserted in The Western Mailt He had under- stood last year that it would not be done so again, but he had been informed that it had been again inserted in that » paper. If it was so he did not think it was right, for that v A paper had such a small circulation in Merthyr that the rate-payers could not kno.v anything of the audit. The Clerk said that it had been inserted in the paper re ferred to. The Chairman said the same thing had occurred last year before, and it was then promised that it should not occur again. He thought it was but right that it should be adver- tised in the Merthyr papers. The Auditor ought to give them proper notice of his coming, that they might advertise in the TELEGRAPH and Express. Mr James concurred that they should have longer notice from the Auditor. « The Clerk stated that Mr Jones had given him sufficient not!C3, though he afterwards wrote naming an earlier day, which necessitated his inserting it in the Western Mail, so that the twenty days' notice might be given. Besides, he was not aware of the great dissatisfaction that had existed last year. • Mr T.Williams said that the advertisement might have.. been sent to the local papers last week, fur a8 general rule they did not want to advertise in the Western Mail, for. • • • it was only wasting money. The Clerk stated that as the legal notice of twenty days a had been inserted in the Mail, they might, to give it publi- r city, insert it now in the TELEGRAPH and Express. Mr James did not object to inserting it in the Mail, but in order that the ratepayers might know about it, he •^• thought it ought to be inserted in the TELEGRAPH and Express. ■ The Clerk was then ordered to insert it in the two above- mentioned newspapers. ■ THE LATE AUDIT OF THE BOOKS. Mr Daniel asked if they had received the account of Messrs W. H. Williams and Company, for auditing the r books of the Board. I he Chairman replied that they had not; the Clerk was to have written for it some time ago, but he had forgotten ■ ■1 to do so. The Clerk was again ordered to write to Messrs Williams and Co. for their account. THE LATE INQUIRY. The Chairman thought they ought to congratulate them- selves upon the favourable termination of the inqoiry. The evidence they had adduced had, he thought, made a favour- able impression on the Commissioner, and they might in a ■ short time have a report from him, and not only a report but the provisional order. He regretted that the gentle- men on the other side did not stay as requested, to hear what they had to say, for he thought they could have satis- fied them. The Board agreed to pay Mr R. Heppel three guineas per day for the two days that he attended the enquiry. They A also agreed to give him £5 f)r the use of his survey, which had been very useful to them. SCAVENGING COMMITTEE. u < A report was read from the above committee, recom- mending them to offer Mr R. E. Davies £ 50 per year for the use of his land adjoining the Taff Vale Railway for a depot for the scavenging refuse. « MEMORIAL OF THE LATE ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Mr Jones reminded the Botrd that they had received, a • long time ago, a copy of the above book. It was addressed to the Corporation. He had seen it there a few months ago, and if it was here now he would propose that it be given to Home public institution. The Merthyr Library was not a free institution, therefore he thought it should not be given to it, but to the library founded by Mrs Crawshay, which was a public institution. Mr Howells was ordered to lay the book on the table at the next meeting. BAD VEAL. Mr Morris called the attention of Inspector J Howells to the bad veal that was exposed for sale in the market house every Saturday. He had passed through the market last Saturday with a friend who was an authority on such mat- ters, and he had stated positively that the meat was totally • unfit for human consumption. Mr Howells replied that he kept an eye upon the meat in question, and had been doing so for some time. This concluded the public business, and the Board then ( proceeded to transact some private matters. — MERTIIYR BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The usual weekly meeting was held on Saturday, when there were present:—Messrs D. Davis (in the chair), R. H. Rhys, W. T. Lewis, W. Simons, W. Gould, W. L. Daniel, J. Williams, T. Williams, J. Matthews, W. Harris, J. W. James, D. E. Williams, L. Rhys, H. Jenkins, M. Edwards, R. E. Davies, J. Rees, R. Williams, and the Reys. J. Griffith and G. C. F. Harries. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. PROPOSED DIVISION OF THE PARISH OF MERTHYR INTO WARDS. Mr Simons then rose in pursuance of his motion, and said he had simply to move that the same arrangements, with respect to the division into wards, that were intended to be for Aberdare, should also be for Merthyr. It would be a great public convenience to divide the parish into wards for election purposes. They all knew the necessitv of so doing, and were familiar with the arguments in favour of the divi- E £ sion, so that it was needless for him to expatiate upon them. Mr James Do you name the number of wards ? Mr Simons said he would not, but supposed that would be a question for a committe. He then moved that the parish be divided into wards. r 'f Mr R. H. Rhys The question into how many wards the parish is to be divided will be best left to a committee. Mr James How did you do at Aberdare ? Mr H. H. Rhys replied that the Board of Health divided the towninto wards. This Board then appointed the Aber- dare Guardians as a committe to discuss the question, which A they did, and agreed that the town should be divided into four wards two members for one of them, and three mem- bers for each of the other wards. Mr D. E. Williams thought there would be no difficulty .'L\K whatever in dividing Merthyr. — Mr Harris begged to second the motion. Perhaps, being a new member, he was taking action too quickly (cries of No, no"), but he had on repeated occasions expressed a wish that the town should be divided into wards. The U present elections were very expensive, and he thought that if they adopted the motion that had been proposed, a large < < amount of money might be saved, for it was not likely. that they would have a contest in each of the wards. For this reason--a reason of economy—he thought they ought ». to divide the town, and therefore he had much pleasure in seconding the motion. v. Ji T Mr Daniel said he should have been veryl glad if Mr Simons had, in proposing the motion, given the Board ■ some reasons for so doing for he (the speaker) did not be- lieve that it was possible to gain anything by dividing the town into wards. He therefore proposed the following amendment that inasmuch as the great majority of tbe ratepayers of this district are working men, engaged by a. few employers, it is not expedient that the parish of Mer- thyr should be divided into wards for the purposes of elec- tion, until the Government had enacted a measure for con- .< ducting elections of Guardians under the protection of the LalIot." He moved this amendment with some degree of > hesitation, for a short time ago he had stated to some of his friends that under the old franchise he was in favour of -1 dividing the town into small wards, for at that time it was impossible to return any member unless he was supported by one of the ironmasters of the district. He was not of the same opinion now, under the extended franchise. It was generally known until lately, that since the forma- tion of the Local Board of Health, the ironmasters had had what he might term a monopoly in the representation. It was found to be impossible to return any gentleman on that or the other Board, unless he was one of the nominees of either of the three great employers. Several good men were nominated, but they were not returned, simply because they were not supported by those gentlemen. He might instance the case of his friend Mr William Harris, for when he was first proposed for the Board of Health he polled the large number of 250 votes, but in the very next year, when he was supported by two of the ironmasters, he polled four times as many as he had previously done, having received the large number of nearly one thousand votes, which number was just sufficient to put him in. Since the fran- chise had been extended to the working men, they found that men who might be considered to be to a certain degree inde- pendent members had been returned, although before then it was impossible to put those men in. Besides, the Iron Masters being rich men had an advantage over the great majority of the ratepayers who were not large owners of property, therefore they (the Ironmasters) if they felt ag- grieved could at any moment have their sons, or their immediate friends, or their agents, if they owned sumcient property, put on the commission of the peace, and at the the next quarter sessions they llllg h tq ualify themselves, and on the foliowing*Saturday take their seats at the Board as. ex officio Guardians, and speak of this grievance. Mr R. H. Rhys interrupted, and said that the ex officio- Guardians were not bound to attend. Mr Daniel: But for all that they do attend, and he was —- very glad to see them there. At last year's election, when the new voters were allowed to vote, Mr G. Martin was re- turned for Dowlais, Mr A. J. Morris for Plymouth, and three persons from the centre of the town, therefore he thought it could not be said that the Ironmasters were not represented. It might be said by gentlemen on the other side that things had also been reversed this he admitted, and he regretted very much that their old friend Mr Kirk- house was not returned, tor all admitted that he was a, most useful member. (Hear, hear). But still he contended that Mr Kirkbouse polled more votes this year than he did at the election of the year before. Last year he polled 1,931, whilst this year he polled 1,064. Mr R. H. Rhys did not think this had anything to do with the question. Mr Daniel said it had, and contended that the Iron. masters had their interests fully represented OR the Board, and the formation of the committees would bear him out in this statement, and it was right that they should be well represented, because they paid a large proportion of the rates. -the Dowlais Iron Company paid 'S-i per cent. of the rates, the Plymouth Iron Company paid 17 per cent, and Cyrarthfa paid 13 per cent., thus it would be seen that in round numbers the three ironmasters paid about £55 out of every £100. It had been said that because of this they- ought to be represented he (the speaker) had also always. said so, for the same reason that every interest shouid be represented, but he maintained that they had a proper representation in all things connected with the parish at. the present moment. There was the Assessment Committee for instance. All the ironmasters and coal proprietors were represented on this committee, but there was not one o-en- tleman who might be said to directly represent the trades- men. There was also the Finance Committee, every one of the larga interests was represented on it, and not a single penny was spent without their knowledge