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

ABERDARE COUNTY COURT. The usual monthly Court was held on Monday and Tues- day last, before Judge Falconer. New plaints, 246 Judg- ment summonses 67. ASSAULT.—William Lewis v. Thomas Evans, Richard Lloyd, and Job Llewelyn.—Mr W. Beddoe for plaintiff; Mr Simons for defendants.—Mr Beddoe in opening the case, stated the action was brought to recover JE10 damages sustained by plaintiff for an assault committed upon him, by defendants, on the 16th April last. On the night in question plaintiff went to the Ship and Castle, Cwmbach some time afterwards the three defendants came in defen- dant Llewelyn having pushed an old man down named Hopkins, the plaintiff remonstrated with Llewelyn for doing so, whereupon the defendants assaulted the plaintiff; threw him down and kicked him the plaintiff had received injuries to his hand and to the lower part of his chest, which had incapacitated him from following his employ- ment for three weeks. —The plaintiff was called and deposed to these facts five witnesses deposed to the plaintiff being kicked by the defendants. For the defence, the defendants were called, whose evidence wentjto show that the plaintiff had in the first place struck Llewelyn in the mouth, and that a general fight ensued between the plaintiff and two others, and the defendants. Defendant Evans admitted having kicked the plaintiff once. Two witnesses were called to prove a general fight, and that they saw no kicking.—Mr Simons having addressed the court for the defence, and Mr Beddoe replied, the Judge in giving judgment, spoke in severe terms of the act of parties kicking, and pointed out the permanent injuries—one might inflict on another by such acts. Judgment for plaintiff, £3, and costs on £10. The case occupied three hours. TRESPASS.—Mary Price v. James Beynon.— Mr Beddoe for plaintiff, and Mr F. James for defendant.—This was an action brought to recover damages for trespass to plaintiff's premises. In September last the Rev. D. W. Williams, of Fairfield, Pontypridd, granted a lease to plaintiff of a piece of ground, adjoining her house, the Masons' Arms, Llwydcoed.—The plaintiff then caused a wall to be built enclosing it. Immediately it was erected the defendant threw a. portion of it down, and he and his family continually passed over the ground. For the defence, a right of way was claimed. Mr R. H. Rhys deposed to its being used as a foot- path for 46 years to the premises now occupied by defendant, which were in the rear of the Masons Arms, and was the usual way for the previous occupier and defendant to go to those premises. Before the conclusion of defendant's case, His Honour stated that as the case involved a question of title, he had no jurisdiction.—Order accordingly.

ABERDARE POLICE COURT. TUESDAY.—(Before H. C. Greenwood, and R. H. Eliys, Esquires.) DAMAGING A FIELD.-TWO lads, named Charles Wm. Cozens and James Prosser, were summoned for wilfully doing damage to the amount of 3d to a certain field, the property of Messrs Nixon, Taylor and Co.—P.C. Castle stated that on the 23rd ult., about half-past six in the evening he saw the defendants getting over a fence into a field of Messrs Nixon and Company, and afterwards run- nung about the grass, thereby doing damage to the amount of Ud each.—The Bench fined them 5s including costs. THE "CAT AND DOG" NUISANCE. Lewis Davies, David Amos, Benjamin Daniel, and Emanuel Davies, lads from 10 to 14 years of age, were all summoned for playing the above game in a public highway, to the annoyance of foot passengers.—P.C. J. Davies said that on Thursday the 26th ult., he saw all the defendants' playing Cat and Dog" in Commercial-street, Mountain Ash they caused a good deal of annoyance to passers-by, as well as danger from being struck by the cat." The mother of one of the defen- dants stated that her son had not been out of the house more than about half-an-hour, and was sitting down looking at the other boys playing when the constable came up.— The officer stated that one of the boys was sitting down when he came up, though he had seen a few minutes ago all of them playing together.—The Bench thought the charge was proved against all the defendants, and fined them each] s and 3s 6d costs, and warned them that should they be brought up again for the same offence they would not be dealt so leniently with. SIMILAR CHARGE.-Another lad named John Reynolds was also summoned for playing at Cat and Dog" at Aberdare on the 29th inst. -P.C. Melhuish proved the charge, and the defendant was also fined Is and 3s 6d costs. DAMAGING THE FLOWERS IN THE PARK.—A youth named John Williams was summoned for doing damage to certain flowers in the Aberdare Public Park.—Mr Hollier appeared on behalf of the Local Board of Health to prose- cute. -Mr Hodgson, one of the park keepers, said that on the 29th ult., about five minutes after nine in the evening, he saw the defendant J ohn Williams, and a little boy some- what taller than him, walking about in the park and going towards where the flowers were; thinking that they were about cutting the flowers, he watched them for some time and saw the defendant cut one, which he produced.—The damage done he estimated at one penny.—The offence was admitted.—The Bench after severely reprimanding defen- dant for cutting the flowers in the park, fined. him Is damage Id, and costs 3s 6d. FEMALE PUGILISTS.—Emma Bush and Ann Morgan were summoned for wilfully obstructing the highway, on the 27th ultimo. P.S. Davies said that about half-past eight on the evening of the above day he saw both defen- dants fighting in Cardiff-street, Aberaman they caused a great obstruction, as a large crowd gathered around them. Bush stated that Ann Morgan struck her first, and pushed a basket of fish off her head. The Bench asked the officer if he had seen the commencement of the row, but he replied that he had not. Emma Bush now entered the witness, box, charging Ann Morgan with having assaulted her. The prosecutrix stated that on the above date, as she was coming down the street, the present defendant's sweetheart was going to strike her boy—(twenty-one years of age), and she stopped him, when defendant came up and struck her, and pushed the basket of fish from off her head; she also hit her two or three times in the face and they then had a. mill" until disturded by the police officer. Cross-examined by defendant: Did not steal a muffler the property of a young man named John Seymour did not throw the basket of fish over you.-A young girl, named Gwenny Morgan, was called for defendant, and stated that she heard Ann Morgan ask prosecutrix to please give her John Seymours muffler back; she replied that she would not, and struck her in the face at the same time. —The Bench thought it was of no use going any further with the case the assault sum- mons against Morgan would be dismissed; but for obstruct- ing the road, both of them would be fined os. each, and costs. DOG FIGHTING.—Richard Thomas and Wm. Daley were summoned for cruelly ill-treating two dogs on the 31st ult. DOG FIGHTING.—Richard Thomas and Wm. Daley were summoned for cruelly ill-treating two dogs on the 31st ult. —P.C. Jenkins said that about half-past twelve on the above date he saw a large crowd in Commercial-street; he went there and saw two dogs fighting, the both defendants taking very great interest in the fight; soon after he got there the defendant Thomas eaught hold of one of the dogs and ran away.—A witness named John Watkms was called and he stated that he saw both defendants take a very pro- minent part in the fight.—David Phillips said that hearing the fight he went out of his house and endeavoured to stop the dogs; whilst he was pulling one by the tail, Thomas came up to him and threatened to strike him unless he let the dogs alone this he then did and left the crowd.—Both defendants denied inciting the dogs to fight.—The Bench however thought the charge had been fully proved, and filled them 20B aud costs each, or one month's imprisonment. I OBSTRUCTION.—Robert Ashton, a fishmonger from Cardiff, was summoned for obstructing the highway at Oxford-street, Mountain Ash, on the 21s1; ult.—P.S. Hodg- son said he saw the defendant selling mackerel in a cart in Oxford-street, Mountain Ash, on the above date, and told him to move on several times, but each time he did so, it was only for a few yards it being Saturday night, there were a large number of people about; and where the defen- dant's horse and cart was standing it was next to impossible to pass. The defendant made a long speech in which he admitted the offence, but pleaded that he had gone away each time the officer had told him, and went ultimately to stand by a heap of stones near the Tart. Vale Station, where be thought he was not causing an obstruction. As fish- mongers were not as a rule very wealthy people, and espe- cially as he bad come from Cardiff to attend the summons, he hoped the Bench would deal leniently with him.—Fined 10s including costs. FURIOUS DRIVING. William Williams was summoned for furious driving in Commercial-street, on Sunday the 29th ult. P.C. Melhuish proved the charge, and defendant was fined 5s and costs.—The Bench cautioned him against doing so again, for if he did the fine would be a much hea- vier one. SELLING BEER DURING ILLEGAL HOURS.—Thomas Jones, of the Old Bank Inn, was summoned for an infringement of his license by selling beer during illegal hours.—Mr Simons I appeared for Air Ryan, the present tenant. —Inspector How- lett said that he went there on the 30th ult., and found three men lying down on the settle, and one sitting down on the noor there were three pint vessels on the table, one of which was nearly half full of beer the other two had a small drop in the bottom the men were seemingly sleeping; a man named Ryan was in possession of the house, and he was upstairs in bed he called out to him, and after a short time he came down he then drew his attention to the men in his house at that time of the night, and he re- plied that they had all asked him to be allowed to sleep there, this request he granted, and they went to bed before him the previous night but just before he (the officer) ] came in, one of them had been sick so they all went down- stairs where they were seen by him. He then went upstairs and noticed that some person had been sick there.—Cross- examined by Mr Simons I went in through the back door I had to make some noise to wake Ryan the bar was locked.—Mr Simons stated that the Inspector had given the facts of the case which he admitted, and if the Bench thought fit he had witnesses to prove Ryan's statement; but as to the beer found on the table that had been left there since the night before be should like to ask the Inspector a few questions, which were Did he notice if the men had tbeir boots off, and had he any reason to doubt Ryan's statement ? In reply the Inspector said he had no reason whatever to doubt it, and as to the other question he did not notice whether their boots were off or on.-The Bench immediately dismissed the case, but thought the Inspector had done quite right in bringing the cafe forward. DRUNKARDS. — William Harris and Abraham Morgan were summoned for being drunk and riotous in Commercial- street. The charges were proved by P.C. Jenkins, and the defendants were fined 5s and costs each —Thomas Evans and Maurice Evans were also summoned for similar conduct by P.C. Goss. Fined the usual amount of 5s each and costs.— William Lewis a.nd Benjamin Jones were summoned for being drunk and riotous in Trap-road. P.C. Clark proved the charges, and the defendants were fined 10s and 5s costs respectively. No APPEARANCES.— Rees Jones, Rees Williams, and Thomas Jones, were also summoned for being drunk and riotous. Neither of them appeared. The summonses were proved to have been served upon the defendants, after which warrants for their apprehension were ordered to be issued. DAMAGING A WINDOW. — Caroline Reed was summoned for wilfully breaking a window, the property of Maria Rees, on the 23rd ult., and thereby doing damage to the amount of 6d. The defendant admitted the offence, and the Bench fined her Is, damage 6d and, costs. The defen- dant said she would go to Cardiff sooner than pay the amount. PONTYPRIDD INTELLIGENCE. WHITSUNTIDE HOLIDAYS- — The Whitsun holidays have been kept up this year with unusual spirit, and we may say with unusual spirits. The town was comparatively deserted. The resources of the Taff Yale Co must have been severly taxed, for the crowds coming down from the Rhondda Valley were astounding. The station at Ponty- pridd on Monday and Tuesday was literally packed with human beings, some twenty carriages having been called into requisition to convey the passenger element to the Pont- ypridd J unction. The victims of the holiday mania owe the virulence of the attack, no doubt, to an advance in wages. Of one thing we are certain, the present Whitsun holidays will rival the festival of many years past in the amount of drunkenness prevalent. The weather was glorious —though a little warmer than was comfortable.

PONTYPRIDD PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY. —(Before E. Williams, and W. H. Pricluird, Esquires.) The number of cases on the charge sheet was singularly few, and of these the following only are of public interest :— WAGES CASE.—John Edwards summoned J. Walters, overman in the Ferndale Colliery, for wages for four dAys, amounting to 12s 8d. Mr Price, who defended, took an objection to the status of his client as a defendant in the action Mr Davis, the proprietor, or Mr Bedlington, the responsible master, should have been summoned The overman has nothing whatever to do with paying the men. This plea however, was withdrawn, and the case was pro- ceeded with on its merits. It appeared that complainant worked night-work four nights in succession since the last pay on the 28th ult. Walters told him he never would pay him. Complainant left work on the following Tuesday morninf no one told him to leave. A notice had been o-iven for an advance of wages it expired on the 24th ult. He worked afterwards. Defendant did not say that he would not pay him unless he worked out his months notice The notice, however, was received by the pro- prietors on the 1st of March, so that it could not have expired before the 28th. The affair it seems arose out of a misapprehension on the part of the complainant. De- fendant offered to take him back to work on the remaining part of his notice.-The case w&s dismissed. VIOLATING COLLIERY RULES. — Daniel Davies and William JoBes, colliers, living at Blaencwm were sum- moned for a breach of colliery rules. inGStiendants work in the Dunraven Colliery, and were found on the bye side of the lamp station with their lamps open.-AIr T. G. Davies, manager, prosecuted.—William Brown, a labourer, working at the Dunraven Colliery, was in company with defendants on the 30th;ult. the lights were extinguished ■ William Jones came with a key, and opened their lamps and lit them told him to leave his lamp alone as he would sooner go up without it; Daniel Davies, the other defen- dant, assisted to unscrew the lamps they were at work about 300 yards on the bye side of the lamp station Daniel Davies lit witnesss lamp.—Mr Davies manager, proved the prohibition with regard to lig-htin"" lamps" at this spot.—The Bench fined Jones 5s and costs "or fourteen days' hard labour. A DISGRACE TO HER SEX.—A woman who has acquired a most unenviable reputationas as thief and drunkard named Anne Rees, was brought up charged with being drunk and behaving riotously on the Tumble nn Tuesdav evening. The prisoner is an old- offender having resS in one of Her Majesty's select mansions, SOme ten or twelve distinct times. She was sent to compulsory retirement for one month.

PONTYPRIDD BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The usual bi-monthly meeting of the rnpmk„_ v. u in the Board Room, on Wednesday. Rev D. "W Williams chairman presided. There was a small attendance The minutes of the last meeting were read and NURSE VACANCY AGAIN. The Clerk reported that the nurse had sent in her resigna- tion. This appeared to take the Board by surnrisp a<fthe nurse had only filled her situation for eight weeks The position of nurse appeared to be a very unsettled one as no one has been found to perform its duties for any length of time. It was suggested by Mr Penn that the nurse should be called in. On certain inquiries being put as to why she wished to leave, her replies were of a decidedly vague character. She had no complaint to make against the Master or Matron, and she liked the place. An offer of a holiday was made to her, but she persisted in her determi- nation to resign she then withdrew. It was stated that the present cook was anxious to change her quarters from the kitchen to the sick room, and it being found that she was qualified for the post, she was allowed to act as nurse on the departure cf the present official. 801 88 nUrSe Mr Penn urged the inexpediency of advertisine for a cook. Last quarter their advertising account under this head cost the guardians over J&7. He thought that by waiting a week or two a suitable person might be obtained. This was agreed to. YSTRADYFODWG AND THE GOVERNMENT SANITARY INSPECTOR. A communication was read from the Medical department of the Privy Council in which the attention of the Board was drawn to the approaching visit of J. N. Radcliffe, Esq., one of the Government inspectors of public health, who was to inspect and report upon the sanitary condition of Ystradyfodwg. The Board was requested to give every facility to the Inspector to carry out his mission. APPLIANCES FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE IN THE HOUSE. Mr Penn, in whose name a notice of motion stood anent the above subject, requested the Clerk to read the reply to a letter sent to the Poor Law Board by him in 1868 with reference to the powers possessed by Boards of Guardians to purchase a fire engine. On this being done and the Act cited hereunder being read, which is as follows:—" 30, and 31 Victoria, cap. 106, sec. 2U. If the vestry of any parish where there is no Town Council, Local Board, or other authority competent to pro- vide the same after due notice, shall resolve that the over- seers shall provide any fire engine, ladder, or fire escape for general use in the parish, the overseers shall provide the same, and pay out of the poor rate the cost thereof and of procuring a place wherein to keep the same and of main- taining it, as well as any such engine, ladder or escape ac- quired by the parish in any other manner for such use in a fit state of repair, and the charges of such persons as may be necessary for the use thereof, and the cost of suitable implements and accoutrements." Mr Penn then referred to the great difficulty there was m the way of obtaining a fire engine for the town as the expense would probably reach B150. As they could not get an engine for the district it was their duty to commence at home, and get something for the house. He thought that the house would be amply served with 6 hydrants 4 reels easily moveable and speedily connected. They would re: quire 4,000 yards of canvas hose for their purpose. They had been visited by several fires of late, the last occurring in a grease factory, where the consequences might have been very disastrous. The Act already read empowers the parish to purchase a fire engine for their use. He thought ine vestriej of the different parishes among which Ponty- *s divided should agree in taking action for so desir- able an acquisition. He moved that the Nuisance Com- mittee be requested to make inquiries as to prices &c and report the result at a Board meeting held in a month. Mr Williams (Llan) seconded the motion, and it was car- ried unanimously. REVISION OF THE PAUPER LISTS. The Chairman called the attention of the Board to the necessity of revising the relief list. Notwithstanding the energy and activity of the officers, there was np doubt But that considerable imposition was practised. They could not well insist upon the poor people coming to the Board, in person from a long distance without paying their train ex- penses. He thought that if the Guardians for each parish were to sit at some convenient spot, assisted by other Guar- dians the examination would be effectively carried out. In the case of those paupers who could not come, they should be visittd. After some considerable conversation it was resolved that the revision of all the parishes except Ystrady- fodwg, should be made as hitherto in Pontypridd. Ystrady- I fodwg should meet at the Bailey's Arms for the same pur- I pose. PORTRAIT IN OIL OF THE LATE CHAIRMAN. Many of the Guardians on entering the Board room were for a moment startled by seeing sitting in the vestibule of the Workhouse the late lamented chairman of the Board of Guardians. It proved to be an exceedingly well exe- cuted portrait of Mr W. Perkins. of whom it is a striking likeness. It is suggested that this portrait should be pur-- chased by the Guardians only, and hung in the Board Room where his counsels were deferentially listened to for so many years. A long conversation ensued, but a decision in the matter will not be-coine to till the next Boar ). The artist is Mr W. E. Jones, of Merthyr. who bus painted many public characters in Newport, Cardiff, &c. The price of the portrait with its frame is £ 60. This concluded the public business. ♦ RHYMNEY INTELLIGENCE. FORMATION OF AN ENGLISH BAPTIST CHURCH.—It ap- pears that an English Baptist cause has been recently established in the neighbourhood of Pontlottyn. Service is held in Wine-street, the number of members being 20. The formation of the church took place on Thursday evening the 2nd instant. The Rev J. P. Williams, Welsh Baptist Minister, delivered an eloquent sermon in English on the occasion The services have been well attended since the origin of this church, and it is hoped that the success will be continuous. MONTHLY MEETINGS —The above meetings came oft at Moriah Independent Chapel, on Monday last. The morning service commenced at 10.30 a.m. The meeting was opened by the Rev T. L. Jones, Machen, and the Rev J. Jones. M.A., America, preached. The afternoon meeting began at 2 p.m., the services being opened by reading and prayer by the Rev J. V. Jones, and the Rev J. P. Williams and the Rev W. Griffiths preached. The evening service was opened in the usual way by the Rev W. Griffiths, when the Rev D. Jones, New Tredegar, and the Rev T. L. Jones. Machen, preached. The attendance in the morning and afternoon meetings was rather limited, but the evening meeting was well attended. DEATH OF A CHILD THROUGH DROWNING.—On Thurs- day evening last this neighbourhood was thrown into a panic by the information given by a crier that a child had been lost. From inquiries we ascertained that the child of Mr Jenkin Thomas, stationer and bookseller, had been missing since about 12 o'clock at noon Search was made, but to all no effect, till the finding of a cap near a pond by a little boy aroused very painful excitement, for the thought at once suggested itself that the child might have been drowned in the pond. A person volunteered to go in, and in a short time the body was found. An inquest touching the death of the child was held at the Royal Arms Hotel, on Saturday last, before Mr W. H. Brewer, coroner, and a respectable jury. Harriet Chappel was the only one who gave evidence, and she deposed that she was sitting on the steps of the slaughter-house on Thursday, when she saw two little boys running along the shoo!" which conveys water into the pond one of them was half way over that was the deceased there is no protection to the pond it was about half-past one or a quarter to two. -The jury then returned a verdict that deceased had been acci- dentally drowned, and recommended that all the ponds in the Company's possession should be properly fenced. The coroner observed that there is a legal responsibility which made fencing of dangerous places compulsory, and if any accident happen the Company can be made liable for damages, the same as in the case of an old pit. TREDEGAR INTELLIGENCE. RAILWAY EXTENSION.—The line between Rhymney and Merthyr has been commenced during the past few days by Mr M'Culloch, sub-contractor under Messrs Brassey & Co. When the work is completed, we shall be equal to towns of greater pretensions, so far as railway accommoda- tion is concerned, and it is to be hoped ere long that Crick- howell will be removed from its present state of isolation in this respect. ELIM TEA PARTY AND CONCERT.- On Whit-Monday a considerable number partook of tea at the Temperance Hall, the tables being presided over by several ladies. The wonder was where all the people came from. as the crowds who went by some half-dozen trains to Blackwood seemed of itself to drain the district of its population. In addition to the downward flow, there was a fairish muster for Llangorse, where a volunteer review was held, and not a few patronized the marine trip to Weston and Ilfracombe. On Tuesday the concert took place under favourable auspices, a large audience assembling to bear some of our local favourites, who severally sarg well the parts allotted to them. The patrons were R. Jenkins, T. Green, and C. Hunter, Esqrs. S I R H 0 W Y ANNIVERSARY SERVICES.—On Whit-Sunday, the Primi- tive Methodists of this Dlace elebrated their Sunday-school anniversary, when very large congregations attended. The preachers were the Revs. H. Beaver and S. Strong, of New Tredegar. Services were held at ten, two, and six o'clock. The children acquitted themselves admirably, and their singing proved that Mr. Robert Lane knows how to train juvenile classes. SIKES'S EISTEDDFOD. — This liberal-minded Cheap Thomas," gave away three prizes on Monday night. The silver tankard was won by Jack Desmond, Ezekiel Davies carried off the copper kettle, and Daniel Pugh, gaining an equal number of bands in the ow up," was presented by Mr Sikes with a kettle" atch Ezekiel's. A large audience gathered around^ #• auction van, and lusty cheering followed each pre$en^j(tion. A NOISY NEIGHBOUR. hr- Dukestown dwells an indi- vidual who claims for himself the illustrious title of king." Of late he has disturbed several of his neighbours by in- dulging in an extra glass, and picking a quarrel with any fractious citizen within reach. Some of the peace-inclined folks are now determined to bring their king into sub- jection, and the next "flare up" will probably be dealt with by a higher functionary than a self-made king." 4. BEAUFORT. NARROW ESCAPE.—A man of the name of Nehemiah Miles met with a serious accident while at his work. A fall of rubbish came down, and having the mandrill in his hand at the time, the point entered his eye. The poor fellow has lost the use of one eye. He received other severe injuries. THE ANNUAL SUNDAY-SCHOOL PROCESSION.—Whit- Monday is the gala day of the Sunday schools of this town, and this year, as usual, all the schools having made pre- parations to have a grand procession, turned out. There were nine schools represented, the number of those who joined the procession being from 1.500 to 2,000. Each school was headed by a choir, who. as they marched through the streets, sang, and the effect was wonderful- The weather was all that could be desired, and the turn-out was equal, if not better, than what has ever taken piace in Beaufort. After marching through the principal streets, each school told off to its school-room, and the children were regaled with a plentiful supply of cake and tea. lw BRYNMAWR. ( THE FAIR.-The Whit-Monday fair came off as usual, and was attended by thousands of sight-seers. There was but little stock of cattle or pigs, but the number of shows and cheap Jacks was up to the usual mark. The day being exceedingly fine, there were more people present than last year. A SCHOCKING AND FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Monday last, a little girl, aged nine years, met her death under most distressing circumstances. The public road crosses the railway near the Barley Sheaf, and opposite to the latter place a great many shows have been erected for the Whitsun holidays. The deceased was making her way to where the shows stood, when an engine passed at the same time. The driver made use of the whistle, but to no pur- pose, and before he could stop the engine, the deceased was knocked pown and cut nearly in two. She lived for a few minutes after being picked up. Mr Clapp, surgeon, hap- pened to be near the spot when the accident occurred, but the injuries were so severe that she died directly she was carried home. ■ BLACKWOOD. RACES AND PICNIC. The locality of Woodfield on Whit-Monday much re- sembled Epsom Down on a Derby Day, that is, so far as a multidudinous gathering of ladies and gentlemen is con- cerned. Trains ran over the Sirhowy, Merthyr and Brecon, and Western Valleys Railways, and at four o'clock in the afternoon the number present could not have been much under 8,000, in fact we heard it remarked that the Cardiff races did not attract so many people-be this as it may, whether at Cardiff, Abergavenny or Lansdown, a more respectable assembly never took up a pos ition in a race course; several ladies and gentlemen of distinction were present, and the higher class of the sporting world did not forget to put in an appearance. The weather, as all the residents in the district well know, was of the most pro- pitious kind, an almost tropical sun being tempered nicely by a cooling breeze from the north-west. The trains con- veyed their hundreds of pleasure-seekers to the scene of enjoyment at early morning, and continued to increase the tide of immigration up to six o'clock in the evening. The gates of the field were thrown open at 12.30, and about that time Captain E. D. Williams. Lieutenants Stroud and Leigh, and other officers of the 4th Battery, Blackwood Artillery Volunteers, and a good body of men fully mounted on chargers, entered the field, and after the arrangements were completed the racing commenced. The stewards were J. D. James, Esq., Myrtle Grove; C. Rice Harris, Esq Sirhowy House T. M. Vennor. Esq., Blackwood; Matthew Ion, Esq., Rhoswen Lieut. Leigh, The Cascade and G. A. Brown, Esq., Iredegar. Judge, Captain E. D. Williams, Maesrhyddyd; Clerk of the Scales, Mr R. Spencer; Starter, Mr J. Brookfield, Tre- degar Clerk of the Course, Mr W. H. Watkins, Blackwood. Pony race (12 hands) prize, time-piece value five guineas, given by the corps second horse to save stakes. There were seven entered for running, the following is the resu t. Mr Morgan Thomas's Colly Fanny •• l •• 1 Mr Morgan Davies's Little Polly Master Willie's Little Mary Ann] 3 0 Mr Edwards's Blue Coat Mr D. C. Davies's Black Tom. ? A* Horse race (15 hands): prize, timepiece value X6, given by the corps; second horse to save stakes. Three entered, and the following is the result^ ,nd^eat Mr Howells's Mountain Lass •• •• }y ■■ Mr Patridge's Miss Skerret • • Mr Ion's Sweet Pie i An accident occurred by the girth becoming loose, and Sweet Pie turned off in the 1st heat. Mountain Lass was out-distanced in the last heat, and the prize fell to Miss Skerret. Pony race (13 hands) prize, saddle and hi idle second silver-mounted whip. Five entries, and the following is the result Mr Matthias's Gipsey ..IS Mr Edwards's Blue Coat 2 In this heat four turned oft at the bottom of the field, in consequence of a host of kissing-ringers running across the course In the second heat, Gipsey distanced all the others and was awarded the prize, the whip being withheld, t Galloway race (14 hands): prize, silver cup, value £ 6, given by the inhabitants of Blackwood second, to save stakes. Seven entries. Mr Moses^ Thomas's Hope won the two heats, Mr Jenkins's Bess being a good second. Sweepstakes of one sovereign, with silver cup added by the inhabitants of Tredegar; four flights of hurdles; second to save stakes; seven entries this race was con- tested by Mr Matthew Ion's Sweet Pie, I\h- Howell's Mountain Lass, and Mr Jordan's Skerret; the Litter win- ning the first best, (a the 2ijd beat, Sweet Piedibi.u^.i the others. A dispute arose, and Mr Ion at once said Sweet Pie should go again. This was done, and it proved warm pie." as Sweet Pie fairly flew lound the corner, clearing the buriles in a style that drew forth ringing cheers from all beholders. A foot race was then contested for: prize, a cup given by the corps: the distance was 200 yards; we c..Gi.tn"t glean the name of the winner. It as a neck an-i neck affair with Griffiths and Morgan. This was the lar.: race, and the distribution of prizes was now proceeded with. Miss illiams, Maesrhyddyd, made the presentations, hoping each recipient would live long to enjoj- the use of the article presented. Lieutenant Leigh, addressing the assembly, said, I cannot allow the iav to close without sa ving a few words We have all enjoyed ourselves: I have most entirely. The weather has been all we coul-1 desire. The caus-e is a good one, and I hope the 4th Battery will be largely benefitte,l by the enterprize of my worthy comrade, Lieut. Stroud. The company is large, and exceedingly re- spectable. We have had a thorough jolly day, then let us give three hearty cheers for the ladies and gentlemen who have taken part in the proceedings. Cheer upon cheer rung through the air. Lieutenant Stroud :—Now then, let us give three cheers specially for Miss Williams, for her kindness and con- descension in presenting the prizes sht. is good and kind I to all around her, and deserves our warmest thanks. To the inhabitants of Tredegar and other places I cannot be toottiankful. Last year we aid well, this year we ha"e j exceeded our most sanguine expectations opposition has done us no harm, our field is full, and what more can we expect? I only hope we may all meet again next hit- Monday. Miss Williams and her friends retired amidst defemag cheers. Dancing was then freely indulged in, ttie band of tne Ebbw Vale Corps being an especial oojecc of attraction by their excellent playing. Messrs. Rees and Meredith, and Mr J. Powell and party, each had their_patrons, 1 whilst the many round-about rings for kissing were not at all forgotten. There were four capital tents in the ( field, where refreshing beverages and satisfying sandwitches were to be found in profusion on reasonable terms. Several whe were denied admission pitched their tents outside, and as outsiders often come off weil, we hope thev did not regret the speculation. Bombadier Samuel RoOeits had eiiarge of the committee's teut, and with tue assistance of Sergeant Richards, everyone met with due attention. Serjeant Sewill and others acted as ticket takers, and Superintendent Fowler and an efficient staff of men kept all in order up to ten o'clock, when we took our seat in the train, and after the lapse of fifteen minutes we were on our way home in the foremost carriage of as long a tram as ever carried excursionists over the Sirhowy line. At New Pits, during the ticket collecting operation, an episode occurred: A rough-spoken fellow endeavoured to intrude himself into our compartment, and was ejected with con- siderable trouble he renewed the attempt to get in, and being foiled, he made a blow at the party next to the window, which was resented !»y a smart blow from a cane. The irate fellow then commenced a cannonade of small cinders, which considerably inconvenienced more than one occupant, the window was closed, and the fellow renewed his attack on the next compartment, without, however, doing mucii harm, although it mhigt have terminated seriously. In process of time the train sped on. and shortly after eleven o'clock Sirhowy station was reached. The balance of the passengers arrived by a second train an hour or so after- wards. Many of the leading families of the district were on the field, and. despite tea parties and other drawbacks, the Blackwood pic-nic and races of 1870 far excelled all previous occasions of a like kind.

BLACKWOOD POLICE COURT. FRIDAY. Joseph Davies, Esq Chairman, and J. G. James. Etq. DAMAGING A TREE AT RHYMNEY.—Isaac Green, Michael Welsh, Daniel Cullen. and Rees Jones, were charged with the above offence. The tree was the property of Mr Hitch- ings, Rhymnev.—The lads all pleaded guilty and were fined Is. each and costs. DAMAGING A WALL AT TREDEGAR.—Lvan Davies. a young lad, pleaded guilty to damaging a wall belonging to the Tredegar Iron Company. Defendant said he weut on the wall to look for some chickens; the wail surrounded the park. The mother of the defendant said she was a widow with four small children, and could not pay much. — Super- intendent Fowler said there would be no fee for trie con- stable, and the Bench let the lad go on paying 4s. expense incurred. FREQUENTING PUBLIC HOUSES.—John Morgan. Morgan Morgan, Robert Duckman, and James Golding, were charged with being in a beer house at illegal hours. John Morgan. James Golding and Robert Duckham appeared and pleaded not guilty as far as drinking was concerned.- P.C. Coles proved the case against John Morgan.—P.C. Allen proved the offence against Duckham and Morgan Thomas, and P. C. Crowley proved the charge against Golding, who was fined 5s. and the other three Is. and costs. ASSAULT.—Wheeler r. Beddoe. This was an assault in the works.—Defendant admitted having "strucked" the boy, but it was done in a passion, because the lad neglected his work, and when Beddoe brought the iron from the furnace there was no one to shear it and that put his tem- per up.- The complainant admitted that be neglected his duty, and the Bench fined defendant Is. and costs for the assault, and cautioned Wheeler not to leave his work again. DRUXK AND RIOTOUS.—Thomas Thomas and Michael Faraday failed to appear to answer this charge.—P.C. Allen proved the case, and a fine of os. each and costs was imposed. SHE SAW ESAU--David Esau was charged with as- saulting Oliver Weeks at Abertillerv —Complainant said she was awoke by defendant coming to the door at half- past twelve at night and saying hes husband was starving the horses she got up and went down when Esau abused her.—Defendant said Morris Weeks ought to have sat with .:1, horse that was bad, but he went to bea and left the horse. Fined Is. and costs. WITHDRAWING THE CHARGE.-George Cheer v. John Marsden—Mr. Harris fcr Cheer said his client had lost a few days' work through the treatment he had received, but as Marsden made a sufficient recompense. Cheer desired to withdraw the complain, and defendant would pay ex- penses. The Bench consented to this. WIFE DESERTION.—In the case of the Bed welly Guar- dians v. Job Jones, charged with deserting his wife, Mr Brookfield, clerk to the Guardians said an arrangement had been come to between himself and Mr Price, who de- fended -The Bench gave their consent. MOVING GOODS.—Pugh v. Hopkins.—This was a case of moving goods to avoid distress.—Mrs Pugh said she wished to settle the case Hopkins owed her £ o, hut she would take £ 3.—The Bench told her that Hopkins would go for six months unless they could settle. It would stand adjourned for a month to allow them to settle it. AFFILIATION. Rebecca iviaxev v. John Price -Ct)m- plainant said, Price was the father of the child. Price did not deny the soft impeachment, and the Bench made the usual half-crown order. BREACH OF COLLIERY RULES -Alfred Taylor was charged with having in h.s possession a tobacco pipe, in the pits at Abercarn, contrary to the rules of the colliery. ilIr Harris for the Company, said the lives of human beings would not be safe if such things were continued.—The Bench after censuring defendant for his carelessness ordered him to pay a fine of C2, and costs. STEALING A KXIFE AT TREDEGAR.—John Thomas was charged with stealing a knife, belonging to Henry Deacon. —Mr Harris appeared for prison c- Prosecutor said he was in the George Inn, and had occasion to use his pruning knife, which was snatched up by the prisoner, who walked off with it: followed him with P.C. Evans to the Grey Hound Hotel, when he refused to deliver it up he after- wards gave it up at the police station.—By Mr Harris Was not offering it for sale a man said he would give Is Gd for it.—P.C. Joshua Evans said, on Saturday last he proceeded to the Greyhound Hotel with prosecutor, and took prisoner in charge prisoner delivered up the knife; Deacon was not drunk.—Mr C. R. Harris said there was no felonious intention on the part of Thomas; a lot of per- sons were drinking together, and an open knife was intro- duced he got possession of it, and retused to give it up to the owner, but at once gave it up to the constable. The Bench, by the new Act, were there as a jury, and he (Mr Harris) had no doubt they would deal with the case as jurymen would, simply by giving the prisoner the benefit of the doubt, and not brand him as a thief.—The Bench We consider there was no intent to steal, and we give the bene- fit of the doubt to prisoner, and dismiss the case. When the police removed the bracelets," prisoner, addressing his solicitor, said, Mr Harris, you're a clever man thank you Mr Harris." -Mr Harris advised him to leave off prac- tical joking in future. LEAVING WORK.—Luke Hayward was summoned by Mr Jordan, mineral agent, Sirhowy, charged with leaving his work without notice.—Mr C. R. Harris prosecuted.—Mr Jordan said, about nine years ago Hay,vani had an advance in cash, and was not seen after till recently, when he came for work as a collier gave him a note for some money to fetch his family from Beaufort he went direct to the pit, and took his tools out; the damage is jM. Defendant I never knew of any warrant, or I would have appeared.— Mr Karris: You mean disappeared ?—Mr Jordan said he would rather have no more to do with the man as he de- ceived them so often.— The defendant was locked up for 14 days in default of paying 5s and costs. STEALING MONEY. —J ohn Carey was charged with stealing 9s 9d, belonging to the landlord of the Red Lion Inn. Tre- degar. It appeared the prisoner was drinking at the house in question, and on a servant girl bringing in change of a half-sovereign to some one in the room. the prisoner picked it up, and made off with it. P.C. Pritchard was consulted, and a capture Was soon effected, and 10s 5d was found ou the prisoner's person.—The Bench sent him to Usk for 21 days. COAL STEALING AT TREDEGAR --Edward Edwards pleaded guilty to this charge, and was sent to the lock-up for a day. -Morgan Jenkins pleaded guilty to a similar offence he had been in gaol four days, and was now sent back for 7 days.-P.C.'s Vaughan and Goswell proved the charges.

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. ADDRESSED TO THE EDITOR. T he Editor is not responsible for the opinion of his Correspondents WHAT ARE UN SECTA HI AN HYMNS SIR,-In looking over the 180 amendments which are i proposed in committee on the Government EdnfuH „ i» I find one by Mr Pease, M.P. for South Durl m that rate aided schools should be restricted of such hymns of an unitarian tendency as i^y Urn time to time be approved by the Education Department." Surely the unitarian religionists have worked their glorious idea to a climax. Unsectarian hymns: Where in this wide world are we to find them ? As a friend of mine observed, we should not be able to sin~ even the magnificent composition of Sir John Bowrine, ° In the Cross of Christ I glory. W hen we begin to mince down the beautiful religion of Christianity to the drivelling involved in the idea of unsectarian hymns, selected by the Committee of Council on Education, I think we may all hang our harps on the willows, and sit down in silence. I don't know that I ever met with a bit of sacred poetry free from sectarianism, unless it be the Song of Solomon." but probably the Committee of Council would not sanction it for the schools. Where the Nonconformists leave the path of duty. and commence tinkering at Christianity, their inventions must be hopelessly a;rotesque An unsectarian hymn book, if possible at all. would be fit only for Deists, and most assuredly the lips of the rising race would be denied the g privilege of the early Christians, of wdioin au old writer says that "they praised Christ as God. I still hope that Nonconformists who consider it an insult to have to ron to a conscience clause for protection from the teaching of the Established Church. will not wantonlv and despotically compel any of their fellow-countrymen to run for refuge from their own teaching, by using a conscience clause. If a conscience clause insults John Jones, it also insults Patrick OTlannican. My demand is that we should insult neither oue nor the other. but by confining the lessons of the day school to purely secular ln-troction, lay upon priests, parsons, ministers, Sunday school teachers, and all who have the love of Christ in their hearts, the grand ivork of teaching religion to the v-H.msr. Protestant Nonconformists must exclude the I Bible from schools supvorted out of public moneys, or become persecutors. --V >r.rs res .er-rfnl'v. F. SONLEY JOHNSTONE. Merthyr, June Stri. 1870.

THE IRON, COAL, AND TIN PLATE TRADES OF SOL I'll WALES. IKON.—The anticipations which were formed during the past winter and early sprincr of briskness and increased stimulus in this trade have been fully realised. Orders now on hand will supply the ironmas'ers with an abundance of work for a considerable time to come indeed the great difficulty with which they have to contend is the impossi- bility of working to time. They cannot turn out their orders fast enough, and, as the summer advances, the in- creased heat will, doubtless, in some measure still further retard the progress or the work. Every effort is being made to meet the requirements of buyers. Future contracts for rails may probably be made at an advance upon present prices. From Middlcsborough reports are received of "steady increase in the demand for irnn," and prices are lookins up. Makers are unusually busy upon shipments to the French. Belgian, and German ports. Current prices on May 31 were as follows :—No. 1 pig-iron. ;~>5s (id No. 3, ->2s (id No 4, Tils Gd.—f.o.b cash payment. The stock on warrants is reduced to 18,534 tons. The large business in Scotch pig. reported last week, with a tendency to higher prices, has been succeeded by a period of consider- able excitement, and advancing rates up to 60s cash, since which the market has receded to 59s 3d cash, and closes at 60s A fair inquiry exists for Welsh merchant bars, and prices have advanced to t7 7s Gel, and £7 10s f.o.b.. London F >r Staffordshire iron there is more inquiry, and it is anticipated that better times are in store may be gathered from the fact that fresh furnaces are being built in the Staffordshire districts, and arrangements made tor increasing the power of production. It is, perhaps, difficult to estimate the extent to which iron of all kinds may be utilised. There seems to be no end to the capabilities of the production, and at tbis moment some descriptions can hardly be manufactured fast enough. The present brisk condition of the market mainly results from the demand for iron for railway purposes. This demand will be met in course of time. Other varieties meet with fair inquiry, but nothing more. The question, then. naturally arises, when all these new furnaces and new works now under construc- tion become productive, will there be a continuance of such orders as now keep the ironmasters so fully, and so profitably, employed ? The iron trade has passed through lornr periods of stagnation, and it may do so again. Much depends upon the general prosperity of this and other countries, and the prospects when viewed from this point are good. Railroads have still to be introduced into India, and yet further East, and as their growth during the last thirty years has been marked with rapidity almost incredi- ble, so we may look fur at least a corresponding advance in time to come. The Carnarvon Herald states that Mr Bright's health continues steadily to improve, and the right hon. gentle- man is able to take regular walking exercise, the weather being mild and favourable. Mr Bright still stays at the George Hotel, with Mrs Bright, and the family remain at Oakley-house LORD WARWICK A:>"B SEWAGE IRRIGATION.—On Tues- day week the negotiations between the Earl of Warwick and the Leamington Local Board of Health, for the dis- posal of the sewage of the town on his lorship's estate, were brought to a satisfactory termination, and the agreements between the Board and his lordship were executed and ex- changed. His lordship agrees to pay £450 per annum for the sewage, which the Board are to be at the cost of pump- ing to a given point on his estate, when his lordship will undertake the entire responsibility of disposing of the sewage on land prepared for its reception. The agreement is to extend over a period of thirty years, and the neces- sary works are to be completed by the Board, and the de- delivery of the sewage commenced on the 25th of March next. THE editor of a religious newspaper, who admits that he is not an emotional man, and is rather deficient in the nobler elements of human nature —in other words, is an unruffled scoundrel—says that upon reading an account of thepupiisof the industrial school attending the musical festival, he found his heart swelling full. and tears coming to his eyes. We grieve to add that, having brought his readers to this point of intense interest, he abandons them to futile speculation. Whether those tears actually slopped over. and if so, whether they were wiped upon the edi- torial coat-sleeve, or permitted to roll in silent majesty into the corners of the editorial mouth, are mysteries which wiil probably never be solved until the grave shall give up its dead religious editors starved to death upon senti- mental Christianity.—San Erattsisco New6 htttc. THE CONGREGATIONAL CKlOX AND THE EDUCATION QUESTION. The Congregational Union have adopted the following re-oiutionou the su-> jeet of education: "That this assembly, cherishing a strong confidence in the attach- ment of her Majesty's Government to the principles of re- ligious equality, recognises in their measure for the ad- vancement cf primary education, an anxious desire to res- pect the conscientious convictions of all classes of tbe people, as shown especially in the proposal to abolish de- nominational inspection, to apply a conscience clause to all schools in which religious instruction is given, and to ad- mit undenominational schools to the enjoyment of Govern- ment grants but at the same time is compelled to express a decided conviction that the conscience clause as at pre- sent framed will prove inadequate that the liberty given to inspectors in certain specified circumstances to "inquire into the religious teaching given in Government schools is inconsistent with the principles of the measure, and the power entrusted to the local boards to determine the reli- gious character of the schools they establish, and to aid denominational schools already existing out of the rates, is open to very serious objection. The assembly has learned with great satisfaction that the Government are willing to reconsider the provisions of the Bill, and hopes that they will adopt and carry out such mendments as will secure a. satisfactory settlement of the question." THE USES OF FOOLS.—In proportion to the value of genius is the enormous mischief done by its opposite. Stu- pidity is the great curse against which all reformers have to fight. It is melancholy to think how vast a proportion of the energy expended in making this benighted world a little more habitable goes in the establishment of truths with which everybody is supposed to be acquainted, and the assault of evils, which have been given up as untenable by every reasoning being. What is the use, one is sometimes tempted to say in des- pair. of throwing logic before vestrymen, and showing, for the millionth time. that two two and make four? Explain to the ordinary mind by the clearest possible argu- ments, and by appeal to the most notorious facts, that all men are mortal, and that r>oorates is a man and invite him to draw the conclusion that Socrates is mortal. He will laugh in your face with the utmost good temper, and declare that he does not see the force of your arguments. Metaphysicians, I know, cherish the belief that It is im- possible for a man to believe that A is B, alld that A is not B, at the same time. That only shows the danger of arguing from theory instead of observation. Nothing is more common than to find a man renting with the most absolute complacency in the belief of two propositions which are mutually contradictory. The natural result is that human progress is. for the most part, effected by a series of blunders. We carry our, ou a great scale, the ingenious theory of education, which rests up",n the pro- position that a burnt child dreads the fire. It follows that if you let your chil tren put their fingers into the fire a sufficient number of times, they will end by beinsi more careful of those which remain. Or it may be said that we are like a tribe finding their way across au intricate wilder- ness without a map or compass. blunder into every tracK that presents itself, and only give it up when. we find, by practical experience, that it does not lead us in the de- sired direction. Gradually, it may be, we advance, but we waste infinite time and pains iu struggling through difficult and devious routes, against which a little forethought might have sufficiently warned us. We went on burning people for holding different opinions from ourselves about matters which neither of us understood till we found that burning was practically a defective mode of ar- gument. We hangedpickpockcts till it appeared thatitrather encouraged the practice than otherwise. We bullied our colonies in order to preserve a spirit of loyaltv, till we had thoroughly alienated the most valuable part of our posses. sions. We still pay people to beg. under the imprecision that it is a plan admirably calculated to encoura^ a spirit of independence. History is supposed to be au=tievatin<r study, and certainly it is pleasant to find that in some re* spects our furetathers were greater fools than ours-lves; but lt is also melancholy to see how many bidders aud crimes iu?e le:mlts, quite °pposw.) to tnose which thev ¡¡,nticipated. [t lSlgen,erell,v rseen H.i; ttie avowed motives of the rulers of man..m.t are otten different from those by which they were ea .j actuated, and that these last, again, had generally little real relation to the results which they were, in fac*"„, working out. But, not to go too deeply into such specula- tions, it is plain enough th-it the huge deadweight of placid stu- pidity is the Heaviest of all the burdens which reformers have to move. Make the lowest strata of the p ipulation one de- gree more intelligent and prudent, enable them to realize the simple fact that there is a to-morrow as weli as a to-day and you would do more to improve them than bvall the charitable schemes in existence. Give* to those a little above them some glimpse of the most obvious results of modern thought, and you v.uld clear away such masses of imbecile prejudice as would admit an unprecedented burst of daylight into the dark places of the world. If we only understood roughiy what "e were about, "e should save some of that dreary application of the rule of thumb, that patching and botching and tinkering which waste so much invaluable tune and energy. And there is enough stupidity in existence to thicken the very atmosphere.—Cornhill Magazine. .c-

BKEAK! AST.—Epps S COCOA GITATEPUL AXl. COMFORT- ING. —The very agreeable character of this preparation has rendered it a general favourite. The Civil Arrive Gazette remarks The singular success which Mr. Epps attained by his homoeopathic preparation of cocoa has never been surpassed by any experimentalist. P.y a thorough know- ledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-s>electru cocoa. Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a dtiicatelv flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bUis." Made simply with boiling water or milk. Sold by the Trade only in iio., ilb and lib. tin-lined packets, labelled—JAMES EPPS & G> Homoeopathic Chemists. London. 3157 1 HOSE LADIES who have not yet tried the GLENFIIXD STARCH, are respectfully solicited togive it a trial, and care- fully follow out the directions printed on every packag. It is rattier more difficult to make than other Starches, but when tins is overcome, they will say like the Queen'* Laundress, that ic is the finest Starch thev ever used. Du^ ILLE & Co Belfast, are tue largest holders of whisky in the world. Their Uld Irish Whisky is recom- mended by the medical profession in preference tu French brandy. Supplied in casks and cases for hum.. USe or ex- portation. Quotations on application to IVIESSBS. DeX- YILLE & Co., FvOYAL IIUSH UISTILLEJJTES, BELTASX. 306C.

which was admitted, was fully proved by the landlord, Mr Moses Thomas.—The Bench dismissed the case on the de- fendant paying the costs. A DRUNKARD.—Julia Thomas was summoned for being drunk on the 17th inst.—P.S. Thomas said he saw her in Picton-street, Caedraw, on the morning of the aoove date, very drunk. The offence was admitted, and the Bench fined her os and costs. OBSTRUCTING THE HIGHWAY.—Thomas Evans was sum- moned for leaving his horse and cart on the street, so as to cause an obstruction. P.C. Smith stated that on Friday, the 20th ultimo, about a quarter past two, he saw the de- fendant's horse and cart standing, without anyone taking care of them, in Dynevor-street; at about three o'clock he returned, and saw the horse and cart still there he then went into the Three Horse Shoes, and saw the defendant sitting down drinking with the landlord he called his at- tention to the horse and cart, but he did not take it away for about ten minutes afterwards; he had warned him several times before. The Bench fined him 2s. 6d. and costs, and cautioned him against leaving his horse and cart in future without some one to take care of it. ANOTHER BEERHOUSE OFFENCE.—Thomas Jones, land- lord of the White Swan, Dowlais, was also summoned for keeping his house open for the sale of beer during prohibi- ted hours. -P.C. Evans stated that about half-past seven on the morning of the 28th ult., he saw the door of the defendant's house open, and a man going in he followed him, and in one of the rooms were two persons with three quarts of beer before them. —The defendant hoped as this was his first offence that the Bench would deal leniently with him.—Fined 5s. and costs. CHARGE OF STEALING A CHILD.—Ellen Thomas, wife of Moses Thomas, landlord of the Rose and Castle Inn, Pont- morlais, was summoned for stealing the child of Mrs Au- brey, Picton-street, Caedraw, widow of the late Mr Aubrey, of the Bunch of Grapes Inn. Mr Jones (Messrs Smith, Lewis and Jones) appeared for the complainant. It appears that defendant had nursed the child for some years, and had become so attached to it that she refused to give it up to its mother. About a week ago, however, the mother got the child, but in a short time afterwards, whilst it was playing on the road, the defendant took it away, and pusi- tively refused to give it up, or allow anyone to see it. Mr Jones stated that she did not wish to press the charge, provided they would give the child up, and promise not to Molest the mother.—After a short time the ohild, apparently Ottich against its own inclination, was very reluctantly Riven up to the mother.—The Bench cautioned defendant to take the child again or she mjght |>e indicted for child stealing, which would subject her to penal servitude. DRUNK AND RIOTOUS.—Evan Davies and Daniel Thomas '"ere summoned for being drunk and riotous on the 22nd 5ft. — P.C. Coles deposed to seeing them in High-street, l enydarren, on the above date, very drunk and creating a aturbaDce. The defendant Thomas did not appear, but sent an old woman to appear in his stead, but as she was ?°t supplied with the needful," his case was adjourned or a week the other defendant being fined 7s 6d including costs. /;) /;) ANOTHER.—A man named Timothy Welsh was aho sum- W* for similar conduct in Evan Wynn-street, Ponty- tyn, Rhymney, on the 24th ult.-P.C. Davies proved the ^rge, and defendant was fined 7s 6d including costs. STEALING A CAGE.—William Greaves was again brought jP,on the charge of stealing a cage, the property of Mr ha n l llhams, Patriot Inn. The particulars of the case th V Tj eat^y appeared.—The prisoner pleaded guilty, and A ench sentenced him to six weeks' imprisonment. „I MISCHIEVOUS URCHIN—A lad named John Cary, oout 12 years old, was charged with attempting to do sh t° certain machinery, the property of R. T. Craw- sp8(i;> Cyfarthfa.—Mr C. H. James appeared to pro- sj. u ^rancis Power, 14 years of age, living at 2, King- a lad there was a spell" on Thursday morning last; ^o natned Cornelius Manahan and himself were sitting woul 1Gr w^en. the prisoner came up to them, and said he the ?]Ut a P*ece °t c°ld iron on the cogs of the wheel, in Ward went away from him, and shortly after- sni »a/W Putting a large piece of cold iron on the JJJ F (cogs; of the wheel; directly he bad done so, the enein 6ry made a great noise, and stopped working the ht» f>i.r^er topped the engine immediately he had done so cause of w'th a lamp in his hand to see what was the awav • fV> ,no'se > when prisoner had done it he walked piece of e ce Was rather dark at the time he got the thev w a tram; after the machinery had stopped 8tated th f i° s^eeP in the ash pit.—Cornelius Manahan hook. „,f,! Was 11 years old, and was employed as a juornin l. Works he remembered Thursday ^alkintf K °De their tongs had broken, and they went thev w u°Ut w^en they met prisoner, who asked them if minntM ? put a pIece of iron on the engine; in a few trams atterwards he took a piece from off one of the the Hr'iif' asked If that was big enough to fit the teeth of to do 8ei '^e the last witness were not. willing Put tho 1D^ °f, t^e kind he then went from them and is the anP CCe m u sPiQdles" the piece of iron produced De put on tbe wheels after he had done gbeer akTst J^+nv,018e' a.nd the wheel stopped the en- Was the matti rt ^ngme an<^ came out to see what 2utLSf JS;fi*ey^the?> weut to sleeP in the ash pit tsked nnLPpfl ^ey,non came "P to them and plied thatdi<?n°t- t PUt lron on the whet;1. he re" to d him th\t1 +hDOW he then asked them> and they was Z pnlin he Pns°?er.-Mr John Jones said he half nast twn |ani' T Thursday morning last, about Went fm a f a he> ?tarte<l the engine and it afterwiir 1 £ tVV S,econds ant* then stopped he immediately WentTnft flar a great Doise he shut off the steam and Short t;™, ltPP,10 what was the matter after a or ono-a <?un^ Piece of iron produced in the spur he driving wheel; it must have been put there whikt if eng-De Was no-t *oing if it had been Put there thp .„u ^[as ln Jnotlon it would undoubtedly have broken he rKH a deal °f the other machinery at oil. ^.° See the previous witness or prisoner about there (>nm> *.eL t^ie piece of iron which he found in the S or the wheel to W illiatn Jones, the gaffer there as t?° actual damage done the place where it occurred Was the Old Forge. — William Jones said he was engine- man at Cyfarthfa Works if the last witness had not discovered the iron, and stopped the engine immediately, the damage done would probably have been between £400 and £500, besides throwing f3 men out of employment for three months if the machinery were going when the piece of iron was put on the wheel, and some people were passing at the time, they might have been seriously injured. The engine referred to worked the rolls of the Old Forge.—P C. Charles Bell stated that on Thursday horning last, from information he had received, he went to the prisoner, whom he found in the works he asked hun if he was near the engine that morning, and he replied ^es, I put a piece of iron on the wheel, but I did not think it would break it; it was the other boys that told Ine to do it." He did not threaten or make the prisoner fy. promise before he made the above admission. He reived the piece of iron produced from Mr Btynon.— fnrtk .k now committed the prisoner for trial at the uto ^V°.minS sessions, bail being accepted provided sub- r securities were found for £ 30, and prisoner's rather in a like amount. DRUXK AND RIOTOUS Joseph Edwards and William w.J'f were summoned for being drunk and riotous at Aroedyrhiw, on the 28th ult. P.C. Davies proved the Ss col-itsa S defenda*ts were fined respectively 10s, and MONDAY. {Before H. C. Grccnioood, Esq.) WED!FK AND RIOTOUS.—Caroline Smith was charged W.Hh being drunk and riotous in Garden-street, on Satur- day night; she was also charged with assaulting P.C Bell, Whilst, in the execution of his duty. —The officer stated that whilst faking her to the station for being drunk, she struck aim with her fist, and afterwards lay down on the road, refusing to go any further; whilst on the ground, she kicked him t wo or three times.—Mr Greenwood discharged her for bein" drunk and riotous, but on the charge of ^saultinc the police he sentenced her to one month's Itnprisonment.. ANOTHER DRUNKA'-RD. — John Morgan was charged with being drunk at Ynys;jau on the oth inst.—P.C. 8 proved the charge, and defenu'ant was fined 5s. and costs. DRUNK AND INDECENT-—Michael O'Coney was charged J^ith this offence, committed in Wellington-street on Saturday night last.—P.O. Cook proved the charge, and defendant was fined 10s including costs, or in default seven days' imprisonment. ANOTHER DRUNKARD.—Timothy Ryan was also charged with being drunk and riotous at Ponstorehouse on Satur- day night last.—P.C. Cook proved thecharge. Fined 10s costs, or seven days' imprisonment. AND ANOTHER.—David Griffiths was also summoned for being drunk and riotous at Troedyrhiw on the 29th ult. P.C. Edmunds stated that about eight o'clock on the above date, he found the prisoner lying down quite drunk in Yew-street he woke him up and took him to the station.—His Worship fined prisoner 7s 6d including costs. CHARGE OF STEALING FERRETS. A man named Thomas Prosser appeared in answer to a summons charging him ■With stealing two ferrets the property of Thomas Thomas, 'blocklayer, Swansea Road. — Mr Beddoe, from the office of Messrs Simons and Plews appeared for prisoner.—Mrs Thomas, wife of prosecutor, appeared, and stated that her husband had two ferrets, they were kept in a couple of boxes in a stable, which was a short distance from the house she saw the ferrets safe at twelve o'clock on the night of the 15th of May; about four o'clock on the following morning they were missed the staple that held the door having been wrenched off to obtain admittance they were worth about £ 1; on the Monday night after they had been stolen, from what she heard, she went to the prisoner and asked him for the ferrets, but he replied that he hadn't them.— Mr Evan Evans, Brecon Road, stated that on Monday, the 23rd of May, he saw the defendant at the Cefn Hotel; he had a ferret in his possession they asked and obtained permission of Mr Jones to go ferret- ting at the back of his house after they had done so they returned to his house, where they had some beer; after that they went down to the Gwynne's Arms, where they had another quart; whilst in the Gwynne's Arms the prisoner said he had taken the prosecutors ferrets, but that he intended making it all right again the prisoner had had some beer, but knew perfectly well what he was saying; he noticed a private mark on the ferrets, which corresponded with the particulars he had since had of the prosecutor's ferret.-Mr D. Morgan, of Abercanaid, said he was at the Cefn Hotel on the 23rd of last month, and remembered seeing the defendant with a ferret; the last Witness and another person that was with him had another one after they had permission, they went ferrettmg, and then returned to the Cefn Hotel; after having a quart of beer they all left for home, but when they were on the Cefn bridge prisoner called to them to come back and have a share of a quart of beer, as he had 4d to pay for it, he having sold one of the rabbits they caught whenferretting; they then went into the Gwynne's Arms, and after they Ibad been there a short time, the prisoner called one of the ■company named Richard Lewis outside, he (witness) ifollowed them, and the prisoner then told them that he had stolen the ferrets, and the reason he had done so was that he hatllent Thomas (the prosecutor) two nets some time ago he had asked him for them back, but was told that his brother had received them his brother however denied having them hethen stole the ferrets instead of them; after prisoner said this, they went into the public-house again, where he repeated several times that he had stolen them. In cross-examination the witness stated that the prisoner was not so drunk as not to know what he was saying.—The prosecutor, Thomas Thomas, was called, and said that he had had the loan of one net from the prisoner, but not two as he bad stated he bad returned it to a friend of the prisoner's, be having been sent for it.—The brother of the prisoner was called in defence, and stated that he kept ferrets he remembered lending his brother one a month ago on a Monday he was sure it was a month ago, for he worked night that week. In reply to Mr Lewis (the magistrates' clerk), the witness stated that he liked a little sport in the shape of ferreting he had also been convicted once for poaching, — Two other witnesses were called, who stated that <>n the night of the alleged theft they remembered seeing the prisoner in his house a little after twelve o'clock, and saw him undressing to go to bed one of them also saw him direotly after he had risen the following morning, about eight o'clock. — Mr Greenwood thought the charge ha.d been fully proved against the prisoner, and fined him 40s and costs, or two months' imprisonment. WEDNESDAY.—(Before H. C. Greenwood, Esq.) DRUNK AND RIOTOUS. Sarah Smith was brought up charged with this offence. P.C. Evans said that he saw her on Monday evening last, about ten minutes to six in Swan-street; she was very drunk, and a large crowd had collected around her she had been locked up ever since. Mr Greenwood, in consideration of this circumstance, discharged her. SIMILAR CHARGE. — William Cliver was charged with being drunk and riotous in Court-street on Monday last. P C. Cook said he saw him fighting near the Fountain Inn he arrested him, and with assistance brought him to the station whilst on the way to the station he got very violent, and kicked the man who was assisting him (witness) several times the person, however, would not appear to prosecute defendant for the assault. — The Bench fined defendant 5s including costs, or five days' im- prisonment. ASSAULTING THE POLICE. — William Barnett was also charged with assaulting P.C. Charley whilst in the execu- tion of his duty, on the bth inst.—The officer stated that on Monday last he saw defendant fighting with the last de- fendant he took him into custody, but he resisted, and kicked him several times.—The defendant in defence said he was so very drunk that he did not know what he had done.—Fined 5s including costs. BEGGING.—Elizabeth Jenkins wa< charged with begging in High-street-, Dowlais, on the 7th instant. P.C. Garleck said that he saw her going into several shops in High-street, Dowlais he followed her into one, and heard her asking for alms there was a quantity of bread, and 31d. in money found upon her. The prisoner stated that she had come from Pontypool, and was looking for her husband. His Worship discharged her, hoping that she would go back to Pontypool, or to some of her friends, and not go begging about the country again. A MISCHIEVOUS URCHIN.—A lad named George Wat- kins was charged with damaging a door, the property of the Dowlais Iron Company. P.C. Gardiner said that about four o'clock this morning he was going down Garden-street, Dowlais, when he saw the prisoner rising up the breaks of two trucks that were loaded with hay after he had done so, the trucks moved on, and immediately afterwards he heard the large stable door breaking, the carriages having broken it to pieces there was no one with the prisoner when he did it.—Mr. G. Llewellyn said he was inspector of wagons under the Dowlais Iron Company; he had seen the stable door mentioned by the last witness, and esti- mated the damage at .£2 it was the property of Messrs. the Dowlais Iron Co. — The prisoner admitted the offence, but said that when he rose the breaks up he thought there were some sprags in the wheel. — The bench fined him 10s, damage £2, and costs 8s (id, or in default three weeks' imprisonment.—Allowed three weeks to pay. DISCHARGED.—William Farewood was charged with stealing a carpenter's square, the property of David Evans. —The prosecutor said that as he had had the square back he would not offer any evidence against the defendant.— The Bench therefore discharged him. LARCENY.—Margaret Gregory, a married woman, living at 6, Cross-street, Thomas Town, was charged with stealing several articles the property of Mrs Isaacs. —Mr Howells, from the office of Messrs. C. H. and F. James, appeared to prosecute. -The prosecutrix stated that in October last she engaged unfurnished lodgings with the prisoner at Cross- street, Thomas Town on the 11th of the same month her goods came, and she began leaving there about the 13th; she missed things soon afterwards, and continued to do so until lately she had no idea who took them, and it was not until the 13th ult. that she had suspicion that the prisoner was the thief. The goods produced were all her property, and worth about .82.—Mrs Jones, wife of Mr Thomas Jones, miner, 8, Cross-street, Thomas Town, said that on Thurs- day week last Mrs Gregory came to her house and asked her to buy a pair of sheets she said they were in pawn she bought them, and the ones produced are the same; she gave 6s 4id for them. The piece of dimity (produced) she found on the road, having been thrown out of the prisoner's window she did not see who threw it out—P.S. Thomas said he apprehended the prisoner on Monday morning last; he told her she was charged with stealing a piece of dimity, a cloth trowsers, a cloth jacket, a pillow case, a oair of sheets, and several other articles, the property of Mrs Isaacs in reply she admitted stealing all the above named articles. He found the pillow case on a bed in the prisoner's house, and he received the pair of sheets and piece of dimity from the last witness the jacket and trowsers he received from Mr Goodman, pawnbroker.—Mary Goodman said the jacket and trowsers produced) were pawned in their shop by Mrs Gregory in December last.—The prisoner had no defence to make and pleaded guilty.—Mr J. Williams, builder, Castle-street said he had known prisoner for a number of years, and had never heard anything against her character before. —Mr Superintendent Thomas also said she had hitherto borne a very good character.—jWr Greenwood, in consideration of her previous good character, sentenced her to three weeks' imprisonment with hard labour. THEFT OF MONEY.—John Williams (" Shony Will), and SarahlWilliams (" Pretty Sal") were again brought up on the charge of stealing £1 9s, the property of Mrs Madden, lodging-house keeper.—This was a remanded case. —Mrs Callaghan said that on Monday week last she went with the prosecutrix to the Dynevor Arms, to ask the female prisoner about the money she (witness) did this and Sarah said for her not to give any alarm, John had the money and she would go and coax him for the purse, and part of the money; she then went to the prisoner John and asked him for the money he made no reply to her, but only gave her a slap in the face.-Cross-examined by the prisoner Sarah Was with you twice that Monday, once in the morning, and once in the evening was down in the Swan Inn, and had the share of a quart of beer did not partake of several quarts, but simply of one will swear that you said you would ask John for the money back have donea little pawning business on myownaccountlately. —P.C. Emanuel said that on Tuesday the 31st *lt., from information he had received he arrested both the prisoners in Dynevor-street; he told them they were charged with stealing a purse containing £ 1 9s, the property of the prosecutrix both prisoners said they knew nothing about it; John also said he had not been in the room where pro- secutrix slept since he had been lodging there the prisoner Sarah told him at the same time not to say a word until he was obliged to do so. She afterwards told him (the witness) that the prosecutrix's son had taken the money.-Mr Green- wood, after some consideration, thought there was no evi- dence against the prisoner John, he would therefore be discharged, but the female prisoner would be committed for trial at the ensuing sessions. OBTAINING MONEY UNDER FALSE PRETENCES.—Ann McDonald, a girl apparently about 18 years of age, was charged with obtaining money under false pretences from Mr Yantub Levi, clothier, Castle-street.-The prosecutor said the prisoner came to his shop yesterday afternoon, between three and four o'clock his wife was in the shop, and she asked her if she would buy a ring which she produced she said it was her own property, and wanted to sell it to get some drink she said it was jeweller's gold, and wanted 3s 6d for it; he offered her Is 6d, which she took after she had left he took the ring up to Mr Phillips, jeweller, to see whether it was gold, and he then found it was brass, and not worth a penny.—In reply to the Bench, witness said he did not think when he bought it it was gold. A similar charge was now preferred against prisoner for obtaining Is under false pretences from Mr Goodman, pawnbroker. Castle-street.—Mr G. Goodman said he was an assistant to his father yesterday evening the prisoner came into their shop, and wanted to pawn a gold ring which she had in her hand he told her they did not take such goods in pawn, but if she wanted to sell it they would buy it; she then said she would sell it, and wanted 4s he told her if it was jeweller's gold that he would give her a shilling she replied it was jeweller's gold, for if it had not been such she would not have offered it for sale. The ring was very bright and appeared to be what she represented it. In reply to the Bench, witness said that jeweller's gold was nine carat. If it had been such, it would have been worth about 2s 6d; they generally tested such goods before the person left the shop, but on this occasion they did not do so until after she had left, and found it to be made of copper, and only worth a penny.—Mrs Smith said she kept a lodging-house at 2, River Side the prisoner and her father had been lodging at her house for the past five or six weeks; she had seen some keepers like those produced with the prisoner in her house she had also seen her father make some out of old copper buttons after he made them, he marked them inside with a small instru- ment with a figure representing a dog or lion, which the prisoner said was done to make them appear as if they were gold the prisoner also told her that she had sold one to a station master for 5s.—P.C. Morris said he arrested the prisoner in Bridge-street, and after bringing her to the station, he charged her with obtaining Is 6d from Mr Levi and Is from Mr Goodman under falee pretences, she replied If he has given me too much, here is the money, he can have it back." The Bench committed her for trial. No EVIDENCE. — Edward Dalton was charged with stealing a pair of boots, the property of Mr D. McLoughlin. who said he should not offer any evidence against the prisoner, who was therefore discharged. CHARGE OF WOUNDING—A man named Isaac Davies was brought up chargcd with wounding Elizabeth Davies. Supt. Thomas said the prosecutrix did not appear, but he had reasons to believe that she had been kept out of the Way.— John Owen said he knew Elizabeth Evans he was in the Patriot Inn yesterday; both Evans and prisoner were there; it was just before dinner time Evans was turned out of the bar by the pot boy because she was drunk; she came back and went to the prisoner, who was standing by the bar with a knife in his hand eating bread and cheese she commenced sky larking" with him one time afterwards whilst larking, the prisoner moved up his hand to push her away, and when he was doing so, he sup- posed that Evans also rose up her hand, thereby causing prisoner to knock her on the neck with the back of the knife, which was much sharper than the edge.—Supt. Thomas remarked that if the prosecutrix was present, she would give a very different version of the affair than the last witness bad done. — P.S. Thomas was called, and said that he saw the prosecutrix yesterday about half-past one, when she came to the station she had a cut on her throat about two inches in length it was through the skin, and bleeding profusely; he afterwards apprehended the prisoner, and charged him with wounding Elizabeth Evans with a knife in her throat he replied that it was done with the back of the knife, and that be had done so somehow in playing; the knife (produced) he found in the Patriot; Elizabeth Evans told him that prisoner was eating some bread and cheese when she went in she asked him for some of it, and he replied that he would give her some cheese, at the same time drawing the knife across her throat; he had been looking for her this morning, but could not find her. — The prisoner was remanded for a week. ABERDARE INTELLIGENCE. CRICKET MATCH.—On Thursday afternoon last the Aber- dare and Glyn-Neafch cricket clubs played a match on the ground apportioned for that purpose in the Aberdare Park. The weather was admirable, as was also the ground, and early in the afternoon the game commenced in a very spirited manner. Each side played very fairly, but the vic- tory was obtained by the Glyn-Neath party. The following is the total of the scores Aberdare, first innings, ol second innings, 11 Glyn-Neath, first inning3. 50 second innings, 20. It will be seen that the difference is but one run in favour of the latter, but the play having extended so tar as to bring it within train time for returning to their homes, the last innings of the Glyn-Neath party was par- tially abandoned—nine more wickets having to fall. It is not often our lot to chronicle a failure of the Aberdare cricketers. BRITISH SCHOOLS.—The annual report of these schools has just been received from the Lords of the Privy Council, and we have much pleasure in recording the fact that it is in every way satisfactory, the grant being the largest ever received, amounting to £505. The official report is as follows -Boys' school: This school has again done remark. ably well, both in the ordinary elementary subjects and in grammar. An evening class of 38 young men passed wthout a JaiJure,—Girls' school; This school has passed 1 I a very fair standard examination, and has also done fairly in grammar. The order is good, and the needle-work remarkably so.—Infants' school: This large infants' depart- ment, having' 525 names on its b->oks, is in good order, remarkably well organized, and efficiently instructed. It has been under the care of Miss Richards for the last three years. -Infants' school branch This branch school, recently opened in order to relieve pressing want, has been very efficiently conducted thus far. 0 ANNIVERSARIES. The school anniversary services of the Aberaman English Wesleyans, were held on Sr.nday last. Three sermons were delivered by various ministers, in the morning, afternoon, and evening to large congregations. On the following day the scholars were the recipients of a good substantial tea, after which the evening was pleasantly spent in the pursuit of various enjoyments. The English Baptist friends held their school anniversary services also on Sunday last, the Rev D. R. Jenkins, (their newly in- stalled pastor) officiating in a most able manner. Collec- tions in aid of the school fund, were as usual made, and a decent sum realized. On Monday a tea meeting was held, —the children being allowed to partake of the same gratis. at which large numbers of persons attended. The chapel was very elaborately decked with very appropriate mottoes &c. In the evening an entertainment, consisting of singing, &c., was given by the children and choir, in which some excellent recitations and dialogues were introduced. One piece entitled "The Messiah'' was rendered by a dozen girls very well. but rather too softly, some parts being inaudible. Another dialogue by five matured boys," entitled a discussion on miracles," was very well ren- dered. We mnst not omit to mention the bold, brave and unhesitating manner in which the little ones recited. Great care and trouble must have been bestowed upon them by their teachers, to have so wonderfully perfected them in their respective pieces. The concluding piece of music Hosanna," was well sung. The usual vote of thanks having been ten- dered, the meeting broke up. MR. FORSTER'S EDUCATIONAL BILL.—A meeting was convened at the English Baptist Chapel on Tuesday evening last, to discuss the above Bill now before Parlia- ment, together with the amendments. There seems to be very little interest involved in this great subject, to the people of Aberdare, or they would surely have flocked together to hear its merits or demerits as it was, but few put in an appearance. The Rev W, Edwards was elected chairman, who said We all agree as to the desirability of national education, in which we are backward we are far behind most of the nations of the Continent, and far behind our cousin Johnathan in America. It is nearly a quarter of a century since we were aroused to think of this great, nay vital question. There is no doubt we are in a fair way to advance now. Our prosperity and well-being as a nation demand that great attention be paid to education. We attribute the vast amount of crime, poverty and misery in this land to a want of education. There are at the present time three institutions in the principality for preparing young men to become teachers in the National and British Schools. In Aberdare, inclnding the neighbourhood, and Mountain Ash, there are twelve or thirteen day schools, in which there are not much less than five thousand children, and besides, there are also a number of private schools. You are aware there is a Bill now before Parlia- ment, introduced by Mr Forster, M.P. I am for bringing education within the reach of all classes, but I raise my voice against Mr Former's Bill, inasmuch as it is for religious and sectarian education being taught in schools. This Bill was supposed to meet the wishes of the Birmig- ham and Manchester Leagues, but a cry was raised against it, especially to what was called the conscience clause, by the Nonconformists. You are to decide this evening whether you approve of the Bill with its amendments. For myself, I cannot command language strong enough to express my objection to denominational education, it is an attempt to unnaationalise-education altogether—to esta- blish state Church education and Roman Catholicism, which we are opposed to. —The Rev. D. M. Jenkins spoke strenuously against the Bill, and proposed a resolution petitioning Parliament that it might not pass into law. It was seconded in Welsh by the Rev. J. Rees, and supported by the RevD. Davies, Rev Mr Evans, Rev J. J. George, and the Rev D. R Jenkins, all of whom spoke in terms of strong disapprobation of the Bill. It was then put to the meeting, and carried unanimously, that the ministers sign the petition, and forward it as soon as possible. It may be remembered that they all advocated the Bible being read in schools, but not sectarianised, and they contended it might be done without causing ill-feeling in anyway since the Bible was the same for all. The petition was signed by the ministers, and will be sent to one of the members for presentation to Parliament. A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a close.