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

GLAMORGANSHIRE EASTER QUARTER SESSIONS, 1872. ]V"OTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the _i_\ next GENERAL QUARTER SESSIONS of the PEACE for the said County, will be held at the Town Hall, Swansea, on TUESDAY, the Ninth day of APRIL, IS 72, at half-past eleven o'clock in the forenoen. All Appeals and Traverses must be entered before the opening of the Court. At half-past twelve o'clock the Justices will proceed with the business relating to the Rating and Expenditure of the County, and also to the Constabulary and at one o'clock in the afternoon will proceed to the appointment of a Governor of the County Gaol at Cardiff. Appeals will then be tried, and persons committed or bailed to appear for trial. All Jurors or persons subpoenaed or bound by recognizances are required t,5 attend such Sessions, on the day and at the time aforesaid. Claims on the Connty Stock must be delivered at my office fourteen days before the Sessions. No costs will be allowed unless taxed at the same Sessions, Depositions are to be sent to me by the Fourth day of April, 1872. THOS. DALTON, Clerk of the Peace. Cardiff, March 9th, 1S72.

WHY GO TO BRISTOL, AND PAY MORE? THE "TELEGRAPH" STEAM PRINTING & PUBLISHING OFFICES, 50, HIGH STREET, (OPPOSITE THE SQUARE,) MBBTHYB TYDFIL. RETAIL STATIONERY WAREHOUSE, 49A, HIGH-STREET, P. "WILLIAMS ANNOUNCES that having every facility, which Steam Machinery and the Employment of the most Competent Workmen can render, for the execution of Printing Orders, he respectfully solicits a con- tinuance of public patronage. His Charges for Posters, Bill Heads, Circulars, and every kind of Printing Work, are as Moderate as any in the district, and at least ten per cent. lower than the usual Bristol prices. For the Expedition in the execution of Printing Work, the TFLEGRAPII VRTNTIKO ESTABLISHMENT will bear favourable comparison with any Printing Office either in Bristol or the Principality; whilst for COLOUR PRINTING, Cards, Printed Headings, and work requiring special care and taste, the resources of the Establishment—embracing as it does, an assortment of almost every kind of Plain,and Fancy Type, and the engagement of a numerous staff of efficient Compositors- ensure these desirable advantages. DAY BOOKS AND CASH BOOKS Of every size, binding, and thickness, always in stock and Purchasers will find them as cheap as can reasonably by desired. TO THE TRADE. Printing, Binding, Ruling, Paging, and Perforating for the Trade. C) At the TELEGRAPH Printing Office, Merthyr Tydfil. Goed WOrkMADsbip-Aloderate Charges-and Promptitude in the Execution of Orders—have been the promiaen features in the business operations of this Establishment for the last Twenty Years. Goods of the value of £2, and upwards, delivered Carriage Free at all railway stations in SOLE AGE N TIN MERTHYR FOR THE EUREKA INK S THE HALF-CROWN INSTRUMENT CASE, Recommended for use in Drawing Classes, is the Cheapest in the Market, and is of wide-spread reputation. It canno be surpassed at the price. Inks, Inkstands Glass and Pewter1, Sealing Wax, Quill3, Brushes, Combs, Qmll Toothpicks, Black Lead Pencils, Coloured Pe.cils, Drawing Pencils, Drawing Beoks, Blotting Paper and Blotting Pads Dice and Dice Cups Draught- Men and Draught-Boards, Chess, Music Paper, Violin and Harp Strings, always in Stock, and supplied at the very lowest prices. THE BINDING DEPARTMENT HAS CAREFUL ATTENTION, and every means is adopted to secure Elegance and Durability in th work produced. ACCOUNT BOOKS Ruled to pattern, and bound in every form of binding; paged and indexed. THE TRAVELLING DRAPERS' POCKET LEDGERS Are made In all sizes, paged, [and indexed, if desired. They are strongly bound, and calculated to bear "knocking about." GENERAL STATIONERY. Iff O Person studying economy will buy WRITING PAPER by the quire. The Wholesale Purchaser buys h Reams ■ weight, and so does every Retail Purchaser who appreciates the maxim that a "Penny saved is a penny WRITING PAPER excellent quality can always be had at the TELEGRAPH Office, at Is. per lb., and Envelopes at from 4d. to 6d. pe 100. Those who purchase under this system save fully 50 per cent. SUNDAY SCHOOLS W the Retail Stationery Warehouse of the TELEGRAPH Office, a large number of Bibles and Testament (both English and Welsh in plain and elegant bindings: also a varied assortment of Reward Books, and Picture Reward Cards. There are likewise on sale Sunday School Instruction Books, of various kinds and prices. fHottmers Are informed that for Mourning Stationery and Memorial Cards the assortment at the TELEGRAPH Office will be found ample. SCHOOLMASTERS & HEADS OF FAMILIES ARB respectfully invited to the STOCK ef SCHOOL BOOKS and SC, HOOL APPARATUS at fl,« a? P5mers' Zevling Easies, Spelling Books, Grammars TO WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS. PENS, Ink, EnveJope^PAPERSCHWJL Books, Books of Fate Dream Books, Table Books, Valentines, Penholders and X Pens, and slate rencus, supplied to fchopkeepers for bale, and to Hawkers, at Wholosale Prices. PLAYING CARDS At various prices from Tenpence to Half-a-Crown per pack. THE ADDRESS THE "TELEGRAPH PRINTING AND STATIONERY ESTABLISHMENT, 49a, and 50, High Street, Merthyr Tydfil. 4933 J

GLAMORGANSHIRE. Payments Ordered Epiphany Sessions, 1872. „ ._T HOUSE or COBBKCTIOK. TOTAL* £ d. £ s. d. £ B. d. Maintenance of Prisoners Hi 165 9 10J Clothing for do. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Turnkeys •• •• •• •• •• •••• •••• Incidental Expenses •• «• •• •• 137 15 4} 243 19 8 £ Repairs •• •• •• •• •• •• •••• •••• Relief to Prisoners on discharge •• •• •• J 2 4 5 Materials for Manufacture • • • • • 70 10 2 16 0 8 SALARIES. Governor and Matron • *• •• •• •* 8000 80 00 Chaplain and Surgeon 87 10 0 87 10 0 Turnkeys •• •• •• •• 5 0 243 7 6 Conveyance of Prisoners to and from Trial 14 12 7 19 5 8 Removal of Convicts. •. •• 12 87 12 2 0 824 7 10 872 0 7 824 7 10 1696 8 5 The Clerk of the Peace, his Quarter's Composition 112 10 0 his Bill for Business done 46 4 4 n "Money paid 22149J CORONERS. —ZZ~7rI n" Mr Cuthberston, his Quarter's Salary •• •• •••• 37 10 O Expenses on 19 Inquests, from 5 Oct., to 13 Dec., 1871 ..■ • 36 18 0 74 8 0 Mr Overtoil, his Quarter's Salary 112 10 0 „ Expenses on 51 Inquests, from 30 Oet., to 18 Dec., 1871 77 15 6 —————— 190 5 6 Mr Reece, his Quarter's Salary *0-™ la i2 2 Expenses on 47 Inquests, from 2 Oct., to 19 Dec., lo71 .• •••• 00 lb 6 —————— 163163 Mr Strick, his Quarter's Salary •• •• 2 Expenses on 27 Inquests, from 2 Oct. to 15 Dec., 1871 • • • • • • 46 19 « 0 —————— 89 9 0 Mr Stockwood, his Quarter's Salary • •• 117 6 Expenses oa 3 Inquests, from 1 May to 11 Nov., 1871 • • •••• 2 15 6 LUNATICS. 4 13 0 Broadmoor Asylum—Maintenance of 2 Lunatics, 1 Oct, to 31 Dec, 1871 19 14 3 County Asylum, 17" 1 Sept, to 14 Dee, 1871. 103 8 10 for furnisking and clothing 13 patients •••• 225 0 0 for erection of pig-styes, &c. •• •••• 160 6 6 for repairs, 8 «Iune to 16 Dec, 1871 •• •••• 270 18 0 Insurance from fire •• •• •••• 28 16 0 PARLIAMENTARY.. 806 3 7 Miwr^t Dal ton, Spencer, and Corbett, "a opposing Bui of Cardiff "71. •• 13 1 10 I'tr! ioi..« •• •••• 90 4 6 v "io*- V-t" r.1 >.o/1 •• 2 13 0 ■ess," Av'• 2 v to 23 Dec, 1871 12 2 0 Merthyr TMegraph," „ 24 Nov to 22 Dec, 1871 7 18 0 Weekly Mail," „ 9 Dec to 23 Dec, 1871 22 3 6 "Cambrian," ,,27 Oct to 22 Dec, 1871 •• •• 9 10 6 PRACTICE. ————————— 144 11 6 Mr T. M. Dalton, as Deputy Clerk of the Peace at Michaelmas Quarter Sessiona,1871,6days 18 18 0 COUNTY BRIDGES. D. Jones, care of Lougher Bridge, 12 weeks to 23 Dec, 1871 300 Merthyr Board of Health, 1 year's Repairs of Roads over Gellyfaelog and Pontstorehouse Bridges, to Michaelmas, 1871 10 0 0 Surveyor of Roads, Pontypridd, 1 year's Repairs of Road over Pont- rhondda, at 35s. 115 0 Cadaxton-juxta-Neath, 1 year's Repairs of Road over Ynisybont •• 110 0 „ Llantwit-juxta-Neath, do Evilfach do 100 Michaelstone-super-Avon do do do t 0 0 „ Neath do Ynispenllwch do 300 „ Swansea do Twrch and Amman do 300 Benjamin Howell, Moiety of Repairs of Loughor Bridge, 11 Oct, 1870, to 29 June, 1871 •• •• •• 6 1 9 Richard Matthias, Repairs of Pontrhondda Bridge, 25 Sept, 1871 •• •••• 9 5 0 William Sims, Repairs of Pontwalby Bridge, to 20 Sept, 1871 47 5 6 PENSIONS- ——T— 86 17 3 J. B. Woods, Quarter's Pension, retired Governor of Gaol 100 0 0 Elizabeth Woods, do Matron, do. ^25 William Flume, do Chief Officer, do •• 15 0 0 James Hume, do Officer of House of Correction 9 3 9 REFORMATORIES. -——'— 128 3 9 Hawdref Ganol Reformatory, maintenance of 22 boys, to 25 Dec, 1871 • 1? 2 P. Castellano, Yorkshire Catholic Reformatory, 5 boys, to 31 Dec, 1871 •• 5 11 6 Miss Carpenter, Red Lodge do 2 girls, to 23 Dec, 1871 •• .» E. P. Wiles, Bristol Industrial School do 1 do, 21 Dec, 1871 0 13 2 • Miss Parish, Arno's Court, do 4 do, 23 Dec, 1871 • • 3 12 0 MILITIA. ^16 8 MILITIA. 41 6 8 Quartermaster Goodfellow, contingencies to this session. 4 15 11 Messrs Evans & Co, for coals to this sessions 3 12 7 SALARIES. ——886 Mr W. C. Luard, Quarter-year's Salary as County Treasurer 75 0 0 Mr H. Derer, do as County Auditor 50 0 0 Same for his attendance at Prisons Enquiry, &c. • •• 52 10 0 ——-——— 17710 0 £3825 10 I £ 3825 10 44 THOS. DALTON, Clerk of the Peace.

THE VESTRY MEETING. THE first of our annual elections takes place this evening. The V estry- Room is the place of meet- ing, and seven o'clock the hour. Three members .1 must be elected to serve on the Burial Board, and auditors must also be chosen. We need not say that punctuality is one of the distinguishing features of vestry meetings. Late arrivals generally count for nothing, as the business commences at the stroke of the clock, and is soon over. It must also be borne in mind that everything goes by the counting of heads. It matters not what the head contains, provided it be the head of the parishioner who pays ratas. Every person may be ejected who is not a ratepayer, but all others-great or small -count alike. Those who take any interest in local matters must therefore go in good time. One of the absurdities of the system is that the whole parish is summoned to a room in which only one or two families could find accommodation. When common-sense prevails over antiquated customs this stupid arrangement will be altered, as it ought to be, but at the present time the guests invited are immensely out of proportion to the mansion in which they are to be entertained. The present custom, however, is a great advantage to all those gentlemen throughout the country who enjoy the luxury of parish pickings. They are not, it is true, themselves responsible for the stupidity of the arrangement, as they did not make it, but, as far as we can see, they are the only parties that can by any possibility reap any fruit from it. Why not hold Vestry Meetings in the Drill Hall ? For the convenience of our enthusiastic Pontstorehouse idlers, it could be opened the night before in order to accommodate their laudable anxiety to be in good time, and also save them the trouble of bursting open a side door. We should like to see such arrangements as would suit the ordinary working man, whose time is too precious to be apeat in jamming himself up flat against a vestry door ail hour or two before the appointed time, for the sake of outwitting his neighbours. The larger the room, the less risk is there of packing, and the greater is the probability of fair play. But we have not yet reached perfection, and for this reason every householder who wishes to see a proper Board elected must attend punctually, and not allow his opportunities to be filched from him. The Burial Board is not so important as some other Boards, but that is no reason why it should not have men elected to it who will be a credit to the parish. ♦ LOCAL TAXATION. WITHOUT any desire to excite groundless alarm, we should not be doing our duty were we to allow increasing local taxation to pass unnoticed. We have heard a good deal during the past week about our taxes. It is natural for this subject to crop up on the eve of an election, and almost as natural for it to be forgotten whenever the election is over. But when we hear that we were rated last year at six shillings in the pound, and that, in all probability, our rates will still increase, we begin to feel that indescribable pinching at the toes at which every true Briton is so ready to exclaim, notwithstanding his familiarity with the process. The two largest amounts of which the ratepayers have heard with surprise have been incurred on account of the Board of Health and the School Board. The Clerk's bill against the Board of Health amounts to £1,944 lis. 5d., with the exception of £160 which he has promised to refund on account of the Craig Evan Leyshon Common matter. No doubt, the law business of the Board has been considerable, but when a bill comes in from one's clerk for such a tremendous sum, it is not unnatural for one to feel a little uncomfortable. One cannot look at the bill without wishing that law had never come into existence, and that in all matters we might be no longer under law, but under grace. Of course, the clerk has made tho ordinary professional charges, and therefore we suppose we shall have to pay but when are these expenses to end ? When < are we to be delivered from the purgatory of I law-courts ? When are we to know how much we 1 have to pay ? This Board of Health business [ aeems to be endless. The work is going on, but s IS it proceeds we seem to be leaping alternately a 'rom the frying pan into the fire, and from the ire into the frying pan. There is a point beyond J rhich pinching of the toes cannot be endured without resistance and noise, and therefore our hope is that our Local Beards will not push us to extremes. There is another Beard, however, on the scene-a new and inexperienced one-which is feeling its way, and threatening to become a pest to the town. We refer to the School Board. That Board occupies a position in the town whioh was never, we believe, assumed by any Board before. It seems bent on spendthrift projects. It defies public opinion, rules in the interest of the minority, and shows the utmost contempt for the principles of the majority. It has already relieved the ratepayers of £ 1,150—a sum of which we do not now complain, though several of the items included in it seem, on the face of them, to be extravagant. What we complain of is, that, in violation of all sound policy, and in utter contempt of public opinion and remonstrance, the School Board is bent on a reckless expenditure of the rates for denominational purposes. The rate- payers can educate poor children at their own Board Schools much more economically and much more efficiently than at denominational schools, but, in spite of this, the Board insists OR giving the rates to persons who are not entitled to them, who refuse to account for them, or to allow the rate- payers to have any control of the institutions to which the money is to be devoted. Our readers need only turn to the report of the proceedings of the last meeting of that Board to see how this is being done. Boards have hitherto performed strange freaks in Merthyr, but they have never set themselves up against the people, or persisted in extravagance when remonstrated with. They have always recognized their representative character. For the first time in the history of our town we have a Board the majority of whose members have the audacity to snap their fingers in the faces of the people, and tell them to go about their business and leave their local lords alone. That Mr. CLARK should adopt this policy on the School Board will surprise those who have hitherto regarded him as a liberal-minded gentleman, anxious to consult the wishes and the weal of the people, and not to ride roughshod over them. It seems impossible for him, however, to shake him- self free from feelings and sentiments which used, in olden times, to make men scorn the people, and look upon them as mere tools created for lordly purposes. At the last Board meeting he gave his two votes-his vote as an ordinary member, and his casting vote as a chairman-against those whom he pretends to represent, and thus secured the sealing of bye-laws which involve the sacrifice of those great principles which have distinguished, i not Merthyr only, but all Wales. As for Mr. ] CHARLES JAMES, we are never surprised at any- 1 thing he says or does. Those who have been carried away by the delusive notion that he is & Nonconformist may gape to hear him denounce the Nonconformists as guilty of the grossest bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and of religious persecution but we are not at all surprised. We opposed his election to the School Board at first because we had no faith in his Nonconformity. Of course, we were blamed for it, but those who blamed us must have learned by this time that profession and practice are two different things. As it is, here are two men on the School Board- not to mention otUers—who do not represent Merthyr, who maintain that they must spend the public money in violation of public opinion and principle so long as they sit on that Board. No doubt, they think themselves very brave men, but they lack one thing-the grace of resignation. If, however, they cannot legislate for the people, the sooner they resign the better for their own credit.

BIRTHS. On the 13th instant, at Holford V illas, Cefn, Merthyr' the wife of Mr T. J. Jones of a daughter. On the 6th inst., at 46, Brecon Road, Mertbyr, the wife of Mr John Gower (loan Avon), of a son.

OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. LONDON, THURSDAY. Neither the debates on the Army Estimates nor the encounter over the Education Bill have in the least diverted attention from the American question, and, as a curious exemplification of the condition of the public mind, I cannot refrain from making two little extracts which it is worth remembering are cut from the same newspaper, the Evening Standard of Monday. Alluding to the answer of the American Government, it is said in the first leader, The British Government will now be compelled to announce a definite policy, and it is useless to disguise the fact that the announcement it will have to make will be much more likely to provoke dangerous complications than a similar announcement issued two months back." In the money article I read, "The stock and share markets exhibit a very encouraging appearance this morning, strength having been imparted by the generally more favourable view taken of the Alabama question." Comment is not exactly superfluous, but I will not indulge in it. Men are now at work in the Surrey Gardens, which Mr. Strange hopes to be able to open on the 1st of May. I The gardens themselyes, though they have been sadly i maltreated, are possessed of great natural beauty, and art is to be added to nature. I hear Mr. Strange is ] inclined to make the grounds like Rosherville Gardens ("the place to spend a happy day") rather than like Cremorne. A menagerie, a gymnasium, and arrange- ments for croquet and archery, will be distinguishing features; but there will be a theatre. One thing at least is certain-let any entrepreneur be ever so desirous of establish another Cremorne, the licensing magistrates will not be likely to permit it. Inquests have been already held on three persons who owe their deaths at the crushing at illuminations on Thanksgiving day. Privately I have head many cases that have not been reported in fact, instances of more or less serious injury have been very numerous. It is to be hoped that when next we expect great crowds in the streets, two things will be rigidly insisted on-that no vehicles whatever shall be allowed in the thorough- fares that are likely to be crowded, and that the police shall insist (as they did to some extent on the recent occasion) that the crowd on one side of the road shall walk in one direction, and the crowd on the pavement in the other direction. That this will not insure freedom from casualties is prhved by two of the three deaths having been occasioned by injuries received in the city, where these regulations were adopted, but I am absolutely certain that but for these arrangements more fatalities would have occurred. Mr. Ruskin, that clever, but crotchetty, gentleman, has taken to a new profession; he has turned house- painter Having given up his house at Denmark-hill (probably horified at the prospect of a prison being built in the neighbourhood), he has bought an estate at Coniston Lake, Cumberland, and is now engaged with Lady Trevelyan (!) in painting a house." The lady also is daubtless going in for the new profession, and she is not the only one, for Miss Garrett (sister of Mrs. Dr. Anderson, of the London School Board, and of Mrs. Fawcett, v.'ife of the member for Brighton) is announced as determined to make house-painting her profession. Many years ago Felix Summerley "—now Cole, C.B. -discussed learnedly, but very sensibly, about house- painting as a fine art; but house-painters have very little improved since then, if at all. I presume Miss Garrett intends to be a kind of consulting counsel only. Surely she will not don a white linen over-all and handle the paint-brush! The Hyde Park demonstration against the Parks Bill -which measure is not an atom too repressive or severe -was really a respectable affair. Its leading spirits were not the tag-rag and bobtail, but the elite of that section of the proletariat which hails Bradlaugh and Odger as leaders. The speeches were violent, but as speeches good. Mr. Bradlaugh flavoured his sedition with common sense, and the other speakers took from him the tone which it was deemed proper to maintain on such an occasion. Mr. Ayrton was present-in mufti! Now, I ask, could Mr. Bernal Osborne have a better opening? Mr. "Historian" Harcourt has ac- cepted the brief to prosecute the Bill. He may save himself the trouble. The measure is sure to become law, and quite right that it should. Translated into homely every-day speech, the Bill may be defended as one strictly for preserving the trees, and flowers, and turf of the parks intact for the benefit of the entire com- munity. Why should those delightful resorts of thousands begin over to a few noisy democrats and their attendant "roughs." If, as is generally surmised, the bantering paper in Punch, entitled "New Civil Service Regulations," is from the pen of Mr. Tom Taylor, we may look forward to a question in Parliament with regard to the present present regulations of that service, as they affect literary men and journalists. An author or journalist receives an appointment, and-presto !-he accomplishes twice as much authorship and journalism as ever he hid before. Take the case of Mr. Tom Taylor. He is dramatic critic to the Times; he does-or did-contribute a London letter to a North Country paper he writes for Punch he turns out a drama every now and then he relieves the tedium occasioned by his graver literary pursuits by occasionally dropping into poetry." He is something," at a good salary, at the Local Govern- ment Board In whose time does he get through the extra work ? Mr. Edmund Yates, most prolific of writers for years past, has just retired from the post- office with a pension The editor of the most popular shilling magazine in the civil service. The dramatic critics of two influential journals are civil servants. One of the principal men on the Daily News is a clerk in the Inland Revenue department. New regulation, indeed What of the old ? Mazzini is dead The soul and brain of Italian freedom is no more. The great man who conceived the enterprises which Garibaldi has carried into effect has gone to that unknown clime where conspiracies are not, and tyranny is unknown. Joseph Mazzini had troops of friends and admirers-adherents and idolators one might almost say—in busy London, to whom the news of his death must have come with the weight that belongs to the tidings of a national calamity. He was seldom seen in "society," as it is called. His abode was of the humblest; his tastes those of an anchorite. But when he did appear in one or the other of the few privileged coteries that knew and loved him, the words full of music and sadness that fell from the lips of the old man eloquent" were words to be remembered. His death was looked for; it was felt by those who saw him during an illness which befel him a short time back in England, that another such attack must be fatal. Many great men have been lost to the world during the last few years; but surely few greater than Joseph Mazzini. If ladies do not improve their personal appearance, it is not for want of offers of aid. If high-heeled boots and towering head-dresses still leave something to be desired in the matter of height, a marvellous genius announces that by a peculiar system he can considerably increase the height of persons of either sex. If a lady is for any one of many reasons dissatisfied with her nose, another advertising genius comes forward with a machine which, placed on the nose for an hour a day, brings it to the shape of absolute perfection. Has a lady just a suspicion of a moustache, superfluous hair," can be speedily re- moved (to come again). And then there is something or other advertised which causes to disappear in six days the little worms on the nose, forehead, and temples, which disfigure the finest phisiognomy." On which I would remark that the advertiser follows a popular delusion in speaking of little worms." There are no such things in the parts that he mentions; but, whatever he calls them, he might make it clear that he means that they, and not the nose, &c., disfigure the face. As to the innumerable blooms and washes and powders, they must be largely sold—and so must be the people who buy them. It is still too early in the day to say much about the 'Varsity crews but I may say that public opinion, es- pecially that part of it which is intelligent, is decidedly in favour of the Cantabs. But a change will come over the sentiments of the towing-path at Putney ere long. The Oxonians have not started well. They have changed the ship's company too frequently, and it is doubt- ful whether, even now, they have hit on the best available man for stroke. Houbton is a good man, but he lacks the power Lesley had. Goldie takes along the Cantabs as finely and as resolutely as ever. It may be of interest to your readers to be informed of the colours" of their guides, philosophers, and friends on the sporting and other journals. The aquatic man on Bell's Life is an Oxonian so is he of the Field. Mr J. G. Chambers, crack to the Cantabs, reports for the Standard. Mr Woodgate, an old Oxford oar, does likewise for the Pall Hall Gazette. The Sporting Gazette, Sportsman, and Sporting Life are of no colour. A tolerably good judge of rowing, who learnt his business on the banks of the Tyne, attends to the interests of the Daily Telegraph. The Times simply echoes the Field. The present impres- sion is that Cambridge will win.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. COLLIERS' STRIKE.—The mills at Pentrebach are stopped, in consequence of a strike of the "level" colliers, who seek a larger advance than the one recently granted. AN ENTERPRISING IRONMASTER. —Con ttid arable excitement was manifested at intervals on Monday in the neighbour- hood of Church-street, when a huge locomotive, with trucks attached, passed through the street on the old tram-road to Morlais Castle Quarries, which is in course of substantial replacement. Hitherto stone has been conveyed from the quarry by means of small trams and horse power, but in course of time we may expect to find the old style of loco- motion superseded by steam. For the present, however, it will only be extended to the Penydarren Works, by Mr. Fothergill, M.P. This junction will prove of immense importance. FIRE.-There was a considerable -amount of alarm created ill the upper pa.rt of the town late on Monday night by the report that there was a house on fire in Penydarren Works' yard. The hose and reel were hurried up with all possible haste, but on arrival the police found the fire nearly extinguished. It appears to have broken out in a cellar adjoining the company's store-rooms, and had it not been discovered in time it might have had serious consequences, as the stores contained powder and oil in large quantities. THE BURIAL BOARD.—At a meeting of the above Board held at the Clerk's offices on Wednesday, March 13th, 1872, present Mr T. Williams (in the chair), Mr Gould, Revs W. Morgan, and J. Lloyd. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman read a letter from Mr Koos resigning his position as member. The Clerk reported that a meeting of the Vestry would be held on Friday the 13th instant at 7 p.m., for the election of three members and two auditors, but that another meeting would have to be called to elect a member in place of Mr Koos. The Clerk reported that a special meeting had been called to consider the question of conveying small-pox corpses by the hearse, and the letter of the Medical Officer of Health, but that there was not a quorum present. The Sexton reported that he had hitherto acted on instructions received from the clerk and prevented the corpses of those who had died from small-pox going into the chapel. The Board confirmed these instructions, and resolved that no corpse of a person who had died from small-pox should be taken into the chapel of the cemetery but should either be taken direct to the grave on its arrival at the cemetery or be left in the hearse while the funeral party were in the chapel, and ^cted the clerk to give the sexton written instructions to that effect. A bill for 28 10s 9d was pre- sented from the Board of Health for repair of water-pipes at Cefn in March last. The clerk was directed to enquire into the matter and report thereon to the next meeting. The Inspector's report was read, after which the accounts were audited and passed. This concluded the busin -ss. OBITUARY.—We record with sincere regret the death of Mr John Russell, solicitor, and nephew of Capt Hussell, which sad event occurred on Friday morning. Deceased was about 30 years of age, and always looked the picture of health, but he had, for a long time suffered from a serious affection of the arteries of the lungs, which, after the best possible treatment that could be had, terminated fatally. On the evening of the same day died also Mr David Harris, youngest son of Mr William Harris, our well-known and much respected chief tradesman. To the majority of persons the sad event, when it became known, was a startling surprise, for the deceased was alwaysfap aarently in the full enjoyment of robust health. It seems, aowever, that he had an affection of the lungs which was working insidiously upon him and which has cut him down in the flower of his day, to the great grief of his family, by whom he was deservedly beloved, and to the deep regret of ill who knew him. We know the affliction will be most distressing to his parents, who have the most cordial sympathy ef the whole town in this, to them, irremediable loss. He was buried on Thursday, and in testimony of public regret, and of respect for the family, nearly every place of business was temporarily closed, and the blinds were lowered in many private houses. LEGISLATION UPON THE TRUCK SYSTEM.—Mr Bruce's Bill upon the Truck System, described as "a Bill to amend the law with respect to the payment of wages to workmen in certain trades" has been published. It provides that wages shall be paid weekly, or oftener if so contracted for, but it shall be lawful, under contract, to pay a part only of the wages due, provided it be no less than ninety per cent.; or in the case of wages accruing at the end of the first week, seventy per cent. of the amount due. In such cases, however, the unpaid balance shall be paid within four weeks or any less period provided by contract. Where wages have been otherwise than in coin, and the workman thus paid, or his wife, widow, or infant child, receives Poor Law relief within three months of such payment, the Poor Law authorities shall be empowered to sue the employer for the amount of the wages illegally paid, and to apply the same towards tho cost of relief. Wages, however, may be paid with the workmen's consent, by bank note, or where the amount exceeds 25, by cheque or order upon a neighbouring bank. No wages shall be paid at any place licensed for the sale of liquor, or where goods are ordinarily sold to workmen, and where goods have been supplied on account of wages, no action or set-off in respect of such illegal transaction shall be tenable. Deductions from wages, however, shall be legal in respect of school fees levied under existing labour Acts, or in conformity with contract, in respect of board and lodging of workpeople residing in the master's house, and in respect of fines. All deductions for education shall be audited at least once a-year by two audi- tors appointed by the workmen, and in case of difference or neglect of this provision, the local County Court shall have jurisdiction in the matter. Masters are to be held liable for the offences of their agents against the Act, unless the former can disprove responsibility. Workmen cannot assign or charge their wages before they become due. The penalty for violation of the Act is limited in the case of a first offence to £10, and on a second or subsequent conviction to £20. The provisions of the Act are to be enforced by inspectors of factories and mines in England, and procurators-fiscal in Scotland. It is provided further that no person engaged in any trade to which this Act ap- plies nor the father, son, or brother of such a person, shall act as justice in any cases arising under the Act, the ap- plication of which is expressly limited to trades embraced by the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1872 the Metalli- ferous Mines Regulation Act, 1872 the Factory Acts, 1833 to 1871; or the Workshops Acts, 1867 to 1871. Power is reserved, as usual, to the Secretary of State to grant exemptions under special circumstances. MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.—On Thursday evening a crowded meeting of ratepayers was held at the Temperance- hall, Mr Kirkhouse, High Constable, in the chair. This meeting was called for the purpose of taking into considera- tion the proposed increase by the Assessment Committee of the Merthyr Union of the rateable value of cottages in the parish. The High Constable was supported on the plat- form by Messrs Simons, William Gould, John James, &c. and having read the notice convening the meeting, called upon any gentleman present to address the meeting.— Wm. Simons, Esq., then stepped forward, and, in a spirited address, pointed out that the Assessment Committee had re- duced the allowance on cottage property from 5s. to 4s. 6d. in the pound, which was tantamount to increasing the rateable value thereon. He pointed out that this class of property was old, and continually requiring repair. Having pointed to manifold causes for anticipating the amount of rates to be paid in the coming year as equal to if not in excess of those in the past, he denounced the present season as a fit time to saddle additional burtlens on the owners of cottage property.—Mr Frank James lucidly explained the principles upon which the assessments were made, and Mr William Simons moved the following resolution: "Resolved, that having regard to the condition of cottage property in Merthyr, and the heavy repairs needed by old, ill-built houses, and the lesser rent paid for workmen's houses in Merthyr than in Aberdare and other districts in the neigh- bourhood, the allowance hitherto made out of the gross value is only reasonable and fair, and any increase of the rating of this class of property would be unequal and unjust.The Rev Griffith Roberts seconded the resolu- tion in the Welsh language, and it was carried unanimously. Mr William Gould, Mr Protheroe, and Mr W. L. Daniel also addressed the meeting. The last-named was well re- ceived, and his comparisons loudly approved.-The follow- ing resolution was passed-" That a committee be formed to represent the interests of the ratepayers before the Assessment Committee, and to discuss with them the prudence of not carrying out the proposed change, and to take other necessary steps to prevent an increase of the assessment of cottage property."—A committee was there- upon nominated and appointed. SUNDAY LABOUR IN THE POST-OFFICE.—The question of Sunday labour in the Post-office has once more cropped up. It is generally felt that some curtailment of Sunday work at the Post-office is not only desirable in the interests of the employds, but practicable by a little re-arrangement, with- out detriment to the public, and the task of effecting this revision has for some time past occupied the attention of a special Parliamentary Committee, consisting of Lord Dal- housie, Sir George Grey, and Mr Monsell. In their report, just published, while recommending sundry curtailments of Sunday duty, the committee expressly protest against any interruption of the advantages at present enjoyed by the public. With regard to Sunday deliveries in rural districts, they report that under an existing rule, more than half the number of rural messengers employed by the department have been entirely relieved by the public of Sunday duty, and the only modification of that rule which seems called for is to reduce the required majority of memorialists to two-thirds of the habitual receivers of Sunday letters. It is further recommended, however, that where the post mes- senger's week-day route is as much as fourteen miles, he should be relieved from work on every alternate Sunday. In respect to towns, it is suggested that the duty of collect- ing letters from the boxes should on Sundays devolve on some other persons than those engaged in the morning de- livery, and that the posting of letters to be despatched on Sundays should, with the public sanction, bo confined to the head office. The entire stoppage of Sunday deliveries is a measure which can only be adopted upon evidence of substantial unanimity among the inhabitants expressed through the local authorities. In conclusion, the Committee observe that whilst anxious to recommend what they think will lead to a considerable diminution of Sunday labour, they have felt the danger of exciting opposition from an influential section of the community which attaches impor- tance to the uninterrupted enjoyment of present facilities on the Sunday. "To attempt to go beyond the point which we have had in view, at any rate for the present, would in our opinion probably lead, as on the former occasion, to a rapid reaction, ending in results less favourable even than the present state of things to the cause of rest from Sunday labour." DEATH OF PROFESSOR ROBERTS, OF BRECON.-On Satur- day last, the Rev W. Roberts, of Brecon, (son of the late Rev D. Roberts, of Bryn Zion, Dowlais,) went with his brother-in-law (Mr Kelly,) to the Hydropathic establish- ment of Dr Grindrod, Townsend House, Great Malvern, for consultation. Mr Roberts was in ill-health, and his mind appeared to be affected. In the evening he and his brother-in-lavv went for a walk. After going for a short distance, the latter returned to Townshend House for an overcoat. In the interval, Mr Roberts had wandered on to the railway, and the 8.15 train from Ashchurch came up, and deceased was killed on the spot. Deceased had not shown the slightest sign of suicidal tendency, nor anything beyond a slight nervous derangement from overwork. He had not, before he went out with his brother-in-law, been in Dr Grindrod's establishment an hour, and the required consultation had not taken place. At the inquest, held on Tuesday, at the Imperial Hotel, Great Malvern, on the body, the jury returned a verdict of Accidental death. Birmingham, Daily Post, March 12, 1872.—[The deceased gentleman was for many years the classical tutor at Brecon Congregational College. His attainments as classical scholar were of very high rank, whilst his adaptability for the important office he held in the Denomination was generally recognized, and we are sure his untimely death will be deeply mourned throughout South Wales.] THE BALLOT.—A public meeting was held in the Temper- ance hall on Monday evening, for the purpose of urging a further extension of the Ballot than the proposed Bill suggests. Mr Kirkhouse, the high-constable, who had con- vened the meeting, in compliance with a numerously-signed requistion, occupied the chair, and was supported on the platform by the Revs F. Sonley Johnstone, T.D. Matthias, Messrs William Gould (inventor of the Ballot-box), Mathew John (Vulcan Foundry), George Morgan, Henry Thomas, Cefn, and Dr James. Several speeches were delivered of an animated character, and during the evening Mr William Gould demonstrated, by a lucid explanation, the efficiency of his Ballot-box. The first resolution, moved by Dr James, seconded by Mr Mathew John, and supported by Mr Gould, was as follows :—" That this meeting rejoices to learn that a Bill to secure secret voting at parliamentary and municipal elections is now under the consideration of Parliament; but is of opinion that the measure should be extended^ to all public elections that coloured cards should be substituted for voting papers that a less expensive arrangement than the compartments provided for in the Bill should be employed, and that the votes should be reckoned by machinery."—The next resolution was moved by the Rev T. D. Matthias, seconded by Mr George Morgan, and supported by Mr Henry Thomas, Cefn, That this meeting embody the foregoing resolution in the form of a petition, to be signed by the High Constable, and forwarded to the senior member for the borough to be presented to the House of Commons."—A vote of thanks to the chair- man concluded the business. THE MERTHYR REPUBLICAN CLUB.—The usual fortnightly meeting of the above club was held on Tuesday evening last, at the Lord Raglan Long-room. There was a fair at- tendance. The following resolutions were unanimously agreed to1. "That this meeting, recognizing the im- portance of maintaining tl'.e right of public meeting in this country, expresses its sympathy, and gives its support to the working men of London in their resistance to the ob- classes, and is another proof to them of Mr (jiaastone s treachery and indifference to their interests, allowing such an obnoxious measure to be brought forward by his Go- vernment. And this meeting also gives its warmest thanks to Mr Vernon Harcourt, M.P., for his strenuous and manly opposition to this bill, which strikes at the root of the privilege which Britons prize so dearly."—2. "That this meeting, thinking it is the duty of Republican Clubs to encourage every citizen who in any public capacity has the courage to avow himself a Republican, gives its earnest thanks to citizen Biggar, chairman of the Belfast Board of Waterworks Commissioners, for the courageous manner in which he rebuked and exposed the flunkeyism of the mem- bers of the above board,, and for so honestly stating the reasons why he voted in favor of the congratulatory addresses to be presented to the Queen on the occasion of the recovery of the Prince of Wales."—Mr Baker gave notice that at the next meeting he would bring forward the question of the advisability of abolishing the House of Lords.—The secretary laid before the meeting a statement of the accounts of the club, which, after paying off all ex- penses incidental to the lecture delivered by Mr Applebee at the Temperance-hall on Friday evening last, shewed a small balance in the hand of the treasurer.—A desultory conversation took place as to the manner in which new members should be enrolled, but the question was adjourned to next meeting for further discussion. WOUNDING A WiFE.-William Williams was charged with unlawfully wounding his wife on the previous Sunday morning. At the outset of the case, prisoner express himself as sorry for his deeds, and the Rector was abou administering some salutary advice before dismissal—ina much as no one appeared to prosecute—when a certificat signed by Dr Ward, was passed to the Bench. From th document in appeared that the injured woman had received a scalp wound one inch and a half in length. The rev chairman therefore decided that it was impossible to dis- pose of the case without further hearing, and adjourned it till Wednesday. NOTORIOUS TIPPLERS. -Elias Jones, alias Elias or North (a young man, 2j years of age, who has been convicted for various offences no less than 27 times), and Richard Jones, who has been convicted seven times, were charged with fighting in Mill-street, on Sunday afternoon. It appeared from the evidence of the police-officer that both men were in a state of drunkenness when apprehended in their out- rageous conduct. The Rector called the attention of the police to the whole of Caedraw, which he said was an ill- conducted neighbourhood, and instanced cases that had come under his observation when passing that way on Sun- days. Both defendants were ordered to pay 20s and costs, or a month's imprisonment. DUNVILLE & Co., Belfast, are the largest hoers fold whisky in the world. Their Old Irish Whisky is recom mended by the medical profession in preference t< French brandy. Supplied in casks and cases for home use or ex portation. Quotations on application to MESSRS. DUN- VILLE & Co., IRISH ROYAL DISTILLERIES, BELFAST. 471

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. AJ>DltBSSED TO THE EDITOB. Tke Editor is not responsible for the opinions of his Correspondent THE COLLIERS' STBIKE AT PLYMOUTH. SIR,— As a friend of the working man I beg leave to sub- mit the following observations to you and your readers. There are scores of people belonging to Mr Fothergill's Works now on strike. The colliers wanted a penny a ton of advance, but it was refused. It is a fact that 2s 8d per ton is given in other places for the same coal. Mr Fothergill pays 2s 4d at Coedcae for the same, and has to pay the carriage up here. After this advance the colliers will have 2s 5d at Penrhiwronen for the same coal under Mr Crawshay. The men only asked 2s after theadvance, but it was refused. The wages are 25 per cent lower in Plymouth than in any other place, but cheer up my fellow-workmen, there is plenty of work elsewhere. Troedyrhiw, March 13th, 1872. A COLLIER. THE RECTOR'S POLITICAL SERMON. SIR,-I am a Republican. That being the case yon may imagine how agreeably surprised I felt when I read your able article in last week's issue upon the Rev. John Griffith's political sermon (or lecture ?) Perhaps, Sir, you know by this time that there is a Republican club in Merthyr. At this club your manly out- spokenness upon the subject has created profound gra- tification. Now, Mr Editor, although we are not at all certain that you are a Republican, yet we feel very proud indeed that there is one representative of the press in Merthyr who is courageous enough to rebuke such a person as the Rector of Merthyr for uttering a tissue of such stupid mis-state- ments and humbug as he did the other Sunday. The Rector might do very well for a cheap—a very cheap John. but nothing eise. His utterances are really unsuit- able for the pulpit. The Rector may rest assured that this sort of twaddle, though it may be uttered in an abstract sense, and excite some degree of notoriety, will not help him to the distant goal-a bishopric.—Yours, &c., ONE OF THEM. ♦ THE NINE HOURS MOVEMENT. SIR.- You have kindly given space for what I have already written on the above subject in its relation to the working men in general, and I am glad to find that a Briton has supplied a very able letter on the same sub- ject. I sincerely thank him, whoever he may be, though I should rather see his real than fictitious name to his letter -for, when a person subscribes his real name to what he writes, he gives the best possible guarantee that he is sin- cere in his statement. I hope to see more letters on the subject from gentlemen of influence in the district, setting forth the great need of technical knowledge, and that we cannot afford to neglect it any longer. With your permission, Mr Editor, I propose to call the attention of those young men connected with the building trade, in its various departments, to the importance of tech- nical education—First and foremost, the masons. How many of the young masons of the town can strike out pro- per centres for the various kinds of arches required in their work, and get out correct templates by which they would have to dress the stones for the arches ? If any mason be incapable of doing these things, it may be said that such a one does not bring much credit to the time-honoured craft of masonry, which for many centuries was the Queen of Handicrafts. Therefore every young mason should strive to learn the secret of his own craft. Next comes the carpenter. No craftsman stands in more need of technical knowledge than the carpenter. He may be said to be a geometrical performer through life- his daily work is to produce angles, circles, parallelograms horizontal lines, vertical lines, and various other lines and figures too numerous to mention them here, yet there are some carpenters, so called, who are as innocent as they were when born even of the simplest geometrical terms. How often one meets with young men who cannot strike out a common staircase, or make a working drawing of any job which they may have to do ? Such a want of knowledge in a carpenter or a joiner brings disgrace upon a craft which demands accurate knowledge, and precision of hand in its application. Every carpenter ought to understand the principles upon which the various kinds of roofs are constructed, so as to work intelligently. And every joiner ought to know something ef the different styles of archi- tecture, and at least to know the difference between a Grecian and a Roman moulding, and the principles upon which both are constructed. Next comes the plasterer and painter. They may be grouped together, and may be considered in the character of their duties, quite as much decorative as useful. Yet how often one sees monstrositees put up for ornaments How many of our young plasterers can design an enrich- ment? mould the same, and produce the decoration re- quired in their branch ? With respect to house-painting, it is not an uncommon thing to see what was intended for ornamental painting, executed in a style that a North American Indian would be ashamed to acknowledge as his handy-work. As to harmony of colours, taste in the blend. ing of tints, truth to the teachings of Nature, there is ap- parently no attempt amongst the large majority of our painters to attain to even mediocrity. I say this of the majority of our painters," but in making the statement I am glad to except one or two of our house painters who are a credit to their craft, and as such are worthy of com- mendation. Now, Mr Editor, I think that I have written perhaps too much to please some of my young fellow-workmen but I assure you that my object in writing was not to disparage, but to arouse those who are apathetic. That there is much apathy is a fact within my own knowledge, because I find but very few young men who are connected with the build. ing trade availing themselves of the classes in which the very instruction which they stand in need of is given. In years gone by there was an excuse for want of technical knowledge, but at present there is no excuse whatever, while the opportunities are brought to our very doors, if we only avail ourselves of them. At the same time there is no doubt that, with respect to those of us who have passed the meridian of life, we cannot expect to profit so much as younger men may be expected to profit by these classes, yet we would rejoice to see our sons and representativee be. coming better men than we are, and therefore we should show them every encouragement in their laudable effort to improvement. Young men let not this appeal be made in vain to you, but make up your minds to acquire a tech- nical knowledge of your craft, and then, like the blessing which follows useful labour and honourable conduct, the craft will in return bring both profit and honour to yourselves. Thanking you, Mr Editor, for the space you have kindly allowed me to bring the subject before my fellow-workmen, and hoping that some abler hand may take it up and treat it in a style worthy,of its growing importance, I am, sir, yours truly, Merthyr, March 12th, 1872. L. R. LUMLEY.

THE MERTHYR SCHOOL BOARD. The fortnightly meeting of this Board was held on Fri. day. Present-Mr Clark (chairman), the Revs F. Sonley Johnstone, Cornelius Griffiths, O. W. James, P. Millea and J. Bruton; Messrs Charles James and Thomas Willams (Duffryn). The minutes of the last meeting were read and con. firmed. REMISSION OF FEES AGAIN. The Rev O. W. James (Dowlais), in accordanee with notice given at the last meeting, proposed that the seal of the Board be not affixed to the bye-laws. He did not con- sider any apology necessary ip bringing the matter forward, for he represented a body who objected deliberately and strongly against the obligations imposed in the sealing of such laws. The 5th bye-law was entirely in opposition to the principles of Nonconformists, and anyone having observed the opposition raised by that body would at once see that the Nonconformists felt themselves compelled to act according to their conscientious convictions, for the moment this bye- law was put into operation the very principles of Noncon- formity would be undermined. They were conscientiously bound to take this step, and could act in no other way. Either they must deny themselves or continue to protest against this bye-law. It was a matter of conscience and principle, although to some it was simply a matter of pounda