Merthyr Times and Dowlais Times and Aberdare Echo

CBPH. NOTES—BY "HEN LANC." Cognisant of the fact that there will be many X*)litical meetings held in our neighliourhood in the oonrse of the week, that gentlemen of wide repute will favour us with their presence, and that a report of their utterances will appear in the columns of the Tiiiie.?, I shall not intrench much upon the valuable space by expatiating either on the seamy or the bunny side of Cpfn life. But I may be, perhaps, allowed to give expression to the gratification of a host of people at the news that the question of pro- curing pure water for Pontsticill is to be faced by our Council?. There is an element of romance in the idea that a draught of pure, cold water, which the poor people of Ponsticill have been yearning and hunting for for years, has been secured to them through the mysterious charms of divination. We hare bad diviners" on this water auestion before, who asserted that they were infallibly certain of the where- abouts of the perennial springs; and considerable expense was gone to iH order tft get at the wished-for boon. But no; it eluded all the efforts of our most skilful men, and necessity drove the Pontsticillites to poison themselves through drinking the foul water of tome stagnant pool or some gaseous well, and sad was the havoc to lives caused thereby Let us hope our councillors will bring salvation at la"t. I am glad to find that the police promptly acted on the gentle hint I gave them last week regarding the state of our roads, and my success emboldens me to volunteer another hint this week. It is no longer with slippery roads, however, but with some of our ine- briates. Our streets, I must confess, are compara- tively free from the rowdyism which can be witnessed in a good many other places yet ours can he better. It is not vcrv often we have such a. pandemonium as we had on the night the shop window of our youngest created councillor was smashed by an excited band of politicians; and yet on a quiet night, when a man fondly hopes for an hour's rest by a cosy fireside, one's repose is cruelly disturbed by a torrent of the foulest language it has ever been one's lot to listen to. In the name of common decency, and in the interns of the women and children of Cefn, I ask, is there no remedy for this degrading habit which a few of our citizens, unfortunately, indulve in, of patrolling through the streets in a half-drunken state, and using language which one might think would be impossible to be heard in a small hamlet like Cefn. I am not without hoping that we shall soon lie rid of this terrible curse. Winter is the harbinger of many hardships. Many a life, pinched with poverty, has been swept Ijefore the gusts of its severe storms, and many a beautiful flower has faded under its biting frost. Owing to the severity of the weather, it is said that over 150 of the workmen at the Cardiff Waterworks were paid off last Saturday. Of course no blame can be attached to the Cardiff Corporation or its officials, as it wae utterly impossible to make any appreciable progress with the works in such a hard frost; yet it seems somewhat cruel for a large number of men, many of whom had led a hand-to-mouth existence, to be turned adrift to face an unkindly world in such an inclement weather. Surely, life is a. puzzle. The ministerial students at the Cefn Grammar School will hold a Cymanfa. Bregethu" next Malxm's Day at Saron, Troedyrhiw, which lias been placed at their disposal by the kind people who have the charge of the chapel. It is said that the concert to be given to-night (Thursday) by the children of the Infants' School pro- mises to be a great success. I am told that the pro- ceeds of the last concert have been utilised by the Councillor Matthew Owen in buying a harmonium for the use of the school. Verily, the children otto-day are wonderfully blessed, in comparison with the children of long ago, when Hen Lane was a lad in school. ABERCANAID. FAREWELL PARTY. -On.Tiie!!dayovenitig last a party I was held at the Abercanaid Board Schools for the pur- pose of giving the friends of MissM. H. Tiiomas an opportunity of showing their good wishes and feelings towards her on her departure for a training in the scholastic line at Swansea College. Despite the un- favourable weather, a very large number of friends took advantage of the occasion, and a most successful evening was spent. A splendid tea- was provided by Mrs. Wilde..Merthyr, and after tea the company resolved itself iuto a, special meeting. Great praise is due to Mr. T. David (head master), and his assistants for their untiring efforts in bringing matters to a suc- cessful issue. PRESENTATION MEETING.—On Wednesday eveuing, at iyt, at the Demi Baptist Schoolroom, Mr. Joseph Martin, late mechanical envine-er at the Plymouth Works, was presented with a handsome marble timepiece and pair of vases to match, together with a purse of gold on his leaving the above-named works for the Powell- Duff ryn Company, Alieramau. Mr. William Johnson, manager, South Dyffryn Pits, presided. Selections of music were given during the meeting by Miss Annie Powell and Miss Jane Davies, and the Silo Party, under the leadership of Mr. William Llewelyn, Dyffryn. The presentation was made on behalf of the subscribers by Mr." William Beynon, pitman, who spoke of the high esteem in which Mr. Martin was held by the workmen generally, and that they all regretted to lose him from their midst. Mr. Samuel Davie.?, overman, South Duffryn Colliery, also spoke of the good feeling which existed lietween Mr. Martin and his woikmsn and other officials, and they could do nothing better than wish him all success in his new field of labour. ME. Martin lesponded in felicitous terms, and said he had apent four years, in their midst and could look back with pleasure to the happy time he had sjient with them. The usual votes of thanks having been given, the meeting was brought to a close by singing the Welsh National Anthem. Mr. Watkin Llewellyn accompanied on the harmoninm. TROBDYRHIW. HARRIERS CLUB.—A meeting was held at the Yew- street Schools on Friday evemug last, for the purpose of forming a harriers club for Troedyrhiw. A goodly numl>erot young meu were present, and the foliowing fentlemen were apj)ointed officially :—Rev. A. Galxi ones, superintendent and captain vice-captain, Mr. Rees Morgan secretary, M r. R. if. Owen starter, Dr. Me. lihie. The first run out will take place on Thursday evening at 8 p.m. sharp, the starting place being the Fox and Hounds Inn. OBITUAKT.—It is with regret we announce the death of Mr. Lewis Jones, of Tyntaldwn Houses, who was taken from this world very suddenly on Monday last. Deceased was a very old inhabitant of the place, and much sympathy is felt for the sorrowing relatives. We also have to record the death of Mrs. Rees Davies, also of Tyntaldwn Houses, who passed away peace- fully yesterday morning. Deceased had been ailing for a long time. MERTHYR VALE. CONCERT AND DANCE.—On Thursday the Assembly Rooms were filled to their utmost extent on the occa- I sion of a concert and dance, organised by Mrs. H. E. Gray for charitable purposes. The chair was taken by Mr. Thomas Williams, who, it is needless to say, kept his immense audience well in hand throughout I the evening. The following vocalists appeared and, without exception, were well received Miss May John, Porth Miss Tina Thomas, the Rev. H. li Thomas, Messrs. Will Dowdeswell, Mat Keating, Dan Davies, aud H. Thomas. Miss Laura Thomas Dan Davies, and H. Thomas. Miss Laura Thomas accompanied throughout in her usual charming manner. A vote of thanks to the successful organiser of the charitable effort was the occasion of much enthusiastic cheering and clapping for the popular lady. At 9 p.m. dancing commenced, and although somewhat crowded was kept up with great good humour till midnight. Mr. James Smith made an admirable M.C., while the music was supplied by Herr J. Philippe. It should be mentioned that the mandolin solo by Miss Tina Thomas was especially well rendered and was much appreciated. ABERDARE JUNCTION. PROGRESS.—A few years ago this place was ouly a small village, but now, through the enterprise of the Dowlais Iron Company it has grown to a fair-sized colliery town. The two large pits are now being rapidly sunk, and it is generally felt that coal will he reached sometime during the present year. Indeed the master siuker a few months back publicly stated that coal would be reached in seven mouths. That statement may be too sanguine, but its consummation is anxiously awaited. The massive buildings and ponderous machinery surrounding the pits are a fair indication what we may expect in the near future. Places of worship have been increased, business establishments have ) multiplied and the thirsty ones have had additional accommodation by the conversion of the late residence of Mr. William Jones, Cyfarthfa, into a public-house. The Taff Vale Railway are about to erect an engine shed to accommodate ten engiues. The public authori- ties are contemplating improvements to bridges aiid roads, and this, we may here say, i;i sadly needed. At cue time 150 new houses were empty and now before coal has lx.cn won, only 40 are empty. The new public highway, recently made, leading from here to renrhiweeiber promises to thickly populated. .Mid w ay Ijetw'een here and the last named place 60 houses and an hotel have just lieen erected, and to b'.dge from th«? pre.-entapi>earauee Aberdare Junciion and l'enrhivvceioer will soon be connected. NELSON THE. ROADS.—The roads and streets here are in a very dirty state. Before the frost set in it was bad enough, but now we sink ankle deep in slush and snow. We wonder whether the three councillors recently elected to the Caerphilly District Council will crive this matter their attention. YSTRAD MYNACH. -on Thursday se'nnight a grand concert was held at Betbania Chapel under the presidency of the Rev. J. Emlvn Rhys, Hengoed, the accotrpanist being Miss G. Rhys, Hengoed, and the organist, Mr. D. Jonei, Hhymuey. Tho following well-known artistet took part:—Mr. Tom Pricti (G.I Merthyr; Mr. J. Powell (Ap Dewi), Pontlottyn Mr. J. Lloyd Jones, Rhymney Miss M. Richards, Rhymney; Miss M. Jones, Bargoed and Miss A. Edwards, Ystrad Mynach. The cuncert « as part English and part Welsh, and a moct enjoyable eveping wao spent,

DEATH OF LADY I CHARLOTTE SCHREIBER. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. It is with deep regret that wa have to record the death of Lady Charlotte Schreiber, which sad event took place on Wednesday morning. Two mouths ago her ladyship left Branksome Dene for a short stay at Canford en route for London. A few days after her arrival she complained ot feeling unwell, but did not cease taking her usual walks. On Sunday, November 18th, her condition gave the household some alarm, and medical assistance was called in. Since tha.t time she kept to her own room, thouffh there was no cause for anxiety at that time. Her ladyship was enabled to pursue the knitting of mufflers, which she presents every vear to London cabmen, and was as cheerful as possible. A fortnight since more serious symptoms developed, and a doctor had to be fetched in the night, and she gradually got weaker. It was thought desirable to have further advice, and physicians from Bournemouth and London were called in for con- saltation, and a nurse had t'een in attendance both day and night. Lady Charlotte had a. wonderful constitution, and although past fourscore years, it was hoped she would recover, but her coudition was sufficiently grave to warrant the summoning of her sons and daughters. Lord and Lady Wimbome have been in close attendance except for the short time they were in London when the condition of Lord Randolph Churchill was s^rave. Mr. Arthur Gnest, Mr. Merthyr Guest, ana Mr. Montagu Guest had been to see their mother, as had the daughter?, Mrs. Du Can, Mrs. Ponsonby, Mrs. Alderson, and Mrs. Eliot, the first twe being still at Canford. Lady Charlotte Bertie was the only daughter of Albermarle, ninth Earl of Lindsay, and was born in the year of Najjoleon's famous retreat from Moscow, 1812, so that she was 83 years of age. She waa a child when the great Irattle of Waterloo was fought. On the 29th July, 1853, she was married at St. George's Church, Hanover-square, to Mr. Josiah John Guest, then the principal proprietor, and sub- sequently the sole ownpr of the famous Dowlais Iron- works. Mr. Guest as he then was, received a baronetcy on the 14th of August, 1838, in recognition of his eminent services to the iron and coal industries of the country. He was distinguished for his deep scientific knowledge of mineralogy and metallurgy, and was recognised as one-of the great ironmasters of the country. He was made about this time a Fellow of the Royal Society. Prior to his marriage with Lady Charlotte Bertie,Mr. Guest had been a widower for some 15 years, his first wife hating been Maria Elizabeth, third daughter of William Ranken, to whom he was married in 1817. This lady died without issue in the following year. By his second wife he had a familv of teu children—five sons and the daughter—the eldest sou tieing Ivor Bertie, who was created Lord Wimlwrne in 1880. In 1848, on the renewal of the lease of the Dowlais Works, Sir Josiah John Guest stated that he would willingly relinquish his control of a concern which had then become so important as to need more than individual -tiper- vision, but his regard for the interests of the popula- tion of 12,000 families which he had drawn around him would not allow him to sever himself from the undertaking. In July of that same year he and Lady Charlotte, on their return to Merthyr, were given a most flattering public reception, they being conducted from the railway station to Dowlais in a carriage drawn by four horses, while, in the language of the chronicler of the time, the procession was so vast that it took 20 minutes to pass a given point." The following year Sir John became sole proprietor of the works be bad established in the town of his birth. Sir John died on November 25. 1822, and on the 10th of April, 1855, Lady Charlotte was married to Mr. Charles Schreiber. As showing the remarkable change which has come over the iron industry of South Wales since the middle of the present century, it will be of interest to give an extract from Wilkins History of Mer- thyr";—"In the meanwhile Mr. John Guest was quietly plodding onward at Dowlais, Belling kis coal and working his solitary furnace. His yield of iion increased from 500 tons annually to 1,500, but mener exceeded this. His efforts in getting mine and even coal were primitive in the extreme. The mountain streams would be dammed np to a considerable height at such places as Twyncarno, and then suddenly cleared away, scouring out the mine from the side, which, by its great weight, would sink to the bottom of the brook or stream and be collected afterwards. This process was called scouring, and it wa3 adopted at Cyfarthfa as well as at Dowlais. Near Cyfarthfa there is a place still known as Cwm Scaura, where the nlan was periodically carried out." Lady Charlotte's strongest claim to remembrance will ever rest upon the great work which she per- formed in translating and editing the Mabinogion," from the Red Book of Ilergest and other ancient Welsh manuscript*. Some conception of the difficulty of her task may Ire gathered when it i3 stated that she had first to acquire a knowledge of the Welsh lan- guage, and then to apply that knowledge to grasping the true significance of the Cymraeg cf the pre- Nortnan period. To this has to be added the labour of deciphering obsenre manuscripts and black letter tomes. This monumental work was originally issued in thre-e volumes from the dress of the Reeses of LIan- dovery between the years 1838 and 1849. The ttook was dedicated to her two infant Rons, Ivor and Merthyr, in the hope that they would learn to emu- late the noMe qualities of Ivor Ha-el and Ivor Bach, two of the best known early British heroes who figure in the M ibinogion." The first edition was dated from Dowlais, 29th of August, 1838, the prefaco bear- ing the same date. This edition contains the text followed by the translator, and also a. considerable body of most useful notes contributed by her ladyship. A second edition, consisting of the translation only, without the Welsh text, was published in 1877 in a single volume, and in 1831 a b)y's Mabinogion from the same translation was issued, this l>eing edited by Mr. Sydney Lanier, an American. So far as we can gather no other English version of the Mab- inogion" that is entitled to lie regarded as a serious attempt to reproduce this mass of Celtic romantic literature and prose epics, but that of Lady Charlotte's has ever made its appearance. Tije Mabinogion" may he considered as the real basis of modern romantic writing. She devoted many years of her life to the collection of fans and fan leaves. In 1891 she presented her collection to the British Museum, which published a valuable catalogue of the unique treasures entrusted to its care. Her ladyship wrote two bulky volumes on her pet Fans and Fan Leaves English, and "Fans and Fan Leaves: Foreijni." She also wrote a look on playing cards, entitled, Playing Cards of Various Ages and Countries," with 144 plates. As already mentioned, Sir Josiah John Guest died at Dowlais on the 26th November, 1852, and shortly afterwards a large and handsome tablet to his memory, wa", as a proof of the affection of his wife and family, erected in Dowlais Church. The IU'ixtrol'd Lvtulon Nrws in 1853 gave a sketch of this memorial, which was designed by Sir Charles Barry. The central slab was composed of Cornish porphyry, the side columns Iwing of the same stone, while the rest of the work was in Derbyshire alaliaster. The inscription, which was incised, records that the decea-sed gentleman waa uiemlier for Merthyr and high sheriff of the county in 1819, and at his death was sole proprietor of Dowlais Iron Works that by his hone-st efforts he had placed himself at the head of the iron manufacture of Great Britain he raised into importance that populous and flourishing district, and was himself an example of what, in this free country, might be done oy the exercise, of skill, energy, and perseverance. The eulogy concludes in these words Happy in iiia domestic life, yrosptroiia in business, full of life lint! AOnr)lIr.I, having had time and inclination to prepure for his latter end, be died where he was born, at Dowlais, in the midst of his family and dependents, belov ed, respected, and universally lamented. Seest thou a man diligent in his business he sliall stand before kings. Thie monument is erected to his memory by his w idow. Lady Charlotte, aa we have said, was married to her second husband, the late Mr. Charles Schreiber, formerly member of Parliament for Cheltenham and Poole, at the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London, on the 10th April, 1855. He was a fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. The marriage ceremony was performed by the Hon. and Rev. Walter Pon- sonby, rector of Great Canford, Dorsetshire, who was assisted by the Rev. Henry Mackenzie, vicar of St. Martin's, and a numerous assembly of the friends and relatives of both families was present. The bride- groom was the eldest surviving eon of the late Lieut.- Colonel James Alfred Schreitar, of Melton, Suffolk, a gallant officer, who served with much distinction in the Peninsular War and at the Battle of Waterloo in the 11th Light Dragoons. The high honours gained by Mr. Schreiber at the University of Cambridge justified the expectation that his future career would be marked by that usefulness and success to which academic brilliance so often led the way. One of Lady Charlotte's chief claims to respect and reverence rests on the enlightened interest and zeal which she always evinced in the improvement of the social condition of the workmen and their families connected with the Dowlais Works. The Times says :—Lady Charlotte bad long lieen an enthusiastic collector of old china, and after the death of her second husband she presented a large quantity of valuable English china, and earthenware to the South Kensington Museum as a memorial of him. She also had large collections of English-painted fans and of playing cards of all nations. She published lar^e volumes containing fac similes lx>th of her most notable fans and of the most curious and interestiug specimens of cards that she possessed. Her zeal was recognised by the Fanmakers' Company, who pre- sented her with the freedom of their guild. She wa? a good friend to London cabmen, of whom, as a body, she bad a high opinion. To her they were indebted for a shelter in Portland-place, and for numberless acts of kindness and consideration. During the last few years of her life Lady Charlotte Schreiber was blina, yet she was able to knit, and sh* devoted a great part of her time to making woollen comforters, which were distributed amongst cabdrivers at the end of each vear. It may be mentioned that when her son-in-law. Sir Henry La yard, was Ambassador in Constantinople, she did a great deal to ossi: t the Turkish Compassionate Fund for the alleviation of distress among Turkish women and children. As further evidence of her energy and capability, it may also lie added that after Sir John Guest's death she undertook for some years the management of the Dowlais Iron Work Her house in Cavendish-square, Loudon, was full of rare and valuable treasures. The rooms are adorned with Dresden vases, Venetian glass, engrav ed Italian mirrors, wedgwood plaques, ancient clocks, and many other curiosities. Lady Charlotte had travelled a great deal, having visited all parts of the Continent and many places in Asia. When young she went much into society ill Paris. Her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mr". Edward Ponsonby, and their children, resided with her, and kept the home life bright and gaj\ The merriest of the household way Lady Charlotte herself, the great- grandmother. In an issue for July 29th, 1392, we published a por- trait of Lady Charlotte, together with a biographical sketch. And we cannot do better, prhaps. than reproduce that sketch Here. It is an follows To most of our younger readers, aud even to many in middle life, the lady who btv.ro the above name, i.; scarcely recognizable as one who, nearly half a century ago, occupied a commanding and honourable position in •ur town and district, especially the district of Dow our town and district, especially the district of Dow lais. She was then the wife of Sir John J. Guest, ¡ Bart., M.P., the owner of the Dowlais Works, and the first M.P. for the Borough of Merthyr Tydfil. She is the mother of Lord Wimborne, Mr. Montague Guest, Mr. Merthyr Guest, and several daughters. We may remark of her that in her halcyon days of young motherhood, she was an accomplished public speaker, and very frequently, when her husband was called upon to address a public assembly, either upon ¡ questions of a social or political character, Lady Char- lotte had to do those duties for him, and right well I did she always acquit herself for, like Mrs. Craw- shay, eloquenco and grasp of subject were prominent features of her intellectual character. Sir John Guest was pre-eminently a business man, having a. commercial foresight whichdistinguished him,even as a member of the House of Commons, where he was always appointed chairman of committees but as a public speaker he was "nowhere" in comparison with nis wife, Lady Charlotte. Some few years prior to Sir John's death, which took place about the year 1853, Lady Charlotte took an active interest, in conjunction with Messrs. Thomas and John Evans, iu the management of the Dow- lais Works, while for a short period after her husband's death, which death was preceded by the death of Mr. Thomas Evans, she had almost the entire management, aided in some measure by the advice of Canon Jenkins, rector of Dowlais, who had been a life-long friend of the Guest family. As may be imagined, in a community of Dissenters, and where the Nonconformist ministers, then as now, had a quick perception of religious intolemnceand prejudice, the interference of parsondom, however well inten- tioned, had an irritating rather than a soothing effect upon the minds of the workmen and very soon it was seen that tho duplex machine wouldn't work, and that there must be a radical change in the management. With such popular ministers as Hughes (Bethania), Davies (Caersalem), and one or two others, it was clear that the clerical element, even 40 years ago, was an obnoxious introduction into the works, and must be put down. So prominent had the clerical influence become that even in the Church assembly the status of the men in the works was recognised by the seats they occupied. To the family of the Guests came a very clever young man named Schreiber, aa tutor of the young Guests. This young man, presumably a German, was not very largely endowed, like many of bis fatherland patriots, with this world's goods but he was reported to be an excellent scholar, J and in time he extended his influence in the Guest family, and liecame the honoured husband of Lady Charlotte. lie thus at once attained to wealth and social position. Soon after their marriage, Lr.'Y Charlotte and Mr. Schreiher rer.in- to Cheltenham, where, through his wife's infltienu,, t eloquence, be obtained the posi- tion of M.P., in i!ie Conservative interest, for that fashionable .but poverty-ntricken one-horse town. After the removal of Lady Charlotte from Dowlais, Mr. Ularke and ijorrt Aoerdare (tnen Air. iiruce, M.P.) aided by Mr. Menelans, came on the scene, and very soon knocked over the old order of things, and inaugurated a more satisfactory management, where pure merit had its reward, with the result that the efficiency of the Dowlais agents has now a. world-wide reputation among all iron, steel, and coal industries. Rev. Canon Jenkins removed to North Wales, lieloved by a larg3 circle of friends, who had good reason to Ijelieve in his honesty of intention and pur- pose, and in his Christian character, but whose death was no doubt hastened by the gloom of inactivity, which even the splendid scenery of the district failed to dissipate. Th*. Would it Herald published the following article, written on an occaaton of unique interest in the history of Lady Charlotte The freedom of the city of London is so rarely offered to a ivoniai that the presentation Itecomes quite an event, and when in October last the Company of Fanmakera decided that in view of the gTeat and continued interest evinced by Lady Charlotte Schreiber in the success of the fan-making industry, the freedom of the city should be offered to her ladyship in testimony of the Company's appreciation, and a highly representa- tive and select company gathered together to witness the unusual ceremony. The presentation took place in the beautiful drawing room of the Drapers' Hall in Throgmorton-street, which is bung with rich tapestries representing the adventures of Jason. Lady Schreiljer, in reply, expressed her deep sense of the unique honour conferred upon her. She had derived much pleasure from fan-collecting, and in the hope that she might interest others in the pursuit she had published two large volumes upon the history of English and foreign fans, profusely illlustrated. Lady Charlotte Schreiber is the only lady, except the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, who can boast of being a free woman of a City company, and it i8 small wonder that her ladyship looks upon her presentation as quite a red-letter day in her life.

FUNERAL OF THE LATE MRS. MARTIN, DOWLAIS. The funeral of the late Mrs. George Martin, Dow- lais, particulars of whose lamented death appeared in this journal last week, took place on Thursday last-, the interment, in accordance with the wishes of the deceased lady, taking place in her native village of Llangammarch, Breconshire. The weather was intensely cold, and the severe frost of the previous nights, succeeding the snow and sleet storms that had raged earlier in the week, made the roads slippery and dangeious in the extreme. To carry a coffin or, indeed, any other weight over the roads in their then condition would have lieen simply a matter of imjxjs- sibility, and in order to make such a task feasible, men were engaged, almost from the dawn, in covering the ice with red wind and broken cinders, and thus prospect of an accident was rendered very remote indeed. By some means the rumour got abroad that the relatives of Mrs. Martin wished to have the funeral strictly private, and colour was lent to the rumour by the words '• No wreaths in the official announcement of the venerable lady's death. This rumour, coupled with the generally dangerous state of the roads overnight, had the undoubted effect of keeping away hundreds of people who would have been only too glad to show tlieir respect for the deceased by joining in the funeral precession. From a I wut half-past eight o'clock, people began to assemble outside the house in High-street, amongst the number being Mr. Matthew Hirst, who for a period of nearly half a century had been head master of the Dowlais Schools, and who had come up from Talygarn to follow to her grave one of those who in the old days had taken so much interest in the work with which he was associated. As the minutes sped the crowd increased hundreds of men who could not leave their work hastened back from their breakfasts earlier than usual and took np a position on the rail- way line near the house of Mr. E. P. Martin, from which elevated spot they were enabled to witness all that went on a few score yards lower down the street. About nine o'clock the coffin was brought out from the house of the deceased and a thrill passed through the hearts of all as tho crowd saw it lxirne on the shoulders of four workmen into the street. The cofbn was of polished oak, with massive mount- ings, and the plate hare the following inscription :— Harriette Martin, horn January 11th, 1814, died January 6th, 1895." It was surmounted by numerous w reatbs of beautiful white flowers. The procession was speedily formed. First came the clergy, includ- ing the Rev. LI. M. Williams, rector of Dowlais; Rev. Richard Jones, curate in charge of the Welsh Church, and the Rev. H. Morice Jones, curate of the Church and the Rev. H. Morice Jones, curate of the Church Mission at Pant. With them also walked Colonel P. R. Cresswell, head of the Dowlais Company's medical staff. The official representatives of the Dowlais Chamber of Trade came next,' and were followed by the agents and workmen of the Dowlais Iron Company. Then came the general public. The coffin was followed by the mourning relatives and friends of the deceased, and another contingent of the general public brought up the rear. A large crowd of people had assembled on the corner of Market-street, and the pro- cession was watched with solemn interest as it parsed. The route then lay through East-street, Commercial- street, and across through Church-row, and Station- road to the Brecon and Merthyr Railway Station. Throughout the entire length of the route large numlwrs of people had gathered, particularly on tne various street corners. The roar of the works was hushed, and a death-like stillness that was in keeping with the solemnity of the proceedings hung over all. At the railway station it was found that the officials of the London and North Western Railway had very I kindly placed a saloon carriage at the service of the funeral party, the train being the ordinary one that leaves Dowlais at 9 35 a.m. At the station the majority of those forming the procession separated, and as they saw the beautiful oak coffin carried into majority of those forming the procession separated, and as they saw the beautiful oak coffin carried into the train the people of Dowlais realised that they were looking for ibe last time on earth upon that which contained all that was mortal of one of the most distinguished of their number. Sorrow- fully they turned away from the station to call up in their memory some recollection of the departed .one, and to feel more deeply than before the full extent of the loss they had sustained. But about fifty persons accompanied the Martitt family on their melancholy journey to Llangammarch. A hitch occurred in the railway arrangements at Builth Road, with the result that the funeral party were delayed for something like fifty minutes and it was not until about half-past one that the quaint and quiet little village of Llangammarch was reached. On the way thither one of the relatives of the deceased lady joined the party, and at L'angammarch several others did the same thing. A large number of the villagers eame to the church, whithet the clergy had preceded the bearers and mourners. The remains were met at the entrance by the Rector of Dowlais, the Rev. Richard Jones, and the Vicar of Hangamr. arch, and the first-named gentleman conducted the service. The Vicar of Llau- gammarch gave out the hvmn For ever with the Lord," and it was sung with intense feeling by the church choir and the congregation. The service at the graveside was also conducted by the Rector of Dowlais, and the hymn Rock of ages, cleft for me, was sung. The service was extremely simple, but none the less impressive. By half-past two o'clock all that was mortal of the v enerable lady had been con- signed t,) :it!i la.-t resting place in the field of the dead, thejje, amid the calm and solitude of the little couutry village, to remain until the great day when the corrupt snail rise incorruptible, and the mortal shall put on immortality. At five o'clock the return journey wars commenced, and Dowlaii was reached shortly before eight. THE FUNERAL SERMON. As was indicated iu our impression last week, the sermon in memoriam of the deceased lady was preached in the Parish Church on Sunday moruing. After the frightful snow-gale that had raged through- out the night, the roads were rendered almost impass- able. High banks of snow, in somo places aix feet out the night, the roads were rendered almost impass- able. High banks of snow, in somo places six feet I high, attcbte(I the v iolence of the gale, and the narrow pathway in the centre of some of tho streets showed where some early traveller had braved the storm on his way to a place of worship, or to the dismalinterior of the Works. With such a fearful state of the roads as we lia-, e indicated, it is not to be surprised that the congregation in the church was not a large one. Mr. B. U'Neill, the organist, played an arrangement of Haiidel's "Mourn, ye afflicted children," R:J the opening voluntary, and the serv ico proceeded in the usual way. The first hYlllu sung was No. 22. that grand old hyuui of Charlws Wesley's couUining (the passage which has justly been regarded as one of the noblest example of simple grandeur in the English language:— Part of the host have crossed the flood, Aud part are crossing now." As these noble lines rose sweetly to Heaven, sung to the beautiful old tune of Dundee," one could not but recall some of the faces that used to be so fa. nilia.r in that church in the old days, but which have vanished for ever, and whose memory Though now divided by the stream, The narrow stream of death," will not die in the minds of those who knew them. To those who have not crossed the flood from among us one counted sorrowfully one more in the person of the lady whose funeral sermon we had come to hear. The service was conducted by the Rector of Dowlais, who took aa his text Rev. xiv., 13, "And there came a voice from Heaven unto me saying, write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." He said that bereavement which was the lass of those dear to them was the common lot of man all over the world. It was designed by Providence so that they might not become too much attached to anything that was earthly, but might rather fix their thoughts upon that eternal place to which their loved ones had been taken. It mattered not what a, man's position might be; bereavement would surely come. Every man who had ever drawn breath knew what it was to suffer bereave- ment. Even St, John, the author of the Revelation, had not been exempt. John was a. man who had devoted his whole life to the work of Christ, and to the establishment of His Church upon the earth. They might say that such a man could suffer no bereavement, and yet if they took up the Bible story, they would find that the divine life of John was singularly full of bereavements. He was the loved apostle, and after only a little while he had to suffer the loss of his Lord, who had been taken from him. He bad been the means of bringing many to the know- ledge of his Master, and for this he was ruthlessly per- secuted and exiled. Exile itself was a form of bereave- ment, since it kept him from the friends who were dear to him. It was while he was an exile in the Isle of Patinos that John received the Divine Revelation, including the words ofhia (the preacher's) text. There could bo no doubt that the Ijereavement of John was keenly felt, because of the loved Master he had lost, and his own inability to carry on the work of the Master. Ho might have been thinking of those holy men who had lost their lives for Christ's sake, and might have wondered when his own turn would came. It was doubtless when he was being weighed down with the knowledge of his own great loneliness and sorrow, that the voice came to him as recorded in the words of the text, softly stealing in upon him as if it were an angel come to cheer him. How comforting must have Icen those word" to John, when human sympathy he had n8ne. Human sympathy was perhaps tho moot l>?:iutiful thing in this world, and it could do much to refresh those in sorrow but it was inadequate to give relief to the stricken soul. The voice of sympathy which John heard came direct from heaven it was the voice of the Saviour of the world, and there was no deception in it. John knew the voice perfectly well, for was it not the voice he had heard on earth i Was it not tha voice had bade Lazarus come forth from the tomb? Did not the light of God himself shine forth iu the words of the text that the inflicted spirit in all ages might be comforted ? People blessed that text. and crossed the narrow stream of death without flinching. That was another point which was worthy of note. It was characteristic of deep grief that it wanted seclusion; it was too sensitive to exhibit itself. In this seclusion th'e comfort which came from God would be the more deeply felt. St. John was com- manded to write down the words of sympathy, so that those who might come after him might have something to comfort them in their time of sorrow. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." They were accustomed to say that their friends were not dead, but only sleeping. That, however, was strain- ing the words, because at death the body was actually dead. It was one of the punishments of.,iin that the body must die. But the germ of life remained alive, and in time would produce a new life. That truth did not come to them as a part of science, but as a Divine revelation. But if the body died, what of the soul ? The soul received its freedom from its earthly bondage, and entered into the worship of the Great Creator. It had done with its earthly labours, its conflicts with sin and struggles with temptation, and in the worship of God there was only happiness and not labour. The dead which die in the Lord were blessed, localise they were with God and in commu- nion with the saints of God, and And their works do follow them." On the previous Sunday he had told them how the work? of men followed them to the Day of Judgment. The works of no man went before him, the only thing that went before him was the merit of Jesus Christ. His works followed him. Their thought. that day were with one who had been taken away from their midst, and they could not help thinking of her. It was one of the greatest marks of God's pleasure to be removed from one's labours in the fulness of years, and of their departed sister, it might be said that she had gone to Paradise with a singulaV mark of God's pleasure uptn her. They would not be doing their duty, on that the first Sunday after her departure, if they did not think of her character, and what example they could find in it. Mrs. Martin had set them an example which was in every sense a bright one. He claimed to know what her inmost character was better than the vast majority of people. In the first place he would like to refer to her devotion to her religious faith. Her extreme sincerity in the cause of religion was one of her chief characteristics. Everything to her was a matter of intense reality, and their prayer should he that the spirit which she had shown should be imbued into those whom she had left behind. She never willingly missed coming to partake of the Holy Communion, and so much did she feel its reality that it was a real pain to her to be kept away. Another trait in her character worthy of note was her charit- able disposition. She was at all times ready to help forward every charitable movement, not excepting those that did not belong to the Church. She had frequently talked to him of Dr. Baruardo's homes, and was at all times interested in the condition of the orphan and outcast children. In whatever sphere of life she could do good she did it. Another trait in hc-r character was the very deep interest she took in all religious movements. She was well abreast of the times in every way, and could discourse with more than superficial knowledge of current, political and social questions. But it was in religious questions that her chief interest centred. Every book that dealt with the development of the cause of religion she procured and read eagerly. But amid all the many religious movements with which she was so intimately acquainted she never last her steadfast- ness in the cause of the Church throughout all the vicissitudes she clung earnestly to the Church in which she had been cradled and instructed. Another feature of her life with which they must all sym- pathise was her love for the associations of her youth, as was exemplified in her desire to bo buried iu the quaint little village where her earliest thoughts had taken form, and her earliest years had been spent. Brought up a, it were within sound of the great revival movement she shared the inflnence that had been exercised over so many of the people of Wales, a hundred years and more ago. In a place so rich in its traditions it would have beeu strange if ehe had not cherished a love for the old scenes and the old actors in them. She inherited many of the feelings that must have animated her countrymen of the last century, and imbibed that spirit of devotion and steadfastness for the Church which was so notable a trait in her character, and under the influence of which she had grown ripe and fit for heaven. She found that God had strengthened her through her long life, and she was devoted in His service to the end. By her loss the Church on earth was poorer, but the Church in paradise was richer. With her noble example before them it was for them to try to follow her. Let them try to follow her in their devotion to the cause of religion so that they might die as she had died, happy in the love of her God.— The 438th hymn, beginning How bright those glorious spirits shine," having been sung, and the benediction pronounced, the "Dead March" from Saul" was played as the concluding voluntary, the whole congregation remaining standing the while. Thus ended a most impressive service.

TEASING AX ICE CREAM VENDOR. At the Aberdare Police-court on Tuesday Venette, an ice cream vendor, was charged with wounding Thomas Edward Davies (13), living at Regent-street, on the 12th January.—Prosecutor said he saw defen- dant on the day in question in the Market. lie went np to him and purchased a, halfpenny's worth of ice cream. Afterwards he asked hnn for a halfpenny's worth for nothing in a, joke, and the prisouor got hold of him and shook him. Prosecutor then pelted nuts at him, whereupon the prisoner took up a. glass and threw it at him. The glass struck him on the back of the head.—Dr. Phillips, who examined the boy, said he had a wound at the back of the head half-an- inch long, and under it was a tnmour.-The prose- cutor's father said that he wished to withdraw the charge, and the Bench consented. FOOTBALL NEWS. RETURN MATCHES.—Our Aberaman correspondent writes :—Footballers should have a littlo honour about them, enough, at any rate, to play a return match after they have been visited by a team. Here are Llwynpia, Dowlais, and Aberdaro have refused to comply with the usual quid pro quo. The former's secretary wrote saying that the team had been dis- banded, but that he would endeavour to work up a scratch team. This he did, but alas the team was taken to Treorky, and not to Aberauian. Surely there is some honour still left among devotees of the oval. FATAL ACCIDENT AT RIIVMNEY. An accident occurred at the Britbdir Colliery, belonging to the Hhyniney Iron Company, on Thurs- day night. which resulted in.tho death of Edward Morris. The deceased was a native of Rhymney, and remoled to Britbdir alotit two years ago. The remains w £ te conveyed by train to Rhymney Bridge ou Tues- day, and were intenf-d at the Gtnig Burying C. round, the Rev. 10. Thomas, M.A., officiating. Thy decased was well-known here, and was much respected by all who knew him. SOIREE AT ZOAR VESTRY, MERTHYR. On Tuesday evening last a very successful soiree in connection with the Zoar Chapel Christian Endeavour Society was held at the vestry of that place of worship. There were about 100 people present, and the tables were presided over by Mrs. Mary Miles-Beynon and Miss Sibbering. A most enjoyable evening was speut, rHOTOGRAPHY AT THE MERTHYR THEATRE. At tho Merthyr Theatre Royal on Friday night, Mr. Fred Butts, photographer, Merthyr, will take a flash- light photograph of Miss Ada Mellon (" Esther/') wnen she appears a.5 the "Slave Girltied to the stake. Mr. Belts' ability a.? a photographer u; well known to our readers, and we feel sure he will uphold his reputation on Friday. The photo will be taken in one-fiftieth part of a second. This feat will prove an exceptional feature to Merthyr playgoers, and no one should miss witne^ing such a uovelty.

MERTHYR DISTRICT COUNCIL. III Theordinary meeting of the Merthyr Urban District Council w s held on Wednesday when there were !I Sresent: Mr. T. H. Bailey (chairman), Mr. D. W. ones (vice-chairman), Messrs, W. Bell, J.P., T. Jenkins, J.P., J. Lewis, D. Davies, Thomas Thomas, J. Roberts, W. Lewis, Evan Lewis, J. LI. Atkins, V. A. Wills, Dan Thomas, J. Harpur, Joseph Owen, H. W. Lewis, J.F., together with Mr. Gwilym C. James (clerk), and Mr. T. F. Harvev (surveyor). CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES.—Mr. David James was elected Chairman of the Roads and Bridges Com- mittee; Mr. H. W. Lewis, .J.P., Fever Arrange- ments Committee; and Mr. Dan Thomas, Cabs Committee. It was understood that, in committees of which the whole Board were members, the Chairman of the Board be the chairman. THE SEAL OF THE BOAED.-The Clerk said that he had made inquiries as to whether the town had a coat of arms or not, but he found that there was not one in existence. — Mr. H. W. Lewis thought there was one.—Mr. W. Lewis I am told that the High Constable has something of the sort in his possession.—Mr. D. W. Jones asked what it was.—Mr. W. Lewis A staff, or something.—Mr. Dan Thomas The staff of life (laughter).—On the suggestion of the Chairman, it was agreed that the seal of the Council should be of the same de\ ice as the Local Board seal with the name changed. THK LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 18941—The report of a committee appointed to go into the Local Govern- ment Act, 1894, was read, and recommended the Council to make application to the Local Government Board for an order conferring on the Merthyr Tydfil U rhan District Council, the appointment of overseers and assistant-overseers for the parish of Merthyr Tydfil, the revocation of the appointment of assistant- overseers, and all powers, duties, or liabilities of a Parish Council, which the Council does not already enjoy under the Public Health Acts and the Local Government Act, 1894, and to confer on tho Council the powers of the vestry under the 3rd aud 4th sec- tions of the Poor Rate Assessment and Collection Act, 1869. The committee recommended further that the consideration of the adoption or otherwise of the Burial Act, 1852 to 1855, be deferred for the present. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Dan Thomas, the report was adopted. THP. BOARD'S OFFICIALS.—Mr. Dan Thomas called attention to the fact that a copy ot the various agree- merits entered into between the Council and their various officials had been placed cn the table, and he moved that the agreements be printed, and a copy supplied to each member.—Councillor Thos. Thomas seconded.—The Chairman said it would mean a great deal of expense to have the documents printed, and he would like the Council to understand that they must be careful in the matter of expenditure.—Mr. Evan Lewis snggested that a written copy be sup- plied.—Mr. Dan Thomas said he was a" desirous as auyone to keep down «penses, but he happened to have a eligbt knowledge of printing, and as this was a comparatively short report, he ventured to predict that the cost was not very great.—Mr. D. W. Jones It is only seven sheets of foolscap.—It was eventually resolved that the report be printed and circulated among the members. THE STANDING OBDERS.—Mr. Evan Lewis rose to move a resolution regarding voting by memberwof the Council to the same effect as the standing order of the County Council on the same question, which provided that any councillor who did not vote should leave the room.—Mr. Thomas Thomas seconded, and said that he failed to see that any member should come to the Council in a state of neutrality. He believed that ea«h and every one of them should give his opinion and vote without fearing anyone. He hoped the Council would adopt this most reasonable standing order.—The Clerk said they wexe governed by the Local Government Act, and they should consider their position before they took any steps.—Mr. Bell was of opinion that the Standing Orders Committee should go into the matter, and he would propose that the name of Mr. Evan Lewis be added to that com- mittee.—Mr. D. W. Jones seconded.—The Chairman thought it would be better to have the matter pro- perly considered, and hoped Mr. Lewis would with- draw his motion. It was therefore agreed that the matter be referred to the Standing Orders Com- mittee. LUK. NUTII IJKMIS. — x lie \.IlerK reau a IBIIBI iroiu Mr. Henry Lewis, auctioneer, thanking the Council for their kind expression of sympathy, and stating that as his health was improving he hoped soon to be able to attend and take part in the work of the Council (applause). THE ALLOTMENTS' ACT.—Mr. W. Lewis submitted a. petition from ten of the electors of the Merthyr Vale Ward, asking the Board to adopt the Allotments Act in that ward, and Mr. Lewis gave notice of bis intention to move the adoption of the Act at the next meeting'of the Council.—The Clerk then declared that Mr. W. Lewis having handed in a requisition, signed by more than seven of the householders of Tre- harris for the adoption of the Allotments Act, it was the duty of the Council to deal with the request. It had always been the custom to send these requests to the book-keeper in order that he might see whether the names were on the register.—Mr. D. W. Jones thought that under the Local Government Act of 1894, they could deal with allotments outside the Act of 1887, and said there was no necessity for them to deal with the matter in the old style. If the Clerk looked up the matter, lie would find that the pro- ceedings under the old Act of 1887 were entirely none away with.—The Clerk did not think it wa* quite so. —Mr. D. W. Jones: We can deal with it without any requisition, and I should sngjfresfc that the matter be left over until Mr. Lewis brings in his notice of el motion.—This was agreed to. CKRTIMCATEJS FOR NEW HOUSKS.—Mr. T. Jenlziii, gave notice of motion to the effect that in future no new house or building in the district should he occupied until the same had been inspected, and a certificate granted by the surveyor of the CounciL— Mr. E. Lewis Has Mr. Jenkina given notice of this? —Mr. Jenkin-! I am giving notice. Don't be so fast (laughter). NOTICES OF MOTION.—Mr. Wills asked whether it would not he wise to discuss questions for which notices of motion had been given immediately after the reading of the minutes, and not leave them until the last when many of the members would have left the meeting.—Mr. D. W. Jones thought that was a matter for the standing orders committee, and it was agreed that the question be referred to that commit- tee. A A T OT — FCUMRVVUAC UCOUIUM.Y UUII CRCA- tion took place relative to the question of doing away with water taps, which now were placed outside certain houses, and some of which the surveyor reported he had ordered to be removed and placed in the houses.—Mr. Wills moved that steps be taken without delay to have all outside taps removed.—Mr. Thomn," Thomas, in seconding, rtmarkt-d that all sorts and conditions of men made use of these outside taps, and this fact alone would be sufficient reason, he lielieved, to have them removed.—The Surveyor said he had done all he could to get the Board to do away with outside taps and compel the people to have them in the houses. -Tho Clerk explained that certain resolutions of the Board had beeu passed relative to this matter.—Mr. Dan Thomas gave notice that at the next meeting he would move a resolution to rescind all other resolutions dealing with outside taps so that they could reconsider the question in its entirety.- Mr. D. Davies thought it would be better to deal with the question that day.—Mr. Bell dis- agreed with this, and hoj>ed they would allow Mr. Thomas to give his notice, which was accordingly done.—Mr. D. W. Jones suggested that in the mean- time the surveyor should tell those who applied to him that the Board were undecided in the matter, so that these people might not be put to double cost.— This also was agreed to. WASTE OF WATEIJ. — Mr. T Jenkins asked the surveyor why the supply of water in some parts of Dowlais was so scarce, and if any of the main pipes leaked.—The Surveyor said he would see whether there were any leakages.—Mr. D. W. Jones remarked that there were also complaints in Dowlais as to the want of pressure, and he a-koci the surveyor to inquire into the matter.—Mr. Evan Lewis pointed out that in some parts of Dowlais there was a plentiful supply of water, whereas other parts suffered because they could not get any at all (laughter).—The Surveyor thought this might l» due to some extent to the frost, which affected some yarts before others. It was eventually resolved to ask the surveyor to report upon these matters at the next meeting.—Mr. W. Lewis brought a similar complaint from Treharris.— Mr. D. Davies also complained, but believed it would be waste of time to discuss all these complaints just now.—The Chairman asked the Press to make a special note of the fact that it was desirable that special precautions be taken to keep outside taps closed as ranch jas possible.Mr. Harpur explained that it was quite habitual for persons to let these out- side taps run all uigtht to prevent their freezing. This did act as a preventative, but they wasted a great deal. ASHHINS. — The Surveyor recommended that an ash bin be obtained for Tai Winches, Pentrebach. — Mr. T. Jenkins and Mr. Dan Thomas objected to this on the ground that it would be an additional expense.—Dr. Dyke urged the Coun- cil to grant the request, because typhoid fever was prevalent in the district.—Mr. Deildid not th;nk they would be doing their duty to the public if they allowed asmall matter lika £2 5s. to stop them doing a thing which was required for the health of the public.—Mr. Harpur was of opinion that if typhoid fever spread in that district it would cost them much moro than £ 2 5s.—The Surveyor said that provision had been made for it in the estimate, ana it was agreed that the ash bin should be erected. THE MAINTENANCE OF MAIN ROADS.—Mr. T. Jenkins called attention to the fact that for some time pasttheCounty.Council had been payingthemasumto wards the maintenance of certain main roads. Now the Council had taken over the roads, but the local authority had paid a lot of money for repairing them. He thought that in justice to themselves the District Council should ask the County Council to pay for these improv ements, because the sum paid for the mainten- ance of the roads was not sufficient to cover the outlay of widening and improving them. He would suggest that a small committee be appoiuted to go into the matter with the clerk and surveyor, and find out what the outlay had been, and present a bill for that amount to the and Bridges Committee of the County Council which met on the 24th of Januarys- Mr. D." Davies seconded. —Mr. Evan Lewis supported, and said he had seen tho work which had been done on the county roads. It was a blessing to the p«>ple> and it was their duty to press upon the County Coun- cil to return the money the same as they had done at other placrs. --The Surveyor said that some of the monev had been paid.- -Mr. Wills suggested that the members of the Countv Council who were members of the District Council be formed into a committee to deal with this matter, and this was agreed to. COMTLAINTS.—Mr. David Davies submitted a list of complaints from some of the electors, which were referred to the Surveyor.— Mf• H. ^1remarked that in the past these complaints had been addressed to the surveyor and not to the Board, and they always found that the work would be carried out without bringing it before the Council.-Mr. D. W. Jones said that although Mr. H. W. LswiH apparently wanted to censure a. brothet member fot-bringing those mattera forward, he was of opinion that ho had done quite right. He (Mr. Jones) had al=o to bring in a complaint regarding the sidepathsand pavement^ throughout the dictrict. There was a bye-law which said that the occupier? o{ hoi res should vltar away all refuse and snow which had accumulated ou the pave- ment5 before the houses which might impede traffic. Ever since the snow had fallen, he had ooserved in a great number of streets there had been no attempt to clear away the snow. This was a very serious matter for people, who like himself had to trudg« and walk along these pavements. The Council should see that this bye-law was carried out and enforced, and not looked upon as a dead letter. In other towns these matters were looked into, and the snow and refiwe were cleared away in proper time. If they were not t cleared, then proceedings were taken against the I offenders. He would iiuggest that their road officials 'I. be instructed to see that the footpath? and pavements were kept clear, and if after proper warning the people did not clear the stuff away, they should b« > reported and proceedings taken.—The Chairman was j very glad that this matter had been brought up, and j he was going to make a suggestion that notice He [ »iven to house owners to the effect tliat they weie f very glad that this matter had been brought up, and he was going to make a suggestion that notice He [ »iven to house owners to the effect tliat they weie f bound to remove the snow from the pavements as soon as passible. If every householder did bifi duty in this respect, the streets would be much more comfortable to walk over.—ilr. Dan Thomas thought the Council should put its own house in order first, because he noticed that some of the streets of Merthyr were not cleared of snow yet. The present state of affairs was disgraceful, and in his opinion the work of clearing should have been commenced earlier. -The Chairman I quite agree with Mr. Thomas. We must see whether we cannot get the scavenging done oetter than at present. For instance, the refnse in the Market is not taken away until late onbunday, when people are going to their various places of worship, and I think this should be done before six o'clock on Sunday mornings (hear, hear).—Mr. Harpur said that tho Local Board were as much to blame as anyone. They never cleared away the snow r before their schools in Dyne\'or-street.-Tb. Sur- I veyor explained that the snowstorm had e»m« eo suddenly that they were taken at a disadvantage. They had, however, requisitioned seven or e*grit extra carts, and were clearing the snow away as fast as they could. they could. THK PI PLIC OFFICES.—A SKRTOCS COMPLAINT.— | Mr. Dan Thomas asked how it was that the figures of j the tenders for the erection of the public offices had r become public property, and who had supplied the j information to the press. Many of the membere of | the Board and certainly the members of the Council | did not know what they were until they saw them in j the papers. Ho would like to know also what were | the present position of affairs, and whether the con- | tract had been signed.-—The Clerk said that applica- tion had been made for the loan and they were waiting j for the sanction of the Local Government Board to | Iiorrow the money. He did not know how the figures } became known, aud he had made every inquiry in his » department.—The Surveyor s*id he also had made inquiries but could not find out who had given tl-w information.—Mr. Dan Thomas Has the contract been signed ?—The Clerk Provisionally the contract inquiries but could not find out who had given tl-w information.—Mr. Dan Thomas Has the contract been signed ?—The Clerk Provisionally the contract is let. I cannot tell yon straight off the reel.—The I tender was then sent for, and the clerk explained that! tho tender had come before the Board and was signed by Mr. Giblwn, and he (the clerk) had writteH to him accepting it. — Mr. David Davies thought they should find out who had informed the press. The reporters often tempted them, but they were not justified in giving such information as this. He would move that a thorough inquiry he made into the matter.—Mr. H. W. Lewis said he first saw the figures in the Builder, and they had been probably copied into the other papers. He knew that architects were in the habit of sending information of this kind to the Buildrr.— Mr. D. W. Jones The sooner the better we draw the attention of the architect to the matter.—It was agreed that the Clerk should communicate with the architect. THE REMOVAL OF POLICE OFFICERS.—Mr. Evan Lewis rose to move a resolution condemning the action of the Chief Constable in removing efficient- officers from Merthyr to other places.—The Chairman, said he did not think Mr. Lewis was in order.—Mr, Bell: I do not think we have anything to do with' the police. I only wish we had.—Mr. Lawis The sooner the better they are put under our authority. T notice that they are making public remarks in other parts of the country regarding the removal of good officer* and the conduct of the Chief Constable. I shall ask the Clerk, at any rate, to read my resolution.—The- Clerk read the resolution, which was to the effect that- the Council emphatically protested against the recrntt action of the Chief Constable in making unnecessary and unreasonable change- in the i<er&ynnel of the- Merthyr Police Force, which made the force less- efficient because of the fact that the new officers were not able to identify the rough and suspicious charac- ters of the town and that they further condemned the action because it was unfair and unj iJrt to th* officers, and calls upon the local members of the County Council on the Joint Police Committee to emphasize the protest and that the resolution bt" sent to the Chief Constable and to the Chairman of the Joint Police Committee.—Mr. Lewis contended that it was unfair to the town to have a good Welsh officer and an excellent interpreter removed from their midst, and sent to an English place like Llan daff. It was also a snub to their nationality, and he believed it was high time they kicked against- the traces, and attempted to put a atop to the hlg-h handed proceeding of the Chief Constabl'. — Mr. J). W. Jones rose order, and said that the District Council had nothing at all to do with the police. He submitted that the' remarks aud the resolution were quite out of order. Mr. Bell said he was in full sympathy with what Air.. Lewis bad said, but he hoped they would not pass. this resolution aud he told by the joint standing com- mittee aud the Chief Constable to mind their own; business. — The Chairman said they had no power iw tbs matter, although probably most of the members- of the Council were in full sympathy with what ua<? fallen from Mr. Evan Lewis. He thought their bestf plan would be to leave the matter in the hands of th^1 local meml)ersof the Joint Standing Police Committer to deal with the Chief Constable as they thought to deal with the Chief Constable as they thought proper. ^ANOTHER INSCLT TO W.U.KS. —Mr- John Lewis ruse to move a resolution condemning the action of the London and North Western Railway Cogipanv iH dismissing their serv ants ljecause they were unable to sneak English.—The Chairman ruled this resolution also out of order, but Mr. Thomas Thomas rose to- state that the Council had power to pass resolutions of that kind.—Inasmuch as the law upon the matter was not quite clear the matter was left in abeyance. -+- LIBERAL MEETINGS. THE SLUMS OF DOWLAIS. In connection with the Liberal Federation Cow- ference at Cardiff two public meetings were beid ou Wednesday night, one at the Temperance Hall, Mer- thyr, and the other at the Oddfellows Hall, Dowlais. The Merthyr meeting was presided over by Alderman Gwilym C. James, and addresses were delivered by Mr. Herbert Roberts, M.P., tor Denbighshire, and Mr. Cyril Dodd, M.P. for Malton.—Mr. Roterts said! he was afraid there was no chance of passing >1*9 Sunday Closing Act Amendment Bill for some time. L11 less the power of the House of Lords was curbed in some way it was impossible to pass any useful legislative measures.—Mr. Dodd, in a very masterly speech, passed in review the administrative work (f the various Government departments. The Hotis-e ot Lords problem was a very difficult one to sol re. The House of Lords had at all times been a stumbling- block, and the first step to remove that obstruction was to pass a resolution in the House of Commons, and if that resolution was ignored, then the Prime Minister should be prepared to suspend the write calling the Lords together. In olden days, the king, by his prerogative, issued tho writs calling the Lords together, but the king's prerogative had been handed down to the people, and the people should tise that Crerogative. He firmly 1 relieved he saw some way of hope for the solution of the problem of the Lords (applause). He would ask them in this matter not to be l>ewildered with the question of whether there should be one or two Houses. Let them settle the matter somehow—(cheers)—let them do it soon and let them make England in truth what it is in name, a free, a powerful, and a self-governing country—(loud applause).— Further addresses were delivered by Messrs. J. 1\1., Berry, W, Lewis, Penydarreu, and Councillors David Davies and Thomas Thomas. Among the resolution? passed was one calling upon the Liberal members tu- refrain from supporting any L. and N.W. Railway bills until the directors of that company had re-instated the men they had dismissed because of their inability to speak English. At Dowlais the chair was taken by Mr. D. W Jones, solicitor, who said that the visit of the Liberal Federation to Cardiff was very opportune, as the very first Bill on the programme for next session was Dis establishment. Mr. Carvell Williams had been work- ing for this cause for many years. Wales had made- up her mind finally and irrevocably on the question.. A modified Bill of which they had heard recently woul i' satisfy neither the public nor the House of Lords, and 1I«J trusted the Government would stick to their guns on that all-important question.—Mr. Carvell Williams, in a lengthy speech, dealt with the progress made by the cause of religious equality, and compared the present state of Wales with what it was 30 years ago, when lie used to come here with the late Henry Richards and Edward Miall. Touching the Lords question, he (the speaker) said they did not want to appeal to the country until more legislative work had been got through.—Alderman Forrest, one of the Lilieral candidates for Salford, also addressed the meeting, referring among other things to the question of the unemployed. He had seen the slums of Man- chester and Salford, and that night he had seen the elums of Dowlais. Of the latter he would say they were not fit for human beings to dwell in. No capi- talist would allow his dog to remain there. If tne workmen were content to live in those hovels they deserved to stay there all their lifetime. If the pro gress of reform was slow, it was the working mem themselves who made it slow.—Mr. Herbert Robert?, M.I\, also spoke. DEATH FROM EXPOSURE AT MERTHYR Be,tweeneiglit and nine o'clock on Monday morning a man, afterwards identified as William Gregory. stone-cutter, was found lying dead in the snow about 300 yards lrom the filter beds in the lane leading firm* Merthyr to Pant. The deceased, who had lodged ;t- 14, I' rands-terrace, Pant, and who had been engaged- 011 the new church which ia being built in that portion of Dowlais, was last seen alheat Merthyr on Satur- day afternoon, and the discovery ot his liody was made by a fellow-workman, named Thomas Jenkins, of No. 1, Bcthesda street, Merthyr. Informatiou having been conveyed to the police of the gruesome find, th& corpse was removed to the house wntire the deceased. had been residing, and Dr. Hughes upon examinationi pronounced death to have been due to exposure^

RUPTURE TRUSSES.—Referring to the inquiry made by a correspondent recently in our columns, the following extract from the Lnm;c(, Augu.-t 4, 1894., will be interesting" The Link Shell Truss Co., 171, Wardour street, London. W., have a new trus?. It is claimed that by this method of manufacture » truss is prov ided which will be more comfortable tha» the one in ordinary u?e, and better abls to adapt tself to the various mov ements of the body, especially if those are of a sudden character. The truis is fitted with a hip-joint regulator, by means of which tha pr&ssure is increased or diminished as required, and with a soft "hell pad perforated for ventilation. The truvs as thus completed is an efficient one. run par- ticulars are sent free by the Link Shell Truss C'o,~ ul,t,V-,zc, bnniaj A'cc.o, August 7, lô94." l73- £

MERTHYK. '( Continued from page 5), PREVENTION OK CRUELTY TO CHILDREN.—A public meeting was held in the Central Hall (Bentley's Hotel), on Wednesday afternoon at four o'clock to hear an address from the Rev. Benjamin Waugh, honorary director for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and to consider the advisability of forming an aid committee of the society for the Merthyr Ditfcrict. Mr. W. Edwards, H.M.I.S., presided, and there was an influential attend- ance. Mr. Waugh explained the objects of the so.iely, and a resolution was pnssed expressing the meeting's approval of the work done by the seciety. It was decided to form a local committee, upon which the majority of the ladies and gentlemen present were appointed. Mr. Jno. Morgan, accountant, was appointed secretary. A vote of thanks to the chair- man closed the proceedings. OBITUARY. —We regret having to chronicle the death of Mr?. Hannah Jenkins, 35, Thomas-street, Merthyr, who died on Wednesday morning at ten minutes past one. Deceased was in her 81st year, and had lived in Merthyr all her lifetime. She was the widow of the late Mr. Jno. Jenkins, late inspector for the now extinct Board of Health. One son and one daughter are left to mourn her loss. She was one of the oldest members of Pontmorlais Chapel, and was respected by all who came into contact with her. She had been invalided for 16 vears, and suffered much pain, but bore it with Christian fortitude, an exemplary mother and a thorough Christian. Her death removes another link with the past which are being so rapidly snapped, and her demise will be mourned by i wide circle of friends and relatives. The funeral will be a ptivate one, and takes plase on Monday next. HEARTS OF OAK BENEFIT SOCIETY.—On Tuesday evening, January 15th, a very interesting meeting of the Merthyr branch of the above Society was held at the Globe Hotel under the presidency of Mr. Dicks, the attendance being unusually large. Mr. E. E. Jones, the retiring delegate, gave a very interesting account of the last year's proceeding, and of the present position of the society, pointing out various matters that must inevitably occupy the attention of the delegates in the near future. Mr. J. T. Docton, High-street, was unanimously elected delegate for the ensuing year, his past services in this office and also as a member of the committee of management, were spoken in most eulogistic terms. Mr. Henry Overend was also unanimously elected second or reserved delegate. Undoubtedly the branch may well be congratulated in securing the services of such capable and energetic members to represent them, and as a fitting sequel to this most successful and pleasant meeting, it was decided to hold the annual dinner on Monday, March 11th, a large and influential committee being formed to carry out the preliminaries in connection with the same. CYFARTHFA CONCERT.— On Wednesday evening the third of the annual series of concerts organised by the friends et Christ Church, Cyfarthfa, was held at the Georgetown Schoolroom, and was presided over, in the absence of Col. Lewis, by Mr. Francis Davies, High-street. Owing to the inclement state of the weather the attendance was not as large as usual. Miss Evans, Penrheol House, acted as accompanist, and the following programme was gone througn — Pianoforte solo. Miss Maggie Evans song, The eastern window," Mrs. Isaac Evans; song, "Mona,"Mr. John Richards song, '• Love's golden dream," Mrs. Chambers recitation, Mr. C. F. Harris; song, "The longshoreman," Mr. W. Phillips; duet, Blodwen," Mrs. Chambers and Mr. .John Richards; comic song, "Give him 4Dy kind regards," Mr. John Craig; violin solo, Mr. W. H. Williams song, "The New Kingdom," Mrs. Isaac Evans song, Gyda'r wawr." Mrs. Chambers; song, The Bugler," ilr. W. Phillips song, The holy city," Mr. John Richards; duet, Lie treigla'r Caveri," Mr. W. Phillips and Mr. John Richards; comic song, "I can't change it," Mr. John Craig. The usual compliments brought a pleasant evening's entertainment to a close.