Merthyr Times and Dowlais Times and Aberdare Echo

DOWLAIS. VICTORIA THEATRE, MARKET SQL ARE, DOWLAIS. PROPRIETRESS MRS. SINCLAIR. OPEN NIGHTLY. Monday, March 18th, Muldoon's Picnic." Tuesday, March 19th, The Dumb Man of Man- chester." Wednesday, March 20th, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab." Thursday, March 21st, The Heiress of Maes-y- Felin, or the Flower of Llandovery." Friday, March 22nd, The Angel of Midnight, or The Sword and the Sickle." Saturday, March 23rd, "Twm Shon Catti," to be followed by singing, and tiie romantic drama, Jack Robinson aud his Monkey." IVOR CLIAPEL ANNIVERSARY. — The Rev. E. Grifiith-Joues, B.A., London, will preach next Sunday at 11 a.m., 2.30, and 6.0 p.m., and lecture on Monday evening at 8.0 p.m.. on Henry Ward Beecher." [2971 SANITARY PLUMBING AND HOT WATER ENGIN- EERING.—W. AUSTIN AND SON have added the above to their old-established House Decorating Business. Beer Engines, Baths, etc., fitted and repaired. Good workmanship and moderate charges. The largest, cheapest, and best selection of Paperhangings in the district. New patterns for 1895. Paints, Varnishes, Glass, etc.—26, I nion-street, Dowlais. UNDERTAKING and all kinds of Carpentering and Joinery Work done. Ilean-T- and Mourning Coaches to order. GEO. J. O'Neill, Frederick's Court, North Street, and Pond Street. Dowlais. J. T. DOCTON, SANITARY ENGINEER, Plumber, Hot Water Fitter, Gas Fitter, Electric Bell Fitter, and General House Decorator, ete., 133, High-street, Merthyr. All orders will receive prompt attention. Distance no object. A staff of experienced workmen regularly employed. J.T.D. may he consulted on Sanitary matters, embracing drainage, Tentilation, etc. f281 BELLAH, ENGLISH BAPTIST CHAPEL, DOWLAIS. The Anniversary Services of the above chapel will be held on Sunday and Monday, March 17th and 13th, 1895, when the Rev. Cornelius Griffiths, of Bristol, will preach on Sunday morning at 11: afternoon at 2.30; evening at 6. On Monday, the Rev. C. Griffiths, and the Rev. Gomer 'Thomas, Morlais Chapel, Merthyr, will preach in English service to commence at 7.30 p.m. Collections after each ser- vice in aid of Beulah Chapel Building Funds. 'I" STARR-BOWKETT BUILDING SOCIETY.—An appro- priation meeting of the members of the above society was held in the Union-street Coffee Tavern, on Monday evening. Mr. R. P. Rees, High-street, pre- sided, and there was a fair attendance. Messrs. Willi 3tn Jones, Glyndwr-street, and John James Thomas, Alma-street, were appointed scrutineers. After several unsuecesful ballottings had taken place, the number 347 was drawn, and was found to corres- pond with the name of Mr. Hermann Gittelssohn, clothier, L'nion-street. Mr. Gittelssohn, who held clothier, Union-street. Mr. Gittelssohn, who held four shares in the society, thus became entitled to JS400 for 1221 years free of interest. PERSONAL.—The Rev. E. Griffith-Jones, B.A.,who is to officiate at Ivor Congregational Church, on Sunday and Monday next, is one of the most eminent and able young Welshmen holding a London pas- torate, He is the sou of the Rev. E. Aaron Jones, ex-chairman of the Congregational Union of Wales, and was formerly the minister of Park Church, Llanelly. His name is familiar to English readers as a frequent contributor to the religious press, and particularly the British, Weekly—his character sketches of notable Welsh preachers in that journal having won for him a leading position as a wricer. He also won the prize at the Pontypridd National Eisteddfod for the best essay on"Cnristianityand Evolution." IN A have to announce with pro- found regret the melancholy death cf Miss Jennie Evans, daughter of Mr. William Ev ans, the chief engineer of the Dowlais Iron Company. For some couple of months past the residence of the deceased, Graig House, has been the home of sickness, several members of the family being stricken at the same time. Mi-s Evans was attacked with typhoid fever about three weeks ago, and a few days ago it appeared as if she were ou a fair way to recover. But on Wed- nesday morning the whole town was horror-stricken to learn that she had passed away about two o'clock. What adds to the sadness of the melancholy event is the fact that for more than a week Mr. Evans him- self has been dangerously ill. MR. HARRY EVANS, A.R.C.O.—It will be remem- bered that last year Mr. Whitehouse, England's fore- most violoncello player, referred to Mr. Harry Evans as one of the best orchestral conductors he had ever met. Last week an almost equally flattering tribute to Mr. Evans' abilities as an accompanist was paid by Wales' foremost tenor. Mr. Ben Davies sang at Merthyr last Thursday, one of his contributions being Deeper and deeper still," and Waft her, angels. At the close of the solo Mr. Davies, in the presence of the other artistes, warmly congratulated Mr. Evans upou the way in which he had accompanied him, saying that he had not met any pianist in any part of the country whose accompanying had given him greater satisfaction. Mr. Davies invited Mr. Evans to call at his residence in London in the summer, pro- mising him that if he did so he would introduce him to the principal musicians in the great Metropolis. REV. GUENOS JONES.—Special religious services were held at Bryn Seiou Welsh Congregational Chapel, on Sunday, when powerful sermons were preached in the morning and evening by the Rev. Dr. Gurnos Jones, the popular elocutionist and un- rivalled eisteddfod conductor. There were large con- giegafions at each meeting. On Tuesday evening the same versatile gentleman delivered one of his enter- taining lectures m the chapel. Councillor Evan Lewis presided, and there was a large attendance. The Chairman introduced Mr. Jones as an old friend whom he had known for many years The subject of the lecture was "Old Welsh Preachers," a theme upon which Gurnos is pre-eminently qualified to speak. The lecture, which was extremely inter- esting, lasted for about an hour-and-a-half, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. At its close, the Rev. R. S. Williams proposed, and Mr. Isaac Jones seconded a. vote of thanks to the lecturer, saying that the address was one of the most interesting and enter- taining they had ever listened to. The vote having been passed with acelauimation, a similar compliment was passed to tlif-, chairman, on the initiative of the Rev, Gurnos Jones. COUNTY COUNCIL.—In all proljability Councillors David Davies and Evan Lewis will to-day be elevated to the aldermanic bench of the County Council. If so, there will be two vacanoies, one in Penydarren Ward and the other in Gellifaelog Ward. Mr. John Vaughan, solicitor, of Merthyr, is spoken of as a pro- bable candidate fur the former. Mr. Thomas Thomas, Canal-square, is also mentioned as a possible candidate for one of the two wards. REV. W. J. RICHARDS.—A meetiug convened br circular sent out by Mr. William Harris, Pant-road, was held at the Committee-room of the Union-street Coffee Tavern on Friday evening for the purpose of considering the advisability of presenting the Rev. W. J. Richards, Welsh Congregational minister, with a testimonial in view of his approaching departure for America. Doubtless, owing to the fact that the School Board election result had been declared only an hour or so earlier the attendance was small, and the meeting was adjourned until Tuesday.—On the latter date there was a good muster, and Mr. D. W. Jones, solicitor, was voted to the chair.—Mr. W. Harries apologised on behalf of a number of trades- men and others, who were unable to bo present, and said that many persons in the town had expressed to him their pleasure that a testimonial movement had been mooted, and their intention to subscribe to the fund.—The Chairman said he knew of nobody in the town who was so well deserving of a testimonial as Mr. Richards. He had rendered many signal services, and had done good work in the town for many years. There were several ministers of the Gospel present that evening, but he must say that there was not one of them who had been so outspoken in the ventilation of his opinions on great questions as had Mr. Richards.—In the course of a discussion which followed, it was elicited that Mr. Richards had made up his mind to go to America, but the members and congregation at Penywern were moving might and main to induce him to re-consider his decision. They had already resolved to present him with a testi- monial as a mark of their affectionate esteem, and to celebrate the completion of the 25th year of his ministry, whether he went to America or remained at home. Such being the state of things it was agreed that it would be better all round to merge the town movement in that set on foot at Penywern, if the promoters of the latter would agree to such a step being taken. Finally, after a good deal of further discussion, the Rev. R. S. Williams, Bethania Chapel, proposed, and Mr. Thomas Evans, Gwent House, seconded, the following resolution:—"That this meeting rejoices to learn that there is a pro- bability of the services of the Rev. W. J. Richards being retained by the Penywern Church, and being informed that the Penywern friends have already started a movement with a view to presenting the rev. gentleman with a testimonial, deems it desirable that this should assume a public character, and begs leave to suggest that the Church should appeal to the townspeople generally for support."—The resolution was unanimously agreed to, and the proceedings closed with the passing of the customary vote of thanks to the chairman.

CEFN. --Let us hope that the Arctic weather is over. Many and varied have been the experiences of the working element in our village population. Striving and sober men, whose duty it was to work in the open air, finding that King Frost was more than a match for them, were compelled to submit to grim necessity, and to relinquish the task which broughtgrist to their mill. Scores there were willing, nay, eager to work, but no work was to be had, and it was a sad spectacle to see stalwart men, who had always lived a life of modest independence, driven to the retirement of their humble homes, and there, with drooping spirits and sorrowful hearts, to watch the stealthy but sure approach of that merciless wolf, famine, which plays such havoc on many a family. The members of the Relief Committee, thanks to their noble and unselfish work, did much to alleviate the pangs due to this forced cessation from work and by means of a little timely charity, let us hope that many a household, which would otherwise have been driven to tlia wail, have tided over the most trying season we have experienced for years. And let me express my very deep sense of gratitude to the generous ladies and gentlemen, who gave their time and their money to keep their less fortunate fellow-beings. Their work was carried oil in the most impartial spirit. —Whilst the majority are complaining of lack of work, I think wo have one gentleman who can justly complain that too much work has almost crushed him. As 1 run somewhat of a rover, I have met the said gentleman at all times of the day and night in the most unexpected places. In Cefn Isaf, and Field- street, in Grawen-terrace, and Caepant-tywyll. I have come across him visiting fever-stricken patients, and ministering cheerfully to the sufferings of his fellow-mortals. My whole soul goes out in sympathy with our hard-worked, genial doctor, who consecrates most ungrudgingly his best energies to ease the heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to," and to cool the fevered brows of the scores that are laid low by the unwelcome visitor, influenza. Dr. Flood is our verita' le benefactor at this season of general illnesses, and he deserves well at our hands. It is a great pity that no means can be found to limit his sphere of labour to Cefn alone assuredly it is big enough for any doctor. -The scavenging of Cefn: That is the all-absorbing question just now, and it is justly so, fcr the quantity of mud on our streets is incredible except to such as have had the misfortune to trudge through it. Out of the great number of candidates for the important past, I trust that our District Council will have the wisdom to select a man that will do his work of cleaning thoroughly and well. While on this question of scavenging, I may he allowed to put to my readers a query which my landlord, John Jones, lias asked me oftentimes, namely, what mysterious link of sym- pathy is there between scavenging and Toryism V I John distinctly disavows every idea of dirty work done by, or in the interests of Toryism that is not his meaning but lie has noticed that men, however ultra- I radical they may be in their opinions all through life, as soon as they are entrusted with the onerous duties of guarding over the public health, develop at once into the most uncompromising Tories. The result is that a Liberal scavenger is a rare bird, nay, indeed, I an unknown personality in our village life. It is certainly an interesting question, and I trust it will be solved to the satisfaction of John Jones. —The School Board struggle is over in Merthyr, I and ours will be upon us almost immediately. The results in Merthyr are highly satisfactory I hope they will l>e equally so at Cefn. If we can credit rumours, the personnel of the Board will be consider- ably changed, as one, at least, of the old members is rumours, the personnel of the Board will be consider- ably changed, as one, at least, of the old members is ) said not to seek re-election, and the chances of some of the others are meagre. Of new aspirants for the honour of a seat, gossip is busy with the names of several gentlemen whose claims to the title of educa- tionists can be seriously questioned. Owing to the fact that our Board is a hve-membered Board, and consequently a Board quite inefficient to accomplish any lasting work for the educational welfare of the rising generation, and also to the squabbles and sectarian bickerings, which have been repeatedly introduced into the deliberations of the Board. I doubt much if men thoroughly conversant with educa- tion in all its bearings can be got willing to become members of the Vaynor School Board. Office-seekers without number we shall have, but men who will be a credit to education and to Cefn will be ran; indeed. ¡ I earnestly protest against the unworthy tactics already resorted to to L-ecure votes. Surely it is high time we adopt some lietter and worthier means to attain our ends. —May I also raise my voice against the cruel habit of some publicans of supplying beer to mere infants, which are sent by inconsiderate parents and others to fetch it in jugs and bottles, sipping it on the way, thereby getting a taste of what may become ultimately their destroyer. Grocers are also guilty of selling cigarettes to wee mites of four years old and upwards. One habit is as bad as the other. —Let me extend my heartiest sympathy with my Baptist friends in the great damage which Jack Frost 'I has done to their chapel. I hope they will get a ready support in building for themselves a new and a better religious home. HEN LANC. Wn REGRET to record the death, which took place last Sunday week, of Mrs. Evans, the wife of Mr. Evan Evans, butcher, High-street. Deceased had been ailing for some time. The funeral took place last Thursday. OBITUARY.—We regret to record the death of an old inhabitant of Cwmtaff, Mr. Evan Jones, Penmoela I He died at Danydarren Farm. Many years ago deceased placed a white marble tombstone in Yaynor Churchyard ready to place over his own grave. This uninscribed tombstone has been a curiosity to hundreds of visitors at Vaynor Churchyard. The funeral takes place to-day (Thursday). A DEBATING SOCIETY has been formed by the students of the Cefn Grammar School, where import- ant questions are discussed every week. Addresses on Temperance were given the week before last by the President (Rev. J. Hathren Davies), Messrs. J. Edwards J. N. Elias, B. Jones, W. H. Harries, Francis Knoyle J. Evans, and on the proposition of Mr. J. N. Elias, seconded by Mr. Francis Knoyle, the following resolution was passed That we, as students of the Cefn Grammar Schoal, do hereby most strongly declare our views, in unanimously fav- ouring the Local Veto Bill, which is now about to be brought forward before tho House of Commons." TREHARRIS. -On Tuesday seven truants in one batch were taken to the Truant School, (Quakers' Yard. They were not Treharrisites. —A gas lamp near Drab-street has not been lit for three years. The authorities could not keep the glass intact. —Only a few dwelling-houses now remain in Perrot- street. They are continually being transformed into shops. -Your Bryniuawr correspondent in last week's issue talks of a "lover' walk. We have one of those walks here. It is the Tram-road, where Trevethick of old lan his first locomotive. — Heard outside the polling booth on Thursday last: I suppose you will get a new suit of clothes for your labours t" —Mr. Dan Thomas, the "Independent and Fear- less," paid us a visit on Thursday last. He did not take on. The order of the day was—" Vote for Mr. W. M. Evans and Mr. Henry Davies." — At the polling booth on Thursday last a protest was made against somebody continually embracing the electors. At the same place an ardent canvasser was admonished for his defective vocabulary. He was advised to get a halfpenny dictionary. AT THE PUBLIC HALL during the pa-st week, Drake's Spectral Opera Company have been perform- ing in the above hall. M KASLE8.—Owiug to the prevalancc of measles the 6 Treharris School has been closed for the past week by order of Dr. Dyke. The school is expected to bo re- opered ou the 18th instant. THE ROYAL WELSH LADIES' CnOlR lias been engaged by Mr. David Prosser, to attoad at the Public Hall on tha 28th instant. The proceeds he intends handing over to the sick fund of Nos. I and 2 Pits. Last vear Mr. Pro&ser engaged the choir, and handed over the profits, after paying expense, which amounted to £ 100 to Bethania Cah inistic Mettioli,t Chapel. THE CONGO Mib.sio.Vi5 formed the subject of a lec- ture deliv&red on Thursday evening last at Bethel English Baptist Chapel, under the presidency of the Rev. W. D. Nicholls. The lecturer was Mr. J. G. Harrison, from the Congo, Africa, under the auspices of the Baptist Missionary Society, upon the work and customs on the banks of the Congo. The Rev. W. Jones also briefly addressed the meeting. The customary votes of thanks were passed. NELSON. AT nil: NATIONAL SCHOOLS on Thursday evening last a meeting was held under the auspices of the St. John's Church choir in order to present a testi- monial to Mr. Jenkins, the headmaster of the above I schools. The presentation consisted of a valuable walking-stick and a silver jxmcil case. The walking- stick had an inscription, as follows :—" Presented by the St. John's choir, Nelson, to Mr. J. Jenkins, G, and L., organist and choirmaster, 1895." The evening was made enjoyable by having a social tea given by the choir.

THE COAL CRISIS. BRYNMAWK. Delegated were appointed from each of John Lancaster's Pita to represent the men at the Cardiff Conference. The representative from the South Griffin Pit was Mr. W. Davies, Brynmawr. RHYMNEY. Trade in the Rhymney Valley is fairly good. Several of the collieries in the neighbourhood have secured six months' contracts, which will keep theni busy. With regard to the threatened coal strike, several small collieries not being in the Masters' Asso- ciation, have not received the month's notice to ter- minate contracts, and work, therefore, goes on there as usual. This is also the case with the Cardiff Steam Collieries at Llanbradac-h. TREDEGAR. A meeting of colliers was held at the Temperance Hall on Friday night to discuss the present crisis.— Mr. Holloway presided, and was supported by Mr. Bowdidge, secretary, and Mr. M. C. Lewis.—The Chairman remarked that there was a reporter present (the representative of the Mcrthvr Time*). There were no reporters hitherto in the habit of attending their meetings, and he wished to a.-k the meeting if they thought it wise for the reporter to remain that I night,-It was unanimously decided that the reporter should remain.—The circular respecting the notices to terminate contracts having been read, the Chair- man said that it was now the duty of the meeting to take some action in the matter. They were asked to appoint delegates to attend the coufeienee on the following Monday at Cardiff, and it would be for the meeting to decide whether they would give the dele- gates discretionary powers or not. Considering the crisis they had come to he (the chairman) would have thought that there would have bcen:a larger attendance that night.—Councillor Aggex said that the question was whether they would discontinue the Sliding-scale or accept a new one. He was an advo- cate of the Scale but as to giving the delegates dis- cretionary powers, he thought it would be well first to get the report from Cardiff before they gave them discretiouary powers. To his mind it would not be right to give discretionary powers at the meeting that night. He moved that they do not give discretionary powers to anyone (applause). Not that they thought the delegates could not do their duty; but they must know the terms of the report themselves (applause. It had been said that Sir W. T. Lewis had got the control of all the employers, but he (Councillor Aggex) would never believe that Sir W. T. Lewiscould govern all the men. The employers were the same as Mir W. T. Lewis, and he wru- the spokesman. Was it then right to attack Sir W. T. Lewis when he had a band behind him. Sir \V, T. Lewis was a great man he was one of the ablest men in South Wales. —Mr. J. Morgan seconded.—Mr. Winstono said that the best thing was to make the best bargain they could, aud he thought that they had better decide as to what they must do.—Mr. M. Matthews said that he was of the same opinion as Councillor Aggex. He did not think it would be well to give discretionary powers, notwithstanding they had done so at Ebbw V'ale. He supported the motion.—The Chairman said he was in touch with the motion.—Mr. Bowdidge said that tho position was altered, and it should have been their privilege to have given a month's notice instead of otherwise. There was only a. little over three weeks from the time of the conference until the end of the month, so that the men must get about the matter quickly. If it was the wish of the working men to open negotiations they should acquaint the representatives on the Sliding-scale. Were they to give the men discretionary powers their notices would not be affected. They had nothing to fear that any- thing would take placo detrimentral to the people of South Wales. It was true that t!H\V were threatened with a crisis, and it remained with them to exercise their jungment as best as they could (hear, hear).- Mr. E. Carter thought that Sir W. T. Lewis was two- thirds of the committee of the masters. He (Mr. thirds of the committee of the masters. He (Mr. Carter) proposed that they propose a resolution asking themasters to withdraw thenotiees.—Nobody seconded the amendment, and the motion of Councillor Aggex was carried.—Turning to local matters, the Chairman hoped that in future the Little Level Colliery would appoint a representative on the local committee. GADLYS COLLIERIES, ABERDARE. FALSE RUMOURS. Our Aberdare reporter, writing at 9 p.m. last night (Wednesday) says :1 have just seen Mr. Thomas, the chief manager of the Gadlys Pits, with reference to the rumour of the threatened stoppage of his pits, Mr. Thomas very courteously stated that he was not in a position to give any information at present. He, however, intimated that the originator of the reports which had appeared in the daily press would pro- bably be punished, from which may be inferred that there is actually no foundation whatever for theasser- tion that those collieries are about t-o be stopped. As Mr. Thomas has 1,500 men in his employ, and quite half of the trade of Aberdare is dependent upon these pits, the matter is a serious one. SHOULD THE SCALE BE ABOLISHED ? [Dr CORRESPONDENT], Never in the annals of tho South Wales Sliding- scale have tho colliers been thrown into such a state of danger and excitement as at the present time. There has not been a period when the South Wales miners have been so utterly unprepared for a strike, which, this week at least, there is every indication will be the outcome of the present dispute. Five mouths ago the Sliding-scale committee gave the masters notice that they would break up the present agreement at the expiration of six months' time. But those leaders of the miners did not deem it expedient to commence negotiation5 in the earlier periods of that notice. Habit, it is said, becomes second uatuie, and this is fully exemplified in the history of the scale which regulates the wages of the 45,000 miners in South Wales and Monmouthshire. If we look back over the numerous "notices" which masters and men have given we see the same old story Procrasti- nation, procrastination. Those who should take time by the furelock,aud make the requisite proposals to the masters, leave things to the very last moment. Then the affairs which have to be considered are all rushed through, and brought to a heated discussion, causing things to be said and propositions to be made which, had negotiations bren commenced in the earlier days of the notice, would never have been thought of. This pushing off business has now become so habitual amongst the leaders of the men that a similar prin- ciple is evolved in all the transactions of the great mining industry of South Wales. How very seldom do we hear of any dispute being settled in a cool, cnlm, and deliberate way ? What is the issue of all this plenty of time principle? Why simply that it gives the mastera every opportunity of bringing about a slow trade and grind the men down to a level where it is impossible for them to hold any hopes of enduring a lengthened strike in their tight. Look back over the pa-t few months, and how many collieries have worked anything like full time, and during those working days how many stalls have had an average of four trams a day (the allotted portion for a collier) ? How does this come about ? The answer is shrouded in mystery. This, however, is hardly a projier period to demon- strate what the representatives ot the working men should have done months ago. We are too far gone now to retrieve any of the golden opportunities lost. Masters know very well that trade of late has not enabled the working class to lay aside anything for a rainy day. Hence the reason why Sir W. T. Lewis gave, at the instruction of his colleagues, such an emphatic No to the men's propositions. A deal of controversy has been going on as to I whether the Sliding-scale has benefited the working man. For my part I am of opinion that it has not. A forcible argument is given by the Sliding-scalists that the wages of the men have risen 32^ per cent, under the scale, but what was it that caused the miners to obtain those advances ? Let any miner sit down and calmly count the cost of having those per- centages granted to them. There is the levy every month. Take a man's earnings and the amounts which have been deducted therefrom since the year 1879 add to this the total time lost for strikes (and their name is almost legion), leaving out the constant source of worry and danger involved by being under a scale, Then to counter-balance this, take the per- centage granted to the men, and where do you stand? Far behind what the scalists would mako people believe. Mr. Thomas Richards, speaking at Ebbw Vale on Monday, compared the Sliding-scale to an army of soldiers marching in a circle; they go round, and at every few paces present arms. But after doing that, where are the leaders ? They are gone until the enemy has prepared for the fight; then they come too late to do any work. They march again another few paces to do the same kind of business, which has been going on for 10 years. There is the admission of one of the leaders. Many others could be quoted, but that will suffice. I Evor since the formation of the Sliding-scale the colliers in South Wales have been bring on the hand- to-mouth principle, and those who undertake the management of the men are leading tbem on in despair. The masters have now come to recognise the scale champions as petitioners, and between the two the Welshmen are regarded throughout England and the whole world as a, "discontented people in a discontented world." This persistent series of strikes, and the continual disorganisation of the Welsh coal industry, is so very unsatisfactory that those who have the management of those large contracts are loath to give them to South Wales. Hence it follows that a series of small supplies cannot give the men anything like a continual flow of regular work. How often is tho cry raised, fresh contract now." I believe in the principle of unity and unionism, but to get that to a successful issue here in South Wales is quite an impossibility. This has been and is demon- strated every day. Notice is given in a colliery, and the workmen pledge themselves not to resume opera- tions until the masters accede to the request of that body. Watch those who ara loudest in the work- 'I men's nestings. In nearly every case they are the very first to go to work. The colliers to-day are com- posed of two sections, and one class have to suffer for the rash and inconsistent conduct of the other. Experience teacin- me that this strike wiii end in bringing .••.Unit a reduction in wag»-s nol an increase, as it is hoped. ;,t each colliery sho lid consider whether it is not aclve able now, in the face of the history of the past, that those delegates should framo a resolution for the entire abolition of the Sliding-soa!»< agreement, upon the understanding that the masters will adopt a similar course, and let every collieiy henceforth frame its own rules and prices. Let every master sell the he can. Each district know their own deserts and requirement*; therefore let them settle ail their own businens. Unity the masters have, unity the men have not hence the former have always the upper hand ot the latter. Mr. 1). Morgan, speaking last Saturday at Church Village, near Pontypridd, said he !>elinved in the principle of the Scale, but not as it stands at present; it wants revision. Now it is not generally known that the originator ofj the scale is no other than Sir W. T. Lewis, the man who laid down the hasis of the Coal Owners' Association. Is it reasonable to expect tlmt a Ulan after having experienced all the advan- vantages'of a masters' union would not increase those facilities by organising a system for the opposite party, a system which has from its very foundation been a source of worry and sirife V I do not say that Sir W. T. Lewis wilfully laid the plans of an union which he knew would never do the men any good but is it to be expected that good Cltn eorne out of evil, or that a man can serve God and Maiiinioii History from the 17th day of January, 1880 (the date of the Sliding-scal e agreement) to the present- day will shew that the man who laid the foundation of that agree- ment has invariably adhered to the Coal Owners' Association, or to the party which is antagonistic to the workmen's side. There have been very few hitches in I h J Ma: t -rs' Associatii n since 1866 but in the men's they are constantly revealing themselves. The foundation of the Scale is shaky, and suoh it will con- tinue to be. Why not then abolish the system entirely at one. and break off the letters by which the colliers of to-day are bound down ? This constant patching tip of the Sliding-scale will nev er bring about a prin- ciple of true unity to benefit the working class, and so long as the colliers build upon masters' conditions, so long will Wales and Monmouthshire suffer from the incessant struggle.

(ToiTesponfcencc. RABBIT COURSING AT QUAKERS' YARD. SlH,-I think too much emphasis cannot be laid on thaietterof Humanity," which ap[>eared in your last week s issue. It is a disgrac-; to any civilised land Loaltow such unnatural barbarity. Really the poliae should interfere in the matter to put an end to such horrid cruelty. Instead of squabbling over trifling matters, 1 think our members of Parliament would earn the gratitude of all good thinkers by raising their voices in protest against such sports as these. Such sports are neither manly nor human. We have put an end to cock-fighting and bear-baiting. May the day be not far distant when rabbit coursing shall be a thing of the past. Your correspondent deserves all credit for his protest against such cruel sport. Something, too, should be done to put a check to the tremendous increase of gambling on the outskirts of the town, all of which is encouraged by the apathy of the authorities.—Yours, etc., ANTI-BARBAROUS. SIR,Kindly permit me to add my protest to that of your last week's correspondent against the inhuman proceedings which took place at Quakers' Yard last Mabon's Day. In my opinion, Mr. Editor, it is high time for all persons who possess a spark of iiitelli- genee to set their faces against this cruel practice. It is not my intention to trespass upon the rights of the toiling masses to a holiday once every month, for I think they well deserve it, and I rejoice to see them enjoying the fresh air and mountainous scenery of this picturesque locality. But I cannot tolerate the thought of connecting Mabon's Day with such brutal eport as rabbit coursing, which is, I am sorry to state, taking the time and attention of both young and old. 1 feel sure that if those who take part in torturing these innocent little creatures were to take an impar- tial and humane view of the proceedings, they would concur with the writer in condemning such practices. Unfortunately, the police cannot interfere so your correspondent is informed, and the inspector for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty,to Animals is also conspicuous by his absence. And thus the pro- moters of these barbarious sports are allowed to pro- ceed unmolested. Although Providence has provided every creature with some means of protection, in the coursing match that means of protection is defeated by the cruel planning and dodging of those who are interested in this contemptible business, and the inoffensi ve little creatures are butchered to make, not a Roman, but a Welsh holiday. It is high time something should he done to call the attention of our Parliamentary representatives to the matter, for, if I am rightly informed, it is beyond the pale of our local authorities.—Yours, &c., LOV ER or MANLY SPORT. THE PERILS OF COl-RTLAND-TERRACi;. SIR,—Your cor'respondent, "A. Mc.P. makes fun of my poor protest against the butts in Courtland- terrace. From his initials I take him to be a Scotch- man. Of course, we cannot expect Scotchmen to sympathise with us in a matter of this sort. By dint of spying out for the road that leads southward to England and Wales, and by dint also, after coming here, of steadily keeping an eye on the main chance, they have developed a keenness of vision that enables them to see more at night than ordinary mortals in the day time. They can perceive the Courtland- terrace butts with ease oil a night dark as Erebus. But (thank heaven for all that:) we are not all Scotchmen, and we have nut all the eyes of a cat. "A. McP." conjectures that I was that night a rejected suitor." What of thatAre not the thor- oughfares of Merthyr to be made free of perils for "rejected suitors" Supposing such a man were to bring a "suit'' of another sort against the munici- pality for damages, would the plea of his being a "rejected suitor" hold good in a court of law? It might do so in Scotland, of whose laws I am happily ignorant. But it certainly would not in a civilised country. But I was not in that unfortuuate predica- ment on the night in question. As a, matter of fact I was an "accepted suitor," and my fair one had graciously promised to become mine own till death did us part. I was in a happy and serene frame of mind, at peace with all the world, evyn with Scotchmen. But the course of true love never did not smooth, and certainly not in my case that evening in Courtlaud- terrace. It was not my beloved, nor yet my beloved's stern father, that set the obstacles in the course of my true love, but (I presume) the august municipality of MerthyrTydn), a blessed municipality that cannot build a six-foot wall that will stand. And here's this ballv Scotchman making fun of my tribulations Perhaps he will say now that I was blind, not because I was a rejected suitor," but because I had been "accepted." Try how you will, there's no pleasing a Scotchman, He is so supremely cocksure, even in his doubts. With that opeu-handcd and reckless generosity which characterises his fellow-countrymen, and which endears them them to the human race all the world over, "A. McP." talks of putting up" it ten-thousand candle-power seatchlight" to warn pedestrians. That is Scotch all over money no object, oh dear me, no. A Scotchman would rather part with money than keep it, any day of the week. A Scotchman keeps nothing but the" Sawbath" and the Ten. Commandments. I am more modest in my ideas than "A. McP." A simple miner's lamp would have been enough for me. He talks about my having to pay heavy damages if, by pushing down the butt, I had brought about the downfall of the wall. This notion, too, is delightfully Scotch. In a country like ours, which can claim to have made some advance in progress, property is not regarded as of greater value than human life and limb. Here we do not attach greater sacredness to stone walls than to the safety of human beings, and the damages would have to lie paid, not by me, but to me by those responsible for the wall. He says there was a lamp "not ten yards away." Perhaps he is a credit draper, and if he measures his cloth with the yardstick with which he spanned the distance between the lamp and the butt, he is the very man to supply me with my wedding suit, cash on delivery. My intended will also be glad to got his name and local habitation, as she wants material for half-a-dozen dresses. I hope he will not stick on tl.e prices to make up for the phenominal prodigality of that wonderful yardstick cf his. I hope also that all the credit drapers in Merthyr will not come forward and, stirred by the prospect of a little business, claim to be "A. McP." Perhaps you, Mr. Editor, will bo good enough to superintend this business, and pick out from the multitude of claimants the real and only A. McP." He's the man for my money.—Yours acceptedly, PEDESTRIAN. ABERDARE JUNCTION GRIEVANCES. Sir,—I hope you will find space in your increasingly popular paper to call public attention to the disgrace- I(- ful lark of accommodation generally at Aberdare Junction. Take the monstrous attitude of the T. V.R. Company towards about 80 per cent. of the inhabitants who live on the western side of the railway, and in close proximity to their station premises, to which, instead of making access to and from, have at a great expense erected a high fence with barked wire attached there to barricading their station off from the inhabitants, and so com (jelling the jxjople to wade through mud aud mire nearly a mile to get to the station. Well, Sir, public meetings have been held at which deputations at different times have been appointed, and these have inter- viewed the T.V.R. General Manager with the same result, viz., that his Directors are prepared to erect an overbridge if the land and other property owners interested would find the money (about £ 400), the bridge to be a public right of way from one side of the river and railway, and vice versa. This would also mean that the public would have the use of the Company's private bridge crossing the river on the eastern side of the railway. But the landowners not only refuse to render pecuniary assistance, but have hitherto not had the courtesy to answer communica- tions sent them upon the question. Thus it is a dead lock. That, Sir, is our position in relation to the railway. It is pretty much the same with other pedestrian and vehicular traffic accommodation in the district. To pass from one side of the railway to the other, one has to go through a low and narrow archway, facetiously called the Marble Arch, or take the risk of crossing the railway, which includes five pairs of rails. Under this arch "vehicles of common haulage can manage to creep, but anything of the nature of a baker's cart, or a cab, or a funeral hearse, has to await the convenience of the railway traffic. However, the greatest outrage of all is that un- sightly-looking structure known as the Yuysymeurig Bridge, which spans the river north of Aberdare Junction. There are holes in this bridge large enough for a man's foot to pass through, and not the least fencing or parapet on either side, their being no other accommodation without taking a circuitous route a distance of nearly three miles. Over this frail structure F-OUIO scores of children have to pa- daily to and from the Board schools, with the risk of falling through, QT being blown over the unprotected sides into the seething waters below at flood time, or Jashed to pieces upon tj". U vgo stones at low water. And the. great que-stion, a?>ne often askod, is who is responsible ? That is the The Local Board have posted notices ahout th- district proclaiming the danger of the bridge ther.-by they assume iresponsi- bility. Are we then to w -i: until life is lost, and the fluty devolves upon th", <-o-oner's jury to decide who! is to blame? I trow no;, but hope that something may be fpewdily done to .u ert such a di^graec.— I am, sir, ABERDARE SCHOOL DOARD ELECTION. SIR,—We have long felt here that our Board llirv ii(,t attained to that standard of j efficiency which they ongi.t to attain. I make no reflection whatever upon the teachers. With mast of them I am intimately acquainted, and I know that they are doing their l>est. The blame re-ts entirely on the former Boards, who, it must be admitted, sacrificed efficiency to economy. It is our children that have to suffer the consequences of this mistaken (xdicy. A few figures will show the position we occupy. Taking tne last examinations we find that out of 35 departments in Merthyr, 31 earned the highest grants. Here that distinction was taken only by nine out o' 39 departments. In drawing, one of lo departments in Merthyr eight earned the "excel- lent" grant, and eight the good hero, out of the same number of departments, only two got "excel- lent and 14 good." These figures speak volumes of the condition of our schools. Why should we be behind Merthyr ? We are in advance of our neigh- bonrs in most things, but in education they beat us hollow. They go in for thoroughgoing efficiency, and they have brought their schools to a very high standard. It costs money, of course, but the results of the recent election there show abundantly that the policy of the Board has the full sanction of the rate- payers. Our rate is low, and our standard of efficiency is correspondingly low. Is it not worth while putting our hands a little more deeply in our (Kickets in order to equip our rising generation more efficiently for the battle of life ? A couple of pence increase in the rates would scarcely be felt, and what splendid improvements we could carry out with that money I trust the ratepayers will give this question their serious consideration in the approaching election. The question which we should tender to every candidate is Are you in favour of greater efficiency ?" For my own part I shall most certainly not vote for any candidate who refuses to give an emphatic affirmative answer to that question. I hope all electors will go and do Let there be illusions about the rate. We cannot get better schools with the present rate. Everybody should understand that clearly. But we should insist on greater efficiency, even though there be an increase in the rates. --Yours truly, THOROUGH. RIVERS AND THEIR ACTIONS. Sm, -In the report of Mr. George Robling's lecture at the Aberdare Mining School, which appeared in your issue of last week, a great many errois crept in, and in fairness to the lecturer, as well as not to mis- lead the public, I think it is nothing but right to leave the report to appear in its corrected form. I put some of the more important sentences in the correct form: The Thames carries past Kingston nineteen grains of mineral salts, or 548,230 tons e\ery year in solution. If the specific gravity of the rocks was three, then a block which required a force of three pounds to move it in air, required only a force of two pounds to move it in water. A small stream near l'ontsain has first of all dissolved a passage through the limestone, and the roof afterward:! having fallen in, and thus produced a small ravine with vertical sides. Evidence in favour of the above is the pressure of large limestone holders in the bed of the stream. I may inform your readers that the free popular Saturday evening lectures at the Aberdare Mining School are well patronised by the students and others. It seems to mo that the young colliers have awakened up and determined to grasp the scientific problem". I remember reading Mr. Gladstone's speech when visit- ing the Jubilee Exhibition in Manchester, when he said that the people Itelieved it would bo useless to take art to the working men because they did not have the taste or intelligence for such a thing but as the Grand Old Man said, the vast number of the working class who attended that exhibition proved otherwise. Also the great interest the young men of Aberdare take in science and art these days evidently shows that we should have in Aberdare an Art Gallery and Museum. Oh, dear me I quite forgot myoId friend the" Hatepayer." But please allow me to console him by Maying" that it is cheaper to keep the above institutes than gaols and their hangers-on, without saving anything about the moral aspect of it. Trusting the District Council will take the matter up. —Yours truly. T. E. DAVIES, 56, Oxford-street, Aljerdare, 4th March, 1895. LIBERALISM THE ENEMY OF THE WORKING CLASSES, SIR, Forward "accuses me of roaming all ov er the show. What can I do but follow such an ideal as Forward would have us to take him to Le, when he roams all over the chapters of Imperial and local politics? u Forward's letters are like Irish stews. They are a conglomeration of the House of Lords, State Churchism, Trade, and many other nonsensical and vulgar personalities, and yet he has such a low opinion of himself as to be "dissatisfied with your humble servant following him into every hole and corner of his letters. I ara l>ound to confess that "Forward" is a very slippery eel. When I catch him on Imperial politics he jumps out of one's hand into the stream of local politics, which is nothing but gaseous gush. He believes that Liberals cannot bo truthful, but I won't insult the readers of your jour- nal by advising them to use a great quantity of salt with Forward's figures, and with his admiration of ancient Liberalism, like a snake in the t^rass. Why is it that he hammers on Mr. Thomas Williams and Mr. David Davies, especially Mr. Davies ? It is because these men have swayed a powerful influence with Liberalism. And why is it that Mr. C. II. James is eulogised, together with the Rev. D. C. Edwards ? It is because these have not publicly used their influence in favour of Liberalism to the same extent asthoothershave. I say this with all due respect to Mr. Edwards and Mr. James. Unquestionably, Forward has had the most crushing reply that he wishes tohKvp. He wishes to pose as a profoundly original thinker, who lives and moves and has his being in the laughter and applause which his. buffoonery provokes. He has been pierced with a keen Damascus blado at every turn, and dissected to the marrow of his bones, and "held up unmasked to the contempt and scorn of your readers. It has been shown that this profoundly original thinker is a real plagiarist, palming off as his own worn-out nonsense which have been answered a hundred times. He pretends to give us rich jewels, but they are only worn-out paste, which even when new were worthless. This valiant knight of the Conservative tournament is nothing but bluster from Billingosgatecollegf), hence the use of that artistic word yahoo" as a boy uses a toy drum to the disgust of boys who hear it. for- ward" is going to give us one more epistle he has found out that Mr. C. Darling, M.P., and Mr. Her- bert Lewis have stated that Governments have no absolute authority over trade. At last he finds that it is more sensible not to force himself to the front, and confuse investigation by his garrulous gabble. If lie knows nothing of the subject under investigation, it is incllmlwnt on him as a supposed original thinker, to hold his tongue, and diop galvanising old objec- tions long ago refuted, and exhibiting his super- ficiality and gas. Don't mistake curious listeneis for converts, and the applause of the same for approval. "Forward's vulgar and impertinent remarks about local Liberal candidates, as being ignorant and unable to write presentably, and bting as ignorant as an Australian aborigine and a hedgehog, are beneath contempt. Thfy remind me of a country squire, who, riding through a country lane, was met by a man with a donkey. The squire asked the man for per- mission to shoot his donkey. Tne man answered the squire sciipturally by saying, "Let brotherly love continue between you and the donkey, sir." "Forward wants us to be liberated from the tyranny of the set fay. r. No Nonconformist believes 111 such rot. Even if they wanted as deacons to tyrannise over the members, it would have no effect/because they are in the minority. Why is it that this asser- tion is used so often ? Is it to gull those people that do not go to a Nonconformist Chapel ? It is in the Episcopalian Church and the Roman Church, that the one man is supreme, and Nonconformists in country places know to their cost something of the tyrannic rule of the parson and squire? Was not the Mansion Housa of London built with money which was the outcome of fines put on Nonconformists for worshipping outside the Church of England ? I have a long list of disabilities laid on Nonconformists, which have been repealed, but they won't all be repealed till Disestablishment will be made law. J. am glad to bear that my friend "Disgusted" is in the land of the living, after all the coarse bullying he with myself have had to bear. It is all thunder with- out any effect. It is the editor's figures which are effective, and I have lived long enough as a toiler and have experienced better days under a Liberal Govern- ment, not because of the Government, but because of tlw demand which brought about the supply. We can't blame any political party, because other coun- tries produce their own articles of necessity.—I am, etc., PROGRESSIVE. CO-OPERATORS AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION. SIR,—Knowing your kind sympathy with the work- ing classes, I am sure you will allow me to call atten- tion to the humiliating and degrading attitude some of our members, viz., The Industral Co-operative Society, Treharris, have for the last few days taken in connection with the County Council election. It has happily resulted in a disastrous defeat. These energetic canvassers, &C., < £ e., gave their support to a wealthy capitalist, a member of the grocers' associa- tion. It was a case of Grocers' Association v. Co- operation Where was their Trade Unionism ? They are members of the Quakers' Yard Branch, A.S.R.S. Sorry I am, Mr. Editor, to have to write in this strain. For Co-operation and Trade Unionists this election had no direct call to action. Which ever candidate got in, I fail to see it materially affected a working man. Where, then, did the call to action come in? Our friends would not exert themselves, mayhap, if one of ourselves were selected and nominated. You will remember how a certain railwayman figured in your columns some time ago. I write with the view of keeping our friends in their proper places, and prevent another breakaway (let some one else do the dirty work). — Yours, ON THE SroT.

RUPTURE TRUSSES.—Referring to they made by a correspondent recently in our columns, the following extract from the Lancet, August 4, 1894, will be interestingThe Link Shell Truss Co., 171, Wardour-street, London, W., have a new truss. It is claimed that by this method of manufacture a truss is provided which will be more comfortable than the one in ordinary use, and better able to adapt tself to the various movements of the oody, especially if those are of a sudden character. The trims is fitted with a hip-joint regulator, by means of which the pressure is increased or diminished ar> required, and with a sc.ft shell pad perforated for tentilatioti. The truss as thus completed is an efficient one. Full par- ticulars are sent free by the Link Shell Tru^s Co.— £ > (ning Acc.o, August 7. 1894,1 173-224

MUSICAL CRISIS AT DOWLAIS. PHILHARMONIC V. TEMPERANCE, For the last tt i or twelve months (writes a. corres- pondent-) there 1 been veiled antagonism between the leading members of the Dowdais Temperance Choir and the Philharmonic Society, although the ranks of the former have been, to a great extent, composed of members of the latter. Last year, after the Ferndale Eisteddfod, the Notes in the now defunct IhiclaisGazeitc exhausted two columns or so of space weekly for three or four weeks in lecturing the members of the Philharmonic Society and the towns- people who gave them that tremendous reception on the night of the choir's return from the eisteddfod. It was known that those Notes" were written by the ruling spirit of the Temperance Choir, and, to put it mildly, there has, from that day to this, been no love lost between the two societies. When the Tem- perance Choir resolved to give a. concert during the, present month, the antagonism grew more pronounced when it was found that the two leading soloists in the choir, viz., Miss Edith Maude Jones and Mr. Evan Rees Evans, had been passed over, and other artistes selected. Both singers had repeatedly assisted the choir, and it was felt that when it paying engage- ment had to be offered they ought to have had the refusal of it. Mr. Evans, noting how he had been slighted, broke away from the choir, but Miss jor"- remained. Everybody hoped that those two singers had not been passed over solely on accouut of their connection with the Philharmonic Society, and that the spirit of hostility had cooled down. But the flame, when least dreamt of, fanned out furiously, and undoubtedly the weaker combination will suffer grievously.^ The Temperance Choir concert took place last Thursday, and it is supposed that some of the too candid criticism of memliers of the Philharmonic Society precipitated the crisis to which we are about to refer. The usual weekly rehearsal of the Temperance Choir was held on Tuesday evening, and there was a good attendance. The President (Mr. Henry \S ilbams), in the course of an address, said that the concert having been given it was now for the choir to decide the course of their future action. There could be no doubt at all that apart from the good work which it did in the cause of temperance, the choir afforded the young people the opportunity of passing pleasant evenings in the rehearsal of musical work?. Asauch it ap;waled to all. But, unfortunately, they had not received the sympathy and the encourage- ment which they thought ought to be extended to them. There were two choirs in the town, and he should have liked to see IK¡th nourish and carry on the good work each in its own way. But he regretted to think that ,t was no longer possible for the two choirs to work together amicably. Almost from its j inception the Philharmonic Society he did not refer personally to Mr. Harry Evans, for whom he had the highest resjH'CT—-had done its !t to injure the Temperance Choir, and had sought at all times to win away the fidelity of some of their best singers. Further evidence of the hostility shown to them by the Philharmonic Society was shown in the criticism of their (the Temperance Choir's) concert last week. Many of them had declared the performance to have iJCen rotten. But it was not so. He (Mr. Williams) had sat next Mr. Dan Davies, whose love for choral music was such that he had denied himself the pleasure of hearing Mr. Ben Davies in order to come to and that gentleman had said that the performance was really good, the whole of the choral contributions being characterised by excellent good taste. After the open manner in which the Philhar- monic Society bnd shown its hostility, he thought the time had come when they, as a temperance choir, should seriously consider their future, in so far as it affected the Philharmonic Society. He thought that an open opportunity ought to he afforded all present of deciding whether they would remain in the Tem- perance Choir cr the other society, events having proved that it would be impossible for them to remain in both societies after what had taken place. jVlr. el. E. (j-eorge moved a resolution embodying1 the chairman's suggestion. He said he could fully hear out what had been said regarding the hostility of the Philharmonic Society and its attempts to win over the membeis of the Temperance Choir.—Mr. D. J. Daniel, in seconding, remarked that he had joined the Philharmonic Society, but he believed that the Temperance Choir was doing more useful work, and furthermore, he found he could enjoy himself more thoroughly in the Temperance Choir than in the other.—Mr. Daniel George and Mr. Evan Evans spoke in a similar strain. The resolution having been carried, the Chairman appealed to all present to be honest in their choicr. If they chose to prefer the Philharmonic Society they in the Temperance Choir would still think kindly of them, and would certainly not regard them less as friends than at present, lie hoped that all who pre' ferred the Philharmonic Society would cive in their names to the secretary at the close of titj rehearsal. When that time came two of the best male singers, Messrs. Enoch Jones mid David Jones, gave in their names as the chairman had directed, and it is certain that their example will be followed by several others of the best singers in the choir. Prior to the close of the proceedings, a wish was expressed that nobody who was present would vouchsafe any information of what had taken place at the rehearsal to any of their friends or acquaintances.

ODDFELLOWS' DINNER AT DOWLAIS. The annual dinner of the members of the "Prosjjcct of Hope lodge of Oddfellows was held on Thursday evening at their headquarters, the Ivor Castle Hotel. The spacious long room was adorned with mottoes bidding Success to the Prospect of Hope Lodge and others of a similar type which hung from various partsofthe walls. The dinner, which was an excel- lent one in every way, was partaken of by about a hundred members and friends. On the removal of the cloth Mr. Frederick Williams, Cross Blanche- street, was voted to the chair in the unavoidable absence of Dr. Hughes, and Mr. W. 1). Williams, Pant-road t,)ok the vice-chair. The toasts of The Queen" and The Royal Family were submitted by the Chairman and Vice-chairman, and were musically honoured, Mr. Evan Rees Evans singing the solos of both the National Anthem, and God bless the Prince of Wales." The Chairman in suitable terms haying submitted "The Army, Navv-, and Reserve lorces/' Mr. J. Uraigwtng" Tommy Atkins" with complete success.—Sergt, David Evans in the course of his response gave an interesting account of the rise of the Volunteer movement in England and concluded by advising all young men to join the auxiliary forces. Mr. Evan H, Evans was in admirable form in his rendering of "0 na bydclaïn haf o hyd," and in response to a vociferous re-demand he" had to sing another song.—Mr. David Davies also scored a big success with The Warrior Bold."—Mr. Edward Williams in submitting The Manchester Unity and Dowlais District," claimed that the Manchester Unity, judging by its number of members, was one of the best, if not absolutely the best friendly society in the world.—Mr. Eleazer Lewis, in responding, said that there were about 20,000 friendly societies in the. country when the Manchester L1 nity was formed at the beginning of the centuryin Lancashire. After the lapse of some 45 years there were only about 5,000 friendly societies in the country, and the Manchester Unity was one of them. From that day until now the no v tltg society had continued to grow until at present they had in the Unity altout 800,000 members. Their receipts were about Bll,000,000, and they had a reserve fund of more than £ 3,000,000. They were paying out in sick pay etc., about £ 3,000 a day. Those figures would show the friends preseut who were not alread Odd fellows that the Manchester Unity was a great aud a growing institution. There, were now altogether about 30,000 friendly societies, and the Manchester Unity was at the top, and it had some^ £ 3.000,000 more than any other society. —P.G.M. Bevan, tiie corresponding sc-cretary. of the -0' Dowlais district, also responded. Hesaidthatth" Dowlais district formed but one part of a great society having branches in all parts of the world, The district consisted of six lodges and of course the Noble Grand Lodge for purposes of debate. In Dowlaistite lodges were such that he could honestly tell them he was proud to he secretary to the district, lie was not a lover of statistics, but he feit that one or two facts ought to be brought to their notice. In 1893 there were 604 members in the dis- trict, and in 1894 the number was 680. The new members numbered 81, but owing to deaths, &c., the net increase was 76. Last year they had paid out £ 91 in death claims. Satisfactory as last year's work had been he was hoping that the present year would show still better results. Such meetings as that did undoubtedly advance the interests of the society, for not only did they reveal to non-members the advan- tages of joining the society, but they also afforded the members of the different lodges the opportunity of meeting together round the social table. Mr. Edward Williams sang The anchor's weighed," and Mr. John Craig fairly brought down the house by his mirth-provoking rendering of I can't change it." The demands for an encore were so loud and persistent that Mr. Craig had to return, and he sang "It came off."—Mr. W. II. Price, iu proposing Success to the Prospect of Hope Lodge," said that in Januaiy, 1894, its members numbered 140, and in December of the same year they were 151. —Mr. Fred Williams responded, in an exhaustive speech, iu which he dwelt upon the absolute safety of the Oddfellow8' Society. Other toasts followed. Among the musical contributions which followed thme already named, weie Billy and 'Liza," and an encore song Nora," by Mr. Wr. D. Williams. I'll take you home again, Kathleen," by Mr. Frank O'Brien and Give him my kind regards," by Mr. John Craig. The last named was encored, but as time was speeding, the demaud could not be acceded to. It should be stated that the accompaniments were played in good style by Mr. Frank O'Brien.

THE LATE LORD ABERDARE. On Friday evening last a public meeting of the townspeople of Mountain Ash was held at the Town Hall to consider the advisability of erecting a memo- rial to the late Lord Aberdare. The Vicar, Rev. B. Lloyd, B. D" was elected chairman, and Alderman William Jones secretary. A long discussion took place, and it was decided that a memorial be erected, and that a general public meeting be convened for Tuesday evening next to further consider the best nieaus to adopt with a view to carrying the resolution into effect.

OLR HEALTH IN WINTER.—Dr. Andrew Wilson, writing in Lloyd's Ncx<papcr on diet, says: "The teaching of nature should never be neglected, and in the matter of winter food let us see we are not wrong, and take sufficient fat, for the changes that result in the wear and tear of onr bodies are lessened in inten- sity by the fat of food, and the need for flesh is always less-when fat forms a due proportion of our diet. The Doctor proceeds to enumerate natural pr xluets that are admirable, among tbem "Cocoa" with it? contained Cocoa Butter. Relatively to this it may be said that Epp's PREPARED COCOA retains all the con- stituents of the natural Cocoa, including the oil or butter, intact.

TBS "MEBTHVB TIMV.#" M <1"!IVERE,I in Subscribers at and address hi Merthyr and [>on],iis.. Country Bulwriters r#rt luivc their copies posted on Thursday mcriiinj iu time for the firvt delivery on Friday mnniu.,