Evening Express

TO-I)AY'S WEATHER. The forecast of the weather throughout the West of England and South Wales for to-day (Friday) is as follows:- Variable winds; & good deal of rain at times; some thunder locally; unsettled.

TExpicRATUItZ. RAINFALL DATE. -1- Max. Min. Mean. 9 a.m. 9p.m. Total. Thursday. 21 60 42 51*0 "10 '00 *10 Friday 22| -54 35 44*5 "00 "00 *00 Saturday 231 55 40 47*5 "00 *00 *00 Sunday 24: 57 39 48*0 '00 *00 *00 Monday 25 58 40 49*0 *00 *00 *00 Tuesday .126! 60 44 52*0 0U0 *00 *00 Wednesday.|27 ————— ——————-——— t

Zirtbe;, ittarriagrt, Sc DEATH. GRAY.—April 25th, at 41, Stanwell-road, Pen- aa-th, Emily Elinor, the dearly loved w:fe of Captain F. W. Gray, s.s. Topaze, aged 41 years.

Telephone: National, 502; Post-office, 95. Telegrams: Express." Cardiff.

WHAT WE THINK. i The industrial struggle now paralysing South Wales is in danger of being still further embittered by the coal owners and enginemen oming into collision,and, without some arrange- men *,c., ~iuld come to ( with a vip- next few hours, there is every probahiiity of the enginemen ceasing work, and thereby further complicating a critical situation. Con- sidering what the flooding of the mines would mean to both employers and employed, it is a desperate course to adopt, and would only be justified after every conciliatory effort had failed, and the gravest consideration had been given to the responsibility such drastic measures would entail on all those undertaking it. We can quite understand a feeling on the part some of the colliers that the engine- men. Ac., should come out, with a view of forcing, if possible, the owners' hands, and thereby assisting in bringing to a speedy ter- mination this unhappy struggle, but it is a desperate game to play, and one certainly not justified by the evidence as yet to hand. It is sincerely to be hoped that time and patience, which are necessary to -<ny successful negotia- tions, will enable an agreement to be arrived at and prevent what wauJd he a disaster to the coal trade, and which would arouse an antagonistic spirit against the men on the part of tlif pubiii: which doeil not exist to any appre- ciable extent to-day. Already the distress is becoming acute. Barely a month has passed since the colliers came out in opposition to their leaders and in violation of an agreement I entered into on their behalf, and the relief measures that have been rendered necessary all point to the severity of the struggle and the ntter incapacity of the men to long: continue it. The; "fsuit of the last audit shows an in- crease of wages for the men, and, with the prospects awaiting the coal trade, there is no I reason to s:jppo?e that increase would not only be permanent, but materially augmented. No seu&ibla imraon but wishes to see the coilier well-fed, well-housed, and well-paid, but the arbitrament of industrial war is not in our judgment the fafest or speediest means for attaining this object, as recent labour struggles have shown. That wise counsels will prevail to- day is much to be desired.

"Ap Morien" is still waiting for a reply to his letter, and. it seems to us, is likely to wait. Make a pretence of being brave, "Morien." and face the music of our correspondent. The fearful slaughter which the Yankees indulged in when bombarding Matanza3 is represented, according to the latest informa- tion, by the loss of one mule. This is Yankee bounce and yellow journalism with a ven- geance. Mr. W. G. Spiller is to be very heartily con- gratula.ted upon his unanimous election yester- day as High Court Treasurer for the ensuing year for the Ancient Order of Foresters. It is a position of great responsibility, and one that has rarefy, if ever, been occupied by so young a man. The Order of Foresters has branches all over the world. The business done is naturally colossal, when it is remembered that their funds are represented by upwards of six million pounds sterling. Mr. Spiller, who is for the first time called upon to occupy this proud and honourable position, is tne son of an old and respected Cardiffian. He is well known in local political circles as a hard-working and ardent member of the Conservative party, having identified himself therewith for many years as vice- chairman of the Central Working Men's Club, and is a member of the management committee of the Cardiff Conservative Association, and it is a curious coincidence that Mr. Spiller. the newly-elected High Court Treasurer, is engaged to be married to the grand- daughter of the gentleman who occupied a similar posit ion.. hen the first High Court was held here in 1873, and, therefore, Cardiff establishes a record in the history of the Order. Good old Cardiff, and bravo, Spiller. Next week will be a busy one ;n Cardiff, for the licensed victuallers are to hold their annual conference, and they will, we expect, make things a bit lively while here. Given good weather and our visitors will find plenty to interest them in and around Cardiff, but of the quality of the liquid refreshment sold we prefer not to anticipate their opinion. The bazaar which is to he held at the Town- hall on Tuesday and two following days, on behalf of the Cardiff Police-court and Prison- gate Mission, will, it is hoped, receive that measure of support to which its objects and work entitle it at the hands of a generous public. The mission is engaged in a valuable, if quiet, work. It is most practical in its methods, and a society "running" a police- court mission, a prison-gate shelter, a shoe- black brigade, and a Labour Home deserves well of the community. The mayor will open the bazaar on Tuesday, and Mr. O. H. Jones, of Fonmon Castle. on the Wednesday. The practical character of the work per- formed by the mission has been testified to frequently by the Recorder, the Stipendiary Magistrate, and the general body of magis- trates, who are in a far better position than the outside public to judge. The mission does not aim so much at monetary help; it aims rather at giving unfortunate prisoners a new start in life, and especially is its attention given to young prisoners. As an evidence of the work performed by its missionary, we may say that last year he attended three hundred days at the prison-gate, upwards of a thousand breakfasts were given, and three hundred daily attendances at the police-court were recorded, while some seventy or eighty cases were dealt with by the mission instead of being sent to gaol. Their whole work is to supply a network of machinery as shall be successful in rescuing from the downward path the young or old, male or female, who have, unfortunately, fallen by the way. Its work is none the less valuable because it is quietly and unostentatiously per- formed. It must of necessity be that to attain its objects, but it is a work that deserves at the hands of the public very generous support, which, with fair weather, it should receive. We warn our readers against allying them- selves too closely with the Yankee jingo, for the time will, probably, soon come when the opinions of the sober-minded and thoughtful Americans will be heard, and they must not be surprised if they are not found altogether in accord with the expression of popular feeling of that country as reported to 118. The pretence of "humanity" in this Cuban business is a mere valve to the conscience of M'Kinley and some other honest functionaries who have to be used. The talk of "Cuba fiint- ing for freedom" is a deception practised on the pious and ignorant by men whose pockets are stuffed with bonds issued by the so-called Republic of banditti. Should the "Republic" not be recognised by M'Kinley as the rightful Government of Cuba. all of those bonds will turn to waste paper, and this is the meaning of the struggle in the Senate against Mr. M'Kinley's desire for intervention without re- cognition. If Cuba, why not Ireland? Nobody gives England credit for sincerity in her professions of sympathy for America, as shrieked forth from the London press. It is perfectly well known that America has no case against Spain, and they know we know they have not. Spain has conceded every demand, without exception, that America. has made, and in answer to their ox parte judgment on the Maine propolsd to submit her responsi- bility to arbitrat*>n. But, no, that would not suit the stock-jobbing Yankee, for two reasons— firstly, the facts suppressed by America's ex parte court would have to be brought out; and, secondly, because it might have averted war. It is the old story of the wolf and the lamb over azain. America is made up of an enormous mob, consisting of Irish, Italians, Swedes, Poles, Frenchmen, slave-driverg. who have lost their business, tramps of all countries, the paupers, the unemployed, and the Anarchists. Since the Civil War she has been piling up premiums on war before this motley throng. Large sums are annually paid from the Treasury to "pen- sioners," of whom one-half at least are frauds. Half a million ragged tramps see themselves in uniforms, enjoying good food and pay. having a high, old time in camps and canteens. They wan't war, and don't care whether it is with Spain or England. The Arbitration Bill was rejected by the Senate because they hate peace, so Yankee Doddle sticks a feather in his hat, swaggers on to the stage with his tawdry embellishments, and licks all creation. If the States defeat Spain, who will be the next victim?

POWDER AND SHOT. Mr. Maclean, M.P., was amongst the guests at Mr. and Miss Balfour's reception on Wednesday night. < < We hear with grave concern that Mr. David Davies. our correspondent in the North-west, has got into serious trouble with some Ameri- cans there by unguardedly expressing his Welsh partiality to Spanish onions. We await con- firmatory news with great anxiety. Our Newport contemporary, the "Argus," says of Mr. D A. Thomas's Cardiff speech that "the speech is veally a very interesting example of hurricane fighting." H'm! Yes! Of hurricane flhting after the American pattern. Samson could lind weapons enough to slay a million Philistines if he could orly happen along this way just now. • • • • "The Circus Girl" Company which visits the Theatre Royal, Cardiff, next week, is said to be the most expensive company ever gent round the provinces. There are no less than seventy- I four artiste?, with all the original Gaiety I scenery and costumes. This summer provincial season is certainly booming in right well. The war has made no difference. • • • • Miss Marie Studholme, the prima donna of "The Circus Girl." has eluded the Yankem- Spankem, very fortunately for Cardiff music- lovers. She was in America when the first "Circus Girl" Company visited Cardiff, but got back to the Old Home ere the declaration of war, to re-join the great original production to be brought here by Mr. George Edwardes next week. « This shows how the ;,pirit moves the Wastern war humourist just now: — Evangelist Dwight L. Moody, who is here, says the enese of God is upon Spain, and that he hasn't prayed much against war.— Dispatch from Cincinnati. That's all right, Brother Mood,v! Of course, it is a pity that you haven't used yorr influence as you ought to. But, perhaps, you'll pray like the exhaust pipe of a locomotive now for ail American victory, and receive the thanks of Congress for fixing matters up so nicely with kind heaven. • • We have at considerable trouble and expanse unearthed Hotspur's words as the most suitable motto for the Yank-Spank war: — For he made me mad To sec him shine so brisk and "mell so sweet, And talk so like a waiting gentlewoman. And tell me bu for these vile guns He would himself have been a soldier. There doesn't seem much need to be afrrad of guns in this war. and no real patriot need stop out of the Army and Navy through a natural o!ijtv'i.n to a 1'ght. A prophet hath arisen in Israel. Thus saith the "Newport Star":—"Our Cardiff Radical contemporary in its issue of Thursday morn- ing designates Dr. Rutherfoord Harris as the "prospective" Tory candidate for Newport. We should think that "prospective Tory mem- ber" would be more correct. At any rate. Dr. Harris is "the" candidate now, and his pros- pects of becoming the "member" for the boroughs are excellent." It is not expected that the rise in the pnee of grain and provisions will have any effect upon the Briton's beer. There's nothing of that sort in its composition now. An anxious query from Treorky:—" Sir,— Off now ollr overcoats we lay. For loud the cuckoo calls; But shall the clothes be put away With gilt or camphor balls?" This really must be left to the discretion of our correspondent. If he be a striker we might suggest that his winter attire be carefully stowed at Uncle's under the gilt balls, and that a few coppers of the proceeds be invested in camphor balls as well, as Uncle is not .held re- sponsible for moth. • • Now that the football season is past., and the Saturday-afternoon doesn't know what on the wide earth to do with himself, the theatres have begun the happy system of matinees at two o'clock. They must be a godsend.. judging by the appreciation bestowed. The bookings for the Royal matinee to-morrow have delighted the hearts of "The Daughters of Babylon," and seats for the "Circus Girl" matinee on the Saturday following are already being inquired after. t The Greát Western Railway Company nave given an answer typical of modern Christianity to the Anti-Sunday Travelling Union. The union, it appears, has presented a memorial to the authorities of the Great Western Railway on the subject of Sunday goods trains, and is preparing memorials to the directors of the Midland and other companies. The reply of the chairman of the Great Western admitted, "not only that the Sunday goods traffic ought to be restricted, but that it might be, if con- siderable sums of money were voted for addi- tional rolling stock and sidings." If the union can find sums of money "considerable" enough to Christianise a railway company they will have accomplished a feat which a union of millionaires could hardly do successfully. » • • • Here is an allegorical poem on the Yansgan war by the morning post: — A Thomas cat sat on a Canton fence, With the club lights high overhead, And the moon shone full, its silvery beams Falling fair on the Thomas cat's head; For the cook had gone early to bed that night Without locking the pantry door, a And the Thomas cat knew that the pantry shell Was an easy jump from the floor. Then a plan matured in his feline brain, And he winked a wink with his eye, For well knew he that the coast was clear, While his throat was parched and dry; And so, tender and A ue in a minor key Then he warbled aloua for his mate, Oh, lovely Maria, come to me, I pray- Come to me ere it were too late." Thus loudly the Thomas cat carolled away, While the cook tossed about in her bed, And full many a curse, thank the Lord nothing worse, Was hurled at the Thomas cat's head; But a councillor rose, for his patience was o'er. And he jumped from his bed with a sigh, While loudly he swore that he'd have that cat s gore, Or else he would find out why. With a careful aim that would kill and not maim, Then a bang-all too true the shot sped- From the place where he Bat fell the poor Thomas cat. With a bullet inside of his head. Now no more sings the cat. and 'tis obvious that The coo_k will sleep sound in her bed- Still. the club-lights twinkle on Sunday there, But, alack, the poor Thomas cat's dead. » Mr. Egidio Vitali, of Great Winchester-street, London, thus debates Lord Buta's Welsh vine- yards and their future:- The Marquess of Bute," he says, is hard at work to introduce vine cultivation in Britain, but will it prosper? Can, it pay the outlay necessary to obtain a good harvest in the Welsh climate? If Great Britain will abandon the strong drink of to-day in favour of a light strong drink of to-day in favour of a light beverage, there is a big field of enterprise for the viticulturist, who is often labouring under difficulties how to dispose of the glut of over- production. Wine, the juice of the grape, is the gift of God to man, and if we live amongst the Latin races—such as France, Spain, and Italy—we find, particularly in the provinces, a sort cf happy-going people! "Unfortunately for France, it appears that civilisation, or perhaps bad vintages, are the cause of an increased consumption of beer, cider, and alcohol; and, indeed, the petit-verre appears nowaday to play a big role in the large cities of France. If we look to Spain or Italy, where the daily beverage is absolutely wine, we find that music and song have not left those merry people. Indeed, those who visit Spain and Italy must admit that music has charms. Of course, every nation has its own system of living, habits, food. and beverage. Italy, which is, no doubt, the land where the vine thrives at its best, can yield wine to be within the reach of all kinds of purses. In point of fact, wine can be produced in Italy at less than one shilling a gallon." • • • • How the war wave does affect some folk! Mr. G. L. Morgan, the Pontypridd referee, docsn t seMn able to take the smallest dose of chaff just now without declaring war upon the chaffer and bombarding the Rugby Union. Llwynypia. on the conclusion of their fixture list this year, did the county police a friendly turn by giving them a match upon the Llwyn- ypia ground. Captain Hellings is the best of friends with the county police. Two of the police are amongst the best forwards in the Llwynypia team. But Dick has a little playful way with him which an irritable stranger might not always understand. As Milton says: He's all right when you know him, But you've got to know him fust." And the referee in the police match, Mr. Morgan, happened to be that stranger. As the result of Richard's convivial badinage after the match, the referee rushed off and made a case up to the union—and we read this morn- ing that Captain Heilings is suspended till the end of October." And Hellings was never heard ifI the matter by the union at all. People who might have shown the matter to be very trivial indeed were never notified that the union would like to hear both sides of the case. Heilings himself was never notified that he had been reported." The Llwynypia Club, finding themselves, for no fault of theirs, unjustly I deprived of a valuably player for an important part of next season, are going to take the matter up. Quite right. If the union give a hearing to these affairs they should, in common justice, give a fair one. It does not. follow ï that because a man happens to be a football referee his version of a case in which he is concerned is so infallible that there can be no other side to it. No one ever heard of sentence being pronounced under the civilised concep- tion of justice on thfe evidence of a prosecutor alone. • • ♦ • • 'lhere was one little feature of the capital Cardiff amateur performance last night which struck us as too guilelessly pure for anything. Of course, all the ladies of the company were presented with bouquets. A professional artiste would have tripped daintily forward to the footlights when the flowers met her eye. She would have squeezed her face into a smile reaching far into the wings on either side; she would have bent her little hinge into a grace- ful bow like a lily of the valley tickled by the summer wind; she would have stretched a gentle hand forth with a grab divinely pretty, and tossing her piquant head of billowy curls, would have pressed her deiicate nose into the heart of the bouquet, and sniffed as though her little lungs were giving way. The fragrant flowerets, engulfed for one delicious moment in that friendly smile, would then have been withdrawn, and their fair owner, waltzing gracefully into the wings amid the cheers of the audience, would have emerged again for one last bow and smile—jmd disappeared amid a furore of applause. Not so the amateurs; last night. They ambled gingerly to the front —looked frightened, nervous, bored. They clutched the stem and held the bouquet up as though it was a large-knobbed poker, and they waited with it on the front door mat at three a.m. Then, wondering what to do, they woke at last to the fact that the prompter was almost in an epileptic fit in the wing-, endea- vouring to get them gracefully off—and, carry- ing the bouquet like a can of milk, they dis- appeared. The art of receiving tributes had, unfortunately, been omitted in rehearsals.

CARDIFF AND DISTRICT FANCIERS' SOCIETY. ANNUAL DINNER. The annual dinner of the Cardiff and District Fanciers' Society was held at the Glove and Shears Hotel, Dnke-street, Cardiff, on Thursday evening, Mr. F. Rimer {chairman of the society) presiding. About 40 members and friends sat down to an excellent repast provided by Host and Hostess Mitchell. After the tables had been cleared the toasts were honoured, and Mr. G. Clark gave "The Cardiff and District Fanciers' Society. "—The Secretary (Mr. J. Kitchin) re- sponded at some length, and went into the history of the society for the last three years. He dwelt upon the difficulties the society had had to contend with and the little interest taken by outsiders in patronising the shows. But at present there seemed to be a turn in the tide, and the society now had a decent balance in band to make a fresh start.—At this point the Chairman mentioned it was the intention to present the secretary with a gold albert and pendant for the great interest he had taken in the welfare of the society.—Mr. Kitchin thanked the members very heartily, and stated ho would do all he could in the interest of the society.—Other toai-ts followed, including "The Visitors," Messrs. Weston and Baker (Newport), Garside (late of Manchester), Dw" kins. Baker, and Harrington (Cardiff), suitably respond- ing. Messrs. Simmonds (Cardiff), Weston and Baker (Newport), and Garside (Manchester) promised silver medals, to be competed for at the next members' show.—The toast of "The Host and Hostess" was then given, and responded to- by Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, who promised to do all in their power to assist the fanciers in Cardiff.— The harmcny of the evening was entrusted to Messrs. Ayres, Lucas (who gave several imita- tions of birds), Mitchell, Dix, Jackson, Rimes, and Cross. Mr. Bull ably presided at the piano.

TURF TALK. If Ravensdale is a good 3st. behind Ugly, as appears from yesterday's race, it shows uu the Lincolnshire form in a rather poor light. One of the curious features of recent racing is that Sam Loates had ridden some 44 losers since he won on Simonburn at Birmingham, and Disraeli's victory was his first check to the disastrous sequence. Of the fourteen runners for the Two Thou- sand Guineas, with the exception of Ninus, all are engaged in the Epsom Derby. Twelve of them can meet in the St. Leger, the two not engaged being Hawfinch and the colt by Bend Or—Jenny Howlet. Marsh is pursuing with Dieadonne the policy h.3 mapped out so successfully #Mh Persimmon. Dieudonne appeared to train light. The master of Kgerton House has built him up, and now that h. has him in heavy condition he can proceed with an uninterrupted prepara- tion for the Derby. Orzil has loft all the robust look which cha- racterised him in the first half of last season. He retains hin brilliant action, and if reserved for short coui3es would be a champion, but he simply cannot stay, and nothing will make him do so. The only filly to win the double e\ ent of the Two Thousand and the One Thousand Guineas right out was Lord G. Bentinck's Crucifix, in 1840. In 1868 Mr. W. Graham's Formosa ran a dead heat with Mr. Stirling-Crawfurd's Moslem for the Two Thousand, and afterwards won the One Thousand Guineas. Both Crucifix and For- mosa subsequently won the Oaks, and Formosa the St. Leger. The One Thousand Guineas will run the sistar race close in the matter of value. There are 39 subscribers, as against 94 to the Two Thousand, which was of the clear value of £4.900 to the owner of winner; and, as the muster at the post to-day looks like being slightly larger than that .of Wednesday, the difference in the value of the two stakes will be but trifling. The record for the One Thousand Guineas is £5,100, won by the Prince of Wales's Thais two years ago. Wantage is a handsome colt by Sheen— Satchel, and with only ordinary luck he should carry the Portland colours to the front in some rich prizes. He will have to prove himself better than Disraeli to score in any of the great races, for it happens that both are engaged in all of them. He is a horse, however, that will have to be reckoned with in the Derby, where the slope in the last half mile will suit him to a T. It was his first appearance on a racecourse on Wednesday, and the scene rather surprised and somewhat upset him, the result being that he bolted before the start, and had a gallon of a quarter of a mile by himself. Then, in the race itself he ran "all over the place," or otherwise he would possibly have won. The One Thousand Guineas, established in 1814, is five years the junior of the sister race, the Two Thousand. Being confined to fillies, the entries, naturally, have not been so heavy as in the senior race, which is open to both sexes. The aggregate of entries since establish- ment is 3.630, as against, 4,521, which gives an average of 43 per year, as against 51. The entries have twice been as low as eight, whilst the record is 91 for the race of 1896, won by the Prince of Wales's Thais. In 1825 the Duke of Grafton's Tontine walked over for the stakes, and the largest fields numbered 19, in 1877 and 1896. Curiously enough, 19 :s the record for the Two Thousand Guineas, in 1869. On an average, one-fifth the entries for the One Thousand Guineas ha.ve been starters for the race.

ST. MONICA'S GUILD. The fir«t annual tea and entertainment in connection with St. Monica's Guild was held in the Cat.hays Schoolroom on Wednesday even- ing last. The arrangements for the tea were very successfully carried out by Miss Rolands, and a splendid entertainment was provided by Miss Thomas. A word of "raise i. due to Mr. Maine, who fulfilled his duties as chairman. Altogether a very enjoyable evening was spent.

Mr. George David called attention at the Car- diff Public Works Committee on Thursday morn- ing to the state of the roads on the other side of the Roath Park. Some parts of the roads v.ere in the borough and the other parts were outside, but they were in a disgraceful condi- tion. Since the park was closed tf cyclists the roads referred to had become a favourite rtiort for people riding on bicycles, tc. One portion of the road was as rough and rutty as a road could possible be.—The Chairman (Mr. Mildon) promised to see the borough engineer upon the question.

J Our Whitsun Bikes. POSITION OF THE COMPETI- TORS 0-DAY. ■following is the list of top scorers up to six o'cJfock Thursday evening: — Aaamsaown Board School. Bullock. Annie Wilcox, C. Garland, E. Allen, Edith Wynne, Emily Williams, R. Margam. Flo. Evans. I' Baiiett, Hilda Furnish. David Mallet, T. Clarke, W. Albany-road Board School. Mtdway, Chas. Evans, Arohie Bernt-en.F. Southall, J. Uockridge, C. Hamley Ivor Waiman. A. Owen, D. Bonar, Willie Herbert. J. Robinson, J. Pearn, B. Bute-terrace, Mount Stuart-square, and St. Dyfrig's National Schools. Thompson, J. Evans, Austin Francis, T. Williams, Jas. Jones, Fred Dee, Fred Harris, Chas. Rafferty. A. Docton, F. Docton. W. Meredith, D. Green man, W. Cathays and St. Monica's Nat. Schls. Thomas, W. Morgan, M. Ellis, M. Price, B. Brinton, W. R.osssr, T. Reed, L. J. Brassinglon, C Burden. Geo. Tout, Henry Jones, W. A. Clarke. G. Canton and Grangetown Nat. Schools. Inson. Win. Fletcher, Arc! Whitcombe, C. Corbett, Dora Chappie. Cic. Wilkie. Annie Thompson, Alf Bowyer, A. E. Hutchings. E. Court-road Board School. Allen, Fred Cbubb. T. Stroud, L. Forster. H.'W. Leadbeater, F. Kidti. R. Dugmore, G. Smith. F. Roberts. E Brown, S. H. Thomas, E. H. Mallard. D. Crofts st. and Metal-st. Nat. Schools. Smith, E. Williams, J. Fudge, B. Curtis, E. Clemerson. A. Salmoni, F. Bu'l-nell. H. H Ford. Fred Mitchen, R. Ga!e. W. Landridge, W. Lewis. Emily C.rwys-road Board School. John. Arthur Pope. Walter Rosser, Gwen Jenkins, A. Usher, Lilv Thomas, J. R Dobson. A. I.equesne. N. Griffiths, G. Evans, Rd. E. Itowden, Flo. Dix. George Eleanor-street, South Church-street, and Lansdowne-road Schools. Stoodley. W. Maigerison, C. Wakeham, W. Scott. A. T. Margrett, M. Greenwcll, L. Salway, Bertie Fraser. Robina Davies, Geo. Hill. Ethel M. Morgan, Willie Williams, R. Grangetown Board School. Johnson, C. Evins, J O. Roberts, B. Holmes, G. Gillard, W. C. Alexander. E. Francis, M. Beer, T Harrison. J. T. Terry, E. Blown. E Challicom, B. Higher Grade School. Tc-ath.T. Wilmott, E. Edwards. Q. Kirk, If. Williams A. Davis. Dobbin, E Larkins, Geo. Davies, G. Sheridan. D. Hawkins. P. A. Joseph, A. Moorland-road Board School. Kosewarne. J. Powditch. A. Haggard, W. Smith. Stanley Forfar, Geo. Gunning. W. Gunning. A. Lomas, A. l'ritchard, H. Green, Israel Dance. H. Kadnor-road Boarrt School. Williams. G. F. Francis. Mabel Miles, Percy Lewis. Chas. Gabriel, Ern Board, Willie Davies, Lilian Combes, H. Ockwell, L. Dunn. Bob Fairney, Lily Thomas. T. J. Roath rark Board School. Thomas. Eo W. Shepherd. P.W Jenkins, W. Lansdown. E. Griffith. 1. Davies, J. J Williams, T. Williams. A M WbUehead, K. May, E. Prosser, G. Perry, M. St. David's, St. Patrick's, and St. Cuthbert's National Schools. Rich. J. W. Donovan. J. Vinpy.L. Hillier, J. Ryan. K Doyle, N. Powell, J. E. Williams. R. Mahoney, P. Furtwangler, Barron, J. By ran, R. St. Paul's, St. Peter's, and St. Mary's National Schools. Poppinger. N. Poole, Tlio*. Donovan. P. Lane. John Badman, Geo. Cnllimore. W. O'Brien, Chas. Williams, E. Severn-road Board School. Taylor. W. Jukes. Geo. Tate. Ale, Mills. IInda Carr, Ivor Jenkins, Wm. Evans. T. M. Rowlands. F. Thompson, B. Stepney, Dora. Whale. C. L. Keir, J. D. Splotlands Board School. Coats, Lynda Theophilus. F. Tanner, A. Hntchings, G. Turner, F. Chilcott, G. I Stroud. A. Williams. C. Chard, Bessie Holland. Em Cox, A. E. Thomas, A. J. Stacey-road Board School. Isaac. Reuben Shaw, G. E. Burke, Dalay Evaus. Sydney Palser. Ernest Morgan, May Lee Daisy Ridd, Alma White, Ethel Francis, II. E. Richards. P. Tyler, W Tredeyarville and St. John's National Schools. tjodv Jennie John, G. Tanner. Flo. Lewis, F. A. J. Evans. Edith Jenks, Trmk Naisli. Phoebe I.ovell, Amy Bartlett. S. Evans. Bert Coray. C. Wm. Afantield, A. Wood-street Board School. Johnson, H. Plummer. P. Lovering, W. .Toiles. I.oni"lY Smith. F»*ed Lavington. H. Dav-'es, A. E Cunning, Ed. Rowden. W. E. Evans, G. Clinch. G. Taylor. L.

DROWNED AT CARDIFF DOCKS. About half-past twelve on Friday morning the dock master, Captain Evans, and a gate- man ware standing on the quay at the Roath Buts Dock, when they heard a splash, followed by a cry, but failed to discover any person in the water. Grappling irons were procured, and, after dragging near to where the splash was heard, they recovered, in about half an hour, the body of a man, which a Bute Dock con- stable conveyed to the mortuary. The body was later in the morning identified as that of Charles Oldberg, a sailor, belonging to the steamship Baron Ardrosaan, now loading coal in the Roath Dock.

DROWNED TOGETHER,. Two boys, named William Gibson, aged six- teen, and his brother, Alexander Gibson, aged nine, the sons of a fisherman, were drowned on Thursday night while setting flounder nets off The Maidens, Ayrshire. The boat upset while they were changing places, and both were thrown into the waller.

PLAGUE IN INDIA. A Reuter's telegram from Calcutta on Friday says:—The plague scare here is increasing, and a number of wealthy natives are sending their families away. The Municipal Commissioners have resolved to appoint vigilance committees in each ward. Several fresh suspicious cases have been reported, some ending fatally.

AN EXCELLENT PLAN. Sir John Brunner's suggestion about hiring out navies for fighting purposes has moved Sir Wilfrid Lawson to drop into poetry. He writes to the member for Northwich:- An excellent plan, my dear Sir John, An excellent plan; go on, go on.. Let murderers contract to do their work At so much a Russian, so much a Turk. Then there must also be a limit of time. So many days to finish the crime. If the army incline to running away Insert a strike clause affecting their pay. Or so much a head would be better still. Try seven and six for each man they kill. • • • » Yes, you plan, Sir John, is exceedingly good, And we'll carry it out when its right under- stood.

FOOTBALL IN FLORENCE. A Reuter's telegram from Florence on Thurs- day says:—A football match was played here to-day by teams from the British squadron. The King and Queen of Italy were among the spectators. In the evening Rear-admiral Noel and Captain Briggs were invited to dine with the Court.

RECRUITING IN THE COLONIES. *■ A Central News telegram from Halifax fNovs. Scotia) on Friday says:—For the first time in the history of this colony recruits for the British Army are being publicly solicited. The recruits that offer themselves are being drafted into the Leinster Regiment.

Welsh Rugby Union. GENERAL MEETING AT CARDIFF. The Referees, Society Thrown Over On the Grounds of Non-success and Objections Down West. The question of the Referees' Society appears to have been settled by the Welsh Rugby Union in the same "jobbery" fashion that has charac- terised many of their previous gatherings. The proposal by a Western club was the obvious outcome of spleen-spleen which characterises their action in a highly discreditable manner. I make no bones about saying this, mark you, because I am fairly conversant with the matter from start to finish. To my way of thinking, there was a distinct attempt to influence a referee. Whatever may have been the result of that attempt, it would, at least, have shown better sportsmanship if those concerned had taken their defeat a more sportsmanlike fashion. Western football I have the highest respect for. When, however, they descend to mere carpet-bagging, I am inclined to let them run loose. The discussion upon the matter does not appear to have been of a particularly serious character, although one must admit that it was of a particularly lengthy description. Mr. A. J. Gould, who, probably, spoke feelingly, contended that the Welsh Rugby Union Com- mittee had quite as much to do as they could manage. Mr. Douglas, who followed, admitting that he was the instigator of the Referees' Society, suggested, in a diffident sort of fashion, that it had not, perhaps, been an un- qualified success. Surprised as one was at that avowal, one was still more surprised at the calm manner in which the meeting received the statements of Messrs. Shipton and Price. Mr. Shipton repeatedly harped upon the failure of the referees to attend Rhondda matches to which they had been appointed when a Cardiff and Newport game was on the board. Mr. Price was obviously more personal and distinctly in less taste. He objected to men being appointed that clubs had objected to. In the ordinary way one would not have seen much in this objection, but there is a recollection of games down West that does not, unfortunately, characterise those collected with the Neath Club as being the beat of sportsmen. One is inclined to ask. How, if the various clubs concerned object, we are to assure independent referees? To me it seems very much like going back to the old style of things, and appointing referees that ensure a moderate amount of "luck" to a home team. Apart from suggesting that it is a dis- tinct slap in the face to the Welsh Rugby Union, who had, to some extent, fathered the Referees' Society, it also suggests to me that one or two of our local clubs are not disposed to accept the services of referees who insist upon beiirr honest, "although they may blunder in their honesty." Really, one is not encouraged to the idea that local football legislation is a particu- la rly strong feature. I had better ideas cf Mr. Bowen (Swansea), who, I notice, had a distinct "hanging to the rails," if I may use a racing term; whilst Mr. Wilkins's suggestion that the Referees' Society cost them a pretty penny was about the weakest statsment that I remember to liav-, been uttered by him for a long time past. Charity, Mr. Wilkins alleges, would have oeen better benefited than presumably football by the money spent upon the Referees' Society. May I suggest that charity begins at home ? Charity would have, no doubt, benefited by the money spent upon the Referees' Society, but— and one naturally' asks the question—What is the Welsh Rugby Ur.ion Society for? Is it 13 encourage charity or local football? I am taking it that Mr. Wilkins has been reported correctly, mark you! But, whilst not doubting for a single moment the veracity of my colleague who attended the meeting, I must admit my unbounded surprise at such a statement from a gentleman who I have for a long time past considered one of the most common-sense, matter-of-fact legislators that the Welsh ;Rugby Union has the good luck to possess. The addition to the professional rules—the drafting of which was in a peculiarly legal style-was the subject of merry thought. One (an quite understand at whom the proposal was aimed. But it was so wrapt in legal phraseology that one had a difficulty in under- standing its rctnal application from a local point of view. Any club, or member, 011 agent, or friend, or partisan, or spectator, A-c., &c., &c., shall not ask a player to trans- fer his services to that club in which the mem- ber or agant, Ac., is interested. The 'dea is excellent, but I am afraid the manner in which the ider has been worded leaves many loop- holes for escape. It is like many Acts of Par- liament, through which, according to an old saying, a coach and horses can be driven—ex- cellent-in its meaning, but charmingly indefi- nite in the way it is said. The original suggestion that the salary of Mr. Rees, as secretary of the union, be in- creased from .850 to .£75 per annum was, to some extent, altered by the discarding of the Referees' Society, and it was itaturally thought that the extra work falling upon Mr. Rees's shoulders in the appointments of referees by the committee, and the consequent increase in correspondence, would be but fairly recom- pensed by moving the salary up to Y-100. Speak- ing personally, -is one who has experienced much courtesy and many favours at the hands of Mr. Rees, I must confess that from a press- man's point of view the slight recognition of his services is thoroughly well deserved. He has been during his tenure of oftice indefa- tigable in the discharge of his duties, and, although ne recognises that more than aught else it his been a labour of leve, one at the J same time must appreciate the recognition that the Welsh Rugby Union has extended to hint. WELSH ATHLETE.

PLUCK AT SEA REWARDED. The committee of Lloyd's, at their meeting on Wednesday last, decided to bestow the bronze medal of the society upon C. L. Kinnear and G. Karby, of the mail steamer Dunnottar Castle, as an honorary acknowledgment of their extraordinary exertions in contributing to the saving of life at sea on December 8 last. On the date mentioned, in Lat. 5.44 south, Long. 5.15 west, a man was reported overboard. The ship was stopped and a boat lowered, and on arriving at the spot where the man was last seen he was discovered about a fathom under water sinking. Kinnear and Karby, without removing their clothes, and, although the loca- lity is infested with sharks, jumped overboard simultaneously, and, diving for the man, who was a lunatic third-ciass passenger, brought him to the surface.

FOOTBALL. The following matches will be played to- morrow (Saturday): — NORTHERN UNION RULES. LANCASHIRE SENIOR COMPETITION. Leigli-Leigh v. Broughton Rangers. Oldham-Oldham v. Rest of Competition. YORKSHIRE COMPETITION. Leeds—Bradford v. Hunslet. LANCASHIRE SECTION.—TEST MATCH. LancRshire-Morecambe or Hultown v. Barrow. OTHER MATCHES. Birkenhead—Birkenhead Wanderers v. Runcorn. Barton—Barton v. Salford. FINAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP. To be played on the HARLEQUINS' GROUND On SATURDAY NEXT. APRIL 30. 18^8. ST. ANDREW'S V. ST. AlARY'S. Kick-off at Three sharp. ST. PETER'S V. ST. PAUL'S. Kick-off at 4.30. el0657s2< u.-

Singular as it may appear, the common her- ring is the most difficult fish to preserve aliv<». A tortoise which lived at Peterborough Cathe- dral attained the age of 180 years before it died. Young condors; birds of the vulture species, are unable to fly for over a year after they are hatched. Tautobanes, birds met with in the Kalahari Desert of Africa, build watch towers to their nests. During a thunderstorm on June 6, 1839, 1.2'1 distinct flashes of lightning were counted in two hours. i

An Echo of the Jubilee. UNPLEASANT TRIP TO WATCH THE REVIEW. Champagne Thrown Through the Port Hole and Pork Pies Which Are Green Inside. Before the Lord Chief Justice and a special jury Mr. William Evans, of the Crown, West Smitlifield, but formerly of the Essex Head, Essex-street, Strand, sued Mr. A. H. Lisner, of 119, Pall Mall, S.W., to lecover £179 due to him for catering for defendant's passengers on board a steams.- called the General Havelock, which tbe defendant had chartered on Diamond Jubilee Day and ether days lapt year, in order to enable people to witness the naval review at Sphhead. The defence was that the plaintiff had not carried out his cortract properly, and the defendant counter-claimed for damages he alleged lie had sustained in consequence. The plaintiff replied that if there was any deficiency in the catering. it was due to defendant's own breach of contract. Mr. Dickens, Q.C., and Mr. Chitty appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Witt, Q.C., and Mr. r, M. Abrahams for the defendant. Mr. Dickens, in the course of his opening statement, said that the plaintiff agreed to supply defendant's passengers for the day and for the trip of three days, and it was under- stood there should be no more than 80 pas- sengers for the three days' trip from the 25th to the 27th of June, and no more than 150 day passengers. The arrangements for the cooking and catering were, however, totally inadequate, and at the last moment the number of passen- gers was largely increased, with the result that the trip was not a success. 'Before the day passengers arrived the vessel was crowded, but after their arrival matters became much worse. Defendant was to supply the wine (champagne), -but it was so bad that the people' would not drink it, and threw it through the port-holes. (Laughter.) The plaintiff therefore supplied some of his own wine, The sleeping accommo- dation was totally insufficient, and ladies and gentlemen slept in the ladies' boudoir with a thin curtain between them. (Laughter.) Four- teen people slept in the dining-room, which only accommodated 39 at dinner. (Laughter.) The people went to bed late and could not be got up early, which, of course, affected the catering, as they slept in the eating room. (Renewed laughter.) The first relay of passengers had breakfast about 7.30 in the morning, and in consequence of the scantiness of the accommodation the breakfasts did not, after great crowding and crashing, finish until it was time to lunch. and the luncheons went on till dinner, which lasted till ten o'clock. (Renewed laughter.) They endeavoured to supply the people on deck, but a storm arose and blew some-of the things into the sea. When the day passengers arrived in a larger number than was expected the passengers on board tried to prevent them from coming on board, as the steamer was so crowded, and some of them did not come, and got their money back. There was no iiroper place in which to store the bread and It had to be placed in the hold, with the result that it got impregnated with the smell of tar. (Laughter.) A man named Honour, who acted as steward, gave evidence in support of plaintiff's case. In cross-examination, witness denied that the food was bad, or that when the day passengers arrived those on board told them not to come on the ship, as they were being starved. Two of the waiters were drunk, and he dismissed them. lIe did not see one of the waiters lying on the deck with the placard "dead" on him. (Laughter.) The plaintiff also gave eddence to a similar effect. When defendant arrived the people were indignant with him, and shouted, "Give him a bottle of his own wine." The first witness called for the defence was a cook named Thompson, who said that some of the ham and beef which came on board ship had already been cooked and cut. Pork pies supplied were green inside when cut, and the passengers would not eat them. On the next trip the ship took the pies to Sunderland and gave them to the strikers, but they threw them at them. (Laughter.) The tea was of very poor quality, and the coffee was only extract, and did not taste like coffee at all. (Laughter.) Some beef was obtained at Southampton which was tainted, and plaintiff's manager told wit- ness to cut off the tainted part and cook it. Witness added that he had seen the cooked meat in baskets in the billiard room at the plaintiff s house, and recognised it again by the way in which it was cut. Mr. Lisner, the defendant, said he farmed some land in the neighbourhood of London, and bought horses for the Royal Family. When he !?ot to Portsmouth with one con- tingent of passengers for the boat he was snr- nunded on the quay by pa««engers who had landed and said they would not stay on board, because they could not £ et anything :o eat, and what they did get was not fit for food. Many of the day passengers who heard this declined to go on board, and they insisted on the icturn of their money. He was completely cleaned out of £ 100 which he had in his pocket, and, including subsequent claims, he returned altogether .£636 He examined the food for himself, and his conclusion was that the cater- ing was altogether horrible. The meat looked as if it had come out of a cat's meat barrow. (Laughter.) There was a great commotion when he got on board the ship.' Mr. Abrahams: Did they threaten to throw you overboard ?-^I was told so, but I did not hear it. Mr. Chitty: Or worse. Did they threaten to make you drink your own champagne? (Laughter.) I did not hear that. (Laughter.) Lord Russel: AVhere did you get the cham- pagne?—Oh, from a respectable wine merchant with whom I heave dealt for the last twelve years. Lord Russel: How much did you pay for it?— Well the price varied from 36s. to 62s. a dozen. Lord Russell: Could you get drinkable cham- pagne at 36s.?—Oh. yes, excellent. I have had it in my own house to drink for the last twelve years. Lord Russell: And you have survived! (Laughter.) The further hearing was adjourned.

THE BIRMINGHAM TRAGEDY. At Birmingham on Friday the man Edwards was again renmnded charged with the attempted murder of his daughter by throwing her nnder the train. As the prisoner's sanity is questioned, he is undergoing careful watch- ing in gaol. The victim, who' has lost both arms and a, leg. will be able to leave the hospital in a week, and a number of influential gentlemen have interested themselves in her behalf, and are raising a sufficient sum to ensure her against want for ife.

STEALING A BICYCLE. A promising young cyclist, named William Lincoln Griffiths, aged 18, made an appearance jl (before the Stipendiary, Mr. T. W. Lewis) at Cardiff Police-court, on Friday morning charged with an offence which, according to Mr. George David, solicitor for the prosecution, has become very common among a certain class of kniffhts of the wheel. The prosecutor, Mr. John Worrell, a hirer of bicycles, carrying on business in Glenroy-street, charged. Griffiths with having, on the 16th of April, converted to his own use and stolen a machine, valued fit £10, of which he was the bailee. The version of the transaction urged by Mr. Forsdike, in prisoner's behalf, was that his client bought the machine for £9, and paid £1 on account.— Prosecutor said prisoner was a customer of his, and had been in the habit of hiring bicycles from him. On the 16th of April he hired a machine from Saturday at one o'clock until Sunday morning at nine o'clock, and also he arranged to hire a tandem from nine on the Sunday morning until the following Monday afternoon. He paid a deposit of £1 as security and hire, the balance to be subsequently returned to him. He took away the bicycle (now in court), and witness saw no more of him until last Tuesday, wb »n he was remanded. Prisoner, by letter, asked witness to sell the bicycle, but he declined, as his was principally a hiring business.—In answer to Mr. Forsdike, witness denied tho alleged hiring agreement.—Thomas Lewis Wil- liams, employed by the Powell Duffryn Com- pany at Cardiff Docks, and living at Whit- church. said prisoner came to him on the 16th inst. and brought the machine in question. Witness understood from accused that he was a cycling agent. He had heard, he said, that witness wanted a machine, and sajd he had brought him one, which was for sale. He asked for £7 lOs., hutf ultimately accepted £7, and witness produced his receipt for that sum.— Detective Dicks deposed to arresting prisoner in Queen-street. He admitted receiving the £7 from the last witness, frclll whom witness, re- covered the machine.—On being charged, he admitted the offence, and to the stipendiary he made a similar confession.—He was com- mitted to the quarter sessions to be held in July, and was bound over, himself in £30 and one surety in a like sum, or two in JB15 each.

DYNAMITE EXPLOSION IN AMERICA. A Central News telegram from New York on Friday says:—An explosion of dynamite occur- red at the Atlantic Dynamite Works, Dover, New Hampshire, last uitfht. Six were killed and four injured.

Goal Trade Crisis. FURTHER REPLY TO 'THE EMPLOYERS MANIFESTO. INTERVIEW WITH I MR. ALFRED ONIONS. THE PROPOSED SCALE WORSE THAN THE OLD.' The employers' manifesto continues to be the topic of conversation among many of those on strike, and it is thought to be the duty of the provisional committee to issue an official reply. The publication of the criticism of our mining correspondent was referred to at the meeting f the provisional committee on Thursday, and the members present unofficially discussed the manifesto. Mr. Lewis Miles and Mr. D. Beynon thought it would, however, be well to leave until to-day (Friday) the consideration of a. reply, if any Wfl.8 to be given. Mr. Alfred Onions, the treasurer of the pro- visional committee, was, however, not averse to expressing his own opinion, and, when ap proached by our local representative, he. in the course of conversation, said it appeared to him that the primary object of the employers' manifesto was, as had been suggested by the Western Mail," to stop the flow of public sympathy towards those in distress. He was confirmed in that opinion, he said, by the^fact that the manifesto was published in the London Times before being given to the local daily newspapers. The object of that was obviously to reach philanthropic, well-to-do people, who might, if not adversely influenced, be inclined to help to relieve the miners' families. i Asked what he thought of the manifesto, Mr. Onions said he did not propose to enter into detailed criticism. The question whether ihat should be undertaken or not should, he thought, be left for Friday's full meeting of the provisional committee, but it might be serviceable to point out a few of the misstatements it contained. t Referring to the particular clauses wnich had fixed his attention, he said: "I see they refer to our statement that the hewers do not earn more than £1 a week, and, in reply, they say that that is untrue, and that, after paying their assistants, the hewers are earning about 5s. 6d. per day. It will be noticed that the employers have carefully avoided all mention of this being the average wage. Now, that is very important. We do not deny that a few, on some days. earn 5s. 6d., and even more, but what we contend is that it is useless selecting a few figures, here and. there to pretend to represent the actual earnings of the workmen generally. Then they say they have submitted their pay-sheets to various independent per- sons." "What do you base your average upon?" asked the reporter. "Our" was based." replied Mr. Onions, "upon Government returns, and confirmed by infor- mation supplied by the South Wales coal owners themselves to the labour department of the Local Government Board. I see they say they have submitted their pay-sheets to various independent persons. In view of thf fact that at the last joint meeting we offered to submit the whole case tc the arbitrament of an independent umpire either to be agreed upon by us or to be nomi- nated by the Board of Trade, and that the employers emphatically refused even to con- sider the suggestion, it would be interesting to know who those independent persons are. Indeed, this seems to me to contain a sugges- tion that, notwithstanding their refusal to submit their case to an umpire, they are now willing to do so. If so, let them communicate with the provisional committee, and we will consider it. I notice, also, that they do not deal at all with the day wagemen's wages. Those are well-known, as we stated in our manifesto, and their silence upon this point must be taken as confirmation of the facts we gave in our manifesto." "What about this denial of the allegation that the pits work only five days a week?" "They evidently wish the public to infer that we made such a statement. What we said was that 'for various reasons, over which the workmen have no control, such as stop waggons, falls, Bank Holidays, &c.. the most industrious and provident among the work- men do not work on an average much ).ore thm five days per week." We said nothing about the collieries." "Does the proposed scale of the employers involve a reduction in wages?" "Their obvious object again there is to get the public to believe that we have made a distinctly inaccurate statement. What we said was:—'The present position is that the associated coalowners have placed proposals on the top of the pits under which they invite the men to resume work containing a scale, which, according to the average selling price of coal aB ascertained by the last audit under the old scale, would ensure a reduction of 2 £ per cent.' Anyone comparing the two scales will at once see that that is accurate, with the audit referred to in our manifesto, which waa then the last audit. The last they have had taken for themselves was not then made. The selling price of coal then was 9s. 3.769d. The average selling price, 8.-3 taken by their auditor, must have been between 9s. 8d. and 9s. 8.57d., otherwise it could not give '66 per cent. more than what the old scale would have given, because, under the old scale, when the average selling price reached 9s. 8'57d. it would give 161 upon the standard. Now, under the scale which the employers have caused to bp put at the tops of the collieries. before another advance in wages will take place the average selling price must reach 10s. per ton. Under the old scale three ad- vances in wages would take place during the same time. In the first place, as I have jnsti said, when the average selling price reaches 9s. 8.57d., the wages would be 16i per cent. above the standard; when it reached 9s. 10.29d. they would be 17i per cent. above the standard; and when it reached 10s. per ton, they would be 18t per cent, above the standard. Hence, the old scale is immensely superior to that one which is placed at th« pit-tops. Notwithstanding that, at the point at which their auditor found the average selling price, there is an advantage of decimal 66 in favour of the new scale." Mr. Onions pointed out that the employers* manifesto contained a deliberate misstatement" as to the extension of time for the now famous "nine days." He went over the wholi ground, detailing what actually took place to prove that the extension te nine days wai at the employers' request, and not, as stated in the manifesto, at the request of the work men's representatives. They had only sug- gested two days, to end the week. This con- tention was afterwards confirmed by Mr. Lewi: Miles and Mr. Beynon, who produced the minuti book of the workmen's representatives ia support of their views. V WELSH DELEGATES AT BRISTOL. Mr. Lewis Miles, the secretary, and Mr. Alfrec Onions, treasurer, of the workmen's provisional committee, and Mr. Woodward, of Risca, left Pontypridd, on Friday morning with the elnea o'clock train, and proceeded to Bristol, in I* sponse to a letter asking them to meet Mr. Ben- jamin Pickard, M.P., and Mr. Ashton, chairman and secretary of the Miners' Federation, in that town. It is expected that the object of the journey is to receive the levy of £1,000 voted by the federation to the relief of the South Wales miners, and from the fact that these three dele- gates have been called to Bristol it is probable that they may have some other important busi- ness to transact. MASTERS' DEFENCE FUND AND THE COLLIERS. To the Editor of the Evening Express." Sir,—I am rather surprised that not one of the men's leaders has thought it worth his while to point out to the general public the following two statements made last week. We were told, on the authority of Mr. Dalziel—anc' I have no reason to doubt his word—that th. colliery owners' defence fund amounted tt over £300,000. In your issue of yesterday we were told, on the authority of the employers' emergency committee, that the condition of the coal trade in South Wales are such that the best collieries pay very little interest. Now, I think, on the strength of that statement, it is only fair to assume that the worst colliery pays nothing at aU, and the poor colliers are told by the masters that they cannot afford to sive them a rise. I consider that it is an insult to anyone's intelligence to expect any man to believe that men of the business ability of the coUiery owners would subscribe £300,000 to defend a trade that does not pay.—Thanking you in anticipation. I am. &c.. F AIRPLAY. April 28. DISTRESS AT PONTYPRIDD. At the Craig Schools, Pontypridd, on Friday, morning, the schoolmaster (Mr. Chubb) inquired how many of the children had come to school without breakfast, and it was ascertained that 125 were present with empty stomachs. Tea bread and batter, and treacle were then pro vided for those unhappy scholars by the teachers. The arrangement took halt au hour fCONTINUE!) fix VAGK U