The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

ABERYSTWYTH UNION ACCOUNTS. Not many years ago it would have been im- possible for the ratepayers in Aberystwyth Union to have obtained a statement of accounts like that now placed before them every six months. To this day surrounding unions have not seen Lhe wisdom of preparing abstracts containing infor- mation of that necessary and instructive character to be found in the one now before us, but content themselves with a list of paupers, and a few general totals which are almost worthless to the outsider who merely pays rates. Pauperism is still declining in the union, the average now being 3 6 against 3-8 for the corresponding period of last year. This is not a very satisfactory de- crease, but it must be remembered that for some time there has been a tendency on the part of the town Guardians to be more liberal than they ought to be with out-relief. The country guardians, with one or two exceptions, have always struggled persistently against offering the workhouse to applicants for assistence. The town guardians, however, resisted the demoraliz- ing tendency uatil lately, but now they seem to have given way, and in a short time we may ex- pect to see all that has been gained during the past six or seven years thrown away unless a further change takes place. The poor, of course, are in favour of out-relief, and the poor have votes which they are apt to record against the Town Councillor who persistently recommends the house at the Board meetings. The per centage of out-door to in-door paupers, it will be seen, is still far too great. Out of every hundred paupers 94-2 receive out-relief. The average number of indoor-paupers is one less than for the corresponding period last year. This small decrease it is true, is in accord with the expe- rience of well managed unions, but taking all the facts into consideration we fear in the case before us the decrease in the number of in-door paupers speaks more plainly of relaxed effort than of that general decrease in pauperism which invariably accompanies the strict application of sound prin- ciples in the administration of the Poor Laws. The average weekly number of paupers relieved is 936 against 1,022 in the corresponding period last year. This again is only a small decrease, and is mainly owing to an improvement in Geneu'rglyn district, for which Mr JOlIN JONES is the relieving officer. Ilar shows a reduction of twenty-four but Aberystwyth only shows a decrease of one Which ever way the figures are looked at it will be found that the town shows the effect of re- laxed effort on the part of the Aberystwyth guardians. The decrease in the number of the Aberystwyth paupers as we have just stated is only one, but the expenditure shows an increase of £4£) 9s 9d. It cannot be said in explanation of this increase, that there have been exceptional causes for granting additional out-relief, except those causes which exist in the guardians, and not in the paupers. The amount collected from relatives of paupers during the half year ended 29th of September 1870 was zC35 lls 8d for the corresponding period in 1875 the amount was X155 18s 6d. This large sum shows a satis- factory increase on the corresponding period of 1874 when R123 Is -6d was collected. From first to last any improvement shown by the abstract is due more to the paid officials than to the representatives of the ratepayers. As far as it goes this is satisfactory, but it would be absurd to expect continued official assiduity if the guar- dians give way to popular clamour. Aberystwyth may be said to have solved the question of pauperism as far as it has been solved in the majority of unions. At the present moment the average percentage of pauperism is lower in Z-1 0 Aberystwyth than in the United Kingdom gener- ally. This creditable position has been won by the combined efforts of the Board ably assisted by perhaps the best chairman and vice-chairman in bouth Wales. As yet the path of retrogression has not been traversed so far as to make return difficult. Indeed we should not be surprized if the Guardians strongly contended that they have not turned their backs-upon reform. The abstract of accounts shows a continued falling off in the rate of pauperism, and a reduced expenditure, but the rate of improvement has been greatly re- duced, and the reasons for that redaction are not far to seek. It is also evident from a careful examination of the figures that if the forces now in operation continue to exert their influence another year, we shall find the improvement we have so long been able to chronicle giving place to expensive and very marked consequences of negligent rules. From time to time we have set forth the importance of the duties discharged by Z;) Guardians and never perhaps was that importance more clearly evidenced than now, when laxity in the administration of out-relief may result not only in more stringent general rules but in such an enforcement of these rules, as would materially reduce the power of the guardians. The Local Government Board will ultimately compel Boards of Guardians to abstain from using the rates to demoralize the poor but how soon that compul- sion will be brought to bear depends greatly upon the way the diseretiorary power Guardians now possess is exercised. Those ivlao have not closely watched the progress of the Aberystwyth Board may be unable to detect that falling off in the rate of improvement to which we have called attention, but we think a careful investigation of the abstract of accounts will make manifest good reasons for a careful revision of the course pursued at Aber- ystwyth during the past six months.

BAD GAP AT ABERYSTWYTH. On Tuesday last the gas question at Aberyst- wyth entered upon a new phase of its existence. For twenty-five years and upwards the town has been suffering from bad and dear gas. Whenever, during that time, the consumers' patience has shown signs of being exhausted, the directors have pleaded for a little more delay. They are always just on the point of completing something or other thau will put an end to every complaint, and, in addition, they are never quite sure the complaints are not altogether unreasonable. The shareholders' representatives told Abeiystwyth grumblers a quarter of a century ago that the gas works did not pay, end that the shareholders never expected to receive interest for their money. Since then, however, dividends have been paid- it is said out of capital—and the shares have been increased in value without any additional pay- ments being made by their holders. In 18^5 the gas was so bad and dear that the town was only prevented from erecting new works by a reduc- tion in price, and solemn promises of speedy im- provement. For something like six years we have been complaining of the gas. At first our remon- strances were silently ignored, f,but by returning persistently to the attack, public attention has at last been effectually called to the abominable way in which a monopoly is used to the loss and annoyance of the public, and the disadvantage of the shareholders. The manager, who is now leaving the works, has been blamed for the bad gas. At the Council meeting on Tuesday, the sins of the company were laid on his shoulders, and it was inferred that the shocking stench on Monday and Tuesday nights was a sort of revenge taken by the manager on account of his dismissal. If the gas had been even moderately good up to this week, we should feel disposed to disposed to sympathize with this view, but in the face of a long array of contrary facts and experiences stretching over a period of twenty-five years, it is impossible to think that the manager put himself to extra trouble on Monday in order to supply the town with bad gas. The manager will now be at liberty to express his opinions,and it would not be surprising if he tried to clear himself from the imputation cast upon him on Tuesday last. There is every reason to fear that even the new ap- pliances for the manufacture of gas are not equal to the demand. If this be so, and there can be little doubt about it, there will be need for steady organized effort in order to obtain for con- sumers the three things which are absolutely needed-a reduction in price,better quality of gas, and the correct pressure. Mr HARIIES, surgeon, waited upon the Council on Tuesday, and in plain terms expressed the opinions of ninety-nine out every hundred inhabitants. Mr HARRIES stated that the gas is impure and injurious to health. He will deserve the thanks of the public if he perseveres in compelling the company to observe their Act of Parliament, but he ought not to be left to fight the company alone. The power pos- sessed by the directors and shareholders is considerable, and for many years effective ways of silencing grumblers have been found. A few independent gentlemen who dare speak out, and who could neither be frowned down nor cajoled into silence, might soon place Aberystwyth on equal terms with other towns. If gas at Aber- rystwyth was 2s 6d per 1,000 feet instead of 6s 8d,inferiority might be tolerated with some degree of patience, bu to pay a high price for the supply produced by the company is unendu- rable. The inhabitants ot Aberystwyth will await with great interest the result of Mr DAVIES'S action, which ought to be supplemented by other consumers; As we stated last week, the Gas Company has seen the last of peace and quietness for some time. Of course the old plea will be urged for delay. The directors know perfectly well that if public indignation can be fenced off for a month, something else will come to the front, and the old system will quietly enter upon a new lease of uselessness. There is no reason why the test place should not be erected without a single day's delay, and we trust Mr DAVIES will carry out this part of his promise without parley, with a company which does notmerit the least con- sideration at the hands of consumers. One of the conditions of the continued existence of the com- pany should be, good gas at 4s 6d per 1,000 feet.

The Prince of Wales will leave Bombay for England on the 10th March. The burials question wad discussed in the Lower House of Convocation of York on Wednesday, February 16th. The Deans of Manchester and Chester spoke against the impolicy of the "no surrender" cry, but the voting showed that their moderate views did not find favour. The ques- tion was also before the Lower House of Canterbury. The judgment of the Judicial Committee in the case of "Jenkins v. Cook," in which the personality of Satan Nas concerned was given by the Lord Chancellor on Wednesday, February 16th. The judgment was to the effect that, as there was no evidence that Mr Jenkins was a notorious evil- doer or a depraver of Holy Scripture, the judgment of the Dean cf Arches be reversed, that Mr Cook pay costs in both courts, and he admonished not to refuse the sacrament to Mr Jenkins. Henry White, a Cheshire farmer and butcher, was fined 10s and costs, at the Liverpool police court,on Wednesday, February lGsb, for bleeding a calf, with the object of making the flesh appear whiter. Professor Pritchard, of the Veterinary College, London, said the practice had been put a stop to in nearly every part of the country, and it only now prevailed in Cheshire. Mr Gladstone was presented with the freedom and livery of the Turners' Company in London, on Wednesday, February 16th. In accepting the honour, he stated that he had long practised the art of woodmanship. Advices from Madrid state that the Carlists have been completely defeated in two engagements. The whole of Biscay, it is announced, is now freed from Carlists. Mr C. Brown, of Holmbush Park, will contest Horsham in the Liberal interest. Mr H. Padwick, Manor House, has issued his address as the Conservative candidate. Mr Darby Griffith and Mr Philip Wroughton have been nomi- nated for Berkshire. The Dnke of Richmond, replying to a deputation from the London Trades Council, urging the removal of the present restrictions on the importation of foreign cattle, as tending to enhance the;price of meat, said the regulations of the Privy Council were intended to prevent disease, and he could hold out no hope of their alteration. There are said to be 30,000 workmen out of work in Berlin. Professor Max Muller has been named a Commander of the Order of the Crown of Italy. The appointment of Sir Frederick Haines as successor to Lord Napier in the position of Commander-in-Chief in India has been confirmed. The high-class school for girls which has been established at Plymouth, and of which the Bishop of Exeter is the chairman, has proved most successful. It has paid its way from the first, and though opened only about two years, is able to pay five per cent to its shareholders. It has 160 pupils.

LOCAL AND DISTRICT. BANGOR SHIPWRIGHTS.—The requisition by the men em- ployed in the shipbuilding yards at Bangor for the Saturday half-holiday has been acceded to by the masters, and the concession came in foice on Saturday, February 12. The marriage of Mr Charles Gordon Duff and the Hon. Francis Maude Vivian, second daughter of Lord Vivian, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, took place on Wednesday, at Pentraeth Church, Anglesea, in the presence of a large and fashionable gathering. WELSH MILITIA REGIMENTS.—The recruits of the Car- narvonshire militia are to assemble at Carnarvon on the 13th March, and the general body of the regiment on the 24th April. The Denbighshire militia will assemble at Wrexham on the 24th April, the recruits being called up for March 27. MANCHESTER AND MILFORD RAILWAY COMPANY.—A meeting of this Company was held on Tuesday, February 15th, at 2, Moorgate-street, London, Mr J. J. Barrow in the chair. A resolution was submitted for the approval of a Bill to authorise an extension of time for purchasing land, and completing the railway authorised by the Man- chester and Milford (Devil's Bridge Branch) Act, 1873." The resolution was carried, and the proceedings then ter- minated. PABLIAMSNTARY PETITIONS. -By Lord Newport, from the RuridecEtnal Conference of Ellesmere, against the Burials Bill. By the Earl of Powis (in the House of Lords) from Tremeirchion, against allowing any service?' other than those of the Church of England, in chuichyard?. By Mr T. E. Lloyd, for postal facilities at St. David's, Llan- dysil, Cardiganshire. By the Earl of Powis (in the House of Lords) from the clergy and laity ef the parish of St. Asaph, against services other than those of the Church of England being allowed ia churchyards. THE NEW SHERIFFS.—There w?re amongst the new sheriffs published in the London Gazette on Saturday, Feb. 12th. Shropshire—Arthur Mostyn Owen, of Woodhouse, Esq. Cardiganshire—George Griffiths Williams, of Wallog, near Aberystwyth, Esq. Carnarvonshire—Robert Carreg, of Carreg, Esq. Denbighshire—Thomas Barnes, of the Q'li'ita, Oswestry, Esq, Flintshire—Conwy Grenville Hercules Rowley Conwy, of Bodrhyddan, Esq. Merioneth- shire—Thomas Taylor, of The Cliff, Esq..Montgomery- shire—Richard John Edmunds, "f Edderton Esq. Brecon- shire—Mr Mordecai Jones, of Morganwg House, Brecon. Carmarthenshire—Mr James Buckley, of Castellgorvod. Glamorganshire-Mr Thomas Picton Tabervill, of Ewenny Abbey.—Pembrokeshire—Mr Charles Allan, of Tenby. Radnorshire—Sir Richard Green Price, Bart., of Norton Manor. Presteign. DENBIGHSHIRE (HUSSARS) Y.C. ORDER.—The following has been published. The Lieut.-Col. commanding has much pleasure in notifying to the regiment her Majesty's gracious sanction for the distinctive title of Hussars," being hence- f(.rth bi_>rne by the Denbighshire Yeomanry Cavalry, and Lieutenant Colonel Navlor Levland confidently hopes that this special mark of royal favour may prove an increased incentive to exertion on the part of all ranks in the regi- ment, n't only to maintiin its present high character amongst the auxiliary forces of the kingdom, but to place it in all details of discipline, drill, and equipment upon a near equality with Hussar' Regiments of the Line. By order, signed. R F. Morrison, Capt. 5th Lancers, Adjutant Denbighshire (Hussirs). Yeomanry Cavalry. Head Quarters, l.'uthin, 2dth Jan., 1876." VAN CONSOLS MINING COMPANY.—The ordinary general raettin^ of shareholders was held at the mine on Thursdnr, Janna'-y 27, Mr Matthew Green in the chair. The report of the agent, Mr James Roach, was submitted, together with the statement of accounts which showed a credit li-tia-ice of gi.271 63. 6d.—The Chairman explained that the meeting had been deferred until the heavy work of driving the new drawing-shaft to the 80 fathom level, to reach the ore-bearina ground, bad been accomplished, and the meeting was the-i convened, on the ground that the shareholders might have an opportunity to form an opinion on the value of the lode they had there laid open.-Cap". Richard Barker, J. P., approved of the course taken by the directors, and Mr Parkes. who had gone over the mine on the previous day, as rather a large shareholder was heart ly glad to have had the opportunity. He considered the ex- tensive works, buildings, machinery, plant, &c., at surface were oft he most substantial and serviceable kind, and in 1.i" judgment the money expended had been well laid out.—Mr Cooper also expressed himself well pleased with his visit to the mine. The report and accounts were then adopted, and the directors nn tnimously re-elected, and the cust unary votes of thanks terminated the proceedings. THE YSTRAD MEURIG GRAMMAR SCHOOL.—Mr Thomas McKenna Hugheswiit.es to the Times from Trluity Col- lese, Camhridop A few days ago, in company with some other friends of higher education in Wales. I visited the Grammar School of Ystradmeurig, which is situated in the bp:1rt of the mountains of Cardiganshire, not far from the old Monastery of Y';tra Fflur or Strata Florida. This school, founded early in the last centnry by a poet and scholar of whom we think a ?ood deal in Wales, has done good work in its day, and has many aspiring associations hanging around it. What, is its present state? It stmds in a churchyard besides a ruined church. The servicer are held in the school, all the windows on one side of which are boarded up, having no in them. The old library, the nucleus of which was formed in the 17th centurv, ia stowed awav in cupboards, many of the "hooks being arranged herring bone fashion Th* chairs of two celebrated peda- gogues and the tombstone of the founder are, thanks to the present master, under 8heter in the room in which the books are kept. The only class room is in ruins. It is not that the need of such an institution is not felt, for there are sixty boys at the school, and the cry of the country is for more and better schools. The promoters of the scheme for providing a higher education for Wales in the University College at Aberystwyth are continually met by the objec- tion, Why do you not try to get more schools, instead of bringing collegiate teaching down to the doors of the people ?' The teaching staff at that college all complain of the want of previous school training in the students. Is there among your readers a friend of education who, having I p;rha: s the wi!ll n not t!le means to do gc,L; ti:i¡;S f,¡r education, has the l-inre and opportunity 10 )(11 k into this case and inquire why one .of our old endow :d grammar schools is in such a deplorable state as regards everything that catches the eye of a chance visitor ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENTS —The Rev E. James to P, rpetual curacy of Spytty Cenfvn, Cardiganshire. LIQUIDATIONS.—Hugh Price, of "The Mill," Llansant ffraid Glyn Dyfrdwy, Merionethshire, miller and corn merchant. Mr Evan Jones, of Baia, was appointed re- ceiver of the property. The first meeting of creditors to be held on Saturday,Feb. 19,at twelve at noon at the Wynnstay I Arms. Ruabon. Mr Evan James, of Corwtn, is ..12 solici- tor ill the matter.—Waiter Barford, iarmer, Wyke, near Shifnal, Salop.

¡ HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. [WEATHER PERMITTING.] The Tanat Side Harriers will meet on' Friday, February 18 Llanymyreoh Tuesday, February 22 Arddieen Friday, February 25 Black Horse At 11 o'clock. The Marquess of Londonderry's Barriers will meet on Friday, February 18 Dolcaradoc Tuesday, February 22 Aberhosan At 10 o'clock. The North Montgomery Harriers will meet on Saturday, February 19 Trefnanney Wednesday, February 23 Bwlchvcibe Saturday, February 26 Llanfechain At 11 o clock. The Severn Valley Harriers will meet on Friday, February 18 The Kennels, Newtown Tuesday, February 22 .Horse Shoe Inn, Brithdir Friday, February 25 .Kerrv Village Tuesday, February 29 Llyssin, L'anerfvl At 10.30. The Chester Beagles will meet on Friday, February 18 .Bridge Tr.tfford At 12. Sir W. W. Wynn's Hounds will meet on Friday, February 18 .Brynypys Saturday, February 19 Aldersey At 10.30.

LOWER MONTGOMERYSHIRE MONTHLY MEETING. The Calvinistic Methodists of tha lower portion of Montgomeryshire held their monthly meeting at Oswestry, on Thursday, February 17th, and Friday. There was a large number of ministers and delegates present, and several matters of interest to the denomination were discussed. In connection with the monthly meeting a very interest- ing presentation was made to one of the oldest and most respected ministers of the county of Montgomery—the Rev. Fdward Price, late of Llanwyddelan, now of Oswes- try. The presentation of the testimonial, which had been subscribed for hy the friends in Lower Montgomeryshire, took place; at Zion Chapel, at half-past six on Thursd ly evening. Mr John Jones, Llanfyllin, presided, and the Rev. John Ogwen Jones, B.A.. Oswestry, on behalf of the subscribers, presented the lestim nial, which consisted of a beautiful portrait of Mr Price, together with an illumin. ated address in gilt frame, and a timepiece. There wa, a large number present from all parts of the county, ard several addresses were delivered congratulating Mr Pd Ce on the happy event. Mr Price returned thanks in a humourous speech, which bristled with anecdotes of re- miniscences of a career of fifty years' labour in the ministry. We hope to give a full report in our next issue.

LONDON AND PROVINCIAL BANK. The half yearly meeting of shareholders of the London and Plovinciai Bank, Limited, was held at the London Tavern, on Tuesday, 1st February, Mr Andrew IVills in the chair. The notice convening the meeting having been read by the Secretary, and the report taken as read, The CHAIRMAN said—Gentlemen,—I think it may be stated as a fact beyond all question that the past half-year has not been altogether a favou able one for banking opera- tions. You will have noticed that at the meetings recently held, the Chairmen have, with scarcely an exception, al- luded to the falling off in their profits, owing to the stagna- tion in trade, and the exceptionally low rate at which money has ruled during the last six months, thereby in most cases necessitating the payment of lower dividends than usual to their shareholders. Our experience in the districts over which the business extends has not been altogether dis- similar to that of our neighbours. In the agricultural dis- tricts generally, the farmers, who constitute a very impor- tant section of our customers, have had the worst year known for a very long time; their crops have been very deficient, and at the same time the prices obtained for them j very low whilst in the coal and iron cistricts of South Wales, wheie v. e have several important bnuches, the de- pression in these indu,,i rlc-s has been unequdied for many years. These alverse, and, as we hope, exceptional causes, have, no doubt, to some extent affected our business as Well as that of other banking institutions but notwithstanding these diawbacks, I venture to hope the balance sheet now before you will be deemed satisfactory, showing, as it does, a material improvement both in the extent of the business and profits; and as these results arise from the natural growth which is steadily taking place in the business of the bank, and not from any adventitious circumstances, the directors have felt justified in increasing the dividend to 12A4 per cent., without having the least reason 2 1 to doubt that this rate can be easily maintained, I and also with every prospect of future progression. (Cheers.) Comparing our present figures with those in the previous balance sheet, viz., for 30th June, you will see that the paid-up capital, 2150,000, remains the same. Upon this item I shall have some remarks to make prp. sently. The reserve fund, E30,110 5s (invested in 232.729 4s 6d (new three per cents.,) exhibits an increase off £ 3,000. and the £3,000 now recommended to be added to the fu, d will raise ife to 233,110. Customers' balances, £ 1,497,693. show an increase in the half-year of 291,798. Gross profit for the balf-year, X44,536, after making the most ample provision for bad and doubtful debt., is an improvement of 93 238 for the half-year. The cash in band, f256 377 and investment in Consols, &c., £ 340,495, amounting together to £ 590,872, which is somewhat iess than last time, owing to the greater requirements of our customers. I may men- tion in passing that the market value of the investments on 31st December last, when the balance-sheet was made up, was nearly £6,000 more than they stand at in the account Freehold and leasehold premises and furniture EC:O inf, E21 952, is rather more, represented by additional saf s and furniture for several of the branches. All the cost of fit'inir up the premises of the new branches has bpen paId, ,;II nere- tofore. entirely out of revenue. Current expenses, JE18 807. is £ 1,577 more, caused solely by the cost of additional bianches. Interes paid to customers, -210,107 is £ 374 more, accounted for by increased deposits. Before parsing from this balance-sheet, it may not be uninteresting to take a retrospective glance to the period when it was thought de. sirable to make certain improvements in the constitution of tiie company, by briefly referring to the progress that hag taken place in the extent of the business and succrss of the institution since that time. I will not trouble you by going so far back as twelve years ago, when the Bank was established,but would confine my analysis to the pariod alluded to, namely, five vears since. _'M M In February,'1871, the Customers' Balances were X482,507 „ 1872, „ „ FIL9,709 I 1873 rf0>,801 187; „ 1,042,252 1875, „ „ 1,319,098 1876. „ 1,497.693 5 So that you will see our business during the period under review has more than trebled, and, I may aid, that the va!ue of the shares has also increased in fully the same ratio, viz., more than threefold. (Cheer.) During the five years we have acquired the business of two small country banks, paying the pure1 .ase'money, £ 12,00;) out of income. We have also established twenty-st-veo branches and nine agencies, paying all the cost of fitting up the premises and preliminary expenses of every kind am nntin-r 11 about Ell.000, out of income; besides which, we have written £ 4,500 off nhe freehold and leasehold pre- mises, and accumulated a Reserve Fond of £ 33,000. Thus in the ways I have named, and of an equally bene- ficial kind, we have expended on profi'-prodncing business, or retained in hand nn iistributed in one form or another, altogether about k75,000, which, of cours-, intrinsically improves the value of the shares as an investment. (H~ar, hear.) So much, gentlemen, for the ;a t five yeirs. Whe- ther I shall have the honour of presiding at your meetings five years bence it is impossible to tell, but whoever ,C"U i-s 'that position, I confidently anticipate thpt he will be able to refer to a further great stride in the business and s ro'ts of the Bank, as weB as in the value of tbe share., There are good reasons for expecting this, and, if it were not fur i,ri--t?as,ng too long on your time, I think I cod::J mention grounds to justify the assertion. There is only one other subject on which I need detain you, viz the question of paid-up capital. We are not in want of more monev for 'he purposes of our business, having as much as we'require, but, 'as the customers' balances continue to augment, it will only be in accordance with what is c, torrnry such circumstances to increase-our capital in fair proportion, and we have it, therefore, in contempla- tion to issue gradually 10,000 new shares, which w.il pro- duce £ 50.000 additional capital. The way in which this ceu'd be most advantageously done has engaged the serious consideration of the Board. and I need not add that the Directors, being very large shareholders, have been it Hut enced by no other moti.-e. t'an what will be for the best and p rmanent interest of the institution. After mature deliberation, they have decided that the most beneficial course will be to issue them in the same way as was adoptee .-n a f rmer occasion, viz., to customers and other residents at the branches at a fair value, having regard to the market pric" of fbei day, the premiums being added to the reserve fund. When this has teen accomplished your paid-up Clp;t.al will s and at P,200,000, and your reserve fund at £ 100,000, which will be invested, as at present, in English Government stock, separate and apart from the Bank's other investments. I am not aware of any other point to allude to, but will merely add that we propose to appro- pi-ia^e the nett disposable balance of profit thus:— £ 9,375 Os Od to the payment of a dividend, at the rate of 12?E per cent. per annum. free of income tax £:3,000 Os Od to the reserve funri, raising it to £ 33,110 5aOd; £ 500 in further reduction of freehold and leasehold premises account; £ 2,436 8s 3d to rebate on bills £ 5,017 12s 7d carried for- ward. I now beg to move the adoption of the report, buu, before putting it to the meeting, shall be happy to answer anv questions that may suggest themselves to the snare- °Mr CT.AUE SEWELL READ, M.P., having seconded the r0Mrf' BOLTON; Mr GALSWOKTHY, and Mr SCHLESIXGEH severally addressed the meeting, with the balance-sheet, and approval of the intended in- crease in the capital, and of the way the Directors proposed to issue the new-hares. Mr MCGEORGE having asked lor furtoer information on t'ie latter point. Mr C. FI, LEWIS, M.P., ente-ed int> a full explanation. /n,T^e was tben pat to the meeting, ai d carried th^raHf iVper ded:iration of dividend at xhe retiring directors and auditors bavins' be^n rejected f <*». with'crdial r«; „i to,.nk? to the directors, ofcce.-a, and chairman. mintin-C°wasDTl Witl? du!?/iven' an extraordinary i.' 1 v r.\ ea ,3eI<^ t0 consider a resoiueioa a ter'n^ article No. 63 of the Articles of Association, under whicfa s u at present stands, the half yearly meetings of share- holders can only be held in the months of Feb- ary and August. The alteration proposed enables AuCTsf ThJ ',ntJariUary or February, a-,d July or Th « resolution was agreed to without discussion. will kTr!yJ°e??' necessary un.er the statute, will be hetl at the officts of the. company after the re- quir notice has been given.

BIRTHS MARRIAGES & DEATHS. No 3"0 ce Ko annoceent of marriages are inssrtetl -uificient are sometimes' omiTte 1 °* ann\!unce"! 10 -os words "No cards *e ls' 15 made for siiiple record of'd^C Tnama^s- lrld £ £ £ M?* DAVIES—Feb. 6th, the wife of Mr "vr^co* r The Tunhouse, Ll.nfyllin, of a daughtc^ 16S' acctloneer- &c"' .rlAKUIAGE. FRANCIS—BADDALEY—Feb. 14th, at Brixham Kev. A.F. Carey, vicar, Allen EmersonFr^is^oT x'ewtUn to Caroline Louisa, oniv dnuuhter of tliw la. wi-i + Baddaley, of Brixham.-No Cards. bert nheilton GRII FRTHS—DAV1 ES—FeB. 10th, at RJnm;e,vj J>RE<J b R T.Rowland vicar, Mr Rees Griffith*, Blaenl-rch to AnnT eaugliter of Mr VVatkin Davies, Waencvnydd. ES"Feb- 10th- by licence. Mr Rich-ird Hum- pnre>s (KtUM.irt o Fadog), stationer, to Miss Catherine Jones mistress of the Infant National School, both of Portmadoc i?7fV RL"VN^;Feb- 10th' atSt" -Manifl's Church?Carterburv, hj the Rev. Robert Whiston, late Senior Felloe of Trinity College, Cambridge, assisted by the Kev. A. Strettell, rector of the parish, Dr Hugh James Lloyd, of Tynvcoed, Barmouth >ortn N.aies, to Mary Ellen Iliff," eldest daughter of Colonel Mums, of St Martin's Priorv, Canterbury. Pi-NR^—^OKRIS-Feb. 16th, at the Fetter-Lane Independent Chapd, Lond:m, by the hev. R. Wilhams:Hwfa Moo), assisted by the Kev E. Puah, Wesleyan minister, Thomas Arthur Penrv, Congregational minister, Aberystwyth, to Jane, eldest daugh- TIIACKFRIL- FT *iS ^°r,riS' P^'and-street, Aberystwyth. hv t t TL^ER~Feb' Uth- at St. John's Churcu, Fuluam, tha Rtv p ?' 0,Vdwelh vicar of St. Andrew's, ;isbisted by LhnKhan'n k i T8' M'A Edwi,J L Thaekerav, of Plas ter^ th?'i?fel,bTg,hshl^evto Elizabeth V*rtj, sUCjud cUugh- \ntt~ J,B,Wer' of Ocg'in House, Mayperley, tOo^'t? I,.h,i "le PaIe> Cumberland, and frrrtmi-dauKhter of the late John Thackeray, of Wood-end, Saddle worth. BBATHS. Penelope, only child of Mrs Hav Rnvt -°B ° ??!' and niece of J. H. «-a>-Kuxton, or Broad Oak Kent Mr Cleat0n' Berthlloyd, aged 53" at Dolforwyn Hall, Ahermule, re' Richard Dobson, Esq. Joh i and M6 Ann'e Jane Edwards, only daughter of EVAXS-F H M(GV,ARKT Ec*wards, Ivy House, Aberdovev. garon Averina> w"e of John Evans, Mill-street, Tre- GETHiN-Feb. 6th, Ftged 9 ii,eeks, at Lydham, Mary Hannah, in- HOWELL Feb. 11th, aged 61, at VValton-on-Than:es, Edward Howell, son of the late V.ilHam and Eleanor Howell, of Bont julanbiyi m-nr. JO:"Es-P,b. 12h, aed ? months, Robert Llewelyn, infant son "t Mr Robert Jones, printer. Lady well-street, Newtown JONES—Feb. Kith, aged 53, Mr Joseph Oven Jones, Fro'nygog Machyn leth. 6. JOKES—Feb. 16th, aged 53, Mr Griffith Jones, rigger, Port- madoc. JONES—Feb. 6th, aged 30, Mr John Price Jones, Castle Inn. Jjlanon. aged 4, William, grandson of Mr Thos. Leek, Gas Works, Towyn. LLOYD-Feb. 2nd, aged 81, Mr John Lloyd, Cynyni ¡n. & al Aylmeston Rectory, Nor/oiK, Alice, wife of ttie Rev. \V W. Mills, Rector of Ayimestoii-cu ij-He.nton, and daughter of the late Henry HU, of Newcastle, Staffordshire, una. I ynyrcitLiu, Montgomeryshire. OWEN—Feb. 5th, aged 16, a: Maen^wyn-street, To-vyn, Mr Hugh Owen, butcher. HOBERTS-Feb. 7th, aged 63, at Crewe, Cheshire, Mr John Roberts, late maltster, Llangollen. I,OBER-fS-Feb. 5da, aged 34, Jane, wife of Mr J. Roberts, W titer) oo-terrace Llangollen. SIMMS Feb. 1st, aged 8, at King-ftreet, Wrexham, William Lecnard, the youngest son of EJwanl and Annie Simms. SMITH-Feb. 7th, agei 64, at Famdon-street, Wrexham. Alice, wife of Mr Is t.ac Smith, STRACHAN FEB_ YTH, A^ed 6, at Koslyn Villa. Grosrenor-road, Joiiu Harrison, son of Yeaman and Marv Ann Stractina. WILLIAMS-Feb. 12th, aged 95, Mary Williams, Almshouses, Brook-street, Corwen.

GENERAL. Bank rate unaltered. The captain and crew of the brigantine Precusor of Montrose, were taken off the vessel in a sinking state,seven hundred miles off Cape Clear. „ nh8?« '?ur AntVVVebster, of London, has rundown e galliot off the mouth of the Humber. Crew of galliot drowned. Two houses in Woolwich fell on Thursday, killing one woman. The Lord Lhief Justice commenced his summing up in the Enpion gas case on Thursday. The Directors were acquitted of the charge of conspiracy. Aspinall, White, Muir, and Chas. Knocker, were found guilty on the second charge. The further examination of Richard Banner Oakley was proceeded with on Thursday at the Mansion House. In the International walking match, Weston had com- pleted over 138 miles by noon on Thursday.

THE ABBOTS RIPTON ACCIDENT, i. Ripton Board of Trade enquiry was resumed at Peterboro on Thursday, and was adjourned to Hunting- don. Mr Oakley, general manager, said he never knew signals to fail as on this occasion; it was a new danger. He had no doubt continuous breaks would be adopted.

ALLEGED LIBEL. Rule for a criminal information against the World news. paper was granted on Thursday, Feb. 17, in the Queen's bench uivision, f(,r alleged libel on Mr Horsman, member for Liskeard, referring to transactions wita Sir John Rams- ■ .en, ann the rumour that Mr Horsman was about to resign his seat.

MANCHESTER ELECTION. It is expected that the number polled wili be the largest ever known. There have been some attempts at persona- tion. The Irish are voting for Mr Bright.

LOCAL AND DISTRICT NOTES. On Saturday last the Lampeter Guardians resolved to meet on Fridays instead of on Saturdays as at present. The change is made in consequence of the alteration on the market day from Saturday to Friday. Dr LEWELLIN gave notice of the motion a fortnight ago, and it was formally proposed at the last meeting. Mr JOSEPH MORGAN one of the Lampeter Guardians, seconded it, and the CHAIRMAN declared it carried with enthusiasm. When the idea of changing the market day was first mooted at Lampeter, there was, as might naturally be expected, a considerable amount of difference of opinion among the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood as to which day should be fixed upjn. Fortunately the minority put on one side their in. dividual notions on being out-voted, and the whole town is heartily engaged in preparing the way for that* success which will undoubtedly attend their efforts. We shall be surprised if the committee does not find some way for in- creasing the town's prosperity in addition to the markets. There is a splendid brook near the station, and Lampeter would have no difficulty in establishing a woollen manufac- tory. The old sleep is over, and we believe there is energy enough at Lampeter to make the place a thriving town. A poor woman fell into a drain on Sunday night at Aber- ystwyth, and suffered injuries which will disfigure her face and perhaps result in the loss of her eyesight. The drain is in one of the narrow unlighted back streets, and the suf- ferer, unfortunately, is neither the wife nor the daughter of an alderman. It is this callous disregard for the lives and limbs of the poor that makes thoughtful men savage. Tregaron church is to be restored and enlarged. This is another evidence that the town is progressing. Mr DAVID JONES, the treasurer to the Aberystwyth Union has written a letter, which we pnblish in another column, explaining how it happened that ed id not cash a certain cheque presented by Oùe of the Sieving officer?. From the report of the Board of Guardian* proceedings on Monday last it will be seen thut there was f-, good deal said which would have been as well unsai i. We will briefly recapitulate the facts, so tha,. what now p/onuses to be a very pretty quarrel, in which the treasurer would-be most untairly dealt with, may be biough-' to an end. Mr THOMAS, the relieving officer, stated at the meeting a fortnight ago that he applied for money on tho previous Monday, Tues- day, and Thursday and was told there was PO money be- longing to the Union account. Now, on Monday and A'ues-day, it appears there was no money in the bank to meet the cheques, but late on the latter day sufficient was paid in to turn the balance in favour of the Union. On Thursday it does not appear that any cheque belonging to the Union was presented by the relieving officer, but the cheque of a gentleman whose credit at the bank seems to be much better than that of the Union. If it be true, as the treasurer states, and no one questioned the truth of his s'atement, that the relieving officer did not present a Union cheque on Thursday, the 27th, and was not refused money on the Union account, the llnard has been labouring under a mistake into which they were led innocently enough perhaps by the relieving officer, who, however, it must be observed, repeated more than once lÓ statement that he had been refused moneyfon the Thursday. If this is not the fact then the treasurer had very little to answer, and need not have written a long letter. There was not £ 130 to the credit of the Union when the treasurer refused the money, and a good deal of valuable indignation was wasted a fortnight ag". We now come to the treasurer's re:d offence in the eyes of the Eoard. He wrote a letter in which he styles the discussion at the Board as Talk," and speaks of the Guardians as ".ralk,.ri." There is a spirit of contempt running through the letter which is needlessly ieng, and which the Guardians ought not to have dis- cussed in detail. It is possible even for a Guardian to be too s"lf conscious. One word as to where the fault reallv lies. The calls are not sufficiently large. This was vir- tually acknowledged by the clerk at the last meeting. Again the parishes in arrears are not proceeded against by the clerk as propptly as they ought to be. This was proved at the meeting a fortnight ago, Further, whether there is money in the bank or not, the paupers ought not to b. left without their relief. The whole incident shows, as we have puinted out in another column, that the Union is not as well managed now as it was some time ago, and this is not by any means the Treasurer's fault. He may be to blame, but thd general laxity of the management cannot be laid to his charge. For many months Lanbadarn people have been fighting the Aberystwyth guar lians, in order to obtain out-ralief for a pauper named MARY WILLIAMS. The case has been made a representative one, and at last ignorance has pre- vailed. Mr THOMAS DAVIES, builder, and Mr THOMAS DAVIES, Llanbadarn, are not to blame they know nothing whatever about out-relief, or the principles on which it should be administered. This cannot be said, however, for some of thoue who assisted by their vote in stultifying the Board. Mr FRYER clearly and forcibly pointed out the ill effects of granting out-relief n this case but, as we said OD a foranr occasion, arguments are of no use to people in search of popularity, or to those who desire to indulge in sentime italism at other people's expense. Evi- dences of the breaking up of the good management at the Aberystwyth Union were painfully numerous on- Monday last. If ever the ill effects of the stupid decision arrived at last Monday are counteracted, it will only be by inflict- I ing real hardship on some poor wretch who. after out-relief has been refused, thinks that, as in this case, importunity will succeed at last. A heartlessly cruel thing was done la,t Monday, which will bear its own bitter fruit in due time. if We publish in another column a r port of a meetirg at f Dolgeliey of the supporters of Dr WILLIAMS'S High-class School for Girls. Those who are not already acqu inted with the advantages of the proposed school will do well to read the interesting statement made by Mr HOLLAND, M.P., who fron' the first has taken a great interest, and has been the principal mover, in the matter. A correspondent in one of the South Wales daily papers says that all eating and drinking is a habit." The letter in which the foregoing luminous sentence occurs is on tem- perance. We agree with the writer and add the following: the habit of eating and drinking is expensive, universal, and almost necessary to existence! We believe the reason why the new Aberystwyth magis- trates have not taken the necessary oaths of qualification is that they have received no official notice of their appoint- ment, although the commission of the peace has been re- turned for more than a month.

THE MURDER OF MR BIRCH. A telegram received at the Colonial Office, dated Singa- Pr°rT?-- TuUuaV m"rL'r' three of the actual murderers i.fbiicb h*\e t een cap'ured. One confesses everything, a says 11Uie me. perpetrated the murder, and has given names.

BIRMINGHAM CORN MARKET, THURSDAY. At our market to-day there was a short supply of farmers' wheat, much of it in middling condition. The demand frmi the millers was slack, at last week's prices foreign dull, and a shade lower. Malting barley steady, without alteration. — Weather damp bat mild.

ABERYSTWYTH. Arrived—Pursuit, Jones, Newcastle H. E. Tavlor (8S), Watkins, Bristol. BARMOUTH. Arrived. Emulation, Griffiths, Mochras Wave of Life (s), Jones TV>rtm<idoc. Sailed. Jane Gwynne, Lewis, Aberdeen Defiance, WiUiame, Pormadoc Wave of Life (s), Jones, Portmadoc Highflyer, Davies, Carnarvon. PORTMADOC. Arrived.—Physician, Jones, Pwllheli; Candsce. Jones, Pwllheli John William, Evans, Newport; John Roberts' Thomas. Plymouth; Elizabeth, Williams, Southampton Elizabeth and Margaret, Thomas, Cardiff Eliza Hannah, Humphreys, Di-ibliii Sophia, Jones, Al,)ers,,Cb John Ernest. Wi1]iHms, Amlwch Endeavour. Jones. Fiehsnard • Rebecca (ss). Williams, Liverpool Bridget, Ellis, Yough- all; Ada Alice, Thorns, Cardigan; Elizabeth Ann, Thomas, Ca-vdigan J-Iie- Jones, Hamburg; Emperor. Rob- erts Hove. Wg'.ki, Weymouth; Clara Felicia, Jones, Elizabeth Davies, Davies; Empress, Williams. Hamburg.

CAMBnAy RAILWAYS.—Approximate return of trarhc receipts for the week ending Feb. 13,1876 Miles otien, 178, Passengers, parcels. &c., £ 1,159; merchandise, mineral?, md live stock, £ 1.679; total for the week, £ 2,838; aggregate r'om commencement of current hab-year to this date, £ 17,891. Corresponding w=>ek last year. Vile? op^n, 178* Passengers, .fee.. 51.119: rcerchandist. &(;. ;,1, 6;);) for the week. 2-9,754 agsrreg^te ~->rri:!)~nCement of the current haH-vear to this ia•». £ 17,010. INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL MATCH.—On WedDesdav February 2n ha further meeting was h.Jr} at the Wynnstay Arms Hotel, Wrexham, for the conr.pl'ting of arrangements for the proposed intern*t.ionol foot-, ill ma ch between Wa^s, and England, hco.land, 0r lrc',nnc{_ Several com- mun'c ;+ions were read irom gentlemen resident in England desirous ot taking p^rt in the mat.'h. arid answers were received from thp English, Scotch, ard Irhh secre- t-irbs, exp^essinggrruification at the probability r.f a match with aWels.i te^na. It appears, however, that in conse- quence of heavy ensag»ment«, the Un disb team is unable to further responsibilities this sea-on, buf would, flonVlesa. be bappy to arraDge a match next yea- 'l'he Iristi secretarv i8 unable to armnpe a match according to associat'cn fuli's. in consequence of the fact that the Irish footral1 c-uhs play according to the Rugby Union rules. the secretary of the Scottish Foot bad Club, hoxever. has communicated that; the Scottish team is p»- >pared t1 playa match with the Welsh team some time in March, if matters can be conveniently arranged. In consequence of previ, ,U3 fixtures, the Scottish club invite the first mutch at either Glascow or Edinburgh, and premise to phy the return n<xt season on a Welsh battlefield. It now lies with the Welsh team to make strmuous efforts to meet the acceptance. Trial matches for the purpose of choosing the Welsh team are now being plaved on the race course ground at Wrexham, anl gentlemen desirous of taking part in them are requesfed to send thtdr mines and addresses to the hon. secretary of the Football Association in Wales, Ba»bon, au early as possible.