The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

THE COLORADO BEETLE. Several cardboard boxes bearing Canadian postmarks having been found to contain living Colorado beetles, which were de- stroyed according to instructions from the Postmaster-General, it has been ordered by the Department that all such packages in future shall be strictly examined when possible, ana burned if found to contain the doryphora decembreata, in order to pre- vent the introduction of this insect into this country through the post. „ „ A "Peer" writes to the Morning Post: I am desirous to thank you for your judicious reference to birds as a defence against the Colorado beetle. It is lamentable to think of people going to the Privy Council and the chemist and forgetting all the while that they have at hand in England in rooks, pheasants, starlings, and many kinds of winged creatures the very best army against invasion of the insect world. Having two years ago seen the Colorado beetle, and remembering it as resembling a small cock chafer, I expect soon to hear of parishes turning Pale if a mischievous boy is found spinning one of them on a Pin. It will be spread far and wide that the Colorado has ap- peared. I <lare say it will reach this country somehow, but then Will be the time for the farmer to remember the debt of grati- tude he more frequently owes than pays to his landlord's rookery. Whatever is done I hope we shall att>id the use of Poisonous powders, by which more mischief than is suspected is done now. (From the Mark Lane Express.) If the following statement be true, peacocks are likely to be h» request in the event of the Colorado beetle obtaining a settle- ment here. The Sussex Daily News says:—"A farmer in Ohio, Whose neighbours' crops were utterly destroyed by the beetle, saved his by simply turning out two peacocks into his garden, Where they devoured every beetle before the insects had time to commence operations." I had a pair of peafowls in my garden once, and they occupied the greater part of their time in looking J? at the French windows to see what we were doing indoors. They Taried this occupation by picking off the leaves of crocuses «nd other bright-coloured flowers, and for this reason I got rid of the pretty, graceful creatures. If I had had the Colorado beetle in my potato ground I might have kept them. Mr. Thos. Dunn, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, writing to the Standard of to-day, states that in the Bazaar and Mart live speci- mens of the Colorado beetle are advertised for sale at one shilling each, securely packed in a suitable box." Mr. Dunn ▼cry properly suggests that it should be made a criminal offence to possess a living specimen.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. A meeting of the Council of this Society was held on Wed- nesday, August 1st, at its offices in Hanover-square, under the Presidency of Lord Skelmersdale. A report was received from professor Brown, of the Veterinary Department, in reference to the recent outbreak of cattle plague at Bethnal-green. The Professor remarked that every precaution had been taken to Prevent the spreading of the disease. The slaughter-house and prenisex fioni which the diseased cow was taken have been disinfected. A district round the dairy has been declared an Infected area, and the movements of cow* out of any cowshed In the area has been stopped. The order which prohibits the removal of cattle, sheep, and goats out of the metro- polis still remains in force, and also the order which makes the Metropolitan Market, a place for the sale of animalu exclusively for slaughter. Cattle plague has again ap- peared in Germany, near the Polish frontier, having been intro- duced, it is believed, by meat from Poland. Active measures have been taken by the German Government to prevent the ex- tension of the disease. The newly-appointed General Bristol pomtnittee brought up a report containing certain recommenda- tions relating to the arrangements for next year's show to be held at Bristol; and the General Liverpool Committee recom- mended the payment of various accounts in connection with the tecent exhibition. These reports were adopted. Cordial *ptes of thanks having been passed to the Head Con- stable of Liverpool, the Chief Constable of Lancashire, •he Postmaster of Liverpool, and the Manchester and Li Liverpool District Bank, for their efficient assistance during the Liverpool meeting, it was unanimously resolved, on the "lotion of Mr. Randell, seconded by the Earl of Powis, "That with the santion of the Corporation of Liverpool, a time-piece with a suitable inscription be presented to Superintendent Hancox, in recognition his valuable services during the period of the Liverpool Show." The Secretary (Mr. H. M. Jenkins) was em- powered to act as honorary treasurer to a fund proposed to be raised for the benefit of the widow and children of Mr. Isaac Wilson, who was accidentally killed in the society's showyard at Liverpool by the bursting of an emery wheel. Some other busi- ness having been disposed of, the Council adjourned until Wed- nesday, November 7.

THE POTATO CROPS OF 1877. The Gardeners' Chronicle publishes reports from the several counties in the United Kingdom on the present state of the Potato crop. We extract the following :— CHESHIRE. Up to the present time the potato crops have been very good In quantity and quality, but about a week later than usual in coming in "for use. The plants and tubers are healthy find free from disease, but I have just seen some Myatt's Prolific and t>almahoys, growing in a rather damp and shaded place, which showed the usual symptons of disease on the leaves and stalks, and on examining them a few diseased tubers of the Dalmahoys Were found, but none of the Myatt's were diseased. I have also heard of the disease having made its appearance in some of the gardens in the neighbourhood, but it is as yet rather too soon to Judge as to what extent it is likely to prevail. The kinds I find to succeed best are Mona's Pride, Veitch's Improved Ashleaf Kidney, Dickson's Improved ditto, Early Coldstream, Yorkshire Hero, and Bryanston Kidney.— William Whitaker, Crewe Hall, July 00. The crops in this district are good, though late. I have not seen any diseased ones in the gardens here have only heard of its appearance in one or two places.—W. Midr, Oulton Park, Tarporley. Potatos look remarkably well, especially the later kinds. Very little diseasehas shown itself yet.—T Selwood, Eaton Ilall Gardens, Chexter, July 28. BRECONSHIRE. Potatos are late this season. Early ones were promising till about a fortnight ago, since then the disease has attacked them badly. Late ones looking well.—F.J. Ireland, Glanusk Park, Cricichowell, July 31. CARXARVOXSHfRE. The Potato crops are in good order all round the county.— AUan Calder, Vaynol Park, Bangor, July JU. DENBIGHSHIRE. Potatos have been very slow of growth, but look well, although the haulm is not so strong as usual; but no disease has as yet appeared out of sixteen sorts. The most abundant scourges of the garden have been slugs and mildew.—P. Middleton, The Gardens, Wynnstay and Llangedwyn, July 26. MERIONETHSHIRE. Potatos this season are very good, and have been much improved by the late rain. Rivers' Royal Ashleaf and Lapstone are splendid crops. Early rose will be discarded after this season. It does not suit this locality at all. All late crops look well. No sign of disease at present. -James Bennett, Rhvg Gardens, Corwen, July 28.

"= MARKET REPORTS. CORN AVERAGES For the week ending August 4. The following are the quantities sold and the prices this year and last year:— QUANTITIES BULU. PRICES. This year. Last year. IS year. Last year. Wheat 24,286 21,163 65s. ed. 46s. 8d. Barley. 160 205 3.)s. 5d. 31s. lod. Oats. 1,036 596 28s. ,d. 29s. 9d. Corn, &c. LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY.—The wheat trade to-day opened and closed very quiet, but prices were tolerably firm, generally at the figures of this day week. Flour dull. Beans fully 3d. p quarter lower. Peas unchanged. Indian corn taken to a fair extent, at about last Tuesday's rates, new mixed closing at 26s. 38 y PRICES (this day). 9. d. s. d. American Wheat, 11 cental of 100 lbs- 10 0 to 12 4 Engli,sh Flour, P 280 lbs 43 6 49 0 Foreign Barley, :¡¡J 60 Ibs. 3 0 3 8 F,np,lisli (ltts, V 45 lbs 4 2 4 8 Egyptian Beans, 480 lbs 29 6 30 9 Indian corn, American new white 0 0 -8 6 mixed American 26 0 27 3 LONDON, WEDNESDAY.—The market was inactive. Ihere was a dull trade in both English and foreign wheat, and prices were barelv maintained. Flour without change. Oats and maize met a slow sale at late rates. Barley steady. Beans and Peas unaltered.—Arrivals Foreign wheat, 22,250 quarters bar- !?y> 7,010 quarters; oats, 53,090 quarters; maize, 7,220 quarters; "our, 3,720 sacks. No British arrivals. CURRENT PRICES OF GRAIN AT MARK LANE. Shillings$qr. "heat, new Essex and Kent (white) 62 to OS Ditto ditto (red) 61 66 ne.it, Norfolk, Lincoln, and Yorkshire (red) 60 62 «;irtoy (Chevalier) 47 55 English feed 25 ;>0 *;«ans (Mazagau) 30 34 *e:is, white boileis (Kuglish) 36 40 I? t *iour, best Town Households,$sack of 280 lbs., 51s. to 5Cs. the !J| )I'> FriDAY.—Wheat was in improved demand, and cotn,"lar, t."penca very ste;"ly, at a decline of Id. "ft cental, he]li |f' vV'h Tuesday. Flour dull. Beans and peas firmly 2<;„ o j V'tllan «orn closed upon a rather fair business, at 26s. to '<l V quarter for new. 110. LONDON, FRIDAY.—At Mark-Lane business has been very quiet. The fine weather and improving harvest prospects have produced weakness. English wheat was in short supply, but there was a fair show of foreign. Transactions were on a limited scale, and prices had a tendency towards weakness. Barley was in moderate supply the trade was quiet, at late rates. Oats were in good supply, chiefly foreign produce; the trade was quiet, at about Monday's prices, Maize was quiet, but steady. Beans and peas sold at last week's rates. The flour market was unaltered.—Arrivals: British wheat, 480 quarters; barley 540 quarters;; malt, 1,300 quarters. Foreign wheat, 57,290 quar- ters; barley, 2,050 quarters; oats, 74,240 quarters; maize, 11,050 quarters flour, 1,280 sacks and 580 barrels. WAKEFIELD, FRIDAY.—There was a very quiet market for wheat, and prices must be quoted Is. V quarter under those of Friday last, with a slow demand. Maize and beans were held for full prices. SHREWSBURY, SATURDAY.—Our market to-day was well attended, and more wheat was offered than for some weeks past. The current ciuotatious are 4 s. a. B. d. White Wheat,$75 lbs 10 6 @10 10 Red ditto, 11 10 3 10 6 Barley (malting),$38 quarts 6 0 7 0 Oats, & 225 lbs 21 9 24 6 Beans, P 225 lbs 21 0 22 6 Peas, W 225 lbs 19 0 20 0 Malt, imperial bushel 8 6 9 0 BRIDGNORTH, SATURDAY.—The quotations at the close of this market were: White wheat, 9s. lOd. to 10s. 4d. P 72 lbs.; red wheat, 9s. 3d. to 9s. 9d.; mixed samples, Os. Od. to 10s. Od. Malting barley, Os. Od. to Os. Od. 19 38 quarts; grinding barley, 14s. Od. to 15s. Sd. V 10 scores. Beans, 18s. Od. to 19s. od. :ijI 10 scores. Peas, 16s. 6d. to 17s. 6d. V 10 scores. Oats, 16s. 6d. to 18s. 6d. %i 8 scores. Indian corn, 12s 6d. to 12s. 9d.$10 scores. Malt, 8s. 6d. to 8s. 9d 39 bushel. -1 he attendance of farmers and millers was moderate, and business somewhat re- stricted, millers purchasing only to meet present requirements. The market was firm, especially for wheat. 9 WELSHPOOL, MONDAY.—Wheat, 10s. 6d. to lis. od. V 80 lbs.; barley, 7s. Od. to 7s. 6d$40 quarts; oats, 24s. Od to 26s. Od$ bag; eggs, 00 to 12 for a shilling; butter, Is. 3d. to Is. 4d. th.; fowls, 4s. Od. to 4s. Od. 4R couple; ducks, 5s. Od. to 5s. 6d. couple; geese, 0s. Od toOOs. Od. each.; turkeys, 00s. Od. to 00s. 0d. each. NEWTOWN, TUESDAY (Aug. 7).—Wheat, Os. Od. to Os. Od. V bushel; barley, Os. Od. to Os. 0d.; oats, OOs. to OOs V bag eggs, 00 to 12 for a shilling; butter, Is. 3d. to Is. 4d. & lb.; fowls, 4s. Od to 5s. Od.$couple f ducks, 5s. Od. to 5s. 9d. couple; geese, 0s. Od. to 0s. Od. each; turkeys, 0s. Od. to 0s. Od. each; potatoes, 6 lbs. for sixpence; beef, 8d. to 9d. lb.; mutton, 9d. to 10jd.; veal, 7d. to 8u.; pork, 7Jd. to 8id- OSWESTRY, WEDNESDAY (Aug. 8).-The following were the quotations: Wheat, 10s. 4d. to 10s. 6d. V bushel; barley (malt- ing), Os. Od. to Os. Od.; oats, 4s. 3d. to 4s 9d.; butter. Is. 4d. to Is. 5d. V lb.; eggs, 0 to 12 for a shilling; fowls, 3s. Od. to 4s. 0d. couple; ducks, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d.$couple; geese, 0s. Od. to Os. Od. each; turkeys, OOs. od. to oos. Od. each; potatoes, 14 1bs.to 16 lbs for a shilling. Cattle. LIVERPOOL, MONDAY.—There was a large increase in the supply of stock this morning, the numbers being 2,252 beasts and 11,034 sheep and lambs. Prices much lower. Buyers from the country not so plentiful. There were 344 American and Spanish cattle on offer; quality very good. No diseased cattle.— Best beasts, 8id. to 8}d. ¥ lb.: second ditto, 6d. to 8d.; sheep, 9d. to 101d.; lambs, 9d. to 101d. lb. METROPOLITAN, MONDAY.-The beef trade opened fairly brisk, but at a reduction of 2d. ;¡j} stone on the previous Mon- day's value. In the sheep Jmarket that day's currency may be quoted without alteration for prime qualities, but for large and coarse breeds the demand was moderate, and rates lower. A good enquiry for lamb. A very poor trade for veal. Closing prices; Beef, 4s. 6d. to 6s. Od.; mutton, 5s. 6d. to 7s. 0d. veal, 5s. Od. to 6s. 2d.; pork, 3s. 8d. to 4s. 10d.; lamb, 7s. Od. to 8s. Od. The stock on offer consisted of 2,450 beasts, 10,490 sheep; included in which were 6s0 foreign beasts and 1,330 foreign sheep. SHREWSBURY, TUESDAY.—There was a fair attendance of buyers, but not so numerous as might have been, but for the great sales announced by Mr Preece. There was a good supply of stock, store cattle and sheep being in good demand. eef had a dowuward tendency.—Quotations: Beef, prime quality, 81d. V lb.; second ditto 8d.; mutton, 9d. to lod.; lamb, 9jd. to 10d.; veal, 7Jd. to 8id.; pork pigs, 7d. BIRMINGHAM, TUESDAY.—The number of beasts was about equal to last Tuesday, for which there was a fair demand at about late prices. The supply of sheep and lambs was smaller; trade rather slow. Fat pigs were a short supply trade steady. —Beef, 8d. to 00 tb.; mutton, 8d. to 9}d.; lamb, 9Jd. to 10id.; bacon pigs, 8s. 4d. to 10s. 3d V score; porket ditto, 10s. 6d. to lls. 6d. SALFORD, TUESDAY.—The supply of beasts at market was larger this morning, and the quality was quite up to the average. A good trade was done in the best class of beasts at slightly easier prices, while middling and inferior changed hands slowly, at lower rates. About 300 Canadian beasts of prime quality sold at the high figure of 8d. to 8J$lb. The trade in sheep ruled inactive, and late rates were barely maintained. Good lambs were scarce, and niade full prices, but other sorts were cheaper. Calves met with little sale, at last week's rates. —Beef made 61d. to Sid. V lb.; mutton, std. to lOd; lamb, 91d. to 101d.; veal, 6d. to 9d. Miscellaneous. IRISH AND AMERICAN PROVISIONS, LIVERPOOL, FRI- DAY.—Butter: With continued large arrivals the demand has considerably slackened, even for the finer descriptions. Bacon, after a further advance, closed quiet. Lard without change; but sales are only on a restricted scale. Cheese, with less enquiry, can be bought on easier terms than last week. Beef: Eastern again 2s. Od. to 5s. V tierce dearer. Pork quiet. LONDON PROVISION, SATURDAY.—The arrivals this week from Ireland were 379 firkins of butter and 4,367 bales bacon, and from foreign ports 22,163 packages of butter and 3,728 bales bacon. The butter trade has ruled very slow, and the business transacted has been very limited. For the finest descriptions prices remain abont the same, but other BOrta can be had at 4s. to reduction. Best Dutch 122s. to 110s. In the bacon mar: ket there is little or no change to notice. A fair business haa been transacted. LONDON POTATO, MONDAY.—The supplies of potatoes con- tinnue moderate, and trade remainis steady. Kent and Essex Regents 130s. to 180s. ;W ton. I 1 Shaws 12011. to 1508. Kidneys 160s. to 2009. Early Rose 12011. to 160s. I WORCESTER HOP, SATURDAY.—Messrs.Piercy,Lon§bottom, and Faram, in their weekly circular, say—Under the influence of the hotter weather early in the week, the bine made satisfac- tory progress, but with the return to cold weather again the result is not so favourable, and as these continued checks cannot be good for the plant, a rather firmer feeling prevails. For the season of the year a good trade is doing. LONDON HOP, MONDAY.—The reports from the plantations still continue unfavourable, and our market may be quoted firm, with rather more inclination to do business. Continental advices are unchanged. East and Mid Kent £ 5 12 £ 0 0 £ 3 0 Weald of Kent 5 15. 0 0. 7 0 Sussex 4 15 0 0 5 12 Farnham and Country 7 0. 0 0. 8 0 LIVERPOOL WOOL, FftiDAY.- Competition at the public sales, held here from Tuesday to Friday, has been unusually restricted, and of 20,900 bales of sundry foreign descriptions offered only 3,709 bales found buyers. Importers being unwil- ling to press their stocks upon the market, prices must be considered ouly nominally affected to the extent of about 5 cent. below late current sales by private contract. Of alpaca 864 bales have been sold at Is. lOd. %) lb., and 225 bales at from Is. to Is. 2d. en quotations: —East India, white 6d. to 13id. ;P lb.; yellow, 4d. to 12d.; gray, &c., 2,id. to 9id.; washed Peruvian, lOd. to 17d.; washed River Plate, lOd. to 14d.; unwashed River Plate, 5d. to 9d.; washed Morocco, 8d to 13 £ d.; unwashed Morocco, 5d to 7 £ d.; Egyptian white, 8d to 14Jd.; Oporto fleece, 121d to 14d.; mohair, 2s. loid. to 2s. lid.; alpaca, Is. lOd. LONDON WOOL, SATURDAY.—The wool market is entirely without feature. Much quietness has prevailed, and the level of prices remains about the same. Both the home aud foreign trade are operating very sparingly. The next series of public sales of Colonial produce are advertised for the 14th August. CURRENT PRICES. This year. Last year. (Per lb.) s. d. s. d. s. d- s. d. FLEECES.—Southdown hoggets ..1 3 to 1 4..1 3 to 1 4 Hali-bred ditto 1 21 to 1 31-1 3 to 1 4 Kent fleeces 1 2Jtol SJ..1 4 tol 5 S. Down ewes and wethers ..1 3 tol 4 £ ..l 3 to 1 4t Leicester ditto 1 2 tol 3 ..1 3 J to 1 4 SORTS.—Clothing, picklock 1 5 to 1 6..1 6 to 1 6} Prime. 1 4 to 1 5 ..1 5 to 1 5 Choice 1 3 tol 4 ..1 4 tol 4i Super 1 2J to 1 3 ..1 3 to 1 3i Combing wether mat 1 6 tol 7..1 7j to 1 8 Picklock i 4 tol 5 ..1 5 tol 5t Common i 2i to 1 4 ..1 3 £ to 1 4J Hog matching i 5J to 1 61.. 1 7 to 1 74 WOLVERHAMPTON HIDE, SKIN, AND FAT, SATUR- DAY.—Hides, 95 lb. and upwards, 61d. V lb.; 85 to 94 (¡d.; 75 to 84 41d.; 65 to 74, 3d.; 56 to 64, 31d.; 55 and under, 3Jd Cows, 3|d. to 3§d.; bulls,J2}d.; flawed and irregular, 2id.; kips, Od. to 3|d. Horse hides, 0s. Od. to 12s. 6d. each. Calf, 17 lb. and upwards, 4 £ d.; 12 to 16, 5 £ d.; 9 to 11, 5Jd.; light, 41d.; flawed and irregular, 3id. Wools, A-l, OOs. Od.; A, Os. Od.; B, Os. od. each. Pelts, A, 2s. 5d.; B, Is. 4d. each. Lambs, A, 3s. 10d.; B, 2s. 7d. each. Fat, 2Jd. to 3d$fl>—JNO. S. D'ARCY, Broker, Cleveland-street. LEATHER.—LEADENHALL, TUESDAY. v lb. s. d. s. d. Hides, crop, 28 lbs. to 40 lbs 1 1@1 5 Ditto, 40 lbs. to 60 lbs 1 4 1 9 English butts, 14 lbs. to 24 lbs 1 3 2 5 Ditto, 25 lbs. to 36 lbs 1 6 2 10 Foreign butts, 16 lbs. to 50 lbs 1 1 2 3 Crop bellies o 7J 1 1 Shoulders 1 0 1 4 Dressing hides, common 10 16 Ditto, shaved 1 2 1 8 Calfskins 1 4 2 7 LIVERPOOL PRODUCE, SATURDAY. Sugar in moderate demand. Rum firm, but quiet. Rice steady. Nitrate of soda 14s. 6d. to 15s. Iq cwt. Linseed oil 29s. 6d to 30s. P cwt. in export casks. Rape oil, 42s. f cwt. for refined Stettin, Cotton- seed oil, Liverpool refined, 33s. V, cwt. Lard quiet, at 44s. to 44s. rd. Tallow 41s. for fine North American. Palm oil with- out change. Rosin, common, 5s. ltd. to 5s. 3d. 3d ewt. Ashes, pots 22s. cwt., pearl 31s. 6d. Spirits of turpentine 26s.$cwt. Petroleum Hid. to Is. gallon. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE.—LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY. Hay, 20 lbs. s. d. s. d.$ton. Old 1 0 @1 3 s. d. s. d New 0 9 1 0J Carrots 0 0@0 0 Straw— Turnips 0 0 0 0 Wheat 0 10| 0 11.J Mangel Wurzel.. 0 0 0 0 Oat 0 9 0 10 Manure 4 6 7 0 Oat 0 9 0 10 Manure 4 6 7 0 Barley 0 0 0 0 Grass, P 20 lbs 0 2t 0 4t

Trade Intelligence. WOLVERHAMPTON IRON TRADE.—WEDNESDAY. nfaS'nes3 continues depressed, to a great extent as the result np;<r\eKProspects of war being prolonged, and of its extension to Ji ^1Pouring countries. Sheets and common bars are the only entSun which the depression is relieved. The demand wJ w10" ,ars is improved less than £ 6 10s. was quoted for I";lrkecl irol) remains at £ 9. Plates were quoted from in1 n! aud 5s- for medium sheets; singles £ 8, doubles f £ u- piSs of a11 classes were difficult to sell; hot-blast pigs as low as £ 4 5s. Cleveland iron showed an ad- vance of Is. %) ton upon the month. THE CROPS AND THE CORN TRADE. The Mark-Lane ExpreS8 says :-The most noticeable feature in agricultural reports has been the improvement which has taken place 111 barlej .iftei the recent rain and the appearance of the crop, at anvrae m the Midland counties, is spoken of more f.tMini.i.ily than a urtnight ago. Wheat may now be considered to have reached maturity, and sonie the well-sheltered Southern districts harvesting has fairly commenced..The standing crops of wheat, barley, and oats, in the Fens, are re- ported to be heavy, but in places badly laid by the rain, and almost everywhere the fields have a dingy appearance, which betokens blight Nothing short of a sudden and disastrous change in the weather will influence to any extent the yield of English wheat, which will most probably be short of an average crop, although not so disappointing as the result of last year's growth. A few samples of home-grown wheat may be looked for this week, although they will come from exceptionally early localities. The tone of our local trade has been depressed, and prices have receded Is. Q;J quarter on both English and French. The floating cargo trade is stagnant, bids indicating a decline of Is. to 2s.

LLANDTBSUL EISTEDDFOD, r ADDRESSES BY MR. T. E. LLOYD AND MR. DAVID DAVIES. A large Eisteddfod was held in a field just outside Llan- dyssul, on Wednesday, August 1. The tent, which was erected for the occasion by Mr. Uriah Smart, Bute-street, Cardiff, was capable of accommodating about 3,000 per- sons, and was fairly well filled. The majority of those present were natives of Cardiganshire, but many from Carmarthenshire and other parts of the district attended. The audience was to a great extent composed of ladies. The competition was poor enough, but the singing in general was excellent. The solo singing can hardly be said to have been a success, but some of the choral parties rendered their parts in admirable style. The arrange- ments for the accommodation and comfort of the public (including the representatives of the press) were excellent, and reflect credit on the energy and judgment of the committee. The Eisteddfod received additional im- portance from the presence of Mr. T. E. Lloyd, M.P. for Cardiganshire, who presided at the morning sitting, and of Mr. David Davies, M.P. for the Cardigan Boroughs, who filled the chair in the afternoon. The adjudicators, whose awards gave much satisfaction, were:—For the singing, Owain Alaw (Mr. John Owen, Chester); for poems and essays. Mr. J. M. Jones (loan Cynllo), Rhydlewis; Rev. W. Thomas, M.A. (Gwilym Maries), Llandyssul, and the Rev. E. Gurnos Jones, Talsarn, Nantlle, Car- narvon. The Rev. Benjamin Thomas, Baptist minister, Narberth, acted as conductor, an office that was intended to have been filled by Mynyddog, whose lamented death was lately announced. The proceeds of the Eisteddfod are to bi devoted to the liquidation of the debt on the British School, which has just been handed over to the new School Board. Mr. T. E. LLOYD, M.P., took the chair soon after 11 a.m., and spoke to the following effect:—It gives me great pleasure to meet my Llandyssul friends, and preside at this eisteddfod. I must congratulate the committee on the large attendance at this meeting, which certainly promises to be a pecuniary success. When I accepted the invitation to preside here I doubted if the committee had selected the best chairman, as I have but a small know- ledge of Welsh literature; but the warm feeling with which I have been welcomed, and the kind reception always afforded me at Llandyssul, determined me to ac- cept the invitation, and to do all I could for the success of the eisteddfod. I cannot but refer to some great losses we have had. Sir Thomas Lloyd, after a short illness, has been snatched away in the prime of life. He was a warm friend, a kind neighbour, and a true patriot, ready to for- ward the good of his country in the manner he believed the best. He was the playmate of my boyhood. I have known him all my life, and I can testify to the kindness of his heart and the firmness of his friendship. He was regular in the performances of all his public duties. He attended assizes, quarter sessions, and other courts for the administration of justice. It is but lately that he spoke at the Lampeter jubilee. I know you will all join me in expressing sorrow for his death, and in conveying your sympathy to his family on the occasion of this their great loss. Wales has also sustained a severe loss in the death of Mr. Richard Davies, better known as Mynyddog a man who perhaps did more than any other to promote the success of eisteddfodau. He had got talents, including a rare wit and humour, possessed great kindness of heart, and was the life and soul of our national gatherings. I first met him two years ago at Lampeter eisteddfod, and was charmed with his vivacity and cleverness. Last year he appeared in perfect health while conducting at Tregaron eisteddfod. Last winter he visited America, and attended various eisteddfodau amongst the Welsh settlements there, delighting his countrymen with his humour, and giving them a taste of that enjoyment we have so frequently ex- Eerienced here. He took cold in America, and returned ome in ill health, and died at his farm near Cemmes, Montgomeryshire, a few weeks ago, deeply regretted by his countrymen. As a conductor he had no equal, and such was his influence with the people that any disturb- ance amongst them was quickly put down by his ready tact and wit. He was an excellent poet, and composed comic and other songs, which I have heard him sing, and which produced roars of laughter amongst the company. I feel as if I had lost a friend in Mynyddog, and I could not take the chair here without uttering a few words in his praise and paying a short tribute to his memory. Mr. Lloyd then went on to speak of the origin, nature, and history of eisteddfodau, a class of gatherings peculiar to Wales, and whose origin was lost in antiquity. We possessed historical accounts of them as early as the sixth century. In early times they were under the presidency of Welsh princes. After Wales passed under English dominion, several sovereigns (the last of whom was Eliza- beth) granted commissions for holding eisteddfodau. He believed the commission issued by Elizabeth in 1568 was still in the possession of the Mostyn family. These meet- ings afterwards fell into disuse, until they were revived in the early part of the present century. The person who did most to revive these gatherings was the Rev. Thomas Price, vicar of Cwmdu, Breconshire, one of the most learned men produced by the Principality. Mr. Price wrote a history of Wales and many other learned works, and did more to encourage Welsh poetry and music than any other man in the present century. He was a remark-1 able man, and, as a youth, he was different from other boys, seldom entering into their pastimes, but studying while they played. He made the cultivation of Celtic literature and the ancient remains and traditions of our country the study of his life. He attended the eistedd- fodau held at Carmarthen, Brecon, Welshpool, Denbigh, and elsewhere in the early part of this century, where he delivered eloquent addresses, his favourite topic being the influence of Welsh traditions on European literature. Since his time these gatherings have become frequent all over the Principality, and at the present day there is scarcely a town or village that does not occasionally get up an Eisteddfod, until such meetings have become as plentiful as blackberries. Mr. Lloyd then continued My friend Mr. Bowen, of Llwyngwair (M.P. for Pem- brokeshire), presiding at an Eisteddfod at Dinas the other day, told his hearers that the character of a people could be judged of by their amusements and games. Spaniards have their bull fights the French indulge in dancing and singing; the Welsh had their eisteddfodau the English had their athletic sports, horse racing, and cock- fighting, the latter of which, I am glad to say, is now nearly abolished. If we compare the amusements of the Spaniards and the French with those of Welsh- men, we need not be ashamed of the contrast No doubt our national gatherings have done much to cultivate poetry and music among the Welsh people. Welsh voices are proverbially good. Did not a Welsh choir carry off the prize at the Crystal Palace, three years ago ? As regards poetry, it is notorious that our ancient bards, from Taliesin downwards, produced some of the finest poetry in the world. (Cheers.) After a few further remarks, Mr. Lloyd concluded by saying he would no longer delay the more important objects of the meeting. After some touching remarks from the conductor, the Rev. B. Thomas, Narberth, respecting the late Mynyddog, who had promised to be conductor, the programme of the eisteddfod was proceeded with. Competition of juvenile choirs, "Hyn fydd yn nefoedd i ni," Juvenile Choir. led by Mr. James Jones Y Ddau Forwr," James Davies and John Evans, Carmarthen; elegy to the late Rev. T. Lloyd, M.A., Gilfachwen, prize jB5, Mr. Wm. Evans, schoolmaster, St. David's, Llandyssul singing, "Now Heaven in fullest glory shone," Meilor, Carmarthen; recitation of fable, "Bwch a'r Llwynog," Cadnaw Bach Coch; reading music at sight, lago and party, Carmarthen singing duet, The flower gatherers," Myfanwy and Miriam, Blaenbargoed. This concluded the morning meeting.. Mr. DAVID DAVIES, M.P., presided at the afternoon meeting, and made a Welsh speech. The following trans- lation does it but little justice :—I feel greatly depressed on this occasion, as we all know two great men whom we had hoped to have met here have so lately passed from amongst us. I refer to the late Sir Thomas Lloyd, and to Mynyddog. Both were men whom we much honoured and respected, both possessing so many good qualities, which made them such general favourites. I will not on the pre- sent occasion enumerate those qualities; we all knew them, and greatly lament the loss of both our friends. Our late friend Mynyddog was to have taken a most pro- minent part in this day's proceedings. I have no doubt the committee have done their best to fill his place, but mwst of necessity fail to some extent, as he was a man for the purpose. I am happy to know that steps are being taken to keep his name alive in our country. I trust that the memorial will be worthy of his name in every sense. I am sure we shall all be very pleased to contribute something to it, in order to show our esti- mation of his talents, and to keep his name familiar for generations to come. I am very pleased to see so many present on this occasion, and assure you it is not my intention to take up much of the time with what little I have to say. These eistedd- fodau, properly managed, are very instructive, and afford an excellent opportunity for recreation, for it is very useful for young and old to meet and have a chat about different matters—often very important matters. I need not go into detail; you know what I mean. I believe advantage is taken of this occasion to make a special sub- scription to payoff some JE50, or thereabouts, of debt which remains on the British School, now taken over by the School Board in this place. The Eisteddfod is itself closely connected with education, as tending to promote several important branches of learning. I trust the friends here will not be disappointed in their reasonable expecta- tion to make up the sum required. It is well known that the Act of 1870 did much to put an end to voluntary con- tributions towards the purposes of education, as that Act provides that every child must be educated, if not by voluntary subscription, at the expense of the rates. When the public know that to subscribe towards the maintenance of a school is only to save the rates, they will not do so, unless it be in the case of a religious denomination for the pur- pose of sectarian education, when only those interested in that particular teaching will subscribe. At Llandyssul you have taken a common sense view of education, and have given your school over to a School Board. Many more, I have no doubt, will follow your example. I should here explain, with regard to the debt which remained upon the school, that as it is an old debt the rates are not available so that no better plan could be taken than that which has been adopted by your committee. I trust that you all appreciate the value of education, and that those of you who have children will make an effort to send them to school regularly, in order that, in the first place, they may benefit by the education which they will there re- ceive and, in the second place, to save the local rates, as it is much more costly to keep a small, badly attended school, than it is to keep a moderately large school well attended—I mean more costly to the local rates. Besides, you will thus gain the great advantage of bringing the children up to the requisite standard when young—say at the age of 12—so that they may be at liberty either to prosecute their studies elsewhere, or to learn any trade or profession for which they may seem to be best suited. Mr. Davies also made some jocular reference to politics, and expressed great pleasure in finding that he and Mr. T. E. Lloyd could for once sit on the same side of the house, for when they met in another place, he always ran to one corner, and Mr. Lloyd to the opposite one. I Mr. J. M. JONES (loan Cynllo), in the course of a few Mr. J. M. JONES (loan Cynllo), in the course of a few remarks on the great merits of the late Sir Thomas Lloyd, Bart., requested the audience to stand up for a few minutes in solemn silence as a mark of respect to his memory. The request was unanimously complied with. Song of competitors' own choice, Myfanwy, Blaenbargoed, andLlinos. Carmarthen; prize for singing "YrAwel Fwyn" was won by Bargoed leivy Choir; solo, Plas Goger- ddan," Apollo; "Kathleen Mavourneen," Llinos, Car- marthen. Elegy to the late Mr. Thos. Jones, surgeon, Llan- dyssul, prize, C5 5s., Mr. William Evans, St. David's, Llan- dyssul, and Mr. Daron Jones, equal. Elegy to the late Mr. Evan Davies, Menergwyn, the Rev. E. Jones, Llwyn- celyn, Aberaeron. After the usual formalities, the pro- ceedings terminated. In the evening a concert was held, in which Owain Alaw, Eos Morlais, and Llinos y De, as well as several local choirs took part. The success of the eisteddfod is due to the excellent arrangements in all respects of the committee, conspicuous among whom has been Mr Evan Evans.

PRESENTATION OF THE AWARDS TO THE WELSH MINERS, The Lord Mayor of London arrived in Swansea, on Thursday, August 2nd, en route for Pontypridd, and was received with the greatest enthusiasm, the Mayor, Town Council, Volunteers, and Friendly Societies meeting him at the railway station, where an address was presented to him by the Corporation. His Lordship, in reply, adverted to the course he had taken in the distribution of the Mansion House fund. The primary object of the sub- scription was to assist the unfortunate widows and orphans of the men killed in the Tynewydd catastrophe, and he much re- gretted that there had been dissensions as to his ruling. The subscriptions were not intended for the affluent, but only for the needy. His lordship then accompanied Mr. Vivian, M.P., to Parkwern, and was subsequently entertained by the Mayor of Swansea at a grand banquet at the Mackworth Hotel. The town was brilliantly and profusely decorated. On Saturday, August 4, the funds collected for rewarding the miners of the Tynewydd Colliery, in the Rhondda Valley, and for relieving the widows and orphans of those who were drowned, were distributed on the top of a mountain near the town of Pontypridd. The Lord Mayor arrived at Pontypridd by special train at noon. He was received by Lord Aberdare and other distinguished residents of the county, who presented him with an address beautifully illuminated. Preceding the carriage in which he left the station, was a pro- cession of Friendly Societies from various parts of the Rhondda Valley, forming a procession .nearly half a mile in length. The carriage slowly passed through the streets, which were crowded with spectators, and gorgeously decorated, nearly every window being enlivened by gay streamers, and crowds of eager onlookers. As the carriage began to ascend the mountain side, the effect was singularly striking. The carriage having arrived at the top of the ascent near the famous rocking stone, which forms the principal feature of interest on the mountain top, the Lord Mayor alighted, while a contingent of the South Wales choir, conducted by Caradoc, who led them when they won the great prize at the Crystal Palace, sang the March of the men of Harlech." His lordship then proceeded higher up the mountain to a spot where a platform had been eftcted. Here a crowd of 30,000 to 40,000 persons from all parts Of the Rhondda Valley and the county had assembled. The platform was crowded with the leading inhabitauts of the county, and at the sides were the widows and children of the drowned men. On tables were displayed a glittering array of cups, salvers, watches, medals, candelabra, &c. The scene on the platform and up the mountain side, where tens of thousands were congregated, was one not soon to be forgotten. Amidst the strains of IJwrn Onn," sung by the Choir, the playing of bands, and the cheering of the vast multitude, the Lord Mayor took his seat on the plat- form. Mr. C. R. M. Talbot, M.P., lord-lieutenant, presided, and having welcomed the Lord Mayor in the name of the Welsh s 0 4 io w' e people, he distributed the cups given in connection with the Daily Telegraph fund to those engineers and others who declined to receive money. Next, Major Duncan, of the Royal Artillery, dealt out to the recipients the medals of the order of the knights of St. John of Jerusalem. The duty of distributing the awards of the House of Commons fell to Mr. Hussey Vivian, M.P. The Lord Mayor then rose to distribute the Mansion House fund. The rescued men first received their portions. They looked remarkably well, and on receiving their cheques for £ 150 each they were cheered again and again, the boy David Hughes eliciting a unanimous outburst of sympathy. He seems an un- commonly nice lad, with a frank, honest, and good-huaaoured face beaming with intelligence. The Lord Mayor, put his arm around the boy's neck, led him to the front, where he was the object of general expressions of goodwill and sympathy. A cheque for £ 50 was handed to the Lord-Lieutenant as a trostee to educate him. Following him came the rescuing party in their miners' dresses, with their tools in their hands, and faces and hands begrimed as if fresh from the pit. The Lord Mayor, as he handed them their cheques, shook hands with them, and slapped them good-humouredly on the back, raising a little cloud of coal dust from their coats-an incident which he little ex- pected. Next to these came carters, divers, pump-men, and all those who had assisted in the work of rescue. Last of all re- wards were presented to Mr. Wales, her Majesty's inspector of mines, and the surgeons. These gentlemen received valuable pieces of plate, watches, &c. The Lord Mayor created no small amusement by saluting the nurses with the civic kiss. The last part of the proceedings was the presentation of the Albert medals given to a number of the rescuers by the Queen. The Lord Mayor was then entertained at luncheon, and subse- quently travelled by special train to Cardiff where at night a banquet was given in his honour, and the principal streets were illuminated. The list of the persons upon whom the Queen has conferred the Albert medal for their brave conduct in assisting at the rescue of the imprisoned miners in the Tynewydd Colliery appeared in Tuesday night's Gazette. Those who have received the first-class medal are — Daniel Thomas, colliery proprietor; William Beith, mechanical engineer Isaac Pride, collier; and John William Howell, collier. Those who have received the second medal are twenty-two in number. The Queen has, through General Ponsonby, expressed to the Lord Mayor her great gratification at the satisfactory manner in which the presentation to the Welsh miners at Pontypridd was conducted. Mr. Morgan Owen writes from Owlbary, Qhurchstoke, Salop-" I had the good fortune to witness the distribution of the Albert medals, the Mansion-house fund, and the other token* of the nation's approval of their conduct, among the rescued and rescuers of Porth. I was particularly struck with the youthful and slim appearance of several of the rescuers. I heard the remark, Why, many of them are mere hoT8: Isaac Pride, the hero of the rescue, is quite young, and no one unacquainted with his exertions would for a second imagine he WM capable of undergoing the severest toil or of exhibiting the coolest determination in most trying circum- stances. The boy Hughes, who lived for ten days on the foul water of the mine, which one of his comrades declared to me they at IliSt liked better nor brandy,' is about 10 yeirs of age." i

THE ST. ASAPH CHURCH EXTENSION SO- CIETY. The following is the sixth report of the Committee of this Society, presented at the recent meeting: When the com- mittee issued their last report, five years had elapsed since the time the Society waa first instituted. Annual subscriptions amounting to 070 had been limited to that period, and, unless renewed, would" cease to be any longer a source of income to the Seciety. The Committee are glad to be able to announce that, of the subscriptions thus lapsing, 4205 have been renewed. They thankfully acknowledge this substantial testimony of con- fidence in the Society, and of continued interest in its labours. The number of annual grants, to support additional curates, existing in June, 1876, were 18. Of this number, two, Colwyn and Llandrillo, which were renewed for one year only, have expired. Two new grants have been made during the past year to support curates in the parishes of Minera and Abergele. The total number of existing grants for curates remains, therefore, the same, 18. The annual liability of the Society on account of these grants is L920. There are, further, college and school ex- hibitioners, supported, by annual grants amounting to £105. The total annual liability of the Society at the present moment amounts to £ 1,025. The income of the Society for the past year (to Christmas, 1876) amounted to £ 868 4s. 5d., from the following sources 4 s. d. Subscriptions. 629 12 6 Parochial Collections 181 13 11 One Year's Dividend on Railway Debenture. 56 18 0 B86845 There is .tu increase of A33 15s. 6d., which the Committee are thankful to acknowledge in the amount proceeding from paro- chial collections during the past year. It is probable that the income of the Society for the current year will be lessened to the amount of at least £ 150, by the cessation of what were originally terminable subscriptions. The Committee think it right that the attention of subscribers should be particularly called to the considerable amount of irregularity which exists in the payment of subscriptions. Subscriptions are due on the 1st of January in each year, but owing to the non-payment of a considerable portion of them for the current year, the Committee were obliged to sanction the selling out of Z300 worth of railway stock to meet the accruing liabilities. The income of the Society for the current year cannot be estimated at more than £ 700, and unless endeavours are made to increase the amount of annual subscrip- tions and parochial collections, the Committee will be again obliged to make ;o(>d the deficiency that will exist at the end of the present year, by selling out more of the capitalised funds of the Society. The Committee would therefore venture to urge the necessity of providing better means for the collection of sub- scriptions, and increased efforts to add to the amount of annual subscriptions and parochial collections. There are many cases still demanding aid from the Society. The Committee, while they acknowledge with gratitude the support hitherto accorded to this Society, venture to make an earnest appeal to the libe- rality of the members of the Church to enable them to supply the growing want of spiritual ministrations among the increased population of the diocese of St. Asaph. GRANTS EXlSTlNU JUNE 30, 1877. Berriew £ 10 Llanfair C £ 60 Bettws 20 Llangollen 60 Brymbo 60 Pontbleiddyn 60 Denbigh 50 Welshpool. 50 Flint CO Llanllugan 60 Flint 50 Gwersyllt 60 Hanmer. 40 Rhos. 60 Holywell 60 Miners. 20 Mold 60 Abergele 50 The following are the statistics of contributions in connection with the Diocesan Societies St. Asaph Deanery, £40 7s. to Widow and Orphan Fund Z46 Os. 3d. to Church Building So- ciety EI82 13s. lOd. to Church Extension Society, and los. 8d. to Diocesan Board of Education-total, £ 328 11s. 9d. Cae Dewen— £ 15 14s. 6d., Z9 7s., £ 33 15s., and elS ils. 6d. respec- tively—total £ 77 8s. 6d. Denbigh— £ 33 2s., £ 32 19s. 6d., £ 39 17s. 5d., and £36 4s. Id.—total, 4142 3s. Dyffryn Clwyd— £ 27 6s., £ 27 3s., zC13 lis., and £12 4s. 4d.—total, f;80 4s. 4d. Holywell- £ 21 88, el3 13s., P-68 lls. 7d. and t25 Os. id.-total, £ 128 12s. 8d. Llanfyllin-48 8s., £12 2s., £2 2s., and £7 5s.-total, £ 29 17s. Llangollen— £ 8 18s. 6d., £ 7 17s. Gd., £ 22 2s., and f;13 7s. 6d.-total, £ 52 5s. 6d. Llanrwst— £ 16 2s. £14 3s. 9d., £ 25 6s. lid., and klO 5s. 6d.—total £65 13s. 2d. Mold— £ 14 2s., £ 28 17s. 3d. £ 27 17s. lid. and kl4 17s. 6,i.-total, 485 14s. lid. Oswestry — £ 26 15s. 6d., £37 17s. 9d., P,35 15s. 4d. and £ 29 2s. 8d.—total, £ 129 lis. 2d. Penllyii-tl4 17s., j612 17s. 3d. 458 7s. 8d., and i;21 —total, k107 Is. lid. Poole and Caereinion— £ 20 3s. 6<1, £ 45 2s. 3d., el36 10f. 6d., and Y,37 5s. ¡")d.-total, £ 239 is. 8d. Wrexham — £ 36 14s. 4d., £ 38 16s. 4d., £ 164 19s. 9d., and £ 44 7s. 3d.—total, £ 284 17s. 8d. The totals for each fund were £ 2S3 18s. 3d., t326 16s. 10d., zP-Sll 6s. 5d., and £ 329 Is. 9d. respectively—total, £1,751 3s. 3d. The parish which contributed the most was Welshpool with kl69 14s. 7d.

A DISAPPOINTED BRIDE. Breach of promise of marriage cases appear (says the Pall Mall Gazette) to be alarmingly on the increase. There is, how- ever, a sameness in the details of such cases, and although the reading of the love-letters between the plaintiff and defendant continues to throw the audiences into convulsions of laughter, and the judges and counsel deliver their usual humorous remarks, the proceedings as a rule are only remarkable for their monotony. A case heard at the Warwick assizes on Thursday, August 2, was in some respects peculiar, inasmuch as the conduct of the defendant was wholly inexplicable, and it was truly remarked by one of the counsel that there probably was never known a case in which the parties had gone further," or, as the judge more correctly put it, gone so far without going further." Everything had been arranged for the wedding. The bride, bridegroom, relations, friends, "best man," and all were in the church; the ceremony was on the eve of being performed, when the bridegroom seemed stricken suddenly with a hopeless fit of stupidity. On the clerk asking him for the licence, be merely replied that it was all right, and he would pay presently," nor could any other answer be extracted from him. The curate who was about to officiate indicated the waistcoat-pocket as the place where the;Iicence was probably deposited; but it was all in vain, the bridegroom merely replied, "All right, I shall pay presently." The rector was sent for, but he also failed to obtain any other answer, and at last the bride, much affected, was obliged to leave the church with lier friends, the bridegroom observing with a silly smile to the clerk as ho also took his de- parture, Well, I aru't done much harm yet." Thejury assessed tlie damages at £ 150, and, considering the inconvenience to which the' defendant subjected everybody invited to the wedding, including his intended bride, he was not mulcted in too heavy a penalty for his infirmity of purpose.

MACHYNLLETH. POLICE CASES.—At the Workhouse, before C. F. Thruston, Esq., and Richard Jones, Esq., Hugh Thomas, formerly a busman in the employ of the proprietor of the Wynnstay Hotel, was charged by Mr. W. Wiltshire with an assault. Defendant was also charged with having been drunk and riotous on the same date, July 24. Mr. Wilt- shire and P.C. Roberts proved the cases, and defendant was fined £1, and costs, in each case.—Thomas Morgan, quarryman, Dolgau, charged by P.C. Roberts with having been drunk and riotous on the 14th July, was fined 28s. and costs. BOARD OF GUARDIANS, WEDNESDAY, ArGrST 8.— Present:—Mr. R. Gillart, chairman, Mr. Thomas Owen, vice-chairman, Mr. C. F. Thruston, and Mr. Richard Jones, ex-officio; Messrs. Griffith Griffith, R. Owen, J. J. Humphreys, David Evans, and David Evans, acting clerk. Statistics.—The master, Mr. Thomas, reported the num- ber in the house to be 34, last year 34 vagrants relieved during the past fortnight, 54. Out-relief administered during the past fortnight, Machynlleth district, per Mr. Thomas Thomas, J636 6s. 8d., to 152 paupers; Darowen district, per Mr. D. Howell. £51 3s. to 257 paupers; Pennal district, per Mr John Jones, £4917s to 237 paupers. The Clio.—The Clerk read a circular letter from Mr. H. T. Brown, hon. secretary of the training ship Clio, stat- ing that the-shiP.was .now moored in the Menai Straits and would be formally opened on the 20th August. The committee were prepared to receive applications for the admission of boys on board the ship, which would be ready for their reception immediately after the opening. The Colorado Beetle.—On the motion of Mr. R. Owen, seconded by Mr. C. F. Thruston, it was agreed to obtain 200jadditional Colorado Beetle posters. Vaccination.—The Clerk read vaccination returns of the Machynlleth district and the Pennal district. In the former Mr. Richard Roberts reported that the number of births registered from 1st of July to 31st of December, 1876, was 73, out of which 56 had been successfully vacci- nated, six dead, two postponed by medical certificate, six removed, and three not accounted for. In the Pennal dis- trict, Mr. John Jones reported 61 births, 52 successfully vaccinated; seven died, and two postponed by medical certificate. Mr. D. Howell had not sent in his return. Resignation.—The Clerk read a letter from Mr. Hugh Lloyd resigning the office of public vaccinator for the Machynlleth district.—The clerk was directed to take steps to fill up the vacancy.

CORRIS. LECTURE.—On Friday evening, August 3rd, a lecture was delivered at Siloh Weslevan Chapel1, on Llydaw, y Llydawiaid, arLlydawaeg, by the Rev. W. W. Davies, Ph.D., America. The lecture was very interesting and instructive. The chair was occupied by the Rev. W. Williams. MONTHLY MEETING.—The Calvinistic Methodists held their monthly meeting at Aberllefenni on Monday and Tuesday, August 6th and 7th. A good number of dele- gates from different parts of the country gathered together the first day. The following ministers officiated: The Revs. W. Jones, Trawsfynydd; T. J. Wheldon, B.A., Tabernacle; D. Roberts, Rhiw; G. Williams, Talsarnau; S. Owen, Tanygrisiau D. Jones, Llanbedr; W. Jones, Penrhyn; J. H. Symond, Towyn; and J. O. Jones, Llanberis.

ABERDOVEY. PETTY SESSIONS, FRIDAY, AUG. 3.—Before W. W. E. Wynne, Esq., C. F. Thruston, Esq., Rupert Kettle, Esq., Captain Ford, M. R. Pughe, Esq., and Morgan Stewart, Esq. Horse Straying.-P.C. W. Jones having charged John Roberts, Tyddyndu, with having allowed his horse to stray on to the highway, he was fined 5s., and costs. Drunkenness.—Rowland Jones, mason, Towyn, was fined 10s., and costs, for having been drunk. Defendant did not appear. P.C. W. Jones proved the case. Alleged Non-Repair of Road.—Mr. W. R. Williams, clerk to the Road Trustees, was summoned by Captain Ford for neglecting to keep a road in repair leading from Carmel to Penyg-arreg, in Talyllyn parish. P.S. Roberts was directed to view the road and report upon it at the next meeting. Rate in Aid.-An order was made on the Towyn Local Board of Health to pay J678 rate in aid towards the repair of highways in their district. Explosives.—It was resolved to remunerate P.S. Roberts at the rate of JE5 per annum as inspector under the Explo- sives Act.

BALA. LOCAL BOARD, FRIDAY, AUGUST 3.—Present, Mr. D. Morgan, chairman, Messrs. R. Hughes, W. Owen, D. Rowlands, E. Jones, D. Evans, J. Jones, T. Ellis, R. O. Jones, R. Jones, W. T. Phillips, and A. A. Passing. ham, clerk. Finance.—The monthly accounts were submitted, and cheques ordered to be drawn upon the treasurer for the respective amounts. Medical Ofleer's Report.—The Medical Officer sub- mitted his report, calling the attention of the Board to the sanitary state of the town, and the parts which require special notice, with suggestions for improvements. Bala and Festiniog Railway.—The Clerk read the follow- ing letter :—" Mount Place, Bala, August 2, 1877. Dear Sir—(Bala and Festiniog Railway and Bala Local Board),—In reply to your letter containing the terms upon which your Board is ready to treat with the Bala and Festiniog Railway Company, I accept the terms on behalf of the Company, and will thank you to fill the en- closed form on behalf of* the Board, and I will sign it on behalf of the Company. Yours obediently, EVAN JONES. —A. A. Passingham, Esq., Clerk to the Bala Local Board."—The Clerk having prepared a memorandum of agreement, it was proposed by Dr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. R. Jones, and carried, That the Chairman, on behalf of the Board, be authorized to sign the memorandum of agreement between the Bala Local Board and the Bala and Festiniog Railway Company, for the sale of a portion of Bala Green." Evan Williams's Shop.—A plan of alterations about to be made in these premises having been submitted, upon the motion of Mr. D. Evans, seconded by Mr. T. Ellis, they were permitted. Plans of Waterworks.—Mr. Roberts, C.E., Portmadoc, attended with plans and specification of the proposed waterworks. It was resolved that the Clerk should write to Mr. H. Robertson, M.P. (who has kindly promised to assist the Board)* to arrange as to the time when it would be convenient for him to meet the Engineer and the Board on the subject. Notice of Motion.—Mr. Evan Jones gave notice that he would move at the next ordinary meeting, That the resolution on the minute book with reference to the exten- sion of the boundary of the district of the Bala Local Board be rescinded, and that the question be again re- opened for discussion."—As the Inspector was not present the meeting was adjourned to Saturday, at 8 p.m., to re- ceive his report. ADJOURNED MEETING, SATURDAY, AUGUST 4TH.— Present, Mr. D. Morgan, chairman, Messrs. D. Evans, E. Jones, R. Jones, R. Hughes, A. A. Passingham, clerk, and R. Woodcock, surveyor and inspector. The Inspector, after a house to house visitation, pre- sented a detailed report of the sanitary state of the town. —The meeting was adjourned for the further consideration of the report.

LLWYNGWRIL. BOARD SCHOOL.—This school was lately examined by the Rev. E. T. Watts, M.A., H.M. Inspector of schools, and the following report has been received :—" This little school is very fairly conducted. The reading is good, and the writing and arithmetic are fair." Considering that most of the children presented for examination were half- timers, and the irregularity of the others, the above re- port is very satisfactory to the Board. The grant earned was £26 11s., being JE6 4s. above that of last year, and the highest grant that has ever been received in this school.

DOLYDDELEN AND VICINITY. PETTY SESSIONS.—As it has been the custom for years and years at Bettws, the Petty Sessions came off the first Saturday in the month. I remember the time when this meeting of justices used to be held at Tuhwnt-i'r-Bont, Llanrwst, an old dwelling house on the left bank of the river Conway, near the Llanrwst bridge, still used as a residence. But some years a.go a court house and lock-up were built at Bettws; and since that time all business to be disposed of by the justices of peace for this part of the county of Carnarvon is transacted in the court-house at Bettws the first Saturday in each month, and once in a while a special session is added to it during the month. At the last sessions the justices present were—The Rev. J. W. Griffiths and R. O. Mousedale, Esq.—Mr. Thomas Dousrall, contractor on the line at Dolyddelen, and a gen- tleman highly respected in this quarter by every class and Mr. John Owen, blacksmith, also residing at Dolydd- elen, were charged by J. Jones with fishing on the river Lledr, at Dolyddelen without licences. There are two licences to be obtained by those that fish for salmon. One is given by the Gwydyr estate, which costs two shillings a day, five shillings a week, or somewhat over three pounds for the season. The other licence which is issued by the Board of Conservators costs a shilling a day, or one pound for the season. It was this licence they were short of. On the 16th of July, for the first time this season, Jones found his way up to Dolyddelen, met the defendants on the road, and charged them with fishing without the Conservators' licences. Mr. Dougall at once took out a shilling and gave it to him to find him a licence, but in- stead of finding him a licence, he returned some time during the day, ordered summonses to be issued and served, for the'defendants to appear at Bettws. Before the j ustices. Jones acknowledged that the shilling in question came to his hand, but that it was a shilling given him to find himself some drink. The two justices deemed it right to oblige Mr. Dougall to pay 14s., and his comrade, John Owen, 32s. There is something very strange with the fishery and fishing law on the rivers Lledr and Conway. Below the bridge at Dolyddelen the river was for years before not open for fishing until the beginning of May, but this year it was opened at the beginning of April. Though the river was not open for fishing until May the year before, I have seen a justice of peace fishing early in March, and he was never summoned or called into order for so doing. Whatever you may say there about laws, you cannot make me believe, but that we have two laws, one for the rich and one for the poor. Suppose now if any other person than a justice of the peace, or one of the favourite "upper ten," would dare to fish before the regu- lar opening time, he would not escape without a heavy fine or even imprisonment. DEATH OF TREBOR MAI.—After a long and lingering illness, Mr. Robert Williams (Trebor Mai) died on Sun- day afternoon, August 5, at his residence at Llanrwst. He was one of the best composers of englynion. He leaves a wife, children, and a large circle of friends. The funeral (a public one) was to take place on Thursday, August 9th, at Llanrwst. TUNNEL WORK.—The work at the Festiniog and Doly- ddelen tunnel is going on with great vigour. The work on the Dolvddelen side of the tunnel is carried on much slower than on the Festiniog side of the mountain, as the rocks are much harder. In the ancient and remote cycles of geology the leading ranges of mountains from Moel Shabod were forced by the igneous rocks against the leading ranges at Festiniog, which proved much stronger, and as the weaker goes to the wall, the result of this was the shattering and smattering of the Festiniog range, which accounts for the fact that it is much easier to drive through^it than the range on the other side, or the Doly- ddelen side, of the mountain.—ELLIS O'R NANT.

FFESTINIOG. YR HIN.—Y gwyn gyffredinol yma ydyw gwlybaniaeth yr hin. Is id ydis eto wedi cael ond ychydig iawn o gyn- nyrch y ddaear; ac y mae cnydau trwchus iawn o weiriau ar y meusydd wedi eu tori. Y CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.—Y mae derbyniadau y gym- deithas ddaionus uchod am y chwarter diweddaf dros £1,300, eef mwy o £200 nag unrhyw chwarter er pan y sefydlwyd hi. DAMWAIN ANGEUOL.—Cofnodasom yn y rhifyn diweddaf am ddamwain yn chwarel Maenofferen, yr hon erbyn hyn sydd wedi terfynu yn angeuol, canys bu farw y truan y dydd canlynol, wedi dioddef poenau mawr. Trwm genym ychwanegu hanes damwain a gymerodd Ie prvdnhawn dydd Mawrth diweddaf yn chwarel y Llechwedd, o nod- wedd hynod boenus. Enw y person anffodus ydoedd Robert Lloyd; gwr priod o Maentwrog. Tra y stampiai dwll tAn, ffrwydrodd hwnw i'w wyneb, gan ei daflu tua phum' Hath. Maluriwyd ei glun, a chollodd ei ddau lygad, ond bu fyw mewn poenau mawr wedi cyrhaedd y Medd- ygdy am tua dwy awr. Gofidus genym hvsbysu ar ol cyfnod nodedig o Iwyddianus, fod cynydd ar ddamweiniau yr wythnosau diweddaf, a rhai o'r rhai hyny o nodwedd tra difrifol.

DOLGELLEY. BOTANY.—From the report of the meeting of the Coun- cil of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, held on August 1, Professor Bentley reported in very favour- able terms on his class, the average number of marks obtained by the first six candidates having on no previous occasion been so high, and that for the Botanical prize three Herbaria were sent in, the first of which contained 715 specimens." We are glad to find that the Council, on the recommendation of Professor Bentley, awarded the first prize, being a silver medal, to Mr. J. T. Creswick Williams, son of Mr. J. Williams, Bennarfach, Dolgelley, who has just completed the term of his apprenticeship with Mr. J. Griffith, chemist and druggist, Bangor. The Hebarium, which contains the 715 plants, together with the silver medal, will be exhibited in a short time for the in- spection of botanists, and others interested in such matters. The plants were collected by Mr. Williams during the last eighteen months, and were found in Anglesea, Carnar- f vonshire, and Merionethshire, including Snowdon, Cader L Idris, and Llyn Cynwch. One specimen was sent to Kew Gardens. PETTY SESSIONS, AUGUST 4TH.—Before Lewis Wil- liams, John Vaughan, and C. E. M. Edwards, Esq. Assault.—Catherine Evans, Dolgelley, charged John Davies, Waterloo-street, Dolgelley, with this offence. Complainant examined: I live at Dolgelley. defendant struck me with his fist on the side of my head. For the defence, defendant called Robert Roberts, who said I live at Dolgelley, I saw the quarrel between the parties in this case. It was about a horse. Griffith Williams, the ostler at the Lion Hotel, told John Davies to bring a horse out. John Davies took hold of the bridle. Com- plainant was not struck by defendant.—Case dismissed. Sureties of the Peace.—Anne Jones v. Jane Williams, both of Lawnt, Dolgelley. Defendant's husband was bound over for her to keep the peace for three months. Ejectment.—Catherine Davies v. Abel Ellis. Case ad- journed for a fortnight, owing to the absence of the person who served the notice to quit. Drunk and Riotous.—John Williams, miner, Plasbrith, was charged with this offence. P.C. George Arthur ex- amined I saw defendant on the 28th of last month in Eldon Square, Dolgelley. He was drunk and beating Miss Seaward. Fined 10s. 6d., and 8s. 6d. costs.—John Elias, quarryman, was charged with being drunk. Owen Jones, inspector of police, stated I saw defendant in Church-street, Dolgelley. He was helplessly drunk on the ground, on Sunday night, the 29th July. Fined 10s., and 8s. 6d. costs. Vagrancy.—Edward Jones, blacksmith, was brought up under a warrant for refusing to maintain his wife who had become chargeable to the Dolgelley Union. Case ad- journed to next petty sessions. Defendant bound over in £10 to appear. SCHOOL BOARD, THURSDAY, AUGUST 2ND.—Present: —Messrs. W. R. Williams, chairman, Dr. Lloyd Wil- liams, R. W. Williams, Owen Thomas, John Ellin (clerk), William Jones, attendance officer. School Attendance.—Mr. William Jones, the attendance officer, produced a list of irregular attendance at Dol- gelley, Brithdir nd Islawrdre Board Schools, and received instructions to visit the parents of such children, with a view to get them to send their children to school, and in default that notices under the Compulsory Act be served on them. He was also ordered to make a full report of his visits to the next Board. Religious Observances.—This subject was further ad. journed. Islauerdre School Schoolmaster.—The present master hav- ing been appointed master of the Brynmawr School, Gla- morganshire, gave notice to leave, and accordingly the Board advertised for a master. Three applications for the post were received, and Mr E. Davies, of Llanbrynmair British School was appointed certificated master, and his wife sewing mistress of the school, on the same terms as hispredecesaor. There was no other business of importance.

BORTH. SCHOOL TREAT.—This delightful watering place was visited on Monday, August 6th, by the Newtown Primitive Methodist Sunday School, numbering, including parents and friends^ about 300. Ther arrived at Borth by the excursion tram soon after ten o clock in the morn- ing. After enjoying the pleasures of the beach for some time, tea was provided for them on the' seat shore, under the management of the friends con- nected with the school. Other games on the sea shore followed, and then the party returned in the evening to the railway station, and joined the excursion train for Newtown, highly pleased with their day's outing.

BANGOR DIOCESAN MEETINGS. The annual meetings of the various Church Societies in the diocese of Bangor were held at Bangor, on Wednes- day, August 8, under the presidency of the Bishop of Bangor. The report of the Church Building Society was read by the honorary secretary, the Rev. J. PRYCE, vicar of Ban- gor. During the year there had been an increase of twelve contributory parishes, and an excess upon the previous year's parochial collections of £10 2s. 9d., the balance to the credit of the Society being JE471 17s. 9d. The expenditure had been S54 6s. 6d., and the liabilities were JE320. The report was adopted, and a vote of thanks passed to the Honorary Secretary, the BISHOP, in supporting it, bearing testimony to the value of Mr. Pryce's services in connection with this and other parochial societies, and remarking that in the restoration of Holyhead, Llangurig, and Penegroes Churches, the diocese would possess three pattern parish churches. The report of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge stated that the sales were about £100 in excess of last year's. A grant of £100 was made to the parent society. The report of the Tract Society stated that the expendi- ture was £138, the balance £12158. 3d., and the value cf the stock JE114 5s. lid. The number of tracts sold ws 2,703. The report of the Clerical Education Society stated that the income was £258, the expenditure £423, and the bal- ance £632. The DEAN said that at the Council meeting on the pre- vious day it was felt that the time had come far an exten- sion of the operations of the Society, and that an effort should be made to obtain a regular and well qualified supply of ministers for the Church in Wales. There were sufficient young men in the country to whom God had given the aptitude required for the service of His Church, and the Council proposed, if possible, to look after a far larger number than hitherto, to educate them thoroughly, and, during their training, to keep up a direct living connection between them and the diocese. In the cathedral city, at Friars School, they had the means of giving such youths the first stage of of a first-class classical education, and the council sug- gested that Friars School should be made use of for the education of a large proportion of the future clergy of the diocese. With this view, they proposed to take a house in Bangor, and place one of the minor canons or some other clergyman in charge as warden, and there maintain about 20 boys selected from every parish in the diocese. To do this, a considerable income would be re- quired, but he would be very much surprised if a liberal response was not made to the appeal which he was authorised to make in every parish. The following were elected on the council:—Rev. P. C. Ellis, Eleazer Wil- liams, Canon Johnson, General Hughes, Major Platt, and Major Mathew. The report of the Church Defence Association, read by the Rev. R. H. Williams, rector of Llansadwrn, statecl that meetings had been held with good results at Car- narvon, Llandudno, Llanllyfni, and elsewhere. Of tha Dean of Bangor's Carnarvon address 5000 English and 10,000 Welsh copies had been circulated. The receipts were £132 2s. 4d., and the expenditure £118 5s. The bishop was requested to arrange with the bishops of the three other Welsh dioceses for the appointment of a joint committee of clergy and laity, with the view of making the Amdifynydd yr Eglwys more acceptable to the public and increasing its circulation. The names of the Rev. Dr. Brisco, Messrs. R. Thomas, Carnarvon, and W. B. C. Jones. Criccieth, were added to the committee; and the Rev. Mr. Edwards, Penstrowed, was appointed assistant secretary for Montgomeryshire. The Dean read the report of the board of missions, which consisted of the annual return of collections made in parishes for the various diocesan societies and charities. The other reportb presented were the diocesan board of education^ and the clergy, widow and orphan charity.

Prince Gustav Yon Wasa (father of the Queen of Saxony) died at Pilnitz on Saturday night, August 4. The death of Sir Henry John Codnnjrton, K.C.B., the junior Admiral of the fleet, is announced at the age of 6S. He was the youngest son of the late Admiral Sir Edward Codrington. G.C.B., who commanded the fleet at the battle of Xavarino. He entered the navy in Februarv, .1823, and was subsequently appointed midshipman m the Naiad, 46, and served on board the flagship of his father at tae battle of Xavarino, in which engagement lie was severely wounded. He performed other services, for which he had received the Russian Order of the Fourth Class of St. ladimir, the Legion of Honour from France, and the Redeemer of Greece and in laC" was created a Knicht Commander of the Order of the Bath. AMI COMFORTING.—"By a thorough knowledge ot the natural laws whkh govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected cocoa, Mr Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately-flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a constitution may be gradually built up until strong enough to resist e^ery tendency to disease." Hun- dreds of subtle maladies are floating around us ready to attack wherever there is a weak point. We may escape nlanv a faial shaft by keeping ourselves well fortiried with pure blood and properly nourished frame."—Civil Service Gazette.