Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
15 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
BATH & WEST & SOUTHERN COUNTIES…
BATH & WEST & SOUTHERN COUNTIES SOCIETY. At a Council Meeting of the above-named Society, held at the Grand Hotel, London, on Tuesday, the Show Dates Committee reported that, after a careful consideration of all the circumstanees, local and otherwise, the Com- mittee recommended that the 1900 Exhibition at Bath be opened on Wednesday, May 30, under which arrangement the final shilling day would fall on June 4 (Whit-Monday) and that the Committee had arrived at this conclusion after ascertaining from the Bath Local Executive Committee that they were strongly in favour of the adoption of these dates as being the most suitable for the locality. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.—Sir R. H. Paget, on behalf af the Agricultural Education Committee, reported that the Cheese School carried on by the Society, on behalf of the Somerset County Council, at Pylle, near Shepton Mallett,was progressing satisfactorily. Since its opening on April 1st last it had been attended by 22 students, and the satisfactory price of 60s. per cwt. of 1121bs had been rea- lised for the April make of cheese. The Farriery School, also conducted for the Somer- set County Council by the Society, was con- tinuing its travels through the county and had been well attended by pupils. During the present year, nine districts had been visited and 42 pupils had received courses of instruc- tion. The Committee had every reason to believe that the School was doing good work and was satisfactorily fulnlling its purpose. ) The report regretted that the Society's re- search work in dairying had been in abeyance during the present year, as the Board ef Agri- culture was not prepared to consider the making of any further grant in aid until it had had time to study the summary of the reports furnished to the Board by the Society with respect to the cheese-making investiga- tions, conducted by the Society since 1891. BATH EXHIBITION.—Grants amounting to upwards of £3,000 were made for prizes to be offered at the Bath Exhibition next year. These prizes are in addition to those that will I be offered by or through the Local Committee. The importance of the Bath Meeting was recognised by the large amounts voted in the various departments.
SWANSEA THROUGH ] "CAMBRIAN"…
SWANSEA THROUGH ] "CAMBRIAN" SPECTACLES. SOME INCIDENTS OF 1842. (.8T HISTORICUS JUNIOR.) [ARTICLE XCIV.] There has been a great deal of talk reo^atly over secrecy on the part of the Swansea £ Eioard of Guardians. But the secrecy of to-day is as nothing compared with that of fifty-Beven years ago. The meetings were conducted in private and the public were kept in ignorance of their affairs. At one time some ratepayers made a requisition to the Board for permission (to examine the account ofj goods supplied to the Union. To this the ratepayers were entitled. but the Chairman characterised the request] as most improper and the Board refused to grant it. The refusal only increased suspicion and a few ratepayers proceeded to make enquiries, with the result that some of the Guardians were found to be in the habit of supplying goods for the use of the workhouse. And these were not even supplied by tender. The Guardians sent the orders for their goods to whatever shopkeeper they liked without etipulatinglthejprice and the shopkeeper, of course, charged his highest. It was little to be wondered at that the Guardians were considered extravagant and that tbeir expenditure of the £4,000 or £5,0:>0 annually raised by the' poor rate twas jmore lavish than wise. When the time came for an election i" 1842, an attempt was made to exclude the six retiring ^members; but they all offered them- selves for re-election and they were the only ones nominated! This was a reform obviated. The support of the pauper and the criminal was getting too much of a good thing for people in and around Swansea. Here were the Guardians playing ducks and drakes with their money, and the county gaols were so overcrowded and the the Home Secretary was so solicitous for solitary confinement, that a large expenditure oni lthe Swansea prison was in view. As it was, they had to repair what was called "a dangerous crack in one of the walls." The Quarter Sessions also contemplated the building of new station houses. This latter proposal flooded them with petitions and protests. Swansea district had to pay £716 a year to the county police rate and there was a great deal of grumbling in consequence. Rhosailly, INicholaston, Cheriton, Llanmadoc^ Llanrhidian, Ilston, Pennard, Bishopston and Penmaen—the whole of Gower in fact-prayed to be released from the payment of the police-rate. They did not participate in the protection afforded by the force, they said,—because they did not need it Swansea town most certainly required police protection, and the magistrates of that day had to deal with some rare characters. There were Terry Jeffreys, a most distinguished "son of :the sod," Owen Katty," Hopkin j Gwaidd and "Will Shir Bembro "—charming soubriquets these—who paid their respects on many a morning to the Swansea magistrates. Thefts and burglaries, drunkenness and assaults, were the little crimes with which they beguiled their leisure hours. And there was William Jones, better known to fame as "Billy my boy." He was one of the roystering topers who actively opposed the temperance propaganda. One Satur- day night the temperance advocates organised a meeting opposite the theatre. "Billy my boy" and his companions forestalled the temperance people, and took up their station in a waggon near the place of the meeting. Here they sat drinking and shouting and exasperating the temperance orator. At last Mr. Evans, the dentist, who was an uncompromising teetotaller, remonstrated, and Billy my boy threw a cup of beer over him for his pains. For this" Billy had to pay 9s. But it was the market inspeotor and the slaughter-house keeper who were subjected to the greatest indignities. One day, the market keeper, Wm Philips, thought some meat in John Howell's stall was unfit for sale, and he forth- with proceeded to remove it. John Howelle, however, coold not submit to such a thing, and he promptly struck the keeper, who, in consequence, summoned him for assault. When the magistrates were told that the meat was only a little blackened by exposure to the easterly wind, they decided to dismiss the complaint on the ground that the assault was justifiable! In 1842 the possibility of the re-imposition of a duty on exported coal caused a flutter in the dovecots of the coalowners, and the great coal proprietors of South Wales met at the Guildhall, Swansea, to protest against the duty. There were Charles Tennant, John Rowland, John Henry Vivian, Starling Benson, Nathaniel Cameron, John Grove, Chas. Hy. Smith, Geo. Byng Morris, J. Buokland, and other men whose names are still prominent to the older generation of coal-shippers and dealers. Mr. Chas. Tennant presided, and resolutions were passed strongly disapproving of the duty. The Govern- ment chose a somewhat innopportune moment for its imposition. The Prime Minister had only jnBt declared that all duties on exported manufactures were vicious, because they narrowed the market and restricted the demand for labour. He had proposed to abolish all export duties, and the free-trade spirit was gaining ground in the country. The duty, however, was not levied as a source of revenue to the Government. A duty of 4s. per ton on coal exported in foreign vessels already existed, and that was a protective duty pure and simple—imposed for the purpose of giving British carriers an advantage over their foreign competitors. To the revenue, this duty only added about £7,000. What was proposed now was a duty on all coal exported. Previous to 1830 a duty was imposed on all sea-borne coal, even when consumed in England, but agitation gradually got rid of these, and. largely through the efforts of Mr. John Henry Vivian in Parlia- ment, the coal-trade become altogether free in 1835 Large capital was afterwards invested in colliery undertakings, ar.d on the foreign coal trade of the country some 50,000 people depended—though that was a small number enough compared to the people who depend upon it to-day. The effect of the duty was viewed from the alarmist stand- point, and the meeting came to the conclusion that inasmuch as the proposed duty would amount to 100 per cent. on the selling price of inferior Welsh culm and small coal exported foreign, and to 50 per cent. on a larger proportion of the best Welsh coal and culm, it would nearly, if not entirely prohibit further exports of Welsh coal and culm to foreign countries.
THE ROYAL NIGER CO.
THE ROYAL NIGER CO. In the House of Commons the Bill authorising the acquisition by the Government of the terri- tories of the Royal Niger Company was consid- ered in Committee. Mr. Dillon moved, and Mr. Labouchere supported an amendment to reduce the purchase-money from £ 865.000. to £ 400,000. Ministers, they urged, were setting a dangerous precedent, for on these lines the country would be mulcted in at least ten millions sterling if ever the time came for buying out the British South Africa Company. Sir M. Hicks-Beach remarked that certain Radical members would evidently have preferred that these territories should be placed under the influence of Germany, France, or any other Power rather than Great Brita.in. That was not the view either of the Government or of the country. The terms of the bargain were distinctly fair. If ever the time came for taking over the British South Africa Company, as come it might, the case would be judged on its merits, and not be affected by any- thing which was done now. The amendment was rejected, and the Bill passed through Com- mittee.
---SHAM FIGHT.
SHAM FIGHT. WEDNESDAY. The sky was overcast when the battalions forming the Severn Brigade left camp this morning. Cook-house bugles sounded at 5.30 a.m. for breakfast, and, soon afterwards, the lines having been neatly cleaned for the inspection of General Sir Forester Walker, the officer commanding the Western District, the Brigade marched out to take up positions for the sham fight. The general idea was A raiding force having landed at Porlock is opposed by a defending force from Taunton." Confidential'and special ideas were also issued, and these were admirably carried out during the day. The raiding force consisted of the 3rd G.V.R., the 1st Welsh, the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Somerset Light Infantry and the Bristol Rifles (Gloucestershire Regiment). The force advancing to oppose the raiders from Taunton was composed of the 3rd V.B. Welsh Regiment, whose companies moved into their respective positions with admirable signalling, and ambulance equipments and a well-managed machine gun. The position taken up by the raiders was supposed to have been occupied all night by the army which the enemy had landed, and when the fight commeneed t Third Glamorgan on the right and the 1st Welsh on the left formed the front firing line, covered by a line of out- posts thrown out by the Bristol Rifles. The scouts furnished information that the defending army, supposed to be 2,000 strong, was advanc- ing to the attack, and the outposts were gradu- ally driven in by the advanceguard. The Bristol Rifles extended in retiring to the right and left of the firing line which had been masked, and the Taunton army came cautiously over the slopes, affording an opportunity only now and then for the raiders' firing line to pour a volley into their ranks. They came closer and closer to Selworthy Beacon, where the firing line occupied a strongly-entrenched position. Behind were the supports and reserves, and the main body of the raiders was under arms behind a hill, from which General Patton directed the operations. The position of the firing line was hotly defended, and it was so well chosen that the Taunton army could not dislodge the raiders. On the other hand, the Taunton army had them- selves taken up an entrenched position, and without reinforcements they could not be dislodged. The reserves of the raiders, how- ever, had not been half exhausted. The Bristol Rifles, after a rest since their outpost duty, were fresh enough to form the reserve now, and the Somersets had not yet been brought into action. The Brigadier ordered a counter-attack, and over the hill came company after company of the Somersets. Clearing a stone wall, the regiment extended into a long firing line, with supports, reserves and ambulance at the rear. The counter- attack, directed by the Brigadier in person, was pressed home hotly, and the sight was a remarkably pretty one. Owing to the forma- tion of the ground, the firing line had to be a little contracted, but it was none the less a most effective one, stretching across the brow of the mountain and down each slope for a considerable distance. The Somersets ad- vanced by rushes of companies, the com- mand being invariably given with whistle- signals, and when the fight was at its fullest the spectacle was one that ought to convince sceptics that the volunteers have the material for good soldiers in them. Moreover, Brigadier Patton gets the best work out of the men in his genial and kindly way. Beyond the front firing line the enemy were retiring by sections, and well-regulated little puffs of smoke that travelled up and down the line of pointed rifles indicated that they were offering a well-ordered resistance. To the rear of the firing line, the sight was even more magnificent, and the regiments had ex- tended into long, thin lines that formed supports and reserves, the Third Glamorgan being in the second line of the counter- attack. The attack was rapidly, but prettily and correctly, carried out, and when within easy distance of the Taunton army, en- trenched now behind a strong position, the charge was sounded on the bugles. At that General Sir Forester Walker stopped the operations. Meanwhile the cyclists of the Brigade were engaged in incidental operations in the town. The 1st V.B. Welsh, the Gloucester, the 3rd G.V.R., and the second Somersets represented part of the raiding force advancing to Mine- head with the intention of seizing the post office, banks and railway. They were to have been opposed by the 3rd Welsh and 3rd Somerset cyclists before they entered the town, but when the defending army from Taunton reached Minehead, they found the raiders already in possession of banks, tele- graph and railway. An attempt to dislodge them was ineffectual and when the cease fire sounded, the raiders were left in possession. Thus ended a capital field-day, so far as fighting was concerned, and afterwards the Brigade marched past the Commanding Officer of the district, General Patton and his staff, acquitting themselves with great credit.
---_.".THE ONLY WAY" AT THE…
".THE ONLY WAY" AT THE GRAND THEATRE. The attraction at the Grand Theatre, Swansea, next week, will be the romantic drama-" The Only Way." It will be produced by an excep- tionally strong London Company, which will include Mr. Wm. Haviland and Miss Amy Cole- ridge, late of the Lyceum. A great deal of the scenery is an exact replica of the scenery used. when the play was produced in London. The j Only Way "is an adaptation of Chas. Dickens' Tale of Two Cities." There should be crowded houses every evening, at the Grand next week.
SWANSEA BANKRUPTCY COURT.
SWANSEA BANKRUPTCY COURT. THURSDAY. [BEFORE MR. REGISTRAR HOME.1 A special sitting of the Bankruptcy Court was held at the Guildhall, Swansea, on Thursday. Re Henry Green, St;it:onmaster, Hosea-terraee Landore.—Debtor's liabilities were j582 7s. 4d., and he attributed his failure to heavy expendi- ture in household expenses towing to the illness of his wife and father, who subsequently died. Mr. Popkin Morgan represented the bankrupt. The examination was closed subject to the notes being s'gned. Re Thomas Jenkins. Pen-v-bryn House, Wind- mill-street, St. Thomas, coal merchant. Debtor's liabilities amounted to £218 18s. 8d. The causes of his bankruptcy were bad debts, losses on horses and carts, aod pressure by creditors. The examination was closed.
HOLY TRINITY PARISH SHOW,
HOLY TRINITY PARISH SHOW, YESTERDAY-PRIZE LIST. The fifth annual show of Holy Trinity Parish Cottage, Garden and Industrial Society was held yesterday at the Albert Minor Hall. The entries were numerous, the exhibits on the whole were very good, and the arrange- ments were most complete. The vicar, Rev. J. A. Harries, Rev. G. P. Gabriel (curate), Mr. Joseph Hall, J.P., Mrs. Owen, Mr. Andrew Mattey, Mrs. Jabez Thomas, Miss Campbell, Mrs. McHole, Mrs. E. J. Morris, Miss Johns, Miss Symons, Mrs. J, Morris. Miss Laurenson, Mrs. G. Moxbam, Mr. Jas. Jenkins. Mr. Drummond, Mr. Jas. Harris and others, rendered valuable assistance. The show was opened by Mrs. Iltid Thomas in a graceful speech, and on the motion of Mr. Joseph Hall, J.P., seconded by the Rev. G. P. Gabriel, she was accorded a vote of thanks. Mr. Drummond (Messrs. Parsons) delivered an instructive address on Cottage Gardening," for which he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The attendance fully came up to expectations. The Mayor and Mayoress visited the show in the course of the after- noon. LIST OF PRIZES. The judges were: Messrs. H. Thomas (gar- dener at Penlan), and J. Poxford (Col. Morgan's gardener), and the following is a list of prize winners:— GARDENS. The best kept vegetable garden (having regard to cultivation and produce): 1st prize, 5s. 2nd do., 2s. 6d. 1, Mr. D. A. Phillips, Brynsifi-terrace 2, Mr. Midwell, Gibbett Hill-road. The best kept flower garden (having regard to cultivation and produce: 1st prize, 5a.; 2nd do., 2s. 6d. 1, Mrs. Hodges, Clifton-hill; 2, Mrs. 'Lewis, Clitton-place. WINDOW PLANTS. The best show of four window plants: 1st prize, 5a.; 2nd do., 2s. 6d. 1, Mrs. George Beers, Strand 2, Mrs. Samuel, Strand. The finest and best trained geranium in bloom 1st prize, 3s. 6d. 2nd do., 2s. 1, Mrs Hodges, Clifton-hill; 2, Mrs. Beers, Strand. The finest and best trained fusehia in bloom 1st prize, 3s. 6d. 2nd do., 2s. 6d. 1, Mr. George Beers, Strand 2, Mrs. Samuel, Strand. The finest and best trained musk in bloom 1st prize, 3s. 6d. 2nd, 2s. 1, Mrs. Samuel, Strand. The finest and best trained plant in bloom, other than a geranium, fusehia, or musk: 1st prize, 3s. 6d.; 2nd do., 2s. No 1st prize; 2, Mrs. Williams. Fuller's-row. CUT FLOWERS. The beit bouquet of cut flowers 1-t prize, 3s. 2nd do., 2s. (Prize awarded to the most artisti. cally arranged.) 1, Master Willie Davies, Orchard-street; 2, Mrs. Hodges, Cltfton.hill. The best bunoh cf wild flowers (to be gathered by children under 16 years of age): 1st prize, 2s. 6d. 9nd do-, Is. 6d. 1, Olive McMurray, Clifton-hill; 2, Gladys Bell, Alexandra-buildings. VEGETABLES. The beet dish of 6 parsnips 1st prize, 2s. 6d. 2nd do., Is. 6d. 1, Mrs. Bater, Brynsifi-terrace; 2, Mr. West, Portia-terrace. The best dish of 6 carrots 1st prize, 2s. 6d. 2nd do., Is. 6d. 1, Mr. West, Portia-terrace; 2, Mrs. Bennett, Clifton-place. The best dish of 9 shallots 1st prize, 2s. 6d.; 2nd do., Is. 6d. 1, Mr. Phillips, Gibbett Hill-road; 2, Mrs. Bater, Brynsifi-terrace. The best dish of 6 leeks 1st prize, 2s. 6d.; 2nd do., Is. 6d. I, Mrs. West, Portia.terrace; 2, Mrs. Bater, Brynsifi-terrace. The best dish of 6 lettuces 1st prize, 2s. 6d. 2nd do., Is. 6d. 1, Mr. Phillips, Gibbett Hill-road; 2, Mr. West, Portia-terrace. The best dish of 2 cabbages: 1st prize, 2s. 61. 2nd do., Is. 6d. 1, Mr. D. A. Phillips, Brynsifi-terrace; 2, Mrs. Prescott, Clifton-place. The best dish of 3 sticks of rhubarb 1st prize, 2s. 6d. 2nd do., Is. 6d. 1, Mrs. Sarah Evans, Mariner-street; 2, Mrs. Rees, Clifton-hill. The best dish of 3 bunches of parsley 1st prize, 2s. 6d 2nd do., Is. 6d. 1, Mr. Midwell, Gibbett Hill-road; 2, Mr. Hellier, Gibbett Hill-road. The best dish of 2 vegetable marrows: 1st prize, 2s. 6d.; 2nd do., Is. 6d. No exhibitor. The best dish of 24 beans: 1st prize, 2s. 6d. 2nd do., Is. 6d. 1, Mrs. Prescott, Clifton-plaoe; 2, Mrs. Phil- lips, Gibbett Hill-road. The best dish of 9 potatoes 1st prize, 2s. 9d. 2nd do., Is. 6d. 1, Mr. West, Portia-terrace; 2, Mr. D. A. Phillips, Brynsifi-terrace. The best dish of 6 tomatoes 1st prize, 2s. 6d.; 2nd do., Is. 6d. 1, Mr. Phillips. The best brace of cucumbers: 1st prize, 26. 6d. 2nd do., Is. 6d. 1, Mr. Phillips, Gibbett Hill-road. SPECIAL PRIZES. First prize (value in seeds), offered 'by Messrs. A. Kitley aud Co., Oxford-street and the Market, Swansea second prize (value in kind), offered by Messrs. Jenkins aud Co., Ironmongers, Oxford- street, for The best collection of vegetables: 1st prize, 5s.; 2nd do., 2s 6d. 1, Mr. D. A. Phillips, Brynsifi-terrace; 2, Mr. Phillips, Gibbett Hill-road- First prize, offered by Mr. James Harris, Blackpill, and the Market, Swansea; second prize (value in seeds), offered by Mr. W. Newcombe, Hanover-street, and the Market, Swansea, for The best 6 bunches of cut flowers in 6 varieties: 1st prize, 3s. 2nd do., 2a. 1, Mrs. Hod2es, Clifton-hill. Offered by Messrs. E. Parsons and Co., Mount Pleasant, and 5, Oxford-street, Swansea, for The best 6 bunches of hardy annuals 1st prize, 3s. 2nd do.. 2s. 1, Mrs. Hodges, Clifton-hili; 2, Mrs. Trolloppe, Gibbett Hill-road. The best 3 dishes of vegetables (distinct): 1st prize, 3s. 2nd do., 2s. 1, Mr. Trolloppe, Gibbett Hill-road 2, Mr. D. A. Phillips, Brynsifi-terrace. Offered by Miss Dillwyn, West Cross, for The best clove, or Malmaison carnation 1st prize, 6s.; 2nd do., 4s. No 1st prize; 2, Mr. T. Grove, Gibbett Hill- road. INDUSTRIAL CLASSES. The best piece of fretwork, executed according to the pattern supplied by the committee (neat- ness of cutting and fitting will be considered: 1st prize, 5s 2nd do., 2s. 6d. 1, Mr. D. Jones, Short-street. The best pair of hand-knitted stockings, made at home 1st prize, .d. 2nd do., 2s. 6d. 1, Mrs. Jones, Fuller's-row; 2, Miss W. Mor- gan, Urchard-street. The best hand-sewn man's flannel shirt, made at home: 1st prize, 5s.; 2nd do.. 2s. 6d. No 1st prize 2, Mrs. Midwell, Gibbett Hill- road. The best hand-sewn frock for a child 3 years old 1st prize, 5s.; 2nd do., 2s. 6d. 1, Mr. Harris, Milton-terrace. The best 21b. of home-made bread: 1st prize, 4s.; 2ud do., 2s. 1, Mrs. Midwell, Gibbett Hill-road; 2, Mrs. Lloyd, Trinity-place. The best 21b. loaf of whole-meal (brown) home- made bread 1st prize, 4s. 2nd do., 2s. 1, Mrs. Phillips, Gibbett Hill-road 2, Mrs. D. A. Phillips, Brynsifi-terrace.
[No title]
SWANSEA SCHOOL BOARD.—The monthly meeting of the Swansea. School Board was held at the offices, Dynevor-place, on Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Joseph Rosser, J.P., in the chair.—Mr. Dd. Roberts said that with reference to the proposal to admit teachers from voluntary schools and other school boards to the central classes, he was prepared to support the proposal, but ho suggested that any outside bodies sending their teachers to the classes should pay the cost, whilst be would consent to their keeping the grant.-This was agreed to.- Mr. J. W. Jones said he wus inclined to move that they do not admit teachers from out ide bodies at ail.—The Clerk pointed out that the words subject to accommodation permitting," should have been embodied in the mmute, and Mr. Jones was satisfied.—The Chairman moved that tt e Board join the Federation of School Boards of Wales and Monmouthshire.—The resolution was unanimously adopted.—Mrs. K. Freeman and Mr. Dd Roberts were elected delegates, wi'h the Clerk, to attend the pre- liminary meeting of the Federation on Sept. 21st next at Llandriudod.—It was resolved to issue I precepts for an aggregate amonnt of Xl3,500 (le s £ï3 4s. 5d., the amount recoverable under the Agricultural Rates Act) to cover the expenses of the Board for the half-year ending March 25th next.. OUTING AT GLYNNEATH.—In connection with I Mr. D. G. Phillips' outing at Glynneath on Monday last, we regret the omission of the name of Mr. T. Johns, of the Volunteers' Arms, in the paragraph in another column.
-----... BICYCLE GYMKHANA…
BICYCLE GYMKHANA AT MUMBLES. Yessterday (Thursday) afternoon a bicycle 1 gymkhana and athletic sports were held under the auspices of the Swansea Y.M.C.A on the Oystermouth Cricket Club's ground on Langland-road. There was a very good atten- dance. The judges were, Messrs. W. R. Collins, H. Morton Hedley, E. H. Plant and W. Weaver. Prizes were given by the following f Lady Jenkins, Dr. Rawlings, Y.M.C.A. Committee, A Friend, Messrs. Ben Evans and Co., Ltd., Wm. Edwards, Cambria Cycles, Ltd., A. Wilson, Oxford-street, D. C. Jones and I Philip Jenkins, Castle-square, W. Williams, Giles, Phillips, Hoskins and Co., Ltd., Castle- street, F. C. Eddershaw, X. Ganz, High-street, Domestic Supply Co. Ltd., Gower-street. The following were the results Steering race for ladies and gentlemen (riding in and out of bottles, six feet apart):— 1st prize, walking-stick, J. Hyett; 2nd, jelly-dish, G. Nettell. Market race (picking up vegetables placed at intervals along the course, and putting them in baskets) :—1st prize, dressing-case, G. Nettell; 2nd, bicycle lamp, H. Morris 3rd, I bicycle bell, W. Allen. High Jump:—1st, clock, G. Nettell; 2nd, gents' umbrella, Easson. Sack Race:-Ist, hammock chair, Fuller; 2nd, butter knife, H. Williams; 3rd, purse, Hyett. — Toilet race for gentleman (competitors to ride to given point, turn coat inside out, and return to winning post) —1st, clock., H Morris; 2nd, sweater, W. Morris, Throwing cricket ball:—1st, biscuit box, C. Netteil; 2nd, pair salt cellers, H. A. Ellis. Tortoise race (ladies and gentlemen), slowest rider wins 1st, butter cooler, Miss Penton 2nd, jelly dish, Mr. Cooper. Putting the shot, Kilbs :—1st, handbag, G. Nettell; 2nd, butter dish, Gunn. Button Race (ladies and gentlemen start hand-in-hand, dismount, thread needle, sew button on lady's sleeve and return hand-in- hand) :-lst, purse, G. Nettle and Miss Penton 2nd, — Reynolds and Miss Reynolds. Tilting at the ring on bicycles :—1st, cycle lamp, H. Morris; 2nd, jam dish, Cooper. A polo match, the first held at Mumbles was also played between Messrs. Cooper and Hodge, and Messrs. Dickens and Green, the former team winning by three to one. The prizes were distributed by Lady Jenkins, who, on the motion of Mr. W. Nichols, seconded by Mr. H. M. Hedley, was accorded a vote of thanks.
SWANSEA GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
SWANSEA GRAMMAR SCHOOL. ANNUAL ATHLETIC SPORTS- YKSTERDAT. The annual athletic sports in connection with the Swansea Grammar School took place yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, at the Cricket Field. The weather was beautifully fine, and some excellent sports were witnessed. The arrangements were admirable, and re- flected credit upon all concerned. The Presi- dent was Dr. G. S. Turpin; judges, Messrs. P. E. Bowman, J. M.Child,,W. H. Kirkby, R. W. Lewis, J. Livingstone, and E. H. Tripp; time-keeper, Mr. L. Collwyn Lewis; starter, Mr. J. P. Long; treasurer, Mr. G. B. Benfield; hon. sec., Mr. W. W. Mayne. There was a very large attendance of the general public, and the parents and friends of the scholars naturally took a keen interest in the proceed- ings. Among those present in the grand stand were the Worshipful Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. R. Martin), Ald. J. Aeron Thomas (ex-Mayor), Mr. John White, J.P., and Mrs. White, Mr. John Powell, and several others of the Governing Body. The following is a list of the events :— 2.0.-Two MILES BICYCLE RACE (open handi- cap, gear 70).-1, T. Phelps; 2, Weaver. Time, 5 mins. 56| secs. 2.15.-100 YARDS OPEN HANDIC&P.-lgt heat 1, E. G. Nicholls 2, W. T. Evans-time, 131 sees. 2nd heat: 1, W. E. Evans 2, F. HArries-time 11 seos. Third heat: 1, W. West; 2. A. S. Davies-time, 11§ sees. Final 1, E. G. Nichols; 2, W. T. Evans; 3, W. E. Evans 2.25.—HIGH JUMP (under 15).-1, H. Pinkham; 2, G. Hutton. Height, 4ft. 4ins. 2.40—HIGH JUMP (open).-l, E, G. Nioholls 2, H. Ritson. Height. 4ft. 7ins. 2.55.—QUARTER-MILE HANDICAP (mader 15).— 1, G. Nott; 2, C. Tastian; 3, H. Piukham. Time, 57 seos. 3.5.—LONG JUMP (open).-l, E. G. Nicholls; 2, H. Pinkham. Length, 15ft. lOins. 3.20.—ONE MILE BICYCLE RACE (under 14, gear 60).-1, T. Heslop; 2, H. J. West. 3.25. 120 YARDS HURDLE RACE (open handica.p).-ht heat: 1, G. E. Jenkins; 2, B. Sims-time, 21§ seos. 2nd heat: 1, E. G. Nicholls; 2, W. E. Evans-r-time, 19 sees. 3rd heat: 1, F. Harries; 2, A. Jordan-time, 19f secs. 3.35.-HALF MILE (open handicap).—1, G. Nott; 2, G. Hutton; 3, T. Howell. Time, 25 sees. 3.45.-100 YARDS HANDICAP (under 14).-1, H. Pinkham; 2, B. Jefford; 3, H. J. West- time, 12 sees. 2nd heat: 1, T. Heslop; 2, C.A. Schenk; 3. C. Alabaster—time, 13 sees. 4.5.-100 YARDS HANDICAP (under 12).-1, B. Corfield; 2. G. Williams. Time, 14 sees. THREE-LEGGED RACE :—1, Hopkins and Sims; 2, J. Davies and W. Evans. 80-YARDS' SACK RACE :-1, W. R. Evans; 2, B. Sims. ONE MILE OPEN HANDICAP.—1, A. Jordan, 2, G. S. Thomas, 3, W- West. FINAL OF 100 YARDS HANDICAP L, T. Heslop, 2, H. Pinkham, 3, C. A. Schenk. FINAL OF HURDLE RACE.—l, E. G. Nicholls, 2, F. Harris. OLD BOYS' RACE220 YARDS HANDICAP,— T. Benson, 2, A. Benson. 220 YARDS CONSOLATION RACE (under 15).- 1, Gardner Jenkins. 220 YARDS CONSOLATION RACE (under 15).— 1, Roche. The band of the Swansea County Council played the following selections of music during the afternoon 1. March- Soldiers in the Park"Monkton 2. Overture—' The Empress Kling 3. Gavotte—"Loving Hearts T' F. Burald 4. Selection Grand Duchess "Offenbach 5. Valse—" Ma Belle Adoree D. Roy 6. Gallop-"Les Gardea Du Corps" .Schuster 7. March—"Sing, birdie, sing CT&nz 8. Selection-" Belle of New York "Kerker 9. Dance Gracieuse"Le Palais Royal"Bonheur 10. Piccolo Solo 11. Selection-" La Poupee" Audran 12. Fantasia—"A Giddy Night" W. Williams Conductor Mr. W. F. Halley.
IHUMOURS OF WIFE-HUNTING.
I HUMOURS OF WIFE-HUNTING. i At the Tunbriage-wells County-court on Wednesday, before his Honour Judge Emden an amusing case was heard. George Coleman. a furniture salesman, of Tunbridge-wells, was sued by an agent, named Hamilton, for JE1 j 10s. for secreterial work done in endeavouring to procure a wife for Coleman." Plaintiff said that he was instructed by the defendent to insert an advertisement in & Sunday paper for a domescated woman as housekeeper, with a view to matrimony. They received many replies the whole bundle weighing 21b. Plaintiff spent half the day in reading the replies to defendant, and on Lord Mayor's Day they both went to London to interview some of the ladies. One of them wrote, Do not write so business-like open your heart to me," (Laughter.) They saw a hospital nurse under the Marble Arch, but when she got home she wrote that she was called away to an infectious case, and could not correspond any more. (Laughter.) His Honour What did he want Plaintiff: He wanted persons with money, because they were careful and shrewd. (Laughter.) His Honour: What does this cross on the envelope mean ? Plaintiff: That denotes the quality. (Laugh- ter.) His Honour; This one has four croses. Plaintiff: That means she has got some money, I suppose. (Laughter.) Continuing, plaintiff said the ladies did not take to Mr. Coleman, as he was too old. The large number of applications were torn up on Tuubridge-wells common, and sprinkled ubout untill a policeman came up, and they bad to I move off. (Laughter.) His Honoor gave judgment for the plaintiff, with, costs.
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WEST GOWER COTTAGE GARDEN SOCIETY — The ninth annual -how of this society will be held in Perrice Castle Park. by kind permission of Miss Talbot, on August 10th. Prizes to the value of JE90 are offered. There will be sheep dog trials and other attractions. Full particulars may be obtained of the secretary, Mr. R. Miiuer, Penrice Castle Gardens.
INTERESTING VOLUNTEERj I MANOEUVRES.
INTERESTING VOLUNTEER MANOEUVRES. [FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. THE NORTH HILL, MINEHEAD, TUESDAY. The Third Glamorgan Rifle Volunteers did not start their annual training very happily. The Head Quarter and Pontardawe Companies fell in at the Drill Hall on Saturday night at 8 o'clock; but it was long after ten o'clock when, with the Gorseinon Companies as well, the special troop train steamed out of High- street Station. Marching through the crowded streets of Swansea, the battalion presented a very smart appearance, and their departure was witnessed by thousands of people. For two-thirds of the battalion sleeping in the train was out of question, and when they reached Minehead at 4.15 on Sunday morning no one was particularly fit. However, they commenced the route march to the camp with a light, springy step, and the band played so loudly and well that the scantily-attired inhabitants of Minehead drew the blinds cautiously aside and peered out at the passing regiment. It was certainly a march worth seeing. In the front rode the cyclists in their grey uniforms and with white facings—the uni- form soon came to be known as the smartest in the Brigade—and the battalion altogether was about 450 strong. Through the quaint little streets of the town the march was interesting enough and it was done wonder- fully well, all things considered. The streets are quaint and crooked. Now you pass up a street laid out in modern style with avenues of trees, or along roadways bordered with pretty hedgerows and cosy little houses, built without regard to the line of frontage bye- laws of your up-to-date municipality, that belong to a vanished order of English life— to the days when the press-gang was rife and when the possibility of voluntary service had not been discovered and some of them even to the days of the Armada; and some— possibly most—on the other hand, to the Nineteenth Century of admirable architect- ural imitation. So long as there was some- thing so picturesque to look at the fatigue of the march was hardly noticeable but by and by the men of the Third began to realise that some unkindly fate had pitched their camp on the top of a steep hill. And, after a weary climb to an altitude of 900 feet above sea-level, they had to wait about in a drizzling rain until the lines were properly allotted—a duty which took an unnecessarily long time and made the commencement of the camp a trifle unpleasant. Once under canvas, however, that martial spirit of making the best of the inevitable soon asserted itself. As the day wore on the rain-clouds passed off. They were only the prelude to a terrific heat, and for the remainder of the day the sun made of the little golden flowers dotted here and there on the gorse bushes and the broad expanse of purple heather a glittering vestment, full of colour, for the mountain top. When once the hill has been climbed, the spot is an ideal one for a camp. The Brigade parade-ground is near at hand, and a fresh breeze comes always up the Channel and sweeps across the mountain top. The prospect for miles around is one of high mountains and wooded slopes. Far away the Mendip hills seem to tower everlastingly into canopies of mist; from the hill-top the Welsh hills can be distinctly seen across the Channel; and the town of Mine- head, hardly more than two and a half miles away, seems an impossible distance for a pedestrian. After breakfast on Sunday morning, the Brigade paraded for church service on the bill top. The Brigadier General (Col. Patton, C.B..) was present, accompanied by his aid- de-camp, Lord Aberdare, and by the Brigade Major, Lt. Col. Waddy. Col. Patton is in- terested in nothing more than the bodily comforts of the men, and as he passed the Third Glamorgan lines, he enquired of the tent orderlies, who were engaged in the pleasant duty of peeling potatoes and onions for Sunday's dinner, whether their food was satisfactory—an enquiry to which he received a unanimous "Yes, sir." The Brigadier passed on, and the orderlies once more attended their potatoes. The church service on the hill top was attended by all the regiments of the Brigade, numbering nearly 3,500 officers and men. The regiments and their commanding officers were: 1st. Gloucestershire (Col. Nethuen) 360 2nd. Somerset Light Infantry (Col. M. L. Blake) 551; 3rd. Somerset Light Infantry (Col. Langworthy); 1st. V.B. Welsh Regt. (Col. W. Piction Evans) 550: 3rd. V. B. Welsh Regt. (Col. G. R. Cresswell, C.B.) 825; 3rd. Glamorgan Volunteer Rifles (Col. J. Crow Richardson) 453. From these figures it will be seen that the muster of the Brigade is very large. The 1st. and 3rd. Welsh, when they go out on the march, are headed by a goat. The 1st. Welsh, which left Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire the counties from which it is recruited—on Friday last. turned out very strong. They marched well and they seemed to know their work,but their conduct at church parade on Sunday was hardly a credit to the discipline of the regiment. The band of the 3rd Glamorgan was detailed to play the hymns for the church service—a compliment to the corps and bandmaster Millars—and one of the hymns was Jesu lover of my soul" to the tune of "Aberystwyth." To keep time of any sort was the very thing which the 1st. Welsh attempted not to do; the rear com- panies sang out of time purposely and seemed to think it a huge joke. It was not that they could not sing, as they afterwards proved when, on Monday evening, in company with some of the 3rd. Glamorgan Gorseinon men, they formed a male voice party and delighted the natives on the sea front with real Welsh singing. The 1st. Welsh has some good, soldierly-looking stuff in it and the members of the Corps ought to be more careful of their good names. On Sunday the camps of the Brigade were visited by most of the inhabi- tants of Minehead and by a goodly number of Swansea people, the latter brought over by the Brighton. The sleep-loviug inhabitants of Minehead will have little peace this week, I am afraid. At 5 a.m. the drum and fife bands and the bugles are playing and sounding the re- veillee, and for the rest of the day the strains of seven or eight bands crash, with plenty of noise as a rule, and some good music occa- sionally, as the regiments march out from and return to camp. In the evening the streets are alive with volunteers until a late hour. No sooner do the civilians settle down to what they anticipate will be a good night's rest than they are awakened soon after daybreak by a peculiar cliching noise in the streets. It is the brigade cyclists, something like a hundred strong, engaged in a sham fight. On Monday and Tuesday the brigade practised the cyclists in defensive and offensive tactics. The general idea was that an army was advancing from Porlock on to Minehead, and another army was coming from the direction of Taunton. The two armies met at Minehead, and engaged in a bloodless conflict. The attacking army was under Capt. Beddoes, and Lieuts. James and Gashett, and Lieut. Bertie Perkins commanded bis own cyclists (3rd G.R.V.), and the 2nd Somerset's, as an army told off to defend Minehead. The attack was made along two roads, and the defenders threw out pickets, and made en- trenchments in that direction, retiring, how- ever, in deference to the brigade arrange- ments. On Tuesday the positions of the two forces were reversed, and an interesting little skirmish finished up with a charge up one of the streets of the town, which, to the inha- bitants, was probably like the rat-a-tat-toot of the reveill6e to the volunteers. On Monday the regiment had sectional field firing on the beach. The Field Practice Association was started by the Duke of Con- naught a few years ago to encourage, by prizes, sectional practices among volunteer corps in the United Kingdom, but owing to the inade- quacy of the target accommodation since the introduction of the present service rifle, the opportunities for carrying out the contest among volunteers forming the Severn Brigade have been very few. General Paton thought that by putting up canvas targets on the beach at Minehead, a certain number of teams from the various regiments in the Brigade would be able to compete in two of the series at the 300 yards range. The conditions were seven volleys at 300 yards, and 7 rounds rapid independent firing. The third series could not be carried on because it can only be done by advancing in attack formation and firing at intermediate ranges. Each section com- manded by a non-commissioned officer, con- sisted of six men. "G p to the time of writing no results in the competition have been made known, and all the regiments of the Brigade has not yet competed; but, from what I can gather, the results are not likely to be satis- factory. On Tuesday morning and afternoon the three Welsh regiments, forming the left half brigade, went out in attack formation, working towards Porlock Bay along the undulating crest of North Hill. The Third Glamorgan, under the command of Col. J. C. Richardson, formed the right of the front line, with the 3rd Welsh on the left and the 1st Welsh in the centre. The gradual extension of the batalions from column into thin red lines, by which an attack is developed, and the final charge, were well carried out, a particularly pleasing feature being the absence of the ceaseless chatter that is too often charac- teristic of Welsh Volunteer regiments. To-day there were very few sounds besides the signal whistle. As is usual on the first two days, the work has not yet been hard by any means. But the sun, in spite of the breeze that sweeps the heights with all the the freshness and vigour of the channel air,is burning hot, and the men, after the first Brigade parade, were as brown as berries; and at all times they are as merry as larks. The officers of the 3rd G.V.R. in camp are :— Col. J. C. Richardson (in command), Majors W. D. Rees, T. W. Jones, Langdon and J. E. Thomas, Captains D. Lewis, E. W. Carlyle, Trafford Mitchell, E. Hall Hedley, Captain and acting Quarter-Master Ll. Thomas, Lieutenants A. H. Thomas, T. Herschell Jones, R. Francis, Bransbv Williams, G. A. Stephens, D. H. L. Thomas, Bertie Perkins (cyclists), and Harries, Captain and Adjutant Forbes. Acting Chaplain E. W. Bolney.
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EXCURSIONS BY THE BRIGHTON."—The pleasure steamer "Brighton" is announced to run to Tenby, ilfraoombe, Clovelly, &c., within the next week For fares and times of starting see advertisement. L. & N. W. RAILWAY EXCURSIONS.-Our advertisement columns contain particulars of st veral very cheap and convenient excursions to various parts of the country by the Loudon and N, arth-watan Railway.
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NOTES & NOTIONS. • NIGHT. PTis Night: the drowsy hours creep slowly by. Silence and sweet repose is over all The seething city, and above, the sky- Star-studded—gold upon a silken pall. The lazy wind sings a sweet lnllaby The whole earth holds her breath to catch the theme The trees in mournful cadence softly sigh Man sleeps, and leaves the Deity supreme- PIKCY REBVB. -PaU Mall Magazine. Mr. Ernest H. S. Morgan has passed the final examination of the Institute of Chartered Ac- countants. Mr. Morgan was articled to Mr. E. W. Carlyle. We hope the Rev. John Davies, Cadle, will not adhere to his decision to sever his connection with the Swansea School Board. He has been a asefol and zealous member for many years; he is intensely earnest and conscientious, and in spite of his failings he deserves to be kindly remembered for his services in the cause of local education. He took up an absurdly extreme attitude over the acceptance by the School Board of the football challenge cup, which is to be competed for by the boys. There are maty grave and reasonable men who, like the Rev. John Davies, hold that the latter-day worship of athletics has arrived at a dangerous condition, and that it is high time a check was placed upon it. There is much, of course, to be said on this side of the matter; but sorely, on the whole, we have good cause to rejoice at the resolute and wholesome manner in which the youth of the nation has in recent years taken up its own physical education. Plato, the chief of theorists, insists, in his Republic, upon the supreme importance of the gymnastic part of a man's or woman's training-not, of coarse, neglecting what he called the musical," that is, the intellectual, aspect. The sane mind must have a sane body—and obviously the broad and general effect of this immense movement of physical exercise and out-of-door tastes has been prodigiously to improve the bodily standard of the population. Ask the doctors, the insurance offices, the recruiting sergeants, the tailors, the milliners—they will all tell you how lawn tennis and the bicycle, with crioket, football and the like, have within the past twenty years or so strengthened frames, lengthened life, expanded chests, straightened bent backs, and made a new race of even townspeople. But see for yourselves as you walk along the Mumbles-road in the evening, or join the crowds of youths or boys in our parks, or saunter along the sands. What bright, hearty face3, what figures well set-up, what features radiant with health, and what fine boys and beautiful girls and women have emerged from this play-mad period! We would advise the Rev. John Davies to see for himself-to examine carefully of an evening how Swansea boys and girls, men and women enjoy themselves Can anybody—even the Rev. John Davies, of Cadle—doubt that it is to such spontaneous training on the part of our growing population that we owe that omnipresent spirit of readiness and fitness which the Britisher exhibits abroad and at home, that self-oonfidence, that habit of resource- fulness and command. Nor can it be otherwise than a most happy circumstance that the craze- if it be a craze—has spread to the girls, to those who will be the wives and mothers of the next generation; for, if they cannot be alderwomen, they visibly take a share in the emancipating of 1 the lungs and muscles. Would those who decry the passion for bodily excellence wish to see our I women toddling about on cramped feet like the anfortunate Chinese ladies? Would they II exchange our public school or university with, perhaps, their exaggerated worship of athletio pre-eminence, for the pale French collegien or the sickly schoolboys of the Lycee? We put the question to the Rev. John Davies, and should like his answer. Better by far, we think, overdo a little this most serviceable cult of the muscular side of life than neglect it, as was done formerly. We like to see the young men of the day rejoicing in their strength, and joyously training for the battle of existence that armament of health bestowed on them by manly fathers and virtuous mothers. Manliness and morality are closely allied to the upbringing of the people and the discipline of athletics has no scanty results, both in the eooial and ethical spheres. Our special correspondent with the Volunteers at Minehead sends us an interesting and pictu- resque letter, which appears in another column. Camp life is not 1101 ways pleasant. More often than not it is decidedly unpleasant; but the excite- ment, the sham-fights, the rivalry—all tend to make camping life healthy and enjoyable. The 3rd G.R.V., we are glad to note, are doing well at Minehead. Last year they won high praise from those in authority, and this year they give evidence of farther all-round improvement. We do not always remember how unique in the history of nations is the Volunteer movement in Great Britain. The great advantage of reviews and camps is that they serve to remind us now and again of the singular advantages which the State derives from the existence of a citizen army more than a quarter of a million strong. Although the Volunteers stand between us and conscription, so universal elsewhere, we can only be induced to do them common justice by a series of reminders f their existence, and of the vast reserve of military strength which they indicate. The conditions of their first formation in 1859 were that if they would equip themselves with uniform, accoutrements and arms, and supply themselves with military instructors—all at their own .expense-the State would be kind enough to accept their services. On the face of it, such a thing was absurd, but the odd fact is that forty years afterwards the general attitude which the State takes up towards Volunteers is strongly reminiscent of these early conditions. Only by slow and tentative steps has the gratitude of the authorities deigned to show itself. When the .first enthusiasm which produced an army of one hundred thousand men, as if by magic, had to a large extent subsided, the question whether this magnificent force was worth preserving was answered in no very generous spirit, and only after a critical period, in which it looked as if the whole movement were going to collapse. At last it was agreed to relieve the Volunteers of personal outlay, and to supply what was necessary to clothe him, while at the same time steps were taken to bring him into closer connection with the War Office. Then a few more useful boons were granted. Nevertheless, many demands were made upon the Volunteers with which they found it difficult to comply. They were required to pass a certain standard of efficiency in musketry, and were also called upon to provide at their own expense, not merely such accoutrements as might be suitable on the parade ground, but full equipment, as in time of war. Fortunately, this has now been altered, and every volunteer rifleman is given his great-coat, haversack, water-bottle and ammuni- tion out of public funds. A certain number of guns are issued to the force, and a special decoration is awarded for officers who have served for twenty years. Why there should ever have Toeen niggardliness in this matter is by no means oaay to understand. For ourselves, we should wish the Volunteer to have every generous facility accorded to him of becoming an efficient soldier -plenty of ammunition, free carriage to rifle-butts, and, in the case of artillery, large opportunities of practice, not with antiquated cannon, but with the newest machine-guns. On the whole he has been wonderfully patient under .a good deal of official disregard. He will cheer- fully submit to stricter regulations and a more exacting discipline when the War Office raiseg his military status. It is the truest economy to be generous, for a regular army is a very costly affair, as we have been recently learning from many financial statements, and the country is by tto means ripe for a universal conscription. A. E. Jenkins, a pupil of the Intermediate School for Boys, has been awarded by the Col- lege of Preceptors a 2nd class certificate, first division, with let class history and euclid, and with distinction in arithmetic and algebra. We are pleased to record the success of Mr. Edward Harris, Morriston, who was articled with Mr. G. L. Morgan, solicitor, Swansea. Mr. Harris sat at the recent examination of the Incor- porated Law Society, and obtaiued honours in the second division. The meeting of Bishop Crowther with his mother after a separation of a quarter of a cen- tury is well known to those interested in mis- sionary work on the West Coast of Africa. A somewhat similar story reaches us from the East Coast. A convert from the warlike Masai, named Josiah, who was studying in the C.M.S. Divinity Class at Frere Town, while visiting the out- station of Maweni met a Masai woman. The Masai are not plentiful down at the coast, so they naturally began to ask each other the news, and the conversation led to the discovery that Josiah's mother was in the neighbourhood. It appears that nine years ago there was a cattle famine among the Masai, ani the mother took three daughters and went off to seek food in Ukam- bani. There she was captured and enslaved, and afterwards sold to Wagiriama, and when her last owner died she followed the famine-stricken Giriama folk down to the coast. Under the auspices of the Swansea Scientific Society an excursion will be made to-morrow (Saturday) to Weobly, which is situated in one of the most picturesque parts of Gower. Giveu fine weather, the excursion should prove a great suo- cess. We understand a goodly number of ladies and gentlemen intend taking advantage of it, and so we would advise those who have not yet secured tickets to do so at once, by applying either to Mr. W. Terrill, hon. sec., St. George's- terrace, or to Mr. Evan Lewis, at the Royal In- stitution of South Wales. The guides will be, archaeological, Colonel Morgan and Mr. A. G. Moffat; botanical, Rev. R. Jackett. It is proposed to inspect the old cattle at Leason, w hich was occupied by the Lord of the Manor before he built Weobley. Fort Wrigley, Mackenzie River, North West Canada, where the Rev. W. Spendlove and his wife spent the winter of 1898-99, is one thousand miles from a settlement or shop. It was a very serious thing therefore when, through a boat ac- cident on the rapids, half their year's supplies were lost and the remainder greatly damaged. However, the Lord knew all about it," Mr. Spendlove wrote on January 6th, "and put it into the hearts of some unknown to us, who could not possibly have known of our loss, to send us some supplies, which fortunately reached us be- fore navigation closed." Thus their lives were spared and their needs supplied. The fort is known as Starvation Fort, and Mr. Spendlove was nearly starved to death at the place in 1887. Many Indiana, too, have died of (starvation in previous years, while the officer in charge of the post more than once had to eat the furs to save his life. A marriage has been arranged, and will take on August 5th, at St. Elizabeth's Roman Catholic Church, Richmond, between Mabel Lucia Marie, the fifth daughter of Mr. Bowen-Rowlands, Q.C., of 12, Downe-terrace, Richmond, and Arthur Daniel Deviche Jones, the eldest son of Mr. Daniel Jones, St. John's, Wimbledon, barritter- at-law. Here's an item which should be interesting, if not instructive, to the ratepayers of Swansea. The municipal gas works in Manchester made a net profit of £ 74,052 last year. The Gas Commit- tee have decided to hand over X51,000 of that sum to relief of rates. During the year the number of gas consumers increased by 6,995, and the increased consumption of coal in the manu- facture of gas was 20,000 tons. In another column we record the scholastic success of Miss Florence E. Lowes, daughter of Mr. Frederick Lowes, auctioneer, Swansea. The young lady is most accomplished she has scored several conspicuous successes, and she will, we have no doubt, be heard of again. Miss Lowes is being educated at Queenswood School, London, the lady principal of which is Miss Ethel M. Trew, younger daughter of Mr. Thomas Trew, an old and respected Swansea boy, and who was for some years chairman of the first Swansea School Board. Messrs. Parson's excellent flower and seed gar. den at the foot of Mount Pleasant Hill, Swansea, are well worth a visit just now. Conspicuous among the hot-house plants are the Gloxinias, which are remarkable for size, colour and growth. Mr. Drummond, the manager of Messrs. Parson's Swansea branch, called our attention on Wednesday afternoon to a very beautiful daffodil-flowored Gloxinia. It is the first he has seen of its kind he sincerely hopes it is the first, but in order to make sure he has written to the leading gardening journals on the matter. He has great faith in this lovely daffodil flowered Gloxinia, as being the progenitor of a new race. Another feature of the gardens is a grand house of telegraph cucumbers grown specially for seed, and they are remarkably fine. The Gower balloon has burst "I It was of large proportions itacontained two persons; it nearly kissed mother earth, but suddenly arose, and disappeared in the cloud of sand which the occupants hurriedly threw out 3f the car. And then it re-appeared, and seemed to alight somewhere in mid-channel, near a ship. Perhaps the ship rescued the aeronauts. Perhaps- perhaps they were drowned. That was the story, in brief; but as it appeared in a ^section of the press it was positively exciting. It was almost a pity to spoil it, and we think Mr. Walter R. G. Webber should have shown more consideration for a sensation-loving and sensation- producing public. This is how Mr. Webber bursts the balloon The report of a balloon incident at Port Eynon has been pointed out to me, but no one need lament the drowning of the Iaerail voyagers, or organise search expeditions for another lost Andree. The balloon was a fire one, made of paper, about 9ft. high and 4ft. Gin. equatorial diameter, and was set off by my youngest brother at a picnic in Gowei-, and the only aeronauts it carried, by the ail of a wad of otton waste and six ounces of paraffin probably the observed oar), and at all likely to be rescued by a passing ship to become Robinson Crusoes in some unknown isle, were the ubiquitous microbes." The re-election of Aid. Howel WatkinB to the chairmanship of the House Committee of the Swansea Hospital will give general satisfaction. Mr. Watkins, by reason of his sound common sense, tact and devotion to whatever he takes in hand, is well fitted for the position. The news that the Rev. E. J. Wolfe, seamen's chaplain at St. Nicholas Church, Swansea, has been offered and accepted the living of Bleddfa, Radnorshire, will be recived with much regret. The reverend gentleman has laboured most zealously in our midst for over twenty years. The poor and needy have found in him a staunch friend, and the sailors who frequent the port will miss him as much as anyone. Mr. Wolfe does not proclaim his good works from the house-tops be does not let the left hand know what the right hand doetb. He has been, in the best and truest sense of the word, a minister of all that is good and beautiful. Swansea's loss will be Radnor- shire's gain, and we sincerely wish the reverend gentleman every happiness in his new sphere of labour. A town like Swansea, however, can ill afford to lose so painstaking, so thoughtful, and so Christian a minister. Miss Maggie Jones, of Waunwen, Swansea on Monday last in London, passed the assoc;atc- pianist (A.T.C.L.) of Trinity College. Miss Jones was prepared by Mr. Arthur Hey, mus. bac., L.B.A.M. Madagascar under French control has reached such a parlous state that even the French them, selves are compelled to admit there is vast room for improvement. Their one successful colony, Algeria, owes its success not to French methods, but to the trade of the colony with the still un- conquered French Soudan, a trade which is carried on with benefit to all concerned, in the immemorial Arab way, and in complete disregard of the innovations sought to be made by the nominal, not the actual, possessors of the in- terior. With Madagascar the case is different. Everything intended for the island has to be sea- borne. Everything imported from Franoe upon which a duty can be levied is heavily charged, and in the case of imports from countries other than Franoe the duties are so heavy as to be pro- hibitive. Of exports there are none worth con- sidering, for the internal taxes prevent produc- tion of inland trade there is very little for, on account of those taxes, the natives will not produce more than is necessary for consumption in their own localities. It is recognised in Paris somethiug must be done. It has been gravely proposed to repress production further in order that the needs of the unfortunate islanders may compel them to import goods from France and suffer even more severely for the doubtful privilege of doing so. None but a stay-at-home Frenbh Colonial Administrator could have evolved such an insane way of dealing with a politico-economical crisis. Thanks to France, Madagascar, instead of remaining the smiling, prosperous country she was before she was con- quered, has been reduced in a very few years to a condition little better than anarchy, and is rapidly relapsing into semi-savagery. The Peace Conference has adopted the pro- posal that, whenever war seems likely to break out, the Powers concerned shall be reminded by the other Powers of be existence of a permanent Court of Arbitration. The United States agreed to this with a reservation declaring that they do not desire to depart from their traditional policy of not interfering in the politics of other nations. The Duke of Beaufort has been elected chair- man of the magisterial Bench for the Chipping Sudbury Petty Sessional Division of Gloucester- shire, a post filled for many years by his father the late Duke. We are pleased to record the success of Lieut. W. H. Nils, R.N.R., of 6, Woodland's Terrace, Swansea. Lieut. Nils obtained his commission as Lieut. R.N.R., in 1889, and has maintained the test certificate since. Recently he passed through a four months' course in gunnery, tor- pedo, and electricity at the Manual College, Portsmouth, obtaining a first-class certificate. He will shortly leave to join H.M.S. Isis," as Lieut., stationed on the Mediterranean. The hot weather is responsible for all ma.nner of strange things. Some people declare that it has a deleterious effect on one's sense of humour, and really, when one comes to think it over, jokes do seem very scarce just now, whilst the very mildest attempts to be funny are everywhere hailed with as "mnrh enthusiasm as can be musteted with the thermometer in the eighties. It is certainly noticeable how few funny stories are in circulation. One, however, reaohes me that is worth relating. A lady, harassed by the great heat and oy having hurried to catch a train, turned round, with one foot on the step of the carriage, tipped her husband with a shilling, and kissed the gurd good-bye. — The Lady's Pictorial. Most assuredly the high state of the temper- ature is provocative of idiotic theories, and it certainly seems to foster the rapid growth of fads, says the Lady's Pictorial. Wherever one goes just now somebody is sure to have either a new—and usually futile—drink to recommend or some new idea to advance. A favourite .one at this season is that it is a great mistake to leave London in August, another being tht the only possible means of keeping cool is to imbibe tea in large quantities, and eat lettuces ad libitum. But the very newest notion of all is that the real secret of coolth "—that most oppressive word so much in vogue just now—is to take plenty of exercise. Only thidk of it! Yet we are boldly counselled to take stiff walks, to ride our bicycles, to play cricket and tennis, and, in short, to do everything we can to promote a healthy circulation. Possibly, as a wind-up to the season, races might be organised in Kensington Gardens and the London squares as a healthy pastime in le monde ou Von *'amuse. A good many many men rather pride themselves on their moustaches. Sometimes they form the best point of a hero of a novel, and a striking devotion to these adornments was shown by a constable who prosecuted a man named Simmonds before Mr. D'Eyncourt. The man was creating dissurbanoe at the Gun and Shot Wharf, and was threatening to murder the foreman, when the policeman arrived and told him to move on. He refused and went for the officer, and taking hold of his moustache, pulled out a portion of it. In proof of this statement the constable produced an envelope, and there before the eyes of the magistrates was reposing hair which had once formed part of the upper lip adornment. The prisoner stoutly denied that the hair in the envelope had ever belonged to the police- man, but an expert in hirsuterie was called, and gave him the He. His worship looked from the envelope to the prosecutor, who was tagging at what remained to him on his lip, and decided that wilful and wicked damage had been done. He sentenced the prisoner to seven days, and carefully restored the envelope to the officer. It will be kept in his family as an heirloom.