The Cambrian

Neath Priest's Poetry Criticised. Some one has sent me a Catholic newspaper containing an appeal by a priest at Neath for contributions to his school-building fund (says Mr. Laboucheve in "Truth.") The apneal is, in the form of some doggerel, headed "Satan's Soiilocrv." the character of which may be itid'ed from those lines "Old Harry" sat down on a fireproof chair. And picked his teeth, with the point of his tail. „ In a pensive mood he stroked his hair. And thought of a, plan t-ha.-t would not fail. "I've furnir-fhed apartments to let down below Warm. dry, and well air'd—of that I feel sure— Yet I cannoit get haJf e-nov.gn people to go And my place—this I cannot en- dure!" "The gist of the remainder of the soliloquy, he continues, "is that people arc qualifying t'v occupation of the furnished apartments by refusing to respond to the piiost's appeal, t 'n "-•i-cvif uyson this edifying effusion would be superfluous. It is deserving, however, of the attention of the ecclesiastical superiors of the reverend author/'

RATES AT SWANSEA. THE estimates of the vaiious spending bodies at Swansea, having been overhauled, and. in some instances, amende ), it now be- comes possible to deal with the subject of Ihe local rates with the guidance afforded by de- finite figures. As OoTfipafeu wn.11 uie mi- niates for the year just ended, those adopted by the Council show an aggregate increase of £ 4,600. Of his sum. interest and sinking fund of the borough debt account for £ 2,355; the expenditure of the Waters and Sewers Committee, about £900; and that of the Streets Committee. JB700. Other committees anticipate a stationary or reduced expendi- 'I "11 1 ture, out. whether the anticipations win ue lealised is a point of considerable doubt. The depressing feature of the budget is the fact that whilst the outlay on the water supply is advancing by prodigious leaps, the revenue derived therefrom appears to be at a stand- still not a penny more is expected from water rents than was received last year. And similarly stationary is the revenue from the Slaughter-house and the rents of properties under the Artisan Dwellings Act. Then the increase from all other sources is only £ 300. The years which ended with the 25th March was begun with about £ 8.000 in hand a.s working capital, but the rates levied, of 3s. 4d. in the JB. were considerably below the requirements, with the result that for the current year there was a deficit of £ 4,553 at starting, and hence the disturbing propor- tions of the jump upward in the rates. The amount to be provided by means of a gener al district rate is £ 72,912; the total rateable value of the borough is £ 431,205, and the nett producible value of a. penny rate for the purposes of the general district rate is £ 1,453. A rate of 4s. 2d. in the £ is ex- pected to realise £ 72.653, or £ 259 less than the estimated expenditure, but this difference it is believed will be covered and a few hun- dreds of pounds left in hand by the revenue derived from the increases during the year in the aggregate rateable value of the bor- ough. The School Board rate of Is. 8d. in the £--it would have been at least a penny more but for £ 1.500 somewhat unexpectedly received from the Imperial Exchequer as a grant to .a necessitous district—the poor rate. Free Library, Intermediate, and Technical Instruction rates are expected to amount to- gether to about 4s. in the £ so that the total rates for the year—irrespective of water rent -will be equal to 8s. 2d. in the L, or lOd. in the £ more than in the year which ended a few days ago. The foregoing figures which provide little or nothing for unrote-een contingencies in the matter of expenditure, whereas all likely increases—under the Edu- cation Act excepted-in revenue are taken into account, indicate how serious is the financial position of Swansea. It is clear that the town is in a pecuniary sense out- running the constable, and that the duty Is imposed upon the local bodies of the borough to apply themselves in earnest to the work of reducing the expenditure. Under the provisions of the Education Act, Swansea is to receive about £4,000 a year more than hitherto in imperial grants, but it is open to doubt whether the benefit of the increase can be enjoyed during the months that will elapse before September 30th, the date fixed upon for giving effect to the measure. As the arrangement- decided upon deprives the Voluntary Schools of any aid for the six months, it, is reasonable to infer that the extra. grant. will be withheld, and in this way any relief which might be expected, by reason of the Education Act. must be de- ferred. As indicative of one factor which may affect the estimate of expenditure pre- judicially, the circumstance might be men- tioned that about thirty of the Corporation officials are applying for advances, and that if their requests, as set out, are conceded, an increase would result in the permanent charges of between JB450 and J3500 a. year. It is unlikely, however, that this will happen; indeed it is not improbable that the committee struck to deal with the applications may be able to devise economies to set-off against any increases that may be recom- mended in the salaries of individuals.

The Swansca. Electrical Engineer. Mr. Pnis- mami, is physically run down, and is new, acting under doctor's orders, in England for a change of air.

SWANSEA JOTTINGS. ANTHRACITE FOR AMERICA. There are three large French sailing ships loading anthracite for the States in Swansea at the present time. SUMMEU ASSIZE JUDGES. The Glamorgan Summer Assizes will be opened at Swansea 011 July 25th (Saturday) Dy Mr. Justice Wills and Mr. Justice Channel). MR, ALFRED DAVIES. Mr. Alfred Da-vies, M.P.. who, according to the "Daily Xews." is known as Mr. Pick- wick, attended the Progressives' Parliamen- tary dinner to Mr. W. Crooks and Dr. Hutchinson, on Tuesday night. rVTTTT ixt-. r.^T Ol-UI^N JJr.AIxi. The six-months' okl child of Mrs. Laura Talker, of 61. Watkiu-.stieet. Swansea, suc- cumbed iu its mother's arms wdiilsi in High- street- 011 Tuesday morning. A doctor's certi- ficate as to causj of death has been given. TRA MWAY REPR ESENTATTVES. Mr. Tegetmeier. the chairman of the Swan- sea Tramways Company, left Swansea for London by the 1.30 p.m. train on Wednes- day. Another passenger by the same train was Mr. Lancaster, Dolter's representative. WELL-KNOWN "COMMERCIAL." Mr. Harry Rees, of Cromwetl-t erraee. Swansea, who is woll known in commercial circles in South Wales, is lying seriously ill, and his condition is giving rise to great anx- iety to his relatives and friends. APPOINTMENT OF ENGINEERS. Mr. L. J. Brando, manager of the South Wales Anthracite Amalgamation Syndicate, Ld., writes us to the effect that Messrs. For- ster, Brown, and Rees, of Loudon and Cardiff, have just been appointed engineers to the syndicate. BURIAL BOARD'S STATISTICS. Ald. Protheroe presided over a meeting of the Swansea Burial Board on Tuesday. For the four weeks ending March 31, there were 70 interments, against 56 last year; for <he three months just ending 193. against 186. Fees, L-,79 12s. 6d. agaiost B59 19s. 6d. SWANSEA VESSEL SOLD. The iron barque Glance, 842 tons regis.'lev, carries about 1.338 tens, built by Mr. \V. Watson, Sunderland, in 1869, and owned by Mr. G. H. Meager, Swansea, has been sold to Norwegians, through Messrs.- IT. Clarkson and Co., London, for £ 2,000. BANDMASTER LIDDELL'S NEW POST. Bandmaster S. W. T. Liddell, who was until recently conductor of the Swansea County Council and Police Band, has been appointed bandmaster of the Mountain Ash Band at a salary of J3155 a year. Mr. Liddell takes up his new duties on April 15th. WELSH WAGE RATE. There is a clause in the new agreement by which the South Wales Conciliation Board shall not meet until May 14th to determine the raff of wages No notice can be given to reduce wages until 10 days b fore May 14th, so that the existing figure of 48J above the standard must continue until 1st June. RAINFALL IN SWANSEA. Tlw rainfall in Swansea, as registered by Mr. T. Travers Wood. Glanmor-creseent, dur- ing March was 7.14 inches, compared with 3.39 inches for March 1902. Rain fell on every day but four. For the first three months of 1903, 15.19 inches fell in the same period of 1902 only 7.62! COALOWNERS' ASSOCIATION. The monthly meeting of the West Glamor- gan Coalowncis' Association was held at. the Hotel Meta-opc-le, Swansea on Wednesday. Ihe business was of a routine nature. Mr. Morgan Davios, 'he secretary, informed the press that there was nothing of interest to ttport. SERIOUS ILLNESS OF MR. GLYN VIVIAN. Major Sinclair explained a-t the conference 011 "ul'd,.y (If the representative* of the Swansea Corporation and the chairman and local manager of the Tramways Company, that the Hon. Odo Vivian was unable to be pre- sent for the reason that he had been sum- moned by telegraph to Germain-, where Mr. Glyn "Vivian was seriously ill. HIGH SHERIFF S DONATIONS. Mr. Edward Daniel, Rose Hill, Swansea, liigh-slieriff for the county of Glamorgan, has, in addition to a donation of £ 200°towards the new organ to be erected in the Swansea Parish Church, given £ 25 towards the funds of the Swansea, Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, JB25 towards tlio Swansea; and South Wales Institution for the Blind, and two 'tr guineas towards the funds of the Swansea Home for Orphans and Friendless Girls. NEW HOSE REEL. The new hose reel tender for Swansea was inspjcted by the Watch Committee c-n Tues- day. The tender is of light T build and is drawn by a pair of horses. Upon an alarm of fire being given the tender will be lirst des- patched so°as to be on the spot with the reels as soon'as possible. The tender, which has been constructed bv Messrs. Merryweath r, cost £ 115. It will be kept at the Oxford- street Station. OLD TOKEYS FOUND AT SWANSEA. During the rebuilding operations now being earned out by Messrs. A. Paton a.nd t/L, ironmongers, Castle-square, Swansea, so-aie copper and silver tokens used by Mr. draper, who was the founder of the oh.: Gia- Bank in found near the front main wall. Th.y bear date" about the commencement of the nine- teenth century. .F. DRY DOCK COMBINE RUMOURS. There is evidently some truth in the report I mentioned in these columns two weelus ago with regard to a movement to amalgamate the various dry dock interests in Swanfr .i, I:i.!ys the Cardiff correspondent of the "Ship- ping World." Nothing further has trans- pired, and the report has even bean denied, but on inquiry, I tlicited from one gentleman interested in the Swansea dry docks the sig- nificant admission, "I am bound to secrecy." SWANSEA SPINSTER SUMMONED. At Swansea PoPee Court on Monday, Elizabeth Ward, single. \\alteM'-terrace, was summoned by the Rev. Thomas Morris, the well-kiunvii senior curate of St. Mary's, for trespass and damage at his residence. Heath- field. Mr. C. B. Jenkins appeared for the rev. gentleman, but neither defendant or her solicitor. Mr. R. T. Levion. was in attend- ance, consequently the ca.se was adjourned for a week. SWANSEA LABOURER'S PLUCKY ACT. A Norwegian seaman named Albert Monso-n, of the s.s Laura, Prince of Wales Dock, Swansea, was pluckily rescued from drowning bv a labourer na-m-cd John Meyrick, in t-h; •ami lov of Mr. C. Rowlands, at half-past • eleven 0:1 Wednesday night. According 10 ihe polic-e account Meyrick acted with great. bravrrv. jumping into tke -water without di- ve.-twig himself of his clothing. Moivon was; on his'way to his steamer when Le fell in. FLOURISHING WELSH DRAPER. Mr. Peter dor.es, draper, of Chelsea, one of '.1!: t successful Welshmen in London, to- gether with Mr. Wehs-Th-ateiier, the secre- ary of the Warehousemen Clerks' and Drapers' Schools, visited Swansea on Tuesday for the pm pose' of collecting funds towards the noble philanthropic institution jast named. Mr. John White (managing director of Messrs. Ben Evans and Co.) invited, the two gentle- men. and a vioit to a l ei of lus many frieads ves.iped, wo- viider-iand. in the funds of the kthoo:* being materially increased. PHETTY MUMBLES WEDDING. The v-Hwiau'e t'ak r.;ao at .'I! Saints' t'huiea. Ajr.Mblcs. ••••iv. of Mr. Arthur C.ronia '•[ i he jso "i.e. rviee. en-. a-ss Rate SaumVi 'oldest dauy'cer 01 Mr. John Saun- ders:. sv.pe:rntendeiit of Swans >a Post Ofti.ee. ders:. sv.pe:rntendeiit of Swans >a Post Ofti.ee. The brde, who was altilfcl in white satin, was given away by her father, and her tlireo sisteis, Misses Ettie. May, and Dorothy Saunders, acted as bridesmaids. The happy pair afterwards left for Bournemouth and the Isle- of Wight, where the honeymoon will be spent. SWANSEA SHUNTER CRUSHED. Samuel Manning, No. 7, James-street, Swansea, iu the employ of Mr. Christopher Rowlands, contractor, was admitted to the hospital un Friday, haYing be"n caught be- tween the buffers of some trucks at the Prince of Wales Dock. The poor fellow's injuries necessitated his detention at the institution. 1 EDUCATION ACT, SWANSEA. The Education Act, so f:Jy as Swansea Borough Is concerned, comes into fore" 011 September 30th next. A few of the schools under the Swansea School Board are situate outside the borough, but the jurisdiction oyer these will be a matter for arrangement be- tween the Borough a:.d the Glamorgan County Council. SEVEX SISTERS PIT ACCIDENT. Joseph Westbourne (33), collier, Xo. 4. Kettle-street. Neath, received serious injuries at Dillwyn Colliery, Seven Sisters, 011 Tues- day night, and lie was admitted to the Swan- sea Hospital on Wednesday. Westbourne was cutting coal when a fall occurred. His right- foot and right hand were badly ciushed. Dr. Edwards, Seven Sisters, rendered first aid, and ordered his removal to Swansea. GWAUNCAEGURWEN PIT WAGES. On Wednesday morning a conference' took place in Swansea between Messrs. E. A Cleeves and Hargr&tves. representing the owners of the Gwaan-cae-Garwen Collieries, and Messrs. Eden (Vivian's) and J. Williams, miners agent, acting a.s arbitrators to furtliee' discusf, the revi<ii:ii of the price list. Several meetings have ah-vudy been held, but- no agree- ment has b;«. n come to. As the result of Wednesday s conUrcnce it is most probable that an agiaenv.nt will be drawn up during the week wnich will be satisfactory to t>- *h sulf-s- STAR THEATRE EASTER PROGRAMME The new Star Theatre will have as its at- traction at Swansea during April 6th—8th. inclusive, "The Golden Chain." and on April "Ihe Heart of London." On Good tnday evening a sacred concert will be held, which should prove highly attractive, the band of the 1st G.V.A Miss Lizzie Bowen (soprano). Miss S. Gwen Davies (con- 'T-l Vn Lewis (tenor), and Messrs. ^ii I, s <ind Tom Griffiths (baritones) will all contribute, and full audiences should be assured. On Easter Monday is another at- tractive- engagement; viz.Mr. Morion Powells Company in "A Little Outcast." SWANSEA MATE ABOARD The ieni's a-e now entertained for the safety ot t ie large steamer Salopia, c-wned by Messis. Steel, rung and Co.. London. After cadmg at Nortolk (Virgi lia) for bunkers from _\iobde, nothing further has been heard of her ior rpwards cf forty six days. It is now feared that some disaster has befallen Orj Salopia. as terrific weather prevailed after the missing vtesel sailed. The Salopia w;e; comiuc vd^d by Captain Burgess, of Manches- ter, and there was a ovw of 2e> hands on hoard Anions the crew was Mr W. F. Thomp-on, first mate, who belongs to Swan- sea T]¡2 owners hope that the crew might have been rescued by a passing vessel. CHEERING WORKHOUSE INMATES. For a couple of hours on Tuesday evening, thanks to th-e solicitude of Mr. J. H. Stevens, Swansea, Guardian, and the cordial co-opera- timi of headteachers, the staff, and ttil scholars of Terrace-road Board School, a- gleam of sunshine was shed upon the mono- tony of existence m the Workhouse. The L'lnldieji went through a sparkling programme The operetta "Snow White," under ba!on.?{ Geo. W. Dorrell, and vari- oas noscellaneous items were leceived with enthusiastic applause, and the whole concert voted most successful. Miss M. John accom- panied. A vote of thanks, proposed bv Mr Stevens and seconded bv Mr. Harvev. was accorded SWANSEA UNITED BREWERIES, The directors of the Swarusea United Bre- weries, Ltd., in their thirteenth annual report, commend that the available balance of £1,622 18s. 2d. be dealt with as follows Dividend at 6 per cent, p.r annum (less tax) 011 the preference sh'res, paid January 1st, 1903, Ii562 10s. dividend at 4 per cent, per an- num (le«s tax) 011 the ordinary shares (making \1ith the 6 per cent. interim paid September 1st, 5 per cent. for the year). R,562 10s. balance forward to next account, £ 497 18s. 2d. — £ 1,622 18s. 2d. The director retirim* by rotation is Mr. Richard Wain, and, being eligible, offeis himself for re-election.' The auditors, Mesirs Mason and Son, also retire, and offer themselves for re-election. and offer themselves for re-election. SMALL CASTLE STREET FIRE. The prompt action of a gentleman named Mr. Ba°r on rar-ing an alarm of fire, pre- vented a serious outbreak of fire in Castle- street- on Friday afternoon. Mr. Baer, who resides in Worcester-place, thought he de- tected something bi.Tning at the Wk of his premises, and called P.O. Williams (105) to make an examination. The officer found everything apparently correct, but on examin- ir,g the premises adjoining, which is occupied V'hvlor. Photographer, it was found t.iat tie had broken out in a storeroom. It was quiciily extinguished by the constable. Ihe tire was caused by a spirit lan.p which was left by a painter at work on the premises. Had the nre not blen discovered in time there might ha ve been a serious conga oration, as near the lamp was a large quantity" of straw and other inflammable material. IELEPHONE EXCHANGE TENDERS. r.-tflp1'rw (i?rP°ra'f|n Telephones Oom- \\r v !■» >«.V'1"' ^°'omon presiding), on u t e.-< ;iy cp,iK>d tenders for the frrnishina ot the new telephone Exchange. Tliey had Kt. 11 leceiu-d from Mes-rs Ben Evans and to.. Domestic Supply Company, and Mesa's. huoersnaw and Son. The" Jifiieuity of .tie ing goods simply by tlie qutdulions was ie, og.usej., ..(iid the manager was instructed to mspem to- Mirnitme and !ei>ci:Mr. John TV; for tools ( £ 22 17s. 7d.) and tnose o -lr. Robert Jones. Brunswick-place, for a s'nxe ( £ 5 17s. 61.) and a weighing ma- chme ( £ 11".) Mare aceeptad.-It was re- ported t.iat oiuy 1.400 feet of pipes remain to be hnel. 1 lie distributing poles are erected, and this will en-able the" committee to push iorward tne junction lines to Morriston and Mumoie.s, and also subscribers' lines. JUMPED OFF A MOVING CAR. -U Swa,T;a' 011 T^sday. David White, No. 1, Mjnj dd-terrace, was summoned for leav- ing a Morriston tram car while in motion- Mr. Dormer ^ndrews prosecuted for the Com- pany. Mr. John Rees, tramways inspector, attended.—Defendant pleaded "guilty -Mr. Andrews said they did not wish to press'the charge, but hoped the magistrates would warn the public that leaving the cars while m motion constituted a grave and serious dan- ger, especially m the Rouble cars, where per- sons 1 an a nsk of being caught in the lear wheels. lucre had been. as their Worships would remember, one such case, where a 'ad had lost h,s life Dd, Jones, conductor gav; lelice eyideuce-ihe Chairman (Mr. J. w Jones), in inflicting a fine of Is. and costs, hoped the public would cease from the dangerous prac- tice of jumping from cars while in motion. SWAXS-A WOMEN'S LIBERAL ASSOCIATION. The eleventh annual meeting of the Swan- sea Women s Liberal Association took place on Thursday evening last in the Mount Pleas- ant Schoolroom, when about 150 members sat down to tea-. Afterwards the chair was taken by Mis. Freeman, in the absence of the Pre->:denC Mrs. M. B. Williams, and the election of officers for the ensuing vear took place. The reports of the hon. secretary, and of the hon. treasurer, weic read, and discussed, and it was pointed out that- the association was in a most flourishing condi- tion financially, and also as regards the num- bers of its members, the secretary stating that there were nearly 400 members, and the balance sheet showing a large sum of money in hand. Besides the business a verv en- joyable programme of music had Iud been arranged, and the following ladies and'gentle- n I men most kindly gave their services: Miss Isobel Davies charmed everyone with her violin solos, while Miss Hassel's. Miss L Ihocnas and Mi-s Chegwidden'- songs were much enjoyed. Mr. W. H. Jones, with his usual good nature, attended at great in- convenience to_ himself, and gave two recita- tions. Mr. Ken Smith's two songs were greatly appreciated. A very successful meet- ing was brought to a close with hearty votes of thanks to the performers, the ladies who presided at the tables, and the, deacons of the church for their kindness in lending the loom. RUNAWAY HORSE. A horse attached to a hansom cab belonging to Mr. Pike, Rutland-street, made a dash from Mount-street on Monday afternoon, and in its mad career scattered the crowds which congregate near Wind-street Bridge. A por- tion of the traces got entangled in its hind legs and maddened the animal. Several pe- destrians were thrown down by the excited people. When near the Old Toll Bridge, where the traffic is usjally congested, a man got in front of the animal and stopped it, only ill time to avoid a terrible accident. No one was ii.j,urcd, and no damage was done. NEW SWANSEA SHIPPING LINE. The optimistic anticipations of the Mayer of Swansea regarding the future of the port are being gradually realised. A short time ago the announcement was made that a regu- lar line of steamers would leave Swansea for Jl T" 1_i- l.ne JJanuoe. J.WO ooaus n«t\e aueauy leu, and the third, of 1,800 tons is due at Swansea on the 8th prox. The service, will be con- tinued during the Danube season, viz.. from February to October. The company at the head of affairs are building a new steamer 345 feet long, and it is probable their boats of the future will be from 345 feet to 350 feet long. Arrangements, too, have been made for a boat to load coal at Swansea in June for South America—the first, we understand, that has been so chartered. It is hoped this will, like the Danube, develop into a regular service, in which case there will be a further opening for trade as regards South W ales. GIFTS TO THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. Miss Watkins, The Bank, Llandovery, has. ot through -Atr. -Councillor J. Moy Evans, jpie- "eiited the following to the RoySTInstitution Two cabinets containing a large collection of British shells, collected by Mrs. m. Wat- kins (nee Lucas. of Stouthall. bower), wife of the late Warden of Llanelovery College. A fine collection of botanical specimens care- fully mounted.and named by Mrs. Watkins. A considerable collection of fungi (by Mi.ss Plues) given to Mrs. Watkins by the Hon. Mrs. Herbert. of Llan 11th and a number of fossils from the gault at Folkestone. Weather charts from Sept. 1889, to August. 1902. from observations at, Llandovery by the late Mr. J. ,)I)s 'I Watkins. The Bank. Also a collection of shells, chiefly foreign, collected by the late Mr. Pritchard (Chemical Works, The Bur. rows) and presented to the iiis-li ution by Ins Mm, Mr. E. J. Pritchard. MORRISTON LADS PLUCKY RESCUE. A lad, named Brinley Morgan Hussey. aged eight Vv-ars. residing at -No. 34, Martin-street. Morriston. was playing alongside the anal opposite the Globe inn, Mornston. on 1 ri l.i.y evening when lie fell into the- water, and was rescued when he appeared* to Ifave sunk for the last time. Hussey was playing with an- other lad named Edward John. No. 52, \Yy. n- tree-street, who, when lie saw his playmate diisa.ppoyvy ran away to the Globe Inn and gave the alarm. Ernest Bovce, son (,f the landlord, ran to t!:c» canal side, and without divesting himself of clothing, jumped in anj pulled the drowning b,d out. The landlord j of the Globe Inn, Mr. Isaac Boyee, then came Oil the scene, H,:d the lesvued 'bey was taken to the side of the canal and the artificial res- piration method adopted. After some trouble the rescuer's efforts were rewarded by seeing the lad come round. After being taken to th.. Globe Ian the lad fWas wrapped ill blankets and taken home. The action of the young man Bovce is highly commended.

SWANSEA FINANCE COMMITTEE. New Rate Approximately 8s. 4d. A meeting (.f the Finance Committee of the Swansea Corporation was held on Friday. Mr. D. Harris presiding. THE NEW RAI ES. The Chairman said the estimated expendi- ture of the various committees had been Ie. duced by £ 1,260, which left £ /2,812 ioj.be provided" for. The rateable value of tho borough was £ 431.205. and the net pioduce- able value of ) d rate would nroduce £ 1.453. The Borough Accountant who had prepared these figuies, said a rate of 4s! Id. ill the £ would produce £ 71.200. R was expected that the increased assessment during the year would make up the difference of £ 1,700. In ieply tu Mr. David Davies. the Accoun- tant :-aid the rates last year were two rates of b. 8d. The Chairman said they needed to levy a rate to cover the expenditure. Mr. David Davies concuired. and mentioned that no less than £ 526.000 was capitalised in the Waterworks, and the Corporation were paying a sum equal to Is. 6d. ill the £ alone on the water. The liabilities of the Corpora- tion in connection with the Waterworks were increasing rapidly, yet the revenue was sta- tionary. The Borough Accountant said that was so. Mr. Hopkin proposed the rate be 4s. 2d. in the £ Mr. D. Davies said even that would leave a deficiency, as contingencies were not provide a for. The Borough A.eountant thought the 4>. 2d. would be sufficient. The proposition was carried, the rate tor the first six months being determined ;:t 2s. 2d. and the second at 2s. SCHOOL BOARD'S PRECEPT. The Borough Accountant then presented the- School Board piecept tor the par>!i of Swans; a. £ 16.307 was required for the next half vear, winch would mean pracuca-ly a. lOd. r.ito f„r tie six months. In ^ituin. there was ld. rate for the year for uohc Library purpo.-ses. Id. for the year lor techni- cal Instruction, and £ d. for the year for Iiitcr- mediate Education. The Poor rate ±or t.ue year had also to be considered. 1 Aid. Howel Watkins said the rates ior tne year would amount to 8s. 4d. year would amount t.o 8s. 4d. The Chairman brought forward the ques- fion of super animation charges as regaras the Intermediate Committee, and thought details should be submitted. It was decided upon the ptopo.-i- tion of Mr. David Davies: "That in the opinion of the Finance Committee the New Educational Authoiitv should be permuted to have a voice in the superannuation question before any further step is taken in respect thereof."

NEATH NOTES. Magistrate Shirk the Street- Obstructionist Problem. Horse-shows' Prospects Brighter. Gloomy Outlook at the Melyn. Will the Steelworks be Restarted ? i I haye many times in these columns referred to the nuisance created bv street obstruction- ists in Neath. The police are doing all in their power to lessen the evil, but the support, if you can so term it, which thev receive from the magistrates, is meagre in the extreme. At last Monday's police three respectable. looking youths were summoned for commit- ting it breach of the borough bye-la-;vs bv creating ail obstruction in Bridge-street. Thev weie only lined a shilling and costs. Then the Head Constable. with that fairness and consideration which invariably characterises his actions, called the attention of the magis. trates to a threat which the father of one of the boys had made to the constable- who had brought forward the case. Mr. Lewis purposely postponed his observation* until the case had been decided, yet the magistrates took not the slightest notice of the complaint. Such indifference will possibly operate in two directions. It will cause the officer to say to j himself: "What is the use of bringing such cases before such magistrates?" and it will tend to make those inclined t-ü break the the law do so all the more frequently. I would suggest that the justices who sat last Monday pay a visit to Bridge-street on Sun- dav niclit next. between eight o'clock and half-past nine. If they do so. they will not treat future delinquents so lightly as they did last Monday. WeH. we are to have a horse show after ail and the date has been fixed for the 11th of June. Those interested in this annual event have recently been mmdering what had lie- come of the committee, and where the balance sheet was. 1 don't think the balance sheet luus been issued yet. but a balance must have been struck or the hon. secretary would not have been able to announce that there is the handsome sum of £ 1 in hand alter defraying all the expenses of lact- year's undertaking. Considering that the balance the year previous stood at £48. last year's show must be put ¡ down as a financial failure. Naturally one must look to the cause. I have personal I knowledge of the haid and systematic way in which the committee and the officials worked- Mr. Walter Rees and Mr. G. T. Sims, respec- tively hon. secretary and hon treasurer, have had a dose which will not bear repetition. On no account would the former le-undertake the secretaryship, but accepted the tre;urer.s]1ip; while Mr. G. T. Sims lias dropped out al- together. except as a committeeman. It may be just as well for those in charge of this year's show to keep an eye on the printing and prevent such lavish expenditure on pos- ters as has been the case hc-etofore. That is one of the causes of the wretchedly small credit balance of £ 1. lhavejtottheparticu- lars before me. but I happen to know that the expenditure in the direction indicated, and in the departments oi printing. wa.s double of what it should have been. Perhaps local tradesmen will tlrs yeii. for the good of the show, meet the committee and do the work at cheaper rate?..And the committee, on the other hand, must be p'epaied to go in for a cheaper article. Plastering the walls and hoarding with expensive pointing is a sheer was.e of money. -;<- .:í. But lessons must be learned, and now 1 hope every lover of the --how will redly round the officials appointed, and with one-ness ot aim work for the success of the undertaking. We in Xeath must not allow it to drop. True, the balance is small—very small-—but that should be an incentive to those interested to subscribe more libeially Tuesday night's meeting was conducted in businesslike style and it was an excellent move to make every committeeman subscribe at least half-a-guinea i Itis 'ii the if —and responsible for his share in the loss, it any. I hope there'll be no loss. There cer- 1 tainly wiU not be if everyone interested put- his shoulder to the wheel and assists. Neath line in days gone by e.arned an imeviable no- torietv for letting things drop, and one often now hears the expression: "Oh. nothing will ever la*t in Neath, except selfishness." Ab- I era von win have a great show this year, for they are offering nearly £100 in prizes. Ot course, with their balance of £ 85 t<> the good, after last year's event, they arc able to do it. Neath cannot, in the circumstances, but I do hope that we shall have a show which will be creditable to the ancient borough, and that the financial result will be such ;;s to ensure the continuation of the undertaking. ♦ As readers of the above notes anent the horse show may be under a. misapprehension in respect of the funds at tiie disposal of the committee, I may add. as the result of further inquiiies. that the .Sl balance to the credit ot the committee only refers to the last show.. and that after the deduction of certain pay- ments made at h"t Friday evening's com- inittee meeting, a. sum of bet-ween forty and fifty pounds lepresent; the amount still avu- able. Tins presents matters in a. far losiei Inw, and there should be no question as to the continuance and prosperity of the slmw. the mistake was due to the non-production of ihe balance sheet-, which. i!e:"n, has now been prepared, and will be audited forthwith. Jn ( addition to what 1 have ascribed as being a cause of the non-success of hi^t year's show ] iiiay .state that the subscriptions on that occasion fell about B15 short of the previous year, and that the entrance moneys were j cons.ider-.ibly Jesj. Those concerned are, j however, determined to make this years undertaking a success, for at Tuesday's small, but lepresentative meeting, nearly JB20 was subscribed in the room. Next Tuesday night the committee mee: again, and books for the obtaining of subscriptions wid be issued to the members. i The outlook at Melyn looks darK indeed. At the time of writing there seems no pros, peet of the Eagles bush Colliery restarting. Some of the men have found work eLsewliere, but the great majority are stilt out of em- ployment. Steps are being taken by the men 1 to sue the company for the wages due which in the aggregate amount to several hundreds of pounds, l'heir committee has instructed Mr. R. T. Leyson, of Swansea, to take pro- ceedings on their behalf. Bang on top oi this comes the bad news thai the Melyn Steelworks are not likely to be restarted. 1 j had an interview with a gentleman promin- i ently connected with the new company on Wednesday, and I will give as nearly a.s memory will jiermit what took place. memory will jiermit what took place. .¡; ¡ Has the new company. I asked, entered into possession ? Yes, lie replied, on the 29th of March. When will operations be resumed at the timvork.r; In about five o r six weeks. And the steel works? 1 don't think the steel works will be re- started at all. At any rate, no arrange- ments have been made to restart, them. It's a long time since we have experienced such industrial depression in Neath? an things at Melincrythan are about as ba as they can be. A great deal of sympat iy ws recently been shown-and lightly. too-WJ 1 objects of chaiitv not quite touching our town. But now the time has arrived wnen an or- ganised movement should be scarce to ie p those amongst us who are m distress. ho will take the initiative.' ) What Jam about to write, perhaps, does j noL d.rectiv affect. but inasmuch a. Cwmavon is within tne. Neu.n Inion. and the matter is of more than pa-sing interest. I ma be pardoned for doing -u. I .,Uude to the regrettable squanble bet wet n Dr. Hoberts and Dr. Williams, of Cwtnavcfi. 1 don't know how long the feud is going to last, but if bath, gentlemen will take the hint the sooner they cease sparring the better. The latest squabble occurred in the following way: Dr. Roberts was instructed to make a post-mortem on the body of the deceased ex- guardsman John Evan's, whose body was found in the tin works pond under somewhat mysterious circumstances, on Sunday last. The widow wished Dr. Williams to be pre- sent. and he went, but a constable, acting. it is said, under the direction of Dr. Roberts, ordered out. And the end of it was that Dr. Roberts had conducted the &vauauaa_ t-ioli before his "colleague" had obtained the Coroner's permission to be present. Mr. )Io.es lhomas sought to have the inquiry adjourned so that Dr. Williams might make an independent. examination of the bodv. but. the Coroner declined, saying with emphasis that he was not going to have the time of the jury wasted by squabbles between doc- tors. And Mr. Howel Cuthbertson wa.s quite right. Why did Mr. Moses Thomas put forward a* the reason that Mrs. En¡¡: wanted to know what caused her hus- band's death ? "She'll hear that now from Dr. Roberts." said tli.? Coroner, with just a trace of asperity, and lie ordered the inquiry to pioeeed. Dr. P.oberts gave an exhaustive and minute Jc-iption of his superficial and postmortem examination, and the jury came to the only verdict possible, that- of "Found drowned Cwrmtvon people seem to have taken sides, some championing Dr. Williams, and others Dr. Roberts. While admitting that the hitler would have been more cour- teous and discreet had he raised no question about the presence of Dr. Williams at the postmortem examination, one cannot help l-e- marking that the absence oi good feeling be- tween two medical men. and what really ap- pears to be open and avowed hostility, reflects credit on neither, and certainly is not likely to be productive of great benefit to the public. A late member of the District Council, whose opinion I -.ought on Wednesday, said: "What we ought to have. ] think, is another doctor."

NEATH TOWN COUNCIL. Fire Brigade and Black-listers Album Discussed. Xi alh T, v,;j Council met on Thursday, Am. 11. F. Charles (ex-nnyor) presiding. J ho l.Jir;! c- of tli" \Vat:ii (Joinxuitt' K.Viiid.a I:u ielicit" of the Head Constable, which staud tbit if photographs of persons placed on tne black list were to be attached t-o Uie notices ;r, 1.. on (-)f Bore ugh! it would involve an exj*"n*,> of 281>. in each L1.,e. — A resolution expres-nj_r t.h& s\mnathy of the Council with the Mayor on the sadden death of Ins sist,T. Charles ,Sin ton, oi Biyngoo^n. was cu-ni.d in si'tnee. —The re-ommeiidit,ioii ,)f the Music Com- mittee that a doiutrm (,f £ 25 be made -,o the funds ot tae -;e,it.i Boruugii Band was adopt- od. comnnttCc Avais* appoir.ted to dj a-ft a sciieijK- an ccKinaction with the In-al idnill-,is- trution OI tne Education Act, It wa-s resol- yca to support a memorial to Parliament in labour oi mcreasinn; tiie rate ior the purposes ot tne tree Libraiy to 3d. in tl.-e £ The 1 --signalion (.f S;rgea.nt lies, after 24 years sor- "ee, was reported. He won Id retire upon two-* jut. of his pay sergeant. Alderman J i'H k mow d "That a. omuiut e of hve be ap- pointed Eoi the purpose of conoidc-iing tlis? de- s-i; ability of foiming a fire biigade for ihe bof- (t<o.:h (f Xcath. and to report- tih-ereon." ihls projia-al was w irmly opposed by Mr. Hop- kin Morga.ii and Mr. J. R Jones. Mr- D. Davies thought the C'-oiincil could sipend its time Iv.ti-r if it t"ok into considcjaitiion the desirability oif adopting a scheme of munici- pal insurance. Alderman Trick spoke ra sup- port. The motion was lost by nine vote> to live.

Rough on Mr. Winston Churchii-. Mr. Winston Cburehiill, wh{1 b us presented each member oi the House with a copy of lbs speeches recently deliverd in Parliament, hat been favoured with the following it ply from the member for North Down:—"30 March, 1803. Dear Mr. Churchill,— Thanks for copy of your speeches lately delivered in the House of Commons. To quote the late Lord Bea- con:sfif:L1. 'I shall lose no time in reading them.'—Year: faithfully, T. L. Corbett."

I IN LIGHTER VEIN. The very latest, song. "Ei in on the Rhin-o "When the lights arc low' (in price;, that's when the Gletnhill cat gets a <rood feed Cardiff beat Swansea, at football last Satur- day. Even the fish-market wa-forgotten. f "Yes: what've you?" "Same." "Let's dawdle."—And they dawled conscientiously. Xo. friend". it i> not a du-t destructor we want. We want one that will annihilate JIeD. The coal crisis I- over f<n- the man in the street when lie has puid for that last load he had in. "Cochfaif" paternally observes that Swan- sea is recuperating. Yes. "Coehfarf." you evidently notice its growing muscle. Tj. lne tir.-t use by our leading daily ot Mar- conigrapli as a means of transmitting news may be fairly regarded as a sign of the "Times" Bryiimelin Ward held a meeting the other nigo to prove that there is nothing like stone. A rude man said some of the .speakers were N ei-v Suggested headings for the Danygraig School ass«iu:t case T\ hale tin. ie s a Will there'}: a Way or Mayrie Force. All riglits lid wrong*1 reserved. *■ Some of thf Ystradgynlais polieemen are very ancient. One of them- a sergeant— bears the mark in well-pre«ei'ved 1-etters on his coat collar 28 B.C. "call irn a ma>i. said Quav Parade P-Ur. scathuigiy "<s no man. W'y. I -or "ini bin m of a bun t other day. Buv:r.° r. bun! vdien < could ha' had beer! A eitv lather the other day to convey him to the g-as works. Jehu depo.-ited bim at the t ouncil Cliamber. 'Nuff sed. A r-"w star lias just been discovered. It is in Gemini. We are authoritatively in- formed that Mr. Per lis has nothing to do witTi the affair. Extract from a Llanellv sellou] composi- tion: "Quiet men. generally talk very elo- quent. and their spark-* of vivacity do flow like but .er." Scene Swansea shipping office: Enter broker's eleik "1 want to speak to Captain Tom Jones." Voice from the far corner: "Dot's me vat you vant ?" Thus a Cardiff daily "Man Found Missing at Newport." Another Taffsjde mvsterv': Really, what with one thing and another, Cardiff is going from bad to worse. Scene ont-ide "Cambiian" office.—Sportive, party: "Where can I get the result- of this b:;at iace..<.on?"—Son "O go to Putney." A stern chase proves a long one. Another reduction has been made in t-he price of gas at Swansea. Which reminds us that there are quite a iew places where we can get it for nothing. The drawback Ls hat we don't want it. < < r ntil we saw the new picture poster to "advertise Swan-sea," we never knew we lived in such a truly rural, thousand-oi-m Ie -irom- anywhere sort of place. The disillu-nc-oimeiiv conies, however, when one find." a ."1.1 creditor on every street corner. Scene (local railway).—Portly dann- (indig- nant. as carriage oscillate- -»n leaving a tunnel, from side to side): "Ihe ;»s /ulation on this line is sometliin' disgn. Pal." (Im- mediate and conscious ciinisoning of guilty .oupJe in opposite corner.) At tne rear oi these offices is a, melanchevfy monument to mistaken confidence, and over- weening enterprise. Our heam grow sadder each time we gaze on it. It is the loft wheieiu pigeon-messengers were wont to be housed. As messengers, those birds broke all existing records f'or talking gossip on the way home. "W hat yer got?—football final?" lie wa> a large man of solemn aspect, and he went into a. Glamorgan post-office and asked the clerk if he kept stamps. The clerk with a tolerant smile admitted the lJlI- peachment. but was a little taken aback by the next question "What sort-, do you keep *I- "All the values, sir, that are issued, from a. halfpenny to a pound." he leplied. whereupon his would-be customer shyly intimated that he "would like to look nt some penny ones." The clerk with something of an air produced one of the huge sheets which hold. 1 think, some twenty shillings worth o: stamps and spread it on the counter. "There you are. sir,' he said, "if you willit penny stamps there arc #ome." The customer appeared dazzled with the display and he looked and looked, and at last alter a careful examination he pointed to a stamp in the middle and murmured, "I think 1 11 have that one. please." I re- gret that I am quite Tffia1">Te~To say whether he got it. but I have already stated that, he was a his- man and was of a veiy determined nature.

More Municipal Dwelling-houses. Pioposals to extend the Housing of the Working Classes Scheme in Swansea came before the Corporation Housing Committee on Wednesday. Mr. Minis nresiding. Two sites were suggested to the Surveyor, but it was decided that plans be prepared for eleven four-room houses and a slope wasli-house; con- taining a copper, and in half of them a oath- room, on Gfbbett Hill. The opinion was that the cost- must be less than of those in. Well-street (winch contain an extra roou-) m order that the rent may oe less than 6s. 6d.— The Surveyor was further asked to estimate for houses'in brick and stone. It was staled --rc that the Liverpool Corporation weie erecting houses of concrete slabs made irom the stuff from the dust destructor.—On the motion of Mr. Mill, the Borough Surveyor wag in- structed to submit a letv-.m of receipts for the first quarter, from the Weli-stre--t property.

At a meeting of Ül" Swansea Burial Board Alderman Protheroe asked the ehief-constabie to arrange thai. a. num¡.*T of men should be at the cemetery on Sunday next ;Pa.)m Sunday). —Dr. Rawlmgs thought it would be better if the Burial Board had the courage to shut the gates.—The Chairman remarked that person- ally 1112. would not like to undertake to shut the cemetery gate-s on Sunday.—Dr. Rawlmgs sard it would save a J<>t of trouble to tlve police, an 1 the practice was quite irreverent.

MEY)SWATCH SPRINLI CORSETS THE most SHAPELY as wkll AS THE iio.-T DCRABLE IX the TRADE. Once tried always worn. DEPOT- RHYS THOMAS, 81, OXFORD STEEEF, SWANSEA.

SWANSEA SHIP-OWNER SUED. Seamen's Action for Wages. Protest against a Counsel's "Personal Animus." At Swansea, on Tuesday, Mr. Morgan Tut- ton, owner of the barque Ffynoiie, was sum- moned for wages alleged to be due to four sea- men, as follows :—Frank Goutdi, £ 3 0s. 0d and 4s. per day for each day payment- had been deferred; George Booth, £ 9 10s. OJ., and 6s. per day delayed Ed. John Llovd. J317 17s. 3d., raid 31'>. 8d. per day delave.) Thomas Rowlands, 89 6s. 10d., and 3s. 4d. per day delayed. The case had been ad- journed—Mr. R. T. Leyson represented the men. and Mr. Lleiifer Thomas (bari-ister-.tt- law)' instructed by Mr. Strick. was for Mr. Tutton.— Fia.nk Cough said they were, dis- charged at Rotterdam. The captain made out a statement of account showing what wages wore due. Thev were sent home on March. 1. but got no pay. On March 9 h0 in- structed his solicitor to write to Mr. iutton, the owner of the ship, for the money. Mr. Tutton replied that the wages of the crew had been paid to tiu- British Consul at Rot- terdam. He (Goargh) went- to the Consul, but received no money. He now claimed 4s. a day from Maich 1 to March- 9, as well as the money which Mr. Tutton said had been paid to the British Consul at Rotterdam.—Cross- examined Witness admitted he had- sign-'d an agreement under which the voyage was to end m the United Kingdom.—-Gearge Leege, one of the discharged seamen, was called.— While this witness was giving evidence- Mir. Leyson was saying that tiv men had a diffi- culty in finding Mr. Tutton in his omce when Mr. Tuttan rose and warmly protested against Mr. Leyson's remarks.—Mr. Leyson 1 say this—that you've acted unfairly to these men, and you know it.—Mr. Lleufer Thomas pro- tested. against the personal animus, which had been introduced into the ease by Mr. Leyson. It was absolutely unnecessary. He lir..d gone out of his way, end out of the way of the best traditions of the profession, by all sorts of in- nuevidos to blacken the defendant's character in th:s case. I £ <; (Mr. Thom-is) felt it his duty to protest mast strongly against the way Mr. Leyson had a.-ptsd i:i" this' matter. Mr. Thomas, for the defence, si id the m-n had sif/icd an agreement to end the voyacre in the United Kingdom, and had no justification for leafing the- ship at Rotterdam. There was no suggestion of any unfairness on the part of defendant. 1 He had acted throughout- only j.s a reasonable man would.—At the close of the aodress Mr. Leyson d^uela,lifted anv per- onal fe-Jing against Mr. Tutton. He had only stated the fact that the men landed and were here nearly eleven days tl, r<>. tping in their pockets, and had no friends. —The Chairman said the magistrates were of opinion that Gotigh was discharged at Rotter- dam. and the service terminated there, that Section 134 of the Merchants' Shipping Act did not apph-to seamen so discharged, but assuming that Act t(ujy fouru! there was no delay en the part of the owner in paving the wages, and dismissed the luvn- inorisr—Mr. Levson applied for an adjourn- ment in tVie other three cases, but Mr. j hoy- s objected, pointing out that the reason v,1¡J cases of this sort were heard in police courts rather than in county courts, was that 111 the interest of the men a prompt decision might be arrived at.—The other three cases were ad- journed for three months.

Valley Tinplate Works Busy I heiv are at praysait twenty -Nhfe«. mills op- era,ting in the Swansea Valley. 1 his is the t any tnuo here in the history of toe tinpmle 1.1. At tho Dvffrvn Works aduitio- s are being made at the intermediate dcpartnieius to meet the requirements of this class of sl»< t plate. The output of large and medium-sized sheets for the month of March constitutes a record for the district. The reguhrity with which the wo>k. from Ynismeudwy to Swansea have been working of late is in a measure Tac to the alertness of the employers m catering for these black .sheets, which tiie markit?; show an ir.ecrasing demand for week by week. These plates are produced in yarious iz-s ;;nc} .'5ubstauces, and is an additional proo* that new markets are svstematically^bemg opened j ia countries other than the United States, wluch years ago constituted almost the -so.e -c mart for the Valley's staple industi}.

Ben Tillett for Carmarthen. The intimation relative to Mr. Ben Tiliett and the Carnvurthen Borouglis has now ba-n continued by Mr. Tillett himself, who says that lie has absolutely made up his mind oil the matter. It is arranged tiiat Mr. Tillett shall address a mass meeting of the members of the trades council on Saturday iisxt, when, no doubt, he will make a fail statement- ;s to j his intentions.

GVelLYM EVANS' QUININE BITTERS. THE VEGETABLE TONIC. This Preparation has been before the Public for Twenty Years, and during that period has I frequently been EXAMINED BY AN- ALYSTS. PRESCRIBED BY PHYSIC- IANS, RECOMMENDED BY CHEMISTS, And highly praised bv People in all btation.s of Life, who, after a fair trial of its efScacy and merit-, unanimously declare it, to be THE BEST REMEDY OF THE AGE. Sold everywhere in bottles 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. each. Beware oi Imitations. See the name "Gwilym Evans" on label, stamp, and bottle. Sole Proprietors: Qui nine Bit- ters, Manufacturing Company, Limited, Llan- ellv South Wales.

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, which is ■clue in Swansea, in "July? travels v,ith /00 pri- sons and 400 horse: A copv of j: Swyns-i e'-eainj pap-. 1* i:L>- ii&hed in 1886 alludes hopefully to tiie widen- ing of C'ai?tJ.C"Sti'v-t. Thi« js mliat oii'V would term flu- "eternal" h ape. # It i* .it 3vsi>' foiiiddciir? that on the very d :y tin; Snkoto was captured by the Britis-h-Xigeikui Kvpedition, the steel ship Sokoto was c.nit iired b\- two Swansea tn £ r-« i and tak"!i into t!) • Princa of Wa'e< I)o-k. » J-1" >Sv. o-nse:! i-s cci. oral eel in mh- file f)er of recmit-: it- furni«lnf« to the "profession. Hardly a w ■ k passes but a native of the tow 11 figures in one of the companies visiting Swan- sea. to selt'c; Saturday Journal," remembers how. -when he was a scholar in a Welsh free school, the veteran Bishop of St. Asaph placed a hand on his shoulder, and, locking down at the .boy's bright, intelligent tace, .aid, "J can see you are a clever boy. and if you have health you will make your mark some day. p. Perhaps no lady kiiows better the art of entertaining than Madame Patti, whose fame ajs a. hostess is almost canal to the fame she enjoys as a. singer. The hospitality she dis- penses at Iter beautiful homo in South Wales is unexampled. The guests do precisely what they plea-se, save only in one respect—that -of selecting the hour when they Khali retire for the night. It is said that in this particular the diva lays down the law and insists on its being obeyed. About three-quarters of an hour after she has parted company with her friends fur the night she rings an electric belt The butler then sounds it, gong, which is the signal for "lights out In connection with the estimated increase of B550 in the outdoor relief of Swansea Union, during the next six months, Mr. \V. H. Mill has compiled an interesting return with figures obtained from official sources. From this it appears that one in every 32 is a pauper in the Union; one in every 29 in the borough, and one in every 47 outside the borough. Divided into relief districts, the figures are :—Swansea Xorth. 1 in every 15; Swansea South, 1 in 39; Uangyfelach. 1 in 35; Llansamlet, 1 in 33; and Llandilo TtUybont, 1 in 53. For the whole of England and Wales, the average percentage of pau- perism is 1 in 45 It would seem therefore that the percentage of paupers to population is uncommonly high in Swansea Union, and especially in the borough. Aid. W. Wat kins, the chairman of the Cray Water Works Committee contended in the recent, discussion that since the Trinitv House authorities considered brick a suitable material in the construction of light-houses, it was a fair inference that- brick could not be unsuitable for the facing of the dam of a. water works. Mr. Morgan Hopkin has been employing part of his ample leisure in writing to Trinity House for information respecting the point. The. reply received that stone or brick was used, which ever was the more accessible, is deemed by him a full justifica- tion for the assertion that Aid. Watkins' statement was a lie. To any average person the reply would appeal as a tolerable con- clusive corroboration of the original statement that brick is used in the construction of light- houses. People whose tastes are above melodrama frequently express their surprise at the pre- ferential treatment given to it at the local theatres. In doing so, they overlook the fact that places of amusement are managed on a commercial basis and, furtlieilrnore-and regarding this they are likely to be .sceptical -t.hat a. melodrama which tills the pit and and galleries and leaves the circle without an occupant, generally pays better than a fash- ionable comedy or comic opera, whidi fills the whole house. The reason is that the percentage of the takings which falls to the local management diminishes in proportion to the rise in the quality of the fare provided, so that "The female t'uottler, or the worst woman in Berlin," may prove more remunera- tive an engagement than a season by Irving or the Kendaks. By imperatively prohibiting Gabe from .playing with Cardiff on Saturday, tho L'anelly Club Committee demonstrated the'r loyalty to Swansea, at the. the displeasure of the C.trduf Club authorities Of the latter there may be evidence later on. Gabe at the time wa' rep-e;enled as willing to turn out for the Taffsider < in defiance of theLlanelly Club, which attitude, considering that lie is now would -seem at least imprudent. If hi had appeared against the All Whites 011 Saiuid-y the latter would unquestionably have good gr nmds for complaint, since, they h.rl already twice plaved against him in the Llanelly fixtures. If "star" performers are to be deemed avail- able for general service, where is the practice to stop? The next step would be to import players for the important matches. The finding of the Board of Trade inquiry into the Mumbles lifeboat disaster, which at- tributed it to two errors of judgment on the part of the crew, exonerates everybody else from blame, and is prety mu.ch what was generally anticipated' from the evidence. It disposes of the vexed question as to whether the boat was wanted, or whether her depar- ture was justified, and era-es any lingering suspicion that the mens lines were thrown away unnecessarily; a pomi which might- have left some sorc-r.es> in t-e minus of the bereaved. It is whether there would have been laxity In the u-e Oi the drogue had the weather been severer; in fact, a more dangerous voyage across the bav might have proved the salvation of the crew. But the comparatively calm weather reduced their vigilance, with disastrous re- sults.