The South Wales Daily Post

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9; 1891. NOTES & COMMENTS —, A Cardiff contemporary announces an assurance from Lord Rosebery" on the subject of Welsh Disestablishment. As hereafter we may have references to the as- surance, it is just as well to explain that the assurance consists in the statement made to Lord Rosebery by Sir Geo. Osborne Morgan that unless Disestablishment was placed first there would be no chance of passing it, as it would otherwise have the effect of interfering with all legislation they might, atiernpt to pa& The Premieivdoea not-Weoiflfti bay? made any reply, and the "assurance" is eloquent flash of silence. And in this way history is made, The movement of the tin-platers in the Eastern districts in favour of establishing a labour organization distinct from the existing union .suggests some of the difficulties experienced in maintaining the latter. If the whole body of workmen subscribed to the Union funds and moved a compact. and solid organization disputes would be fewer, and the employers would not be sub- jected to the temptation to ask for con- cessions. ^ut much the larger proportion of the inin stand outside the ranks; there is no money in the war-chest, and, consequently, when a dispute arises the Union is accused of breach of faith and favouritism in not financially supporting the workmen con- cerned when in point of fact they are victims of circtirtstances, and cannot pay because they have not the money. Prob- ably matters will have to get worse before they will get better. Truly the stars in their courses are fighting against Secret Committees at Swansea. On the eve of the November elections, whon the minds of the burgesses are most receptive to impression, we have, Alderman Tutton rising in his wrath and denouncing secrecy, and testifying that our crusade against it is both righteous and proper. What lends peouliar weight to the outburst of feeling is the fact that a few weeks ago Alderman Tutton ex- pressed his indifference whether corc- mittees were thrown open or kept closed He had a preference of the academic kind for open Committees—that was all. It will repay us to inquire into the cause of yesterday's sultry debate at the meeting of the Harbour Trust, since it brought into bold relief cefta-in features of public busi- ness at'Swansea _whTch the general body of ratepayers would do well to closely study. The Harbour Trust is a hybrid body— a sort of amalgam of old-time terri- torial influence, of modern com- mercial influence, and of popular influenoe in its widest sense. It represents the triple alliance of land, commerce, and people. In olden days the lord of the manor talked of ports within his jurisdic- tion as be did of his horses. The power of control has, however, passed away from him, not so mucir by reason of legislative cropping of his authority as by the steady growth of rival influences. Shippers and traders have inherited something of the manorial manner, and occasionally their representatives on the Harbour Trust talk of the port as if they had proprietorial rights over it. This was very marked when certain o! the Trustees were invited to express an opinion as to the advisable- ness of throwing open the meetings of the Executive Committee. Our business would be injured by publicity," it was argued, and the reporter had a hint given him that it would be quite as reasonable to ask for the inspection of the books of a private trading concern as for him to ex- pect to see tho meetings of the Executive Committee throwit This view df the harbour property will also pass away as soon the rate- payers of Swansea realise that the mag- uificent port with all its appurtenances belong soielyaud w'.soiiyto thorn; realise that the bondholders are merely investors i who have advanced money on a mortgage, and that the traders are the customers of the port, entitled as such to every con- sideration, but in no sense proprietors of the property. Theee homely truths have been consistently obscured until the people of Swansea stand in danger of forgetting that they too have a voice in the manage- ment of the port. It is necessary to keep in mind the true relation in which the various interests stand in regard to the harbour before the merits of yesterday's quarrel can be properly appreciated. Stripped of all the conven- tional wrappings the affair resolves itself into a struggle between the Trustees, who directly or indirectly, are identified with the interests of the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway and the Trustees who repre- sent the ooalowners and shippers of the port. Mr. Cory Yeo, in a moment of frankness, gave the key to the situation when he reminded Sir John J. Jenkins of the invidious position he occupied as chairman of the Trust and chairman of a competing line which is to be one of the chief customers of the port. The moving cause of the quarrel was a certain agree- ment, in virtue of which the railways of the Trust at the East Dock were to be placed at the service of the new line. Board of Trade regulations are exacting in their bearing upon a point like this, and sanction had been refused the original agreement. The grievance of the saven complainants was that another agreement had been discussed and adopted by the Executive Committee, all allusion to which had been omitted in the minutes of the meeting. As one by no means improbable-, result of the agreement is a law suit with the Great Western Railway Com- pany, who are credited with the intention to apply for nn injunction restraining the Trust from permitting its railway to be used by the competing line, it was argued that the Trustees were entitled to discuss the matter. We go a step further, and con- tend that the people of Swansea. have a right to know what has been done, or what it is proposed to do, in the matter. This is an example of the business which some of our public men say should bo transacted in secrecy, and which we assert should be transacted in the full light of day. The promoters of the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway naturally desire that the best arrangement possible should be made in the interests of their venture, and to a considerable degree the public interests proceed hand-in-hand with those of the company; the traders of the port wish to see their interests protected, and again, to a certain extent, their success involves the success of the port. But the Harbour Trustees, as such, have to think of the interests of company or shippers only in so far as the interests are identical with those of the port as the property of the community. Their duty is not to show preference to this or that enterprise, but to keep an even keel. So long as they act faithfully to the trust reposed in them, each will keep both eyes fixed upon the interests of the port, and will not permit one eye to rove after private or sectional interests. It should not matter a pepper- corn to tho trustees what company or in- dividual brings the trade so long as it is brpigilfe It Mas been too much the faSh oil Ifrthe port to regard the Trust as a close corporation, a kind of semi-private guild in which the public had no legitimate concern. We hold a brief for no interest except that of the public, and in that capacity — without entering upon the merits of the agreement in dispute— accept yesterday's explosion as a thing of good omen. It will serve to clear the air of some of the unwholesome fog which perpetually hangs over the proceedings of the Harbour Trust.

SWANSEA ELECTION NOTES. [BY "ROBKRT BLUNT,"] The best governed city or town is that where the people take an intelligent interest in public business or—to simplify the term—their own business as a community. Thus Glasgow and Birmingham ere model municipalities. The publie burdens are there made lighter, and great advantages are secured for the people because nearly all the net esaaries of a town belong to the town, and companies are not permitted to exploit public needs for the advantage of individuals. Glas- gow, for example, makes thousands of pounds a year out of its gas works. The worst governed cities in the world are in the United Staea. where the tendency is to abandon local and federal government entirely into the hands of professional politicians. This is a policy of despair. The bosses of the political machine are drivinp thoughtful, self- respecting men out of American politics. The residents of a town cannot possibly take an intelligent interest in local affairs unleutbey are kept informed of the things done in their name. It sannot be pretended that. the people of bwansea have been kept so informed. This is one rea on why the Post has set ilB face against b'ecret Committees, which not only anord faoiiit es for jobbery of all kinds, but aleo render it impossible for the ratepayers to follow the actions of their representatives with intelligence. What possible grip could the people of this country have of national h&iirs if the, Houses of Par- liament closed their doors to the press, and we had to be content with a monthly state- ment o' the resolutions which they had adopted or rejected ? An essential part of the machinery of good government in a town is a fearless and vigilant press. It is not going too far lo say that tho jerrymandering public man goes about with more fear in his eyes of rew;- paper exposure than of legal punishment. He generally avoids the possibility of the latter, but the former cannot always be evaded. But no degree of watchfulness on the part of a newspaper can act as an effec- tive check upon the administration of public affairs unlegs the ratepayers also do their part. A newspaper may be tlse wateb-dog of civilization, but the public determine the length of its chain. At Swansea the majority of public men seem determined to keep the chain as short as possible—it is for the rate- payers to see that the chain is extended to the limit required in the public interest. If they will do their part in convincing candidates that a weakness for secrecy ia a bar to public favour, I can promise them that the Post will not be backward in lighting the battle for light in local affairs. This by way of preface. The lack of interest in municipal affairs in Swansea—due chiefly to the reasons already descnbed-il too plain to leave a loophole for doubt. It is evident in the addresses of the candidates, who almost with- out exception appeal on personal grounds for support. It was unmistakable in the St. Helen's Ward one evening last week, where, lic meeting to be announced in the two local although Councillor Wayne had caused a pub- papers, and had also caused a circular to be delivered at each house in the ward, exactly four people turnei up at the hour announced for beginning. I do not attribute this to any want of supporters of tha retiring Councillor, but solely to the indifference of th elec-or- ihu in .inference can be eure i flU oue way only. > 'I, A brisk fight is certain in the Landore Ward, which in past yeara has sent some excellent men to the CounelL There are three candidates, and the supporters of each are hopeful. Mr. J. H. John9 trusts to his past record as councillor, and to his position as a labour leader. The success which attended hi3 efforts in settling the strike at the Landere Works will doubtless influence the voting. Mr. D. Owen, and Mr. W. Williams make much of course of the fact that—unlike Mr. John—they reside in the Ward. Mr. Owen has a considerable following, and is an opponent who nust command respect. He lacks, however, the advantage possessed by his rivals of having served an apprentice- ship in the Council. Mr. W. Williams— whose third contest it is--oncedefested Coum cillor Rees Jones, who on a later occasion got his revenue. This year-in virtue, it is said, of a foiiipac., entered into by the parties -—Councillor Jones is ranged on the side of J'S old antagonist, and the combined forces consider themselveswell-nigh irresistible. To what extent this belief is justified we shall know a few weeks hence. One of the stories told to the disadvantage of one of the candidates is that when a member of the Council be oace observed that as the posties are ready why not get the lightsies.' A remark of this kind if made might indicate limited intelligence or oniy limited knowledge of English. The rate- payers amons whom be has lived for years are best able to judge. Limited knowledge of English is in itself no serious defect if the man himself be able and genuine. Englishmen often make more absurd mistakes when tney tackle French. Mr. Morgan Hopkin's interest in the elec- tion is liept alive by the references constantly made in the newspapers to the overtures made or intentions credited to this or that gentle- man in respect of the scat. Mr. Roath is considering the proposal of a deputation, and Mr. Griffiths, bay werchant, was last week said to bo resolved upon fighting the newest of the councillors. The latter, however, is convinced that he will not have to face Mr. Griffiths, and affirms that while he prefers a walk-over, he is confident of hol ding the seat, even if he has to run for it. Meanwhile be is wrestling with the saanorial rights question, and will shortly deliver a lecture at the Trinity Schoolroom. It is a light and airy subject, and ought in the proper hands even lend itself to a humorous treatment. As a recreation, poriog over musty charters beats cock- lightirig, but it nges one fearfully. Councillor Morgan -Hopkin-who may after all cfleet more good than many a man who is taken seriously—purposes to ask for a return showing the details of the expenditure incurred in connection with the Cray Reser- voir. May he get it.

OUR FOOTBALL COMPETI- TION. THE AWARD. Our second competition has been a great 6uccess. There was a large increase in the number of competitors, and the predictions were closer to the actual results. One hun- dred and two prophets gave the winners in four matches; and, one hundred and seventy nine gave th winning teams. The chief pitfall on this, as on the previous occasion, was Morriston. There seems to have been a pretty general impression that the collapse against Llwynypia was an excep- tional event, and that the Morristonians would pull up at Aberavon. ETen where the latter were tipped to win the margin between the scores was kept as meagre as possible. Two competitors only gave Bridgend to win outright at Llanelly, but between forty and fifty considered Barnstaple capable of 1 lowering the colours of the" All Whites." On the whole, however, it may be said that the great body of footballers expected Swan- sea and Llanelly to win their engagements, and that the two other fixtures gave the most trouble to the tipsters. None gave the cor- rect score in every case; but MB. JOHN THOMAS, 33, New-road, Skewen, Neath, came very near it, and to him the guinea is awarded. It will be seen that the predic- tions are substantially correct in showing the relative value of the scores made. For example, Neath scored 3 goals 1 try, but had only 1 goal and 1 try to tbe good, as Ponty- pridd had two goals to their credit. Judged in this light, the prediction of the winner is remarkably good. Winning Winning Team. Actual Result. Prediction. For. Agst. For. Agst. O. T. 6. T. O. T. O. T. Swansea 0 1 — 0 1 — Llanelly 2 0 — 1 1 0 1 Neath 3 1 2 0. 1 2 0 1 Aberavon 2 0 0 1 2 1 0 1 Six other competitors who ran the winner closely were Messrs. (a) W. J. D. Rees, Brynmor Villa, Swansea; (b) W. Williams, 25, Tontinc-stioet, Swansea; (c) P. Lloyd, 49, Malveri;-terrace, Brynmiil; (d) D. Tuou.as, 48, Mansel-street, Aberavon; (t) w. Eaton. 70, Carmarthen-road, Swansea; (J) Edwin Thomas, 48, Mansel-street, AberaTon. We reproduce their predictions Winning A. B. C. D. E. F. I tea m. F. A. F. A. F. A. F. A. F. A. F. A. Swansea .1 1 — |1201 llslOJOl — 110 — 110 — Llanelly .12— !1201|1201|12— 1 2 — [ 2 1 Neath 1 0 I 2 | 11 -111-101-112- Aberavt n 2 0 01 | 1 1 01 0 2 — 101— 11 — 1 1 Others who gave the names of the four I winners correctly were the following, all from Swansea:—Messrs. J. Elliot, 61, Roberta street, Manselton W. Holway, 19, Bruns- wick-street G. James, 2, Pier-street D. Lowe, 2, Ivy-place S. Harrir, 23, Fuller's- row; W. Lowe, 2, Ivy-plare; SvcL Pass, Cambrian Cottage, Cainbt ian-place; Fred. Heal, 231, Carmarthan-road R. Haberstraw, 20, Park-terrace; Art-hur Davies, 117, St. He!nn's-avenue; Albert Waters, 42, Foxhole- l'ond; H. Waters, 42, Foxhole-road; G. Bevan, 5, Harrier s-street; Mount Pleasant; G. Hazel, 30, Torrace-roa-d E. Lloyd, 49, Malvcrn-terrace; D. Jones, 183, Wiiliamn-terrace; W. Richards, 42, Terracc- road; Fred Pride, Lion Hotel, Castle- square; G. Griffiths, 2, Monger-street, Bafod; T. Thomas, 1, Maliphant-street, Hafod; It. Robinson, 125, High-street; T. Williams, 35, Ma jor-street, Manselton W. Gammon, Tontine-street O. Hughes, 12, Gerald-street, Hafod W. Wroe, 19, Rhondda- street. Mount Pleasant; W. Morgans, 4, Argyle-street; D. Morris, 15, Edward- street P. Hawes, 14, Monger-street, HaFod D. Lewis, 73, Pentregetnin-road, Cwrn- bwrla: S. Davies, 4, West bury-terrace; P. Shannon, 33, Charles-street; W. i Jenkins, 154, St. Heicn'd a Venue; \Y. Murphy, 51, Malvern-terrace; P. Lloyd, 49, Malvern-tcrraee S. Kobinson. 104. High- street; W. Gunter, 4, liiehards:.>n-street: George Knill, 21, Post Office-terrace; D. Jones, 3, Aberdyber.hi-street, Hafod: E. Melhuish, S'. George's Villas; Griffith Davies, Marlborough-road J. Collins, Mount Pleasatit; W. Morris, 1, Gower-street; W. Williams, 34, Tontine-street; W. Vickery,6, Llewall street. From Neath, Messrr. T. Davies, Cilfrew; J. Phillips, Hope and An- chor; J. Davies, Cilfrew; 8. Thomas, j 3, Gold-atreet; J. John, 16, Osborne-stre'it', C. Harris, 16, Custle-street; W. Morgan, 3, Bush-row, Melincrythan; J. Phelps, 29, Bowen street; Jones, 11, Fiorence- siraet; W, Bentley. 123, New-road, Ska wen D. Hopkins, 187, Windsor-road; T. Lowis, Cadoxton, near iNe.ih; D, Phillips. 47. King-street, J. Morgan, 5, VVhittington- terrace; H. Jones, 2, Cyd Cottages, Clyne. From Llanelly, D. Jentiings. 4, Mina-street; A. Hayward, Mercury Office; T. Davies, 57, Ann-street; D. Treharne, Old Post-office, Dafen W. E. Clement, 16, Green- field-terrace B. Davies, 31, Stepuey-place; R. Jones, Mercury office. Jt. Williams, 47, Morris-street, Morriston; D. James, 14, Sprii gfield-terrace, Morriston; J. Wilkins, 93, Woodfk'ld-street, Morriston Dd. Harris, Pe'ntrenialwed, Morriston; J. Jenkins, 11, School-row, Aberdulais; J. Jones, near Post- office, Aberdulais Alfred Hill, Postavdulais; D. Williams, near BenaJlt Fsoh, Pontardu- lais; J. Thomas, Marsei-street, A beravon H. Thomas. Raglan, Briton Ferry; C. Price, Rose Cottage, Briton Ferry Wm. Williams, Rose Cottage, Briton Ferry W. A. Rogerf, 6, Church-street, Carmarthen^ T, John, Trinity-fit., Gorseinon; G. Thomas. Dderwen Fawr, Llan wrda J, R. Thomas, Dynevo • liotvi, Patityffyoon; W. Llewellyn, Carmar- then-row. Port Talbot; T. P. Charles; 62 Fenno.-street, raddingtOB, London,

mmmmmmmmmnrrntmrnm « OUR NOTEBOOK. DO SPIRITS VALK THE EARTH? MY ONLY GHOST. [BY "MERLIN."] The great disadvantages of premonitions and warnings of approaching death or disaster are that they never afford one the slightest clue as to the probable date or nature of the catastrophe. All one can do when his slumber is delayed by the mysterious tick of the death watch near his bed is to lie shivering with apprehension until sleep embraces him, and he wakes in the morning to hear the reassuring sound of frizzling bacon from below-stairs. Of what avail is it that the midnight cock- roach should stand on its hind logs on the earth unless the beastly creature poiats to the direction from which one may reasonably expect sudden death ? Why does not the hollow cinder, when it darts from between the bars on to one's knee, indicate whether its message be good or evil? The system of premonitary signs and signals is so entirely vague and disorderly as to be entirely useless. The only ill-luck I have suffered from the flight of a hot cinder is a burnt garment. I admit that it is unlucky to pass under a ladder, especially if the artist at the top is painting with a large brush. 1 once had an adventure which I have since regarded in the light of a premonition of coming disaster. It is absolutely true and quite inexplicable, and I relate it exactly as it happened. 1 was lodging at the time in a back parlour belonging to an old lady who did not allow the use of a latch-key, and charged "hextra' for fire and gas. The pecuniary embarrass- ments which Fortune imposed upon me in those days compelled me to forego the de- hghtb of a cosy evening in front of my own fire, so I spent the nignta out of doors. I eluded my landlady's passion for" hextras," however, by descending with my bedroom candle at five in the mornings into the kitchen where, with contraband trifles of firewood, I would contrive to coax some semblance of warmth into the stove and spend the rest of the morning until breakfast with Dean Swift or Thackeray. One morning the stove was crackling away merrily, and I was deep in Vanity Fair." A private loan of 5s. to my landlady had placcd her under an obligation to me, so I was in a bold humour and left open the door leading from the room where I sat to the hall. The gleam of the candle fell upon the wall which stood at the end of the passage. The clock ticked, and a cricket chirped in the oven. Two ccachroaches stopped in the centre of the floor and regarded each other darkly. Down over the gloom of the staircase earae the distant snore of the landlady. Suddenly a "click, click" sounded from the foot of the stairs. I looked up and the noise was repeated, still louder. I put down the book and forgot all about "Heeky Sharpe." Then there were other sounds from the same direction which induced me to dart at the fireplace and seize the poker. Three stealthy steps brought me to the door, and I listened with a cold feeling on the top of my head. My glance happened to be upon the wall, which reflected unevenly the light of the candle. Almost before I had time to realise it, the figure of a man had passed swiftly and noiselessly past the lighted wall into a room adjoining it. Then there was another 44 click, click," like the sound of the contact of two pieces of glass. The clock struck six; there were still two hours before daylight. I re- treated to my seat, still more mystified than alarmed. Presently I realised that I was alone below Stairs with an Unknown Person I near by, and I got exceedingly frightened. The clock was the only thing that broke the silence now. The cricket had stopped chirp- ing and the blackbeetles bad gone to their own mysterious retreats. I should have been relieved by the snore from upstairs, but even that ceased. The ouly exit from the room into which the figure had passed was the door and a window overlooking the back garden. It was impos- sible for him to escape without making a considerable noise. Unlike most people in ghost, stories, I did not summon all my courage to my aid, and, in spite of an over- whelming «ense of terror, march boldly into the room. My chair held me securely for haif- an-hour, with the heaviest of the fire-irons collected around me. I distinctly remember that from the time I sat down till half-p^st that from the time I sat down till half-p^st six the o'clock ticked 1,743 times. The fright was coming on in stages, not immediately, as I have read that it does. Presently I started up and bolted all the doors in the room (there were three) quietly, but securely. Then I discovered that during this time my tongue had got very dry, and I went to see what the cupboard-con- tained. I took out the sugar basin and threw out a fat coakroauh that was sleeping ia the sugar. It dropped on the floor and raised its wings I I stepped on it with a shudder. Then I got the teapot, and with one hand made tea, ho'ding the po:,f'r in the other. I n was not used to handling pokers, and teapots either. It was one of those incidents in a man's life when hitherto insignificant and frivolous things become objects of the keenest concern. Meanwhile there was absolute stillness in thenext room, anddaylightpecped through the drawn blind. At jeight o'clock my landlady descended,gaunt and frigid. She was evidently beginning to recover from the sense of obli- gation under which my loan of five shillings had placed her, for she looked sternly at Lhe le ipot on the table, and served my breakfast with unnecessary emphasis. Been enjoying yourself haven't yon T she snapped. ,;No, indeed, Mrs. Bigbiil," I meekly replied. Then, thinking of the five shillings, I frankly confessed my carlv rising and the use of her fuel, adding the story of tho man in the hack parlour. She seemed alarmed, and thawei a little, Then the agveed to accompany me into the room to jB- vestigate. When we reached the door, I stepped aside and aliowed bar to precede me, lor after all she was a woman, and I could not treat her ungallanth'. I remained behind a few moments to adjust the door mat, which she had disarranged ill passing over it. Immediately she got inside she screamed a sharp Oh and finding I was not with her, rushed out, striking me a painful blow on the forehead with her knee- cap as I stooped over the mat. I armed mv- self with a walking stick, and this time preceded her into the room, not without some trepidation, (To be continued),

SWANSEA DISTRICT HIGH- WAY BOARD. A meeting of this Board was held at the offices in Fisher-street on Monday d.fter- noon, Sir John Llewelyn in the chair, There were also present Messrs. F. S. Bishop, Llewelyn Davies, Samuel Thomas, Y/illiam Sims, D..R. lie wis, W. J. Rees, F. H. Glynn Price, and John Davies; the clerk (Mr. Baker Haynes), and the surveyor (Mr. G. Powell Thoma.s).-lt was moved by Mr. Llewelyn Davies, seconded by Mr. D. R. Lcwia, and decided to reconstruct and metai the Maesybar-road, Llansamlet-Higher.—It was further resolved, en the motion oE Mr. H. R. Lewis, that tenders be advertised for. d\.

At q- uttoti field on Monday, Mary\3'iker, wiie of a coFier. gave birth to three daughters, who are ;;U

THE POST BAG. j War clouds in the East, fresh milk, alii | football." This was the mixture heard float the news boys on the Neath Railway plat* form Saturday night, A Carmarthen man predicted the singular scoring in the Neath v. Pontypridd matcfc almost to a nicety. He gave each a dropped goal. His other tips went astray, however. A Neath tipster gave Pentypridd a win by four goals and three tries in our football competition. Somebody in the Neath team must have made him sore and sour. There is no revolt new, for they have all come over to our side," said Mr. D. A. Thomas, M.P.; and the Mail asks: When did Major Jones and Mr. S. T. Evans go over ?" A tale-pitcher says the phosphorescence of the ruffled waters of the channel was so prominent en Sunday night as to enable the passengers on the Alexandra to tell the time by their tickers. Nearly every Swanseaite who sent as a football tip gave Morriston to win at Aber- avon. This suggests that differences are not permitted to induce followers of "All White to under-rate the Morristonians. A youth who travelled in the corridor train for the first time last night was so delighted with the novelty of the internal appoint- ments of the car that he was washing his hands all the way from Neath to Landore. The membtrs of the Swansea Rural School Board have had misfortune in selecting seme of their teachers. At the meeting yesterday it was etated that one had just been sent down to become a scholar in tho third standard again.. d| A scrutiny of the football coupons enables 5 us to say that in Swansea opinions were fairly | divided as to the issue of the Barnstaple match, and that throughout the district j Llanelly was expected to do better against Bridgend. t The profession of an animal impersonator- of which Mr. Harry Lupino, the Empire i favourite, is one of the most successful prac- titioiiers-is not all roses. The gentleman above-named has sprained his ankle seven ? times, his wrist a few times, and other part# J of his body in proportion. Mr. James Macpherson, of the National i Union of Shop Assistants and Clerks, who J comes to Swansea to-day, savs: u To start 7A and sustain a movement to benefit a largo class of the community requires ssen with j cast-iron backs." Mac's similes are like dt* \jM phants—strong, but not handsome. y]k Morien had better have a clean shave, 3 or adopt some other means of concealing his identity, for his appearance in a railway carriage is a signal for a running fire of- questions on the Welsh language. The other night he was non-plossed by a fellow traveller from Aberavon, who inquired the Welsh equivalents for wheelbarrow and sausages. When Marvelle, the well-known dog trainer, • who is at the Empire this week, announced on Monday night that one of his performing hounds would perform the serpentine dance, a group of hill men were evidently puzzled as to what they might expect, until one of theM unravelled the etymological mesh by declaring that it was a turpentine dance. Radical papers are getting excited over thf "pluek" of the Rev. W. Dayiesi LiaSddo, who, having caused the less of £ 350 promised by Churchmen to the intermediate school, has now undertaken to collect the amount* Courage of this kind makes us think of the unselfishness of Mark Twain when he throw his friend's boots after the cat. ,4, On one occasion Harry Lupino, the animal impersonator, sent his monkey-skin to bo dyed, and in order that the performance might not suffer he get the scene painter to adorn his body with an imitation of tho quadrumanous covering. Unhappily, how- ever, he forgot to wash himself that evening, and the row which his landlady kicked up the following day after scrutinising her bed- sheets lingers still in his memory. Swansea folks have not yet got into the neW train arrangements of the Great Western Railway. The Sunday evening up train has left at 7.20 for so many years that last Sunday. when the arrangement was altered, quite tho usual complement of passengers arrived at the station, some in cabs and some on foot, at the old hour. and found the station closed* This comes of not diligently studying tho A. B. C. time-tables I The now traio does noL leave Swansea till five minutes to nine. The Swansea County Councillors have » little story about one of the two candidate* for the Laudore Ward, who has been in the Council before. At a meeting seer. ■ his election the question what commute w he was to be on was under consideration, whoa he suddenly ejaculated, looking wistfully a.a earnestly at the window, Mr. Chairman, 1 should like to be on the Streets!"—meaning the "Streets Committe." Whereupon Mr, Viner Leeder-true to his facetious tempera- ment, ejaculated, "Open the window, then* nnd jump out! I I Mr. Dan Phillips, manager of the Beaufot* Tin-plate Works, tells a true story about hlS bachelor days. Travelling one day between Merthyr and Swansea, the passengers con- sisted of himself and two married ladies, oo* ol whom had recently made her second ven- ture in the matrimonial lottery. The cy widow asked her companion if she should lose her husband would she marry agaio* The answer was fuel for Mr. Phillips' fire of bachelorship: I can t get rid of the old delil I'm plagued with now." The late Mr. C. R. M. Talbot, father of the recently-deceased Miss Olive Talbot, was i0, many respects a familiar man. At a function* in which be participated at Swansea sowe years ago, a local choir commenced to sillg an anthem, We cannot fight against fate J" They began in the conventional style: "Yýt) cannot- Mr. Talbot libtened with great impatience while this \Va& going on, but at last, unable any longer to contain himself, he called out: Cut it shores men. Say at once you cannot sing I" A good story is told this mornial of a certain military man n o* on furlough in Swansea. He "aØ accosted last night by a member of the local Salvation Army corps, who asked My friend, what are you T Well, as you see, I ask íø the British Army,'replied the soldier; *wh»t are you ?" The solemn man drew himself °P and affirmed "I am in the army of heaved Oh, indeed," retorted the soldier, "areofc you a deuce of a distance from your bsrrack', my friend?" A Pontardulais domestic, who by sof cause or other had a few days ago the mig' fortune to arouse the ire of her mistress tø swifs sucn a degree as to be instantly d; edt waited this morning upon her to no'rieit a timonial. What can 1 write ?" esid W lady; ''you know how 4COh, P'0*4, ma'am," interposed the girl,. l; yon nce^ write that during the six weeks I had t •' honour to be in your employ i we 3 write that during the six weeks I had t •' honour to be in your employ i we 3 but twice, for you are so well kuu .vu .n I jjliice, miiam." 'I