Weekly Mail

NEWPORT. POARD OF GUARDIANS.—The weekly meeting of th board was held at the workhouse on Saturday, Mr. J. H. Hillier being in the chair, and Mr. T. Latch in the vice-chair. William Harper, an army pensioner, living at Bishton, was appointed labour superintendent. The number of paupers in the workhouse for the week was 335, as against 321 in the corresponding week of last year. Children in the schools, 222. as against 194. A CAB SMASHED.—On Saturday night informa- tion was conveyed to the police that a cab owned and driven by John James was proceeding along Chepstow-road towards Maindee when one of the omnibuses came in the opposite direction on the wrong side and ran into the cab, overturning it and smashing it almost to pieces. The driver was thrown from his seat, and alighted under the horse, which began to kick, and seriously injured the man about the face and head. He was subse- quently taken home. Mr. Attewell, of Lake Farm, who was in the cab at the time, was not injured. OUTBREAK or FIRE.—About midnight on Sunday Police-Constable Thomas (No. 43) was called into the Old Green Hotel, where he found the flooring in the smoke-room was on fire. The landlord, Mr. Barnett, and the officer succeeded in raising the hearthstone, and it was then found that a beam ■*hich ran under the stone had become ignited. The fire, which luckily was discovered quickly, Was soon put out. THOCGHTFULNESS OF THK MAYOR.—The mayor (Mr. G. Hoskins) has directed that a ton of coal ■hall be sent to each of the eight almshouses on Stow-hiiif and has further intimated to the hon. secretaries of the Christmas Cheer Fund that he is prepared to make a further contribution of 30 tons of coal to that charitable movement if occasion requires it, in addition to 20 tons and a handsome money donation. SERIOUS TRAP ACCIDENT.—On Sunday evening as three young men named Richard Evans, farrier, Bolton-terrace; J. Davies, hairdresser, Cross- Btreet; and W. Mees, were returning from Usk in a trap, the horse stumbled and pitched them into the road. Evans, who was most severely injured ia the head, was put in the trap and brought home by the others, when it was found he had sustained concussion of the brain. Davies had several contused cuts about the face, but Mees appears to have escaped without injury. CLYTHA COLLEGE.—We are apt to consider school entertainments rather tame and uninteresting. This cannot, however, be said of those got up by the boys of this school, and especially of the one given last Friday (under the auspices of their debating class) in the new school building at Clifford-crescent. Caerau (or York-place, for the premises are between the two), before a numerous and distinguished audience. The musical portion of the programme was well executed, each number being loudly applauded and some encored. Mr. H. Willey (viola) and Master E. Willey (violin) played a very pretty duet, their sister, Miss Willey, accompanying them. Miss E. Hoskins (daughter of the mayor) and Miss M'Bean contributed a pianoforte duet (" The Pirates of Penzance"), which was well executed. A farce—"A Dentist's Den" —by Masters P. Dix, F. Jones, F. Morris, and R. Richards, was exceedingly well-rendered. Mr. Tit- muss, one of the masters; gave a recitation from "The Ingoldsby Legends" with great dramatic effect; and last, but by no means least, we have to notice a clever and amusing mesmeric performance by Professor Morisco, who, on a pre- vious occasion, had promised to give gratuitously a short seance. He kept the audience in roars of laughter with the antics of his subjects, and the hour which he had appropriated seemed but a few toinutes to his attentive and amused audience. The applause he received was well deserved. The whole entertainment was a great success. ADDITIONAL POLICE-COURTS. We understand that the Newport borough magistrates have decided that an additional sitting of the police- *ourt shall be held each week on Saturday after- noon, and a court has also been agreed to on alter- nate Thursdays for the disposal of all School Board summonses. SKATING.—The timber float and other sheets of Water in the vicinity of the docks were frozen to s,ich a thickness on Tuesday as to warrant a good many people indulging in skating.

SWANSEA, •ACCIDENT.—On Saturday morning a boBer- "osker. named William Price, residing in the Strand, sustained an injury to his band in a peculiar way. He was crossing the new railway viaduct at Landore, and in trying to get out of ,the way of a trolly, he fell on the line, seizing a pile which was being driven in by a •• monkey pile driver. The machine, which was in motion, smashed the poor fellow's hand badly. ACCIDENT.—A little girl, named Sarah Ann Roberts, aged five years, was severely scalded on Saturday by the upsetting of a pail of boiling water over her. She was removed to the hospital and her injuries attended to by the resident medical officer. CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO THE AGED, SICK, AND POOR. —The Rev. E. Clarke, vicar of Christ Church, acknowledges the receipt of £1 from Mr. T. R. (no address given) for the above fund. The rev. gen. tleman is very grateful to the unknown donor, and hopes that many others may be induced to send help for the poor, so many being in great need, and the amount collected at present being so small. PRESENTATION OF BEEF.—Mr. Burr, the managing director of the Landed Estate Company (Limited), developing the Mansel Estate in Swansea, sent down an ox from his country seat, Hanslow Park, Bucks, to be distributed amongst the workmen of the Mansel Estate. NAVAL VOLUNTEERS.—The annual inspection of the Swansea detachment of Naval Volunteers took place at the Swansea Drill-hall on Monday evening, Captain Kennedy, R.N., being the Government representative. The corps mustered to the number of 160, under the command of Sub-Lieutenant Madge, with Sub-Lieutenants Sir John Jones Jen- kins, Simpson, Andrews, and V. Leeder. Captain Kennedy, after making a scrutiny and observing the drill, paid the members and officers a high compliment on their efficiency. CONCERT AT THE MUMBLES.—On Friday evening the pupils and teachers of the Russell House School gave a concert in the New Schoolroom for the benefit of the poor of the parish. The Vicar pre- sided, and the concert was a great success. After- wards there was a distribution of about 50 prizes awarded to the pupils of the school, in which Miss Marion Jenkins figured rather prominently.

BRIDGEND. BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The discussion in refer- ence to the conduct of Dr. J. Davies, Maesteg, in a fever case at Pontycymmer was resumed at the meeting on Saturday. It appeared that Dr. Davies, through some misunderstanding, did not visit the case when requested by the board, but he knew the patient was attended to by Dr. Parry. The board accepted Mr. Davies's explanation, but the whole question of medical relief was referred to the General Purposes Committee for their in- vestigation and report. RURAL SANITARY AUTHORITY.—At a meeting of this authority on Saturday, Mr. D. Vaughan gave notice that he would on the first Saturday in January move a reso- lution to the effect "That this authority see no objection to the formation of two local govern- ment districts for Bettws, Llangeinor, and Llandy- fodwg, and that they will he prepared to support provisional orders to that effect in Parliament." Mr. Cuthbertson, coroner, Neath, transmitted to the authority the recommendation of a jury at Porthcawl in favour of the erection of two mortuaries, one at Porthcawl and another at Newton. It was resolved that Mr. Cuthbertson be asked to supply the number of bodies thrown up by the sea in that part of his district for the last five or ten years.

CARDIGAN. DEATH OF Mr. RICHARD OWEN. POSTMAN.—One of the most prominent figures in Cardigan has just passed away, amid the si nearest regret of all who knew him. Mr. Richard Owen, of Quay-street, who had been connected with the Post-office as letter carrier and postman for the last 45 or 50 years, was on Friday delivering letters as usual in Cardigan, but on Saturday he was suddenly taken ill, and died the same evening. Deceased had been in declining health for some time past. He was 68 years of age. The fact that the face of poor old Dick" (by which appellation he was familiarly known) will be seen no more will be received by many with sorrow, lie being held in general respect. He had regularly delivered letters at Cardigan for the last 30 years.

CHEPSTOW. THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.—On Friday evening the usual breaking up party was held .at this school. A choice selection of readings, scenes, and music was presented with great skill to a large assembly of the boys and ladies and gentlemen, invited guests. Some of the recitations by the boys and two or three of the songs were rendered with force and spirit, while the playing of F. and R. Flack and Morgan in the scene from "William Tell" showed excellent appreciation and careful study of the text. The farces," Whitebait at Greenwich" and Who's Who," were played in such a manner as to command the deep interest of the audience throughout. The chief characters were admirably sustained by Messrs. Harry and Ernest Dewdney and J. Swingler, while the parts of Lucy Buzzard, and Sally were charmingly played by Miss K. Dewdney and Miss Gueret. The rattling fun of each piece was finely brought out, to the great delight of the company. The chair was occupied, and its duties cleverly discharged, by a senior boy, Norman Evill. Prizes given for English, arith- metic, Latin, French, and mathematics fell to F. Flack, G. Evill. S. Morgan, A. Tucker, King, A. Gooch, F. GriffitUs, Birrell, Jones, D. Burnie, and C. Dewduey.

HAVERFORDWEST. SUDDEN DEATH.—On Saturday evening Mr. Coleston Qake, the third son of the late Mr. Oake, supervisor, Haverfordwest, was found dead in an outhouse attached to the Carmarthen Arms. The deceased, who had held a very respectable position in London in the drapery line, had, since his return to tbe town been in low circumstances, but euffi- cient money was found on hia person to imply that he had not died from want. It is said that he leaves a widow (who is in good circumstances in London) and two or three children. The cause of death, at the time of writing, had not bean ascer- tained. On Monday night the coroner (Mr. T. James, mayor) held an inquest., at the Carmarthen Arms, on the body of M Coleston Oke, who was found dead in the hayloft of the above premises on Saturday night last, as already reported. After hearing the evidence of Dr. John and Dr. Williams, the jury returned a verdict of death from heart disease. SCHOOL BOARD.—At a meeting of this board held on Monday night the applications for the appoint- ment of mistress of the new Infant School in Dew- street were read. There were twenty applications, the choice lying between Miss Skyrme and Miss Thomas, both natives of Haverfordwest, the latter of whom was elected by four votes to three.

LLANELLY. LOCAL BOARD.—The fortnightly meeting of the above board was held at the Town-hall, Llanelly, on Tuesday. It was unanimously resolved that the chairman (Mr. Ernest Trubshaw) be appointed to represent the board on the Court of Governors of the South Wales College.

LLANARTHNEY. MISSION SERVICE.—The Rev. Prebendary Harris, Vicar of the parish, has been for many years in the habit of keeping a week in December as a mission week, and last week was devoted to that purpose. The Rev. M. James, curate of Llandilo, assisted the vicar and his curate in conducting the ser- vices. Service was held every day, w<jtn the ex- ception of Saturday. All the services were as numerously attended this year as in preceding years. The sermons delivered on the occasion Wore very good, and were listened to with great attention.

MERTHYR. BANKRUPTCY EXAMINATION.—The public exami- nation in bankruptcy of Margaret Williams, late grocer, &c., of 1, Chapel-street, Pontlottyn, was held before Mr. Registrar Lewis. The official re- ceiver (Mr. W. L. Daniel) conducted the investiga- tion. Mr. J. Vaughan appeared for the debtor. The debtor's husband, it seemed, filed his petition about ten months ago, and she started in business three weeks afterwards without capital. The examination was declared closed.

MOUNTAIN ASH. EISTEDDFOD.—On Monday, at the Rhos Baptist Chapel, an Eisteddfod connected with the Blod- euyn y DyfTryn Lodge of Ivorites was held, under the presidency of Mr. Samuel Shipton, clerk to the Llanwonno School Board. The Rev. B. Evans (" Telynfab ") was the conductor, Mr. Tom Price was the adjudicator of the singing, and the Rev. J. Howells, Baptist minister, Mountain Ash, that of the recitations. The following is a list of the prize winnersSolo singing, Benjamin Lewis, Mountain Ash. Recitation, Ymddeddanion y felin (" The Confab of the Mill "), Thos. Hughes and friend, Mountain Ash. Singing, Dros y gareg" (" Over the Stone '*) The prize was divided between Miss Jessie Coleman (Mountain Ash, and Miss Pollie Jones, Ynysowen. Juvenile choral singing, Myrddiynau o fyrddiynau," prize £1 15s. and a silver medal to the leader Two choirs competed, and the prize was awarded to the Bethlehem Choir, Mountain Ash; conductor, Mr. E. Williams. Singing," Hiraeth," D. Davies, Mountain Ash; duet, "Go, baffled coward," prize 10s., D. Davies and 6. Lewis, Moun- tain Ash "AreithioByrfyfyr," J. Edwards, Cap- cochi Choral singing, Manchester Anthem," prize £12, and a chair for the conductor: Two choirs competed, viz., Rhos United Choir, Moun- tain Ash, and Ynysowen Choir. The prize was awarded to the former choir.

MONMOUTH. RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—At Monmouth Troy Station on Tuesday afternoon a shunter, named William Preece.whilst engaged shunting in the goods yard, got his left .foot fastened in the crossing. Fortunately, a companion saw the danger and signalled the driver, who instantly stopped. The man was thereupon released. It was found that no bones were broken, but the foot was badlv bruised. He was medically attended by Dr. Prosser. Bad he not been noticed the engine or trucks must have gone over him. CHRISTMAS MEAT SHOW.—The annual Christmas meat show was held on Tuesday, and in the even- ing a large number of the inhabitants of the town and surrounding neighbourhood availed them- selves of the opportunity to witness it. CHRISTMAS GIFTS.—On St. Thomas's Day a gift in the hands of the corporation, amounting to £3 lOll., was distributed in bread by ticket to the Doof A gift of twenty tons of coal by the borough member, Sir George Elliot, will be distributed by a committee.

PONTYPRIDD. BANKRUPTCY COURT.—At this court on Tuesday (before Mr. E. C. Spickett, Registrar), Thomas Edwards, tailor and draper, Treherbert, was examined by Mr. Daniel, Official Receiver. The debtor accounted for some of his deficiency, but could give no account as to about £200. This, Mr. Daniel remarked, was very unsatisfactory, and the hearing was adjourned for three weeks. Mr. W. R. Davies appeared for the debtor.

TENBY. FATAL ACCIDENT.—A sad accident, which proved fatal, occurred on Saturday morning to one of the porters connected with the steamship Briton. The crew and porters were preparing to discharge the cargo. When one of the latter, George Thomas, about 60 years of age, was standing on the bridge over the fore hatch rendering assistance, his foot slipped, and he fell on to the deck, his head striking the combing of the hatch. He was carried home insensible and Dr. Lock sent for, but his ser- vices were of no avail, and deceased died in the evening. Thomas was a well-known boatman.

WHITCHURCH. CONCERT.—On Friday evening a very successful concert was given at the schoolroom, under the auspices of the Wyndham Habitation of the Prim- rose League. The room was well filled with an appreciative audience. The programme was a long and interesting one. Mrs. Lewis.Greenmeadow, contributed several recitations in a manner which proved her to be a good elocutionist. The Tongwynlais Glee Party, under the leadership of "Tonfab," rendered two glees in capital style, while the solos of Miss Llewellyn, Miss Reynolds, and Miss Williams, and Messrs. Spencer, Griffiths, Robinson, and Jenkins were appreciated. Miss Ingledew and Mr. Samuel accompanied.

Alleged Adulteration of Beer At Dowlais. At Merthyr Police-court on Monday (before Messrs. W. M. North, stipendiary; and W. Smyth) William Morgan, Corner Tavern, Dowlais, was summoned for selling adulterated beer on the 15th of November.—Mr. Plews defended. Inspector Rodman stated that on the 15th of November he purchased three pints of beer at the above house from tho landlady, which he placed in three bottles. These he sealed, and gave one to Mrs. Morgan, intimating as he did so that he would send one of the samples for analysis. One of the samples he delivered up to the public analyst at Swansea. The certificate of analysis was read, the analyst certifying that the sample sent him "con- tained chlorides equivalent to 72 grains of common salt per gallon of beer, which was excessive." Mr. Plews pointed out that beer was a compound article, and that salt was an ingredient necessary to flavour the beverage. Brewers used various amounts. The Burton salt liquor, which was used extensively by brewers throughout the countrv, showed by analysis that it contained from 337 to 70 03 grains of salt per gallon, and the Local Government Board had intimated that they did not deem it desirable to take proceedings unless the salt composed in the beer amounted to over 100 grains. He believed it would not be contended for a moment that 72 grains of common salt was in- jurious to the purchaser or to his pre- judice. Many persons took a larger quan- tity of salt than that at dinner every day. It would be impossible to set up a universal standard, for water varied in dif- ferent localities, and whilst in some neighbour- hoods it might be necessary to use a small quan- tity of salt, in others the use of a larger quantity of salt would be required. There was no standard fixed by the statute, and the statement by the analyst, of whom, he wished to state, he had the highest opinion, that 72 grains of salt was exces- sive, was somewhat vague. He had so far argued the case on a broad basis, but he could go further and claim the dismissal of the case against his client on the ground that the beer was supplied to him by the Norton Brewery, and he had nothing to do with the manufacture of it. The Stipendiary was of opinion that the bench were bound by the analyst's certificate; but Mr. Plews held that in this caw the circumstances warranted the bench in using their discretion. Mr. Harrap, the part proprietor of a. brewery in Merthyr, was called, and stated that salt was pro- duced hy the mashing of the ingredients which went to make beer, and the article. was sometime* necssary to assist in the fermentation process. The Stipendiary said he thought the public analyst's certificate was important. Mr. Plews pointed out that analysts were not all agreed as to the standard which should be adopted. After some further argument, the Bench decided to dismiss the case.

Charges of Ill-Treating Cattle At Neath. At Neath Borough Police-court on Monday (before Alderman Rowland, mayor, and Mr. Thos. Phillips, ex-mayor) Timothy Lane, cattle dealer, of Cork, Ireland, was charged with cruelly treating certain calves, by keeping them without sufficient food at the cattle pens of the Great Western Railway Station.—Mr. L. J. Kompthorne prosecuted for the Royal Society for the Preven- tion of Cruelty to Animals, and Mr. S. T. Evans defonded.—Mr. Evans read a memorial from the defendant, stating that he was unable to come over from Ireland, and that there was a conspiracy amongst, other dealers to put a stop to his trading at Neath. Mr. ,s. Davies, inspector of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said that on the 16th of November he was on duty at the cattle pens of the Great Western Railway at Neath. He saw in one truck fifteen yearlings and seven calves about a week old. In another truck were cows. He watched them from five o'clock until 10.30, during which time no one came to fetch them. Witness then went to the Duke of Wellington, where Lane had put up, and asked the defendant why he did not take the animals from the trtick. Witness said," You are not going to leave them in the truck all night, are you?" Defendant replied that he was going to take them away presently. He (witness) examined the calves; they were lying down in the truck without any bedding, and were in a very weak state.— Police-Constable Gill and Inspector Breathwaite gave corroborative evidence.—Each of the wit- nesses was severely cross-examined by Mr. Evans, and lively passages of arms frequently occurred, one of the witnesses appealing to the bench for protection. There were five other charges pre- ferred against the same defendant for ill- treating cows by overstocking them.— Inspectors Breathwaite and Davies and a farmer named Paget gave evidence for the prose- cution, stating that the udders were full and swollen. The animals appeared to be in great pain, and the, milk leaked out. —Veterinary Surgeon Dowe, of Swansea, also gave evidence.— Mr. Evans addressed the bench at great length, contending that there was no foundation for the charges, and that the evidence for the prosecution was given by men who had no practical expe- rience. The evidence of Mr, Dowe, he said, was purely theoretical, and was based upon statements made by the other witnesses.—Dd. Morgan, farmer, and landlord of the Duke of Wellington, deposed to having milked the cows almost dry the night before they were seen by the inspector.—This evidence was corroborated by John Williams and John Jacobs, who were present at the time.— The cases lasted over six hours. In the result, the Bench fined the defendant £1 and costs for the first offence, and £1 and costs for the remaining offences. Upon the application of Mr. Kempthorne, an advocate's fee was also allowed. When the decision was given Mr. Evans said it was perfectly useless bringing positive evidence in that court, and that the only consistent course for the bench to adopt was to direct a prosecution of the wit- nesses for the defence for perjury.—The Mayor said the case had been dealt with carefully, and if Mr. Evans wished it the suggested prosecutions would be instituted.—The ex-Mayor added that, so far as he was concerned, he had considered the evidence impartially and conscientiously, and their decision would not be affected by remarks made by any advocate.

Alleged Impudent Robbery at Swansea. At Swansea Police-court on Monday (before Messrs. J. Hall and L. Tulloch) Ann Lawrence, 32, Vernon-street. was charged with stealing a bag containing £9 from the person of Frank Carruthers on the 18th inst. John Lewis, of the same address, was charged with receiving the money. The prosecutor is a hawker at Landore. On Saturday evening he visited the Cambrian Inn, Pottery- street, and called for a giass of beer, taking out of his pocket a bag containing £H 10s. in gold and 10s. in silver. The female asked him for a glass of beer, which he gave to her. Subsequently he missed his money and gave information to the police.—Detec- tive Morris and Constable Nicholas stated that prisoners lived together, and on Sunday night wit- nesses charged them with the offence. Both posi- tively denied all knowledge of it, but a search was instituted, the male prisoner assisting. Ultimately Nicholas took from the latter by force the pocket of a dress containing £6 2s. 6d., and afterwards a guinea. The woman was also searched, but nothing was found upon her. The female pleaded guilty, and the other prisoner not guilty.—They were both committed to the next quarter sessions, bail being accepted.

Light-Fingered Gentlemen at a Cardiff Railway Station. At Cardiff Police-court on Monday (before the mayor, Mr. Morgan Morgan, and Mr. Peter Price) Thos. Wilson, 62, and Jno. Thompson, 44, unknown in Cardiff, were charged with attempting to pick pockets at the Great Western Railway Station, Cardiff, on the 18th inst. Mr. Morgan Rees de- fended Thompson.—Detective Smith stated that on Saturday night he was at the Great Western Rail- way Station, and saw the prisoners with several other men there in consultation. He watched them, and saw that they met every train. When the North mail arrived, at 6.20, the prisoners left another man who was with them and followed two elderly ladies, who got into a first-class compart- ment. As the ladies were getting in he saw both prisoners put their hands into the ladies' pockets. He immediately went up to them, called in the aid of a railway porter, and took them into custody. He went back to find the ladies, but the train had gone. He also tried to find the man who had been in the company of prisoners, but he had also left.—Chief Constable Hemingway asked for the case to be remanded until Friday. They had had several reports of pocket-picking at the station, and they wished to discover the ante- cedents of the prisoners, whom they believed had been convicted at Bristol.—The remand was granted.

Ta- MSJuuQr. rATMT Svsrmanir.— 5# xtMt springs; a* kard pad*. Paaapklet, with tent. waiWt «MtM. MM.

CARDIFF. MONDAY. (Before the Mayor, Mr. MORGAN MORGAN, Dr. D. E. JONES, and Mr. PKTEB PRICE.) ASSATJLTINA THB POLIOK.—John Hartewell, 45. a cattle drover, Cardiff, was charged with being dis- orderly and assaulting Police-Constable Bates on the 18th inst. Prisoner was creating a disturbance in Queen-street on Saturday, and was surrounded by a large crowd. On being asked to go away he refused, and became more obstreperous, and was then taken into custody. Whilst being taken to the station he spat in the face of the constable, and kicked and assaulted him several times. Prisoner had been 25 times previously convicted, and was sentenced to a month's imprisonment with hard labour. ALLEGED THEFT.—William Coles, a lad, aged 16, who gave no account of himself, was charged with breaking open a cupboard at the boilerhouse, Junction Dry Dock, and stealing a quantity of wearing apparel, on the 19th inst. Thepolice stated that they would only give sufficient evidence to get a remand, as there was another person con- cerned in the matter, and they wished to arrest him before the case was fully tried. Evidence was then given implicating prisoner, and the case was ad- journed until Wednesday. TUESDAY. (Before Major SLOPER and Mr. P. PRICK.) A DISORDERLY ROUGH.—George Brooks, labourer, of no fixed abode, a rough-looking fellow, was charged with being drunk and disorderly and assaulting a policeman. Police-Constable Kingston stated that on the previous afternoon he waa called into the Golden Cross, Bute-street, to eject the pri- soner, who was there drunk and assaulting people. Prisoner came outside and caused a large crowd to assemble by shouting. Witness had to obtain the assistance of another constable to get prisoner to the station, for on the way he threw himself down, kicked witness on the shins, and butted him in the face with his head. In reply to the magistrates, prisoner said he was very sorry, but he was drunk and did not know what he was doing. Major Sloper: Is anything known of him? Mr. Heming- way (head-constable): No, sir. The Bench fined prisoner 20s. and costs; in default fourteen days' hard labour.

NEWPORT. MONDAY. (Before the MAYOR and Messrs. T. P. WANSBPoucn, T. A. BALLARD, and J. W. JONES.) A RESERVE MAN'S EXPERIENCES.—William Williams, a fireman, was charged with deserting from the Army Reserve. It was alleged that defen- dant had neglected to report himself in June and September, but he made a satis- factory explanation, and was discharged. It appeared that he shipped in a steamer and went on a voyage, which he thought would only occupy a few weeks, but when crossing the Bay of Biscay the boat foundered, and the crew, who were picked up by a passing steamer, were landed at Gibraltar. The defendant and some others were sent home to London, where Williams said he found himself penniless, having lost all in the sunken steamer. Instead of going to Newport, where his Army Reserve papers were, he shipped in another steamer and went to China for live months. He had only just returned when he was arrested.

SWANSEA. MONDAY. (Before Messrs. T. HALL, in the chair, and L. TULLOCH.) THEFT.—Edward Sullivan, a labourer, was charged with stealing a pair of boots, the pro- perty of Patrick Barry, 7. Grove-street. Prisoner pleaded guilty, and expressed his regret for what he had done. He was fined £1, including costs, or fourteen days. ASSAULT.—The summons against a man named Henderson for an assault upon a little girl named Louisa Latham on the 7th inst. was withdrawn. Mr. Robinson Smith, on behalf of the defendant, who was not in court, said it was a case of assault upon a child of tender years. He would ask the father of the child whether he wished the matter to be withdrawn in order to prevent, his child, only nine years of age, coming into the box. and whether a compensation of JE20 was sufficient to meet, his wishes in the matter. The father of the etiild was called, and said he had been compensated by the defendant for the insult and annoyance and expense he had been put to, and wished the case to be with- drawn. TUESDAY. (Before Mr. J. C. FOWLER, Stipendiary, and Messrs. THOMAS PHILLIPS and D. JONES.) ALLEGED THEFT.—A labourer named Abraham Moggridge, 54, Lower Oxford-street. Swansea, was charged with stealing a pair of boots from the kitchen of the Bond-street Working Men's Club on October 18, and Sarah Moggridge, the wife of the prisoner, was charged with receiving them knowing them to have been stolen. The ooots were pawned in the name of the female prisoner in the shop of Mr. Siedle. On Detective i>ill charging the woman, she said she received the boots from her husband and did not know they were stolen. Another charge was then preferred against the male prisoner, that of stealing a purse containing 10s. 4d., the property of Wm. Jones, who lodged in the house. The male prisoner was com- mitted for trial on both charges, and the femaie prisoner was discharged.

ABERDARE. TUESDAV. (Before Mr. W. M. NORTH. Stipendiary, and Mr. D. P. DAVIES.) TRESPASS —Alfred Nesbick and John Thomas were summoned for trespassing in search of game in Aberffrwd Wood, Mountain Ash, the land being in the occupation of Lord Aberdare. The case.,Was proved by Mr. Common, hia lordship's gamekeeper. Upon seeing that they were perceived the defen- dants ran away. Each threw down a rabbit during his flight.. Nesbick was caught, and upou him were found five rabbits and three nets; the other defendant, who managed to make good his escape, was also well loaded. Nesbick, being an old offender, was fined 40s. and costs, or a months hard labour; Thomas was amerced in a sum of 10s. and costs, or fourteen days.

BRIDGEND. SAfURDAY. THE CONSPIPACR CASK.—This case, in which several colliers are charged with conspiring to defraud the Llynvi and Tondu Company, was again gone into on Saturday. Richard Edwards and John Edwards were discharged; the other cases were again adjourned. Mr. W. R. Randall prosecuted, and Mr. Rhys, Pontypridd, defended. BREACH OF COLLIERY RULES.—William Davies, Evan Rees, and William David, colliers, Aber- gwynfi, were summoned for having pipes in their possession underground at the Great Western Rail- way Collieries. Davies was fined lOs"Rees 15s., and William David £ 2.—The same William David, his son Evan, and Edward Joseph were charged with leaving a door open at the Great Western Railway Collieries. They were fined JBI each. Mr. J. G. Morris, manager of the Great Western Railway Collieries, prosecuted in all the cases. A CLUB CASE.—John Davies, Pontycymmer, was charged with selling beer without a licence. fhe premises occupied by the defendant were used as a club, and Police-Sergeant Roberts and Police- Constable Mapps, who paid a visit to them on Sunday, the 28th ult, found there a man who had only been proposed that day. Mr. Robert Scale, who defended, stated that the committee had endeavoured to conduct the club properly and in accordance with the rules; The Bench fined the defendant 15i. only, including costs.

CHEPSTOW. MONDAY. (Before Messrs. H. CLAY, E. J. LOWE, T. A. WALKER, and Major COWBURN.) Before the criminal business commenced Mr. Clay was elected chairman of the Petty Sessional Court, and Mr. Fothergill Evans was elected clerk to the magistrates in place of his father, who has resigned. BURGLARY.—William Bishop was brought up on remand charged with feloniously breaking into a dwelling-house at the Cherry Orchard, Shirenew- ton. After hearing the evidence prisoner was committed for trial at the ensuing winter assizes. AFTER HOURS.—George Flower, landlord of the Piercefield Inn, St, Arvan's, was fined 5s. and costs, 98., for selling drink during prohibited hours, and Mr. Bond, fanner, Howick, and Henry Gillatn, Chepstow, were each fined 10s. and costs for being found on the said licensed premises after closing time."

HAVERFORDWEST. SATURDAY. (Before Messrs. R. CABROW, G. L. OWEN, JOSEPH THOMAS, and JAMES PHILLIPS.) USING AN UNCERTIFICATED STEAMER FOR PASSENGER TRAFFIC.—Mr. Jacob Beer, coal mer- chant, Old Quay, Haverfordwest, was charged by Mr. W. Henry Bignold, marine superintendent, Neyland, with using a steamer to carry passengers on the 5th and 20th of July without having in force a certificate from the Board of Trade. Mr. Strick, of Swansea, prosecuted on behalf of the Board of Trade, and Mr. W.J. Jones appeared for defendant. Mr. Strick in his opening remarks said that the de- fendant hired a steamer from a Mr. Hodson, of Bristol, for the purpose of carrying passengers from Haverfordwest to Milford Haven. The vessel at that time was licensed to ply on the Bristol float as a passenger boat. The vessel was surveyed, the declaration made, and the certificate got ready, but tho defendant never called for it. The certificate which waa issued authorised the boat to carry 70 passengers, but that number had been greatly exceeded, and the number of passengers taken by the defendant on one of the occasions mentioned was computed at fully 100. The Bench fined tbe defendant £5 and costs.

TREDEGAR. TUESDAY. STEALING A FOWL.—Ann Wild, an old woman, aged about 70, was charged with stealing on the 17th inst. a fowl, the property of Mrs. Margaret Palmer, confectioner. Morgan-street. Defendant pleaded guilty. The fowl had been sold to Mrs. Samuel for Is, The Bench, taking the defendant's age into consideration, fined her 10s.,or seven days in default. THEFT OF A SUIT OF CLOTHES. — David Lewis was charged with stealing a suit of clothes, the property of Philip Tamblyn, a pawnbroker, at Abercarn, on the 11th inst. Defendant pleaded guilty. It appeared that he burnt the clothes, as he said, because he was ashamed of his conduct. The clothes were valued at 12s. lid. Committed to prison for 21 days, with hard labour.

A CARD.—To all who are suffering from the errors and indiscretion* of youth, nervous weakness, early decay, exhausted vitality, loss of vigour, nervous debility, £ o., 1 will send a prescription that will cure yoa free of charge. This great remedy was discovered by a Missionary in Old Mexico. Send an addressed •tamped envelope to tbe Rev. JOSXPX T. EOLUKS. Bloomsbury Mansion, Blooanbury-square, London, j W.C. I r-'

The Recent Disaster on the Cwmpeunar Incline. Resumption of the Inquest Verdict of the Jury. At the Bruce Arms Inn, Mountain Ash, on Monday, Mr. R. J. Rbys, coroner, resumed the inquest, opened last week, touching the deaths of Daniel Crowley, labourer, aged 36. of Napier-street, Mountain Ash; Richard Thomas, collier, aged 18, and Michael Miskill, labourer, aged 18, both of High-street, Cwmpennar; and David Davies, labourer, aged 20, of Jenkin-street, Capcoch. who lost their lives in consequence of a collision which occurred on Thursday evening, the 10th inst., on the incline connected with the George Pit, belong- ing to the Powell Duffryn Company, at Cwm. pennar. Mr. Martin, Chief Inspector of Mines for the South Wales district, was again in attendance, the Powell Duffryn Company being officially repre- sented by Mr. E. M. Hann, their general colliery manager. Since the opening of the inquest Samuel Thomas, of 8, High-row, Cwmpennar, had succumbed to his hurts, And evidence of identification was given by the widow, and evidence as to his death having arisen from the injuries sustained was adduced by Dr. R. W. Joues. Mr. Joseph M. Greenhow, the Powell Duffryn Company's mechanical engineer, who was a wit- ness on the previous occasion, was re-called, and he said that on hearing of the accident he at once visited the scene. He saw Dan James, the head btocklayer, with his foot on a atone in the front point of the switch, on the left hand going up. He looked at the stone and just raised it, then he re-placed it. giving instructions that it was not to be removed until it had been seen by Mr. Phillips, the certificated manager of the colliery. There was a space of four inches between the point of the switch and the rail. The stone lay flat. It was 2% inches across, about 4i inches in length, and two inches thick. Its weight was lib. 6oz. i Ha was of opinion that it must have been placed; there by hand, for it was almost impossible that it I could have been kicked there or could have found its way there casually. Stones were sometimes drawn up the incline in railway trucks, but, as they sent a few only at a time, it was not likely that any would fall out. It was building stone that was sent up from quarries, and it had sharp edges. The stone produced was a waterworn stone. Persons had been summoned and convicted before the magistrates at Aberdare for riding up the incline, and others had beeu fined in the office. Mr. Nehemiah Phillips, the manager of the George Pit, said he arrived at. the scene of the collision at about half-past five o'clock. He saw Dan James at the points, and James showed him the stone lying between the switch and the rail. He did not consider it possible for the stone to have got into the position in which it was found unless it had been placed there purpose!}-. Its being so placed completely destroyed the working of the incline, the effect of it being either to bring the ascending wagons on to the same pair of rails as the descending wagons or else to throw them off the line. Had Dan James, who star ed the loaded journey which collided, turned it on to tbe wrong road at the head of the incline the mistake would have been discovered almost immediately by himself, by the brakesman at the drum, and by a helper. The rope attached to the ascending journey was on its proper sheaves from the point of collision all the way up—a dis- tance of about half a miie. The journey turned into the wrong road at a sharp angle, and the rollers were torn up from the points to the spot where the accident happened. The collision must have been a very violent one, for the front empty wagoo was smashed to splinters, and the full ones were also much damaged. The second empty truck ran down wild to the bottom.—In reply to Mr. Martin, witness S lid that the rope attached to the descending journey was on its proper line after the collision, so that evidently the journey was not put on the wrong road. There were notices at the top and at the bottom of the incline warning persons that riding was prohibited, but notwithstanding this the prac- tice was still persisted in by some of the men. For several months the policeman had had instruc- tions to watch the incline, and to rake the names of persons riding or trespassing and report them to him. The policeman had reported some, and wit- ness put :n a record of fines imposed either at the police-court or at the office. If the policeman weio not at the bottom of the inciine there would be no one to stop men from getting on the trucks, and the policeman did not happen to be present on the evening of the accident.—Mr. Martin suggested whether the men might not be permitted to ride on certain journeys, in respect of which there should be extra precautions taken.— Mr. Phillips, in reply, said that a deputation of the colliers had waited upon the officials and asked to be allowed to ride, but from the awkward way in which some of them got up and the careless manner in which they rode they considered it too dangerous a thing to sanction. The depositions given by the witnesses called last week having been read over and signed, The Coroner summed up. He said that the jury had a body of very clear and very intelligible evi- dence to help them to come to a conclusion. But before analysing this evidence he thought it his duty to lay before them the law appli- cable to the case. Now, if a man did anything of which the probable consequence might be the death of a fellow-creature, he was liable to be tried for wilful murder, but before he could be found guilty of wilful muider it must be proved that there was malice. Legal malice might bo «xpreHs<-d or it might be implied. Here they had a railway and here they had a stone. If that I stone were placed on the railway with the intention of causing damage to the rolling stock and that net resulted in loss of human lite the person so placing it was guiliy of murder, even though he had not purposed any injury whatever to human beings. It seemed to be pretty clear that the atone could not have re'led, or fallen, or been kicked into the position in which it was discovered and it was also clear that the stone, by preventing the points from working, occasioned the collision. To describe it as an accident, he thought, would be a misnomer. If the jury believed that the stone got there acciden- tally, then they would say that the poor deceased men had lost their lives by misadventure; but if they considered that it came there tlurough the culpable negligence of any person whose business it would be to superintend the working of the incline, it would be their duty to return a verdict of manslaughter against that person. The Coroner detailed the salient points of the evidence given by the various witnesses, anJ he remarked that if the stone were placed between the points by anybody the culprit might have got over the post and wire fence enclosing the incline, which fence, M the jury had heard, could easily be crossed. The jury, after half an hour's deliberation, returned a verdict that the deceased persons met with their deaths from injuries sustained in the collision, and that the collision was caused by a stone found between the points, which prevented their proper working. They were of opinion that the evidence to show how the stone got there was not sufficiently conclusive. They refcommended that a man be placed at the points during the working of the incline to superintend their work- ing, and that a footpath be made to enable men living in Mountain Ash to go to and from their work.

The Affairs of Horeb Chapel, Merthyr. A first meeting of the creditors of Thomas Wil- liams. collier, 01 109. Penrlieolgerrig, was held on Monday at the office of the Official Receiver, at Merthyr. The debtor's statement of affairs showed his gross liabilities to be £3,057 5s. 8d., the deficiency amounting to £ 3,05015s. 8d. The Official Receiver in his observations pointed out that, except as to little over JE20 due for food and clothing, the vfhole of theliabthties were in respect of notes signed by the debtor as one of the trustees of Hc'eb Baptist Chapel, Penrheolgerrig. The public examination of the debtor took place at the Merthyr Court in the afternoon before the Registrar, Mr. D. Rees Lewis. The Official Receiver (Mr. W. L. Daniel) questioned Mr. Williams as follows:—Well, now, why is it you have been obliged to file your petition ? Debtor: My name had been put to nearly all the notes in connection with Horeb Chapel. Three letters had been received by me threatening writs and demanding the money, one of t.hem in three weeks, another in three months, and the other in five months. I had no means of paying one of them without borrowing, and if I borrowed to pay one I should be obliged to be borrowing continually to meet Lhe other demands made upon me. I saw that I should be sent to gaol, and I was anxious to get quiet.—Was your object in filing your petition to prevent one creditor from having all you had ? I was not willing to pay one creditor in full and the otherl to be without any money.—You have signed some notes for Horeb? Yes.—Now, are there any of them that you have not signed? Yes. but as trustees we have to be responsible for then.— Did not you know that this money was being borrowed for Horeb P There is £1,000 I know nothing about.—Was not permission asked you as trustees to borrow money ? Mr. Vaighan, the minister, used to ask permission to borrow when I first went there, hut not re- cently.Can you tell me when it was you last signed A noteV About twelve months ago that was tc exchange money from one lender to another.—Well, now, do you say that money has been borrowed without your knowing anything about it? Oh yes.—Well, now, did you as trustee see how the various sums of money borrowed were applied? Mr. Vaughan used to tell us ftat everything was right, and that no trouble would come to us if he were to die on the morrow. We trusted everything to him as an honest man.—Well, now, when you were raising a fresh loan was there any meeting of the trustees held? No, sir. not at all.—Do you ever remember a meeting of the trustees being called for the pur- pose of raising money ? No, air. In the course of further examination the debtor said that his earn- ings had not been more than 14s a week during the last twelve months.—The examination was declared closed.

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Proposed Harbour of Refuge for the Bristol Channel. Public Meeting at Cardiff. On Monday evening at the Town-hall, Cardiff. a public meeting was held to consider the question of providing a harbour of refuge for the Bristol Channel. The mayor (Councillor Morgan) pre- sided, and lie was supported by Councillors Trounce and Morel, Mr. F. Johnson (founder of the National Refuge Harbours Society), Captain Pomeroy, Mr. J. H. Wilson, &c. The attendance was not very large. The MAYOR, in opening the proceedings, referred to the recent storms. All knew, he said, what a terrible time had been experienced in the Bristol Channel of late. He happened to be at Southern- down in October, when the great storm occurred. The wreckage and loss of life he saw were really terrible. At almost every tide bodies were washed up, and he could not help thinking that something should be done to provide a harbour of refuge for the Bristol Channel. Since then there had been another storm, with similar results, and he was very glad to find there was a growing feeling in favour of taking some steps towards getting a refuge. Of course, they could not obviate all loss of life, but it was a great satisfaction when loss did occur to know that everything that could be had been done. (Hear, hear.) He then introduced Mr. Johnson, who proceeded to address the meeting. Mr. JOHNSON, in the course of his remarks, re- ferred to the apathy shown by members of the Government on the question of providing harbours of refuge. In 1884. 21 petitions were forwarded to her Majesty personally, mostly from fishermen and those connected with the sea, but no reply had been received. But this was not due to want of personal sympathy on the part of the Queen, who had lately contributed out of her private purse £100 for the benefit of those bereaved by the drowning of lifeboat men. Unless, however, there was something sensational connected with the disaster sympathy was difficult to arouse. (Hear, hear.) Passing on, he said, three-fourths of the shipwrecks occurring on our coasts might be pre- vented. In other words, out of the 300 cases of drowning in the Bristol Channel during the gale of October 220 were due to national neglect, which, if it were applied to individuals, would amount to gigantic manslaughter. (Hear, hear.) The very highest tribunal in the land had decided that these harbours were necessary, and if such an opinion had no attention paid to it surely something was wrong. With reference to the argument for delay, that the tax- payer had to be considered, he went on to point out how great was the national loss every year by shipwreck. Since the Royal Commission had said harbours of refuge were necessary £ 56.000.000 worth of property had been lost, 68,000 poor women and children had been left destitute, and 25,000 per- sons had been drowned. This not only affected very materially our food supply and diminished the number of consumers, but, on the highest authority, materially affected our Naval Reserve. With reference to the requirements of the Bristol Channel, the speaker went on to say that the loss of life on the West Coast, between Liver- pool and Land's End, was as great as on the most frequented portion of the .bast Coast. Altogether the loss was terrible. When the Royal Commission sat 700 men were drowned annually I now it was 1,100 And that was the official return, which did not always tally with the actual loss. For instance, in the October gales he was told that within a radius of fifteen or twenty tniies of I Swansea alone 50 deaths could be counted, though the total number of those drowned at the time given by the Board of Trade was but 64-. Another point about these harbours was that they would provide shelter for our ships in time of war. Such protection was of the utmost importance, for it was well known that an enemy would strike at our commerce, and so try and cripple us. Admiral Aube, the French Minip.prof Marine, some little time ago, in the Revue tits Deux Mondes, said that in the event of a war with England he would attack our ,food vessels and ships ot commerce, while in the Debats he said he should apply for £8,000.000 for fast cruisers and torpedo boats, wi.h which, as he said, to pulverise our commerce. In a district like the South Welsh Coast it was well to bear this in mind, for they had an im- mense amount of shipping passing up their Channel every year. Quite oue-haif of our food supply, or £14-0,000,000 worth, was imported, and it was very essential defence should be provided. Such protection should be provided for the Bristol Channel—(applause)—cnt only as places of shelter in times of storm, but for purposes of strategy. Tnat they wanted them there could be no doubt. He had passed down that Channel, and he could liken the rocks there to nothing else than sharks' teeth; For a whole week he had been unable to land anywhere. How were they to get what they wanted, he then asked. Sixteen of her Majesty's present Ministers, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer, had promised to support the movement, but pressure should be brought to bear upon the representatives, and if the Government did not feel strong enough to inaugurate a measure, private members should i take action. (Applause.) But the present Govern- ment would probably feel strong enough to deal with the matter, for the Marquess of Hartington was ready to support any practical measure pn the subject coming from either side of the House. (Applause.) Harbours were not only wanted for the Bristol Channel, but for Scotland, Ireland, and I the East Coast of England, besides smaller harbours along the coast. The smaller class of harbours would find employment for 40,000 men for six yeara, and the three larger ones lor sooifl 10,000 additional, besides the permanent employment afterwards resulting. In his opinion, a harbour somewhere that side of Lundy was necessary. In conclusion, he referred to what could be done by the clergy and the ladies in forwarding the move- ment. (Loud applause.) Councillor TROUNCE read letters and telegrams expressing sympathy with the movement from Colonel Hill, C.B., M.P., Sir Edward Reed, M.P., Lord Thurlow, Mr. John Gunn, Mr Josiah Horan (hon. secretary of the West of England Harbours of Refuge Society), the Rev. Mr. Brown (seamen's chaplain). &?. Mr. Trounce then went on to say that, though they were interested in providing har- bours for the whole of the country, they were more particularly interested in the one required for the Bristol Channel. Cardiff, more than any other port in the Channel, should take an interest in the move- ment. for the value of the shipping and cargoes passing up and down the Channel to and from Cardiff last rear (1885) amounted to no less than £165,222953, 54,000 vessels being used, and at least 200,00J men being employed. (Hear.) Captain POMEBOY proposed a resolution to the effect that the Government be urg"d to take immediate steps for considering the question of practically dealing with harbours of refuge, in consequence of the want of which no less than 300 lives had been lost in the Bristol Channel during the late gales, and asking that a Commis- sion of Inquirv be appointed to ascertain the most suitable aite for a harbour of refuge in the Bristol Channel. (Applause.) He knew, he said, what it was to need such a harbour, and to hilD it seemed as if Providence had specially designed Lundy Island for the purpose. He would also like to see a station established there for men who knew all the intricacies of the Channel, who could board vessels in distress and take her to a place of safety farther up the Channel. (Applause.) Captain BEGG having seconded the proposition, it was supported by Mr. J. H. WILSON, who said it would be a great shame, if not a crime, if the Government did not take advantage of natural advantages and estab- lish a harbour. Tbe proposition having been unanimously ttgrfed to, Mr. JONATJUN LFWIS, pilot, moved a resolution to the effect ttat the meeting expressed the hope I that the membera of Parliament for the borough and county would each of them give notice of motion in favour of harbours of refuge for the Bristol Channel as soon as Parliament assembled. (Ap- plause.) Mr. WILLIAM SANDEIS seconded this, and it was supported by Mr. LEWIS JONES, and unanimously agreed to. A vote of thanks to the Mayor terminated the meeting.

Cardiff Health Committee. A meeting of this committee was held on Tues- day. Present Alderman Jacobs (chairman) J Councillors Brain, Vaughan, Watson, Mildon, and Trounce, Mr. Harper thorough engineer), and Mr. Woosey (inspector of the scavenging department). The committee visited the tips of refuse where mortar-making has been going on and the streets in course of formation where ashes had bMn used; but, pending the reports of the medical officer and the borough analyst, nothing definite was done.— Complaints having also been made of the damage done to house property by the traction engine, the committee inspected several buildings said to have suffered, but in no case did they find the complaints had any foundation.

The Health of Cardiff. During the week that ended on Saturday last, the 18th of December, there were 74 births regis- tered in the borough of Cardiff, 6 less than the weekly average of the past year. The births relate to 39 boys and 35 girls. In the same period the deaths in the borough rose from 38 to 43. but this does not reach the average by 4. and the total yields the very fair winter rate of 22 3 per 1,000 inhabitants. The deaths of young children under 1 rose from 12 to 17, while 4 again occurred at 60 and upwards. Five deaths took place in public institutions, and two were due to violence. An excellent return is made as to the causes of death in the borough, the only fatal cases of zvmotic disease being 1 of whooping cough and 1 of diarrhoea not one death was referred to small-pox, measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria, or fever. In the corresponding week last year the births in Cardiff ware 78 and the deaths 40, giving a rate of 21 5. Only one death was then referred to a zymotic disease, namely, whooping cough. The following are the sixteen principal English death-rates for the past week, duly arranged in ordar <— Sheffield 171 ) Cardiff 223 Birmingham.. 17'X S&lford 23-0 Huddersaeld- 18 2 Leeds 24 5 London 18.8 Newcastle 24-6 Hull 18*8 Blackburn 25"9 °'dham M&uchester 25-9 Bradford 20-9 Liverpool 27-6 Halifax 21'3 Preston 37*1 ifer 1.WU persuus inuaoiuants 01 eacn place. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean temperature of the air in the past week was 38 3, and this is said to be not quite three degrees under the average of the corresponding weeics in twenty years.

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Cardiff Board of Guardians. The Charge against Dr. Lougher. Election of Rate Collectors. The usual weekly meeting of the above board was held on Saturday, Dr. Paine occupying the chair; Mr. Plain and Mr. 0, H. Jones (vice-chair- men) and an unusually large number of guardians (71), ex-ojiria and elected, being also present; Christmas Day falling on a Saturday, it was decided to hold the next meeting on Friday next. The following letter was read:— Local Government Board, Wineha)). S.W., Dec. 15, 1886. Bir,—I am directed by the Local Government Board to state that they have received from their inspector 'Mr. Bircham) a repoit upon the official inquiry recently Leld by him into your proceedings as medical offiierof the Roath district of the Cardiff Union in the case of the wife of a poor person named Thomas Edwards. The board have considered the report, of iheir inspector and the evidence adduced at the inquiry. Tiie board are satisfied from the evidence tl1>1t language was used by you on the occasion of your visit to the patient on the 24th of October .nbldcomJn2 your position as district medical officer, and they cannot iu any way accept as an excuse the provo- cation pleaded by you, even if it existed, when the relative posiLions of yourself and of two aged and infirm paupers, olle of them suffering from a painful and irritating malll.dy. are taken into account. The board further observe that the guardians have already had occasion to record on their minutes their dissatisfaction with your proceedings in cases som-what similar to the present one, and the board have felt much doubt whether they ought to permit you to retain all office for which a kind and courteous treatment of the helpless and sick is so needful a qualification. The board have, however, decided upon the present occasion to allow you to remain in the office which you hold. but they do so upon the distinct, understanding that should any future case of the kind be proved against you t-hev wid have no alternative but to require your resignation. The board trust that after this warning you will give no occasion for any such action on their part.-I am. sir, vour obedient servant. ('Signed!, EDMOND WODSHOUSE, Assistant fipc. To Mr. R. Lougher, District. Medical Officer,Cardiff. The CHAIRMAN remarked that he should ask the General Purposes Committee later on to consider some matters with respect to the attendance of medical officers in rural districts. A lesolution ought to be adopted by the board as to the time medical officers in rural districts should attend to orders from the house. In one case it appeared that a medical officer had declined to attend because the application for attendance had not been made before nine o clock. That might result in serious consequences to the paupers. Hence the necessity for something being done in the matter. THE REVISION OF TIfE RELIEF DISTRICTS. Mr. o. H. JONES, who had given notice of a motion to rescind a resolution passed at the last meeting, involving a transference of the Penarth relief district to that of Mr. Jones, said he would not proceed with it if the board would reeard the alteration as an experiment only, to be tried for six months. The CHAIRMAN replied that, of course, if the alte- ration did not work satisfactorily, it would be re- considered by the board. The matter then dropped. TIE VACANT RATE COLLECTORSHIP.—A SCENE. It was intimated by the CLEWX that 97 applica- tions had been received for the two vacant rate collectorships in St. Mary's Parish, the salary attaching to each post being £160 a year. M: F. J. HEAVAN moved, and Mr. JACOBS seconded the proposal, that in filling up the appointments the members of the board vote by ballot. Mr. JONAS WATSON expressed a hope that the motion for secret voting would be supported only by those guardians wLo, having- made up their mind" to v0te f0r one candidate, wished all the others to think that they had voted for them. Mr. F. J. BKAVAN submitted that Mr. Watson's remarks were out of order, as be had not moved an amendment. Mr. JONAS WATSON It is not necessary to move an amend nent, I was speaking to the motion. The CHAIRMAN ruled Mr. Watson in order. Mr. DORVFORD described the proposition as an innovation, and moved as an amendment that the voting he open. Mr. ALEXANDER seconded the amendment. Mr. RAMSDALE said that the mode of voting had formerly been by ballot, and he thought that nc grosser insult could have been offered to the board than the remark made by Mr Junas Watson. The observation came from a source not at all agreeable to a good many of them, and it did not give evidence of a great deal of respect for the board. The working guardians who attended there day by day ought not to be browbeaten in such a wxy. Mr. JONAS WATSON: I did nrlt. intend any dis- respect to the guardians, but those whom the cap fits may wear it. Tiie CHAIRMAN: Pray don't wound each other's susceptibilities, but carry on the busiaess with consideration for each other. I am sure that Mr. Watson never intended to show any went of respect to the board, either collectively or iudi vicha \Jy. Dr. EDWAROS I feel tVat unless Mr. Watson withdraws the insultiug remark which be bas made The CHAIRMAN (interpoxing') reocated that Mr. Watson had not. intended any refl ciion upon the board. He hop^d that no further remarks would be made on the subject. Dr. EDWARDS MR Watson said that'those wish- ing to vote by b'l'.ot wanted it to be believed that they voted for men different to those for whom they actually voted. Mr. JosAS WATSON: I beg your pardon, I did not say ihat. Dr. EDWARDS maintained that the remark was an insulting one, and should be withrawn. (Hear, hoar.) Mr. JONAS WATSON repeated the observation as reported above, and said he would leave it to tbtl chairman to say whesLer it was insulting. After some other remarks, The CHAIRMAN appealed to members, as a per- sonal favour to himself, to confine their observa- tions to the proposition and amendment. Dr. EDWARDS spoke in favour of the proposi- tion. Mr. REYNOLDS said he did not know what Mr. Watson intended to say, but what he did say was certainly offensive to the board. The resolution was carried by a large majority. Mr. BURROW, overseer of St. Mary's, then rose and proceeded to address the board, intimating that he intended to say something about one of the seven candidates who had been selected to come before the board, but the chairman ruled him out of order. It was subsequently arranged that Mr. Burrow should cominunicaie anything he had to say to a member of the board privately. The applications of the seven candidates who had been selected out of the 97 applicants were then considered, each candidate being called into the room. They were: — Kichard Boweri, Pen- mark, Cowbridge; F. A. Crowden, 289, Bute- street, Cardiff; David Davies, clerk to Messrs. Groverand Grover, solicitors, Cardiff; Thomas Davies, Sanquhar street, Cardiff; D. C. Davies, Senghenydd-terrace, Cardiff; J. D. Walbridge, Tresillian-terrace, Cardiff; T. Watkins, Taff's Well, Cardiff. The voting was as follows:—D. Davies, 44; Crowden, 25; Bowen, 24; Watkins, 24; T. Davies, 9; D. C Davies,9; and Walbridge, 7. David Davies was, therefore, declared elected. The voting for the second collector was then taken, as follows :—Ciowden, 25 Bowen. 19 Wat- kins, 20 T. Davies, 3 and D. C. Davies, 2. It being necessary for the successful candidates to have an absolute majority, the voting was again taken, the names of T. Davies and D. C. Davies being struck out, as they were the lowest on the list. The voting then was—Watkins, 27 Crowden. 23; and Bo wen, 19. Upon the board dividing on the names of Watkins and Crowden, the former was elected, 39 voting for him and 29 for Crowden. APPOINTMENT OF STOREKEEPER AND MASTER'S CLERK. Out of 78 applicants tor the above post four came before the board on the recommendation of the committee. The appointment is worth jEl a week, with board aDd residence. W. C. Groves, of Pentyrch, was elected. The board then adjourned.

Haverfordwest Town Council. I A monthly meeting of this body was held at the Council Chamber on Friday last. Present—Mr. Thomas James (mayor), Aldermen John James and I Stephen Green, Councillors George Jones, T. BIt,ker, jUli., William Lewis, Samuel Thomas, T. J. White, Joseph Thomas, and F. P. Green.-—The Street Com- mittee's report was read. The streets were sub- divided into six different districts, and each district placed under the special supervision of individual members of the committee.—The survevor'a report was read, referring to the defaulters in not connect ing the house drains with the common sewers, and directions were given to enforce compliance.—It was arranged to redeem a gas bond for £3ÛO, bear- ing interest at 5 per cent., out of the accumulation in the sinking lund.—The Mayor read a circular letter from the Prince of Waies, soliciting co-opera- tion in establishing a national memorial in com- memoration of her Majesty's Jubilee. His worship said he wished to consult the council as to what course should be taken in the matter.—Mr. Samuel Thomas thought that, independently of what they might do in supporting a national memorial, they should also mark the event locally by the erection of some permanent institution which would be of public advantage, and he referred to the site of the Old Dolphin, belonging to Perrott's Trustees.which might be available for that purpose. A committee was appointed to wait upon Perrott's Trustee- at their next meeting to discuss the ques- tion, and it was also agreed that the mayor should consult the Lord-Lieutenant (Mr. Philipps, of Pictoo Castle) with reference to calling a public meeting to consider the question of supporting the national form of memorial.—A letter was read by the Town-Clerk from the general manager of the Great Wes'ern Railway Company intimating that directions had been given for covering in the new foot-bridge recently erected at the Haverford- west Railway Station, and that it would be done as soon as practicable.—Other business of minor importance was transacted, and the meeting broke up after a protracted sitting.

Singular Case at Cardiff. Abandoning a Child. At Cardiff Board of Guardians on Saturday the master reported that on the previous night a little girl, SIX years of age, bad been brought to the workhouse by a police-constable, the child having been left in a basket near the door of Nazareth House. A letter, evidently written in a disguised band, pinned to the little thing's clothes, stated that ita father had died before its birth. The mother also died a fortnight ago, praying that her little one should not be sent to the workhouse, the letter going on to urge the good sisters of Nazareth House to adopt the child. The officora of the board were instructed to make a search for the child's friends.

FA**Y ANB K»CJU S Wdth Knitted Sttckinn mrt 7M3« li UNI\IEI?SAL EMBR, o CA ElLIMAhfS^EMBRQCATiOKVi T* FOR- *j;i RHEUMATISM, LUMBAGO, !i S P RAI NS,B RU 1 S E S,ST i F F N E SS. hi Sore Throat from COLD. Chest Colds, w jj The Safes tQuickesf, mo si I i_f III certain remedy. -*f iz\ ;|| i hi i hi II. Prcp ared, o qr j j I Mllihan, Som S&@ji m LOU GH. ENGLAM d. Jj.

Freemasonry in Cardiff. Annual Festival of the Bute Lodge, No. 960. On Tuesdav the annual meeting of the Bute Lod;"e, No. 960, was held at the Masonic-hall,, Working-street, Cardiff, for the purpose of instal-, ling Bro. J. Munday, S.W., as Worshipful Master, for the ensuing year. The following officers, mem- bers, and visitors were present, viz.:— 0/f.csrs-.—Bros. John Hussev, W.M.; T. Mathews P.M.. P.P.S.G.W.; W. H. Manin. P.M., P.P.tvG.W. S. Wei. hert, P.M., P.P.S.G.W. W. H. Davies, P.M. j P.P.J.G.D.: Jolm Munday, 6.W.; James Kadley.J.W. W.C. Peace, P.M. Treasurer; C. Covey Thomas, Seere-I tarv; Ll. S. S.D.; T. Rvans. J.D.; C. E. Gibbons, Organist; and Amos Jenkins. Tyler. Members:—Bros. P. J. Kiley, K. Elliott, E. Griffiths, I S. Pady. H. (Sweeting, W. Richards, J. Dut-tcn, J. Williams, J. Eobsou, I. James. J. Maggie, E. J, Hus- man, E. J. C. Smith, W. Price, A. C. Botterill, A P. Fabian, P.M., J. G. Gover, T. W. Jones, W. H. Williams, W. F. Marwood, A. H. Gibbons, and J*. Martin. Fuitors.—Bros. G. B. Hughes, Glum.. 3S. I.P.M. Harry Samuel Cobbett, 807; J. A. Jones, Ala", K33, W.M' L. Beha, Ogmore, 1,752, W.M.; T. Johns, Afau. 833, L.P.M.; B. C Kosser, Windsor, 1,754, W.M. W., B. Lovie, Bt. John's, 92, M.M. J. Smart, Phoenix, 91, M.M.; J. Phoenix, 91.F.C. R Tailisli. Tennant, 1,992, M.M.; A. Taylor, Albert Edward. 1,429, W.M.; G. Hazel). Albert Edward, l,4ii9, P.G.P.. Mmi.; S. Davies. Albert Edwltrd. 1.429. P.J.G.W., Mon.; A. J. Sinclair, Albert Edward, 1,429, P.M.; R. Barry, Ten- nant, 1,^S2, M.M. D. E. Davies, Albert Edward, 1,429. M.M.; D. Williams, Tennant, 1,9JZ. W.M.; W. Hughes Morris, Tennant, ,992, S.D.; G. Dimier, Pru- dence, 1.50. I.P.M.; H. Phillips. Windsor, 1.754, M.M.; C. W. P.gc, Glamorgan, 3o, 8 W P.G.vS.; J. E. Thomas..Aibert Edward, 1,429, P.M.; Sidney Cnieman, Glamorgan, 35, W.M.; H. LI. Reecfc, Albert Edward, 1,429, M.M J. David, Windsor, 1.764, M M. S. George Homfrav, P.A G.D C. and D.P.G.M., Mun.; W. >ico!, Glamorgan, 3b, M.M.; J. Hemming, Upmore, 1,752, j P.M., P.P.G.K. ii. L. Owen, Tennant, 1,932, M.M.; J. H. Beale Lewis, Glamorgan, 36, M.M.: and W.M. Jones, Tennant, 1,992, M.M. The lodge was opened'by Bro. J. Hussey at three p.m., and after the usual business had been tran- sacted. Bro. J. Munday was presented tor instaila- tion by Bro. S. G. Horn t my. Deputy-Provincial Grand Master, Mon., P.A.G.D.C. The installation ceremony was performed by Bro. J. Hussey, W.M., in a manner which called forth the praise of the Past Matters and brethren, and at tiie close of tne ceremony Bro. S. G. Homfray, Deputy-Provincial Grand Master, Mon., invested Bro. J. Eussev, InsLal- ling Master, with a Past Master's jewel, on behalf of the officers and brethren of the Buie Lodge. The Worshipful Master then proceeded to invest his officers for the ensuing year, as follows :-Brüs. J. H. Hussey, P.G.D.C., I.P.M., J. K;tdlev, S.W.; C. Carey Thomas, J.W. W. C. Peace. P.M.. P P G.S.Wks., treasurer D. S. Vurz«>pollo, P.P.G S., secretary Colonel W. H. Martin, P.M., P.P G.S.W.. D.C. Thomas Evans, SD., J. H. Green, J.D. John Dutton, organist; Thomas James, I.G.; W. i P. Phillips and T. W. Jones, stewards A. Jenkins, tyter. The following brethren were electcri to serve on the Provincial Graiiri Committep;- Bro. J. 0. Lewis, P.M., and Bro. W. C Peace, P.M. Brothers Marwooil and Rees were also elected to serve on the Finance Committee fur the veat, After the lodge had Oeen closed, the brethren adjourned to the Royal Hotel, where they sat down to an excellent banquet, provided by Bro. Williams, and presided over by liro. Munaay, W.M., sup- ported by a large number of Past Masters. The menu was an exceedingly good one, and in- eluded pheasants, wild ducks, a haunch of venison, and other delicacies. The viands were capitally cooked and excellently served. During the banquet Messrs. Banes and Hut-chins' String Band performed the following selections ;-(Jver- ture, Le Chevalier Breton" (Herman); selectioo, Welsh airs (Bonnesseau); valse," L'Estudiantina (Waldteufel); clarionette solo. Un Reve I (Burns;; overture, "Esmeralda" (Herman); selection. Lucrezia Borgia (Donizetti) valse, j "Cloister (Prout;; gavotte," Jubilee (Dubois). After the removal of the cloth, the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given, aid the evening was enlivened by songs, recitations, and glees from Brothers Fletcher, Homfray, Elliott, Evans, Radiey, Gibbon, &< j

Second Glamorgan Rifle Volunteers. On Monday evening the annual presentation of prizes to thePenarth Detachment 2nd Glamorgan Rulfs took place at Andrews'-hall, Penarth. Lieut.- Colonel Guthrie presided, and there were also on the platform Captains Coleman and Thornhill. Captain Vaughan (Cardiff Detachment), Lieuts. Simpson, Roberts, and Ensor, and Lieut. Morris (Cardift Detachment). Captain COLEMAN stated that he had received letters of apology from Captain Pengelley, Mr. James Ware, Mr. Forrest, and Majors Ingram, Thompson, and Fisher, who regretted their uct' inability to be present. He then introduced Lieut.- Colonel Guthrie to the audience as the father of the Penal th Detachment. Lieut.-Colonel GUTHRIE, who was loudly applauded, before distributing the prizes, traced the origin and growth of the Volunteer movement. Referring to his own corps, he said that it was 25 vears since it was formed, and at the present time it mustered 2,200 strong. It. was the largest regiment in Great Hniitia uDvil the last year. when it was outnumbered by the Edinburgh Regiment. They were not, however, going to rest satisfied until they again attained the premier position, j (Applause.) The Penarth Detachment was formed by himself thirteen years ago, and since that time it had grown very satisfactorily. Since Captain Pomeroy had taken command he had so kept up its efficiency that Colonel Cresswell had said that if they wanted a good muster of men they could always depend upon tne Penarth Detachment. (Appiause.; The chairman then proceeded to dis- tribute the prizes, being assisted by Mrs. Coleman, wife of Captain Coleman, who performed her work in a very graceful and pleasing manner. The prizes, with the exception of those given by trades- men, were monetary, and were awarded to the following:— I FIRST SERIES.—Seven shots; 200 and 400 yards.—1st, Sergeant-Instructor JJ. Wade; 2nd, Sergeant Vinnieombe; 3rd, Coiour-Ssrgearit Jones 4i.h, Sergeant Angove 5th, Private Franks 6th, Private Kavtnhili 7lh, Private C. Percy 8th. Sergeant Thomas 9th, P ivate Hendy 10th, Privais J. Collins ilth, Piivate ii. G. Williams 12th, Private W. Morris. SicoM) SERIES.—Seven shots 500 and 600 yards.— 1st, Sergrant D. Thomas; 2nd, Sergeant-Instructor Wade 3rd, Sergeant Angove. Highest aggregate in first aud second series, Sergeant D. Thomas, a silver medal. t.ovxTT COMPETITION.—Sergeant D. Thomas, a five guinea clock. TRADESMEW'S PRIZES.—1st, Sergeant W. Jones; 2nd, Sergeant L. Wade; 3rd, Sergeant Vinnicombe; 4th. Sergeant Angove 5th, Private Ravenhill; 6th, Private Franks; 7th, Private G. Hendy; 8th, Private Percy; 9th, Sergeant D. Thomas; 10th, Private Williams; llt-h, Corporal Garrett; 12th, Private J. Jones 13th, Bugler Jones; 11th, Private Maloney; 15th, Corporal W. Collins; 16th, Private J. Collins; 17th, Private W. Morris; 18th, Private E. Jones 19th, Private J. Miller 20th, Sergeant Boucher; Zist, Private G. Spear; 22nd, Private Spurway ^3rd, Corporal Tonkins; 24th, Private Hutchins; 26th, Corporal Richards 26ih, Private W. Crowden 27th, Private Norman 28th, Private J. Jones. RECRUITS' PRIZE.—Private V. Spear. ATTENDANCE AT DRILL.—Is*Private H. Voisey; 2nd. PrivaLe Norman; 3rd. Private G. Spear; 4th, Private Percy 5th, Private Hendy 6th, Private Rivenhill; 7th, Private Hutchins; 8tn, Corporal Tonkins; 9tii, Private Crowden 10th. Private Maloney; 11th, Private Driscoll 12th, Private C. Jones; 13th, Private Harwood; 14'Ja, Private W. Crowden 15th. Serjeant A. Jetik-as; 16th, I Sergeant Vinnicombe. Captain VAUGHAN, at the conclusion of this pleasing task, proposed a vote of thanks to Lieut.-Colonel Guthrie for his attendance and Lieut. SIMPSON seconded, the vote being heartily carried. An entertainment ot a miscellaneous nature was afterwards gone through, in whicu the following took part:—Mrs. and Miss Guthrie, Mr. Frank H. Williams, Mr. Maddox, Mrs. Coleman, Mr. Adey, Miss Taylor, and Lieut. Simpson, and the proceed- ings terminated.

Newport Bankruptcy Court. SATURDAY.—(Before the REOISTRAB.) REES BROS., Iron and Brass Founders.—Mr. D. R. Evans appeared for the debtors; Mr. H. G. Lloyd for some of tbe creditors. William Rees, one of the parties, were first examined by the Official Receiver. It appeared from the statement that the causes of failure were want of capittt.depresMoo in trade, and keenness of competition. The exami. nation was adjourned till the 30th inst. Re DAVID JAMES GRIFFITHS, Bookseller, Sta- tioner, and Sub-Postmaster.—In this case the causes of failure were stated to be depression in trade and insufficient capital. Liabilities, jE718 ?s. 4d.; assets, after deducting preferential claims, £419 lis. 6d.; deficiency, £298 15s. lOd. The receiving Drder was made on the debtor's own petition. Not proposing to make any offer to the creditors, the debtor had been adjudicated bankrupt. Mr. T. H. Bann (from the office of Messrs. Williams and Co.) appeared for the debtor, and Mr. R. B. Evans, accountant, represented a proxy holder. The examination was tben adjourned till the 30th instant.

AN EXCELLENT CHRISTMAS PLUM PUDDING.—Take three-quarters of a pound of Jour, two large taatpoonfutt of BOB WICK'S GOLD MEDll BAEXNO POWDER, two ounces of bread crumbs, one and a holf pound of suet, two pounds of raisins, one pound of currants, ten ounces of sugar, two ounces of almonds, on* pound of mixed candied peel, Salt and spice to taste, mix ingredients well together, and add six eggs well beaten, and three- quarters of a pint of milk, divide in two and boil eight hours. 8781c TOBACCONISTS.—Fllvstratod Guide, registered flM puts). "ELowtoopmrompookably f»— jCt £11.(- three staaus,—107.108. aai 111, JSostea-read. Lomdon. M0M

Eglwysilan School Board. The usual monthly meeting of the Eglwvs.ilaT. S School B '^rd was held at ine Castle Inn. 'luff's I Well, on Monday, when the following tneml>er- were present, viz.:—Messrs. Henry Anthnnv (chairman), John Morgan, Eli Jenkins. Davn William?, D. Morris, Moses Cuie. and the itev, T. W Jones.—The minutes of the last meeting i;avm» been read and signed by the Chairman, Mr. John Morgan moved, That, owing to the pivsent de- pressed state ot trade, the salaries ot the various officials of the board be redticeci," and he propovd that the salaries of the masters be fixed at £110 per annum with house and cdui. and tiiose ot mi stresses £ 7C perannumonW.— Mr.David Williams seconded this resolution.—Mr. Morris p'oduced a list of salarie- paid to teachers by other School Boards in the immediate neighbourhood, when Mr. Williams asked Mr. Morris what the Scii"(.| B'ard rates were in the parishes he had just quou<d.— The Chairman here interposed and said tnat the rates had nothing to do with it. which Jed to a rather warm discussion bi,: ween the chairman. Mr. Morris, and Mr Williams. -1'11" RfV. T. W.Jones thought there was too a difference between the masters' salary of £110 and tiie mistresses ot £ 70—Mr. Morris proposed as an amendment to Mr Moreatrs resolution that tiie salaries remain as thev are at present.— Mr. Cuie secono»d uie ntnenu- ment, which was pot to the tlJtt"¡¡¡g and carried bv one vote, those voting for the amendn ent being the chairman, Messrs. Cuie, Morris, Hnd Jones, and against Messrs. Morgan, Jenkins, and W;l,il1rr' Mr. proposed that thp tiiree pi-t-ent atten- dance officers be dismissed, and that one should be appointed to devote three days a week to Ili- duties.—This was seconded b\ Mr. John Morgan, and after a lengthy discussion, 11.1' Cole proposed an atnendtu ut, viz., That the- three present officers be retained."—This was seconded by ^iv. Morris and carried.—There was nothing luruier of puolic interest.

Alarming Tire at Pontlottyn. At ibout 130 on the morning of Sunday Poiice- Constable Deane, who was on dr'j* at Ponilottvn. discovered flames issuing through t he ianiight of the side door to the shop of Mr. D.ivid Proiitero, iron- monger. He imi»diately ruised an -iar-m. and after come difticuiir in arousing the intimtce pne making an entry, the shop was found to be on fire. Steps were imnifdiatelv taken to extincvusi: Ihp flames, but damage to the extent or neari* £ 20f had bten done befdre they were ^itbaued Great praise is due to PoJi(,I'-(:r,n"s' >I hie Dean. for mere it no doubt Ilia" but for his prompt ac-ion.the -w.:ol< block of buildings would have (ie«tioy.>c and, probably, s./aie dves lost. Pc'ic—Sergear.t Rutfei und several othfr- rendered V'lui>ble asststHnce in putting out the fire. Tne amount of d; mnge don" is covered by insurance, Tt is wor'hy of note that within the last thirty years no f.re of any magnitude has occurred 'n the niace

Destructive Fire at Port Talbot. A very destructive fire broke out parly on Sator- dav morning last on the pretr.is* kno i as the Duffryn Farm, Port Talbot, t" longing to 1t"O it, the occupation of Mr. John Joseph. T ie whole premises were completely reduceo ana pu'ft-d. only the bare walls remaining. Three laryt hu!- locks peiisned in the fi uues and ;nn.uier one WHS very severely burnt. It is stated i-hai the fire originated through a farm servant named Vlelm-el Burke, who returned home verv late u'»e previous night under the inSuence of drink. and, after lighting his pipe in one of the <ijv,;)ouse< attached to the main building, dropped he mat-cn or. a portion ot the thatch. Burite. who was sii-epmg in th* outhouse was so severely burnt that be died during the afternoon.

Wholesale Robberies at Merthyr. At Mertbyr Police-court on Saturday Samue Coker, who attends to the pumping engine at one of the Plymouth collieries, was brought up (before the stipendiary and Mr. E. E. Evans) cnaiged with stealing a quantity of brass and other ar'deles, valued at JE19 10s., the property or the mortgagee of the Plvmouth Worts The evidence disclose a systematic course of robbery, the prisoner having fixed up a small engine a.nd lathe at the back of his house, with which he converted some of the stolen materials into articles of domestic use.— He was sentenced to hard labour for the lull term of six months.

Jack Ashore at Newport. At Newport Police-court (before the Mayor an. Messrs T. P. Wansbrough, J. W. Jones, and T. A. Ballard) PETEJ Jeffet.-oo, a foreign sailor, was charged with being drunk and assaulting Pohce- Ccnstabie Culborne, aiso wit:: OA magi EG TIIE shop window of Charles William Toye. pork butcher, Alexandra-road, Pill. It appeared that on Friday last, soon after prisoner was paid off frnm his ship. he bectime stupiilv drunk. At 6.30 p.m. lit WENT to the shop of Mr. Toye, "cd leaning over the counter, began to spit about it and knock the scales out of position. At length Mr. Toye thought it was time tor him to go, and he was ordered outside. The door was eiosed on him, but he aDpeared to have become incensed at this, for, after trying to re-gain a.n entrance, he deliberately smashed in the plate-giass window, measurinu 9M. by 3fr. ana well nigh went into tne from of the shop through the aperture he had made. Policn-CoDst¡¡h]e Frv. who met him leaving the scene. took Jefferson back, and after a little further wrangle EASIIYED to take him into custody. But prisoner became verv disorderly, and Police-Constable C-olbornc went to Fry's assis- tance. The sailor, howevi-I, strenuously resisted the application of the handcuffs, and struck and kicked Colborne. who, to use the püilce'll:1.r;1'> own expression, had to jump from the counter to the floor and back 'n t toinute IO evude the blows. The man was ultimately secured, and now appeared in the dock with a bad black eye. He sard ne knew nothing about the matter, as he was so far gone in drink.—Mr. Toye said the dsmnge to his window amounted to L2 5s., and to his stock about 17s.— The Bench fined prisoner 21s. for assaulting the policeman, anti ordered hiiu to pay X4. including costs, for the other offence.—The Clei k said the man had only been on shore four hours when he got into aU this trouble.—MR. Ballard said the police ought to try to find where saiior.* got so much drink, and have such places stopped.

-p^OURrEEN YEARS OF A't'JSY ENDED. Jp^OURTEEN YEARS OF AGOXY ENDED. JplOURTEEN TEARS OF AGONY ENDED, I have been afflicted for about fourteen years with an obstinate skin disease called by some doc- tors Eczema, aud other? l-ser;a*is. My bodj and bJont!s were covered with itcuin^ 8 <a 1)8, aud during this time I have constantly used gioves. From South Aiucnoa, where I wu for mauy year* established, I have travelled through Sp^-in. Portugal, 400 Fr»noe. wberr 1 Uuvt >r.- suited several physicians of seknowleage(i celebrity, tried hundreds of remedies, noi oue having the least effect. My trien(if here aud elsewhere that I hava been a great sutierer, and that my coucli iou at tinges has beel: such as to make we despair of ever beiuk able to find a cure, or even a relief, tc- my sickness JAW\1 suiauier 1 again went to Paris, directlj to tl) eSt Hospital, but instead ot finding any cure t w.s at death B aoor. Casaaliy reading one day the St^nilaru. in whi-o I saw your valuable treatise on Disease* of tht Skin auu Ht >v to (Jure Tbew publicly advertised, and being ready to catch at, every reed of hope, 1 was induced tc address ttyseif to/our Mtfente iu London, Messrs. F S(w»tnr and SONS, begging of them a ""I1II,11:el ".11IC\" I received by return of lfOSt.. On IllY return hotue I v ent toO London, and once there I cone uded trying CCTICCKA REME- DIES, buying for tbe first time three pounds K-ortfc. 1 resolutely persevered to Uie llIoEt dron ot youi exuelleot medicine, and followed your cHrecuont strictly to the letter, using OUTICURA the great Skin Ouie. and C'BTICLRA SOA.P, an exquisite Sku. Berntiliei, exter- nally, and CCTICURARESOI.T ENT the newUloo Purifier, Internally. 1 consider injwl; at present en• ire!j cured, my skin being smooth. Wj friends think on cure /nira- culous. 1 think I have paid (01 medicinefe ancJ medical treatments, uuriug the last fourteen years, more than one thousand pounds, without receiving any permanent relief, but now I can say very earuedti) u'lt*'■ your CUTICUKA REMEDIED hav« «v«l my life- Sim* my recovery I have bought the CUTICCttA RF.MKI»IES for some friends guttering with skin diseases, HIIQ in every instance they have cured themselves, the aimmu. of CUTICUKA REMKDIKS bough- during two month* being thus far twelve to fourteen pounds. Piease accept, gentlemen, the grateful thanks of oue who is proud to confess he owes to you bis restoration toO health, whicl. Beemed at ODe dark and distressful moment tc have bed tor cvcr. Yours most faithfully, ELIA.S M. 1^11 A LI., Gibraltar, <!t>ti> Nov., 1885. We hereby certify that we are ACQUAINTED TTJTFC th storowd Elias M. Israel, and know bis conalUou TE HAVE been as STATED above. We belien hit statement" be true In every part oular. (Signed! R. and J. ABRINES. Merchants, G:ora'tar JOHN GARESK. Agent Royal, L. and F. Ins. (\, Gibraltar- I/)UIS P. IMOSSI. Merchant. Gibraltar. THOS. COLLIES. Merchant, Gibraltar. M.J. COLL. Merchant, Gibraltar A. M. GALLIANO, Merehaut, Gibraltar. CtmctrRA REMEDIES are sold by all Cheml»ts Prfse: CTTTICURA, 2S. 3d.; CrmctKA Kaaoi.vexr is. ba.; CCTTCtTRA SOAP, IS or a set of the three rre- parations post free tor IS. 9d.. of FB-ASCTS KK.W• BtRY asd Sous, 1. King Edward-street, Newgate-streJ» London, E.C. Prepared by the PomSK Ur.uo a CrciUCAX Co., Boston, Massachusetts U.S.A. Set. stamps to Messrs. N'ewbery for" lio" to (Jure Sirit; Diseases"—61 pages, 300 diseases, 6tI illustrations, and 10i testimonials. L517S-1 DANIEL UWEN AND CO/S A b C RAILWAY TIM! TABLES, the en:v ens pol> lished in Wales, price lei. i*. per annum free fey pettt at. Marv-llneto. UardiC"

NEATH. THE GWYN-HALL.—An adjourned meeting of the Town Council was held on Monday, the Mayor presiding, A letter from Mr. Norton, the architect, was read etating that be would not be able to attend the inquiry in January, but would be able to come down in February if arrangements could be made accordingly, it was resolved to commu- nicate with the inspector appointed by the Local Government Board, in order, if possible, to induce him to delay his visit until February, so as to enable Mr. Norton to attend.