Weekly Mail

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. Major L. H. Isaacs, selected as the Conservative Candidate for Frpqae, has announced his intention Of not standing. The body of Miss Matilda Ready, a lady of inde- pendent means, has been found on the beach near Swalecliffa- Suicide is suspected. The return of the Registrar of Statistics for 1882 shows that there has been in the year an increase in the swings deposited in joint-stock banks in Ireland of .£2,585,000. Mr. Wilson, M P for Hull, in answer to a depu- tation which has waited upon him, has promised io introduce the Yorkshire Sunday Closing Bill jf possible, next session. Salmon fishing commenced on Friday in England and Wales. The floods which are now in the Severn and Dee will prevent any successful petting for a few days to) come. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales wil hoto a Jevée at St. James's Palace on Monday, the -.9th inst., and another on his return from Berlin, )f which the date will be announced later. A very interesting exhibition of bookbindings from the earliest period to the present time is being prepared by the keeper of the department of printed books, British Museum. The cases will be placed in the King's Library. Dr. Edward J. Edwardes, writing to the British Medical Journal with regard to the" fund proposed jo be raised for the benefit of Mrs. Whitfield id ward es and her children," says that foivu- lately they are amply provided for." A Twickenham correspondent says that it is re- ported there that York House, onoe the residence of the Cointe tie Paris, is about to be occupied by a distinguished family. The report is believed to refer to a branch of the Orleans family. An addition to the National Portrait Gallery has been made by the removal from the Rolls Court OC the portrait of the Right Hon. Sir William Grant, Master of the Rolls from May, 1801, to January, 1818, painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence. Some mn near Londonderry were singing a song last night which gave offence to a person named Agllw. Ruslling out, lw, with Rome weapon hs had, hewed the hand and part of Lhe irm off one of them. Agnew was arrested. On Monday in the Southern Police Court, Dublin, John Lodge, aged 26. bank clerk, was charged wirh the Monster Bank. Some evidence having been given, the was remanded for one week, without bail. The j)aily Telegraph is authorised to state that ..here is no truth in the published reports that the Bett-Lawps libel case has terminated. The de- fendant, it is added, intends in duo course to move that the rule nÙi for a new trial be made absolute. The Hon. W. O. Stanley, of Penrhos, Holyhead, has presented £1.000 to t:w Stanley Sailors' Hos- pital, Holyhead. This is in addition to the sum of ;3,500 previously given by the lion, gentleman to chat institution for the purpose of an endowment fùild. The steamer Meranon, at Liverpool, reports having signalled the missing steamer Quebec, from Porthmd for Liverpool, on the 30th of January, about 500 miles west of the Fastnet, going ahead slow under steam and sail, with temporary rudder, and wishing to be reported. At a meeting on Friday evening of the Newtown (Montgomeryshire) Local Board a stateme.it which las been published to the effect that the Welsh flannel trade wa in It mngt deplorable state,being .n a worse condition than at any time during the present generation, was strenuously denied. The captain, lieutenant, and five other officers of ,he Salvation Army were charged at Hereford on Monday for brawling in the street to the annoy- ance of the public. The two former were fined 25s. and costs, or 21 days' imprisonment, and the others j61 and costs, or fourteen days. At Bishop Auckland Police Court on Monday Joseph Stokes, a youth, was fined £2 and sentenced to twelve lashes, for placing four chairs on the railway near Towhard, where there is a steep gradient and sharp curve. The obstruction was discovered within four minutes of the passing of a passenger train. A coroner's jury at Bristol on Monday returned a verdict of wilful murder against Elizabeth Annie Heal and Elizabeth Heal, her mother, in connection with the discovery of the body of a child with its throat cut. One of the accused was seen to drop a parcel into a pond at Redland Green, and it was afterwards found to contain the child's body. Mr. Fawcett, in a letter to the secletaryof the London and Counties Lib. ral Union acknowledg- ing a resolution congratulating him on his re- covery, says :—" I am glad to be able to tell you I am getting on most satisfactorily, and I quite hope to be able to go back to work soon after the opeu- ing of Parliament." A soldier named Hotchkin, at Sowerby, Leicos- ershiro, asked a young woman named Freeman, whom he kept company, to go out. She re- used, and he hot her with "a revolver, the bullet edging in her ribs. He subsequently attempted 10 stab a man who tried to protect her. Hotchkin s in custody. On Saturday the coroner for East Middlesex re- amed the adjourned inquiry as to the death of the unknown, whose body was found in a box at the depot of Messrs. Carter, Paterson, and Co. on January 18. The Coroner said that ^rof ssor Tidy had not yet completed the analysis, and the in- • tjoeat was adjourned until February 13. The "Central News" is officially informed that jhe Address in answer to the Speech from the fhrone, on the meeting of Parliament, will be Moved by the Earl of Durham, and seconded by Lord Reay, in the House of Lords; and it will be moved by Mr. Charles T. Dyke A eland, M.P., and Seconded by Mr. Thomas R. Buchanan, M P., in the rfoiw of Commons. Lord Salisbury has issued the following letter to his supporters:—" St. Raphael, Feu. 1.—My tiord,—Parliament is summoned to meet on the 5th inst, and it is stated on behalf of her Majesty's Government that important business will be pro- ceeded with. 1 trust, therefore, that it will be con- jistent with your lordship's convenience to be present in your place at that time." The factory operatives who have been on strike n Forfar are now yielding. With the exception of /wo, the Manor Works, Messrs. J. and A. Creike and Co. and Messrs. Wm. Laird and Co., Canmore, all ..he factories are in full operation, the workers lisving resumed on the masters' terms. The llapse of the strike is attributed to the refusal of Messrs. W. and J. Don and Co.'s operatives to join the movement. At the London Bankruptcy Court on Saturday an application was made to appoint a receiver of the estate, and to restrain creditors, under the petition for liquidation presented by Montagu Joseph Feilden. The debtor was formally M.P. for Blackburn. The debts are stated at assets are unestimated at present. His Honour granted the application. The President of the United States has awarded a gold watch to Captain W. Waring, of the steamer Gordon Castle, of Glasgow, as a recognition of his services to the shipwrecked crew of the American ship Humboldt, whom he took off Lincoln Island, where their vessel was wrecked, on the 22nd of October, 1881. and conveyed to Hong Kong. A labourer named Androwa was committed for I trial at Cambridge on Saturday morning on a charge of setting fire to stacks at. Slapleford, doing damage to the amount of £260. He had been twice previously convicted of arson, and in 1874 was ntenced to ten servitude for that offence. Thrae weeks ago he left Chatham on ticket-of-leave. Lord, Claud Hamilton, presiding at a meeting yesterday afternoon, at the Standard Theatre, Shoreditch. London, for the purpose of promoting the early closing of shops, poinred out that many assistant* worked from 75 to 90 hours a week. and thereby exceeded the working time of artizans by about fouiteen weeks per year. He urged agitation in favour of legislation. Lord John Manners, M.P., attended the annual meeting of the Leicestershire Chamber of Agricul- ure on Saturday, and, discussing the question of tenant rigtit. said although agriculture was in a bad condition he did not think sweeping changes in five law would effect any magical results in re- lieving farmers' distress or enable them to meet foreign competition. He believed much more in local customs having the effect of law where they were known to be good. A dealer in old metals named Myers was engaged in the Bazaar Market, Cork, on Saturday, freeing from verdigris by means of a tile what he believed to be the pivot of a "tthe. During the operation it. exploded. Upon examination, what was regarded as a pivot proved to be an old mitrailleuse car- tridge. Myers escaped with his life owing to its being hoid firmly in a vice a portion of the cartridge, however, inflicted serious lacerated wounds in his left arm. Sir Charles Di1!ce. on Wednesday, accompanied ùy Mr. Owen, secretary to the Local Govern- ment Hoard, and Dr. Brydges. one of the medical inspectors. paid a vMit to the Infirmary of St. Giles, Cauiberwell, and afterwards to the Newington Infirmary. The visit was informal and unexpected, and was made with the object of gaining informa- tion concerning the management- of Poor-law vstabhshments. At Camberwell Sir Charles Dilke was conducted round the wards, and manifested considerable interest in the sick poor. The Ripon magistrates,onWednesday,committed for trial Wm. Moore on a charge of obtaining goods by false pretences. The prisoner had obtained pos- session of an estate in the neighbourhood, partly erected a mansion, and defrauded Ripon trades- men to a large extent. He absconded in December, and between then and the time he was arrested in Lowestoft is stated to have committed frauds in London. The prisoner was formerly a printer at Beccles, and partner with Messrs. Clowes, of Lon- lon. He had been previously convicted of frauds at Hull, Liverpool, and other places. A billiard match for £1,000 was commenced in London on Tuesday between Cook and Mitchell, 3,000 points up, level. The game stood—Cook 770: Mitchell 508, when Mitchell ran up to 767. C'jok then had nothing to play for, and Mitchell went in one unfinished break to 1,500, when play was suspended. On Wednesday night the match was ooncluded. Mitchell continued his spot play, but only added two more red hazards to his tal, when he broke down at 1,508. Cook was not in luck and when the interval came the scores were— Mitchell, 2,252; Cook,1,28¡). After the resumption Mitchell moved to 2,267, and finally, with the cores at-Mitchell 2,513, Cook 1,361, Mitchell, with grand break of 487, wou by 1,639. A Liberal demonstration in connection with lortb Lancashire was held at Lancaster on Satur- day. Lord Edward Cavendish, who presided, spoke of the necessity of remedial measures for Ireland, considering, in the accession of Lord Derby to the Cabinet, the Government had received sup- port which would be of material assistance to them. Probably before another general election took place they would have a large extension of the county franchise, and whether the result proved favourable to the Liberals or otherwise it was their duty to support it. Mr. Hibbert, M.P., also spoke, and defended the Government from the charge of extravagance, pointing out that this year alone they had iiad to pay £ 3,800,000 for war incurred bv their predecessors. A fire occurred late on Tuesday at Carters, clothier I •Viufh Shields, doing damage to the amount or ■■2 000. Dr. John Ross, senior English master of the Edinburgh High School, died in that city on Sunday, aged 50. The subscriptions at Philadelphia to the fund for the relief of sufferers bv the floods in Germany amount to §20,090. In the Roman Catholic churches of Edinburgh on Sunday a pastoral was read strongly condem- natory of secret societies. An interesting cricket. match is down to be played at Lords on May 14 between the Hon. Ivo Biigh's Eleven and England. A Madrid telegram in the second edition of the Times says:—The report of Signor Tambersik's death is untrue. He is perfectly well. It is stated that Lord Durham will move, and Lord Reay second, the Address in the House of Lords in answer to the Speech from the Throne. The North-Western Railway Company's dividend for the half-year has been announced at the rate of 8 per cent., which is the same as for the corre- sponding peiiod of 1881. Mr. Edward Cecil Guinness, brother of Lord Ardiluun, has been selected as the Conservative candidate for the representation of the county of Dublin. The Queen and Princess Beatrice will arrive fit Windsor on Tuesday next. The Prince and Princess of Waldeck and the Duke and Duchess of Albany are expected at Windsor on Saturday. A stormy meeting of property owners and ratepayers was held on Tuesday at Dover, when resolutions were carried authorising the town council to oppose the Channel Tunnel Bill. A telegram from Aberdeen says that the land agitation in the outer Hebrides has ended, owing to the timelv concession of the landlords. The grazing seized by the crofters has been given up The health of the Duchess of Connaught has so much improved during the week that her Royal Highness took her first carriage drive en Saturday in the Home Park. The infant Prince is well. The appointments of Mr. Alfred Peach Hensinan to be Attorney General of the Colony of Western Australia, and the Rev. Ernest Graham Ingham, M.A., to be Bishop of Sierra Leone are gazetted. The magisterial investigation into the charge against the R;,lv. J. H. Timmins, vicar of West Mailing, relative to the death from poison of a girl named Wright, has been adjourned until Monday, the 12th inst. The Wreck Commissioner at Glasgow on Monday gave judgment in the inquiry into the loss of the emigrant ship Wild Deer off the Irish Coast in January. He suspended the captain's certificate for three months. At an early hour on Sunday morning a labourer named Peter Dunnigar was taken into custody by the Newcastle poiiec on the charge of having mur- dered his wife, Agnes Dunnigan, by cutting her throat with a razor. 11 At lluggloscote, near Leicester, an engine-driver, named Campton, was looking after a brickmaking machine, when he was caught in the cog-wheels, and so terribly crushed before the engine could be stopped that death supervened. The Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by the Grand Duke Vladimir, went out on a shooting ex- pedition on Friday. Thre wolves were kille(l, but owing to the Duke of Edinburgh being in a bad P., position he was unable to get a shot. The Chinese A mericiii, a weekly newspaper pub- lished in Chinese characters, and conducted by Chinamen, began its career at New York on Satur- day, being photo-lithographed. Eight thousand copies were circulated among the Chinese popula- tion. At a meeting of the Swinford Board of Guardians on Tuesday it was announced that the Duchess of Marlborough had decided to devote the balance of £ 3,000 from the relief fund started by her grace in 1871 to the purpose of assisting poor people to ornigrate. The trial of Dr. Noakes, of Halton. and M, Hudson, of Leeds, who were charged with the murder of Miss Margaret Scott, of Wakefield, by attempting to procure abortion, was concluded at the Leeds Assizes on Tuesday. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty. The Executive of the Yorkshire Miners' Associa- tion has issued a notice to the members that all lodges and eolliet's in the West Riding shall sJek interviews with the coalowners reLPectine the restriction of output, and shall submit reports to the adjourned conference at Barnsley. During the prevalence of a south-easterly gale off the Tyne on Tuesday night the brig Cactus, of Whitby. from Blyth for Gravesend with coals, in putting back for shelter ran ashore on the Black Middens, Tynemonth. The crew were rescued by the lifeboat and landed at South Shields. At the Liverpool Assizes, on Tuesday, a man named O'Malley was sentenced to 20 years' penal servitude for shooting at a woman name 1 Arden and her brother, at Gorton, because the female gave evidence against him at the police-court. He tired five times, and three of the shots took effect. The coroner's jury, inquiring into the circum- stances connected with the deaths of Charles Morgan, Henry Price, and James Firmstone, three miners, at Willingsworth Colliery, Walsall, through the breaking of a pit rope, returned a verdict of Manslaughter" against the engineer, Benjamin Skidmore, for negligence. At the Leicester Court of Bankruptcy, on Wednes- day, Mr. Thos. Baxter, the solicitor, of Lutterwortli, who mysteriously disappeared in London some days ago, and who was afterwards stated to have absconded with his brother, who had failed in the city, was adjudicated a bankrupt, on the applica- tion of Mr. Montagu. On Tuesday Mr. Justice Chitty committed to prison William Jones, the father of a lad rescued from the Beni Zoug Zoug Arab Troupe at Constan- tinople. The lad was placed in Dr. Bernardo's Home as a Chancery ward. The father had made many attempts to get possession of the boy. con- trary to the court's order, and was accordingly committed. The Exchequer receipts from the 1st of April to the 3rd of February are £ 70.160,879, against- £ 69,501,662 last, year:—Customs. £ 16s663.000, against £ 16,403.000 Excise, £ 22,923,000. against £ 23,084,000; Stamps. £ 9,916.000, against £ 9,697.000; Post-office, £ 8,144,000, against £ 5,972,000. Balance in the Bank of England on Saturday, £ 2.225,797 in the Bank of Ireland, 4831,801. The recent serious fires in London have called attention to the appliances available in case of all outbreak of fire, and with a view to testing a recent invention a public trial is, we observe, to tak-3 place on Wednesday next on the Thames Embankment, at which a fire-engine of a novel character will be subjected to severe tests to ascertain its powers of speedily bringing under fires of all kinds. At Shrewsbury Assizes, on Wednesday, Mr. Thos. Chambers Vaughan, a large landed proprietor of the county, was sentenced to twelve months' im- prisonment for perjury in a case heard at Wern.in which the vicar, the Rev. Mr. Benson, was charged with killing pheasants without a licence. A labourer named Woodward, who had been bribed to give false evidence, was sentenced to four months' imprisonment. At the Liverpool Assizes on Tuesday a Bolton cotton spinner was tried for wife murder. Owing to want of employment prisoner became dejected, and on the 24th of January had a slight quarrel with his wife, which was soon made up, but (lurin.- that night he suffocated tier by pressing on her windpipe, and next attempting suicide. The medical evidence supported the theory of insanity. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty, on the ground of insanity, and the prisoner was ordered I to be detained during her Majesty's pleasure. At Taunton on Monday Fredk. Ripley. labourer, was indicted for the murder of a woman named Russell, with whom ho cohabited. On Boxinl1 night the prisoner became infuriated because the woman was drinking with another man. He went to the Ship Inn and called her out, and in a few minutes afterwards she staggered back into the house with her throat cut, and died shortly afterwards. The prisoner was arrested the same evening, and said" Yes, I did it." The jury found the prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to death. Mr. Monk, President of the Associated Chambers nf Commerce, speaking at Gloucester Chamber of Commerce meeting oti Tuesday, referred to Mr. J. K. Cross's recent remarks in opposition to the ap- pointment of a Minister of Commerce and Agricul- ture as somewhat surprising, seeing that the Go- vernment of which he was now a member had in L881. without a division, adopted a motion in favour of such appointment. With regard to the Bankruptcy Bill, it was hopeless to expect the question to be fully dealt with next session. The Chambers of Commerce would only seek to amend the Government Bill. At the annual meeting of the Farmers' Alliance at the Bridge House Hotel, London, on Tuesday, under the presidency of Mr. Howard, M.P., a report was presented impressing upon the members the importance of putting forth all the energies of the Central Alliance during the present year in order to induce the Government to redeem some of the pledges which helped to bring it into power. A resolution was adopted thanking the Government for the announcement of its intention to deal with the question of compensation to agricultural tenants in the coming session, and urging the early introduction of the intended measures. At Chester Assizes on Tuesday four poachers, Wm. Aldersey, Emanuel Hunkey, John Johnson, and Thomas Sandbach, were convicted of shooting, with intent to murder, Sergeant Gosling at Middle- wich on November 25. The prisoners and another man were surprised when night poaching on the state of Colonel Frank Havhurst, Bostock Hall, by Sergeant Gosling and two other policemen and three gamekeepers. Johnson threatened to fire if Gosling advanced, but the shot took effect in the leg of another man named Niddrie. Johnson too struck the sergeant with his clubbed gun, breaking it over his head, and seriously injuring him. The other prisoners threw stones, injuring a constable named Hodgkinson. Arrests were afterwards made in Northwich. Johnson had been previously convicted twelve times, and was sentenced to five fears' penal servitude; Hunkey and Aldersey to aighteen months each, and Sandbach to six months. Mr. Asher, Solicitor-General, and M.P. for Elgin District of Burghs, addressed his constituents in he Corn Market-hall, Elgin, on Tuesday. In the course of a lengthy speech, he referred to the pre- sent condition of Ireland and measures which the jrovernment had adopted to remedy the grievanaes )f that country. In the passing of the Land Act ;hey had done work which all previous Govern- nents had failed to do. At the present time the londition of Ireland was apparently satisfactory. rhe Government had done its best to ameliorate he evils which had afflicted the Irish people, and )oth Liberal and Tory were of opinion that the Measures were so far successful. But the Govenv nent were determined to stand by law and order, ind vindicate, if necessary, the strong arm of the aw. With regard to Egypt, the hon. gentle- nan said the policy which the British Government lad pursued was eminently successful and satis- actory. He referred to the attacks of the Tory )arty, but he found that unless a party were united could not strike home.

IfiE MISSING CARDIFF VESSEL The Waterford Coal Company, the owners of the missing steamer Lord Cardigan, of Cardiff, have been unable to obtain any information regarding her, and all hope is now given up.

FATAL FALL OF A STRAW STACK. A singular accident occurred on Monday evening at Tynynucha Farm, Penylan, Denbighshire. Mr. Nathan Hutchinson, tenant of the farm, and his son, aged twelve, were cutting straw when the stack fell bodily upon them. The son was killed on the soot. Mr. Hutchinson was rescued in an insensible condition, but is expected to recover.

SHOCKING DISCOVERY IN A LIMEKILN. On draining a kiln at the works of the London Portland Cement Company at Northfleeton Monday morning some human remains were found, which are believed to be those of a laeI named Church, who has been missing for about a. week He is supposed to have gone to warm himself at the kiln, and, being overcome by the fumes arising there- from, to have falle-i in and been consumed.

A STEAMER ON FIRE OFF GRAVESEND. A telegram from Gravesend received at Lloyd's on Tuesday morning states that at ten p.m. on Monday night, the British India steamer Ethiopia was observed from the Custom House at Gravesend to be on fire. On visiting the vessel the fire was observed to be in the neighbourhood of the engine- room. Two tugs were engaged playing on the ship, and by 5.30 on Tuesday morning the fire was put out. T! ,0 damage is said to be considerable. The Erhiopia only arrived at Gravesend on Monday evening from Kurrachee.

ACCIDENT ON BOARD II.I.S. A GIN COURT. A Plymouth correspondent telegraphs that a signal was made from Devonport on Tuesday morning to the ships of the Channel Squadron to proceed to set. Whilst her Majesty's ship Agin- ':(!Urt was making preparations to carry out this instruction her foretopgnllant mast broke off short at the cap, and three men who were on it were thrown off. One alighted on I an iron stanchion on the forecastle, the stanchion passing through his body and killing him another fell across the forecastle bridge, and was killed; while the third was caught in the rigging, and escaped with a shaking.

SHOCKING MURDER OF A FARMER. Late on Friday night John Newton, a farmer, of Great Hole Fa1 m, near Boston, was murdered by an lrisliiiian, naiiied Irish Joe, who, for the last eight months, has been all inmate of Newton's house. Deceased was a fotal abstainer, and quarrels with the Irishman were frequent in consequence of the otter's drinking habits. On Friday night Joe went homo drunk, and one hour afterwards re- turned to the public-house. On Saturday morning a neighbour found Newton lying dead on the I kitchen floor, with his throat cut, and a gunshot wound in his left shoulder. The gun lay on the floor, and the, knife on the table. Irish Joe had left the neighbourhood, but was app-ehended in the evening. when he declared it was of no con- sequence, that the old man was as good dead as alive.

FATAL POACHING AFFRAY. A fatal poaching affray, it is conjectured, took place on Saturday night at Port Glasgow, two of the gemeb'epers of Mr. Richardson, of Ralston, having been found shot dead. Mrs. Lyfe, of Auchinleck, who was on hf r way from market, taking a short cut across the field stumbled over one of the dead keepers. She informed her hus- band on reaching home, and he at once sent for the police. The suspected murderers are a gang of poachers who were seen near the locality on Saturday evening. Sev.,ml have been arrested. The murdered men are Robert Fyle and Charles M'Caughey. A later telegram saysAbout nine well-known poachers are in custody, several of whom have been identified as those seen on the hill the night of the murder. Fyfe wns about 45, and leaves a widow and young family. M'Caughey was about eighteen.

THE OUTRAGE ON CARMARTHEN- SHIRE WATER BAILIFFS. THE ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. The alleged serious assault case at Llanfyrnach was heard at the Pontreselly Monthly Petty Ses- sions, held at the Nag's Head Im,, on Tuesday, before Messrs. T. H. Brenchley, H. W. Howell, arid U. Buwen. Two miners, named Evan Walters and John Owen, were charged with assaulting Charles Leg a.nd jaincs Evans, water bailiffs, in the employ of the Carmarthenshire Board of Conservators. Mr. W. Morgan Griffiths, solicitor, Carmarthen prostflruted on beli ilf of the board, and Mr. J. H Evans, solicitor, Newcastle Emlyn, defended. The case occupied upwards of three hours, and was watched with marked interest throughout. The prisoners were committed for trial at the assizes, bail being accepted, themselves in Y,100 ecil, and two sureties in C50 each.

THE WINWORD TRAGEDY. WEDLA.KE'S CONFESSION. At Long Asluon Petty Sessions on Tuesday, Joseph Wodlake was charged on remand with the wilful murder of Mark Cox, at Winford. on the 7th of January. Thomas Wedlake was charged with being an accessory before and after the fact, but upon the application of Superintendent Drewett he was discharged, and made a witness against his brother. He swore that he saw his brother follow- ing Thatcher on the Sunday night of the murder. He told him he was going to kill him. but witness tried to dissuade him. Next, morning the prisoner begged him to say ho had not seen him on Sunday. Superintendent Drewett read the prisoner's con- fession, which was as follows:—"I killed the man, sir. He was killed in mistake, sir. I killed him with a thing we got at home what uncle do kill the pigs with. I was jealous of that young man Thatcher. I had a drop of drink. I am sorry now ever since I done it. I have had no sleep since, and I should have been bound to split. I have had it on my mind ever since. I could not bear to go outside the door. John Wedlake knew nothing about it. I done it myself. I keep on dreaming about it. I fancy I see him all the time. It was Horler that I met and would not speak. It was pity Horler did not catch hold of me, I should not have touched him. I cannot think how Horler did not know me. This statement I make without any pressure or threat." Prisoner afterwards said. 1 struck him on the forehead, and before the blow had hardly reached him I knew it was Cox, but I could not keep it, back, it was too far gone." Prisoner was committed for trial.

SAD DEATH OF A BANK MANAGER. On Monday afternoon an inquest was held at N-wtown on the body of Allen Emerson Francis, 42, manager of the North and South Wales Bank, who had been found dying in his bed the previous Saturday morning. The deceased gentleman had been troubled with sleeplessness recently, and up to a, fortnight, ago he had been under medical care. The doctor had given him a dose of chloral from time to time. Deceased asked the doctor to give him a quantity of doses, and he asked how much chloral was used in a dose. The doctor told him, but cautioned him against obtaining the doses himself. Deceased went to a chemist, where he obtained six doses at a time, and he went to another where he bought, some of Bailey's sedative. On the Saturday morning he was found dying in bed. On a table near him were three bottles that appeared to have been recently opened, and it is presumed that he had taken two doses of chloral during the night, of 20 and 25 grains each, and 105 drops of the sedative, far exceeding the ordinary dose. Medical efforts to save him were of no avail, and he died from the effects of the narcotics. A rumour that had been circulated to the effect that the deceased had been dismissed from his employment was officially denied. The coroner, Dr. Hail, pointed out that if the deceased had wished to have taken his life he would have swaiiowed the whole of the contents of the bottles, which was not the case. A verdict of Death from misadventure, accelerated by narcotic medi- cine," was returned. Deceased leaves a widow and six young children.

THE RIIONDDA COFFEE TAVEUX KEEPERS AND THEUt ASSAILANTS. On Friday evening at the meeting of the Rhondda Coffee Tavern-keepers, held at the Star Coffee Tavern, Pentre, the whole of the trade in the upper portion of the valle v was represented, except Mr. Hughes and Mr. W." E. Jones, Treorky. Captain David Thomas, Treherbert, was in the chair, and all denied indignantly the truth of the allegations made against them that they permitted drunkenness and gambling in their respective establishments. They cited the testimony of the police, who frequently visited them, as to the un- founded character of the charges preferred against t.heiu.—Mr. Laughman, Star, Pentre, said that, although a totiti abstainer himself, he was bound to admit that since the Sunday Closing Act had cotne into force more mon under the influence of drink called for reiVeshments at his house on Sundays than pra- vious to the passing of the Act. He supposed that this was due to the fact that people travelled far enough from home to constitute themselves travel- lers within the meaning of the Act of Parliament to enable them to get drink. It was all very well for men with cozy, comfortable homes to preach against coffee taveins for the inasses. Those preachers were enabled to provide themselves and families with roomy habitations. But the working classes, owing tc the high rents, were compelled to take iu lodgers to enable them to pay those rents. On Sundays all the members were at home, and it was absolutely necessary for them to have more accommodation than their houses afforded. The only places now left open for them on Sundays the coffee tavera% yet aa QaQct was now -I- I- Iieing made to close them also. It was decided ) onsult a solicitor with a view to take action f. t lander against those who, it was alleged, ha Drought false charges against them before the [stipendiary on Monday last. A Coffee Tavern Defence Association was formed, and Mr. Laugh- man was appointed secretary. On Monday all the keepers of coffee taverns in the upper district of the Rhondda VaHey, two only excepted, were represented at the Ystrad Police Court intending to wait upon the stipendiary magistrate in reference to the allegations made against them as to the manner in which they con- ducted their trade. The stipendiary, however, did not put in an appearance that day, and the deputation retired in consequence, but stated that they would come again on Monday next, when it was hoped the stipendiary would be in his usual seat. It was rumoured that the two coffee tavern keepers who did not attend at' looked upon with some degree of displeasure by the rest of the trade for reasons other than absenting themselves from the meeting to protest against the sweeping charges made against the trade generally in the Rhondda Valley.

THE RECENT EXPLOSION AT COEDCAE COLLIERY. HEPORT OF THE WORKMEN. The house coal pit at Coedcae, in which the ex- plosion recently took place, has been examined by some of the workmen. A report, to which the sig- natures of Robert Williams, James Jones, and Wm. Williams (firemen) are attached, states that on the west side all the headings, working faces, airways, &c: had been found in good con- mion. The explorers found no cap of gas anywhere, and were perfectly satisfied with the general condition of the whole of the workings, which they believed to be quire safe. A similar report, signed by Robert Williams, miner James Jonss, miner; and Thomas Jenkins, fireman, has also been made with reference to the east side. Wo are pleased to be able to sta.te that the five men injured on the occasion of the explosion are progressing favourably.

-=-= BKEACH OF THE SUNDAY CLOSING ACT IN THE RHONDDA VALLEY. At the Ystrad Police Court on Monday, Idiiz; Thomas, Trealaw Inn, Trealaw, was charged with supplying drink on a Runday.-Police.Constable Row stated that at a little after three o'clock on Sunday afternoon he saw a man named William Jones carrying a jar containing beer from the direction of the Trealaw Inn, Trealaw.—The Wm. Jones referred to now stated that it was true enough the jar contained beer, but it was supplied to him on Saturday night.— Richard Pennington stated that still earlier in the day than when the officer met the lack v'tness he saw him within six yards of the Trealaw Inn with a tin jack in his pocket. In answer to the Bench, witness stated that the last witness was not a likely man to have left two gallons of beer under a cart from Saturday night until three o'clock on the fol- lowing afternoon. He iikfd it too well to do that. —Defendant, who denied the charge, was fined 40s. and costs. William Jones was fined 5s. and costs, and was severely reprimanded by Mr. Ebenezer Lewis for having endeavoured to screen the de- fendant in the other case.

THE MILFORD HAVEN ESTATE COMPANY. BENNET r: LAKH AND TAYLOR In the High Court of Justice (Chancery Division), on Friday, before Mr. Justice Chitty, this matter came Oil for hearing. It was a motion on behalf ot the plaintiff, in the first of four actions in which the Estate Company is concerned, and it was asked by Mr. Waller, Q.C., that the defendants —the Miltord HaVen Estate Company—in the third action, be ordered to pay the receiver, Mr. Harvey, who had been appointed, a balance of £ 5,000, owing in respect of rent. The learned counsel said that on the 13th of October last an order was made by the Vacation Judge in the four actions appoint- ing a receiver On the various matters involved. It seemed that Messrs. Lake and Taylor, by an agree- ment of the 17th of May, 1882, agreed to grant an under-lease of what was called the Milford Estate and the Milford Railway and Docks at a i-ent of S15,000 per year, for a term of 999 years, and upon certain special terms specifiidin the agreement. Under that agreement the com- pany entered into possession, and had been in re- ceipt of the rents of the estate down to the present time. There were two quru-ters in arrears amount- ing to 17,500-ti-.e defendant company had, in fact, paid the ground rent of £ 5,000. TIFtt, therefore, reduced the claim which they had against them to the E2,500, the subject of the present motion. There were two quarters owing, and there was, in fact, a third, which would be regulated by the order his lordship made upon that occasion.

OUTBREAK OF TYPHOID FEVER AT ABERKENFlG. AN EXTRAORDINARY REPORT. At the bi-monthly meeting of the Rural Sani- tary Authority of the Bridgend and Cowbridge Union, held on Saturday, the inspector of nuisances reported a serious outbreak of fever nt Aberkenfig. A large number of houses in Jenkins-row and on the Old Tiamroad, the locality where the fever existed, were unfit for habitation. Dr. Jenkins, the medical officer of health, also reported upon the outbreak, and condemned a number of houses as being unfit for human habitation. About 27 persons had been attacked, a few had died, and others were in a dying condition. He had several times called the attention of the authority to this part of his dis- I rift, and stated that if typhoid broke out no better nursery for it coil Id be found.—Mr. G. Birkbeck stated that water sufficient to fill an inch pipe percolated into the houses and ran out through the door.—The Inspector informed the authority that the houses belonged to Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Hurley.—He was ordered to take the necessary steps to got them closed, and to ascertain whether any premises could be obtained to be used as a hospital.

THE WELSH SUNDAY CLOSING ACT. DRUNKENNESS AT CARDIFF. Sneaking at a temperance meeting in the Church Schoolroom at Llandaff on Friday evening last, Mr. Lewis Williams retoned to the reported in- crease of Sunday drunkenness at Cardiff. Ho said that whenever a licensed victuallers' dinner was held this was the prominent topic, and he regretted that their excellent head-constable had put the facts in a way in which they were misleading. Numerous inquiries had been addressed to him on the subject, and as far as he had been able to ascertain there was less Sunday drinking than ever. while the cases of drunkenness that had occurred were very few. He thought there was no cause for undue alarm, especially when they remembered that prior to the Act coming into force the police were so anxious not to have any scenes in the street that they were careful not. to make apprehensions, whereas now the necessity of putting the Sunday Closing Act into force made it almost imperative that they should take into I custody every drunkard they might see, so as to ascertain where he obtained the drink. It was stated that a section of the licensed victuallers of Cardiff were so determined to throw discredit on the Act that they had gone out of their way to encourage drunkenness. Mr. Williams then referred to the multiplication of working men's clubs, and said he had laid the fact of the growth of this evil before a distinguished member of the House of Commons, who had promised to bring the matter I before the Home Secretary immediately on the meeting of Parliament.

THE ATTEMPTED CHARGE OF MURDER AT LAMPETER. At a special petty session, held at the Town-hall, on Friday (before Messrs. William Jones, Glan- dennis, William Jones, Llwynygroes. and Lieut.- Colonel Lowes), William Cotterell, of Derry Ormond Farm, surrendered to his bail, nliarged with having shot Thomas Jones, of Glandwr, Llangybi, with intent to murder him.—Mr. Millard (from the office of the Magistrates' Clerk) appeared for the accused.—The pt-osectitor,Titos. Jones, said: On the 24th ult. about nine o'clock in the evening I was at the house of one Anne Davies, of Crettagn, Derry Ormond, and was sitting with her in a bed- room upstairs when the accused came up into the room. We had no light in the room, but accused brought a light in his hand. He said, "I have caught you here now." Annie Davies told me to go out. I proceeded to go out, and as I did so I had a blow on my bead, but I cannot say with what. I became excited, and I thought I had been shot. I afterwards got out and went' home. I felt stunned after I had been struck. I did not see anything in the hands of the accused. In answer to the bench witness said: I did not see a pistol, but I was so stunned that I thought I heard it.—John Davies, the son of last witness, gave corroborative evidence.—John Griffiths, surgeon, Lampeter, said: Thomas Jones came to me on the 25th ult. I examined his head and found on the lott aide a round swelling covered with blood. I washed it and found two smail cuts; one was smaller than the other. I probed the wound and found the probe reached the bone. The wounds might have been caused by some blunt instrument — The Bench were of opiuion that the charge could not be sustained, and the accused was, therefore, discharged.

SUNDAY DRINKING AT CARDIFF. At Cardiff Police Court on Wednesday, Joseph and Honorah Myers, man and wife, were sum- moned for selling beer upon unlicensed premises on Sunday, tiie 23th ult. Mr. Price appeared for the defendants. Police-Constable James Skyrme stated that at half-past ten o'clock on Sunday morning, the 28th ult., he was on duty in plain clothes. He accompanied two men to No. 6, Ruperra-street. He saw Mrs. Myers in the back oarlour. She was asked if she had any beer in the house, and she replied, "Yes, but I will see if the coast is clear first." She went to the door and then returned. She then asked how much beer lie wanted, and he called for three pints. She went to a room under the stairs and drew three pints of beer from a nine-gallon cask. He tendered her a shilling in payment, and she returned three-pence change. At his request, she afterwards put a pint of beer in a bottle for him. He paid her three pence for this beer, and a penny for the bottle. The husband was sitting down in an adjoining room, the door of which was half open, and he could see and hear everything that iiuased. At twelve o'clock, in the company of I Inspector Harris, he visited the house, and found I .in men sitting down in the parlour. There wen I a quart jug and two pint jugs containing beer on I the table. M rs. Myers was present, and her husband was upstairs Cross-examined: He was dressed as a sailor. When he went to tli9 house he was the spokesman. The female defendant did not say she had no beer except for lodgers. He did not appeal to her for I;ol something to drink for the honour of God."— Geo. Preston, one of the men who accompanied the officer to the hou.e, and Inspector Harris also gave evidence for the prosecution.—For the de- fence Wm. Batty was called. He said he was a labourer, and lived in Little Frederick-street. He afterwards said he lodged with the defendants, and he was present on the 28th ult. when the three men came in. He told 1 he landlady to give them a drop of beer, and they took it in a bottle. —The Head-Constable said the male defendant was employed at the Gasworks. There was a good deal of this illicit beer selling going on on Sundays. The female defendant was dismissed, but her husband was ordered to pay Y,3 and costs, or i;o to gaol for one month.

JUVENILE DEPREDATORS AT CARDIFF. At the Cardiff Police Court, on Wednesday (before Mr. R. 0. J ones), Edwin M'Carthy, Richard Kingdom, Frank George, and Robert Napier, small boys, were charged on remand with breaking and entering the back premises of Mr. S. Farmer, tailor, Castle-road, Cardiff, and stealing a pair of knickerbockers and a dress body, on the 31st ult.- Mr. Belcher said he appeared to watch the case for an association recently formed in behalf of the pawn- brokers. He could not at present take any part in this case, as lie had no locus standi, but he desired to say he was ready to afford all the information he could to thepolice, and that was in accordance with the objects of the association.—Mr. R. O. Jones observed that he had recently spoken of the advisability of pawnbrokers who received property in pledge from children of tender years being prosecuted, and Mr. Heming- way, said that proceedings had already been taken against the pawnbroker in this case, and it would be heard on Friday.—The evidence already given was recapitulated, and M'Carthy, who ap- peared to have been most prominently connected with the robbery, was ordered to be sent to gaol for fourteen days with hard labour, and then to a reformatory for five years. The three other lads were each ordered to receive six strokes of a birch rod.

ACTION AGAINST A COLLIERY COMPANY AT ABERDARE. IMPORTANT DECISION. At the last Aberdara County Court (before his Honour IS. T. Williams, Q.C., judge), William Jones, cattle dealer, Treorky, Rhondda Valley, sued the Aberdare and Rhondda Coal Company for 113, loss sustained by him through his cow being killed oil the defendants' line of railway on Hirwaun Com- men. It appeared that the plaintiff was taking- cows from Hirwaun to the Rhondda Vallev. The defendants' railway crosses the turnpike road on Hirwaun Common, where he had to pass. The company had gates across the road, but no fence on either side of the line. On one side of the road there was land belonging to the Marquess of Bute, unfenced. The cow escaped from the person who was driving it, crossed over the unfenced 1. nd, got on the line, and Was killed. Hence the action. Mr Walter H. Morgan, solicitor, Pontypridd, ap- peared for the plaintiff, and Mr. T. Phillips, Aber- dare, for the defendants. There was no dispute as to the facts, but Mr. Phillips contended that as the cow had got on the railway from the Marquess of Bute's land the animal was trespassing at, the time, and the company were not liable to be called upon to make fences for the protection of trespassers.— Mr. Morgan contended that the cow was not a trespasser, for it had been held that cattle straying on unfenced land by the side of the road, and not being rhere an unreasonable time, were not tres- passing.—On Saturday his Honour gave a verdict t,&9 I I for £ 13, the amount of the plaintiff's loss, after deducting the value of the carcase, with costs, and costs of the witnesses and advocate's fee.

DEATH BY MISADVENTURE AT CARMARTHEN. ADMINISTERING "CORDIAL" TO INFANTS. On Friday night Dr. John Hughes, coroner for Carmarthen, held an inquest in the Council Cham- ber of that town touching the death of an infant named Emily Ann Evans, aged fourteen weeks, the daughter of Thomas Evans, tailor, of Mill street. The evidence was to the effect that the child had been subject to uneasiness ever since its birth, and to keep it quiet the mother, Elizabeth Evans, gave II it doses of cordial. No doctor was called in until the night before its death. On the Thursday night the child was nervous, and, having none of her usual cordial at hand, Mrs. Evans procured some- thing in a bottle from Jane Thomas, a neighbour. She gave the baby four drops of it about half-past ten, and in ten minutes it went to sleep..Shortly after its face became very pale, and its eyoi were turned upwards. Dr. P. W. Hughes was sent for, and on his arrival, at twelve o'clock, he found the baby in an unconscious state, and evidently suffering from some narcotic poison. He judged that opium had been administered. He gave the child some ipecacuanha wine, but it dicl not vomit, and left two doses to be given after he left, telling the mother to send for him again if the child did not get better. He did not see it alive again, death having taken place about six o'clock on Friday morning. Mr. J. P. Richards, druggist, Carmarthen, recognised the bottle from which the last dose of cordial was given before death. lie mado up the mixture. It contained half a drachm of laudanum, in one fluid ounce of treacle and water. Four drops, the amount stated by the mother to have been given to the child, was certainly a poisonous dose for a child of that. age. It was stated that Jane Thomas, the neighbour from whom Mrs. Evans obtained the cordial, had on the same evening given her own child fifteen drops of the same mixture. The Jury returned the verdict that the deceased child came to its death by misadventure. The Coroner told the mother that she should be more careful of what she gave her child. He gave the same advice to Jane Thomas, and told her it was a wonder he had not also to hold an inquest on her infant.

I EXTRAORDINARY CL AIMS BY A JEW AT CARDIFF. A FACETIOUS PLAINTIFF. At the Cardiff County Court on Tuesday (before his Honour Judge Selfe) Hyam Jacobs, a Jew, who has obtained some notoriety in the town of Cardiff, made a couple of claims of a somewhat extraordi- nary character. The first was against a Mrs. Cory, and was for 10s. nionev lent.—The plaintiff said he lent the money to the "defendant in September last to pay her rent; but the defendant, who said her name was now Mrs. liritt-iclier, stated that she never saw the plaintiff except once, which was more than twelve months ago; find she had never b >rrowed any money from him. She seemed indignant at. the proceedings which had been takt'n against, her, and said that the plaintiff was a wicked man, and that burning alive would be too good for him. The plaintiff was incoherent in his statements, and as he had no evidence to offer his Honour at once gave judgment for the defendant. The second claim was against an innkeeper named James Clevey, and was also for 10s. The plaintiff, in stating his case, said that in September last he went into the defendant's shop and had a glass of sherry. He had some German sausage with him, and being an Israelite he did not as a rule eat things of that kind, which Christians were in the habit of eating. But the defendant's daughter saw the sausage, and she asked what it was. He had two rolls, or eight pounds, which at Is. 4d. a pound and Is. 6d. for carriage made 12s. He had been to the Great Western Raihvay station with his sister- in-law to fetch the box containing the sausage; I and when he was in the defendant's house the defendant's daughter seemingly took a fancy to the sausage. She appeared to like the flavour, and she asked him for a piece, which he gave to her. He then asked to be allowed to leave the box there. He did leave the box, and when he called for it on the following morning the defendant laughed at him, and said he would kick him out. He told him to go to but no Jews went there now they all went to Hades. -His Honour: What are you suing for ?-For the sausage; it was too good a flavour for him, and he ate it.—The Defendant said the plaintiff called at his shop, and had two glasses of wine, for which he had no money to pay. He gave them a sausage and a piece of a sausage, which he (the defendant) placed in a drawer, and which was afterwards eaten bv rats. The plaintiff came about six weeks later for the sausage, but he did not tender any money for the wine.ri-ie plaintiff here interpolated: I wanted to pawn my face.—His Honour: That is a primitive system of barter, and was introduced by your ancestors, Mr. Jacobs. ,tiff I never had any ancestors.—His Honour then gave judgment for the defendant.

STRANGE ADVENTURE IN A BARBER'S SHOP AT CARDIFF. At the Cardiff Police Court, on Monday (before Mr. R. O. Jonesand Mr. G. Phil Peter Stephen- son, barber, Moira-terrace, was charged with steal- ing the sum of X8 10s. from tho person of John Harris, a labourer, on the 3vd inst.—Police-Ser- geant Damm stated that on Saturday night last at 11.30 o'clock he charged the prisoner at the Roath Police Station with the offence. The prisoner re- plied, Well, well the man came into my shop and took out his bag, and t he money fell on the floor. There was a scramble for it. What could I do?" Cross-examined by Mr. Price, who appeared for the prisoner Nothing else was said but this. He had knowa the prisoner for a number of years, but lie had known nothing against him.—Henry W. Huish, lad, said he worked for the prisoner, and at about eleven o'clock on Saturday morning he was in the shop. He saw the prosecutor come in. He was drunk, and was shaved, after which he sent for some beer and whisky. The prosecutor took out a money bag, and gave the witness half a sovereign to fetch the drink with. Witness fetched the beer as requested, and gave him the change. He saw the prosecutor drink the whisky, and some other men drank the beer. The prosecutor was so drunk that he fell down on the floor, and went to sleep. After that he woke up, and again sent the witness for whisky and beer, giving him a shilling to fetch it with. This liquor was taken into the house by witness, and the prosecutor and the men drank ft. Prosecutor again went to sleep on the floor, and one of the men searched him. This man was not in the court. Stephenson saw the man search him. The man took out of hi9 pocket the money bag which wit- took out of his pocket the money bag which wit- ness had previously seen the prosecutor with. He also took something out of the bag and then pu- he bag back into the prosecutor'3 pocket. Th prisoner saw all this done but did not try to stoj it. The prisoner sent for a cab, aId the prosecutor was put into it and driven away. Prisoner paid the cabman Is. 6d., but gave no directions as to where the cabman was to drive. Witness, at the request of the prisoner, shut up the shop at twelve o'clock. It was not usual to close the premises until eleven o'clock at night. The prisoner left the house, and witness, who was subsequently sent by Mrs. Stephenson to look for him, found him at the Adamsdown Hotel in the company of four or five men who were in the shop when the prosecutor was there. —Cross-examined Money was upset on the floor. Harris picked it up and put it back in the bag with the exception of the half sovereign, which he gave the witness to fetch beer with on the first. occasion. He afterwards took a shilling from his pocket for beer. Prisoner and another man carried the prosecutor to the cab. It was not unusual for the prisoner to shut up the shop to go out for refreshments. Mrs. Govier, landlady of the Splotlands Inn, said that at half-past twelve o'clock on Saturday she saw the prisoner at her bar, in the company of four or five men. They had beer and soda. and wero served several times. The prisoner paid for the drink, and gave her a sovereign to change, and she also changed another sovereign for one of them; she could not tell which, although the prisoner was the man who handed it, to her.—John Harris, the prosecutor, said he was a labourer, and resided at Howard-street, East Moors. When he left his house on Saturday he had £10 in his pocket. The money was wrapped up in paper. He only went out with the intention of having a shave, and of also getting a "drop." The money was what was left of the proceeds of a sale of his furniture. He first called at the Eagle fnn, New- town. He subsequently said he did not recollect going to any shop, but he got shaved." He only recollected that he woke up at home, and that the contents of the bag were gone, although the bag was left in his pocket. Cross-examined: He left home at a quarter past seven in the morning and went straight to the Eagle. At the request of the Head-Coustable the prisoner was remanded till Friday.

THE MYSTERIOUS DIS APPEAR ANC E OF A CARDIFF CAB PROPRIETOR. At the Cardiff County Court-, on Tuesday (befors his Honour, Judge Selfe), Mr. Scott made an appli- cation in the case of Thayer v. Thayer, which is a dispute between the widow and father of the cab proprietor named Thayer with regard to the ownership and disposal of his property. Mr. Scott applied for a continuance of the injuction made on the receiver (Mr. Maddox) to prevent the sale of the estate until the day on which his summons was returnable.—His Honour What is your summons ? —Mr. Scott: For the administration of the estate —His Honour: Upon what evi(ipnee ?-fr. Scott: The plaintiff, the father of the missing man, is next of kin, and as such is entitled to a share of the (>sta.te.-His i-lonour You are supposingihe gent le- man to be dead: but what Droof have vou of that? Tiiis case lias exercised me a good deal since I was here last. What do you say, Mr. Cousins?—Mr. H. Cousins (who appeared for the defendant, the widow): I take it the question of the death will have to be considered at the hearing of the suit. There has been a very mysterious disappearance, and we certainly do believe Mr. Thayer to be dead. All searches for the body have proved fruitless. —His Honour Then you are going on the assump- tion that he is dead.—Mr. Cousins: Yes, I ad- vised the widow to take out on administra- tion, but she would not take my advice. She preferred a sale,-His Honour: I cannot ad- minister the estate. I can continue the injunction until the return day; but when we get to the return day what. can I do ?—Mr. Scott: 1 think we shall be able to see our way out of the difficulty before then. The difficulty at present is a more or less sentimental one on the part of the widow, and tho only question between us is as to who shall sell the estate. I am going to apply to you to make an order on the receiver to sell the estate.— His Honour I cannot do that; I cannot direct the sale of the estate of a man who may still be alive. —Some further discussion ensued, in the course of which Mr.Scottstated that the estate was diminish- ing in value, inasmuch as the horses and cab were now lying idle, and the horses had to be fed. He asked his honour if he could appoint, in addition to the receiver, a manager of the estate.—His Honour made an order continuing the inju^-Hon, and directing that the receiver shall -,c I as manager of the business. A greatcoat has been found in the Taff River, near Upperboat, and within a short, distance of the spot where the badge and strap of Tiiaver, the missing cabman, were found a week ago. It. is believed that the coat belonged to the missing man. It was found by a man named David James, and others, embedded in the sand of the river. The following is a description of the coat:—Dark blue knap, double breasted, five bone buttons each side, three outside pockets (one being a breast pocket) with fl ins, one pocket inside, and a velvet collar. The coat is in pretty good condi- tion, but it has evidently been in the water for some time.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT CARDIFF. Shortly before half-past two o'clock on Sunday morning a fire was discovered to have broken out in the outfitting premises of Messrs. Lloyd Bros,, drapers and tailors, Ciifton-street, Cardiff, and the Roath police were communicated with. Tho rilei was taken to the spot by Inspector Cox and other officers, but the building was soon in a mass of flames. The heat was so intense that the firemen had great difficulty in bringing their hose to bear, and as it became evident vhat the shop could not be saved thoir efforts were, more particularly directed to the prevention of the spread of the fire, a messenger having been sent for the town fire engine in the meantime. The fire escape was placed against Miss Allwood's con- fectionery shop, which adjoins on the northern side, and water was thrown on to the roof of this establishment, aiong which the flames were now running. Police-Sergeant Damm had his hands severely blistered, and the heat also had tho effect of cracking plate glass windows io two shops on the opposite side of the street. At 3.10 o'clock a.m. the steam fire engine came up, with Mr. Hemingway in command,and water was vigorously thrown on to the burning premises, and at 5.40 a.m. the fire was practically extinguished. The shop where the fire originated comprised a ground floor with one storey above. fhe whole of the building, together with the stock, which is said to have been extensive, was destroyed, and the upper portion of Miss Allwood's premises was also destroyed, as well as some of the bedding which was in the bed- room. The roof of the third house, which is in- habited by a Mr. Hawkbridge, was also damaged. During the progress of the fire goods werd remove! from the two adjoining houses (Nos. 23 and 92), but were afterwards taken back. The origin of the occurrence is not known. It appears that the Me-srs. Lloyd Bros.'stock was insured in the Lanca- shire Fire Office, and that each of the three houses were insured in the Law Fire Office. But no in- surance existed in respect Of the stock at No. 23 Clifton-street, which has suffered to some extent from the action of fire and water.

COLLIERY DISPUTE AT NEATII. At the Guild-hall, Neath, on Tuesday (before Messrs. Rowland Thomas, mayor, J. H. Rowland, and D. Davies), a dispute between Mr. Charles Evan Thomas, the proprietor of the Gnoll Colliery, Neath, and several of his colliers came on for hear- ing. The matter gained some notoriety in the district on account of the apprehensions of the men that they were not working very far from old workings. Tliev wore, therefore, afraid that the water had accumulated and might at any moment break in upon them, and their lives would be imperilled. The men who were summoned were John Edwards, David Davies, John Howells, John Thomas, Thos. Lewis, and Thomas Evans, for whom Mr. Walter H. Morgan, Pontypridd, appeared. Mr. Isaac Evans, the miners' district agent, was also in court. The plaintiff was represented by Mr. H. P. Charles, who stated that the case against the defendants was that on the 31st of January last they went into the colliery and commenced working, but did, not continue there very long. They came out, allegi ng that they feared an accumulation of water and desired the manager, Mr. Wales, to bore for old workings.—Mr. Henry Thomas Wales was the first witness called. He said the defendants came up from the workings on Wednesday last, and stated they were afraid of water breaking in in the Hard Vein. The defen- dants were then working in the Green way Vein to the deep. The men in the Hard Vein were 120 yards from any old workings, and solid coal iriter- vfned. Assuming there had been water there, thirty yards of barrier would be a sufficient pro- tection. He offered to go through the plans with defendants' representatives, if they appointed two, but they did not accept that offer. The working was goin? on at the rate of half a yard per day in the Hard Vein, towards the old workings.—Cross- cxamintd by Mr Morgan The colliery was flooded many years ago, and remained so for some years after that. It is surrounded by pits on the rise side, and there are old workings on the side of the pit. We came in contact with tlipiii. There were men killed when the colliery flooded in the end of last century, and we have recently found some of the skeletons. There are no old workings to the deep in the Hard Vein. The defendants were working in the deep. I know there'is no water. The men wanted borings nitdo-thi-ee yards, F would not do so unless they would pay for ft, as I was satis- fied there was no danger. A collier, named Bates came to me and said there were signs of water in his stall, and the men would not go underground unless I bored. I offered to bore twenty yards, but at the expense of the men, if thev wished it. I heard of the Tynewydd disaMt but I do not know that the manager thought the water was 100 yards off and was mistaken, and tried for manslaughter. I did not consider it necessary to make borings when I was sure there was such a mass of solid coal in front. I have no plan of the old workings, but we have been to the lowest part, at which the coal has been worked, and to the rise of that all are old workings. I have de- ducted damages from the papers of the men, from the same numbers as defendants, but not from them—their partners, who work under the same numbers.—Mr. Ithel Treharne Rees, late Assistant Inspector of Mines for the South Wales district, stated This morning I examined the sp )t in the Hard Vein where the men left off working. There was no evidence at all, in my opinion, of an accumulation of water. I remember the cross measures drift being cut from the bottom of No. 2 Pit to what was considered the lowest level of the working io Greenway Seam. It was driven to drain those workings, and did so. By Mr. Morgan: The manager of the Tynewydd Pit had not discovered the danger before the col- liery was drained. [am certain the old people could not have worked the coal beyond the poiuts ndicated on the plan of the Gnoll workings. I Ie men had told me there wer", ¡,1igns of water hould have examined for myself. I use my OWL judgment as to boring. I should expect to find water in the Little Vein, but not an accumulation. By Mr. Charles: But that would not necessarily mean there was water in the Hard Vein. In the Tynewydd case there was a re- liance on a fault keeping back the water.— Robert Thomas, colliery overman nt the Gnoll Colliery, proved finding the cross measure of the old people who worked the Gnoll Colliery in 1790, and he had been to the part where thej worked out the coal. He knew the place where the men said there were signs of water. There was no trace whatever of any accumulation of water in the Hard Vein. Tnere was no danger whatever of any wato" breaking through.—This was the plaintiff's case.—The defendants' advocate then called Wm. Owens, who stated: I complained to the overman about a fortnight before the men came out.. I worked in the Hard Vein. The overman told me there could be no danger of water, and I went back to my work. The reason why I feared there was danger was that I heard an oozing sound and found water was coming into my stall. The oozing came between the two veins and the waterincreased. By Mr. Charles I don't know anything about the old workings. I found no water in my coal, but in the rubbish. At first I believed it was a blower. —William Bates, another coilior, deposed On Wednesday morning I noticed a spout of water, but cannot say where it c-t ne from. It came from under the bottom of the eoai. By Mr. Charles: The water was not coming in like a stream. It WiS coming in by a spout óf atiout ¡Ill inch. More than a quart or a gallon an hour. I cannot say if twenty g1]Jons an hour came in. By the Bench: There would be no fear if there was a barrier of ten yards.—Thomas Davies and Thomas Evans, two colliers, were also called, and completed defendants' case.—Mr. Morgan, for the defendants, then contended that the demand of the men that there sliould be borings was only fair and reasonable, as they were apprehensive of danger. When Mr. Wales refused to comply with their request they were perfectly justified in leaving off work unless and until their apprehensions were set at rest.—The Mayor read the decision of the court as followsThe Bench are of opinion that the colliers had no reasonable grounds for apprehending danger, and that. there- fore, there is no legal justification for ceasing work. We, therefore, find for the plaintiff in each case and, as the quantum of damage has not been disputed, it is adjudged that each defendant pay the damages claimed (10s.) and costs.

THE NEW ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. The arrangements for the ceremony in connec- tion with the enthronement of the Archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury are nearly complete. The Archbishop will arrive the day previous, and is expected to remain the guest of the Dean of Canterbury for several days. In addil ion to the re-opening of Thanington Church, when his grace will deliver a sermon, it is proposed to hold a levee, several bishops having signified their inten- tion of being present at the enthronisation, admis- sion to witness which, both as regards clergy and laity, will be by tick-it. The clergy of the diocese will wear their surplices and hoods.

THE LLYNVI AND OGMORE RAILWAY_COMPANY. IIALF-YEARLY REPORT. The report of the directors of the Llynvi and Ogmore Railway Company, which will be read at tiie forthcoming meeting of the company, an- nounces that, the directors propose that thefoilovv- ing dividends shall be declared for the past half- year, payable Oil the 22nd of February 5 per cent. per annum on the Preference Stock of 1855, 1862, and 1872, 4 per cent. per annum on the shares of 1874, 6 per cent. per annum on the Car- diff ordinary shares, and 5l per cent, per annum on the Llynvi and Ogmore ordinary stock. The traffic returns show continued improvement in the revenue. The gross receipts of the Llynvi and Ogmore Railway Company for the past half-year, compared with the receipts of the corresponding half-year of the two preceding years, are as fol- low:—Half-year ending December 9s. 7d.; half-year ending December 31, 1881, 12s. 4<1,; half-year ending December 31, 1880, £37,763 12s. 8d.

RHONDDA AND SWANSEA DAY RAILWAY. The report of the directors to the first ordinary general meeting, which will be held on Friday next, has just been issued. It is as follows:— -The directors have the pleasure to inform the shareholders that they have taken steps towards I carrying out the Act of Parliament, which received the Royal Assent on the 10th of August last, with- out. delay. In response to advertisements several tenders for the construction of the works were re- ceived from responsible contractors. The directors consider that the one accepted is satisfactory and favourable to the C')lllpany, The amount of the contract, which is well within the engineer's estimate and the capital of the company, is payable partly ill. cash and partly in shares. The contract makes ample provision for the expe- ditious execution of the works, and the directors contidentlyexpect they will be able to open a por- tion of the line in the course of next summer. The present directors, by the terms of the Act, hold office only until the first general meeting of share- holders, and, being duly qualified, offtu themselves for election. Two auditors have to be appointed by the shareholders. At the conclusion of the ordinary general meeting a Wharncliffe meeting will he held to consider, and, if thought desirable, to approve the Bill in Parliament promoted by the company t,) extend the railwav to tile new docks at Swan- sea recently opened, and to tha Briton Ferry Dock sidings direct; also to authorise an additional short junction line with the Great Western Railway.— JERS¡¡;Y, Chairman." The ratepayers and landowners of Neath at a meeting on Tuesday decided to give the Neath Town Council unlimited powers with regard to the opposition to this and the Great Western Railway Bills. Mr. Hopkin Jones moved the resolution, and Mr. Charles Evan Thomas, in supporting the same, remarked that it was necessary to give the committee of the Town Council full liberty to deal with the matter according to exigencies." He had the greatest confidence in the council and their solicitors doing all that was necessary to protect the trade and interests of the town, which by both Bills would be hampered and interfered with. Mr. mutton addressed the meeting with the object of showing that only one of tlw railways proposed by the Great Western Riilway to be constructed should be opposed, but the motion to oppose the whole of tho schemes met with the warmest sup- port of all present.

.MONMOUTH TOWN COUNOIL. THE HEALTH OF THE BOROUGH. A meeting of the council was hold in the Jury- room on Monday, when his worship the Mayor (Mr. G. P. Tippins) presided.—The t lerk stated that he had received no reply from the Haber- dashers' Company with respect to the Quay wall. —Mr. Rees drew the attention of the board to the subject relative to which General Somerset had laid complaints at the last Quarter Sessions, viz., the state of the roads in Cinderhill-stieet, and on to Troy. The borough was threatened with proceed- ings, as the county surveyor had not certified for them.— The Mayor said the borough surveyor would have the necessary material, and that he was urged to get the roads in such a state of repair as would cause the county surveyor to certify for them.—Dr. George Mayou, medical officer of health, reported that during the year ending December 31, 1882, there had been 130 deaths in the borough, of which seven occurred in the hospital, fourteen in the workhouse, and two in the almshouses, making a total of 23 in public institutions; one death occurred from typhoid fever, two from measles- and four from diarrhoea. This showed the death-rate for Lhe year to have been 2012 per 1000 of the entire population. This rate would be greatly decreased if the 21 deaths which had occurred in the hospital and workhouse, were deducted, as they fairly might be. Those persons had been im- ported from other districts. During the first quarter of the year the wet and cold weather had caused a marked increase in the mortality, no less than 42 deaths having ccurred during the three months, while, owing to the mild and not over hot summer, in the quarter en-ling September there had been but 23 deaths. Of children five years of age and under 37 had died, and 56 persons had died at 60 years and over. About 250 premises had been visifed and H2 notices served, but. only oiifc case had been taken before the magistrates, and that was dismissed on a promise of abatement of nuisance. The lodging-houses were clean, and not overcrowded; and the only fault they had to find in the bakehouses was that they were not, so often lime-washed as they should be, and he had given orders for this to be attended to. The slaughter-houses had been examined and found in good condition. The births had been for the year 175"

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS. The Mark Lane Express says:The past week has been afae simile of its predecessor in respect of weather, and serious floods are reported from all low-lyinw districts. Some of the wheat which has been in the ground for a long time is now making an appearance, whilst the thinness and weakness of the plant on much of the late sown acreage is becoming more pronounced. October wheats do not, improve in appearance, and some of them are decidedly going back. With regard to trade for breadstuff's, the scarcity of sound, dry samples of native wheat is hardening values, and in most of the provincial exchanges, particularly those of Saturday, Is. advance has been recorded. In London trade has been slow, but on Friday enhanced rates were demanded for a few choice lots on offer, and towards the close of the market there was more disposition on the part of millers to accede to sellers' terms. The value of flour has been firmly maintained, notwithstanding the small demand. Fine malting barleys generally Is. dearer, and grinding improved from 3d. to 6d. per quarter. Other grain of native growth unchanged in values, but heavy oats are in good request. Trade for foreign wheats off stands in London has been very laborious. Foreign flour slow, but values steady. The Farmer says:—Weather dry and spring- like. Market firm, at rising prices. English wheat Is. dearer occasionally. Foreign wheat in improved demand, and most, sorts fully In. advance over this day week's currencies. Good red wheat scarce and wanted bv millers. Flour, however, sells but slowly at old rates. Barley keeps last week's b. advance. Oats unchanged. Maize firm. Beans and peas also firm, and sometimes dearer. The market has exhibited healthy strength, but not briskness. f

f THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF WALES. MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE AT CARDIFF. A meeting of the National Eisteddfod Committee was held at the Town-hall, Cardiff on Wednesday evening, the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Stone) presiding, and there also being present Messrs. D. Richards, Vaughan, D. John, Morris, Peter Price, D. Young, Robt. Da vie-), Akers, J. W. Thomas, D. W. Thomas, Lascelles Oarr, J. H. Phillips, E. J. Fletcher, Hybart, J. W. Thomas, Thomas John, Plain, Captain Jones, Dr. Vachell, and the secretaiy, Mr. David Evans. The town was divided into districts, for the pur- pose of canvassing for subscriptions, and 30 gentlemen were named and collecting books sent to them, in order that they might, procure funds, The appended report of the Executive Committee was read and adopted, and this was all the busi- ness of public interest that was transacted — 'lhe Executive Committee of the National Eisteddfod present a resume of the work done to the present time, The. large committee appointed four months ago was diviued into sections, for the purpose of he more efficiently carrying out the multifarioui and dilh ult unties attendant upon a sllceesful National Eisteddfod. Grentieinen specially titted by education and experience were placed in charge 01 the Literary, Musical, and Arts Sub-Committees, and the result of their laborious effort, is shown iu the hand- some list of prizes now ready for the pr, as, exceeding in interest, extent, and utility anything before offerea in the history of the institution. The value of the prizes amounts to nearly kl,500, exclusive of the fees to adjudi- cators and other necessary expenses. The services of some of the ablest men in the kingdom have been secuied. There are about 30 gentlemen engaged to adjudicate in the literary department, in- cluding the most eminent of the Welsh bards and well-known literary men. A vast amount of labour has been expended over the musical prizes, the perusal oi which cannot fad to secure the approval of the severest eritic. Among the adjudicators is Professor lIlaeLrrefJ, of Cambridge, whose high position is uni- versally acknowledged, whilst the arts department—a new feature of the eisceddfod-^Wiil have the assistance of A1 r. Wiwtmere, the eminent art, critic, a member of the iiioyal 'Academy. In uiidiuiori to the foregoing com- mittees, those of works anii.finaiWe have been equally active and ^successful. Works Committee have suc- ceeded m securiftg the use of the lili-ge engine sheds of the Taff V"l ititiiway(j'ordpaziy at Cathiiys, capable of aoco 1 nmodaUi'ig 20,000 pe >ple;and the directors have, with a generosity hat docs them credit, not only lent them free of charge, but have also consented to allow the up trains to stop at the place, so as to enable visitors to go into the railway carriages, without del .y or incon- venience, after the meetings and concerts are over. Arrangements have been made for having a larke organ within- the building, which will be under the charge of Mr. Turpin. an organist of distinguished abil'ty and standing. The internal fittings and decor, 1- tioii3 will be attended with considerable expetise, and the labour and cost attending the conduct of a meeting of so varied and extensive a chaiacter, and attended ty so many thousands of persons, will necessarily entail heavy e._peIl8t>S, it is estimated that an outlay of between £ +,000 and £ 5,000 will have to be incurred. The Finance Uouimittee are making strenuous efforts to meet the ex- penses. A guarantee fund of £ 1.000 has been secured, and the subscription list has already amounted to £ 932 10s. When it is stated that there have been 50 meetings of the various committees held-some of them extending over several hours—the labours and services of those engaged in them may be estimated. All the mem- bers are animated with a desire to make the Eisteddfod of 1883 worthy of the traditions of the past and the hones of the future. And, whilst aiming at a high standard of excellence, they have not been unmindful of the claims of the gorsedd.and the privileges of the bards of the Isle of Britain. The com- mittee, therefore, earnestly appeal to all patriotic Welsh- men for help, and especially to the citizens of Cardiff for liberal donations to t he funds. The committer have acted in unison with the National Eisteddfod Associa- tion, and in the spirit of its founder, the late Sir Hugh Uwen. Jt is felt that an institution tuat has taken such root in the hearts of Welsh people might be used more eiiic.iciously than it has been in the past, for the eleva- tion of the national taste in several departments of literature, music, and the fine arts. Some of the leading noblemen and gentlemen connected with the Princi- pality have consented to preside over the meetings, among them the Marquess of Bute, Lord Aberdare, the Dean of Llandaff, Sir Edward J. Keed, M.P., and Arch- deacon Griffiths. Neither have the committee lost sight of the national character of the institution, for they t TJ "le Princifal landowners, the members |ai .alJ1ent, mayors of towns, judges, and eeclesins- i leal dignitaries, and other influential gentlemen con- nected or in;treated in the Principality, to become vice- presidents, and it is hoped that a large proportion of them will respond to the appeal—thus realising the unity oi the Cymi-y in this their national festival.

WELSH NOTES FROM THE METROPOLIS. At the Chester Conference a fortnight was allowed to the Various towns competing as sites for the North Wales College to prepare and send in their claims. This term expired on Tuesday last, when Mr. Marchant Williams had received the claims of the following towns, viz, :Bangor, Bala, Carnarvon, Denbigh, Hltyl, Ruthin, Welshpool, and Wrexham. These towns, eight in number, were known to be competitors at the time of holding the conference. They are named in the resolution appointing the Site Committee, and they will con- sequently have one representative apiece upon it. Claims have also been lodged by Llangollen and C n-wen,and a letter has been received stating that a site has been offered at Conway. As formed at the conference, the Site Committee will consist of 39 members, allotted among the six counties in the following manner, viz.:—Anglesey, 4 Carnarvon, 9 Merioneth, 6 Montgomery, 5 Denbigh, 10 and Flint, 5. The Anglesey people I complain that their county is inadequately repre- sented, but even if the complaint were well- founded they would only have themselves to blame, as they did not choose to send delegates to the con- ference. Only two Anglesey towns were repre- sented at all, and those were Menai Bridge and Llangefni. It is thought probable that the Site Committee will not decide the question of site, but that they will refer it. Should they adopt this course they would in all probability ask lhe arbitrators already named in connection with the South Wales College to undertake to settle the North Wales difficulty as well.

UlEATltE ROYAL, CARDIFF. The termination of one of the most successful pantomime seasons ever known in Cardiff was celebrated on Tuesday night in a very becoming manner by Mr. Fletcher, the lessee and manager of the local Temple of Thespis, who invited to an excellently well laid out 3upper, provided by Mr. Chalk, of the County Club, the whole of the artistes and employes of the theatre, a number of representatives of the press, and other gentlemen of the town. The guests, numbering between 50 and 60, were waited upon with nssiduous attention by the lady artistes of the pantomime, who showed themselves thoroughly capable of act ing a new part at short notice with the greatest possible grace andease. Subsequently these ladies were themselves regaled in the manager's room. For the male portion of the guests the tables were placed upon the stage, Mr. Fletcher presiding at one, and Mr. John Sheridan, the stage manager, at the other. The/>o;rf prandial proceed- ings included the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, among those of a special kind being The Press," proposed from the chair, drunk with musical honours, and responded to by Messrs. Lascelles Carr and James Harris, of the Western Mail; W. Williams, South Wales Daily News; and E. Prickett, Era, The health of The Chairman," felicitously proposed by Mr. Carr, enthusiastically received and appropriately responded to, was followed by that of The Visitors," given by the vice-chair- man and responded to by Mr. Allen; that of "The Employes," proposed by the chair- man and responded to by Messrs. Jones, Roberts, and Blackler and finally that of The Vice-Chairman," an admittedly jolly good fellow, by Mr. Williams, Mr. Sheridan, of course, responding in his happiest vein. "Our next merry meeting" having been toasted from the chair, Mr. Fletcher resigned the place he had I so worthily filled in favour of Mr. Sheridan, who kept things merrily going well into the morning. The intervals between the speeches were enlivened by some capital songs from various members of the company, and altogether a most enjoyable night was spent.

THE HEALTH OF NEATII. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER. I Dr. Ryding, presenting his ninth annual report to the Neath Urban. Authority, states :—The health of^t^ inhabitants forfthe year 1882 was again satisfactory. Tho total-number of deaths from all causes was 177, being at the rate of 16 1 per 1,000 per annum. Deducting from this total live deaths as the result of accidents, the number of deaths from disease only was 172, or a true average of 14 4 per 1,000 per annum. The rate of mortality during the past nine years was:— ienr. Deaths, ker L.UUU 1873 206 22*8 16/4 224 24-3 1876 218 23-6 1876 213 18-5 1877 US 15-8 1878 210 17-6 1879 160 13-4 188 0 316 26-4 1881 194 17-7 1832 177 16-1 The total number of births was 390-maleg 213, females 177-an increase of 213 births over deaths. Out of the S90 children born 360 were Vaccinated none remained unvaccin;ted 33 died, 8 postponed, and 12 loft, the town before tho expiration of the three months and were lost sight of. During the months of January, April, June, August, Septem- ber, and N OVem bel" there were no deaths recorded for either of the seven principal zymotic diseases one death was certiiied as resulting from an attack of scarlet fever. Six deaths resulted from typhoid fever, and ten were reported as the result of typhus fever, an average of 0-58 per 1,000. One death (of an infant) resulted from an attack of diarrhoea, showing a rate of 0-08 per 1,000. Diseases of the chest again formed the largest number; 64 deaths resulted from chest affections, giving a rate of 5-9 per 1,000.

Mr. Dick Peddie, M.P., has offered on behalf of the Peddie family to make good C2,000 lost in 1845, when the late Dr. James Peddie was treasurer of the Dissenting Ministers' Friondiy Society Funds. He states that the family are willing to do all in their power for the widows and orphans interested, but their ability to do so has been lessened to a heavy extent by the acts of Mr. D. S. Peddie. TRUSS.- MFRitICIE'S PATENT USPENSION.- No steel springs no hard pads. Pamphlet, with testi monials, post-free.-Keevill, Chemist, Clifton, Bristol. 2

I SWANSEA SCHOOL BOARD. I An ordinary meeting of the Swansea School Board was held at the Guild-hall on Wednesday afternoon. Mr. W. F. Richards (the chairman) presided, and there were also presentThe Rev9- Canon Richards, Morris Morgan, T. J. Bowen, and Messrs. R. Martin, J C. Manning, R. T. Reed, G. (T. Sutherland. J. Roberts, A. Francis, and W. Morgan. SCHOOL MANAGEMENT.—CLOSING OF TRINITY PLACB SCHOOLS. The Schools' Management Committee reported that they had received a letter from Mr. J. T. D. Llewelyn stating that he had visited GorseinoD School, and found a child on the register who was not present, and one present who was not on the register; and also that there were throe younj men over eighteen years of age in the school. The master had explained these matters, and the com- mittee had permitted him to continue teaching the young men. Mr. John Lewis had been re- quested to resign his position as a manager of Rutland-street. Schools and had declined to do The committee, had accordingly removed the old body of managers and appointed a new one. Owing to the closing of Trinity-place Schools the com- mittee recommended the board to appoint Mr. Thos. Jones, the master, and Miss Margaret Thomas, the mistress of the girls there, to similar situations at the new Dyfatty Schools. The Rev. MORRIS MORGAN moved the adoption of the report. Mr. SUTHERLAND seconded the motion. Mr. MANNING asked whether the Trinity-place Schools were to be closed in consequence of the action of the Higher Grade School Committee ? Canon RICHARDS said he should be glad to have some explanation with regard to the closing of the Trinity-place Schools. Were they goin» to be closed ? Had the board decided that they"should be closed ? The Rev. MORRIS MORGAN said notice had been served upon the teachers at Trinity-place, in com- pliance with the instructions of the committee ap- pointed to deal with the higher grade hool. T!1át committee had full power to act under a resolution passed at the last hoard meeting. Canon RICHARDS said his idea was that a com- mittee was part of the board, but this committee had taken the express functions of the Schools Management Committee. Was this committee to come down as a sort of deus ex machina and upset all the powers of the board? He did not know that it was really lawful. The CLERK read the resolution passed at the last meeting. from which it appeared that the com- mittee was appointed to make arrangements for the establishment of a higher grade school. THe CHAIRMAN Does that give us power? The CLERK I think so, sir. The Rev. T. J. UoWEN said he w:s of the saint opinion as Canon Richards until he was told thE clerk had ruled that the committee had power. Canon RICHARDS Does our clerk rule, Mr. Chair man ? I thought he simply advised. Mr. MARTIN said that when the committee had completed their arrangements they would report to the board. He took it, as the clerk had said, that the committee had ample power to do what was necessary to establish the higher grade school. Canon RICHARDS asked what was the use of the committee coming to this board after they had dis- missed the staff at Trinity-place, and after the higher grade school had walked in At one door and the working men's children out at the other. j- FRANCIS remarked that when this matter was discussed by the committee Canon Richards never said a word about it. The CHAIRMAN thought it was hardly fair to say that the children of the working classes wouid walk out of one dnor at Trinity-place and the ninepenny children go in at the other. The school would be as open to working men's children as to any other children. Canon RICHAUDS: Then let us discuss the matter above board or the public will have no intimation why the school is to be closed. Mr. SUTHERLAND said there was no doubt at all that one class of children would have to walk out ot Trinity-place to make room for another class, The board would be turning out the children for whom the school was built. It appeared to him that the board had come there to vote upon matters which had already been settled. Con- sidering they had been kept in the dark so long with regard to this scheme, it seemed to him that the proposers of the scheme did not know exactly what they were going to do, or that they thought the time had not yet come for divulging what they had concocted. He deprecated the holding of private meetings to discuss matters before they were brought to the board. The CHAIRMAN said Mr. Sutherland must con- fine his remarks to the motion. Mr. SUTHKRLAND said he would bow to the chair- man's ruling, and would simply say that the board ought to have a definite scheme for the higher grade school placed before them. Canon RICHARDS said the motion contained the words "closing of Trinity-place School," and he deprecated the chairman's* ruling, although he suo- !) .efu "i" ?he members had a right to ask why the school was to be closed and what the board were going to do with it after it was closed. The CHAIRMAN If those words are in the resolu- tion Mr. Sutherland had a perfect right to ask why the school was to be closed. Mr. SUTHERLAND said he would ask for which of the various possible schemes of higher education was this school to be closed. Mr. IbED wished to know whether the com- mittee could act without coming to th board. The CHAIRMAN said they could, and added that he knew nothing whatever of any private meeting having been held to discuss the higher grade school question. was delighted to hear it. He he could. 1 m seconding this motion, if The CHAIRMAN You cannot do that. Canon RICHARDS enquired if the girls' and in- lants schools at Trinity-place were to ue dosed. He did not understand higher grade infants. Another thing he would ask was—how did the in- formation of what the Higher Grade School Com- mittee had done reach the Schools Management Committee, seeing that the former body had never reported. The Management Committee had taken action on information which could only have per- colated to them in some underhand way. The CHAIRMAN You forget that the two com- mittees are composed of all the members of the board. Canon RICHARDS said he had travelled over 100 miles in order to be there to discuss the higher grade school question, thinking it 'vas coming before the board, and he was surprised to find that it was being settled in a private manner. Mr. RKKD moved as an amendment, That the Trinity-place Schools be not closed until a definite scheme for a higher grade school be brought before the board." The amendment was lost, and the minutes of tho committee weTe adopted. SCHOOLS BUILDING COMMITTEE. Mr. MARTIN proposed the adoption of the Schools Building Committee's minutes. Mr. W. MORGAN seconded the motion. Mr. REED asked why large sums of money were being spent month after month in completing schools which ought to have been completed in the first place. The CHAIRMAN said he was afraid the expendi- ture of which Mr. Reed complained would con- tinue to the end of the chapter. The minutes were then adopted. THE TRUANTS' SCHOOL. Canon RICHARDS, in moving the adoption of the report of the Truants' School Committee, which re- commended the board to license out nine boys, said the Ireaauij paid 29. per week for each boy maintained in the school. The report having been adopted, the meeting ter- minated.

BRIDGKNlTTiaviir OF GUARDIANS. At the weekly meeting of the guardians of thfl Bridgend and Cowbridge Union, held on Saturday, Mr. J. Blandy Jenkins presiding, the Rov. S. H. F. Nicholl said he had been asked bv Dr. K T. Davies, medical omcer for the Cowbridge district, to bring before the board the fact that medical orders woro of very little use, inasmuch as those who received them compounded with the tradesmen, He (Dr. Davies) considered that it would be advisable to discontinue giving medical orders and increase the relief in money when necessary. It was resolved that the opinion of the other medical officers be invited on the question.—Mr. P. John re-opened a question with reference to the relief given to a woman named Bassett, of Penlline, toward* the support of her children. The board had agreed to allow her 2s. a week for each child, and Mrs. Homfray, of Penlline Castle, has placed one of them in St. Gabriel's Home, Bridgend, and contributes 3s. per week, which, with the 2s. given by the board, makes up the cost of maintenance at. thiit Home. Mr. P. John did not think it was right that public money should be voted towards the support of any institution outside those belong- ing to the guardians, especially an institution which was not carried on to their satisfaction. (Laughter.)—Mr. J. C. Nicholl said there was a misconception of the facts of the case, which had occurred through the mis-statements of those who ought to know better. An application was made to the boar to contribute towards the child at St. Gabriel's Home. He objected to that, and it was resolved that the same amount of relief be givt*n to the mother for this child as for the others, leaving her to do what she liked with the child. Mr. P. John's toleration was of the kind which meant toleration for himself and intolerance for everybody else. Whether the child sent to a place where the teaching was the most glaring Catholicism or the narrowest Calvinism the board had nothing to do with it. The board had the power to exercise the meanest, petty tyranny and say, "If you do not keep your child nt home it shall starve," but this was scarcely the view which should be taken of the matter by intelligent men such as the guardians of the poor should be. If the child were brought up in such a way that it was likely she would return to pauperism then the board should interfere. Tho children from the homes went to the National School on week days, and on Sunday to the Nolton Church, which he had never heard was a very dangerous place. The board did not contribute to St. Gabriel's Home or any other private institu- tion. If the child were sent to the Cottage Homes it would cost the guardians 4s. a week instead of 2s.—The Chairman said that un- fortunately some religious feeling had been in- troduced into this case. The mother could whi!" she lived edueate her child where she liked, and the only question for the board to consider whether she received too much relief.—Mr. P» John said Mr. J. C. Nicholl had behaved very a"* gentlemanly in making the remarks lie had MADE. (Laughter.)—Mr. Nicholl explained that whnfc hI) meant was that if the board would not allow th"* woman to educate her child where she liked would be gross petty tyranny. He did not, Mr. John was a petty tyrant, but he could not mention a donkey unless Mr. John believed he accused of being one.—Mr. E. Lewis gave nati*'? that that day fortnight he wouli move: Thajj this board grant no relief towards the support 0 any child unless resident with its parent or parentf* or natural guardian, or is at the workhouse or tage Homes, except in the case of any child ing from some infirmity and removed to a hosp^ or other institution of that description." The cussion then terminated.