Weekly Mail

CURRENT AGRICULTURAL I TOPICS. 1 (BY AGBICOLA OF THE "FIELD.") The first week in the month always brings our fading agriculturists together in London to attend the council meetings of the Royal or the Shorthorn Society, or the meetings of the Farmers' Club or Central Chamber of Agriculture. So far as the Agricultural-Political situation is concerned, the gatherings of the last two bodies named have at the present period no uncommon importance- JUst on the eve of the assembly of Parliament for a session expected to be fruitful in legislation affect- ing the interests of the farming community, their deliberations naturally excite vpry profound at- tention. The subjects fixed for consideration at both the Farmers' Ciub meeting on Monday after- noon and that of the Central Chamber of Agricul- ture on Tuesday morning were the same :—"The Legislative Recommendations in the Report of the Agricultural Commissioners." Everybody expects that the Government is quite prepared to bring in Measures on the lines indicated in that report, and that we shall have a tolerably large instalment of them this year. We have already been promised a Minister of Agriculture, and, according to the speeches which have been delivered by statesmen in office, the principle of compensation for unex- hausted improvements will be made compulsory in all cases. The Rivers Conservancy Bill will no doubt form one of the Government measures to be Produced, but whether with or without the objectionable feature against which upland farmers have so energetically protested remains fo be proved. And there is also the establishment of County Boards, which is quite a foregone con- clusion, and if delayed longer will only be that the County Franchise Question may be settled first. But it will prove unfortunate if the Act to estab- lish County Boards elected by the ratepayers should not pass during the ensuing session, as it appears local taxation cannot be sensibly lightened Until this be done. In other words, there are good grounds for believing that after their establishment the carriage tax, and. maybe, the game licences, will be handed over from the Imperial Exchequer to relieve the severe strain now experienced by farmers owing to the enormous increase in rates during recent years. Agricultural depression last year was scotched, not killed. So far as the clay laud farmers are concerned, their situation just now may be re- garded as worse than ever owing to the almost continuous wet weather experienced since the early partof October having deprived them of the custo- mary wheat plant. In those cases where wheat was in some way muddled in it will have to be ploughed Up again to a prodigious extent, this being the state of things not only in Essex, Suffolk, Hants, Beds, and in many parts of the Midlands, but likewise in Lincolnshire. The wheat plant on the wolds and the chalk hills is looking well, but there is so very lil tle in vale districts generally 3s well as on stiff arable farms that the acreage tor next harvest promises to fall short indeed. The only thing possible to redeem the situation and also the fortunes of the unfortunate occupiers of farms is an unusually fine, dry spring, Vv'hich will allow favourable seedings of spring "wheat, barley, and oats to be made on the un- popped lands. The red nursery wheat if put in uuring the present month, or early part of the n('Xt, generally answers well if the land be at all Well up in condition, and for still later sowings there is the Russian bearded or April wheat, which On warm lands has often been put in after barley sowing in the first week in May, and yet has come "Pe as soon as the autumn sown wheat. A good Scnera), even in the hour of defeat, studies care- "wy the whole of his resources and the best posi- '10118 to fall back upon and cover his retreat. Thus, Although the opening weeks of the new year ■id dried the surface of the soil somewhat, January closed and February opened with a series of furious gales, with heavy downpours to saturate the fields once more, thus destroying hopes of very early spring seedings. Farmers who have sown httle wheat and have to plough up again a good deal of that little must still eagerly watch for opportunities and endeavour to embrace them opportunities and endeavour to embrace them when they do come. What will be the character of the lambing season which has already commenced in forward districts ? Some very evil anticipations are being formed respecting it, and if the correspondents of the agricultural journals prove right in their con- jectures, other evils are likely enough to follow in the train of the past wet season besides the loss of the autumn wheat crop. Probably the fortunes of breeding flockmasters will prove somewhat Varied as thev have been already in those cases where lambulg has taken place. While we have Air. Pope, a. Dorset farmer, occupying a clay soil lamenting that his young ewes yean still-born lambs, many of them dying In or after the trying ordeal, Mr. Robert Russell, who has his flock more on terra firma, on the chalk in the fertile county of Kent, has just informed me that his lambs fall ex- ceedingly Htrong and robust, that he has had more than his usual good fortune as to twins, his rear- a.?eof lamb? being some 20 per cent, in excess of ewes, and that since the 6th of January, when his nrst Iamb came, he has not up to the present lost a single ewe. But probably there are other Pauses referable for Mr. Russell's good fortune besides the dry lairs which his sheep invariably have. The wants of his large family are fore- stalled and studied to an extent I have seldom if overseen elsewhere, and his old shepherd is just as Anxious to engage in any measure calculated to promote the health and welfare of the flock as the faster. To say nothing of abundance of dry food ^Uring winter, and considerable variety in the dietary always, there is not an animal on Mr. ■Russell's farm but has free access to water and at all times, and he regards it as sheer cruelty to withhold either from any head of live stock, be it horse, cow, sheep, pig, or any other kind. There Is probably still another capital cause for the j ooct health of Mr. Russell's flock, and his success lamb breeding which ought to be referred to. cultivates the cabbage tribe of farm vegetables to a far greater extent than either turnips or ^angel wurzel. Mr. Robert Leeds, the well-known ^•orfok agriculturist, once told him that he had cabbage" on the brain," and considering that he j}as thousand-headed kale for his sheep from October till April, when there is sprouting broccoli, followed by autumn planted kale and summer ca-bbages, then more kale planted early in spring, Jjdth autumn cabbages during September and yctober, he certainly carries out the role of grow- cabbages all the year round. It is well-known that the various members of the cabbage family are remarkably healthful as well as highly nutritIOus in their properties, either for man or beast. Ensilage is still to the fore, and the deeply in- vesting and instructive paper read by Professor fhorold Rogers, M.P., at the Society of Arts, on Wednesday, the 31st ult., on Ensilago in Artierica," will be calculated to sustain the interest So very generally felt in the success of the silo sYstem throughout Great Britain and Ireland. The reader of the paper described this modern method preserving grass and summer green crops for Winter use as likely enough to extend so rapidly and Pensively in the United States that a fresh corn- Petition of American produce with that of English jarnas is to be apprehended, unless British j'armers themselves take up the system. This, I believe, they are on the point of doing to a far Sweater extent than is commonly supposed, but the first expend of the construction of silos is the principal obstacle. Mr. E. B. Gibson, of Saffron- Walden, who produced admirable ensilage from rye last summer, took part in the discussion, and Raid the cost of constructing his five silos, which are capable of containing the produce of twenty jj'Cres, was £ 150. This was truly pointed out by *r. Phillips, of Newport, and Mr. Druce, secretary of the Farmers' Club, as too great an outlay for latmers to meet, but, as Mr. Darby observed, Mr. Gibson's silos will hold 150 tons of green pro- duce, and the interest on capital expended would in reality amount to only per ton, the proper conclusion to be arrived at appears to be that if landlords would build silos and charge their tenants 5 per cent, on the outlay as addi- tional rent, this improved system of conserving for live stock might very generally be carried Out,

INFLUENZA AMONGST HORSES. Influenza amongst horses, which is very preva- ,e&t in some northern towns, is still spreading. At ?ne time it was anticipated that the disease would be confined to one locality, but unfortunately it has broken out among horses in other towns. The eather has been so changeable that we are not at aH surprised at the malady extending, although we are astonished at the ignorance which prevails Concerning its treatment. If the symptoms were *&ore quickly diagnosed, and the necessary Remedies applied, the disease would be soon draped out. Mr. C. Stephenson. the veterinary surgeon appointed by the Veterinary Department of the Privy Council to watch all cases of pink in the neighbourhood of Newcastle-on-Tyne, jT^ces the origin of the disease to one of contagion, fie mentions in another column that some ponies rom Hamburg affected with pink-eye infected SOIne horses in a well-known stable. It is also Said that horses which have suffered from the disease are seldom affected a second time. Be this ns it iray, Professor Duguid is about to visit New- I castle to inquire into the probable causes and of the malady, and report thereon to the r'vy Council.—From the Live Stock Journal. SLAUGHTERING CALVES IN DENMARK. The Live Stock Journal says:—One is surprised to leQ.rn that until recently it was the invariable of such enlightened dairy farmers as those Denmark to slaughter their calves immediately *»ter birth, only sparing about 10 per cent, of the •lifers. The practice is now being abandoned, so an enormous waste of meat is being slowly Shdinished. The calves are fed with whole milk or four or five days or even a week, and after- 8 those that remain get skim milk with a S^Jnishing proportion of whole milk up to two or ree months, by which time meal has gradually substituted for a portion of the skim milk, th are generall7 kept in the cow-house until &ey are over a year old thus being calved in the mter Months—November to March inclusive— ^ould not be turned out much until May of j year, when they could be properly Classed aa yearlings. Most of the smaller farmers put heifers to the bull at fifteen months old, but the more advanced farmers prefer to wait another t v"' rl Practice, as our readers will not need V) be told, is in direct opposition to that of the Jersey breeders, most of whom hold that for bulking purposes both bulls and heifers should be J*8ed as early as possible. The divergence may, however, be due to differences in the climate of countries wbtere the two breeds are kept. FATTING PIGS IN WINTER. I Farm ami Home says:—If hogs are to be fr. I through the whole winter Indian corn alone will not be found most profitable for growth and health. There is no doubt that an exclusive corn diet tends to disease; that it soon creates a feverish condition of the system, and often lays the foundation for that most dreaded cholera. Hogs lean in flesh will get along very well for a few months on maize alone, but there is great danger in continuing it too long. The hog, being naturally a grass-eating animal, cannot be healthy on such concentrated- food as Indian corn. Early cut and nicely cured clover hay will be eaten with a good relish by hogs in winter, in small quantity. If hogs are in a pen so warm that it does not freeze, the best way is to cut the clover in a chaff- cutter, moisten this hay, and mix the meal for each hog with two quarts of cut hay, and let it lie in a mass, and warm up for twelve hours before feeding. The hay will all be eaten with the meal, and this will prevent any fever in the stomach and keep the hogs healthy. This is not a fancy ration, but a practical one, which we have tried with much satisfaction. Never had a better gain than with clover hay, cut, moistened, and mixed with corn meal in this way. The hogs gained ten pounds to each bushel of meal fed through a cold winter. When two or three-months pigs are fed, says an American writer, there is still greater reason for feeding other food with corn. We have had uniform success with an equal mixture by weight of corn, oats, and bran. Pigs grind their grain very well, and this mixture will be well digested. Where linseed meal is easily obtained, this might profitably be substituted for the oats, or a part of them. This meal contains so large a proportion of muscle-forming matter, and phos- phate of lime for the bones, and in so digestible a form, that one-half to one pound will produce a rapid growth in the pig. In the south, where decorticated cotton-seed cake or meal can be had at. a low-rate, this should be fed in connection. NEW METHOD OF PRESERVING MILK. Farm and Home says:—By a German method. recently patented in, this country, milk is now preserved in its natural state without any addition to it whatever. The process consists in heating the milk in closed vessels, such as glass bottles, to beyond point, so as to expfljdl air, and next to prevent the entry of air containing germs (which are the cause of milk spoiling) into the vacuum so formed. This is effected as follows:— The bottles are filled with milk almost to the com- mencement of the neck, leaving a considerable space between the milk and the cork, which latter is then driven in so far as to allow a space of about half an inch between, its upper surface and the top of the neck. A layer of paraffin wax is then run in, and thereon is placed a cork disc, which, by means of a staple closure, is kept from rising. A number of bottles so filled and prepared are placed in a chamber or vessel that can be her- metically closed, and able to withstand an inner pressure of tour or live atmospheres. Here steam of about two-and-a-half to three atmospheres' pressure is introduced, having a temperature of about 230 deg. Fahr. This soon raises the tempera- ture of the milk in the bottles to the same degree, which, on expanding, reduces the space between it and the cork to half, the air escaping through the pores of the cork and through the paraffin, rendered liquid. Care, however, is taken to see that the reduction of the space is not sufficient to allow of the milk reaching the cork. The chamber is now cooled down, the bottles removed, and, when cold, the provisional staples taken off. It will be seen that by this process the ferment-producing germs of the air in the chamber being destroyed by the heated steam, the small quantity that re-enters on the cooling and conse- quent contraction of the milk, can do no injury, whilst. an equilibrium is established between the innocuous air in the bottle and the outer atmosphere. The cork itself is also protected from any germs entering it from outside by the con- gealed layer of paraffin, a part of which has entered the cork when in a liquid state under the pressure in the chamber. Milk preserved by this method is said to keep fresh for years, and to have exactly the same taste as new milk. THE COST OF SILO. Mr. W. A. Gibbs, writing to the Times of Wednes- day, says:—I have now obtained three carefully worked out estimates for two silos like those of Mr. Mills, and they range from £309 to £500 and £688, These are for the pits only, not for roofs and covers. The first is in soil most favourable for the construction, and where there is ample raw material for the making of concrete; the estimate is by a resident manager, and, therefore, exempt from any contractor's profit. The second estimate is given me by large contractors who have had long experience in similar structures, such as tanks, public baths, wells, and vaults. The third is from a local contractor, and includes carting up gravel for concrete from a distance of four or five miles. I hope these estimates will induce others to state what their silos have cost, or what estimates they have obtained, because this is, beyond all ques- tion, a very important part of a very important subject, and a full comparison of notes thereupon will be of great value. I also hope that this pro- cess will be tried widely, skilfully, and in all pos- sible ways this season, because if this is sufficient to save our harvests from destruction in bad weather, I shall not need to waste any more thou- sands in making known to the country that it can save them by another process, unless practical ex- perience shows that to store them in silos in- volves a much heavier first cost than the harvest- saver. THE COST OF LABOUR. According' to evidence given before the Royal Commission on Agriculture, during the last four or five years wages have been reduced from the maximum which was reached from about 1872 to 1875. I have instances where as much as 28s. a week was paid in mining districts for a labouring man. Now those men are reduced to 18s. or £1, but that is still more than what it used to be 25 years ago. I have instances from 25s. to 28s. for an ordinary farm labourer in the mining districts, and that is the reason why, I think, the small farmers have suc- ceeded so much better in those districts than the larger farmers, because they have been indepen- dent of this external labour which is so expensive. The small farmers work themselves, and their families manage the dairy, and so on, whereas the large farmers have to pay tor the labour which they want at the rate of 25s. or 28s. per week. This is an excessive case, 4s. a day you may put it down at. That is beyond what the profits of agri- culture will support.

POULTRY NOTES. IDEAL BRAHMAS. A correspondent, writing on this subject to the Live Stock Journal, says:—I believe the Cochin China type now so much seen in the Brahma may be traced to the faulty principle upon which the early chicken classes are often judged. The prizes mostly go to the specimens which are more fully developed, without taking age into consideration. The prize-winners are often prematurely old, owing to the objectionable plan of forcing for exhibition, and rarely make much after-growth. They become thick-set Cochin-like birds, and serve as the model for experienced breeders to copy, especially when they have been bought at a high price, as being supposed to be the right thing. I think chickens should be judged with an eye more to what they may turn out than what they are when shown. This may be a hard matter, and may possibly lead to much unpleasant criticism, but I don't think a judge should shrink from the undertaking. The chickens which make the grand Brahmas in their second reason are the long- necked, large-boned youngsters. The fully- developed prize-takers of six months old are the very young ones which come down to be h c later on, much to the disappointment of their owners. After what I have said above, I think it does not show much discernment on the part of the critics to find too much fault with chickens for being lggy. A Brahma is not fully grown before it is eighteen months old, and it is then tune to say what you like about it. I think hocks are purely a matter of taste, but in the second year they are rarely so prominent as before the first moult. I fear dark Brahma cocks have been sadly spoilt by- breeding the hens so entirely for the sake of pencilling. FRIZZLED FOWLS. These are natives of Africa, Southern Asia, Java, and Sumatra, and derive their name from their feathers being turned the opposite way, givinw them a "frizzled" appearance. All the feathers, which are of a silky or woolly appearance, are, with the exception of the wings and tail, curled back, and not over-lapping each other as in the other varieties of domesticated poultry. On this account they are very susceptible to cold and wet, although those who have bred and kept them for a long time declare them to be quite hardy. They bear confinement well, and lay a good number of fair-sized eggs. In profile they resemble the Ham- burg, but are somewhat larger, although by no means large birds, They have a rose comb, short dark legs, and white earholes. The colours are brown, black, and white, the former two beinO" said to be the original colours. For those who have limited space, and desire to have something singular or out-ofthe common, frizzled fowls will commend themselves. The chicken do not fledge quickly, and require a good deal of attention. Thev are kept more out of Curiosity, or for of their appearance, than for their laying or table qualities, although they are said to be very good eating. SILKY FowLs. As a rule silkies are tolerably hardy. The chickens are easily reared and generally very true to their parents. They are very moderate layers, but capital sitters, do well in an enclosed run,"and will always look cheerful and contented, as well as keep themselves much cleaner than the generality of light-coloured birds. They generally lay about thirteen or fourteen eggs before desiring to sit, rarely more, and frequently only ten or eleven. Silkies are really very easily reared and require no care once hatched they do well treated as common fowls. Their eggs should be well moistened the last week of incubation, as the inner membrane of the shell is apt to become dry, and the shell of the egg entirely peels off in some cases.

DR. DE JONGH'S LIGHT-BROWN COD LIVER OIL.— ITS UNEQUALLED EFFICACY IX CovsrMp-rrox AND WASTING DISEASES. — Dr. Henry Hanks, author of Consumption Its Treatment and Curability," writes —" The superior efficacy of D ue Jongh's Light-Brown Cod Liver Oil over the Pale Ood Liver Oil has proved, in my experience, unequivocal. Patients who have ler- sisted for several months in the use of the latter, with scarcely any perceptible improvement, have, after a brief trial of Dr. de Jonah's Light-Brown Cod Liver Oil, acquired such fatness, and those distressing symp- toms accompanying emaciation have so rapidly subsided, that I have been induced to con- fide in its reputed remedial powers, and, con- sequently, to advise its substitution for the Pale Cod Liver Oil." Benjamin Clarke, Esq., M.B.C.S., F.L.S., author of Notes and Suggestions on Cod Liver Oil and its Uses," writes The effect of the Pale Oil on the circulation is so feebly marked as not to be perceptIble; so that in some cases of extreme debility, the patient, from the slowness of its action, is in danger of sinking from exhaustion, or the disease, as in consumption, may become incurable from protraction. My inference agrees with the remark that Dr. de Jongh's Light-Brown Oil effects a cure in half the time "that the Pale Oil does." Dr. de Jongh's Light-Brown Cod Liver Oil is sold only in capsuled imperial half-pints, 2s. 6d.; pints, s. 9d. quarts, 9s.; by all chemists. Sole Consignees; Ânsar Harford and Co., 77, Strand, London.

SOUTH WALES MORTALITY I STATISTICS. I QUARTERLY RETURN OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS. For the three months that ended on the 31st of December last there were 217,591 births registered in England and Wales. This number is equal to an annual rate of 347 per 1,000 inhabitants, whereas the mean of the ten previous corresponding quarters is 34-4. The current rate is scarcely so high as it was a year since, but it is slightly higher than it was in 1881. The births show an excess of 84,324 over the deaths, the natural increase of population in the quarter. The deaths in the past quarter were 133,267, giving a rate of 20'0; this is lower than the mean of the ten years, which is 20'9, but it is slightly higher than the rates of the two previous December quarters. The rate for 1881 was, however, remarkably low, so that it is not surprising to find the present one is an advance over it. In the large town districts the mean rate was 21'7, while in the other districts which repre- sent the smaller towns and parishes it was 17'5. The deaths include 31,460 infants under 1, and 35.189 persons aged 60 and upwards. There were 13,708 deaths in workhouses, hospitals, and other public institutions, and 4,208 were nearly all fatal accidents, or, at any rate, violent deaths. Sinall-pox declined from 209 to 190. There were 4,053 fatal cases of scarlet fever. 2,525 of other fevers, and 1,002 of diphtheria. On the whole, the returns as to the causes of death are very satisfactory. In the last September quarter there were 50,989 marriages, giving a rate of 15-3. This is slightly below the mean of ten years, 15'7, but it is the best rate for a September quarter since 1877, when precisely the same rate prevailed. It is, however, lower than the rates of the five years 1872-6. The improvement noticed in the marriage- rate for June, 1881, has now been sustained for five consecutive quarters. In the three months that. ended on the 31st of December last there were 1,059 births and 638 deaths registered in the district or Union of Cardiff, the latter total occurring against an average of 464, taken from the three previous cor- responding periods. There were 217 deaths of infants under one, and 105 took place at 60 and upwards. There were 37 deaths in public institutions, 53 were inquired into before the coroner, and 32 were due to violence. The fatal cases of the chief contagious diseases were:- Measles, 32; scarlet fever. 16; diphtheria, 3 whooping cough, 18; fever, 7; and diarrhoea, 18. The deaths from all cases were thus greatly over the average of three years but, happily, this excess was not caused by zymotic diseases. Measles, it is true. have risen with the closing year from 3 to 32. Scarlet fever rose from 8 to 16, while fever of other types fell from 8 to 7. Whooping cough, of course, has increased in fatality, just as diarrhoea has declined. In the Whitchurch sub- district the deaths were 35, or 6 more than the average. Scarlet fever, whooping cough, and fever each caused 1. In Cardiff sub-district the deaths were 580, thus passing the average by 165. Of the total deaths 37 took place in public institutions. Measles caused 32 deaths, scarlet fever 15, diphtheria 3, whooping cough 17, fever 5, and diarrhoea 17. In the St. Nicholas sub-district there were 23 deaths placed on record, 3 more than the average. Fever and diarrhoea each caused 1. S: h :,3 § ■? « "■■SKiaS cvi cojo,_Jst;> n ■S-Smis §3-S 88:5 | Begistration Sub-Dis- S = I u a tricts in the Union of Cardiff. a 2 Sjga S (H 105 jS P N Whitchurch 6,415| 43 35 21'6 3 Cardiff, W.W.H.H..J 99,341; 980 580 23'3 89 St. Nicholas 5,il7j 36 23 17'9 2 Total 1110.916j 1.059 l 638 j 23'0 94 NOTE.—'W denotes that a workhouse is situate in the sub-district, and therefore the annual r.Li e of mortality is higher than it would be otherwise, in consequence of certain deat hs being entered there which properly belong to other places similarly H denotes hospital. In the course of the thirteen weeks that ended on the 31st of December last there were 835 births registered in the borough of Cardiff, a number which is equal to an annual rate of 38 6 per 1.000 inhabitants, the mean of 28 of the largest English towns being 34 8, and for till England 32 7. The deaths similarly recorded in the borough were 515, giving a rate of 23'8 per 1,000, the mean of the large towns being 22 9, and for England and Wales 20 0. The birth-rate for the borough thus continues remarkably high, only one other town exceeding it, and that only in n very trifling degree. The death-rate is only fair, most of the large towns furnishing much lower ones. There were 174 deaths recorded below 1, or in other words there were 208 at this period for every thousand births, the mean proportion of 23 towns being 208. There has thus been a great destruction of infant life in the borough in the quarter, judged by these figures. Measles have been seriously fatal in the quarter, this going in explanation of the fact that I the rate of deaths by infectious disease was 3'9 in Cardiff, whereas 3 0 is the mean of the large towns. In South Wales the births were 7,288, and the deaths 4,252, the latter being slightly below the average of the season. There were 162 deaths in public institutions, and 170 were for the most. part fatal accidents. On the whole, "oml returns are made as to the causes of death; thus, measles causes 119, scarlet fever 144, diphtheria 25, whooping cough 62, fever 68. and diarrhoea 56. Most of these cases happened, as usual, in Gla- morganshire thus, measles caused 32 deaths in Cardiff, 57 in Merthyr Tydfil, and 11 in Swansea. Scarlet fever caused 16 deaths in Cardiff, 16 in Pontypridd, 44 in Merthyr Tydfil, 16 in Bridgend, and 8 in Swansea. Fevers of other types caused 11 deaths in Pontypridd and 9 in Swansea. Ten deaths in Llandilo-fawr were due to scarlet fever, and 25 that happened in Crickhowell were referred to the same cause. <M oa oo co c .5 3 S Registration Districts 3 • £ & J- 53 j01" «~ in C £ Its !.o!E South Wales.* S, ?| 2 O V » G S 1-1-1-1- GLAMORGANSHIRE— Cardiff 106,356 10591, 638 94 Pontypridd i 93,479 1020| ;i95 59 Merthvr Tydfil 101,421 743! 601 120 Bridgend 38,912 297 188 28 Neath 52,090 463 235 13 Pontaidawe 20,178 135 74 8 Swansea 95,068 875 426 42 Gower 11,097 97 421 1 CARMARTHENSHIRE— CARMARTHENSHIRE— Lianelly 44.616 407 220; 15 Llandovery 14,210 65 62 2 Llandilo Fawr 17,324 158 87| 20 Carmarthen 35,071 241! 148 10 PEMBROKESHIRE— Hal berth 19,523 .116! 91 1 Pembroke 30,392 245| 122 12 Haverfordwest 33,764 245| 140 6 CARDIGANSHIRE— Cardigan 17,581 119| 58 — Newcastle 19,015! 102 75 2 Lampeter 10.076 73; 38 — Aberayron 12,537 76; 46 3 Aberystwith 25,600 1M| 92 2 Tregaron 10,271 69 4i —" BRKCKXOCKSHIRE— Builth 8,182 60 23 1 Brecknock 17,178 123( 54j 7 Crickhowell 18,554 15'- 111i 24 Hay 10,287 70; RADNORSHIRE— „ Knighton 11,784 77| 68| 4 Rhayader 6,741 42 3Jj NOTE.-The districts are collections of contiguous parishes or places combined for the purposes of regis- tration. They are nearly always identical with the Poor- law unions of the same" names.

PENAimr LOCAL BOARD. The monthly meeting of this board was held at the Local Board Office, Windsor-road, on Monday evening, Mt-. R. Forrest presiding, there being present also—Messrs. T. R. Thompson, H. O. Jones, D. Morgan, J. Richards, and Jas. Richards. Mr. T. R. Thompson called attention to a footpath leading through the fields to Dinas Powis, which existed some time ago as a public footpath, but which had then been closed and re-placed l">3r another one through the wood, which was treated as a private path. And, furthermore, this latter path was in a disgraceful condition, nothing whatever having been done to it, notwith- standing the fact that a charge was made by the owner, which he (the speaker) supposed was for right of way. He was of opinion that this was a matter which should be investi- gated by the board, so as to ascertain whether it was properly closed or not. He could prove that the path had been used uninterruptedly by the public for twenty years.— The Clerk said he thought it was a matter for arrangement between Lord Bute and the board to keep the path in repair, and he did not think there would be any dispute as to right of way. Mr. Thompson said that if the board could by arrange- ment reclaim any footways for the public which would otherwise pass out of their hands they should certainly do so.—The Clerk stated that there was some doubt as to the power of a Local Board to keep footpaths in repair, and it had been held that on arable lands when footpaths had been ploughed up the board could not interfere. It would be better, therefore, to make an arrangement if possible.—Mr. Forrest agreed with Mr. Thompson that the board ought carefully to guard the privileges of the public in respect of foot- paths of this kind, which were becoming the more necessarv with the increase of the population of the place.—After some further discussion Mr. Thompson moved that, a committee should be ap- pointed to see Lord Bute's agent on the matter. This was agreed to.—Dr. Nell, the medical officer to the board, presented his annual report, which stated that the sanitary state of the district was not so satisfactory as in the former year. There existed during 1882 a large amount of zymotic disease. He (tiio medical officer) had examined the various portions of the district that had cause to complain of the bad state of the thoroughfares and lanes. He wns of opinion that the unsatisfactory state of the thoroughfares was the cause of some of the disease, because he thought that it must exercise a bad influence upon those living in the districts in which such a state of affairs existed. As an instance he mentioned that croup had been very prevalent and fatal among children, and perhaps that would be brought about by the continual damp, which would probably also conduce to erysipelas, which had prevailed to an extent hitherto unknown. He had procured two analyses during the year of the water supplied by the Cardiff Waterworks Company, and he found that it was in a satisfactory condition. There had been registered during the year 315 births—157 males and 158 females, giving a rate of 45 per 1,000 per annum and of deaths there had been 140, giving a rate of 20 per 1,000 per year. The sanitary condition of the place was now better than in the earlier part of the year.—There was no other business of interest.

I MR. BILLWYN, M.P., I 1 ON RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR EDU- CATION. Mr. Lewis Llewelyn Dillwyn, M.P., on Monday afternoon laid the memorial stone of a new Con- gregational Sunday Schoolroom, in connection with Canaan Chapel, Foxhole. The ceremony was followed by a public meeting in the chapel, over which Mr. R. D. Burnie presided.—The Rev. B. Williams, the pastor, said the want of a schoolroom had been felt for many years. The new building would be ready in May. The contract price was £740, the whole of which amount, together with a debt of £275 remaining on the chapel, and £74 for repairing a schoolroom at Pentrechwyth, had yet to be collected. After some thanks from the chair- man, Mr. DILLWYN said he had come to lay the founda- tion stone of this schoolroom because it was part and parcel of his political creed with respect to education. Sunday Schools were part of the policy upon which he had always acted with regard to this great question of education-a question which had given rise to a great deal of dispute and mis- representation, and misunderstanding as to the motives of those who had taken part in it. The pmgress of cducation in this country had been vtry great of late years. In 1833 the grants for the pur- pose were very small—only £20,000 a year. In 1839 they had increased to £30,000. Soon after that, in consequence of an increase in the crime of the country, an inquiry was instituted. The con- science of the country was awakened by this increase in the dangerous classes, and the inquiry was to find out what was the cause of it. In 1843, after much investigation, Lord Ashley, the present Lord Shaftesbury—a man revered by the whole country—made a statement which showed that there were more than one million children in the country who had no education of any sort or kind. He also showed, and showed clearly, in a very long and exhaustive speech, that the dangerous classes of the country were largely, if not principally, reinforced from those ignorant children, or, in other words, that the result of neglected education was depravity and crime. The country then took more vigorous measures than it had ever before taken to provide elementary education for the poor. He forgot to mention that it was also shown that in Manchester alone there was an annual in- crease in the dangerous classes from these poor un- educated children of 1,500. Education was then called in with a view to diminish the crime of the country, and, at the same time, thinking men and statesmen were brought face to face with a great problem. The industrial classes were growing in numbers and increasing in power and they were much less educated than they ought to be. Thinking men desired to provide that the power they held should be placed in the hands of intelligent men. These were the two causes which gave such an impetus to the cause of education. The educational estimates soon began to grow, and in 1847 they were £100,000 a year. What did they suppose they were this year ? The vote for the year ending next March, which he himself most willingly and cordially assisted in passing—fnr he did not consider sound education a waste of money —was no less than £2.614,883, He might also add that this great sum was an increase of £117,667 over the year before. The total of the education grants from 1839 to 1881 was £37.633,900. (Ap- plause.) In struggling to educate their children they had always been met with the religious difficulty. The State Church not unnaturally desired to con- trol the national education. He could not see they were entitled to hold the position of a. national Church. (Hear, hear.) The attempt to combine religious education with State education had been the most fertile source of all the restrictions on education. The Church would not have one thing and Dissenters would not have another, and the result was that people did not get the educa- tion they required. Secular education was, in his opinion, as necessary as religious education. He had always voted against mixing up religious education with the Government grants, and had always desired to separate the religious from the secular teaching. Religious education, he had always urged, should be entrusted to the parents of the children and to the ministers of the Church to which those parents belonged; and. therefore, he was happy to take a part in providing Sunday schoolrooms. (Hear, hear.) Adverting to a remark made by the Rev. B. Williams, the hon. member went on to say that he had never seen any good reason why political teaching should not be combined, to some extent, with religious teaching, because the religious life of a State was a very important element in the proper administration of the Government. He should be very happy to give a political lecture in the new schoolroom. (Loud applause.) Mr. Dill- wyn concluded by congratulating the people in that neighbourhood on having such a good and liberal landlord as the Earl of Jersey. Speeches were then delivered by Dr. Rees and others.

PROPOSED HIGHER GRADE SCHOOL IN THE RHONDDA VALLEY. On Monday, at the meeting of the Ystrad School Board, the report of the committee on the question of a higher grade school for the district was read and gone through seriatim. It was agreed that the site should be at Pentre, and that it should con- sist of two separate departments, one for boys and the other for girls also that every pupil shall have passed the third standard in the elementary schools before being considered eligible for that of the higher grade The meeting accepted the committee's suggestion that one scholarship, consisting of free tuition and the use of books, shall be established in connection with the boys' and girls' departments at each school under the board, tenable at the higher grade school. There are at present 34 departments in the schools of the board. It was decided to invite landowners and others to grant scholarships for the higher grade school.—Mr. Edmund Thomas,Maindy Hall, suggested that the members of the board should set the example, and expressed himself ready to contribute. — Mr. David Evans said that he also would contribute.— After some conversation fourteen scholarships of about £2 10s. each, limited to twelve months, were subscribed in the room among the members of the board themselves. These scholarships will be limited to the fourth standard, which will be the first of the higher grade school. The rate of pay- ment for each pupil will be ninepence per child, but when the parent pays poundage the fee for each of his children will be reduced to sixpence. The remainder of the questions were of detail, such as salaries, &c. It seemed that the higher grade school building will be provided by altering the existing school premises at Pentre. Application will be made at once to the Education Department for permission to proceed with the school without delay. There is every probability that schools of cookery also will be established shortly in various parts of the valley. Letters on the subject from the South Kensington Cooking Establishment were read by the Cirk. On the motion of the Vicar of Ystradyfodwg, seconded by Mr. Elias H. Da vies, it was decided to announce by posters and advertisements, in both languages, the establishing of a higher grade school at Pentre.

CARDIFF DISTRIcrr AND PENARTII HARBOUR TRAMWAY COMPANY. The half-yearly general meeting of the share- holders of this company was held in the Town-hall Cardiff, on Monday afternoon, under the presi- dency of Alderman Jones. There were also pre- sent Mr. J. S. Corbett, Dr. Taylor (.directors), Mr. D. Watson, Dr. Wallace, Messrs. P. W. Carey, T, W. Plain, W. B. Lorey, F. Ward, Morgan Williams, E. J. Smith, and others. The report of the directors was presented, as follows:— The directors have pleasure in laying before the proprietors a statement of the accounts of the company for the half-year ended the 31st of December, 1882. The number of cars running during the half-year was seven. The passenger traffic for the six months amounted to £2,362 17s. 3d., as compared witu £1,794 3s. 9d. for the previous six months, or an average of a little over £90 per week to December, against j670 per week to June, 1882. The balance of the revenue account for the half-year amounts to JE314 10s. 4d., out of which the directors recommend a dividend at the rate of 3 per cent. per annum, payable on the 1st of March, which will amount to £282 4s. 6d., leaving £32 5s. 10d., which, with £117 19s. lOd. brought forward from the previous lialf-jear, amounting to JE150 5s. 8d., will be carried forward to the current half-year. The expenditure on the siding in Custom House- street has been fully justified by the increase in the receipts, the result having been that the traffic between that place and Roath is equal to the traffic between that siding and the Grange. Mr. Maddox having resigned the office of secretary, the direc- tors appointed Mr. D. Roberts, accountant, to suc- ceed him. This appointment created a vacancy in the auditorship which the board have temporarily filled by the appointment of Mr. David Griffiths. These arrangements will, it is hoped, meet with the approval of the shareholders. Two directors retire at this meeting, viz., the chairman, Mr. Alderman Jones, who offers himself for re-election, and Mr. T. B. Gibbs, who does not seek re-election. The directors suggest that the latter vacancy be not filled. Mr. Griffiths, the auditor, retires, and offers himself for re-election. The report was adopted, and a dividend declared at the rate of 3 per cent. Resolutions were after- wards passed re-electing Alderman Jones as direc- tor, and Mr. Griffiths as auditor, and a vote of money was made to the directors as an acknow- ledgment of their services. The chairman referred' to several paragraphs which had appeared in the local and London press, from which the general public had inferred that the company were in- volved in litigation. He said he alluded to the case of Winby 1), the above company, and went on to explain that they (the company) were not in any way a party to the suit. It appears that prior to the formation of the company a Mr. Snelgrove had obtained powers from the proper authorities to construct a tramway line along the route now being worked. When the company was formed the directors agreed to pay Mr. Snelgrove (as the con- cessionaire) the sum of £5,000. He was to have placed to his credit £3,000 worth of fully paid-up shares of the company, and also to receive £2,000 in cash. Having been paid £1,500 in cash, and also having ha.d..£2,000 worth of shares placed to his credit, a Mr. Winby then steps in and claims from Mr. Snelgrove a share of the £5,000, which he (Mr. Winby) alleges is due to him from Mr. Snel- grove by virtue of his being a co-concessionaire. Mr. Winby has obtained an injunction restraining the company from paying over to Mr. Snelgrove any further sums until his claim has been decided upon by the Court of Chancery. It would thus be seen that the company were not in any way pecuniarily interested in the litigation pending, they having simply to pay over to one of the liti- gants the balance Unpaid of the original £5,000 agreed UDon.

m ALLEN, M.P., AND HIS CONSTITUENTS. Mr. H. G. Allen, Q.C., the member for the Pem- broke Boroughs, addressed his constituents at the Temperance-hall, Pembroke Dock, on Monday, Mr. Isaac Smedley, manager of the Pembroke and Tenby Railway, presided. There was a large atten- dance. Mr. ALLES, who was greeted with cheers, ex- pressed his gratitude for the cordial manner in which he had been received by the meeting. He said they were now in comparatively quiet times. The war from which the nation had emerged had been forced upon them by the action of the military adventurer, Arabi, for the protec- tion of, not only English interests, but the interests of the civilised world. The country sought nothing for itself, but the war was undertaken as a vindi- cation of the law and order of the country. It was a just and necessary war, and could not possibly have been avoided. Speaking of domestic affairs, he said he was bound to admit that some of the matters embraced in the excellent programme of the present Govern- ment when they entered into office had not been carried out. There had not been time. Two or three pieces at the end of the concert had not been reached, because Irish affairs had stopped the way. The state of Ireland had stopped the way of matters- relating to England and Wales and Scotland. The st.ate of Ireland was the problem of problems, not only of the present Government, but of every Government. Whilst everybody must have deplored the horrible outrages in that country he hoped that feeling of horror would not displace the feeling of pity for the unfortunate state of the country. He con- tended that the Land Acts which had been passed did not interfere with the freedom of contract, because there was no freedom where a tenant had only to accept starvation under the hedge or the exorbitant terms of the landlord. He hoped that the second Land Act, which had been passed for the establishmet of fair contract between tenants and landlords, would prove a source of great good to the country. They should remember that these latter measures were only measures for the centuries of misgovernment of that country. At the time when if, was seen that the Government was prepared to offer conciliation there arose certain persons, who uiiy have had patriotic motives, who told the Irish people that they should agitate, and that the amount of their agitation would be the measure of their success. Mr. Par- nell told them to stand up for their rights and agitate for the abolition of landlordism. The agitation culminated in the fearful assassination in Phoenix Park. He was very glad that there was at last some clue to the perpetrators of that horrible tragedy—(cheers)—and he be- lieved that one of the most, effectual ways of putting down those outrages was the tracing of the crimes to their perpetrators. The Crimes Bill was brought in with a view of putting a stop to the outrages. Upon the debate on that Bill it was declared that Ireland required nothing short of a legislative separation from England. K the En- glish people had made up their mind on anything, it was that such a separation should not take place. The matters relating to Ireland had occu- pied almost all the time of Parliament since he had been returned by them as their representative. The Cloture Resolutions were altogether the re- sult of the Irish obstructions. They were contrary to the traditions of Parliament and would never have been brought in but for the obstruction successfully carried on by the Irish members. However, the Government had passed some very useful measures between the conflicts on Irish matters. He mentioned the Burials Act and the Welsh Sunday Closing Act, the latter of which had proved a great benefit; and he was glad to find that Bills of a similar nature were spoken of for certain counties in Eng- land, and also for the whole of England. There was also the settled Land Act, from which he expected greatandexcellentresults,andtheWomen'sProperty Act, which he had fought for a great many years. He would mention some of the measures which they hoped to pass in the forthcoming session. Amongst the first was the alteration of the Bank- ruptcy Act and the Patent Laws. He hoped that they should soon get at the days of pure elections. He had hoped that the ballot would have given them pure elections. He believed they knew nothing of bribery at Pembroke, but he was afraid that in boroughs less enlightened than themselves a great deal of corruption was prevalent. There was also a County Government Bill, a new Licen- sing Act, and the Consolidation of the Criminal Laws in the programme of the Government. The question of education was also likely to. enter into' their consideration. As to the site of the College in South Wales, personally he was in favour of Swansea because it was about 100 miles nearer in the double journey to their own district. The hon. member concluded a lengthy address by pledging himself to the Liberal party. A vote of confidence in Mr. Allen was proposed by the Rev. Mr. EDWARDS, seconded by Mr. Coun- cillor NICHOLSON, and carried unanimously. Mr. RocK moved a vote of confidence in the Government, coupling with it an expression of hope that under the new rules of procedure the Government may be able to deal satisfactorily with the important measures to be brought in. He referred to the increased activity at the dockyard, and said the Government should be thanked for what had been done in that respect. Councillor WILLIAMS seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. A resolution of thanks to the Government for the subsidy grant of £4,000 and the promised annual grant of £8,000 in the interests of Welsh education was moved by the Rev. W. EVANS, seconded by Mr. JAMES OWEN, and carried un- animously. A vote of thanks to the chairman, which was passed unanimously, closed the meeting.

MONMOUTH WORKING MEN'S CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION. The first anniversary supper in connection with the Monmouth Working Men's Conservative Asso- ciation was held on Thursday evening in the Borough Court, Monmouth. The president (Dr. George Willis, J.P.) occupied the chair, being supported on the right by Mr. George Griffin Griffin, J.P., Alderman T. J. Baker, and Councillor J. Furney; and on the left by Mr. S. Cumbley (vice-chairman of the association), Mr. J. N. Johns (Newport Star of Gicent), Mr. Wm. Simmonds (builder and con- tractor), and Mr. James Howells (compositor, of Newport). Alderman Hyam, J.P., chairman of the association, made an efficient vice-chairman, and was supported by Messrs. Key (chemist;, E. P. Taylor (auctioneer), and A. Watkins (grocer). About 140 members and guests were present. The cloth having been removed, the Chairman read letters of apology from the Rev. D. G. Davis, vicar of Dixton; Mr. E. K. E. Marden, J.P.; and other gentlemen for their non-attendance. The toasts of The Queen" and The other Members of the Royal Family,from the chair, were received most loyally. The Conservative Cause" was proposed by Mr. Griffin, who delivered a neat and practical speech, dwelling especially on the value of unity. This toast was received with three times three and musical honours. The toast of the evening, Suc- cess to the Monmouth Working Men's Conserva- tive Association," was proposed by Mr. Johns and responded to by Mr. James Ho wells, who, in a speech of nearly an hour's duration, criticised the work of the Government during the past year. The toast was received with musical honours, after which Mr. George Paul sang The Old True Blue," which was accorded much applause. The Visitors" from the chair, coupled with the names of Messrs. W. N. Johns and James Howells, was most enthusiastically received, and both the gentlemen responded briefly. An original duet, written by an inhabitant of Monmouth, entitled By and Bye," sung by Messrs. T. Simmonds and G. B. Cullerne, created roars of laughter, as it contained several amusing, good tempered local hits. Mr. William Powell, sen., sang a favourite ballad, "Hearts and Homes," with his usual musical taste and skill. Mr. Julian Waugh acted as ac- companist. Mr. Thomas L. Preece proposed The Healths of the treasurer and secretary, Messrs. William Dugmore and George Bushell," both of whom responded to the toast, which was most cordially received. The last toast was that of The Health of Mr. George Griffin Griffin," which was proposed with a few happy, eulogistic remarks by Mr. Alderman Baker, and was greeted with great enthusiasm. Mr. Griffin having responded, the proceedings terminated shortly after eleven o'clock. The statement of accounts showed the receipts JE79 13s. 7d, and after deducting the total expenditure a balance was left in hand of £3 14s. 3d.

MAYOR'S BALL AT MONMOUTH. The Mayor's Ball was held at the Beaufort Arms Hotel, Monmouth, on Monday evening, and was attended by about 140 ladies and gentlemen. The decorations, as usual, were superintended by Mr. James Edwards, from Mr. Cutforth's, of Agin- court-square, who displayed his well-known taste to good advantage. The orchestra was illumi- nated by a large globe lamp, and was occupied by Mr. Hooper's band from Gloucester. On the centre of the orchestra screen were the ancient, hand- some massive silver maces of the borough. Dancing commenced at ten o'clock, and was kept up with great spirit until half-past six in the morning The following is the list of those present:—Mr. Poole, Mr. F. Barling, Miss Lloyd (Cefn Coch), Miss Morgan (Raglan) and Mr. Morgan, Miss Evans (the Castle, Raglan), Mr. Early, Miss Stephenson, Mr. Wall, the mayor (Mr. G. P. Tippins), Mr. Hobbs, Mr. H. Clark, Mr. Garrett, Mr. Aviss and the Misses Garrett, Mr. and Mrs. Bolton and Miss Creeper, Mr. R. H. Martin, Mr. Woollett, Miss Clark, Councillor Rees, Miss M. James, Mr. and Mrs. T. Simmonds, Mr. E. Jones (Raglan), Miss Hughes. the Misses James (Rome). Councillor and Mrs. Higgins and Miss Beach, Mr. R. Roseveare, the Misses Railfoy, Mr. G. Bull, Mr. E. Prosser, Mr. T. House, Mr. Davies, Mr. Hall, Mr. Welson, Mr. Snow, Mr. Oswin, Mr. E. F. Parkes, Miss Calvert, Mr. Evans (Llananant), Mr. and Mrs. Cutforth, Miss Bayliss, Councillor and Miss Furney and Miss R. Furney, Councillor C. Powell, Mr. W. L. Powell and Miss Rosa Powell, Councillor and Mrs. Thomas and Mr. J. Thomas, jun., Mr., Mrs., and Miss James (Bream), Miss Elacott (Bream), Alderman T. J, Baker. Mr. A. Jbnes (Priory), Mr. F. Dansell, Miss K. Wightman, Mr. T. A. and Miss Giurteen, Miss Fry, Miss Cotterell, Dr. Buchanan, Mr. Greaterex, Mr. A. Watkins, Mr. Wigmore, Miss E. Calvert, Mr. Richards (Usk), Mr. W. and Miss Addiss (Wentfield), Mr. Ryan, Mr. and Mrs. J. James (Gloucester), Mr. J. Embrey, Miss Allen, Mr. and Miss Lewis (Tregorog), Mr. P. Morgan, Mr. A. Watkins and party, as followsMiss Stone, Miss and Miss Polly Preece, Miss E. and Miss V. Dowle, Mr. F. and Miss Wigmore, Mr. I- Theyre, and Miss Joseph; Mr. Preece, Mr. Marfell, Mr. Hindor (Cheltenham), Mr. S. Levy, Mr. C. A. King, Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Taylor, Alderman T. R. Moss and Misses Hyam (2), Miss Stead and Miss A. Cossens, Councillor C. Morgan and Miss M. Morgan, Mr. H. H. D. Yoralt, Mr. J. Edwards, Mr. Pound, Mr. T. R. Oakley and Mr. W. Oakley, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. J. H. Mullins, Mr. D. D. Davis, Mr. E. James, Mr. C. Thomas, Miss Anderson, Mr. Broben, &c.

THE REPRESENTATION OF THE CARDIFF UNION. PROPOSED ALTERATIONS. On Wednesday afternoon a meeting of the Board of Guardians of the Cardiff Union was held in the Workhouse, Cardiff, for the purpose of considering the question of the repre- sentation of the union at the board. Dr. Paine occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of members.—The Chairman opened the meeting with a few remarks, in the course of which he expressed the hope that any decision which might take place would be conducted in a spirit of amity and foi*- bearance.—Mr. J. Ramsdale then entered fully into the subject of representation. He showed that the four town parishes—St. John, St. Mary, Roath, and Llandaff-had, according to the returns for Michaelmas. 1881, a population of 86,403, and a rateable value of £398,712. These parishes were represented by seventeen members. The country parishes, however, which had a population of 23,308, and a rateable value of £182,723, were represented by no less than 41 mem bers. or more than double the number. There were 22 of those country parishes which had a total population of only 3,114, and yet had a representation of no less than 22 members, which was more than the town parishes, although the latter had more than twenty times the population. He thought this was a gross and palpable injustice, and he would suggest that these 22 parishes should be added to other parishes he named, and united with them in their representation. A long discussion took place upon this subject, and the country guardians, while admitting the neces- sity of some revision in the representation, opposed the suggestion of Mr. Ramsdale as being unfair in its character. Eventually Mr. T. W. Jacobs pro- posed that an application be made to the iLocal Government Board to sanction the following addi- tion to the representation, viz., Roath two, Canton two, St. John's one, and Penarth one. Mr.Jeinkins (Llancarvan) seconded this motion, which was supported by Mr. J. Ramsdale, and carried unani- mously. This concluded the proceedings.

LLANELLY RAILWAY AND DOCK COMPANY. The half-yearly general meeting of this company was held on Tuesday at the Great Western Railway offices, Paddington, for the transaction of the general business of the company. The chair was occupied by Mr. T. Murdock, chairman of the company, and those present at the board were Messrs. William Blaunt, John W. Wolker, Sir Daniel Gooch, Sir C. Alexander Wood, and Major G. W. Rice Watkins. The report of the directors and statement of accounts showed that the amount at the disposal of the company for the half year ended the 31st of December last was sufficient for a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum on the Ordinary and" A" Pr!'Íerence'3tocks after pro- viding for all prior charges, and the directors recommended a dividend at that rate to be paid accordingly. Sir Charles Alexander Wood bad been elected on the board of directors of the com- pany to fill a vacancy arising from the lamented death of the late Captain Bulkeley. Sir Daniel Gooi/ii, Hart., M.P., and Sir C. Alexander Wood re- tired by rotation, ancl, being qualified, offered themselves for re-election. Mr. William Thomas, the auditor retiring by rotation, offered himself for re-election It would be necessary also to appoint another auditor in the place of Mr. Morris, who had become disqualified. The amount expended to June 30,1882, on lines and dock open for traffic, was £350,270 5s. 2d., and the amount expended on the working stock to the same date was £83,800 10s. 2d. Nothing had been expended during the past half-year on either of these items. No further expenditure on capital account would be made during the half-year ending June 30,1883. The whole of the authorised line. 36 miles 36 chains, had been constructed, and the lines leased fmoiety) were five miles 44 chains. The Chairman said that as there were no share- holders present to ask any questions he would move the adoption of the report, and statement of accounts, which would be taken as read. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The Chairman also proposed the following reso- lutions—" That a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum on the Ordinary and A I Pre- ference Stocks be declared, and be payable on the 8th of February." "That Sir Daniel Gooch be re-elected a director of the company." That Sir Charles Alexander Wood be re-elected a director of the company." The motions were all seconded and carried nm. con. The Chairman observed that they had only one candidate for the auditorship—Mr. Ebenezer Row- land Thomas. That gentleman was well known to them, and he would move his election to the office. The motion was duly seconded, and agreed to. The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

MERTHYR LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH. On Wednesday the bi-monthly meeting of this board was held, when Mr. George Martin presided. —Reference was again made to the large advertis- ing boards fixed to the wall adjoining John-street, the Clerk stating that the board had no power to order the lemoval of the boards unless they were proved to be a nuisance.—Mr. M. S. Williams (Gwaelodygartli) said he could prove that a nuisance was caused through the boards making the roadway so dark.—No action was taken in the matter.—Mr. James, Manchester House, and other members of Hope Chapel, waited upon the board, desiring to know if it would sell or lease the small portion of land at the rear of the chapel.—The board promised to consider the application.—The Surveyor reported that early on Sunday, the 28th ult., a'lead joint of the board's 12-inch water main along the embankment of the Brecon and Merthyr Railway, near Pontsticill Station, was forced out, and a large quantity of water escaped, carrying with it a portion of the embankment. He suggested that the joints of the pipes laid in the embankments of that railway and the railway between Dowlais and Garn Howell should be exa- mined.—This was agreed to.—The Surveyor re- ported that the necessary excavation for the repair of the embankment of the Pentwyn Reser- voir was nearly completed, and that the placing of the concrete might soon be commenced.—It was agreed that before this was begun the members should visit the place.—The Finance Committee recommended the payment of accounts amount- ing to £3,360 15s. 6d., and that the surveyor be authorised to allow the contractor (Mr. Pickthall) 6d. per cubic yard extra upon each cubic yard of clay necessary to be conveyed forward from Tor- pantau to the works.—The report was adopted.— The Medical-officer of Health reported that from the 1st of January to the 3rd of February 185 births and 130 deaths were registered. These numbers would represent annual rates of births of 33 5, and of deaths of 21 per 1,000. The number of deaths were much above the average in Dowlais, Tydfil's Well, Plymouth, and Merthyr Vale. The epidemic of measles had apparently passed away from Penydarren, Tydfil's Well, and Merthvr. Thirteen new cases were re- ported from Georgetown and Heolgerrig, and eight from Troedyrhiw and Pontyrhun. Scarlet fever continued to prevail at Troedyrhiw and Pontyrhun—ten new cases during the month. Nine children had been affected by this malady at Dauderi arid Ynisowen since the 26th of January. He would inform the school board of the residences of the sick. During January twelve new cases of diphtheria occurred in Dowlais in eight instances death resulted—Mr. Jones intimated that typhus fever was spreading in Dowlais, and said that Dr. Cress well complained that the inspector did not call for a return of the cases.—Explanations were given, and it was understood that the inspector would call on alternate days in future.—A circular letter in reference to the Royal College of Music was read. intimating that it would be opened in May, when some 50 open exhibitions would be competed for.—tit was proposed to have examina- tions in the chief towns, and the board was desired to provide a room in Merthyr, and to no.ninate local examiners who would act gratuitously.—A committee was appointed to deal with the com- munication.

"SAPO CARBONS DETERGENS" is a physician's name for a remedy prescribed for the past quarter century for every variety of skin disease. The public have also adopted the same as a prove' tive of small pox. scarlet fever, and measles. Purchasers should sre that. the Latin Brand is on every tablet, and WRIGHTS COAL. TAR SOAP on each wrapper, without which none genuine. Podophyllin Bilious and Liver Pills; purely vegetable the most valuable remedial agent ever intrc duced; by post, Is. 2|d. and 2s. 10s.—Keevill, Chemist, Clifton, Bristol, 1

LOCAL LAW CASES. BE MILFORD HAVEN DOCKS COMPANY. In the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice (before Vice-Chancellor Bacon) on Satur- day, a petition was presented for the winding-up of this company by certain persons who had sold land to the company and had not received pay- ment. All the capital of the company had been paid up. The defence was that the title to the land had not yet. been proved. It was contended. on the part of the company, that there was ao debt in respect of which any winding up could be ac- complished. Further, there was no right of action by virtue of the award, and that the allegations in the petition were not made out. The Vice-Chan- cellor said th it, although the petitioners wore. no doubt, unpaid creditors of the company, they were not entitled until they had proved their title to support a petition for winding up. For the present their debts could not be said to exist, and their petition must be dismissed with costs, except as to certain matters which had been unnecessarily raised by the company. A second petition by Mr. Mowatt and Mr. Taylor was r.- xt- proceeded with. Mr. Mowatt is the holder of debenture stock to the amount of £1,500, which the company had neglected to pay. He was also holder of bills of exchange to the amount of which had become due, and had been presented, but which the company had neglected to r Mr. Taylor was the registered holder of 5.000 shares of £10 each, on which £2 per share had been paid. Mr. Miller, Q.C., and Mr. Lathom appe ived for the petitioner; Mr. Horton Smith, Q.C.. and Mr. Swindon Eady represented the con- tractu!- for the docks, Mr. Lake, and supported the peti!ion; Mr. Hemming, Q.C., appeared for a judgment creditor; Mr. Kirby, on behalf of the shareholders, also supported the petition; Mr. Marten, Q.C., Mr. Northmore Lawrence, and Mr. Levett appeared for the company. The hearing of the petition was proceeding when the court rose. In the Court of Appeal on Monday (before the Master of the Rolls and Lords Justices Lindley and Bowen), Mr. Oswald asked for leave to give notice of motion for Wednesday to discharge an order made by Vice-Chancellor Bacon on Saturday last. There were two petitions be too the Vice-Chan- cellor the first one, for £10.000, he dismissed, and proceeded to hear the second petition. The Master of the Rolls: Why should we advance the appeal?—Mr. Oswald remarked that the circum- stances of the case were peculiar, and that the company was admitted to be insolvent.—The Master of the Rolls said that Mr. Oswald, under pretence of giving notice, wished them to advance the appeal. The matter must go in the general list in the ordinary way.—Mr. Oswald: Your lord- ship will give me leave to enter an order without dismissing it P-The Master of the Rolls: Yes, generally. In the Court of Appeal on Wednesday (before 'fhe Master of the Rolls and Lords Justices Lindley and Bowen), Mr. Horton Smith, Q.C., made an ■ex parte application for the advancement of the appeal in the action. The learned counsel, in sup- porting his application, said there were two petitions pending in Vice-Chancellor Bacon's court, one by a certain petitioner of the name of Lister. This was simply an ex parte application to advance the appeal. After considerable argument, the Master of the Rolls said that no advance of an appeal ought to be granted on any account whatever without notice on the other side. It ought to be a notice upon motion, and the only reason he allowed Mr Smith to go on th his application was that he had heard something about the case before, and he thought it was not right to put him to the expense of a notice of motion when lie was perfectly well aware that he would gain nothing by it except his costs. On that special ground they were agreed that they must refuse to advance the appeal. Lords Justices Lindley and Bowen concurred. HE MANSELL (RHODES V. JENKINS). In the High Court of Justice, on Saturday, before Mr. Justice Fry, the case re Mansell (Rhodes v. Jenkins), in respect of which a notice of motion was on the paper, was proceeded with. On behalf of the respondent it was asked that the case should stand over. Mr. Cozens Hardy, Q.C., who ap- peared in support of the motion, said it was an application against a solicitor who had £3,500 on deposit, and if the case was to stand over there must be an undertaking on the part of the respon- dent that this money should not be dealt with.— Mr. Glasse, who appeared for the respondent, said he was quite prepared to give such an undertaking. —Mr. Hardy having remarked that the case raised a very serious question against a solicitor who had £9,000, his Lordship said he should give the respon- dent till noon on Wednesday to lodge copies of affidavits, and the motion must come on on the following day. WEST OF ENGLAND AND SOUTH WALES BANK V. MURCH. The hearing of this case was resumed on Satur- day. The object of the summons, which is taken out on behalf of Messrs. Spence and Co., is to obtain a release from the contracts entered into by them with the official liquidator of Messrs. T. W. Booker and Co. (Limited) for the purchase of the extensive iron and tin-plate works, known as Melingriffith Works, which form part of the assets of the West of England Bank, on the ground of the incompleteness of Messrs. Booker's title. Mr. Horace Davey, Q.C., M.P., who appeared for the official liquidator, now produced an affidavit from Mr. Henry Jeffries, who had made a previous affidavit in the case. Mr. Cookson replied on the whole case on behalf of Messrs. Spence and Co., urging that no good title to the property had been made out.— The learned counsel was still speaking at two o'clock, when the court rose. The hearing is to be resumed to-day (Monday). In the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, on Monday (before Mr. Justice Fry), the hearing of I this case was resumed. The object of the sum- mons, which is taken out on behalf of Messrs. Spence and Co., is to obtain a release from the contracts entered into by them with the official liquidator of Messrs. T. W. Booker and Co. (Limited) for the purchase of the exten- sive iron and tin-plate works, known as Melin- griffith Works, which form part of the assets of the West of England Bank, on the ground of the incompleteness of Messrs. Booker's title. Mr. Horace Davey, Q.C., M.P., who appeared for the official iquidaior. now produced an affidavit from Mr. Henry Jeffries, who had made a previous affidavit in the cane. Mr. Cookson replied on the whole case on behalf of Messrs. Spence and Co., urging that no good title to the property had been made out.— Mr. Montague Cookson, Q.C., continued his address in reply on behalf of Messrs. Spence and Co.—His Lordship then proceeded to deliver judgment. He disallowed the objections to the title -with the exception of that already disposed of.—Tllr. Horace Davey said that out of the four objections which had been taken to his client's title one had been abandoned or disposed of, on two he had succeeded, and on one he had failed. He the court to order a reference to Cham- bers, to ascertain whether he could make out a good title on this point, and that if at the end of a mon1;h he was unable to do so, the contract for the purchase of the property by Messrs. Spence and Co. should be rescinded on the usual terms. His lordjhip made the order asked for, but gave no directions as to costs. A CARDIFF ADMIRALTY CASE. On Monday in the Admiralty Division of the Court of Justice the case of the owners of the screw steamship Raglan v. the owners of the ship P. A. Vagliano came before Sir R. J. Philii- mfire, sitting with Trinity masters. The plaintiffs' case M as that on the 12th of December last the screw steamship Raglan, of 535 tons, with a ciew of fifteen hands, bound from Bilbao to Cardiff with o cargo of iron ore, was in the Bristol CI¥1nnel. When she was nearly off the Scilly Islands preparing to take a pilot on board, about 7.45 a..Dl., the P. A. Vagliano was seen from one to one and a quarter mile oft, and from four to five points on the starboard bow. On coming nearer the P. A. Vfogliano headed for the midships of the Raglan. Hhe engines of the latter were put full speed ahead, and shortly after the P. A. Vagliano struck the star- lioard quarter of the Raglan with such violence that tfie I-iaglan almost immediately sank. This action was brought to recover damages for the loss of the ship and her cargo. The defendants' case was that the P. A. Vagliano, f 855 tons, with a, crew of 22 men, was bound n n Cardiff to Con- stantinople with cargo of co:us, and hat a pilot on board at the time of the collision. When about a quarter of a mile from the Kaplan, the Raglan suddenly starboarded her helm, and came across the bows of the P. A. Vagliano. The helm of the latter was starboarded thereupon, and her speed reduced, in order that she might paM astern of the Raglan. Nevertheless the collision took place, the stem of the P. A. Vagliano striking the starboard quarter of the Raglan, so that that vessel immediately afterwards sank. The P. A. Vagliano was much damaged, and after taking on board the master and crew of the Raglan proceeded back to Cardiff to be repaired. The defendants alleged that the Raglan improperly starboarded her helm. improperly neglected to pass on the port side of the P. A. Vagliano, improperly attempted to cross the bows of the r. A. Vagliano, improperly rfopped her engines before the collision, and improperly neglected to comply with regulation 16 of the Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, and the defendants claimed, by way of counter claim, judgment against the plain- tiffs, and their bail for the damage occasioned to the defendants by the collision. Mr. Melisher, Q.C., and Dr. Phillimore appeared for the plain- tiffs; and Mr. Butt, Q.C., Mr. Myburgh, Q.C., and Mr. Hollams for the defendants. Witnesses were heard in support of the plaintiffs' case, which had not concluded when the court rose. On Tuesday, in the Admiralty Division of the High Court of Justice, the case of the owners of the ship Raglan r. the owners of the P. H. Vag- liano was continued before Sir R. J. Phillimore, Admiralty judge, sitting with Trinity Masters. The action was to recover damages for the total loss of the Raglan, of Cardiff, in a collision off the Scilly Isles with the P. H. Vagliano, the plaintiffs alleging that the accident was caused by the negligence of those on board the P- H- Vagliano, whilst the defendants denied the charge. Evidence was called in support of the plaintiffS: cae, which went to show that the moment the Vagliano was seen the engines of the Raglan were put full ahead. The Raglan was struck on the quarter by the Vagliano. Before the engines were put ahead the Raglan was making no headway, having been stationary in the water for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour to take a pilot from the pilot cutter. The Vagliano was first seen on board the Ra<dan when she was about a mile or a mile and a quarter distant, and was in company with the Webster. When the Vagliano was within about two cable lengths of the Raglan the Vagliano starboarded her helm, compelling the Webster to do the same. The Raglan sounded her steam whistle and her metallic- bells. It was rather a dull morning, but it was clear enough to discern a ship at a distance of three miles. The Webster and Vagliano were about ten fathoms apart, and the Webster passed very cloe to the Raglan. The Webster passed the Raglan between the vessels and the Welsh coast, and the plaintiffs' witnesses alleged that there was I nothing to have prevented the Vagliano from pas- sing her in the same manner. The master of the Webster stated that when the Vagliano star- boarded the Webster was in great danger of being run down, and her helm had to be put hard-a- starboard in order to get out of the way. That alteration in the steering enabled ttte Webster I o clear the Raglan, but she passed pretty !<>se astern. T!*e Vagliano was going at i good speed when the collision occurred and struck the Raglan a hoav)" blow, causing her to sink in about ten minutes, if Vae ig iaii /bad kept a good look-out she could hive avoided run ning into the Raglan, and trtio master of the Webster said that in his opinioo the accident was caused by the Vagliano wrongfully sf.'irboardin;j her helm. If the Vagliano not starOo irded hI" helm she would have passed, about, tluee-NTIURTER.* of a mile ahead of the RagfcWi. The Vaghauo anii the Webster were coming down the Bristol Ctiaim". at the rate of about eight knots an hour. Thespeeu of the Vagliano had not been peiweptibiy changed when the collision occurred. Tiie Raglan had been dead slopped, and had only commenced to make headway a few seconds before the accident happen.i.d.-The Cllse was again adjourned. On Wednesday, in the Admiralty Division of the High Court oi Justice, the .iction brought by the owners of the- snrew steamship Raglan, of Cardiff, agamst. the owners of t116 steamship P. A. Vag- liano, for damages for the total loss of the Raglan off the Scilly Isif*; on the 12th of December was resumed before ir R. J. Phillimore, Admiralty judge, assisted by Trinity Masters. Mr. Webster, Q.C., on behalf of the plaintiffs, submitted that the collision was caused by the want of a propel look-out being kept on board the Vagliano. Tha Rag!;■>•- had been stopped, and was almost sta- tion ;i ;:1 the water, and the Vagliano supposed that was crossing her bows, starboarded, and thus u-jed the collision.—Mr. Butt, Q.C., for tha defendants, said the collision was undoubtedly caused oy the wrongful starboarding of one oe the otiiei-'of the vessels, and he contended that the weig;" of evidence was in favour of the defen- dants. His lordship arrived at the conclusion tbati the o.iiision was caused by the improper star-* bonrdmg of the Vagliano, and pronounced the: Vag:i'f1') alone to blame. i tf. SOCIETY OF ANCIENT FORESTERS. On Monday, at the Royal Courts of Justice: London, in the Lord Chief Justice of England'; Court (before Baron Pollock and Mr. Justice Manisty), Mr. GuUy, Q.C., moved on behalf of tha defendants in the case of George Blundell and others v. John Lewis and others for a rule calling upon the County Court Judge of Swansea and upon the plaintiffs in the action to show cause why a writ, of prohibition should not issue to prohihi' certain proceedings, on the ground of want o, jurisdiction. The claim was made for £42 to sick and funeral fund allowances, and the action was brought on behalf of a district court of the society of Ancient Foresters against a court of tha order for the county. The learned counsel con- tended that the dispute should be referred to arbi. tration under the rules of the society. Rule nisi granted. THE HEREFORD MUNICIPAL ELECTION. On Monday, at the Royal Courts of Justice London, in the Lord Chief Justice of Englandl Court, Baron Pollock and Mr. Justice Manistv varied an order of Mr. Justice Hawkins, ordering particulars of the allegations contained in the petitions with read to the Hereford M-onicipaf Election to be delivered within fourteen days Their lordships substituted seven days for fourteen day s. RHYMNEY RAILWAY COMPANY 1 WOOD. In the Queen's Bench Division of the High Cour of Justice, on Monday (before Mr. Justice Stephen and a common jury), the case of the Rhymney Railway Company v. Wood came on for hearing. The action was brought to recover £138 lis. 3d. for the carriage of coals. Mr. Kemp, Q.C., and Mr. Page appeared for the plaintiffs, but the defendant did not appear, and the action was virtually unde- fended. From the pleadings it appeared that since the issuing of the writ the defendant had paid £62 5s. lid., and admitted that the balance Waf due, but pleaded that it was covered by a counter- claim for demurrage. This counter-claim, however, fell to the ground by reason of the defendant's non-appearance, and his Lordship directed a. verdict for the plaintiffs for the lnlance of the original claim. Verdict accordingly, with judg- ment. RAILWAY RATES. On Tuesday, before the Railway Commissioners (Sir F. Peel, Mr. W. P. Price, and Mr. A. E. Miller).: the case of the Central Wales and Carmarthen Junction Railway Company r. the Great Western and London and North-Western Railway Com- panies was before the court. The line of the applicants extends from Llandilo Junction tc Abergwilli Junction, and forms, according to thi plaintiffs, together with the North Western and Great Western, the shortest route between Hayero fordwest and Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester Burton, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Chester The applicants set forth that by reason of its sliorf length their line was the readiest means of com mnnication between the places mentioned being superior' to the Hereford route. Th; Central Wales Company had no rolling stock but simply managed and maintained the line which was worked by the rth-Western. Tb! standi of the applicants having been que* tioned the matter was brought before the Queen" Bench Division, who held that they were withis the operation of the Act of 1873. and were in a position to claim a through route and rate. fore they asked the Commissioners to allow their the route at the rate they proposed. The Great Western in their answer, although admitting that the route was the shortest, alleged that owing tc part of the line being single the time taken it transit was longer than in the other case. They contended that no public ground had been made for this alteration, the only effect of which would be to divert traffic from the Great Western, The North-Western objected to the proposal of th. applicants to reduce the rates because they were at present reasonably low. These allegations wera met by the applicants by the statement that th& Great Western when thev required expedition used the line of the Central Wales. Mr. Little, and Mr. Batten appeared for the applicants; Ml Webster, Q.C., and Mr. R. S. Wright for the Great; Western and Mr. Moon for the North-Westernj The case was adjourned.

SWANSEA WATCH COMMITTEE, An ordinary meeting of the Swansea Watcfr Committee was held at the Guild-hall on Tuesdajrf The Mayor (Alderman Daniel) presided, and there were also present Messrs. E. H. Bath, Daniel Jones. H. A. Chapman, James Jones, Thomas Freemanf John Lewis,David Thomas, F. Rocke.and L. Tulloc THE I.ATE FIRF IN OXFORD-STREET. Mr. CHAPMAN proposed that a grant of £25 should be made to Police-Constable James Dee, aa a recognition of the bravery he displayed at tfca recent fatal fire in Oxford-street. The motion was carried. Captain COLQUHOUN (the head constable) sawl he had been informed that a public present would be made to Police-Constable Dee. The TOWN-CLERK stated that a letter had been sent to the civilians who assisted at the fira acknowledging their services. He had not looked into the question whether the council could make any money grant to any of them who woulc accept it. After some discussion i) was decided te give sums of £1 Is. to some of the men ant 10s. 6d. to others if the grants could be legaJlj made. THE ENXARGOIFXT OF THE GTTIT.D-HAtX. The following tenders for providing additional police accommodation at the rear of the Guild-hal were opened :—Benjamin Lewis, £2,250; Thomns White, £ £ ,650; Joseph Gwyn ST,,¡ty, £3,595 17s. Richards and Billings, £2,950 (L. 10J.; Thomas Watkins and Jenkins, £2,895 Thomas IlolJwav and Brown, £3,256 8s. 6d.; David Morgan, £2,300: .John Isaac, Sketty, £2.995 9s. Mr. CHA.PM.AN moved that the tender of Mn David Morgan be accepted. Mr. LEWIS seconded the mot ion. Mr. FBEEMAN objected to the expenditure of this large sum of money, wher JC600 would do all that thev required. They only wanted elevea additiona' cell"?, and could do without new offices. He moved I as an amendment, that only £600 be spent. The .amendment was not seconded, and the pr04 position was carried. POLICE FSTDrATE. The TOWN-CLERK read an estimate of the police expenses for the year from January to December, 1883. The total was £6,014 3s. 6d., as compared wi an expenditure of £4,610 lis. lOd. last year. The MAYOH remarked that there were sixteen more officers in the force. Captain COLQUHOUN said the docks would pay for it, and the Government grant would be larger in proportion. The meeting soon afterwards terminated.

BRECON SCHOOL BOARD. Th*o first meeting of the Brecon School Boart was held on Tuesday evening last, at the Boarc School, Llanfaes, Brecon. There were present> The Rev. Herbert Williams, M.A., vicar of Brecon: Alderman John Protheio. The Woodlands; the Rev Rees Price, vicar of St David's; Rev. D. B Edwards, Captain John Morgan, Rev. J. B. Jone B.A., fnd Mr. O. p, Larkin. Mr. John Tudor, clerk of the board and the school officials.—The clerk was elected to the chair, pro tern.—The Rev. Rees Price said he rose for the purpose of proposing a resolution, and he would be very pleased to find that resolution meeting with unanimous accep- tance at the hands of the board. The first business they had to do was to elect a chairman of the board. Regarding the recent election, he thought, looking at i he number of votes recorded in favour of the gentleman whom he was proposing to them, as well as the number of persons who voted for him, he thought thev would be consulting the wishes of their constituents if they appointed him to the chair. He begged to propose "That the Rev. Herbert Williams be appointed chairman of this board for the ensuing three years."—Mr. O. P Larkin seconded the resolution.—The liev. D. R Edwards proposed the re-election of Alderman Prothero as chairman of the board. The chair, he said, had been in the possession of the Noncon: forniist party for the last twelve years, and it was hard to give it up without a struggle.—The Rev J. B. Jones seconded the amendment. The fac< that the Rev. Herbert Williams headed the poll was no valid reason why he should occupy th« chair. The eliairmen of the Tondu, Cardiff, Swan' sea, Newport, Merthvr, and other boards did not head the poll.—The" Rev. Herbert Williams elected by four votes to three.—The Rev. Reet Price then proposed that Mr. Larkin be the vice chairman of the board.—Captain John Morgan seconded the motion.—Alderman John Protherc proposed as an amendment, That the Rev. D. B. Edmonds be re-elected to the vic«-chair."—The Rev. J. B. Jones seconded the amendment.—Upon being put to the meeting, the election of Mr.LaririD was carried by four votes to three.

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