Weekly Mail

¥ ttkl! SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1903. The WEEKLY MAIL" is published on Fridays and Saturdays, and can be obtained frum your local newsagent* If you find any difficulty in obtaining the paper, please communicate with the Manager, Western Mail Offices, Cardiff. The Weekly Mail" will be sent by post on payment of a subscription in advance on the following terms;- 3 3. One Quarter 1 8 Half Year S 3 One Year „ 6 6

We are all to-day more or less engaged in cabinet-making—that is to say, political cabinet-making, which is not quite such a scientific business as the other variety. Everything at present is in a state of bewilderment, but, no doubt, we shall muddle through all right. Poor Mr. Brodrick! Everything that happens seems to conspire to distress him in some way or another, and the papers this week seem principally desirous that he shall be prevented from doing any further damage. He must have a pretty thick skin if he ever succeeds in smiling these days. Inte- resting rumours in the air are that Lord Kitchener is to be summoned home from India, and that by-and-bye his Majesty intends directing his land forces himself.

Locally, things are just as ebullient as they are at headquarters. We are dazed and bewildered by the shouts of Lib against Lab and of Lab against Lib. It is all very confusing and very wonderful, and we often think our Radical friends cannot feel over-secure in the midst of such "ructions." Apart from Lib-Lab, there is the education trouble, and pas- sive resistance, and, moreover, where the Irish are to be found in any number, they, in their turn, are preparing a nice little campaign of their own. So that when the general election comes—which cannot be delayed beyond a year at the utmost- we shall have stirring times.

Talking about Mr. Brodrick and the War Office, one little quarrel has broken out, in connection with Ladysmrth this time, and two distinguished defenders ar-3 concerned. It is the first most people have heard of the bad firing of the naval guns, and the public will find it hard to credit the accusation. Why, we always understood it was the naval guns that saved Ladysmith. Sir Archibald Hunter appears to have rather a bad memory, though we expect it will be some time before he forgets Admiral Lambton's comments. The admiral knows how to point a comment as well as a cannon. The worst of these little outbursts is that they get to the ear of our foreign friends, who love us so dearly.

IMPORTANT' NOTICE! New Serial Story in the "Weekly Mail." THE 'Tiger's Awakening.' BY FRED. G. LUNGE. A THRILLING STORY OF ADVENTURE. COMMENCES PUBLICATION IN THE "WEEKLY MAIL," OCTOBER 10th. COMMENCES Publication ON SATURDAY, THE 10th OF OCTOBER. "The Tiger's Awaken- ing is by Mr. Fred G. Lunge, whose flrgt story it ie. It is quite the most impressive tale for a new writer that we have read for a very long time. In the open- ing chapters of the story a. young planter and his wife are return- ing to India. On the voyage they become acquainted with an Indian Prince, the ruler of the neighbourhood in which they are going to reside. Shortly after their arrival in India the lady is kidnapped by the Prince, and then in a series of adven- tures and incidents as thrilling and dramatic as can possibly be con- ceived the story telle of the husband's fraatio efforts to recover his bride. It is rarely that such a story of thrilling adventure, in which the interest is maintained at such a breathless point, is found. The novel con- tains some delightful word pictures of Indian life and Indian scenery, and will prove irresis- tibly fascinating to all who take an interest in our great Eastern Empire. 'The Tiger's Awakening.' BY FRED G. LUNGE, COMMENCES PUBLICATION IN THE "WEEKLY MAIL," OCTOBER 10th. I

CHILD DROWNED AT WHITCHURCH. 'I Mr. LI. Reece (deputy-coroner) held an inquiry pn Tuesday at Whitchurch into the circumstances attending the death of Hedley Collier, aged three years, son of Mr. Oliver Collier, Whitchurch, who was drowned in the canal at Melingriffith. On Sunday morning last the child, accompanied by his two brothers, aged ten and Ave respectively, went for a. walk towards Melingriffith after attend- ing morning service at the Wesleyan ChapeL— One of the brothers, Ernest, said he stopped to speak to another lad close to the crossing, and missed his brother in the meantime. Pre- suming he had gone up the road, he walked on home, when he was overtaken by a. man, who acquainted the little lad with the fate of his brother Hedley.—Sidney Jones, sixteen, said he heard the child screaming in the water, and went to its assistance. Be brought the body out of the water, and restoratives were applied, without success.—A verdict of "Found drowned, there being no evidence to show how the child got into the water," was returned.— Some of the jury commented on this dan- gerous spot of the canal, which is not pro- tected by fencing from the road.—Mr. Ll. Reece said the best thinru do was to write to the local district council and see what they could, do in the matter.

LONDON LETTER. A COLUMN OF INTEREST TO ALL OUR READERS. LONDON, Thursday. Any attempt to estimate the force which Mr. Chamberlain may attract from the present personnel of the House is futile, as it is quite certain that a large number of members will retire from Parliamentary life at the general election. Already some twenty-eight members have publicly announced their intention of retiring after the dissolution, and this number will be more than doubled, if not trebled, when actual dissolution takes place. Many, if not the majority, of these members are almost unknown to the ordinary politician. Half of them, in fact, did not enter the present Parliament until after 1895, and some. not until the election of 1900. The old Parliamentary hands, out of loyalty to their party, and, doubtless, to give their own supporters a tactical advantage, keep their intentions secret until the last moment; but it is a general anticipation that at least one- sixth of the present*constitution of the Commona will not seek Parliamentary honours at the next general election. THE VETERANS—AND OTHERS. There are quite a number of veterans ill the House who in the ordinary course of things are expected to drop out, but of these only two, Mr. Round and Mr. J. Hutton, have announced such inten- tion. They were returned at the general election of 1868, and though Mr. Hutton did not sit in Parliament from 1874 to 1895, Mr. Round has sat on uninter- ruptedly in every Parliament siabe that time. Mr. Mellor, Chairman of Com- mittees during the second Home Rule debate, and Sir William Walrond can scarcely be called veterans, as they entered Parliament in 1880; but they, as well as Mr. Samuel Smith, Mr. Kenyon, and Mr. H. Llewellyn, are also amongst those who have announced their desire to return to private life at the end of this Parliament. Sir John Leng only entered Parliament in 1889, yet no one will be surprised at his desire to seek a little rest, but Mr. Sturt and Mr. Brand are amongst those who might have been expected to remain a little longer. UNIONIST PARTY CHANGES. This question of the personnel of the House is not, however, the most impor- tant factor which makes the counting of heads at the present moment unfortunate. The Unionist party will, undoubtedly, undergo considerable modification before many months are over. In any case, the Free Traders, at the head of whom are Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, Mr. Ritchie, Lord Hugh Cecil, and other smart young men in the House, will not be found in the same camp as Mr. Chamberlain's followers. Not until the Prime Minister has spoken at Sheffield will it be possible to discern whether he himself will throw in his lot with the late Colonial Secre- tary or require Mr. Chamberlain to make concessions towards his beliefs. All that can at present be said is that Mr. Balfour has said nothing or written nothing to prevent him from taking up the preferen- tial policy initiated by Mr. Chamberlain, and that, again, Mr. Balfour has placed no obstacles in the way of Mr. Chamber- lain returning once more to the Ministerial fold. The presence of the Duke of Devonshire in the Cabinet is a guarantee—although, after Mr. Balfour's emphatic pronouncement that this Parlia- ment would not be called upon to deal with the fiscal subject, such guarantee is unneoessary-that no attempt will be made to interfere with the trade of the oountry until the next general election. There will, of course, be intriguing in the meantime, and of such a character as to make the process of Cabinet and Minis- terial construction difficult. PREMIER'S CONSISTENCY. Very appropriately, the "Times" has given an extract from a speech which the Prime Minister made in 1880 when speaking upon the second reading' of the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill. Although delivered nearly a quarter of a century ago, the speech shows that in no particular has Mr. Balfour changed his opinions upon this subject of retaliation. It may almost be said that his famous pamphlet, a fourth impression of which is, I believe, now on the market, is but an elaboration of the arguments which he then enunciated in Parliament. In this speech he pointed out that where a Minister was negotiating with foreign countries he should not be deprived of the strength he would derive in his nego- tiations from being permitted to employ some means of coercion. To threaten retaliatory duties was not in any sense to revert to Protection. The object of a retaliatory duty was to influence a foreign Government; the object of a protective duty was to protect the home manufac- turer from foreign competition. And as the objects of the duties would be dif- ferent, so also they would be imposed on different articles. He believed that, so far from such a retaliatory system being inconsistent with Free Trade, it would be calculated to promote its extension. They had induced foreign countries partially to adopt Free Trade, but that was done, not by argument, but by treaties, and by treaties alone. And he failed to see how in the future treaties were to be nego- tiated unless some such system as that which he had recommended were adopted. The Times has certainly done a service in unearthing this speech from the long- forgotten past. KING AND LORD KITCHENER. The report that Lord Kitchener will be brought from India is not generally credited. It is, however, significant that General Hunter has been despatched to India, as this might imply that he will take over the duties now carried out by Lord Kitchener. His Majesty is known to have the greatest faith in the abilities of the hero of Omdurman, and as Army reform is now occupying his close atten- tion, it may be that the iron hand of Lord Kitchener is to assist Mr. Arnold Forster in carrying out the great system of reform in Pall Mall. It will, however, be as well to await an official announcement before placing implicit trust in this rumour. We have yet to learn that Lord Roberts is anxious to retire from the command, or that the authorities will feel justified in removing Lord Kitchener from a posi- tion in which he is doing such excellent service. LORD WARDEN. The resignation of Mr. Chamberlain has dissipated the rumour that he would be appointed Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in succession to the late Marquess of Salisbury. It is not, of course, neces- sary for the holder of this office to be a member of Parliament, but, under the cir- cumstances, it is not considered probable that his Majesty will make such an appointment at the present time. The holder of this office must be a very wealthy man, as Walmer Castle is a very expensive place to keep up. Wardens of the past have always been noted for their ] wealth and distinction, and many are the historic figures who have filled the post since the earliest times. The younger Pitt, Wellington, Palmerston, the first Marquess of Dufferin, the late Earl Gran- ville, and Mr. W. H. Smith have been Lord Wardens, and in earlier days heirs to the Monarchy itself were proud to hold so honourable a position. MORLEY ON GLADSTONE. Mr. Morley's Gladstone," which will be the crreat event of the publishing season, is expected to be placed on the market at the beginning ot next month. Already the demands upon the publishers are enormous, and Mr. John Morley should reap a great harvest as a result of his long and continuous labours. Mr. Morley has before shown that he possesses the critical faculty to an exceptional degree, and that in writing on either of bis friends or opponents he can discriminate between the good and the bad. He is not so much a hero-worshipper as to be oblivious to the faults of even those with whom he has been most closely allied, and it will, I hear. be found that in his estimate of Gladstone and his life and work he has criticised in a masterly and not too friendly manner many of the actions of the late statesman. So far as material was concerned, he suffered from having to wade through too much; but it will, I think, be found that he has shown a wide discrimination, and not the least effective part of his task has been the tact and judgment which he has shown in leaving untouched matters which were of comparatively minor public, importance.

PROGRESS IN COUNTY AND BOROUGH. Taken on the whole, the Welsh authorities seem to be settling down very well to the adoption of the new Education Act. Out of 30 possible authorities, 24 have submitted schemes, and in most of these cases the usual course is progressing as between the local authorities and the Board of Education. The appointed day for putting the Act into opera- tion has been reached in the Carmarthen county for the purposes of Part II. of the Act, whilst for the purposes of the whole Act the date has been reached in Carmarthen borough, Pembroke borough, and Barry urban district. Schemes for the constitution of committees have been sent up from the following:—Counties of Brecon, Carmarthen, Carnarvon, Glamorgan, and Radnor; boroughs of Carmarthen, Pembroke, and Wrexham; urban districts of Barry, Llanelly, Mountain Ash, and Rhondda. In several cases the period of publication of schemes will expire in a few days, and if there is no serious objection it may be expected that those schemes, will be approved by the end of this month. Those cases are:—Counties of Merioneth, Montgomery, and Pembroke; urban districts of Aberdare and Pontypridd. What may be called the recalcitrants are confined to four cases, i.e., Newport, Cardiff. Swansea, and Merthyr, but with regard to Swansea there is sufficient reason to hope that the negotiations at present proceeding will reach a satisfactory issue. So far as Cardiff and Newport are concerned matters are at a deadlock, and several weeks, probably, will elapse before it will be possible to say what course may be adopted with regard to those towns.

MERTHYR COUNCIL STILL DEFY THE BOARD. An adjourned meeting of the Merthyr Urban District Council was held on Wednesday to further consider the scheme prepared by the council under the Education Act of 1902. Mr. G. C. James, chairman of the council, pre- sided.—A letter was read from the Board of Education saying that they were prepared to make an order postponing the appointed day" for the council to the 1st of January, 1904.—Resolutions were received from the Mer- thyr and District Free Church Council and other bodies urging the council to stand to theM- scheme.—The Chairman moved that the council adhere to the scheme they had pre- sented to the Board of Education, saying that, after carefully considering the letter received from the secretary to the board, he saw no reason why they should alter the determina- tion at which they had arrived.—Mr. J. M. Berry seconded the motion-.—Mr. D. W. Jones proposed, and Mr. V. A. Wills seconded, as an amendment, that the scheme be altered in accordance with the sugges- tions made by the Board of Education. -The Rev. Jacob Jones supported the motion. -In concluding the discussion, the Chairman said he had approached the matter with a deep sense of the gravity of the position, because he knew what it meant if they resolved to adhere to the scheme. Unless the scheme was approved by the Board of Educa- tion the council ought to take some move in the direction of pressing the board to settle it. He claimed that the council had the right to elect their education committee wholly from inside without being challenged by any authority in London or elsewhere.— Upon a division the chairman's motion was carried by nine lotes to four.—It was also decided, on the motion of the Chairman, that the clerk place himself in communication with the councils of Swansea, Cardiff, and Newport with a View to those councils appointing three gentlemen from each to meet three gentlemen from that council to consider the position; and it was further resolved by eight votes to five to leave it to the discretion of the three gentlemen appointed to represent that council on the proposed conference to take the opinion of counsel upon the scheme, a suggestion being thrown out by the chairman that possibly it might be found to be open to the council to apply for a mandamus to compel the Board of Education to paes it.—The Surveyor pre- sented an exhaustive report upon the condi- tion of the non-provided schools, and copies were ordered to be sent to the managers, Mr. D. W. Jones remarking that the report showed the Church schools to be in an absolutely disgraceful state.

CARDIFF CHURCHMEN ARMING. The quarterly meeting of the Cardiff Church Committee was held in St. John's Schoolroom on Monday. Th.) rural dean (the Rev. F. J. Beck) presided.-It was stated that the county borough of Cardiff was losing about dE10,500 a year, or nearly £ 900 a month, by the action of the town council in delaying the adoption of the Education Act. The following resolu- tion was unanimously ;Biased:— That this committee urges the ratepayers of Cardiff to support those candidates at the forthcoming municipal elections who are in favour of co-option and of putting the Education Act into force in Cardiff without delay. -It was further decided that a special meet- ing of the Church Committee should be called at an early date to consider what means should be adopted to support those candidates who declared themselves in favour of co-option and were prepared to support the fair treatment of the voluntary schools. WHAT CARDIFF IS LOSING BY

THE DEADLOCK. At a meeting of the Cardiff County Council on Tuesday Alderman Carey stated that he and his co-religionist, Mr. Fox, were twitted upon the apathy shown by the corporation in connection with the Education Act. He believed he was correct in saying that the town was losing £ 8,000 a year by not putting the Act into force. A meeting of the educa- tion committee was held on August 26, but he was not able to attend. If there was any class of people who suffered in regard to education in the past it was the Catholics. They had been passive for the last 33 years and he thought they were entitled to the satisfaction of reasonable demands. He asked the mayor when the committee would again be called together in this matter. Mr. Lloyd Meyriok thoroughly appreciated and sympathised with everything that had fallen from Alderman Carey as a represen- tative of his co-religionists, more especially as the alderman always put his case forward with great courtesy, great force and great persistency. The delay was due to no ques- tion of policy, but to a dispute with the Board of. Education in regard to procedure- whether the corporation were bound to call in experts from outside their own body or no. Mr. Lewis Morgan: What is being done to settle that point? There is a clear issue now before the education board. Mr. Lloyd Meyrick: They have a certain course which they can take, and they have not yet taken it. When they are prepared -to take that course we shall consider what course we shall take. Mr. Fox asked how the minutes of the educa- tion committee were not submitted to them that day. Mr. Lloyd Meyrick replied that by a special resolution of the council it was decided that the reports should not come up piecemeal. Dr. Smith asked whether it we not a fact ffiat the estimated amount to be received from the new education aid grant would be £ 12,400, and whether the amount saved by excess of aid grant over the additional amount re- quired to pay the cost of maintenance of voluntary schools would be £4,500, which would reduce the education rates by ll-12d.? The Mayor said he would not undertake to discuss hypothetical figures, and the subject was then dropped.

BRECONSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL PRECEPT. At the meeting of the Merthyr Board of Guardians on Saturday a letter was read from the Breconshire County Council explain- ing that the 3d. rate under the Education Act of 1902, for which they had issued pre- cepts upon the board in reapect of the parishes of Vaynor and Penderyn, was a rate to meet the cost of the maintenance of all the elementary schools in the county during the ensuing six months. The rate did not go, as some of the governors seemed to assume, to meet the expenses of elementary education in these particular parishes, but was made over the whole county. The JE199 called for by the precepts being simply the quota of the two parishes to the general amount. After some discussion in which it was pointed out that the board had no alternative, it was agreed that the precepts be paid.

GALE AND FLOOD AT SWANSEA. A very strong south-easterly gale prevailed at Swansea on Sunday night. There was a Slight landslip near Norton-road Station, on the Mumbles Railway, owing to the high tide and gale, but it wae repaired, and trame was resumed during Monday. The high tide, as usual, resulted in floods at the gasworks and the residential district adjoining. -I

No Breakfast Table complete "without EPPS'S GRATEFUL-OOMPORTtMQ. COCOA The Most Nutritions Done, -'a".

STEAMERS IN COLLISION OFF PENARTH. The steamship Ravenswood, of Whitby, which left Cardiff with a cargo of coal yesterday evening, was in collision off Penarth Head with the steamship Harlow, bound for Penarth Dock, about seven o'clock- The damage sustained appears to be slight in both cases. The Ravenswood cast anchor in the Roads, and will probably return to Cardiff this morning for examination and repairs. The Harlow docked at Penarth. The circumstances of the collision are unknown, the officers and men of the vessels being very reticent in view of a Board of Trade inquiry.

COLLISION OFF BERWICKSHIRE: FOUR LIVES LOST. The following telegram was on Friday received by the Admiralty from the vice- admiral commanding the Channel Fleet, at St. Andrews:—"Regret to report that Sutlej collided with and sank barque Charles Chal- mers, bound from Aberdeen to Sunderland, at three o'clock this morning. Four hands drowned, including captain and passenger; two hands saved-names reported as Andrew M'Kay and David M'Kay. Vessel sank almost immediately. Stttlej and Doris remained on the spot until daylight. Court of inquiry will be held to-day. Apparently vessel attempted to pass through first division." An unofficial report says that the Channel Fleet arrived on Friday morning in St. Andrews Bay, and reported that the cruiser Sutlej had run down a schooner in the North Sea during a fog, and that several of those on the schooner lost their lives. The Sutlej, which was commissioned at Chatham in May of last year, is a new first-class twin- screw cruiser of 12,000 tons, and is commanded by Captain Paul Bush. The scene of the col- lision was off the coast of Berwickshire.

THE LOSS OF THE MEXICANO. It was believed that the seaman picked up by the steamer Foxby on the Atlantic coast on Thursday was the sole survivor of the British steamer Mexicano, which foundered off Cape Hatteras in the gale. Six more of the crew of the Mexicano were on Friday landed at New York. The men say they jumped from the vessel and saved themselves by seizing pieces of wreckage. They were in the water for ten hoars, almost naked, before they were picked up, and were in a serious condition from exhaustion and ex- posure. The men declare that some of the crew committed suicide rather than risk their lives in the terrible seas. They heard two revolver shots as they jumped into the sea.

LOSS OF CARDIFF-LADEN SHIP. The Board of Trade inquiry concerning the stranding and loss of the steamship Muriel, owned by Messrs. R. H. Ooverdale and Son, West Hartlepool, at or near San Martinho, on the coast of Portugal was resumed West HaBtlepool on Saturday. She was on a voyage from Cardiff for Genoa, leaving the former port on August 13 with a crew of 22 hands all told, and a cargo of about 2,900 tons of coal. The stranding occurred on August 18 during a dense fog, and the vessel subsequently foun- dered.—The Court found that the vessel was not navigated with proper and seamanlike care on the afternoon of the 18th ult., and that the loss was due to the default of the master, Captain Freeman, of St. Ives. The master's certificate waa suspended for three months, but the court, on the application of Mr. Shrover, who represented the owners, consented to recommend the granting of a chief officer's certificate to the master during the period of his suspension.

THE WRECK OF THE INCHULVA. The Barry-laden steamer Inchulva, pre- viously reported as wrecked on the Florida coast, has broken in half. The loss in this case on hull and cargo is between £ 70,000 and jeso.ooo.

WELSH SCHOONER ASHORE. The schooner Mary Roberts, of Carnarvon, Gilmour master, has gone ashore on Lowther Skerries. Pentland Firth, in a fog. The vessel was on A voyage with coal from Bridgen- ness to Burray, Orkney. The crew were saved, but the vessel will probably become a total wreck. It is partially insured.

STEAMER TOPAZE WRECKED. A Lloyd's correspondent states that the British steamer Topaze, belonging to Messrs. Christie and Co., Cardiff, has been wrecked near St. John's, Newfoundland. She is 1,902 tons, built in 1878, and is insured almost entirely in mutual clubs. It v-aa the Topaze that was seized by the Venezuelans during -the blockade, and Captain Davidson, its skipper, was taken into custody. The incident led to the bombard- ment of the Custom-house pott while she was seized.

SWANSEA BOUND VESSEL IN COL- LISION. A collision has occurred at Liverpool between the steamer Maiorese, proceed- ing from the Herculaneum Dock to the Wellington Dock, in tow of the tugs Fighting Cock and Stormcock, and the steamer Sunlight, outward bound for Swansea with a general cargo and several passengers. The Sunlight, in colliding, struck the Stormcock and afterwards fell across the bows of the Maiorese. Both vessels became locked together, and drifted towards Southend. The Sunlight was leaking fast. Eventually the Maiorese came to anchor off Tranmere. The Sunlight was beached at Tranmere to save her sinking. The crew and passengers were landed at Birkenhead on Wednesday morning.

STEAMER AGROUND IN SOUTH- AMPTON WATER. During a fog which enveloped Southampton Water the South-Western Company's steamer Frederica, bound for the Channel Islands, went aground on the mud off Netley Hospital. Incoming steamers were delayed by fog. With the assistance of a tug the Frederica was floated at high tide and proceeded on her voyage to the Channel Islands at noon on Wednesday, having sustained no injury.

FIRE ON A STEAMSHIP. The steamer David Weston, carrying 200 passengers, has been burned on the St. John River, New Brunswick. As she was being beached a panic seized the passengers, but most were got ashore. It is known that three were drowned, including Mr. James Rowan, a jurist, of Manchester, and hJs son. Several are still missing.

SEAMEN'S WAGES DISPUTE. MR. WILSON PETITIONS MR. GERALD BALFOUR. Mr. Havelock Wilson, the president of the Bristol Channel District of the National Sailors and Firemen's Union, has written to the President/of thl Board of Trade (Mr. Gerald Balfour, M.P.) soliciting the interven- tion of the Board of Trade with a view of ter- minating the present wage dispute between the shipowners and seamen at the Bristol Channel ports. It appears that for over four years the rate of wages -paid to seamen at Bristol Channel ports has varied from Z3 to L4 per month, whilst in other ports on the north-east coast for the same class of vessel and in the same trade the wages paid are and have been E4 10s. per month. The Union desired the South Wales shipowners to pay the men a minimum rate of wages of V per month. Since the commencement of the dispute several vessels have signed on crews at C4 10s. There are many shipowners, however, who refuse to pay the port wage of £4 108. Mr. Wilson, in his letter, further states that the mercantile marine offices are being opened at unusual hours of the night, and that the Board of Trade officials are giving most unusual facilities to the owners who want to obtain low-waged crews.

DEMONSTRATION AT CARDIFF. On Wednesday night the sailors and firemen who are standing out for wages at E4 10s. a month organised a demonstration in front of the Mercantile Marine Office at Cardiff Docks. Flags of different nationalities were displayed, the Union banner was hoisted, and a procession 600 strong, headed by a band, paraded the principal streets and marched to St. David's-hall, where a meeting was held. Mr. J. R. Bell (Barry) presided.-Mr. J. H. Wilson, who was well received, explained the position up to date, and said he had that day, at their request, submitted to the Pre. sident of the Board of Trade a letter asking him to put into force the Conciliation Act, and he failed to see how that gentleman could refuse to exercise the powers conferred upon him under the Act. He claimed that the seamen from the commencement had acted reasonably. So far back as last June they suggested a conference, and the shipowners agreed to a minimum rate of £ 4. The majority of shipowners throughout the country were quite willing toa,gree to that, but, unfortunately, a few Cardiff firms stood in the way, and it was there that the trouble came in. Arrangements had been made to carry on the fight, and an appeal would pro- bably he made to the whole of the Trades Unionists in Sooth Waies for assistance. He went on to say that 22 ships had signed on at Barry in the last eight days at X4 10s. a month, and more than sixteen at Newport, and the day previous the steamship OaJdy (Cardiff) signed on at the same rate.

THE KING. The King, accompanied by the Prince of Wales, General Kelly-Kenny, and Lord Howe, had another day's deer shooting on Tuesday in the woods around Birkhally. The weather was delightful, and the party lunched in the open air in the woods after tAM first drive. To-morrow (Thursday) the King gives a grand ball at the castle.

LORD CRANBORNE'S SEAT RETAINED. Polling took place at Rochester on Wednesday for the election of a. Par- liamentary representative for the town, to fill the vacancy caused by the succession of Viscount Cranborne to the peerage. The result was declared late in the evening a.s follows;- Tuff (U.) 2,504 Johnston (R.) 1,983 Majority 521 The following are the figures at previous elections: 1892. Alderman H. D. Davies (C.) 2,119 Mr. T. B. Maddisoa <L.) — 1,712 Majority 407 By-election, February, 1893 (oa Alderman Davies being unseated on petition). Lord Cranborne (C.) unopposed. 1895. Lord Cranborne (C.) i 2,152 Mr. C. A. Orenfall (L.) .u. 1,873 Majority 479 1900. Lord Cranbome (C.) unopposed. ST. ANDREWS. ELECTION. Polling in the St. Andrews Burghs election took place on Thursday, the vacancy being baused by the retirement of Mr. H. T. Anstruther (U.), who has been appointed a director of the Suez Canal. The candidates were Major Anstruther Thomson (U.) and Cap- tain Ellice (L.). The result was declared on Thursday night, as follows: — Ellice (L.) 1,324 Anstruther Thomson (U.) 1,288 Liberal majority 36 ALL HEREFORDSHIRE SEATS TO BE CON- TESTED. It is decided that all three constituencies in Herefordshire shall be contested in the Liberal interest. Captain Percy Clive, M.P. for the Southern or Rose Division, is to be opposed by Colonel Alan Gardner, who formerly contested East Marylebone. He has been definitely- adopted, and made his first speech as candi- date at a Liberal demonstration at Holme Lacy on Thursday evening. Mr. J. S. Ark- wright, M.P. for Hereford City, will most pro- bably-it is regarded as certainly-be opposed by Mr. Emerson Bainbridge, who sat in Parlia- ment for Gainsborough from 1895 to 1900. He is a large land and colliery proprietor, and president of the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers. It is also intended to oppose Sir James Rankin, M.P. for North Herefordshire, but no candidate has yet been announced. MONTGOMERY BOROUGHS. A meeting of the executive of the Mont- gomery Boroughs Liberal Association was held at Newtown on Tuesday. Mr, Richard Lloyd, Newtown, was appointed chairman, and Mr. Hugh Lewis, Glanhafren, vice-chair- man of the executive committee- It was unanimously resolved, "That, Mr. J. D. Rees having been unanimously adopted by the six Liberal associations of the contributory boroughs of Montgomery as their candidate to contest the seat at the next vacancy, this executive committee hereby confirms the resolution previously passed, and invites Mr. Rees to accent, the invitation so heartily given, promising him the heartiest support in the campaign." Mr. Rees, in reply, stated that whilst thanking them for their kind- neas, he was not yet quite prepared to give his final answer. In the meantime, he should oontinue his visits to the various boroughs, as he desired to make the acquaintance of every elector. The secretary was directed to write to each Free Church Council in the county, asking them to arrange a conference at which measures for the enlightenment of the constituency as to the working of what was styled "the execrable Education Act." should be discussed- It was announced that Mr. Rees was endeavouring to secure a per- manent home in the county. MONMOUTH BOROUGHS. Mr. Lewis Haslam, the Liberal candidate for the Monmouth Boroughs, began a series of ward meetings at Newport yeserday evening, with an address at Powell's-place Board School in the Central Ward.—Councillor W. Evans presided. The following resolution was passed:- "That this meeting condemns in the strongest possible manner the passing of the Education Act? before previously receiving a mandate from the country, and expresses indignation at the incapacity of the Government in the conduct of the South African War as revealed by the report of the Royal Commission, and, further, considers that determined opposition should be offered to any alteration in the fiscal policy of this country, and calls upon the Government to retire from office because it has ceased to have the respect and con- fidence of the electorate." MID-GHjAMO&GANr A crowded meeting of miners was held at Pontrhydyfen, and Mr. D. T. Jones (Aber- gwynft Lodge), who presided, called the action of the Miners' Federation unjust and unwarrantable. The Labour agitation he attributed to a few with more zeal than know- ledge. Mabon" yas an exception, and so were some of the other miners' agents, whose actions were due to motives of genuine, if mistaken, policy. it was Mr. John Thomas (checkweigher) who moved the resolution disapproving of the action of the executive in forcing a. Labour candidate on Mid-Glamorgan, and expressing unabated confidence in Mr. S. T. Evana, whose return the meeting was asked to pledge itself to secure. Mr. Thomas said that, as a work- ing man and a member of the Federation, he had nothing to say against the desire to secure more Labour representatives in the House of Commons. (Hear, hear.) But he maintained that any scheme which was to enhance the welfare and best interests of the working classes must be based on sound, broad, and liberal principles. (Cheers.) In the first place, they must have a united Labour party. Was the Labour party of to- day united? ("No.") For an answer they had only to look over the discussion on the Labour representation scheme at the recent Trades Congress at Leicester. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Kier Hardie's suicidal policy had at last been endorsed by the Parliament of Labour. By the resolution passed at the congress the best intellects amongst Labour leaders—men like Bell, Shaokleton, and Burt—were outside the Labour ticket. (" Shame.") And if their worthy leader, "Mabon," insisted on being called the nominee of the Rhondda Liberal, as well as the Labour, Association, he would be denounced by the so-called modern Labour leaders. ("Shame.") He (Mr. Thomas) believed he endorsed the sentiments of the meeting when he said that they would not have the Independent Labour party to reign over them. (Applause.) What was wanted was more combined action between the Liberal and Labour parties. (Hear, hear.) Mr. W. J. Llewellyn (Llantwit Merthyr Lodge) seconded the resolution, which was supported by Messrs. J. Morgan, John John, G. Jones, and T. Thomas, all of whom spoke of the great services of Mr. S. T. Evans to the cause of Labour. The resolution was carried unanimously.

MEMORIAL TO A WELSH COMPOSER. At Glanadda Cemetery, Bangor, on Wednes- day the Venerable Arohdruid of Wales, "Hwfa Mon," unveiled a memorial to John Richards ("Isalaw"), a Welsh composer who was closely connected with the National Eisteddfod The memorial w a Celtic cross, similar in design to tlie ancient crosses found in Anglesea. A committee formed at the Bangor National Eisteddfod organised a subscription fund for the puipftse, and the designing of the cross was entrusted to Mr. Harold Hughes, the architect. The stone used is Anglesey granite, and the cross bears an inscription in Welsh: "Isalaw," 1843-1901. A mark of the esteem of his friends." On the north face there appears the score of the music of Bydd Melus Gofio," one of "Isalaw's" best known ajithems. Mr. Westlake Morgan, orgapist of Bangor Cathe- dral, presided over the gathering, which in- cluded many leading musicians and North Wales bards. The Archdruid, after unveiling the cross, spoke in appreciative terms of "Isalaw," and said they had come to pay homage to the memory of one who would live in the hearts of his countrymen and whose beautiful natural compositions would last even after that monument had crumbled into duat. A mixed choir, led by Councillor John Williams, sang several of Isalaw's com- positions during the ceremony.

CHOIR FESTIVAL AT CAERPHILLY. A successful choir festival was held in St. Martin's Church, Caerphilly, on Wednesday evening in connection with the Llandaff Diocesan Church Choral Association. The choirs taking part were from Caerphilly, Bedwas, Machen, Llanishen, and the St. James's and St. Alban's, Cardiff, numbering in all over two hundred voices. The service was intoned by the Rector of Caerphilly, the Rev. Connop L. Price. The first lesson was read by the Rev. — Thomas, Bedwas, and the second lesson by the Rev. J. Jesse Jones, vicar of Gelligaer. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Grimth Thomas, curate of St. Andrew's Church, Cardiff. Mr. Thomas's sermon, founded on Psalm lxvi., 3, was most appropriate to the occasion, and in it he referred to the use of the Psalms in all Chris- tian lands and to the metrical versions in Welsh by Prys and Myddleton; to the reli- gious songs of Vicar Prichard, and the hymns of Jones, of Llanddowron, and Williams, of Pantycelyn; and in English to the hymns of Isaac Williams, of the Oxford Movement, the friend of Keble. All these, the preacher said, were aids to worship God. Mr. T. Parry Edwards, the organist of the church, pre- sided at the organ, and in addition an orchestra conducted by Mr. Shapland Dobbs took paftt in the- festival.

WEEK BY WEEK. LIGHTER SIDE OF CURRENT? EVENTS. Lady Reed, wife of Sir Edward Seed, again ill with an attack of facial pa,ralysiS- Cardiff and Rhondda had last week the 1 death-rate of 11 per 1,000; Newport, 16; MeftflT* and Swansea, 18. It is interesting to note that Mr. John is himself the donor of the bronze b« of Sir John Williams to the Cardiff Gallery. Castle-street ia Cardiff has had all th8 excitement lately. Two fires and a burrf: within the space of ten days is a bit oI record for one thoroughfare. Lieutenant-general J. W. Laurie, M.P- the Pembroke Boroughs, has, under advice, gone to Canada, and does not exP00* to return until Christmas. A speaker at the Irish meeting in last night spoke of a recent gatbefiw" when the hall was "crowded from roof to ing." Irish politics are frequently in the • The cuckoo was heard last week in several parts of the country—Cardiganshire for A yellow-hammer has also been obser* « sitting on her eggs in the neighbourhood o* Cardigan. „ It is stated that there is "every proSpect of an early winter. This is extremely pleaøaDt after the lovely spring, summer, and we have enjoyed; but, of course, we cans*" have It all sunshine and humming.birds. An old celebrity in the vicinity of t'" village of Drysllwyn boasts that he owM **5 oldest turn-oat" going. His donkey ia w. years old, the cart 100 years old, harness • years old, and he himself is 68—total, 273. W* is hard to beat. East Carmarthen is having a fortnight 01 Calvinistic Methodism. Last week the En,1iØJI conference was held at Llanelly; this week Welsh association is held at Bettwg. Saitao1 < is the phrase, "Y byd a'r bettws"—The vrori and the Church. All the horrors of the recent gale will be known. A Cardiganshire corresponded^ describing the recent great storm, mention the following exciting'incident:—"One of residents was up to his waist in water he went out to rescue the pig from the and carried it upstairs." The ranks of the Dowlais and Merthyr phil- harmonic Society contain a goodly svrinJdiBf of the "daughters of- Israel," and the fAIC that they helped to wrest the laurels in chief choral contest at the Llanelly NatioB** Eisteddfod is pointed to with pa.rdO)1a018 pride by some of the Jewish journals. Sir Samuel Walker Griffith, who has be<* offered the Chief Justiceship of the Commonwealth, is described by a LondO- paper as the most distinguished WelsJun" in Greater Britain. Sir Edmund Barton referred to him as "the architect of Commonwealth." Mr. John David Rees, who is standing .A candidate for the Montgomery BoroitCC" against Colonel Pryce-Jones, has taken house for three months on the outskirts Newtown, from which he and his wife carrying on the most vigorous canvaes. J«t. Rees's eldest brother is secretary to Egyptian Minister of Finance at Cairo, and married to an Egyptian lady. The agricultural co-operative movement f* forging ita way, gradually and quietly, West Wales. On Saturday the Ctu-martbe* Society met to appoint a manager for 1¡àeit stores, and the choice fell upon Mr. ThoW^ Gealy, grocer and general merchant, of, Porthyrhyd, who will, therefore, be larger responsible for the future success of tW society. Messrs. Evans and Williams, of Frederick- street, Cardiff, are printing and the complete poetical works of "Dyfed," tfc* oft-chaired bard. There will be four voltUlleØ, and the first of these will be oat of the pres* just before "Dyfed" leaves this country ili December for a tour of Egypt and the HoW Land, with which he will be only renewing acquaintance, having been there before. The death is announced of Mr. John Owelll Tycoch, father of Mr. E. H. Owen, a weI1- known antiquarian. He belonged to ø.a extensive Welsh shipping company. tturicje the Chartist movement, when it was desirab/e to rid the country of some of tbØ agitators, the firm, by arrangement with tbØ Government, reduced their rates to such extent as to tempt about 400 Chartist grants to sail from Milford Haven to America Bishop Lewis's choice of the Rev. F. 1.. Beck all precentor of Llandaff Cathedral is very satisfactory move," writes a w«l»* informed correspondent. The vicar of RoaW unlike the great majority of the clergy, reøJ}1 knows something about music. office is little more than a nominal one it iØ well to know that should occasion require tJtlJ precentor may confidently be appealed to fot a practical opinion in the important ma- of aatbedrsd music." Truly, the Eisteddfod platform ta ooftml* politan. The annual eisteddfod in conned tion with the Baptist chapel at Carway, Kid' welly, was held on Saturday at Glyn Abb6y» by permission of the Benedictine monks t1(Yff resident there. Several of the monka attended in their habits, arid had seats on the platforffl with the president, a prominent Church of England worker, who, together with the Baptist minister, made a happy group. TM monks were most enthusiastically received a' the eisteddfod, and they on their par* declared themselves delighted with the P* cee dings. An illustration of the "re-union" between Church and Dissent was given at Never* Parish Church, Pembrokeshire, last Sunday- Mr. David Jenkins, Mus. Bac., who is on 8 visit to the Rev. J. O. Evans and Mrs. EvaN* (the composer's niece) at Nevern Vica.race- gave at the evening service a fine rendering of the solo "Delw'r lesu" (the Image of Jesaa), arranged to music by himself, with WelsB- words by Professor Anwyl. Mr. Jenkins, who 18 a deacon at the English Calvinistic Chapel at Aberystwyth, was accompanied oa the harmonium by Mrs. Bowen, Llwyngwaifc an ardent Churchwoman. An amusing story is now going the roandl about a well-known Welsh Church dignita.r14 True to his democratic tendencies he, wbeØ. visiting a particular town, patronises a caf* where popular prices prove attractive. Th** place he. had occasion to visit about thro* weeks ago, and after ordering dinner h* requested- that a cup of hot water should be brought him to the smoking room. This wa^ done, and in due course the waitress also too* up the dinner, when, to her const or uatioi-, sJJ6 found the rev. gentleman before a mirror minus his coat, his shirt sleeves tucked UP the elbows, and his face well lathered. JI8 was shaving! Professor Owen M. Edwards has just beooxøØ the possessor of several manuscripts cental ing a number of poems by the late Rev. WiJ* liam Thomas, the well-known Welsh bard» "Islwyn," which have never been published' They were discovered after the publication in 1896 of the large half-a-guinea volume <* the "Complete Poetical Works of Islwyn' under the editorship of Mr. Edwards. They are to be published shortly as the eighØ volume of the series of Welsh classics wbioJa is being brought out by "Ab Owen," of uwchllyn. Mr. Edwards states that th"- poems "are the work of the years when tk* mus of "Islwyn" was developing into melod*1 ouaness and strength." General Laurie, having been ordered aw for a change by the doctors, has gone off see his old friends in Canada, where he served with the Dominion Militia for twenty yea,rSt and also held a seat for some time in tit' House of Commons at Ottawa, before he coO* ceived the ambition of entering the Impen- Parliament. General Laurie won distinction before Sebastopol, where he was twicf seriously wounded, and in the famous ruø1L on the Redan, and he afterwards served iJt the Boer war of 1881, and with the expedition to suppress the rebellion of half-breeds Canada in 1885. After putting by his SWOP he took up the ploughshare, and had solO* success as a farmer and breeder of stock. f&' general has sat for Pembroke Boroughs in tIt-, Commons for the past eight years. South Wales Methodists claim to belong the Forward Movement, but it is to be they will not adopt the sensational devices of their Yankee cousins. In some recent 8#)"- mons delivered in a Methodist church tbe subject for the first evening was "The Devu* Game"; the second, "Get off the Porch" J the third, Saved in an Army Barracks "J the fourth, Some Fellows who had Snakes the fifth, "A Costly Plate of Beans"; te* sixth, Lessons from a Homely Man's Face » the seventh (to men only), God's motives the eighth (to women only), to Move in the Best Society and the nintw "The Sweetest Story Ever Told." "So f"t. as we can ascertain," says the Advocate," not a soul joined the Church all these meetings, while another Church o*' the same denomination in the same town had 160 accessions during its two yeart history, and many conversions and a revival. „ Dean Stanley, who was a brother-in-law^ the late Dean Vaughan, was a man not easuj upset by any turn of events, but a little thin* that came his way once nearly killed him. a great fashionable house a wag was giving excruciatingly funny burlesque of a they had had that morning from an at the Abbey. Stanley's face was a until the burlesquer was brought to see t;n.t quietly sitting in a corner behind him the very man whom he was burlesquing. that was not the dean's funniest experience* Bishop Thirlwall invited most of the member* of one of the sections of the British £ tion to dine with him. Tke most omission was the name of perhaps the brilliant member of the lot. He mentioned his being omitted to Stanley, who raced OIJ- to Thirlwall, and said, "Surely you are going to invite Professor Forchhammer P" "B? no means," was the reply, "nothing induce me to ask to my house a man who defended the execution of Soerateet"