Weekly Mail

Wttlh «ail. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1904. The" WEEKLY MAIL is published on Fridays and Saturdays, and can be obtained from your local neicsagent- 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;—■ s. d. One Quarter 1 8 Half Year 3 3 One Year 6 6

AGRICULTURAL DECLINE. The official agricultural returns just published show that the general agricul- tural decline in our country-so much to be deplored—is shared by the Princi- pality. Comparing 1904 with the pre- vious year, we find a loss of 8,000 acres in wheat, 3,000 in barley, 1,000 in oats, 500 in potatoes, 300 in clover, etc., for hay, and 23,000 in clover, etc., not for hay. On the other hand, there is an increase of 25,000 acres under permanent grass. This is not a pleasing picture, and the decline in wheat area is specially to be deplored. There is not a Welsh county that does not contribute to this diminution, and it is the same with barley. All this is melancholy to read of because it can only point to one moral. Our people are draining steadily into the towns, whilst the countryside is becoming depopulated, with all its whole- some interests and surroundings. We keep on talking of how we can be fed in time of war, and yet at the same time our crop acreage keeps steadily decreas- ing. What will be the end of it?

ABERDARE MAN'S SUCCESS An Aberdare collier, Mr. William Davies, has been successful in obtaining the geld medal so much coveted by mining students through- out the Empire, and which is offered annually by the "Mining Engineering" Office, Wigan, for the best set of answers to questions set by them for a whole year. It is a notev. orthy fact that the gold medal obtained by Mr. Da vies is only the second which has been brought to South Wales, the firs: having bee-n oaptured three years ago by Mr. Daniei Davies, the present manager of Darranddu Colliery, near Pontypridd. MR. WILLIAM DAVIES. I Although a collier, Mr. Davies has obtained numerous successes, and at a comparatively early age. He was born in Aberdare in 1873 He left school at the age of twelve, and com- menced to work underground, where he has since been employed as a collier. He started to learn mining engineering at the age of twenty by joining an elementary class held at Aberdare. Passing first class in that stage, he then joined an advanced class, the teacher of which was Mr. Henry Davies, the mining lecturer of the Glamorgan County Council. He has obtained numerous certi- flcatss in mining, steam, applied mechanics, geology, and mine surveying, and ne has also obtained certificates of competency as undermanager and manager of a colliery.

WELSHMEN ABROAD. NEWS OF OUR COUNTRYMEN FROM HOME. UNITED STATES. OCTOGENARIAN WELSH SETTLER PASSES AWAY. The number of the Welsh settlers in Fair Haven", Vt., is becoming very small, and the last to pass away is Mrs. Gwen Hughes, widow of the late Richard Hughes, who had pre- deceased her by a. few months. Mrs. Hughes was born in Cae Clyd, Fe."tiniog, 85 years ago, and was a sister to the late Revs. Evan and Griffith Griffiths, Utica. Mrs. Hughes has at present a sister in Festiniog. LLANGYFELACH MAX'S DEATH. A native of Llangyfelach, near Swansea, has passed away in Argo, Colorado, in the person of Mrs. Jane Rees, who was 61 years of age. She was one of the members of the first Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church in Argo. Her husband previous to leaving South Wales for America was employed as a smelter in Swan- sea, and he and othtrs were selected to go out to Empire, Colorado, to establish works there. VISITORS TO AMERICA. Mr. John Davies and his family, of Portli, Rhondda, are on a visit to Shamokin, Pa. He stays with his brother-in-law, and intends remaining in America for a month or six weeks. Another Welsh visitor to America is the Rev. John Davies (London), who intends stay- ing there four weeks. STATISTICS OF WELSH AMERICANS. The total number of Welshmen in the United States, according to the census, is 93,744. The foilowing are the chief figures for the respective States:—California, 1,949; Colo- rado, 1,955; Illinois, 4,354; Indiana, 2,053; Iowa, 3.091; Kansas. 2,0C3; Massachusetts, 1,5S0; Minnesota, 1,228; Missouri, 1,613; Montana, 9"5; New Jersey, 1,155; New York, 7,304; Ohio, 11,481; Pennsylvania, 35,153; Utah, 2,141; Ver- mont, 1,056; Washington, 1,509; and Wisconsin, 3,356. LATE REV. E. J. GRIFFITHS, SOUTH DAKOTA. The death is announced of the Rev. Evan J. Griffiths, of Powell, South Dakota. He was horn near Aberystwyth in 1861. He was a Wesleyan, and went over to America six or seven years ago as a lay preacher. In I America he had charge of a Church. Later, however, he joined the Methodists, and he was ordained by the Minnesota "Cymanfa" in 1903. LOSS TO A WELSH CHURCH. The Welsh Church in Bangor, Wis., has suffered a great loss by the death of Mr. Row- land Jones. Mr. Jones was a native of Niw- bwrch, Anglesey, and emigrated to America in 1350. He had been foremost in connection with his place of worship for 33 years.

CAPE TOWN. ARRIVAL OF THE REV. GWYNFRYN JONES AT THE CAPE. The Rev. Gwynfryn Jones, the minister of tho Welsh Church, and Mrs. Jones arrived by the Sinvic. They were met at the boa.t and at the quay by several of their fellow-country- men, who gave thorn a cordial welcome. A small party of members of the Cambrian Society and of the Welsh Church met them (at the invitation of Mr. Wynn-Roberts) at lunch. On Sunday the Rev. Gwynfryn Jones preached at the evening service, and the Lord's Supper was administered to a large number. On Friday, at the oak room of the Young Men's Christian Association, a recep- tion is to be given, under the presidency of Sir William Thorne, the mayor of Cape Town. THE WELSH LANGUAGE. At the Cambrian meeting a.t Cape Town an animated debuts took place on "Is it essential to keep up the Welsh Language?" The debate was opened by Mr. Richard Jones ("Lleurwg" in the affirmative, Mr. Thomas taking the; other side. Most of the speakers spoko in their native tongue, and on the vote being taken by Mr. H. Parry (chairman) it was found that there was a large majority in favour of keeping up the Welsh language. Mr. Clealon Jones (Ba.ngor) recently won the prize of two guineas offered by Mr. Howard for the best speech on any subject. Mr. Jones chose 'The Native Population of South Africa," a question he had carefully studied. CAMBRIAN SOCIETY'S^ VICE-OHURMAN. Mr. Edmund Powell; editor of a Cape news- paper, and a vice-chairman of the Cambrian Society, has been returned unopposed for the laarl District to the House of Assembly.

LONDON LETTER, A COLUMN OF INTEREST TO ALL OUR READERS. LONDON, Thursday. The death of Prince Bismarck removes from the stage one who was what may be called a silent factor in German politics. He was a remarkable instance in two ways cf the influence that a father has upon the career of his son, for to the great Iron Chancellor he made himself subservient I in a more than ordinary filial degree. He was a man of considerable talent, and, according to the dicta of good judges in such matters, might have attained high rank in the service of the State. But during the years of his father's success he was content to take the place of a helper, I and when the time came for the historic scene when the Kaiser dropped the pilot the father went into retirement, where the son also went, and would not be drawn away. Even after the late Chancellor's death no inducement could break the resentment that the son showed. By right, after the death of the famous Prince Bismarck the son should have been known as Prince Bismarck also but no one hardly ever thought of ¡ referring to him other than as Prince Herbert Bismarck. His position in poli- tics, although he was in retirement, was of such a character that at any time he might have come out; and if he had done so there would at once have been for a him a large following. That made him an interesting feature. No one knew what he was likely to do, but many feared that he would do something that might prove extremely awkward for more than one party in the State. It may be noted that Lord Rosebery was very intimate with the family; and that two of the late Prince's children were named—one after Lady Rosebery, and one after the noble earl. FRANCE AND THE VATICAN: A NEW I TURN. The report published as to the interview that the ex-Bishop of Laval had with the Pope will, if true, have a great effect upon the agitation that; has gone on in France for some months past. The leading facts of the case are so well known that one can quite under- stand the state of feeling in France upon the subject, but'the interview referred to has a deep significance. It shows that the Pope and his advisers mean to hold their authority over the clergy of all grades, and that, whatever else may happen,, they are prepared to ask for obedience and to support those who give it. The manner in which the ex-bishop was received is characteristic of his Holi- ness from a personal point of view, but, at the same time, it shows that what is recog- nised is the difference between the man and the system. There was a change in the outward features of the Government policy when the bishop left his see and chose to go to Rome in contravention of the directions that he had received from other quarters. It showed that M. Combes realised that there were bounds over which he could not step without run- ning the risk of being blamed for doing something unwise. What will happen or what new methods will be devised while the matter lies in abeyance is an interest- ing problem, and to that the writers on French politics are now directing their attention. A NEW NOTE IN MASCULINE FASHIONS. We are likely to hear more of a new note in fashion during the coming winter. For a long time past the masculine sex— or, at least, a section of it—has asked why it should not be allowed to try to look j pretty as well as the fair ones. Perhaps if the Marquess of Anglesey had been able to proceed further as a leader of fashion the new movement would have advanced. But in his absence the necessary steps are to be taken by a club to be called the Knickerbockers Club, whose efforts will be devoted to an attempt to popularise the revival of a more picturesque evening dress for men. At present the men find their only chance to escape from the con- ventional swallow-tail when attending a hunt dance, for at some of those fixtures coats of scarlet are permitted. The new club will start shortly with a large gather- ing in London at which knee-breeches and silk stockings, with buckled shoes, are to be the proper form of attire. CURE OF CANCER. Thanks to the attention paid to the subject by ^the King, a great impetus has been given during the last year or two to the researches into the disease known as cancer. The leading British doctors have devoted every possible attention to the matter, and at the same time we find that medical men on the Continent are equally anxious to find out the causes and the necessary treatment of what has proved to be one of the few diseases whose nature is almost a mys- tery. The Dermatological Congress at Berlin took the subject up, and we were told that they had sub-; jected all that had come to light up to the present about cancer to a severe examination. Of late we have heard many rumours that cures had been dis- covered, but it is somewhat dishearten- ing to find that this congress of the best medical men of Europe found themselves bound to admit that so far very little, beyond failure is to bo reported. Rontgen rays and radium treatment may: do some good, it is believed, if taken up in the early stages of the growth; but operations are still the only resource; when the disease has gained a hold. As to the cause, we are told that it remains 1 as much a mystery as ever. Although; this may be regarded as bad news when taken at first sight, we must not be alto- get her discouraged. Every step taken in trial and investigation, every failure that has to be pronounced, means that some- thing at one time thought probable had been discredited, but, at the same time, it is something swept out of the way, so that the range of possibility is narrowed with every failure. In time, it may be, the issue will be brought so close home that success will be attained. THE MYSTERY OF THE ARMY MANOEUVRES. That General French has seen fit to issue a special order at Aldershot in: which he expresses his appreciation of the work done by the army" under his command during the recent invasion of Essex has added to the difficulties of the critics. The manasuvres were almost as much a puzzle to the writers as the war is to the ccorrespondents in the Far East. Day after day there was an amusing air of trouble. None of the critics really knew what he was writing about. Certain statements as to the object of the movements appeared in print, only to be promptly contradicted by the authori- ties in Pall Mall, and it seems that for once the War Office has managed to keep: a secret. Probably, wo shall not know the secret until after the umpires have presented the Army Council with their report, and there is now some ques- j tion as to whether that report shall bo published to the world. In the meantime the proceedings appear to have gone on; to General French's satisfaction, and it! is worthy of note that he gives pro- minence to the opinion that "staff officers of all ranks throughout the COIll- mand have displayed energy and ability, and shown themselves well fitted for! their responsible posts." And this good word was earned in what the general refers to as the various training opera- tions which have been carried on." LORD HASTINGS. The death of Lord Hastings reminds us of one of the most peculiar romances of the peerage, or even of inheritance, inside the House or out. He was the younger son of a younger son, and, consequently, his chances of succeeding to either pro- perty or title were extremely remote. But deaths followed in almost rapid suc- cession, so that at the age of seventeen he became a peer, a large colliery owner, and the possessor of about £50,000 a year. He put up his racing colours at a very early age, and soon became a member of the Jockey Club. Although he was owner of a few horses that had sensational careers on the turf—including the famous '• Melton "—his colours have not been seen on the course very much for some time past; but he retained his influential position as a steward of the Jockey Club. He is succeeded by his son, who is aged 22, and now becomes the twelfth, in a ust of holders of a peerage that dates back to j 1264,

A NEW SOPRANO. STRIKING CAREER OF MISS AMY EVANS. Quite a surprise awaited the company which Mr. Robert Forrest, the chairman of the council of i-ho Cardiff Musical Festival, entertained to supper at the Park Hotel on Tuesday evening, It was a small gathering, composed of those who had worked hard to make the festival a success and of those who have come to judge whether, musically, it is successful. But, perhaps, the most interesting incident of the evening was the introduction of a young singer in whose future welfare many people must take a keen interest. Miss Amy Evans was present with Miss Forrest, and after supper she gave a few songs by request. To those who knew the story of her career-a career with a touch of musical romance in it — more than ordinary interest attached to her Ising-ing-. Not many present, however, knew it; or those to whom these lines may re-call it may have failed to recognise in the polished and graceful young lady who sang to them last night the little girl who five years ago stirred an Eisteddfod audience to enthusiasm with a voice of singular promise and remarkable beauty. On that occasion she sang Hear ye. Israel." Last night Miss Evans sang it again. She stood by the pianoforte, on which Mr. Deacon accompanied her. She had confidence, a graceful carriage. prepossessing features, and as she stood there, with the pianist striking the introductory bars, she made a pleasing picture. When she sang it was seen at once that her3 was no ordinary voice, though, perhaps, it would be wrong to describe it as phenomenal. But it was a voice that grew on the listener, and it was impossible to trace in this well-trained organ the rough-diamond that took the Eis. teddfod audience by storm. It had acquired greater purity; but it showed the promise of greater purity still. The range was remarkable, the. strength too full for the small room. But when it dropped into the softer phrases of tha solo its sweetness wai undeniable. Still sweeter did it sound when Miss Evans sang a French song. sang it with full understanding and intelligence, with expression, and with perfect enunciation. Certainly she has profited by the training which kind friends have provided for her. Her voice is wonderfully well-trained. Miss Evans is young still. She is not yet out of her teens, and as she grows older her voice must become sweeter. She knows how to produce it. and her modulation is charming. It was difficult, to judge the full capacity and the promise of her voice even in the "Hear ye, Israel," and the French song, though the two wore a good test. But those who heard her were delighted. The promise of achiev- ing what Mr. Ben Davies predicted for the young singer still lies in the voice, wiiich gave out tho fortissimo passages with fine spirit and declamation, and the softer pas- sages with a pure, silken texture. How many people who attended the sniper last evening remembered Miss Amy Evans's first notable triumph in winning the soprano solo competition at the Cardiff National Eisteddfod in July, 1899? And, remembering how many could reconcile the refined and polished artiste of to-day with the little Rhondda songstress of five years ago? Her success on the eisteddfod platform that day was the turning point in her career. She was only fourteen years of age then, but, to quote the words of the report of the competition which appeared in the "Western Ma.i?." at that time, "there was no standing aisainst the finished performance of Amy Evans, who gave full value to every note in the solo, and sang with a beautiful swing and balance, and was well in front for clearness of voice." The adjudicators were the late Dr. Joseph Parry, Mr. Ben Davies, and Mr. Dan Price, and Mr. Ben Davies, who announced the adjudication, said that he had heard the solo 38 times at the preliminary test, and believed at first it was going to be a great ordeai, but he enjoyed it very much. The winner had a marvellous, magnificent voice, and was a great natural singer. She was not fifteen years old, and if she were taken in hand and trained properly (unless he proved a false prophet) stae would become one of the greatest singers W:*les had produced. The competitive solo Wa:3 Hear ye, Israel (from the Elijah "). This was high praise, and the words of the famous tenor made an impression. This was Amy Evans's twenty-third eisteddfod prize, the first having been won at Williamstov/n about four years previously. As a cfrild she attended the board school at Tonyjiandy, in the Rhondda Valley, where she was 'sorn, her father being Mr. T. Vaughan Evans, who is employed at the Naval Colliery, and is the head of a large family. She receiveG. her first lessons in singing from a local teatfiher. and was subsequently a pupil for thre« years of Mr. David Lloyd, organist and choirmaster at St. Andrew's Church, Tonypandy. But her career did not begin until she had. revealed her talent at the Cardiff Eisteddfiod. And what has happened since? Impressed by the words of Mr. Ben Davies, the eisteddfod committee met ajnd asked whether it could not be arranged that Miss Evans should be sent to school asrd given a musical training. Here was a gresct voice in danger of being wasted, if not entirely lost in a few years' time, and Welsh patriotism had a chance of asserting itself in a prac- tical form. No one came forward, and a strong appeal was eventually made to Mr. Robert, Forrest, of St. Fagan's, and others, with the result that Miss Evans was placed under a. trusteeship for a period, of three years by deed dated September, 1899, the trustees being Mrs. Mary Da-vies, Major- general Lee, Mr. D. W. Davies, of Tonypandy, and Mr. Robert Forrest. The custodianship, however, was almost entirely taitoen over by Mr. and Mrs. R. Forrest, and it iq to their unremitting kindness and munificent patronage that Miss Evans is in ber present position. Mrs. Mary Davies, it should be said, took a great interest in MJISS Evans at this time, and gave valuable advice as to her education and musical training. There was some diffioulty in finding a suitable school, but Miss Walsh, of Worcester Park School, Surrey, acting on the recommenda- tion of Dr. Lloyd Edwards, of Ttarry, under- took to receive her into the sclnool and give her a thorough course of education. To Lliss Walsh Miss Evans is largely inctebted for the progress she has made in her education, in- cluding foreign languages. Duinng the time she was at this school she was not 2.llowc.d, on the advice of Mrs. Mary Diivies, to have any singing lessons at all, or use her voice more than was necessary. Leaving Mi&s Walsh, she went to London, and there lived with the family of a retired Indian officer, where she continued her studies of foreign languages and the pianoforte lifer some time. Miss Eva is now speaks Fl-ench fluently, and also knows German. Tljen she began her musical training under Mrs. Ran- i degger, and for the last yi3»r has been under the tuition of Signer Randeggcr, who has trained so malay celebrated vocalists, including Madame Melba. Since 1932 Miss Evans has been under the trusteeship of Mr. Robert For.rest solely, and such has been the interest ts.tken in her by Mrs. Forrest that she has beet! treated as one of the family. Most of her holidays have been spent at Greenwood, St. Fagan's, and she has paid occasional visits to her home in the Rhondda. She has also spejit part of her holidays in Switzerlan-d, and for some time studied in Paris. Lord Windsor, who was mayor of Cardiff in the year of the eistedd- fod, is taking interest in Miss Evans's career, tho success of which will be the only possible reward to Mr. Robert Forrest for all the great expense he has incurred and the trouble he has taken to give the young lady a fair chance of fulfilling Mr. Ben Davies's prophecy.

GOOD NEWS FOR MILFORD TERMINUS OF THE WORLD'S FASTEST OCEAN SERVICE. Milford Haven has a great future before it. The news is contained in the latest Toronto advices, giving an interview with Inventor Knepp, of roller-boat fame. In my tubular boat," says the inventor, "we will cross the Atlantio in two days. Turbine engines will be used, and the craft will have a freight capacity of 15,000 tons, besides an equal amount of ss*a«e for passen- gers." Inventor Knepp stated that Its would leave for England in a few days to leut his scheme into practice. He would go to ^Tiiford Haven, which had spent £ 2,000.000 in improving the harbour, and would afk for £:1).000. priiaron- teeing in return to make the harbour the terminus of the fastest ocean sarvice in the world. With this money he would build the first boat, and by issuing bo-rids procure funds for the construction of thsa rest of the fleet.

OBSTINATE COLDS CAUSE CATARRH. Medical men say neglected colds •cause nine- tentha of the prevalent diseases. An obstinate cold soon runs into catrarrh of the nose and throat. From these organs the disease may extend to the ears and causo deafness, to the stomach and ca«s>e gastric catarrh, to the lungs and cause bronchitis and asthma. Prompt attention should, there- fore, be given to a catarrhal cold. As to the symptoms of catarrh and its home treatment one can learn much by reading the last number of the "Review of Ear, ^Jose, and Throat Diseases," a copy of which can bo obtained free by post by addressing the Editor, 10. Marble Arch, London, W. (mention- ing Cardiff "Weekly Mail"). w444

JOHN THOMAS SCHOLARSHIP. The John Thomas Welsh Scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music has been "won by Master Percy Hughea, 6, Forge-row, Aber- j aman, the boy pianist,

EDUCATION ACT. o BARRY COMMITTEE AND ROMAN CATHOLICS. A special meeting of the Barry Education Committee was held on Monday for the purpose of considering a resolution to the effect that the managers of the St. Helen's Roman Catholic School he requested to notify Mr. Henry Wood, th.(lj headmaster, and Miss Agnes Grant, headmistress, that from Feb- ruary next their salaries would be £100 and £00 respectively; that the managers of the school be asked to arrange a time-table so that religious instruction be given out of school hours; that teachers be appointed without religious tests; and that t!>e managers be requoested to notify Miss Florence Donovan and Miss Kate Scannell that their engagement will not he continued iSifter the Easter term unless they pass the King's scholarship examination in the second* division. It was decided by five votes to three to forward the resolution to the managers. The Clerk (Mr. T. B. Tordoff) said that the decision placed them in a very peculiar position. MEETING OF THE GLAMORGAN COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Glamorgan Education Committee was held on Tuesday at the Gwyn- hall, Neath, Dr. T. H. Morris presiding. The first b:ujncs9 was to appoint county council managers for non-provided schools. County Councillor Gwyn Morris was appointed to the Sully Schools, and then the Rev. John Davies (Cadle) moved tho appointment of the Rev. T. 0. Rees to the Sketty School. There was no seconder, whereupon The Rev. John Davies said he did not wish to press the matter, and the committee pro- ceeded with the next business, which was to consider a draft agreement for the formation of a Central Welsh Education Council and a petition to Parliament submitted by the National Executive of Welsh Education Authorities. Alderman T. J. Hughes moved that the draft be approved. This proposal was for the foundation of a great educational structure. Councillor Daniel Evans seconded, and the motion was adopted. There were four applicants for the position of a mining teacher, and Mr. Daniel Davies, I of Ynysybwl, was appointed. In regard to the action brought by the head-mistress of the Pontardawe Infants' School for arrears of salary in the Cardiff County-court, the committee decided to instruct Mr. George David, of Cardiff, to defend the same. CAERPHILLY MANAGERS AND TEACHERS' RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. The Rev. D. H. Williams, referring to the recent report in the Western Mail of the action of the Caerphilly group of managers, said he regretted the necessity, but he felt bound to move the following reBolutlon:- That this committee desires to place on record its regret at, the action of the Oaer- philly group of managers at a meeting heid on September 13 in inquiring into the reli- gious beliefs of the candidates whose name's were sent to them for final selection for a head-mistress of Hawthorn School. Alderman Williams said it was absolutely wrong for any public body to inquire as to the religious beliefs of any of the candidates in that way. Alderman E. H. Davies (Pontre) seconded. The Chairman: Are we sure as to what took place? I think before we pass any such reso- lution we ought to know exactly what hap- penn&d. The proper course to adopt would be to make an inquiry, and then if we find the report correct we shall be in a position to deal with the Caerphilly group. At present all we have before us is a newspaper report. Alderman Edwards, a member of the Caer- philly group, said all that happened was merely a slip of the tongue. Councillor Hopkin Morgan: Was it a remark by one man, or a resolution? Alderman Edwards: It was a remark by one man, and not a resolution. The Clerk (Mr. T. M. Franklen) said that if they found on inquiry that the representa- tives of the council on the group had done as was suggested they would know how to deal with them at the next appointments; i but if the questions emanated from the other members all they could do would be to withdraw the power of appointment from the group area altogether on the next occa- sion. The resolution to make inquiries was then carried unanimously. MONMOUTHSHIRE TEACHERS TO STRIKE. Following the example of tho teachers in the Western Valleys, the whole of the teachers in the county have now taken up the cudgels against the Monmouthshire Education Committee over the revised list of payments for teaching at the various evening I technical classes under the committee's juris- diction. A representative gathering of the teachers of the county was held at Newport on Saturday, and, after some very plain talking, a deputation was appointed to inter- view the Monmouthshire Education Com- mittce in regard to the new regulations and to inform them that unless Eatisbctory allowances are made by the committee all the teachers who have already been engaged will withdraw from their positions forthwith. Among the districts represented at the meet- ing were Blaina, Nantyglo. Abertillery, Risca, Tredegar, Usk, Abercarn, Newbridge, Crumlin, Llanhilleth. Abergavenny, Pontnewydd, Caer- leon, Cwmbran, Argoed, Blackwood, and Rogerstonc.

MONMOUTHSHIRE COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Monmouthshire Educa- tion Committee was held on Wednesday at the County Council-chambers, Newport, Alderman J. R. Jacob presiding. Mr. S. N. Jones was appointed chairman, and Principal E. H. Griffiths vice-chairman of the higher education sub-committee. The work of the higher education sub-committee is to be sub-divided under the province of three committees dealing with evening classes, secondary schools, and the agricul- tural department. On the committee dealing with the agricultural department it was decided to co-opt five gentlemen from various parts of the county, and the Monmouthshire Chamber of Agriculture will be asked to select these co-opted members. The salary of the director of agriculture is to be increased from £ 350 to £ 400 from October 1 next. The emergency committee presented a report with reference to rules for the man- agement of elementary schools, and recom- mended that it be not allowed to incur any expenditure in respect of their schools with- out express sanction from the county com- mittee. Tiio report of the elementary sub- committee showed that the Rev. T. G. James had be&n appointed chairman, and Alderman B. Phillips vice-chairman.—It was decided to allow six months for the alterations and repairs to non-provided school houses. Amongst the correspondence, the Secretary (Mr. C. Dauncey) referred to the case of Mr. Roberts, schoolmaster of Nantyglo, who had been appointed as one of the managers of a group in which the school a.t which he was engaged was situate. The Board of Educa- tion had decided (contrary to the opinion of the National Union of Teachers) that Mr. Roberts could not hold both positions. MERTHYR TEACHERS AND THEIR SALARIES. A meeting of the Merthyr Education Autho- rity was held on Friday, the Rev. Jacob Jones, vice-chairman, presiding.—The school attend- ance oommittee recommended the authority to consider the question of amending the pre- sent bye-laws with a view to the raising of the standard of school exemption from the fifth to the sixth.—A resolution was referred to the school management committee in which the Welsh Congregational Union asked that Welsh should be made a compulsory subject in all the schools of the Principality. —A petition from the certificated teachers for a higher scale of salary was relegated to the school management committee. A POINTED PROTEST. Amongst the schools in Montgomeryshire in which tho teachers have not yet received their salaries is that of BwJch-y-cibau, and the managers have received a letter from Colonel Sandbach, D.S.O., R.E., of Bryngwyn Hall, who is at present on military duty in India, emphatically protesting against the county council's action, and enclosing a cheque for £25 as part-payment of the quarter's salary of the master and mistress, the money to be returned if the salaries are paid in full. STARVING THE TEACHERS. At Erynmenya there was a largely- attended meeting of the Ogmore group of head-teachers, called to consider what action should be taken respecting the open- ing of the evening classes during the winter session.—It was unanimously decided not to open the evening schools during the coming winter, for two reasons—(1) the remuneration offered was insufiicient, and (2) the meagre staffing of the day schools. Several heacl-teachers have to take classes of upwards of 80, 90, and 100 entirely unaided, and evening school work on the top of this would be impossible. By this action the head-teachers have placed themselves in line with the Merthyr district of head-teachers.

ILLNESS OF REV. CEITHO DAVIES. News reached Caraarthen on Tuesday that the Rav. Ceitho Davies, formerly of Milford Haven, and now of Abercarn, is lying serioutty ill at Pantycelyn, East Putney, the London residence of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Davies. The rev. gentleman, who has been in indiffer- ent health for some time, spent a couple of weeks a.t Carmarthen last month to recupe- rate, and proceeded to London to undergo an operation. He is being attended to by Mr. Percy Dean, the well-known Hariey-street surgeon.

SETTLEMENT OF A DISPUTE AT MAESTEG. The dispute between the owners of the Bryn Navigation Colliery, near Maesteg, and their employes was settled on Tuesday. The notices to the men respecting a reduction of the price-list terminated la"t Wednesday, when arrangements were made to continue work- ing on day by day contracts until iast Satur- day. Mr. D. Beynon, agent, and tihe work- men's committee met Mr. J. Daviess manager, and Messrs. Woods and Richards, on behalf of t113 owners, on Tuesday. The workmen yielded on dead-work; the cutting prices of coal was to remain as before. SUPPORT WITHHELD FK/OM HIR- WAIN WORKMEN. A meeting of workmen of the Aberdare, Merthyr, and Tower Collieries was held, Mr. Ebenezer Watkins presiding, Th.3 Aberdare District executive reported that. the supple- mentary levy of 4s. per man and Is. 6d. per child will be withheld from aill workmen now on strike at Hirwain after this week. This announcement created some unpleasant- ness among the men. A renewed effort to settle is to be made. COLLIERIES IDLE AT HAFOD. The Lewis-Merthyr Collieries were all idle on Monday, due, it was stated, to want of orders. The Hafod Colliery workmen have issued posters giving the final warning to non-Unionists and those in arrear as to pay- ing up. Reports are very hopeful as to the other collieries, where notice will expire on the 30th inst., but it is feared that the Hafod Colliery men may give notice on that date unless the non-members can be induced to join. EFFECT OF THE COAL-TAX. The directors of the Broomhill Collieries, Northumberland, in their report for the year ended June 30 last, after recommending that the payment of the preferem.-e div dend be postponed-and that the available balance of £9.240 be carried forward, state* that the com- pany has paid over £20,GJO in export duty under the coal-tax, and, apart from the actual financial loss, the directors state that it is recognised by all interested in coal in the district that foreign coal is fteadily driving English coal out of many of the most important markets.

THE DISPUTE AT LYSAGHT'S WAGES BOARD CONDEMN THE SHEARERS. The Midland Iron and Steel Wages Board met at the King's Head Hotel, Newport, on Friday to consider the shearers' dispute at Messm. Lyeaght's Newport works, and which dispute is stated to be responsible for the closing of the works this week. Mr. Giddings, of Neath, presided. The following resolution was passed:- That the action of the shearers at the Orb Works in absenting themselves from work on Monday, September 12, and thus violating the instrtlcticm No. 8 of the rules of the Midland Iron and Steel Wages Board, must be condemned. The witnesses having stated that they were under a misapprehension in relation to the matter, said that they would advise the men: to go bad: to work and submit the case to the committee. It is thought that no further action may be necessary on the subject.

THE ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE STRIKE. MAYOR OFFERS HIMSELF AS MEDIATOR. The Mayor of Anhton-under-Lyne has addressed a letter to Mr. W. Mullin, secre- tary of the Amalgamated Society of Card and Blowing Room Operatives. and Mr. John Smethurst, secretary of the Federation of Master Cotton Spinners' Association, with respect to the proposal that the parties should meet in joint conference. He says: Considering the extreme tension of public feeling existing, and tbe danger to the good order and well-being of the town, it is of the utmost importance that both parties! should be brought together with the least possible delay. Will you permit me, as mayor of the borough and voicing the feel- ing's of its inhabitants, to offer myself as mediator for this purjjose?" The whole of the hands were conveyed to the mill in omnibuses on Monday morning. There was no demonstratiou. At Ashion-under-Ljne on Monday several persons were chargoo with breaches of the peace in connection with the Curzon Mill strike. One man, for interfering with a horse attached to an omnibus containing operatives, was fined 20s., or a month, and a similar penalty was inflicted on a youth for throwing stones. Three women, charged with brawling, were bound over to keep the peace. ASSAULTING NON-UNION WOMEN. Arising out of the disorderly scenes in con- nection with the Curzon mill strike, a batch of prosecutions took place at Ashton-under- Lyne on Wednesday. Three lads, John Rearden, John Jones, and John Birchenough, were charged with assaulting non-Union women, who were returning to Oldham, by throwing pepper in their faces, and Richard Butler was charged with aiding and abetting. The defence was that the pepper was to have been thrown at the bottom of the rai way carriage simply to make the women sneeze. Butler was fined 20s. and costs, and the other defendants a shilling each and costs.

CIGAR-MAKERS' STRIKE. [IMPORTANT STRUGGLE WITH THE TRUST BEGINS. The real struggle between the cigar-makers and the Imperial Tobacco Company begins this week. Within the next few days every union employe of the trust, both in London and the provinces, will have been ordered to cease work. Meanwhile offers of assistance are coming in thick and fast. At Nottingham, where the girl cigar-makers have a Female Protec- tion Asso-ciation of their own, the girls have shown their sympathy in a striking way. Not only have they come into line with the London Union by handing in their notices, but they have given Mr. Ben Cooper, L.C.C.. £200 for the strikers, and promised further help at the ra.te of £100 a week. While not disguising the gravity of the situation, the London cigar-makers—men and girls-are very hopeful of success. Extra policemen were on duty on Mile End Waste, London, when Mr. W. Steadman, L.C.C., addressed a very orderly mass meet- ing of men acid girls. "Make no mistake a.bout it," said Mr. Steadman to the strikers, "this will be a big struggle. This is the beginning of what, may be a gigantic move- ment that wil spread to all industries. No one can say which industry will next be l attacked."

SHIP-REPAIRING IN SOUTH WALES. MR. MARK MORDEY AND UNFAIR. COMPETITION. Alderman Mark Mordey, the well-known shipbuilder of Newport and Southampton, speaking at a farewell gathering of the Southampton staff on Monday evening, said, in regard to the position of affairs in ship- ping circles in South Wales, that competition was very lneen, and some of it was unfair competition- They would get over the present time. The business with which he was con- nected was not so successful as it had been.

LABOUR TROUBLES ABROAD. Work was everywhere resumed on Wednes- day mornting at Milan. Turin, Genoa, Florence, Bologna, Venice, and Naples.— Renter. MARSEILLES STEVEDORES AT WORK. ) The carters and stevedores at Marseilles have rescimed work About 1,000 dock labourers were at work on Wednesday, and some floux mills and oil factories have resumed

DOWLAIS AND VAYNOR QUARRY- MEN'S DISPUTE. As the result of a meeting between the manager (Mr. Henry W. Martin, J,P.) and the men, the dispute regarding the price paid per ton at the Morlais Quarries, Dowlais, belonging to Messrs. Guest, Keen, and Nettiefofds (Limited), has been settled, concessions having been granted on both sides, so that no stoppage will take place. The hands employed at the Vaynor Quarries are also seekng an advance of Id. per ton, but so far their application does not seem to have fully matured, and possibly a. rupture may ensue at any moment.

BRONCHITIS AND. ASTHMA. G. H. SHAR-PE, F.C.S., Analyst, 11 and 12, Great Uower-street, London, says, in his Certificatte of x\nalysis:—"I am of opinion that VHNO'S LIGHTNING OOUGH OURE will prove a. valuable remedy in the cure of coughs, colds, asthma, and all bronchial com- plaints." VENOMS LIGHTNING DOUGH OURE is the purest and most efficient remedy procurable for coughs, colds, bronchitis, asthma, catarrh, and children's coughs. Price 9id,, lIH, and ZJ9,ofta.U.choemÏSW and drug stores. yvo96

WEEK BY WEE& LIGHTER SIDE OF CURRE^ EVENTS. Sir Henry Irving is in his year. He is a year and a half younger Mr. Chamberlain. Mr. Trueman is like a serial story in Neath courts. Y.'o can always rely oc see him "continued, in our next." Calvinistic Methodism is displaying activity. Six new chapels are to be Glamorganshire alone, viz., at Fer»da Cwmparc, Briton Ferry, Merthyr Vale, Ton pandy, and Nantymoel. Daily for the past three weeks a robin has been flying in the early moTO1 into the refreshment-rooms at Ponta^ and hopping about the house until ni £ time, when it lias lfown away again. Before a grave can be dug in the yard of Llaubadcc, near Usk, the rock to be blasted away. This was done on Tn_ day in preparation for the interment of Boulton, of Usk. » Mr. M'Calman, whose broken to the Lord Mayor's daughter has been w* social sensation of the week, is a the Narberth gentleman, Mr. R. W. WilliaBlS' in the Egyptian Department of Irrigation- Mr. E. Saunders, son of Dr. E. A. Saundera. of Pembroke Dock, has been awarded the I reear Lucas Scholarship, Middlesex pital, London. An older son has passed °a of the Britannia as a cadet. Mr. Humphreys-Owen is not in favour of making Welsh a compulsory subject in gomeryshire schools, though he is to make it optional. "Optional" is a policy for a thorough-paced Radical like )It. Humphreys-Owen Sir Charles Dilko is described in "C. )). Fry's Magazine" for October as "one of th- best all-round athletic politicians." A photO" graph is re-produced showing Sir Charles and Mr. Reginald M'Kenna rowing hard. BotJa appear in the meagre rowing costume. Alderman Carey seems convinced that th* race is physically deteriorating. He.af a.. ounded to learn on Wednesday that pairs of boxing-gloves had lasted thrc* seasons in a Cardiff boxing class. he exclaimed, when Councillor Munn I were boys we had them in rags in a. week. One of the most serious problems the Swansea Education Committee will have W face is an application by the headmistress the intermediate schools to be provided a dog for the girls' department. What 15 wanted is a. watch-dog, evidently, to the fears of the feminine mina and keep a.nf masculine interest at a respectable distance* Mr. Griffiths, Maesgwyn, has offered to 1811 out the ground around St. John's Churoh. Porth, and plant it with suitable shrubs, P^°" vided the Church will undertake to raise wall high enough to protect the ground frotØ the inroad of sheep, Ac., and it may be for granted that the offer will be gladl* accepted. A representative of a large firm of publishers, whose duties necessitate freqU^O; inquiries at public libraries, bookseHer. establishments, &c., states that there is reading amongst the youth and genera public of Carmarthen than amongst inhabitants of any other town in the th1^ counties of West Wales. A rigid inquiry is being prosecuted in Boyal dockyard at Pembroke as to how was that the body of poor Leighton, a. ship • fitter, who met with a sad end, could relIla.1Ø in a well for five-and-a-half hours without report being made that he was missing. theory the exact whereabouts of every IIla.n in the yard is known most precisely. Mr. Robert Bird wants to make the martyrdom of the passive resister as ea.S1 and pleasant as possible. For this reason the Cardiff rate demand note is to bear the exa^ amount of the education rate, so that the passive resister may be spared the of even figuring out a simple sum when bØ wants to deduct the price of the fender o* fire-irons. "lanto, the Fisherman, and Other Sketch^ of Country Life," is a new book of loca* interest which will soon be published by Jon11 Murray. The author is Mr. Alfred W. late of Swansea, and now of Pencader- book consists of idylls of Welsh country 1" and character, and deals with Sy-fishiD8« game-keeping, poaching, and so forth, wbll* the human interest centres chiefly in Iant.O. the fisherman, and Philip, the poacher. Astonishment is expressed by the Stanley Rogers, of Liverpool, tuat in th arrangements for the Cardiff CongregatioIlal Union meetings the committee "seems to have had no thought of the seafaring 00 g munity, which in a place like Cardiff so large a part of the population." He stfs" gests a thanksgiving service or meeting which the denomination could show its iB"- rest in the sailors. It does not appear that salmon ia deterio* rating in the Teify, as the head water-bailiff annual report shows that 23 tons 5cwt. 3qr. 91D_ of salmon were sent away by ra1 during the past season caught by net alone-- from Cardigan Station, nearly 17 tons; Cil- gerran, nearly 4 tons; Newport, 2s tons; and Newcastle-Emlyn 14cwt. 2qr. Of this does not include fish caught by —only legitimate trade. Miss Gertrude von Petzold, M.A., who haA accepted a call to the pastorate of the Unita- rian Church of Narborough-road, Leicester. is described as the first woman to occupy a pulpit in England. Although there have been no women pastors in Wales, the appearand" of women in the pulpit is not uncommon Miss Cranogwen Rees and Miss Rosina Davie are among the most acceptable preachers ill the Welsh Calvinistic Connexion. A waggish story about a bachelor bilfhOP is given in the "County Gentleman." Th6 bishop-a bachelor—was very particul3, about a fine bath he had had pll up. After several days' absence home he was annoyed to find a hair in the bath. On being questioned. the housemaid confessed it had been hetlfo Then the prelate said, "What grieves 111- most, Mary, is that you should do behind IfJr, back what you would not do before my face- Why should not Welsh take the place ot Esperanto or Volapuk as the universe* language? The other day Mr. John Rees, 0 the Mill Farm, Llanishen—one of the ta°^a travelled farmers in the Principality—was.\i Brittany, when he fell in with that Breton patriot, M. Francois Vallee. Mr. did not care about an excursion into Frencj*' and M. Vallee would not speak though he can do so; so they held a conversation in Welsh, and Mr. Rees veiled at the fluency and correctness w which the Breton manipulated the of Eden. An Irishman and an Englishman and decided that a resort to fisticuffs necessary to settle the dispute. Th6' adjourned to a secluded spot, and agreed when either had enough he was to "Sufficient," and the combat was to immediately. They vent at it hammer tongs <say3 London Opinion") for an hour, when the Englishman ec- lated and gasped out "Sufficient." TheretiP0 the Irishism, with a look of admiratio exclaimed, "B-egorra, what a memory have got. I have been trying to that word for the last ten minutes." Is it a fact that women commonly short pipes in Wales? The question lø inspired by an article contributed to t'rv "Lancet" by Mr. C. R. Keyser, surgical Te^ trar to the Cancer Hospital. Mr. Keyser c° tends that excessive smoking is not so mon a predisposing cause of cancer of tongue as is generally supposed. He B that the greater prevalence of the disea. 1- among males is not due to tho nicotine V1 may absorb. He re-calls the case of FiD terre, where all the women smoke pipes," and out of one hundred patteD ø suffering from cancer not one was a. woIIlII.. "In Wales, also, where the women commoB^ smoke short clay pipes," he says, "the dise^j is not often observed," and he adds tbftt, the cases which he has collected, in only 0 a had smoking to be taken into account habit that might or might not be coDj1ia butory. But where does Mr. Keyser get > information that pipe-smoking is prevale among the women of Wales ? A man was standing near Bangor Cath^ 'Iral during the recent festival, when t painter with his pot of paint fell off a lad1 and the paint splashed the coat of the 111 standing underneath. We are a litig^0cif? race, and this was a. fine opportunity. r the owner of the coat took it to the emplOr:iI of the painter, and in the county-court t week he said he had not seen it since. to defendant said that he sent the coat Liverpool to be cleaned, and he now Pj duced it, together with three bills be 'Kg paid in connection with it. Asked by judge if he could find any stains on the the plaintiff replied that they would show till he had worn it for some time; 0 he had always hitherto worn a coat 0 cd stainless character, and did not feel dispf*^ to make a new departure in that respect his time of life. His Honour said the de dant had done aJl that could be reason3"^ expected of him, and judgment would be him, but without costs. g Sir Henry Irving's visit to South re-calls an amusing incident connected his last visit to Swansea. One of SwaD.Qflal busiest men and an erstwhile internati three-quarter suddenly made up his DUlLeiit see Irving. On looking over his engage book for the day he found that he liB booked for a golf match in the afternoonried motored over to Jersey Marine, ^0me. through his mStch, rushed back n 0 as hastily swallowed a cup of tea, an3;hrre ba hard as he could to the theatre. Tne planked down his money at the ear a and got into the theatre to find—be gjg week too soon for the famous actor" n be friends say, however, that the descriP gave them of the play he saw beat aw"1 Irving ever did on the stage.