Weekly Mail

IRISH HOME RULERS ON IRELAND. J4R. O'DONNELL ON ENGLISH LEGISLATION. Iaverpool Home Rnle Aseooiation beld a on Wednesday night, at which ^??nneU fnd Mr- O'Connor Power were the §0aM ,BPeakera. Mr. O'DonneU arffued that i Iieland would bo benefice J ieralation, which was at preBent -H! denonn«»d the preaent Go- WiX TriRri?K and eoornful, and one more <>f n! J? mv68 tban any sinoe the days H £ 6rea £ h-, ,The Government had lured Sw y faIse Promiaea, and they would ^natin?°Vtinrr;vn the sincerity of their da- nation. Mr. O'Ccnnor Power also epoke.

POOR-LAW AMENDMENT ACT. l^j> ~r V- ^ELLOTL'S BILL AOOEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT. — mt ^t Daily N,-vs oI Wednesday announces a^Pt AT ^ajest>'d ja;\aaters have decided to e^or'B, to amend the Poor-law Act, 18 as a Government meaaore.

A rjav ■ t4a beli5"-6^9our,r' a'fs»iQedbTall the Ministers, L6 t 01^0" r'n odnesday. Previous to ^'e^ier 1 had an intervievr with ged ^r,d.rie. Hear G1on Sunday, two boys, °Oa6 of A a?d B'x V''i;rSi were found dead in the 'ho lav 11611 father, a miner, named Harper, in i I- roora. By advice of medical I he CoriP° have made a poet mortem examination, faKBcjntlPf the children'B stomacha are to be A *ea* Harper i s in custody, TOKin, AND AGREEABLE 1 ICE-ME-HP. tii,, -Evans's Qu<Aius Bitters, containing qui nine prindpVaa of saxsaparilla, dandelion, biu prepared scientifically in the proportions tio»>efs bjw?"^18-0 infrir<3 ^heir perfeot aaooess. These rr,. promote and facilitate circula- UnH8i ea the ;t-jrvea and muscles, pnrify the co UP 1116 3ystem generally. Being gllly to.-ic and digestive properties, they °n of- adap 'I to persons suffering from de- hii],.1 ^irits, n< rvous relaxation, muscular weak- btw1* acf-^s headaohes, ai d all affections of the liver. ] Vr,n on the sj stem is mild but efficient. To sWr^U they a/a invaluable. Flattering testi- 1 J6 c,een received from medical gentlemen Ev^? 12a. in <m, 9rt. and 4s. 6d. bottles, and in 'nlff5! Prepared only by Mr. Gwilym Chcralst, LlanoUy, from who- 1CUJ*ra saay be obtaiiMd. Mftj b« had | j

I IMPORTANT ARBITRATION CASE AT SWASSEA. I KIOHAEDS V. THE SWANSEA 1KAMWAY COMPANY. The qrief ^ion reapsoung the viilue of cartaia pTopeity belongiEg to ilr. V/. Kichardd, and reo quired by ti-e Swaueea Tramway Company in order to conspletn tusir Morrision eeotion, has been before tha public for a long time. After two or three lawsujtfci the partita interacted decided to refer the matter to aroitradon, and Sir Henry A. Kunt was chosen to decide the dispute. The case was commenced at the bchckwortl1 Hotel, Slvan. eta, on YVcdneaday, when Mr. Vi. R, Smith, of twaneea, appeared for the claimant, and Mr. Rome Payne, of the Temple, Lonaon, attended oil behalf of the company. He was instructed by Mr. Jacobs, from the olhce of Mr. Walter Webb, tolicitor to the company. Mr. Smith opened the case for the claimant, and stated that Mr. JUichaids had carried on business in Swansea for something like 25 years, and aa was shown by the premises hia business had gradually increased until it had become what it was now. At first the business was carried on in a small shop, but year by year it had grown until it had become' adapted for carrying on the trade on a more extensive scale. He ventured to say that the way in which the business was carried on upon the premises—about which a great deal had been said, and which had been described as a ruined cottage, aa if the premises consisted of No. 5, Bethesda-rowpnly— he ventured to say that the way in which the business was carried on was equal to any in the town. If anyone with an un. prejudiced eye looked upon the premises ho was bound to say that they were well fitted up for carrying on the business at the least possible cost of labour and least possible expense. On the 22nd of Feb- ruary, 167a, a notice to treat was served upon the claimant by the solicitors to the tramway com" pany. The bill authorising the construction of a line* through a part of the claimant's premises received tho Royal assent on the 16th July, 1874. In 1875 it became necessary, in consequence of the increasing business, to make some alterations, and certain walls were taken down. Mr. Smith pointed out the length of time which had been allowed to elapse after the notice to treat had been served, and before any farther action was taken. A question might arise upon the notice to treat, and it might be argued that because it referred to a part only of the premises, the company gave notice to treat in reference to a part of the premises. He declined doing so, and the question waa taken to the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice. An injunction was granted restraining the company from taking apart of the premises, and immediately afterwards an appeal was lodged. Tho appeal came before the Lord Justices on the 25th of June, and was dismissed. Mattera remained in abeyance until the notice of the 4th of February, 1879, to the effect that the company would take the whole of the property. They offered .68,500 for the whole of thejpremisea, and it was eventually deoided to refer the matter to arbitration. He contended that when a notice to treat had been given referring to a part of a certain property, and when it was ruled by a court of justice that the whole of the property must be taken, the notice was valid as regarded the whole of the premises. When notice waa given the owners of the property could not vary or alter that property. This was not only a grocery business carried on in retail, but there was also a wholesale trade. It would be proved in tho course of the case that Mr. Richards had four branch shops in various parts of the town—St. Thorns, Morrieton, &0" and these Bhops were supplied from the premiaea in High-street. The t,-nnjh ahopa were adjuncts to the main business. He submitted that this ought to be taken into consideration when the decision cf the arbitrator was givan. Mr. Smith then put in the varioua leases in connection with the High-street property, and went on to refer to trade compensation. The bakery was a separate establishment, and the bread was sold over the counter or Bent to the various shops in the town. It could be ta-ron at 65 sacka per week, and it WOUJJ be for the arbitrator to say what the value of that was. Then the chandlery was an important branch of the establishment. After speaking of several other matters in connection with the premises, Mr. Smith stated that the bank book would show that £ 60,000 per year was paid in, and indepen. dent of this there was something like £ 15,G JO a year paid in cash for butter, &c. The amount of money received at the retail jahopa in other parts of the town wouid have to be deducted, of course. A man did not go into a business of this kiad without making a profit; and after the amount which passed through the hands of Mr. Richards bad been ascertained, a certain percentage would have to be placed upon it. It might be said on the other side that there were not sufficient oppoitunitiea of looking through the books and checking the accounts. Mr. Shaw, an accountant from London, had been to Swansea on various occasions, and bad had tho fullest opportunities of investigating the books. lIe waa sorry to say that the inveatigation had not reo Bulted as he would wish, and he had asked Mr. Shaw to change accounta. He would close his remarks by referring to the position of the plaintiff as a grocer in the borough of Swansea; and before his business was taken from him and destroyed he ought to be compensated in a large amount. He had not obtained his position by being a good book-keeper, that was evident. It might be said that he could take premises and carry on the business elsewhere; but there was not much free- hold land in Swansea, and preruUes like those could not be acquired, they must be erected. But before now premises could be constructed his customers would be dispersed. The premises should not be valued upon what they were worth to tho company, but as a business which has been established. A portion of the property had been described as a. ceil of immorality and fever, and sll he coali say was that if it waa correctly describee aa such it brought in a large amount of mouel. Davicl Jones was tho first witneps railed, and ;-aid: I am a civil ergi:;cer, c*rryisi £ on business in Swansea, and have Lad experience in the valua- tion of property in the town. I h»ve had more experience recently because of the artiaaus' dwellings scheme. I know these premises. The dweliing-houfce and stores, &c., held for an uMxpired tersi of seven and a half years. I take the date from the time the notice to treat waa given. I estimate the net ar aual re'.j al at .£85, and de. ducting the reserve rent of .£20, that loaves .£G5, which, capitalised at 5 per cent. at six years aud a quarter purchase, makes .£400658. The lease- hold shop and six bedrooms over two stores, yard, &c., held for a term of 18} years estimated annual rental, .£120, less rcserve. rent .£10, capitalised at 5 per cent. and 12 yeara' purchase, brings ^1,320. Leasehold store, held for an un- expired term of 73 years deduct reserve rent, £30, from the estimated net annual value of .£60, equals £30, capitalised at 5 per cad. 19i years' purchase, m»ko3 £535. The building last referred to cost a great deal of tuoney. The next will be a leasehold provision store, held for an unexpired term of 48 years estimated net aimual value .£20, less reserve rent, £5, equals £15, capitalised at 6 per cent., 15i years purchase, makes £ 236 5s. Leasehold chandlery, held for an unexpIred term of 23 years; reserve rent to be deducted 5s., estimated annual value .£30, and the remainder, .£29 15s., capital- ised at 6 per cent., lfc'i years' purchase, makes £ 364 8s. 9d. „ The Arbitrator: Can you give me the total amount on the leasehold property P Mr. Smith It is £ 2,011183. 9d. We take tho freehold next. „ T Mr. Jones Take the eignt-stall stable first. I estimate the net annual value at £30, which, capitalised at G per cent. and 16i yeara' purchase, makes .£500. The bakehouse and three ovens, mill room, engine-house,) boilers, &o.f aud the stores, I estimate at .£90, which, at 5 per oent., and 12 years' purchase, makes .£1,080. Then take it at 1S| years, for, when the lease dropped, these premises must be used with another pomoiA of tho proparty. Fcr 12 years it could be used jointly with the portion to which the premises are now joined..£90 at 6 per cent. makes £517 His,, a.nd at 51 years' purchase .£597 10s. Mr Smith There is a road through the store held for 48 years P- Y es; and there ia no difficulty in making an entrance. Then there is a yard 68t square yards, which I estimate at Is. per square yard-half its value-which makes £ 3 8s. ba., and that at five years' purchase 19.885 12s. 6d. Mr. Smith: Now we come to the five oottages in Bethesda-street. Witness First, there ia a freehold cottage, No. 1, which I put down at a rental of 4a. per week, or .£10 8s. per annum. The cottage No. 2 is in better condition, and can ba let (at 4s. 6d. Per week" JG11 14s. per year. Then 1 take the next two freehold cottages f't 5a. per week each, or £ 26 per year, making a i?tal of I>48 2S. for the whole of the cottages. rates and taxes £ 7 2s. 2d. should be deduoted, ^41 19B. lOd. That, at 20 years' No A toakes £ 819 3s. 4d. For the cottage, tmrcWno ^ea^a*Btreet, I reckon 18fr years week, or JfiIBt 01 all> 1 *'ut th.e ront Ba'PeT .PI TSR RH I D PER year; repairs, rates, &c„ which, capitalised rrvfl nntirrataU Jeara purchase, makes £ 13412a. T? iTut doent' after the construction of the £ tab!wncted Zn 43• week; rates, &<?., to which, capitalised at 8d-Jeaving £ 8 18a. 41, £ 203 108. ,Sd- I have put dowaP £ >0 jfor the alteration ^cessary to make an en- trance, th ng the amount to j8183 10s. 8d. "e total for the freehold portion 10 ner cenf £ 15b* 3<5to which mutt be added I P • or compulsory aale, brinR"il1g the amonn up 0 '£6,707 10s rid To that I have added and for ccrnpuieory sale rna C ¡JiJ CCMr.npayne f plant ia there ? Witness The PlanJ ». boiler, horizontal engine, doaRk Ther'n^ C02n crusher, chaffcutter, one thing however, of which be knew noftiviz > t*> dough machine, and he Tf 8 .estunate on the information 18 called Stephen's Patent Dough MachiDe: Mr. Payne: Have you bean 1^t°0elp^b;i of allowing 10 per cimt. for compulsory sale of Pi&nt and fixtures in ihia way?—No, I have On what ground do yon oha~Ke :fr the time the notice to treat waa aerved t to treat ia giver, I consider it is ft c-?n fw T chape. Frcm my experience, I believe tlia* m light in {«oing back to that day. It may be He" by arrangement, to calculate from the present time, and it haa been the practice to go paCK to that day. Let us g6 to the cottages first. Do you know the actual rent P-No; they are occupied by Mr. Eichards'a men—men employed in his business. These men pay rent, I suppose P-I d:, not know that they do so. I have estimated a tr:: rent. Without- enquiring what they are actually let at P—I do not remember what they were actually let at, but I have no heaitation in Baying that they could be let for the sum I have put do -n. Do you know what the rates and taxes are ?— Yes, they ccme altogether to £ 7 2s. lOd. Have you estimated the rent of the houseer now, »lv li—» 'una uoiice to ceivo/waa n&vc knowa the premices (or a eo^duftsy years v .# re the notice to treat was given, and I have noon v ^em since. v ';iiow that since the notice toi eat was lv e houses have been painted and deco- '• ^deed I do not. rated P-K*. ^ot eeen them lately P-Tea. Have yoc > to you to remark, "Look at Did it not C&. on tbis p"—j^r. Richards is far tme picture, aii-a not to keep his ccttagea in too honest a inaa 4. occ-nj. to me that the pre- repair, and it did '1 and decorated. I have raises had been pain?». 'r repairs; that is .£2 for allo.wed 10a. per house ""DOTOU Mt recolleot Hk K b°" ta 1878?- yw«e they ™t m the m.», »°d wretched condition P-Tbey werwv ben we went Do ycu not remember the time to the Ancient Briton, when these h*K ? 6. a most dilapidated BtateP—No. They kept in fair average repair. "mdav H ave they not been put in their best 'lD clothes?—No. Do you know the cottagea adjoining theewii Yes. Do you know what they were valued at ?—No, I don't; but there are others in this room who can give the value of them better than I can. Mr. Leeder Bold them. I should think they were worth, about the same amount as those in question. I was engaged in a jury case where the cottages in this row were put down as worth 5s. per week rental. What percentage table do you use P-l have taken the 5Jper cent.because the cottages are free- hold. A freehold cottage in the market to morrow would reach 25 or 30 years' purchase. That evi- dence has been before the arbitrator, and has been given by more than one person. Do you capitalise the improved rents at 5 per cent ?—No, I h?ve taken the property in High- strut at 5 per cer t, because it is well secured, and it wonM let for th? money free of all repaira. I think I am justified in taking the 5 per cent. tables, and the rents I have put down. I am Bot the letter or the receiver of rents, but know the value of property in Swansea as wellaa most people. I recollect a portion of the premises being a highly respectable publio-houae, called the King William. Mr. Payne referred to a lease of this portion of the property, wherein it was stated that nothing should be done to convert the public-house into private premiaea. W itness I know that Mr. Richards haa done Witness I know that Mr. Richards has done nothing contrary to the wishes of his landlord. They have always been on very good terms. The house was of considerable value. Mr. Smith remarked that any interests which might be affected by the conversion of the publio- house into private premises would be compen- sated for by the claimant. He had written to Mr. William Henry Michael upon this matter. Mr. Payne (to witness): You suggested a way by which the property might be utilised from Bethesda.street P-l am quite certain it could by the way I pointed out. You know a great deal about property in Swansea, do you not ?—I know a great deal about that street. Is there not a great number of other sites to which Mr. Richards, might remove ?—There are no sites within my knowledge to which he could remove his business. ? But I; thought you knew. Have you made inquiriear-No, I have not. 1 know the place so well that it is unnecessary for me to make inquiries. Mr. Richards himself owns blocks of houses, dees he not?—I daresay he does, but I cannot say what property he may have. You know there are large blocks of property belonging to Mr. Richards himself?—No, I am not aware of it. There is a large piece at the corner of Jockey- street, is there not P-l do not know. Bas this property been increasing in value or not; has property in Swansea generally been in- creasing in value ?—I really think it haa been increasing. John Mack Leeder was next called, and said: I am an auctioneer and valuer, residing in Swansea. I have had a good deal of experience in property recently. Mr. Smith Is property in Swansea decreasing in value ?—I held a eale a fortnight since, and, as compared with five years ago, the price re- ceived was good. It varies in price according to the position. Mr. Smith Take the leasehold premises belong- ing to Mr. Richards first. Witness The house, No. 150, High-streat, the Old King William, has a frontage of 31 feet, and a depth of 76ft. 6in. I estimate the rent at .£70. Allowances f)r insurances, &o., .£7 10s.; ground rent, .£20; leaving .£42 10a. This capitalised at 6 per cent. and 7t years' purchase gives .£253 15s. Shop, &c., 33ft. 8in. frontage, and the same depth as the first house, I reckon at 6 per cent., and 11 years' purchase will come to .£1,155. I have had a great deal of experience in letting shops, and I have no doubt whatever about getting .£130 for the shop to which I refer. Store, &c., I estimate at a rental of .£90 per year, less ground rent .£30; repairs, insurance, &c., .£5, to be deducted, leaves £55 net. This at 6 per cent, and 16t years' purchase makes .£907 10s. This portion of the premises has a frontage of 17 feet and a depth of 75 feet. The Btore has been recently erected, and is in rood condition. I think Mr. Jones's valuation of the property is less than the actual cost of the building. Mr. Smith: Mr. Jones puts it down at .£585. Mr. Leeder Yes, and I believe the erection of the building costs hundreds more. I guessed very nearly the amount which Mr. Richards, according to his own statement, paid for the building. I said it coat between .£700 and .£800, and he states that he paid that sum for it. The ground was let in 1873 for .£30 per annim. It contained 123 square yards, and was worth 3s. 8d. per yard. The provision store I put down at an estimated rental of .£20, but deductions will bring it down to .£13, which capitalized at 6 per oent. 154 :rcars' pUlchase will make .£201 10s. Mr, Smith Then the total of the leaseholds rill come to £2,767 5s. ?—Yes, with 10 per cent. for compulsory purchase. Mr. Smith Now take the freeholds. Nr. Leeder: The stable I estimate at a rental of .£J 2,,1, repairs and insurance .£15, laaving.CI.05, which at twenty years' purchase will make .£2,100. It would, make more than twenty yoara' purchase as a rule. JV.:3\ Smith Now take the cottages. Mr. Leeder I have put tho little cottage at the far end down at 4s. per week, or .£10 83. a year the next at 48 6d. per week, .£11148. per year; three cottages at 5s., or .£39 per year, makiijg a total of £61 2g. Then the sack and store room I put down at £15, making .£7G 2s. Take off for repaira and insurance .£9 lOs" rates and taxeB, .£10 12s., and we have £56. I take it at the same number of years' purchase because freehold property in this part of the town ia valuable, and it comes to .£1,120. I sold property adjoining this to the tramway company some time a go. Mr. Smith What is the condition of the cot- tages belonging to Mr. Richards now, as compared with eighteen months ago ? J. Mr. Leeder There is very little difference, taking the whole. There has been a little done to them, naturally, but there has been no great outlay upon them. Be has gone to no unneces- sary expense. Mr. Smith: Supposing it was treated as free- hold land, Mr. LeederP-Well, I consider it would be more valuable than the cottages. I calculate that itlwould be worth 25 years' purchase aa free- hold ground rent, making £ 1,274 3s. 4d., or .£5<f. more value than I have put on the cottages. Mr. Smith: Now, what ia the total ?— £ 6,586. I have locked at the trade Sxturea, and have taken an inventory, but I have not made a valuation. JMr. Smith auggested that the best way of deal- ing with the fixturea would be to refer the matter to someone whe should make a valuation to be accepted by both parties. The Arbitrator: I know nothing about them. Mr. Leeder, in cross-examination by Mr. Payne, said: The year 1873 was a prosperous time in Swansea. The date that the .£30 per year was fixed for one of the properties waa the most prosperous time. Mr. Payne What was the condition of this property in 1873, when the lease was granted ?—I forget it now. Do you assume that .£30 per year represents simply the ground rent, or did it then have a building erected ou it?—Very likely it had. You cannot remember whether it had previously been a store or not ?—No, I cannot. Now you know this piece of ground at the back, the chandlery, has no access whatever?—No, it does not require it. Therefore when the lease expires in 3; years, there will be no access whatever to that place P- When the lease expired he would have to alter the place. When the lease falls in a wall will have to be put up ?—Yes. What about the cottages you sold P-They were 13 in number and a continuation of the row. Can you tell me what they were let for P—I can tell you. Five houses were let at a gross rental of .£48 2s. Id., and .£93 16a. 4d waa received for the remainder; total, .£14118s. 5d. These houses were in a bad atate of repair. Mr. Payne: You see how the cottagea belonging to Mr. Richards have been prepared for the eye cf the arbitrator. You can see they have been put in their Sunday clothes ?—There is not a man in Swansea more careful than Mr. Richards is of his houses and horses. The cottagea have been white titled, and that haa done them no harm. Were they not in a wretched condition before ? Ivo they were not. I know that Mr. Eicharda haa bought property at Neath and elsewhere for the purpose of extending hia business. I do not think ho would have done a great deal if he had made an entrance from Botheada. street. Mr. Payne: That haa nothing to do with it, especially if a man wishes to retire from business. Mr. Leeder: I know that he has bought pro. perty to extend his business. A man would not put his stable in Buch a position unless he in. tended ultimately to extend his premises. He put a chandlery and stable in the places Iwhere they are bscfvuae he was bound to do it. Mr. Paym Was it necessary for him to make a. hole in tio wall just before we served our notice to treat. If you do great is your faith." Mr. Leeder It was a proper sackroom. Pro- perty in Swansea has been going up in value since I have been here. I do not know that it is rising much now. It has arrived at a maximum, and it may stand there for some time. Are there any empty houses ?—Yes,'more* than an usual number just now. Twelve yeara ago we had 1)200 houses emptv. Mr, Smith: And six years ago tho corporation en\T6 t^eir land without rent to build houses tyxm. Leedtr: On the other hand, I can give the °x gentlemen who have taken houses six of them6 ^^tha before they could get possession Bo^vaiuable VonX the property is not What then?—No, I do not say it 13. Richards let for a^I^tT?tVb0lOngin £ fw given you tho renLwndlV8 haV° unreasonable. &nd 1 do not thlnk the? a" m but I want to know what the pro- perty wou et for aa a whole—what would you give for the whole now P-I don't think it is a fair qued"on. T h«ve "nt rmlnuiafw! it. Wtwt would be the worth of the whole ?—If Mr Udrtiatfco [aortal it bQ i«t foe Bomethicg leFS than wo have put it down at in detail. It would not fetch so much. I could not really calculate how much it would be worth aa a whole. You lievc no iden. bow Mr. Eicharda praised this property in the Court of Chancery. It could not be divided for tbe world. He did not tell us then that the lease of a portion would expire in three and a half years. Now, Mr. Leeder, aa it is ec useful as a whole, what, would it be worth ? —I do not think it a fair question. Suppose Mr. Richards wero to let Mr. Payne You take it as a whole, and I will follow jou afterwards. The Arbitrator: I think it is a fair question. Mr. Leeder: I should think it would let for .£400 a year. Mr. Jacoba And in detail you have valued it at.6455. Mr. PaynG: Do you happen to know what Mr. Richards gave for this property?—I do not. In re.examination witness said business praises had not decreased of late. From the railway ptstion to the premisea belonging to Mr. Riohards was a good position for business premises. Many of the workpeople lived there, nd men who earned good money, such as copper- hjk &c- MV T- Waring was next called and said I am a !un\. Yor at Cardiff. I have inspected the pre- mises is ration. Taking the King William, now a prfT>, house, in High-street, I take the annual at .£75, less .£2\.1 reserved rent, capitalised 5 per cent, six years' purchase, .£330. Next iff shop, which I pat.down at .£130 per year, and, making deductions it comes to .£12 10s. Floal' warehouse, estimated rent, £7; ground rent, £ 30 6 per cent. 16, years' purchase .£713 10s. Upon that I have estimated the cost of building a ware- house, and recoupment of principal. The next ia a store in Bethesda-street, estimatedrcBtal.618 per year. After making deductioD,£23t Chandlery ..£300, makirg a total of .£2;í307 10s. for the leasehold portion of the property. I take the freehold next, and commence with the stable, finding an access to it through one of the cottages. The value at 18 years' purchase would be .£657. Engine houae 49, mill-room, and boiler at the same purchase. Bakehouse and oven, estimated rental, .£50 per year; 18 years' purchase, .£900; shop, &0.. for repairing, .£170; and then a yard, at.£4 5a., .£98; cottages in Betheada-row, No. 1, £37 148 net; making a total of freeholds of .£3,012. Cross-examined: I have considered that the lessees make repairs in all cases. The Arbitrator: What would the whole pro- perty be worth P Witness: It would be worth .£500, or a little more without the conveyance. I mean that it is worth that to Mr. Richards. Mr. Payne: Now, taking into consideration that the lease of a portion falls in in 3t years, would that affect the value of the remainder P- Not materially. It would affect it by the reduc- tion of the premises, nothing more. Would it affect-the relative value of thewholeP —No, it would not. In re.examination witneaa said he had consider- able knowledge of property in Swanaea. He had known Swansea for 25 years, and also Neath and Cardiff. Swansea and Cardiff were very similar in respect to property. Thomas Glasbrook Richards On the first oc- casion the branch books were kept aside from Mr. Shaw. The booka will be here to-day. I sub. mitted some figures to Mr. Shaw, and he seemed to approve of them, but could do nothing without the sanction of Mr. Webb. That was on the aeoond visit. I will now produce an analysis from the bank book. Mr. Shaw has seen the credit notes, but not the bank book for 1878. Mr. Payne; We will take the bank book as admitted. Witm as In the course of our business we pay ready money for goods. I have tried to ascertain the amount paid per annum for ready money pur- chases. We buy goods for carriers from Carmar- then, Pembrokeshire, &c. In respect to these purchases we always pay in cash. The caah comes from the till, and not from the bank. I have examined the books as far as they give informa. tion. The books show how many casks of butter have been paid for by cheque, and we do not enter ready money transactions. We have been anticipating thia inquiry for some months, and during the last few weeks we have tried to check the books. I believe that ready mcney paid for goods over the counter comes to about .617,000 per year. Mr. Smith: Will you give us some figures as to how you get at that amount ? Witness We Bell about 40 casks of butter per week, and we pay for 3,000 or 4,000 per year by ready money. We buy about 15 per week by cheque. I have not endeavoured to ascer- tain the number of casks sold recently, but have taken an average for the last four or five years. I am prepared to take my oath that not more than 15 or 16 casks are paid for by cheque. I have taken a good year and an average year. We pay f rom about £ 120 per week in cash for Welsh butter. I have paid £ 50 to £ 60 per week at Narberth Road and other places. I at- tended Narberth Road market for yeara, and the market is held every Friday. I went there to buy butter and paid in gold, which was taken from the safe, On one occasion I over- bought myself, and having a blank cheque I made use of it. If butter came in regularly with the carriers it was not necessary for us to go. As re- gards Welsh butter, the people generally come to us, ask the price, and say they have so many casks. We get a better name when wo pay in gold and silver. We pay ready money for fat, excepting when, as occasionally occurs, there is a contra accounts I have cal- culated that we make two hundred dozan candles per week at a minimum. I personally superintend the chandlery. We buy about £32 10s. worth of rough fat weekly. I have taken that as an average of five years. We sell a con. siderable quantity of eggs, which we buy from the carriers. We put them into our own boxes, and pay for them in money. We sometimes pay for eggs by cheque, but very seldom—not more than two or three times. We buy pigs for salting. We always buy them in fairs and pay for them in cash. We have bought as Lan)" as 40 or 50 pigs per week for salting. The average for pigs is .i:25 per week. We buy oata a::d batley from Welsh farmers, and alwaya pay for them ia cash, Sometimes we sell it in meal, and Eotsetinies in corn. For the het five years we have paid about .£20 per week. We buy Welsh cheese and hay, which we pay for in cash. Coal and freights are paid for in caah. Barm, malt, straw, and ether articles are paid in caah. Our assistants livo in High,strl3et, and the ex. penses there are paid in cash. Sometimes we pay the reserved rents in cash, and sometimes by cheques. I put down .£20 per week for wages, end there are other sreall items which I put down at .£100, all of whioh are paid in cash. I think I am within the mark when I put down wages at .£20. The total paid in cash I have calculated to be .£340 per week. The books give me very little information as to these items, and it is a ques- tion of memory. Having regard to the solemnity of my oath, I could swear positively that the ready money payments are over .£10,000 per year. I am taking that as a minimum. There are money items which are not included in thia list. Flour and BSgar are paid for by cheque. We sell about 280 as.cks per week of flour. The bank book will shevr what has been paid for by cheque. The amounts which we have paid by cheque can be checked by the invoice book. We send money to the bank every day, minus what we have paid out in cash transactions. We do not state for what the money is received, but it ia in a lump sum. We tlsa 65 sacks in the bakery every week, and make 96 quartern loaves from each sack. I have seen two sacks put into the bin to test it. We buy strong flour, and by working it by machine we can make it absorb more water. We sell the bread—some at 5d., some at 5 £ d., some at 6d., and some at 7d.: all the same bread j (Laughter.) Mr. Smith: There ia a difforance as to where you send it, I suppose ? Witness No, it ia as .-an get it. (Laughter.) We have a contract v*ith Government, and they pay 7d. The cost of prod juuon is 4a. 8d. a sack, and that leaves a profit of 8s. 8id. per sack. The 65 sacks of flour coat .£J37 2a. lid., they were sold as bread for £ 178 153. The cost of making the bread was .£15, leaving a profit of .£4112s.1d. on. 65 sacka. Sir H. A. Hunt: If we go into all these details we shall be here for a week. Mr. Smith explained that he had written to the company's solicitor asking that Mr. Shaw, who had been sent down by them to ascertain what i was the profit and less account, might come to 1 some arrangement. Mr. Payne stated that the first time Mr. Shaw came to Swansea he was not allowed to have the books m reference to the branch shops. After some argument the arbitrator asked Mr. bhaw if he would be satisfied with £ 10,000 as the amount paid in cash. Mr. Shaw said he had absolutely 110 information whatever. Be had no doubt that something was paid out of the till, but from the books it waa impossible to find out how much was paid. 1 £ *e Jjad not heard that anything was. paid mi. » for piga until that day. The Arbitrator: If there are no booka ("by which an experienced accountant like Mr. Shaw < can find out the profit and loss, I do act know how we are to get on. Mr. Payne Is there no private ledger P < Mr. J". G. Richards We have no private ledger. I The Arbitrator I had a similar case to this I last week. The claimant was asked on his oath what he considered to be the net profits, and he 1 frankly stated them. They appeared to be so reasonable that those who had to pay the money 1 —(the Metropolitan Board of Works) -did so at t once. E Mr. Smith suggested that the trade compensa. I tion should be referred to Mr. Trew. < Mr. Po«yne Get someone out of Swansea, Mr. Smith I underatood that you wero going to call Mr. Irew. I have not had a conversation with him, and I am well Eatisfied if you select 1 bim. There must be something by which Mr. 1 Richarca got a profit or else he would not have obtained the position he held after 25 yeara. I He was prepared to go into the books and show how these profits had been invested. He (Mr. Smith) had consulted some expert grocers in 6 London, and he believed that Mr. Richards ( turned over £ 60,000 a year, including the ready £ money, 1 Mr. Payee Your figures have been altered, then. They wore .£60,000 for the four shops aa f •w t.11. „ Mr. Smith: Yes, and not including cash pay- ments. Mr. Payne: Yes, including cash payments too. 1 It is very clear the statement includes cash pay- ments. Payments into the bank for the last three ( years average £4:1.,340. If to that payments t amounting to £ 16,000 in cash ia addud it juat brings up the total to £ 60,000. That includes J everything. I Mr. Smith There ia another thing to be con- < eidered Are you going to tie us up for five years, I and then take the worst period to draw an < average, and keep us down to that ? 1 The Arbitrator: That ia a matter of argument. < Agree upon a basis, and then you will be able to j settle. Mr. Smith: Take the three years previoua. 1 Mr. Payne: Take the nine years, and the j average is £ 43,000. The averages for 1873 and 1S74 wero more. | Mr. Smith; The rel&tive profits are the saae ) tow." 1 1S74 wero more. | Mr. Smith; The rel&tive profits are the saae ) tow." 1 The Arbitrator How do you account for ths decrease P Mr, T. G. Richards: The tramway comp^W have been running us down so much, and therJ wi re the cartoons. (Laughter.) In atswer to Mr. Payne, Mr. Richards stated that the money paid into the bank was the pro. ceede of the business only. Mr. Payne: Were they exclusively from tha bus-ire-OB P—Yes. The Arbitrator: None of the rents of farms were put in the bank r-No, nothing but what came from the business. Mr. Payee Has your father iJ1.i!táged in specu- lations ?— No, never. Yes, he did, onde, unfor- tunately, but that is a long time ago. Is it a fact that your father speculates with two other gentlemen in the town in buying Irish flour?—No, we buy our flour through Messrs. Harvey and Fish. Mr. Payne I want to know whether the results of any speculation are put in tu'e banking account. Mr. Smith: I will put Mr. Richards, the claimant, in the bank if you like. I am q-ulw* content to accept £ 60,000. Mr. W. Richards I have givon my lifetime to the business, and I am second to none in tho town as regards the trade. The Arbitrator What do you consider you make every year? Mr. Richards Fuily £3,500 per year, and I ca.n make that regularly. I will prove it to you in a few minuses. The Arbitrator: That is after paying all expenses ? Mr. Richards: I net £ 3,500 per year, after paying rent, wages, wear and tear, and every. thirg else. TV hat is your capital in trade?—Between £ 3,0C0 and .£4,000. In making the estimate I put a much higher value on my property than I pay for it, because I buy much cheaper than othera can by taking large quantities. The Arbitrator Without any mental arithmetic as we had juat now you find that at the end of the year you are worth more by .£3»00 than at the commencement. Mr. W. Richards Quite eo and I offar to show you as I offered to show Mr. Shaw which way it is expended. I have laid out a large amount of money during the past 10 years. Mr. Smith and Mr. Payne conversed with the arbitrator as to the best means to decide upon the trade compensation. This case was continued at the Mackworth Arms Hotel, Swansea, on Thursday, before Sir Henry Arthur Hunt, arbitrator. Mr. W. R. Smith appeared for the claimant, and Mr. Heme Payne, barrister, London (instructed by Mr. Jacobs, from the office of Mr. Walter Webb), was present in behalf of the Swansea Improvements and Tramways Company. Before the evidence was commenced Mr. Smith and Mr. Richards complained that a verbatim report of the proceedings had appeared in the Western Mail. Mr. Richarda appealed to the arbitrator upon the matter, but no order was made, Sir H. A. Hunt stat- ing that he did not know what was the custom in these matters. At intervals during the examination of the claimant, howeverv the questions and answers were put and given in an undertone, inaudible to the reporters. The first witness called was William Richards, the claimant, who said I commenced business between 25 and 28 years ago. I had no capital whatever at the time. I took a portion of the premises, and have from time to time acquired the whole. I have taken the part of buying and Belling in the business, and the business has been under my general supervision. At the time: I received notice to treat the premises were in precisely the same repair as to-day. I have heard something said about whitewash. I have expended about 30s. in white- wash, and if I did not do so twice a year I would have the Board of Trade down upon me. From July, 1878, until the 4th of February nothing was done by the company in regard to the property, except an attempt to come to terms. I am not prepared to give evidence in minute details as to my business. Mr. Smith: How do you buy and sell Welsh produce ? Witness The butter is bought week by week from TV eleh carriers. That is the class of article we pay for in gold. The figures which my son gave yesterday in reference to this portion of the tiade are correct..810,000 in cash payments would be a fair minimum. I have gone over the accounts with him more than once. The turn- over returns from the bank are correct. Mr. Smith What do ycu do with the profits yen get every year ? Witness: Spend a great deal of it. Take it out in business, or invest it in some way. It doea not remain idle in the bank, and it doea not increase the capital. I was engaged in a colliery 12 years ago, aEd this ended in a loss of about .£10,000. I wiped off that loss by taking it out of the profits of the business. The expenses of myaelf and family are put down on the liet (handed in), but I do not think the amount was sufficient. I am prepared to confirm on oath to-day the statementa I made yesterday as to profits. The figurea given by my son are within the mark. I mean the figures referring to the bakery and chandlery. We charge about 15s. per ton for grinding corn. We grind an average of eight tons per week all round the year. In order to arrive at the profit of the mill, I am charging for myself as I would for other people. I receive in that account £ 312. (Figures as to expenses put in privately.) I consider the expenses put down are fair. I am now dealing simply with grinding in the mill, and I am dealmg with it DreciseJy as if the stuff came there to be ground. If I bad not the mill on the premises I would have to pay 15s. per ton for all the corn ground for the shop. Durirg the time I have been in business I buy for myself. At an average I buy 1,000 Backs of flour per month. I have stored on the premises nearly 4,000 sacks of flour. For the purposes of my business it is better narfrnialit proves by keeping, and y 1 ibaking purposes, aa we get a larger quantity of bread out of it. In buying a large quantity I get the flour cheaper. I also deal very largely in bacon and other articles of provision. I should eay we buy an average of 50 sides per week of cured bacon all the year round. Can you give me an idea of what the takings are at the High-street shop. WitnessSay £ 40,0(0 a year, leaving out the branch shop. The latter I put down at about £ 18,000 a year. The .£18,000 is not the sum p&id for goods, but the amount of the takings. Mr. Payne The goods supplied from the High- street shop to the branch shop cost .£16,800. Witness: The £ 16,800 includes a small item for drapery. Taking everything into considera- tion, I believe that 7l is a fair average per centage of profit on the turnover, after paying all expenses of management, &c. Mr. Smith put in a list of the fixtures, and stated that if Mr. Payne would appoint some one to ascertain the value it would be a great saving of} time. Mr. Payne I think that is the beat way to deal with the fixtures. The matter was then referred to Mr. Leeder and Mr. Gardner, who at once went to the premises to see the fixtures. The examination of Mr. Eichards was then continued. He said In order to carry on my business economically and successfully the average stock-in-trade ia between .£3,000 and £4,000. I am not speaking of horses, but of goods which -are sold over the counter. I keep eight horses, and when I have given up the business they will be of no use to me. I resided at these premiEta until 18 months ago. I had juat left before the Chancery suit. The Arbitrator; What is the chief thing in thia stock of £ 4,000? Mr. Richarda Butter, bacon, cheese, tea, flour, candles, &c. Grocers' stocks, if sold by auction, go very cheap— about half their valae. Mr.,PajLc: Do you not know that you are per. fectly welcome to occupy the premises in order that jou may sell out your stock? Mr. Richards I dare say you would like it after itufcisg this property for me. Mr, Payne You have not answered my ques- tion. Have you been told repeatedly that you can occupy the premises for months if you like to realise the stock ?—I would not oocupy it a day; You have not answered my question. Is it a fact or not P—I cannot tell you whether it is a fact or not. You have told me so many things that I cannot remember all. It ia not put on paper. Mr. Payne (having read a letter from Mr. Shawto To'tSCrhar^8' offering, on behalf of the company, jto,oOO tor the property, and informing him that he was at perfect liberty to occupy the premises and realise the stock): Do you not know thut to be a fact, Mr. Richards? Witness I am not supposed to abide by what the company says. Mr. Payne I ask you the question. Mr. Smith: I will give you reasons why your suggestion could not be carried out. You cannot occupy the premises and reduce the stock to nothing. Mr. Payne (to witness): Is it or is it not a faot that you perfectly well know that you have been told that you are welcome to keep the place and realise the stock ?—If I had to keep it, it would not suit me. Have you been told so, sir ?—I do not know, except that it is in the letter. Don't get in a passion. (Laughter.) Mr. Payne read another letter in referenoe to fixtures and realisation of stock. Mr. Webb, who wrote this letter, stated that tho company would allow Mr. Riohards to occupy the premises nntil he sold out his stock. Mr. Smith You ought now to read the reply to that letter. Mr. Payne read a reply, written by Mr. Smith, to the effect that Mr. Richarda could not afnree to the suggestion in referencp to the realisation of stock-in-trade. He complained about the half. and-half policy of the company in regard to this question. Mr. Smith pointed out that the expense of sell. ing out a diminishing stock would be great. Mr. Payne Whether it ia possible to carry out the suggestion ia another question. What we want to show is that we require nothing but one cottage. When did ycu acquire the cottage pro. perty, Mr. Richarda ? Mr. Richards Twenty years ago. In Auguat, 1874, did you see Mr. Huxham, the surveyor to the company, and urge him to en- deavour to have a deviation of the line so as to avoid your premises ?—No, I certainly did not urge him. You^know perfectly well what I mean. Did you see Mr. Hvxbam and requ3st him to see if it were not possible to avoid your business premisea ? Y01] aRain distinctly, no. Will you say that in the presence of Mr. Huxham, who is in the room now ?—Yea, I will. Dc you not know that upon your request the company obtained the consent of the corporation to make a deviation ? Mr. Smith I object to the question. You (Sir Henry) aie here simply to assess the valne of thia property, the court having already ruled that the company are bound to accept the whole of the premises. What use ia there in going into tho question whether the whole or part is to be taken when the matter has already boon decided? What- ever may have been done by Mr. Huxham and Mr. Richards in any shape or form cannot affeot the question before the arbitrator, which is Bimply thifi—What is the value of the property, and what ia the damage sustained by Mr. Richarda in losing the premises ? Mr. Pa¡..e: I consider it most material that the arbitrator should be posseseed of the nature of tho negotiations ithioE have token place m thia I case mercer that he may see how far the upon vrfcicn we are asked to rely is absolutely re- Intole, and do not wiah to put it in an unpleasant form, but I wish to see how far you can bo called I q:.Qr to relj on tho evidence and accept the etatenlesia which have been made. The Arbitrator A« a rule negotiations which take place before the inquiry have nothing to do with the inquiry. Mr. Smith If ycu go into the question I ah ill insist upon rcadirg the affidavits troru beginning to Mid. Mr. Payi-e I refer to the enormous amount put down for cash transactions and we have fio evidence upon that point except what is given us Ly Mr. Richards and bis sou. lÚ. Smith; Affidavit upon affidavit has been filed. Mr. Pay re Nothing ho s been decided yet, but wo are bound by the hole in the wall, (Laughter). Mr. Smith objected to tb'9 insinuations made by Mr. Payre, ard Teferred So the decision of Vice. Chancellor Fa! 1, who said tlero was no founda- tion for the licputationa agsinst- Mr. Richards. Mr. Payne If a man takes down a wall and r.ut", .an. £\t:f:¡we into a cottage adjoining jast before the noil-*? 18 served-- Mr. Smffo^ I refer you to the judgment of Vice-ChanceHOi' Hall, who stated that there was no blavne attacked to Mr. Richarda. SureJy you are not going to t *v that qur;etion again. Mr. Payne (to Mr. Bicharde): Do you mean to say on your oath that you cid not arrange with Mr. Hnxham about a deviation ?-Yes. Did you rot admit before Y:cc-ChancelIor Hall that you did come to an arrangement ?—I did not. Did you swear in arawer to me that you had seen Mr. Hnxjuyn, .and requeated him to make a deviation P—Yest^togo above Tkcmaa-sireet, and nrt touch my prem^est attain When you saw Mr. Buxham, did you not giva him a plan of your busu-ess prernifes-the plan which I hold in my hand ?-I did not. Will you swe&r'that in the presence of Mr. Huxham ?-J will. This ia a plan of your business premises, is it not ?—Yee. And it was originally in your possession P-—Yea. Then how did Mr. Huxham get it ?-I do not know. Will you swear you did not give it to him F— Yes as far as I can recollect I did not. How did it get into his handsP-I do not know. That is questionable. You Ray on your oath, you did not give it to him ?—I said so in the court, and I say so again. I do not want to mislead you; that plan accurately contains the whole of your business premises in High-street, except a small piece marked in pencil?—It does. When did the conversation take place about a deviation?—I don't know when it was resolved upon. I cannot give you any date. Were the alterations in the premises made two months previous to the time when the notice to treat was served ?-I cannot say. Have you not got a bill from Mr. Thomas White showing when it was done? -.1 daresay I have. Do you not know the time this cottage (the one which was altered) was occupied and you received rent for it ?—I cannot tell you. Don't you know that Mr. Thomas White did that work in the end of November and commence- ment of December, 1874, by which you pulled down a w«vil and opened communication to the cottage?—It might have been at that time. In November, 1874, when you know a deviation would be made, and two months before you got the notice to treat, you gave notice to the weekly tenant and placed a quantity of sacks in the cottage ?—I wanted the premises for building pur. poses. In fact, that is what happened ?—Yes. I altered the premises, and made a communication with one cf the cottages. Will you swear that you ever painted the cot- tages until recently ?—Yes, about two years ago I gave them a thorough good coat of paint, That was in the year 1877 r—Yes. Dc ycu mean that as a gueas ?—It is all guess work; I do not keep dates in my mind. Tlis (pointing to the plan) is the celebrated atore-rccm, is it not?—It io the place you are sore about. (Laughter.) Do you know the Ancient Briton?—Yea, and so do you. Mr. Payne Mind your own business. Mr. Smith here objected to the course of croaa- examination. He had put tho claimant upon his oath out of the ordinary course, because he thought Mr. Payne wanted information, but he had pursued a system of brow-beating. Mr. Payne We consider the claim to be a monstrous one. This is the only case, barring one, which we have had in Swanaea. Mr. Smith strongly denounced the action of the tramway company in this matter, and before the case was finished he would have something to say about them—a bankrupt, insolvent company, making insinuations against a respectable trades. man. He knew all about it. Those premises had been deecribed as a den of immorality and fever. Mr. Payne I never heard of them being described as a den of immorality and fever. Mr. Smith.referred to a newspaper report of a meeting of the tramway company, where Mr. Abbott had stated that the premises were a den of fever and immorality. That report had been circulated throughout the country. Mr. Payne Who is Mr. Abbott ? Mr. Smith: He is one of the leading men in connection with your company, and he may yet have to answer for the statements he has made in reference to this property. Mr. Payne: Well, I have nothing to do with that. The cross-examination of Mr. Richards was then continued. He Eaid: I got profits from invest- ments. They are in the shape of rents. Mr. Payne Do your investments produce any tnterest at all?—Yes, they do. What becomes of the interest in your invest- ments F-They go towards the living expenses. Are they put into the bank?—No, they are not. Are they put into th* till r-No, they are generally handed to my wife. She looks after that amount. Who collects those rectp P- I often do. How do you get itP-Ail ia sold. Do you mean to eay that mcy are all paid in gold P—Yes, all in gold. None of the money is raid by cheque ?-No. WheB you get the money what do you do with it ?-I put it in my pocket and tske it home. Do you put any in the ti.'iP—It may slip into the till sometimes when 1 am not there, but I take it out again. You did live in the High street premises ?—Yes, until 1877. Do you keep a safe ?—Yoa. Do you put ary of the rente in r—They may be put in sometimes when I W ?.B not at home. Will you swear that you did not put money from investment in tho safe ?—No, I wili not. Mr. Payne: I should think not. Mr. Richarda If all the interest of investments was put in it would not be much. Mr. Payne The interest in your investments is email ?—Yes, very ennJi. But, such as they are, .vou will not swear thoy do not go into the till P~~No,I will not. They do not come to mere than X250 a-year. You pay money into the bank every week, and if the interest on investments is put into the till it is taken to the bank ?—Y?s. The profits of an ironmongery business, in which I am interested, go towards the improvement of business. Are the sums which are put into the bank ex- cluaively from your busii ^c ?—Yes. Have you not lent money to people?—Never, except a sovereign or SOlllff-hing of that kind. Are you quite sure of tl;&t ?—Yes, quite sure, no largo sums. Have you had transaction* with anyone who pays through your bank to as to increase the receipts or payments P In 0, not that I am aware of. Have you bad any bill transactions which would increase ycur bank account 2-No, not that I re- member. Have you vouchers for the tran, -Yes, I have. Then why on earth did yiu not show them; it might shorten the case s-iHiJo-ably ? Mr. Richards: A great deal has been paid in cash ard wages. Mr. Payne I underataL-1 you lost £ 10,000' on-a colliery ?- Y es; I backed bills for an old friend, and when he became bankrupt I took to the col- liery. I afterwatda sold ulant to a gentleman in the room, Mr. Trew. Wob the last payment on acoount of the colliery in 1873 ê- Yes. A list of figures was then put in by Mr Smith, and for over half-an-hour the cross-examination was carried on sotto voce. The reporters could not hear the questions or answers. Mr. Payne afterwards asked: Have you any private ledger ?-No. Bave you any private acoount books r-None whatever. You have several plots of land, have you not ?— Yea, I have. What do you say the net profits of the business are ?— £ 3,500 a year. You have to make up the net profits every year, have you not?—No. Yoa have to consider what your net profits are. Do you never take stock i'-I have never taken stock in my life. I am ashamed to say so, but it is a faot. I have been in the habit of working from 14 to 16 hours a day. Did you not keep a clerk P-Not until the last five years. Of course, everyone is bound to consider the question of profit and loss r—I never do. Do you sign some papers which are sent to you sometimes ?-No. But surely you get soma papers sent to yon sometimes to bo signed r-There was a bother about it some time age. The witness „was then cro^s-examined in an undertone in reference to mcmis-tax, &o. Mr. Payne: Can wo too the vouchers for cash payments ?-No, I have none. But I thought you aa:f! yor, hsd P-I referred to another Elum, not to oath K;. uiovta. We have no receipts at all for those transactions. Can you give me th'.1 Jjame of the man from whom you bought moat r" No, I cannot. Then you cannot direcllj produce any scrap of paper to show that £10,C",1 u year is paid in cish; No. By the Arbitrator Tfhooc £ to ua, and to whom we pay cash cgixa t, urn Liandilo, 'Lla.n. dovery, and that district. We pay them the money and they go. What butter do you bs\ trold. these people r- Welsh butter. And how do you get it f—In oasks. Is it soft butter?—Yes. Then you do not buy i in the summer?—YOB all through the year. Do you buy the same -it.^ntity of this butter during the summer season as at other times?— Yes. Do you mean to say ihr.t in your trade it is customary to buy soft buffer in the summor the Bame as in the winter ?—i rhaps we do not buy quite 80 much. We aom: times have a litclejrish butter. And that yon pay for b; cheque ? Yes. Then the purchase of batter goes on uniformly during the-eummerfas during the winter ?—Yea. But is it usual for people in your trade to buy the same in the summer ab in the winter P—Oh, 1 yes. 2Tr. Smith remarked that it might ba stored. Mr. Richards: Oh, yes, we store it. Mr, faJ-. nO mk custoneci that go to 29OT6d!ttoP £ 5U;tr in small <luaEtities Yes, frorr 2e. Gd. to say. Wtat tLe average?-I really (viral3 not for each customer a fair average ?- i f °^e p ;r,\cn m}Sbt go and order a two-pound leaf, and another night buy £ 4 or £ 5 worth? n°w you can judge for yourself. I have no otaer ev-i, cenee to give the matter. Think, now, if Is, for e*ch'customer is not a fair average,It I "fraH to thilJk ever ao long I could not tell you. We have been in the habit cf giving credit for small sums. I keep books for the country shops. There are branch shops at I-acdore, Morristoa, St. Thomas, and Bridge. etreev. I lave kept a profit and lose accounts at these fibopif. Ths tdal value of the gooda sup. plied to these is £ 16,900, Did ycu not kefip two sets of books for the branch shops r— Yea, for a very short time we did. We wished to change the system. In ere set of books were the articles which wero taken to the shop, chargf-dat coat price ?—Yea. Al.d in the other set did you enter the goods at sellirg price F-YES; we attempted to alier tho system, that was all. Was the difference befwetn the cost and selling price 11 per cent P—Indeed, I cannot tell. We never tested whether the goods would realise 11 per cent. Ycu say the branches make a larger'profit than the High-street shop r--No, I do not think SC. Well, I suppose they make a larger profit than High-street ?—I do not supposa aiiy thing of tue kind. But jou have seen that the profits were larger at the branch shops ?—No, I should think larger profits were made at High-street. But you told Mr. Suaw that you thought you could show that the branches could make a lar^ar profit than High-street r—No, I did nut. Did not ycur son then como down upon TOU, end say that you had better say no more?--No. I thi; k it is quite vice versa-that the ltrgar profits are made at High.atr.3ei. Is there a larger profit on retail than wholesale tr&de ?—Yes. You have employed 14 moo. have you not?—I do rot know. Did you or did you not say at the time that I examined you last year that you employed 11 men in the bakery alone P—No. Did you not fay so P—No, it must be a mistake. They might have passed through the bakehouse to go to ether parts of the premises. What is tho number of men you employ?— About a dczen altogether. You contract for the Government do you not ?- Yes, I supply about 300 or 400 men. There is the cost of sending some of it to the Mumbles. The contract is for six months and ends in June. I employ three horses and vans to deliver bread in the outlying districts—Morriston, Llansamlet, &c. Fridays and Saturdays are the beat days for busineas, but the trade on those days has de' creased more than on other days. We did take sometime ago ten times as much on Friday as on Thursday, but we do not take so much on Fridays now. There is a comparative falling off in Friday's trade. The business has considerably depreciated in consequence of the opening of the tramway. I have no idea how many customers would come in during three-quarters of an hour on Thursday between 12 and one. I lose .£150 a week through the opening up of a new street. Mr. Payne Would you be surprised if there were only ten customers in three-quarters of an hcur r-l would not be surprised at anything the ccmpaDy said. (Laughter.) Would you be surprised to hear that the largest customer took sixpenny worth of goodaP-I cannot say whether I am surprised or not. Then I may take it that you are not surprised ? I will say I am not if it pleases you. (Laughter.) The Arbitrator Are you surprised or not?—It may happen that no more than ten customers would enter the shop in a particular hour. What is the principal damage i — I cannot tell. But you make a claim of .6.0 000 r—No, I never did. It waa misrepresented. The tramway com- pany, when tb-y wanted to make a deviation, re- presented to the town council that I wanted < £ 20,000. There would be a damage by reason of ti^e/i,verfaioii of trade. I would sustain at least XIO WO damage. What would you sell the business for 2-1 cannot fay. I have not considered the question. leu are putting the damage at three years' prrchaee oi the vhole of the property.—It has taken me a whole lifetime to establish this busi- ness, and it will take me half a lifetime to estab- lish another of a similar kind. I should think th:t': three yecrs purcuase would be very littlo in a business so complete as this. You are in ft position to go into business to- morrow r—How can 1. go into busineaa without premises ? Do j ou represent that you cannot get any place where you can remove?—No, not .unless J pay a large sum of money for it. But you aro to get the value of these premisea, freehold and everything else, ard do you moan to eay you couid not find other premises F-I cannot say. How do ycu make out that you would lose £ 10,000?—I cannot tell you, except by lesa of business. The question was repeated several times, but Mi. Richards gave similar answers. Mr. Smith: I do not think this is ex&ctly the question. The Arbitrator: When a tradesman loses his business, there are expenses in removing to other places, or ether parts of the town, and no one knows better than Mr. Richards what those ex. penses might be. Are you going to set up in business again, Mr. Richards ? Witness: If I have to, I shall go to another part of the tov.-n, and there would be a .diili julty m getting suitable premises. Mr. Payne Now wbat I understand is that the compary will carry so many people to the centre of the town that this part will net be so valuable, and that the difficulty is not in getting business premises in High-street. Mr. Riebarcs: High-street will not be so I Valuable, I do not say. that I could get premise there. You say yon will go to another part of tho town, because the traffic will be divortcl P -If I w nt to another part of the town I would not get the trace that I have now, because I would be leavirg-xny own neighbourhood. I have got pre. mieesin High-street, on the corner of Jockey- street, let to weekly tenants. Whether I left thcpe prexcisna or not the traffic will be removed to the bottom of High-street, Oxford-street, the n aiket, &c. Do ycu attribute n.e whole cf the 'carnage to the dhersion in trader—No. certain!? not." If I removed I would probably l:sethe whole of the wholesale trade. It would take me ysars to got a. similar business. The orcfita in the branch busineaa are at out 71 per errt. Do not your books show that the profits of the Morrieton branch for 1874 are only 5 per Cen t. e- No, I think not. In re-examination Mr. Richards said Thewhole of the premises in the High-street are to be ac. quired by the company, and if I were inclined to build similar premises it would take me a very long time to doao. Ths cost of building has very much increased of late years. It would cost me £7,000 to build similar premises. An estimate and plan was made by Mr. Huxham for altering the premises. The estimate was between £ 5,000 and £ 6,000, and the proposed new buildings would be unsuitable for the business. I have- no other place where I could!carry on the business, and if I build a suitable place it would take me six or 12 months. Building land in the town of Swansea just now is not a cheap commodity. From L3 to XI per foot frontage is being asked for land to build business premie^ in the new street to be called Yeo-etreet. I have bought property in Swansea, and I don't know of any site which would snit me as well as the premises in High-street. I have not gone into figures or books in regard to this matter, but considering all (JÜatiOIJB that have been put to me I can state again cpCB cftih that my profits have been £ 3,500 per year during the last ten year3. In addition to that there are book debts. I make very few bad debts. It would not be a wise thing to carryon the business in order to reduce the stock-in-trade. After a conversation between Mr, Smith, Mr. Payne, and the arbitrator, it was decided that the horses, stock, carriages, &c., should be valued by Mr. J. M. Leeder and Mr. Gardner. Thcmas Glasbrook Richards, son of the claimant, was then re-called, and said: We make 200 dczen candles per week, and sell them. There is a net annual profit per year on the oandlea of £ 563 6e. Sd. The sum received over the counter at High-street, including branch shops, &o., is jC60,000, out of which I deduot .£18,000 for the branch shops. I calculate that £ 10,C00 is set aside for wholesale. That leaves for the retail £ 32,000. The profits in the retail are 7 per cent., and in the wholesale 5 per cent. I have also considered the expenses in carrying on the business, and, after having deduoted every expense of rent, traffic, interest &c^ I have found that the above rates of profit are correct. The Arbitrator: That comes to £ 5 037 ner yeai. °\0urt then a^0Qmed nntil ten o'clock this (Friday) morning. Unless some arrangement is come to between the parties, the case will be adjourned this evening, the isrbitrator (Sir H. A. Hunt) having another engagement.

TBILHAIIMONIC THEATRE, CARDIFF. Saturday evening will be an extra special night on which occasion Mr. A. Emm will reappear, for this evening only, in three new characters in three new dramas. The programme is remarkable for its excellent variety, commencing with a Bibcrnian orarna, Kathleen Mavourneen," fol- lowing with a new nautical drama entitled JericiiO John, and terminating with a local piece called JL he Mysteries of Old Caerphilly Castle, in ail of which Mr. Emm will appear. Various songs will be given between the dramaa, and, aI.ogetLor, this Saturday night promises to be most successful.

Groat consternation prevails in Blackburn owing to the threatening demeanour of tho cotton operatives. Tho police authorities have found it necessary to place a guard over Colonel Jackson s house, and have resolved to send for a inilits-ry I force in case any outbreak shoald occur after the decitlon of the Manchester conference on Tuesday. It has just been discovered, according to the Maidstone Journal, that Mr. Boyce, a principal warder in St. Mary's Convict Prison, who resides at New Bromptou, ia entitled to from £ 80,000 to £ 100,000 under the will of hia grandfather, Anthony Wentworth S^ge, late of Bristol, who died some years ago, leaving two millions sterling, for which there are 24 claimants. During the whole of Saturday and Sunday n heavy fall of snow occurred through the wholv of the North of Scotland. The ground is covered ) a great depth, and the storm is one of unexampled severity, nearly twelve inches having falltfn since Saturday. Tie snow lies very deep on the High- land Railway, and the country roads are all blocked. The sheep are suffering severely from I the intense cold. DaNISi. JWSK AKD Co.'s ABO BJULWAT 5IX* Tabl». Sverr TravnUer should purehaM ene of VMhH 0UtaI

ALLEGED SMASHING CASES AT ABERDARE. A WHOLE FAMILY CHARGED BEFOliE TRE MAGISTRATES. At the Merlbyr police-court, on Wsdneaday, a father, moiht-r, and two iaughtera were charged before lur. J. Bishop, stipendiary, with unlaw- fully- uttering counterfeit coin in the town of Aberdare, on various occasions. Margaret J snea, lie mother, the wife of a plasterer, living at 22, wf+i, ?fre-Ii'6treet;' onndry Town, waa charged witn uttenng' a counterfeit half-crown on the 27th Fl,LCwia7' &b<2 » florin on the 7th of March RrKA w- f 'C6*i> a single woman, and Mary Ann were Vwt-i & daughters of Mrs. Jones, ard two ^uh uttering two counterfeit florins rioiB fthd ti sixpences, on various occa- fal^pr nf tho ? y J°nea> the husband and father of the former prisoners, waa charged with aicirg and abetting them in the uttering °f these counterfeit coins. Mr. Plews defended all the four prisoners. The charge against Mar. garct Jones, the mother, was first proceeded with. Miss Mary DaVieS stated that she was a barmaid at the liotk Vaults, High-street, Aberdare. About Feven o'clock on the evening of the 27th of February, she remembered prisoner coming j il:to the bar and asking for eixpennyworth of gin, for payment of which she tendered half-a-crown. Witness gave her 2s. change. Not liking the look of the coin, she asked prisoner to wait a few minutes. Instead of doing ao, however, she went away. Wiinesa kept the hall-crown separate urii.il the foiiowisg Friday, when she gave it to Inspector Thcrrey. Prisoner came into the bar. alone. A Mr. Evanp, wno tried the coin and bent c it, afterwards went to the door to look fur the prisoner, but she was gone. Inspector Tiiorney, of Aberdare, proved the ap- prehension tif the prisoner, and her identification by the last witness. The charges against tho two daughters, Elizabeth Jones and Mary Ann Eoee, were taken next. Mrs. Margaret Llewellyn, widow, living at 53, High-street, Aberdare, said her mother kept a grocer's shop. She lived with her mother. Remembered the two prisoners coming to the shcp on the 6th of March. They came together about half-past ten. They knocked at the door, and Elizabeth Jones asked for half a pound of butter. She served the butter, and J ones gave her a sixpence and a halfpenny in pay. ment. They then left together. Upon looking at the Eixpence under the gas light ehe found it was net a gocd one, and after showing it to her mother she placed it on a shelf, where it remained by itself until Tuesday, when she gave it to Inspector Thorney, who marked it in her presence. Did not know the two women, or where they lived previous to the night they came to the shop. Was quite sure that Jones was the one who gave her the sixpence, but was not quite certain about the other prisoner. Inspector Thorney gave evidence in this case also. He said there were several other charges against both prisoners, and also separate charges against Elizabeth Jones. Henry Jones, plasterer, an elderly man, was next charged with aiding and abetting the above prisoners in the uttering of counterfeit coin. Inspector Thorney said that on the 18th of March be went to the prisoner's hocse, 22, Penydarren-street, Foundry Town, at eight o'clock in the morning. He put Sergeant Cole at the back, whilst he himself went to the front door, which he found locked, with the key inside. He knocked very loudiy several times with the heavy knocker which was on the door. After having knocked some time he saw the prisoner's wife cleaning the window above, and he beckoned to her to come down. He heard a noise of walking about, and, looking through the keyhole, saw Mr. and Mrs. Jones (the two elder prisoners) going downstairs. After a good deal of delay, and running about downstaira, Mrs. Jones came and opened the door. He went out to the rear of the house; the back door was open; and just at this time he was joined by Sergeant Cole. Going to the closet, they saw the prisoner behind the door, without his coat, hat, and shoes. Looking into the cJocet, he found it had been recently worked. He then arrested Elizabeth Jones and another sister in the house, but the latter was not afterwards detained. Subsequently he arrested the prisoner Mary Jane Rose, at her house in Mary-street. Took them to the police- station, and fAsrwards went back to the pri. soner's house, having left Police-con stable Roes in charge of it during his absence. The priaoner was then in the house, and witness told him he wap goirg to search it for counterfeit coin or materials for making them. Prisoner said, You are quite welcome." AEked prisoner to follow him, and he did so. Went iuto the front parlour, in the parlour grate he found a counterfeit repre- senting a florin and a piece of metal wrapped up together in paper. Prisoner, holding up his hand, said, ''I know nothing about it." In a middle parlour he found three pieces of metal under a basin on the shelf. One of the pieces had the appearance of having been a coin, with part of it melted away. He had the syphon taken out of the closet where he had just previously found the prisoner, and in lie syphon found several pieces of metal. In a table drawer in the kitchen he found some other piecsa of metal, which had the appearance of beiug xrcited up in the ashes. Prisoner remarked, Oh, you will find plenty of that every. where." In a tub, filled with pigs' wash, near the closet door, he found a plaster of Paris mould, with an impression inside of a sixpence. The im. pression had been damaged by being cut with a tccl. In a room upstairs he found a number of metal plates, apparently zinc, a piece of bees' wax, several tools, and also a quantity of plaster of Paris castings and moulds for eastings. The pieces of metal found were of tho usual kind found in counterfeit coins.—At this stage the prisoners were reclamed until Saturday,

PHESjiNTATION TO DR. W. H. THOMAS, OF MAFSTEG, On Wednesday this interesting event^took place at the British Schoolrooms- AlaeEteg (kindly placed at tho disposal of the comCiitcee by Mr. Blakemore). The room was crammed with many admirers of the doctor, who is a native of the place and very popular. Joined to, his skill as a practitioner he brings into his daily life many traits which have greatly aided him to obtain his present status as the popular doctor of the Qihaioi, ihe career of Maesteg has been of a chequered kind, and on many occasions Mr. TRCMttB exhibited bia sympathy with the poorer inhabitants of the place, and in tha time of sick. nefiB and ltin :ctlOn he bas been uniform in his attention and kindness to them. During an epidemic which occurred in the place some years ago the doctor rendered signal service, and his unremitting attention was after its subsidence very generally recognised, and a handsome testimonial was given him. The doctor question at Maesteg is not a new one, and some months ago an effort was made to dictate to the men as to a choice of medical ad. viser, but the workmen, who contribute the funds, strongly resented the interference. They maintained their independence of action in this vital matter and, disce rning that the movement had a personal tendency against Dr. Thomas, they decided to mark their appreciation of his many acts of gratuitous service in a tangible way, and also to show further that confidence they reposed in him. The testimonial consisted of oil-painted portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, an illuminated address, and a puree containing a cheque for £ 26;' 18. Id. The portraits are faithful, and apeak highly for the artistic skill of Mr. Ljng, cf Cardiff, who received the commission. The meeting was timed to commence at 7,30 p.m., and the Rev. R. Hughes was voted to the chair in the unavoidable absence of Mr. D. Grey, who had promised to preside. Mr. Hughes briefly opened tho meeting, and read a letter from Mr. Grc-y, in which he expressed his disappointment a\. being unable to be present to assist in the noble work to be performed that evening. Mr. AKEnunsT was then called upon by the chairman, and he eaid that it gave him the greatest pleasure to read the brief particulars of this moyexuent, It was at first started by the working classes cf Maesteg—(hear)—and as they found numerous friends to help them, it was determined to form a ccmmittee to assist in the worthy causc. A canvass was made, and £ 328 7s. was collected from 847 subscribers, and the committee, in addi. tion to the other presentation?, would have the great pleasure of handing Dr. Thomas a cheque for .£2891s. Id. (ApplauBa.) ,¥rl draper, expressed the pleasure he felt at being present that evening, They had met to pay a tribute of respect to one they all knew wen, one who possessed in himself many of the best qualities of human nature. He waa a goad neighbour, and ready to assist one and all with. equality. No one was more ready to assist with purse and heart where need required it than Dr. Thomas. When asked to act on the committee he thought it better to postpone the proposed testi- monial until the timos were more favourable, since then the times had not improved, but had gone from bad to worse. If they wanted to test the sincerity of the givers of a testimonial, he would advise them to make a movement in ihard times. (Hear,) They had proof of the motives in this case, and every penny subscribed had been given out of real respect and|love for Dr. Thomas. He waB one of the representatives ot tradesmen in the place, could apeak of the feeling in the town for the doctor. There was an old Welsh proverb, to the effect that there is no respeottor a prophet in his own country," but there were exceptions to every rule, and in the meeting that night, and its objeots, they had a splendid exception. (Cheers.) Mr. CHIVBKS also expressed great pleasure in being present. He said when a man did good to himself, it was said he would gain praise from others, and it must apply with greater force when a man oid good to his tellowimen. For displaying so uniformly this latter reeling, the meed of praise was given to Dr. Thomas. When they had a large-hearted man in their midst, one who had Le"fV°^ay •lso'" and w*8 ^ways glad ™ ? ,1 r'la ?:Hshbour, it was a pity that anyone fc^pulu try tc assail that man's position, or to s'ai?c.er hia character. When there waa a greatstlike in America, men showed their an. tagemsm by destroying the goods of their masters, bi-t wlic-L the dispute had terminated, the men did 17 'v l10ve tho work of destruction WEiS the act of uncivilised people from other naticEa. IÚo would like if they could prove, by mtiav.a of fciniiiai- reasoning, that those who had assailed Dr. Thomaa's position did not hail from hen okvyf. (Hear ) The eharacter of a man was hie great help to existence, anr anyone striving to deprive him of-his fair birthright "deserved to be expatriated. (Cheers.) Miaa CECILIA REI S then uncovered the address, which was read by Mr. Jxo. EVAKS as follows;— Piesentod to William Hopkin Tliomas, Esq Member of the Hoyal College ot Surgeons of JEcgUnd. SIR,—-We, whose names lire hereunder wnttea, 1601 preat jlonsiire in prcsenti? g you with this accompanied by oil paintirg-g of vonraeU aca. wL Tbcjras, and a purse containing £ '289 Is. of the profound respect in which you are heia py ne community ot M&etteir. and tha districts m ion ycur professional fervices are so widely kuowst and so succcseiully employed. „„ We oonpatn'ate yru on tho success of your early iabourp. the results cf which have fully entitled you ro the high position you have attained sua norw hold in your native place, which. naturally# is very gratifying It is an interesting in this movement fand we think you will considar it to be a valuable one) that at originated with the woikiat .tMa et lIIM..k¡ 110 WaB th„e matter pknown than all tc*. e'gninefi their readiness to join in ftckniw- 1,: f\Z £ *ehtedue8Z t0 y°u~ eontte *y r a nelfhtW o t3^an- iJowore^ bear testimony that during tu. th„ hare been amongst us professionally, -nrmo«^T.e eVery tunity of observing 7*. /■?* a ^eiiioal man and your uprightness integrity as gentle- man in all your dealings anfl v. u i an!' that we are scarcely able fully to appreciate frratnitous, and self-denying services, which we *"ar 60 univer- sally epolien of and praised on all sides bi the rich, ar d especially by the poor. We tJso ftel it our duty to acknowledge your readi- ness on all occasions to support, every movement cal- culated to bendit the public, and that always unbiassed and untrammelled by any consideration save those of right and justice. Wishitg you many long and useful years, with a!l prosperity and happiness, we are. tir, your faithful triends and admirers, JOHN EVAKS, Chaivman, JOHN HOWELL, Treasurer. W11. AKKHDRST, > „ liicHAnn JONES, J secretaries. The portraits were then unveiled, Dr. Thomas's being tormally presented by Miss Jones, of Letti- brongi; and Mr". Thomas's portrait by Master King. The purse and its contents were gracefully presented to Dr. Thomas by Miss Harris, of the Castle Hotel. The audience showed much or- thueiasm during the acts of presentation. Dr. THOMAS, on rising to return thanka, wis received with loud applanae. He said: Mr. Chairman, ladies, and gentleman,—Some yer,,re ago 1 occupied a similar position t-o that in which I am placed to-night, wilen I found how utterly inadequate I was to the task of suitably expreae- lng my acknowledgment. With a recolleciion of t at incompetency, I shall limit myself on this occasion to saying as few words 308 possible. I • ° t^ankmy numerous frienda for the very 'hey have presented to me although I could not express fuliy my thauks for your very great kindness. It any BpeGial effort on my part, or trait of oharactorf has caused you to give me this handsome testimonial, I trust that I shall not in the future exhibit any feeling which will cause me to forfeit that good opinion which you have so kindly expressed. On behalf of Mrs, Thcmas and myself allow me to express our deepest thanks for your kindly dispo- sition towards us, and so handooraely expressed this evening. This incident will be one of the most happy and interesting episodes in our livr>s, and one which we shall alwajs recollect and cherish. Some spirited Welsh addresces were deliverad by Mr. Morgan Davies (A-lraa), Reva. David Joseph, and — Jones (Tabor), and mueioal pieces were sung by Mr. Samuel Aubrey and party; Messrs. Hughes, Morgan, and Davies; and Mr. S. Davies and party. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. Great praise is due to the committee, Mr. John Howeila as treasurer, and Mesars. Akehurst and R. Jones, hon. sees., for the energy shown in carrying oat the details BO successfully.

OUR PARIS LETTER. PARIS, MARCH 19. All France is covered with white posters setting forth the etigma voted by the Chamber on the Duo de Broglie Ministers and the Rochebouet Cabinet that succeeded them. The condemned, neither directly nor by a friend, said a word in explanation of their oppressions and misrule, pending the debate but when IT was closed, and all danger of impeachment over, they publish a statement that is received with universal con- tempt. Even the most chivalrous of the Koyaliat papers do not conceal their disgust and indigna- tion at such cowardice. Panurge concealed him- self when the tempest howled, tlie lightning flashed, and the thunder groaned but when aft became calm he reappeared, and assuming the attitude of a hero, scolded the sailors. Neither in the Chambers nor out of it, is there the slightest diversity of opinion as to the abominable conduct of the stigmatised cabinets; they were not ar. raigned, simply in the interests of national TNUFC* quility. Several of the public men branded wi* treason and perjury by the resolution of Parlia- ment, and yet filling office, have no scruple to continue enjoying the wages of the Republic. But there are magistrates who now administer justice, and who served on the mixed oommiasioas of the coup d'etat! Such individuals cannot be respected, as they fail to respect themselves. There is one Prefect who posted all the arbitrary decrees of the De Broglie Ministry, and who d indifferently pastes up their moral and political death warrant. lie only wishes to remain Vioar of Bray. The French—human, perhaps—failing ia being largely indulged in, of denouncing the functionaries known for their reactionary sentiments, and still eating the salt of the Republio. Removals speedily follow. It is worthy of remark how rioh the Liberal party is in competent men all the new appointments have been successful; no com- plaints are recorded. It is rumoured that all officials under the constitution will be asked to take an oath of fidelity to it next Jnne, when the army shall have received its new colours, and its representatives taken the oath to loyally uphold the Republic. The practice was a weakness under the dynasties, and never added to their longevity. Napoleon III. made every employe Bwear or retire. Arago, the astronomer, only waa excepted. The best way to keep men to their duty is to instantly punish them when they n.g- Icct it, and to reward them well for faithful services. The poor Bonapartists do not seem to be very ScDi-iehicg, and even those who rejfict their politics cannot but admire the fidelity of followers who, in flri"e of terrible odds, appear resolved to lcte on 1 ill the close. Of course, several are too compromised to be accepted as penitents. A banquet has just been held to celebrate the auni- ytrsaiy of the Prince Imperial, and which provos how soundly the Republic must be seated to tolerate the meeting. It appears the reason why the Prince did not take par: in the llusso-Turkiph struggle waa the horror of the Na.poleoca for Furopeun ware—of the Waterloo and Sedan typea doubtless, and not to compromise tho future policy of the dynasty. Also, since eight yeara France respires, it seems, an impure air, and such meu AS Gambetta and the Prince cannot be COMPARED —which nobody can deny. It appears the new jrre/ect of Police haa not purged his administration, as was to bo expooted whieh nobody can deny. It appears the new Prefect of Police has not purged his administration, as was to be expooted the 14 policemen who denounced the atrnaas of the Prefecture, and which led to the resignation of the Home Minister, were dismissed, after beiajf aeturtd they would be protected, and have not yet been restored, while the big officials who were cashiered have been awarded pensions. O.-der does not reign in Warsaw yet. Tho brigade of political and social spies has been dissolved. They were only registered by numbers, not names, and the dismissed chief declined to give up the key. It seems his refusal was not important, as the filthy gang have to a man—and woman, for the latter are the more numerous, oome forward to offer their services if required. Virtue is always on the side of the cash box, and the dog will return to his vomit. Bill-stickers and printers will soon have all their liberties. Up to the present not the slightest document could be posted on a wall without having first received permission of the authorities. Only the Nihilists and Pasquinos laugh at auch precautions. Even this reform will hardly suit M. Emile de Girardin, who has published a bulky volume to demonstrate FSAIIS the Q. E. D.) that the press has no power. Formerly he claimed that a journalist ought to produce one idea daily he appears now to relinquish that in favour of a paiadox. Ilia remarks cannot apply to books, since Voltaire's writings have had a more powerful influence upon the buman minj than the stories of Tom Thumb or Jack the Giant Killer. But the itfluencc of newspapers is another matter, and cannot be denied. They may fluctuate from a thousand causes, but in troublesome time. when a paper like Girardin's own organ. La France, expresses all high, while everyone mutters all low, it is a power—and tho first rather than the fcurth estate. There are persons who abrae the liberty of the press it is for them that FI FEW restrictive lawe will bo retained. There are penal chapters in the code, but are applicable only to those who infringe them. After all the project of M. Joubert, to exempt from long military service citieene who were mar- ried and had two children, was not devoid of point; he wished to encourage matrimony. The rates of increase of births WAA^ more (elevated 7I yearB ago than it is to-day in France fifty years ago the average marriages per 100 inhabitants was 0 82, it is now only 0.75. The trenoh ex. plain the decrease of births by two chief causes— the extension of material wellbeing and the increase of small landed proprietors; parents do not wish to bring children into the world if not provided with the means for supporting them, and young Frenchmen decline to try their fortune IN foreign (ande- henoe why P-videiaoe-- DII" Prot,(, a ?I-ance-it has been observed, has given her no colonies. The ooontry affords this speotacle: nowhere are the conditions of life and living SO favourable, and no- where is population less progressive. One advan- tage ota small population, Btrikes dc little injury, but M time of war, victory, of late, declares itself on the side of the large battalions. French juries, as a rule, never bring in a verdict of guilty against a girl charged with the murder of the man who seduces and uosorts her. Hence, the agita- ion to repeal the law, which prevents a woman from establishing the putative father of her child. It was Napoltoa 1. who personally dictated the ULANSF makiu* woman the sole guardian of her own virtue. The jury have found a young masen guilty of the murder of his mothor. The defence w»a, he was placed in a foundling hospital by his mother, re- ceived a" number." When he arrived at the age of 21 she claimed him; but he was a bad oua- racter, and drank. Counsel urged he could not be a parricide, since hia mother deserted mm, &o. The jury thought otherwise. I renchmen stand by mothers and ladies. Acoording to the coae it in,even parricide for an "adopted cmid to kill its "parents."

The King and Queen of the Belgians paid A visit to the Duke and Ducheea of Edinburgh at Ashford on Wednesday. THK Two THINGS WHICH MOST STJITKK a. FOREIGNER in passing through the rural districts of England are, the Datural beauty of the hedge- rows and the prettiness of her cottage gardens. In no other country are to be found those patches of fragrance and beauty which may be seen before the cottage doors in many districts of England. Every eftort to encourage this love of beauty amongst the nurnbler classes is worthy of praise, AND one IS glad to eee that it baa not only the patronage of some of the great of the land C*V.C1B? Fx-Premier), but that at least one of the leading seed houses is making an effort to meet He growing demand for suitable collec. tiolls Of the best flower seeds at a price within the reach of all WHO have a patch of ground in which to BOW tbem. We have before us a neat shilling packet containing 12 varieties of choice flower seeas most suitable for cottage gardens, on each of which are full instructions as to time of eowing. method of culture, &o. That the cottage gardener has not been slow to avail himself of this boon may be inferred from the fact stated by Messrs. Daniels Brothers, of Norwich, to whom we refer, namely, that already about 80,000 of these packets have been sold. We may add that although sent out under the modest title of The Cottager's Packet," this will be found, in the excellent selection given, to be equally well suited for the mere pretentious vill& or gentleman a garden, and considered in its detail is a wonder* folly ohaap ahiHing'e wortl».—Jforninf P-.