The Cardiff Times

MEETINGS OF PLYMOUTH COLLIERS. On Monday morning a mass meeting of the Plymouth Colliery workmen was held at the Itodge. near the Plymouth Tips, Merthyr, Mr Evan Jones in the chair. It was resolved not to work under contractors at the (lit. seam, Abercanaid, and a deputation was appointed to wait upon the management to con- vey the terms of this decision. Subsequently the management indicated at the interview that they would very likely be able to do away with the arrangement as to contractors in the 9ft. seam, bat as for the Gellideg seam, that was bound to go on under the contractor or be stopped. At the Globe Inn, later on, the report of the deputation was received by the workmen in mass meeting. The resolution passed in the morning was confirmed as to the 9 feet Beam in reference to contractors. It was agreed further that a demand be made for the arbitration I as to the questions lately in dispute to be at once proceeded with. Also that tools be put down on Thursday if the arbitration was not finished before the end of this month.

CAMBRIAN MINERS'ASSOCIATION The monthly meeting of the Cambrian Miners' Association was held at the Butchers' Anns Hotel, Pontypridd, on Monday. There was a good attendance of delegates, and the chair was occupied by Mr David Morgan, checkweighar, Wattstown, and the vice by Mr Aaron Isaac, Cymtrier. Mr W. Abraham, M.P., and Mr W. Evans, agents, were also fresent. A resolution was adopted that the Ixecutive Committee shall hold an inquiry in all cases where workmen have been in receipt of strike pay for three months, as to whether such pay shall be continued or not, such inquiry to be resumed every month should the Executive Committee think it desirable, and that workmen be paid at the executive meeting after the expira- tion of three months. Mabon observed that the object of the resolution was not to restrict contributions whenever circumstances demanded them, bnt that the district should know whether I the funds were given to persons deserving them or not. The long-continued and unfortnnate dispute at the Ton Colliery was again discussed, sevsr.d propositions being made that the association should give financial aid to the men locked-out. Eventually it was agreed to vote a sum of £50.. Attention was directed to the Tylorstown Relief Fund. and. as it is intended to close it very shortly, an appeal was made to all collieries that had not forwarded their contributions to send them without delay to Mr S. T. Jones, Bohemia House, Tylorstown.

RAILWAY RATES IN PEMBROKE. A meeting of the Railway Rates Committee of the Pembrokeshire County Council was held in Saverfordwsst on Monday, Mr C. R. Stokes, Tenby, presiding. It was resolved that the County Council should be asked to take steps to endeavour to get the nulway companies in Pembrokeshire to reduce the rates for the con- veyance of farm produce to the same basis as that Adopted by other railway companies, and that an endeavour be made to get the rate of conveyance of Pembrokeshire horses and rattle reduced.

Braithwaite's Retrospective of Medictno gays :—" Cadhury's Coco i is ajt invaluable addition to our dietic resources in the. treatment of all digestive disorders.' TOBACCONISTS COMMENCING.—See Did Chide 1 W ftWIpp ■/

1 The Miners' Permanent Provident ociety. ANNUAL MEETING AT CARDIFF. Who Stepped the Lord Mayan's | Fund ? MR G. L. CAMPBELL ON HIS DEFENCE. The fifteenth annual general meeting of the Mon- I mouthshire and South Wales Miners' Permanent Provident Society, better known amon the miners as the Permanent Fund," was held on Saturday I at the Institute of Engineers, Park-place, Cardiff, and considerable interest attached to the proceed- ings from the knowledge that attention would be I called tothló! action with reference to tbe Tylors- town disaster adopted by Mr G. L. Campbell, F.S.S., the consulting and Parliamentary secre- tary of the society, and which it was alleged had resulted m inducing the Lord Mayor of London not to open a Mansion House Fund for the relief of tho distressed families. Sir John T. Dillwyn Llewelyn, Bart., M.P., presided. MR CAMPBELL AND THE MANSION I HOUSE FUND. Before the motion for the adoption of the report was put to the meeting, Mr John Morgan, Ebbw Vale, asked the secretary to read a resolution received from the Ebbw Vale agency. This waa done, the resolution being to the effect that the Ebbw Vale delegate should move, at the annual meeting of the society, a resolution to dispense with the services of Mr Campbell, as consulting and parliamentary secretary. Mr Evan Owen also read the resolution, sent by Mr Lewis Miles from the miners' conference (representing 95,552 miners), strongly condemning the action of Mr Campbell in interfering with the opening of a Mansion House fund." Mr J. MORGAN said that, perhaps, the resolu- tion of which notice had been given by the Ebbw Vale agency was too harsh in its terms, and he therefore moved an amendment to the adoption of the report, expressing regret at the action of Mr G. L Campbell, in advising the Lord Mayor of London that local efforts would be sufficient to cope with the distress in Tylorstown, and that it would therefore not be necessary to open a Mansion Hou>fJ fund that such advice had been given without any consultation whatever with his co-officials of the society, Of with the Board of Management, we considm most repre- hensible and uterus severe condemnation, and that we reluctantly advise the meeting to ask M, Campbell to rjsigo." Mr WALLKB iSirbowj) seconded, remarking that he had been instructed to move a resolutim dl8pellsing Wit" Mt Campbell's services, Mr ALFRED ONIONS, who spoke in support, said Mr Campbell's action merited the condemna- non of that IDNmng. ("No, no.") This was a public question—it had been before the public and before a representative body of miners, who, without one dissentient voice had passed the resolution just read. Whether Mr Campbell went or was sent for to the Mansion House made no difference that he should have undertaken to advise the Lord Mayor as he had without consult- ing the chairman,as president of the society, or the general secretary, or any of the gentlemen who sat around the table that day seemed to him (the speaker) to have been a most high-banded pro- ceeding. He could not conceive of either a Pope or a Czar acting in such a manner but Mr Campbell, without any hesitation what- ever apparently, took upon Himself to advise the Lord Mayor that local effort would be sufficient to cope with the disaster,and this advice, it appeared, was tendered before the extent of the catastrophe was actually known. In fact, the bodies were scarcely cold before this advice was given, and there were bodies in the mine at the time the advice was tendered. He (the speaker), as one of the deputation that went to the Mansion House, had no hesitation in saying that it was Mr Campbell's action that had stopped a Mansion House fund being opened. (" Shame.") Whatever Mr Campbell's private opinion may have been, he, acting as the servant of that society, had no right to tender such advice with- out consulting with his colleagues and the Board of Management, to whom his action was an insult. Mr CAJIPBKLL said it would clear the way if he said what hö had to say at this juncture. It was not because he had any hesitation in meeting the abominable accusations made against him in South Wales that he had not spoken sooner, but because he considered that the proper persons to whom he should make any explanations were the members of that society, and not people who had no control over his actions, and who had no right to interfere with his movements. (Hear, hear.) Now the remarks of the last speaker all fell to the ground if he (Mr Campbell) showed in one most important respect that he had not acted without due authority, even assuming that he went to the Mansion Hf)118e as their representative, which be did not. Their own annual report that day showed that long before he went near the Man- sion House, before he had been able even to Jeave home, their Board of Management had passed a resolution, which was given in their report in these terms— The Board of Management met immediawly after the casualty, and ascertained that the machinery of the society, local and gi-neral, was in effective order. Sir William 1'homa. J,ewis, as chairman of tho board, stated at that meeting that the society had by the accident sustained a severe blow, and needed all the outside help 1 hey could obtain and that he hoped the landlords and othrs interested In the mining dLtrict would assist the society to meet all requirements. The distress was promptly grappled with, and the board having regard to the claims upon the society for individual acci ients considered that the disaster itself did not justify them in taking part in an appeal for outside help. The limited response eiicited by tho appeal foT public beneficence with regard to this disaster was not successful. This may be attributed to the ciicum- stance of there having been heavy calls simitar in character in the society's district within a compara- tively recent period. Coalfields other than South Wales and Monmouthshite have also gone through similar experience. The public heart fails to respond to oft-repeated applications, and certainly it is advisable that national appeals—which may be taken to mean appeals headed by the Lord Mayor of London -should not b made save on very grave occasions. In the face of this (asked the speaker) bow could Mr Onions say he (Mr Campbell) had acted without consultation with his colleagues ? (Applause.) He knew that the opinion of his board was that i" was not an occasion on which a national appeal ought to be made; and if he had acted as their representative when he went to the Mansion House, he had abundant authority. It should also be remembered that the gentlemen who had passed that resolution of condemnation without one dissentienll voice, did so without ever hearing him. They had heard only one version they had never given him the slightest opportunity of being heard before them. He might not have gone, but it would have been courteous at any rate to ask him. He would tell them why the Mansion House authorities acted as they did. They know by old experience that if a Mansion House appeal were made too often, it became gradually weakeued, and eventually failed altogether. The Lord Mayor might personally wish to open a fund, but the Lord Mayor was so much bound by precedents as was the Lord Chancellor of England, and the precedents of the Mansion House was distinctly against opening a fund for accidents that did not exceed the dimensions of the one at Tylorstown. There never had been such a thing before. He had seen Mansion House fnnds go down from £300,000 for one accident to j6980 for an accident nearly as large. He remembered the terrible series of the North of England disasters when the Mansion House failed because the repetition of the appeals was so continuous. They could not get people to give continually. What therefore was the right thing to do ? Now, let him, speak- ing as the secretary to the Central Association, ask was it not the right thing to take care that the Mansion House fund was preserved and kept as a most magnificent and reliable resource on great occasion* ? (Cheers.) The question was, what was a great occasion ? Who was to settle it ? There must be a line drawn somewhere. The line now drawn was at oases where local resources would not suffioa and where the appeal was supported by the nearest municipal authority. It was 10 or 12 days after the disaster before these gentlemen got to the Mansion House, and then they were not able to say that the local resources were not sufficient. By local resources he did not mean such a collection as was made by the Tylorstown committee. If they had been well advised, and accepted the help of people accus- tomed to these things, and had properly tapped this wealthy district of Glamorgan, more than enough could easily have been raised. He main- tained it waa sad that they should crawl up the stairs of the Mansion House for an accident of this kind in a connty so abundantly wealthy as Glamorgan. He had no hesitation whatever in saying that if he had had an opportunity of speaking with these gentlemen before they went to the Mansion House, and had shown them the difficulties in the way, they would never have gone, for the line must be drawn somewhere. Immediately after the accident at Tylorstown eight or ten men were killed in the North of England by one accident. Why should there not be a Mansion House fund for them ? Every two months in the year they accumulated a number of accidents equal to the Tylorstown acci- dent. Why should the poor widows and orphans in those cases not have a Mansion House fund ? Instead of thoroughly organising Glamorganshire after the Tylorstown calamity they crawled up the ekaira of the Mansion House to beg the nation to help in a case where they ought to have been able to help themselves. His proudest con- nection with this district of South Wales had been that he had had something to do with the founding of that society, the second largest in the kingdom, and there was nothing more heart- breaking to him than the anomaly which they had tried to remedy, tho anomaly whereby the widows of people killed 50 or 60 at a time received grants from the public while the widow of a poor man killed singly got nothing at all. He appealed to them whether this was fair— (•• No") -and whether it was not an arrangement that would have to be altered sooner or later. Mr OOTONS, rising to a point of order, asked whether these remarks of Mr Campbell had any- thing to do with the motion before the meeting. The CHAIBMAN Yes, I think 110. Mr Campbell is in order. Mr CAWUUI asked the meeting to look at the reasonableness of the proposition in the light be had placed it. It was their effort a few years ago to pat the widow and orphan of the man killed in a single accident in the same position as the widow and ehildren of the wen tolled in the pit accidents; and the efforts that he had been concerned iD, and all the movements he had been connected with in relation to the Mansion House. had all been directed to that one great object, They had never had an appeal from the Mansion House in all these which had not re- minded them that the men on whose behalf the ppeal was made had helped to make provisions for themselves by contributing to the Peimauent Fund. Let them reserve this Mansion House fund where more men were lost than in any previous accident since 1866, and let them not waste the strength of the national appeal, when by proper organisation local effort could abundantly and most handsomely meet their requirements. Mr W. WILLIAMS, a delegate, failed to see why the Cilfynydd wiaows were more deserving of a Mansion House fund than the Tylorstown sufferers. Mr ONIONS said he understood all along that Mr Campbell had acted upon his own respon- sibility. Was this so or not ? This was the first time the resolution of the Board of Management has been made public. The VIOS CHAIRMAN No it was published in I the Echo that very evening. Mr CAMPBELL said the Board of Management met the day after the accident; but the deputa- tion to the Lord Mayor from the miners' leaders did not take place until well on in the following week. Mr HUGHES, Pontnewynydd, a member of the Board of Management, defended the action of that body, and dwelt upon the anomaly of one widow receiving more than another. What they ought to do was to amalgamate all the relief funds and equalise the relief. Mr JONAS WATSON, while acknowledging that the movers of the amendment had done valuable service in calling attention to the matter, urged that the resolution be withdrawn, for nothing could do more harm to the society than dissension among its members. He quite agreed with the decisions of the board, and felt that the members ought to be loyal to the decisions of the board, especially if they came to those decisions in good faith. Let them not run the risk of losing the services of one who bad been of the very greatest benefit to the society. It was sicumbent opon all interested in the district to support the society, and he really thought it disgraceful that so few people joined as honorary members. (Heat, hear.) Mr JAMES MILES agreed to the decision of the Board of Management not to appeal to the Mansion House, except in the very gravest cases. The CHAIRMAN appealed to the mover to with- draw the amendment. Mr ONIONS This is the point. Are we to understand that Mr Campbell, when he went to the Lord Mayor, acted on behalf of the Board of Management ? The CHAIRMAN Mr Campbell acted for many other societies besides ours. Mr ONIONS Did he act on behalf of this Board of Management when he gave that advice ? The CHAIRMAN again appealed for the with- drawal of the amendment, seeing that it was really the action of the Board of Management. Mr MORGAN, the mover, said that he could not withdraw unless Mr Campbell answered Mr Onions's question. He (the speaker) was acting for one of the largtvs agencies in the coalfield. Mr D. BOWBN. J.P., aeksd if they passed auoh an amendment that the secretary should tell the meeting how much money Mr Campbell had been the means of getting for the society, (A Voice What has that got to do with it ?) The CHAIRMAN pointed out that Mr Campbell was sent for to the Mansion House, and did not go there of his own accord. Mr LEWIS Was ho authorised to act by the society ? The CHAIRMAN He went by invitation to the Mansion House. Mr ONIONS Did he then act on behalf of the society, sir ? Mr CAMFBBLL I knew at the time I was asked to go to the Mansion House what the resolution of the Board of Management was. Mr ouhby told you in his letter in the newspapers that they consult me with regard to them all. I don't consider I am general adviser to the Mansion House with regard to South Wales on;y. I hold a position affecting a much larger district than this. I knew before I went to the Mansion House that the Board of Management bad decided not to take part in a public appeal. The CHAIRMAN That ought to be sufficient for us. It is monstrously unfair to charge upon Mr Campbell what the Board of Management has done. After some further discussion the amendment was withdrawn, and the resolutIOn adoptmg tbe annual report was agreed to.

MIDNIGH f AFFHAY AT NEWPORT An Old Man Wounded and Robbed. John Counsell, engine-driver at the Alexandra Dock, Newport, who resides at 18, Wolseley. street, was charged on remand at the Newport Borough Police Court on Monday with assaulting and woundmg John Lloyd, and also breaking into a workshop and stealing a quantity of tools and a ladder. The case for the prosecution was that Lloyd, who is 74 years of age, uses a shed at the Alexandra Dock as a workshop. On Saturday evening, the 18th inst., Counsell met Lloyd in David-street and questioned him as to whether he slept at the shed, and Lloyd told him that he had slept at the shed to watch for thieves, but ha did not intend to sleep there that night. Lloyd returned to lis workshop just before midnight, and as he approached he heard someone hammering at the door, and as he got up the door was forced open, and a man, whom he declared was the prisoner, went in. Lloyd sprang upon the prisoner, who picked up a piece of deal and pushed it into his mouth, and then struck him in the face with a pieco of oak. Prisoner then picked up another piece of timber aDd struck him a blow on the side of the head, and followed this up with a second blow, which felled him to the ground and he became unconscious. Prisoner's eyes, Lloyd said, sparkled, and he roared at prosecutor like a madman. There was a second man near, but he took no part in the affair. About 1 o'clock on Sunday morning Connsell was found on the dock premises with a lighted torch, and then said that he had heard that Lloyd had been beaten, and he was going to see him. Connsell then went on to the engine sheds and was arrested shortly afterwards. The ladder and tools were found in the street about 80 yards from prisoner's house on Sunday morning. Mr Lyndon Moore, solicitor, who appeared for the defence, told the Court that the prisoner had been in the employ of the Dock Company for 20 years, and he had hitherto borne an exemplary character. His wife had been and was dangerously ill, and his three children were down with the measles. Some five years ago he was assaulted and his head was cut open. About a fortnight ago Connsell became strange in his manner and talked incoherently. He was out one day and met the man who had assaulted him, and he appeared to have been affected. A day or two before the assault he kicked a new football to pieces, and he complained to his fellow workmen and relatives of severe pains in his head. Witnesses were called who bore out the statements, including Mr A. A. Henatiaw, the manager of the docks, who:had known the prisoner for 26 years, and gave him an excellent character—The Bench fined prisoner 40s for the assault and 40s for the theft, or one month'* imprisonment in each case.

SUICIDE AT ROATH, Inquest and Verdict. On Sunday morning the body of a platelayer named Samuel Palmer was found in the Heath- field brickworks pond, Rumuey-road, the throat being cut in a shocking manner. Mr E. B. Reece, district coroner, held an inquest concerning Palmer's death on Monday evening, when some painful disclosures were elicited, The widow, Elizabeth Palmer, stated that her late husband was 54 years of age, and was a platelayer. They had resided together at Metal-street, hub on Saturday week she and her children (two boys and one girl) left him and went to 29, Eclipse-street, on account of his violence. He had knocked her about repeatedly, and had behaved badly to her since seven or eight weeks ago. She had never seen him the worse for drink, and could not account for his conduct. The last time she saw him alive was when he came to her bouse on Saturday week and asked her for a looking-glass, but this being her own property she refused to let him have it. Witness had to leave him because he had threatened to kill her.—An estateagent named James Lodge, with whom deceased stayed for five nights, said that Palmer told him that he had caterpillars and butterflies in bis head, and otherwise behaved in a strange manner.—Evidence was also given by a farm labourer named Caple, who discovered the body floating in the Heathfield brickpond, off Newport-road, P.C. EdwardConnell, whodeposed to finding a gash in the throat when deceased was pulled out of the water, and Dr. Sam Wallace. The latter was of opinion that the wound had been self-iufl coed by a knife, and that death was due to loss of blood and not from drowning.—A verdict of Suicide whilst temporarily insane was returned.

You've been drinking again, altho' you promised me you'd pass the pubs on the way." 44 Sure, thin, I kept roy worrd, sor it was them on the way back that did me." ————■—■

YANKKKS ABB USUALLY CREDITED roB INTRO. DUCINQ to the world wseful novelties and tood special- ties, but Cunningham's Desiccated Egg Food was jnyented by an English woman. Its sale is now pro- digious. She started it in a back kitchen in January 1894 to-day the company owns the second largest plant in Kingston, New York. It makes lovely cakes and custards. Kold in trial packets (with choice recipes)equal to 12 eggs, 6d. Packets equal to 36 e Is. Sold »y grocers.. S6iD ANCHOR TKA AN«HQK TEA AKOHOR XBA —

Launch at Pembroke Dock. U.M.S. HANNIBAL. A LEVIATHAN- WARSHIP. PEMBROKE, Tuesday. The battleship Hannibal was successfully launched from Pembroke Dockyard by Mrs Laurie, wife of General Laurie, M.P., about 6 o'clock this evening. The arrangements made for the accommodation of visitors, although simple in the extreme when compared with those which have characterised many previous launches, gave general satisfaction. An elevated grand stand across the bow and a number of booths on either side of the ship at the level of the roadways adjoining the building slip were provided for the con- venience of ticket-holders. The general public had ample opportunities to witness all that took place from the spacious areas under the shed in the immediate vicinity. Perhaps the worsb accommodation cf all was that provided for Pressmen, who were located on a low platform at the side of the grand stand. Amongst those present, in addition to Mrs Laurie, were General and Miss Laurie, Sir Owen Scourfield, Bart., and Lady Scourfield, Captain-Supt. Balfour, Colonel Goodeve, A.A.G., Colonel Macgregor, R.A., Colonel and Mrs Saunn, Lieut.-Colonel and Mrs Kinder, Colonel Leach, Mrs Charles Mathias, Messrs H. G. Allen, Q.C. Mr C. F. Egerton Allen, Mr H. Seymour Allen, M.F.H., and Majors Middlemass, R.E., and Spract, 2nd Devon Regiment. The dockyard gates were thrown open to the public at 5 o'clock, ticket holders having been admitted half an hour earlier. In an ex. ceedingly short space of time an assemblage which numbered quite 5,000 persons gathered in the roadways around the ship. The band of the 2nd Davon Regiment, under the leadership of Band- master W. Brampton, played a selection ot music and whiled away pleasantly the long interval until prayers, which wore read by the Rev. A. Nichol, B.A, Dockyard chaplain, Half-an-houc later-during which the heavy thuds proceeding from beneath the ship's bottom, where workmen were busily engaged remov- ing blocks from under the keel, could be heard almost continuously-Mra Laurie named the ship. and wished her success, breaking the customary bottle containing wine against her stem while so doing. Following this the work. men, who appeared to have failed to remave the blocks from under the ship with sufficient rapidity otherwise could be seen busily engaged splitting them out with chisels and wedges. When this had proceeded for a quarter of an hour an intimation was conveyed to Mr Cuck that the huge vessel had moved a little, whereupon he seized a sharp chisel which had been provided for the purpose and is artistically ornamented, and directed Mrs Laurie to strike it with a mallet, which she did, severing a cord which caused the weights to fall, striking the dogshores out of position and releasing the ship. A short pause followed, after which she moved, down the slip slowly but majestically into the water, and thus added to England's first line of defence one of the finest and most imposingbattleships ever designed and built. The newly-launched vessel was subsequently taken in tow by the tugs Traveller, iEttn, and Meteor, which had been sent from other dock. yards for the purpose, and conveyed to the Wear Buoy. During the afternoon, preceding the launch, Captain Balfour gave an At home," which was attended by upwards of 150 of the gentry from the surrounding country. Captain Gibson and the officers of the Thunderer were also M At home on board the ship, and about 300 guests were enter- I tained. The mallet and chisel used at the launch were presented to Mrs Laurie as a memento. I DESCRIPTION OF THE VESSEL. The Hannibal is a first-class battleship of the Majestic class, and, excluding perhaps the Renown and an improved type of vessel on somewhat similar lines, of which it is proposed to build four. is one of nine ironclads which represent the latest modern ideas of oar leading British naval archi- tects. The sister vessels are the Majestic, built at Portsmouth, and the Magnificent, built at Chatham, both of which are in commission as flagships of the Channel Squadron the Prince George and Csesar, building at Portsmouth the Victorious and Illustrious, building at Chatham the J upiter, building at Clydebank by Messrs J. and G. Thompson; and the Mars, at Birkenhead, by Laird Bros. All the vessels named, with the exception of the Caspar and Illustrious, have been already floated or launched. The Prince George and Victorious will be com- pleted during the current financial year, and the others within the succeeding 12 months. The vessels were all originally intended to be identical in dimensions, but as the result of instructions issued when the designs were sent out from the Admiralty, they vary somewhat in beam and displacement. Since the adoption of a deep freeboard in heavy irouolads experience has shown that it is desirable when developing the plans from the miniature scale on which they are prepared at the Admiralty to"full size on the mould loftfloorat the respective building establish- ments, to increase rather than diminish the beam, should any modifications be required, in order to ensure the fairness of the ship's bottom and sides. The result has been that the ships of I the Majestic class exhibit dissimilarities in certain minor respects, although the details of their structure, armament, and equipment are identical. The original dimensions of all vessels of the Majestic type were Length between perptlndiculars, 390 feet; extreme breath, 75 < feet; mean draught, 27 feet 6 inches weigbb, of I I hall, 10,180 tons; displacement, 14,900 tons; freeboard at load draught, forward, 25 feet aft, 18 feet 6 inches weight of armour to barbebtes and citadel, 2,850 tons. The actual beam of the Hannibal is 75 feet 6 inches, and her approximate displacement when fully equipped will be 15,048 tons. She was laid down on May 1st, 1894, and has therefore been, as nearly as possible, two years under construction. THE FIRST BIVET in her keel plates was beaten down by Sir Owen Scourfield, Bart., and Mr A. Saunders-Davies, Conservative candidate for Pembrokeshire, at the last election, the function of 44 holder up being performed by Captain Squire T. S. Lecky, Great Western Railway marine superintendent at New Milford. On the deck, at each side, rests a belt of armour 216 feet long, 14 feet 9 inahes deep, I and 9 inches thick, secured by bolts through teak j wood backing, to which it is carefully fitted to a double thickness of iiiii. steel plates, rivetted to stout frames, firmly fastened at tho beels to the thick deck beneath. Transverse bulkheads curved outwards sheathed with armour, from 12 inches to 14 inches in thickness, cross the ship and connect the side I belts at both ends, enclosing what is technically known as the citadel. Within the citadel at its I foremost and aftermost ends, redoubts, con- ¡ structed on the arched deck as a base, and built to a height of about 2 feet 6 inches above the I upper deck of the ship are situated. The armour of these redoubts is 7 inches thick below, and 14 inches above the top of the citadel armour, which terminates at the main deck. Above the 2%-inch protective deck at the extremities, and above the citadel in the other pait of the ship, the sides are composed of %nch plates which are doubled ;n certain place; for particular purposes. The plating of the outer bottom sf the ship is slightly thicker. Abovo the upper deck, between the barbettes, a boat deck is constructed. The conning towers, two in number, from which the ship is navigated when in action, are situated at the ends of the boatdeck near the barbettes. The fore tower is built of armour 14m. thick, and the other one of plates 3in. thick. At intervals on the main deck, each side, between the barbettes, four casemates formed of 6in. armour in front and 2in. at the sides and in the rear will be con. structed. The rear and side plates are already in place, bub the others have not as yet beeu delivered by the makers. Four similar casemates will be built on the upper deck at the four corners of the superstructure, which supports the boat deck. The ship will be fitted with two masts, each having two military or fighting tops. Her stem and steriipost are huge steel castings, i weighing 26'75 tons and 7-9 tons, respectively. ) The shaft brackets, one on each side, which support the propbllers outside the ship's bottom, weighed unitedly 18 2 tons. Within the citadel below the arched deck, the magazines, boiler and engine-rooms are situated. One set of magazines is forward and the other aft, and the engine and boiler-rooms are between. The propelling machinery consists of two inde- pendent triple-expansion engines, working twin screws on opposite sides of the ship, and each having a 51in. stroke. The diameters of the cylinders will be -High pressure, 40in. inter- mediate pressure, 59in. low pressure, 88in. The four boiler-rooms will each contain two boilers of the single-ended pattern, about 16ft. in diameter and 10ft. long. The boilers will each have four corrugated furnaces and two combustion chambers. The ordinary steam pressure will be 1551bs. to the square inch, and the engines will be required to develop 12,000 h,p. during a four hours continuous trial with the forced draught, and 10,000-h.p. for eight hours with natural draught. The ship will be fitted with two funnels fixed athwprtship. The propellers are 17ft. in diameter, and have a pitch of about 19ft. 9in. The estimated rates of speed with natural and forced draught are 17'5 and 16'5 respectively. THE ARMAMENT will consist of four 12in. wire breech-loading I guns mounted in pairs, two in each barbette These guns will be protected by an armour shield, and will revolve on tables within the barbettes. The 12 casemates will each contain a 6in. quick. firing gun, and 16 12-pounder quick firing guns will be mounted at ports on the upper and mam decks. In addition the ship will carry 12 3-pounder quick-firing guns, eight of which will be mounted in the lighting tops, two in each, two 12-pounder boat and field guns, and eight '045 Maxim guns. There will be five torpedo ports, one above water at the stern, and two each forward and afb submerged, all fitted with tubes for discharging 18in. Whitehead torpedoes, of which the ship will carry 22 when in commission. The hull of the ship has been built with mild steel, and all the armour need has been treated by the Harvey process, to increase its power of resisting penetration. The ship will be lighted throughout by electricity. The bunkers provide storage for 900 tons of coal, but in oases of emergency double that amount can be showed, which it is computed, will enable the ship to steam 10 knots an hour for 28 days continuously. The ship will cany 18 boats, of which two will be torpedo boats. She will be provided with seven anchors of the Brown-Lenox type, manu- factured at: Pontypridd, the heaviest of which exceeds 5% tons in weight, and her cables, if laid in line, would stretch considerably more than half a mile. The weight of the ship at launching, including cradle, 400 r.ons, and lumber on board 80 tons, was about 7,950 tons, which is a record performance, as it exceeds the weight of any ship ever launched previously. The construction of the ship has been carried on under the immediate superintendence of Mr W. C. John, assistant construotos. and Mr J. H. Hanouck, fore- man of the dockyard, acting under Mr H., Cock (chief constructor), and his prede- cessor (Mr J. U. Froyne), The engines are being fitted m place by Messrs Harland and Wolff. who are the contracting engineers. The steam capstan, which ia already on board, was manufactured by Napier, of Glasgow.

MIDNIGHT liOBBERY ON A SCHOONER. Ab widniglit, on Sunday the schooner Dorothea, which was anchored at Carmarthen Quay, was visited by three men. One of the trio was a recruit of the Carmarthenshire Artillery, whilst the others were old hands," and purposed taking part in the annual training of the Militia, which commences at Fort Popton next week. The recruit was in uniform, and his companions were dressed as civilians. It was with these the captain of the vessel and his men became more intimately acquainted, and it eventually transpired that one was named John Hughes, oollier, Resolven, and the other Thomas Morris, of the same occupation, and hailing from Newbridge, Mou. After rollicking about the schooner for some time they influenced the captain to permit them to spend the night aboard. He afforded them 44 a doss down on the forecastle, but as the place of temporary repoae was in close proximity to the bunk occupied by two lads, the captain apprised his boys of their presence, lest on awaking they should be alarmed on seeing the visitors. Scarcely had the captain, however, composed himself for the night, when there was heard a scuffling on board. The It guests" were endeavouring to share the lads' limited sleeping accommodation, and when no 44 chews of baccy were forthcoming they were discontented with their situation, and Morris took a young seaman named Parry by the nape of the neck and so battered him about the nose that his night attire was saturated with blood. Seeiug that they were helping themselves tootherfolks' property, theiads aroused Captain Robert Roberts, of Carnarvon, and his mate. The latter rushed to their assist- ance. whilst the former went for a policeman. In the meantime the colliers, who had been seeking work, but could not get it, owing to a strike at Tumble, got away, and were not arrested till 10.45 on Monday morning. They were baled, to the police-station by P.C. Burnhill, who found some of the missing articles on them. On Tues- day morning they were taken before the borough Bench, and both were charged with stealing a cap, a handkerchief, and two reels of cotton, Morris also being charged with assaulting young Parry. They denied the theft in toto, and called a "chum" to prove that they had received the ootton and cap from him, The handkerchief was not produced. Morris endeavoured to prove that no assault had been committed. The magistrates thought otherwise, and sentenced him to 28 days' bard labour, whilst Hughes got a fortnight for the theft.

FIRE AT PONTYPRIOO. Temple of Faehitn Ablaze. An outbreak of fire occurred just before eight o'clock on Tuesday night at the Temple of Fashion, Pontypridd, one of the oldest establish- mants in the town, standing at the junction of Taff and Mill-streets, and where Mr T. Evans has carried on a drapery business for many years. The fire got a firm hold of the sitting-room on one side and the haberdashery department on the other, and also the upper rooms, which were ocoupied by Mrs Williams, Mr Evans's sister-in-law, and the young lady assistants, about ten in number. A good anpply of water was brought to bear upon the premises. The fire was now seen to extend into the shop, but the flames were speedily overcome by the tiremen, who were given valuable assistance by the police, amongst whom were Superintendent Evan Jones (deputy chief constable) aod In- spector Evans. An immense crowd had gathered in the streets, and much excitement prevailed. Considerable damage was done. The stock was insured, bnt the building was not. Mrs Williams's loss is especially great, and inolndes two pianos and numerous family relics.

FIRE AT CARDIFF. Furniture Storehouse Gutted. On Tuesday morning a furniture storehouse owned by Mr J. Tucker, furniture remover, and situated in a yard at the rear of his residence in Brunei-street, Cardiff, was completely destroyed by fire. The outbreak was discovered at a quarter to 2 by a South Wales Daily NewJa reporter living in Craddock street, who was awakened by the noise. He aroused the owner, and with him removed three horses from a part of the buildings used as a stable, having first despatched a messenger to the fire alarm telephone. Meanwhile the flames had been observed from the Great Western Rail- way cleaning sheds, off Eldon-road, and a large number of the lade were soon on the spot, render- ing valuable assistance in removing half a dozen large vans. At 10 minntes pact 2 the Are was by a section of the Brigade under the command of Superintendent Reyward. but all danger of an extension of the outbreak waa over.

M- Dunlop, wife of Major Dunlop, 44th Field Battery, R.A., stationed at Colchester, committed suicide on Tuesday at the house in which she was temporarily residing at the west end of the town. Major Dunlop, hearing the report of firearms, rushed upstairs and found his wife's bed root) door looked. He burst it open and found Mr"l Dunlop in n dying condition with a rook rifle by her side and her month and head fepr"iniqred,

ROYAL VISIT TO WALES, 1' Preparations at Abarystwyth. The preparations ab Aberystwyth for tbe reception of the Prince and Princess of Wales on the ocoaeion of their visit are being rapidly proceeded with. Another meeting of the Recep. tion Committee was held at the College on Tuesday, when the tender of Messrn Piggott and Co., of London, for the erection of the marquee to be placed on the square in front of the Town Hall was accepted, as also was their tender for the erection of an awning leading from the College to the New Pier Pavilion. It was also decided to instruct the Musical Commibtee to make arrangements for a first-cl iss choir to sing at the installation ceremony. A letter was read from Mr Lloyd Carter, Carnarvon, who acted as hon. secretary on the occasion of the Royal visit to that town, offering to assist the committee in every possible way and to attend a meeting if necessary. Mr Carter's services were thankfnlly accepted. We understand that the choir will sing at the installation the second part of 41 The Melodies of Wales."

THE COMING AUTO-CAR, On tbe Saturday of this week there will be opened to the public at the Crystal Palace an exhibition which may have far-reaching conse- quences to more than one trade in this country. and will certainly tend to largely alter our nabional system of locomotion. We refer to the exhibition of auto-cars which has been 80 long looked forward to. and for which the speoial Act of Parliament that brought out Lord Harris as an almost eloquent speaker last week has been framed. It seems singular to think that as far back as 1831 a Select Committee of the House of Commons sat to consider the adoption of steam coaches, and that at that very time mechanical carriages for passengers were actually working on English high roads. One has to go back much further than Watts and Stephenson to find out the genesis of the idea of propulsion by steam Even BAcon, the Ebzahethan philosopher, came to the conclusion that the looomotion of the future would be by means of fire or vapourised water, while in the reign of James, a firm called Ratnsay and Wildgose took out a patent for engines, or instruments which would" ploughe grounds without horm or oxen. Sir Isaac Newton talked learnedly but some. what vaguely, of a road locomotive, while in 1790 & Mr Nathan Read patented a steam carriage for roads. Mr Richard Trevithiok brought out a locomotive in the first decade of the present century which reached a speed of ten milea an hour^ and the model may yet be seen in the South Kensington Museum. In 1857-8 9, there were running on the public roads in England at leaall four different kinds of stfim- driven vehioles, but in 1863 WM pawed the celebrated Locomotive Act, reducing the apeed to four milea an hour. and compelling an attendant to walk in front with a red flag. This is the Act we are about to repeal, and then petroleum and electricity will take its merited position in the front tank.

Exebeqner returns from April lat to April 25th — Receipts, 97,651,245 expenditure, £9,312,327; balances, £ 7,154,119 Corresponding I period last year £ 7,925,143; expendi- ture, £ 9,815,986 balance;, £ 4,459,984. I ANCHOB TIA ANCHOB TEA ANCHOB XU !— to i

THE PENALTY OF GETTING MARRIED. The Croydon Board of Guardians have just called upon the labour master and the labour | mistress at the Workhouse to give [ notice determining their engagements ab the end of three months because tbey have got married, j When called before the board and questioned, the I labour master frankly admitted that they were | married two months ago. The only member of | the board to champion the cause of tbe young couple was Mr Austin, who described the story ] as a romance and a tragedy, and said he did not j think they should visit them with the extreme j punishment proposed but it was pointed out i that the 44 offenders knew that they aocepted office on condition that they were not allowed to marry. The recommendation of the House i Visiting Committee that they be required to send j in their resignations was therefore agreed to, but ) the board decided to give the newly-married couple a testimonial as to the way in which they i had performed their duties while in the service of the board.

AT THE FOOT OF THE HILLS. True Stvry of a Girl's Esoape. At the village of Troedyrhiw, in South Wales, lives, with her aunt, a Miss Roso Hancock. The village is very suitably named, for, as the Welsh derivation denotes, it lies at 44 the foot of the 1 hills" in the Taff Valley, From her plump, pleasant appearance one would hardly suppose that she had had a day's illness in her life. Yet, within a comparatively short time, she has passed I through a most trying, and apparently a mortal, illness, which, indeed, made her friends despair that she would ever recover. Doctor after doctor was called in without success, a change of air and other means were tried, and all without success i and when a lingering decline and death seemed the only prospect for her, a chance recommendation 1 bad such eminently gratifying results that Miss Hancock was able to present the hardy-looking appearance in which the reporter found her. Miss Hancock, whose address is 36, Tyutald- wyn-terrace, Troedyrhiw, near Merthyr 'rydfil, willingly granted an interview. She stated that she was 21 years old. About 18 months previouily she contracted a cold as the result of a slight chill, and it developed into symptoms of a most serious kind. It is Miss Hancock's opinion that she had dropsy. She was rendered extremely pale, weak, and feeble, and she was not fit to do the household work which she had previously been doing. She istates that she was very despon- dent, for she not only consulted local doctors, but was attended by medical men at Merthyr, and also went away for a change, and yet after some months she made no improvement. Then it was, | by one of those lucky chances which often have such a vital influence on hnman affairs, that she heard of the great benefits a neighbour had received from Dr. Williams' Pink Pills. On this recommendation Miss Hancock procured six boxes of the Pills, and after two boxes had been used she began to feel considerable I benefit. She was speedily convalescent, eventually becoming as strong aa ever, and able Do do the work which bad been too much for her just before. It Upon parents," says a well-known i doctor, 44 rests a great responsibility at the time thoir daughters are budding into womanhood. If your daughter ia pale, complains of weakness, is 4 tired out' upon the slightest exertion; if she is troubled with headache, backache, pain in the side; if her temper is fitful, and her appetite is poor, she is in a condition of extreme peril, a fit subject for the development of that most dreaded of all diseases—consumption. If you notice any of these symptoms, lose no time in proourmg Dr. Williams' Pink Pills. They will assist the patient to develop properly and regularly; they will enrioh the blood and restore health's roses to the obeeks, bright eyes and a lightness of step will surely follow their use, and all dangers of consumption and premature death will be averted. Wise and prudent mothers will insist upon their daughters taking Dr. Williams' Pink Pills upon the approach of the period of puberty, and thus avoid all chances of disease or early decay." Dr. Williams' Pink Pills cure not only oases like the above, but all the many disorders which arise from an impoverished state of the blood and nerves, such M anaemia, pale and sallow complexion, general muscular weakness, loss of appetite, short. ness ot breath, pains in the bgek, nervous headache, early decay, all forms of female weakness, hysteria. paralysis, locomotor ataxy, sciatica, palpitations, low vitality, and wasting strength from any cause. These Pills are genuine only with the full name, Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Palo People, and are sold by chemists and by Dr. Williams' Medicine Company, 46, Holborn Viaduct, Lon- don, B.C., at 2a 9d a box, or six for 139 9d. They are unrivalled aa a tonic and strengthening medicine for both sexes.

GLASGOW POST-OFFIOE ROBBERY. At Sonthwark Police Court on Tuesday J. Girdle was committed for trial charged with unlawfully reoeiving postal orders of the value of £ 317, well knowing tnem to have been stolen. Evidence was sailed to show that the orders, which were found at prisoner's lodgings, formed part of the proceeds i of a robbery at Eglington-skreet (Glasgow Post Office. Replying .to an application /or bail tbe magiatrate stated that prisoner oonld only bs j

MEETING AT NEATH. In furtherance of the objects of the recent successful Liberal and Noncouformist conference at Neath on the Education Bill, a meeting of the committee appointed was held at the Neath Liberal Club on Tuesday. Mr Thomas Williams, J.P., Gwaelodygarth, Merthyr, was voted to the chair. The following were amongst those who were present :— Mr John Duvies, Bronwydd, Aberavon Mr Wm. Howell,* Skewein; Mr Giiffitb George, J.P., Aberdare Mr W. Silas Clark, Ferndale; Rav. W. Morris, F.R.G.S., Treorky Mr Arthur Daniel, Troedyrhiw Alderman David Daviea, Merthyr Alderman Aaron Davies, Mr Lewis Davies, Pontypool Mr W. T. Lee, Brecon Mr W. P. Williams, South Wales Daily New Rev. D. Gwyn Davies. G'ynneath Rev. J. Davies, Cadfe Rev. D. E vans, Buny Port Councillor Richard Martin, Swansea Alderman Gwilym Morgan, Swansea and Rev. Wm. Jones, Moyl- grove. The CHAIRMAN, in opening1 the proceedings, said the meeting was one for business, and he expected that some useful work would be done. Tho outlook was certainly more encouraging than it was when the conference (Neath) was held. There were indications of disaffection in the ranks of the Conservative party, and although it was very probable that the Bill would be pushed through, they might still hope for some whole- some modifications of the proposals now before the country. Mr MORGAN THOMA?, the secretary to the South Wales Liberal Federation, said active opposition to the Bill had bepn shown in various parts of South Wales. Mr Lee had been busy in Breconshire, where successful meetings had been held,"and Mr Lewis Davies had been similarly engaged in North Monmouthshire. It was hoped that another conference could be arranged to be held at Cardiff, and strenuous efforts would be made to secure the attendance of Sir Wm. H<*rcourt. Letters and telegrams apologising for absence were read from RevTowyn Junes, Mr D, Griffiths, Garth Alderman Harris, Mr Edward John, Covvbridge Mr S. N. Jones, Abertillery Mr J. Grace, J.P., Porthc iwl Mr P. Wilson Raffau, Newbridge Mr Jones, Abercarn ;and Rev. Wm, Thomas, Whitland. It WM stated that resolutions condemning the Education Bill had been passed by the Mnrthyr, Swansea, Cockett, and Rhondda School Boards, and by the Pontypool District Council. Mr Daniel spoke or a most successful confer- ence and meeting at Merthyr. A copy of the resolution passed ab the meeting was sent to Lord Salisbury, but tbe Premier had not acknowledged ts receipt. Mr G. P. GEOGE, J.P., said the voice of Wales must be heard in the present crisis. He b ''leved in a. large number of small meetings, and 1;1) work tho agitation on the principle of Homo Rule. Jb waa proposed by the Rev. W. MORRIS, Treorky, and seconded by Alderman AARON DAVIES :— That this committee of the South Wales Education Conference urges upon all Parliamentary constitu- encies in South Wales and Monsn utlishire to forth- with organise meetings and demonstrations against the Government Education Bill that the secretary bo authorised to forward the resolutions adopted at "this meeting of the Education Campaign Cujumitiee tor recommendation and adoption, and that the local representatives of this committee, together with the Parliamentary secretaries, should be requested to maka arrangements for the compaign in their re- spective constituencies forthwith. The CHAIRMAN heartily concurred in the resolution, which was carried. The following resolutions wete also carried unanimously ;— Proposed by Mr LEwIS DAVIES, Pontypool, seconded by Alderman DAVID DAVIES, Merthyr— That this committee urges upon all organisations, Councils, School Boards, and Denominational congre- gations in South Wiles and Monmouthshire to immediately adopt petitions against the provisions of the Government Education Bill, and to forward them without fail to the member for the Division for presentation to Parliament. Councillor RICHARD MARTIN, Swansea, pro- posed, and Mr WILLIAM DANIEL, Troedyrhiw, seconded, the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted :— I (1) That in the opinion of this committee the Educa- tion Bill of the Government airrs a deadly blov at the School Board Y8tem of pumary education winch lnw worked for more than 25 years with conspicuous sue cess, and is at once a check to the progress of the people and a danger to the Illanufacturing and coininer- cirii interests of the nati >n inits competition withbettar I educated countries. (2) That to place School Boards under the control of I comwÏltces of town and non-repre entative authorittes is contrary to the principles of self-government, will deg¡ade Ille schoob by dividing responsibility between an educational body without financial control and a financial authority withùut edueat.i03.1 exped611ce, awl will open the elections ami procee[1iIls of the councils to sectarian controversy; while the provision for enahling School Boards to hand over their !1ulje,¡ t.() managers nominated hy a non.e<luc;.tional authority is a reactionary dep designed to remove Boanl Schools from effectiv9 pub1ic COI1tl.Ol. (3) That the proposal to destroy the system of unsec- tarian teaching, which has for:t quarter of a century received the cordial approval of parents generally, and to substitute for it sectarian teaching, will introduce the curse of theological strife into the dfe both of the children antI of the community. (4) That Ute p, ovhion out of public funds of million of money annually, practically the whole of hich i to go to Voluntary schools, without any efficient guarantee that it wül be expended in pro- moting efficiency or raising the stalHlard of education, and not in merbly relieving the subscribers of the Vuluntary schools from theil" pre¡\(1nt fJna"ciaJ obliga- tOilS, is an intolerable injustice, made wuroe by tile failure to give any measure of direct local representa- tive control, and in JlO sense reùeemeù by the propmed decentralisation which gives the controlling infltHmce to nominated committees not elected by the direct vote of the ratepayers. (5) That this committee therefore urges that the most strenuous opposition shall be offered to the Bill in Parliament, and calls upon all our members of Parliamant who are interested in national education to make it clear tht the proposals of the Government are opposed to the best interests of the psoplo, and are repudiated by the country. CounCIllor HOPKIN MORGAN (ex-Mayor of Neath) advised that warning should at once be given, 80 that the people might be on their guard against attempts made to obtain signatures in favour of ho Bill and by means of misrepresentation. On the motion of Mr JJEWJS JJAVIK3, Pony. pwl, it was resolved- That the South Wales and Monmouthshire Education Campaign Committee warn aU Nonconformists and friendg of popular education against signing any petitions placed before them by Churchmen or Roman Catholics in favour of the Jvlucation Bill of the Government. In regard to the latter ib was pointed out that many Churchmen were opposed to the Bill, but it was agreed that it was certain that all petitions to which Churchmen sought to obtain signatures would be in favour of tho Bill. A case was mentioned from South Glamorgan of signatures being obtained on the pretext that the petition was being signed to have the children taught religion. OPENING OF A CAMPAIGN FUND. After a long discussion as to the best means of obtaining the sinews of war, ib was resolved that a special fund, to be called the Education Cam- paign Fund, be raised under the auspices of eiie South Wales Liberal Federation, and that. the proprietors of the South Wales Daily News be respectfully invited to draw the attention of Liberals and Nonconformists throughout South Wales to the importance of giving financial support. Contributions to be forwarded to either Mr R. T. Burnie (Swansea), treasurer, or Mr Morgan Thomas, secretary South Wales Liberal I Federation, Cardiff. Alderman AARON DAVIES proposed, and the CHAIRMAN seconded, "That a memorial he sent from this committee urging Sir Wm. Harcourt to comply with the request of the Cardiff Liberals and Nonconformists for him to speak at Cardiff at an early date on the question of the Education BIH." This was carried unanimously.—Mr Thomas Williams, J.P., Merthyr, was appointed per- manent chairman of tbe committee. TRIBUTES TO THE "SOUTH WALES DAILY NEWS." The RbV. Wrn. Morris made special reference to the South Wales Daily News, and said that news- paper had rendered splendid service to the good cause, and all who valued the liberty and advancement of the people should hold ib in very high regard.—The Chairman warmly endorsed these remarks, and made special mention of the leading articles in the South Wales Daily News, whioh exhibited so extraordinary a grasp of the whole subject of education in all its bearings. He preesingly invited Mr W. P. Williams to apeak, and Mr Williams offered some suggestions, which were adopted. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings.

RHONDBA LABOUR ASSOCIATION. A special meeting of the Rhondda Labour an 3 Liberal Association was held on Tuesday evening at the Assembly-room of the Bailey's Hotel, Pentre, principally for the purpose of considering I the Education Bill. The Rev. O. H. Hughes, presidenb of the association, occupied the chair There was a large attendance. Mr Tom John, Llwynypia, proposed the following resolution :— That, in the opinion of this meeting, the Education Bill of the Government aims a. deadly blow at the School Board system of primary education, which has worked for more than 25 years with conspicuous success, and as it, tendg to check the progress of tbe people and is a danger to the manufacturing and com- mercial interests of the nation in its competition with all better-educated countries. Mr D. S, THOMAS, Llwynypia, seconded the proposition, and it. was carried unanimously. On the motion of the Rev. Mr RICHARDS, Tonypandy, it was resolved :— That, to place School Boards under the control of committees not directly elected for educa ional pur. poses, was contrary to the principles of self-govern- ment. The Rev. D. G. WILLIAMS, Ferndale, proposed a resolution against sectarian teaching in schools under public control, and Mr MARLOR EVANS, solicitor, Penbre. seconded it.—-This was also carried unanimously. ¡ The Rav. W. MoRRrs, Treorky, moved a reso- lution to the effect that the provision out of the public funds of £500,000 annually, practically tho whole of which was to go to Voluntary schools, waR 1\0 intolerable injustice. Mr NICHOLAS, Treherbert, seconded the resolu- tion, which was enthusiastically carried. Other resolutions were proposed by Mr D, THOMAS, Clydach Vale, and others, and carried. I Mr HUGHES OWKN, Ferndale, remarked that only a Tory Government would have the audacity to bring in such an Education Bill. It was resolved afterwards to hold a number of demonstrations in tbe Valleys to oppose the Bill.

BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL BOARD. I Resignation of Mr Dixon. I Very great surprise was occasioned in J Birmingham on Saturday when it became known; that Mr George Dixon, M.P., h.d resigned his; position as chairman of the School Board, t Mr Dixon bas been a member of tbe board I f,2õ_c. occupied the position of chairman for 20 consecutive years. At the ordinary meeting Oil Saturday, over which he presided for the last time, he read a letter which he had addressed to the clerk, "\nd in which he stated that I regret to havf- to inform you that the time has come when I feel it my duty to resign my position as chairman of the School Board." The work of the board has become increasingly onerous during the past few years, but it is believed that Mr Dixon wi.-uld have continued to give the same assiduous attention to it had there been no Education Bill before the oountry. As it is, however, he feels that the cause of national rather than local education has a claim upon him. aud it is to enable him to devote himself entirely to defeating some of the pro- posals of the Government with regard to elemen- tary education that he has resigned his position. The Rev. E. F. M. MaeCarthy proposed a resolution receiving the communication with extreme regret, and placing on record deep t appreciation of the ability, impartiality, courtesy, and tact with which Mr Dixon has discharged the duties of the chairmanship. The Rev. Dr. Gardiner seconded the motion, which was spoken to by nearly ail the members present, and carried unanimously. j A large number of teachers of voluntary schools assembled in conference on Saturday in the theatre of King's College, under the presidency of Mr J. Despicht, president of the National Association of Voluntary Teachers. Rosolutions were carried in favour of the Bill. A representative conference of teachers was hfld at Nottingham on Saturday, when Mr Macnamara, president of the National Union, delivered an address upon the Government's II Education Bill. I An influential and well-attended meeting of the Mid-Rhondda Liberals was held at Tonypandy I on Friday evening, the Rev. E. Richards in the chair. A resolution condemning the Government I measure was proposed hy the Rev. E. Richards, seconded by Rpv. D. Davies, and supported by Rev. T. Williams and Mr Tom John in capital speeches. Mr T. Rees proposed, Mr D. Evans seconded, and it was carried, that a series of meetings should be held in Mid-Rhondda,

THE AFFAIRS OF MR W. MERCHANT, J.P, RESUMED EXAMINATION AT PONTYPRIDD. Extraordinary Disclosures. The public examination of Mr W. Mer- chant, J.P., formerly manager of the Metropolitan Bank ab Pontypridd, was resumed all the Pontypridd Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday, before Mr James Spickett, deputy registrar. Mr W. R. Davies, solicitor, Ponty- pridd, appeared for the trustee (Mr C. E. Dovey, Cardiff) Mr Scott, solicitor, Cardiff, represented the Standard Life Insurance Company, one of the creditors; and Mr H. Montague Grover, solicitor, appeared for the debtor. Captain J. y. Davies, solicitor, one of the creditors, was also present. Mr W. R. Davies explained that tbe debtor had not filed tho accounts ordered by the Registrar at the last examination, and as an adjournment would consequently be again necessary he had communicated with the Official Receiver and the trustee, stating that it would not he necessary for them to attend. He only proposed asking a few questions of the debtor, and Mr Scott also proposed to do likewise. Mr Grover stated that the reason why the accounts had not been filed was because the debtor had been away and they could not reach him. They had been pressing him for the account?, and lie replied stating that he had not been at all well when away, and it had been impossible to prepare the accounts. He only received some of the accounts on Saturday and others on Monday, and consequently he could not get them filed. Tho Deputy Registrar; When will they be fiied ? Mr Grover I can get them filed in seven days. THE DEBTOrt IN THIC BOX, Mr Merchant, the debtor, then went into the box. His answers were given m a low voice. and wore repeatedly unintelligible to the repjrters. He admitted that an execution had been put into his house by Mr Evan Griffiths, the collector of x (39. The furniture sold was of the value of £ 151, but they were disposed of by the auctioneer to his (debtor's) brother-in-law for £ 40. On the day of the sale he was very ill, and had nothing to do with it. A LOAN OF £ 2,000. Mr Davies Did you in 1891 borrow a sum of £ 2,000 from Mr Edwin Phillips, butcher, Ponty- pridd ? --I can't remember the exact sum nor the date, but it was five or six years ago. May we take it that you borrowed that in one suui?—I think so. Two thousand pounds is a big transaction, even for you, and you ought to know ?—I should say I had it in one sutyi. Have you borrowed any other sum? from Mr Phillips ?—Yes £ 200 in August, 1895. What security did you give Mr Phillips in June, 1391 ?—Tbe lease of Plas-y-dderwen (debtor's residence), life policies, and shares. Debtor was than questioned as to whether he deposited the policies and shares the same time as the lease, but. his answers were very vague and contradictory, and the Deputy Registrar repeatedly asked him to think, and said that in private conversation he could give the minutest details of his affairs. He was now on his oath, and he should do his best to recall what he had done. After considerable pressure by Mr Davies, debtor said he believed that he banded the lease personally to Mr Phillips, but he had no recollec- tion of having seen it after having deposited it. Mr Davies Do you suggest that you didn't see it afterwards ?—No, I don't think I did. Did you borrow the lease from Mr Phillips for any purpose at any time ?—I don't remember, but Mr Phillips gave it up to me. But he could not have given it to you without your seeing it ?—No. Tell me when it was that you had the lease —I really cannot remember. The Deputy Registrar If you try to remember you can answer very well. Debtor (turning to him): You can help me, pwrhaps. Mr Davies Did anything happen in connection with your business affairs or your account with the bank which made it necessary for you to get the lease ?- I was overdrawn at the bank. What did you do with the lease ?-It was given Lo the bankers, as far as I remember. It could not have been given to the bank unless you obtained it from Mr Phillips ?—No. When and why did you obtain the lease from Mr Phillips ?-I obtained it from the bank when I had an advance, but I am not positive. We will take it generally. You are not positive about anything. Did the bank call on you to give up this lease ?-I don't remember. Debtor then stated that he gave up the life policies and the shares to Mr Phillips in June, 1893, as security in exchange for the lease. He did not retnetnbeT' whether he told Mr Phillips at the time that he would return the lease to him, but he very probably told him the reason why he wanted it, although he could not recollect what it was now. He could neither remember whether he told him he was going to hand it over to the bank. Did you tell him that you wanted it to give as security to someone else ?- That is very likely. What did you do with the lease in June, 1893 ? —I can't remember, but I think I gave it up to the bank. The Doputy Regtsirar Did you give ib to the bauk or throw it away?-Ob, no, no f Mr Davies Did you give it to the bank as security for the amount you owed them ?-Yes. Is this the document (produced) you signed at the Dank ?—YHS. Did you afterwards execute a formal mortgage to the bank of the lease of your house ?—I signed a paper, and I believe it was a mortgage form. But you wouid not sign any paper unless it was a formal mortgage ?-No. Why do you I un away from the qnestion I don't, I assure you. DEBTOR'S POSITION WITH THB BANK. Debtor, replying to Mc Scott, stated that his salary as bank manager was j3800 in cash, 260 for rent, and rates and taxes. The agreement) between him and the bank respecting his appointment was for five years, and was made in September, 1891. and to expire in July this year, his salary to be nearly £ 1,000 a year. His wife had private property of £200.. and also insmauce policies. They had nearly £2,000111 Indian Stocks at 3 par cent., but he himself had no benefit or interest in that sum. That was left to his wife in a will by her mother. To was also estimated that his wife had mineral property that had not been developed which would derive an income of 2300 or £400 a year. Ho could not remember the last date when he received salary from the bank, bub he thought he was entitled to salary up to the present time. He thought) he had handed 2247 Standard Insurance security to Mr Hodges, his successor at the bank, in November, but he could not be certain, as he was very ill. All he could say was that Mr Hodges acted for him. He could nob remember receiving £ 200 in gold in exchange for the receipts. His pa»3 book would show this, but J6200 might have been put to his credit. Mr Scott then, referring to an account which debtor was understood to be about to file. said there was in that account an tern on November 15th, 1895, of 2150. Mr Scott Did you repay Mr Edwin Phillips JB150 on that date ?—I suppose I did. Where did you get that jBlSO irom ?—I don't remember. I find here (looking at a paper in his hand) that Mr Porcher (magistrates' clerk) advanced me JE160. Did you receive any money from the tank against these receipts ? Did you c--icive L150 or 2200 in goid from the bank ?-I don't remember. Mr Spickett (registrar): Just think now, and remember that you are doii g yourself no good by saying you don'c remember. You are doing yourself no good, because the matter will have to be adjourned until you find your way to remember these things. You will then be putting your creditors to a greater expense. Mr Scott: Where did you get that £ 150 from —I gave him a cheque. Mr Sootb This is a statement of all your statements for receipts for 12 months from 15th February, 1895. to 15th:February,1896,and there is no sum of £ 150 or 2200 entered here as a receipt from the batik, Mr Scott remarked that it was useless asking debtor any further questions now, and that he would reserve them until the accounts had been filed. The examination was adjourned to the 19th May.

"i The vacant post of the native British Indian j. resident at Cabul will be filled next month. The officer selected is to convey the insignia of the j

At the Old Bailey, on Saturday, a la named Joseph H izell, 31, pleaded guilty to mitsing bigamy. Sentence of three years P* servitude was passed. The German warship Meteor left Dovdt. Saturday to accompany back to Germany Pf Henry of Prussia, who came to England t° i the Emperor's new yacht. 1 Bids for a 2,000,000dol. issue of Cuban b IF. were opened in New York on Saturday. amount was over-subscribed fi VB times At average price of 62 cents. j ft Whilst playing in the Federation § for Kensal Sr. Mary's against Old player named Spurr collided with two oppoD Pt and snapped a small bone in his left leg. The Koflnische Zeitmu) states that two and six German soldiers were killed officer wounded in an encounter between. German Colonial forces in South- W esliern and the Khant tribe, 8. At Ltverpool, on Saturday, the Board of Inquiry Court suspended for six months certificate of Judson Edgett, master barque Stanley, which was lost oft the P" coast with three lives. Off Rockport, Mass., on Saturday the J battleship Massachussets made an unofficia'j ™ trip over the measured course of 62 knotSiJJ averaged a speed of over 16 knots. This the builders of a bonus of 100,000 dollars. A return presented to the County QoO shows that the total valuation of London recent quinquennial valuation was £ 85.'833'' an increase ot £1,611,639, or nearly 5 per cent.! the last estimate. The Chinese Emperor's tntor and the 0 who impeached Li Hung Chang in 1894 "J both been overthrown by the influence of Empress Dowager, who once mora dornl affairs at Peking. The result of the census taken in Parig March 30th has now been made known. J population of the City on that day was 2,511. 1 an increase of 87,250 against the previous cJI The increase was almost entirely in the suburb Thomas McVay, who was wounded on Frl at South Shields during an altercation Michael Swallow, a coloured seaman, rel;,rdi I woman, died on Sunday, and Swallow was bro up again on Monday and remande-d on the car charge. A destructive fire, by which 150 houses burned to the ground, occurred on Saturdcf Cripple Creek, Colorado. The outbreak caused by an angry woman hurling a lamp man in the Central Theatre. The loss is est1111 es at over 1,000,000dol. Mr Tom P. Dutikerley, siilc manufacttrefr Macclesfield, on Saturday morning letter from the Admiralty accepting his teC for 20,000 silk handkerchiefs for the Navy. J silk trade is busy, and this largo order greatly improve it." greatly improve it. I ThePorte has promised the British, Frencb, Russian Embassies to pay the indemnity fof ity attack on the Consular representatives at id0 in three instalments, but up to the present written communication has been received f ie P,)rte to this effeob. At Croydon Charles Stephens was sumnl for keeping a dog without having a licence. defendant's wife in pleading guilty said she a child ill, and it would not take its medl unless she pretended to give it to the dog The Mayor adjourned the case. < The steamer Wyanoke, which belonged to the Dominton Line, and J plying bstwean New York and Newport Ne Richmond,'sank on Tuesday morning near 'S port News, after colliding with the United St cruiser Columbia. All were saved. The Mayer of Nevy was assassinated r I Monday by a young man of 28, named Co described as an Anarchist, He attacked victim from behmd without any provocatioo, cut his throat from ear to ear. Political hatre said to be the only motive for the crinw. A conference of political friends of Si(^ Crispi was held on Friday night at theJj Premier's house. Signer Crispi said that in of his advanced ag., his return to power was f of the question, and he invited his supporterS give their adhesion to Signor Sonnino. „ A Newcastle-on-Tyno correspondent jA g"laph" :-Frederick Charles Tiplady, a me of the Newcastle Fire Brigade, was accidoo killed at midnight on Saturday on his way tire in the suburbs. Deceased was ridi front of the hre escape, and fell off. apparatus passed over him. An inquest was held at Aldershot on Saku'JI concerning the death of an infant whose body 5 taken out of Basingstoke Canal. A wound oø back of the head must have been inflicted b»^| death. There was also a contused wound 5 neck. Verdiot Wilful murder by & person or persons unknown." (I. At a mfJetiug at Grantham on Saturday jt Gilbert Greenhall, Bart., was unanimously ch master of the Belvoic Hounds in succession to Duke of Rutland, retired. He promised to the country four dr«.yg we-k'y if a subscript were raised of £ 2,000 and a site were found* which to erect a i-Hsidence and stables. < At Tangier on Wednesday 47 boxes, 146,000 dols., werci landed from the QtetiDsr This sum is one of the instalments of the 95, for which Cape Juby was purchased by 11 Sultan, and was forwarded from CasablanO* Sid Mahomed Torres, his Shereefiau Foreign Minister here. At the Central Criminal Court on TUeSdJ Police Constable John Parsloe, charged 01 0 having committed wilful aud corrupt perjur/^ bouthwark Pelice Court, was found not gu"1.^ the jury adding that they were of opinion the defendant had made a mistake, but tb" was not wilfully or corruptly made. j In virtue of a Russian Ministerial order oer immunities were granted to foreign merohaØ- allowing them to import goods free of duty 'IJ the ports .situated at che mouths of the Sibef'j rivers. These immunities lapsed in 1894, several British merchants thereupon solicitejjj Russian Minister of Finance for their prolo» tion. i Denial is given to the assertion t,hat the disposition of the Ottoman Government toW^ the Catholic Armenian Patriarch, M. experienced any modification. Ou the contr^ it is said that the prelate continues to enjoy confidence ot the Sultan, who appreciates JJ fairness of his conduct and the loyalty of feelings. A correspondent telegraphs from TellyS^j Seniles, near Caen, that the excitement in the neighbourhood by the reported periodij appearanoe of the Virgin Mary iu a wood there is unbounded, aud since March 19 h, the apparition was first seen, nearly 20.000 have visited the spot. Several miraculous 0"^ are reported. With reference to the rumours of B*1^ Hirsch's death a Hungarian deputy, writing the Figaro, says he is convinced the Baron 61 from apoplexy brought on by rage and vex'I, excited when he found that he had been Inl in the purchase of his new residence instead of being built on dry, sandy soil 0 situated in the midst of a quagmire. A novel expedient was resorted to by men at Liverpool on Saturday. Two men caught in tliu act of stripping unoccupied of internal fibtiugs. One man was caught **3 an exoiting chase on the roof, brought down handcuffed to a telegraph post, the two police^J being thus free to chase the other man, who eventually secured. The construction of the new second class Talbot, 5,600 tons, which was laid down Devonport in March, 1894, having been 00 f pleted, this vessel, which is the first of a type, will commence her machinery gun *'j torpedo trials next week. Eight other vessel" the same class are being built, i'.ach of cruisers will cost £ 320.000, and will steam at l" knots. bo M. Fitzmaurice, British Vice-Consul, returned to Constantinople from his missioi1^ investigation in the Biredjik, Orfah, and Kd districts of Asia Minor. The reports which has made to the Embassy show the existence ° t terrible state of affairs iu the districts noo and especially Orfah, in consequence of jJj massacres and forced conversions to Islamism had taken place. The officers of the First Battalion Staffordshire Regiment, the old 38ch Foot, stationed at VVhittington Barracks, Lichfi^ have jusb recovered under extraotdinary cirooV\ stances the old historic colours of the regim A few weeks ago they were announced W x offered for sale by aaotion. The offiaers ao0°Jj ingly made investigations, ond having themselves of the genuineness of the coloi*^ effected their purchase. Herr Bueb, a Social Democratic member of Reichstag, was arrested at Muelhausen, on Saturday charged with an offence paragraph 131 of the Penal Code, regarding attempt to bring the institutions of the State i"j contempt by mendacious statements. He liberated after a number of packages of on account of the secret removal of which he *2 arrested had been found at the residence of of his political friends. At Llandudno Police Court, ou Monday, ei journeymen house painters, now on strike, each fined 10s and costs for intimidating Ch»*^ Hanley, of Wolverhampton, who had imported to fill up a vacancy. The iublmldatl c' 0 consisted of hooting Hanley as he was passing j his work, and though he declared he was of frightened the Bench held that intimida*' within the Act had taken place. On Tuesday afternoon at the parish ohut St. Bartholomew, Thurlaston, Cheshire, 0 solemnised the marriage of Mr Geoffrey Dra^j M P. for Derby, to Miss Ethel Sealby, daughter of Mr Ismay, manager, White Steamship Company. The ceremony ^5 performed by the Bishop of Chichester, assis^v! by the Rev. Evelyn Drage, brother of bridegroom, and the Rev. F. Aylmer Fro9 rector of the parish. ji The Lady, in the course of an article in tvhjv some of the future aspects of wheeling are sidered, remarks that one certain result of new sport—for so it may truly be called—wijlJJJ the rising of the percentage of marriages. Cfmnot fail to be so, for It associates in heal^ j|f enjoyment young men and maidens who ,oIJr. otherwise only moet at dances, or equally r*L occasions. Moreover, daring cycling face looks at ttffF .M4"IW9. í