The Cardiff Times

THE NEW OFFICERS. Many Candidates for Secretaryship. The annual General Assembly of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists was opened on Tues- day in the Princes-road Church, Liverpool, the Rev. William Roberts, of Pembroke Dock the Moderator, presiding over a large gather- ing of ministerial and lay representatives from North and South Wales and several English towns. The assembly having been constituted, the Moderator made a touching reference to the ministers and others who had passed away during the year, and expressed sympathy with the ex-presidents unable to be present owing to illness, including the Revs. Dr. T. Rees (Merthyr), William Jaifles (Aberdare), and T. J. Wheldon (Bangor). Election of Officials. The most interesting business of the first session was the election of Moderator, treasurer, and secretary for 1909 from North Wales. Replying to a question, the Moderator said that it had been the custom from the be- ginning to elect a minister to the chair, but there was no rule against the election of a lay- man. Mr J. H. Davies (Cwrtmawr) was re-elected treasurer. J The resignation of the Rev. J. O. Thomas, now one of the professors at Bala College, of the office of secretary, to which he had been elected for five years, was accepted, and it was decided that his successor should be elected for the remaining period of four years. In the first voting for Moderator the names of the Revs. Francis Jones (Abergele) and John Williams (Brynciencyn) headed the list. On a second vote the Rev. Francis Jones was elected. Amid some laughter it was announced that 21 candidates had been nominated for the office of secretary.but that none had received a suffi- ciency of votes. The two highest on the list were the Revs. Gwynoro Davies (Barmouth) and Ellis J. Jones (Carnarvon). In the second ballot the Rev. Gwynoro Davies was elected. On the invitation of Flint Monthly Meeting it was resolved unanimously that next year's General Assembly should be held at Rhosllan- erehrugog on the 15th, 16th, and 17th of June. The Davies Lecture. Subsequently the session was thrown open to members of the connexion, and a crowded congregation assembled to hear the annual I1 The Rev. W. EVANS, M.A., Pembroke Dock, the Moderator.-(S. J. Allen). Davies lecture. The lecturer was the Rev. R. R. Roberts, of Cardiff, who delivered a scholarly discourse on Christianity as Founded upon Transcendental Experience." He said that the transcendental appeared in the scripture in the physical and spiritual order. In the Word made flesh," and in the miracles we had manifested the unity be- tween mind and nature. It was the ultimate destiny of God's redeemed to resemble Christ not only in respect of His ethical perfection but in some measure in respect of the mystery of His person. On the proposition of the Rev. John Hughes (Liverpool), seconded by the Rev. W. P. Jones (Penffordd, Pembrokeshire), and supported by Principal Prys and Dr. Cynddylan Jones, a. hearty vote of thanks was passed to the lecturer.

APPEAL FOR FORWARD MOVEMENT. Chapel Debts A Clearance Scheme. The second session of the General Assembly of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists was held on Wednesday morning in the Prince's-road Church, Liverpool, the Moderator (Rev. W. Evans, Pembroke Dock) again presiding. The attendance showed a considerable diminution as compared with the opening session. Presbyterian Deputations. The first business was the reception of depu- tations from other churches. As representa- tives of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, the Rev. A. M. McLean, B.D., ot Peebles, and Mr Michael G. Thorburn were welcomed by the Moderator, who said that they rejoiced in the standard of doctrine and the progress of the work of the Church of Scotland. The Rev. Mr McLean remarked that the Church of Scotland had an unaffected good- will towards the Welsh Presbyterian Church. No one who had been North could help realising the preponderating influence of Pres- byterianism > in Scotland. The Established Church had 700,000, and the United Free Rev. FftANCIS J9NES, Abergele, The New Moderator. Church 500,000 communicants, and bctweerf them over 80 per cent. of the entire population was within their influence. There was a steadily growing conviction in favour of unity. (Ap- plause.) The Rev. A. Brummel Kamp, Emeritus minister and member of the Dutch Parlia- ment, attended as delegate of the Reformed Churches of Holland, and spoke of Christian work in the Netherlands, and invited the General Assembly to send a representative to the Dutch Presbyterian Synod, to be held on the 17th August. Mr Archibald Irwin, of Belfast, representing the Irish Presbyterian Church, the Rev. James Mellis, of Southport, representing the Presby- terian Church of England, and the Rev, Dr. Matthews, of the Pan Presbyterian Council, were also received and delivered brief ad- dresses. Foreign Missions. The Rev. R. J. Williams, secretary, sub- mitted the report of the Foreign Missions Committee, and expressed a strong hope that the churches would find the extra sum of £600 asked for by the missionaries towards the support of native workers. Mr John Owen (Chester) gave "an encourag- ing account of the missions in Brittany, though he said work there had been slow owing to the opposition and_misrepresentation of the Roman Catholic priests. It was very impor- tant that they should find young men able to preach in French and Breton to take the place of the veterans now in the field. The Rev, R. R. ROBERTS, B.A., Cardiff Davies Lecturer.—(J. Adams). I Mr William Evans, J.P. (Newshand Park) said the case of Brittany was at present before the committee. The report was adopted. A vote of condolence was passed with the Rev. and Mrs William Jenkins Jones upon' the death of a little daughter. Mr Roger Rogers (Llwydcoed, Aberdare) moved that the request for the extra JE600 be endorsed. He charged well-to-do members of the church with giving totally inadequate con- tributions to foreign missions. The Rev. William Henry (Waterloo) seconded, and the resolution was passed. Miss Florrie Evans, of New Quay, and Dr. Peter Fraser, late medical officer for Carnar- vonshire, and Mrs Fraser, who have accepted service in India, were introduced to the assembly. Dr. Fraser had given up a salary of JE800 in order to go out to preach the Gospel to the heathen. A resolution was adoped placing on record hearty appreciation of the honorary services of Dr. William Carter, late of Liverpool, as medical adviser to the Foreign Mis sion Com mittee during the past five years. The offer of Dr. J. Hill Abram, of Liverpool, to undertake the vacant post was gratefully accepted. The Forward Movement. The Rev. John Morgan Jones (Cardiff) at the afternoon session, submitted the report of the Forward Movement, and in doing so made an appeal on behalf of the project to raise this year £20,000 as a memorial to the late Rev. Dr. Pugh and to reduce the debt on the mission halls. The Connexional debt, hesaid, amounted to only £ 3 5s a head, but the Forward Move- ment debt was zEl8 a head. In their opinion they were aiming too low, and he hoped that the efforts now to be made through the monthly meetings to collect individual sub- scriptions would result in more than £ 20,000. (Hear, hear.) Speaking of the work done in Cardiff, he said that a home for unfortunate Welsh girls had been provided at a cost of £3,000, of which il,000 had been raised mainly through the efforts of Mrs J. M. Saunders. (Hear, hear.) Principal Prys remarked that amongst all the movements of their church none were more successful than the foreign missions and the Forward Movement, and none had attracted so much outside attention. For its size, the Kbassia mission was the most effective in the The Rev. J. M. SAUNDERS, M.A., the retiring Secretary.—(J. Ada-ms, CajdiS.) I retiring Secretary.—(J. Adams, Cardiff.) whole of India, and in the same way the Forward Movement had not only been successful in itself, but it had been an in- spiration to other churches. The work done and to be done in South Wales was enormoup, and they welcomed any Evangelical denomina- tion into the field. If the hall debts were paid the movement would be self-supporting. The debt was no.t due to the recklessness of the late Dr. John Pugh, the founder of the move- ment, but to the blessing of God on his great work. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. W. Morgan Jones said that Principal Prys had made himself responsible for JE5,000 out of the £ 20,000. (Applause.) The report was received. Connexional Statistics. The Connexional statistics of the past year submitted by the Rev. T. J. Morgan showed that in the number of chapels and preaching places there was an increase of 8,426 debt, £635,659, increase £24,081; churches, 1,442, in- crease 14; ministers with churches, 743, in- crease 36; ministers without churches, 212, decrease 2; unordained preachers, 338, increase 20 deacons, 6,281, increase 103; communicants, 185,935, decrease 1,833; children, 82,760, increase 302 adherents (including communicants and candidates), 342,804, decrease 4,981 temper- ance roll, 92,304; withdrawals from com- munion, 5,444, decrease 229. The financial tables showed a total revenue of £301,762, an increase of JE850. The English churches numbered 301, an increase of 11 communicants, 27,557, increase 168 children, 17,723, increase 168 adherents, 80,309, decrease 409; total receipts, £65,262, increase £ 1,056. REV. J. GWYNORO DAVIES. Forty Years' Work. The Rev. Joseph Evans (Denbigh) submitted a statistical review for the past 40 years during which official records had been kept. The in- crease in every department during the period was, he said, very encouraging. In the first decade the churches increased by 160, in the second 103, in the third 100, and in the fourth 105, a total of 468. The membership increased during the same decades by 24,554, 14,601, 21,265, and 34,053, a total of 94,473, and the total increase in the adherents was 122,313, and in the Sunday scholars 67,732. The collections towards the ministry in the four decades were £ 497,6», £696,973, jE854,707, and il,057,734, a total of £ 3,023,848. Towards the missionary societies the total was JE514,804, exclusive of jbl50,000 given by the late Mr Robert Davies, and towards chapel debts £ 1,917,853. The total of the collections during the 40 years reached £ 8,107,774. The Rev. Ellis J. Jones, Carnarvon, said that to a large extent the decrease in membership was due to the slackness of the Carnarvonshire slate trade and the exodus of the people from the quarry districts. The Rev. John Williams hoped there would he no attempt to make out that the Connexion was hastening to decay. When carefully analysed the figures were not so bad as when handled in the total. (Hear, hear.) The reports were received, and the statisti- cians were thanked for their labours. Chapel Debts. The Rev. John Williams presented an interim report on behalf of the Chapel De bt Committee. The debts now, he said, aggre- gated more than £600,000, and nearly jE25,000 had been added during the present year. It was imperative that recklessness and extrava- gance in building should be checked. The committee had in view a plan whereby churches with a debt under JE500 should be asked to clear it off in five years, those with a deb^ under £1,000 in eight years, and those with a debt above Cl,000 in 12 or 15 years. The difficulty would be found with the third The Rev. R. J. REES, M.A., the incoming I Secretary.—(D. J. Lewis, Aberystwyth.) class, and it was proposed to inaugurate a fund to assist those churches. Some of the churches, such as that of Princes-road, could pay off their debts in a month. (Hear, hear.) It was a very serious fact that owing to extravagance in building in many cases the cause of religion was being frus- trated and the ministers of the church im- poverished. The task before the committee was enormous. (Hear, hear.) A resolution was passed commending the plan outlined by Mr Williams. Book-room Profit. Mr Evan Evans (Aberystwyth) brought for- ward the Book-room report, which showed a necessity for an enlargement of the Book room, which the Assembly sanctioned. The profits amounted to il,504, and after a long discussion it was decided to allocate JE250 to each of the two associations and £ 100 to the London Monthly Meeting, and to ask the Finance Committee to consider the desirability of contributing E200 to the Forward Move- ment Committee. Missionary Enthusiasm. In the evening a large and enthusiastic mis- sionary meeting was held, the speakers in- cluding Dr. Fraser and Miss Florrie Evans, who are shortly to proceed as missionaries to India. t

THE NEW MODERATOR. The Rev. Francis Jones was born at Llan- gadfan, in Montgomeryshire, in the thirties, and had as his playmates two others who have made their mark in other denominations, namely the crowned bard. Rev. J. Cad van Davies, an eminent Wesleyan, and the Rev. John Morris, Star-street, Cardiff, a sturdy Independent. He commenced to preach before he reached his twentieth year, and soon came under the influence of Dr. Roger Edwards, of 'Sala. His first pastorate was at Bethesda, Blaenau Festiniog, and was ordained at Dolgelly in 1860. Two years afterwards he took the pastoral charge of the church at Aberdovey and afterwards at \Vaenfawr, near Carnarvon, remaining at the first for eight years and the latter for nine. During this time he refused several invitations to leading churches in North and South Wales, and some of the English cities. Since he took up the charge of the church at Abergele he has taken r— a prominent part in the work of the North Wales Association, and in 1891 he delivered the charge to the churches at Pwllheli. He was a member of most of the committees of the association and the General Assembly, and in 1893, at Llandudno, he was elected Moderator of the North Wales Association. In 1897 he was appointed examiner of the connexional examinations. The new Moderator is a popular and pleasing preacher, a Calvinist of the old school, and when on a visit to America some years ago his powerful and well thought- out sermons created a sensation among the Welshmen of the States. He hss already filled most of the offices of his denomination.

THE NEW SECRETARY. The Rev. J. Gwynoro Davies was born at Llanpumpsaint in 1854, and was educated at the Carmarthen Grammar School. He after- wards entered the teaching profession, and became headmaster of one of the Rhondda Valley Board schools. He afterwards entered the Aberystwyth University College, and pro- ceeded to Bala, receiving a call to the pastor- ate of the church at Llanuwchllyn in 1880. Seven years later he accepted a call to Caer- salem, Barmouth, and lie has remained there ever since. One of the characteristics of his sermons is not so much profundity as freshness. For some years past he has contributed largely to the English and Welsh Press, and some years ago edited a volume published by Messrs Hodder and Stoughton entitled Flashes from the Welsh Pulpit." He has always been passionately fond of music, and studied under the late Dr. Joseph Parry, and during his stay at Llanuwchllyn he conducted congregational and musical festivals in many parts of North Wales, and when the Welsh Sunday school jubilee was celebrated he conducted a choir of 1,000 in the Bala Green. He was also secretary of the T. E. Ellis statue memorial, and is a member of the Cymmrodorion Society and of the National Liberal Club. His public services to Barmouth have been many, and he was the prime mover in connection with the public library. For many years he served on the Dis- trict Council, and for most of these as chair- man, and five years ago the inhabitants of Barmouth presented him with a public testi- monial.

Christian Endeavourers. WELSH CONVENTION AT CARDIFF. Bridging the Gulf. The ninth Welsh National Christian En- davour Convention was opened at the Presby- terian Church, Windsor-place, Cardiff, on Tuesday. The National Executive, consisting of representative leaders from all parts of the Principality, held their business session in the morning under thd presidency of Mr C. J. Youngs, Cardiff, who was supported by the Rev. H. J. Harris, Neath, vice-president and Mrs Michael Davies, Bridgend, treasurer, Mr William Davies, Llanelly, and Mr A. T. Morris, Tredegar, were welcomed as new mem- bers. The Rev. T. M. Jeffreys, Waunllwyd, sub- mitted a report from the Pioneer Committee, showing the excellent work which had been done during the last three months by the various local Unions and a large number of societies. A scheme was under consideration which, it was explained, would probably take the form of a Christian Endeavour crusade, meetings to be held in almost every centre of Wales, and to be addressed by deputations from the National Executive. It is hoped that this crusade will result in a great increase in membership. Mrs Michael Davies presented the Finance Committee's report, which was considered, to be one of the most satisfactory submitted for several years. It was stated that Dr. F. E. Clark, founder of the Christian Endeavour' Movement, would be in England during October, and the Newport Union's request that one of the doctor's two visits to Wales should include Newport was agreed to. Arrangements were made for the Executive to hold its October meeting at Aberdare. Mr E. J. Powell, the energetic and capable secretary, announced that pressure of busi- ness made it incumbent upon him to resign the secretaryship. Several members referred to his axcellent services, and they pointed out that Mr Powell could ill be spared. It was unani- mously agreed that in order to retain Mr Powell as secretary he be offered special assist- ance. To this Mr Powell readily assented. Delegates at Luncheon. In the afternoon the members of the Welsh National Executive Committee sat down to a luncheon given by Mr John Cory, J.P., D.L. The Rev. John Morris presided, and amongst those present were Mr C. J. Youngs (president), Mr W. Phillips, Uanelly; Rev. Thomas Richards. Swansea; Rev. R. E. Salmon, Portli Mr W. T, Evans, Pontyphdd Rev. E. Owen, Pontypool; Mr J. H. Edwards, Barry Mr W. W, Williams, Pontypool; Mr W. J. Jenkins, Swansea Mr J. D. James, Aberdare Mr Masters, Caerphilly Rev. T. M. Jeffreys, Ebbw Vale Mr W. Davies, Llanelly; Professor T. W. Chance, Merthyr Rev. W. E. Chivers, Neath Mr G. H. Bannis- ter, Newport; Mr E. Langdon, Pontypool; Rev. G. O. Roberts, Treorchy Mr H. G. Willams, Swansea Mrs W. Thomas, Aber- beeg Mr A. T. Morris, Tredegar Mr E. J. Powell, secretary and the following members of the local Convention Executive Committee Rev. W. J. Zeal, Mrs E. Williams, Mrs W. Higgs, Mrs L. Handley, Mrs C. J. Youngs, Miss L. Irwin, Messrs P. Rogers, R. T. Codd, W. G. Napier, J. W. Hobbis, H. J. Woodman, Wm. Higgs, L. Michael, E. Paske, V. Williams, &c. Mr C. J. YOUNGS, ttie President—(A. and G. Taylor, Cardiff.) The Rev. E. Owen, B.A. (Brynheulog, Pontypool), in moving a vote of thanks to Mr John Cory for his generosity, said Mr Cory was known not only as a commercial magnate, who had played a prominent part in the industrial development of South Wales, but as a Chris- tian and a philanthropist. (Hear, hear.) Churches and charitable institutions of all kinds owed much to Mr John Cory. Mr W. Phillips (Llanelly) seconded, and the resolution was carried. Bridging the Gulf. The delegates subsequently attended a re- ception given by Mr Richard Cory, J.P., when addresses of welcome were delivered by the Rev. W. J. Zeal, Rev. John Williamson (president Free Church Council), and others. The Rev. John Williamson said he had strong faith in the Christian Endeavour Movement, which bridged the gulf between the church and the Sunday school. The church required saving from the spirit of selfishness and hard- ness and narrowness, and the children were doing it. Mr C. J. Youngs (president Welsh National Council Christian Endeavour), re- sponded on behalf of the delegates. The Junior Demonstration. A delightful evening was spent at Wood- street Church in the evening, when a large attendance witnessed the great junior demons- tration. The descriptive exercise entitled The Lighthouse," performed by about 400 mem. bers of the United Junior Societies of Cardiff and district, is an ingenious composition whereby the work of the Union is charmingly related by the children. A model lighthouse is gradually built as contingent after con- tingent of beaming boys and girls succeed each other on the platform, each section represent- ing a committee of the C.E. Society, while the foundation oE the lighthouse represents Christ, Our Ropk," the ladder and the door "The Pledge," the first tier The Prayer Meeting Committee," etc. The members of each contingent unroll their flag, and recite in turn the procedure at the committees, the object and the like, and in the intervals the choir, led by Mr E. Billings, gave suitable hymns. Most of the youngsters were dressed in costumes harmonising with the parts. The model lighthouse, which excited keen admira- tion, had been brought specially from Liver- pool, and it weighs 12 cwt., stands 17 feet high, and an imposing structure it looked amid the multitude of happy youthful faces on the stage. Rev. C. Stedeford, Cardiff, presided. The delegates to the Welsh National Chris- tian Endeavour Convention at Cardiff spent a busy day on Wednesday, the meetings starting before 8 o'clock in the morning and continu- ing throughout the day until nearly 10 o'clock in the evening. A secretaries' conference opened the day's programme at half-past 7, when the Rev. W. J. Zeal (president of the local Union) was in the chair, and there was a large attendance. The hon. general secretary (Mr E. J. Powell, of Newport) being unable to attend owing to illness, the Chairman opened the discussion, and in a short address dealt with the import- ance of the secretary's work—a work which was equal to, and possibly greater than, that of the president, for it was very seldom that a society lapsed if it possessed an energetic secretary. Mr C. J. Youngs (president of the Welsh Union), Mr R. T. Codd, Mr W. Higgs (secretary of the local Union), Mr J. D. James (pres'dent of the Aberdare Union), Mr A. T. Morris (secretary of the Tredegar Union), and others took part. The discussion was of an open nature, difficulties and their remedies being stated freely and the secretaries who took advantage of the beautiful morning to turnout so early were well rewarded, for the addresses were eminently practical and given with a view to making the individual secre- tary's duties easier. At the close of the conference a prayer and praise service was conducted by Mr W. J. Jenkins (Swansea), and following this Princi- pal W. J. Henderson, B.A. (ex.president Bap- tist Union of Great Britain and Ireland), led a very helpful Bible study meeting. His ex- position of the chosen passages was strikingly clear, and was listened to with much atten- tion. Theological and other intricacies vanished under his treatment, and he illu- minated hidden points with practical every- day illustrations. The Morning Conference. The topic at the morning conference, What Christian Endeavour stands for," was productive of addresses which were very con- cise and teemed with ideas applicable to the work. Professor W. T. Chance, M.A., who presided, touched very finely on the work that lay before the societies outside their own im- mediate sphere. Speaking on Our princi- ples the Professor said that loyalty to Christ was the beginning and end of Christian Endeavour, and no task was too difficult for those whose lives were surrendered to Him. Although undenominational each member must commend and defend their Church but they must see to it that their zeal was not for a sect, but for the Kingdom of God. The C.E. platform was a broad one, and accommodated all the different sections of the Christian Church. There was no distinction of person, Mr E. J. POWELL, the Secretary—(Williams Newport.) and all received the same courtesy and con- sideration. Referring to loyalty to the claims of the community Professor Chafice said that believing/as they did in the purity of home life, they were interested in the housing pro- blem and were trying to grapple with the evils of over-crowding. (Applause.) They believed in every man enjoying the right to work—(applause)—and saw no reason why Ijroad acres should be preserved for game when there were thousands of their fellow men who had no opportunity for employment. We believe, too, he added, in the equitable ad- justment of the claims of capital and labour. We have no social policy but if the social soul can be developed the conflict between capital and labour, with, its paralysing effects upon trade, will cease." Woman's suffrage was practised in the Endeavour meetings, and members believed not in party politics but in politics which made for the greatest good of the greatest number. A concluding reference to the Licensing Bill was greeted with hearty applause. Mr H. G. Williams, president of the Swansea/ L^nion, dealt with Our Methods." These, he said, were constantly changing with the various circumstances, but he urged that the members should not play at Endeavour," for if Endeavour was to succeed they must work. Proceeding, he reviewed the duties devolving on the various committees, and said that nowhere was so much scope afforded for the display of originality as in the C.E. Society. The Look Out Committee must be care- fully selected, and it was their duty to see that the minister had no cause to complain of empty benches." The Prayer Meeting and Missionary Committees were also mentioned Mrs-MICHAEL DAVIES, the Treasurer. '(A. and G. Taylor, Cardiff.) and the speaker urged that old methods should not be dropped until worn out and proved to be unsuccessful. An Open Parliament followed, in the course of which suggestions were made as to forming a Tract Committee, and emphasis was laid upon elasticity in method and inter- denominational meetings. Business Meeting. In the afternoon the annual business meet- ing of the representative assembly was held. The President (Mr C. J. Youngs) occupied the chair, and after the usual preliminaries the General Secretary (Mr E. J. Powell, of New- port) presented the annual^ report, showing that at the present time there were 348 Young People's Societies, two intermediate, and 77 junior. There was a total of 427 societies, with 15,248 members in the 348iYoung People's Societies, the two intermediate societies accounted for 60 members, and in the 77 junior societies there were 3,500 members or a total of 18,806—a decrease on last year's total, due to the societies regaining their normal condition after the Welsh revival. During the eight years which had elapsed since the forma- tion of the National Union 3,559 young people had joined the respective churches as a result of the Christian Endeavour. Nor was thf £ t the only result, for during the past year 63 societies had contributed JE281 to missionary and other objects. The largest number of societies was found in the Baptist de- nomination, which had 147 C.E.'s and the Congregational with 132. Out of 427 organisations in the Principality, 69 were carried on in the vernacular and there was reason to hope that this number would greatly increase during the coming year. In conclusion, Mr Powell referred in eulogistic terms to the work accomplished by the retiring president (Mr Youngs), who, he said, had stumped the country N orth, South, East and West." Mrs Michael Davies, of Bridgend, the treasurer, then presented the balance sheet, which showed receipts of jE48 and expenditure of £28 14s, leaving a balance in hand of over Lig. In so doing she cordially thanked all those who had supported the Union, and also those local unions and societies which had increased their subscriptions. Mr C. J. Youngs then appealed for promises of yearly subscriptions, and many were forth- coming in response. The Rev. H. J. Harris, of Neath, at present vice-president, was unanimously elected presi- dent for the forthcoming year and the Rev. E. Owen, of Pontypool, vice-president. Mr E. J. Powell, the energetic general secretary, will continue to hold office and when it was pro- posed to re-elect Mrs Davies as treasurer, the motion was seconded in several places at the same time. There being no other nomination, she was unanimously re-appointed. It was then announced that an invitation had been received from the Pontypool Union to hold the 1909 convention in that town, and this the meeting cordially accepted. Imme- diately the vote had been taken two of the Pontypool delegates created a surprise by dis- playing on the platform a large banner with Welcome to Pontypool, 1909," -inscribed thereon. Hearty cheers greeted their timely display.

TREHERBERT BABY MYSTERY. Gwilym J. Humphries, the young Cwmparc collier, who, it will be remembered, took a parcel from a Taff Vale Railway train at Tre- herbert on the night of May 5th, which was afterwards found in a local lane and contained a newly-born child, was again charged at Ystrad Police Court on Monday with conceal- ment of birth. Mr T. Millward, who defended, submitted there was no evidence of conceal- ment his client had been quite open in his admissions, and indicated the place where he threw the parcel. Defendant was discharged, the Stipendiary remarking he had acted very foolishly whilst under the influence of drink.

MERTHYR CHILD'S PERIL. A girl, Louise Jones, aged 7 years, residing with her widowed mother at 22. Clare-street, Merthyr, had a narrow escape from drowning on Monday. Frederick William Tonswell, a Great Western Railway porter, was walking along the bank of the feeder at the back of Clare-street, when he saw the child being carried along by the current. He jumped over the fence, and pulled the child, out of the water. P.C. Gwilvm Davies ascertained that the little one had been sent on an errand, and had slipped down the bank into the water, which at that spot is four feet deep.

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r GffiRiESJllg Summer Bedding. Lobelia cardinalis and its varieties are among the most ornamental of bedding plants, and their value should not be overlooked. Under good cultivation the plants attain a height of about three feet, and if grouped together in beds formed on the grass, or by the margin of streams, they have a very fine effect. Useful plants for forming a groundwork for these Lobelias include Alyssum maritimum, Gazania splendens and G.s variegata, Dactylis glome- rata, any of the dwarf Ageratums (such as Countess of Stair), and Veronica Andersonii. If these plants are used the Lobelia need not be planted so closely together. Lantanas are very free-flowering,andexhibit various colours, including shades of pink. white, lilac, crimson, yellow, and rich orange. They are very hand- some if trained as standards, and the practice of planting dwarf Lantanas to form a ground- work and interspersing standards of a distinct colour is commendable. Cucumbers. Plants in full bearing, whether cultivated in houses, pits, or frames, will need to have the oldest of the growths thinned out and the new growths regulated and tied in. Rigidly avoid overcropping the plants, but apply abundance of water to the roots as well as liquid manure. If liquid manure is difficult to obtain, there are many forms of patent manure which are of very great value to this crop. Apply a little ventilation early in the morning, but close the lights again early in the afternoon. Should any of the plants show serious signs of exhaus- tion. it will be wise at this season of the year to throw them out and start again with young plants and fresh material. Work in the Garden. Cherry trees should nowbecarefullyexamined for traces of black aphis and maggots. Quassia extract should be used, but leaves containing maggots can be taken off the trees and burnt. Chrysanthemums which are being cultivated for producing large blooms should now be re- potted for the last time. Clear the ground in the kitchen garden of the remains of all vegetable crops which have ceased to be of further use. General work in the orchard includes the use of the hoe over the surface of the ground among hardy fruit trees. Asparagus. Plants in the seed bed should be thinned out to distances of 4in. to Gin. apart, and the sur- face of the ground should be kept frequently stirred. Seeds may still be sown, if by any chance the operation has been neglected, or seeds have failed to germinate. The perma- nent beds should be examined each day, and the thickest shoots cut for use carefully with ap asparagus knife when they are about 3in. in height. Hand-weed the beds to keep them perfectly clean. Mulching. This important operation in hardy fruit cul- ture is practised for the purposes of conserving the moisture in the soil, applying plant food to the soil, and economising labour. Mulching upon heavy soil should be deferred until the ground has become warmed by the summer sun, except in cases of freshly-painted trees, which should be mulched with light litter only. Trees which are not bearing crops do not require dressings of rich manure, and its application might do harm by encouraging the trees to make gross and unfruitful growth. It is better to apply a good dressing of wood ashes or burnt refuse,covering this material with a little stable litter. Established trees, however, which are growing on light soils, and any which have been worked upon surface-rooting stocks and that have carried crops of fruit, require rich stimulants. These should be afforded a liberal dressing of stable manure,followed by a copious watering, repeating the mulch later in the season this is better than making an exces- sively heavy application at one time. On all occasions, before applying the mulch, or before watering the ground, let the surface soilbe slightly pricked up by means of a fork. Wall- trees growing in moderately deep and well- drained borders, and having their roots near to the surface, will not succeed perfectly unless they are given pich mulchings and liberal waterings. Spraying Roses. Visitors to our parks and public gardens on bright evenings will be interested to ncte the gardeners now everywhere busily, at work spraying the Rose bushes with forcible showers of spray. The object is not so much to refresh the leafage and clear it from town smoke and dust, as may be supposed, although that is useful. It is rather to guard against the flist attempts at settlement and colonisation of green fly, and other noxious insects. Whilst growth is rapid and young leaves are tender, the aphides find very desirable feeding grounds, where they increase and multiply with mag- ical rapidity. On their first appearance it is often possible to wash them off with a good spraying with good water repeated at intervals. But when the creatures have once attained a strong hold sterner measures become neces- sary. In spraying soft water is better than hard. The reason for this will be seen by ex- amining the leaves with a strong magnifying glass after spraying. It will be noted that soft water has covered the leaves effectively, whilst hard water, although it may have appeared to do so, has really fallen and settled in separate drops, not nearly so beneficient and effective. In syringing it is desirable thoroughly to wet the whole of the foliage, especially where an insecticide is used. The use of soft water and a sprayer with a very fine nozzle enables this effect to be obtained more easily and less wastefully. Manuring Summer Plants. An opinion in favour of stimulating treatment for summer bedding plants Ihas grown up, pro- bably because of the free use of strong manures by nurserymen who grow plants for the markets in enormous numbers. It is naturally concluded that these experts must know and practise the most successful methods, writes Mr Owen Greening in the Standard." So they do, but the problem they have to deal with is entirely different from the task before the amateur grower. The expert growers for market have to speed all the processes of growth so a/J to produce developed plants in full leaf and flower for sale in May. The ama- teur grower has no such pressure of prepara- tion. The market grower gives sulphate of ammonia in solution to his plants as a trainer might administer brandy to a man or horse at critical points in a race. The owner of a gar- den who is fortunate enough to be able to raise his own plants, and does n*ft buy them ready grown,gains nothing by forcing the plants into premature growth and flowering. His motto should be to hasten slowly both before planting out and afterwards. For this reason we have advocated leaving out of the beds any special addition of natural manure in advance of plant- ing. Should it be found necessary afterwards to supply enrichment and stimulus, it is quite easy to do so by the use of surface dressings of artificial manures sparingly applied. In such cases it is well to use the least stimulating of such fertilisers, so as to avoid grossness in the plants. Complete artificial fertilisers are now sold by law with guaranteed analyses of their strength and composition. A fertiliser contain- ing good proportions of phosphate and potash and light proportions of nitrogen and ammonia will generally be sufficiently stimulating for summer bedding plants. The quantities used should be very moderate. The minimums specified by suppliers in their printed direc- tions will generally suffice for the purpose now under disscussion." By moderation rather than by forcing treatment will the summer garden be filled with flowers in perfection.

THE SUDAN MURDERS. Twenty Death Sentences. Cairo, Saturday.—A Civil Court was held from May 19th to 23rd for the trial of 23 per- sons arrested for attacking Government troops at Katfiya. Accused were charged with the capital offence under the Sudan penal code, the penalty for which is either capital punishment or imprisonment for life and confiscation of property. Five pleaded guilty. The Court found 20 guilty, and acquitted three. Twelve of the guilty were condemned to death, and eight to imprisonment for life, all with confiscation of property. The Court re- commended the reduction 01 some of the sen- tences. Proceedings and petitions against the sen- tences will now be submitted to the Governor- General for confirmation, in accordance with the Sudan criminal procedure. There is reason to believe that the Sudan authorities in re- viewing the sentences will consider that jus- tice should be tempered with mercy in the case of those who were not directly implicated in the murder of Mr Scott Moncrieff and Mamur Ssereef.—Reuter. Cairo, Sunday.—The death sentences passed on the 12 men in connection with the murder of Mr Scott Moncrieff and the attack on the Government troops at Hatfuja have been com- muted, by order of Sir Reginald Wingate, Governor-General of the Sudan, to imprison- ment for life, with confiscation of property.— Reuter.

WHAT IS CIDEft. A keen controversy has arisen between the cider makers of Somersetshire and the South of England and those of Gloucestershire, Here- fordshire, Worcestershire, and Monmoutshire, as to the propriety of the introduction of water into the manufacture of cider. The Somerset- shire makers contend that cider so made is not pure, and that there is no occasion to intro- duce water, but take a diametrically opposite view, arguing that the full flavour cannot pos- sibly be extracted from the pulp with the addi- tion of water. The National Fruit and Cider Institute, of Long Ashton, who are moving in the matter, hold that it is essential that there should be a recognised standard for cider, and they are, therefore, asking the Board of Agri- culture to appoint a Departmental Committee to define what cider is, and to fix the standard of water allowance. i «

Carmarthenshire Assi#- ATTEMPTED SUICIDE CHARGE Tumble Husband's Refusal. The Carmarthenshire Summer Assize opened at the Guildhall, Carmarthen, Tuesday before Lord Coleridge. M There were no cases for presentation froj? j the borough of the county of Carmarthen, j the High Sheriff (Mr J. N. Williams, Penla^ j had the pleasing duty of presenting his Lot?' ship with a pair of white gloves. M An amusing incident occurred during swearing in of the petty jury. ThoO1* Gwyther, one of the prisoners, filed into with the others, and was asked sharply by Clerk of Assizes (the Hon. Stephen what his name was. His identity Imving disclosed, he was sharply rebuked by Mr ridge, who exclaimed, Why, you are one 01 the prisoners. Go back." (Laughter.) Acquitted. William Owens, a young farm labourer, living at Blaenmeillion, Llangendeirne, rendered to his bail on an indictment chamia- him with assaulting Jane Amos, an elderly widow, living at Tyrgat, in the same on March 30th. His Lordship showed great consideration f £ r the Welshmen of the jury. He had not gift of speech in Welsh, but he would as* those who could understand him to what he said to those who could not, and that purpose he would speak very slowly, he hoped, quite clearly. t After a five hours' trial the jury, witho? retiring, found the prisoner Not guilty." i His Lordship stated that although he with the verdict still there was no reflectioa upon Jane Amos. The Tumble Sensation. Catherine Harries, a young married who had been employed at Bryn Vlll* Tumble, surrendered to her bail on a charff of attempting to commit suicide on the ult., by taking a quantity of petroleum. The husband, David Harries, was called 08 a subpoena, and declined to take his wife There were, he said, many reasons for 'tO course he had adopted, one being that had run him into debt. His Lordship appealed to the man to rDee6 his wife half way, and although he admitted that he was a member of Cross Hands Metbo* dist Chapel, where he was taught to meet b!'q enemies half way, still he declined to take W* wife back. His Lordship (to defendant): You know 5^ have offended against the law, and J am ve*7 sorry for you. I shall not imprison you.. You are bound over in your own recognissuceo of jElO to come up .for judgment when :;o upon. The Court roseate 6.15.

APPEAL AGAINST A CARDlrf JUDGMENT. HUSBAND AND WIFE LITIGATION. Motion for Security of Costs Refused. On Wednesday in the Court of Appeal Lor<f •• Justices Moulton and Farwell disposed of &a application made on behalf of the plaintiff the case of Rawlings v. Rawlings, asking th* the defendant should be ordered to security for the costs of an appeal which had entered against a judgment of Mr Bray at Cardiff. The action was brought br. wife against her husband, a collier, claiming that certain furniture belonged to her. jJV. Justice Bray decided in favour of the wife. Mr Sankey, who appeared in support of application, said that security for costs asked for on the ground that in the event the appeal failing the defendant would not in a position to pay the costs. As agaiJ^ that the defendant had filed an affida^ stating that he had means. If that were then he (Mr Sankey) asked that the be ordered to give security in the sum of £ (Laughter.) Mr Darby, for the defendant, opposed motion. Counsel pointed out that security, was only ordered in cases where it was sho<*rfl. that the appellant was without means. I the defendant in his affidavit stated that had £ 200 in the bank, was in receipt of £ 2 1* a week, and owned certain furniture. In circumstances this was not a case in vrhic^. security ought to be ordered. The defends# was quite willing to pay the taxed costs of tbf hearing in the court below, but those costs b*" not yet been taxed. Lord Justice Moulton agreed that this 1 not a case for ordering security. I Mr Sankey The defendant ought to give t** J some security. We do not know how long I money will remain in the bank. 1 Mr Justice Farwell Some of it is coming you for the costs of the trial. (Laughter.) It was directed that the costs of th« appl■' tion should tie the <3 fn any? r

WHOSE MONEY IS IT P j Cardiff County Court Point. Judge Owen made an interesting at Cardiff County Court on Wednesday reference to fines paid into court by debto^ mulcted for non-appearance. During'rece^ months the fines have been retained in co'Ov by order of the Treasury, pending a legal de^1* sion. His Honour said he had been in Lond^f recently making inquiries from official and was informed that a case in point had heard, but there was no clear opinion *1 what the decision actually meant. He since written to the Treasury asking forPO-- authoritative statement, but; the letter he b#P received in reply did not tell him what b* wanted to know. If he did not receive deflu^ information on the point from the Treasury^ the next court, he would make his own in these cases.

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