Monmouthshire Merlin

MORTALITY FROM INTEMPERANCE. IT has never been accurately decided to what extent indulgence in intoxicating drinks is a friend, and to what extent it is a foe, to healthy men. It cannot be questioned that intempe- rance is by far the greatest scourge of the age, and any approximation to the facts of this gigantic evil must be listened to with respect and weighed with care and consideration. There has been published an abridged report of a paper prepared by Dr. NORMAN KER, which was lately read at the Social Science Congress. The subject is The Mortality from Intempe. ranee," and the figures which it adduces are nothing less than appalling. The various tests by which the estimates are proved, and the I different aspects in which the subject is con- templated, indicate that Dr. KsR has done; his work with extremecareand judgment. Dr. RICHARDSON stated some time ago that were England converted to temperance, the vita- lity of the nation would be increased one-third in value or, in other words, nearly 227,00a lives would be saved to us every year." Dr. LANKESTER, again, is of opinion that one-tenth of the mortality of the United Kingdom results from alcoholic poisoning. These are startling statements; but Dr. KER thinks they are nearer the truth than mauy are disposed to believe. His own calculations give 200,000 as the number of deaths resulting from intempe- rance, of which 128,000 are traced to actual drunkenness, and the rest to the more or less moderate use of intoxicating drinks. Not only does the writer of the searching paper before lis quote the testimony of magistrates, medical men, coroners, and the REGISTRAR-GENEKAL, but he takes into account the deaths to which intemperance, more or less, directly contri- butes. A patient," he observes, « dies from inflammation of the lungs, or erysipelas di- rectly excited by the disturbance of the system from a severe accident to a constitution de- praved and poisoned by intemperance. But for the previous alcoholisation of the sufferer, the accident would probably have been reco- vered from with no complications; and yet in Sach eases there is rarely mention of intempe- rance in the certificate." This c!ass of deaths would constitute a very formidable addition to the number registered as the result of hard drinking, but if account wore taken of the deaths from drunken violence or negligence, the aggregate would be still further increased. No pen can describe the sum of misery that is hidden under these dry figures. Nothing short of a moral revolution can pluck out the canker which has gnawed into the very core of the nation. The Permissive Bill agitation keeps public attention steadily fixed on the appalling evil with which it proposes to deal. But the people must be convinced of the wis- dom of the Bill before it can be really benefi- cial. National temperance can follow only from national conviction; but the degrada- tion and misery resulting from intemperance prove that every possible step should be taken to produce this conviction.

THE MAYORALTY OF NEWPORT. IT would be matter of regret if an office of so much Z, dignity and influence as that of the Mayoralty of Xewport, should seem to lack sufficient attractiveness to secure its being worthily tilled. Yet from state- ments published during the week in some of our con. I temporaries, it might be inferred that the Chief Magis. tracy of the borough has been going a-begging. We trust such may not have been the case, albait some g ouud for such a conclusion might appear to be fur- nished by the absurd and almost slavish adherence of some members of the Council to the doctrine of election by seniority. If protracted service in the Corporation necessarily guaranteed wisdom and probity, it would be easy to understand such a proclivity but seeing that a man may be of many years' standing in the Council, and yet acquire no intellectual, social, or moral weight, the sooner a dogged regard fer election by seniority be discarded, the better. Tewn Coun- cils are not necessarily composed of picked men, of persons eminent for the qualifications demanded by the office. If a man happen to be a nincompoop or a scapegrace, he does not cease to be the one or the other by being made a To wn Councillor. But who would thin k, because of some crotchet about seniority, of placing such a man in the civic chair? The suggestion tha our present Mayor, Mr. Moses, should be re-elected has a good foundation, in that that gentleman has well and faithfully f,rved the town during the year now about to close. Judged by merits and service, he deserves the honour of re-election but if he be re- luctant to hold the office for another year, let it never be said that Newport is at a loss for a good Mayor, because a crude notion as to seniority blocks the way. We mention no names, but there are men who have, and men who have not, occupied the post, from among whom a suitable selection might be made.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. NEWPORT MUNICIPAL ELECTION.— Result of the Polling.—As stated in our second edition last week, the election-on Friday last, of two candidates to repre- sent the North Ward, resulted as fditows Mr. A. R. Bear was at the head of the poll, with 6tH votes; Mr. H. R. Evans had obtained 499 while Mr. R. Graham who had come forward to oppose the other two, had 432. Messrs. Bear and Evans were, therefore, de- clared duiy^elected. BANKRUPTCY. — A correspondent of the Times cites an illustration of the laxity which is toe prevalent in the administration of bankrupt estates. He refers to the case of Alfred Davies, of Gloucester, whose assets were estimated by the receiver at nearly £ SC0," while the liabilities "were not estimated to exceed £ 1.200," thus showing a probable dividend of 8s. or 10s in the pound at the least. The assets actually realised £530, and, a-fter expenses were paid, a balance of only £ 115 was left, or sufficient to pay the creditors a divident of IsJHd. in the pound, the expenses swallowing up a sum which would have been sufficient to pay 4s. 6cl. in the paund. The Times observes that there is no greater blot on our position as the leading traders of the world than our present treatment of bankruptcies." RAINFALL DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, AT GOLD Taps, NEWPORT, MON.—The rainfall during October was.3.80 inches, which ie about the average for this month. The greatest fall in 24 hours was -9 £ on the 24th.; the barometer was highest on the 1st and 12th, when it registered on each day 30.20, and lowest on the IHth and 25th, when it dropped to 29.05 and 28 95 respectively. DEATH or A WELL-KNOWN Btt:STOL BANKER.— On Sunday last Mr. John Miles, ^partner in the Old Bristol Bank, who had been in a feeble state of health for some months, was attacked with paralysis, and on Tuesday mortiog lie died at his residence, Shirehamp- ton Manor, near Bristol. Deceased was in his sixty- second year. He was the third son of the late Mr. P. J. Miles, of Leigh Court, and half brother to the late Sir W. Miles, Bart., his own elder brother being Mr. P. W. S. Miles, of Kingsweston. His younger brothers are the Rev.. 'JAobert H. W. Miles, Mr. George F. W. Miles, and Mr. H. Cruger Miles. The deceased gen- tleman was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford; was & magistrate and deputy-lieutenant of Herefordshire, where he had a fine estate and resi- dence, Underdewn, near Ledbury, to which his bro- ther, the Rev. Robert Miles, succeeds under the will of tljeir father, the deceased having been a bachelor. The Herefordshire estate is entered in the new Dooms- day Book at 1,jÜ2a. 3r. 35p., and valaedatjE2,979 17s. a year. NKWPORT FOOTBALL PLATERS.—Glamorgan- shire v. Rest of Hcuth >< ales.—A welUcoutested match between a team selected from Glamorganshire, and a team chosen fror^ the rest of South Wales (with Monmouthshire included) took place at St. Helen's, Swansea, on Saturday. There was a large number of spectators present;, and considerable interest was mani- fested in the match. The only towus represented in the Glamorganshire,team were Swansea and Neath, and they played well. Sixteen men played on each side, their names beinn as follows i—Glamorganshire: J. Kempthorne (Neath), aud C. S. Morris (Swansea), backs; S. Clark (Neath), half-back; M. T. Jones (Swansea), Ingram (Swansea), and Moxtain (Neath), quarter-backs; forwai-tis-C. C. Chambers (Captain), C. Bath, T. Clark, F. Meager, M. J. E. Morris, C. Tuckfield (all of Swansea), David, Peters, Formby, and Gordon (all of Neath). Rest of Solltl, Wales: C. P. Lewis (Llandovery), back Rosser (Newport) and Baldwin (Merthyr), half-backs E. Jenkins (Newport) and Margrave (Llanelly), Duarter-backs forwards— T. A. Rees (Llandovery), W. Phillips, C. Phillips, H. .Gould, W. Ponstor.) .(all of Newport), James ,(Merthyr), L. O. Lwis (Llaadilo), Roche (Tailgarth), 'M'Arthur (Llandilo), iSevill and Harries (Llanelly). Mr E. M.Jones and Mr. George Thomas aeted as umpires. Play commenced at, 2.45,. Mr. C. R. Lewis kicking off the ball. Witbia a minute afterwards, the Rest following up the ball, obtained a try. From thie time until time was called it was nothing but a forward game. In the scrimmages, the Rest seemed to be heavier than the Glamorgan men. After the Rest obtained the try, two touches down were scored in their favour then the Glamorganshire men worked the ball very close to the goal line, and a scrimmage wag going on within a foot of the chalk mark when half time was called. The ball was gradually worked up to the Glamorgan goal again, and eventually Mr. i F. Meager secured a try, which was turned into a goal by Mr. M. J. E. Morris, with a splendid kick. At the conclusion of the game the Glamorgan team, or, more properly, the Neath and Swansea team, was victorious with one goal against a try and three 11 touches dowu by their opponents. The whole of the Newport men played well for the Rest, and Mr. C. P. Lewis especially distinguished himself by making two or three runs through°the opposing forwards, and he was only collared after several attempts. CLEVER CAPTURE BY A NEWPORT DETECTIVE — It appears that since April Jast a person named John t urness, manager and secretary of the Turnbridge En. gineering Company, Hudderslield, has been •« wanted" on a charge of embezzling about £2,000, and as it was known that on the day his wife left Hudderstield certain boxes left Barnsley for Newport, the police took up the track. There was a tall man, of gentle- manly appearance, living in Frederick-street New- port, and as he answered the description <nven to the police of the man who was missing, Detects servant Jones went to the house, and took the man into cus- tody. After being taken before the Mayor, the pri- soner was handed over to the Huddersfieid police, GUY FAVVKES DAY.—The fifth of Novem- ber, this year, was celebrated as usual, by the throw- inc of fireworks in the streets, the rolling of tar barrels, tallow-casks, &c., through the principal thoroughfares, but it is worthy of notice that these jtroceediugs are being discountenanced by grown-up people, and this year the nuisance," for such it really is, was confined to the action of a few dozen boys. -FATAL ACCIDENT IN COMMEKCIAL-ROAD.—-On Tuesday mottling, the Coroner, Mr. W. H. Brewer, held an inquest on the body of Edward Davies, mason, South Market-street, who was on Saturday last run over and killed i:i Commercial-road. — Sarah Emma Poole, of 13, Commercial-road, said she was in her shop on Saturday, when she saw a horse run away with a trap. The horse got on the pavement, and was going very fast. She saw deceased fall, and his head strike against the coruer of the pavement. Sile could not tell whether it was the horse or cart which knocked him down. Deceased was picked up and taken heme on one of her chairs. The horse and trap belonged to Mr. Morgan, hutcher.-Henry Morgan, butcher, 52, Commercial-road, said that on Saturday morning, about 9.15 o'clock, his horse and cart were standing at the door in charge of his son, a lad 12 years of age. The boy stepped into the shop for a basket, and just then the omnibus, which plies between the Custom House and the Alexandra Dock, came up, and the driver blew his horn when opposite the house. This frightened the horse, and it started off and ran up Commercial-road. Several psople tried to stop it, but were afraid to hold it. Witness ran out, and saw de- ceased sitting on a chair. He was conscious, and bleeding from the head. He was taken home. -The Coroner: Is it the custom of butchers in Newport to leave their horses and carts at their doors unattended ? —Wituess Yes.—In reply to further questions, wit- ness said the horse was four years old, had been worked regularly in harness for four or five months, was a very quiet animal, and had never run away before. There had been many horses started by the blowing of the hom.-The Coroner said if Mr Morgan had not broken the law, he was open to censure for allowing his horse to stand outside the door without anyone with it. He (the Coroner) supposed it was done by all the grocers and butchers in the town, but it was a dangerous practice, and he hoped the jury would recommend that it should be stopped, because if another case of this kind came before him he should assuredly make a criminal charge out of it. He also hoped that the jury would recommend that the gen- tleman who blew the horn should blow it no more.— The jury returned a verdict strongly recommending the Coroner's suggestions.—Deceased was 64 years of age. Five of his sons were preseut at the inquest. LIQUIDATIONS.—William Lewis, Neath, Gla- morganshire, furniture dealer and upholsterer Alfred S. Burridge, Cardiff, general dealer; Joshua S. Williams, Poutypridd, Glamorganshire, ironmonger The Bishop of Hereford has collated the Rev. W. F. Powell, hon. canoa of Gloucester, to the j prebendal stall of Pyon Parva, in Hereford Cathedral, rendered vacant by the death of the Rev. Archer Clive. Evan Thomas, a lad ef 15, was killed by the Hall of a clod from the roof at Hendrenny Colliery, Caerphilly, on Friday. A petition for the winding-up of the Dowteis an& Merthyr Colliery and Brick Company (Limited) is to be heard on the 9th inst. On Thursday night some one attempted to waylay, and, it is conjeetcred, to murder by stoning, the station-master at Aberdare junction. A reward of £ 50 is offered for the capture of the offender. MAINDEE MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY— The weekly meeting of this Society was held on Monday evening, at theboard schools, Maindee, Mr. John Cullman presiding. There was a large attendance of members and visitors, the latter including several members of the Newport Debating and Literary Society. The subject for discussion-" That intoxi- cating drinks are injurious, both physically and morally, and that for the-welfare of the community it is essential that all should become total abstainers, was opened by Mr. Fred. Turner on the affirmative, and Mr. George Davifi on the negative. Among the -subsequent speakers were Messrs. Gale, Disc, and H. Turner on the affirmative and Messrs. Locke, Bond, and Howells on the negative. The former wac de- clared carried by a majority of seven. CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL BOARD.-Thi-s Board held its meeting on Tuesday, when a discussion took place relative to an inquiry by the Clerk to the Newport School Board as to whether steps could, be taken to erect a joint school in the locality of Barnard Town. Mr. Lloyd moved, and Mr Walters seconded, that the Clerk be instructed to communicate with the Clerk to the Newport School Board, and to arrange for a conference between both Boards (at a time mu- tually convenient) with respect to the Barnard Town district. This motion was agreed to. There was also a conversation relating to the fees at Board schools. Mr. Lloyd proposed that parents alleging threugh poverty their inability to pay school fees for "thei children should be brought before a Committee,of the z, Board, who may remit the fees wherever desirable. This was seconded by Mr. Waters, and carried. A number of accounts were examined by the Board, aud the meeting was brought to a close. A CHILD BUENT TO DEATH. — On Friday last, Mr. Coroner Brewer opened an inquest on the body of Clara. E. M. £ ay!or, aged six years, -wheeled in Prothero's-row, early on Thursday morning, from iu juries received by burning on Wednesday evening. The child was burnt while her mother was out., and she was alone iu the house. The manner in which she caught fire was not explained, but it was thoaght probable her clothee were ignited while she stood Bear the fire. A verdict of "Accidental death" was re- corded. REDUCTION OF TIME AT THE Dos WORC-C.— The proprietors of the Dos Works have given notice to their employes that they must submit to a reduc- tion in their time of eiie day per week. THE RR NAISSANCE."—On Fridar evening last, Mr R. G. Moulton, M. A., whose lectures on English Literature art now becoming so well-kuown. delivered his 6th lecture to a large audience, at 'the Town Hall, Newport. The subject on this occasion was The Renaissance, or Transition from Mediaeval ,to Modern." Mr Moultou said that the Reniassauce, which was one of the tv~o greatest movements of -the human mind, was too wide to be included in the scope <f the present course, but it was so wrapped up with the latter part of our literary history, that it was worth while to suspend the course in order to con- sider it. The Renaissance was the intellectual revolu-'l ticn in which the Middle Ages terminated, and modem I life began it was a new birth," or awakening of tke mind of Europe to new and different tastes, a new way of thinking, and a new attitude of religion. As to the causes of this revolution, they were many the settlement of Europe, and gradual ceasing of the chaos of the Dark Ages immediately, the return of intercourse between Eastern and Western Europe and, as auxiliaries, the invention of gunpowder, the development of,eooiG3erce,!tke rise of towus, the inven- tion of printing, and the discovery of the New World. The lecturer then proceeded to deal with the anticipa- tion of the Renaissance in general mental progress throughout Europe, during the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries, and concluded his discourse with a general view of the movement. "FAREWELL" OF TRE REV. JANSEN DAVIES.' —On Sunday evening last, the Rev. W. Jansen Davies delivered his farewell sermon at the Tabernacle Chapel. The building wae densely crowded, some of the congregation standing in the schoolroom behind the chapel. The rev. gentleman gave a very im- pressive Iiscourse, named the causes of his leaving, and bade his congregation ac earnest aud loving good-bye. — On Monday evening ihe annual tea meet- ing of the Tabernacle church was held, but Mr. Davies was not present. Mr. W. -Graham, the senior deacon, presided, and in the course of an interesting address, referred to the connection that had existed between Mr. Davies and his church. On the 1st of January, 1871, he said, Mr. Davies commenced his ministry at the Tabernacle. At that time the Church consisted of 140 members now it numbers 287. His ministry had been most faithful. He was wise in council. The church had grown and prospered, and a spirit of liberality had also been ehown by the people. He trusted that at Cleckheatou Mr. Davies would be abundantly successful. The Rev. W. ShiIlito minister of Dock-street chapel, said the church at Cleckheaton is a very large and influential one, num- bering 500 members. The building will seat 1 500 and it is generally filled. He had no doubt that' Mr. Davies would find it to be a useful sphere of labour. The Rev. J. W. Lince, of the Commercial-street Baptist Chapel, addressed a few words to the church and after Mr. G. White, iMr. W. Ward, and others had spoken, the choir sang two anthems, and the meeting was brought to a close. NEWPORT DEBATING AND LITERARY SOCIETY.— The ordinary weekly meeting of this society was held at the Court-room, Town Hall, on Thursday evening last, William West, Esq. (president), in the chair. Several new members having been elected, the Presi- dent thanked the members for his re-election. The debate on the question, Would England be justified in going to war with Afghanistau pH was then intro- duced, for the affirmative, by Mr. J. Sanders, and for the negative, by Mr. G. H. Llewellyn. These gentle- men were followod by Messrs. W. B. Barnett, George David, A. Williams, T. Watkins, F. Ellen, C. H. Owen, and W. H. Loeke. The question was decided in favour of the affirmative by 11 votes to 6. As the debate was concluded earlier than usual, impromptu speaking was resorted to. At the meeting to be held on the 14th inst. the question Would cremation be a desirable mode of deposing of our dead?" will be discussed. Messrs. T. H. Hazell, T. H. Davies, and G. Long will speak on the affirmative, and Messrs. F. Ellen, R. B. Key, and Thomas Morgan for the the negative. VICTORIA WESLEYAN. CHAPEL, MAIND;— Considerable alterations an 1 improvements have recently been carried out at this chapel. In the east end a large and commodious gallery, accommodating nearly one hundred persons, has been constructed. This gallery is approached at either side by separate flights of easy stairs the front of the gallery is con- strutted of carved and moulded wood-work, with panels filled in with ornamental iron of a foliated character, picked out in gold and colour. The whole gallery is of pitch pine, slightly stained and varnished. The communion has been re-modelled, aud an arrange- ment made for singers' gallery behind it, where a handsome new organ has been placed. Additional size has also been given to the class-room, by extend- ing same over present infants' school. The whole of the work has been well carried out by Mr. Charles Christopher, builder, Maindee, from plans prepared by and under the supervision of Mr. E. A. Lansdowne, architect, Newport, Mon. LOCAL LAW CASE.— In the Exchequer Division of the High Court of Justice, at Westminster, a stet processus has been announced in the case of Goldstein v. Graham, which was noticed some time ago as having been before the Court Oil the question of having a new trial. Plaintiff, a money lender, brought an action against the late Mr. James Graham, auctioneer, of Newport, to recover damages in respect of some loss which the plaintiff had sustained by reason of certain crtttle which he claimed as security being permitted, as alleged, while in charge of the defendant, to leave a farm occupied by the tenant of a farm on the property of the Duke of Bedford, in Gloucestershire, where the landlord had distrained for rent. The case was tried before Lord Justice Baggallay, at the Gloucester Assizes, the result there being a verdict for the plaiutiff. Mr. Matthews, Q.C., subsequently moved in this Court, before Lord Chief Baron Kelly and Sir Henry Hawkins, on behalf of the defendant, for a rule nisi calling upon the plaintiff to show cause why there should not be a new trial, on the ground of misreception of evidence, &c. A rule nisi having been granted, the case stood on the new trial paper for argument on the question of making the rule absolute, but a stay of proceedings has been agreed on in consequence of the defendant's death, which was intimated to the Court by his counsel. IMPORTANT SALE OF FARMING STOCK.—Mr. I Thomas Parry conducted an important sale on Tues- day last at Whitehall Farm, Llangibby, where 73 head of cattle, 251 sheep, 18 horses and colts, and the usual implements, which belonged to Mr. Waters, were disposed of at very good prices, the whole of the live stock realising about £ 2,000. DROWNED.—A man named Jeremiah Shea was found drowned in the Newport Dock on Wednes- day, by a hobbler named Dauiel MacCarthy. It is unknown how the unfortunate man got into the water, but it is believed he must have slipped in. Cries for help, as if from a drowning man, were heard early in the morning by watchmen on board a ship lying close at hand. A search was made, but nothing discovered until later in the day. PROPOSED VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.—We understand that on Menday evening next, a meeting will be held in the Court-room, Town Hall, to consider the desirability of forming a volunteer tire brigade for Newport. FIRE IN BANESWKLL-ROAD.—About noon on Wednesdays fire broke out at a small shop occupied by Mr Solomon Jacobs, a tobacconist, Baueswell-road. The house in question is divided in apartments, the ground floor being occupied by Mr Jacobs ami Mr Kick, hair dresser. The former had a stock of fireworks in the shop, and it was by the igniting of a "racket" which fell into the midst of the shop, that the premises took fire- The flames burst through the window into the street, and although the police were prompt in bringing the reel and hose work, the whole contents of the tobacconist's shop were burnt Several of the persons who were in the house at the time, were somewhat severely burnt abeut the hands and face. BREACH OF CONTRACT.—Yesterday (Thurs- day), at the Cardiff Cownty Court, His Monour Judge Herbert gave judgement in the case of Quenardu K. Noel, Price, and Co., in which the plaintiff sought te recover £50. The action was brought on two con- tracts for the sale of pitwood, dated respectively, 14th of September, rpd 6th of October. By the first agreement the plaintiff was to sell the defendant 4W) tons at 14s a ton, delivered an board at Benodet less 2^ per cent., for the loss on the voyage, the delivery to be within four mosths from the date. Under the second contract, thei Dlaiiiti ff agreed to sell 600 tons at 2Zs Gd., delivered at Car liff, Swansea, Newport, or Port Talbot, at the buyer's option, in October, Novem- ber, and December. The plaintiff swore he would have beeu ready to deliver the whole of the pitwood within the time st.ir ilated, and that he only delayed the completion of the contract, in obedience to the defendants* request made from time to time not to send, in consequence of the critical state of the ^it- wood market, at the latter end of last year. Under the first contract L73 ton were not delivered, andi,)3 tons under the second contract, and tfce action was to recover damages for the defendants' refusal to accept the above quantities. The Judge said:: I have carefully co.Ks.dered the evidence given at the hearing, as well as the correspondence which was left with me, and I think it clearly sliown that bhere was no default ou the pirt of the plaintiff disentitling him to sue on the first contract. fflis failure to deliver the 173 tons aipears t) me attributable entirely to the defendants' having instructed him to charter a vessel for them, at a rate for which he was unable to procure a vessel at, find as the defendants refused to take the remainder cf the wood, unless it was sent to them within 15 days a condition they had no right to impose, I fcfcink this clearly entitles him to recover his loss under that contract. He had claimed 3s a ton damage, but in abetter of the ;!Sbh of May, he specified his willingness to accept Is a ten, or £ 8 Us. and as he gave me no account of the expenses he would incur in putting this wood on board, I assess his damages in respect of.that contract at f8 13s. The case on the second contract is not, to my mind, so clear, for it was contended by Mr Downing that as the plaintiff had sent the wood under that contract to Newport, without the defendants' orders, when they had this G^tion of delivery at any of the rfour places named in the contract, they had the right to refuse to accept Newport, but it seems to me that these letters contain plain instructions, that they con- sider themselves absolved from the contract altogether by reason of the delay, at there is no proof that they requested the wosd to be sent elsewhere. The plain- tiff was justified in selling'the wood at Newport, and in chargiug the defendants with any loss arising to hita from the diffdi-eiiof be tween the price at which he sold, and the price they contracted to give, viz., 3s 3d a. ton au 103 tons, which was equal to zEI6 148 9d. I shall therefore give plaintiff judgment for £ 25 17s 9d. m FANCY FAIR.—Yesterday and to-day a suc- cessful fancy fair is beiug held at the Royal Albert Hall, for the purpose of disposing of the articles left unsold after the recent bazaar, held in aid of the building fund of St. Mark's Church. Mrs. Jarley's wax-work is exhibited, and performances oa the grand organ are given. The amount realised on Thurs- day from the various sales was £ 70. —

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. LORD TREDEGAR'S HOUNDS WILL MEET ON Monday November 11 ~LJanrumney Hall. Thursday, November 14 Groes Llan Fro. Each day at quarter to eleven. LLASTGIBBY AND CHEPSTOW HOUNDS WILL MEET ON Tuesday, Nov. 12 Trostrey. Friday, Nor. 15 liock aad Fountain. Each day at Half-past Teu, THE MONMOUTHSHIRE FOX HOUNDS WILL MEET ON Monday, November 11 Peubiddle. Thursday, November 14 The Heudre. Friday, November 15 The Buckholt. Each day at Eleven.

VOLUNTEER A P POINTME NT S. | FIRST MOX. VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY. Week ending November 16th, 1878. MONDAY AND THURSDAY-Drill at 7.30 p m. TUESDAY AND FRIDAy-Band practice at 8 p.m. THIRD MON. RIFLE VOLUNTEERS. Week ending November 16th, 187S. MONDAy-Band practice at 7.30 p.m. TUESDAY-Squad drill at 7 30 p.m. WEDNESDAY—Squad drill at 7.30 p.m. THURSDAY-Band practice at 7.30 p.m. FRIDAY—Company drill at 7.30 p.m. SATURDAY—Nil. MEM.—The Commanding- Officer again calls the atten- tion of members in possession of rifles and bayonets, to the necessity of bringing them into the Armoury at once, in order that they might be sent to Birmingham. SEVENTH MON. RIFLE VOLUNTEERS. Week ending November 16th, 1878. MONDAY—Company drill at 7.30 p.m. THURSDAY—Squad drill at 7 30 p.m. FRIDAY—Company drill at 7.30 p.m. Band practice as usual. MEM.—The rifles to be returned to the Armoury as soon as possible.

TiiiiiD MONiiutTd-SiLiRL RIFLE VOLUNTEER CORPS. The nineteenth annual prize meeting of the above Corps took place on Thursday, 31st October, 1S7S, on the county range, which was covered with a dense fog in the early part of the day, and which will account for the low scores at the 200 yards range, especially: by some of the recruits, who fired very early. -No. 1 Prize, open to Recruits only, 5 rounds at 200 yardsI Cl 5s Points. Pr:vateJ. Minks.lstprlz3,.81 5s 17 Private J. Dunk, 2nd, = £ 1 15 Private S. E. Baynham. 3rd, 17s GJ 14 Private E. Gadr], 4th, 15s 13 Private H. M. Dew, 5th. 125 G.l 12 Private W. H. Morgau, lith, 12s 6d 12 Private E. Biggs, 7th, 10s 11 Private L. Williams, 8th, 10s 11 Private H. J Hill, 9th 7s 6d 10 Private J. Crowley, 10th, 7s 6d. 10 Private H. Gill, lltli, 7s Sd 10 Sub.-Lieuteuant H. W. Graham, 12th 5s 10 Private C. S Stoft, 13th, 5s 9 Private W. Spencer. 14th, 5s 9 Private h. Challicom, 15th, os 9 Private H. Bindon, 16th. 5s 9 Private G. H. Nurse, 17th, 3s 6d 9 Private T. Taylor, JSth, 3s <id 8 Private J. W. Thompson, 19th, 3s 6d 8 Private W. Morgau, 20th. 3s 6d 8 Private S. Snell, 2.st, 3s 6d 7 Private J. Edwards, 22nd, 3s 6d 7 Private E. Joues (2;, 23rd, 2s 6d (j Private W. Griffiths, 24th. 2s 61 6 Private R. J. Wilcocks, 25th, 2s 6d. G No. 2.—The Tredegar Prize, 5 rounds at 200 and 500 yards — Points. Lieutenant S. Bryan. 1st prize, C3 39 Lieutenant D. Harris. 2nd..fijf 10 37 Quarter-Master V. Woodcock, 3rd, £ 2 36 Sergeant T. Roberts, 4th. £ 1 10s 35 Sergeant A Williams, 5th, XI 5s 33 Private J. W. Bath, 6th, £1. 31 Sergeant F, J. Richards, 7th, 15s 31 Capt. J. Thompson, 8th. 15s 31 Lieut. S. D. Ingram, 9th. 10s 30 Private G. Trew. 10th, 10s 30 Private F. G. Billingham, lltb, 7s 6d. 30 Col.-Sergeant J. Anstice, 12th, 7s 6d 29 Lieut. W. E. Cross, 13th, 7s 6d 29 Corporal C. Dix, 14th, 7s 6d 29 Private J. Minx, 15th, 7s 6d 28 Private W. Garland, 16th. 7s 6d 27 Private H. J. Hill, 17th, 5s 26 Quarter-master Sergeant W. Evans, 18th, 5s 26 Sergeant E. C. Badger, 19th, 5s 25 Sergeant J. Harris, 20th, 5s 24 Private H. M. Dew. 21st, 5s 24 I Private E. Gadd, 22nd, 5s 24 Sergeant O. H. Steed. 23rd, 5s 23 Sergeant J. Colman, 24th, 5s 22 Private W. H. Morgau, 25th, 5s 21 Private A. PL Willey, 26th, 5s 21 Private E. Williams. 27th, 5s SO Private J. Rickards 23th, 5s 20 Private J. G. Evans, 2Jth, 5s 19 Private H. Gill, 30th, 5s 18 Private J. Dunk, 31st, 5s 16 Colaur-sergeant W. Birkett, 32nd, 5s 14 Private E. Biggs, 33rd, 5s 14 Private L. Sims, 3tth,5s 14 Private S. Snell, 35th, 5s 14 No. 3 Battalion Prize. Points. Lieutenant D. Harris, 1st prize, cup, value £ 5 5s.. 4S Colour-sergeant J. Anstice, 2nd, £ 2 44 Lieutenant S. Bryan, 3rd, .£1 10s 44 Sergeant J. Colman, 4th, £ 1 42 Sergeant T. Roberts, 5th. 15s 42 Private L. Williams, 6th, 10s 42 Capt. J. Thompson, 7th, 5s 40 Sergeant F. J. Richards, 8th, 5s 39 Lieutenant S. D. Ingram, 9th, 5s 3" Quarter-master V. Woodcock, 10th, 5s 3S No. 4 Town and Judging Distance Prize. Points. Private D. Jones, 11th Glamorgan, 1st prize, a piece of plate, value X10 10s 41 Private G. Greenway, 7th Mon., 2nd, £ 2 3S Corporal S. C. S. Pope, 7th Mon., 3rd, £ 1 10s 35 Sergeant J. Colman, 3rd Mon., 4th, £ 1 35 Private J. Trew, 7th Mon., 5th, 15s. 35 Private D. Francis, 7th Mon., 6th, 10s 34 Sergeant J. Porter, 7th Mon., 7th, 5s 33 Lieutenant D. Harris, 3rd Mon., 8th, 5s 33 Private W. Garland, 3rd Mon., 9th, 5s 31 Quarter-master J. Pritchard, 7th Mon., 10th, 5s. 30

NATIONAL PERMANENT RELIEF FUND. We have only to look (says the Liverpool Courier) upon the frequent generous responses to the cry for help in recent calamities to feel that any permanen national fund established to meet isolated cases o accidental violent death would meet with kind sup port. In the practical collection of a permanent fund there may be some temporary obstacles for the public are naturally more disposed to contribute to the relief of special sudden calamities appealing directly to their feelings, than they would be to a permanent fund calculatel to meet inevitable although remote fatal contingencies. A fund like this is not intended to be-ir-lu fact, could not—the pressure of such calamities as the nation has been so recently aflLeted with. Obviously these can only be dealt with by special appeals, which are ever generously met when the heart of the country is touched. The "National Relief Fund," in short, would only be adapted to the many individual cases, in the aggregate a great num- ber yearly, of accidental deaths which leave widow or children totally unprovided for, and too frequently quite penniless. Why should it be, for example, that the widow or children of a sailor who loses his life in the honest discharge of his duty to the nation, should sink all at once into poverty and distress for want of relief from any permanent fund, whilst the many hundreds who may ac';ideutall3r perish in any one of our rivers or collieries, leave both widows and orphans liberally provided for by a public whose springs of charity are full to overflowing when the magnitude of the calamity torches the heart? This is an anomaly which the fund in question now proposes to do away with, and to bring the moral obligation of the nation to regard with the same degree of charity the widow and orphan of sailor or labourer who loses his life in the discharge cf his duty. In order to enable the promoters better to obtain a successful working of this philanthropic scheme, it is proposed to give a prize of £ 100 for the best essay on this important economical question. They solicit contributions for this object, and Mr. William Blood, Chamber of Commerce, Liverpool, has kindly consented to receive them, and to act as honorary secretary and treasurer pro tem. for the general fund.

SERIOUS CHARGE: AGAINST LADY GOOCH. On Wednesday afternoon, at Mirlborough-street police-court, a summons was set down for bearing against Lady Annie Louisi Gooch and a woman named Anne Walker, charging them with having un- lawfully combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together to palm off on Sir Francis R diert Sherlock Lambert Geoch, as his own, a strange child, with intent to defraud and deceive The defendant lady WaS unable, through indisposition to appear, and Mr Newton ordered a remand for a week, observing that if she did not then answer the summons be would issue a warrant for her apprehension. The de- fendant Walker, who was present, was b.und over to .appear next Weduesd ay.

THE GLASGOW BANK FAILURE. Notwithstanding the most strenuous efforts made en their behalf, none of the Gther city bank directors •have been liberated on bail, and every day it becomes more questionable whether they will b^o. The agents of the accused, after a lengthy conference on Wednes- day, uesolved to unite in meeting the action of the Crown authorities. The failure is announced of John Gray and Co., ironfounders, LTddmgston, the most extensive agricultural implement makers in Scotia id. The Lanarkshire commissioners of supply met in Glas- gow on Wednesday and resolved to co-operate with the action already taken for the relief of suffering shareholders. At meetings of the G asgo w Established and Free Church Presbyteries, motions were a:s) carried expressing sympathy with be sufferers by the bank failure, and resolving 10 assist in raising a fund. Agreeably to the invitation of the liquidators, a number of shareholders attended at the Bank on Thursday for the purpose of settling the list of con- tributors. They appeared in order to state objections to their being entered as contributors, their state- ments being heard by the liquidators in private. The amount contributed to the Glasgow fuud for the relief of the City Bank shareholders is now close upon £90,0:.10. The amount of the liabilities of Robert Forrester, coalmaster, Glasgow, has been stated at various sums between £ 70,000 and £ 100,000. At a meeting of the creditors of Robert Young, whole- sale provision merchaut, Madeira Curt, Glasgow, a statemen was submitted showing liabilities of XISSIG, and assets £ 5,793. The estate showed a realisation of 53. lid. in the Mr. Young offered 6s. in the f which was accepted.

-nwg TT iT~ t T^iTHTT W MiTitmi III! I liailiBM mil Now UdLi'oioW FAR ME Us' GLUJ PL 'U < i' N'G MATCH. The annual ploughing tllltcn iB connection with the Chepstow Farmers' Club took place yesterday at Blaek!e_v Farm, occupied by Mr. T. P. Wiiliarns. A luncheon was provided by Mr. and Mrs. NViiliiiins. Tile ground was in good condition, and the ploughing was excellent throughout. About six o'clock the members aud their friends sat down to an excellent dinner, provided in Host and Hostess Pricharo's usual good style. Mr. J. Lawrence, the President, presided, and was supported by Col. the Hon. F. C. Morgan, M. P., Mr. S. S. Marling, M.P., and a number of the gentry and leading agriculturists of the neighbourhood. After the removal of the cloth, aud the loyal and patriotie toasts had been dis- posed of, the award of prizes was read by Mr Griffiths, the secretary, and the prizes were handed to the suc- cessful competitors by the President.

ACTION AGAINST THE HEAD CONSTABLE OF CARDIFF. At the Cardiff County-court on Tuesday, before His Honour Judge Herbert, the case of George Matthews, 173, Bute-road, Cardiff, against Walter Hemingway, head constable of the Cardiff borough police, came on for hearing. The action was for unlawfully taking and holding in possession a four.wheel waggonett3 '19 from the 21st of August to the 26th., and also for "un- lawfully miking away with the horse's feed bag dam- ages, £ 5:' Mr Price appeared for the plaintiff, and the town-clerk (Mr Salmon) for the defendant. The solicitor for the plaintiff explained the circumstances of the case. He said that on the 21st of August last the plaintiff was conveying passengers by means of a horse and waggonette, to and from the Sophia Gardens, where a fete was being held. In the after- noon, a police-constable stopped the horse on account of a sore which was on its shoulder it was taken to the chief police-station, and on the same evening notice was given that defendant required the vehicle. This was before the magistrates had adjudicated. The present plaintiff was tined 40s. and costs, for cruelty to the horse, and he was bound over to keep the peace towards the superintendent. Afterwards the vehicle was again demanded. It was not, however, given up till the evening of the 26th. The amount claimed was about what would have been earned by the defendant with the vehicle, which he ran between Cardiff and Cathays, ordinarily, if he had had possession of it dur- ing the days it was detained. In reply to the judge, it was stated that no notice of action had been served on the defendant since the adjudication by the magis- trates on the case. Mr Price said he at once felt his weakness on that point. The Town Clerk remarked that the defendant received no notice, and there was no cause of action, as the defendant had a perfect right to detain the vehicle, on the weight of which, Air. Price admitted, in answer to His Honour, that the gravamen of the charge before the magistrates might depend. The Judge non-suited the plaintiff, giving him liberty to sue again. On the application of the Town Clerk, costs were given for defendant's solicitor and two witnesses.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. ENGLAND AND CABUL. SIMLA, NOV. 5 (8.40 P.M.) It is officially announced that in the Peshawnr V alley the field force will be composed of two divisions, the one being stationed at Peshawur, under the com- mand of Sir Samuel Browne, and the other at Hassan- Abdal, under General Maude. A native contingent of troops from the Sikh States will act with the Hassan-Abdal brigade. The division from Madras aud Bombay will assemble upon the Lower Indus as a reserve to General Stewart's force, and will be corn. posed as follows One battery of horse artillery and one field battery, one regiment of British and one native cavalry, one regiment of British ;md two of native infantry, and two companies of sappers. This constitutes the Madras contingent. In addition to these, the division will comprise one regiment of Scinde horse, one regiment of British and two of native infantry, and one company of sappers from Bombay. The staff will be furnished from the two Presidencies, and the medical and commissariat administrations will be provided by Madras and Bombay respectively. The whole will be under the command of Genera. Primrose. It is stated that the people of Kohistan have rebelled, and murdered the Governor, and that the Ameer of Afghanistan has sent a large force to restore order in the district. Ö JHELUM, WEDNESDAY NIGHT. A severe epidemic of fever of a rapidly fatal type is raging throughout the Punjab. The mortality is large, and in the cities sometimes attains a figure of three hundred per week. The disease chieflv attacks males under thirty years of age. Fortunately Pesh- awar is in a no worse sanitary condition than usual. Deserters report that the Ameer's army is suffer- ing very severely, The Afghan artillery continue to practise in the pass. General Biddnlph is three marches from Quetta. The other column is standing fast. The latest accounts say that Shere Ali's troops in the Khyber Pass are deserting in large numbers, in consequence of .sickness aud want of food. Hopes are entertained that the Ameer will submit fully and un- conditionally to the British terms. The Civil and Military Gazette of Lahore announces that heavy tiring has been heard in the Khyber Pass. The hill tribes are gathering beyond Fort Michiin. The Afghan troops at Aii Musjid are prostrated by' fever, and the oMicers are petitioning the Ameer to take immediate action against the British, or allow them to return. At Jellalabad the mortality is from 30 to 40 daily. RUSSIA AND TURKEY. In Eastern lvoumelia a warlike spirit is stated to prevail among the Russian troops, and the probability of a winter campaign against Constantinople is reported to have been spoken of by some of the commanders, who are further stated to have boosted that their troops are best fitted for military operations in the cold season. Russian troops are reported to be massed in the Bulgarian fortresses of Widdin, Silistria, and Shumla, which are being strengthened. Two hundred and fifty Greek families, who were among the Rhodope refugees, are stated to h ive been distributed by the Russians amongst the villages of the Balkans, m consequence, it is alleged, of°their having petitioned Sir Henry Drummond Wold to urge the expatriation of the Greek Archbishop of F skub. On Monday last the European Commission began the discussion of the organic regulations lor the ad- ministration of Eastern Roumelia. mi s, j St- -Petersburg, NOV. 0. Ihe kotos of to-day publishes an article in which it declares that the Western Powers of Europe must be giveu to understand that in the present condition of affairs it becomes impossible for Russia to fulfil the stipulations cf the Befliu Freaty. SPAIN. According to a te'egram of Wednesday's date from ^Lourul the Managing Committee of the Moderate party mtheCortos have agreed to accept the Consti- tution of 18/0 without modification. «ina'c1^^rnM?a w;is made at M.idril to assas- ..lnavs. Genua. Bregaa, the ex-Miuister of Wi- A man SturteUrtT,^ia^ea!W W tw0 shot's at hba,but wound'd hi f n^ueial escaped unhurt, and ;Jo one was wounded by the snots. Tne man is in cu=ioly.

:iH:uTiugc$, and MARRIAGE. THOMPSON — ARMSTRONG.- At Heddou-ou-the-Wall .Northumberland, St. Philip's and St. r-hureh on the 6th inst.. by the Rev. Charles Bowiker, B.A., vicar, Harry Young Thompson, eldest son of James ihompson, of Newport, Mon., to .Sa"ah Maria Arm- strong, eldest daughter of John Atkinson Armstrong of Baysleap, Northumberland. °* DEATHS. S wTu •~0n j'he 5th inst. at Stow-hi! Newport. Samnel Wnhams, eldest son of Mr. Samuel Smith, corn me-- chant, aged 20 j*e;irg. OTTo-On the Jlth Oct., at Bombay, F. Otk, coach. builder, late of the Sui.gum Poona, aged 57 years MILLS On tne oth inst., at Fen Pole House, Shire- hampton, John William Miles, in the 62nd yearofh^ J^?pErl £ ,nA^tb ,at 4' SoutilTii'e-plaee. Bedmin- l tVw? surviving daughter of the F JT' S4 years. p cii- On the 4th mst., at Newport, Mr. Philip r raneis, aged 88 years. L:Hr.s\VE LL.-On the J1st ult at Clarence-street, Newport,. Mi. William Chiswell, agel (?9 years. DA.VIEs.-On the 2nd inst., at South Market-Street, New- port, Mr. Ldward Davies, agfd 61 years. MKTKICK. On the 6th inst., nt Abergavenny, Mrs. Mary Meynck, aged 83 years.

^tUUt.SSClS ULKINGTO:T'S ELECTRO PLATED SPOOLS AND FORES. OS-E, pil 11 TOSEPH KODGERS AND SON'S new »J EBONIZED TABLE KNIVES, and IYORY KNIVES, fiiiest equality, j AGENTS:- W. A. BAKER & CO., FURNISHING- IRONMONG KRS, (Near the Westgate.) NEWPORT, MON. NO T ICE. T}te MERLIN is now supplied to Subscribers yPort the under-stated terms C'fedit price (delivered by messenger) 10s per annum Ditto (delivered by Post) 12s ■4 deduction of Is., in either case, for prepay- Vient of a year's subscription. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Correspondents vending letters for insertion should send also their names and addresses—not necessarily tit,-i2, 72,a?n' for publication. No notice will be taken of cent- rnunications when this requirement is not complied With. Letters and other matters intended for pu J- tication should lie addressed to The Editor, not t- any person connected witldhe office, by name. ¿c a rule, we do not undertake to return manuscripts deemed vnsiuiablefor publication nor can we engage to inform writcrs i-hether their communications are considered eligible for publication or not, otherwise than in our Notices to Correspondents.

TM MORA LITY IN A NUNNERY. The Versailles correctional tribunal has tried a nun belonging to the Convent of Jesus in the Temple at Maisons Lafiitte, and a priest living in the convent, Abbe Loussiu, as her accomplice, on a charge of having, by negligence, caused the death of a child to which the said nun gave birth in the convent.- The Abbe Ruossin alone attended the accouchement, no doctor being sent for. The court was cleared, and a judgment of acquittal given, on the ground that the chilli was born prematurely, and it was not proven that the death occurred from want of proper care, and that it might have resulted from weakness and adynamia, common in cases of premature birth.

THE ABERCARN EXPLOSION. A diver has been hard at work ill attempting to clear the bloeked-up cistern of the pump. It is a very diffi- cult task, the debris having hardened into a sort of cement. The work, however, is proceeding as well as can be expected. When once the pump is fairly started, it will take but a very short time to clear the water out of the pit. The authorities have had a high fence placed arouud, some short distance from the pit's mouth, a very wise precaution, now that the time is approaching when the bodies will be brought to bank.