Glamorgan Free Press

NORTH OF ENGLAND TEMPERANCE LEAGUE. The 41sfe annual conference of the North of England Temperance League was opened on Saturday last by a reception in the Howard Hall, North Shields, of some 300 delegattes Hall, North Shields, of some 300 delegattes representing thveairous temperance organisa- tions. On Sunday a. series of open-air ad- dressM were delivered in various parts of the district. On Monday a public conference was held in the Baptist Chapel, Howard street, when a paper on "The Royal Commission ani the Licensing Laws" was read by Mr R. B. Oliver, of Sunderland, in which he discussed the various recommendations in the Commis- sion reports. After discussion, resolutions were adopted to the effect that the conference heartily recognised the advance of public opin- ion in the direction of temtperance reform which the Reports of the Royal Commission showed, and that while avowedly aiming at the prohibition of the liquor traffic, the meeting would support all measures for further restric- tion, at the same time expressing their opposi- tion to schemes for municipalisation and money compensation. A women's meeting was also held in connection with the conference.

-+- NORTHERN ASSOCIATION OF TEMPER ANCE ADVOCATES. On Monday evening a meeting of the Northern Association of Temperance Advocates was held at Tyne Side, Mr Robert Watson, of Carlisle, presiding. Addresses were delivered on various act of the temperance question among the speakrs being Miss Agnes Black, Mr Lief Jones, and Mr T. P. Smith, of Burnley, Lan- cashire. The last named gentleman has given special attention to the aspect of temperance reform in Norway and Sweden, and in the United States of America, having just returned from a. visit to the States.

LIBERALISM AND LOCAL VETO. A thoroughly representative gathering of the members of the council of tie St. Helen's Liberal Association was held in the Town Hall, on Tuesday night, for the purpose of inviting Councillor John ;Harrop, of Manchester, to become the Liberal candidate for the borough at the next General Election. In the course of an address subsequently delivered by Mr Har- rop, in which he defined his political creed, he said: "There is the temperance question which, in my opinion, is the people's question. A gentleman wrote to Sir Wilfrid Lawson a few weeks ago asking if he was prepared to adopt the majoritv report of the Royal Commission, and Sir Wilfrid wrote back saying, certainly if it was not interfered with and made meffec- tivc in its working. There are many things in the majority and minority reports that are pressing to bo passed into law. and I hope the present Government, with all its dignitaries in the Church, will be able to do something for the temperance question, which, to my mind, will fall back very largely upon the people. We want to give the people local control."

THE "WINE CELLAR" OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. The christening of the new whisky vat in the cellars of the House of Commons has drawn attention afresh to the singular methods adop- ted in connection with the catering at St. Stephen's, and when Parliament re-assembles iom« very pertinent questions will be put con- cerning the title of the Kitchen Committee tie invest" the so-called profits of the refreshment department in wines and spirits. As a matter of fact, there are no profits in the true sense of the word. In view of the peculiar conditions under which meals have to be served at West- minr-the fluctuations in the attendance of members, he possibility of unlooked-for "oounts-out,' the brevity of the session, and so on-a sum of P.2,000 is voted to the Kitchen Committee every year to guard against the con- tingency of loss, but owing to the introduction of a more commercial spirit during Lord Stan- ley's chairmanship the whole of this subsidy has not been needed for some years, and it is the balance which has been expended in pur- chasing champagne, claret, and whisky for the benefit of future Parliaments. The critics of the present arrangement contend that if the subsidy is no longer needed it should no longer be given, and the issue will be cleanly raised next session whether the House of Commons should continue to vote £2,000 annually for the role purpose of stocking the Parliamentary wine cellars, or, if it is preferred, that the sub- sidy should be withdrawn, certain teetotoal members will demand that it should be applied to a reduction in the food tariff, so that they may derive advantage as well as the consumers of alcohol.

-+- THE DRINK QUESTION IN INDIA. At the annual meeting of the Salford Temper- ance Union held on Saturday, Mr Bipin Chan- qta. Pal, an undergraduate of Oxford, briefly addressed the meeting on the subject of tem- perance work in India. He said that drunk- enness was disappearing from among the high- er classes of natives, but it had taken firm hold on the lower classes. He complaSned that liquor shops were often thrust upon villages against their desire, and that the Indian Gov- ernment were anxious to increase their Excise revenue, ragerdless of the oonsquences to the people. Englishmen were responsible for the introduction of drinking into India. With the Bible came the bottle, and Milton and Madeira kept congenial company. We ought, he said, to -,pare no effort to undo the evil we had done in India, and all the more because the natives had no voice in the administration of the coun- try.

-0- THE PROGRESS OF TEMPERANCE LEGISLATION. Mr Charles Roberts was among the speakers at the annual meeting of the Salford Temper- ance Union on Saturday. He said he was de- scribed on the programme as "the late local veto candidate for Osgoldcross." This was not quite accurate. He was not merely a local veto candidate. A man might be a genuine Conser- vative and yet in favour of local veto, but one could not be a true Liberal now without being at the same time a supporter of Local Veto. Many people outside and inside the temperance movement seemed to wonder why more pro- gress was not being made, and why, if they could not get all they wanted, some forward step was not taken in the direction they wished to. He thought people who took that line made I the mistake of not taking a sufficiently long view. Great changes had taken place within recent years. Fifty years ago the legislative mind of the country sought to remedy the evils of tho liquor traffic by free trade in beer. We j had got a long way in advance of that new; we had got nearer to restrictive legislation, and all licensing bodies were adopting an attitude of increasing stringency. In various others was progress was being made, and in the last ten or twenty years many small instalments of reform had been carried. He looked to the future with great hope.

--+- THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LICENSING LAWS. A recent Parliamentary return, says a cor- respondent to the "Manchester Guardian," throws light upon the administration of the licensing law by the iustices at Brewster Ses- sions. This remarkable fact appears, that in 31 English counties during the year 1898 not a single objection was taken to the renewal of any licence. For an explanation of this phenome- non we have to choose between the assumption of absolute incapability in these 31 counties or of failure on the part of the justices to fulfil the duties imposed upon them by the Licensin" Acts, There is, say the minority of the Roy a' Commission, "an indisposition on the part of the justices to depreciate by any action which they might otherw:se feel constrained to take the value of any licensed premises. There is the uncertainty in their minds as to the full extent of their powers, and in some cases an imperfect knowledge of the law. which renders them dependent upon a clerk, himself, as wø have seen, sometimes not indisposed, owinn,- to his private relations ,to take a lenient view." When this action, or rather inaction, if not posi- tivo indisposition, on the part not only of quar- ter sessions, but of the licensing justices, to execute the law is taken into account, can it be, said that the existing law has had a fair chance, that the powers entrusted to the justices by Parliament for promoting (in the words of the majority) "the convenience of the public and the maintenance of order" have been tried ? And can it be wondered at that in the face of this practical miscarriage of administrative jus- tice the friends of temperance should fly to "local veto" as the only hope of remedying a. gigantic public evil? The answer to this ques- tion is surely this—let the ordinary powers of the law, amended in accordance with the re- commendations of the Commission, have a. fair trial before we resort to extraordinary mea- sures.

-1r- A LABOUR M.P. ON LOCAL VETO. Mr Fred Maddison, M.P., spebking recently at Bolton, said: "As a Radical and Democrat„ he held that the ultimate solution of this ques- tion lay in placing it in the hands of the peopit This was a sure remedy in keeping with the genius of our race. It wa.s consonant with con- stitutional methods, and wa in line with the great progressive advance that had marked the century in which th^y had lived. This great fundamental principle of democratic control was the only possible ground upon which a united Temperance Party could find as a rest- ing place for their position."

BRISTOL CENTENARIAN IN TIIB WORKHOUSE. CAN DO WITHOUT ELECTRIC TRAMS. Bristol's oldest citizen is John Lane, an Irishman, who is over 100 years old, but whether 101 or 104 it is not possible to ascertain. For some time he has b' sn an inmate of St. Joseph's Home (Catholic) at Cotharn, m the suburbs of Bristol, but having met with an accident he was taken to the Bristol Royal Infirmary, whence in November of last year he was con- veyed to the Barton Regis Workhouse, where he is spending his last days. At the work- house the following entry appears m the ad- nrsaion book: "John Lane, no occupation, Catholic, born 1798." This of course. gives John's age as 101, but frequently he refers to tpatters that stamp him as born in 1795. Though a centenarian, he is on many days quite young and sprightly in his general bearing. Only the other day he said to one of his attend. ants, "If I had a new pair of legs I should be all right." Concerning matters of long ago he is not very talkative, but he often says, "Yes; I remember the battle of Waterloo very well it was fought when I was a lad at work." Not long ago, when a visitor pointed out to him the wonders of the telephone, the electric light, and electric trams, he reflected a moment, and then remarked, "Begorra, we did widout 'em when I was a bhoy, and I can do widout 'em to-day."

WE ARE NOW 3 ;} < Bttt)jtt)))t)tt)t ttttttttttttBBt To do business on our well-known up-to-date lines at TAFF STREET, PONTYPRIDD. ,w, .if''1-.H' 'f'¥""9 THOMAS AND EVANS, u y have lately acquired the I'KZSSM 1W:E..& T SXTSXKTJESSS recently carried on by Mr D. Goronwy, and also the UO"L w m Grocery & Provision Business recently carried on by Mr E. Cule, both premises being the new block under the Conservative Club in Taff Street, and right opposite the fountain, on Penuel Square. n? frigid because you will hear of it. Our system of trading at Pontypridd will be the ■iaa&kac cx iiuiv ui hjie> ciuurgbb same as afc Porth# which tas re8ulted in the bui]dfng of of the biggeat and most flourishing businesses in England or Wales. F A M IL Y C U S TOM E R S may have their Grocery and Provisions and Fresh Meat in one account if desired. Please Pay us a Visit at TAFF STREET, PONTYF)RIDD. v..v.v.v.v¿.v.v.v.v.v.v¿vv THOMAS AND EVANS. Grocers, Provision Importers, Fresh Meat Salesmen, Bakers and Confectioners, Proprietors and Manufacturers of the Welsh Hills Lemonade, and other non-alcoholic beverages and Fruit Syrups, 6, 22, 23, 24, 25 & 27, Hannah St., Porth, 2a Station Street, Porth, Welsh Hills Works, Porth, Steam Bakeries, ^Porth, Waunrydd, Tonyrefail, NORTON BRIDGE, PONTYPRIDD, TAFF STREET, PONTYPRIDD. l -n -:t r/ We [have recently opened a depot (wholesale only) for the distribution of the Welsh Hills Drinks at Merthyr. iJ 1 J. {¡,

WHAT WOMAN SUFFERAGE HAS DONE IN COLORADO. Welsh Liberals are strong on the Woman Suffrage Question, and Glamorganshire men and women will, therefore, take exceptional in- terest in the review which Colorado is able to make of the effects of the Enfranchisement of Women there. Well, then, the Legislature of Colorado recently pass<*l the following resolu- tion-Equal suffrage has been in operatmn m Colorado for five years, during which time women have exercised the privilege as generally as men with the result that better candidates have been selected for office, methods of octions have been purified, the character of legislation improved, civic intelligence 1T1C^ » v_ womahhood developed to greater J political responsibility." Now, as a wn,mpn been able to judge, the influence order of Colorado has been on the side of > justice, and morality, Mr Elland ,rit.es. in te September number of "Lippincot, nor i,3 their sweet, gentle, loving nature or tender sympathy of heart going to seed by the additional oppor- tunity afforded them of using their brains. These women are not crushing all the virility out of men, as it has been feared they would do, nor are the bustling ,agressive Amazons ousting husbands and brothers out of positions whether they are obliged to cam a living or not. Nei- ther do they constantly proclaim their independ- ence with wild gesticulations and in vociferous tones, but, on the contrary, their political pri- vilege's have added a new glory to feminine oharacter. As women now take seats as mem- bers of the Colorado legislature, they are active agents for reform. A distinguished lawyer ot Denver, when interviewed on the subject of woman suffrage, said that he had been indiffer- ent to woman suffrage before it was granted, but had since been thoroughly converted by ¡ what he had seen of the results, and that many other men had had the same experience. He said that public gambling was now entirely sup- pressed in Denver for the first time, that the I Sunday closing law for saloons was better en- forced, that elections were quieter, election frauds were fewer, and the city government of Denver greatly improved through the influence of women's votes. In five years equal suffrage raised the a?e of protection for girls to eighteen years, equalised the laws of inheritance between husband and wife, made fathers and mothers equal guardians of their children, and more than quadrupled the number of no-licence towns in the State.

SUCCESS OF A PENTRE SCHOLAR. At the examination recently held at Cardiff in connection with the Welsh University, we ara pleased to fi,nd the name of Mr Ivor J. Da- vies, son of Councillor E. H. Davies, J.P., Pen- tre, amongst the successful candidates for scholarships. He has succeeded in obtaining a scholarship valued £ 90, tenable for three years and tuition free. Mr Ivor J. Davies is a pupil of Mr J. Waugh, M.A., Higher Grade School, Cardiff, who prophecies for his young pupil a brilliant future. The present attainments of this young man would do credit to many an alder scholar. He is now only 18 years of age, and has already matriculated in the first-divi- sion of the London niversity. He has also taken a large number of certificates in the ▼arious branches of advanced science, and pro- mises very soon to become the possessor of that greatly coveted degree and goa.1 of scientific stu- dents—B.Ss. If his successes in ths past are a true earnest of the future, we shall again see this young scholar illuminating the records of Welsh scholastic efforts. Not only does he lind time to pursue his studies in such gubiect* all mathematics, theoretical mechanics, chemis- try, and electricity, but he finds time also to study and prepare for Sunday School examina- Mveraimn^lP-tUraI know',ec, £ e- He has taken several pruses m connection with the open com- petitions held under the auspices of Welsh Con- gregational Sunday School Union. We could continue to pile enooniums and eulogies upon this young man, but as his unassuming nXe and sterling qualities are well appredated we have every reason to believe that the wish of all can be expressed in the following couplet,- "Uwch. uwcb, uchach yr el, Dringed i gedair angel." CYFAILL.

The smoothness, delicacy and uniformity of flavour have made Symington's Edinburgh Coffee Essence a table favourite with those who can- not take the ordinary coffee. 4436

GOLDEN YUKON AND THE UNITED STATES. TWO PICTURES AND A WARNING. The frozen Klondyke has magnetic attrac- tions to induce the rushing emigrant from home and friends, and we are told that the influx into Yukon territory for the winter's opera- tions still continues. The output for this season cannot be properly judged, as at least 150 per cent. of the returns are never declared. Raiiway construction on the Yukon and White Pass Railroad Company's line is being pushed on night and day towards the White Horse Rapids, both on account of the company's faith as to the future of the Yukon territory as a permanent gold producer and on account of the discovery of the extraordinary gold and copper reefa near the Rapids, assays having given 47 per cent. copper, and the lodes being hundreds of feet in width. There has been no sickness at Dawson this summer. The hospitals are all nearly empty, and one of them has had to close. Sanitary conditions are far better, and better living is now a possibility. On the other hand, we notice that emigration to the United States on the part of working men is greatly discouraged by the New York correspondent of the "Scotsman," who believes that there is a mistaken impression abroad in Great Britain that the improvement in Ameri- ca trade has made employment good. This is not the case (he shows) in any such degree as trade statistics may seem to indicate. The States are a scene of a revolution in industrial methods which not only subjects personal in- dependence and initiative to the great trusts, but makes larger use of machinery than any country of Europe, and no account at all of obligations towards workers. The American Federation of Labour has just ascertained that there are more than a million wage-earners, both labourers and craftsmen, who cannot find (employment. The correspondent also points out that the tide of emigration from the United Kingdom has steadily ebbed, while from other countries of Europe it has not abated in the same proportion.

1 Mr Tudor Howell having announced his in- tention of retiring at the next general election the constituent boroughs of Holt and Wrexham Ihr ^ntTal Body ^lect dilate Kenyon as Conservative c-n-

GOOD TEMPLARY IN PONTYPRIDD. On Tuesday evening, Mr Kenard, the world- famed cyclist of Cardiff, paid a visit to Taber- nacle Vestry, Pontypridd, and gave a very in- teresting and able address to the members of the "Star of the Valley" Juvenile Temple of the Independent Order of Good Templars, on "Physiognomy." A more abler person than Bro. Kenard could not have been secured to illustrate to children—and in a way which one and all understood-this scientific method of reading their characters and making known their talents, which they should endeavour to cultivate. He raised high hopes in their little minds by describing their various characters, and everyone felt sorry when the time came for closing the meeting. The only fault was that more of the parents were not present to bear what had to be said about their children. Later on in the evening the "Cambria" Adult Lodge of the above Order paid a visit to the "Templars' Alliance" Lodge (Pontypndd) at Tabernacle Vestry. Bro. R. H- N. Redaway, Cardiff. occuDiad the chair, and a very inter- esting evening was spent. The feature of the evening was an address by Bro. Kenard, who again handled the subject of "Physiognomy" in such a manner as to almost dumbfound his 70 or 80 hearers. So carefully did he describe tlit evil effects of alcohol on the brains, nerves smell, taste, hearing, and muscle, that had he been lecturing to those who were addicted to drink they would in future pause and think what they are doing. Too short was the time for him to enter much mto detail, and all were sorry when he concluded. After the usual I^Zva the, were invited to a splendid tea provided by the sisters of the Lodge. We hope for a repetition of this pro- gramme m the near future. On Sunday evening next the members of the before mentioned lodge intend to have a parade to Carmel English Baptist Church, when the Rev E. E. Probert will preach a temperance sermon. The collection is to be given towards entertaining the Grand Lodge here next year.

FOR Pleasure Traps, business Floats, 1-rays, &< of the quality, and at most reasonable prices, call at the CARRIAGE WORKS, MOR- GAN STREET, PONTYPRIDD, where you will find one o he largest stocks in the principality. 4527

PORTH GOVERNORS. A special meetiiw of the Governors of the Porth County School was held at the clerk's office on Tuesday, with tke Rev W Morris m the chair. The attendance also included Messrs W. W. Hood, M.E., Miss Owen Thomas, Dr W. E. Thomas, J. R. Evans, Dr Morgan, Rev Mr James, Mr Jacob Rees, architect; together with the head-master, Mr Samuel. xha head-master, in submitting his monthly report informed the Governors that Miss Win- nifred L. James, B.A., London, bad been ap- pointed as head-mistress at their school, and had commenced duties on the 19th inst. There 111 ^tendance at the school ilO girls and 95 boys. In regard to tho lar^e attend- SuIriZiSK i°ad™6 tiai ™ *m- If?e he •i'-n-leJa r >mpe«tor vthen rwnmmm.^1 meeting of the Governors m June pointed « ■' ? a,n assistant-mistress be ap- €fforL W made to im- T Jttathematics and sciences at the school sa mo ai^ ,Frencb marks were very much the i year- The total percentage for all subjects including the 850 papers, was 51; last year it was 40 per cent. The standard of work was considerably higher. A boy, John King, had won a technical committee scholarship of £ 20 and all fees. He was tie only boy from tne school who had sat for the scholarship. This was the third year in succession that this scholarship had come to Porth. The head- master recommended that Miss Maud Lloyd be awarded a special prize for her successes at the recent examination. She was the top girl in j he school, and had passed in conversational French in the senior stage, and had also taken a science in addition to the work for the matri- culation. She was only 17 years of age when sae entered for this examination. The Gover- nors unanimously decided to award a special prize. 1- In considering the report Dr Thomas urged that they should consider the advisability of having a -more modern curriculum at the school. After some discussion it was resolved that the chairman, vice-chairman, and Miss Thomas, consider the matter, together with the head- master. It was decided to defer the appoint- ment of another head-mistress until the coin- mittee's report was submitted. j A committee consistiiig of the chairman, Mr W. W. Ilood, Dr Morris, and the Rev Mr James was appointed to arrange a date for the "Prize Day'' of the Porth Intermediate School, and Mrs Dr E. N. Duvies, was appointed to distri- bute the prizes to the successful students of the school. J

Sliding-Scale Joint Commits ADVANCE IN WAGES. A meeting of the Slidin^-seale g mittee was held afc the offices of Wales and Monmouthshire Coalowners ,trcl1Ï tion, Cardiff, on Saturday. Mr i Hood presided, and Mr William pied the vice-chair, in the absence ot Abraham (Mabon), M.P. The principal object of the nieetu'S receive a report of the joint aecoun the audit of the selling prices f°r months ending the 31st of August,.t tbe ( wages from the 1st of October, and a folol Mr Dalziel handed the press tho official report: ( "The Monmouthshire and South e6 owners' Association. 18! "Cardiff, 30th Septem^' t ( "A meeting of illc Sliding-scale Joilit, It mittee wis held at Cardiff to-day S report of the joint accountants, ^e." .yd' Kirk and Charles E. Parsons, on theirfilS the coalowners' books for the two t1l0I1+j,e the 31st of August. 1899. As a result "Vj payable to the workmen at the Mpc heries shall be 28| per cent, above e}i of December, 1879, being an advance cent. as from the 1st of October, 1, d itl "Masters' Representatives: Arch Edward Jones, Charles Eden, kins, M. Wolsfcnholme, Dalziel (seemtary). ] Mem s Representatives Wiili;lTT1 -c, J W. Brace, T. D. Isaac, Evan Davies, David Morgan (Anthracl Beynon, David Wattstown Bfo"Ldi < liam Williams, and Tiionms reiary)." Reports were made bv the repre^e^i the jomt committee to whom the nil es at the associated collieries had. p0^ putad for consideration on the pres011 of these matters. -gg The subject cf a dispute at the W Iierjes, Cilfynydd, Pontvpridd. was1?^1 Mr Wilbam Jenkins for the own*? «;<!«■ j Mr Wilham Breee for the workmen dispute at Messrs the Main gjaS Collieries was referred to Mr CiltrIl-, for the owners' side and Mr Daronwv Is3" workmen's side. \¡c iofi These matters will in due i-oiu'ge 'be fie,, gated by the above gentlemen with tJ arriving at a settlement.. i At the close the following office which really <ie«is tj10 gjj(i;n2~ ^s1 ness as well as the. Council meeting, tated to the reporters bv Mr T- secretary:— 'S MEETI.VtJ or THE FEDERATION CONC#" A meeting of the Council of the M.iiers Federation was held on Cardiff, Mr W. Brace in >he ch^: were present: MWrs T Darenjfol Beynon, Tom Evans, D. Wattsto*^1 W. Vyce, John Davies, John ':o»t Morgan, George Barker, Janice W'' Morgan (Anthracite), Edward Morel, W. Williams, Ben Davies. A. (inions (treasurer), and T. Rie tary). PenrJiiw Colliery Di-i'11^, Mr D. Watts town Morgan '? W. Jenkins and he had failed Pcnrhiw Collivry dispute, of been appointed arbitrators by irfr Committee.—It. was decided tbf.f, fliee^ should give his report at the io^ It was further explained that ™ J ported at the Sliding-scale meet'n^ | Mr Jenkins had met several ence to the above dispute, and jfr mately failed to agree, upheld the action of the compan-v a new list of prices, although the^0 enoe since 1890 a.^ist of « under the auspices of the ";1 Committee, and signed by both P* gfro11^ of the workmen's representative3 sented Mr Jenkin s action, and mised to see the representatives 0 and present a report upon the P next meeting. Abernant Strike's- jetj The eecretary (Mr Richards)'re.er, sf £ jj had received from Mr David v3, ft# i r of the Aberdare District, »skin^ opinion as to whether the No. "Vj ft men were considered strikers 'VjjeS; .,te strike pay under the federation 01,1(,\11 resolved by the Council that as tn g o'\ in existence before the South cO1' the federation was formed, tlte rkl" undertake to decide between the the district. i Tredegar Dispute- si The secretary said he had from Mr Harm, agent to the tli^-ej Steam Coal Company, in reply 1 application that the night n); ^1 J the Tredegar Collieries be allo^ > j five worked turns. He (Mr Sa j-s. the application before the dir^ jjst-i1? Ji considered that it was a demand gr 19$ trary to the agreement of Septe It was explained that this e^tr^s if lowed tho night men at several P ^1 jf mouthshire District.—It was i'eS foe » question of allowing the men a Collieries to tender notices to ^oii551' tracts because of this dispute the next meeting of the Coun< ^Absence of Mabon, A telegram was read from t ham (Mabon), M.P., stating (A attend the Sliduig-scRle Vvdli01"^ been detained at the Ocean owing to some dispute. nf rcnc e" )!¡ Forthcoming CoderetIce" Ulaf er5 The Secretary read a mrc ht,)611 be ton, the general secretary of t'1'. )F ation of Great Britain, stating b0 atioll of Great Britain, stating b0 I conference of the federation Cardiff next, January.

'tP>\ CONGREGATIONALISM' GLAMORGAN- A-NNUAL STATISTICS' c 13 f 3%'m The Rev E. Eynon Lewis. y statistical secretary, has issued an advanced statistcial report^ M Congregational Churches of the^r- Association (Cyhmdeb) for 1^2. J port contains not onlv stat^t i3,tJ0 J stract of the doings of the th« year, as well as a brief ^]ircbeS count of the condition of th° • the P The number of churches j11■ 80, which is an increase of neCt?d 10 years; mission rooms 16; houses, 28; manses, 9; 1111 4 ( 62; ministers without c^aV^is 3); local preachers and stu tiilUrch institutions, 43 (increase 5)jS",he V^rrf. roll, 13,359 as against (increase, 269); deacons, frar, uH^jsf 16; adherents, 22.124; childl*e"the reg of age, 9,457. The number the Sundav Schools, Sunday School teachers, Lf 39-^f modation, 41,740, compared 2^ previous (year-—an -increase V0 Jr chapels erected, 4; schoolroom • CV<* A 1. The total amount raised of i| £ 16,648 3s 5d, which though.^ months' lock-out in the co1 less than the previous year; ^$4* 5d foreign missions, £ 602 3s '^e mised during the year towards Century Fund, £ 617: debt p^1 remaining, £ 42,023 10s. Each buted on an average £ 1 5s. '^r ^'J. £ 3'2s lid per head. The SHiooi children who secured cer^ j,cfc annual countv examination were and 000.

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