Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills

GROSS CRUELTY TO A SERVANT. At the Central Criminal Court on Saturday, before Mr Commissioner Kerr, Selina Bickmore was further- examined upon a charge of gross eru- ;ty to servant girl. named Hetty Alderton. -1, 0. Matthew s and Mr Hutton prosecuted on behalf of the Society for the Prevention of Ciue.ty to Children, and Mr Bowen Rowlands, Q.C Mr C. E. Jones, and Mr Partridge defended. —T> e accised was the wife of a machinist at Chelmsford, and in March last year she took into her. service the girl Alderton as a general ser- Tan'. The girl's story was that for some time pii oner behaved well to her, but more recently sfco had been most cruel, beating her with sticks, tying tier hands together with a rope, and prac- tising other si iiiiiir barbarous acts upon her. l he gill also alleged that she was kept without food two days together, that she was practically starved, and that the prisoner put filth in her mouth. She said she was never allowed to wash, and was not permitted to wear underclothing. The girl ran away from the house, and took refuge at the Salvation Army quarters, where in addition to other statements as to the prisoner's conduct, she said she had been glad to pick up the food thrown to the fowls, and eat it. There was no doubt that at this time she was in a filthy condition, and apparently starving. She was seen by Drs Carter and Davies, of Chelmsford, who were called and described tne various marks and bruises they found about the girl's body. There we marks on the hands which Dr 'Davies attributed to their having been tied together with a rope. The dirt was crusted on the body, and more than one washing was re- quired to remove it. Her clothes were old and very dirty. A witness, a member of the Salvation Army, was called, and it appeared from the evidence that the prisoner was connected with that organi- sation, and with the temperance branch of it. Mrs Aiderton, mother of the girl, said she lived at Broxbourne, and came into communica- tion with the prisoner, who was a stranger to her, through the Salvation Army registry. At this time she also was a member of the army. The girl, when she went to live with the prisoner, was healthv and well. She had the usual ser- vant's outfit at the time. When witness saw her daughier in March last she was struck with her altered appearance. She was very thin and very dirty, and altogether a different girl. Cross-examined The girl had not the charac- ter of being untruthful. She told an untruth on one or two occasions. She had written letters to the prisoner thanking her for looking after the gill so well. and lor behaving well to her. The girl wrote occasionally to her, and so did the prisoner, (>ut she had not received many of the letters produced. After some further evidence, Mr Bowen Rowlands addressed the jury in defence, urging that the prosecutrix had grossly exaggerated the real facts of the case. She was a very untruthful girl. and stole things, but not to any excess. She accused a man of assaulting hei-. ztid she (prisoner) told her that she would -confront her with the man and ascertain the truth of the matter, and the girl threatened to run away. She locked her in the room, but in the morning let her go downstairs to do her work. Srie tlien ran away in her old clothes. Prisoner was called to bear out this statement, and to deny the evidence of the girl.—A number of other witnesses were called to corroborate the prisoner's evidence.—In cross-examination, the prisoner denied chat four or five years ago she crueily illtreated a workhouse girl named Tasker she had in her employ, and she did not know that her eSigj was burnt in Chelmsford in consequence.—The husband of the prisoner ad- mitted that a statement was made as to the alleged cruelty at the Board of Guardians meeting at Chelmsford, and said he threatened an action for libel, but found that the occasion was privileged. The jury found the prisoner guilty. Mr Commissioner Kerr said the jury could have come to no other conclusion than that the prisoner had been guilty of a long course of cruel iiltreatment of this girl, who had been ?laced by her mother under her protection. 'risoner had cruelly deceived the mother, and he did not think there could be a worse case brought before the court under the statute under which she was indicted. The only protection which children sent out from charitable institu- tions had was the protection of the law, and whenever a case of cruelty was brought home it was necessaiy thdot the law should strike firmly. He sentenced prisoner to two years' hard labour, the maximum punishment allowed by law. Commenting on the above case, the Daily News says:—A case which has not been sur- passed for cruelty since the days of Mrs Brown- rigg was tried at the Central Criminal Court on Saturday before Mr Commissioner Kerr. It has been removed there from Chelmsford because local feeling ran so strong against the prisoner m that lit was feared she would not have a fair trial. Mrs Bickmore, the wife of a well-to-do tradesman in Chelmsford, was indicted for brutally ill-ireating a girl of fifteen named Hetty Aiderton, who had been engaged as .'mother's help" in her house, but who might of the establishment. She was found guilty, and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment with hard labour, the maximum punishment. The Judge said it was the worst case of the kind he had ever had before him. Mr Charles Matthews who appeared for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, had only to produce his evidence to show that it was about the worst case in the memory of this generation. Both parties be- longed to the Salvation Army, but it is only fair to the Army to say that the girl's case received proper consideration from them as soon as the particulars were known. The poer little drudge was at first fairly well treated, but after awhile her mistress seemed to have conceived against her the savage and malignant hate which is a secret of some minds. The woman beat her, starvf d her, andsubjected her to nameless indigni- ties until ONe day she ran away—just in time to saveherlife. Theconditionin which she reached a neighbour's house will hardly bear description. She was covered with sores and bruises, dirty beyond the dreams of a mudlark, and so weak from starvation that during the preliminary examinations she had to be carried into court. The only answer to the charge was that .-he was untruthful; but there were ner marks to speak for her, and it was not suggested that she had inflicted them herself. Her story revealed a brutality of mind in the mistress almost incon- ceivable. She had to work from morning to eight, and often she did not get to bed till past two. She slept on a sack filled with old rags, and she was called before six in the morning. To break her into this habit of early rising, the wretciied woman made her sleep in the same bedroom a herself and her husband, with a cord tied round he r arm. The cord was tugged so savagely in the morning that finally it cut into the flesh. As to food, the poor child was treated precisely like the horse in the fable, and almost ci with the samo fatal result. Her meals were grad- ually reduced from the proper number to two, then to one a day, and finally to none. For three whole days she had no food whatever at table. She lived on what she could steal from the chicktns in the shape of old potato peelings and hard crusts, supplemented by what she begged from the neighbours. When she complained of hunger, the woman tore her mouth open with cruel violence in the endeavour to force some nameless abominations down her throat. The child had a mother—also a member'of the Army —but this woman had no idea of her daughter's condition. The letters that reached her used to state that the writer was the happiest girl in the world. If there was a cloud in the prospect, it was that she sometimes had reason to regard herself as tne wickedest as well. They were all written at Mrs Bickmore's dictation. Two or three of these inhuman documents, which had not boen despatched, were found ready for use in the house. b one of them, the girl said she was in the happiest home anybody could have, and might reuuin there, if it were not for her awful conduct. She began her wickedness during the first week she was there, but all had been forgotten by d-ar Mrs B. She had good food to eat. and plenty of it. One day she took and ate half a dwuldtr of mutton and a lot of swedes, and half a suet pudding, but Mrs B. forgave her. Who else could imve done that ? A neighbour gave cuiious evidence. On one occasion, when the child was being cruelly beaten, she heard screams and cries of Oh, murder! Oh, vaur(i, The witness approached the house, buto-a, soon as those within heard foot- steps. a ei met was blown to drown the cries. Mrs Bickmore alter s tr Is explained that her boys had away of saying, "Oh, marja ''Oh, marjaf S,a term of endearment, and that, no doubt, it unded exactly like Oh, murder to au un- trained ear. There was no accounting for the crime of this monster-probably she could not account for it herself. It was in its origin, per. haps, a mere lust of cruelty. Her hate and her violence seemed to have acted and re-acted on each other. She hated the child in proportion :whe felt that the child must hate her. There are some depths in our natures which the plummet line of moral analysis never has sounded, and never will sound to the end of the world.

WHTE SOFT HANDS.Atter washing, rub tightly wifh a Sulpholine HandTablet, when Chaps, Roughness, Abrasions, Discomfort, ttaickly disappear, Ie a ving a Beautifal Delieate Hand in any weather. SulpholineHand Tablets Threepence everywhere.

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN. On Tuesday evening week a meeting was held at the Congregational Vestry, Blaina, under the auspices of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Miss Bolton. as-istant secretary, of London, attended, and the chair was taken by Councillor John Dakers. Miss Bolton, in an interesting speech, upon the work of the Society in the- past, adduced reasons for its fnrtherance and development.—Mr T. Gill Williams, the Newport secretary, followed. giving full details of the worK done at Newport and district, and stated the society had been oc gre:it, service in preventing cruelty to children as well as prosecuting the extreme cases.—The Rev J. Morgan, vicar of Nantyglo, heartily con- curred with what had been said, as did the Rev J. Lloyd (Presbyterian), the latter moving a resolution that a branch be established for Blaiua and district, and submitting a list of names of about a dozen ladies to form a commit- tee. This was seconded by Rev John Morgan, when the Rev John Williams (Congregationalist) stated that he was behind none in his admiration of the Society, its objects, and its works, yet he knew from many years experience of Blaina that nothing in the way of cruelty to children existed there.—He was supported in this contention by Mr Daniel Williams and Mr T. Protheroe.— Rev David Williams called upon Mr Llewellyn Blunt, as being thoroughly acquainted with the whole district owing to his duties as attendance officer for the School Board, to give his views.— Mr Blunt emphatically stated that he could within an hour personally conduct the meeting to half a dozen cases where cruelty in the shape of lack of food and clothing was continually prac;ised.—Mr Protheroe, to test the meeting, moved an amendment that a branch of the society be not formed for Blaina and district. —This was seconded by Mr Daniel Williams, but only found one supporter, the remaining portion of the audience voting solid for the proposition.—This concluded the actual business, and Mr Dakers, in moving a vote of thanks to Miss Bolton for her address, expressed his thorough sympathy A ith the movement,

EASY MARRIAGES IN MON- MOUTHSHIRE. A writer in a Cardiff paper says:—I was very pleased to see by the newspapers that the Vea pleased to see by the newspapers that the Vea Archdeacon Bruce spoke out without no uncertain sound on this subject in his charge/at his visitation at St. Woolos yesterday. If there was one topic in his charge more important than another, it was the question as to the proper publication of the banns of marriage. I regret to find that this duty is most carelessly and im- properly performed in some parishes in this dis- tnct. The banns do not appear to be enteied in a book, but are published in church from loose pieces of paper—which I am informed is quite illecal—and only the names of the parties mevtioned, their addresses and description being omitted, thus preventing the possibility of identification, the very object for which the publication of banns are intended. It is a notor- IOUS fact that parties, who, for reasons best known to themselves, desire to be married on the extreme quiet, get their banns published at these churches, and where they know no questions will be asked or inquiries made as to whether they are parishioners or not, nor as to their places of abode, and in due time they are married, without anyone who may have been in- terested in forbidding the banns or preventing! the marriage taking place having the sligliest; chance of doing so er of knowing what had taken place. I trust the worthy archdeacon will not lose sight of this question, but take care that the clergy under his jurisdiction do their duty in this and every other respect.

ABERGAVENNY CYMRODORION SOCIETY. This society held their first annual general meeting at the Lecture Hall, Frogmore-street, on Thursday week. Mr E. P. Davies, A.S.I., Ty'r Eos, Llanover, presided. An excellent paper was gives by "Madog Mon." Llanover, upon the new clauses added to the Code relating to teaching of Welsh in day schools receiving Government grant, after which the subject was ably discussed by the Rev D. Ff. Dtfis and others.—The meeting appointed the Rev W. Sylvanus Jones, first president of the society, and Mr E. P. Davies, A.S.I., delegates to attend the general meeting of the various Cymrodorion Societies to be held at Pontypridd, under the auspices of the National Eisteddfod of Wales. Mr H. D. Jones, Llanover, introduced free dis- cussion upon several subjects affecting the further development and progress of the society, in which several members took part. The meeting after- wards unanimousiy passed a resolution that the society should hold an eisteddfod in October next; and after a vote of thanks was passed to the energetic secretary, Mr W. D. Owen, and the chairman, the meeting adjourned for tea, which was excellently provided in the adjoining room by Mr Evan Jones, Temperance Hotel. The lady members of the Sociaty very creditably pre- sided at the various tables. At eight p.m. a miscellaneous meeting was held, over which Colonel Bradney, Talycoed, presided, supported on the platform by the Revs W. S. Jones, D. Felix, Abergavenny, and William Price, Lian- gattog Lingoad and Mr Edward P. Davies.— The Chairman expressed his very great pleasure at being present at a meeting under the auspices of the Abergavenny Cymrodorion Society, which undoubtedly did its best to promote and conserve Welsh history, and especially to teash the native tongue to the children in their homes. Every person possessing two languages must find it very advantageous in any capacity in life, being doubly armed and he promised them all the support that lay with him in their deserving effort.—Many songs and recitations were admir- ably rendered during the meeting, in which Miss Jones, Messrs James, Lewis, Williams, and Isaac. Llanover, and Messrs J. W. and E. D. Owen, Morgan, and Llewellyn, Abergavenny, took part. Pedr ab Joan played on the harp, and Mr Mor- gan on the piano. Mr E. P. Davies, in proposing a very hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, which was seconded by the Rev D. Felix, said that he was sure all present believed that Colonel Bradney was a true supporter of their Society, from the iact of having attended that meeting in response to their request still he was g'ad to be able to inform them that his support did not rest there, but that he had also become a member of the Society. The announcement was received with loud cheers, after which the audience sang The Land of my Fathers," which terminated a very successful meeting.

DEATH OF MR GEORGE POTTER. George Potter, formerly well known as a trade unionist, died on Saturday morning, at his resi- dence, Marney-road, Clapham Common. He had been ill since the demonstraticn in Trafalgar- square against the Local Veto Bill. Few per- sons were aware of Mr Potter's illness, his daughter (who has kept house for him since the death of his wife in 1886) having only communi- cated the fact to two intimate friends. Deceased was suffering from paralysis of the brain. George Potter was born at Kenilworth in the historic 1832. He served his apprenticeship to a carpenter at Coventry, and in 1854 came to London. It was in the great lock-out in the building trades of London in 1859 that he became prominent, he being appointed delegate to fiuht for the nine hours for carpenters, masons, bricklayers, plas- terers and painters. Then followed the strike, which lasted seven weeks, and the struggle against the document renouncing trade uuious, in which 60,000 men were locked out for twenty weeks. George Potter rode on horseback by the side of Garibaldi's carriage through one of the greatest multitudes ever seen in the streets of London. He was elected to the London School Board in 1873, and he was for five years a governor of the United Westminster School. In 1868, as the president of the London Working Men's Associa- tion, George Potter inaugurated the first Trade Union Congress, which was held in St. Martin's Hall, Long-acre. The deceased leaves two daughters, one of whom is unfortunately a cripple.

A MAC HEN LANDLORD FINED. At Newport County Police Court on Saturday, William George Woodruff, of the Tradesmen's Arms, Machen, was summoned for being drunk on his own licensed premises.—At 7 p.m. on the the 26tii yilt., P.S. Porter heard a great noise while passing the inn. In the taproom he found a m:iri. named Tnomas Davies, drunk and stag- geriug about the room. The landlord was sitting laughing at him. He called defendant's attention to the state of Davies, and he got up, but staggered against the wall. The constable assisted Davies outside, and the landlord in coming along the passage staggered against the wall. Witness toLj him he was drunk.—P.C. James corroborated.—Dr A. S. St. John gave evidence in defence that defendant, when he called upon him with P. U. James, was not drunk. He cer- tainly had taken some drink.—The Bench, after further evidence, held that the landlord was diunk on his premises, and fined him 10s and costs.—Thomas Davies. referred to above, was then charged with being drunk on the said pre- mises. He had been locked up for an hour and a half at Machen, and then allowed to go home. Fined 5s.

A GREAT POLO MAN. In the current issue of Bailey's Magazine appears a capital portrait of Captain Francis Herbert, second son of the late Mr William Herbert, of Clytha Park, Monmouthshire. The capta'n is a great polo man, and when the game first started by the 10th Hussars in England in 1069 it received the hearty co-operation of the Ith Lancers, of which corps Mr Herbert was a subaltern. The Monmouthshire Polo Club is about the oldest in Great Britain, and it was founded by Captain Herbert and his elder brother, Mr Reginald Herbert, master of the Monmouthshire Foxhounds. It is related of Captain Herbert that he backed himself to shoot two brace of grouse in the North Riding of Yorkshire and play in a polo match the same afternoon at Pontypool. He won his wager. It will be remembered that he founded the National Pony and Galloway Racing Association on the lines of the Jockey Club; but it has never been a recognised institution, and it has failed to elevate pony racing to a level with the kindred sports. Captain F. Herbert is a great man on a polo pony, and he is an excellent jndge and trainer of the animaL-South Wales Daily Star. THE OATH IN POLICE-COURTS. A circular has been sent from the Home Office to justices of the peace and coroners calling attention to the Act by which persons may be sworn in the Sqotch fashion with uplifted hand. It is added that the section of the Act applies to all oaths whatsoever. The initiative rests with the per- son desiring to be sworn. When he has expressed his wish to be so sworn no question as to his religious belief is to be asked, nor is he to be required to hold or kiss a Bible while being sworn.

SOUTH WALES COAL TRADE. ANOTHER REDUCTION IN WAGES, i A meeting of the Sliding Scale Joint Commit- tee, for the regulation of wages in the Monmouth- shire and South Wales coal trade, was held on l Saturday at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff, wheu the principal business was to receive the audit for the past two months. The following was the official report furnished by the joint secretaries (Mr W. G. Dalzieland Mr Lewis Miles) A meeting of the Sliding Scale Joint Com- mitteewas held to-day at the Angel Hotel to receive the report of the joint accountants (Mesers J. C. Kirk and C. E. Parsons) on their audit of the coaiowners' books for the two months ended April 30th, 1893. As a result the wages payable to workmen at the Associated Collieries shall be 10 per cent, above the standard of Dec., 1879, being a reduction of 31 per cent. as and from 1st June, 1893." For the Owners. W. T. LEWIS. ARCHIBALD HOOD, EDWARD JONES, JAMES T. N ETTELL, W. THOMAS, GRAEME UGILVIE, For the Men. W. ABRAHAM, D. MORGAN, T. T. ISAAC, ALFRED ONIONS, DAVID BEYNON, P. D. REES, MORGAN H. JAMES. Witnesses to cue signatures of the parties hereto, W. GASCOIGNE DALZIEL, ( Joint LEWIS MILES, I Secretaries. Messrs. Edward P. Martin, T. Forster Brown, and Edward Davies wrote expressing regret at their inability to attend. The Pentre Colliery dispute was further con- sidered by the CO.-iriiit,tee, aud it was resolved to appoint Mr Archibald Hood to meet Mr W. Abraham outing the course of the present v/eek. to further investigate the subject of the difficulty with a view to effect a settlement. Evidence was also taken in regard to the dispute at Messrs the Patent Nut audi Bolt Company'stHenllis Colliery. Mr Rafaiel attended on behalf of the company, and Mr George Jones and Mr Thomas Stevens were witne.-ee,, for the workmen. After hearing the facts of the dispute, the committee resolved to appoint Messrs EJward Jones and Alfred Onions to further inquire into the details. A petition was read from the workmen at the Resolven Colliery asking the committee to hear a statement of the particulars of the dispute between themselves and the owners of the col- liery and it was decided to arrange for the attendance of witnesses at the next meeting. The subject of the dispute between Messrs Lancaster and Co. and the night men employed at their collieries was next entered into and inasmuch as it was ascertained that Clause 17 of the Sliding Scale agreement had not been com- plied with—that the respective parties had not made an offer to settle the dispute before coming to the coniiniltee-it was determined to relegate the matter to the company and their workmen. The difficulty at Mesers D. Davis and Sou's Bodringalit Colliery was introduced on the owners side, and the intimation was made by Mr Hannah, representing the company, that the workmen, although they had resumed work after a week's stoppage on the terms existing prior to tke stoppage, they had not, so far, expressed any willingness to refer the matter to the committee. It wa* resolved, therefore, to defer the consi- dera ion of the question. On the owners' side, too, th411 dispute between Messrs the lihymiiej Iron Company and the hauliers at the steam coal collieries was introduced. It was arranged that Mr Alfred Onions, for the workmen, should be asked to confer with Mr Thomas Richards, on the masters' side, to investigate the facts of the dispute: It was arranged that another meeting of the committee should be held during the next two or three months, with a view to consider the disputes at the Resolven and Rhymney Collie- ries.

.r MEETING OF MINERS' REPRESENTA- TIVES. A meeting of the workmen's representatives upon the Sliding Scale Joint Committee was held at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff, on Saturday morning (previously to the joint meeting), to consider several questions in oispute at the various collieries in South Walesand Monmouth- shire. Mr W. Abraham (Mabon), M.P., pre- sided. Messrs Thos. Stephens and Geo. Jones, workmen at the Henliys Colliery, Cwmbran (Nut and Bolt Company), gave evidence in sup- port of their claim in respect to the man igement reducing the heading prices, and the putting up of props in stalls without the usual payment for the same. In the case in dispute at the Lancas- ter Company's, Limited (Blaina), Messrs Thos. Gunter and Lewis Jones gave their evidence briefly to the effect that toe managemant. of iate have been stopping the workmen employed on the night shift in these collieries, so as to tvade paying the customary and acknowledged payment of six turns for workicg five night shifts. This is an. infringement of an agreement arrived at some time ago by the workmen and officials of those collieries, and-the custom in vogue at the majority of collieries in South Wales and Mon- nioutfysiiire: In each case the committees decided, to support the :aen's feasoDabte claims before the joint eownsSitee. i. J'1

FI RE AT CARD IFF. r One of the most destructive fires experienced at Cardiff for some time broke out late on Satur- day night in the Western Mail Buildings, in St Mary-street. The premises are partly occupied by Messrs Walkey, Thomas, & (:0.. wholt sale paper dealers and paper bag manufacturers, and they had a large store of paper at the back, in or near which the fire was first observed by a man who was passing down the lane at the back a little after 11 o'clock. An alarm was given. Two steam fire-engines were soon at work. but the flames spread so rapidly that in two hours' time only the extern J walls were left standing. An hour after the fire was seen, the flames ex- tended to the Great Western H->tel, wiiica joins the Western Mall Building, and the back portion of this building was destroyed, and the other portions of the hotel were considerably damaged by water Some portion of the contents of the offices, books, &c., was saved, but an immense amount of property was destroyed. How the fire originated 1R not known, but, it is be-ievec! that it arose from the overheating of a flue, or began in the paper stores a<i joining. The Wes- tern Mail Building was a. fine stoue structure five storeys high. and was buia In 187;). The build ing and rpachiiiery are covered by insurance, but the loss to the Western Mail Comi)ally tion will be a very heavy one Arrangements were made to bring out the Western Mail as usual. Fortunateiy. the Western Mail Company was able to purchase one of tile latest and most impr(,ved printing presses, and this was for- warded on Sunday night from Paddington to Cardiff by specia ill, is hoped, vviil be in working order iu a week.

OFFICIAL REPORT. The officpu leport. as submitted by Chief Engineer Geen, states that at 11.15 Police Constable Maxwell brought information o tlh station that a fire Intel broken out at the W'"stem Mail Printing (Jah., t. Marf.-street. The reel was at once taken by Chief Engineer Geen and firemen. The steamer Fire Queen closely Q followed with more firemeu, in charge of the head-constabie. On in.ving at the scene it was found that the fire had broken out in that por- tion of the buildings occupied by Messrs. Walkey, Thomas, and Co., paper merchants, the premises being aii alight on the basement and first floor. The hose was at once attached to a hydrant in St. Mary-street, and water poured on the fire from the compositors' department. One hose from the sLearner was used at the same point, a&d the other from the officer of the Western Maft. The fire was lapiuly extending, and the hrt\d-cOif«abie sent for the second steamer, which was placed at the end of Wood- street, near the theatre, and two streams of water brought to bear oil the back of the pre- mises. The fire had by this time OK tended to the whole .of. the Wester-' Mail Printing Works and threatened Ban y'> Restaurant and the Great Western Hotel. Additional lines of hose were then got to work Iro hydrants in St. Mary- street and Western Mail-lane, and the efforts of the firemen were then, directed to confine the fire to the Western Mail buildings. The fire now threatened tke Tramway Company's stables, and the Tramway Company's ser- vants at once got to work, and got out the horses, trams and busses, the boarding adjoin- ing the stables being ignited by the excessive heat. About 12.30 a.m., the back wall of the premises of Walkey, Thomas and Company fell outwards into Western Mail-lane with a tremen- duous crash, smashing in the roof of the hay- eutting room of the Tram Company, when several of the firemen had a very narrow escape. The fire now extended to the Great Western Hotel, but we were able to confine it to the billiard-room and bacportion of the premises, but considerable damage was done to the whole of the premises by water. Barry's Restaurant was slightly damaged in a small portion of the roof and one room. It is not too much to say that at one time the fire threatened the whole bloLk of buildings, but fortunately the wind was not strong,and with a determined effort on the part of the brigade and a good supply 8f water, t,oe fire was confined to the Western Mail iBuildings. The damage is estimated at £ 50,000. Shortly after one o'clock Captain Pomeroy, Supt. O'Gorman, and a contingent of the Bute Dock brigade with a water boat arrived and rendered valuable assistance. The fire was well under by 1 J. l't five a.m., the engines were brought to the station and lines of hose nttached to the hydrants in the neighbourhood were pouring water on t'he burn ing debris. The furniture and stock of the Great Western Hotel is insured in the Hand-in- Hand Fire Office. The Western J/ail is insured in rh'l Atlas Fire Office, the Economic, and Kong Kong Insurance Companies. A chimney was discovered on fire at 9.50 p.m. at Barry's Restaurant. Chief Engineer Geen and Fireman Luckwell went there and informed Mrs Barry of the seme. There were showers of sparks from the chimney, and it is quite possible that these may have caused the fire, as several of the win- dows in the premises of Walkey, Thomas and Company were open. The engineer examined the roof of Barry's and adjoining premises, and all appeared safe at 10.25.

A BOY DROWNED AT NEWPORT. STRANGE ALLEGATION. On Sunday, Thomas Hoskins, 6 years of age, whose parents reside in Thomas-street, Cross- street, Newport, was with two companions on the bank of the Monmouthshire Canal near the junction at Malpas-ioad, when he stopped to pick up something near the edge of the water, and fell in. He did not come up again, and his companions—little fellows like himself—ran off to give the alarm. The body was afterwards recovered by Joseph Wallace and taken to the parents' dwelling.—The inquest on the body was held at the Town Hall in the evening, before Mr Lyndou Moore, borough coroner.—John Ryan, one of the companions, said they went to the canal shortly after dinner to see his elder brother bathe. Deceased was stooping over the bank to pick flowers, and reaching too far, slipped into the water. He ran for help, and told two men near that there was a boy in the water, but they paid no heed to it. Afterwards he went home, and told Wallace and the others.—Wal- lace said he accompanied John Desmond, and found the body about ten yards from the bridge The canal was ab.mt five feet deep atitilis point, and it seemed as if the body had become im- bedded in the mud.—The Coroner said it was impossible to assume that the account given by the boy of the action of the men was the correct one but if it were true in any particular, it was most callous and unsympathetic conduct on their pare.—The jury returned a verdict of "Acciden- tally drowned."

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WORKING COLLIERS. Recently, the Monmouthshire and South Wales Coaiowners' Association resolved to ask Sir W. T. Lewis to accept the sam of 3,000 guineas, to be applied by him in such manner as he might deem most fitting, fOÎllàrk the appre- ciation of the very valuable services which he has rendered as past president of the Associa- tion, and more especially as chairman of the Sliding-Scaie Committee, and as one of the original members of that committee, his services in tnis respect extending back to the time when the Slidaig-Scale principle was initiated in 1875. Messrs Graham, Ogiivie (the present chairman of the Association), 'Archibald Hood, and Edmund Davies (an ex-chairman) were appointed Lo confer with Sir William, and ascertain his wishes in the matter. We learn from Mr W. Gascoigne Dalziel, secretary to the Asso- ciation, that an intimation has been con- veyed b Sir William to Principal Viriamu Jones, of the University College of SouthWales and Monmouthshire, that the sum of £ 1,0U0 will be voted towards two scholarships to be given J to working colliers, who have been employed not less than three years in cutting coal in accord- ance with the requirements of the Coal Mines Regulation Act. Sir William has also intimated to Mr Huxham, secretary of the South Wales Institute of Engineers, that the sum of £500 will be given to the Institute for the purpose of pro- viding premiums for papers to be read by stu- dents. Arrangements have also been made for the execution .-f two portrait paintings of Sir William Lewis, one o remain in the possession of L.viy Lewis and the other to be hung in the new joint home of the South Wales Institute of Engineers and the Coaiowners' Association, now 111 course of erection in Park-place, Cardiff. In addition, a presentation of plate, with a suitable inscription, will be made to Lady Lewis, while Sir William will receive an illuminated address.

NEARLY KILLED BY A PET BEAR. The Second Life-Guards keep a pet bear in Albany-street Barracks, which has just distin- guished itself by nearly killing a lad of 12 years of age, named Albert Morgan, of 29, Red Hill- street, Regent's Park. The lad is in the habit of running messages for the soldiers, and, boy- like, takes eVery opportunity of making friends with the animal. Bruin is confined with a chaiu about six yards long to a pole in a grass plot fenced in by railing, but there wa it appears^ suffiicent space between the raits for lad to get through. Morgan approached the bear, which was lying down, and familiarly patted it on the back, as he had seen the soldiers do, say- ing, Get up, Polly." The bear got up in any- on the back, as he had seen the soldiers do, say- ing, Get up, Polly." The bear got up in any- thing but a friendly mood, sprang on the boy and with a great b*ow of its paw knocked h;m and with a great biow of its paw knocked h;m down, and commenced gnawing him. The little fellow struggled bravely, clutching the animal by the throat and nose, but he would certainly have been killed had it not been for the timely arrival of Corporal-Farrier Taylor, of the Royal Horse Guards, who happened to be in the neigh- bourhood. With much difficulty he beat off the animal, now infuriated with the taste of blood. t Tk* loji WS>4 3-}mrvat 4one«4o«o *»'ocuuccf,"VItu7 lies in a precarious state in Middlesex Hospital, suffering from no less than 20 wounds on the head, shoulders, body, and throat.

RETIREMENT OF MR. T. P. PRICE, M.P. The Liberals of North Monmouthshire will learn with regret that Mr. T. P. Price has defi- nitely resolved to retire at! the next election from the representation of the constituency. Mr. Price's decision hardly comes as a surprise, see- ing that he was disinclined on the last occasion to undertake the arduous work of a contest, and the irksome duties of attendance at Parliament during a period when so highly-contentious a matter as the Home Rule Bill would entail close participation in the proceeding of the House of Commons. None the less is it matter for regret that the sitting member, who has served the constituency so faithfully, and has, with stead- fast adherence to Liberal principles, kept in line with the advancing poliiiial movements of the times, should have reached a resolution to retire from the active work of political life. Being a resident in the constituency, his influence will, however, still be there on the right side and as he has thus early intimated his course of action at the next election, he does local Liberals the good service of allowing them ample time to consider the selection of a new candidate, going so far, we relieve, as to express willingness to help in the choice himself if desired, by suggest- ing the names of gentlemen likely to serve the- 11 Liberals of the division. We have not yet. it. is gratifying to observe, to say farewell to Mr Pnce. The party will for some tiim* yet have the advantage at his help and guidance, and when the day of his retirement comes he will carry with him the hearty thanks and good wishes of the P-lc-etorate.-Soutil Wales JJauy News. I

EXCITING SCENE AT THE NEWPORT I EMPIRE. I On Sunday night at the Empire, Newport, an I unrehearsed situation occurred, which created extreme consternation among the employees of the establishment. While the wrestling lion was. being changed from its living cage into the den in which it performs, it gave a tremendous lunge and broke away over the hall, knocking two of the men from the stage into the orchestra as it bounded into the auditorium. One of the men narrowly escaped the loss of a portion of his leg by a ferocious snap the animal made. Fortu- nately, through the presence of mind and bravery of its trainer, Alicamousa, who barred its way into the street, the exciting episode did not extend further than the hall. Alicamousa, by dint of persuasiveness, force, and food, at last lodged it again in captivity.

STRANGE SUICIDE OF A SOLDIER.—On Sunday night a private in the Rifle Brigade stationed at Dublin was talking to some women on O'Connell's Bridge, when he exclaimed, Good- bye; I won't see you any more. He then ascended the parapet and jumped into the river, and speedily £ :sappeared. His body has not been recovered.' KILLED ON THR RAILWAY.—At Leixlip, County Dublin, on Sunday, a boy named Fitz- simmons, aged 8 years, was running across the road towards some people who were proceeding to attend an open-air labour meeting, when he fell in front of a steam tram, the wheel of which passed over his neck, completely decapitat- ing him. The projected demonstration was abandoned. THROAT IRRITATION AND COUGH.-Soreness and dryness, tickling and irritation, inducing cough and affecting the voice. For these symptoms use Epps's Glycenne Jujubes. In contact with the glands at the moment they are excited by tha act of sucking, the Glycerine in these agreeable confections becomes actively healing. Sold only in boxes, 7d., tins Is Hd., labelled "JAMES EPPS & Co., Homoeopathic Chemists, London." Dr. Moore in his work on "Nose and Throat Diseases," says: "The Glycerine Jubjubes pre- pared by James Epps and Co., are of undoubted I service as curative or palliative agent," while Dr. Gordon Holmes, Senior Physician to the Municipal Throat and Ear Infirmary, writes After an extended trial, I have found your Glycerine Jujtibes|pf considerable benefit in almost all forms of throat disease." »

CURIOUS OCCUPATION. The Americans have discovered a use for the careless man-the man who sheds his possessions in whatever spot he happens to be. He provides a vocation for others. It is nothing less (says "Wit and Wisdom") than that of carefully searching all places where crowds congregate and picking up valuables dropped by others. These men have the business reduced to a science, and are well acquainted with the spots where people generally lose things. For instance, down at the seashore, a party of finders go out every spring for the purpose of collecting missing valuable?. As a rule, everything lost on the beach will gradually work His way to the posts under the broad-walk. Gangs of men dig down sfeveral feet around these places, carefully sifting out the saRd: Whatever articles there are re- main in the sieve. Dozens of rings, small coins, and even watches, have been found in this way. As a rule, these searchers for the considered and the unconsidered trifle make a fairly good living, for a stroke of l ick will make up for many bad days.

HOLLOWAY'S OINTMENT AND PILLS.-Nexer at fault.—In all irritations of the skin, sores, ulcers, burns, and scrofulous enlargements of the glands, Holloway's Ointment presents a ready and easy means of cure which never disappoints the most favourable expectations. It manifests a peculiar power in restraining inflammation, removing stagnation, cooling the heated blood and checking all acrimonious or unhealthy discharges. Whilst thus acting locally, the Pills are no less remark- able for their power in improving the general condition and habit of body, which renders the cures complete and permanent. Under the general influence of these potent remedies, the puny infant becomes the rolbust child the pale and emaciated regain colour and rotundity and I the dyspeptic eats freely without fear. LIVER COMPLAINTS.—Dr. King's Dandelion and Quinine Liver Pills, without ipercury, are a potent remedy; remove all Liver and'Somach Complaints, Billiousness, Headache, Sickness, Shoulder Pains Heartburn, Indigestion, Constipation.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. THE SEASON'S EXCURSIONS. Mr H. Lambert, the general manager, has issued the first of a series of monthly programmes intended to be published during the summer season, showing the cheap bookings and ex- cursion train arrangements of the Great Western Railway Company in the Monmouth- shire and South Wales districts during the current month. These pamphlets, which may be obtained gratis at the several railway stations, indicate at a glance the special concessions and facilities of the company for the advantage of the travelling public and holiday-seekers during the month of June. A long list of the places at which cheap tickets are issued is given in alphabetical order, and the fullest information is given respecting the cheap circular excursion tickets issued daily by the ordinary trains, &c. For any further information respecting the arrangements of the company set cut in the pamphlet, application should be made to Mr N. J, Burlinson, Paddington Mr H. Y. ^dye, Cardiff Mr J. J. Leaning, Swansea Mr W. H. Ludford, Llanelly Mr C. J. Richards, Pontypool-roa.d. or at the respective station.

CHARGE AGAINST MYNYDDISLWYN OVERSEERS. -Rogel' Lewis and David W James, overseers for the parish of Mynyddislwyn, were summoned before the county justices at Newport, on Satur- day, by George Henry Brett, district auditor, for neglecting to attend the audit at Newport Union. On the application of Mr T. B. Jones, who appeared for Mr Brett, an adjournment was made till the 24th inst. AN ELEPHANT AT LARGE AT SWANSEA.—On Saturday morningP.C. Evans,who was on duty at the top of High-street, heard a crashing noise coming from the direction of Bostock's mena- gerie in the Alexandra-road. On proceeding to the spot, he found that an elephant had broken loose and was careering up and down the road. The manager was aroused, and the elephant was once more placed under restraint. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.—A return just issued as a Parliamentary paper shows that during the years 1884-1892, inclusive, 256 persons were sentenced to death for the crime of murder in England and Wales. Of these 145 were executed in due course one was pardoned in 95 cases the sentence was commuted to one of penal servitude for life; eight were removed to Broad- moor, having been certified to be insane and in seven cases the prisoners were let off with minor terms of penal servitude, or hard labour, or im- prisonment. Thirty of the murderers were of or under the age of 21 years. It 49 cases the victims were children under the age of 12. There were 22 cases in which young women murdered their illegitimate children. )

LLANFRECHFA UPPER SCHOOL BOARD. On Thursday week the usual monthly meet- ing of the above Board was held at the Upper Cwmbran Schools. Present:—Messrs S. Winsor (chairman), K. Davies, G. Edwards, J.Walters, and the deputy clerk. Prior to the meeting the members inspected the school buildings with a view of seeing what could be done to meet the requirements of H.M. Inspector. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. ALTERATIONS AT UPPER CWMBRAN SCHOOLS. The Chairman proposed and Mr Davies seconded that the managers' recommendation be adopted, viz,, that Mr Landsdowne be called in to inspect the schools, and that he be asked to draw out plans for the necessary alterations to meet tae requirements of Her Majesty's Inspec- tor; and if the plans are ready before next meet- ing a special meeting be called to consider same at the Upper Cwmbran School and if a special meeting is not called the usual monthly meeting to be held at these schools instead of at Griffithstown. This was agreed to. MR. TITLEY'S RESIGNATION. This matter was brought forward and deferred until next meeting. COOKERY INSTRUCTION. The Clerk, in reply to the Chairman, stated that no reply had been received from the Tech- nical Committee in answer to their Communi- cation, and the matter was deferred. UPPER CWMBKAN MANAGERS' MINUTES. The managers' minutes of this school were read and the accounts passed for payment. EXTRA CLEANING. The Chairman asked if the caretaker had been paid for extra cleaning of the windows, etc. Mr Edwards replied in the affirmative. The Chairman The windows look as if they require a little cleaning, and perhaps MrEdwards will call the caretakers' attention to this. Mr Edwards promised he would do so. GRIFFITHSTOWN BOARD SCHOOL. The minutes of the managers of this school were read and adopted. EXTRA CLEANING. This question was deferred so that the managers should draw up a list of the extra duties to be Derformed. .a.- AMBULANCE INSTRUCTION. The Chairman explained the object of the application made by Mr Beynon and himself for the use of a room at the Griffithstown schools. He said it was the intention of himself Mr Beynon, and Mr Walters to give instruction in first aid to the injured to the elder scholars of the Griffithstown Schools. Mr Edwards said the object was a very good one, and he begged to propose that the use of the school be granted. carried*aVieS seconc^e^ proposition,which was TEACHERS' APPLICATION. An application was received from the teachers of the Griffithstown schools asking for an exten- tion of the summer holidays in consequence of two of the teachers having to sit for examina- tion in J uly but the Board adopted the minutes of the managers. MISS MORGAN'S ILLNESS. Mr Geo. Edwards said he was sorry to inform the Board that Miss Morgan was away from duty owing to ill-health. The Board expressed their sympathy with Miss Morgan and hoped she would soon recover aad resume her usual duties. The various cheques were signed and the meeting closed.

LLANTARNAM LOCAL BOARD. The ordinary meeting of the above Board was held at St. Dial's School, Cwmbran, on Tuesdav evening. Present: Mr F. W. Rafarel, J.P. (in the chair), Messrs H. Parfitt, H. Lawrence, A. Tilney, J. Parry, B. Wallace, H. H. Haden (clerk), and R. Matthews (surveyor), and Dr W. E. C. Murphy (medical officer). The minutes of the last meeting were read and adopted. SURVEYOR'S REPORT. The Surveyor reported as follows :— Gentlemen,—I beg to report that during- the past month the men have been employed in cleaning- slopes and watercourses on Pentre, St. Dials, and Court roads. In accordance with your instructions, I have laid on the table plan and sections of proposed new road to Oakfield for your approval. I have invited tenders for painting the lamp columns and frames in your district, and have laid same on the table for your consideration. In reference to the ditch at Lower Pontnewydd between this parish and Llanfrechfa Lower, notices have been served upon the owner and also the tenant of the land through which the ditch runs, but they have not yet been attended to. I must ajrain bring before your notice the very bad state of the ditch at the back of the houses at the north end of the Grange-road. I would suggest that such steps be taken in this matter as will en- sure pipes being laid in this ditch and the privies connected to same without further delay, as it is now becoming very serious. No interments have taken place in the cemetery since your last meeting. The alterations to the Fire Brigade station are now comuleted in accordance with the specifica- tions. Yeurs obediently June 6th, 1893. R. MATTHEWS. NEW ROAD TO OAKFIELD. The plan and sections of the proposed new road to Oakfieid were presented by the sur- veyor. The Chairman proposed that the Clerk write to Mr Pilliner asking if he would consent to the I deduction of a piece of land required, and stat- ing that the tenant was agreeable to it for his term. Mr Lawrence seconded, and the proposition was carried. On the proposition of Mr Parfitt, seconded by the Chairman, it was also agreed that the plan be forwarded to Mr Crawshay for his approval. The Chairman suggested that the estimate should be got out as early as possible, in order that the work might be proceeded with. PAINTING LAMP COLUMNS. Tenders for this work were received from S. Griffiths, at Is. 6d. per lamp A. Collins, at 2s. 3d. and C. Stock, for 30s. for the 31 lamps. On the proposition of Mr Parry, seconded by Mr Wallace, Stock's tender was accepted. SANITARY. With regard to the drain at the North End of the Grange-road, the Surveyor said the owners had had notices time after time, but nothing had been done in the matter. Mr Parfitt said repeated notices had been given, but to no purpose. The Board had laid a main drain close to the property, whereas the law said they should drain within 100ft. If cholera or fever were to break out in that neigh- bourhood, he was certain it would take away nearly the whole of the people living on the Grange-road, for the stench as they passed over the bridge to Pontnewydd Station was some- thing horrible, -tie would propose that the surveyor send a final notiee to the owners, and state that if the work was not done within 21 days, the Board would do the work and charge them with the cost. Mr Parry seconded the proposition, which was agreed to. The Medical Officer said the had been by the place for the last two days. The stench came right up to the back doors, and how people lived there he did not know. Mr Parfitt said he was glad that the medical officer had made that statement, or the impres- sion might get abroad that he was painting the place in too black colours. THE FIRE BRIGADE PAYING THE PIPER. The Fire Brigade committee presented a list of articles required. Mr Parfitt hoped the Fire Brigade would soon think of the poor ratepayers. The Fire Brigade would prove a very heavy item if they went on at that rate. Dr Murphy: This is not a heavy item. Mr Parfitt: We had some heavy items on the last account. Mr Tilney said the Fire Brigade would like to know whether the Board would contribute an annual subsidy, or pay them so much a month, the same as the Abersychan Local Board did. Unless they took them into their employ, as a Board, they could not make any charge when the brigade went outside the district to any fire. He understood it was necessary to get them into their employ in order to do that, and keep con- trol of the whole concern. He should like to have an expression from the Board as to whether the committee should deal with the matter. d d On the proposition of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Lawrence, the matter was referred to the committee, who would report at the next meeting of the Board. It was also resolved, on the proposal of Mr Lawrence, seconded by Mr Parfitt, that the seal of the Board be affixed to the deed conveying the Fire Brigade station from Mr Tilney ts the Board Mr Parfitt remarking that the deed was a very elaborate document for such a small I affair. MEDICAL OFFICER S REPORT. The Medical Officer's report was as follews :— Cwmbran, June 6th, 1893. Gentlemen,—Only two deaths oecurred ia your district during the month of May, giving a rate of 4'8 per 1,000. Ten births were registered, the rate being-24'4 per 1,000. Scarlatina has appeared in two houses. In both Sear instances the cases were mild. My attention has been drawn to the state of the drains at the north end of Grange-road, more especially to the drainage of the houses belonging to the Bridgewater Building Society, and I strongly ¡ urge the Board to move at once in the matter, iii the places complaint of are in a filthy condition. Yours obediently, W. E. C. MURPHY. HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION. A letter was read from the Local Government Board, adverting to the report of the medical officer for the past year, and stating that as the existence of 235 cases of scarlet fever during the year proved the necessity for providing hospital for isolating first cases, they would be glad to know what action the Board proposed to take in the matter. On the suggestion of the Chairman, the Clerk was directed to reply to the effect that the Board bad had the subject under their consideration for some time. COMPLAINT. A letter was read from Mr T. D. Roberts, engineer to the Great Western Railway Co complaining of the discharge of a quantity ot sewage above and below the Oakfield Bridge. On the proposition of Mr Parfitt, seconded by Mr Parry, the surveyor was instucted to abate the nuisance. FLOODED OUT. Mr J. B. Martin complained that through so many connections having been made, the drain at the top of his yard was not large enough to take off the water after a storm, the result being that water and dirt were brought into his house. His rooms were flooded and the floor joists and foundations injured. He enclosed a bill of 38. for cleaning after the last storm. Mr Parry thought it was the Board's duty to abate the nuisance complained of by putting in a few larger pipes. Mr Martin had been flooded out two or three times during the last twelve months. He would propose that the work be done and the bill be paid. Mr Tilney seconded. Mr Parfitt supported the proposition, and said he was passing by the house one day about twelve months ago when Mr Martin called hij in. The place was in a wretched state, and the stench almost unbearable. The proposition was agreed to. 1 FINANCIAL. R; The Clerk said that the balance due to the treasurer at the last meeting was £273 7s 5d, and, the cheques to be drawn that evening amounted to £176. Mr Parfitt: Can you tell me what was the amount of the outstanding rates in iniarch ? The Clerk Some X4 or E5. The Chairman At that rate 7d in the f wiH. not be sufficient. I Mr Parfitt said the fault lay in the fact that the Board went in for a lot of work which waS not provided for in the estimate. The Board then adjourned.

TREVETHIN SCHOOL BOARD, The monthly meeting of this Board was held at the Town Hall, Pontypool, en Tuesday after- noon. There were present:—Mr W. LewiO (chairman), the Rev P. A. Degen, DrA. DavieSt J.P., Messrs E. Jones, J.P., Thomas Willia D-/fvW^,J-1Evaua' ^Davies, T. Marshalltl and the Clerk. J The minutes of the last meeting were read all confirmed. ATTENDANCE REPORTS. Mr E. Jones (attendance officer for the Up Division) reported as follows :—Number of callo in May (absentees) Abersychan School 231, Pontnewynydd 200, Garn 199,Varteg 157, Blaely avon 53, Catholic 44 total. 884. Mr F. Kelly (Lower Division) reported tbft4 the absentees during the month were 904. MARRIAGE OF THE DUKE OF YORK. On the motion of the Rev Father DegeO»i seconded by Mr T. Williams, the Board uuani'1 mously decided to give the scholars in their di9' trict a holiday on the occasion of the marriage of the Duke of York, on July 6th. 0 ENFORCEMENT OF FINES. Mr Thomas Williams mentioned a case of a woman named Haymarns, who had been twicf" fined by the magistrates for not sending helf children to school, and the fines had not beeo paid. He understood that the parties lived in populous part of the district, and rather mad| game of the magisterial proceedings. He wished to know if something could not be done to eD' force payment of fines. The Clerk replied that in the case of Mr9 Haymans he had seen the magistrates' cierfc who had issued a commitment, and the fines had since been paid. THE ARCHITECT QUESTION. The Clerk, referring to a question raised at the last meeting, with respect to the appoint'! ment of Mr E. A. Lansdowne, Newport, & I architect to the Board, read the minutes of a resolution passed in 1875 appointing Mr Laos" downe as architect at 5 per cent. on the outlay, to cover all services. It transpired that commission upon extras had been paid in several instances during receo years, and The Rev P. A. Degen suggested that the resO; lution be rescinded, so that the Board should b? free to appoint what architect they chose, have the work open to competition. After discussion, Mr Lansdowne waited upon the Board amended plans of the alterations at the Pon^QI pool Board School, and the question of paym4^ was put to him. He consented to accept 5 W cent commission on the work in future, in cW. sideration of the Board paying for the printi of bills of quantities. j. The amended plans were passed, and the was instructed to forward them to the Educati" Department for approval. SUGGESTED NEW SCHOOL. I Mr E. Jones said that since they had decidea to have additional school accommodation Pontnewynydd and Cwmft'rwdoer, it occurred to him that it would be advisable d have a third school (infant and mixed) instea-9 to be built say at Freehold Land or the top Of George-street, Pontnewynydd. aS. The Rev F. Degen That has been gestion all along. ation The Clerk read a letter from the J3<3uca • Department, in reply to the Board s communi- cation, stating that in the opinion of their 10" spector the present building at Pontnewyoydo would not readily lend itself to satisfactory aiter- ation. The Clerk added that there also a din^ cuity about the Infant School at ^wmiirwdoer»j and if they built a new school as suggested, th9r difficulties would be overcome. At the suggestion ot tne Chairman, it w* decided that a committee consisting of the whole of the Board should meet on the followiw Tuesday at Pontnewynydd to consider the que*" tiol1. RPV, NL VAKTEG HILL SCHOOL. me Clerk reau Her Majesty's Insp^ctoi" r.€'P 01': tne examination of the above sciio°r* Ihe tocai grant earned was il86 10s, a, ao'Lt"" £ 187 16s 6d last year. In many resptcts tne 111, spector appeared dissatisfied with the arrack ments at the school. A letter was also read from the managers, W ing before the Board a report of the circO 0 stances which during the year had tended t f handicap the school—notably an epidemic illness which necessitated the closing of tIJ school for a period. A fter discussion, the clerk was instructed to AfEe write to the master for further information upotJ some of the points raised by the inspector. The Board regretted the report as to mixed school was not satisfactory, but we1*, glad to be able to classify the infant school satisfac Lory.'1 PONTNEWYNYDD SCHOOL. J The Clerk read a letter from Mr H. J. EnsjiaiT' master at this school, with reference to the c^ of the lad Jones, mentioned by Mr Marshall the last meeting. In his letter Mr Eugls^K described the boy as a terroi to all$ teachers," and said he had kicked him personal^ and also one of the teachers, and when spot0 to was most impudent. 9 The Board took no action in the matter. jfl EWMFFBWDOER SCHOUL. 6 On the recoromeridation of the manager, tho" EWMFFBWDOER SCHOOL.. On the recoromeridation 0f the manager, application of Miss Ada Fieldhouse, Biaena^?'. 1 for the post of assistant-mistress, was accept f PANTYGASSEG SCHOOL. c 1 A letter was read from tue Rev A. 1 Humphreys, YVesleyan minister, Pontypo0' I .stating that arrangements had been maue | erecting a place of worship at Paatygasseg, a'1, asking the Board to grant the use of the school- room on Sundays for divine service pending tb'" budding of the new chapel. J ( The Rev P. A. Degen said this matter b before the Board on a former occasio'' when the Board decided to stick to a resolut^j already on their books that no schoolroom shoU1 be granted for the purpose asked unless tb*i were satisfied that a building would be proceed*^ with by the applicants. As it was now stat^J that arrangements had been made for a place of worship, he would move that the reque of Mr Humphreys be complied with.. « Dr Davies seconded, and the proposition carried. COOKERY CLASSES. io The advisability of having cookery classes J connection with the schools was discussed, on the proposition of Mr W. H. Davies, p urgpd the importance of teaching cookery 1 their schools, the Clerk was instructed to get the information he could on the subject neighbouring School Boards, and also from £ *^1 I Hester Davies, principal of the Cardiff Sch of Cookery. ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS.. Jji A circular letter asking the Board to joj^d the Association of School Boards, was ord« to lie on the table. This was all the business.