South Wales Daily News

SELECTION OF CANDIDATES. The Press Association, telegraphing on Thurs- j 3ay night, says:—Mr Robert Wilhams-Wynn was to-day selected as Unionist candidate for ¡ Montgomeryshire, and Mr A. C. Humphrey- Owen, chairman of the Montgomeryshire County Council, was chosen as Liberal candidate.

SAVE THE CHILDREN. A FEW PLAIN FACTS. ARTICLE NO. IV. [BY A CORRESPONDENT.) The problem involved in the neglect of a large And growing class of the poorer children of Cardiff is becoming narrowed down to a single ism*. It is now a mere question of numbers. The inspector of schools, Mr Whitmell, has ex- pressed the opinion that the evidence so far Adduced demands an inquiry and this is a weighty opinion, if for no other reason than that he has dot hitherto looked with partiality on the day industrial school. The more prominent members of the board agree that the allegations ire trrave. but they deny the accuracy of the igurea. Of course, it is a difficult matter to prove on paper the existence of a large number of forlorn and neglected children. Only a properly conducted inquiry can possibly elicit reliable and jomplete information. It will be of interest, aowever, as it is denied that there are more than few cases uf children who are aob getting educated, to examine the following list of cases which have come before the notice of the Cardiff Waifs and Strays' Society. It should be observed that there has been no attempt made by this organisation to seek out im. perfectly educated children, air does it claim to have more than touched the fringe of the evil which exists in our midst. These instances are only typical they can be multiplied to an alarm- inll fvifcpnt- t -rY Age of Standard on Leav- child. ing SchooL State of Education. 11 — Not been to schooL 9 — «. Ditto. 6 — Ditto. 13 — Cannot read. 8 St I. Ditto. 11 St. II. „ Ditto. 16 — Does not read or write. 14 — Ditto. 9 St. L Cannot read. 12 St. II — 11 St. II. — 10 St. II. — 12 St. I Cannotread. 19 Infants. — 11 St. II. Not been to sebool for one year. JO St. I. Not been for two years. 14 St. IL Left 12 months. 13 — Has not been for 6 years. 13 < St. II. Has left. 11 St. IL Been one year only. 11 St. n. Not been this year. 14 «. — Only been once. — Only been for a week. 4# St. L Left in that standard. Ió St. IL Been one year. 18 — Not read or write. 13 — Doesn't know when he was at school. 14 St. L Cannot read. 15 St. L Cauitot read. I 12 — Not read or write. 12 St. L Cannot read. 14 Cannot read. 11 Cannot read. 13 St. IL Left two years since. 11 St. L Does not go. ..«* St. L Cannot read. 12 — Not read or write. 12 St. L Not know his letters. 11 Has never been. 15 — Not read or write. W St. UL Cannot read. 14 Cannotread. TaeM are only a few of the cases; I have before me at least three times the number, and all quite on a level with those quoted. I can only add Jbat in Canton, Roatb, Newtcwn, and Catbays ihere are hundreds who are thus absolutely neglected. They either do not go to school or Have never been, or go so irregularly that it is of -no use to them. Do not these facts demand some attention ?

PRIVATE .IMPROVEMENTS IN CAKDIFF. WHAT IS A STREET i A msetmg of the public works committee of the Jardiff Corporation was hvld on Thursday at the > | Town-hall. Mr F. J. Beavan presided, and ? illNe were also present Alderman T. Reee, jjj Messrs P. Morel, E. Thomas, Croseman, ijoinley, Morgan Morgan, and Jobnston.-A tport was read from the town clerk on the question of private improvements m St. y*#f»n's-slreet and other thoroughfares in the Miybbotirhood. He said a street included any ;aighway not being a turnpike road, any jKibhc bridge, or any lane, road, footpath, ilquaire, alley, or passage, whether a thoroughfare or not. It might be argued that a street meant a highway with bouses on both sides, but there did not appear to be any authority for this beyond the ofafcr dittrum of the judges. Still be believed St. Fagan's-street was a highway, and had every 3)eme.nt of a street. He advised the committee to ewry one the private improvements and charge thwowners with the cost. -Councillor Johnston wad this opinion wasquiteiii contravention with the ratings of the town clerk on previous occasions. St. Jagan's-street was a thoroughfare Which was only bnilt upon on one side, and the town clerk i bad argued for some time back that the eorpora. Va ti*n had no authority to do the work, inasmuch 1 as it was not a "street" within the meaning of | | the AciL-The streets in question are Saltmead- roMd. Wed more-read, Court-road, Allerton-, f j Cornwall-street, Devon-place, Dorset-' | street, Warwick-street, Warwick-place, Chester- stseet, Chester-place, Durham-street, Durham- Jaae.. Claude-road, and Arran-street.—It was, aFter discussion, agreed to instruct the surveyor to proceed with the work of paving and laying j ttaW stroess.

U ATTEMPF TO BLACKMAIL A ■ HOSPITAL NUKSE. P8U.L SERVITUDE FOR A BLACK- GUARD. At do Olcr Bailey on Thursday, Wm. Doylewaa j hatfteted for demand ing money by menaces from j 4fess Weir, nurse at Greenwich Hospital. The |' prisoner was for some time a patient at the in- i Srnaary, where Miss Weir nursed him, and after j. ae left he wrote her making certain insinuations, t-i: \lid aaying unless she leI; hIm have money he jr &told stop her from doing well. The prosecutrix I, aad not the remotest idea of the meaning of the insinuations. He was sentenced to seven years' penal servitude.

I MtwaHay5* LITW PIlls act direct, upon the Liver, ( the? cOnUis no nmewy, are citable for all age-! and elliaaoes, and without doubt are the best pill for 9' liver oolltplaiat aad intiigestion. Sold in Utmm 2b 64. and 4s 6^ post iree, by ihejrrsprietor, J BCmday, Chemist, 1, High-street, CardiflL ISUi

THE PEMBROKESHIRE INQUIRY. SITTING AT HAVERFORD- WEST. EVIDENCE OF AIR T. RULE OWEN. II MIGRATION FROM COUNTRY TO TOWN. HAVKRFOBDWEST, THURSDAY NIGHT. The Welsh Land Commissioners, during their sitting to-day in this ancient town, were furnished with atiiple proofs that even in Pembrokeshire, despite the glowing pictures of the happy state of affairs drawn by the landowners and their agents at the Pembroke inquiry on Tuesday, there are two sides, wide as the poles to the vexed question of land tenure and the condition of agricultural tenants. The whole of this morn- ing's sitting, and a good slice of time devoted to the inquiry after the adjournment for lunch, were taken up by the examination of Mr T. Rule Owen, a well known land agent and valuer, who was introduced to the Commissioners by Mr J. E. Vincent, the landowners'socretary, as a witness who, from the length and area of his experience, was the most important h3 (Mr Vincent) bad called before the commission. Mr Owen, however, when undergoing examination at the hands of Mr J. M. Griffiths, resented with some warmth the suggestion that he was a land- owners' witness. The statement submitted by Mr George on behalf of a combination of tenants proved a startling indictment of the present land system whioh was aptly described by a succeed- ing witness as a disgrace to a cvilised country. The third day's sitting of the Welsh Land Commissioners in Pembrokeshire was held on Thursday in the County-hall, Haverfordwest. Lord Kenyon having returned to England, the chair was occupied by Sir John Dillwyn Llewelyn, B\\rt., the other commissioners present being Mr D. Brynmor Jones, Q.C., M.P., Professor Rhys, Mr F. Seebohm, Mr Edwin Groves, Mr Richard Jones, and Mr J. M. Griffith. Mr T. E. Morris, barrister, again acted as secretary, and the landowners' interests were watched by Mr J. E. Vincent and Mr Lushington Stephen. There was a representative attendance of tenants, the landlords present being few in number.

PROTECTION OF WITNESSES. At the opening of the proceedings, Sir John Llewelyn said that it had been stated in evidence on the previous day by one witness that there were some tenant farmers in Pembrokeshixe who had bsen prevented by fear from coming forward to give evidence. On this point, be read out the remarks made by Lord Carrington at the opening of the inquiry as to the protection afforded to witnesses who appeared before Royal Commis- sions. Sir John also read tha letter written by Mr J. E. Vincent on behalf of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Landowners' Association, declaring that it was the desire of the members of that association tha6 their tenants could give evidence with feelings of absolute security that thy would not suffer in any way.

AN EXPERIENCED WITNESS. Mr T. Rule Owen, of Haverfordwest, was the first witness called. Examined by Sir John Llewelyn, Mr Owen said he was afsnt for several estates in South Wales, and had for over 40 years practised as land agent and valuer in Pembrokeshire. He was a Fellow of the Institu- tion of Surveyors, and was diocesan surveyor for the diocese of St. David's. He bad for various purposes valued fully two-thirds of the whole county of Pembroke. In his evidence be would speak of those estates for which he was in part or wholly agent, or with whioh he was connected in el,vers ways, amon/r them being those of Picton Castle (25,000 acres), Pentypark (1,500 acies), Withybnsh (2,000 acres), and others. The owners of the Picton estates were lords of several manors.

HOW LETTERSTON COMMON WAS ENCLOSED. Examined' as to Letters ton Common of 260 acres, Mr Owen said the common was enclosed between 1856 and 1864 under the Enclosure Act. Parts of it were sold to defray the expenses of enclosure, and the remainder allotted to the adjoining farms, to which the right of common was previously an appurtenance The enclosure of the common in some parts of it was taken in hand by the superior landlords, and the result had certainly been an improved productive power of the land. The best puce. of it had been allotted to the village of Letterston as recreation ground. There were no squatters' cottages upon the common. Sheep-runs such as those which had come before the commission in North Wales were non-existent in Pembrokeshire, the moun- tain land almost invariably being the private property of the owners of the adjacent farms.

ABSENTEE LANDLORDISM UNKNOWN. He was of opinion that absentee landlordism was for many reasons most objectionable, but he was happy to be able to state that in Pembrokeshire absenteelandlordism was very exceptional. As to the effect of absenteeism upon management, he believed that in the case of a good tenant it would make no difference bat in the case of an in. competent tenant the landlord's presence might. increase the chances of his removal.

LANDLORDS AND TENANTS AGREE TO DIFFER. He ventured to say that a long and exten- sive experience, he did not find that the difference of language, politics, or religion had any com- promising effect upon the relationship between the tenants and their landlords or their agents. As a proof of this he would mention the fact that two-thirds of the tenantry in the county held different religious or political views from their landlords.

THE TRAINING OF LAND AGENTS. He was diffident as to speaking about agents, but might say some haa not received speoial training, but the supply of qualified men was quite equal to the demand. The Institution of Suiveyors bad, and was doing, good work, educatingyoung men forthebusinessof land agency and land valuation, and no one could became a fellow or associate of the institution without passing a stiff and critical examination in agri. culture, He had been since its foundation one of the fellows of the institution, and also one of the managers. He had never had complaints as to incompetency on the part of agents.

NO DEMAND FOR LEASES. He had never known landlords unwilling to grant leases to good substantial tenants, bot tenants were diffident about binding themselves for a term of years, and many on the larger estates considered themseves as wall off without leases. On most Pembroke estates the tenancies bad run I in the. same families for many generations. Changes bad often arissn from families dying out, or the sole representative seeking larger or better farms. He had known many of the labouring class take farms, and the tendency, he should think, was usually an upward rather than a decaying one. Hardships rarely oocurred except where they were tracable to tbe tenant's own negligence or misfortune. None of the clausas in the agreement he used wera oppressive, and, as far as be had observed, they were beneficial to agriculture generally, that was to say if a tenant would abide by them It would be to bis own advantage as well as bis landlord's.

RENTS. Rents varied a good deal, but taking out mountain land the average in Pembroke would be 163 to 17s per acrp. The common lands over which rights of pasture were given w th particular farms was in that county so poor that they not be likely to materially affect the rents. Under old leases services wwre very common, but they were scarcely heard of now. The carriage of a load of coal and one or two fat hens at Christmas were usually all that remained, and they were both too small to take into con- sideration in the rent.

HOW RENT IS FIXED. Rent was fixed by valuation, and agreed upon by private treaty with satisfactory results. In some special. such as accommodation land, it was let by tender. The capital of a tenant was often inadequate. As a general rule, Pembrokeshire landlords were not foolish enough to let land to the highest bidder. Rent bad been raised where old leases had expired or old tenancies ended in prosperous times. There had been little alteration on many estates since tithe commutation, and some permanent reduc- tions had been made on each estate for which he acted. Abatements were general in bad years, which in Pembrokeshire commenced about 1886 to 1887. Notice of abatement was given and promised for two years or mote. Rents bad not been raised in good times on those estates. He did not think tenants caald obtain reduction of local rates assessments even if rent abatements were for three or more years.

DEPRECIATION OF STOCK AND PRODUCE. As to which a few years ago sold for £ 14 to £ 16 had in fche last two years not realised half that amount. Sheep had varied considerably, ball not go much as cattle. Pigs u i t Rents nsed to be i»id promptly, ? th*fc w*f now expected. Tenants would often come to their landlords and say that if they most pay promptly they would have to sell their stock, and the answer from the landlord generally was. Keep your stock and leave the rent. He thought that if the preferential claim for rent were abolished it would make the land. lord demand rent in advance, and this would be disadvantageous to tenants in many ways. Local rates had increased a third in twenty years chiefly owing to school board rates and in in highway rates. The SCARCITY OF tABOUB waa felt considerably, farmers beinf till to keep water courses, fences, &c., in order, although this was not notioeable in some districts. There was also difficulty in obtaining maid servants, which was unfortunate in Petnbroke- shiro because it was exceptional for men to do milking. Most of the young mAn emigrated to the hills for coal mining, in the hope of getting better wages, not so much on account of the de- sire to live in towns. 1h land was going out of cultivation, but some land was insufficiently cultivated because of the labour scarcity. A fair proportion of land had been reclaimed by tenants, such as furzy fields grubbed up, and pieces of mountain land closed and cultivated. Wet moor- lands were drained usually by tho landlord sup- plying tbe materials and the tenants the labour. A considerable increase bad taken place in

THE GROWTH OF ROOT CROPS. Permanent improvements were made by the owners, so that he had not often been callwl in to value under the Holdings Act. Farmers were ignorant of the provisions of this Act. He would not say it was not workable, but it was only partially so.

LAND AGENTS HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF LAND. Mr George, in his evidence, said that land agents in that county received no special training. They were nice, social gentlemen, but had no knowledge of land. An attempt had been made to set up political and religious hatred, but be was glad to say it had not succeeded. He pro- duced a copy of a letter written by a gentleman advising landlords not to contribute to the support of the preachers, nor to let land to Radical tenants. Some of the conditions of agreements weie oppressive.

AGREEMENTS. Only one copy of agreement was often made, and that was kept by the landlord, and when the tenant left be found the agreement contained very objectionable clauses. Often agreements were written on pocket-books, and witnessed by tbe servant girl. (Laughter.) Farms were often let to the highest bidder, or the selected tenant had to give such highest bid. That did not result in fair rents being fixed. He knew a case where, on rfe-valuation, the rent was re- duced £ 30, and the landlord pnt 15 per cent, on the amount of the valuation. Rents had been raised from 50 to 2SO per oenO. He only knew of one or two cases of permanent reduction. The abatements were irregular, and always stopped too soon. Rents wera more frequently raised than reduced. Rents were raised where the owners lived beyond their m»ans. He knew of a case where an owner of land which was mortgaged had asked the overseer to raise tti o valuation-togive him another dip, he (w i tness) supposed. (Laughter.) Sub-division was much resorted to, and led to increased rents and starvation of tenants. He knew of a case where a rent of 2125 had been raised to R300, an old barn being turned into a dwelling-house and some outhouses built for the pigs. Professor Rhys: They wore better off? Witnsss: Yes, the pigs are always fat, and man looks very poor. (Laughter.) Examination continued There was no scarcity of labourers, but the farmers conld not pay them The had to go with close-reefed topsail just now. There were oases or persons being turned out without compensation for even the buildings they had erected for necessary purposes. The game preserving was now less injurious than it usad to be. The general relations between landlord and tenant were friendly. What tenants desired was that rents should be fair to them and to the land- lords. That the landlords should have a fair share of the produce of the farms as rent, and that tenants should receive a fair return for the labour of themselves and their children and for their capital. (Applause.) To arrive at this there should be uniformity of rent according to quality, and the basis should bo the prices of produce, so that both tenant and landlord would share the gains and the losses which would follow the fluctuation of prices. Examined by Mr Grove, witness said that railway rates were so excessive that it was often better to keep the produce at home than to send it to market. Discussing remedies with Mr Seebohm, witness said that he was a bit of a Home Ruler himself, but it was a fact) that among all parties in the county the feeling was that they should have some land-court to which they could refer thwr agreements and have their rents adjusted. To Mr Richard Jones, the witness said abatements began too late and ended too soon, and landlords bad really not realised the state of the times. Mr Jones: And if they realised it, you think they would recognise it by giving greater abate- ments?—Yes, and I hope this commission will quicken their recognition.

THE ADVICE OF THE UNIONIST AGENT. Replying to Mr Brynmor Jones, witness said that the letter inciting landlords to prefer Unionist tenants was written by Col. Esmonde White, the Conservative agent for Pembroke- shire, and appeared in a local paper on the 5th of October, 1892. The letter was as follows :— Unionist landowners can materially assist if only they banded themselves together as the Radicals do. Why should the farmer grant land or give money to support chapel-A so long; as their congregations are avowedly hostile to the Unionist Cause ? Why should they assist tb" preacher so long as be is the deadliest enemy of iheir class ? And why should they give their farms to Radical tenants so long as good or better Unionists apply for them ? Nay, why should they, as is often the ease, give preference to Radical applicants who will voto against the principles and interests which they (the landowners) profess to have at heart. Witness explained that the landlords had not acted upon this advic*, and he was of opinion that the writer was now sorry he had written such a letter. Replying to further question?, the witness said that one landlord who charged 5 pec cent. on improvements was Mr Chits. Matthias, while the landlord, who kept the agreement in a pocket- book, was Mrs Summers, of Moor. The in- creased rentals he had mentioned covered in one case 39 yrirs, and the others 22 years. Mr J. Gibbey, of Talbanny Hnll, Little Haven, corroborated the evidence of Mr George. Mr David Bowen, Monk Hill, Milford Haven, and Mr Win. Davids also confirmed Mr George's testimony. Mr John Llewellyn, of Little Haven, said that his ancestors for many generations had occupied a farm the owner of which was in America. He received notice to quit, and was turned out with- out compensation for the buildings he had put up, with the exception of £14 for one stable. Other tenants had similar notice. Witness was not a farmer now. He had been ruined by rack- renting. The present land laws were a disgrace to civilisation. Mr John Walters, Southwood Rook gave a favourable account of his landlord, and Mr J. P. Bushel 1, Park East, New Moat, a tenant of the Seourfield estate, favoured the maintenance of present relations between landlord and tenant. Mr Richard Morris, of Burton, another tenant of the Scourfield estate, objected to a land court for the tenants of the large and old estates, but said some authority was needed to adjust matters between tenants and the petty landlords. For remedy he would tax flour, barley, aad oats.

THE MONMOUTHSHIRE SITTINGS. The commissioners have arranged to visit Mon- mouth3bire next week, and to sit at the following centres Tuesday Abergavenny. Wednesday Newport. Thursday Blackwood. Friday Monmouth. Saturday Chep-stow.

FALSE TEETH-NOT A NECESSITY. AN AMUSING CASE. People managed to do without false teeth for many hundreds of years," said Judge Lumley Smith in the Westminster County-court, and therefore I cannot see that they are necessary, or that a wife is entitled to pledge her husband's credit for them." He therefore gave judgment against the dentist who supplied the lady with the articles and in favour of the husband who refused to pay for them. It appeared that a sadler in Arundel, named Tilley, allowed his wife j61 a week for her maintenance, while he hved separately from her! The lady resolved to call into requisition the resources of dental civilisation to repair tbe defects of Nature, and therefore employed Mr Bromley, a Weat-end dentist, to fill up the vacant spaces in her tsetb. The bill, amounting to £ 6, was sent to her husband, who refused to pay it, on the ground that the things were not necessarie3, and that his spouse had no authority to pledge his eredifc The judge agreed with him in the sentence above quoted, and added, If a wife went to a parish doctor he would net give her falsa teeth." This is hard on ladies, but must be taken as the law. A wife living with her husband would, perhaps^ have had a case, because she could have pleaded that it was absolutely necessary for her ally's happiness that she should look as pretty as pos- sible but while the parties were asunder such an argument could not be advanced. To cub necessities down to the limit allowed by the parish makes the prospect for infants" of luxurious tastos, and others dependent on outside support, an appallingly dismal one.

THE LOSS OF THE CLYTHA. BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY. At Cardiff, on Thuresday, Mr T. W. Lewis (stipendiary), assisted by Captain Knox, R.N., and Captains Anderson and Richardson (Mercan- tile Marine assessors) resumed the inquiry into tbe circumstances attending the collision between the steamers Clytlia and Cadoxton, in Barry Roads, on tbe 17th February last, when the first- named vessel foundered with seven hands.—Mr Waldron appeared for the Board of Trade Mr Roe (from the office of Mr Vachell) represented Captain W. Browne, master of the Cadoxton Mr Arthur M. Ingledew appeared for the master of the Clytha, Captain Satterley.—Mr James Thomas, mate of the Cadoxton, re-called, said although it was raining at the time of the collision, he was quite certain that the riding light of the Cadoxton was clearly visible to the Clytha as she approaohed his vessel.—Mr John Andrew Howe, Cardiff pilot, who was aboard tha Cadoxton, also spoke to the weather being such that the latter vessel's light must have been visible a mile off. He was certain of that, because they could see heo Holm's light distant 4% miles, and Bteaksea light was also visible. Asked whether tho course taken by the Clytha was. a safaxme, he said he, as a pilot, considered iti safer to go further out- side, since Barry Dock had been opened, So as to avoid ships in the roads.— David John Howe, a son of the last witness, a boy of 15, who gave his evidence very intelli- gently, said he was on bis father's cutter lying alongside tbe Cadoxton, and could distinctly see the lights of the Clytha :tS she came on before the collision. Both the Cadoxton and the pilot cutter carried riding lights.— The master of the Clytha, again bailed, said he could give no explanation of the light of the Cadoxton nut being saen earlier, unless it was the state of the weather. Asked whether if the state of the weather was such that the lights could not be seen, he considered it pru- dent to proceed, as he did, at full spsed, he replied that he thought the weather was clearer, and that he could see further than he was actually able to. His reason for altering his course was because be thought ho saw something inside, and wished to avoid it. It was not the practice in bis experience for the mate to be on the forecastle in narrow waters and anting shipping. The duties of a mate on leaving port were to olear up the decks. He considered that as he himself was on the bridge, and a look-out man was posted, the mate was net required to assist in the safe navigation of the vessel.—Mr Waldron then, on behalf of the Board of Trade, asked the court to say whether the Cadoxton took up a safe and proper anchorage and complied with the regula- tion for preventing collisions at sea; whether a good and proper look-out was kept on board tbe Clytha whether she was navigated at a sufficiently moderate rato of speed and with seanianlike care whether the captains and chief mates of both Vessels, and the pilot to blamfej? He also asked that the certificate of the master of theOiycba be dealt with.—Mr logledew addressed the court on behalf of his client, urging that the accident was due to peettbat atmospheric conditions prevailing at the time, and that at most the captain was guilty only of an error of judgment,—The inquiry was then adjourned till to-day, when judgment will bo delivered.

BANKRUPTS AND SCHOOL BOARDS. AN INTERESTING DECISION. The Appeal Court on Thursday gave judgment in the case of Bourke and others v. Nutt, in which the plaintiffs petitioned against the return of Mr G. Nutc, member for Pulborough School Board, Sussex, on the ground that at the time of tbe election he was an undischarged bankrupt.. The Divisional Court had upheld this contention, and Mr Nutt appealed. The higher court now held that his appeal must be allowed with costs, and the petition dismissed, inasmuch as the appellant was adjudicated under the Act of 1869. and by the Education Act of 1871 bankruptcy of a school board member merely voided his election, did not prevent the elsctors from re-electing him.

1 J CARDIFF AND SWANSEA FREE LIBRARIES. A COMPARISON. A comparison of the growth of the Cardiff Free Library with that of Swansea shows that while from 1851 to 1894 the number of volumes in the Cardiff Library has increased from 13,302 to 51,008, and the circulation of books from 62,281 to 175,984, at Swansea the increase has been from 29,983 to 38i932. and the circulation has grown frem 86,347 to 178,081. Now, though the number of books in the Swafrsea Library is less than that at Cardiff, and Wje population of Swansea much less than that of Cardiff, the public use of the Swan- sea institution is greater. A penny rate at Car- diff produces over £3,000, and at Swansea only £1,200. —

WALTHAM ABBEY EXPLO- SIONS. -.0. COLONEL MA JEN DIE'S REPORT. Colonel Majendie, reporting upon the two explosions at Joyce's Ammunition Factory, Waltham Abbey, whereby a man named Burton and a lad named Bird lost their lives, absolves Burton, who was mixing at the time of the first explosion, from all blame for that mishap. He. bowever, attributes the second explosion to a fall of debris upon a bottle containing composition, which Burton should not have allowedto be in the shed at the time. Bird was killed by tBis aedond explosion, and three others were injured.

SHOCKING RESULT OF INTEMPERANCE, KILLED HER SON WITH A FIRE SHOVEL. At tfie Old feailey on Thursday, Ana Berry, a married woman, was sentenced to three months' bard labour for the manslaughter of her son, aged 18, at whom she threw a fire shovel because he refused to give her his weekly wages. Justice Grantham advised the prisoner t3 refrain from alcohol when she left prison.

_n_ I New SnoitT STORY EVKRY WEKK.—On Satiir-, day next will be published in the Cardiff limes "Ud South ICates Weekly News a new short storv (complete entitled, Loveless liberty," by Hatwectt ferterley. THK LASS THAT LOVKD A MINER." A brilliant aew serial story under.tbis UUti U aaw ap- Rearing 16 tfie, Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly

SOUTH WALES COAL TRADE. RETURNS FOR FEBRUARY. We furnish below particulars as to the exports f coal, coke, patent fuel, and iron from the various ports of South Wales and Monmouthsbiro during the month of February, the figures having been compiled from Browne's Export List. With tho returns for the past month are also given thosO f "jr the month of January CARDIFF. Coal. iron. Coke. P. Fuel. January &92.021 „ 1,933 7 941 ,V)030 February. 80^92 „ 'm 1 9^6 ^$917 1,901,913 2,104 18,177 43,9i Tha largest coal cargoes were shipped to Alexandria, 12.261 tons; Algiers, 10,374 Bar- celona, 23,510 Buenos Ayres, 27,122 Bor. deaux, 12,060; Bombay, 39,129; Batavia, 12,937; Constantinople. 23,107; Colombo, 15 651 Cape de 13,859 Cape Town, 11,530 Genoa, 86,373; Gibraltar, 18,090; Havre, 33,237; Lif<bon, 10.629; Malta, 22,223; Marseilles, 32.305 Monte Vids >, 10,120 NapK-s, 10,011 J Port Said, 86,649 Rio de Janeiro, 22,193 St. ^.re, 27,578 St. Malo, 12,313; Santos, 11,293 Venice, 18,037. SWANSEA. Coal. Iron. Coke. P. Fuel January 80,337 116 347 28,826 February 81,508 160 „ 353 24,433 161,845 275 700 53,259 1 Were exP°rted principally to :Bayonne, 1,000 tons 5 Caen, 8,166; Copenhagen, 1,440; Dieppe, 7,145; Fecamp, 1.471; Guernsey, 3,961; Granville, 1,843 Havre, 4,433; Honfieur, 1,829; 1 noA tl» i Lisbon, 3,138; Rocbeforb, I,220; 5,493 Reunion, 1,930 River P™a' i'024 8t' Mal°. 2,090 St. Nuzaire, II,780; bavona, 1,788; Sables d'Olonne, 3,738; San Francisco, 2,700; Trouville, 4,812. NEWPORT. T Iron- Coke. P. Fuel January 192,50^ „ 1,005 5,521, February Id9,185 5,277 74 2,921 391,687 5,277.. 1,079 8,442 The principal places to which coals were ex- ported during the month were :-Alexandria, 9,658 Algiers, 11,055 Bilbao, 10,546; Buenos Ayres, 8,S83 Genoa, 23,354; Gibraltar, 12.154 Marseilles, 11,143; Naples, 7,711; Lisbon, 7,622; Lephorn, 5,301; Passages, 2,370; Port La Plata, 3,259; St. Nazaire, 3.637; Savona, 7,669; Venice, 6,668. LLANELLY. Coal. Iron. Coke. P. Fuel. January 11,478 — — February 9,495 628 w. — w. 2,921 20,974 628 — 2,921 The principal places to which coals were ex- ported were Caen, 1,880; Dieppe, 3,8051 Rouen, 1,663. COMPARATIVE TABLE OF COAL EXPORTS. THE TVNE PORTS. Feb.. 1894. Feb., 1893. Newcastle 291,578 „ 256,236 North Shields 61,215 „ 40,728 South Shields 18,070 „ 14,863 360,853 311,817 THE WELSH PORTS. Feb., 1894. Feb., 1893 Cardiff 909,892 816,142 Newport 199,185 126,993 Swansea 81,508 71,102 Llanelly 9,496 11,699 Total. 1,100,081 1,024,941 The following table shows the total shipments of coal, foreign and coastwise, from the coal ports of Qreat Britain during the months of February, 1894, and February, 1893, respec- tively:— Foreign. Coastwise 1894. 1893. 1894. 1893. Cardiff 909,892 816,142 131,725 118,635 Swansea. 81,508 71,102 55,589 51,095 Newport 199,185 125,998 85,451 84,009 Llanelly 9,496 11,699 3,760 3,165 Newcastle 291,578 256,236 418.2S2 327,65 £ N. Shields. 51,215.. 40,700.. 220 S. Shields 18,070.. 14,853.. 18,150 21,920 Blytb 148,060 69,541.. 19,718.. 16,033 Amble. 15,900 13.650 14,886 11,827 Sunderland .109,939 81,710 170,371 170,364 Seahatn 2,920.. t4,050 37,695.. 41,185 Hartlepool 5,824 4,148 59,437 69,147 Stockton —— —— —— Middlesbrough.. 2,683 1,231 1,240 145 Hull 40,519 ,122.. 17,150.. 15,051 Goole 40,502 34,212 21,451 32,897 Troon 5,957 5,698.. 19,626.. 12,477 Ardrossan 2.257 1,150 17,180 11,635 Ayr 2,382.. 1,140.. 36,261.. 37,04:! Irvine 1,190 1,164 12,978 15,292 Alloa 4.249 5,520 3,327 4,827 Kirkcaldy 31,530 15,446 2,140 60 Methill 24,481 15,994 4,695 3,557 Whitehaven. 150 18,719 12,982 Liverpool 20,417 22,258 69,316 66,156 Grimsby. 47,795 15,029 4,140 4 252 Granton 6,980 2,266 731 2.J65 Dundee 1C2 225 75 Barrowstosess.. 28,633 16,429 5,865 6,165

REVIEWS OF WELSH ¡ PERIODICALS. "TTRAETHODYDD" (The Essayist) for March is the oldest Welsh quarterly, being now in its 51st year. It has from the commencement sustained the reputation of being in the first rank for sound and classic articles, and the present number fully bears out the reputation. The first essay, on Ernest Renan and his Book aid iligi Life of Jesus, by the Rev. David Evans, M.A., is the commencement of a keen examination of the brilliant, though dangerously mis. leading, French writer. Archdeacon Edmund Prys, who flourished about three centuries ago, i? the subject of an interesting sketch by the Rev. Robert Owen, M. A. The archdeacon was a great scholar, and is principally remembered for his classic version of -.be Psalms, specimens ot which were published by Islwyn in the Cardiff Tiotet when the Welsh column was under his editorship. The third part of an article by Edward Jones, on the Rev. Peter Williams, is worth perusing by all interested in the religious life of Wales a century or so ago. The last article in the "Traethodvdd" is by Mr W. Cadwaladr Davies, on "'The Welsh University." It is both interesting and in- structive, and will doubtless command much attention amongst educated Welshmen. Tbe Traethodydd is published by the National Welsh Press Company, Carnarvon, price Is. "Y FWYELL" (The Battle Axe), under the editorship of the Rev. J. Evans (Eglwysbach), Pontypridd, is a neW candidate for favour in Welsh literary oircleS. It is published for the furtherance of Mr Evans's important undertaking of home missioning among the mining population surrounding Pontypridd. As such it deserves sympathetic support. It is talented and clever, and for its price (2d a month) will no doubt secure a wide support, if it were only for its literary ability. "Y LLUSERN" (The Lamp), a Calvinistic Methodist penny miscellany for the churches and Sunday-schools of the denomination, has many pieces of much interest of the people of rr Hen Gorff, and will, doubtless, continue to secure both their interest and edifioation. THE MONTHLY TuxAsujtv is an English penny organ ot tho English Calvinistic Metho- dists, or Presbyterian Church of Wales," it styles itself. It is published by the Rev. D. O'Brien Owen, for the General Assembly, at Car- narvon. It contains a summary of the lecture delivered at Bala Theological College by the Rev. J. Wyndham Lewis, of Carmarthen, on The Obligations of the Principality to the Pulpit," a valuable lecture, though not so full as we have seen it in Welsh. It were woll if Mr Lewis would expand and print it in pamphlet form, for it is really worth keepitlg. The Treasury b several other sketches, all ot which will repay reading attentively. YR HAUL (The Sun), printed by Meggis Spurrull and Son, Carmarthen, price 3d. This, the old representative of the Church of England in the Welsh language, is one of the oldest periodicals we have, and is ciever and entertain* ing to its constituents, of whom there is a vasil number in Wales yet. The articles in tbepreseut issue will be very interesting to many readers besides Churph people.

THE DEFECTS OF THE AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS ACTS. The Act was partially satisfactory, but might be made much more so. An amended Act would do a very great deal of good. The great want of the present Act was .that it did not deal suffi- ciently with the compulsory clauses so far as the items for valuation were concerned, and which should be uniform throughout the country. The Act was overburdened also with legal phraseology of uncertain intention. Almost every county bad its own particular custom, and the Act dealt mostly with those seldom needed. HOW TO AIIEND THEM. If the commissioners would call a meeting Of conference of the members of those associations who had constantly to administer the Act, he thought they would be able to recommend an Act for universal use. Unless all classes worked together with a real intention of just concession it would be impossible to make the Act satisfactory. Any Act that rendered the farmer's position more secure must also protect tbe landlord's inteiests, hence his suggestion.

GAME AND CULTIVATION. Cultivation was not affected by game preserving except around covers. Game had given rise to unpleasantries between landlord and tenant, which had been modified by the Ground Game Aot. Game preservation turned out a few more poachers amongst the labourers, and the public were benefited by game preservation. Other results were insignificant. Tenants were very anxious to preserve winged game. The law of trespass should be strengthened to prevent people coming after blackberries, mushrooms, etc. Very little

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION was being given, but it was increasing. Railway rates were high and prohibitive. There was very little co-operation amongst farmers, and insurance was not so general as was desirabl-?.

THE CONDITION OF FREEHOLDERS. Inherited freeholds had not decreased, and purchased freeholds had been numerous during the last six years, chiefly owing to the desire to remain on land where they were bred and born. In some cases prices were high, others reasonable and others less than value. Many were bought with borrowed money at an average of 4 per cent, interest. The present condition' of freeholders who are mortgaged was worse than that of the tenant. Small farmers and their wives worked hard, and the children for board and clothing, though farmers often set their sons up in farms. Cottage accommodation was improving, and the supply exceeded the demand. Tho emigratioa of farmers was very small, but that of labourers con- siderable.

A PROGRAMME OF REMEDIES. As remedies, he would suggest better meth'ods of farming, greater attention to the breeding of good stock, stricter economy of provender, and more attention to the quality of manures, for he believed that a large proportion of the land of this country might be made to produce half as much again as it does. Ha also advocated equalisation of taxation, for the land, be maintained, was now over-taxed, and paid more than its proper share of rates and taxes. He would suggest universal free trado, or, until that time arrived, sufficiently operative protective duty to enable the farmer to carry on his caHing at a fair remuneration to himself, with a mini- mum of loss to the gensral public. He did not consider that any one could justyetsaggestwh&ttbe proper remedies should be, for he did not think that up to the present time they had quite found out what the disease was. It was a matter for grave consideration for all interested in agri- cultural production, and required the united wisdom of gentlemen like the commissioners to pat them right in the matter.

MR BRYNMOR JONES CROSS- EXAMINES. Mr Brynmor Jones: You suggested that certain improvements could be made in the Act. Do you think there would be any complaint on the part of landowners if the two months' notioe were got rid of ?—I do not think so. But there should be some notice. If the tenant omi the notice he loses the claim ?—If tenants understood the Act better they would be more careful about doing these things. Would it not be very much better if it were doae away with altogether ?—I still think there should be notice, in order that tbe landlord should have an opportunity of considering the claim .which he might have to make against the tenant, which he possibly might not be able to do without due warning. Wbaft improvement in procedure would yoa suggest Should not the tenant be allowed to make the improvements in part one, first schedule, or any of them, without the consent of the land- lord being required, such as the formation of silos, etc. ?—No, I think the landlord ought to be first asked, and given an opportunity of doing these things himself. Many landlords, taking into consideration tbe bad times, would be prepared to do so. But if the landlord refuses the tenant could not get these things done. If he did them himbelf it would be at considerable risk. What do ycra say aboat that Don't yon think it wonld be bene- ficial to all parties if the tenant were willing to enlarge the buildings, &0. ?—I do not wish to commit myself to the principle at once. I think it is capable of being, with proper reservations, applied. I will ten yon what is in my mind. It is that there should be an appeal in cases of refusal to a referee ?—I am not prepared to say that I would approve of the alteration. It might assume a tangible form beneficial to both parties. I would prefer not giving more answers on the subject now.

LAND COURTS OBJECTED TO. Further examined by Mr Brynmor Jones, witness said a land court would be most prejudi- cial to tenants and landlords. He believed tenants could make better terms with their landlords than through any third person. He believed that if they canvassed Wales 99 out of every 100 tenants would object to a land court if the matter were properly explained to them. Replying to Mr Griffith, the witness said that during the last 40 years snch sales of land as had occurred were at the average rate of from 27 to 28 years' purchase. If a land court were established, tenants who had tried it once would not try it again. Questioned by Mr Richard Jones and other commissioners, the witness admitted that com- petition for farms tended to increase rents. He declined, however, to agree with the suggestion that present rents were abnormal. The times were abnormal. Tbe depression was only temporary, and times would certainly improve, but thd good times wonld not be wholly recovered.

THE EVILS OF EDUCATION: TOWN PREFERRED TO COUNTRY. Discussing with Professor Rhys tbe migration of country lads to towns, tbe witness expressed the belief that education bad a great deal to do with this. Lads now preferred tine clothes and town life to the more healthful occupations of rural districts. Professor Rhys: Do yon think elementary education is carried to such an extent ? Witness I certainly think that education in elementary schools is carried on to such an extent as very often to unfit children to many of the states of society to which it has pleased Providence to place them. This ia often the result of forcing children to laarn things which hereafter may not be ef any use to them. Professor Rhys Then there must have been much progress since the time I was inspector of schools. The great difficulty then was to find that beys left school without any adequate know- ledge of arithmtic for ordinary purposes*

REBUTTING TESTIMONY. Mr T. P. Mousley, in reply to the evidence of Mr William James at Narberth on Wednesday, denied, on behalf of bis father and himself, that they had raised tha rents in consequence of land- grabbers seeking farms. The increase in Mr James's rent was in consequence of expenditure on the property. Witness also denied that rents on the Cawdor estate were raised at 21 years' periods. s To Mr Brynmor Jones They bad received applications for farms which had sitting tenants, They always had applications in case a farm is to let." He never knew of the rent being raised on the sitting tenant in such cases. To Mr Griffiths He only succeeded his father as agent last year.

THE CASE FOR THE TENANT FARMERS. Mr John GfOorgè, of Hasgnard, Littte Haven, presented a statement, signed by himself and five other farmers, and Sir John Llewelyn announced he would ask the other signatories. to listen to Mr George's examination, and then thoy would be viven the opportunity of adding any other points.

MR WILLIAM JAMES EXPLAINS. The Chairman read a note from Mr William James, of Stubbledoro, explaining that his state- ment at Narbortb on Wednesday must have been misunderstood. What he meant to oonvey was not that rents were raised on sitting tenants on the Cawdor estate, but that when & tenant Mked for a reduction land-grabbers heard of it and offered ths same rent. That, Mr James added, had occurred recently.

THE LAWRENNY TESTIMONIAL AGAIN. The CUairniatt announced a memorial had liteen handed in, which appeared to be a testimonial to the character of Mr Lort Phillips, of Lawrenny. The corpmissjoners did not receive memorials, but if any of the suggestors were present they might give evidence respecting it. The names of two or three signatories were called, but no one answered, and the commissioners adjourned.

INSURING A MOTHER-IN-LAW A VIGOROUS OLD LADY. In the Divisional Court on Wednesday —before Mr Justice Mathew and Mr Justice Cave-a motion was heard on the part of the defendants in an action of Mitchell v. the Liverpool Victoria Legal Friendly Society for a writ of certiorari removing the trial of the action from the Burnley County-court to the Superior Courts.—Dr. Blake Odcers, Q.C., who app4^red for the defendant company, said the plain- tiff had in 1885 insured his mother-in- law for Llg 4s, the premium being a shilling per week. The plaintiff alleged that it waa then represented to him by the company's agent that if he paid the premium he would receive the amount of the policy upon the death of his mother-in-law but the mother-in-law, instead of dying, still continued to lire, and he now brought an action to recover;020 Is for premiums paid on the life policy. He had continued paying up to December last, when he was informed by the defendant company that they would not pay on the policy unless he bad a nomination from bis mother-iu-law as her legal representative in the event of her death, and the mother-in-law de- clined to make the nomination. (Laughter.) The point of law which this question gave rise to was regarded as of much importance by the defendant company and by friendly societies, and they Wished to have the matter decided in the High Courts as to how far they were liable for representations not alleged to have been frau- dulent, but which were at variance with tbe Act of Parliament and at variance with the express words on the policy. Counsel further alleged that this was only an attempt in the interests of shop- keepers in Lancashire, whose custom was to receive these policies from customers to obtain repayment of premiums in advance of nomina- tioos. He therefore contended that it was not a case to be tried by a jury in the county court. —The Court refused the order askbd for on the ground that the right of appeal Jay from the county-court if there was any objection to the ver- dict of the jury, which would no doubt be directed upon points of law.

PROPERTY SALE, J ABERDARE. On Tuesday evening Mr J. H. James sold by public auction at the Royal Exchange, Trecynon, a house situate at 10, Edward-street, Trecynon for 2160, to David Williams, the lease being some 70 years. Messrs Linton and C. and W. Kenahole were the vendor'# Solicitors.

I:' SCOTTISH MINERS' STRIKE. The executive of the Fife ani Kinross Miners' Association recommended the men employed by two coal masters who refused to co-operate with the other coal masters to come out on strike.

CtKANlNG S:ILVER.All difficulty in keeping silver, electro-plate, &c., untarnished and with a bril- liant polish, may be obviated by using Goddard'a.iSon- MercuriM Plate Powders Sola everywhere 111 boxes Is. 28 6d. and 49 6d. Six Gold Medals.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY. ENGINEERS' ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE. PROPOSED NEW WORKS IN SOUTH WALES. The engineers to the Great Western Railway Company have prapared the detailed estimates of the expenditure that will have to be incurred by their company in carrying out the numerous works contained in the Company's Omnibus Bill for next Session. These estimates cover 18 pages of printed matter, and show that the total sum estimated to be required for the whole of the proposed works is £901,513 12s lid. Of this sum £438,387 8s lid will, it is estimated, be expended upon nsw railways in Wales, of which £409,636 6a lid will bo spent upon new railways in the counties of Monmouth and Glamorgan. The details of the expenditure upon the pro- posed railways in these counties ara as follows:— For the construction of the railway 1 mile 3'65 chains in length in the parish of Bedwellty (Monmouthshire), commencing by a junction with the company's Pennar Branch Railway and terminating near ? building known as Twyn- gwyn, it is estimated that the sum of £20,209 12s 4d will be required, of which £1,600 will be set iisida for the acquisition of tbe necessary eight acres of land required for the railway. The estimates show that tbif railway will be mainly in cuttings, the cost of which will be £9,583. The lino will be single throughout its whole length. For the construction of those portions of the East Usk Railway sanctioned in 1885, the powers to construct whioh are proposed to be revived for a period of five years, the sum of £2,954 2s 3d is set down as being required. The total length of these railways will be 1 mile 2 furlongs 11 chains, and from the estimates it appears that tbe railways will £ be constructed as double lines entirely upon em- bankments, and at an estimatsd cost of £12,741 7s 6d. The cost of the bridge over St. Julian's Pill is estimated to absorb £1,000. The remaining projected railways in South Wales will form part of a new system, the main line of whioh will be over eight miles in length, commencing in tho parish of Margain, Glamor- ganshire, by a junction with the Suuth Wales Railway of the company and terminating in the parish of Llangynwyd by a junc- tion with the Llyuvi Valley Railway. The estimated cost of tbis railway, which will be a double line throughout, is £338,705 11s 4d. The quantity of land proposed to be acquired for this railway is equal to 80 acres, the cot of which is estimated at £22,200. The railway will be constructed mainly in cuttings, tbe earthworks comprising 950,000 cubic yards of cuttings through rock aud soft soil, and 301,000 cubic yards of embankments. The cost of these earthworks is estimated at £83,336 6s 8d, whilst 2,076 yards of tunnelling in the last 3% miles of tile railway will absorb £124,560. The re- tnaining items of expenditure upon this line are:—For 11 public road bridges, £9,000; for accommodation bridges and works, £12,000; for culverts and drains, £3,000; for installing of roads, £1,800; for permanent way (at £4,800 per mile), for sidings and junctions, £9,000; for stations, and f?r contingencies (reckoned at 10 per cent. of the total cost), £28,77343 ad. In connection with the above railway, the branch line, three furlongs in length, to Port Talbot Dock, is estimated to cost £5,610 89 4d and the branch line to conneot with Messrs Byass and Co.'s tramway, 5 furlongs 8'10 chains in lsngth, is estimated to cost £12,155 12s 8d.

GLAMORGAN COUNTY COUNCIL. MEETING OF THE LOCAL OOVEftN- MLNT COMMITTEE. The quarterly meeting of the local government i G!amo,'ffan County Council was held on Tnursday at the county offices, Cardiff, under the presidency of Alderman Morgan.—The committee proceeded to consider the scale of fees payable to the public analyst, with a view to coming to a fresh arrangement with that officer, and it was ultimately decided that the fees bo payable as follows :-For the first 250 samples, P-enr wwpte tfce second 250, 12s 6d the third f,50' 1°*; the 250, 7s 6d and all abov* this at the rate of 5s per sample. This amounts to an average fee of 10s 6d per snmple, as paid in the neighbouring county, or £525 per thousand samples. 1 THE PARISH COUNCILS BILL. This Bill was down for consideration with the view of steps being taken to bring it into opera. tion but it was decided that in the first instance copies of the Bill should be sent to the members before they made any recommendations to the council. REVISION OF ELECTORAL DIVISIONS. T Clsrk read communications from the Local Govanimwiit Board as to tho revision of electoral divisions ordered by the council, and asking for ordnance maps of the various divi- sions made, so that they could see what those were before being sanctioned.—The Clerk ex. plained that there was a great amount of labour and investigation involved, more, indeed, than he thought the county council would authorise him to do. J-l, however, had prepared certain maps of a district and sent them, and the Local Government Board had decided to go on with that. But as to the whole it would 7irevevil' Wes'cs to complete the Work.— Mr Morgau Thomas suggested that the clerk should write informing the board that he had gone into the matter minutely. It was evident, on the face of the letter read, that the committee knew more about the matter than the board. (Hear, hear, and laughter.)—Me Blandy Jenkins thought the Local Government Board should send down one of thoir ordnance surveyors, apd the county would pay for him.—Mr T. J. Hughes suggested that Lord Swansea should call in at the Local Government Board office, and ask if they would accept a one-inch map.—The com- mittee did not accept either of the sugestions, and decided to send six-inch maps for the looal board districts, and one-inch maps for the rural portions of the county. POLLING DISTRICTS. Mr T. J. Hughes Mked what the position was in reference to polling districts, and who was dealing with the subject.—The Clerk replied that Mr Hughes must give notice at the county council, as that committee had no authority to deal with the matter.—The committee then ad- journed.

CARDIFF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce was held at the Exchange on Thursday, under the presidency of Mr O. A. Heywood. There was a fair attendance of members. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the annual report, whiob had been circulated among the members, stated that during the year the number of members had increased from 379 to 403. With reference to the statistical tables contained in the report, if it was the general wish of the chamber that the figures re- lating to petroleum or any other import should bo given, the counoil would have no objec. tion to that course being adopted, and the infor- mation should be given. Col. PAGE seconded the'proposition which was carried unanimously. On tbe proposition of Mr BIELSKI, seconded b Mr H. C. VIVIAN, a hearty vote of thanks for their services during the past year was a.coorded Mr Llewellen Wood, the out-going president, and the other retiring officers. Mr J. B. Ferrier bemg the only candidate nominated for the office of president for the ensu- ing year, the Chairman declared him to be duly elected. In returning thanks Mr FKRRIBR referred to the enormous growth in the trade of the port in recent years, and expressed a hope that within a few years the exports of coal would reach 20 million tons per annum. Mr D. A. Thomas, M.P., who was nominated as one of the oandidates for the office of vice- president, having withdrawn his name, the two remaining candidates, Mr W. Lester Jones and Captain R. Pomeroy were elected as vict-presi- dents without opposition* Mr C. Massey and Mr J. Radley were appointed as auditors for the ensuing year. The foUowing entlemenoutof the 10 nominated were elected to fill the five the vacancies on the council of the Chamber Mr C. A. Heywood, Mr R. Hooper, Councillor W. J. Trounce, Mr Lewelien Wood, and Mr J. N. Kestell. Mr W. Bisset and Mr J. H. Wilson acted as scrutineers.

SHEBEENING ATLIARLTY, A nAoa. OF CONVICTIONS. William Worthy Blake, a labourer, was charged —before Mr John Duncan and Dr. Neaat; Barry Police-oourt, on Thursday, with the illicit sale of beer at his house in Brook-terrace, Cadox- ton, on Sunday, the 25th February. Acting- sergeant Ben Davies and P.O. William Phillips proved that they watched the house, and saw nine women and four men enter and eight women and five men leave. Phillips stopped a Mrs Williams as she was leaving and found her to be carrying two bottles of beer under her shawl. She was taken back to the house, and Mrs Ward, defendant's wife, admitted having given her the beer. Two men named William Pace and Richard Jones were sitting down in the kitchen with drinking vessels near them, and under the stairs was discovered a 9-gallon cask on tap. Noticing defendant go in and out of the unoccupied house next door by means of the window, the sergeant asked defendant what he was doing there. Defendant denied tbat he bad been into the hOilse, but sub- sequently the officer saw and seized a couple of 4% gallon casks full of beer, which had been secreted there, all knowledge of them being again denied by Ward.—Ward now advanced the excuse that the beer found on his premises had been bought by Inert living in the each subscribing equally to the cost. His wife had, he said. given a couple of bottles of beer to Mrg Williams, as she bad helped in the previous week's washing. He called Wm. Pace, who, questioned by the tfjrk, failed to state the number of names of the oecuparitS of the house, and said be didn't know Jones, although he called him by a nickname.—The magistrates, considering the case clearly proved, asked for information of pri- soner's antecedents, and Inspector Rees said he never did any real work and wa$known as a poacher.—A fifie of £10 and coats was ifnposed, or an alternative month's imprisonment was ordered. Norah Collings, charged by H. Evan?, Wm. Williams, and Wm. Smith with shebeen- ing at 31, Guerct-street, pleaded g11ilt,Three picviotw convictions for a similv offence in Car- diff were stated to have taken place, and the magistrates, saying that as this was defendant's flrso offence in tho Barry district, they wete m- clined to be lenient, ordtred her to pay a fine of £10 and costs, or, in default of distress, to be imprisoned for a month, but warned her tbat tbey would deal s -v^i-e y with her should she again be found to have broken the law. William Bubear, David Edwards, Frank Maybery, David Davies, Elizabeth^ Clarke, Annie Ashton, and Maria Goodwin were, each fined 103 and costs, or, in default, ordered to be imprisoned for fire days for frequenting No. 19, Travis-street on the 18th of February, Mrs Terry or Thompson having been a fortnight since fined £50 for illegally selling beer there.—A chaise against Margaret Jenkins was dismissed, the Bench giving her the benefit of the doubt on a statement made by her and supported by Mafia Goodwin, that she was an occasional servant of Mrs Terry's,

T MRS LONGSHORE-POTTS IN CARDIFF. Mrs A. M. Longshore-Potts, M.D., the cele- brated lecturer On hygiene, is on a return visit to Cardiff, and on Thursday afternoon gave the firsfc of a series of discourses to Women only at the Park-hall. There was a very large gathering, the discourse being appropriately illustrated with lantern views. In the evening there was again a ctOWded attendance, but this time the aadieflee was not exclusively composed of members of the fair 8X. The lecturer attributed much of the sufferings to be found on every hand to popular ignorance on physiological and hygienic mattenrs. Mrs Potts will lecture (to ladiis only) this after- noon, to-morrow, Monday, and Tuesday after- noons. All these lectures, with the exception of that on Tuesday afternoon, will be free. n Monday evening, she will deliver her philosophic and humorous discourse, entitled Cupid, Oblo., and Hyman."

A BOGUS STOCKBROKER. At the Old Bailey on Thursday Walter H-ott. with various aliases, was sentenced to 18 jMoth, hard labour for converting to his own use two cheques for JB60 each. Originally a printer, the prisoner became an outside broker, and, as Was alleged, lived by duping the public by rtJens of circulars and advertisements promising large re- turns of money entrusted to bitfi for investmert6; The victim in tbis specific ease was Mr Young, a Ramsgate butcher. J

CHURCH BURNT DOWN. The Parish Chureb of Pilletli, near Knighton, has been btirtit down to the ground. The fire ia supposed to have originated from the lighting of a stove.

A STEAMER ASHO&& A Lloyd's CampbeUtown telegram states that the steamer Victoria, of Glasgow* was driven aihore at Saddle Kintyre on Thursday,, and will probably be a total wreck. T

The Earl of Dticraven will add?4s# A/rtiis# meeting of Staffordshire Oottsfrvatives at Hanley to-day, and the annual assetnWy Of the Midlafia Union of Conservative Associations at Kettering on Tuesday next.

CARDIFF COUNTY-COURT. Thursday. (Before His Honour Judge OWBN). AFFAIRS OF A JEWELLER. The case of Judah Isaac Tumpowsky, jeweller nnd outfitter, formerly of Broadway, Cardiff, and Ponttottyn, in bankruptcy, was brought before his Honour Judge Otfen M Cardiff County-court on Thursday. Mr Harry Cousins apphed, under the Act of 18do, for the discharge of bankrupt. The official receiver's report stated Ia',eB °f ^bankrupt amounted n° i u ml110!1 dividend oi only Is 2%d had been pan]. The bankrupt commenced business with no capital of his own in 1884 and attributed failure to bad debts, pressure of credi- tors, and loss through robbery. Debtor had been unable to furnish accounts of his transactions and had given credit in a. reckless manner. There were 575 persons who were debtors to the estate, but £730 were returned as doubtful and bad debts, calculated to produce only £ 5.—His Honour was doubtful if it was a case III which he ought to refuse dis- charge.—Mr Cousins said debtor had waited five years before making his application, and he hoped his Honour would not refuse the discharge, as it meant that his client would not be able to go into business again.—His Honour: Is it desirable that a man like this shall go into business again ? —Mr Cousins: He has been made a victim.—His Honour: No, no—the victim of his own careless- ness and stupidity. No one's blame but himself. I won't refuse it: I'll suspend it for five years. AN UNFORTUNTE BANKRUPT. MrBeloher applied to his Honour Judge Owen for the discharge of a bankrupt named Arthur Trevor Roberts. It seemed that debtor, who was a com- mercial clerk, enteied into a partnership with his brother-in-law in Oct., 1889, trading as the Barry Carrying Company, for the purpose of carrying goods between Cardiff, Bristol, and Barry. The whole of the capital debtor placed in the business After five months'trading the Board of Trade stopped the vessel for repairs, and the company was therefore unable to continue. It was admitted that Mr Roberts had practically nothing to do with the business, and that it was only a matter Of honour that he presented himself at the official receiver's office. His friends had considerably reduced the liabilities, which amounted to £28 only,-His Honour said that under the Act of 1383hecould not grant immediate discbarge, but would suspend it for six months. STRICTURES ON LOOAL BUILDERS. The trading methods of certain looal builders were strongly commented on by his Honour. Mr T. P Jones-Lloyd, Cadoxton, appearing for "Luen and Hawkins," builders, of Penarth, in bankruptcy, applied for their discharge.—Mr Geo. David appeared for Messrs Alexander and Co., creditors. The Official Receiver (Mr Stephens) had observed that the bankruptcy was brought on by rash and hazardous trading.—James Henry Hawkins stated that he joined in partnership with Albert Edward Luen. Thoy were journey- men carpenters, and started business on j350 borrowed oapital m 1886. His Honour said they were never solvent at any tjrn. He refused the discharge.-Anotber application for discharge in the case of John Christopher Edmunds, builder ftnd contractor, Penarth, was made under the Act of 1890, by Mr G. F. Hill. The observations of the official receiver in tbis case were similar to those in the preceding, viz., tbat bankruptcy had been brought on by rash and hazardous speculation, the deficiency account showing a loss of £2,800 upon seven contracts. Mr Hill submitted that the bankrupt had suffered through rise m wages, and that the official receiver's finding was too strong.-His Honour said that bankrupt on]y had JMOoapitat when he commenced building in this wholesale manner It meant this, "If I succeed, my creditors get their money if I fall, they lose it." The case was almost worse than the last. He refused tbe application. BANKRUPTS DISCHARGED. His Honour, on the application of Mr Niohol- sou, granted the discharge in six months of Chaa.S. Harris, butcher, Carlisle-street, Cardiff. In tho case of J. E. Baker, hairdresser and tobaooonist, of Windsor-road, Penarth, Mr Lewis Morgan asked for a discharge. Bankrupt, it was reported by the official receiver, commenced business without oapital, or with borrowed capital which be never repaid. His Honour considered it a. somewhat serious case and suspended the discharge for tour years. OLAUl FOB INJURIES AT BARRT. An action was brought by John Norton, A coal trimmer, of Barry, for whom Mr Jackson appeared, to recover £30 damages on account of injuries done to his son, John Henry, aged 7, by the falling of a cask from a trolley belonging to Henry Green, carting agent to the Barry Railway Company. Mr Arthur Lewis, barrister-at-law, appeared for defendant. The evidence was that on the 25th of September,1893,a trolley belonging to thedefendant was being drivenTthroughPorthkerry-road, Barry, when a cask rolled off on to the road and struck the little fellow a blow on the neck, which re- sulted in internal injuries, necessitating close medical attention for some time. The Tad had now recovered, andwas considered to have had a fortunate escape—George Rutter and J. P. Meprgeti, of Barry, spoke to the acoidenb, and said their opinion was that the driver was drunk. —His Honour held that had nothing to do with the case. The point was whether the casks Were properly packed on the trolley.—Wm. Butler, the gasman* said that one of the wheels of the %rol!ev passed eves stone, and omtsed the oask to roll off. He had repeatedly asked the children (of whom plaintiff's onild was one) who had been hanging on behind the trolley, to clear off.—The defenoe urged that the children ought not to Have been hanging on behind the trolley.—His Honour held tha.t there was no law to prevent the boy from walking behind the trolley. He thought the casksThad not been secured sufficiently on the trolby, and it was fortunate the child was not more seriously injured or killed. As to da- rtiages, the boy had lost nothing, for he had com- pletely recovered. Therefore ho was of opinion that JS12 damages was sufficient, and frave judg- ment io* that amoont.

BAKING POWDER, NOT AN ARTICLE OF FOOD." At Thursday's meeting of the local government committee of the Glamorgan County Council held at the County Offices, Cardiff, under the presidency of Alderman Morgan, the Clerk (Mr Franklen) reported tbat in the recent baking powder adulteration case the committee had failed in point of law, baking powder having been declared by the judges in the High Court not to be an article of food. Mr Blandy Jenkins was of opinion that if that were so, it was sutely a crime to put it mto food, and the dlerk: was instructed to write a strong letter to the Local Government Board pointing out this failure uf justice owing to defects in the Act of Parlia- uent. The Clerk also pointed out that there was another case from Caerphilly in which the prose- cution had failed with regard to the labelling of » certain brand of cocoa. The label he oontended,wasin substance very dishonest, Seeing that in very small letters at the end of the label it was stated that the cocoa was a mixture of oocoa and other pure and harmless ingredients, according to Ajl; of Parliament, whilst large letters there appeared on the same label the words absolutely pure." Yet the court hlfJd that the label was not fraudulent, although the cocoa was sold wrapped up in paper so that the pur- chaser had no opportunity of seeing tt, There were several other cocoa Cases pending in which the county council had taken action, bat he did not think they would be successful unless expert) opinion were obtained to show that the mixture of Btarch. which amounted to 80 per cent., was so great as to be considered fraudulent, It was difficult to get expert opinion on this point, seeing that only men in the trade could speak, and these wero most unwilling to appear againgt a fellow-Wadestoan.—It was resolved that the clerk should poiot out in his letter that the council Were unable to preserve the purity of ingredients used in the cocoa, in ccmsequwice of the pteseftt state of the law.

STABBED AT A DINNER PARTY. A desperate attempt at murder has beert made at Alfortville, near the Vincennes Wood. An old gsntleman, M. Berton, was entertaining his friends at a dinner party when an Italian named Rachisetti rushed mto the place brandishing a big knife. The man made straight for M. Berton, who, despite his age, is robust, and who succeeded m disarming his aggressor, but not before the latter bad gashed him severely in the hands. The guests then interfered, and gave Rachisetti over to the police. The Italian said he was under the impression that his wife was in the house, and he had made up his mind to Biurder both her and M. Berton,

A CAPTAINS SENSATIONAL CONFESSION. A1't application was made to Mr Jjistice Barnes, in the Admiralty Court f>{ Wednesday, as to when the CASe <" the Ibis would be taken. His Lordship that he could not take it before Friday. 'The case is almost unique of its kind. It arises collision between two fishing vessels in the iNorth Sea, and at first the defendants admitted tbelr lt- bility, but some time after wards the ma^terot their vessel was hanged for murder nIS mistress, and it is alleged he made a confession whilst IAgaol to the effect that he was bribed by the owner of the plaintiff's ship, whioh was soak' to..jlJK about a collision to sink if possible his (plaintiffs) vessel. The defendants obtained leave to withdraw their admission, and now set up tbe defence that the plaintiff induced their master to Canse the colli- sion. ISminenfr counsel engaged and it is believed the Bishop of Lincoln will be a wit- ness.

A RECENTLY PUBLISHED REPORT of the Bfistorl- dal Manuscripts Commlsslon contains a most interesting digest of the ancient records of tbe Corporation of Hereford, and some references te the Making atid selling of beer, are worth notice. Alle," BEWO," and "Methegleo" (a beer made from honey) are frequently mentioned from 1513 to the end of that century. At various times, from 1513 to 1550, persons vtete indicted for putting hops in ale, there being a few? in force against the practice. Little did the magistrates of that time think that ift the nineteenth century one of the most paying industries ib tbe ctronty of Hereford would be the growing of this so-called ,ipefticiotis drug," and that the city itself should become filmed for the brewing of a special beer, the "Golden Sunlight" Ale, whose excellenco and flavour should greatly depend upon the very pick of Herefordshire hops being used ia its brew- ing. Brewed only by Charles Watkins and Son, the Hereford Brewery, and agld by Agents throughout the kingdom..13401-1190 tli

I = ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION. Yesterday (Thursday, sth instant) a meeting of this institution was held at its house, John-street, 4delphi, London, Colonel i itz-Roy Clayton, V.P., in the chair. Mr Charles Dibdin, the secretary, having read tha minutes of the previous meeting, rewards amounting to £ 1,348 were granted to tbe crews of lifeboats of the institution for serviees rendered during the past month. The (Jaistor Noø. 1 and 2 lifeboats saved 102 persons from the wrecked s.s. Kesolven, of Cardiff the Kesaixigla^d No. 1 lifeboat saved the crew of eight m?n from the wrecked brigantine Alberta, of Whitstable; the Wexford No. 1 lifeboat saved tho crew of six man from the yawl Liberator, of Wexford; and the Girvan, Cullereoats, North Sudderland, Holy Island No. 1, Montrose No. 1, Gourdon and St. Andrew's lifeboats rendered assistance to Sshing-boats which were in danger during stormy weather and were unable to regain their ports without assistance. The Culdaff lifeboat took off provisions to Innistrahull Island, the inhabitant* being in a starving condition, their supplies having beea entirely cut off by stormy weather. Rewards were also granted to the crews of sbort"hoats and others for saving lifa from shipwreck on our coasts. Payments amounting to Z2,614 were Ordered to be made on the 303 lifeboat establish- ments of the institution. Among the contribu4 ticiw recently received were £ 1,115 from Post Office officials in all parts of the United Kingdom, to provide and maintain a lifeboat to, be named the" Sir Arthur Blackwood," and' stationed at Greenote, Ireland, as a memorial to the late permanent Chief of the General Post OIfioe, Sir Arthur Blackwood, K.C.B. Repor the transmission to its station of the Portrush nttv lifeboat. Also that the alterations and improvements Of the Tenby lifeboat bad beea completed, and the boat returned to its station* It was reported that the annual meeting of the institution will be held at St. Martin's Town-hall^ Charmg Cross-road, on Saturday, the 21st Aprilf at three o'clock. His Grace the Duke of W- minster, K.G., will preside.

SUING THE SPEAKER; At Westminster County-court on Thursday Ateu ander Cbadbrg, s well-known litigant, sued thi Speaker for alleged assault committed by the Speaker's butler in prey en ting the plaintiff from serving a subpoena on the Speaker. Judgment was given for the defendant with costs, »

The Victoria. Dog Biscuits are manufacture# only by SpQlers' and Bakers', Ltd., Cardiff and Bristol If you wish your dogs to be in fullest health and con- dition, ask your Grocer or Corn Dealer lor tkese BW cuits, and accept no other. They are the beat* 4000 NEW SHOUT STORY EVKKY WEKK.—On SATUR- day next will be published in the Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News a new short story (coir uleMf i entitled. ofveless Liberty," by Harwood Brier Uf. .!■ >