The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

A LUCKY mCBLATTOIi. ——■ > (. Thousands astonished i \¡ INCREDIBLE ADVANTAGES! f. UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY! Write for frill Descriptive Pamphlet. Profusely Illustrated. ALTHOUGH we hear of the depression in trade, yet, owing to the celebrated character of H. SAMUEL'S FAMOUS WATCHES for exactitude, durability, and cheapness, and the praiseworthy efforts of a large number of individuals to make some EoviBion for a rainy" day by purchasing on? of ese watches, which will last a lifetime without ex- peoaive repairs, and will always realize more than ike original price paid for it in case a sale should be Beoessary, H. SAMUEL'S businos 18 daily increasing. It is to the advantage of any person, no matter what their position, to become the possessor Of one of H. SAMUEL'S MARVELLOUS WATCHES. Purchasers of Watches, &c., from H. SAMUEL have, amongst others, the following advantages: 1. A SAVING OF ONE HALF the usual retail a. In56 °EXACTrChaTIMEKEEPER without eanal in any respect. 3. THE BEST SECURITY that a genuine Watch will be received. 4. A WRITTEN WARRANTY for five years. The above might be continued indefinitely, but are sufficient to prove that NO BETTER WATCHES <JAN BE OBTAINED than those manufactured and "anpplied by H. SAMUEL at Wholesale Rates. You cannot do better than become the possessor of wae of these superb watches. It is well known that H. Samuel's Watches have become famous by their high standard of excellence, which never varies, as much care being taken in the construction of each Watch, from 25s upwards, as if it cost £50. Were this not so it would not be possible for H. SAMUEL to receive the large and ever increasing support which he now does. The Largest Sale in the World. The following Unsolicited Expressions of Opinion, from amongst hundreds, speak for them- selves 3, St. Mathew's Cottages, Wookey, Near Wells, Somerset, Mareh 7,1886. Mr Samuel, Sir,—I received your English Lever Chronograph quite safe. I think it is a marvel of workmanship in appearance, and of great strength. It has exceeded all my expectations for the price of £ 4 17s 6d, with a warranty for five years as well. I will do my best to recommend your watches to my friends, and wishing you every success in your business, I remain, Sir, Yours truly, A. A. EYERS. 3, Paul's Row, Truro, Cornwall, March 15,1886. 11. Samuel, Esq., ^t>ear Sir,—I beg to acknowledge the receipt of Watch and warranty. After a trial, I beg to say that entirely satisfied with it. Its beauty of design and accurate timekeeping make it an object of admir- ation. I hope to send other orders ere long. Very kithfully yours, M. J. MAGOR. Elberton House, Porthcawl, Mr H. Samuel, March 16,1866. Dear Sir,—I received my Watch some time ago from your factory at Manchester. It is one of your £ 2 6d Lever Watches, and I have proved it, by seeing Greenwich time every morning, to be a splendid timekeeper, and am glad to say I am very pleased at deceiving such a good Watch for the money.-I am, Yours truly, C. E. DALBY. The foregoing are taken at random from the scores Which reach us daily in the same strain, and prove conclusively the unsurpassed character of H. Samuel's Wonderful watches. A £ 5 5s ENGLISH LEVER, gplen-) RETAIL PRICE did finish, jewelled movement with £ 5 5s. »l8vltnwdnmp"tiRhJt cap' in Sent to any ad orf ur-ked casea" £ marvel dresa post fre^ LADY'S small ^by H. Samuel mze. in elegantly engraved silver cases on receipt of Mmilar movement, but fitted w^th p.O.O. for dust-tight rim caps. A most hand- some^ present, and unsurpassed RETAIL PKICE, VERY BEAUTIFUL LADY'S 1 £ 6 6s. REAL GOLD WATCH, O piate Sent to any ad- *novement, extra jewelled, fitted in dress post free elegantly engraved gold (warranted) ,-by H. Samuel cases. Gold or white dial, as pre- on receipt of lerred. "A Beautiful and Inexpensive P.O.O. for Adornment." Aecuratelv Timed. ^3 3s. Od. The "CONSTABULARY" WATCH RETAILPEICE A superb massive English Lever, 1 i7 lOs 111 hunting cases, extra heavy and Sent Print Wrr? gMd Silver (Hall-mirked), highest TLyTddZl nrnshed uiovement, jewelled and U(/ jf. Samuel «tted with dust and damp-tight cap. r on receipt of most compact and complete Watch, p. Q. 0. for eminently adapted for use by mem- ^M of the Constabulary, the Army, CM •"avy, &c. Thousands in wear. J CELEBRATED True Timekeeper.] £ 8 Massive ENGLISH LEVER, Chro- Sent to any «ometer balance, extra jewelled, fitted address post wun dust and damp-tight cap. and free by H. West improvements. Heavy Silver { Samuel on re- **au-marked cases. Timed to most ceiptofiP.0.0. *waordinary accuracy. A wonderful for r"0- 4s-oa. "DRIVER," a Magnificent^ RETAIL PRICE, Uj*HWay English Lever of soundest £ 9 9s. tj and finish, combining the ex- Sent to any ad- •He accuracy necessary for railway dress post free *ants, with the greatest amount of .by II. Samuel '"ength requiredfor the exigencies of • on receipt of work. Timed to a minute a P.O.O. for °oth. Jewelled movement, expan- mM8ivCee,case?Per!d §essKi1lsep^T^ ';S;1 Ret^mce' fedSb LeVer' Cry8'aI besel flat glass, ™he sent by »t bit, cot expansion\H- Sfe.feap.redh«it»pri„R,^en.d f "g«'«/ 1 • r clerks, tradesmen w*i 15s oa English LEVER1 Re™1i0lio"ice' cases, | plate, e«' .Heaiyj Silver Sent post 'free ment, cbronometetr» jewelled move- any address action, rendering wa £ ?ce: Sldf 8^p U.V B. Samuel for racing purposes. T»«j-lnT on receipt oj to one-fifth of a seoood i?atea,time P.O.O. for portunity "tand °P" LADIES' VERY BLE^ { gold patent levers m04;] Re'i%?p*ice> Wonderful productions. J-prate move- B" ment, extra jewelled, ^ostfree to any Wonderful productions. J-prate move- B" ment, extra jewelled, ^ostfree to any balance, exquisitely engraved g0i,j .address from eases (stamped), gold dial. Timed t0 H- Samuel on greatest accuracy. Unequalled else- Receipt of Jhere at double the price charged by P.O.O./or SAMUEL ^5 5s. «ze- LADIES' small I H. San^l sired, aotj or plain dial as de- 0„ rtoeipt Qf Gentlemen's ?°*8>tBly engraved cases. p.O.O. for engine-tur^j^ge size, in handsome value Extraordinary j first-class ^>tain a really good Watch, of satisfaction and exactness, which will give direct from the ont a lifetime, purchase only Although H. Sa^ -e(* mana^aoturer. H. SAMUEL. low a price, they Watches are supplied at so mon and inferior be classed with the com- ▼artised at low prio^ Watches so extensively ad- I*fices are Actually" H- SAMUEL'S patches are as oppo8itj;^aale. fPrice8- *he sun is to the moon. those before mentioned as vrm be dieted t on JUNE 24th NEXT. H. SAMUEL S Grand Prize ristribntioa Consisting {■teiBthis great be enclosedto purchaeer of a Watch Jrom now ofltil that date. jWntetoHlay i«r PampWeta, Mid raad ih» astOUifd-1 testnnoBiifls fooia aW pacta ol the we»ld. S^t^Mitis a»D FREE oa appliaation te MIT ad- dress. Beware of imitations, and purchase direct from H. SAMUEL, lever WATCH FACTORY, 97, MARKF.T STREET, MANCHESTER. IHSTBUCTIONS.—Cut out and enclose the Cptnton be- low with price of Watch required, and it will be sent by return. of post, securely packed, and at our own risk, with key complete. All P.O. Orders to be made payable at G. P. 0., Manchester. CHRONICLE COUPON. CHRONICLE COUPON. The holder is entitled to any of the Watches specified above at the reduced rates of £ 2 12s 6d £3 3s., £4;£4 4s., 94 10s., £ 415s, £ 4 17s. 6d., £55s., and £1 5s, (Signed) H. SAMUEL. Lever Watch Factory, 97, Market Street, Man- chester. P. O. Orders to be made payable at G. P. 0.. Manchester. EVERY INTENDING PURCHASER ahonid write for full descriptive pamphets, gratis and post" free to readers on mentioning this paper. These splendid books contain much valuable and interesting information, as well as detailed descriptions and en- gravings (being profusely illustrated) of all H. SAMUEL'S magnificent Watches and Jewellery, to gether with hundreds of astounding Testimonials The most complete and elaborate pamphlet yet. issued.

MOUNTAIN ASH LOCAL BOARD. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Mountain Ash Local Board was held on Monday, when there present Messrs Thomas Yeo (in the chair), J. Griffiths, J. Long, C. J. N. Gray, Jas. Davies, M. Morgan, W. Littlo, T. L. Herbert, D. Davies, Gwiiym Jones and N. Phillips. TENDERS. The amended tender of Mr Daniel Watkins for the supply of castings was accepted. SURVEYOR'S REPORT. The Surveyor's report was- read and was as fol- lows Gentlemen, I beg to report that in accor. dance with your orders I have examined the pre- mises situate Nos. 7 and 8, Navigation Street, reported by your inspector as being without proper drainage. I have accordingly given. notice to Mr Jas. Davies, trustee for the owners of the Gwern- ynen Glancynon Oddfellcrtvs Lodge, to lay down and construct proper drainage to the said premises. I have also given notice to the Powell Doffryn Company to repair dilapidated olosets at Nos. 4, 5, and 7, Lower Row, Cwmpennar, and No. 7, London Street, Caegarw. 2. I beg to report that on Saturday last, in com- pany with your inspector, I inspected the district. The late heavy rains have done very little damage, the only oase of flooding being at the Colliers' Armlf, Forest Level. I would recommend for the o, protection of the roads and streets from damage caused by heavy rains the following gullies be constructed, viz. 1. Opposite Pennar Inn. 2. On side of Cetnpennar Road, 300 yards beJcw Cefupennar Inn. 3. By Penrhiwpennar Cottages, Cefnpennar Road. 4. Top of new road Cwmpen- nar. 5. Top of Woodland lerrace. The cost of erecting these gullies would be about £ 10. I beg also to recommend that a gully and 12 inch drain, 45 yards in length be constructed at Forest Level, as shown upon plan for the purpose of preventing further flooding to property at the place. The cost of same would be about J611. 3. I beg to report that the hazards by the side uf the Canal bank, Cardiff Road, are in a filthy condition and require cleansing. I would recom- the Canal Company have notice to oleanae the same at once. 4 I beg to report that I have received the follow- ing building plans to which I do not see any Objection, viz. :-let. From Messrs James Rees and Isaac Wood, of two houses to be built at Penrhiw- ceiber, Mountain Ash. 2nd. From Mr R. J. Mathias, Navigation, of nine houses and shon to be built at Ynysmeyriok, Navigation. 3rd. From Mr Mathias, of an independent chapel to be built at Ynysmeyrck, Navigation.—I am. gentlemen, your obedient servant, S. 0. Harpur, surveyor, April 5th, 1886." The Chairman moved and Mr Morgan seoonded that the lecommendations contained in the Sur- veyor's report be carried out. Agreed to, THE DUFFRYN FOOTPATH. Mr Morgan asked when the last rate was made whether there was not a sum of JB29 included in the estimate for laying the kerbing of the footpath on the Duffryn Road. Nothing had yet been done in the matter. He would be glad to move that the kerking be laid down. The footpath was in a dreadful state now.—Mr Little seoonded the pro- position which was agreed to. PLANS. Mr Long proposed that the plans referred to in the Surveyor's report be passed. Mr Morgan seconded, carried. MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT. Dr. E. P. Evans reported that there were 30 fresh cases of measles in different parts of the town since his last report, which was a decrease of ten on the previous fortnight. There had been one death only due to the malady. ACCOUNTS. The collector reported that since the last meet- ing he had deposited jB18 15s 2d in the bank on account of the general district rate, and f8 6a 8d on account of the private improvement rate. There was now outstanding J672 12s, general dis- trict rate, and J531 5a 6d private improvement rate. FORTHCOMING COLONIAL EXHIBITION. The Clerk said that he he had received some circulars from the secretary of the Colonial Ex. hibition relative to the formation of clubs to enable working men to visit the Exhibition. They were otdered to be laid on the table. MOUNTAIN ASH BRIDGE. Mr Little proposed that the Clerk write to the Great Western Railway Company stating that the Board were not disposed to take less than the amount asked for, for the repair of the Mountain Ash Bridge, and that the Board would expect them to repair all the bridge, except that over the Cynon and Taff. This was seoonded by Mr Long and agreed. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The Finance Committee reported that there was £35115s in the bank standing to the credit of the Board to the general account, and £ 222 6s 7d to the sewerage account.

^ASSAULT AT PENTRK.—Henry Vardy was charged with this offence. Elizabeth Adams said last Satur- day night defendant came home at 9 o'clock and sat by the fire and fell asleep. He was to leave his lodgings that night. She told him to go, and as he would not she told her husband to fetch a policeman to put him oat. A few minutes after he got up and was going upstairs. She told him he ceuld not and he up with his fist and attack her in the mouth filling her month with blood. She had told him to go in consequence cf bis having called her such bad names.—Defendant denied the charge and said he went on Sunday mornicg and asked for his clean shiit and she would not let him have it.—Frederick Adams, husband of last witness, said defendant came in drank and began to talk about his things. They told him to pay and go. He was very abusive, and then stft down and pretended to go to sleep. He did not seethe blow, but saw blood on his wife's apron. He did not think it was a very hard blow.-Bound over in £ 5 to keep the peace for six months, and to pay the costs.^fla W(: —

ASSAULT AT TYNEWYDD.—Arthur Watkins, 14 years of age, was charged with assaulting Thomas Hitchings by striking him on the head with a collier's lamp.—The lather ef complainant asked to be allewed to withdraw the charge, which was granted on the costs 6s 6d being paid. SUKBTIKS AT YNYSBTR.-Lavina Holloway was sum- moned for using threats.—Phoebe Ann White said on the 16th ult. she was in the house and defendant came to the window and tucked up her sleeves and challenged her to light, and she played a tambourine and said she would make a corpse of her. She had been so upset in cur sequence ap to be obliged to be attended by a doctor. Defendant lives in apartments in complainant's brother's house. She said to defen- oart "Gb indoors you twopenny half-penny calico."— Defendant said complainant called her a prostitute and other bad names and she told complainant to go and rub her face with a blacklead brush.—Susan Watley said defendant said wherever she could meet com- plainant she would lay her at her feet a corpse. She played a tambourine and then put on a post and a Salvation" bonnet with W. B. written on it in chalk Mrs Isaacs and Mrs Vaughan advised complainant to go out and fight defendant, but she advised her not to do BO. Defendant Drought out a rolling pin and threatened her with it.—Defendant said it was com- plainant's brother put the Salvation bonnet on the post and the letters on it. She called Eliza Clemence who said she was on the steps and Mrs White for two hours was trying to entice defendant out and told her sister-in-law to send the whore out. She called de- fendant all kinds of names and said she would wash her hands in defendant's blood. Both of the women belong to the Salvation Armv.—Mary Tovey said Mrs White said she would wash her hands in defendant's blood.—Mary Jane Lewis said she heard shouting all the morning and she went up to See what it was. She heard Mrs White ask Mrs Holloway to come out to fight.—Bound over in £10 to keep the peace for six months and 19s 6d costs to pay. tJJ.I:J,c.,

THE FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE ALBION COLLIERY. THE INQUEST. On Thursday, before Mr H. L. Grover, deputy- coroner, the inquest was resumed touching the death of the two men, Joseph Jones and Richard Jones who were killed at the Albion Colliery on Wednesday, the 24th ult. by a fall of fire-clay. Mr. E. W. Randall H.M.'s Inspector of Mines for the south Wales district attended the enquiry. Thomas Trevethan, foreman sinker, in the employ of the Albion Colliery Company, said be was the foreman of the shift when Joseph Jones and Richard Jones were killed. He went down with the men at six o'clock in the mcrning. He examined the place as soon as be got down. He did not know of any dangerous stone in the shaft. He afterwards set the men to bore holes. They were making a lodge-room part of the way down the shaft. This lodge-room was the connecting heading between the two shafts. When the men were boring the holes the stone fell out from the place where they were boring, and fell on the two men who were filling rubbish. One of them was standing on the stage, and the other was just in the entrance of the heading. Witness knew that the stone was there, and the holes We.re bored for the purpose of bringing it down. It was a large stone. The stone came down quite unexpectedly. He bad sounded the stone before the men went to work. He bad taken every preeantion which be thought necessary. He thought that the stone would have to be brought by blasting. That was why the holes were being bored. The men were killed instantaneously, and two others were injured. It took about half an hour to get the men out. By Mr Randill: Fire-clay was very hard to tell whett er it was safe or not. If the fire-clay bad fallen en the stage it would very likely have carried the stage away. It would have been much safer if a kerb had been put in under the first bed of flse-clay, and the pit walled and an arch- way turned where the lodge-room was intended. While they were sinking the pit pieces often dropped from this bed of fire-clay. It was well- known that a pit being sunk through fire-clay pieces did fall if it were not walled in secure. By the Coroner He received instructions from Mr. Jones the head foreman as to the manner in which the work was to be done. By Mr Lewis, Manager of the Colliery: If the pit had been walled, and the areh turned he should still have gone about the work the same way. By the Jury: Had seen headings started in the same way as that was started many times before. Edwin Windham Randall, Inspector of Mines for the South Wales District, said he visited the Albion Colliery on the day of the accident, aud wenfc down the shaft. He thought that every bed of fhte^clay of the thickness of that in the pit ought to be secured at the first available op- portunity, as it was always dangerous, and the most treacherous ground for sinking. Did not think the accident would have occurred if the pit had bien walled from the rock under the fire-clay, and an arch ileen turned where the lodge-room was to be made, the coal had been worked off, and the fire-clay worked downwards from the coal. He had known a case where the stage was carried away by the fire-clay failidg. By Mr. Lewis He did not know of a pit where every time that they came across fire-clay that they invariably walled. He thought that when they came to fire-clay of the thickness of that contained in that shaft it would have been pru- dent to have walled. There had not been in his opinion such a want ef skill shewn as to render any person criminally liable.—The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

REFLECT DEEPLY—JUDGE WISLEY The following has in it the germ of a great truth, and people in general would do well to ponder seriously upon it. The loss of health is not the work of a moment or the immediate effect of disease upon the system, for nature aeta not by by sudden revolutions, or shows consequences without an active cause. A few months, perhaps a single one, aay suffice to lay the foundation of a complication of disorders, for diaease is as secret as it is insidious in its operations. As the ivy entwines the oak for protection, but eventually destroys its stalwart supporter, a. disease gradually undermines the constitution unseen and unfelt, till the health is irretrievably lost, or ruined beyond redemption. A slight insignificant oold neglected at the commencement frequenely terminates in asthma, bronchitis, consumption or some other fatal complaint, which will defy the most skilful practitioner. In this class of disenses Holloway, the ienowaed traveller, has had the most extensive practice in this or any other age, and consequently his Pilla and Ointment have had a greater success than any other medicines in the annals of scienoe. 'Holloway does not assert that be cures oases of confirmed consumption, though his remedies will give relief after all other means have failed, but he confidently states that in all diseases of the throat and obest, his Pills and Ointment will effect a decided and permanent cure. The Pills act on the blood, and neutralize the viius which depraves it and will at the same time revitalize and invigorate it. The Ointment absorbed through the skin as meat imbibes salt, prevents the progress of diseases of the lungs in the early stages of consumption and also removes the phlegm which obstructs respiration asthma or bronchitis. Thousands in every part of the civilized world have been cured of these diseases by the Pills and Ointment after other means had been exhausted without success.-The Citiaen.

ESTABLISHED NBARLY 50 YzABs.—White's Cele- brated Moc-Main trusses. Single trusses, from 10s. double tiusses, from 18s. Sent free from observation and post-free. WHITE'S MOC-MAIN LEVIS TBUSS is the most. effective invention for the treatment ef Hernia, The use of a steel spring, so hurtful in its effects, is avoided, a soft bandage being worm round the body, while the requisite resisting power ia supplied by the Moc- Main Pad and Patent Lever, fitting with so much ease and closeness that it cannot be detected. Send for descriptive circular, with testimonials ard prices, to J. White any Co. (Limited), 228, Piccadilly, London. Do not buy of Chemists, who often seH an imitation" of out Meo-Main. J. White A Co. have not any agents.

FROM CITY CORRESPONDENTS. ONE thing is certain that the Ministerial crisis which will occur in May or JUlld will be unex- ampled for ils complication and delicacy, and in the solution of the diriiculty the tiujen will have to- play a leading part. It is in contingencies such as- this that the value of the kingly ollice is most felt, and it is well known that from the experience of her lonor reign the Queen is a high authority in these difficulties, and that her advice and assistance are of the greatest value even to her oldest statemen, and I believe that her Majesty is taking a deep anJ absorbing interest in the most minute phases of the Irish question, and is kept almost hourly informed of what is taking place. IT would probably be easy to over-estimate the- advantages to be gained by Irish agriculture through the re-intr "tuction of tobacco cultivation. But all! will be gh.1 to see that the Government have re- solved to aiii,iv, of experiments being made io- this cultivation with as little interference from Excise officers as may consist with proper protec- tion of the revenue. The permission is to extend to England and Scotland, but the climatic Jtlid other conditions in Great Britain are less favourable to growth of tobacco than in the Green Isle. The risks- of failure are great enough in Ireland, but it is te be hoped they can be surmounted, and that practi- cally a new industry will be introduced there. THE Queen has at last consented to the return ot the Duke of Connaught to India, and lie is now gazetted as Major-General in eomuiand of the army in the Bengal Presidency. He won general esteem during his previous term of office there, and he wat most anxious to return. Her Majesty was reluo- tant that he should leave England again. Now that all obstacles have been removed, the young dandies of Bengali will rejoice, for their army will be considered the smartest in India. Had he re- turned last autumn, in accordance with his original intention, he would have had command of the Bom- bay army; but several new appointments were made when Sir Frederick Roberts succeeded Sit Donald Stewart. MACHINERY continues to displace labour, and the latest instance is to be found in the automatic weighing machines which have been introduced into a number of the London railway stations. They stand there unattended. You take your place on the weighing plate, and it produces no effect even if you are as heavy as Jumbo. Slip a penny through a slit provided for the purpose in the structure, and immediately your weight is registered with accuracy on a large dial. These machines are being very largely patronised, and a numher of small boys are thrown out of employment. But, as usual, the re- sult will be good for industry in the long run, for a great many more weighing machines of this sort will be made than used to be made of the sort that re- quire an attendant. THE lawyers having notliing better to do are wrangling among themselves. They would much prefer to wrangle in the interests of clients rather than their own, but clients are scarce just now. Mr. Cocks has had a few sharp words with Sir Henry Hawkins, and also Mr. Lockwood has had an en- counter with Mr. Justice Manisty. And these things are the chief topic of talk in the land of law- yers, and Sir Henry has tlie entire army of lawyers against him. It is not all who have been successful barristers that can preach the doctrine of no song no supper. Sir Henry Hawkins made a large for- tune at the Bar, and I fear that circumstances did not always allow him to appear in the cases which in he had been retained and refreshed to attend. "THE Strange Man" at the Royal Aquarium has not lid the town on fire, as we were told he would do. I fear that he has proved an utter failure. A number of socialists were summoned to see what is called II. unique entertainment" Much mystery was made of tho Strafe Man and his entertainment It transpired that he undertook some marvellous feats of mesmerism. Some sub- jects were drawn from the company and submitted to extraordinary operations. An instrument was boared into their arms and into their tongues while they lay quite unconscious. This was marvellous enough, but it transpired that the subjects were really in eo-operation with the !"tnn)ge Man." All attempts on independent people failed. The authorities of the Aquarium, I presume, were dis- appointed, for the new wonder was dropped in a very abrupt fashion. THE faculty having recovered from the flutter ot excitement caused by the Queen's appearance in their midst, have returned to work, and the special- ists are busying themselves with the Bartlett case. The legal gentlemen concerned have buen literally drenched with opinions as to the effect of chloroform. There is a sharp divergence of opinion on the sub- ject, and there will be many niceties in the evidence. The trial will have kwer attractions for the vulgar than at tirst was anticipated, but among doctors and lawyers every point that has been disclosed has been studied and probed. The council who are to appear in the case have consulted the highest medical au- thorities of the day, and have, t believe, even attended post-mortems that they may understand the matter as thoroughly as possible. Mr. Edward Clarke is reading up<medicine with a specialist, I understand. The trial will be one of the events of April, even though the month should also bring us the Ministerial crisis. Fou the last year or two a series of practical jokes has been carried out in a systematic manner. The person, however, who hoaxed the unfortunate ballet girls is supposed to have been aetuated by malice towards Sir Henry Hawkins. I hear that the Era hoax will be brought home to some one directly. Should it be so the author of it is not likely to escape slightly, for a thousand or more young ladies wil) have their revenge upon him. Other practical jokes to which I refer have nearly all been performed in society circles. At a party given during the Christ- mas holidays a great scandal was occasioned. Under the pretence of an amateur thought-reading entertainment an innocent young gentleman was led to read out a series of letters tliat seemed on the face of them quite harmless. There was an under- current in them all, aud several members of the party had tingling cheeks. A favourite trick of late has been to re-arrange the numbers on hats and coats at balis and bauquets. THE Mines Comm ission lias recommended the compressed cartridge for blasting in coal mines, in- stead of the usual more dangerous explosives. I have been making enquiries into the lime System of coal- getting, and have obtained information which seeius to justifv tiie recommendation of this safe method. It is alleged that the linie system secures absolute immunity from danger under all circumstances, and in any gas, or mixture of air, gas, and coal dust. That the cartridge can be handled without danger, that when used it omits no noxius fumes, and that no special shot-filers are required, or any suspense" of ordinary pit work while the operation is going 01 are also claimed to be among its merits. The 11 of the cartridge will, it is asserted, greatly red' the labour of the collier, especially whore wedg has heretofore been necessary and accidents likely to be lessened by the mm-necessity of standing near to face the coal till tlie fall takes f Lime cartridges are especially adv»intageot*» gas has been seen aud powder cannot consec^ be used. So long as 11'182, Mr. Burt, Mr. 1JW Mr. J. Wilson, and Mr. Crawford—all of Members < >' arliament — witnessed with the cartridge, and the Miners' i^'VAug- recommended it to the miners of the the dom. It seems to have had a'share in r*j 1^79 loss of life in mines for in the year fj|an<j# the percentage of deaths was one in eve^y one employed, and in the five sul>sequent yi|ajme<|> in 400. The use of the cartridge, it 1% Df the 'JH ia indirectly increasing the mine1"*? l0 5^^ country, as the saving in the coal br* amounts to frum 15 to 20 per cellt.

Ittes there A Lloyd's telegram from Pollaft,in steamer had been an explosion on board tilt ruon were Wanton ("I VVastau), by which badly injured. already voted In addition to tlie sum for the purpose, the Lord# ot^ ^43 qq tlie approved a further annual refit of tlie royal a human skele- A Paris correepo^^J»»j[mk;g lle Lutece. ton has been du-oore^1^ aac^ut site It ia auppoawj that if w»a I a the 'QaUe-KouMui pvrioo.

Alleged Sharp Practice by Horse Dealers at Caerphilly. At CaerphiUy fair on Monday, a horse owner named Mr Evans, of Ynysybwl, offered tor £86 a horse which he bought some time ago for £ 38. The horse was very much admired by two Briatoliana, who offered to give him another herse and t4 for K also promised to buy their own horse for £ 32, BO that Evans would receive the *4«6 he wanted. Evans agreed to these terms, and papera were signed to that effect in a businesa- | manner. One of the Bristol dealers having left, the one who remained to Complete the bargain asked E< vans to hold the Bristol horse while he went to see his friend, who bad the money, and then he would pay him the 432. Bvana did ao, and very soon became convinced that he had been the dupe of two sharkers,-who had got «way with his horse and him the owner of an old sorew worth about £ 4, The affair is in the hands of the polioe.

ONE BOX OF CLABKE'S B41 PILLS is won te9 td cure *11 Winasy oig&ni, in either sex (acquired or constitutional), gravel, and pains in'tbe btfek. mewrary. Sold in boxes, 4a 6d each, all ^ismists aodiMcent medicine vendors; er'sent W w A« Mjdfers, The Linbola and Midland (Mm Drug Ce.,Liaeohi. Wholesals/Sirdar Stfis, Lqbion

TWO WAGGONERS KILLER. • William Fisher (53) and Henry'Wood ward-(23% Waggoiterd, in (he.ethploy of Kicliard Hemming, Bentley Manor, hear Retlditc!),"met wit!) their deaths in the road at Thrift Hill, Bentley. Tliey had been sent with a waggon and five horses to Stotce Works to fetch iislies. They left Stoke soon after eleven o'clock, and proceeded home by way of Wooilgrtte, -through some rattier narrow lanes. At Thrift llill there is a rather steep descent, and it is supposed deceased had omitted to put on the skid, and thus lost control of their horses, and in endeavouring tt: check them were knock down and run over. They Were' founll by the driver of a team which was a little way behind them. Woodward was then dead, but Fisher lived a short time. Dr. Smith, of Red- dltch, was sent for by police-constable Stokes, who had the bodies removed to their homes.—Woodward was a single man, but Fisher was married, and leaves a widow and eight children.

SUPPOSED"MU Li DEU~OF ANTM Ii LUC AN. It is believed that the body of Mr. Frederick Russell Nourse, a wealthy American gentleman, who has been missing for months past, has been found in the Thames. Mr. Nourse went to Eu«ion station on the 3rd of March for the purpose of going to Liverpool, having engaged a berth on boarti, the Adriatic, which was to start for America on tite following day. His portmanteau arrived in Liver-, pool, but Mr. Nourse has not since been seen. Lasl1 Tuesday the body of a gentleman was found floating in the Thames, near Battlehridge stairs, and ON the following day an inquest was held. The medical evidence went to sliow that deceased had first beer: ill-treated and then thrown into the water, and au open verdict was returned. A brief report of tlrl inquest appeared in the newspapers, and shortly afterwards Captain Stead, a gentleman residing at the Langham Hotel, telegraphed that he had a friend missing, and asking Dr. Fitz Rayne, the surgeon engaged in the case, for further particulars. Dr. Fitz Riiyne at once communicated with the coro- L ner's ofiieer, and was just in time to prevent the body from being sent off in a parish shell for inter- ment in Woking Cemetery. It is believed that the body may be identified as that of Mr. Nourse by the clothing; and it is a significant fact that the trou- sers pockets were empty, having apparently been, forcibly ripped down. Dr. Fitz Rayne expressed the opinion at the inquest that the body had beeu in the water about a month, and this corresponds with the time Mr. Nourse had been missing.

THE CHURCH OF ROME AND THE FRENCH REPUBLIC. The Paris correspondent of the Standard writes: A letter which is likely to cause no little impression has been addressed by the Archbishop of Paris tc the President of the Republic. Its subject is the situation in which the Church of Rome has been placed in France by the Government of the Repub- lic. The Archbishop begins by lamenting the con- flict which is daily becoming more embittered be- tween the Church of France and the Stater The Church complains of being the object of severity on the part of the State, and the State accuses the Church of having provoked that severity by her hostility to the political system which the country had chosen. In exculpating the Church from such a charge the Archbishop denies that the French clergy have ever had or even now have a decided intention of hostility to existing institutions. The Archbishop enumerates the blows struck during the last five years at the Church in France, and con. tinues:—" The present year reserved for us astonish- ments no less painful. In expectation of the law which is to strike the* last blow at Catholic worship by repealing the regulation dispensing the clergy from military service, we have Parliament discuss- ing a Bill which is to completely deprive public edu- cation of all Christian character, and from the tri- bune of the Senate a Minister of Public Worship has been heard attacking the essential doctrines of Christianity." Having shown how inconsistent all this is with both the spirit and the letter of the Concordat, the Archbishop appeals to the reason and the impartiality of the President Grevy to judge between the Government and the Church. Arrived at the close of a long career," lie adds, "I have de- sired before appearing before God, to give an ac- count of my administration, to relieve myself of all responsibility for the calamities which I apprehend. But I will not close this letter without expressing the hope that France will never let herself bu robbed of the sacred beliefs which have been her strength and her glory in the past, and which have assured bar the first place among the nations of tlo earth."

THE BOAT RACE OF 1886. Since the memorable dead-heat in 1877 there has been no such sensational race between the two Uni- versities as the one decided on Saturday. It was, indeed, a struggle that will never be forgotten by anyone who was so fortunate as to have followed it and seen all its chances and changes. Usually there is a good race up to a certain point, and a proces- sion afterwards but in this case the excitement was renewed at a point were, nineteen times out of twenty, there is 110 excitement left, and the Cam- bridge crew snatched the victory out of the fire after it had looked any odds against them. At the finish, there seemed to be only one opinion, men whose ex- perience of the race extended over the best part 01 a generation agreeing that they had never seen any- thing like it. To find victory gained in the last furlong of a four miles and a-quarter course was al- together novel and refreshing. During the whole time that the two crews were seen together at prac- tice it was generally admitted that the race would be a close one but the result exceeded all expecta- tion. A finer day could scarcely have been desired the sun shining out brilliantly, and the air being clear and invigorating. A good deal has been said about the decline of public interest, and there can be no doubt that Londoners are less enthusiastic on the subject than they were a few years back but still the appearance of the river-bank on Saturday would indicate that a good many thousands of peo- ple still regard the race as one of the great eventf of the year. In considering the attendance, how- ever, we must not forget that the time fixed for thE race—half-past one—was a most convenient one. At such an hour, on a beautiful spring day, it did not need a very strong love for aquatics to tempt one to the river side. It was twenty minutes past one when the Cantabs launched their London boat from the Leander boathouse, and they had taken ul their position on the Middlesex side before Oxford got afloat. It should be mentioned here that Oxforc had won the toss for choice of stations, and had, ol course, taken the Surrey side, which, in the present state of things at Hammersmith, is admitted to give considerable advantage. The Cambridge men hac to wait some little time, and it was fortunate foi them that the morning was so mild and pleasant On a bad day the delay might have been injurious to them. When the Oxonians had got into position very little time was lost, and on the word "Go' being given, the two boats left the moored skiffs to a beautiful even start. In the first minute Oxford was timed to he striking 41 to the minute, and Cam- bridge 42. When the boats were fairly under weiyh it was soon setvi that Cambridge was leading, anc going along the Concrete wall they had a decided advantage. So far as could be judged from the Press steamer, their lead must have been something about half-a-length. The greatest excitement pre- vailed at the Old Ship when the crews went by the noses of the boats passing and re-passing by a few inches with every stroke. Both eights splashed a little, but botii were rowing strong and well. Cam- bridge stroke appeared quicker, however. The race was so close that all special arrangements for anti- cipating the result failed, and great speculation existed until the signal was hoisted. The crews re- turned down the river on the launch. THE FINIrtl-DESPERATF, STRUGGLE. The finish of the boat race was the most exciting of recent years, and after a desperate struggle Cam- bridge won by only about a-qliarter of a length.

A drawing-room and levee will be held in the first week in May, tlie dates of which will be announced later. The Marquis of Ripon, K.G., has been re-elected president of the itipoll, Division Liberal Association. Mr. Smith, a surgeon of Bishop's Lideard, Taun- ton, has bequeathed £ 10,000 to the Hoyal Medical Benevolent College at Kpsom. The Senate (if Conuecticut has passed a bill for the compulsory teaching in public schools of the evil effects of alcohol and tobacco. The Pax ton Hood Me morial Fund 'promoted :by Mr. Samuel Morley and others, has reached the sum of-XSW. A totahof dl, 000 ia aimed at A West Indian cricket team will v&it 'the United States in the autumn. l$aoh ai*h pays hiaowa wayj the expenses being estimated at 41,000.

Rhondda Police Intelligence. "Monday—Before Mr J. Ignatius Williams, Stippn- diary Magistrate. I f DttCKK AT PENTRE.—Thomas Williams was charged by P.C. Reeves with being drunk on Tuesday night, March 23rd. He was lying on the footpath in Llewelyn street.-Fined 10s. Daniel Donovan was charged by P.C. Lynch with being helplessly drunk on Thursday, March 25th. Found him lying across the pavement ;n Y strad-road.-Fined 10s.

SURETIBS AT LLWYNPIA.—Frederick Farthing and Frank Farthing were charged with using threats.— Thomas Haywood, frriterer, Tonypandy, said he is liquidator of the Stores Company. The two defen- dants came in with a paper to be paid for taking out goods for Daniel Dickens, the man fktely committed for trial for embezzling money of the society. It was just eleven o'clock and he tola them to come on Mon- day and if there was anything to settle he "would see to it. They said they wOhld lock him np if he did not pay and would do for Mm. He was obliged to wait until others came. Defendants are brothers-in- law of the man cojgfjiitted for trial and they said they would pay bip%ht for getting their brother-in- law locked up.—Jwn Case, labourer, Trealaw, said at a quarter past elevbn defendants came to the stores and asked to have the bill settled. Mr Bay- wood told them it wis net the proper time. They told him if he did nbt settle it they would settle him —Bound over in 45 each to keep the peace for six months and to pay the costs.*| r_

NOTICES TO TERMINATE CON. TRACTS AT MOUNTAIN ASH. On TLureday notice was posted np at the Deep Duffryn Colliery, Mountain Ash, the property of the Messrs Nixon, intimating that all contracts will cease at the end of the present month, and that after that date weekly contracts will prevail. Iti a urderatood that slackness of trade has been the cause of this notice, and that, uuless trade re- vives in the course of the mcntb, portions of the colliery may be closed. Bnt the Messrs Nixon t are, in order to ra-assure their men, instructed the officials to inform them that there is no likeli- bood of the eolliery being closed altogether. There are nearly 1000 men employed in and about the colliery, ar-d were it even temporarily stopped Mountain Ash would suffer greatly.