The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

FROI CITY CORRESPONDENTS. Air obwsre journal published in London, known < 4o a, limited circle of renders, came out the other morning with an annouikcemenfc that the Govern- §«nt were prepared to found and endow an Irish Htholie University. Some of the evening pajier* h*Ve Seized apon this tasty morsel of news, and reproduced it and circulated it with the <a<jhtance of flaming placatch. Mr. Spith has questioned on the subject in the Houee of Commons, and gave a brief categorical answer which disposes of the fable. rTH* importance qf the subject of our tiaHonal defences engaged the attention of the Coinn»*ndcr- in-Chief and the IfeadcpiBrtere Staff of the Avmy at the War Office th<j jfttliei* afternoon, Lord V'olseley, Sir Red vers Buller, and other distinguislted officers being present. The proceeding^1 were jiivate, but {( is understood that imiTi«dn&e |Vro|»oa*l8 aro to be < Aabmittcd to Parliament for placing the First and Second Army Corps iio of I gi wfcr footing, and that the new magazine rifled to beftsaed to all the regular troops. It Waa d&Med to appoint • cotn- tjnittee, presided over !by £ aii exjierienced officer of high rank in the Royal ltf#irieer £ to Consider anew tft'4 subject dt the etoroSrabsolutely necessary for an army corps otimofolHsatio*, to What extent they are ready for and to settle the exact quantities fequ used. '') lb. SJUTB baa. surrendered on the question of pressing forward tl*f wheel and van tax before the Whitaua redeas. It was arranged that the second reeding should be taken immediately, but this proposal was so wannly resisted by members on both sides of -the Howe, that to insist upon ib would only Man waste o^time and an aggravation of the situation. Now tig? bill standi over till the House resumes after WhMgiiiitide, and Mr. Causton and his friends are greatly encouraged to believe that it will finally be abandoned. That seems impossible without a generff). reconstruction of this unlucky Budget, which has-filready been whittled Away in a manner greatly mptressing to Mr. Gos- chen. The Chancellor of tfl.9 Exchequer privately 11 declares himself. at the end of his tether of conces- tion. If he yields any me of his estimated revenue, he will find himself with a deficit instead ot a surplus. His way of ing at it is being atrongly pressed upon the attention of Ministerial supporters, and I fancy the result will be that the Sill will bf forced through. IT is rather early in the season to start a national daager scare, as our periodical frights over the possibility of being annexed by one or other of our Continental neighbours are generally reserved for the autumn. Still "copy eeema to be running short in certain. quarters, and we are invited to contemplate the cheerful prospect of haying to <meet a foreign foe with an Army which is not in fighting form and a Navy whici) will go t6 the bottom in the firstshockof an engagement. So, at least, the alarmists wish to t^ake us believe. Complaints to this pffeet h»vebeeu of regular oc- currence ever since we had an Army and a Navy. They always help to give the government of the day a good excuse Tor imposing fresh burdens upon the patient taxpayer. Somehow or other the more we aM called-apon to pay for our national armamentshe more defenceless we become. This is the legitimate inference to be drawn from the Outcries periodically fatsed about the inadequacy and incompetence of our naval and military forces. Fortunately, Mr. Stanhope does not seem inclined to: be scared. So far as home defences are con- cerned any changes needed to make us reasonably secure may be effected without any increase in the enormous sum annually voted for armaments. Much of this money is undoubtedly Wasted, but it is some little consolation to find from the first Report of the Committee on the Army Estimates, just issued, that there is a prospect of a tetter ecomony being observed. ALTHOUGH processions that are disconnected with the State must always be deprecated when they take place in the thoroughfares of so vast a capital as London, there are occasions when they may have some claim to be tolerated. It seems to me that the case which gave rise to certain pro- ceedings in one of the police-courts was one of them. A funeral procession which at the onset one day numbered about six hundred persons, was swollen to a thousand as it made its way along, and in spite of the 11 marelials to prevent an obstruction to the traffic, it is pretty plain that 'a considerable obstruction did take place, though whether to the extent asserted in the course of hearing the case I shall not attempt to decide. No doubt; interrup- tion of tramway traffic in a district fur "about two hours" is a serious inconvenience to the general public, and if it were of frequent occurrence through gatherings of temperenceor other societies in the streets, it is obvious that steps would have to be taken to put an end to such proceedings. It is pretty generally recognised thab displays of this cort must be sparingly indulged in, or they would own become intolerable, and for more than one reason. In London wherever there is a large crowd there are sure to be several pick-pockets at work. The South London Tramway Company, in sum. moning Mr. John Small, one of the marshals" of 4he very long funeral train alluded to, evidently wished to obtain a decision as to the legality of such obstructions to their traffic. Mr. Montagu Williams decided that the tramway company had no case, and while recognising the propriety of such afprocession all the one in question, pointed oub that "Englishmen were jealous of their rights." That statement, however, may be applied in two different ways. The learned magistrate sees in ib an argument in supporb of long processions to express what is really a sentiment, but which ho describes as a case of "exigency and emergency." On the other hand, I may remark that among the rights which Englishmen desire to retain is the right of way along our thoroughfares without unnecessary destructions by crowds of people. A DBPUTATION of traders that interviewed the Postmaster-General with reference to the Sam- pie Posb regulations, desired the removal of A grievance which is one of irritation rather than of substance. The grievanc as stated by Mr. Montagu, consists in the fact that the postage for returned samples is larger than that for sending them, the result being thab, as customers do not distinguish between their own rights and the pri- vileges of the shopkeepers, the latter have often to pay a fine whe the samples are returned. The regulations provide, indeed, that if the postage is deficient, double the amount of the deficiency will be charged, together with a specific fine of six pence. It happens, consequently, that through the fault of their customers in not sufficiently pre- paying the amount of postage, the shopkeepers are frequently charged what is comparatively a considerable sum on letters received. The depu- tation asked the Postmaster-General to provide a remedy for this anomaly; and Mr. Raikes lent a more sympathetic ear to their complaints than might have been expected. Concessions which are eminently desirable are often found imprac- ticable because of the difficulties which appear from a revenue point of view, and Mr. Raikes re- ferred to these difficulties when replying to the deputation. There are many ways in which the departmenb would be able to benefit the public more than ab presenb if it were not for the fact that the Chancellor of the Exchequer wants his millions from St. Martin's-le-Grand. If the original idea of making the Post Office simply self-sup- porting were carried oub, numerous concessions could be obtained from the Posb Office without difficulty; but under existing circumstances the Postmaster-General is obliged to consider very carefully how any suggested change will affect the revenue. Mr. Raikes did not admit that the regulation complained of is altogether unfair, for he thinks thab there is no particular grievance in the refusal to customers of the same postal privi- leges as are accorded to shopkeepers but he does nob justify the sixpenny fine, and this will doubt. less disappear. He also suggested a method whereby the other grievance may be mitigated if Dot removed albogether; and the trading com- munity cannot fail to be convinced that the Post- master-General will do what he can to make the regulations conducive to lthe public convenience and accord with the principles of justice.

EXTRAORDINARY FATALITY. Information was communicated to the Manches- ter district coroner the other day of the death wider extraordinary circumstances, of James Atlievton, iqboarer, in the employ of the Ash ton Corporation. On the 1st inst. Atherton, while dealing out a sewer at Aahton, was carried away by a sudden flood. He was borne for 400 yards, yid on reaching the river Tame was deposited on heother eidobraised and unconscious. Atherton has iust succumbed to bloodpoisoniiyj, the result of inhaling sewer gas. _j

GALLANTRY AND LOSS OF TWO LIVES. A sad fatality has occurred At Sunderland. It seems that a girl named Sophia West (12), residing at Hastings Street, Sunderland, was drowned on the beach with a conapsnlQP. >VestL as she was stooping down to get a oan of water, fell into the sea, and was carried out6 AMtioirnamed Wihton was attracted by her cries, and rushing to the spot sent in his retriever to the drowning girl. He also rushed in himself. but was unsuccessful, and both were drowned. The bodies were afterwards washed after ashore. Winton was about 50 years of age, and resided in Chester Streeb, Sunderland. A matt named Thornton jumped in also to the rescue. liiit he was too late, and returned to the shore

GREAT CRVELTY Tp A GIRL. At the Liverpool Assises the trial of Sarah-Ruth Welsh and John Welsh* her husband* on the charge of gross cruelty bo Emma Gray, daughter 9t the male prisoner, was concluded. Evidence as given thab the girl had been starved and otherwise cruelly illused by the prisoners. The father beat her with a strap and had kicked one of her teeth out, whilst her stepmother had burned her with a stair-rod which was uaed as a poker, and had cut her fingers with a chopper. The girl had been tied with a rope to the bedstead, and kept withdnt food. When she was rescued by the Children's Protection Society she was in a terribly emaciated condition, and covered With wounds and brurae*. Her intellect bftd been permanently injured byJflie treatment to which she iiad been subjected. The jury found the prisoners guilty—the female of intent to kill; the woman being sentenced toi jKnal servitude for life, and her ^usbatN to seven yqgti' penal servitude.

THE HASTINGS MYSTERY. A correspondent says:—This mystery is now re- solving itself into no mysbery ab all. The injured young woman skill lies ab the hospital in a pre- carious state, but a reporter has succeeded where the police have failed in throwing light upon a crucial point of the case. It has been stated that in the minds of some parsons, suspicion attaches to four women who firsb gave information of the matter to the cosbguard." These women have now been traced, and prove to be highly respectable. They have been waiting to be questioned by the police on the affair. The finding of the cards near the girl Paul is explained by the fact that this out-of-the-way place is frequented by boys and others for the purpose of gambling. Public opinion, which during the greater part of last week leant to bhe conclusion bhab a murderous oubrage had been commibbed, is now veering round bo the belief that committed, is now veering round to the belief that the injuries sustained by the young woman were caused by her falling from one rock on to another. She is conscious ab times. Her condition is im- proving, but she has made no statement as to how the came by her injuries.

SUICIDE OF AN OCTOGENARIAN. A CURIOUS CASE. Mr. Yates held an inquest at Hartford touching the death of John Jackson, a blacksmith. Walter Dickenson said deceased was his father-in laW: He was nearly eighty years of age. Since the end of the hunting season deceased bad been short of work, and had been low spirited. Deceased was very re- served, but he believed that money matters troubled him. In answer to a juryman, witness adc^ed that he and his wife lived in the house of the deceased. He had quarrelled with the deceased about His taking too much drink but there had been no other unpleasantness. He had not threatened to kick deceased out of the house nor had hi& wife neglected to get his meals.—Mr. Viggor, coal mer- chant, said he called at the smithy of the decreed to collect an account. The door was fastened. Look- ing through the keyhole he saw deceased hanging; and on bursting the door open he found him dead. Mr. Ridehough, a juryman, asked to be allowed to state what he ktttw. The coroner said that it was one of the advantages of a coroner's jury that the jurors could give evidence. Mr. Ridehough then stated that deceased had complained to him that his daughter and his son-in-law ill-used him. Dicken- son and his wife were then examined as to these allegations and denied that there was any ground for them. The verdict of the jury was that de- ceased had committed suicide during a state of temporary insanity.

THE LEA MYSTERY. Charles Cator (30), labourer, and George Anthony (23), bargeman, both living ab Lea Bridge, were finally charged ab Dais ton Police Courb with having been concerned together in causing the death of Elizabeth Annie Smith, of Hemsworth Street, Hoxton, by drowning her in the River Lea on April 22 last, under circumstances already reported.—Mr. Sims attended for the Public Prosecutor; Mr. Romain appeared for Cator and. Anthony was defended by Mr. C. V. Youii(,On the accused being put into the dock Mr. Sims said that since they were before the Court on the previous occasion Mr. Wynne Baxter, the coroner, had completed his inquiry, and after a hearing extending over four days the jury had returned a verdict of found drowned. The police bad of course made every inquiry, and all the wit- nesses that could be procured had been examined. He (Mr. Sims), however, was nob in a position to carry the case further. There was absolutely no case against Cator, the statement made by An- thony that he was the last person seen with the I girl not being evidence in law. The case against Anthony was very slight. There were, it was true, a few scratches about his face, bub these might be satisfactorily accounted for by the fact that he had befriended the deceased and struggled with the man who was alleged to have stolen the deceased's purse. There were no marks of violence on the woman's body, neither had she been robbed or violated, and how she got into the water was still a mystery. Under these circumstances tbe Public Prosecutor had come to the conclusion that as there was no possibility of securing a conviction the charge should be withdrawn.—Mr. Romain said that with regard to the statement of Anthony thab Gator was the last person seen with the de. ceased, quite tfbntrary statements were made at the inquest.—Mr. Bros said, after the statement of the representative of the Public Prosecutor, he thought the least said the butter. No good end could be gained by one sido endeavouring to make the case worse for the other.—Mr. iiomain remarked that that was not his intaiii,ion. r. Young simply wished to say that from the firb his client had protested his innocence.- ".Nir, Bros thought, there was not sufficient evidence to ^ocuie n conviction if the case were sent for trial, ond ne therefore I allowed the charge to be witndrawn. The accused I were then formally discharged,

A WELSH TK^HIEDY; Mr. Symns, of Slough Cottage, Presteign, JW4- Mr. Symns, of Slough Cottage, Presteign, JW4- norshit«*, after visiting a lew days ago the. neigh- bouring town of Kingston, returned home it night, and while talking to ')is oldest, child, a boy about ten years of age, suddenly drew a revolver from his pocket, and shot himself dead. IJis wue, who was going upstaiia at the moment, hearing- the report of the firearm returned to the room, and was so horror struck Si seeing the i;fele~:s body of her husband stretched upon the floor, that she suddenly went mad. The tJext day she obtain i a loaded gun, with which she threatened 'to jshoo<5 '• anyone who came neat* bor. The following morning. she attacked with a pocketknife a woman. iwiMied Hemmings, and severely injured her. The polioa l were sent for, and due of the constables i another man were cut, about the hands in taking « the knife from her. The unhappy woman,( has a family of six smai, children, was aftenvubia conveyed to a privato At the < quest held upon the body of the husband th^ jury found that lie took away his o'-vn life in » fit of temporary insanity. .RL -40 A Correspondent fceiegraphs. that a cqio'^al monument to the Emptess >J,aria Theresa has beau anveiled in Vienna in the lu zmwa oi the Kajpc ^r De and Empress, the members of the Imperial family, and alanlo number of distinguished peiaonagcs.

ITEMS OF INTEREST. BUTTFP. -It is not certain whether or not the ancients were acquainted With this substance. It is said tlit'4lik iRoni*n« understood the art of making butteremployed;it only as an oint- ment to tMir-fcatli*, or for iuildiiiial jrarfosos; and never as food. It waft customary among them to take a certain proportion of oil with food, as is done in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the South of France, at the present day. Butter on bread, instead of kitchen greats it mentioned as being introduced into England in the time of Edward IV. FooD.SurrLY IN EABLY Timics.-An ancient re- cord of the Butchers' Company stated that in the year 1319 a man who had been convicted of bring- ing two diseased carcases to market was condemned to stand in the pillory and have the bad meat burnt under him. In the reign of Edward III., by a proclamation of the Lord Mayor, acting under the authority of an Act of Parliament, the value of a sucking-pig was fixed at eightpence, a capon at Bixpenoe, a gedrfcho fivel)etice, a ••fesaunt (plieasant) at twopence, a siroolder of mutton at twopence halfpenny, and a whole carcase at two shillings; a loin of pork, for which there did not seem to be much demand, at three- pence a loin of beef at fivepenco, and leg of beef at threepence. SERPENT WORSHIP.This form of idolatry has prevailed, perhaps without a single exception. 5ver the whole surface of the itdiatitel earth, In the niost classical ctimet, aa in the most barbarous and I uncivilised districts, the singular custom seems at one time or other to have bcea In vogue. The serpent by some nations is regarded as an evil, by others as a good, deity. It may be trtcel In the cere- monials of the worship of Egypt, Greats, snd Rome. In Britain it was anciently held in tiigfi'venerHt:ai», and the arch-dhtid posse-ased a talisman called the serpent's egg; all their tqaiples were built in a ser- pentine form. In the EaSt serpents are regard-ed by some with feelings of horror, by others with sen- timents of the greatest -respect Some travellers affirm that among certain tribes of the frozen and baft^rous nor& pictures rpsenihlir-x s rpouts are ttjfarftsi with the.highest iteicree of \<-} ••ation. baft^rous nor& pictures rpsenihlir-x s rpouts are ttjfarftsi with the.highest iteicree of \<-} ••ation. ARABIAN SALUTATIOlqf;. -Variout ifioaes of saluta- tion are practised by the Muslims. Among these the following are the more common or the more remark- able, they differ in the degree of respect that they indicate nearly in the order in which I shall mention them, the last being the most respectful:—1. Plac- ing the right hand upon site breast. 2. Touching the lips and the forehead or turban (or the forehead or turtfan only) w^k%t » right hand. 3. Doing the same, but slightly inclining the head during the action. 4. The same as the preceding, but inclin- ing the body also. 5. As above, but previously touching the ground with the right hand. fi. Kiss- ing the hands of the person to whom the obeisance is paid. 7. Kissing his sleeve. 8. Kissing the skirt of his clothing. 9. Kissing his feet. 10. Kiss- ing the carpet or ground before him. The firstfive are often accompanied" the salutation. '"WFeageTie on you r" To which the reply is, On you be peace and the mercy of God and His blessings The sixth mode is observed by servants or pupils to masters, by the wife to the husband, and by children to their father, and sometimes to the mother. It is also an act of homage paid to the aged by the young. dr to learned or religious men by the less in- structed or less devout. The last niode is seldom observed but to kings, and in Arabian countries it is now very uncommon. THKBATTLE OF TIIEPVRAMIDS.—Bonaparte sailed from Toulon on the night of May I!Ith, 1íJJ, and on the 9th of June arrived before Malta, the Grand Master of which was compelled to surrender, and to pay a large tribute to the French general. Leaving a garrison on the island, Bonttparte re- embarked for Egypt on the 1Iith of June, avoided Nelson's fleet, which was cruising about in the hope of intercepting the expedition, and on the 29 th of the same month lauded near Alexandria without opposition. As France was at peace with Turkey, the Ottomans had taken no measures for defending their possessions on the Nile, and were, indeed, as- tonished at the inyasion, Alexandria having been easily reduced, tlfe French proceeded towards Cair% arrived on the 2J st of July in sight of the l'yrainids, and saw before them a targe Mameluke force, pre- pared for immediate action. This cavalry of the military tribe were aiming the best in the world, but the infantry were contemptible. Unprovided with guns, the horsemen of the desert could" do nothing more than precipitate one fiery charge after another against the solid masses of the French troops. After losing the greater portion of their force in vain attempts to shatter the enemy's ranks, they retreated in various directions, and twj days later Bonaparte entered Cairo. The combat with the Mamelukes is called the Battle of the Pyramids, and, previous to the action, the French commander bade his soldiers recoil, ct that forty centuries louked down upon them from these ancient and mysterious structures. The brilliant victory gave the French a certain hold over Egypt, without, however, en- suring the ultimate success of their expedition.

You can never depend upon proverbs. One says Silence is golden another, Money talks A waiter in a Springfield boarding house, in re- citing a bill of fare, included among the rarities of the season a "potted leg of liver." There are lots of people who mix their religion with business, but forgot to stir it up well. The business in variably rises to the top as a result A CHINESE WILLI-A Chinamen died, leaving his property to his three sons, as followsTo Funi- llum, his eldest, one-half thereof: Nu-Pin, his second son, one-third thereof; an I to Ding-Bat, his youngest, one-ninth thereof. When the property was inventoried it was found to consist of nothing more or less than 17 elephants and is puzzled these three heirs to decide how to divide the property according to the terms of the will without chopping up the 17 elephants, and thereby seriously impair- ing their value. Finally they applied to a wise neighbour, Sum-Punk, for advice. Sum-Punk had all elephant of his own. He drove it into the yard with the 17, and said, "Now wo will suppose that your father has left these 18 elephants. Fum- Hum take your half and depart." So Fum-Hum took his nine elephants and went his way. "Now Nu- Pill," said the wise man, -take your third and go." So Nu-Pin took his elephants and travelled. "Now, Ding- Bat, "said the wise man, "take your ninth and begone." So Ding- Bat took two elephants and absquatulated. Then Sum- Punk took his own elephant and drove home again. Query: Was the property divided according to the will? — CO-ILL-Tlie ancient Britons are believed to have discovered coal before the Roman invasion; it was not, however, used as a fuel in England before, pro- bably, the beginning of the twelfth century. In 1234 lieiiry Ill. gave the townsmen of Newcastle leave to dig coals and stones from the common soil; but woo l continued to co npose the general ftiel, at least s > as the forests and thickets afforded an ample .,tipi-ly for that purpose. In the reign of Edward L i: io use of coal was forbidden by royal proclamation, n of the supposed injurious effect of 'h • s;wKce. But in spite of this prohibition, it con. I i"U,d t. be use so that we find in 137ua regular lity of • d. per ton levie,l on all coal brought from iv t,, o 80,111 after which, coal was used as fuel ;) royal Inial's. S.nce the time of Charles L hits becoi) .• ai-'iost the only fuel used in London, -■'■id most other towns and districts througnout the mgdom; The 7netnod of mascing coke, by extract- tlio bituminous quality from coal, was discovered John i'hi'jke; in 1627, who obtained a patent, the Avowed ohect of "rendering coal as use- ii as wood fc fuel in ..ouses, without damaging tf f!i.ritittire, or incomm; ding the inhabLa its with t1 tobacc > plant is a native of the and J tdies, and particularly the island vi Tobago, wiv" thenavio tobacco is derived. It is probable t'iiat tobace < was smoked in various parts of Asia. ani espec "Uy in China, long before u\e discovery oi r in the .Jew World. An account •>f tho plant, und'.r the of Colioba, was pub- s'el in "i a Span It rijoiik, whom Columbus, hia su,,oii(i departure trora America, had left at t. Domingo n.i I it r«s shortly afterwards im- ported in considerable ties both by Spain and Portugal. In I:9, Jer a Njeot, the French ani- tassador at tli )' ,.tugU( Je court, sent some seeds of tobacco to his own co ntry, where it was culti- vated under Vms name >f Nicotiana. Tobacco is Mid to have first br tt,,Iit into England by Sir Francis Drake, n 15tH, "lI.nd Sir Walter aleigh Introduced tho ;jst im c smoking it. Some idea •if tiie high t' aton which tobacco was for- merly held, as v/o ( as its dearness may be tormed f.I)1Il what was v- tteti t > Aubrey, an old English author, in w 10 says. "I have heard some of our old yeomen »it,nbours affirm that when they went to mr1: t ey culied out their biggest shil- lings to jay in t'ie scales against the tobacco," thus maiiiag.il ,e<iual in valus to its weight in silver. [

POKTYPKIDD LOCAL BOARD. Tbe fortnightly meeting of the above authority wax held at the Board's Offices, Pontypridd, oil Thursday afternoon, the 10th instant, Wffo there were presentMessrs Mcues Gule, J. Penn, James Roberts, W. W. Philaps, H. T. Wales, 0. Rowland, John James, B. Jones, and D. Leysbon "ith Mr H. Ll. Grovor, clerk; Mr J. Sprague, deputy clerk and Mr E. itess, earveyor. Mr Penn was voted to the chair, in the absence of the Rey D. W. Williams, M.A. THE PAVEMENT DISPUTE IN HIGH-BTU CRT- -FURTHER TliOUSLBS UTOMINa. The Clerk reported that a further difficulty had arisen with regard to the recent public improve- ments in High-street. Mr W. V. Rees, ironmonger, nid not tegard the 00 voted to him at the previous meeting in the light of compensation for loss through damage to premises. Mr Rees* only promise of concession was to remove the obstruc- tion on the pavement; he:was not prepared to dedicate the pavement to the public use. as this would be requiring of him more than was expected of other ratepayers. The Clerk proceeded to remark that it was clearly understood at tbe pre- vious meeting that Mr Bees would aooept £1)0 compensation and 220 costs, in compromise of the 9300 originally claimed by him as damage to tbe shop premises, &c. The Chairman—Mr Bees nses the pavement now IDOle than ever. Mr Roberts-So does Mr Charles Goodman as well. The Clerk—0, yes; he is determined te defy the Board on the matter. Messrs James and Cule (the deputation who waited apon Mr Rees on behalf of the Board) reiterated their previous remarks that Mr Rees had promised, in consideration of the payment of £90, damages and costs, to yield his entire right and claim. Mr Leyahon- Y el, and he told me so himself after the consultation. Mr Roberts thought it was bet, or net to pay the cheque to Mr Kees until the matter was clearly settled. The Chairman proposed that Messrs Cule and James be asked to again wait upon Mr Rees, with a view of arriving at an amicable arrangement. This was seconded by Mr Phillips, and agreed to. Mr Phillips suggested that the clerk should accompany the deputation. Tht Clerk—No, Y ou had betterdo without lawyers if you can. (Laughter.) TMK LoCJkl, OOTKBNMCNT BILL. The Clerk said the next matter was a letter inviting the Board's consideration of the Local Government Bill. Mr Roberts suggested that a special meeting should be held for that purpose. He should like to see a clause inserted imposing a tax upon royalties and ground rents. Mr Phillips said the unjust wheel tax should also be expunged. Mr James.o..We should resist the compensation clause as well. On the motion of Mr Roberts, seconded by the Chairman, it was resolved to hold a special meeting on Monday evening, at 6.30, to consider the bill. THE STATE OF LONG-ROW, TREFOREST. The Clerk reported that a committee had met the parties interested in Long-row, Treforest, and, after due consideratipn,it Was agreed to recommend that it the latter would form a gravel path, pave and channel in front of the boames, and remove the present obstruction, the requirements of the Board would be met for the present, the work to be dooe by the 1st of August to the satisfaction of the surveyor. The Chairman said the place was in a filthy con- dition, and ought to be seen to at once. Mr Roberts moved, Mr Cule seconded, and it was carried, that the recommendation of the oommittee be adopted, it being generally admitted that the road in question was a public street within the meaning of the Act. MRS RODERICK AND THE BOARD. With regard to the concessions made to the Board by Mrs Roderick, of the Wheat Sheaf Inn, it was remarked that she required Z10 in consideration of the cessation of the baileys in front of her new cottages in Union-street. The Board felt that the payment of £10 was prohibitive, and, on the mocion of Mr Rowland, seconded by Mr James, it was resolved to pave and channel in front of the cottages, but that no money be paid. Mr Roberts said Mrs Roderick had infringed the byelaws of the Board, and it was in their power to prosecute her. MR D. LEYSHON AGAIN. Messrs Leysbon and James suggested that further action in regard to the premises of Mr Leyshon, merchant, High-street, be deferred for a fortnight, as the plans had not yet been prepared in con- nection with the lowering of the shop. This was agreed to. ENCROACHMENT IN TAFF-STREBT. Mr Leyshon romarked that a oommittee had visited the site of Mr Edwin Phillips' new building in Taff-street, and decided to waive any objection to the enoroachment thereat, provide4 Mr Phillips would securely arch over the excavation to the satisfaction of the Board. This suggestion was also agreed to. The ratal excased list, amounting to J663 19a. 7d., was passed. The Surveyor reported that a now watering van, which would cost J646, had been ordered for use in the town. VACANCIES ON THE JOINT SEWBRAOE BOARD. It was explained by the clerk that two vacancies existed on the looal representation of the Joint Sewerage Board. Mr Leyshon moved the election of Mr Phillips I in place of Mr Hopkins. Mr Jones seconded. Mr Phillips: I will propose Mr Wales instead of myself. Mr Roberts had the fullest confidence in the I ballot, and moved that balloting be resorted to as on former occasions. j Mr Leyshon proposed tbe re-election of Mr Cule. Mr Janles seconded the nomination of Mr Wales. The Chairman seconded that of Mr Cule. The Chairman seconded that of Mr Cule. Mr Phillips said he would prefer Mr Wales being elected in place of himself. Replying to Mr Roberts' remark as to the ballot, he said that the Ri ondda Ward was entirely ignored last time, and they smely had a right to one member this time. Messrs Cule and Wales were then declared elected. The plans of a proposed new water subway from the Great Western Colliery to the Rhondda river were examined and passed. RHONDDA TRAMWAY. The Clerk drew attention to the draft code of byelaws furnished by the Board of Trade for the regnlation of the Rhondda Tramway Company, and suggested that the same be supplemented by special, ules. The place where the cars were at present unhorsed was a very dangerous one, and the Board should not allow it. « Mr Wales agreed. Mr Roberts said the oars were also frequently overcrowded. They carried sometimes twice the maximum number of passengers. Mr Wales had also seen the horses unable to move the carriages, especially where the road was somewhat steep. Mr Phillips complained that the cars were being furiously driven along curves. After some conversation, it was decided that the public works committee should pay a surprise visit, and make investigations with regard to these and other complaints against the oompasy. SURVEYOR'S BEFOBT. The Surveyor reported that a house occupied by one Thomas Hughes and wife at Castle Court, Treforost, was in a filthy state, and quite unfit for human habitation. The occupants of the house he also found disgracefully dirty, and the bedding was composed of old rags. He stated that the woman was too old and feeble to clean the house. On the suggestion of Mr Roberts, it was decided to request the medical officer to examine the house with a view to itt being closed, and the old people sent to tho workhouse. It was -esolved to issue a summons against the Pontypridd Bakery Company for neglecting to sub- mit planA of ceria new buildings in Morgan-street which were in course of erection. TU8 SANITARY STATS OF THE DISTRICT. Mr James drew attention to the necessity of having periodical reports supplied as to the general sani- toory condition of the district. The inspector of nuisanoes had been appointed for the Ust two years, bat no report had yet been sent in. He moved that reports be in future famished four times in the year. The Chairman considered the motion a good one, and Had great pleasure in seconding it. Mr James' motion was thereupon agreed to. and the surveyor ordered to send in complete reports in June, September, December, and March. T op. DICKS. Foar tenders were sent in for the erection of a boundary wall in Wood-road,and that of Mr William Gabriel, at 711. per eubio yard, being the lowest, was accepted. THE ROAD AT NANTYDALL. Mr Leyshon said the road at Nantydall had pot been metalled, and it was high time that the Barry Dock and Railway Company should oe called npou to do the necessary work. Mr Roberts The company are prepared to do it, and are only waiting for specific instructions from our surveyor. Mr Cnle did not believe th". an they knew what was to be done. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Rowland, it was agreed that the clerk should write to the company requesting them to put the road in proper oonditiou at Onoe, together with the roads in MTj^h-street and Pwligwaun. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Leyshon suggested that a sum of JJIO be ap- plied to the repair of the road leading from Dany- graig to the Cross Keys. The road was very largely used by the public. Mr Roberts agreed, and it was resolved to write to Mr Rioharda tor the necessary permission. Mr PbiMips asked that the proposed publio im- provements in the Rhondda ward be carried out. The roads were very dangerous. On the suggestion of Mr Cule, the members of each ward were appointed oommitteeis to see what was neoessary to be done throughout the district under the Board. -WI UYV Ua..&tS'4&681 motion by the ohairmau. The amendment was carried, the proposer and seoonder only voting for the mocion. The prooeedioga then terminated.

FIRE AT IH'ABERDAREZFODHDRT. Shortly after two o'clock on Sanday afternoon a shed, formUtg part of Glanycon Foundry, Aberdare, was discovered to be on fire. Information was at once conveyed to the Police-station, and Inspector Thorney, with a staff of constables, aided by a number of people who happened to be present, managed to get two hoses to play on the flakes, the result being that the fire was subdued in less than an hour. The contents of the room consisted of some old hay, and it is believed that the outbreak was caused by spon- taneous combustion, occasioned by the heat of the sun upon the corrugated iron roofing. The premises are owned by Mr Thomas Jones, of the George Brewery, and, having been but recently erected, is the only por- tion uninsured.

EXTRAORDINARY ARDENT AT MERTHYR VALE. On Friday morning, John Edwards, a young mar- ried man, 27 years of age, whose wife and child reside in North Wales, was knocked down by an engine at Danderi, near Merthyr Vvle, under peculiar circum- stanaes. It does not appear that he had any business on the line, and he seems to have put his foot on the metals, just as the engine, which was reversed, was moving along at a rate of only three miles an hour. The whistle of the engine was sounded, but as Edwards did not get away, the tender caught his foet, and threw him off the line. The injured man was con- veyed to the Workhouse infirmary, where it was found necessary to ampatate his leg. Edwards has been living lately at Merthyr Vale with his parents, but has been out of work.

THE NEW DOWLAISJ COALFIELD. The first survey of the new coalfield of the Dowlais Company at Aberdare Junction, in the Taff Valley, has just been made. As the coal has been proved on both sides at the Albion Colliery and Penrhiwceiber, ^experts regard it as one of the finest and most promis- ing coal takings yet prospected.

RHONDDi, GILFACH, OGMORE, AND GAB fl VALLEYS HOUSE COAL ASSOCIATION. The committee elected at the last monthly meeting of the above association met on Saturday at the Washington Hotel, Porth, to arrange the details of the forthcoming general mass meeting of all house coal workmen of this district, Mr John Griffiths pre- siding. It was resolved that th6 general mass meeting be held at the top of Trebanog on Monday, the 11th of June, at noon. It was also decided to invite Mr W. Abraham, ("Mabon"), M.P., Mr Isaac Evans, and others to address the meeting upon the sliding-scale and the necessity of forming a district of tue South Wales and Monmouthshire Colliery Workmens' Federation.

MINERS' BETINGil JIT CAERPHILLY ,i A meeting of colliers was held at the Goodrich Arms, Caerphilly, on Saturday, Mr LI. Llewelyn, Bed was, presiding. There was a fair attendance of eolliers present. A number of important questions in connection with miners were disoussed,and resolutions on the following subjects carried :— "That this meeting desires to express its great satis. faction at hearing that the managers of the various collieries in this district have compiled early this year, after the new Mines Act came into force, by supplying the men with suitable timber at their working places, &c., but disapproves of the action of the colliers at Radry and Wernddu Collieries in con- tinuing to move about the timber as under the old Act and unless the said colliers discontinue the practice and comply with the rules, an investigation will take place at once." p, Reference was made to the Bill now before Parlia- ment to provide for the preferential payment of wages in bankruptcy cases and the Weekly Wages Bill. The following resolution was eventually carried unani- mously ,,tv "That this meeting rejoices to hear that our Welsh M.P.'s are co-operating in pressing forward these Bills, which it is believed by the miners will be of great benefit in these low and depressed times, and we pledge ourselves to assist any movement to secure this end."

THE JUBILEE YEAR Is already, and will yet be, celebrated by the eure of Hundreds of thousands of poor sufferers from various Blood, Skin, and Nerve diseases, which are most marvellously affected by the use of the world's renowned remedy, vizHughes' Blood Pills, Is lid., 21 9d., and 48 6d., of all medicine vendors. Ik.

WIT AND HUMOUR The fellofr who asked a hotel waiter what they fed mock turtles on is the same fellow who bleir out the gns. There be but little in life to live for. The world is a hollow mockery, full of troubles, trials, and bad piano players". A doctor says that cats onght to have plenty of j.'i ass. They certainly ought—but it should be l rowing over them. Sutnc men seem to be fond of hugging delusions, ;>nd it may be that they got in the habit because irt-t are such delusive creatures. inquisitive party to hod carrier "And do you p> up that ladder all day loJBg Pat: No, sir half ov the toimc oi cum down." A woman always carrieslier purse in her hand M> that other women will see it; a man carries hi in his inside pocket so that hie wife won't see it. A gentleman whose watoh had been stolen by a pickpocket declared that he "could not imagine how it had been taken, as it was continually on its guard." A family, consisting of man and wife and two (i.itiglitei-s, all of whom suffer from an obliquity oi vision, are popularly known as tho "squintet." •' tr. Highwater, how is it I find no cream on your milk ? Milkman Well, mum, I expect the cows are holding it back for atrawberry time." Sarah Jane Well, Aunt Cruzer, did you have a nice time at the Bowlers'?" Aunt Crimr Xicc time Well, it's the last time I set foot in that house. Why, when I come to go, they didn't) even say, what's my hurry ? A Chance for Compositors. -Mr. N. F. Davin' name only appears fifty-seven times in the las6 issue of the Leaden If the piece hands in thab, office would have the name of its proprietor cast on one body they would have a fat take." A young fellow riding in a gig in Clieapside meb with an accident which threw him out into tho road. Ho was "wry-necked." and all he could say to the good folks who tried by force to pull his, neck into its right position was Born so Nothing so helps a paper as tho imparting 0? useful information. How shall I keep the nie» out of the sugar bowl? "asks a correspondent) "Fill the sugar bowl with salt," promptly respondt a friend. An old soaker in Hatton-garden being found in the gutter on a rainy night, the water making a clear breach over him from head to heels, was asked by a passer what he was doin- there. 44 Oh," said be, "I agreed to meet a man lion." A good story concerning the production of "The Lady of Lyons" at Salt Lake City Theatre:- An aged Mormon arose, and went out with his twenty-four wives, angrily stating that he wouldn't sit and see a play where a man made such a fuse over one woman." Said Brown to Fogg, who had been indulging in some of his vagaries: Excuse my mentioning' it, but now we are alone, let me remind you that there are always a fool and a critic in every com. pany." "Two is small company," replied Fogg. But why do you call me a critic A country youth came to town to see his intended wife, and for a long time could think of nothing to say. At last, a great erw>w falling he took occa- sion to tell her that his father's sheep would be undone. Well," said she, taking him by the band, "I'll keep one of them." "It is commonsense and not education that makes a woman," said an old man mournfully. I spent a little fortune educating my daughter, and when her education was completed she went off alllf married a dude who died of blood-poisoning caused by sucking the head of his cane. The Cautious Farmer.—Hotel clerk to farmer Will you register, please?" Farmer: "Willi do what?" Clerk Register, sign your name in this book." Farmer "Not much, young fellow. Ye don't git me to sign my name on no paper. I'vQ.. been beat once, and that's 'nough." The late J. B. Gough desired that the follow- ing words should be eat en his tombstone as hia epitaph I can desire nothing better for this great country than that a barrier as high as heaven should be raised between the unpolluted lip9 of the child and the intoxicating cup.' Sir," said the customs officer to the tourist, I thought you told me you had nothing but your personal wearing apparel in this trunk ? So I did." Well, how do you account for the pre- sence of a dozen bottles of brandy ?" Oh, that a all right. They are night caps.' A countryman walking along the streets of New York, found his progress stopped by a close barri. cade of wood. What's that for ?" said he to a person in the street. Oh, that, to stop the yellow fever." "Ah, I have often heard of the Board of Health, but I never saw it before." A soldier on trial for habitual drunkenness was addressed by the president" Prisoner, you have heard the prosecution for habitual drunkenness what have you to say in defence ?" Nothiug. please your honour, but habitual thirst." Sir John Irwin was a favourite of George IIL who once observed to him, They tell me Sir Jo. that you love a glass of wine." "Those," replied Irwin, who so informed your Majesty have dona me a great injustice they should have said a bot- tle." "Music for all."—By an advertisement headecf thus, the public have lately been invited to pur- chase The Deep Toned Metallic Pipe, tuned to concert pitch," for Is. 7d. in postage stamps. A. person who remitted the stamps received in return an ordinary tin whistle. Mother," said little Ned one morning, after having fallen out of bed, I think I know why I fell out of bed last night. It was because I slepia too near where I got in." Musing a little while," as if in doubt whether he bad given the right ex- planation, he added "No, that wasn't the reason, it was because I slept too near where I fell-out." I Yes, my child," says the mother, having con-; eluded her fairy tale, there are people in the moon just as there are on the earth." But there can'. be, ma Indeed, and pray why can't there be. Miss Lilly ?" Because, where would they go when. the moon gets so small you can scarcely see it ? < Scene Chemist shop not a hundred miles from Park-road. Enter small girl, with a bottle of" cod-liver oil, purchased on the previous day. Small girl: If ye please, sir, wull ye tak' this back ? The man canna tak' it, for he deed last night. I She Wanted Full Value. -Seen p Telegrapik office, "That makes eight words, madam." "Am I not entitled to send two wor4- more ?" Cetk- tainly, madam." Very well, then, have the kind. ness to put the words 'In haste' on the envelopo- of the telegram." A man went into a shop, and says he. Faith, an' did you put in the papers that you wanted a man ?" Yes," said the shopkeeper, and dis- tinctly stated that all applications must be made by mail." An' faith an' it's meself that's a male, sure," says Pat, and he was hired. We recently saw an -aocount of the different devices used by actors to keep from smiling on the stage," writes an editor. One never-failing device is for the actor to catch sight of the manager step- ping out the back way with all the box office re- ceipts. That is what they call a heroic remedy, wo believe. An individual applies to the cab company for a situation. "Do you know how to drive ? 11 Ye4 sir." You know that you must l e [Kiiite with all your passengers?" Ah "Atdhouost Foe example, what would you do if you should find ilk your cab a poCket-book containing Nor- thing at all. I -Ii,)ul,i live,)ti inN i;, t A young lady lately asked a gal it, the mean- ing of t!h' %vorti and the gentleman. explained it to her a a gate through wlich par- ties have to get in.- ried." "Then I inkLgine," said the ludy, thai .t is a corruption <sorrow-, gate." i ou are r ^iit, ims- rcpHed Iter infor- I mant, "as woman »S an abbreviation of woe tft man." <1 An ancient Bohemian, who bad couv nto a snug fortune, 1- felicitated warmly by an o'.a cquainb- ance. "Yes," said the Cru-M. < .o,.ectivaly, it is a¡\¡'n"aEt, tbino; to havo m..)i.y And do frou know what is most agreeable ab. ;;t it? You. feel, sir, that you you nd friend who este:in you for your own qualities :uone." .) Last night the do rboll of a tradesman in Tox- teth rang violently evc vul imas in succession, and on goitr. to it he foxmd green Irish girl who pub the folio ung (lu- hllll-h I 'U.f. me sister live hero What 'c uir sister s name ?" asked he. "T a-athrine," said she. "ISO," said the tradesm n, ai.d .-In.; locr. In half an hour she. came ag -m, in li6. niaunsr, atidesked, "Koedyefe tell me hcrg she lives