The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

A VICAR FINED FOR CRUELTY Before the Bullingdon county magistrates ab Oxford, the Rev. George Moore, vicar of Cowley, near Oxford, and two men in his employ, named Rawlins and Mitchell, were summoned by Inspec- tor Watkins, of the R.S.P.C. A., for cruelty to a horse on May 5 and 6. The charge was withdrawn againeb Rawlins, who was called as a witness. It was shown that the vicar had a farm at Cliisle- hampton. The animal, it was alleged, was in a bad condition, and had two bad wounds. There was also another animal in a worse state, which was sold to a knacker for IGe. The bailiff Mitchell pleaded guilty, but the vicar said he did not know the state the animals were in, although witnesses swore his attention had been called to the faafc The vicar was fined f.5 and MitclieH jEL and costs.

GETTINCTUP A LITTLE SENSATION." At the Hammersmith Police Courb, Daniel O'Keefe has been re-examined on the charge of at- tempting to commit suicide by swallowing poison in Earl's-court-road, Kensington. When before the magistrate on the last occasion the prisoner said it was a casoof the priest and the family," his sister, who was willing to assist him, being prevented. He was remanded for the attendance of the priest. -The Rev. Father Hogan, of Homerton, now at- tended and said he had known the prisoner since 1874. He had two sisters, and had caused them great trouble, especially one. He had attempted suicide on other occasions, for the purpose, as they believed of getting up a little sensation. Once he threatened to commit suicide on his (the witness's) doorstep, because he said he had prevented him from seeing his sister, but she refused to have anything to do with him.—Mr. Paget, in discharging the prlsober said if he continued playing that trick he would probably do it effectually.

A Chester telegram states thab rich discoveries of gold have been made in North Wales, on tho estates of Lord N6wborough and Sir Watkia Wyim, Barb. A portion of tha Au«trimi squadron at -nresent at Barcelona will, says a Vienna correspondent, vitit Malta on Its way back to Pola. A Vienna correspondent telegraphs that. t he BervianGovernmentcontemplates making Be ilmpoti -»*

FROM CITY COltRESPONDENTS. THE feat recently performed by Mr. Osborne in Towing over the Channel in a sculling-boat is, vrithout doubt, a display of great endurance and of courage as well. Starting at eleven in the morning, the sculler did not reach the French coast untitabout midnight, and during his voyage he had ntf refreshments but biscuits and stout, on which sustenance he cohered his forty miles of tumbling sea. The feat is certainly more remark- able than that of the Engtish eight which performed • a similar journey some years ago, after waiting for a calm day to effect the joiirney for the oarsmen "were attended by a steadier, which carried the necessary refreshment.81 ,11 i.' I 1. I. TnRRt: is a in article in the Daily Newt on P^etufes and raint ""—djscourag- '"ing, that is, for amateurs wlio have, acquired 'modern canvases exchange; ffojf substantial ^•cheques. The wrif'er insists on the fact that chemical science lihiebeen of rather doubjbful bene- fit to painters. Jtjjfcas given them plenty of start- ling and brilliant «%plours but it has rendered a 'modern picture a'thing of beauty which, so far from lasting for "fever, will in all probability begin to fadein^a fear yeaxa. -The V old masters," who mixed their colours with harmless-earths and vege- table dyes,(produced pictures which are apparently in^rviouB tojthe ''enyious^ooth" pftiiae. Our r*artists use piwmen and pgilpmd acids; and it fl i§ more thapifoubtful whether their pigments will hot dissolve inlio their component elements before 'ing. To pay for a picture, and then to find It swiftly fading,,out as it hangs on your dining- y r<>ou» trolly, must pgrtainly be annoying. 'th' ') b Aq there seems be some doubt in reference to •'tlie precise positiqi^hich the Queen occupies in regard to age as c^iqpared with the other European Sovereigns, it may b?j pointed out that the King of the Netherlands apd. the King of Denmark are both her seniors, the farmer having been born in 1817 and the latter in 181-8. The King of Wurtcm- burg is four years younger than her Majesty, the King of Sweden ten yeaprs, the Emperor of Austria eleven years, and the,German Emperor twelve years. 'The King of thtL Belgians is fifty-three years old, the King of Portugal lifty, the King of Roumania forty-nine, the. Prince of Montenegro forty-seven, the Sultan -Vt. Turkey forty-six, the If ing ,of Italy forty-four, ^he Emperor of Russia and the King of Grecce ea$i forty-tliree, the King Of Bavaria forty, and the I £ ing of Servia thirty- four. The youngest European monarch is the j;. infant King of Spain,. who was born in 1686. THERE has been a steel steamboat, two hundred and fifteen feet long, launched at Kirkcaldy, and it will be used for the paaeenger service on the Thames, Any attempt to addi to the facilities for asing the river as a highway ^nnot be regarded with indifference by the pubijfl. It is notorious ihat for many years past the Thames, where there is most traffic on it of this kindj has had steam- boats which would compare itufavqvably with tbose of any other river in the worldt having re- ference to the requirements of the caset&iiWe have reason to hope tbat a ijew era has begun in the means of transit on the greats waterway which divides London. With a population here so im- mense as that now existing, the river traffic should oduce a large and highly satisfactory revenue. If it has failed to do so at any time, this result muat be attributed solely to lack of satisfactory accommodation on board the steamboats. They only require to be made really comfortable and en- joyable to ensure an immense inflnx of passengers, not only in summer, but even in winter. ——- THE table which Lord Brassey prints in the Timet shows how much reliance can be placed on Government" vigilance II when not kept alive by public agitation. During the ten years 1875-1884 it appears that our expenditure on shipbuilding was barely equal to that of the French and while we were building gunboats and corvettes the French were building armoured cruisers. No wonder that when the nation came to look into these matters in 1885 it was found that an enor- mous increase of expenditure was necessary. During the last three years we have been building fast, and have partly made up for the preceding < period of slackness. But the Admiralty is appa- rently exhausted by the effort. We are to build no more ironclads at present; though Lord Brassey, like Lord Charles Beresford and other authorities thinks that without several more battle-ships, torpedo-rams, and armoured cruisers we shall hardly retain our superiority over the French alone. The present agitation ought not to be allowed to -die down till the Government have plnl:»<! Ui-em- celves to another •'Northbrook programme," at the least. THKRE are other than economic reasons for the English workman's prejudice ngninst foreign im. migrants. The habits of some of tiiese competitors with our own workpeople do not always harmonise with English notions of decency. It appears that -at YVinsford, in Cheshire, there is a numerous colony of Poles employed in the salt mines. The .conditions under which they live are if anything worse than those to which the foreign victims of the sweating system in the East End of London submit. At the meeting of the Winsford Local Board the surveyor gave an account of a midnight inspection of the cottages occupied by the ^foreigners which he had undertaken in consequence of the outbreak of small-pox amongst them. In one room he found six men, a woman, and four young children sleeping in another room seven men, a woman, and two children and in another ten men. Nearly all the occupants of the cottages 'were sleeping on the floor with their clothes on. In one wretched tenem,ent, however, four little children were found lying quite naked. The sur- veyor described the scenes he had witnessed as most disgusting." It does not^ppear, hpwever, that the Winsford Local Board have taken steps fo put a stop to the revolting state of things I have attempted to describe. The owners of the ealt mines, it seems, provide cottages for the Polish immigrants and deduct the rent out of their wages. Surely the local board might take pro- ceedings against the owners for endangering the public health by crowding their workpeople into Jpathsome dens. SOMEBODY has been complaining in the columns of a contemporary of the hardships of mock auc- tions. There is no doubt that a cunningly or- ganised conspiracy, or rather series of conspiracies, to deceive the public could be traced back as hav- ing been in existence for many years past. By means of these sham sales to the highest bidder thousands of people have fallen easy victims to im- positions of the most, scandalous kind. The great majority of people are quite unable to appraise what is offered to tin in in this way, and they trust to a very great extern to the opinions of apparent '■(.buyers as strikingly manifested by the bids they make for the coveted article. When these con- federates have succeeded in running up the price to the sum which has been secretly agreed upon previously, the genuine purchaser is allowed to secure what he wants, provided the eagerness he has shown has not warranted the bolder course of outbidding him still further. Such proceedings, though they are common, can only be regarded by -everybody of average moral perception as plans for obtaining exorbitant prices by collusion. They are not only in the last degree discreditable to persons that live by them, and a cruel deception Eractisedon the genuine buyers on such occasions, ut they are an injo 'ice to the honourable trades- itnan, who would dbddn to stoop to such disgiaoe- ful devices in order to ensure rapid sales at greatly increased profits. Mock auctions should be made impossible without the certainty of detection and the prosecution of those concerned in them. The 'detection at all events would not be a difficult matter if, the police wore instructed to watch the -constant frequenters of the places where sham sales by auction are constantly carried on. As it is, they have been carried on at intervals more or less frequent, and almost with perfect impunity, for the last thirty years or more. If the law as it stands cannot successfully be brought to bear on ■uch cases we* hu ve indicated, by all means Pet us have further legislation,in the matter.

The Collector of New York has ordered the re. turn of 11 ex coavietf; chiefly from Italy, wheiad arrived from Europe. The village of Hariamb near Botuschany, haa been entirtfy destroyed by 6r& Over 400 families Are without food oreheP-er. <

DISASTROUS STEAMER EXPLOSION. SIX KILLED AND MANY JNJVltED. A Queenstown correspondent tetcgraphs :<-In- teIIigenco haa been brought by theCunard steamer Servia from Now York, that on the 17th inët. the boiler of the passenger eteamer Robert Henry ex- ploded while she was proceeding up the Elk river, uear Parkesbury, with twenty-five persons abroad, of whom six were killed, including two passengers. Eight others were so terribly mutilated that they rM Hit expected to reoover. Only three persons escaped injury. The steamer was completely wrecked.

VACCINATION EXTRAORDINARY. The regulations at the Canadian port of Quebec have just been the means of causing no fewer than oOO immigrants from one steamer to undergo the operation of vaccination. The immigrants were part of 1,0«30 who arrived from Liverpool in the steamer Ontario. They were nearly all foreigners, and appeared to be in a very healthy condition. On arrival at the quarantine ground, it was found that about 600 of the immigrants had either hever been vaccinated nt all or not within'tho last seveft years. The labour for the ordinary quarantine medical officers to vaccinate the 600 would have detained the ship for a very long time, so those officials went in the steamer to Quebec, where they obtained the assistance of six other doctors. The task was t hen commenced, but it was not until the following day that the 600 people underwent the operation. operation. (.f

THE BARNSLEY MURDER. The last letter aent by James W. Richardson, who was hanged at Arinley, contained the follow. ing passage :— •• Dearest Wife,-Ib will, I am sure, be a great and sore trial to you that we should be so cut off from each other in our young life, but pray toGod and He will help you to bear it, and try and live to please him, and bring our child up to do the same, and then, my dear lass, you will always, when you think of me, have the full assurance that we shall meet again in that bright home where we shall part no more. Give my love to all our relations and friend, and thank them all from me for their sympathy. Father writes and tells me that you have a home with them while ever they have one, and that gives me some comfort. So good bye, dear lass. You have been a good wife to me, and I know you will think kindly of me when I am gone. So, with last and dying love, I wish you farewell.-From your unfortunate hus- band, God bless you. J. W. RICHARDSON.

EMBEZZLEMENT BY A COLLECTOR. At the Liverpool Police Court, John Burgess Leonard, twenty-seven yeara of nge, was charged with embezzling £3 I;s. Cll. During the past nine months the prisoner was in the employ of James Gage, general dealer, 8 and 10, Pembroke-Place, as a traveller and collector, at a salary of 27s. per week and 2h per cent. commission. The collector was required to return every night, and hand over the money collected. On the 11th insb. Leonard went to collect accounts at Warrington, and to solicit orders, and the prosecutor had nob seen him until after he was in custody. He had ascertained that the prisoner had collected an account of JE3 Cs. fill. from Mrs. Smart, of Queen-streeb, War- rington, and the rebeipt she produced was in Leonard's handwriting. On further inquiry he discovered an amount collected for JE12 or £ 14. In reply to the charge, Leonard said I collected the money, and am very sorry it was about jEll." Mr. Raffles, after perusing a letter handed up to him, said it was a very hard case.—Prisoner was committed to gaol for three months.

CRUELTY BY A FATHER IN LIVERPOOL. SHOCKING PERSECUTION OF A FAMILY. At the Liverpool Police Court, before Mr. Raffles, John Meliish, coppersmith's labourer, residing at; 44, Nesfield-street, Walton, was charged at the instance of the Liverpool Society for the Preven- tion of Cruelty to Children with wounding his son, William Mellish, thirteen years of age.—Mr. Marks, who prosecuted, stated that on the 21st inst. the prisoner drove his wife and two sons out of doors. This occurred somewhat early in the morning, and during the prisoner's absence in the afternoon they contrived to creep back again, When prisoner returned in the evening they ran out, being afraid of his violence. An officer hav- ing remonstrated with the prisoner, the wife and her two boys returned to the house, but prisoner chased them out with a knife. They had to pasa the night where they could. They returned the next morning, when prisoner, in the course of an assault, cut open his youngest boy's head with a belt. Prisoner had been known to behave with brutality, but he had not previously gone so far,- Evidence was given by William Mellish, to the effect that he heard his father beating his mother in the front room. Prisoner after- wards beat his two sons with his belt as they lay in bed. He did not know why his mother was thrashed.—Prisoner held up a belt in the dock, and said it was with that (not a large belt) that he struck the boy with.—Mr. Raffles said it was a great shame to beat a boy with that. What did he do it for ?—Prisoner replied that the mother would not get up and light the fire. He called the boy, and he would not. get it p. He had therefore to get up himself.—Mr. Kaffles And because you had to do that you beat this boy with a belt, while he had only hia night shirt on.—John Samuel Mellish, another son of the prisoner, gave evidence as to the prisoner cutting him on the chest with the buckle on the belt.-According to the medical evidence there were two serious wounds on the head of the younger boy, one penetrating to the bone.—The prisoner's wife and two eons were found in a pas. sage, the elder boy being partly undressed. When potice-constabte 136 remonstrated with the prisoner he was told to look after his own business.—Pri- soner, in reply, said his wife was a drunken woman, and the children were a disorderly lot, while he himself was a hard-working man. He had in that respect set them a good example.—Mr. Raffles said he was not surprised that the children were dis- orderly.—Prisoner further complained of the boy dodging him when he wanted to chastise him, whereas at school he was taught to hold out liis, hand.—Mr. Rames A bof bas a right to dodge ^ou in these circumstances. Ib was shown that prisoner earned 15s. a week, and was given to drink. He was sent to gapl for thrpe months. I v": ». j lf» t J L 'I'* n"" 1^

Five men have been drowned near Goleen Bay, coast of Clare, a gigantic tidal wave overtaking them while thei wc^e collecting seaweed, and carry- jinstheMutlMtsoit v. i- Mr. Charles Handcoek, J.P., a cousin of Lord Castlemain, has b4on Accidentiy thrown from a side ear, and killed, kit neck Mag broken.

rORTYPKlDD LOCAL BOARD. The fortnightly meeting of the above authority was held at the Board's Office, on Thursday, the 26th inst., when there were present:—Th« Rer. D. W. Williams, M.A, (chairman), Messrs. J. Roberts, G J. Penn, J. James, B. Joces, D. Leyshon, M. Cole, D. Rowland, and Jabez Evans; wita Messrs. H. LI. Grover, olerk; J. Sprague, deputy .cterk; and Edward Reee, surveyor. TH8 LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL. On the suggestion of Mr. Boberts, the Clerk was directed to forward a copy of the previous resolution of the Board in favour of the abolition of the South Wales Turnpike Act to the three mem- bers of Parliament, Messrs A. Thomas, Arthur J. Williams, and LI. Dillwyn. This, it was consi- dered. would tend to strengthen their hands in bringing forward their intended "mendmenta under the same head in connection with the Local Gov- ernment Bill. M8 w. V. BEES AND THE BOARD. Mr James reported the result of an interview between Mr Bees and the Board's deputation with recpect to the pavement dispute in High-street. Mr Rees was now willing to hand over his right to the public, but would not commit himself to the signature of any legal document in the mattery n other ratepayer had done so under similar oirciim- btances. He (Mr James) felt sure that Mr Beet' conoession, as it waa, would be a satisfactory one, as he could be relied upon for integrity of inten. tion. The Clerk intimated that he had ascertained from a private source that when Mr Bees purchased the premises some years ago the pavement was not included in the plan, consequently the pavement did not belong to him. Mt Cule (who conducted the s*le in question) said the property was Puld subject to the plan. Mr Roberts-It is a pity we did not know that before. It was, however, decided to accept Mr Reee' offer. MB. D. LETSHOW, GHOCEB, ONCE MOB*. | Mr-James also ieported that tbe committee had I waited upon Mr DaNtid Leyshon,' grocer, High- I strett, when he seemed to be in an extremely pacific mood. He did not wish to have anything to do with lawyers. (Latighter,) He .had finished | with Mr Spickett, and paid\Mm, and he Would not have anything more to do with lawyers. (Renewed lxughter.) He was anxious to come to a satisfac- tory orrangement with the Board as soon as possi- ble. Since .,tbeor bewwrw, he mnt"CompIetety I changed his mind, and had again consulted the lawyers, who advised him not- to sejbttl%; until the matter had been again gone into, When this had been done he would communicate with the Board. Mr Leyshon also intended claiming compensation for damage alleged to have been done,by the Pur- veyor tc his water supply. Mr Penn-We are in the .pœlt'¡Oll now as before. me, iposi IOU The Chairman Ye8, eomebody will break his leg there, and there will be a claim for damages. Mr Roberts repeated his previous motion to put ths steps back in their original position. This was seconded by Mr Rowland, and agreed to. On the motion of Mr Penn, seconded by Mr James, it was resolved that the olerk write to the Barry Dock and Railway Company, calling u £ on them to do the road work required of them by the Board at once, Mr Roberts remarking that the company wished to shirk the matter. The necessary consent having been obtained from the owners of property, the surveyor was ordered to put the Tramroad from Pontypridd to Treforest in a state of repair, as otdered at the previous meeting of the board. A SINGULAR OMISSION SOHKWHIBC. The Clerk stated that the quarry near Treforest from which stones had been exoavated for the con- struction of Newport Docks had not been assessed for the rates, although it had been worked for a considerable time. The Chairman-Then what does the collector do P The Clerk-Steps are now being taken to have the quarry rated. Mr Roberti-They are going to do it now when tbe horse has left the stable. 18 IT A PUBLIC TOOTPATH ? ,1,' j The Clerk read a letter from the Public footpath Association expressing as their opinion that the footpath leading from Feeder-row to the Berw- bridge was net pnblic property, inasmuch as no lease existed, neither was there evidence of dedica- tion. Mr Roberts-Barely there is a dedication by undisturbed usage. The Clerk-The footpath was formed by the Glamorgan Canal Company under the powers of the Four Mile Act, and although usad by the pub- lic there never was an express dedication. Mr Leyshon said that as the footpath was closed at one end, it was not worth while to move any further in the matter. It was subsequently resolved to visit the place in committee, to see if anything could be done. THE FENCING OF QUABBIB8. A list was read showing the quarries in the neighbourhood that had not been fenced round for the protection of the pab'ic. Mr Leyshon said sheep alee fell into the quar- ries, and were killed. Mr Roberta-It is a great hardship to expect the tenants to fence the quarries when they are subject to a month's notice. Mr Martin, Wood-road, then entered the room, and stated that Mr CrawBhay expected him to pay half the cost of fencing his quaary, but he would not, as a proper fence would cost fully J630. He had lostt36 hy the quarry last winter, and. he would give it up. The Board felt Mr Crawshay, as owner, ought to be summoned. A letter was read stating that Mr Gibbon would not fence the Pentrebach quarry, as it was already suurrounded by a wall. Mr Cule-No, there is not a wall round it. Further steps will be taken in both matters. THB SR WEB AGE Q'JBBTLON. A letter was read from Mr G. Chatterton, C.E., London, offering to make surveys, and prepare levels and plana of the proposed sewerage scheme, for submission t the Local Government Board inquiry with resject thereto, for .£150. The offer was not accepted, the Board consider- ing the suggested work unnecessary. M MISCELLANEOUS. The summons ajainst the Pontypridd Bakery Company was ordered to be withdrawn, as the necessary building plans had since been submitted to the Board and approved of. TLe Surveyor reported that the plinth work in connection with the new building on the site of the old toll house in TalI, street projected so as to cause an encroachment. It was felt that the owner (Mr Edwin Phillips) took undue liberties with the Board, and it was decided to allow the building to be completed, and if necessary they could order the plinths to be pai ed off. Mr Gabriel, Wood-road, wrote stating that he would leave the question of payment for the coping of a certain wall which he was building in oodroad to the honour of the Board. ^Mr Rowland—The Board has no honour. (Laugh- Mr Roberts—The tender was for the entire work, 71- per ooblie yard. It was understood tuat tbe coping would be paid for by valuation when completed.

Kiicndda Police Intelligence. MofcnAV.—Before Mr J. latins Williams, Stipa: diary, and Mr T. P. Jenkins. PHKTENPED TmvET,LF.IT,AT HKOLF«CH.— Albert Farr waa fiiisd 10s for pretending to be a. traveller on Sun- day, the 13th inst., at the Britbweunydd Inn. WEEKLY DRUNXK IN THK RHONDDA.—Joseph ThOI1}R.8: vas charged by P.C. Weeks with being drank W Tuesday night, near Dinas Bridge, and cursing "und swearing.—Dismissed with a. jantion. David Raes, Olydach Vale, was charged by P.O. Thomas with being drunk on Snnday, the 13th ult., at PenygraiK. The constable locked him np, as he wa3 not in a fit state to go to Clydach Vale. After being locked up for two hours he was releas?d.—Fined 5s. Joseph Libering and Charles Moore, Hopkinstown, were charged by P.S. Llewelyn with being drunk and fight- ing on the 17th alt.-Fined 10s each. STEALING COAT. AT TUK.HKRBEKT —Catherine Nash WMcbMKedhyP.C.D.tviea with the above < ffoneeat Ynysfeio Colliery. Sli-i threw down about 201bs of I coal, and put it into a bucket. He took her to thy station, and she wan batted "-tt. There were previous convictions against IUT.—.Edward Mainwarin- o#isr-" man, said he was sent down to prosecute, as there were so many cases of stealing.—Fined 10s, or to go to prisrn for 10 days. Dooa WITHOUT LRCENSKS.—John graig, was charged by P.6 Hoyle with having four dogs on the 5th ult. without licenses. Th. officAr asked if they had iicemes.whan defendant said he had a license for one, and that be had given olie to his landlady.—Fined 203.Albert Briton was charged with the same offence. He said he was trying to sell the dog.—Case proved by P.C. Thomas —Fined 15a. i -—Edward Gibbon, Trealaw, was charged witJtSaj like offence. A license had been taken out since The wife, who appeared, said her husband had been ill for a long time, or she would have raised a license before.—To pay 2s 6d. Henry Arnott, Tonypandy, was summoned byP.G. Lewis for the same offence.—■ To pay Us 8d. Phillip Reynolds, Trealaw. charged with keeping a dog without a license, was discharged. SUN AY CLOSING ACT AT TREALAW.—WiUi&m Thomas was charged with pretending to be a traveller.—In- spector Jones said on Sunday he saw defendant come out of the Lledr ddu publich-bouse. He said he hada-« blue of beer. He tola the daughter of the innkeeoej^ he came from Ton, bat he lived at Clydach Vale. HtH was locked up for the night.-Fined 10s. "THE SAME OLD GAME" AT TREDHKY.—Martha Dixon was charged with using threa.tB.-Elizabeth Davies said on Saturday, the 12th ult., defendant came to her house, and called her a bad name, and threatened to beat her with a cane brnsh.-llound over in X5 to keep the peace for six months, and to pay the costs** I L

PONTYPliIDD BOARD OF GUARDIANS AND IIS PUBLIC BUSINESS. RESOLUTION FQR ALTERATION OF TIMB.N At the fortnightly meeting of the above Board, held on Wedneiriay, at the Union Workhouse, the Rev. D. W. Williams, M.A., presiding, Mr W. Morgan (Tynewydd) brought forward his motion that the public business of the Board be taken first. The work before them that day, he thought, was a good proof that the public business was more important than the relief lists. Under the present arrangement, most of the Guardians left before th^ i public business came on. In those circumstanced, [ therefore, he contended that the relief lists should be r taken afterwards, and the general business commence at eleven o'clock. Mr Prichard had great pleasure in seconding the resolution. The Chairman remarked that he was not going to. move an amendment, but he feared the proposal woti not work satisfactorily. Mr M. Cule agreed with the chairman. Mr D. Evans: It works veiy well at Mertbyr, and why not at Pontypridd ? Tbe Chairman suggested that the new arrangement should be tried for three months, and then if they found it impracticable, they could return to the ora f plan. Mr W. Morgan dissented. Mr H. Anthony proposed an amendment to leave well alone. They had before taken the public business arst, bat found that the members left as aoon as it was over, so that they had no one left to transact the publte business. Mr Moses Cule seconded. The Chairman: Now then, gentlemen, hands up for the amendment. (Laugh terj The result of the division waa as follows:— For the amendment 6 For the original motion 13 Majority for the motion. 7 I The Chairman: I declare the original motion carried, but I am afraid that yon will have to give way soon, and go back to the old system. (Laughter, aud hear, hear.)

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY ir TREORKY. --t A GIRL SHOT DEAD.' About seven o'clock on Monday evening, when the j fun of the fair at Treorky was at its height, a terrible event occurred. It seems that a young man named Thomas Thomas, of Edmund Street Tyiorstown.paid for a shot at a bottle, and by some means, at presetat I' unexplained, hit a girl named Kate O'Bryau, seven- unexplained, hit a girl named Kate O'Bryau, seven- teen years of age, belonging to a shooting gallery, in the temple. She fell, aud just afterwards died. A doctor was at once brought, but, of course, his ser- vices were useless. The body lies in a van on the fair field. The young man is in custody at Treherbert police-station. He says the rifle went off accidentally. —- 1

A RAID UPON VACCINATION OFFICERS. ACTION OF THE PONTYPRIDD BOARD OF GUARDIANS. WHOLESALE REDUCTION OF FEES. At the ordinary meeting of the Board of G irdians, held at the Workhouse, Pontypridd, on Wertuesday, tha Rev. D. W. Williams, M.A., in the chair, Mr W. Prichard, Clydach Vaie, said that that day fortnight they had experienced a keen competition in connection with the appointment of medical officer in the place of the late Dr Fred. Thomas, and he thought there were substantial emoluments to be de- rived from the office. Being somewhat an anti- I vaccinatienist, he would propose that they as Guar- dians recommend to the Local Government Board that an uniform fee of Is 6d each case be pad to the medical officer for vaccinating. Besides this amount, they were allowed a merit grant by the Local Govern- ment Board ior successful cases, and he knew of one instance in the union last year where a medical officer received as much as £ 72 103 in that way. Mr W. Morgan seconded. In reply to a remark trom Mr Cule. Mr Prichard said there were many medical gentlemen lathodis trict who would be glad to accept the proposed fee of I' Is 6d. The motion was then agroed to. Mr Prichard next proposed that the sum < 6d each, instead of lOd as at present, be allowed iu future to the vaccination officers for each successful c'iae. In the Merthyr Union 6d was paid. and there i-, surely no reasonable grounds why lOd should be paid in Pontypridd. The Clerk rose to introduce a matter in connection with arrears of calls, whereupon Mr Piishard asked that his motion be apposed of first. The Clerk did not know that he had moved any;- resolution. He thought Mr Prichard had "hiy moved a question, and that he could not answer. Tbe resolution to pay the vaccination officer* lOd each; was agreed to by tbe Guardians after due cpusidera-! tion, and with the sanction of the Local Government Board. Tke fees in every union were not the same; and they were not obliged to adopt the samn rate as 3 at Merthyr. If one TJhion paid their rfocers too little, that was no reason why they in the t ontypridd I Union should do the same. It was for tl1."1 Board to say whether the present figure was sufficient, or not. Mr D. Evans seoonded Mr Prichard's .motion,.and remarked that this payment of 6d. to the vaccination officers now .would probably represent a brger total than JOd. would at the time when that amount' wis agreed npon. Tbe population sinotT then had & ereased so-much that the number of those vaccinated wonld be proportionately greater. Tbe Cb&irnraft put' the mo'tion to the meeting, and it, was carried unanimously. I

r THE EUROPEAN SITUATION. COSSTANTINOPLK. It is known here that England's apparent hexitn- tion in foreign politics excites the Sultan's fear ami dietrust, and it should be noted that the articlo in the "Taritt" came immediatety after the Havae Agency had distributed a telegram to the effect that Sir James Fergusson had declared in the House of Commons that England was free from all en- • gagements. f The question of the Greek Consul at Monaslir is tiTofc yet settled. The Porte agreed to forward to Athens the documents proving M. Parioria.Vg cut- pability, but op to the present they have lIul, been sent. A trustworthy correspondent telegraphs that Michalis, a prominent actor in the Crctar Insurrec- tion, recently visited Athens, and informed the Government there that PanslavUt agents wi re busy circulating the report that England meditated the annexation of Crete on the first opportunity. The Greek Cabinet, however, at once set Michalis's mind at rest on the matter. ST. PETEKSIU'RO. [ The Russian* Press is ab present engios<e< 1 by _t,w.o. subjVtA, the English Army Bill and Llso hostility of the German and Austrian Pr ess tnwaids Russia. In referring to the ArinyBill (.lie Moscow Viedemosli thinks that in any case the outlook for England as a military power is very dark, is the only cticcb of the new bill will be to inodify the conditions of mobilisation, and not to increase the strength of the Army. In fact the present reform it regards as only one in appearaII ce. Speaking of our naval strengt h, the same paper says that England's power on the sea is not suffi- cient to moot the heavy demands on it. The »4B/4nceles.-v.sti»;t{jof the coasts, of the capital, of the coaling ftattuns, and of its immense commercial fleet, renders England more open to attack than any other power. The "Svyet" is of a different opinion, and thinks its contemporaries are quite wrml2 in taking their views of England's naval and military condition froiy the articles of English journalists and the speeches of English politicians. The English are, it d^^nres, H re*n:irkably careful and discreet people, IJUI. ftiey are not afraid to parade the defects iff thctf wtu organisation. '—Russians pVofess much snrprise that. the wholo of Europe, except France, is against them. They also, suppose that England has entered the triple alliance with Germany. If this is the case t here is very littlo likelihood of a war, as Russia will never fight so long as her ally and friend France is weakened and disturbed by internal differences. According to apparently trustworthy informa- tion, preparations are being made in Montenegro to throw at a given moment a number of well- equipped bands into llerzegovilla for the purpose of harrassing Austria in the rear in the event of complications in Russia. Any such attempt, how- etpuhUlLUOiit certainly be fruitless, as ample ion lias been made in the occupied provinces tip out any rising. BERLT*. It is reported from Vienna that notices have been posted up in several placos in Russian Poland announcing various .^n^udjing ipoveinents of troops, the reason assigned^ for them being the coming military manoeuvres. coming military manoeuvres. ST. PETERSEITRG. The Czar, in the course of the coming summer, will make a tour to Southern Russia, where he will attendthe manoeuvres of the troops belonging to the* Odessa Militaty District. His Majesty will afterwards- proceetl to the Caucasus, and it is be- lieved in Court circles that his Majesty will extend his journey to Central Asia with the object) of in- epecting the Tmnscaspian Railway. THE CONFLICT ON THE RUSSO AFGHAN b±I w-' ST. PETERSBURG. The Svyet," the organ of M. V. Komarotf, in an article on the recent skirmish on the Russo- 11 Afgbnh frontier, states that there is nothing in this calculated to alarm England, which should flayc long since reconciled .herself to the idea that Russia sooner or later will move forward to Herat. "Instead of senseless enmity towards Russia, says the 'Svyet,' 41 the tfiigl|^> ought to make sure of their own position in the south-eastern part) of Afghanistan, and should finish the matter by an amicablo division with Russia of this restless coun-1 try. In the present state of public opinion in England, howover, it is impossible to expect an impartial attitude on the Afghan question. It is, therefore, very probable that our first skirmish with the Afghans will cause a tremendous commo- tion in England, which is precisely what German diplomatists desire." ST. PETERSBURG. The II Invalide Russe," the official Russian mili- tary organ, publishes the following particulars con- cerning the recent conflict on the Russo-Afghan frontier "The Salors inhabiting the province ofMaimene havelong solicited permission to migrate to Sarakhs. Not receiving the desired permission, and being oppressed by the Afghan authorities, 168 Salors, men aud women, with 240 head of cattle, resolved to .take refuge on^ Russian territory. They crosscd the frontier on the night of the 9th inst., but were pursued by over 200 Afghan horsemen, who over-I took them on Russian territory, 36 versts from the frontier, and opened fire, which was returned by the Salors. Towards morning the Afghans with- drew, taking with them their dead and wounded, the number of which is nob known. The Salors lost two killed and five wounded. They wenb to Tachta-Bazar, Colonel Alikhanoff arriving abouti the same time and directing bhcm to proceed to I Sarakhs. The Invalide Russe adds the following further explanation The Salors being the poorest of the Turcoman trihes,.were continually driven from their homes by their more powerful neighbours, and finally emi- grated to Persia. A portion of the Salors settled on the right bank of the Heri Rood, in the province of Maimene. When the Russians in 1884 occupied Old Sarakhs, the Salors applied for permission to settle there. Thoy have founded 18 villages, and are certainly not nomads. The Salors from Maimene, by whom they have now been joined, are doubtless of the same race. THE CHINESE IN AUSTRALASIA. MKLBOURNE. The 14 Chinamen brought "here on the 7 th jusb. by the Burrumbeet have been permitted to land, all the men having paid the poll-tax. C, STDNET. The Supreme Court has granted writs of habeas corpus in respect to those Chinese who have offered to pay the poll-tax. The Court also ordered their discharge on the ground that it had no power tr exclude foreigners from the colony. ADELAIDE. Lord Knutsford has telegraphed to Sir William Robinson, Governor of South Australia, stating that the joint remarks of the Colonies would assist the Imperial Government in their negotiations upon the Chinese immigration question. The Secretary of State offers to telegraph the principal points of the discussion between the British and Chinese Governments upon the bubject, if the Australasian conference upon the Chinese question is held. LOCUST PLAGUE IN ALGERIA. PARIS. A telegram received here from Mostaganem, Algeria, states that an immense swarm of locusts is advancing in the direction of Tiaret, the insects extending over a semicircle of territory the dia- meter of whioh is 15 kilometres. ANTI-FRENCH DEMONSTRATION IN TURIN. ROMB. A somewhab serious anti-French demonstration took place at Turin the other night on the occasion pf the performance of a French operetta at the Alfieri Theatre. Matters looked so serious that the police, who were summoned, cleared the theatre.

AAIKKIUAN b'JOJ>: STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. Yo we, the position was exactly this r wait taking a walk thro' Indiana fur mv health, and, as I wasn't born rich and hadn't pinched my salary very elope I was out of V elotlics were Hell ventilated, my hair and whiskers long and .iggc.l, and I didn't kick when anybody called me a tramp. Towards the close of a beautiful day in May I fell in with another gentleman whose appear- nnce was no bet,ter than my own. He was also travelling for his health, and it was agreed that it would be a good idea to keep company. We made a raise of bread and cold meat, and soon after dark took up our quarters in a farmer's bam. No, wedidn'ti a-lv the farmer's permission. He might have out when we called, and we would have had our trouble for nothing. We climbed upon the hay, stretched our legs with a feeling of gratitude tj the inventor of hay-lofts, and soon went to sleep. In a couple of hours it began to thunder and light- ning, and I woke up. Hello William, but it thunders," says I to my !pdt. Werry well, Charlie," he replies. And -he lightnings, also, William." Werry natural, Charlie—werry natural." He was asleep again in a minute, but the flash ing and growling kept me awake. By and by the rain came, and soon there was a clap M-hich almost lifted me up. William," says I, did you look to see if there were any lightning rods on tho barn?" "Nary a look, Charlie," he groans. Which shows how utterly rock less a gentleman becomes when he takes to walking for his health. William, there may be danger." "*Don't doubt it, Charlie. 44 The barn may be struck." 44 She probably may be." v 44 And we may be killed." 4' Then we'd better say good-bye to each other now. Here's hoping ye may have six hacks at your funeral, Charlie." J ust then there came such a flash of lightning that it soemed to burn Ui, and we'saw a ball of fire floating above us. Then there was a ripping, tearing, crashing noise, and the hay-pit at the other end of the barn broke into a flame. We were benumbed for a moment, but I finally found tonguo to ask: I Are we here, William ? "Here we are, Charles." And alive ?" "Correct you are. We'd better be moving, thougll it docs seem a shame to chase a gentleman out into such rain as this." There were two horses in the barn, and when we got down to the floor they were pawing and stamp, ing in great excitement. William," says I it's a pity to leave thesg beasts to roast." So it be," he replies. cc Roast beef is all right but roast horse goes a-begging. We'll take eua out." While he cut the tie ropes I ran around an4 opened the stable door, and in a minuto thebeastt were 'Ont. William," says I, our hearts have responded 1 to the voice of mercy." 44 You kin bet, old boy." And this farmer will duly appreciate oq efforts." 41 I'm agreeing with you." About that time the farmer and his hired man and two sons heaved into view, and the way they piled on to us and bore us down and tied us hand and foot made us tired. They could have saved heap from the barn, but they let everything, goi We were lugged off to jail, arrainged in court for and foot made us tired. They could have saved heap from the barn, but they let everything, go; We were lugged off to jail, arrainged in court for barn-burning, and in one way and another we were 1 kept behind the bars for eight months. '4 William," said I, the day they turned us loose* 44 the next time we are struck by lightning we'lj slip out o' the barn and make for the woods. 44 You bet." 44 Tender-heartedness has bin our ruin." u I'm listening." And that's how I was struck by lightning, 1 stranger, and that's all my story. j THE PROPRIETIES. J Tbe other evening a patrolman found a well* dressed woman sitting in an open hall-way next door to a marble shop, and thinking she might bO a stranger in trouble ho accosted her with 44 Anything wrong, madam ? She came out to him and replied 44 No, sir—nothing wrong. I'm waiting for my nusband." i 44 And he—?" M • 'j'* He is in the marble shop figuring on a tomb- stone." "And you don't want to go in en account of the gloomy surroundings ? 44 The gloomy surroundings wouldn't affect me at all, sir, but I hope I know what belongs to the proprieties. He's in there figuring on a tombstone for his tirst wife, who's been dead three years, and I presume you can appreciate the occasion ? t "Certainly, iiia-am. Sit right down fwr the stairs, and if any of the boys bother you I'll raise lumps on their heads." PROHIBITION KILLED THE DOG. "To my certain knowledge," said a gentleman last night, I know that prohibition killed a doj in this town." 44 Oh, come down," put in a listener. It's a fact, gentlemen—a-dead square deal." Well, tell us about it." 44 You know old man who lives away out by the cemetery ? Yes ? Well,- he works out here on Marietta Street. He is a good workman, but on Marietta Street. He is a good workman, but he likes his toddy. When the old man would start to work in the morning he would stop at nearly every bar on his line. His little dog followed him to and from his work, and when the old man would go into a bar to take a drink, the dog would stretch himself out by the door and take a nap. l*hfs th# dog wouid repeat at every place, and the dog got so lazy he could scarcely walk. Welk^eptle/nen, when prohibition went into effect ^hej.old man bought two jugs of the ardent. He kept oije at home and one at the shop. Before leaving home every morning he would take a nip and then skip out- for the shop. There being no bars to stop at the poor little dog couldn't stand the trip, a^d in less than a week he died. I say prohibition killed that pogo Let's all go in and get a quart." And they went. AFTER THEY FOUND OUT. A Detriotcr who was driving out on the Holden Road the other day come to a spot where the snow had badly drifted on each side of the traJi just ad a woman (hiving a horse and pung" entered the other end of the cut. As both held to the road their horses soon came head on and stopped. 44 Why didn't you turn out ? shove d the man. Why didn't you ? replied,the woman, I've got seven miles to drive, but I'll stay here all winter before I'll turn out I" And I've got five dozen eggs here, ancf I'll let 'em freeze as hard as rocks before I'll give an inch The man dropped the lines, lighted a cigar, ahd leaned back on his scat. The womaii dro: >pedi4et lines, lighted her pipe, and wrapped i. eoid buffalc robe around her feet. Thus they it or -ight minutes, when the man grew impatn. a it aled What's the price of hogs out ym. m i 44 Oh, you've got all the pork you wa;: u in your eleigh she answered. 44 I'm glad I'm a widower And I'm glad I'm i, widder I j 44 Eh Are you a widow 44 Sartin, and I own 225 acres of the t r^id in Greenfield. So you are a widower ? 44 Yes'm. Madam, pray excuse n e. ?! fully tarn out)" 44 Oh, don't mention it. I'm perfectly \» •; ig to baul into the snowbank." "Ah madam, allow me to hope that you will overlook my- Oh,.ce!-tainly. Fine weather, but "Ir cold. Good-bye." | "Good-bye, madam. Hope you 44 Henry," she said, 44 you don't kr-w vt, »%

soothing influence you have o;> plan gi i anme into his eyes); 44 yes," d uMI yea come and talk to me, I al way; ,>c! like L: I >■ t.) sleep." During an examination, a ir, etMrie f. »i:.g asked the question, 44 When ■ ? • m.rt) >v ensue ? replied, "When you lJÜ;) Lo qu«-sti aud are answered no.