The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

A MURDEROUS AFFAIR. A murderous outrage has been committed at Parkgate, near Rotherham, the victim being a middle-aged woman, the wife of a miner named Taylor. Shortly before nine o'clock one night Mrs. Taylor was proceeding home along a rather lonely road, when a man stepped her to ask an address. The information was given, and the man immedi- ately put his left arm round the woman's neck, and with his right hand ultempted to cut her throat with a knife. She struggled, and the weapon inflicted a terrible gash on her nose, mouth, an i chin. Not content with having done this injury, tier assailant stabbed her in the back just below <he neck. She screamed for assistance, and became semi-unconscious. The man then dragged her iacross the road and threw her in a ditch contain- ing about two feet of water. A woman ab this juncture came up the road, and the fellow made off. Airs. Taylor was carried home and her wounds were dressed. A forgeman named Joseph Hampsteail has been arrested, charged with the -deed, brought before the Rollierliaiii magistrates • and remanded.

.EXTRAORDINARY SHOOTING AFFRAY. At the SouLhwark Police Court, Joseph Henry THorskin (30), grocer's assistant, was brought before Mr. Slade charged with unlawfully shooting at Samuel Bridge with intent to murder him. He was ;Vfurther charged with presenting a pistol at Police- -constable Tredger 357 M, and also with shooting a man named Henry Hankin. Samuel Bridge stated that he was a grocer ..ab 258, Southwark Park Road, and the prisoner was "his manager, residing on the premises. On witness calling there one morning he had occasion to express his dissatisfaction with the way in which t, the business was conducted, and told the prisoner he would have to dispense with his services. The t prisoller thereupon became very angry, and told -witness he would shoot hiin. He then left the shop -and went upstairs. AfLer an absence of a few ■ moments he returned and fired at witness with a ,-revolve[-, but iiiisse(i him. Witness ran out of tho -tstiop, and the prisoner followed him and fired -another shot, and then went back into the shop. Witness uL once gave information to llu police. Henry Hankin stated that he was g lillg along Southwark L'ark Road shortly after eleven o'clock Jihat morning, when he heard a pistol shot and then .felt his coat titil go swish." Oil putting his hand vinto his cont pocket he found a btillet, there. Had it VIOL struck his spectacle-case he believed it mu?t have entered his thigh. He could not say who fired the shot. t- PoliceColIstablo Tredger, 357 M, staled that ho ■received information of the shoot ing from the prose sutor, and went to the shop, where lie saw tho pri- soner behind the counter. Upon euLering, the pri- soner presented the revolver at li.m and threatened -to fire. His wife ran iii) to Iiiiii, after a litt'«; persuasion he gave up the weapon mid was taken into custody. On being charged the prisoner said he had no intention of shooting at .Mr..Hankin, but so far as Mr. Bridge was concerned he was not sorry and-would do it again. Police constable 180 M, who assisted in the pri- sonei's apprehension, having given corroborative ,evidollce, the prisoner was asked what he had to say- to the charge, and lie said Nothing."—Mr. Slade --then. committed the prisoner for trial.

CHARGE "AGAINST A PROCONSUL. At Bow Street Police Court William George At Bow Street Police Court William George Turner, formerly English pro-Consul at Biieim- I Ayres, was charged with criminal misbehaviour while holding such public oiffce.—M r. Daiii:kiv«rt«. instructed by lr, Pollard, appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Treasiy y Inspector Froe-t. watched the case on behalf of the police.—Mr. Danckweits aid the proceedings against the pri- soner were taken under an Act of George I I I., providing for the trial in England of pet sons guilty of criminal misbehaviour in any public -oftice abroad." He read the Act, which provide" that if committed by the magistrate the trial of any such offender must take place in the Court. of King's or Queen's Bench. In 18H8 Mr. Bridget, our Consul at Buenos Ayres, obtained leave of absence, and, having the sanction of Lord Balis- bury, left the prisoner, who was then pro-Consul, to take the place of acting Consul in his absence. It was part of Lhe prisoner's duty as acting Consul to account for fees and stamps. Mr. Bridget was away from April 1 to Oct. 8, 18S8, and the whole -of that Lime the prisoner, although frequently requested to do so by the Foreign Office, made no return of fees received. On Mr. Bridget's return to Buenos Ayres the prisoner absconded, taking with him, or having made away with, all books and accounts which could show how much he had received. It was believed his defalcations amounted to nearly 91,600. The prisoner was .arrested by Sorgettiit-s Ward and Buell, of Scotland- yard, when lie confessed to having had itboul A: 1 He said the amount had been greatly exaggerated. ,—The prisoner was remanded.

CHARGES OF EXTENSIVE ROBBERY. At the Worship Street Police Court, George .(Graiib (40), and George Grant (18), father alld son, ■described as watch makers, of St. John's Koad, Hoxton, were charged with having been concerned together in stealing and receiving 45 gold watches, .uiue silver watches, and three crystal ball watches, -value £350, the property of Charles Nicolct, trad- ing as Stauffer and Co., Charterhouse SLi-eet, Detective-Inspector Peel, G division, said the pro- perty, it was shown by a sworn information, had been stolen from a traveller in the em ploy of the firm, he carrying them in a handbag, which he was robbed of in the Union public-house, Air Street, Piccadilly. He (Inspector Peel) obtained certain information, and on Graub's premises being searched a gold watch, two gold cases, and two silver watches, part of the stolen property, were found. In one part of the prisoners' premises a crucible was found, containing a gold chain, some gold buttons, and other jewellery half melted.— The prisoners were remanded. Threo men, described as carmen and van porters, giving the names of Charles Smith, JamesClai idge, and George Johnson, were charged on remand with having been concerned together in stealing some silk and woottcn goods, of the value of X'18(j. —The evidence showed that on Dec. H), two cases of good, containing woollen goods and silk respec- tively, were consigned by Messrs. Stern, of W ood Street, City, to cuetomers at Vienna. The cases were delivered to Claridge and Smith, who were in the employ of a carman named Miller, and were to bo delivered by them to the Great Eastern goods depot for transmission. On the arrival of the cases At Vienna they were in due course opened for customs examination, under the superintendence of a clerk of the consignor, and then found to be filled with stones, brickbats, ani straw. The police here made certain enquiries, but the goods had nob been traced, and the prisoners when arretted by Detectives Enright, Goldley, and Thicke, denied all knowledge of the matLer.-The magis- trate (Mr. Montagu Williams, Q.C.)committed the prisoners for trial.

A now ballet, entitled Our Army and Na\'l,' «!• in rehearsal for production at the Albaubra er April U • (;

TALES TOLD BY MY GRANDFATHER. THE RESURECTIONISTS. [By LLEWELLYN LLOYD.] (Continued from our last.) The blood was oozing from a wound on his head. He recovered consciousness after a minute or two. "Have you seen the sacrilegious monsters?" were his first words. "Search, my lads," said he, "I don't think they have left the churchyard." But we were too much afraid to look for ghosts, especially such a violent one. "Pshaw, help me to my feet," said the old man, "And now who will follow me?" Of course no one volunteered, except I&nto'r Cridd. "The others," said William Rhys, "had better remain near the gate, and if any of you see anything,shout and we will come to you." Presently Ianto's voice was heard calling us. We went forward in fear and trembling; when we came up to Mr Rhys and Ianto'r Cridd, we saw them kneeling over some- thing that looked like a sack; there was an open grave near. Jenkin Williams had been buried there the day before. "Don't be afraid, my lads," said old Mr Rhys, "We'll soon clear up this mys- tery; see if that coffin's open," said he. No one moved; we were all thinking of running away. "You do it, lanto," said the old man; "You are the only one who seems to have a grain of courage." Well, lanto jumped into the open grave, and, rest- ing his feet on each side, he lifted the lid, which 0 was loose, and when Mr Rhys handed him the lan- tern, we saw the coffin was empty! "I thought so," said the old man; "Come up, lanto." When lanto had come up from the open grave, Mr Rhys opened the sack, and in it was the corpse of Jenkin Williams. "Put it back in the coffin, my lads," he said but we had not over- come our fears yet. So lanto and Mr Rhys had to do it. But we filled the grave up, and when we had finished, the eccentric old lawyer told us to take the spade and sack along with us. "My lads," said he, "What you have seen are not ghosts, but two men, sacrilegious villians, who make a living by selling these dead bodies to some doctors for dissecting purposes. Now that you know that you have not to deal with spirits, I think you will find courage to search for these fellows in the church- yard. Let us find these 'resurrectionists,' and we will hand them over to the law to meet the punish- ment they so richly deserve." We searched every nook and corner, but could not find anyone. The two following nights Mr Rhys and lanto watched the churchyard. The lawyer had a blunderbus, so if the ghosts or resurrectionists appeared, they would certainly receive the contents of old William Rhys's blunderbus. But they watched in vain; nothing appeared. About a fortnight after this Ianto'r Cridd disap- peared. William Rhys made enquiries in all di- rections the only clue, if clue it might be called, was given to us by Will y Racks (the rag gatherer), a strange-looking old fellow, who made his living by gathering rags and bones, and selling them at Cardiff. Will y Racks was a dry-weathered look- ing little man, very dirty in appearance, with long straight hair that hung over his shoulders. His clothes were given him by the people of the village, in short, Will y Racks looked more like an ani- mated scarecrow than anything else. Will said he had seen Ianto'r Cridd walking towards Cardiff. He spoke to him, and lanto said he was tired of living in such a quiet place as Pontypridd he was going to Cardiff to try and get a job, and if he could not get one there, he would walk on to some of the large towns in England. It was very strange that lanto should go away in his working clothes, without his tools, and with- out collecting his debts. Mr Rhys drove down to Cardiff, and enquired at all the shops there, but no one could remember a man of Ianto's description, calling to ask for work. It was a very mysterious disappearance. We never saw or heard from him again. We were nearly forgetting all about the ghost in Llanwonno Churchyard, when, one night, another man came running into "Tafarn y Bont" saying tne "Resurrectionists," or ghosts, were again at work. Again Mr Rhys watched, but nothing appeared to him. Shoni Williams' daughter disappeared in about a week. After this inquiries were made in all directions. They found the girl's hat and shawl in the River Taff just below Rhydfelen,but though they searched the river from Pontypridd down to Cardiff, no body was found. The last person who saw the girl was Will y Racks. He said he saw her just below Rhydfelen, standing in the middle of the road, and crying bitterly. About a hundred yards away he saw Phil Evans, the girl's sweet- heart; he asked him what was the matter between him and his sweetheart, and Phil answered they had a quarrel. Well, Phil. Evans was arrested; he was ques- tioned if he had quarrelled with his sweetheart, and he answered "Yes." He was jealous of Shen- kyn Evans, but when lie left her below Rhydfelen he walked straight home, and never saw her after- wards. Phil. Evans had always been known as a straightforward young fellow, and a great many people believed his story, but nevertheless he was still kept under arrest. He stood every chance of I being hanged. We didn't waste so much time over our trials in those days, and an accusation was almost as good, or as bad, as the condemna- tion. About a week after Phil's arrest, Will y Racks ran into "Tafarn y Bont. He had seen these "resurrectionists," he said. It was very strange, no matter how closely we watched, we couldn't see or catch these monsters; ghosts, or men, they were very cunning. Mr Rhys was driving home from Cardiff one day, when he met Will y Racks driving his little donkey in the opposite direction. The cart was well loaded. Will touched his hat to Mr Rhys, and gave the little donkey rather a cruel cut, and seemed in a hurry to get away. "You've got a good load there, Will," said Mr Rhys. "Iss, iss, sir," replied the little man, "middlin, sir, middlin," and again he gave the little donkey a cut. "It's a shame to beat the donkey like that; come down, Gelert." This was spoken to a- dog, a handsome black retriever. "It's the bones, sir," said Will the bones I've got in the part." "Very likely, be quiet, Gelert." This was said because the dog had begun to howl in a most unearthly fashion. "Well, good day, Will,"j said Mr Rhys, and he drove On, but he had not gone twenty yards when he heard a cry of rage; turning around he saw Gelert dragging the rags out of Will y Racks' cart. The dog took no notice of Mr Rhys's whistling. He shouted rather angrily to Gelert, and the dog reluc- tantly left the rag cart, but every dozen steps or so the dog turned round and howled. The dog's peculiar conduct roused Mr Khys s suspicions, and he determined to watch Will y Racks. After a week of careful watching, Mr Rhys found that the little rag gatherer never commenced work until afternoon, and then only worked about a couple of hours. One day he followed Will to 'Cardiff; saw him sell his rags; followed him again, and saw him enter a well-known doctor's house. Waited about for half-an-hour. Then Will came out, looked suspiciously up and down the street, and walked away, followed unperceived by William Rhys. The little rag gatherer entered the bank. This was enough for one day, so William Rhys drove back to Pontypridd. The next day he com- menced his watch again. This day Will y Racks went to Merthyr, and seemed to have a great deal of business to do. But wherever he went William Rhys was watching him, and before returning to Pontypridd, the lawyer found the little scarecrow was buying a row of houses in Merthyr. William Rhys kept all this to himself. One day, whilst watching Will y Racks' ramshackle old house, the lawyer saw a stranger enter. About eight o'clock the stranger walked up the mountain; Will walked up Mill Street, and climbed the mountain from the Rhondda side. Old William Rhys followed, unseen by Will. The stranger and "Y Rackskin" (another name for Will) met, and now commenced a strange robing. Opening a vault, they descended, and soon re-appeared carry- ing two lanterns,a couple of sheets,and two skulls. These skulls they fixed somehow to their shoul- ders, and here was the secret of the ghosts, with the horrible death's head that had frightened Dai CaerfyxddiB; William Rhys could not tackle both, for the stranger was a powerfully-built fellow. Rhys, therefore, came down to Pontypridd, got a few fellows together, and hid in a dark corner, waiting the return of the "resurrectionists." They had to wait a long time, but at about three o'clock in the morning they came, carrying a body. Well we all rushed out on them. Will y Racks fought like a little demon, but we secured them at last. What became of Ianto'r Cridd and Shoni Wil liams's daughter? It seems that Llanwonno being too well watched by William Rhys, Will y Racks hit on the idea of smothering people, and taking Ifiem to the dissenting doctor. He confessed that he killed lanto and the girl this way. They were all hanged, a fitting death for "The Resurrectionists." [THE END.]

STEALING SHIRTS AT PANDY. A DRUNKEN ROGUE IN TROUBLE. THE PENALTY OF SHOPLIFTING. At Ystrad Police Court, on Monday (befoie the Stipendiary), Henry Probin was charged with stealing six shirts. William Davies, assistant to Messrs Ash and Co., outfitters, said on Saturday last they pat shirts ont- side of the door for sale. They were flannel shirts, hanging in bandies of six on nails. He missed them between 8 and 9 o'clock in the evening. He saw defendant by the door a few minutes before he missed a bnnale of six, value Is lid each. The shirts pro- duied were the ones he missed. William Prothero, Llwynpia, said he saw defen- dant, who lodged two doors from him. He was in his lodgings on Saturday night, and said he bought half a dozen shirts from a Cheap Jack," under the hammer for 13s., and offered to sell some. He (witness) bought two for 4a 6d, and took them home. He afterwards gave them to a policeman. Defendant was very drunk. P C. Markham said from information received he went to defendant's lodgings at one o'clock on Sunday morning. Defendant was sleeping in a chair by the fire. Saw one of the shirts produced in a chair. Woke him up, and charged him with stealing the shirts. He said That's it; all right." Took him to the station. He had been drinking. Defen- dant pleaded guilty. Fined 20s, or 14 days.

MK MORGAN WEEKS, PONTYPRIDD, ON THE IRREGULARITY OF THE SLIDING-SCALE. IT DOES NOT « SLIDE UP PROPERLY. In the course of an interview with Mr Morgan Weeks, the representative of the house coal work- men of this district on the sliding-scale committee, our reporter elicited what may be taken as the actual views of the workmen, with whom Mr Weeks is thoroughly in touch. He considered that if the employers had, after the declaration of the disappointing result of the last audit under the scale, made a sensible offer without attaching con- ditions as to the monthly holiday it would have been much easier to bring about a settlement then than now. The fact that the Ferndale workmen have already received an advance of 7t per cent., with a prospective further advance when the next audit is declared, was, he contended, conclusive proof that the employers could afford to increase the wage-rate, and he felt strongly that the slid- ing-scale certainly did not slide upwards in favour of the men with the regularity which ought to characterise it. In order to avoid "decimals," he said, supposing that the "standard" be 8s per ton, and the price for cutting that ton Is 6d, you will see that the workmen gets about 2ld for every shilling which the employer obtains. Well, when the price of coal goes up to 8s per ton the workmen get an advance of 7t per cent., which is rather less than Itd to the workmen on the extra shilling ob- tained by the employer. Now, if the employer can afford to give the workmen 2d in the shilling on the first eight shillings, why cannot he give it on the ninth shilling as well ? Rents, ground rents, and way-leaves have to be paid out of the first eight shillings, so it would appear to me that the per- centage might well be higher on the extra price, instead of being lower. The house coal workmen, went on Mr Weeks, are more earnest than the steam coal men about this advance, and for two reasnos- first, because they have all along been dis- satisfied, upon the ground that they believe the house coal wages are kept down by the steam coal averages, and, secondly, because the house coal standard was "levelled down" in 1876. Asked what he thought would satisfy the house coal men, Mr Weeks replied that he thought they might be induced to accept an immediate 10 per cent. ad- vance, with the stipulation that the sliding-scale arrangement should be revised. As to audits, he thought they should be quarterly, with a month's time to do them in. He did not believe in retros- pective audits.

THE USE OF THE KNIFE IN THE RHONDtA. AN INFURIATED MAN THREATENING TO STAB AT TYNEWYDD. RUSHED AT HIM WITH AN OPEN KNIFE HE WAS MAD DRUNK. At Ystrad Police Court, on Monday (before the Stipendiary and other magistrates), John Gingell was charged with being drunk and threatening to stab. P C. Bryan said on Sunday night, abont 8 o'clock, he was called to Scott-street, Tynewydd. He was told deft, had a knife threatening to rip anyone open. As he approached him defendant rushed at him with an open knife, and he knocked him down,and arrested him. He was mad drank. Defendant said he had been drinking with navvies at Blaenewm. Fined 40s, or a month. been drinking with navvies at Blaenewm. Fined 40s, or a month. ============5

LLANWONNO SCHJOL BOIRD. FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW BOARD. The first meeting of the above Board, since its recent triennial election, was held on Wednesday, the 6th instant, at the Llanwonno Vestry Hall, Pontypridd, when there were present:—The Revs. B.Lloyd, M. Lewis, J. Howells, and E. Jones; Messrs J. W. Jones, Idris Williams, H. Abraham, W. W. Phillips, Edward Jones (Ynysybwl), M. H. Thomas, Ll. Llewellyn, and T. D. Dowdeswell; with Mr S. Shipton, clerk. ELECTION OF CHAIBMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN. Mr Shipton was elected to preside pro tem. On the motion of Mr Idris Williams, seconded by Mr H. Abraham, Mr J. W. Jones was unani- mously elected chairman of the Board for the en- suing three years. Mr Jones having taken the chair, returned thanks. He was very much obliged for the confi- dence they had reposed in him in re-electing him unanimously for the next three years. He must say he had received very tangible assistance from the old Board. The attendance of the members was remarkably good, and they showed a consider- able and lively interest in the proceedings of the board, and from what he had heard of the new members he had no doubt that the same interest would be taken in the work of the board in the future as in the pest. Mr W. Phillips moved that Mr Idris Williams be re-elected vice-chairman. Rev. B. Lloyd seconded, and the motion was agreed to unanimously. Mr Williams briefly returned thanks. FINANCE COMMITTEE. Mr Idris Williams proposed that they should do away with the term "finanfce committee," and that the board meetings commence in future at 2 p.m., the finance business to be taken first, followed immediately afterwards by the general business. This would do away with the delay which had often been experienced on the part of the finance com- mittee in waiting for the commencement of the board's business after their business had been completed. Rev. B. Lloyd fully concurred with the proposi- tion, and seconded. SCHOOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. The Chairman said,in order to avoid making se- lections, he would suggest that it would be better to allow any member who thought proper to act on the school management committee. The meet- ings of the committee would be separate from those of the Board, but he considered it was advis- able to throw them open to the whole board. Mr Phillips agreed. Rev. B. Lloyd accordingly moved a resolution to that effect. This was seconded and carried. BUILDING COMMITTEE. Rev. B. Lloyd suggested that the building com- mittee should consist of six or eight. He thought it was a committee which required a few practical men, and a few unpractical ones as well to balance. (Laughter.) Mr Idris Williams thought the chairman and vice-chairman were members of the committee by virtue of their offices as such. The Board concurred. The names of Messrs W. W. Phillips, Ll. Llew- ellyn, Rev. B. Lloyd, M. H. Thomas, H. Abraham, and E. Jones (Ynysybwl) were then submitted and agreed to. At the suggestion of the Clerk, the Chairman explained that all members of the board were ex- officio members of the school in their respective localities, and were empowered to order repairs, &c., to the school to the extent of f,2 per month. FERNDALE SCHOOL JOINT COMMITTEE. Mr M. H. Thomas said he rose to explain the feelings of the electors generally of Ferndale. They felt strongly that the members of the joint com- mittee of Ferndale School should consist entirely of members of the board, and it would give great satisfaction to the people to know that their wishes had been acceded to. It was felt that there was a great inequality as the committee was hitherto constituted. The Ystradyfodwg section was com- posed of six members, and that of Llanwonno vir- tually only three. It was the ardent wishes of the ratepayers that members of the board should be selected on the new committee. There was a vacant chair on the committee, and he maintained they ought to have men who lived in Llanwonno parish to protect their interests. At present they were completely hampered on the committee, and he trusted the board would be able to persuade the local members to act thereon. As to Mr Bevan, one of the late members of the committee, he was telling them a plain ungarnished fact when he said his interests were always on the Ystrady- fodwg side. Mr Bevan lived on the Ystradyfodwg side, and he could not see how he came to be elected on the committee for the Llanwonno side at all. He earnestly hoped the anomaly would now be done away with. Mr Idris Williams understood that the Ferndale committee had not gone on very pleasantly. There was not the right feeling existing in that part of the district, but still he thought the board should be very careful what they did. Mr Bevan had taken considerable interest in the Ferndale schools for a great many years before this board was formed. He would not ask them to appoint him I (the speaker) on the committee, if, by electing someone from the locality, they could have one who would look after the school better than himself. It was very desirable to have members on the spot, he thought. In Mountain Ash it was different. They all lived there, but in Ferndale they would be bound to leave the whole matter in the hands of the resident member to do what he could with I the Ystradyfodwg side except when the whole met. He thought it was impossible to depute the man- agement of Ferndale school to members of the board. They had members on that committee who were members of the board, but they could scarcely do without the assistance of gentlemen from outside. He was sorry to speak against Mr Thomas. Mr Thomas: I am speaking in the interests of the board. Mr Williams regretted the disputes which had taken place, but they all knew that Mr Bevan was in the colliery, and perhaps bad feeling would be created if they turned him out of the committee. Mr Thomas respected Mr William s'jeeling, but they did not know the difficulties he had to con- tend with on the committee. They had a difficulty to appoint a chairman. Mr Evans came from the other side, but in the face of all they carried their point. He was only conveying to them the feel- ings and opinions of the people of Ferndale in the matter, and it was the duty of the board to comply with their wishes. Even if they did not re-elect Mr Bevan for the Llanwonno side, he would be sure to have the vacant chair for the Ystradyfodwg side, where his interests lay. Mr Llewellyn moved that four members of this board be appointed to act on the Ferndale Joint Committee, namely, Messrs Idris Williams, M. H. Thomas, H. Abraham, and the Rev. M. Lewis. Mr Idris Williams said he must decline,because it would be impossible to do it. If he thought it was practicable he would coincide readily. Mr Thomas seconded the motion, and after a few further observations, the resolution was agreed to.

DYFFBYN SCHOOLS. The Chairman said he had nothing to report with regard to Duffryn Schools. There had not been a meeting of the joint committee since the board last met, but the matter would come on for discussion by the committee at the next meeting. Mr Idris Williams proposed that the chairman, Rev. B. Lloyd, Rev. J. Howells, and Mr Llewellyn represent the board on the joint committee. The Chairman did not like the idea of snubbing Colonel Gray, who was a member of the late com- mittee, and was only absent that day on account of ill health. Mr Phillips seconded, and it was carried.

THE PROPOSED NEW SCHOOL AT HOPKINSTOWN. The Clerk read a letter from the Education De- partment enclosing a communication from the Rev. Moses Lewis, objecting to the proposed new school at Hopkinstown. The correspondence had been read at a previous maeting of the board, but deferred until to-day, so that the new members might discuss the matter. The Vice-chairman said that a great deal of fuss had been made about this at the election time. The Chairman: The election is over now. The Vice-chairman said he did not know what the accommodation was at the National School, but he thought that this matter ought to be left to the local ratepayers to discuss in public meeting before it was decided by this Board. If the parents would not send their children to the National School he did not see why they should be prevented from building a school to which the people would send their children. The Chairman: Would you have a fair represen- tation of the public feeling at a public meeting ? You might have a couple of hundreds present, whereas the population is some thousands. Mr Phillips said the proposal to erect a school was carried by a large majority, at a public meet- ing before it was ever brought before this board. The Clerk said the Education Department seemed to be under the impression that Hopkinstown was not going to increase, but the board was under the impression that the place would very soon be built over. The Vice-chairman The Rev. Mr Lewis says it has not increased in the last ten years. The Clerk: Yes, bufMr Phillips says it will in- crease because of the Typica colliery being sunk there. Rev. Moses Lewis: That is merely to facilitate the getting up of the existing quantity of coal. Mr Phillips It is a new taking altogether. Rev. Moses Lewis I do not think it is right to say that the inhabitants will not send their chil- dren to the National School. The late master was advanced in years, and not so well up in the modern style of teaching as the later masters, but I could not see my way clear to dispense with the services of an aged man who had been faithful for many years, but Mr Morris resigned his appoint- ment, and I appointed a new master. The atten- dance was rather low, but since January it has in- creased. There are about double the number in attendance now. I think if the school goes on as it does at present it will be a credit, and that in a very short time children who have hitherto been sent to other schools will return. Several parents have told me that their children will be sent back. I understand from a remark made bj Mr Phillips at a meeting that this new school was wanted be- cause they could not recognise the National School. I don't think the department will take that into consideration. Of course they recognise the National School as well as the Board School. If Mr Phillips takes it on the ground that he himself would not send his child or children to the school, the conclusion is that he wants additional school accommodation to substitute for that of the exist- ing school. The Chairman: Have you accommodation for the children residing in the neighbourhood ? Rev. M. Lewis: We have accommodation for 130 or more children. The schoolmaster put it down at 134 in addition to the number now in at- tendance. The Clerk said national schools were supposed to supply eight square feet of space for every child, but the board schools must be ten square feet. I think the total accommodation at Gyfeillon school is about 150. Rev. B. Lloyd: What is your present number in attendance ? Rev. M. Lewis About 80. Rev. B. Lloyd It seems to me we are making provision for a possible population. May we not defer this matter for another month ? Mr Phillips There are over 20 new houses now being built by Mr Pollard, I think, in Hopkins- town, not far from the spot we have selected. Then, Mr Evans, of Porth, has taken landfor other houses. The Vice-chairman There is only room for 70 more, but there are surely more than 70 children in that neighbourhood. Rev. B. Lloyd: The lower part of Hopkinstown probably would send to Mill Street school. Mr Phillips That is the point we have in view, to provide accommodation for infants and Standard I. The road from Hopkinstown to Mill Street is a very dangerous one. I should never send my child over it. I never meant that the Government would not recognise that school. I meant that the people would not do so. Rev. M. Lewis In that case it would be neces- sary to make provision in the centre part of the parish, for some of the farmers complain that they have to send their children to Mill Street; and there are some up by the parish church to be pro- vided for if you talk about distance from the school. The Clerk suggested that a committee of the whole board should meet on the ground, and that the attendance officer should make a census of the children from the neighbourhood of Troedrhiw- trwyn and the lower side of the Great Western Colliery to the bottom of Hopkinstown. Then they would have some basis to go upon. The Vice-chairman said they had been there. Mr Phillips: It would be a satisfaction to the new members. In reply to the Rev. J. Howell, the clerk said that they bad purchased the site. I Rev. J. Howell: Wall, why don't you proceedS Rev. B. Lloyd The Government will object. The Clerk's suggestion was then agreed to.

MEMORIAL RE CONTINUATION SCHOOLS. A memorial in favour of continuation schools was submitted to the board, but on the clerk ex- plaining that it prevented children working Tender 13 in mining districts as well as other places, Mr H. Abraham proposed, the Chairman seconded, and it was carried, that the memorial should not be signed.

NOTICES OF MOTION. The Vice-chairman Gave notice that at the next v meeting he would move that the clerk be requested to submit a statement showing a return of school fees and poundage during the twelve months prior to the concession of halfpenny in the £ which was made in the poundage system of this board. He also gave notice that the clerk be requested to pre- pare a statement showing the estimated cost of the Porth school extension, the extras which would have to be added, the actual amount paid, and the actual loss or gain to the ratepayers by carrying out the work in the manner in which it had been done rather than by corit 'act. The Chairman said he would like also to have a. return prepared by the clerk showing the pound- age paid since the three halfpence in the £ had been fixed, and then the return would be complete. The Clerk That is asking for about nine years. Rev. J. Howell: O, yes, we ask for something from the commencement. The Clerk I think you had better put it off for two months or so. The audit is on now, and it will mean a lot of work. Mr Abraham: We are not liable for more than the last three years. The Vice-chairman My object is to see whether a penny poundage is sufficient. If not, the board should take the matter up, and ask them to give more, or otherwise that we should make some other arrangement. Mr Llewellyn: Then it will show that you have received more than you are entitled to. This was all the business.

A HERALD" INTERVIEW. (Wednesbury Herald.) "Logically, I have been dead, but really, I am as vou see me," said Mr Isaac Whick, of the Borough Arms," to a representative of this journal, who had called to see him regarding a. statement made by him which appeared in the public prints. Six years ago I was taken ill with pains in the small of the back, which gradu- ally grew in intensity, until I was obliged to call in my medical adviser. He diagnosed my case, and stated that I was suffering from disease of the kidneys. He gave me the usually remedies, treated me for three years, but I gradually grew worse. In the summer of 1885, after years of suffering and wasting away, an old physician to our family was, upon my request, called from a» neighbouring city to consult with my regular medical attendant. A difference of opinion arose between them as to whether my complaint was kidney trouble or stone in the bladder. The result was that a sugical examination was decided upon,. and I was carried to Birmingham that I might have the benefit of the most eminent surgeon in. that city. The examination resulted in my being informed that no medicine could cure me and my medical man was told that I could not pos- sibly live three months. Returning home I was. naturally very despondent, when a little book was placed in my hand, in which the symptoms of my disease was clearly put, and the name of the the remedy given which would cure it. In sheer desperation I purchased a bottle, and after tak-f ing it, experienced some benefit. I bought more, and with each bottle could see and feel an im-v provement. My friends also noticed my changed appearance, and congratulated me upon my re- covery. I have taken none of the medicine since last autumn, and am to-day a perfectly well man. I weigh half-a-stone more than I ever did in my life, and have no sign of disease about me. I con- sider that I owe my life to Warners SAFE Cure." But doesn't the publication of your casein the newspaper cause you great annoyance ?" "Not in the least. To be sure I get hundreds of letters every week, asking if my statement is true, and I am glad of the opportunity of confirm- ing my public statement, in the hope that I may rescue some sufferer from the same norrible death that menaced me. My gratitute at having been. saved prompts me to do this. Among the people of this place who had known of Whick's illness and remarkable recovery and who were ready to vouch for every word of his statement, were Mr William Tart. 50, Great Wes- tern Street, who had also used the same remedy for kidney disease Mr Edward Brown, of the J "Foresters' Arms," Portway Road Mr Francis Dicken, Ridding Lane; Mr Edward Ellis, of Holyhead Road, any many others. The conclusion which must come to every resi- dent of Wednesbury is that a miracle of healing has been performed in our midst, and that, too,by a simple means within the reach of everyone and also that the remedy that proved so valuable and saved a life which was brought down to death's door, must unquestionably be certain in all minor troubles, which prove so disastrous Ult" less taken in time.

I A REAL TREAT WOB BBSAKFAST.—Harris' MILQt 1 CURED BACON. Try it. 75, Taff Street, Pont* I I pridd. | <

EXTRAORDINARY SLANDER CASE. Ab Shropshire Assizes all action for slander "Which is creating intense excitement in Shrews .ury, brought before the Lord Chief Justict -aud a special jury. The plan tiff is Clemellt Robert Trueman, photographic artist, and the defendant Is Philip Deakin, who carries on an extensive confectionery business. The slander consisted of statements alleged to have been made by defendant accusilig plaintiff of writing to young girls with a view to getting them to visit his studio to be photographed in the nude, and it was also sug- gested that the plaintiff had made similar proposi- tions verbally. Plaintiff was then called, and in ,cross- ex aiii i I i.).Iioii admitted having sold photo- graphs of women in the nude, and with having lived in a stale of adultery for 15 years. The woman with whom he had carried on the intrigue was a governess in his employ, and she had had two children of which he was the father. He had also when living at Southport, where the greater part of the allultery took place, been imprisoned for a month for assaulting a chemist named Johnson. Correspondence was put in but not read in open Court, one of the communications being a recent memorandum he had written inside a pro- gramme of the Shrewsbury Floral Fete to tho governess in question. This was read by his lord- ship, who handed it to the jury, and then, midst great sensation in Court, the jury stopped the case, -and returned a verdict for the defendant.

THE ELECTION CHARGES. The Clerk submitted his report, in the course of which he mentioned that Mr Spickett's bills, for conducting the recent election of members, was £ 26 II/ He drew attention to certain items, and during the discussion which followed the payment of the police for attending at the polling booths, was discussed, together with the railway fares of election officers who came to make the sworn de- claration of oftrocyAr-And the matter was deferred for farther consideration. THE USE OF THE SCHOOLS. Rev. J. Howells asked for information with res- pect to the granting of school buildings for various purposes. He had seen a discussion which had taken place, and a resolution which he thought was connected with the name of the Rev. B. Lloyd, having reference to the use of the schools for danc- ing purposes, and he merely asked for information as to granting the use of school buildings for politi- cal and other purposes. The Vice-chairman: It rests with the local members. The Chairman explained that the teachers had parties eccajonally, and after they partook of the food, or whatever they might take, he supposed they had a little dancing. Rev. J. Howells: But suppose you want the school for a political purpose ? The Chairman 0, no; we do no not for political or religious purposes. The Vice-chairman said the schools were given in some places, and he considered that there was no reason why political meetings should not be held in them. The schools were the property of the ratepayers-Conservatives, Liberals, Union- ists, Parnellites, or whatever they might be. They could have the same fair play by having the use of the schools, whereas otherwise the Conservatives perhaps might not be able to obtain a building. Mr Dowdeswell: Is it in the hands of the local members ? The Chairman: The Board has never to my knowledge sanctioned a political meeting being 1 9 held in the schools, but I suppose the local mem- bers have taken upon themselves to do so. Rev. B. Lloyd: In the Rhondda, Mr Chairman. The Vice-chairman: You, in Mountain Ash, hav3 a public hall, and there is one at Penrhiw- ceioer, but at whose expense time will tell. (Laugh- ter.) Mr Abraham At the expense of the poundage. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) Mr Llewellyn I don't think the schools ought to be given for election purposes, as they were used for the late county council elections. The Vice-chairman But you cannot prevent it. Mr Llewellyn did not think it right that the children should stay away on an election day. Rev. B. Lloyd said returning officers always fixed upon these public buildings. Mr Llewellyn: Could not the public halls be taken. Mr Abraham said that the officer refused to go to any place but the school at Porth the last time, and the ground on which they generally argued was that if they took any other building they would have to pay for it. The Vice-chairman If you can show the return ing officer that it would be most convenient to have it elsewhere he might assent. The Chairman This is somewhat irregular. If you want to prevent a gentleman having the use of the school you should have a motion to that effect. Rev. J. Howell: I am simply asking for infor- mation. The Chairman Quite so. The matter then dropped.

ASSAULT ON A WOMAN AT FERNDALE. DEFENDANT SEIZED HER BY THE HAIR. "LEAVE MY BROTHER-IN-LAW ALONE.11 THEY KNOCKED HIM DOWN AND KICKEU HIM REPEATEDLY. At the Rhondda Police Court, on Monday, Thomas Walters was charged with assaulting Elizabeth Baker. Complainant said she and her brother-in-law were walking down the road, when defendant called her bad names. Her brother-in-law went to speak ta him about it, and defendant struck him. He called out murder." She went to defendant, and asked him to leave her brother-in-law alone, when defend* ant seized her by the hair, and palled her to the ground. William Hunt, the brother-in-law, corrroborated. To pay 3s 6d. The same defendant and John Bryant werecha with assaulting William Hunt. Complainant said he and the last complainant were walking down the road when defendants, calh4 her bad names. lIe spoke to them plteut it, and they both assaulted him,knocking him to the ground, and kicking him repeatedly. He was very bad m consequence for three days. There were two others with defendant. Walters was fined 20s, and Br) ant 10s.

GOOD NEWS FROM THE RHONDDA. FERNDALE COLLIERIES MEN GET 71 PER CENT. ADVANCE. j A mass meeting of the workmen of the Ferndale collieries was held on Thursday night, when as letter was read to them from Mr Fred L. Davis, the principal proprietor (who is now on the Continent),in which he offered theta an immediate advance of n per cent. The announcement was cordially received, and, after a short discussion, was unanimously accepted, a fact which hag. created a feeling of intense satisfaction throughout the district. It appears that Mr Fred. L. Davis arrived home from the Continent a few days a.go. He showed every disposition to meet the demands of the men, and gave h decision as soon as ho had had time to take all the circumstances intot 1- consideration. Mr Davis has intimated that the present advance of 7! per cent., which will data from the 25th ult., will not affect the next audit; and, should such audit yield any other advance, the same is to be added to the 7. The deputation which waited upon Mr Davis alluded to thedis- j < sa-tisf action with which the operation of the sliding scale was viewed, whereupon Mr Davis expressed his readines to do all he could to meet the men ii^ I the matter. ■