The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

r-A GOVERNMENT AGENT CHOPPED TO I PIECES. One of the moeb shocking as well as treacheronj Outrages ever perpetrated in the South Seas was that of the murder of the Government agento, Mr. Armstrong, by the nalives of Manoba, the details of which have just been received in this country. Mr. Armstrong was decoyed on shore and then treacherously murdered. One of the chiefs feign- ¡ ing to be ill Mr. Armstrong wenb on shore with a lotion to apply to the injury. He had j only one native servant with him. They were attacked. The native escaped, but poor Mr. Armstrong was butchered to death by spears and tomahawk". His comrades in a small boat en- deavoured to recover the body but were unsuccess- ful. It was afterwards ascertained that the fiendish natives chopped off the head and tegs of the unfortu- nate agent and carried them round to the various chiefs of the islnnd. It is said thab the outrage was committed in retaliation for the killing of some of the islanders by the crew of the Young Dick, and that the head and legs of Mr. Armstrong were Shown to the chiefs who had lost men in the Young Dick affray. It is nob stabed what subsequently became of the head and legs of the Government agent, but it was said that the body was thrown by the natives into the sea.

LONDON ROWDYISM. Ab the Marlborough Streel, Police Conrb, Lewis Rainforth (21), billiard marker, no fixed abode, and Frederick Kainforih (IT), boot finisher, address refuse 1, brothers, were charged with being concerned with others nob in custody in Stealing a gold wntch, of the value of £15, belong- ing to William Rieveling, a hairdresser, of Drury Lane.—The prosecutor said that- as he was leaving the Primrose Tavern, Oxford Street, one morning, seven or eight men among whom were t.he pri- soners, attacked him. Lewis Rainforth seized his watch, broke it away from the chain, and threw it to one of his confederates. He prosecutor; caught holll of the thief and shouted Police and then the gang commenced to hustle him, and he lost his hafc. Eventually a constable arrived upon the scene, and Lewis Rainforth was taken into custody. scene, and Lewis Rainforth was taken into custody. He saw the prisoner Frederick Rainforth in the pas- sage of the court, and recognising him as one of the gang gave him into custody.—Detective Sergeant Tallin, C division, said the prisoners were the asso- ciates of some of the worsb thieves that infested the Tottenham Courb Road. Lewis Rainforth had been previously convicted.—In defence, Lewis Rainforth said he was perfectly innocent, and was mistaken for the man that took the watch.—Fre- derick Rainforth also protested his innocence, and said that when his brother was taken into custody he followed to the station, knowing thab he was nob gnilty of the otfence imputed to him. Ib wat singular fact thab he was not then given into custody, but that the prosecutor should wail, until the following morning before he charged him.— Mr. Newton committed the prisoners for trial.

ATTEMPTED WHOLESALE POISONING. A baker's apprentice of a little village named Tatshino, near Warsaw, has just been sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment for having deliberately attempted to poison his master's customers. The youth in question having had his idenbnres cancelled for misconduct, and being desirous of revenging himself on his master, con- trived with the assistance of two to pub a quantity of arsenic into some dough, his avowed intention being, however, nob to poison the baker's customers, but merely to spoil his trade. In all, some J 30 persons partook of the bread made from the dough, and all were taken ill. The physicians of the place certified to the poisoning being caused by arsenic, although fortunately it was not present in sufficient strength to cause the death of anyone. The accomplices of the perpetrator were also sentenced to terms of Imprisonment.

A TRAIN WRECKED BY ROBBERS. A telegram from Odessa announces thai, while m train on the Transcaspian Railway was passing through a tunnel it ran off the rails, wii.h the result that the 17 carriages of which it was com- posed were smashed to atoms, white 50 of the pas- sengers were killed or seriously injured. The disaster is explains I to have beclI etiu-ed by a band of robbers, who destroyed the line wiLl, a view to plundering the passengers. A sufficient numbei of the pas.se*ijjers esoapetl se; ions injury, however, to capture the desperadoes who perpetrated this diabolical outrage.

THE FRAUDS ON A SAYINGS BANK. Ab Chester Assizes—before Mr. Justice Cave— Henry M. Kackham (34), clerk, pleaded guilty to Several indictments charging him with having em- bezzled abolll.\> }'), the money-! of the depositors of the Macelostitdd Savings Bank, and also with having forged receipts in connection with the bank's transactions about the ]5th September last.—Mr. J. G. Bankes appeared for the prosecu- tion, and stabed that the prisoner had been several years employed ill the bank, and latterly a- j counter clerk, and it was his duty to receive deposits, making an entry in a pass-book. In one case, a woman named Dooly came in and paid £ 25. The prisoner then took her pass-book and wrote in L5, and then handed it to his fellow clerk, wjio entered £ 5, and credited her with £. Before it waa handed back to the depositor he would write the figure in front of the 3. or it Its the deposit.or was deceived, and the prisoner was enabled to take the X20. That was done in a number of cases. Ib was a most ingenious System of fraud. Prisoner also made fictitious i entries of notices of withdrawal of L\I¡!8 stitiis o: money, and deliberately forged recei lit", for those Withdrawals, at the same time producing aduplicate passbook. The prisoner absconded to Malvern, where he resided at an hotel, and when arrested JE800 in sovereigns was discovered there. From ton invest Ration of the bank books it appeared that the total defalcations amounted to between e2,1.H)0 and £ ;00(>, commencing from the year 1881.—Air. E. H. Lloyd, for prisoner, pleaded for ttiitiiraKion of sentence. He was bound to call his lordship's i»l.te>>i ion t.o the fact that t he account- of the hank ha I never since the year I (s beit, projwily balanced, moneys having to bo added to m»ke them balance, and that tended to show the business of l-lie concern had not been conducted I "with the method which they might expect to see. — His Lordship alluded to the ingenious system or falsification of hooks by the prisoner. There ot,-orneil- to lii ve lteeii very great carelessness and negligence in the conduct of affairs ab the hank. It seemed almost incredible that he should have been permit ted for seven years to rob the bank, which mu^b have been discovered had a lit tle care been exercised. The persons concerned were very t-ovel-ely ile pa-aed a sentence of six years' penal servitude.

A CRUEL WOMAN." Atilie Pi-e-toit Police Court, Annie Conroy was charged by Inspector Fielder with cruelty to Lydia Armstrong, aged Ii; l\1ollth@. The child WHS the daughter of Joseph and Annie Armstrong, both of Whoui go out to work in a mill, leaving the child in care of the defendant, to whom they paid 4s. per week. On Feb. li) the father returned from work uml sent the eldest girl for the baby, which the defendant had next door. The child was crying as if in intense pain, and was holding up its leg. On nn examination they found the leg seriously injured, and there were bruises and blisters on other parts ofthebody. The defendant) was asked whatsheUad been doing, and she said she had put the child on eome re-1 hot coals on the hearth, but it was done by mistake. The father replied, Why, you are drunk and the woman said that if she was, he hmi mob paid for the drink. Defendant now said that she was out at the timo of the occurence, and that her little daughter Kate, aged 7, was in charge of the child.—The Bench characterised t.he assault as rooeb inhuman, and fined the defendant -Cs. and COSte, or 14 days' hard labour.

MURDER IN BOHEMIA. A Vienna correspondent telegraphs thab 11 botcher's assistant of Skeehow, in Bohemia, has been arrested for having murdered the son, a child of 6,'e years, two other apprentices, and the female servant of a former employer, the murders having been accomplished with a hatchet, and in circum Stances of the mosb horrible barbarity. The mis- creant had broken into the butcher's house for pur- poses of thefb, and indeed, after murdering the inmates succeeded in earrying off some oUO florins. One of the murdered apprentices survived long enough, however, to reveal the identity of the aaurderer. who has since confessed his crime.

Rbondda Police Court. Monday.-Before Mr Ignatius Williams (stipen- diary), and Mr T. P. Jenkins. ASSAULT AT TREALAW.—William German was charged with assaulting Mary Noakes. Mr Phillips appeared for the defendant.-Complainant said on the 14th inst. defendant had picked coal, she be- lieved, from the siding, which was not allowed. Seeing a policeman coming, he threw down the coal. P.C. Pearce told her she might take the coal, and she did so. Defendant afterwards came and pushed her, and said he would have the coal. He then struck her.—Cross-examined—Defendant told her the coal belonged to his little sister. She told him she would rather throw the coal into the field than let him have it. She did not strike defendant with a bucket. She did not throw a lump of coal at him.—For the defence Agnes German, 10 years old, was called, who said she filled a bucket with coal on the tip. On her way home she met com- plainant and a Mrs Thomas. Complainant said, "The Bobby is coming." She (witness) threw down the coal and ran away. On going back with her brother (defendant) they found complainant had picked up the coal, and put it iij her bucket. On defendant telliug her it was her sister's coal, complainant struck him on the arm with the bucket. He then pushed her. Afterwards she threw a lump of coal, striking him on the leg. She also took up a stone to throw at him.-Defendant to pay 5s towards the costs. SUNDAY CLOSING ACT AT HOPKINSTOWN.—John Bryan was charged with falsely representing him- self to be a traveller. P.C. Butler said on Sunday morning he went to the Butcher's Arms, Watts- town, and in the bar saw defendant, who said he came from Aberdare, over the mountain.—Fined 10s. SURETIES OF THE PEACE AT FERNDALE.—Harriett Davies was charged with assaulting Mary Thomas. Mr Phillips for complainant, and Mr Rhys for the defence.—Complainant said on the 16th inst she was going down the road with Miss Jenkins and David Thomas, brother to defendant. They met defendant, who came between her and David Thomas, and said to her brother she was surprised to see him walking with such a sow. He told de- fendant to go home, and mind her own business. Defendant said if she caught complainant walking "with her brother again, she would take her entrails out.—Miss Jenkins, daughter cf the Independent Minister, gave evidence.—For the defence, David Thomas, brother of defendant, was called, who said he had been keeping company with complain- ant for a month. All his sister said was that she was ashamed to see him with complainant. No threat was used.—Cross-examined—He had been ashamed to walk out with defendant since the row. -To pay the costs, and be bound over in 1:5 to keep the peace for six months.

SUPERANNUATION OF COUNTY COUNCIL OFFICERS. The bill introduced by Mr Norris and others providing for the superannuation of county council officers and servants in England and Wales pro- poses that every county council shall deduct 2! per cent. from all salaries and wages to form a superannuation allowance, that all such servants shall be superannuated at the age of 65, and shall receive annually a sum representing 1 60th part of his salary for each year completed in the service of the council.

THE FATHER AND SON INCIDENT AT MERTHYR. CAPTAIN LINDSAY'S APPOINTMENT AS POLICE SUPERINTENDENT. PA'S "DISCRETION" NOT TO BE TAKEN TO ACCOUNT. DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. In the Hoese of Commons, on Monday, ques- tions were asked with reference to the piece of official jobbery as to the appointment of police superintendent at Merthyr, and the replies elicited were of a most unsatisfactory character. Mr D. A. Thomas asked the Home Secretary if he had reason to believe that Colonel Lindsay, the Chief-constable for Glamorganshire, was unable to discover among the police of the county any man qualified to discharge the duties of superintendent of police at Merthyr efficiently whether, in the event of any dereliction of duty on the part of Superintendent Lindsay, there is any independent authority to whom appeal may be made outside the chief-constable, his father; and whether he is now in a position to state the results of his inquiry as to the public feeling at Merthyr and Aberdare at the appointment of Captain Lindsay, a young man with no previous experience in English police duty, over the heads of those who have spent a life-time in the force, and who might naturally have looked for promotion had not the hitherto invariable practice been in this case departed from. The Home Secretary, in reply, said he had no doubt there were other men in the force qualified to take the office of superintendent. Any com- plaints against the superintendent should be ad- dressed in the first instance to the chief constable, and if there was reason to suppose that proper cognizance was not taken of the complaint, then there was an appeal to the court of quarter sessions. He had made no inquiry into the state of popular feel me, and did not conceive it to be part of his duty to do so. Mr Dillwyn, at a later hour, said he regretted he was not in his place when Mr Thomas put his question. When the matter was last before the house, he understood that the Home Secretary had signified his assent to the proposal that an inquiry should be made into local feeling on the appointment. The Home Secretary had denied having made such a promise. All he (Mr Dillwyn) could say was that he distinctly understood the right hon. gentleman to promise that such an in- quiry should be held. The Home Secretary said he could say with distinctness that he had never made a promise of an inquiry, and never intended that one should be held. He had no official means of getting at what popular feeling on such a question would be at Merthyr and Aberdare, and he was surprised to find that he was understood to have entered into any such engagement as that now stated by the hon. member.

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SUNDAY CLOSING ACT IN WALES. OFFICIAL INQUIRY ACCEDED TO. In the House of Commons, on Thursday, Mr James M. Maclean (C., Oldham), asked the Secretery of State for the Home Department if his attention had been called to the recent charge of Mr Justice Grantham to the grand jury of Glamor- ganshire, and whether her Majesty's Government would agree to the appointment of a select com- mittee to inquire into the working of the Welsh Sunday Closing Act, and would oppose any legis- lation to establish Sunday Closing in other parts of the United Kingdom till such committee had made its report. Mr Matthews: With regard to the question put to me by the member for Oldham, my attention has been drawn to Mr Justice Grantham's charge. The Government are of opinion that, in view of the Sunday Closing Act in Wales, an inquiry as to the working of that Act will be desirable. They have it under consideration whether the best mode of conducting that inquiry will be by a select com- mittee of this House or a Royal Commission. Mr J. O'Connor (N., Tipperary) asked whether the Government would take care that n ither on the committee or the commission, whichever might be appointed, should there be an undue proportion of persons pledged to carry out legislation against the sale of liquor. Mr Matthews: Of course, the Government will take care that any commission or committee shall be impartially framed

TWM Y GOF j AND THB ROBBERY ON THE CARDIFF ROAD. A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY. [BY LLEWELLYN LLOYD.] (Continued from our last.) The moon shone full on the robber's face, and the two men recoiled more in surprise than fear, and both exclaimed, "Twm y Gof." Ths robber, taking advantage of their surprise, put spurs to his horse, and escaped before the men could recover from their astonishment. Here was the secret, then, of Twm being flush of money. When the men came to Pontypridd they lost no time in giving the constable this information. That worthy, followed by a troop of villagers, marched to Twm y Gof's house, but he was not at home he had gone to Cardiff early that morning, and he had not yet returned. He had gone on horseback. Two or three people at Treforest had seen Twm riding towards Cardiff on a black horse. The highwayman, Griff Vaughan said, rode a black horse. They were prepared to swear the man who levelled the pistols at them was Twm y Gof. Later, the same night another farmer came into the town, and declared positively he had been robbed by Twm y Got. The next morning Twm rode into Pontypridd on a black horse, and was of course, arrested at once. In one of his pockets they found a black I silk mask; they also found a bag containing gold and notes. One of the notes Griff Vaughan identified, by a peculiar mark he had placed on the back, as being his; more than this, on search- ing the house, they found another bag of money, and Mr Rhys identified two silver coins, francs, as being his property. This was a hanging matter in the old days; so Twm y Gof was locked up and carefully guarded, and the particularly good folk shook their heads, and said, heaven had punished him for his sins, and strongly advised a short shrift and a shorter rope. At the preliminary trial Griff Vaughan and the other two farmers swore positively the man who attempted to rob them was the prisoner, Twm y Gof. Other witnesses swore they had seen him ride toward Cardiff the morning of the attempted robbery on a black horse. The constable produced the mask and money found on his person. For the defence the prisoner made a rambling statement as to how the money came into his possession. Some one had left it at his house,and there was a note tacked to the bag saying it came from a well-wisher, and that was all he knew about it. He had gone to Cardfff that day on business to buy certain things necessary to his trade; as he could not complete his purchases before nightfall, and being afraid of meeting the highwayman on the road home, he determined to stay the night at Cardiff. On coming home the next morning early, he picked the silk mask up on the road just below Rhydfelen. He explained the note coming into his possession by saying a trades- man with whom he dealt had asked him to change it. He thought the landlady of the house where he stayed could prove his having slept there. Well, Twm y Gof was committed for trial at the assizes, and another fact against him was that after and during his confinement in prison no more robberies had been attempted. The day of the trial arrived. Again all the evidence was gone through. Tne tradesman who asked Twm y Gof to change the note into gold asserted positively that about an hour previously he had taken the note from the prisoner, but not caring for paper money he asked prisoner to change it back again to gold. The landlady of th house where prisoner said he had slept on the night in question had died, so no evidence could be given in favour of the prisoner. The judge summed up, and the jury brought in a verdict of" guilty," and Twm y Gof was sen- tenced to be hanged. A shriek was heard in the court; all eyes were turned in the direction from whence the sound came. It was Twm y Gof's sweetheart who uttered that shriek, and the poor girl was borne fainting from the court. It was a cruel shock to the girl, for this was the day fixed for her marriage, and on this very day her sweet- heart was sentenced to death. The next day they allowed the poor girl to visit the prisoner's cell; they say the scene would have touched the coldest heart. The poor girl was torn away from her lover by force. Twm y Gof repeated that if he was hanged an innocent man would be killed by tne law. Two days before the execution was to take place the prisoner, by some means,escaped; the warders who had remained in the cell with him were found insensible; they had evidently been drugged. Strangely enough the girl, Twm's sweetheart, disappeared the same night. Two nights after this a farmer was robbed on the Cardiff road again, and these robberies continued for more than a month, bnt at last the highwayman was over- whelmed by numbers and carried into Pontypridd by force, and was recognised by all as Twm y Gof." The prisoner made a strange confession the night before the execution was fixed. He was not Twm y Gof, he wrote, but a twin brother, who, many years previously, had runaway to sea, and became mixed up with bad company, and finding thieving easier than work he had taken the Cardiff road for the scene of his operations. It was he who sent his brother the money. He was hanged, and many people asserted that the confession was only a blind, and he was really no other than Twm y Gof. Many years afterwards two white-haired people, a man and woman, visited Pontypridd, staying only a week or so; they seemed to take great interest in looking over the town. The house where Twm y Gof had lived seemed to have a special attraction for them, and they never seemed to be tired of listening to the story I have just told you. The day they left Pontypridd the gentleman asked me to accompany him to the station. The railway had come through Ponty- pridd then. I am very much obliged to you, Mr Lloyd," he said, "for your kind hospitality during my visit to this little town. My wife and I have travelled thousands of miles to see it. Our home is now in America. Take this as a gift, a keepsake from an old friend of your boyhood," and he placed a paper in my hand. "And especially let me thank you for the kind way you spoke of poor Twm y Gof." The paper was a deed of gift. He had bought the house, aud now gave it to me. Grandfather laid down his pipe, as though he had finished the story. Did you discover who the stranger was," I asked. Yes," was the reply. Who was he?" Twm y Gof." [THE END.]

PROPOSED WIDENING OF THE ROAD NEAR LLWYNPIA. GLAMORGAN COAL COMPANY AND THE YSTRADYFODWG LOCAL BOARD. THE DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY. At the ordinary meeting of the Ystradyfodwg Local Board, held on Friday, Mr D. Evans, J.P., Bodringallt, in the chair. Mr D. W. Davies, J.P., in accordance with notice of motion, proposed that Mr Hood's offer of land on the lower side of the road between Llwynpia and Tonypandy, for widening the road, be accepted, and that the work be proceeded with at once. Mr Davies said that on an average 3,000 passengers went along that road every week, and 1,500 or 1,700 workmen went backward and for- ward to the company's yard every day, so that the importance of widening the road was at once apparent. Mr Hood, lie understood, was willing to let them have stones at the foot of the incline. Of course, the upper side would be cheaper, but that could not be done, and he thought it was a pity to refuse Mr Hood's offer. As Mr Griffiths had said they had a good balance in the bank, and now was Hhe time to proceed with an improvement of this k'nd. The Chairman said he would like the board to bear in mind that they would not have much going into the bank again for the next three months. Mr W. Davies seconded the motion, and said that the traffic was so great as to be positively dangerous to foot passengers, and he had seen a man knocked down by some breaks last week. Mr W. H. Mathias admitted that the road was narrow, but considered that the work could be better done by utilising the slopes on the upper sides. The slopes, he contended, belonged to the board. Mr Hood wanted them to build a good six-feet retaining wall between the road and the colliery, and when near Mr Lax's house they were to go to the other side. It was not fair to spend so much money more than was necessary on such an improvement. Mr Lax said it would not pay to go to the other side, because in some places it would be necessary to build a wall 16 feet high to retain the slopes. Mr E. Evans agreed with Mr Mathias, and said it would be necessary to build a wall 15 feet or 16 feet high in order to obtain foundations on the lower side. Mr D. W. Davies did not think it would cost so much money as Mr Mathias made out, and it was hard that the ratepayers had to put up with such a road. Mr Mathias said they would get the same width by going to the other side. Mr D. W. Davies-You cannot have it. Mr Mathias-The surveyor will tell you that we can. On the motion being put to the vote, there were only three for it, and it was, therefore, declared lost. Mr Mathias then moved that the clerk write to Mr Hood, stating that they were quite prepared to go on with the work in the way they suggested by taking the other side, and hoping that the company would not place any obstructions in their way. Mr J. Davies and Mr Griffiths seconded simul- taneously. Mr D. W. Davies—What is the good of putting that to the meeting ? They said we could not get the land on the upper side. Mr T. Griffiths said he thought it would be well that it should be thoroughly understood that they were prepared to widen the road provided Mr Hood gave them land on the upper side, but it was natural perhaps for Mr Hood to remain rather stiff in giving the land, or rather he should say for Mr Hood to favour the utilisation of the lower side. There would be no harm in approaching Mr Hood again on the matter. The Chairman—We are all changeable. That has been shown to-day. (Laughter). Mr Lax said it was somewhat peculiar that what was right in one place should be wrong in another. When the widening of the road in Ferndale was mooted, the same thing had arisen exactly as to the side of the road on which the widening should be done, but at Ferndale they did what they refused to do at Llwynpia. The Chairman—There was no room at all there on the other side. Mr T. Griffiths agreed with the chairman. Mr D. W. Davies—Then I take it that the clerk is to write to Mr Hood. Mr E. Evans-Yes, and I hope we shall have it, for I think the widening of the road is necessary there. The matter then dropped.

FHONDDA STEAM COAL DELEGATES. MONTHLY MEETING AT TON YSTRAD. CONDEMNATION OF THE TWO-THIRDS CLANNY LAMP. I The monthly meeting of the Rhondda Steam Coal Delegates was held on Monday, at the Windsor Castle Hotel, Ton, under the presidency of Mr Oliver Cromwell. The collieries represented on the occasion were the Maritime,Great Western, Hafod, Coedcae, Ynyshir, National, Tylorstown,' Mardy, Dinas, Naval, Clydach Vale, Llwynpia, Gelli, Abergorky, Lady Margaret, Phoenix, Blaen- ewm, Blaenrhondda, Ferndale, Navigation, Penrhiwceiber, Forest Level, Deep Dyffryn, Treharris, Albion, Dare, Ynysybwl, Bwllfa, Ton, Park, Pentre, Fernhill, Tynewydd,Ynyswen,No. 1, Ynyswen, No. 2. Mr W. Abraham (" Mabon"), M.P., the district agent, was present. The Albion Colliery question had not been taken into con- sideration at all the collieries,and it was,therefore, decided to ask those who had not discussed it to hold a meeting at once and send their decision to Mr Abraham by Friday next. Authority was given to a deputation to deal finally with the Pentre night men's dispute, and that the district support the men in their struggle, if necessary. The Coedcae delegate was instructed to tell the workmen at the pit he represented that they should select from amongst themselves, in addition to their ordinary delegate, a workman to act ascliair- man of the district meetings for the next three months.-The Chairman presented the report of the committee appointed to act jointly with the employers' representatives in testing the two-thirds shielded Clanny lamp, which the mines inspector (Mr Robson) had condemned as not meeting the requirements of the Mines Regulation Act. After having seen experiments tried with different kinds of lamps, they were fully persuaded that the two- thirds shielded Clanny was unsafe, and that nothing Tess than a full shield would meet with the requirements of the Act, preference to be given to a locked shield. The following resolution was passed:— That thia meeting wishes to tender its utmost thanks to the deputation entrusted to test lamps, and to express its entire satisfaction with the results, although it regrets to find that the two-thirds shielded Clanny has been found unsafe, and that we are com- pelled by the force of circumstances to use in future a full shield.

CORRESPONDENCE. THE RECENT "COLLEEN BAWN" PER- FORMANCE AT HOWARD'S HALL. To the Edito,, of the "Chronicle." Srn,- Will yon kindly allow me a small space in your valvable paper to point out a deficiency which occurred in your report of the performance of "Colleen Bawn," at Howard's Hall, by the Tre- forest Amateur Dramatic Society. I noticed that no word of praise was given to Mr W. Liles, who excellently played the part of Squire Corrigan, and his efforts were thoroughly appreciated by the audience. The other members of the society, I must say, took their parts in d. most energetic manner, and the reception of the piece, as you ex- plained, was of an enthusiastic character, and de- served unqualified success. By inserting this you will greatly oblige ONE WHO WITNESSED THE PERFORMANCE.

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PONTYfRIDD AND YSTRADYFODWG JOINT SEWERAGE BOARD. A TENDER FOR jE101,189 ACCEPTED. A meeting of the Pontypridd and Ystradyfodwg Joint Sewerage Board was held on Friday after- noon, at the Public Offices, Pentre, when there present:—Rev. D. W. Williams, M.A., (in the chair), Messrs D. Leyshon, W. Davies, J.Roberts, J. Davies, G. J. Penn, D. Evans, E. Evans, W.H. Mathias, E. W. Lewis, and W. Lax; with Mr Alderman W. H. Morgan, clerk. Bills were presented for E126 101-1 and 2140 19/6, respectively from Mr Baldwin Latham, C.E., F.G.S., and Professor Corfield, M.A., M.D., medi- cal officer of health for the Parish of St. George, Hanover Square, London, the two experts who gave evidence in favour of the scheme, and they were ordered to be paid. The Chairman said they had met on many occa- sions before, but of all the meetings they he d held he thought that was the most important. They had been fortunate in harving had the assistance of an engineer who had taken them through their troubles, and they would not perhaps have gone through them so easily if it had not been for him. They had likewise a very efficient clerk, and he did not know that they would have got on so well with- out Mr Chatterton, as engineer, and Mr Morgan, as clerk. He only wished he could say the same of the chairman. (Cries of oh, oh, and laughter.) But unfortunately he could not say that of himself, neither could he expect the members of the board to say so of Iiini. (A voice "We will say that.") However, when they reached his age, when they had done three scores and ten, he hoped that each member of the board would be able to do what he now attempted to do. The work they had in hand to-day was that of dealing with tenders for carry- ing out the sewerage scheme of the district, and that, as he had said, was of a most important character. The Clerk then read the tenders, which were as follow:— Mr George Ossenton, West Ham, Kent, £129,000 Mr William R. Geen, Rotunda Buildings, Car- diff, £ 131,500. Messrs Logan and Hemingway, 71, St. Mary- street, Cardiff, £ 122,372. Messrs W. R. Parker & Co., Paragon Buildings, Cardiff, £ 101,189. The Chairman asked if anybody knew the firm whose tender was lowest. Mr W. H. Mathias said he knew Mr Parker, who had had experience in connection with the contract at Barry. It was moved by Mr D. Evans, and seconded by Mr J. Roberts, that the lowest tender be accepted, subject to approved securities. I The motion was agreed to. The Chairman said he was very pleased to think ( that they had been able to find a contractor in the county, and especially that that contractor was known to some of the members of the board. Mr D. Evans was very pleased that the contrac- tor was known to Mr Mathias. Mr Chatterton, the engineer, remarked that the plans and specifications would be placed in the contractor's hands on Monday, so that the work could be proceeded with at once.

STEALING A POCKET KERCHIEF AT TONYPANDY- HE DID NOT KNOW HOW IT GOT THERE. "WHERE IGNORANCE IS BLISS." At Ystrad police-court, on Monday, (before the Stipendiary and Mr T. P. Jenkins), Henry Bevan, I was charged with stealing a pocket hankderchief the property of Edmund Jones Phillips, outfitter. J. M. Phillips, assistant, said the prisoner came into the shop about 11 o'clock on Saturday night, aud asked for a silk kerchief. Two boxes were placed before him. Witness, while serving another customer, saw defendant putting a kerchief in his left side coat pocket. Witness went the other side of the counter, and took out of prisoner's pocket the silk kerchief produced. Prisoner did not know how it got there. Fined 10s.

COLLIERY ACCIDENT AT WRKXHAM. EXTRAORDINARY EVIDENCE AT THE CORONER'S INQUIRY. The coroner's inquiry into the cause of the Bryn- mally colliery explosion, near Wrexham, which resulted in the loss of twenty lives, was resumed on Thursday. The evidence showed that two safety lamps belonging to two of the deceased were found open by the exploring party, whilst a third was unlocked, but not unscrewed. On several bodies there were lamp keys, tobacco pipes, and matches. The Government inspector's explana- tion was that the explosion was caused by the sudden outburst of gas coming in contact with the lights of illegally-opened safety lamps. He con- sidered the accident discreditable to both work- men and management. After a short consultation a verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

LAUGH AND GROW FAT!If your faculties are in any way risible read Mari Gruffydd's amuse ing contributions on the British People, which ap- pear weekly in the CHRONICLE.

RHONDDA JOTTINGS. (BY RAMBLEit.) I am anxious to continue my references to Clydach Vale. I hear that the inhabitants have- a reading-room at their service, and young people in particular can resort thereto to play innocent games, such as billiards, &c. Every evening many visit the reading-room for a 'change after & hard day's toil. The night workmen frequent the said building during the day time, and un- doubtedly they find a relief in reading newspapers, &c. Having spent a few hours in wading through the public journals, they feel in a better mood for night work in the colliery. I know from ex- perience what it is to carry a heavy burden of trouble and care, and I must admit that an hour or so in perusing a periodical or newspaper, as the case may be, is a cessation from labour that I have at all times appreciated. Doubtless the friends frequenting the reading-room at Clydach Vale will join me in this conclusion. Again,a coffee room and other luxuries of agree- able nature can be obtained. Everything belong- ing to the establishment is such as will improve the taste and refinement of the working class and others alike. In my opinion the residents of Clydach Vale should feel exceedingly thankful to those who had the courage and forethought to establish such an useful and welcome boon in the place. I believe I am right that the greater- 11 share of credit is due to the colliery proprietors with their officials, and some of the leading in- habitants. There are several localities in this valley which can afford to follow the good ex- ample the Clydach Vale folks have been plucky enough to set before them. *#* While complimenting the residents upon their success with the last named movement, I regret at having to find fault in other local move- ments. I may mention, in the first place, that the inhabitants are compelled to dispatch telegrams from Tonypandy Post-office. This is a hardship. Unquestionably a Telegraph Office should be es- tablished at this place, and I cannot understand what reason the residents have for being so slow in a matter of such vital importance to their con- venience. I am informed that letters, &c., are not delivered on Sundays. In other localities this practice is adopted. The Clydach Vale friends seould enjoy the same privilege as others in this respect as well. I cannot conceive why a committee should not be formed to consider these matters. I know from experience that the postal authorities are very considerate, and ready to remove grievances of this kind. The committee first consult Mr McMurray, the respected and energetic postmaster of Pontypridd. V The same committee could assist the Bush folks in having a new bridge over the railway and colliery sidings. This matter has been under consideration for years, but hitherto the griev- ance is still a strong obstacle. I sympathise with the inhabitants of Bush, for they are sorely troubled for want of proper road facilities. # Rumour has it that a strong feeling exists in favour of petitioning the Great Western Railway Company for a new station here. This would prove a great boon, for the inhabitants could visit Swansea, &c., at a very reasonable tariff. I hope the inhabitants will not rest until this idea has attained practical success. *#* There are two public houses at this place, viz., the Clydach Vale and Bush Hotels. There is also a Post-office here, and two wall letter boxes have been erected at convenient places. Mr Isaac Griffiths is the Postmaster, and he has proved himself a trustworthy and faithful public servant in every respect. A new level has been opened near Ffynondwym Farm, and several hands are employed thereat. Many tons of coal are being cut daily, and sent from the interior of the level to the surface. Before leaving Clydach Vale, I must say that I trust the residents will not fold their arms until more facilities are secured for the place, and some of the grievances I have referred to should not above all be lightly estimated.

YSTRADYFODWG LOCAL BOARD AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS IN THE LOWER PARTS OF THE DISTRICT. At the fortnightly meeting of the above Board,, held on Friday afternoon, at the Public Offices, Pentre, Mr D. Evans, J.P., presiding, The Chairman drew attention to an item on the agenda paper, in the form of a notice of motion from Mr T. Griffiths that public improve- ments in the lower part of the district be at once proceeded with. Mr Griffiths said he thought that the words "at once" were not his own, but there was no doubt that, as far as possible, promptitude should be observed in carrying out the work. He thought it was their desire to proceed as soon as con- venient with public matters of that kind. They had staring them in the face the great sewerage, scheme, but there were other improvements which were greatly needed, especially down in the lower parts of the district. Seeing that they had a surplus in the bank of, he believed, about £7000, according to the financial report presented about a month ago, he considered this was an opportune moment to bring before them this subject. He would, therefore, move a resolution that'the pub- lic improvements in the lower part of the district be proceeded with without further delay. The Chairman asked the Surveyor if the plans were ready. The Surveyor (Mr J. W. Jones): No, Sir. The Chairman Then we cannot have it done at once. But I quite agree with you that the improvements should be done as much as possible together. The Surveyor had told him that he would have the plans ready in about a month, and he did not suppose the board would have any objection to proceed with the work as soon as possible. Mr Grinitha That is all I want. The Chairman Where would you start at ? Mr Griffiths Aerw-isaf. Ma J. Griffiths seconded the motion, and it was agreed to. Mr W. Lax said the two bridge ? needed atten- tion also. Mr T. Griffiths, as one living in the locality, had found that the old Cymmer bridge was ap proaching destruction. One wall was out of the perpendicular about seven inches, and he had found that the water had undermined the founda- tion between the buttresses. Mr W. H. Mathias said he understood the sur- veyor had not received a reply as to the land. Mr W. Davies said he thought it was under- stood that Mr Griffiths said the Cymmer Colliery Company would take down the old retaining wall which came down to the road. Mr T. Griffiths replied certainly not, because it was three feet beyond the boundary line now. It would be the same thing to ask the company to remove the wall which they had put up eleven feet into the river. At the same time they did not want to raise any objection. In the course of further remarks, it was ex plained that they were waiting a reply from Mr Morgan, of Tynycymmer, with regard to the land. Mr T. Griffiths' motion was then agreed to.

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