The Merthyr Express

_=: THEATRE H8I ROYAL,] laijaxt-rEiYEe. Lesee" THE SOUTH WALES ENTERTAINMENTS Co. MONDAY, MAY 3rd, and during the Week. Important Engagement and First Visit of Miss EMMA HUTCHISON and Mr. PERCY HUTCHISON'S COMPANY, including Miss EDYTH GOODALL, Miss MOIRA CREEGAN, Mr. HERBERT FORD, Mr. A. B. IMESON, in [ "IDOLS; | Adapted from IW. J, LOCKE'S Novel of that name by Roy HORNIMAN. The Play is produced from the GARRICK THEATRE by arrangement with Miss EVELYN MILLARD. Doors Open 7.15. Commence 7 45. Circle, 2s. Stalls, Is. 6d. Pit, I s. Gallery, 6d. MARKET HALL, /1' BRECON. Grand C AIR EISTEDDFOD will be held on MONDAY, MAY 17th, 1909, to commence at 11.30. PRINCIPAL ITEMS. C&TBF CHORAL for MALE VOICl^—Tte Voice^ of tbo^Torrcnt.—Prizes, U0 and Silver Cup. CHATRTXTP TTTIR RARD Vocal and Instrumental Solo^, Duets, Recitations, &C. wr-TaTT •1 f VhP%vKNiN<s COVCEHT of Madam HUGHES THOMAS'S celebrated WELSH L!?)TeS' in number including many prize winners), just returned from a most successful States. (F PV TO OSCAR WATKIVS, Eisteddfod Secretary, Brecon. SAtl&'ISS &S M.. p«T h» M. b»tb,«s CLOSE APK.L gth. DOWLAIS CHAMBER OF TRADE nSL< EISTEDDFOD, In the Dowlais Schools Playground, WHIT MONDAY, 1909. Musical Adjudicators-DAN PRICE, Esq,, Prof. R.C.M., London. aiusica J DAVID THOMAS, Esq., M.A., Mua. Bac., Swansea. OVER M105 IN PRIZES. MAT F VOTOF PHOIR £ 45 CONGREGATIONAL, £ 25. JUVENILE, £ 10. MALE VOICE CHOIK, ^0CaL solos> £ 2 2s> EACH. Substantial Prizes for Instrumental Solos, Penillion Singing, Alusical Composition, Ambulance, Timbering, and other Contests. Programmes, 2d., Post Free, from the Gen. Sec. Mr. David ReNl, Ormonde. Honim, Dowltia. 1 GWENt CHAIR EISTEDDFOD KHYMNEY, MON. WHIT-TUESDAY, JUNE 1st, 1909. —. (a) "All Men, all Things," Chief Choral m <b> "cwsg, Fuwr, cwsg,' *»*ww Second Choral "Daybreak" £ 30 Male Voices "Voice of the Torrents" f,25 Ladies' Choirs "Yr Baf" £ 15 Juvenile Choirs "Haste not, Rest not" illo Boys' Choirs "Tiger, Tiger" £ 5 Pryddest "Anian" f,5 a Chadair Gwent Prif Draethawd Dyfedol Cymrn" all S330 SOLOS, TWO GUINEAS EACH. Quartette, Duet, Cywydd, Can, Englyn, Translation, Kecitations, Mining, Ambulance, Wand Drills, &c. Pul I particulars in Programme, Price 2d., from the Secretary. I. W. EDWARDS, THE TERRACE, RHYMNEY. The Goods Speak for Themselves." This may certainly be said of the —— BESPOKE TAILORING OF MORGAN BROTHERS, 136, HIGH STREET, MERTHYR TYDFIL. WE FIT THE I I HARD, HARD, TO FIT. You don't know how ranch real satisfaction there is in a Coat that is MADE FOR YOU if you have not tried it. You get just what you want of extr» pockets or particular fancies, hke a velvet collar or silk facings. Kfita your figure too, like no ready-to-wear garment can pom- bly do. We guarantee a perfect fit in the most fashionable style. BUSINESS SUITS IN SPRING SUITINGS from 35/6 | LIGHT-WEIGHT OVERCOATS from • ■ • 30/" 3 LADIES' TAILORED COSTUMES. We have aimed to make this the best store for Hats and Caps Best in quality is none too good fer us and our Customers. NEW STYLES FOR SPRING NOW READY. GENTLEMEN'S SHIRTS, HOSE. GLOVES, TIES, ETC. I Sole Agents for J. Pscx & Co's Specialities for Butchers and Provision Dealers. 1 WIRE BlilWISS THE BEST AND CHEAPEST HOUSE IN THE TRADE FOR WIRE BLINDS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION, IS N.ff W. K. LEE & Co. 's, 89, Cardiff Road, Aberdare. ESTABLISHED OVER 50 YEARS. FRANK JELLEYMAN, 1, m TUNl EXPERT. The Arcade. MERTHYR, (Late W. Price and Davies.) T. PRICE DAVIES, BONE-SETTER, so QWERNYFED," THE WALK, (Near Park Chapel), MERTHYR, Where he can be consulted-and cases treated for all DISLOCATIONS, MUSCULAR, INJCROCS, DIS- PLACED CARTILAGES, &c., &c., on MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS; also at MARKET TAVERN, ABIRDARK, every TUES- DAy from 10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and CARPENTERS ARMS, POBTH, every THURSDAY from 11.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. OPUMR Carrl Games. New pattern book of latest designs in Stationery for round Games, Progressive Wh st Invitation and Scoring Cards, Progressive Bridge, Wh st Invitation and Scoring Cards, Progressive Bridge, Golf Whist, "Afternoon Tea" Game Cards, "Press Letter" Flower Romance, Primroses, Pansies, The Game of Ases," etc. The Invitation and Scoring Cards are boxed in dozens, and can be supplied in small quan- tities as required from 1/- per dozen. H, W, Southey & JaiI,' M-" l1uWn;IW- r'- ¿- _ø- BA»qQBD, FIFTH ANNUAL Cha,ir EISTEDDFOD MONDAY, MAY 10th, 1909. MUSICAL ADJUDICATORS D. R. LEWIS, Esq., F.T.S.C., Brynaman and T. HUGHES, Esq., F.T.S.C., Llwynhendy. LITBRARY ADJUDICATORS Dvfnallt," Ponty- pridd, and Rev. T. DAVIES, Bargoed. PRINCIPAL ITEMS MALE VOIOHS, The Reveille" (Elgar) £21 MIXED CHOIRS, "Hallelujah Chorus" (Handel) £21) CONGREGATIONAL CHOIBS £5 JUVENILE CHOIBS ■ £ 6 BOYS' CHOIRS -J. £ O AMBULANCE £5 PBYDDBST-£2, and a valuable Chair, and num- erous other competitions. All Entries must reach Secretary by April 26th, 1909 Further particu!ars see Programme, LID- post free—w. The 21 sf Annual EISTEDDFOD WILL BE HXLD AT Caerphilly Castle RECENTLY VISITED BY ROYALTY (By kind permission of the Most Hon. the Marquess of Bute), on WHIT-MONDAY, MAY 31, 1909. COMPETITIONS Chief Choral, Great and Wonderful," £40, and Gold Medal. Male Voice Choirs, The Reveille," £25, and Gold Medal. Juvenile Choirs, "A Shepherd's Lullaby," J315. Vocal and Instrumental Solos £1 11s. 6d. each. Poetry and Recitations. Good Prizes for Ambulance Teams. CHEAP TRAINS FROM ALL PARTS. Programmes ld. each, to be had of the Secre- tary, Mr. J. D. HUGHES, Rho«ynf», Caerphilly. PICTURESQUE VILLAGE OF PONT. NEATH VAUCHAN. THE THIRTEENTH ANNUAL Chair EISTEDDFOD will be held at the above place (in a Spacious Pavilion) on SATURDAY, JUJLY 3rd, 1909 ADJUDICATORS-Music: Mr. D. W. LEWIS, F.T.S O., Brynaman, and Mr. R. D. H. PRICK, L.T.S.C., Swansea. Litera- ture—Mr. LL. GRIFFITHS, Cwmavon, and Mr. LItWIS DAVIKS, G. and L., Cymmer. CHIEF EVENTS- Mixed Choirs, Ar Don o Flaen Gwyntoedd" (Parry), not under 50 voices, 10s. to each un&uc- cessful Conductor JB15 Male Voice, Martyrs of the Arena," not under 35 voices £10 Juvenile Choir, "The Stream and the Flower (T. Price), for Children under 16 years of ago Drum and Fife Bande, Own Selection jB4 4s. Solos, each -jells. Competitions for Ambulance, Ode, Eiaay, Reci- tations, Questions on Coal Mining, etc. For full particulars see Programmes, now ready, lid. by poet, from Mr. R. J. HUGHES, 46, High-eto., Glynneatb. Chairman of Committee: Mr. B. HARRIES, Green- wich House, Glynneath. PARK BAPTIST CHURCH, THE WALK, MERTHYR. PLUMCNIK NKXT SCKDAT— REv. J. LLOYD WILLIAMS (PASTOB) Services at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Spiritualist Council of Wales opened permanently at BENTLEY'S HALL, MERTHYR, SUNDAY NEXT, MAY 2nd. 1909. Afternoon 3 and Evening 6.30. Mr. E. G. SADLER, Cardiff, Miss KATE PUGSLEY, Cardiff. MONDAY. AT 8 O'CLOCK, TREVETHICK HALL. Miss Kate Pugsley, Cardiff. -¥.- __L J. GRAY & SON. FLORISTS AND SEEDSMEN; MERTHYR, FIRST PRIZE WINNERS at MERTHYR and TROEDYRHIW for BEST WREATH, BOUQUET, and LADY'S SPRAY. AJarge variety of ARTIFICIAL WREATHS From 5s. upwards; also a good selection of FLOWER & VEGETABLE SEEDS in Stock. THE ART" UNION OF LONDON. 112, Strand, W.C. EVERY Subscriber of One Guinea becomes entitled to an impression on India Paper of a CHARMING ETCHING or to select from amongr the many fine Engravings and Etchings previously issued by the Society, and also to the chance of A PRIZE IN THE ANNUAL DRAWING. For full particulars apply to the local agent, ISAAC WILKS, 14, GlebeJand-street, Merthyr. ■■ MERTHYR TYDFll TURKISH BATHS Hot and Cold Water Baths SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS have been made for an experienced trained Nurse to be in attendamce on Tuesdays (ladies' day). Mr. JOHN PORTER baft had over 20 years practical experience at some of the best establishments m the country, and is making arrangements for the Naupein Treatment, in addition to Sulphur Brine Pine, Sulphur Vapour, Pine Vapour and PlainVapour Baths at reasonable charges. LADIES' DAY, TUESDAYS. Please Note Address— Below Parish Church. Sgoldehretorhsi WECtgTEgEO mm Facsimile One-Ourux Packet. Archer's Golden Returns Perfection of Pipe Tobacco. CoOL, SWTCFT» AWP yuAORAWT. 1- .n_ TREDEGAR HORSE SHOW & PARADE WILI. EK HELD ON Monday, June 28th, 1909. iE75 IN PRIZES. TROTTING AND GALLOWAY RACES. AMBULANCE AND TIMBERING COMPETITIONS. Schedules and Particulars from Secretaries :— J. DAVIKS, Coronation Villa. A. H. HICKS, Castle-street. Aberaman Horse Show MAY 24th, 1909. EIGHTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION At the Aberaman Park. PRESIDENT I)R. FINNEY. A:200 in Cash Prizes. Classes for Driving, Riding, Jumping, Trotting, Galloping, and Yeomanry Turn-out. SCHEDULES READY. REES, Secretary, Broad Oak, Aberaman.

Merthyr Express Diary. "ro- All fixtures advertised in the "-Express" will be included in the diary free of charge. Sunday, MAY 2. Sacred Servica at Temperance Hall, Merthyr. Bentley's Hall, Merthyr—Spiritualism. Monday, MAY 3. Theatre Royal, Merthyr—"Idols." New Theatre, Aberdare—' The Blind Found- ling. Palace, Ebbw Vale. Trevethick Hall. Merthyr—Spiritualism. Wednesday, MAY 5. Dream of Gerontius," by Ebbw Vale Choral Society. „ Monday, MAY 10. Chair Eisteddfod at Bargoed. Thursday, MAY 17.. Gh&ir Eisteddfod at the Market Hall, Brecon. Monday MAY 24. Aberaman Horse Fair. Whit-Monday, MAY 31. Chamber of Trade Eisteddfod at Dowlais. Eisteddfod at Caerphilly Castle. Tuesday, JUNE 1. Rhymney—Gwent Chair Eisteddfod. Monday, JUNE 28. Tredegar Horse Show and Parade. Saturday, JULY 3. Chair Eisteddfod at Pontneathvaughan. Monday, JULY 5. Bedwellty Park, Txedegar-Fete and Gala.

Notice to Subscribers. Three editions of the "Merthyr Express" are printed every week one for the Aberdare VaJ ley from ilirwain to Abercynon; one for the Bet ough of Merthyr Tydfil and East Glamorgan; and one for Wes* Monmouth inclusive of the Rhymney Valley. Subscribers in one district desirous of obtaining the edition in another district can be supplied with it through their regular agents by sending a post card to the publisher, Gleheland. street, Merthyr, intimating their wishes and nam- ing the agent.

THE SITUATION IN THE COAL TRADE. THE proceedings at the meeting of the Con- ciliation Board, on Saturday last, prove that whilst both employers and workmen recognise that they are confronted with a grave situation by the conflicting opinions given by counsel on the cfleet of the CoaJ Mines Eight Hours Act upon the duration of the Conciliation Agreement, both sides are alike desirous of finding some means of preventing a disastrous stoppage of work. The employers proposed that they and the workmen should jointly present a caae for the opinion of a judge to be appointed by the Lord Chancellor, and the employers would give an undertaking to abide by his decision should it be against them. The workmen's representa- tives did not accept or reject the proposal, but took a week for its consideration, and as an alternative, suggested the appointment of a .9 sub-committee of their own members, to examine the question and endeavour to arrive at something that they could agree upon to recommend to the Board as an acceptable solution of the difficulty. The employers' chairman at once acknowledged that it was a businesslike suggestion, and his side promised to give it serious attention. Thus the matter stands for consideration at the adjourned meeting to-day, and it is to be earnestly hoped that one or other of the alternatives may be found capable of being put into shape for mutual acceptance. There is not a shadow of doubt upon the minds of either party that, failing some amicablo agreement amongst themselves for an arrangement to continue working until a new compact can be negotiated, the first step will be taken at the end of this month to terminate contracts. Should there be a general interruption and cessation of work before anything is done towards setting up new machinery for regulating the basis of work and wages, there is tho gravest possible risk of a protracted struggle. Both sides know so well the extreme importance of preventing a cessation of work that we may feel assured there will be nothing left undone that appeals to them as a rational means of avoiding such a disaster. It is easier to open a breach than to close it. Meanwhile, we understand, that the miners' executive are making preparations for a ballot of the whole of their members upon one or two vital questions which will ba sub- mitted to them at an early date after the adjourned meeting of the Conciliation Board, and upon the result of that ballot their course of action wiJI depend. We sincerely hope that a strike and lock-out will be averted. If such an untoward event were precipitated at Mid- summer there is too much reason to fear that the time of the year would not be favourable to shortening the term of its existence.

CARDIFF AND MERTHYR WATER SUPPLIES. ALDERMAN D. W. JONES gave evidence before the House of Commons committee that ex- I amined the Cardiff Water Bill last week, and made a strong effort to obtain a clause to confer upon the Corporation of Merthyr a statutory right to a supply of water from the Cardiff sources of supply, if at any time it should require such supply, without reference to the purposes for which it might be required. The Corporation was abundantly justified in present- ing a petition for the supply of water to Merthyr by Cardiff in an emergency, through the failure of its own resources, since the water would come from the water shed which sends its streams down to the south through Merthyr, and the Committee seemed to take a favourable view of such a demand. But what the Corporation of Merthyr asked for was something going far beyond that. It was a statutory right to a supply of water at any time from the Cardiff surplus, in order that it might continue, or even extend, the supply to external customers of its own surplus water. This the Cardiff Cor- poration resisted strenuously, and they had the opinion of the Committee with them. It was, they said, a claim to be supplied with water at the expense of Cardiff, not for the domestic necessities of Merthyr, but to enable ^lerthyr to°vn WHter at a lWftt u_ to outsiders. There was a principle at the bottom of this claim which the Committee would not look at, and the suggestion that Ca' difi should enlarge its water works to supply Merthyr with more water was characterised as ridiculous. The Committee suggested that the two corporations should agree upon a clause which would permit Cardiff to supply; Merthyr or any other authority on the route of their mains with water by agreement. But a clause of that nature was hardly wanted in order to enable such a supply to be given. We fear the Merthyr Corporation in asking foi too much has got less than it might hav< secured by a more moderate request. To asi for statutory powers to compel Cardiff- ti I supply Merthyr with water for the necessities of her own population, should her own sources I of supply at any time be inadequate-or^fail. was an entirely reasonable thing to ask, and, had we limited our demands to that, very probably we should have had them conceded. )

THE DISESTABLISHMENT BILL. THERE has been much talk during the about the honesty of the Government in bringing in a Bill for the Disestablishment and Dis- t endowment of the Church of England in Wale" and Monmouthshire at this juncture. It ha*. ( been alleged that the Government and everJhJy else must be perfectly conscious of the fact th". whatever may happen in the House of Caramor s. ( the Bill will have short shrift in the House of a Lords, and, therefore, its passage through the t Lower House will be so much waste of valua' le | time. The same thing may be said of other ( measures which have, by the action of the House of Lords, been so many examples of c wasted energies in the representative chamber. t It is even now being boasted about that the Budget, of all measures—for the last two centuries and a half the precious prerogatise of the Commons—is to be dealt with by the Lords as an ordinary Bill. We shall see whether they ( will so deal with it or not. But the Government j have already raised the great question of the i limitation of the veto of the House of Lords, I and it would be tantamount to suicide for them t to refrain from attempting the passage of ] measures sure of overwhelming support in the < Commons because they have foreknowledge by experience of the hopelessness of the same I measures in the Lords. It must, of necessity, c be part of their case for the reform of the 1 existing system to show by example after | example to the country that when the people have a Tory Government there are two chambers [ of legislation, and what the Lower House c passes the Upper House will accept; then the j House of Commons rules; but when a Liberal Government is in office all legislative proposals to be submitted by them must be subjected 1 to the preliminary interrogatory—will the House of Lords sanction this 7 There is 1 then but one ruling chamber, and that the House of Lords. The Liberal Government and the Liberal Party can never assent to that by refusing to proceed with such a Bill as the one for Welsh Disestablishment and Disen- dowment. They must furnish all the evidence they can of the powerlessness of the elective House in the face of a privileged chamber with an unlimited veto.

GOSSIP. The Mines Eight Hours Act, which will come into force on July 1st, is now exercising the minds of both colliery proprietors and miners' leaders. There appears to be a difference of opinion as to whether the Act will cancel the Sliding Scale Agreement. If it should, feara are entertained that it may lead to a general stop- page. That would be nothing short of a calamity, and the leaders on both sides appear to be working for peace. The Conciliation Board for South Wales and Monmouthshire met at Cardiff, on Saturday, but no definite agree- ment was arrived at. The owners contended that the Eight Hours Act invalidates the wages agreement, and proposed that the question should be submitted for decision to a judge of the High Court. The men's leaders, however, could not agree to this suggestion without further consultation, and the meeting was adjourned. On Monday the Council of the Miners' Federation met to discuss the situation. and, having regard to the fact that the Miners' Federation of Great Britain will meet in London, next week, resolved to defer any reply to the owners' proposal until after that meeting. ♦ » Mr. Ivor Guest entertained a large party at dinner, at Wimborne House, ON Wednesday, the Prime Minister being the principal guest. After the dinner there was a political reception, ] for which several hundreds of invitations were < issued.. < ( At the Aberdare County Court, on Monday. a local butcher brought an action against a j collier to recover £84 13s. lid. for meat supplied, i His Honour expressed astonishment that a f working collier should be allowed to obtain I credit to that extent. ( ] Mr. A. D. Provand, writing from Canada on 1 what he working population spends in drink s and rent, says: "This question came up at r the general election in Glasgow when I was a è candidate, and in a letter I wrote at the time j I showed that Glasgow's wage-earners spent a about twice as much on drink as on rent. A t member of tJie trade' in Glasgow gave the a letter to an-accountant to disprove, but he informed his inquirer that if he made a report it would show the case for drink to be worse 0 than I made it. Liverpool is worse than ( Glasgow, as the amount spent on drink averages t about 16s. 8d. more per head than in Glasgow. t and rents are lower." It would be interesting c to know how much the working classes of g Merthyr spend in drink in a year's time. j c A local shopkeeper has called my attention to r the fact that many people in Merthyr do their c shopping outside the town. They even go to the trouble of sending to London for small articles which could be obtained without f difficulty in Merthyr. This, he points out, is ( very hard on shopkeepers, who have to pay I heavy rents and rates. My experience of tradesmen in Merthyr is that they are most obliging, and I cannot understand people sending to London for small articles which < local tradesmen could supply just as cheap. In some towns the well-to-do classea who send to London for everything they require are being boycotted, but I hope it will not come to that here. Still, those who make their living in Merthyr—whether they be wage-earners or high-salaried officials-ought, as far as possible., to patronise local traders. The Earl of Derby, speaking at Preston, the other day, when the Countess opened a new school of domestic science, remarked "Though I speak not from personal experience, but putting myself in the position of a working man who married, I would infinitely sooner be certain of eating a good dinner than of listening to an indifferent pianist. It seems to me there is often more emphasis placed upon piano playing than there is on the more homely, but certainly more useful, offices of domestic life." Speaking at a conference on unemployment, held in London, on Saturday, Mr. Keir Hardie. M.P., said they did not want to feed the people in idleness at the expense of the State what they wanted was to make it cheaper for the State to find work than to provide food for the people out of employment. Then he went on to say that all the forces of the nation were at present arrayed against finding a solution for the great problem of the land. Once the land question is solved the way will be paved for many other social reforms. It is an intricate problem, and vested interests will, no doubt, fight hard against any drastic proposals, but 13 it not an exaggeration to say that all the forces in the nation are arrayed against finding a solution of the problem 1 3ne who knew the late Dr. Rigg, an ex- president of the Wesleyan Conference, when he was at Westminster Training College, says the doctor was always very careful not to allow a young lay preacher to go out without a rather detailed knowledge of the contents of his sermon. He once read through the notes of a very youthful preacher, who was going to preach on the 23rd Psalm, and who had made it appear that the green pastures and still waters" were a Christian's lot in material things. "Put that sermon away, my lad," he said, and preach it wbeu you are fottv-r^-if you At a special meeting of the Merthyr Board of Guardians, on Saturday, Mr. J. Price, of Cefn, was congratulated on being placed on the Commission of the Peace for the County of Brecknock. Although much has oeen done by the Merthp Corporation in recent years to solve the housing problem, overcrowding among the poorer classes continues in certain districts, particu- larly at Penychrre-n and Dowlais. The houses which have already been erected answer their purpose admirably, but, unfortunately, they ire beyond the means of the very poorest. What is required is a cottage that could be let at about threa shillings per week, but the question is, how can such a cottage be built. The Deputy Surveyor (Mr. F. Tiwkeray) has irr^nsted that the granulated slag at the r.vlais tips, which can be procured at sixpence a load, should heutilisod, after being converted into concrete, for the construction, of walls, ^toors. pavements, etc. A sample of this slag las been analysed and tested, both by English tnd French concrete specialists, and they leclare it suitable for concrete work and for îcrro-concret work for sm1I buildings. Re- oently, Mr. Thackeray and the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Duncan) iiad an interview with Mr. H. H. Law (the Loral Government Board's engineer), and discussed the matter with him. The engineer appears to have regarded the proposal favourably, but made certain sugges- tions respecting the construction of the pro- posed cottages. He ventured the opinion that v sixty years' loan would be granted if the concrete and fcrro-concrete were used in the way he indicated. Mr. Thackeray has prepared ■i long report, which will come before the Housing Committee, and in this he states that if the modifications suggested by Mr. Law are adopted, he thinks cottages can be erected on the land recently acquired at Gcllifaelog, to iet at 3s. tid. per week, without loss to the Corporation. If overcrowding among the very poorest is to be prevented cheap cottages will have to be erected, either by the municipality or private enterprise. Providing the Corpora- tion can erect them on the lines suggested with- out entailing a burden on the rates, the proposal will not mest with much opposition. A pamphlet, entitled Observations on the Taxation of Land Values," written by Mr. Adrian Lumley, member of a well-known firm of estate agents and surveyors, in London, has just been published, and all who are interested in this question would do well to procure a copy and peruse it thoughtfully. The pamphlet is a remarkably fresh and opportune contribu- tion to the discussion of this subject, as Mr. Lumley has approached it from an entirely original and practical point of view. In his opening remarks he says that after carefnj investigation he is convinced that if such a reform in taxation were carried the land- owning classes would be among the first to benefit under the new conditions." The outstanding merit of the essay, however, is its full and clear discussion of the methods by which valuers may separate the value of land from the value of improvements. The prin- ciple which he lays down for the guidance of valuers in this matter is well conceived. It may be described in Mr. Lumley's own phrase as the normal use standard," a standard which is arrived at by taking into consideration the possible production from any site or holding, if these were used or developed according to the normal conditions applicable to them at tile time of valuation. A perusal of the pamph- let will impress readers in an entirely new way with the importance of the valuation question in itlf. In the text and in a diagram working definitions and illustrations of the principle are given in relation to property in town and country. The cuckoo was heard in Merthyr on Saturday last, and has been heard several times during the week. < The Merthyr corporation have not yet entered into full possession of Cyfarthfa Castle and Park. Some delay has occurred in con- sequence of alterations having been made in the draft conveyance, but it is anticipated that the transaction will be completed very shortly now. The Corporation should have taken possession nine weeks ago, and are liable to Mr. Crawshay for interest at the rate of four per cent. on the purchase money, which means JE14 per week. As a set-off against this the Council will receive certain rents from March 9th last, which come to about f2 10s. per week. It will be seen therefore that the Corporation are losing money, and that being the case, the purchase 0 should be completed at the earliest possible moment. Possibly, if representations were made to Mr. Crawshay, he would forego his claim to the interest, but in that case no time should be lost in finally settling the matter. Summer is approaching, and ratepayers are looking forward to the pleasure of being able to ramble about the' beautiful grounds. f Notwithstanding the great depression in trade last year the receipts of the Merthyr Electric Traction Co. from their tramways showed a falling off of only £74, compared with the previous year. <. <. Gellygaer is agitating for increased represen- tation on the Merthyr Board of Guardians. An inquiry was held at Hengoed, on Monday, and a good case was made out for additional members. If the population of the districts be taken as the basis, Gellygaer is over-represented to-day compared with Merthyr and Aberdare, Gellygaer, however, is a very scattered area, and it would be an advantage to the poor people if the present number of members was increased. At the same time, it would only be fair to increase the Merthyr and Aberdare representatives in proportion, and to this Gellygaer would apparently raise no objection Having regard, however, to the uncertainty which exists as to the future of our poor-law system the wisdom of raising the question of representation at the present moment may be doubted. It is not improbable that ere long Boards of Guardians will be abolished altogether, and in view of that fact it would have been weU to have deferred the matter for a few months, at any rate. In his annual statement, made in the House of Commons, on Tuesday, the Postmaster General (Mr. S. Buxton) referred to the fact that very large additional work had been thrown upon the Pest Office in connection with old age pensions. These, he said, involved something like thirty million transactions a year. All this new work was being carried out in a thorougly satisfactory manner, with no interference with the regularity and efficiency of the post-office service. The date of the execution of Joseph Foy, for the murder of Mary Ann Rees, at Ynysfach, on Christmas Eve, has been fixed for Saturday, May 8th. Foy is reported to have said he wishes it were all over. The following are taken from a recent collec- tion of school-boy howlers :— If a. small hole were bored in the top of a barometer tube, the mercury would shoot up in a column thirty feet high. PLants need starch to make them stiff. A right angle is 9Cdeg Fahrenheit. Sodiu whn cut has an italic appearance- Soap is sometimes made from glycerine and cucumber. Hydrogen is colourless, odourloaj, and in- solvent. A cuckoo is a thing that turns from a butterfly into a pioth. Horse-power is the distance a horse can carry one pound of water in an hour. The earth r-avolves on its own axis 365 times in 24 hours. Thio rapid motion through cpace causes its sides to perspire, forming dew. Fahrenheit and Centigrade are two chemi- cals used in making thermometem. Magnesium is one of the salts found in the sea—it is what makes it effervesce when the tide comes in. A problem is a figure which you do things with, which are absurd, and then you prove it. A circle is a line of no depth running round and round a dot for ever. FOLONIUS.

Troedyrhiw & District Co-operative Society. The thirtieth quarterly meeting was held on Tuesday evening, at the Stores, the president, Alderman E. Morrell, J.P., being in the chair. The balance sheet, which was read by the Sec- retary, and unanimously pas-ed, showed that the quarter's trade was a record for 12 weeks, £4.672 9s., there being an increase of £270 on the corresponding quarter. It was decided to pay the usual dividend, 2s., and add to reserve fund J647, to the educational fund J65 19s, 8!d., and carry a balance forward of £7 10s. The total reserve fund at present is £423 16s. 5d., and the share capital £3,210 5s. 3d.. an In- crease for the quarter of £251 18s. 3d. Ad- dressea were delivered by the President, Messrs. Peter George, Abraham Evans, and John Thomas and the Manager, congratulating the Society on its continued success. The fol- lowing were elected on the committee for. the ensuine yearCoun. L. M. Jones, Pentre- bach; Messrs. Henry Williams, Ounryn John Griffiths and James Newman, Troedyrhiw; G. Hancock, Aberfan, re-electcd. The usual votes of-thanks to the committee-men and offi- cere wag .unaaimoy* pteaed, [Advt.

Cardiff & Merthyr Water Supplies. After the examination of Alderman D. Jones on the Cardiii Water Bill (reported p-g 8), Air. KeL) put Mr. G. E. Deacon, L.lv, into tne boi. ltne^s said that in hiS the Jeak in the reservoir which had been referred to would not aritce the supply 0( v,ater which wa available tor Merthyr. liio Chairman: Have they, then. threw* ing all the money in try:ntr to stop it?—< Not entirely. The Chairman The last, witness taid it WB4 hopeless. Proceeding, witness said that the Cardirf work, could easily b? en argfd to obtain a. verJ: much larger supply of water. Mr. Poilocti asked whether it was suggested that Cardiff should enlarge its works to supply Merthyr. The Chairman characterised the suggestion as ridiculous. The Committee felt that the prcposed Cardiff supply need not be increa and they would not alter the scheme to compel Cardiff to supply Merthyr Mr. Kelly aaid Merthyr wanted to secure ths right. The Chairman At the expense of Cardiff? Mr. Kelly said that after the clear intimation given from the chair, he would not pursue the matter further, and he asked that the permissive clause be inserted. The Chairman said that the Committee would not insist on the permissive clause unless diff could be induced to grant it. ¡ Mr. Pollock t'-a.id they might take it foa granted, if there was surplus water, that Cardiff would be glad to dispose of it to Merthyr Oll anybody else, and suggested that Merthyr should not be named in the clause, but that power should be given to supply all aurhontaei in the Taff Fawr Valley. Mr. Kelly wished the name of Merthyr to mentioned in the clause. They bad a moral right to the watar. Mr. Pollock said he had anticipeted thatf Merthyr would take up the position, and tha* they thereby sought to obtain a locus standi t interfere if they appeared in the Cardiff Bill bJ9 name. The Chairman suggested that a clause snoul<f be agreed, and that Mr. Pollock should time to consider it.—This was agreed to. The Chairman then intimated that the Comi- mittee pad the preamble of the Bill. and if was agreed that clauses should be taken on Tuesday week.

Merthyr Corporation and Taff Fusion. THE TOWN CLERK TO GIVE EVIDENCB AND RETAIN FEES. At a meeting of the General Purposes Con* mitioo of the Corporation on Wednesday, th Town Clerk said he had been asked by tha Taff Vale Railway Company to give in favour of theIr BIll before the House oi Lords Committee next week, and he applied fo. permission to go, and to receive fees paid hint by the Company.—Coun. F. T. James askea whether the Corporation had obtained proLe tive clauses as a result of the interview witifr Mr. Beasky.—The Mayor said that eeverat clauses had been inserted in the Bill, at th. suggestion of the represantatives of the. Cor* poration. and it had been agreed that ovidenc* should be given in favour of the Bill, at th. expense of the Railway Company.—Coun. DaA Thomas said this was a serious matter, and they should have time to consider it. lie di« not object to--the Town Clerk doing a publiq service, but he would be away during officcf hours, and he did not think his friends, that Labour Group," were paid their wages wheif they were not at work.—Coun. David Phillips. Take two days off his salary.—Aid. Berry, Have we had any concessions from the T.V.R.f —The Mayor: There is some kind of agree" ment draw up. and the minutes of the com" mittee who dealt, with the matter state thaf members of the Council could give evidence illt favour of the Bill at the expense of the Com pany.—Aid. Berry: Is there an agreement i existence?—Th? Town Clerk: Yes, and signed^ —Coun. H. M. Lloyd moved that the Tow Clerk's application bo granted, and that he allowed to retain the fees paid him by th. Company. Coun. Lloyd said he troated hisf own staff in the same way.-—Coun. Dan Thomaflk moved that the question b deferred to giv. the committee time to consider it. He did no. object to the Town Clerk earning erxta mone but the Town Clerk was a whole time officer. Coun. W. Lewis: You want the Town Clerk to* hand over the fees to the Council?—Coun. Dant Thomas: You move, and I wi!l second it. IS never heard of such generosity on the part off Coun. Lloyd before. I am afraid his staff ar not paid at the same generous rate as the Vale Railway Company pay their witnesses.-—^ Coun. Lloyd replied that no reasonable rate- payer would object to the Town Clerk's appli- cation being granted.—Coun. Dan Thomas: Where is our interest in the meantime ?—Coun. W. Lewis (Treharri*) said this was an excep- tional application, and as the Taff Company, had agreed to the Council's clauses, he fav- oured the application being granted.—Aid. D. W Jcnes said there was a minute authorising? members of the Council to give evidence in favour of the Bill. He had been asked toj give evidence, and he would do so.—The TownT Clerk's application was granted by 11 to 5¡ votes.—Coun. ThomM callcd for names to be. taken, but wa* informed thai this need not be; done in Committee. SERVANTS can easily bo obtained by the use of a small Want Ad. in thesoi columns. State your requirements, and you will be sure to get suited at once. .=00"

The Ynysfach Murder. DATE OF FOY'S EXECUTION. The date of the execution of Foy for the mur-j der of the woman Rees at Ynysfach has been fixoed for Saturday, May 8tli. The father and sister of the condemned man1 journeyed from Merthyr to Swansea last week end to have what they believed would be theiiy last interview with him. The interview was; arranged at the condemned man's request, con-, tained in a letter in which he announced the failure of the appeal. Foy is resigned to hï. fate. He realises that his family deeply fee his fate, but he begged them to "keep a cheer- ful face." The father and sister arrived ati Swan-sea at 1.20, but it was not till 3.15 that? they reached the gaol. They were Oath weep- ing, and go much overcome at the prospect ol meeting the condemned man that it was Si quarter of an hour before they could obtaiIi sufficient control of their feelings to ring th bell at the gaol entrance. Then they entered and remained half an hour. On emerging from the gaol. the father and sister seemed very much did ress-:d. Asked il they would say anything to Press representor tives, the father replied that it was tho desiraf of the family not to mak-J any public referencesj He, however, ultimately stated that they found the condemned man perfectly resigned and hadj no doubt that he would meet his fata with calmness: indeed, Mr. Foy exhorted his son to behave like a man when he got to the gallowar and he promised that he would do so. The sister, who was weeping copiously, ex- pressed her satisfaction at knowing the dat-3 01 execution was further off than had been antici- pated, and that she would be able to see he* brother again. She had a'c<2rta:d that shfll was entitled to se.1 him any day except Sunday^' but she stated that the cost of ftoing from Merthyr was too great to admit of her making the journey more than onoc, she feared. The father and sister expressed their own gratituds and that of the condemned man to Mr. Vaughan, the solicitor for the defence, ingthej could never forget his kindness The father faid he did not believe in the guilf of his son. He was led astray, but never did.. the act as was said. He had been for a monttt in Merthyr Hospital after a fall he had in thflf very place where the girl fell down. and so lDj jured his head that it had become affected, 0", this would not have happened. The condemned man in his last letter say. "I wish it was all over."

The publishers to the English Church a eants Committee, Eyre and Spottiswoode (Bib!«* Warehouse), Ltd., announce that they will issua on Monday, May 3rd. the official hand-book of the English Church Pageant to be held in the: grounds of Fulham Palace, June 10—16. Pub--? lished at 6d. net, the hand book will contain j some forty pages of d-egcriptive wattsr aud il., r luxations,