The North Wales Times

parliament in Ikief. C -✓ THURSDAY, APRIL 1ST. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Mr. T. M. Healy asked the Home Secretary whether he was aware that the large English gas companies were now making large quanti- ties of water gas, and turning it into the mains with coal gas, so that some cases of gas poison- ing had already occurred, and whether any weans would be taken to protect the public against the admixture of this most poisonous substance with ceal gas. Sir M. White Ridley said he was not aware that cases of gas poisoning had occurred from the cause suggested. If Mr. Healy would be good enough to favour him with any evidence he would cause inquiry to be made In reply to Mr. MacNeill, Mr. Brodrick said it was a fact that a sub-lieutenant of the King's oyal Rifles, now stationed at Aldershot, on seeing an Irish soldier with a shamrock in his cap on St. Patrick's Day, ordered him to take 'that dirty bit of greenstuff' out of his cap; and on the soldier telHng him that Irish sol- diers were allowed to wear the shamrock on t. Patrick's Day, ordered him to be confined in the guard-room, and that the soldier was subsequently punished with seven days' im- prisonment and hard labour. The late Mr. Stanhope, when dealing with the question, stated that the sanction of the commanding officer must first be obtained for the wearing of emblems or any addition to the uniform, and ^hac was not done by the private in question. The General commanding at Aldershot was in- vestigating the circumstances of this case. In reply to Colonel Mellor, Sir M. White Ridley said his inquiry into the alleged dis- missal of three of the workpeople employed by 'he East Lancashire Paper Mill Company for giving evidence in support of the case of an- other workman who recovered 9-108 damages for the loss of a hand was not yet complete. Mr. Chamberlain, answering Mr. W. Allan, said that Sir F. Carrington, like other army officers, drew a special field allowance from the funds of the British South Africa Company, but he was unable to state the amount. Sir F. Carrington had furnished a general report on the operations in Rhodesia, but he did not think there would be any advantage in presen- ting it to Parliament. In reply to Mr. J. Ellis, Mr. A. J. Balfour said his hope was that after a morning sitting on Tuesday week, the 13th, the House would adjourn. He hoped it would not be necessary to come back before the Monday following Easter Monday. The Budget he informed Mr. T. M. Healy, would probably be taken either on the Thursday after the House met or on the Monday following. At the second reading stage of the Budget Bill it would be possible to discuss the financial relations question, though he could not state how long he could allow the debate to proceed. Mr. J. Morley asked the Under Foreign Sec- retary whether his attention had been called to the report in the 'Standard' from Canea that the Camperdown having shelled the forces of the insurgents ac a distance of about four miles, and the insurgent flag having been lowered and the Christians being in full retreat, the Turkish soldiers sallied out from the forts and estab- lished themselves in the insurgent positions, hoisting the Ottoman flag; that until the Cam- perdown took to her heavy shells the insurgents rather gained ground than lost; and whether it was in accordance with the policy of the Go- vernment that Turkish troops should be em ployed under the cover of British guns in order to hoist the Ottoman Mag as a symbol of Turk- ish rule in Crete. Mr. Curzon replied that the Government had as yet received no information about the inci- dents in question. He did not gather, however, from the report in question, either that Turk- ish troops were employed under cover of British guns for an attack on the insurgents, or that the Ottoman flag was hoisted as the symbol of Turkish rule in Crete. Asked by Mr. MacNeill whether the Cretan insurgent chiefs who were summoned under a flag of truce to the village outside Retimo by the consuls for the purpose of having the mean ing of the promised autonomy explained to them were fired at three times by the Turkish soldiers, Mr. Curzon said that n the 29th the Russian Consul invited the insurgents to meet him and the commander of the Russian troops. Fifty Christians came from the village of Azi- popoulo and sent a deputation of eight to the appointed place, and although they were carrying a white flag they were fired on by the Turkish troops. The Christians abstained from carrying a white flag they were fired on by the Turkish troops. The Christians abstained from firing, but as the Turks/continued, the insur gents came down, and fighcing continued till evening. The Russian Consul made strong re- monstrances to the Governor, stating that he would report his want of good faith. He sub- sequently succeeded in interviewing the insur- gents, and they were reported to have refused autonomy and insisted upon union with Greece. The Government, Mr. Curzon continued, were taking every step in their power to accelerate the withdrawal of the Turkish troops, though it must be clear that until the Powers were in a position to replace the garrisons withdrawn, which they were endeavouring by the despatch of additional reinforcements to do, they were not justified in exposing to the risk of success- ful attack the refugee population in the seaport towns. Mr. MacNeill asked for and obtained leave to move the adjournment of the House in order to call attention to the absence from the United Kingdom of the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and his consequent inability to take counsel personally with his colleagues in the Cabinet and to communicate intelligence to Parliament personally as to the present critical condition of the Eastern Ques- tion and the relations of f this country with foreign Powers. Mr. H. Lewis formally seconded the motion, which was at once put and negatived without a division. The Military Works (Money) Bill was read a third time, and the Public Health (Scotland) Bill was read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Law. The Public Offices (Whitehall) Site Bill, by which the Government propose to acquire a site for the new War Offiee buildings, was read a second time and referred to a Select Commit- tee. The Kingstown Harbour Roads Transfer Bill was read a second time, and was then with- drawn.

FRIDAY, APRIL 2ND. HOUSE OF LORDS. The Committee stage of the Voluntary Schools Bill was taken. Before any of the Amend ments were moved the Lord Chancellor said he desired to call attention to the rule, which had hitherto guided the action of the two Houses, by which amendment of a money bill by that House was regarded as a breach of the privil- ege of the House of Commons. If he was called upon to give a decision, it would be that the amendments to the Voluntary Schools Bill were out of order, and if carried could have no practical effect, as they would have to be struck out on the third reading. Lord Spencer said that after the Lord Chan- cellor's statement he would withdraw his am- endment providing for a representative element in the management of the associations of schools. Lord Kimbei'ly withdrew two amendments in his name. Lord Herachell asked the Government to accept an amendment making it obligatory on the Department to require an annual audit of the accounts of schools. The Duke of Devonshire did not think the amendment was necessary, and it was not Pressed. Lord Kitnbeirley moved the following new cla,use: Te Education Department shall in every year cause to be laid before both Housesof Parliament a repqrfe of the proceedings under the Act during the preceding year.' .The Dake Of, Devonshire said he did not t}¡bík it wonild be<worth while to send the Measure back fco House of Commons for the ■ III m Jh I ■ Hi trm sake of such an amendment. It was the intention of the Committee of the Council to report fully upon the operations of the Act. Lord Kimberley insisted en taking a vote, whereupon the proposed clause was rejected by 65 votes against to 19 for. Lord Kimberley said he must express his regret that the bill had been so framed and conducted by the Government that the House of Lords had been debarred from expressing its views on it. The measure was one which would affect the whole future of the education of the country, and would be the means of in, troducing a long and bitter controversy. It dis- turbed for the first time, and that in the most serious manner, the settlement of 1870. Noble Lords who thought the matter would rest would find themselves greatly mistaken. The bill passed through Committee and was reported to the House without amendment. The third reading will be taken on Monday. HOUSE OF COMMONS. In the House of Commons it was resolved that the House should go into committee on Mon- day to consider a resolution authorising the payment of an increased grant to the school boards under the provision of section 97 of the Elementary Education Act. Answering Mr. T. Bayley, Mr. Curzon said the decrees concerning the abolition of the legal status of slavery in Zanzibar and Pemba would be issued in Zanzibar next week. In reply to Mr. Flannery, Mr. Balfour said the objects of the bill to provide facilities for the acquisition by working men of their own dwellings, which had been passed by the House of Lords, were objects with which everybody would sympathise, but he was not in a position to promise any Government time during the present session for the discussion of the measure. Mr. Balfour, replying to Mr. Goschen, jun., said that the proclamation appointing June 22 as a Bank Holiday and June 20 as a general Thanksgiving Day was to be gazetted. Answering Mr. J Redmond, Mr. Balfour said an inquiry as to where Imperial expendi- ture was spent did not come within the terms of the proposed reference to the new Royal Commission on Financial Relations. The Com- mission would have to determine what was and what was not Imperial and local expenditure, and then it would be for the Government to consider whether a return should be granted showing where the Imperial expenditure was spent in the three kingdoms. Replying to Mr. J. Morley, Mr. Balfour said the first business for Monday next would be the Poor School Boards Bill, and the second the Merchant Shipping (Undermanning) Bill. These would be followed by various compara- tively non-controversial bills. On Thursday the first order would be the Berriew School I Bill, and the second the Criminal Evidence Bill. On Monday the 12th the tirst business would probably be the motion for the Easter holidays, and then he had to take the second reading, of the Poor School Boards Bill On Tuesday the 13th the Irish Board of Agricul- ture Bill would be introduced. I." Mr. Morley aid not think it would be con- venient to take the second reading of the Schools Bill so soon after the resolution. He also pointed out that no allowance had been made for the Report stage. Mr. Balfour said he had perhaps rashly assumed that in regard to a bill brought in by universal desire, S and which was extremely short and simple, no great interval was requir- ed for the setting down of amendments, which indeed the bill appeared to be hardly suscep- tible of. The Report stage would be taken on Thursday, and of course the twelve o'clock rule did not apply to its discussion. Mr. Curzon, answering Mr. Bayley, said the Government had no information as to the pay- ment of Turkish officials and troops in Crete. It was not a matter for which this country was financially responsible or otherwise. Replying to Mr. MacNeill, Mr. Curzon said the British Admiral reported on the 1st inst. that his colleagues had asked for three moun- tain guns each. The Government were not aware that any decesion had been arrived at by any Power except Russia. It was under- stood that the Russian Government were send- ing a mountain battery. Asked by Mr. MacNeill whether the opposi- tion which had hitherto been offered by Great Britain and France to the blockade of Greek coast had now been overcome, Mr. Curzon said no information could conveniently be given as to the individual views of the Government or of the other Powers until a decision had been arrived at by all of them. Mr. Balfour, replying to Sir C. Dilke, said that so far as he was aware no land forces had been sent by Germany to take part in the operations in Crete. On the motion to go into Committee of Sup- ply, Dr. Clark called attention to the present system of votes and grants for local purposes in England, Ireland, and Scotland, and moved for the appointment of is Select Committee to inquire whether Scotland was equitably trea- ted. After a statement by Sir M. Hicks-Beach the motion was negatived without a division. Sir C. Dilke called attention to the necessity imposed upon the Foreign Office of consulting European Powers having possessions in Africa as to whether they would attend a conference at which the measures agreed to at the Berlin and Brussels Conferences should be considered with a view to the adoption and enforcement of further measures for securing equitable treat- ment of the natives of Africa. Mr. Curzon agreed that the time was oppor- tune for another Conference on the subject. The organisation of the Local Government Board and the instructions to prison warders in the event of convicts attemping to escape were afterwards discussed. Mr. Labouchere had on the paper a notice to move a resolution disapproving of the advice tendered by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to Her Majesty to use the forces of the Crown against either the Cretan insurgents or the Greek nation, but as he was unable, owing to the rules of the House, to move it, he called attention to the present position in Crete. Mr. Balfour replied that no better course for preserving the peace of Europe could, in his opinion, be conceived than the course the Government was pursuing—that of maintaining the Concert of Europe, and preventing that general fight for the provinces of Turkey in Europe which must end in a flow of blood and an amount of human suffering and misery which it was difficult to estimate and impossible to describe.

MONDAY, APRIL 5TH. HOUSE OF LORDS. A second reading was given to a bill to further secure the payment of the salaries of clerks and workmen in the winding up of companies, by giving them priority to the claims of debenture holders. The Military Works Bill was read a second time, the Voluntary Schools Bill was read a third time and passed, and the Military Lands Act Amendment Bill passed through Com- mittee. Their Lordships were sitting for an hour. HOUSE OF COMMONS. On the consideration of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Bill as amended by the Committee, Sir C. Dilke moved that sections 27 and 76 of the Friendly Societies Act, 1886, and so much of section 28 of the same Act as relates to the sending reports and abstracts of valuation to the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies, should apply to the pension fund the bill proposed to establish as if it were a regis tered friendly society. Mr. Galloway, on behalf of the promoters, having accepted the motion, it was agreedgto, and the bill was ordered for third reading. Mr. Curzon, answering Mr. Schwann, (said diplomatic relations with Venezuela bad not yet been renewed, but the Government were ready to give most friendly consideration tc any proposal for their renewal which might be received from the Government of Venezuela, by whom they were broken off in 1897. In reply to Captain Donelan, Mr. Brodrick said the general officer commanding at Alder- shot reported that Private Grindle, of the King's Royal Rifles, appeared on parade on St. Patrick's Day with shamrock in his cap. He was twice ordered to remove it by Second Lieutenant Blundell, and on his refusing to do so he was made prisoner. The commanding officer awarded him 168 hours imprisonment for direct disobedience to the order given by the officer in charge—not for wearing the sham- 1 rock. The general officer commanding, con- sidering that Lieutenant Blundell should not have given the order to remove the shamrock without referring the question to the officer commanding, had ordered the entry in the de- faulters book to be expunged. Sir J. Gorat informed Mr. H. Roberts that as soon as the Voluntary Schools Bill became law it was intended to lay on the table a minute with reference to the associations to be formed under the measure. Replying to Mr. Dillon and Mr. H. Lewis, Mr. Curzon said the Government had received a telegram from the Consul in Crete stating that he had no knowledge of the Mussulmans rescued from Candano having been rearmed. Answering another question, Mr. Curzon said the Government had no information of the reported capture of three Greek sailing ships by a British cruiser. Asked by Mr. Morley what Powers had sent troops to Crete, and what reasons had been given by the Power or Powers who had not sent troops for not sending them, Mr. Curzon said all the Powers, with the exception of Germany, had throughout been represented by military contingents in Crete, and all, without exception, by naval forces. The Government had received no official statement of the grounds on which the German Government had refrained from sending any military contin- gent to Crete. Sir W. Harcourt asked Mr. Balfour if he would state at what date the Turkish troops would be withdrawn from Crete, whether it was the present intention of the Government to employ the forces of the Crown in the block- ade of Greece, and whether the Government would make to the House of Commons a state- ment on the present position of affairs in Crete and Greece, and the policy of the Government in relation thereto. Mr. Balfour said the Government had repre- sented to the Porte the advisability of with- drawing the Turkish troops from Crete, and without doubt that end would be eventually accomplished. No date could, however, yet be fixed. If it appeared necessary for the main- tenance of peace, the Government would not hesitate to join the other great Powers in blockading Greece. In the meanwhile the Powers were making a joint declaration at Athens and Constantinople by which the main- tenance of peace might be attained. The declaration was to the effect that in case of conflict on the Greek frontier the aggressor would be held responsible for all the conse- quences of a disturbance of the general peace, and that, whatever the result of the struggle might be, they would not consent to the aggressor deriving the smallest advantage. Sir W. Harcourt expressed his disappoint- ment that no statement of the policy of the Government had been made, and gave notice that he would move an Address to the Queen praying that the forces of the Crown might not be employed against the people of Greece or against the people of Crete. Mr. Balfour said that if the motion was in- tended as a vote of censure he would give Thursday for the debate. Sir W. Harcourt replied that his motion was intended to obtain a statement of the Govern- ment policy, but he could not say it was a vote of censure. Mr. Balfour then stated that he could not consent to interrupt the ordinary business of the House for the discussion. Sir W. Harcourt replied that he would put the notice on the paper, and Mr. Balfour might t)ke the responsibility for its discussion or non-discussion. On the resolution authorising the payment of an increased grant to necessitous school boards, Sir J. Gorst rose to explain the pro posals of the Government with reference to these boards. He said the Government pro- posed in all cases where the rate was three pence, but did not rise so high as fourpence, to leave the schools exactly as they were. When the rate had risen to fourpence they proposed to read the Act as though 7s. 10d. were substi- tuted for 7s. 6d. There would, in fact, be an automatic sliding scale, which would go up fourpence for every penny of the rate until it reached 2s. 6d., which was the highest rate provided for under the bill, and in which case if any school district had a 2s. 6d. rate the Act would be read as if 16B. 6d. were substituted for 7s. 6d, The extra amount to be distributed by the bill would be £ 110,612. He moved— 'That it is expedient to authorise the payment out of moneys to be provided by Parliament of an addition to the grant payable to school boards under section 97 of the Elementary Education Act, 1870, by increasing the sum of 7s. 6d. therein mentioned by fourpence for every complete penny by which the rate there- in mentioned exceeeds threepence, provided that the sum so increased shall not exceed 16s. 6d. After some discussion, in which Mr. Acland, Sir H. H. 14owler, and Mr. A. J. Balfour took part, the resolution was agreed to.

TUESDAY, APRIL 6TH. HOUSE OF LORDS. The House of Lords sat for nearly half an hour. The Military Works (Money) Bill and the Military Lands Act (1892) Amendment Bill were read a third time and passed. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Lord G. Hamilton, replying to Mr. Bhownag- gree, said the Indian Government had tele- graphed to the effect that the total subscriptions received by that Government on account of the famine were as follow Mansion House Fund, g361,000, remainder of the United Kingdom, £ 184,000, British colonies, f57,000, of which Canada had contributed £ 25,000, India, 979,000, other parts of the world, £ 4,700, total £ 667,000, They had as yet received no contribution in money from Russia, but the Government, having learned that grain was on the way from Russia to India and that the Russian Govern- ment had provided special facilities for its transport, had lost no time in conveying to that Government thanks for its sympathetic action. 0, Asked by Mr. T. Shaw if he would bring before the South Africa Company the claim for compensation of the father of one of the ser- vants of the Company who followed Dr. Jame- son into the Transvaal, was wounded, and died subsequently at Durban, Mr. Chamberlain said the man's death appeared to have been due to dysentery. The Company, however, denied all responsibility for Dr. Jameson's incursion, and for its rebults to those who took part in it. In answer to Sir E. A. Bartlett, Mr. Cham- berlain said that on March 30 the British Agenn at Pretoria telegraphed to the High Commis- sioner that a most painful incident had ocurred at the race meeting at Krngersdorp on the 27th March, when a police officer of the South African Republic, and wearing the uniform of that Republic, permitted himself to make use of language which the Agent declined to repeat in Connection with the name of tfye Queen. The Agent addressed a Note to the Government of the South African Republic on the subject, and the Government provisionally suspended the police officer, and promised that matters should be proceeded with in such a manner as circum- stances appeared to require. Since then the President had personally expressed regret at the incident, and said that the matter was being inv^stigajied. « Mr. Curzon, replying Mr. said, the, British Ambassador at Constantinople had re- ported that apprehensions were left of disturb- ances at Bitlis and other places in Asia Minor, and a British man-of-war was cruising along the coast with the Vice Consul on board. Orders of the strictest kind had been sent by the Turkish Government to their officers through out the provinces, and as the guilty officials at Tokat had been dismissed and the commandant of the troops arrested, there was reason to hope that the orders would be obeyed elsewhere. In reply to Mr. Dillon, Mr. Curzon said that the British Consul at Canea telegraphed on the 4th inst. that, owing to the report that the Admirals had authorized the insurgents on Akrotiri to cross overland to Apokorona, 600 or 800 armed Bashi-Bazouks proceeded to Akro- tiri and opened fire on the insurgents. The Admirals were about to shell the Bashi-Bazouks when they saw the Turkish Commander-in-Chief Major Bor, and other officers approaching the Bashi-Bazouks, and they accordingly refrained from firing. Sir W. Harcourt asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he could assign a day for the discussion of the Address to the Crown of which he gave notice on Monday. Mr. Balfour replied that, as there was not a word in the motion which explicity expressed condemnation of anything the Government had done, or were doing, or had announced their intention or preparedness to do, he was forced to conclude that the object was not to put a direct issue, but to evade it. Under these circumstances he did not think it would be in the interests of the conduct of business that he should five a day. Mr. Seton-Kar called attention to the wholly inadequate production of food supplies within the area of the United Kingdom in relation to its large and increasing population, and moved a resolution declaring that the dependence of the United Kingdom on foreign imports for the necessaries of life, and the consequences that might arise therefrom in the event of war, demanded the serious attention of the Govern- ment. Mr. Yerburgh seconded the motion. In the course of the debate Mr. Balfour said he frankly accepted, on his own behalf and on behalf of the Government, the responsibility which the resolution threw upon them. They recognised the necessity under which this country lay of having an adequate navy- They admitted their responsibility for that adequacy, and in assenting to the motion they only gave another proof that it was a responsibility they did not fear, and from which they did not desire to shrink. The motion was then agreed to, and the House was shortly afterwards counted out.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7TH. HOUSE OF COMMONS. The second reading of the Agricultural Pro- duce (Marks) Bill, which provides for the marking of foreign agricultural produce with an indication of its foreign origin, was moved by Mr. J. K. Wingfield-Digby, who said the bill was in principle the same which last year had received the assent of the Government and passed its second reading by 239 votes to 82. Mr. Mildmay seconded the motion. Mr. G. Whiteley opposed the measure. The marking eraze had, he contended, gone far enough, and, in the opinion of the trade of the country in general, had hardly proved benefi- cial. He objected to these agricultural policies. They were dictated by motives of self interest, and in some measure there was a conflict between town and country. Mr. Long said some of the clauses of the bill would certainly require the most careful consideration, but the principle of the bill having been accepted in all quarters of the House and supported in the country, he was prepared to assent, on behalf of the Govern- ment, to the second reading on the same condition as last year-namely, that on being read a second time the bill should be referred to a Select Committee. Mr. Bryce said he was willing to go as far as anybody in the direction of preventing fraud, but he reminded the House that in the Sale of Food and Drugs Act there were provisions that fully met the case which had been submitted. A measure to declare the true meaning of that Act would receive both sympathy and support from the Opposition. On a division the second reading was carried by 160 votes to 91, and the bill was then re- ferred to a Select Committee of the House.

THE QUARRIES DISPUTE. MEETING OF THE MEN. The publication of the notices by Lord Penrhyn on Friday offering employment to his late employes, resulted in a hurriedly summoned meeting of the men at the Market Hall, Bethes- da, on Saturday rligM. Mr. W. Evans, the chairman, said there had been no intention of conveying a public meeting until the notices in question were put out offer- ing employment -(hooting)- to those of them, at any rate, who were 'competent workmen.'— (Laughter). He ventured to assume that they all considered themselves competent workmen, but the terms of the notices made it incumbent upon them to apply for work individually.— (Laughter). He complained that the notices should be issued while negotiations between the Committee and Lord Penrhyn were still in pro- gress.—(Shame). There would have been greater appropriates* had the notices come out a day sooner-why, he left the meeting to guess.—(Laughter). Proceeding, the chairman expressed his gratification at seeing the men in such a determined frame of mind. For the past seven months they had solemnly passed re- peated resolutions, and he believed that they were determined to stand by them—(cheers— even in the face of every inducement oftered them, and that, moreover, they would not accept work except through an agreement come to with their representatives as workmen.— (Loud cheers). He was proud to think that the country was thoroughly alive to their interests and that the English trade unions were most generous in their support.—(Hear, hear). Mr. Robert Griffith proposed the following resolution: 'In view of Lord Penrhyn's fourth invitation, through Mr. E. A. Young's posters on the wall, to workmen to apply for work in his quarry, while we consider ourselves to be competent workmen we cannot accept employ- ment under the terms offered in this notice.' The reference to Mr. Young was hissed. The mover of the resolution defended tho course adopted by the deputation in the recent inter- view in putting forward first and foremost the question of combinatien, without which all other concessions would have been worthless. Mr. D. Da vies, in seconding the resolution, declared that the time had ceme when they should declare distinctly that they would not apply for work individually (Loud cries of 'No'). Would they go in and leave many of their co-workmen who had come out with them? —(' No.') That being so, to go in. was impossib- le.—(Hear, hear). Mr. William Williams (Gerlan) supported the resolution. He said Lord Penrhyn was evi- dently under the impression that the men's ob. jeet was to secure the right to manage the quarry. That, however, was not so, and the men knew it to be untrue. He emphatically made it known to the country at large that they desired nothing of It he kind. None of them believed that workmen had a right to control any work, but they firmly believed that they should have something to say as to their own labour, and thai; was what chey asked for. —(Cheers). The employer had his representa- tive, and it was but common fairness that the men should have their representatives acknow- ledged.—(Hear, hear). The resolution was passed. Mr. D. R. Daniel, organiser of the Quarry- men's Union, Mr. Henry Jones (Gerlan). Mr. Robert Davies, Mr. W. H. Williams, Mr. W. J. Williams (general secretary ot the Quar-t men s Union), and Mr. Griffith Edwards afterwards addressed the meeting, counselling the men to adhere to their just demands.

DOLGELLEY. THE 3RD MILITIA BATTALION WELSH FUSILIERS. An announcement appears in the papers stating that the War Office have decided that the above Battalion are to assemble here for their annual training, commencing early next month. GOOD FRIDAY. The eisteddvod which will be held on Good Friday, under the auspices of the Weeleyans, promises to be a complete success. The num- ber of competitors exceed those of last year. The musical adjudicators will be Mr. Mael- gwyn Davies, R.A.M., London. TEMPERANCE, A series of temperance sermons are being de- livered this week, and the services are exceed- ingly well attended. On Monday evening, the Rev. Evan Roberts (C. M.), preached at the Wesleyan Chapel. On Tuesday evening, the Rev. R. G. Roberte (B) occupied the pulpit at Bethel (C M). On Thursday evening, the Rev. Pari Huws, B.D. (I) at the Baptist Chapel, and Friday evening, the Rev. P. Jones Roberts (W), Barmouth, at the Independent Chapel. LOCAL SUCCESSES—QUEEN'S SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATIONS. We have pleasure in announcing the follow- ing local successes at the last Queen's Scholar- ship Examination :-Mr. J. J. Jones, assistant master at the Board School (late of the Nation- al School), Mr. David Jones, pupil teacher at the National School, Misses Harriet and Mary Williams, Girls' Board School (both daughters of the late Captain George Williams, Derwen House)- The two former were prepared for the examination by Mr. D. J. Williams, head master, National School, and the latter by Miss J. A. Roberts, head mistress of the Girls' Board School. FATAL ACCIDENT AT A GOLD MINE. An accident which proved fatal befel Mr. W. Williams, Wesley Terrace, Arthog, last Wednesday, whilst following his employment at the British Goldfields (Gwynfynydd) Gold Mine. It appears that deceased, after some blasting operations, entered the level, when part of the roof gave way, inflicting serious injuries to his head. Dr. John Jones, Caer- ffynnon, was as quickly as possible in atten- dance, but he succumbed to his injuries on Friday last. Deceased, who was 32 years of age and single, was much respected by both employers and employed. An inquest was held on Monday last, before Mr. W. R. Davies. coroner, when a verdict of accidental death was returned. The funeral took place at Llan- fachreth last Monday amidst general signs of sympathy. The mine was for the day closed, and the funeral was one of the largest seen in the district. The deepest sympathy is being felt with his family and relatives in their sad and unexpected bereivement.

BRITHDIR. TEA PARTY AT THE BOARD SCHOOL. A tea party was held at the above place on Wednesday, the 31st of March, for the purpose of introducing the new master (Mr. W. Pryce "W illiams), to the inhabitants of the neighbourhood. The tea commenced about 3 o'clock. The children numbering about 100 first partook of tea; and before leaving the tea tables every child was pre- sented with an orange, the gift of Mrs. R. Pughe, Heolygog, and Mrs., W. Williams, Queen's Square, Dolgelley. After dismis- sing the children, the ladies and gentlemen sat down to tea. The following ladies pre- sided and waited at the tea tables:—Mrs. J. Williams, Moel View; Mrs. Owen, Cross Keys: Mrs. Williams and Miss Amy Owen, Queen's Square; Miss Ellis, West Street; Miss S.Williams, Union Square; Miss Evans, Frondirion, and Miss Williams, English Terrace, Dolgelley, Mrs. R. Pughe, Heoly- gog Mrs. and Miss Williams, Islaw'r dref; Mrs. Humphreys, Pantycra; Mrs. Lewis, Tabor; Miss Jones, Tynewydd; Mrs. and Miss L. Roberts, Perthi; Mrs. Hughes, Garth; Mrs. Jones, Cae ceirch; Mrs. Evans, Tyddyn gareg: Mrs. Evans, Tyddyn mwyn Miss M. A. Pugh, Tyglas; Miss Maggie Price, Coed; and Miss S. Evans, Maesyr- helma, Brithair. The superintendents of the tea party were Mrs. Pughe, Garthwnion Mrs. Price, Fron- oleu; Mrs. Evans, Gwanos; Miss Roberts, Tyglas; and Miss Hickman, Caerynwch, Brithdir. Among the gentlemen present were the Rev. J Williams, B.A., Moel View; Mr. E. P. Williams, London House; Mr. Richard Williams, Postmaster; Mr. G. Ellis, West Street, Dolgelley Mr. iJ. Price, Fronoleu; Mr. O. O. Roberts, Head master of boys' Board School, Dolgelley; Mr. Williams, Head master, Tslaw'rdref,lboys'Board School, Dolgelley; Mr. H, Roberts, Master, Dol- gelley Union; Mr. Ellis Williams, Atten- dance Officer: Rev. J. Walters and Rev. H. Roberts. After everybody had partaken of a good tea, the tables were cleared, and a concert commenced in which several vocalists of the neighbourhood rendered good service, and also the school children. Speeches were delivered by the chairman (Rev. H. Roberts) and others present. The singing of both the choirs under Mr. D. Jones, Dolygammedd, were especially good; also the recitation by Mr. J. Jones, Henshop, and the Musical Drills by the children. The concert terminated at half past eight, after a very happy afternoon and evening had been spent. Great credit is due to all the ladies for preparing such a good tea.

Mr. Chaplin is just passing through the stages of a heavy cold. He has quite lost his voice. Dr. Probe: Never fear, sir. Two years ago I was just in your condition, but I recovered., Patient (eagerly): What doctor did you liave

LIVERPOOL. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) LIVERPOOL, Thursday. Rev. R. Aethwy Jones, Menai Bridge..—This rev. gentleman has accepted the call to the pas- torate of the C.M. church, Newsham Park, to be the successor of the Rev. Abraham Roberts, now of London. The Bequest of a Liverpool Welsh Gentleman. —I am authorised to state that Mr. David Williams, of Liverpool, has bequeathed £ 1,000 to the British and Foreign Bible Society, in memory of his mother. The Bequests of a Bootle Gentleman.—In his will, the late Mr. John Williams, Trinity Road, Bootle, has made the following bequests:— £ 250 to the Bible Society, zC260 to the C.M. Foreign Missionary Society, and £100 to the C.M. Home Missionary Society-tobal, £ 600. Site for a New Chapel at Bootle. One of the Welsh ministers of the city reminds me that the members of the Welsh Congregational Church at Marsh Lane, Bootle, have purchased a site for the erection of a new chapel. The minister of the church is the Rev. J. H. Rees. Electric Light on the Boulevardq. -That charm- ing promenade, known as the Princes Park Boulevards, which lies between Princes Road and Princes Avenue, is shortly to be illumina- ted by 16 electric lamps, furnished at an initial cost of £ 720. About E300 will be annually ex- pended in connection with this departure. The Rev. J. Hudson Taylor's Visit to Liverpool. —The well-known missionary, the Rev. J. Hud- son Taylor, of the China Inland Mission, will be among the speakers who are expected to ad- dress the meetings of the ninth Liverpool Con- vention for the Deepening of Spiiitual Life, to be held at Hope Hall from the 19th April to the 23rd. Rev. William Jones, David Street, a Biographer. —This reverend gentleman has written, for the Press, a biography of his father-in-law, the late Reverend David Davies, of Barmouth, a Welsh Calvinistic Methodist minister, who was a very popular and powerful preacher in Wales for more than half-a-century. The volume, when it is out of Press, will contain several Welsh ser- mons of the deceased. The Biography of the late Reverend Dr. John Thomas.-The appearance of this biography is eagerly expected out of Press. It is written by the son, the Rev. Owen Thomas, M.A., and the Rev. J. Machreth Rees, of London. Much scope, I am informed, will be given in its pages to the leading movements of Welsh Congrega- tionalism during the past 25 years, of which I the late Rev. John Thomas, D.D., himself was a conspicuous figure. The Welsh Wesleyans of Liverpool and District- —Their annual musical cymmanva was held in Shaw Street chapel on Monday evening, the 5th instant, presided over by Edward Lloyd, Esq., Falkner Square. The choirs of the various I churches, under the able conductorship of Mr. R. Wilfrid Jones, R.A.M., Wrexham, sang about 15 congregational tunes in the cymmanva with thrilling effect, and also gave an exquisite rendering of the anthem, Dyddiau Dyn' (W. Davies), the organist being Mr. Edward Owens, jun. There was a large audience. Young Wales Society (Gyrnru Fydd).-At the rooms of this society, 150, Upper Parliament Street, Mr. J. Harrison Jones, Princes Road, delivered an interesting lecture on Saturday j evening, his subject being 'The Welsh Politi- cians of the Past.' The lecturer dealt mainly 1 with the political careers of Mr. Henry Richard, I M.P., Mr. L. L. Dillwyn, M.P., Mr. David Davies, M.P., and Mr. Richard Davies, M.P. The Rev. John Williams, Princes Road chapel, proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer, which was seconded by Mr. R. Lloyd Phillips, and passed unanimously. Mr. A. Lloyd Jones in his Gravel-Mr. A. Lloyd Jones, of 18, Breck Road, Anfield-an estate and insurance agent, having offices in Victoria Street—is now dead, and buried at Anfield Cemetery. The deceased was laid in his grave amid every manifestation of regret, sorrow, and sympathy on the part of a large concourse of relatives and friends. His illness was brief. A little over a week ago, he was following his occupation; but, unfortunately, he was seized with typhoid fever, to which he succumbed last Saturday, at the early age of 31. He leaves a widow, and eight small children, to 'I mourn his loss. He will be greatly missed in the vicinity of busy Victoria Street. The Welsh Congregational Unlion.-Its meet- ing will be held in Liverpool June 21st-24th, commencing with a Temperance meeting on Monday. On Tuesday, business matters will occupy the afternoon session; in the evening, sermons will be preached by the Rev. W. James (Swansea) and the Rev. J. Charles. At the morning conference, on Wednesday, the Rev. R. S. Williams (Dowlais) will deliver the Presi- dential Address, to be followed by a paper on The Education Preparatory for the Ministry, in reference to the University of Wales,' by the Rev. W. Charles. In the afternoon, Professor Tyssil Evans will read a paper on 'The Influ- ence of Intermediate and Higher Education upon the Theology of Wales.' Welsh Presbyterian Chapel, Chatham Street. Dr. A. L. Peace, the Corporation organist, gave an organ recital at the above chapel, on Friday evening, the 2nd instant. The organ pieces of Handel, Mozart, A. L. Peace, Weber, and Gio- vanni Morandi were performed on the organ of Chatham Street chapel with good and legitimate effect, all the selections abounding in much viva- city and well-sustained vigour. Suffice it to say that the eminent organist displayed the capa- bilities of the large organ in its most diversified phase. The vocalist of the evening was Mr. David Jones, R.A.M. (bronze and silver meda- list), a native of Cilfynydd, Pont-y-pridd (South Wales). He sang 'Arm, arm, ye brave' and Y Dytnmhestl' (R. S. Hughes); and, responding to a rapturous encore, gave, in capital form, Honour and Arms' (Handel's Samson). On the previous day-Thursday, the 1st instant—this popular young artist was singing at two con- certs in London, namely. the Students' Orches- tral Concert, Queen's Hall, and at a Grand Bohemian Concert, held at the Fraseati Ban- queting Hall, Oxford Street, W.; and on the following day (Friday), he travelled all the way from London, to be present at Chatham Street chapel, Liverpool, in the evening. The Musical Festival of the Welsh Congrega- tionalists of Liverpool and District. -This grand festival was held at Great George Street Con- gregational chapel on Tuesday evening, the president being the Rev. H. P. Thomas, Birken- head. The united choir of this cymmanva in- cluded the churches of the Tabernacle, Grove Street, Park Road, Great Mersey Street, and Kensington; Marsh Lane and Trinity Road, Bootle; Clifton Road and Vittoria Street, Bir- kenhead; Clarenden Road, Seacombe; and the churches of Widnes, Salford, Prescot, and Earlestown. Mr. T. G. Richards, of Mountain Ash, late of Pont-y-cymmer, was to be the ap- pointed conductor of the festival; but owing to the unexpected death of his little daughter after 12 hours' illness, a worthy substitute was found in «^he person of Mr. D. W. Lewis, F.T.S.C., of Brynamman, Carmarthenshire, who marshalled his forces with much skill and precision, and secured an excellent interpretation of almost every tune that was sung, which included the following tunes ou-t of the Caniedydd Cynnull- J eidfdol (the Tune Book of the Welsh Congrega- tional Union), namely* Armageddon,' 'Emyn y Pasc,' St. Agnes, I Rhondda,' I Gwalia,' 'Bethesda,' 'Pembroke,' 'Neapols,' 'Bryn Moriah,' Pererin,' and Dies Iræ: Sir John Stainer's anthem, f Pwy yw y rhai hyn?' was sung twice, the second time with exquisite pa- thos and tenderness, the huge choir being en- tirely under the sway of the conductor's move- ments, and the stimulus of his baton. At the special request of the Rev. J. K. Nuttall (pastor of Great George Street chapel), the well-known tune, (Pen Calfaria,' was sung with Welsh hwyl. In the course of the festival, the cour- teous, business-like, and energetic honorary secretary, Mr. J. E. Williams, 98, Aspen Grove, read the names of the successful prize- winners in the Scriptural and Tonic Sol-fa Examinations, and the Rev. D. Adams distri- buted the prizes, which were aa follows buted the prizes, which were aa follows } First section: (1) The Land and the Boole, Mr. I W. Humphreys, Earle Road; (2) The Life of Christ and The Lord's Teaching, Miss Jane Owen, Great Mersey Street; (3) The Prince of the House of David, Miss Minnie Edwards, Great Mersey Street. The Second section: (1) Ltiemationai Bible, Mr. John Owen Jones, Taberuaele; (2) Miss Adams, Grove Street. The Third section (1) Prize of £ 1 to Miss Emma J. Owen, Park Road; (2) 10s. to Mr. Thomas Askin, Great Mersey Street. Certifi- cates were also given to others. In the Sol-fa. Examinations, 22 Elementary Certificates were also distributed by Mr. Adams. Among those present, I noticed the Revs. O. I Ll. Davies (W.), J. O. Williams (Pedrog), J. H. I Rees (Bootle), Peter Price, O. L. Roberts, and W M. Jones (C.M.); Messrs. Edward Lloyd, J.P., John Evans (Smithdown Road), Robert I Davies (Park Road), John Edwards (Grove Street chapel), D. Morris (Falkner Street), and the treasurer, Mr. Edward Roberts, Bank House, Bedford Place, Bootle.

ANOTHER 'PUSHFUL' GENTLEMAN. Just after the death of Andrew Jackson, a frieni of his met an old family servant and began askipg him a few questions about his late master. "Do you think,' he said, that tht general has gone to heaven!' 'Deed, I dunno, sah; dat jis' depen's. Depends on what ?' < Jis depen's, sah, on ef de gin'ral wanted to go, sah, or not.' said the old darkey, with sdpreme confidence in the general; ef he wanted to go, sah, he am dab, sho'; and ef he didn't, ho ain't, sah.' wanted to go, sah, he am dab, sho? and ef he didn't, he ain't, sah.' (¡": '"t