The North Wales Times

CATTLE MARKETS, AND FAIRS BIBKENHEAD."— Agricultural Produce. January 8th.—Hay, old, £3 10s to £ i: ditto, clover, 21 to a 10s; straw, wheat, 22 Iús; ditto, oat, C2 5* to JE2 7s 6d; turnips, 21; and suunre, 2e to 48 per ton. LONDON,—Agricultural Produce. -Jinuary 8th.- At the Whltechapai Hy and Straw M-ukot, there were moderate supplies, and trade was moderately active1 at the following prices:—Good to prime hay, 80s to 92a 6d; inferior to fair ditto, 503 to 70s; good to prime clover, 85a to 100; inferior to fair ditto, 75s to 8Ga, mixture and sainfoin, 70s to 90s; straw, 28s to 38s par load. Li-vF,RPOOL.- Wholesale Vegitable. -January 9th.— Potatoes :-Up-to-dates, 3s 8d to 4s OJ main crops, 4s to 48 6d; bruce, 33 6d to 4s 3d; Lymn greys, 3s 6d to 3d 4d per cwt. Turnips, 6d to 9d per dozen bunches; ditto, swedes, Is 4d to Is 6d per cwt; carrots, Od to Od per dczau bunches; d tto, 2s 3d to 33 3d per cwt. Onions, English, 5s to 55 6d per cwt; ditto, foreign, 3s to 3s fid per cwt. LIVERPOOL.-St. John's Market.—January 9th.— Beef; 5d to 3d par lb; mutton, 5d to 9d; veal, 7d to 9d; ftOfh pork, 7d to 9d; fresh butter, Is 2d to Is 4d; ditto, salt, Is to Is 2d per lb; eggs, lis 6d per 120, DENBIGH (Cattle), January 8th.—This was a small fair, ss sould have been expected after the holidays- Verr little business was done. Milking cows were lower, and sold from £10 to £ 15; bat some tew speci- mens made over this price. There was no trade what- ever done In store cattle. Bitf made from 6d to 6d and mutton, 7d to 8d per lb. SALFOSD, January 8th. The stoek at mart on Tuesday showed an increase ot gl6 beasts and 1.699 sheep. The figures were Beasts, 2,821; sheap, 8,129; calves, 104; and pigs, 48, Tha prices were as follo,q.fa :-Beasts, 5d to 6d; sheep, 6d to calves, 5d to 9d per lb. Pigs, 91 9d to 9s lOd per score lbs. Business fairly moderate in extent in most directions, the deznaed being of a healthy character. BIRMINGHAM, January 10th.—Improved demand, and fair supplies. Bast Hereford, 6i to 7d; short- horns, 6d to TJi: fat bulla and cows, 5d to 63; calves, 6d to 8d; wether sheep, 8d to Bid; ewes and rsms, 6d to 7oi per lb. Bacon pigs, 9s 18d to 103 per score lbs; porkeiis, 10s to 11.; sows, Sa 6d per score. LONDON, January 10th, Beast entries on good scale, but principally osnsistad of fat bulls, rough cattle, and cows. Quiet demand preva led, at about late prices. Sheep entries moderate, and a slow in- quiry again experienced for bod wethers and ewes, while salesmen had to submit to a concession of 2d. per 8 lbs. all round in order to effect sales: 7/jst to 8st down wethers, 5a 6d to 5i 8d: 9st ditto, 53 4d to So 6d per 8 lbs. Calves steady. Pigs slow. DUBLIN. January 10th.-Heifer and ox beef, best qug,l -y, 52s 6d to 58s; sesond class, 46s te 50s per cwt. Wether mutton, 6àd to 7^1 per lb; ewe. 5d to 61; prime veal, 7d to 8d; rough sorts, 4fd to 6d per lb.

DENBIGH. Prayer Meetings. During the week, prayer meetings are held every evening at the various chapels, and are very well at- tended. New Minister.-The Rev. HughPugh, late of Aberffraw, has commenced his duties as pastor of the Henllan Street and Groea (C.M.) churches this week. Mr. Pugh will reside at Broadley Cottage, near Gwaenynog Bach. Borough Police Court. Friday (to-day), before the Mayor, and other magistrates, David Jonea, Foel, was find Is. and costs, for driving; without lights.—Edward Roberti, Henllan St., David Evans, Groes, and John W. Jones, Hen- llan St, were fined respectively 2s. 6d. and costs, 10s. and costs, and 5s. and costs, for beino, drunk, the charges being proved by P.S. Farrelh and P.O. Pierce. Gilchrist Lectures The first of a series of the above lectures will take place on Tuesday next, when Dr. Andrew Wilson, F.R.S.E., F.C.S., &o., will address the meet- ing on an important subject. The chair will be occupied by the Rev. Dan Davies; and we would recommend all classes to put in an appearance. For further particulars, see our advertising columns. Fvon Chapel Literary Society.-A meeting of the above society was held at the chapel on Monday last. The chair was taken by Mr. E. Mills, Clwydfro. The chairman before calling on Mr. R. David Hugbes, F.K.H.S., 38, Middle Lane, to proceed with his lecture on The wonders of the Bee Life,' and Modern Bee Farming,' prefaced it with ,some genial observations. The lecturer entered on his subject with a rush, md gave the impression that he wanted to be soon done, but it turned out that he had i very long journey before him, and had no jhance of accomplishing if, except at jxpress speed. Though Mr. Hughes expres- led a feeling of diffidence in selecting the joints on which to speak, for the most part 1 he lecture was an even and rapid flow of vonderful facts. At the close, the chair- nan paid a well deserved tribute to Mr I < iughes for his most interesting and enjoy' j pa.'pe" in this, Mr. prts called fur an acknow e ^E*NEAT the b! F gat ion they were also under to Mr E, i I Brief tha.nks from IIÐ two i ssotlemen WERE warmly applauded, Hid the meeting tsrraiaated.

THE UNITED MISSION OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. Under the auspices of the Free Church Union, a Her;es of sermons will be delivered during next week, commencing on Monday eyepiog. the 14th ingt. That evening, ser- vices will he held at Fran (0 M.) chapel, when th Rev. T. Isfryn Hughes, Bethesda, wiil preach, at the Baptist chapel, when a .sermon will be delivered by the Rev. Hobt. Richards, Rhyl. On Tuesday night, the Rev. Abel J, Parry. D.D will preach at the Salem (Vv.) chapel, and the Rev. Isfryn Davies at Seion chapel. On Wed nesday evening, Miss Rosina Davies and the Rev. D. James, Pwllheli, will officiate at the Pendref (W.) ch pel. On Thursday evening, the Rev. David James and the Rev. JOtJD Pugh, D.D, will preach at the Swan Lane (U.) chapel, and Miss Rosina Davies at the Green (C.) chapel. On Friday evening, Miss Rosina D i vies and the Rev. T. Hughes, Tregarth, will preach at Capel Mawr (C,M.), asid at the same chapel, on tbe following night, the Rev. R. Roberts, Rhos, and the Rev. John Pugh, D.D. will preach. All the services commence at 7, but they will be preceded by a prayer meet- ing at 6 30.

WESLEYAN QUARTERLY MEETING. The quarterly meeting of the Denbigh Cir. cuit was held on Thursday, at Pendref chapel, the Rev. Evan Jones, pastor, presiding over a large attendance of delegates. The twentieth century fund cinie under consideration, and the circuit secretary of the fund (Mr. T. Lloyd Jones) reported that 292 guineas had been promised as subscriptions to the fund, and that most of those hid been paid. It was unani- mously decided to make an effort to complete the fund, and it was announced that there was every probability of further promises being made. The meeting then proc"eded to elect officials for the ensuing year. Mr. J. Harrison Jones and Mr. John Roberts, Railway Stores, were rejected circuit stewards to the offices named, Mr. Robert Daviea, circuit chapel secretary Mr. J. Roberts and Mr, ThomLI Hughes, i; uditora; and Mr. W. Marsden Davies, secretary of the quarterly meeting. All wete thanked for their services in the past. The Chairman reported that there had been an increase of 29 members during the quarter. Mr. J. Harrison Jones submitted the financial statement, which was also considered most satisfactory. Other matters were discussed. The meeting was one of the most successful held for a very long time.

r WREXHAM^ THE ACTION AGAINST A COLLIERY OWNER. JUDGMENT. A QUESTION OF PESPONSIBILITY- His Honour Judge Sir Horatio Lloyd livered judgment at tbe Wrexham Goud j Court on Wednesday, in reference claim brought by Messrs. Rogers and o builders, Brymbo, near Wrexham, Mr. W. F. Butler, proprietor of the vro" Colliery, for J15 2s, 9d, in respect of done. In reviewing the case, his Hon said that a former vicar of St. Alban t Vron, contemplated building a church, but the work passed on to his successor, Rev. Daniel Davies, who is now Vica.rnv Denbigh. Mr. Butler, the defendant, to a great interest in the matter, and coOs ted Mr. Davies with reference to i which he apparently did not like. He so to the vicar, and it was obvious t t Mr. Butler wanted something—he woulo say more artistic—but more suitable to church, in the form of a screeD, staLIs,1» an altar. The vicar said he had no obji tion to the additions, provided Mr^■ -ie. became respon3ible for the extras. The fendant denied this, but Mr. Davies only agreed to the new work suggested the understanding that Mr. Butier himself responsible. It was also > Mr. Davies said, that defendant sbp order the work, and that he (the should have nothing to do with it- the builders were communicated with, and work was done, altered plans having in meantime been submitted to defenda » who made further alterations. ly a bill for the extras ( £ 15 2s 9d) sent to Mr. Butler in May, 1897. Del t duit replied to the builders that the vi himself undertook to be responsible for carrying out of tha whole design, inch1'a • the screen and stalls. There was no ere continued his Honour, that the plans w altered to some extent by Mr. B tier, although he said the stalls and screens # included in the original contract. ke thought, however, there must be a m]S fl here, because the architect said there w sum of ^15 due for extras. Mr, Rogers s, he had been told by the vicar that Butler would be responsible for the scr and stalls, and that he (Mr. Butler) ord0 the work. His (the judge's) first il"P,,t sion was, Mr. Butler's eviden eel t gg he had nothing to do with the buslri except giving a part of the site and bricks, &c. Mr. Butler had been ^^eratjQO the church in many ways, and the que3 1 was whether he had acted in such a en —because there was no direct order$0 by anyone—as led the plaintiffs to. for that he was making himself responsible the extra work. Having regard to je that Mr. Butler had taken a most laU eat interest in this work, and had given a Dd deal of care, time, and attention to in view of what they all knew was °^eD^9g effect of this—for if one meddled, one likely to muddle—he was afraid tha^g, Bntler in hia anxiety to see the cbur model one, had gone further ^^le, thought. He was of opinion, on the w ijJe that Mr. Butler made himself respon by his presence and interference, arl £ i5{ himself into a little expenditure of which, perhaps, after this espressi0 would not be disinclined to pay. g0ats> Honour) thought there should be n.oUt a for the builders went to work w| w0rk* definite contract, and also delayed the There should be judgment for the P|a, for £ 15 2s. 9d., with no costs of anyj^10

:c t ? interruPr Mr. Kawdle-I wish you wouldn'b In P, I me every time I try to say some ever interrupt when you are ta^Unug. • 0 t Mrs. Kawdle—No, you wretch, j sleep! burg'ar Mrs. Newlywed—That is our new alarm. You see, if a burglar sbo ring. the lower part oi the house that w Her Mother-Oh and scare mm » I don t Mrs. Newlywed know about that; but it would giveettic, yOIl- nd me plenty of time to hide in t e know.

R () T-Y" ç BIRTHS. DAVIE*?—January 4th, the wife of Mr. Thomas Rees j Davi-a, Crown Shop, Halkyn, of a daughter. JONES—January 5th. th*' wife of Mr. A. G-. Jonesi Ty nypistyll, Bagiilt, of a daughter. JONES—December 20th, the wife of Mr. Evan Jones, Ik-r'i Ddu, Corwen, of a son. JONES—January 1st, the wife of Mr. Austin Jones, 12 Maestalarran T rrace, Dolgelley (late of Corwen), of a daughter-first-born. MoHGAf January 7th, the wife of the Rev. T. M organ, Baptist minister, Mold, of a son. PHTLL-"s -January 3rd, the wife of Mr. Phillips, Ty n y-celyn, Vivod, Llangollen, of a daughter. I'OBSE.TS—January 6th, the wife of Dr. E. B. Roberts, Ha warden, of a son (premature). SAV:- C-,E-Jaiiiia- y 4th, the wife of Mr. J. H. Savage, Felindre, Newmarket, of a daughter. WILLI -tlanuary 2nd, the wife of Mr Robert Williams, Jenkins Terrace, Northop, of a daugli- ter. MARRIAGES. DAVIES—JQWES—January 9th, at Bethlehem Pres- byterian Church, Cenfnybedd, by the Kev. Edwin Jones, Gwersyllt, Mr. Samuel Uavies, son of Mr. Davies, Glanygors, Llanfair Talhaiarn, to Miss M. E. Joues, the daughter of xYlr. W. Jones, Hope Mountain, near Mold. EVANS—GRIFFITHS—January 4th, at Tegià chapel, Bala, by the Rev. J. O. Jones, Mr. W. G. Evans, barber, to Miss Mary Griffiths, Lampeter House- both of Bala. JONES—DAVIES—December 28th, at Carmel chapel, Conway, by the Revs. Dr. R. Llugwy Owen, and T. Gwynedd Roberts, the Rev. Thomas Jones, Llandudno, to Miss Anne Davies, Graig Terrace, Eglwys Bach. Joxes—HUGHES—January 9th, at the Prince's Road Welsh Calvinistic Methodist chapel, Liverpool, by the Rev. John Williams, Mr. W. R. Jones, Pen- rhcsddu, Llanfaethlu, Holyhead, to Rebecca, the youngest daughter of Mr. Samuel Hughes, Boded- nyfed, Amlwch, Anglesey. NORMAL—HuaBms—January 7th, at St. Thomas' Church, Rhyl, by the Rev. Bickerton. C. Edwards, Mr, P. Norman, second son of the late Mr. T. Norman, to Harriet, the second daughter of Mr. William Hughes, 1 Broomhill Lane, Denbigh. DEATHS. ADAMS—January 8th, aged 85 years, at Pentre Isglan, near Holywell, Elizabeth, the wife of the Rev. Edward Adams, Calvinistic Methodist minister, Ciicain, BEATTIE—January 9th, aged 70 years, suddenly, Mr. Henry Beattie, grocer, Gadlys, Bagillt. CARR ASS-J'A jauary 8th, aged 56 years, at the Cottage Hospital, Mold, Mr. William Samuel Carrass. DA YEs-December 31st, aged 40 years, Margaret, the beloved wife of the Rev. W. Ryle Davies, (C.M.), Tufnall Park Road, London. FOTJLKSB December 29th, aged 78 years, Mrs Martha Foulkes, Williams' Court, Denbigh, widow of the late Mr. Edwin Foulkes, stone-cutter, Town's End. JoN"January 7th, aged 74 years, Mr. John Jones, Aberdovey Terrace, Buckley. MOKKIS—December 31st. aged 80 years, at the Union Workhouse, Corwen, Mr ewis Morris, shoemaker, Glynceiriog. PB.YCC- January 4th, aged nine weeks, John Trevor, the youngest child of Councillor Roger and Mrs. Anne Pryce, Post Office Lane, Denbigh. RCBJ.KTS January 7th, aged 78 years, Mr. John Roberts, gardener, Llandderfel ROBERTS—January 7th, aged 54 years, Elizabeth, the beloved wife of Mr. Daniel Roberts, Penyfron, Llynypandy, Mold. WEIGHT—January 5th, aged 41 years, Sarah, the be- loved wife of Mr. Job Wright, Cefn.

WELSH FAIRS AND CATTLE MARKETS. January 1.3. Corwen, Ystrad (Aeron Vale), and Newcastle Emlyn. 14. Wrexham, Ceryg y druidion, and Llan- wenog. 1ft. Abergele, and Llandovery. 17. Trefcastell.

I would die for you she exclaimed, pillow- ing her head upon bis shoulder. Oh, no, you needn't, darling,' was the quick reply. I like red hair.' Your husband painted the front gate him- self, didn't he ?' I Well, yes. I suppose he got some of the paint on the gate but you wouldn't think so if you could see his clothes.' 'What are you doing?' said the hotel pro. prietor. 'Do you wish to stifle yourself ? The room is full }f gas.' Wall, I'm^enSitled to the use of the gas, am I not ?' Yes.' Well, I'm blind, and the'only way I can get my money's worth is to sit here and smell it.,

TEMPERANCE REFORMS. WE have, oa more than one occasion, called attention to the need—the crying -al d absolute need-of reform in our licen- sing laws. These reforms are necessary to protect people against themselves, and alao to protect them against thoso who would prey upon their weaknesses. Almost every section of the community agrees that this necessity exists. It is so palpable that only those who wdl not see, faii to perceive it. The unfortunate part is, that while there is an an almost unanimous opinion as to the disease, we are hopelessly at var- iance as to the fsmedy. The reforms sug- gested are, in some instances, as intempe- rate as the evil itself. They would cure the disease, if adopted, but the diffi- culties in the way of their adoption are such as render tham practically useless. Of course, the e is not the slightest doubt, but that the curse of drunkenness would disappear, if everybody became and remained a total abstainer. But, appa- rently, society is not ready for this drastic measure, and while the doctrine of total abstinence is preached, thousands and tens of thousands of our fellow-beings are falling victims to the evil. It is therefore impor tant that other remedies should be tried, which, if they will only alleviate the evil, are, certainly worthy of consideration. Some time ago, as our readers are no doubt aware, a Royal Commission was ap- pointed to consider what reforms, if any, of the Licensing Laws, should be carried out. As might have been expected from the constitution of the Commission-which included advocates of total abstinence, and representatives of the trade '-its recom- mendations were not unanimous. The mi- nority was in favour of more drastic re- forms than the majority could agree to. This was only natural. But the important matter is, that the Commission was una- nimous in several most important recommen- dations. This means that even those who represented the trade were of opin- ion that certain reforms were necessary. Now, on the assumption that half a loaf is better than none, it might have been expec- ted that the whole country would rise up as one man in favour of legislation on the lines indicated by the majority report with which the minority agreed as far as it went. Of course, we would have preferred to see the minority report being adopted, but it is quite evident that that is impossible for the present. The fact, however, is, that these prac tical and possible reforms are put aside in favour of others which are utterly unat- tainable. We believe that a man who only drinks in moderation, is, at any rate, a much better man than the man who gets drunk. But, according to the general tenour of temperance speeches, moderate men are often dubbed the worst of sin- ners. We should also have thought that the man who drank vile stuff, full of chemical mysteries, and tainted with arsenic, wag worthy of consideration, and that anybody who tried to protect this man, by phasing a Pure Beer Bill, was worthy of support. Again, we are mistaken, if the extreme temperance party i. right. According to the doctrines promulgated, it would almost appear that some extremists are willing to put up with a long list of victims, in order that the case for sweeping reforms may be made so much the stronger. It is quite possible, and even probable, that we will be accused of exaggeration in what we have just said, but no one who has read the speeches in our public bodies during the last month or six weeks, can come to any other conclusion. In almoat every inataace, it is not the publican nor the brewer who profits by the use and sale of poisonous drinks, who protest against the Pure Beer Bill, but the advocates of total abstinence. They say that no beer at all should be consumed, and therefore a Pure Beer Bill is superfluous.' Possibly they are right; and that the world would be much better without any intoxicants whatever. That, however, is not the question. So long as people will drink, and the drink traffic being more or less under the control of the state, it is the bounden duty of every citizen to endeavour to guarantee that the stuff that is drunk is as good and as wholsome as such stuff& can possibly be. It is the (bounden duty of all lovers of temperance to do all they can to reduce the evil of drunkannea and hard drinking. Granted the policy of the extremists is the right one, no harm can be done to that policy or its advocates, by accepting lesser and im- mediate reforms without waiting for the more drastic one. We have been waiting long enough for the grand coup; but it has never come off. In the meantime we have lost innumerable opportunities for scotching the evil; and the trade, as a consequence,has been forging ahead to an unprecedented de- gree. During the last week, there have been several speeches delivered by men of light and leading, whose sympathy with the tem- perance movement is beyond question. Nevertheless, we fail to find that unanimity which would be such a tower of strength to the cause they, no doubt, all have as much at heart. We will give short extracts from three of them Mr. W. S, Caine, M.P., Dean Farrar, and the Rev. Russell Wake- field. Mr. W. S. Caine, speaking at the annual gathering of the United Kiugdom Band of Hope, at Exeter Hall, said there was a great work before the temperance party in England. From its inception the move- ment in this country had been of a two- fold cheracter, that of making new total abstainers and protecting these abstainers by bringing about wise and judicious laws. With regard to the legal- aspect, there did not appear to be much chance of immediate succens, but, judging from the general elec- tion, the representatives of the people, re- I gardless of party, were certainly more ] convinced as regards the temperance move- i ment than they were five years ago. He I could net hops for much from the present Government, unless the pressure of public opinion was brought to bear upon it. So I far as he wa3 concerned, he was not sure i that it was not the best news be bad heard, I because he never hoped for much legisla- tion from that particular source. In con- clusion, he advocated strenuous wock amongst the young, and said that if in five years time, they had live million of tempe- rance citizens then they could get whatever legislation they liked (applause). Dean Farrar speaking in the same place, said that his deepest conviction was that one of the chief works which the English race had to do in the earliest years of this century was to liberate that nation from that intolerable curse which had been upon it for some centuries, and which, in spite of dark and ominous circumstances; we did not, however, allow to depress us, because we had hith in Divine influence. The work amongst children by the temperance work- ers was both interesting and important, for children were the trustees of posterity, and what they were, the men and women of the future would be. There were some three t and a half millions of members of the Bands of Hope. But how was it that in face of this large number, so little impres- sion bad been made upon the bulk of the English nation ? It was because there was an immense leakage, and an endeavour should be made to make the children retain their interest in the movement, so that they would never leave the principles of total abstinence, then the whole phase of England would be altered before the century had pro- ceded far. Speaking in Westminster Abbey, tha Rev. Russell Wakefield described what the Church of England bad done in temperance reform through the means of the Church of England Temperance Society, which spoke the mind of the Church on temperance. Founded at first upon total abstinence prin- ciples, it had, however, been deemed wise to modify the scope of the society, so as to admit those who used, but did not abuse, drink. Reviewing the work of the Church during the last twenty years, he thought they could take courage. He traced the growth of temperance principles, especially in India, where the influence ot Eirl Roberts, the present Commander in-Chief, had been used for the promotion of tempe- ranee. The Charch Society fought the abuse of drink, and not what was called drink. A man frequently went to a public house for good fellowship, and there was hardly any other place for him to go, and if they closed all the public houses and adopted prohibitive measures, so long as the poor lived under present circumstances, temperance reform could not be promoted out of hand. If they gave people ease and happiness, but did not give them sound ideas on temperance, they would not pro- mote temperance. No subject was more unpopular in the pulpit, and he considered that it was a pity than the Church of England Temperance Society had not been m re active in the propagation of its prin- ciples, It will be seen from these extracts that there is the widest divurgence of opinion between men whose honesty of purpose no one doubts. They all aim at doing good, but their ways are as different, almost, as if they were antagonists. But surely, all these gentlemen can agree on tome points. Let us therefore press for legislation on the basis of the majority re- port of the Royal Commission, not because, that report goes far enough, but because it is a step in the right direction, and because a small reform gained is better than a large one promised

WAR OFFICE REFORM. THE appointment of a committee to re- port on the internal business of the War Office, which held its first meeting this week, is in many respects, a matter of gratification to the public. In the first place, reform is most urgently needed in this stronghold of officialism, where every- thing is governed by precedent, and the idea of anything like common sense is laughed to scorn. From time to time, we have caught glimpses of the state of things obtaining in ths department—of the loss to the country of thousands of pounds, because officials refused to take cognizance of what they knew to be ficte, simply because they bad not been informed of them, in the routine way; of months of corresponder-ce concerning some such trivial matter as the placing of a handle on a door, or the exchange of letters, covering a period of weeks, between clerks in adjacent rooms, when the matter might have been settled by a personal conference in two minutev and many other absurdities of a like nature. If ever the strangling of common sease by red tape has been reduced to an art, that feat has been accomplished at the War Office. In the second place, the personnel of the committee seams to have given satisfaction, and it is anticipated that the members will meet animated by a firm conviction that there is need for change, and not report, as so many parliamentary committees have done, that the system in vogue is incapable of improve ,ent, Thir ily, the terms of reference seem to be comprehensive, and above all we have the final pa agraph in which the committee a e directed to -f eport I any other amend- ments of procedure in connection with the afore-mentioned subjects which would bring the woik of the War Office more into har- mony with that of Urge business under- takings.' One can readily imagine with what dismay this instruction would be read by the War Office permanent staff, that is presuming they do not feel certain that they are strong enough to resist reform. For a very long time, successive Secretaries of State have beena but the mouthpieces of the permanent officials of the War Office, as well as other de artments, and the pre- sent staff doubtless look for a continuance J of the present regime. As the Duke of Bedford re- cettly remarked, departmental I committees without number, have inquired < into the War Office since the Crimean war, < and the cumulative results of their labours s were the disasters at the beginning of the I South African war. Now there is soma 1 iope of a really useful investigation, from r which wemay expect at least some improve I ment. If thi.1 f.h* committer ] are to maintain their epuiatio as practical business men, they will certainly discover many amendments which will bring tbj work of the War Office more into harmony with that of large business undertakings.' ,=--

SLINGS AND ARROWS. [BY A YEOMAN OF THE GUARD.} Mr. Lumley brought a very important matter before the Ruthin Bench of Magis trate.? lait Monday. A full report will be seen in another column. Ha called atten- tion to certain questions and answers in the Justice of the Peace, referring to the qualification of magiistrater, and the conse- quences of unqalified magistrates tak,, g part in the deliberations of the bench. There is no use disguising the fact th»t there are, and have been, persistent ru mours about certain magistrates who, it is alleged, do not possess now, if OVG,: they did possess, prop r qualifications. This is a serious matter. As pointed out in the Justice of the Peace, any conviction in which an unqualified magistrate takes part, is illegal, and ought to be quashed. the matter is, therefore, one of public importance, and not one solely concerning tbe magistrate himself. Of course, I do not know whether there are magistrates of this description on the Rutbin Bench. If there are, then the sooner they retire, or qualífy, the better, If all those who take part in the delibesa- tions are qualified, a declaration to this effect would be very acceptable to the country, now their position is challenged. 0 9 ID w I know that there is an impression that once a magistrate, always a magistrate. But it is not so. With the exception of those who are justices in virtue of their office, such as Chairmen of District Coun- cils, County Court Judges, and police ma- gistrates (stipendiaries), property qualifica- tion in the county over which the justice has jurisdiction is necessary, and no justice can act in a county in which he has no qualification. It is therefore plain,—at least I think so—that the property qualifi- cation must remain. It is not only a qualification for the appointment of justice, but it is a qualification of the justice him- self, and when the qualification ceases to exist, the justice, as such, also ceases to exist. That, at all events, is my opinion, sod the opinion of othera who are far better qualified to judge. m m m «? I hope no one will think that I am in favour of this property qualification. I am not. I think it should be abolished. It is, of course, all very well so far as it goes, but what a justice requires ia brains. Any amount of property will not necessarily make a capable magistrate. We have far too many wealthy, but brakdess persons OM our magesterial benches. It is these noodles that disgrace our courts of justice. By all means, let the property qualification be abolished, but at tbe same time, while it exilllti!Ie the present magistrates be above suspicion as to their legal status. « • • 4 contemporary is in high glee, because Mr. Young, the representative of Lord Penrhyn, thinks that Mr. Clement Edwards, the Liberal Candidate for the Denbigh Boroughs, did more than he (Mr. Young) intended that ho should do at the rcceut conference between the representatives of the quarrymen and himself. Did any one think that Mr. Young would b6 thankful to Mr. Edwards? Of course not. Biit I have not yet seen a word of protest from the men on account of what Mr. Clement Edwards did for them. It is the fact that a conference was arranged—although with futile results—that has placed an additional feather in the cap of Mr. Clement. Edwards. The Tories, naturally, are indignant, but that was to be expected. The Tories fail to see that there is but one side to a labour dispute. According to the Tory creed, the men should always bow down to their employees. I am not of opinion that the workmen are always right and reasonable, but I do believe that it is a step in the right direction to bring masters and men to gether in a dispute of this kind, and indeed in every dispute.

THE SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN. The January number of the'Clzild's Gitar(lian,' which is the official organ of the above society, contains a great deal of useful and interesting information about the good work accomplished by the Society. Amongst other items ot news, it is stated that in the district of which Den- bigh is the centre, two persons were proceeded against the previous month for offences against their children, and are now undergoing terms of imprisonment, with hard labour. The sum- mary of cases proved in the various courts throughout the country shows that the Society is doing excellent work, and that the poor, ill- treated children have in it a strong and a sym- pathetic supporter. There is one subject touched upon in this number which we would like to bring to tne notice of Guardians of the Poor. It appears that for many years past, the Leicester Board of Guardians, and other similar authorities in various parts of the country have been in the habit of making an annual grant in aid of the Society. This is, in itself a sufficient proof, that such bodies are well within their right in voting mousy to wards the funds o? the Society, and that there is not the slightest danger of the amount so voted being surcharged by the Auditor. It is geuerally admitted by Guardians and other public bodies, that the Society is doing excel- lent spi-vice towards the amelioration of the lot of unfortunate children. There can indeed be no doubt as to the value of its work amongst the negligent and vicious classes which pro- vide supplies for our workhouses, and there- fore, any grant made by Boards of Guardians must necessarily tend to make that work much more thoroughly, We coufideni !y bring this matter before our Hoards of Guardians, and trust that the Society will receive their most sympathetic support. Amongst the contributors from this district are Mrs. Barlow, Colwyn Bay, Lady Mostyn, Mrs. Watkin Davies, St. Asaph; Mrs. Greaves, Mrs. Jones Griffith, Mrs. William Roberts, and Miss Garner, Holywell. The Local Secretary is Mr. A, Foulkes.Roberts. solicitor, Denbigh.

COUNTY SCHOOL. The monthly meeting of the Governors of the County School was held at the Swan Lane Chambers on Tuesday. Mr. J. Harrison Jones presided, and the other members present were the Rev. David Williams. Rev. James Charles, Rev. H. Humphreys, Messrs. W. H. Evans, Boaz Jones, William Jones (Penporchell), Edward Mills, John Davies, John Roberts (PJaa Heaton Farm), J. Howel Gee, Mrs. Humphreys Roberts, Mrs. William Parry (Clwyd Villas), with the Clerk (Mr. A. Foulkes-Roberts). A letter of apology for non attendance was received from Mr. Gwilym Parry, who was in South Wales on business. THE PROPOSED NEW SCHOOL PREMISES. The report of the Building Committee was submitted and read. It was stated therein that after considerable disenssion, and after con. sultation with the Architect, and the Head- master, several modifications in the plans of the proposed new buildings were suggested with the view of reducing the cost, and that the Architect had been requested to furnish the Committee with an estimate of the cost after such modifications. The Chairman then explained in detail the suggestions made by the Committee, with the view of reducing the cost to a figure propor- tionately to the funds at the disposal of the Governors for building purposes. One of the suggestions was that the new building should be made of brick instead of stone, as previously intended. Considerable discussion ensued as to whether it would be desirable to have a brick building. Mr. John Davies moved, and Mr. Boaz Jones seconded, that tha architect be instructed to draw out new plans of premises to be built of bricks. Mr. Mills said that unless this brought about a substantial reduction in the expenditure, he would rather support the idea of a stone building. In his opinion, it would be a great pity to have the County School in bricks, when the Board Schools close by were erected in stone. Mr. Charles then moved as an amendment, that the Committee should adhere to their for- mer alterations, and have the building in atone. Mr. Mills seconded. On a division, only three voted for the amendment, which was lost. The motion was carried by a majority. The other suggestions of the Committee were bhen discussed at length, and agreed to. BURSARIES. Bursaries were granted to Bertie Roberts, son of Mrs. Margaret Roberts, Colomendy Ter- race, Denbigh, and to John Frederick Piper, Clifton Termee, Dsnbigh, both pupils afc National Schwas, ") I') 'J

_=, HENLLAN. ACCIDENT. On Tuesday evening, & trap accident which might have had seams consequeoce;t occurred close to the village of Heoil&n' appears that Mr. Hughes, Henllys, driving from Denbigh, there being ladies with him in the trap. By means, the reins were caught in the wp10 ■' and the horse was brought up with a Je Mr. Hughes being violently pitched o Assistance was soon at hand, and J- Hughes was assisted to get up. He bleeding from a nasty cut in the head, was able to drive on to his deatina" None of the ladies were injured.

FUNERAL OF A WELSH ANTIQUARIAN. On Thursday afterf-oon the remains °welsb Thomas Elias, the Brewery, Llanrwst, .fl gfc. antiquarian of some note, were interred Mary's Churchyard Lbmrwst. fed in The family of the deceased orig ,illialo Lleyn, Eifimydd, his grandfather, W a Eliaa, of Plasglyn, near Holyhead, & f ^ag Welsh poet of some eminence. His fab. at agent to Lord Ne wborough, and {joJ*11 Maenau Abbey, where Thomas Eli&s _Av^.chard» in 1833. Ia 1868, he married Mary Trlani-wst of Bangor; and in 1874. purchased of hi8 Brewery, where he resided up to the da death. He held many public office3 -jjgsf) various local authorities, Mr. Elias w known to the public as a geneologist quarian, a taste rather inherited than a g, His sister, Mrs. Pierce, of Leamington, jea(jjjjg weighty authority on the history of families of Wales. In 1890, Mr. jji3' a prize at the Llanrwst Eiateddvod *or tory of the families of the Yale of orlVT e the Dolyddelen Eisteddvod, in 18 £ W> a|,beys won a prize for a brief account on the g, of North Wales, which later on scrve gal0e basis for a more exhaustive paper on t '-grjtis'1 subject, which he read before agjon Archaeological Association on the occ- 0inci• their visit to Conway. It was a cu^!0Ut(j b»ve dence that his sister, Mrs. Pierce, 8 gj,e died two days before her brother. buried at Towyn, Abergele, on Wednes a The weather oa Thursday was the great concourse of spectators, »8' leading residents of the town and ens sembled to pay a last tribute of rector of Danrwst (Rev J. Morgan) c'bQ \oOS a short service afc the house, and then funeral cortege departed for the t'10 an impressive choral service was n Revs. J. Morgan and J. J. Jones 0 jyjjgS The chief mourners were Miss Eli&s & yix- Truda Elias (daughters), Mr. W. P- "Hfrs. A, E. Elias, Mr. C. V. Elias f6031^ p.$■' Elias, Bangor (sister in-law) MrMr JohI1 Pritchard, town clerk, Bangor, and A. jyjr. Pritchard, Blundellsands (brothers in jy[rs. Watts Jones, Penmaenmawr (cousin), Pritchard, Bangor (cousin).