Wrexham Guardian

;*k ■. t- THE CtOUD DISPERSED. Chinese imbroglio has assumed a hope- u And pacific aspect. When we dealt with lie subject last week we were on the brink of '■Skj war that would affect some hundreds of 2fltoions ef. people and a vast area of territory The.issue hung on the decision of the Govern- ft Pekin, and past experience led us to little from the wisdom of that court. "Vfade had delivered his ultimatum the refiisal of his demands would be the signal for immediate hostilities, and the answer yea or was required before the 13th of this ^aontK. • Before the days of grace expired the Sfei Chinese authorities have made such concessions 4 indi<^ate their sincerity of purpose and justify llg, suspension of rigorous measures (\12 the of Great Britain. The ml-jerers of Mr ifargary are to brought to condign punishment, tK« actual perpetrators of the atrocity ,t be discovered, the retributive measures Sh as must convince the people that 4$aiw of violence, even when committed upon 1 Out€&v barbiBocians, cannot be practised with C, v< mpunity, and that the central Government dare lot countenance such misdeeds, if so disposed. [he requirement that all conventions with oreign States shall be published in the Pikin Jautte is already conceded in practice by the nsertion of decrees in its columns which have lot hitherto found a place there. This may a small matter to the superficial public, )ut it is the reverse. It is an essential step to he bringing of the Chinese empire into the somity of nations, and to the familiarising of ts people with their international duties. European states have been extorting concessions gradually, but these were really unknown in Jhina, whose blind prejudice against strangers vas still encouraged. The treaties were made vith the 'authorities at Pekin, and there the knowledge of them ceased. We cannot hope o make an impression on the inert mass of Chinese society without breaking down the walls )f partition between the executive and the people, md the compulsory proclamation of foreign ,reaties in the official Gazette is an effectual vay of attaining this end. The Chinese have 10 means of obtaining a knowledge of their oreign engagements except through their own Jovernment, and the bitterness with which his demand was resisted was the best evidence if its necessity. Mr Wade's telegrams do not suggest that ,11 possibility of a rupture is past, but we may Ie sure that vague and inconclusive promises ,re not the sole foundation for his hopeful oessages. A long experience of Celestial [uplicity and cunning has taught the British Minister not to put implicit faith in promises vhich can only be credited so far as they are ubstantiated by acts. We may therefore ,ssume that Mr Wade has now good reason to .ccept the protestations of the Chinese as incere. There is no depth of fraud too ex- reme for them to employ, and until the specific lerformance of the convention has been ful- illed it would be premature to congratulate iurselves on all danger having blown over itogether. Nor have any details as yeh avail- ble for deciding upon the tenor of the negoti- .tions. One thing, however, is clear, that the lignity and firmness of the British Government tave cowed the progmatical self-sufficiency of he Chinese. There has been no alternation f bullying and temporising too characteristic f British diplomacy. We have borne with ,rolonged moderation the evasions and pre arications of the Pekin authorities, but when his process could be carried no further he categorical issue was so left that simple cdeptance or rejection became imperative. In [lis duty the services of Mr Wade have been xemplary; but, after all, he is only the instru. lent of the British Ministry. It is to Lord )erby that the credit is due of patient endur- nce of Chinese deceit and the successful result f the negotiations without resort to war. Of the result of a conflict between England nd China there could be no doubt, though it too much the custom to depreciate the esources of that gigantic empire; but even ictory would have been bought at a high price. besides the peril of life, the expedition would iave attenuated the Chancellor of the Ex- hequer's funds. Contrary to the dolorous orebodings of Liberal prophets, the revenue las shown greater elasticity than Sir Stafford ^orthcote, sanguine as he was, anticipated. t is natural that he should desire to nurse the urplus and give it back to the people as a ateful boon, a process of finance which a Na war would have irretrievably frustrated. Bes..s, no glory or eredit was to be won from the eIitprise> t0 beat the Celestials were not a ht |c achievement? while the operation threatenea^ew ^roub]es 0f which no man could &ee t. en(^ empire might be shaken to pie external violence, and to be left with the horde of Chinese on our hands without a cSI0Hing government would be a responsibility nQ stategman could lightly assume. Alre,v .fc .g an unwieldy empire, loosely held to^ by the Pekin executive; if this weak. l d were broken there would be such a cQg national anarchy as modern times co-, not matck That there will be a collapse o-lie Celestial "Ie e es la empire is in the force of nature, t will be WI e well for us that we should have no sh,, in the In the drama, and should not stand in the. 'Utls' and therefore the public have reason b: satisfied with the settlement of the recent 11- culty, for other reasons besides the avoidat of the horrors of war. The horrors of revolt tion and anarchy are quite as serious, es pecially in a nation whose population is numbered by myriads, and whose territory is of boundless width. We have thus reason to be thankful that Conservative diplomacy has maintained the national dignity without incur- ring unfathomable responsibilities in a remote quarter of the globe.

THE BEEF QUESTION. The meat problem is one that comes le to every man's understanding. It ia apparent in our butcher's bills and cu, trornestic economy. But although it is a, universal application it is difficult of solution, and has puzzled the wisest heads of statesmen and philosophers. Yet it must be settled in some way or other. In this variable and trying climate the dietary of the vegetarian does not suffice for human suste- nance not only is the use of flesh meat a national habit, but a human necessity, and the ingenuity of reformers must be directed to the cheapening of the supply rather than to well- meant efforts to show that it is unnecessary. The simple reason why meat is dear is that it is scarce. A much greater quantity is needed for the supply of the nation than is available. The disparity has arisen in part from the augmented numbers of the population, and in patt from the altered habits of the people, whose mode of life demands more substantial nutriment than was the case of the last genera- tion, when labour was less arduous and ex. hausting. There has been no positive reduction of supply the defect is that its quantity has not grown in the same ratio as the demand for it, and this state of things is reflected in an inevitable advance of prices. It is common in large towns, especially in the manufacturing districts, to argue that the butchers are banded t ogether in a conspiracy to victimise the public but such arguments are not worth serious dis- cussion. No artificial process can permanently inflate the price of an article of general con. sumption, where the dealing in it is unfettered; and in the case of butcher's meat the evil would soon rectify itself by the ordinary economic law. In the present instance, however, there are restrictions imposed on the free course of trade, if not by the butchers, by the decrees of Par- liament. During the last ten years terrible scourges have fallen on our herds and flocks. The rinderpest was one of the most desolating visitations that ever afflicted our kine, and for the staying of the plague rigorous measures were patiently borne by the public, equally in the patriotism of the farmers and the self" sacrifice of ratepayers in bearing the burden of I new taxes. More lately the foot-and-mouth disease, long latent in the cattle, has spread with mischievous rapidity, and produced disas- trous consequences to stockbreeders and agri- culturists. The disease has been strangely capricious in its course, breaking out with virulence in widely separated districts, and without ostensible cause, and if we have been blessed with exceptional immunity in this part of the country, it would be presumptuous to assume that we are safe. Foot-and-mouth disease, though not often fatal, is emaciating to the victims, and for a time, at least, renders them quite unfit for food. The disease is also highly infectious, but by what process it spreads is a moot point among veterinarians. Among the most obvious protective measures are the regulation of the inland transit of home cattle and the import of foreign animals. The latter policy excites a great deal of irreconcilable difference of opinion. On the one hand it is insisted that foot-and-mouth disease is a foreign scourge from which these realms are naturally free, and that the only effectual way of stopping the disease is to prohibit the importation of live stock into England from abroad. This is net now done, but the restrictions are still of a severe character. All cattle are subject to in- spection at the port of debarkation, and if any are infected with disease the whole cargo is forthwith slaughtered under Government over- sight. In this way cases have occurred in Liverpool where hundreds of sheep and oxen have been slaughtered on the dock quays, because one or two out of the number have been tainted. But it is contended with much plausibility that this system is inefficient on the one side and suicidal on the other. It does not afford a reliable guarantee that the cattle which pass the ordeal of inspection are really free from disease, which may be latent in the con- stitution, and may not become apparent till the animals have travelled through the country and mingled with our domestic herds. But while the Privy Council regulations have thus failed to check the spread of foot-and-mouth disease they have exercised a prejudicial influence on the meat trade. Cattle growers and importers will not run ftie risk of having their cargoes condemned at the port of landing, and the trade has either fallen off or is much less than the necessities of the people demand. There is no difficulty in carrying live cattle oversea. An immense number are brought O from Germany, Spain, and Portugal, and a hopeful traffic was springing up between Canada and Liverpool. The two arguments, however, take opposite lines in estimating the wisdom and profit of this foreign trade. It is proposed that all restrictions should be re- scinded, because they have failed in their pur- pose and incidentally reduced the supply of meat; whereas the other side say that restric- I tion has proved inoperative because it has lacked stringency, that our domestic herds will never be safe until the import of foreign cattle is absolutely prohibited, and that the saving of the home stock from the ravages of disease will ultimately increase the available supply of j beef and mutton. It is not requisite that we ;_ould attempt to adjudicate on the merits of se policies there is much to be said in SL,ort of both views, and in :he meantime we are ufronted with the practical difficulty that unless xi, utener& meat is to run up to famine prices recuperative process takes effect, we cannot i- present dispense with foreign supplies in so» form. The great desideratum is to obtain th oreign .supplies without the present risk of t, r nemic, ana to this end a reasonable suggestic, has been made by Pro- fessor Gamgee. He vs the supplies should be brought m the fox-m dead meat, when all possibility of disease has ished. Cattle and sheep are now slaughtered L., e „ f the far north of Scotland, anl carried by rail r T, R 7 to London, and Professor Gamgee thinks th*. me arrange- ment might to applied to mariti^ on ship board. Such experiments, „ r must be confessed, havi hitherto been failu.s but no doubt Profesor Gamgee lays his fin on the primary caue of failure when he s'ws »W8 that the vessels ow employed are not specia prepared for the rade, and that it is absurd I expect io carry erishable meat in the same manner as bales o dry goods. Our scientific and mechanical inenuity should be sufficient to overcome the difculty of keeping meat sweet y 9 for four or five days at sea. Professor Gamgee's paper at irraingham was directed to the need of experiment in this field, and its importance certainly would justify official assistance. The success of the experiment would be the solution of a dual misfortune-— the dearness of beef and mutton, and the ravages of foot-and-mouth disease among our cattle.

NOTES OF THE WEEK. BIRKENHEAD has made an emphatic protest against the adoption of the School Board system. Notwithstanding the noise of the Birmingham League agitators, only 345 persons could be found upon a poll being taken to vote for their pet scheme, whilst 2,075 vetoed it. At a time when it is being discussed whether School Boards should not be universally established, the result of this poll is im- portant. Birkenhead has had time to profit from the working of boards elsewhere. Many other towns and parishes now suffering from the incubus of these local authorities would rejoice at such an opportunity as Birkenhead has had in passing judgment upon Mr Forster's scheme, and of wil- lingly sacrificing a little extra money in sustaining voluntary schools to keep out the School Board. MR SERGEANT WHEELER, the Umpire appointed by the Board of Conciliation recently constituted to consider the condition of the coal trade, and the question of a reduction in the wages of colliers, has given his award. He confirms the decision of the Owners that a reduction of 15 per cent., in the present aspect of trade, is necessary. His decision, of course, is unpleasant and disagreeable for the men, but it has been arrived at by a process that has met with their approval. The conduct of those who, upon being acquainted with it, at once struck, is open to very grave censure. And the resolution of the iluabon colliers, on Thursday, for an increase of 20 per cent., is a sad reflection on their intelli. gence and judgment. If they persist in their determination, all hopes of settling disputes by arbitration areat an end. Perfect justicehas through- out the inquiry been shown towards the men. They nominated intelligent representatives—including Mr Macdonald,M.P.—and were allowed to name the Umpire. The masters acceded to their request that competent accountants should inspect the colliery books. The result of the research was published and signed by the accountants. Upon the cases submitted the Umpire framed his decision. It was bound to be against one of the contending parties, and the men are the sufferers. They now, how- ever, turn round and impeach the whole proceed- ings, and instead of accepting the reduction, they require an advance of 20 pir cent. We are glad to learn that their action is not approved by the whole body of colliers or those who undertook to champion their interests. Mr Macdonald will no doubt counsel them to accept the decision and to abide their time till the trade is so improved as to justify an advance. Should a strike be indulged in the men will have no public sympathy. If they are wise and anxious that the wfrld should look upon them as intelligent men they will quietly return to their work and withdraw the notice. EXCEPTION was taken last week, at a coroner's inquiry at Pentre Broughton, to an account we gave of the fatal accident at Gatewen. Mr William Griffiths took upon himself, first to impugn the verdict of the jury, and then to read us a lecture. We do not know whether the jury felt much terrified at his remarks, but we can answer for our- selves as being not the least unnerved at his censures. It will be recollected that some men were lowering a huge boiler by means of a wine h A rope was attached to the winch and carried through a single-shieve block to a tree seven yards distant, and then carried to the boiler, so that, by allowing the winch to turn, the descent of the boiler over the planks leading to the ground might be checked. There were 3 men at the winch, one of whom was the deceased. An alarm was given that the tree was falling, and was not able to bear the weight of the boiler. All the men released themselves from the winch, with the exception of the deceased, who, it appears, stood to his post. The result was that he was dashed against the tree and instantly killed. These facts were substantially related before the coroner's inquiry, and their truthfulness seems to have excited the ire of one or two individuals. There is but one error that our reporter committed. He remarked that "-the accident occurred under circumstances which, it is said by many who under, stand the nature of the work that was being performed at the time, a little forethought and care might, in all probability, have prevented." It is certainly injudicious for the Press to comment on the liability of those who are concerned in the accident, prior to an inquiry. In this case the remark is, however, borne out by the jury, for they agreed "that the deceased met with his death accidentally through the winch not being sufficiently weighted, but there is no culpable negligence attributable to anyone." The witnesses, we may be pardoned by the Coroner for stating, were all personally coneerned in their o wn acquittal from blame. There was one independent gentleman passing at the time, who preferred to Inspector Wilde to attend and give evidence, but for some reason his attendance was not asked for. His evidence would have thrown considerable light on the cause of the accident, and have assisted the jury to frame their verdict. We wish to ask the Coroner and Mr William Griffiths the reason why so important a witness was not called, and also to point out in what respect our report was inaccurate. We are somewhat sceptical on the subject.

THE EISTEDDVOD.:—A meeting of the literary committee is convened for to-day at noon in the Council chamber. SIB W. W. WYNK, BART.—It is stated that Sir Watkin intends taking a cruise in the Mediter- ranean during th. winter months for the benefit of his health. EXCURSION TO MANCHESTER.—The Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway, on Monday last, conveyed nearly 1,000 passengers to Manchester, the chief attraction being a visit to Belle Vue Gardens. A HARVEST THANKSGIVING SERVICE will be held at the parish church of Wrexham on Wednesday at the parish church of Wrexham on Wednesday evening next. The preacher will be the Rev. H. Rees, lVLA., vicar of Conway. The thank offerings will be devoted to the Rhyl Convalescent Home. THE MARRIAGE OF THE HON. G. T. KENTON.— The Wrexham Working Men's Conservative Association have this week held a meeting to con- sider how they can show their esteem for the Hon. G. T. Kenyon on his approaching marriage to Miss Leche. It is their intention to present him with a beautiful Bible. Members desirous of subscrib- ing to the fund should communicate with the sectreary, Mr Edwin Jones. THE NEW ACT ON PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS (RETURNING OFFICERS) .—The new law to regulate the erpenses, and to control the charges" of return- ing officers at parliamentary elections took effect on the 1st instant, and will continue in force until the end of the year 1880. It is to be construed as one with the Ballot Act, and to apply to England and Ireland. The charges to be allowed to return- ing officers at elections a.re set forth in the schedules and the amount of security to be given. They are moderate in amount, and will considerably reduce the expenses of candidates. The ballot boxes used at municipal and school-board elections may be hired at an expense of 5s each, and only £7 7s is to be paid for a polling station with two compartments. The candidates are to be furnished with the courÍts within 21 days after the return of the and the same may be "taxed" within 14 days. -^f^laims against returning officers are to be made withn fourteen days after the elections. In the CIty OiLondon the mayor's court is to tax the bill when ruired, and in other parts of England the county ctfljrt of the district. In future the charges j of candida-es will be reasonable, and in nO case to exceed the lums mentioned in the schedules. e. 1ST (WREXHAM) D.R.V.-The usual monthly drill took place at the barracks on Tuesday even- ing. There was a fair muster, and the officers present were Captain Yorke, and Lieuts. Crawford and Williams. During the evening the band of the corps played some selections of martial music. THE FIRE AT PLASTIRIO-i.-In our brief statement last week, in reference to the above, it was stated that some men who bad assisted in extinguishing the flames before the .'e brigade arrived, had been treated uncivilly by some members of the brigade. The information was furnished to us by several persons, in whose veracity we had implicit reliance. We are now informed by the fire brigade that the statement, in this respect, was incorrect. THE MEDICAL REPORT of the Wrexham Infirmary and Dispensary for the month ending 8th October, 1875 Patients remaining on the register 68 Admitted in September iso 248 Discharged cured 130 Relieved 29 Died 1 Remaining on the register 88 Total 248 R. W. J. EVANS, House Surgeon. WELSH THANKSGIVING SERVICE AT WREXHAM PARISH CHurcii.-On Wednesday evening, a Welsh thanksgiving service, he first within living memory, was held at the parish church. There were no decorationsft The congregation was a tolerably good one, and the hymns appointed for the occasion were sung in true congregational style. Mr Simms presided at the organ, and the choir, which was stationed in the gallery, was composed of persons who sing at the Welsh Sunday afternoon services. The sermon was preached by the Vicar, who took for his text 13th chapter of St. Matthew's gospel, 3rd to the 9th verses inclusive. It would be hard for a listener to say whether the vicar is more at home in Welsh than in English, as he appears to be master of both languages. THE NAG'S HEAD BREWERY.—A meeting of the General Purposes Committee was held yesterday (Friday) morning, Alderman Jones in the chair, to further consider the contemplated improvements at the corners of Yorke and Tuttle streets by the alterations to be carried out at the Nag's Head Brewery. Messrs Aspinall and their surveyor, Mr Brattan, had an interview with the committee; and the whole question was gone into and fully dis- cussed, the result being that permission was given to the Wrexham Brewery Company to fall back on their original plan, giving a width of 20 feet to the roadway. Mr Aspinall intimated that some varia- tions in the plan would be necessary, as the company might not erect such costly buildings as were at first in contemplation; but they hoped to produce something that would satisfy the com mittee, and their plan would be submitted to the surveyor in the course of a day or twc. The Chair- man said the Council would endeavour to meet the company as far as possible. WREXHAM. TEMPERANCE HALL.—On Saturday last the first of a series of popular entertainments was given in the above hall. Mr W. H. Darby presided, and on behalf of the trustees appealed for help to any who could assist in giving read- ings, recitations, or vocal and instrumental music Referring to the scarcity of good readers, he gave some excellent advice to those who desire to excel as readers, and urged them alsa to select such pieces as should have an elevating tendency and although due regard must be had to variety in the programmes, he sincerely hoped that everything j low would be discarded. The programme consisted of the following pieces :-Rc-adings, A fowl way of dressing game" (in the Lancashire dialect), by W. Wilson; Mr Horatio Sparkins," by F. L. Rawlins; I- Bell Ringing," by J. H. Pierce; The Modern Cain," by T. M. Shaw, of Bangor and No Grumbling," by P. Wilcock, junr. Recitations Daniel in the den of lions," by John Fagan; and The Dog of St. Bernard," by H. Boothey. Songs: Adieu to dear Cambria." and "Won't you tell me why, Robin?" by Miss S. A. Jones; two by Miss Emily Jones, and one by Miss Gittins; Miss Fanny Gittins accompanying all the lady singers. Two songs with choruses were also given by Daniel Dodd, who was encored. The front seats were well filled, and the receipts of the evening satisfactory. GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE.—A meeting of the committee was held on Monday, when there were present Alderman Jones, chairman; Aldermen Beale and Owen; and Councillors Sherratt, T. Ingham, Smith, and Shone, and the Mayor. On the application of Mr Kennedy, it was ordered that a notice be issued respecting cattle affected with the foot-and-mouth disease. With respect to the projected Nag's Head Brewery improvement, the Surveyor said the Town Clerk had written to Mr Aspinall as to re-opening the negotiation, and had received a r&ply from that gentleman requesting a distinct proposition in writing clearly defining as to plan and all other information relating to street, buildings, cost of land, &c. After some discussion it was unanimously resolved to allow a street 24 feet in width to be made, the surveyor to prepare the plans and to submit them to Mr Aspinall for approval. The Surveyor drew attention to the fire appliances required in taking over the fire engine. There was a general feeling that the borough surveyor should act as superintendant of the brigade, and it was ultimately agreed that he be allowed to be appointed secretary to the brigade. The terms upon which the engine should be allowed to go out were discussed, and it was agreed that X4 4s should be the future fee for it outside the b r Ugh and that the other expenses should remain unaltered. This concluded the business. REGISTRATION COURT.-On Monday last, Mr Coxon, revising barrister, sat in the Town Hall, Wrexham, for the purpose of revising the list of voters for the borough and county in the Wrexham district. Mr Evan Morris, Mr T. Bury (Acton and Bury), and Mr Tench represented the Corserva- i tives; and Mr John Jones and Mr W. H. Tilston the Liberals. Little or nothing took place that re- quires reporting. The county lists of Acton and Abenbury Fawr were passed without comment. In the Bersham list the name of the Rev. G. Cunliffe was expunged, his interest in the tithe-rent charge having ceased, the Rev. D. Howell's, name being inserted. In the lists of Erddig, Esclusham Above, and Minera, nothing worth noticing occurred. In the Broughton list the Conservatives objected to four names on the old register, two of which were struck off, and the other two allowed. Of the new claims, the Conservatives objected to five names, of which three were struck off. In Gwersyllt, the only new claim of a Liberal was disallowed, the claimant not appearing, The lists for Llay, Alling- ton, Bieston, and Borras Riffre were passed. In the Brymbo list the Liberals sustained thirteen new claims, and the Conservatives two. A number of new claims sent in by the Liberals were dis- allowed, the claimants not being in attendance. In Cacca Dutton, Dutton Diffeth, Dutton-y-bran, Erbistock, Esclusham Below, Eyton, Pickhill, Roy ton, Sesswick, Gourton, Gresford (where the Liberals sustained two objections), Marchwiel (where the Conservatives sustained two claims, and had one struck off), Ridley, Stansty (one claim sus- tained by the Conservatives), and Sutton, the lists wero passed.. In the Wrexham Abbot list, Thomas Evans bad made a new claim, but had since died. In the Wrexham Regis list Mr H. M. Gummow claimed for a house in Rhosddu settled on his wife, but inasmuch as there was no proof adduced that the claimant had a joint beneficial interest in the property, tha claim was disallowed. The result was that the Liberals sustained four objections, two being withdrawn. The court then adjourned to the next day.—On Tuesday, Mr Coxon resumed the business of the court at twelve o'clock, and took the borough lists. Mr T. Bury appeared for the Conservatives, and Mr John Jones and Mr W. H. Tilston for the Liberals. In Wrexham Regis, there were four objections made by the Liberals, and of these three were sustained and one withdrawn. The new claims included several amendments on the overseer's list. The Conservatives objected to the claim of the Rev. W. Davies, late a curate in Wrexham, and his name was struck out, on the ground that he had removed to Bwlch-y-Cabau, Montgomeryshire. Mr Bury also objected to the claim of R. Jones, who occupies a cottago within the burial-ground, Rhosddu, on the ground that it was to all intents and purposes a lodge," and that therefore it was not rated. Mr Jones submitted that the occupier paid rent for the house, and that it was no part of his duty to attend to the burial ground. The vote was allowed, but the revising barrister added that the overseer must see that in future the tenant be rated. The Conservatives sustained five lodger claims, and the Liberals one, one claim by the latter being disallowed. In Wrexham Abbot there were two objections by the Liberals, and the names were struck out. The claims were principally Amendments on the overseer's list. The Conservatives sustained two lodger claims, and the Liberals a like number. In the lists for Esclusham Below, Bersham, Erddig,. and Brough- ton, there were neither claims nor objections. In the Stansty list, there were some objections and claims, most of which being made for the purpose of amendment. The Conservatives sustained six objections, and the Liberals one. The court then rose. The result of the revision of the county lists was as follows:—In Wrexham, a gain to the Con- servatives of 4; Bersham, a gain of 4; Broughton. a gain of 2; and Burton a loss of 2 to the Conserva- tives. In the Borough of Wrexham there was a I net gain to the Conservatives of 12. I A NARROW ESCAPE.—On Tuesday afterni, while three men were making a sewer in Let- street, the sides gave way, and one of the 11, Evan Evans, was buried up to his should. Sergeant Eddowes and John Jones, better knn as "Johnny Harry," ran to his assistance d rendered valuable aid, Eddowes propping te damaged side with his back while Jones and HrtJ dug Evans out. FOOTBALL.—The first meeting of the seascof the Wrexham Football Club was held at the )n Hotel on Wednesday evening, Mr T. Walker ime chair, when the following officers were appoint: Captain, Mr T. Foulkes; secretary, Mr Edrd Evans committee, Messrs T. Walker, E. A. CBs, McDermott, J. Pugh, and E. Evans. jun., th power to add to their number. The opening n.ch will be played to-day (Saturday) at 2.30, en sides will be chosen by the captain and secreta. A BIGAMIST TRAPPED.—For some time pashe wife and child of a man named Thomas Dies have been chargeable to the Wrexham TJnioind were inmates of the workhouse. It seems thathe man Davies is a native of Carnarvonshire, anhad been working at Minera, which place he left rher suddenly sixteen months ago and deserte his wife and child. All trace of the man wa&ost, until recently, when it was ascertained that hwas in Carnarvon. On Monday last Inspector tide proceeded to the last-mentioned town, and,vith the assistance of the police there, succeedl in apprehending Davies,who was brought to Wreiam, and on Wednesday taken before Mr Low, s the County Magistrates' Court, and committi. to Ruthin gaol for a month with hard laboi for having neglected to support his wife and chiJ. It is probable, however, that the prisoner wi be prosecuted for bigamy. It appears that aviea made the acquaintance of a respectable oung woman named Margaret Williams, who resied at Nantle-terrace, Llandwrog, near Carnann, to whom he represented that he was a singh man, and on the 17th of September last they were married at the registrar's ofhce, Carnarvon His honeymoon, however, was exceedingly brief/or on the day after the wedding the ncwly-marriecvoung woman ascertained that lie was a marriec man, and straightway left and went hfcme to her fiends, who had searched for the deceiver in van. It is now understood that at the expiration >f his term of imprisonment he will have to answerer the serious offence of bigamy. WREXHAM BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The.veekly meeting of the board was held on Thursday when there were present—Captain Griffith-Bocawen, chairman; Mr S. T. Baugh, vice-chairman Capt. White, and Messrs D. li-sbotham, W. Wlliams, J. R. Bennion, E. Rowland, J. Beale, E Evans (Bronwylfa), C. Belmont, J. Burton, Gomer loberts, Evan Hughes, Harold Lees (Pickhill), J. Daniel, G. Bradley, C. W. Parsonage, J. M. Jones G. H. Whalley, M.P., and Hampden Whalley. Reports were read from the Govern ment Inspector is to the state of the schools at the workhouse, and were to the effect that the girls' school was not satisfactory and the boys' school stationary neither tv school- master nor schoolmistress luid been re-tesied as to competency. The Chairman never renumbered the board having received such a bad repcrt before. A report from the visiting committee recommended the board to sell their Howard boiler, a.s being unsuitable for the work of the house, and substitute for it a Cornish boiler, Alter a lbng discussion, the report was referred back to the comuittee for re-consideration, with- authority to call in a. mechanical engineer to advise them on the subject. Mr Whalley repeated his question, now that the Master was present, as to a girl in the vorkhouse who had been boarded out and treated as a. Protestant, but who was afterwards claimed by the Roman Catholic priest as belonging tc his com. munion. The Master said the girl Nary Ann Conwell was boarded out with a person named Evans some time in 1871. She was an orphan child, and her mother, who was for years an inmate of the house, was a Roman Catholic; also the child's grand parents, now residing at the Isle of Man, Wrexham, were Roman Catholics. At the time she was boarded out, he told the committee they had only one girl, and she was a Roman Catholic; but in the face of that the committee sent her to Mr Evp.ns, a stonemason at Coedpoeth. Afterwards Dr Brown saw him (the Master), and he told him how the matter stood, but he did not like to make a row, and the matter rested. When the girl returned to the workhouse suffering from impaired sight, he asked the relieving-officer what she was, and was told a Protestant. Shortly after the priest came to the house, and asked to see the Creed Register and the list of children who were Roman Catholics. He might mention that the ministers of any denomination could come to the house and see the Creed liegister. He then asked if he had not there a girl named Conwell, a Roman Catholic. He told him what he knew about the case, and the priest then explained that she had been a Roman Catholic; and subsequefitly he sent a written application to the board in consequence of which the guardians decided that the girl ought to be transferred to her own religion, she being over the age of 13 and desiring to be brought up as a Roman Catholic. She was now allowed to attend the Roman Catholic Chapci. Those were all the circumstances of the case. Mr Whalley had no further observation to make, and was glad he had afforded the Master an opportunity to make this explanation, as the statement did not accord with the information he had received; but he had no doubt it was correct. The numbers in the house for the past week were 220; corresponding week last year, 201 tramps, 47. MR HARRISS'S BALL.VD CONCEHT.—The second concert of the season teok place on Monday evening, at the Corn Exchange. The singers engaged were Miss Edith Wynne, Madame Patey, Mr W. H. Cummings, and Mr J. G. Patey, the same four singers that won such golden opinions last year. The singing was infinitely superior to the songs; the ballads, with a few exceptions, being mere rubbish. This is owing to the absurd "royalty system," by which a singer, who sings a song a. certain number of times, gets a royalty on every copy sold. All lovers of music ought to endeavour to put down this system, which foists on the public things not worth listening to. The famous Welsh cantatrice was iu splendid voice, in remarkable- contrast to her last appearance here, when she was suffering from a severe cold. Her songs were, Let me dream again (Sullivan) Once upon a. time (Roeckel), and Bishop's fine air, Bid me discourse." The first of these is a very ambitious but not altogether successful piece—one that can scarcely be called a ballad. In response to an encore, due a great deal more to the singing of the artiste than the song, Miss Wynne repeated the last verse. Her next song, "Once upon a time," was very much more pleasing, and was well sunc. Her great success was in Bid me discourse," which was executed to perfection. It fairly brought down the house, and on her recall, Miss Wynne saner a. very pretty song called Little maid of Arcadie." The great English contralto, Madame Patey, had a. very warm reception, as she is a great favourite in Wrexham. Her singing ws as magnificent as ever, but her songs were, excepting the encore pieces, very bad specimens of a very bad class. In spite of this drawback, all her songs won her a rccall; her rich, deep-toned voice and breadth of style giving a charm even to bad music. Her selection con- sisted of Thou, whom my heart adoreth (Barnbv). Almost" (F. H. Cowen), and" Y cllow lie the cornrigs (Cummings), not one of which, we venture to say, will have a long life. As we have said, her encore pieces were genuinely good songs, Benedict's beautiful By the sad sea waves," and the well- known "Hunting-tower." Mr Cuuimings sang all h pieces like the finished artist he is, and although he has been so long on the concert platform, the charm of his pure style is as great as ever. He, as well as Mr Patey, did not give way to royalty rubbish" to the same extent as the others; his songs, including such fine specimens of the good old school as Tom Bowling," Sally in our alley," and (an encore) "Once I loved a maiden fair." Mr Cum- mings' singing is a great rebuke to tenors, ama- teur and otherwise, who think that the way to be- come a rival of Sims Reeves is to shout at the top of their voices before they have learnt their scales. Mr Patey had got hold of the only new song worth listening to, Speedwell" (Gatty), which is everything that a ballad ought to be, simple and full of melody. Mr Patey also sang that most difficult cavatina from "11 Barbiere," Largo a factotum," in very fine style indeed, and won an unanimous recall, to which he bowed his acknowledgments. The concerted music, in our opinion, was the feature of the per- formance, the voices of the quartet blending in perfect harmony, no one being too prominent. The quartet Mezzanotte" from Martha" was most exquisitely sung and ought to have been repeated, but the gods" did not seem to care for anything but solo singing,and allowed this, certainly the best thing of the evening, tepass comparatively unrecognised. The trio "Dunque il miio ben," from the "Magic Flute, and Horn's "Cherry ripe" were also beautifully sung. Mr Harriss, as. usual, was in great form at the harmonium, giving as a solo, a splendid performance of motives from "The Bohemian Girl," and, as a bis, Welsh airs," for the frequent recurrence of which, however, he deemed it necessary to apologise. We must not forget to award praise to Mr Parker, for his remarkably goed accompaniments, especially that to Bid me discourse." He also played as a solo, a Valse de Concert" written by himself, a very showy piece very well played. There was a fair at tendance, the front seats being well filled; but there were fewer people in the balcony and back seats than we should have liked to have seen.