Wrexham Guardian

RAILWAY ACCIDENT. A passenger train, on Thursday evening, from Ilfm- combe to Bath, ran off the line near Cole Station, on the Somerset and Dorset Railway. The engine and two carriages were overturned in an adjoining field, but no one was injured.

fjixtjjs, Jlbrriagts. anfr JMaffrs. BIRTHS. BROOKES—On the 4th inst., at Whltchurch,IShropshire, the wife of George Brookes, Esq., prematurely, of a son, still- born. DA VIES—On the 30th ult., at Syddyllt, Gwersyllt, the wife of Mr Samuel Davies, of a son. DAVIES—On the 29th ult., at Cerney, the wife of Mr ISamuel Davies, of a son. DAVIES-On the 30th ult., at Trefonen, near Oswestry, the wife of Mr D. Davies, grocer, of a daughter. EDWARDs-On tho 26th ult., at Moss, the wife of Mr Richard I tEdwards, of a son. n GRIFFITHs-On the 5th inst., the wife of Mr Peter Griffiths, j Church-street, Llaugollen, of a daughter. I HUGHES-On the 22nd ult., at Bodylltyn, Ruabon, the wife of Mr Owen Hughes, of a son. JONES—On the 3rd iust., the wife of Mr William Jones, Trevor-square, Llangollen, of a son. JONES—On the 24th ult., at Castle Hill, Denbigh, the wife of Mr Jones, draper, of a daughter, stillborn. I LLOYD—On the 26th ult., at Moss, the wife of Mr Charles Lloyd, of a son. MARRIAGES. BURY—BATE—On the 5th inst., at the Parish Church, Aughton, Lancashire, by the Rev. W. A. Sheringham, M.A., John Bury, of Hiiibury, Wrexham, to Helen Auguita, youngest daughter of the late Thomas Bate, Alford Lea, Cheshire. DOWNES—VALENTINE—On the 2nd inst., at the Rhos Church, by the Rev. J. Jones, vicar, assisted by the Rev. Mr Williams, curate, Mr George Downes, Havod-y-bwch, to Miss Anne Valentine, Brandy-lane, Church-street, Rhos. ELLIS—DAVIES—On the 28th ult., at Ruabon Parish Church, by the Rev. H. P. Jones, curate, Mr Edward Ellis, Cefu Mawr, to Mary Ann, daughter of Mr Thomas Davies, Church-street, Llangollen. GLADSTONE—STCAKT—On the 30th ult., at St. George's Church, Hanover-quare, London, by the Hon. and Rev. F. ¡ Grey, assisted by the Rev. Stephen Gladstone, W. H. Gladstone, Esq.,M.P., to the Hon. Gertrude Stuart, youngest 1 daughter of Lord Blantyre. HUGHES—WILSON—On the 30th ult., at Llanaber Church, Barmouth, North Wales, by the Rev. J. Jones. M.A., rector of the parish, and uncle of the, bridegroom, assisted by the RaT. G. Arthur Jones, M.A., vicar of St, Mary's, Cardiff, and the Rev. D. D. Evans, curate of the parish, D. Arthur, eldest son of the late Rev. John Hughes,vicar of Penbryn. Cardiganshire, to Florence Edith Hemming, youngest daughter of the late Felix Wilson, Esq., J.P., of Pine Villa, Newtown, near Sydney, Xew South Wales. HAYWARD—EVANS—On the 4th inst., at the Parish Church, Oswestry, by the Rev. W. Howell Evans, vicar, Robert, second son of Mr Joseph Hayward, Weston, Oswestry, to Martha, second daughter of the late Mr Francis Evans, saddler, Oswestry. JONES—JONES—On the 1st inst., at Llanfflewin Church, Anglesey, by the Rev. D. W. Davies, Mr W. Jones, Aubrey- street, Liverpool, to Anne, second daughter of the late Mr Hugh Jones, Gwanimydog. LINDOP—DENSOX— On the 5th inst., at the Parish Church, Plemonstall, by the Rev. Thomas Lowe, M.A.. Frederick Samuel, second son of Samuel Lindop, of Kinnerton, Flintshire, to Barbara, third daughter of George Denson, Picton Hall, Cheshire. PEAcOCKE-WEST-On the 30th ult., at St. Paul's Church, Jvnighttbridge, Warren -foaoocke, Esq., of ElTord park, Lymington, Hants, to Georgiana T. E. West, eldest daughter of the late F. R. West, Esq., of Ruthin Castle, North Wales, and Mrs F. R. West, of Newlands Manor Hants. THOMAS-SAUN.DERS-On the 4th inst., at St. Mark's Church, Duke-street, Liverpool, by the Ret. Charles O'Reilly, W. Horsfall Thomas to Ellen, youngest daughter of the late Wm. Saunders. Esq., of Bagillt. WILLIAMS—BEDDOW—On the 7th inst., at the Parish Church, Llangollen, by the Rev. E. R. James, Mr Richard Williams, to Miss Margaret Elizabeth Beddow, both of Trevor-issaf. E A T T:l S. AMos-On the 5th inst., at Ehiwlas Villa, Trefrew, Mr Thos. Amos, of Rhyl. BARNARD—On the 29th ult., at Llandudno, aged 62, Mary, relict of James Barnard, Esq., of Greenock. EWING-On the 2nd inst., aged 27, at his residence, the Mount, Rhayader, John Ducker Ewing, Esq., solicitor, and Registrar of the Rhayader County Court, formerly of New- town. FOULKES-OU the 1st inst., at Wrexham Workhouse, William Foulkes, aged 59. GRIFFITHs-On the 4th inst., at Picton Terrace, Wrexham, Mary Griffiths, aged 54. > GREEN-On the 1st last., at Highgate, Denbigh, Mrs Green, at an advanced age. HARRIS-On the 6th ult., at Old Castle, Aalpas, Cheshire, aged 47, Elizabeth, wife of William Harris. JONES—On the 1st inst., aged 67, Mrs Mary Jones, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, eldest daughter of the late Mr Price, con- fectionery, Bailey-street, Oswestry. JONEs-On the 23ft ult., aged 50, aged at the residence of her brother-in-law, Mr Owen Rees, printer, Dolgelley, Miss Mary Jones. OwENs-On the 6th inst., Mrs Owens, Foresters Arms, Regent- Street, Llangollen, very suddenly. PARRy-on the 23rd ult., at Belle Vue, Lower Park, Ruthin, Ann Parry, aged 85.. SIMON-On the 3rd inst., at Bwlchgwyn, Hugh Simon, aged 62 years. SWAN-On the 4th inst., Ellen, widow of Mr Edward Swan, The Paddocks, Ruabon, aged 66. WILLIAMSON-On the 4th inst., from being accidentally thrown out of his shandry, Mr Ralph Williamson, pork butcher, Town-hill, Wrexham, aged 56 years.

EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF THE WREXHAM BOARD OF GUARDIANS. SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A RELIEVING- OFFICER. An extraordinary meeting, convened by requisition to the Clerk, signed by the chairman and one of the vice-chairmen (Mr Baugh), was held at the board- room of the Workhouse on Monday last, at noon, "to take into consideration the conduct of Mr Sheppard, relieving-officer (for the Holt district), in having made alterations in the orders of the presiding chairman of the board in the application and report-book for his district, without the sanction of the board, and to pass such resolutions thereon « may be deemed proper." Captain Griffith- ioscawen, chairman, presided; and there were 'so present Mr S. T. Baugh (vice-chairman), Rev O. Burton, and Messrs S. Yorke (ex-officio), E. Iwland, C. W. Parsonage, G. Banks, G. Belmont, D. Beard, J. Beale, and J. Daniel. 'he Clerk (Mr J. Oswell Bury) having read the Ze,e convening the meeting, 1e Chairman said he was sorry to have to BTiaon the members of the board together, Prbly at some inconvenience, as it was an un circumstance; but such an extraordinary f^^pleasant occurrence happened at the last ooa-Vhich was not discovered until the board wareing away, that on consultation with the r also with the late clerk, it was con- mderejjafc the best thing they could do would be to hav special meeting as soon as possible. The matterl.8 brought to his notice just as the board were br^ng up. He saw Sheppard, and told him it WOU^jq his duty to report the case to the board atgg# He thought the proper thing would be to takijg statement of the clerk and then of Mr Eowl^ the presiding chairman when this occurred j- before he (the chairman) arrived at the board, i then if Mr Sheppard were in attend- ance they ,^3 take anything he liked to say. He very mt regretted that such a circumstance should haveclilTed. During the many years he had attendt that board he never remembered anything of t kind before, and he hoped it would be the last th should have of such unpleasant- ness. The Clerk t read his statement, which was as follows:— Thursday lasUp0n examining the Ee'lieving- s 2lication and report book with the relief f K that in two cases the board had made 21 o r 5 f weeks' arrears of relief to be allowed, PiSSord Ranffnr ^eTing"°ffiCer' ViZ in the 0880 of Ann 8^h rnVi?5fn R«Seks at 48 Per Week and in th« case of 16 weeks at 3s 6d a-week. I drew Jw^ i?r,i f !lrd'8 attention to the cases, and he •Uted that he had foruen to make the application for the p*up«ra»t the proper^ and had continued to pay them aa' •mat. I told him tha- had ^na wroag, and tbttia all -—,— probability he would be surcharged by the auditor, to which lie replied that hife would rather pay the amount out of his own pocket than have any bother about it. I went to Mr Edward Rowland, who had acted as presiding chairman when the cases were before that board, and mentioned the matter to [Jim, and he said that the orders had been altered in the application and report book since they had been before him, and that the orders of the board had been for live weeks' arrears at 4s in the case of Ann Pickford, and six weeks' arrears at 3s öd in the case of Sarah Johnson. Upon informing Relieving-oflicer Sppard of Mr Rowland's statement, he admitted liaving> altered the entries by placing the figure 1 before Ave ami-six weeks respectively. Mr Rowland said, as the chairman had just t remarked, it was a very unpleasant circumstance. He had been a member of Uiat board eight or nine years, and he knew of no similar instance or any attempt at it; but the facts were simply these. In the absence of Captain Griffith-Boscawen, he occu- pied the chair, and had Sheppard's book before him. l'he first case was that of Ann Pickford, in which he applied for five weeks' arrears. He remarked to him that this sort of thing was very unpleasant, and that be ought to attend to his duties better, and he rather demurred to allowing it as five weeks'- arrenrs. He asked how it had occurred, and he said Mr Peel had allowed 26 weeks, which he (Mr E>.) thought was wrong-As the general rule at that board was not to exceed13 weeks. He saidlto him, If "you have made an error we must allow it." Mr Bradley and Mr Woodford were sitting at his side at the time. Afterwards he made a similar applica- tion in the case of Sarah Johnson that was for six weeks arrears. He said It is worse and worse; you applied for five weeks before and six weeks now, it is really too bad; you must attend to your work better." He allowed five weeks' relief to Ann Pickford and six weeks to Sarah Johnson. He was satisfied with the explanation, and allowed the amount. There was another case came before him that seemed rather dubious. Afterwards Mr Bury, their clerk, spoke to him and said, Why, you have been very liberal; you have made a good allowance to Sheppard." He replied, "I did nothing of the kind; 1 allowed five and six weeks." Sheppard's book was here put in, when it ap- peared that he had altered the allowance of the chairman from five and six weeks to fifteen and sixteen weeks respectively by simply writing the figure 1 before the 5 and 6 in each case. Mr Belmont: Would he derive the benefit of the difference ? The Chairman then called upon the clerk to state his charges in regard to the relieving-officer. Z, 11 The Clerk taid the application and report books were brought before the board of guardians, and they made their order upon them. His clerks made copies into the relief order book, and it was his invariable practice to check this book off with the application and report book with the view to ascer- tain whether it was correct. When the relieving- otheer got his application and report book, he entered the cases in his out-relief list, the name of the pauper, and the amount he paid by the week, and he (the clerk) added up the columns at the end of the quarter. In the case of Ann Pickford, of Bangor, up to June 10th, 1875, an order was made by the board that she should be allowed 4s a week for 13 weeks. Counting from the 10th of June, the 13 weeks would be up on the 8th September. Upon that date application should be made by the relieving-officer if the case is to be continued, j Relieving-officer Sheppard did not bring up this case on that day he did not bring it up till last Thursday, when there would be four weeks of arrears. The effect of the alteration would be that he would be able to charge the difference between 5 and 15 weeks, because he had already charged what was allowed-. Mr Daniel: Then the five weeks would have covered the arrears ? The Chairman Only four weeks were due, and he applied for five, which Mr Rowland allowed, and then Sheppard altered it into 15. Mr Baugh pointed out that there would in reality be only three weeks' arrears. The Chairman The effect would be that he would be able to charge ten weeks more than he had any right to do. I need not point out to you the object for which that is done; it is no use mincing the matter. He would really be able to obtain twelve weeks more than he had to pay, and the same in the other case. The amount of his overcharge in the two cases would be something like £ o. A Guardian made the exact amount X4 3s. Mr Beale suggested that for the future instead of figures it would be better to state the nature of the relief in words. The Clerk: I don't think the column would admit of it. The Chairman: It really would be very desirable, for I think this ought to act as a caution te the board. Fortunately Mr Bury, by his vigilance, found this matter out before it had gone further. It might have happened that the board lost a great deal of money by it. It would be fai- bettei- to write 5 f-i-v-e. It is very mortifying to think that such a precaution should be necessary with regard to any officer of' this board but after what we have seen I am afraid it is necessary, and I shall certainly myself, whenever I can possibly get room, write the amount in words instead of in ngures. Mr Baugh asked Mr Bury to refer to the case of Sarah Johnson's relief to know when it expired. The Clerk: He had no authority in Sarah Johnson's case-he has been paying it without authority. I simply want you to confine yourselves to the alteration of the figures, the other questions will come before the auditor. The Chairman Here is a case in which a direct alteration of the orders of the board has been made afrer those orders were given to the relieving-officer. Is Mr Sheppard here ? The Master (Mr Luke Ralph): lVIrs Sheppard is here. The Clerk said he had received a certificate from Dr Davies to the effect that Mr Sheppard had been under his treatment for the past fortnight, and was suffering from indisposition and nervous debility (laughter). His wife stated that he was not able to attend at the Workhouse. He had also received the following note from Mr Sheppard, tendering his resignation Holt, October 1st, 1875. To the Guardians of tlw. Wrexham Union. Gentle-men,-Ibegto tender you my resignation as relieving- officer for the Holt district. My health has been so very bad for the last five or six weeks, that I teel quite incapable of conducting the duties of the office to my satisfaction; so I hope the board will release me from my appointment as early as possible, as my medical adviser recommends me change of air at once.—I am, gentle- men, your obedient servant, JOHN THOS. SHEPPARD. The Chairman said although Mr Sheppard had tendered his resignation he did not think the board under the circumstances ought to accept it. He took it that the duty of the board under the Consolidated Orders was to suspend Mr Sheppard, and report the facts to the Local Government Board. The board ought not to pass over a matter of this kind by accepting Mr Sheppard's resignation. A great deal of money passed through the hands of the relieving-officers, and he thought it was the duty of the board to suspend Sheppard from his duties, leaving the Local Government Board to deal with the case. The Clerk said he found on looking over some old Poor Law reports for 1842, a case somewhat similar to the present, only the person prosecuted in that instance happened to be a clerk to the board of guardians of the Stroud Union. It was there re- solved that the clerk be forthwith suspended, and that the Poor Law Commissioners be requested to send down a person to undertake the duties of clerk temporarily. It appeared by this that the duty of the board on this occasion was to suspend the officer, and report to the Local Government Board; and it would be for the guardians to ap- point some one to act temporarily during the sus- pension of Sheppard. Mr Rowland then moved a resolution to the effect that the resignation of Mr Sheppard be not 'accepted, but that he be suspended from his office and that the clerk be instructed to report the case to the Local Government Board. Mr Beale seconded the motion. Mr Daniel suggested a doubt as to whether it had been proved to the satisfaction of the board 1 that Sheppard did put the 1 before the 5. The Chairman replied that he could relieve Mr J Daniel's mind on that point; for Sheppard admitted ] to him that he had done so, and said he was sorry ( for having done it. He thought he ought to have expressed his sorrow to the board. 1 Mr Rowland said, in reply to his inquiry, Shep- ] pard said he did it to screen the late Mr Hesket A which he thought made the case worse. Mr Parsonage: Mr Hesketh's accounts audited. 1 The Clerk said the accounts of Mr Hesketh were audited at the last audit, and found correct; and the auditor complimented Mr Hesketh on the man- 1 ner in which he had kept his books. ( The Chairman To cast a reflection on the I { sharacter of a dead man was not the way to help i himself out of a difficulty. 1 It was resolved to request Mr Charles Davies, assistant overseer for Allington, to act temporarily a as relieving-officer for the Holt district; and the I meeting then came to an end.

Professor Ella, after visiting Lord Clarence (with g Mr Brinley Richards, the composer), has gone to J Paris. y The ratepayers of Birkenhead have decided i igainst the formation of a school board. The poll- J ng took place on Saturday, the result being—for a ichool board, 346; against, 2,075. J ichool board, 346; against, 2,075. J Mr Thomas Thornhil (Conservative) was on d aturday elected member for West Suffolk without 3 pposition. The late member, Colonel Wilson, was 11 Conservative. 10

THE NORTd WALES COAL TRADE On Monday last, the Board of Conciliation formed to take into consideration thy dispute arising between the colliery propr(etors of North Wales and their employes, consequent on the announcement of a reduction of 15 per cent. in wages, received the umpire's decision. The notice was given on the 3rd of August, and on the 21st Mr Turley, on behalf of the men, wrote to the Coal Owner-' Association accepting arbitration. Four days afterwards the board was formed as follows Representatives of the employers: Mr Robertson, M.P., Mr Forrest, Mr Low, Mr Taylor, Mr Thomson, Mr H. Griffiths, Mr W.J4t-Darby, Mr Dannis, Mr Garside, and Mr Barrat, Men's rejp^jntahvos: Mr Macdonald, M.P., Mr Nixon, Mr hurley, Mr Venables, Mr Davies, Mr Bowen, and Mjytfenkins. ergeant Wheeler, Q.C., a London County Court Judge, was agreed upon as umpire in questions of dis- pute. Mr G. HasweJl, of Chester, was appointed accountant on behalf of the masters, and Mr J. Bury, Wrexham, for thj men. As the latter was unable to act, Mr Tilston was elected in his place. The duty of the latter two gentlemen was to inspect the colliery books as to the prices of coals sold in January, 1875, and also in August, it being understood that the prices at those periods should form the basis of arbitration. The cases of both parties were drawn up and submitted to the board. We are unable to publish the "cases" in extenso; but the following summary will give some idea of their views. In the OWNERS' CASE the report of the two accountants is given. They state that they visited eleven collieries, viz.: Broughton, Brymbo, Coppa, Little Mountain, Mostyn, Plaskynaston, Vron, Westminster, Wrexham, and the Havod. The books of the last-named colliery being in London could not be seen, and as one colliery had not agreed to arbitration, two tables are given of the reduction in the prices as follows:— THE WHOLE OF THE COLLIERIES NAMED. Excluding one Colliery whose men have not accepted Arbitration. I COAL. AVERAGE PRICE PER TON. January lis Sd lis 9d July 9s 7d 9s 8d August 9s 4d 9s od SLACK. January 4s 3d 4s 3d July. 3s 2d 3s 3d August 3s 4d 3s 4d Tile decimals are here omitted. From the report it appears that the fall in prices as between January, 1875, and August 1875, was :—Coal, 20-05 per cent, and slack 21-67 per cent. As a large proportion of the cost of coal consists of certain fixed charges, viz.—royalties, pumping water, fixed salaries, rate, &c., amounting to 2s per ton, the masters think that that amount should be deducted from the selling prices. This would show a reduction of 25 per cent. in the fund available from the produce of the colliery for colliery wages, materials, and other working expenses. The August prices are, the owners allege, less than the actual cost oi production, and thus the North Wales Collieries protits have no existence. Instead of a reduction of 15 per cent., they think the investigation woald justify a reduction of 25 per cent. THE MEN'S REPLY to this case is somewhat lengthy. They contend that the difference between the price of production and the selling price, is what the judgment of the arbitrators and j umpire should be guided oy, and that the 2s referred to cannot affect the ability of the masters to pay wages. If 15 per cent. or 4d per ton reduction is needed to 1 prevent the owners from selling the coal at a loss, the 1men think the coal should be taxed and not them. Re- ferring to the accountants' figures, they think it is a pity that when they employers put it forth as the sole ground of their claim, they adduced no proof of its correctness, and on behalf of the men they deny the correctness of the statement as to the cost of production. They urge the owners to give proofs of it to the arbitrators, without which the investigation could not be satisfactory to the men at the previous arbitration, through, an error of the accountants', a mistake to the extent of 9d per. ton in the selling price of coal was made in favour of the masters. They asked that it be allowed in the award. A reduction in wages meant a limitation of the men's homes, of the necessaries of life, and the decision should there- fore be given upon the clearest and most unquestionable proof. They believed that the cost of coal getting in the kmgdom was ratner uader than over 5s, mcludmg all the charges between where it is got and the pit bank, and if the Welsh owners intended adding 4s 5d to that amount they should show cause for doing so. Three considerations suggested themselves to the men. (1) Whether a competition between employers which so reduced the profits as to render it necessary to take away bare living wages was justifiable. (2) Would not the concession be followed by a reduction in the price of coal and place those in a similar position again, aDd provoke further reductions. (3) Whether arbitrators and umpires ought not as a matter of duty prevent low wages being reached, that the men may not lose faith in arbitration and return to strikes. The miners did not participate their due proportion of profits in prosperous times. From January, 1870, to November, 1872, coals went up from 6s 9d per ton to 20s 6d, an advance of 13s 7d over and above such profits as the employers had been working for at the first cf those two periods. The advances to the men duringithat time amounted to 7d per too. In -4 reducing wages this rate was abandoned, and 15 per cent., or 4d per ton, was now asked to meet a reduction iR price of Is 7d per ton. Prior to 1869 the average price of coal was 6s 6d per ton, to meet all charges and to pay ordinary normal profits. Now the accountants showed that was 2s Illd more therefore, if they had 2 Is 6d over the cost of production then they have 4s 4sd now, less 4ii the men are receiving as advance, and which is now asked of them. The coal owners, in fact, have now more than doable the profits they ever had up to the commencement of the late activity in the coal trade. The books would verify this statement. Next we shall give the men's case, with the misters' reply to it. We regrelra pressure of matter precludes us giving them this week. Tne following is the text of the UMPIRE'S AWARD, In the matter of the pending arbitration as to tcages between the Colliery Proprietors of Denbighshire and, Flintshire, members of the North Wales Coal Owners'' Association and their Workmen. The award of me, the undersigned Thomas Wheeler, sergeant-at-law, the Umpire duly appointed and acting under the said Arbitration. I.-On the seventh August last, the employers gave notice to their workmen that after the twenty-eighth of that month a reduction of fifteen pounds per centum would be made in the wages paid, and that if the workmen refused to consent te such reduction they were willing to leave the question to arbitration. 2.—In support of their claim to this reduction the employers allege that between the months of January and August in the present year there has been a very important fall in the selling prices of coal, and that some portion of the loss which is the result of the re- duced prices ought under the circumstances to attach to wages. 3.—And secondly, the employers allege that the prices realised upon the sale of their coal are so much less than the actual cost of production that their collieries are actually worked at a serious loss. 4.—The workmen refused their consent to a reduc- tion in wages, but accepted the proposed reference. 5.—Their contention is tnat whatever may have been the selling prices in January and August, and whatever the decline in the selling prices between the earlier and later dates, it is not true as stated by the employers that the cost of production in the month of August exceeded the selling price, aed that if that statement were true nothing could be more easy of proof than the fact, and the workmen demanded that the necessary evidence should be required in order to show clearly the real position of both employer and employed. 6.—The workmen contend further that when the result of an inquiry has been ascertained the question will still arise whether and how far their wages ought to be reduced. 7.—On the twenty-fifth August the employers and the workmen by their representatives met and ap- pointed a Board of Conciliation consisting of parties representing both masters and workmen to act as arbi- trators, and it was agreed that the basis of arbitration should be the net prices at the pit (to be ascertained by Messrs Haswell and Tilston) for all markets in August last as compared with the previous month ef January, and it was further agreed that I should be requested to act as umpire in case the board as arbitrators disagreed. 8.—The board met on the second and ninth of September last, but they disagreed as to the question referred to them, and thereupon, upon application made to me, I underteok to act as umpire in the matter. 9.—I have since attended two meetings of the board for the purpose of the discussion of the question in dis- pute and I have heard Mr Pobertson, M.P., on behalf of the masters, and Mr Macdonald, M.P., and Mr Jones on behalf of the workmen, and I have had before me the several statements of the masters and the work- men, and the report of Messrs Haswell and Tilston as to selling prices. jr 1° —And I have, at the request of the board, obtained from several collieries specified a return of the cost of production of coal and slack in the month of August last, and I have verified such return by personally visiting the collieries, and by referring when and as I thought fit to the books of account kept there. The returns made to me include, as part and parcef of the cost of production, interest on capital and a suitable provision for a depreciation or replacement fund; but the conclusion to which 1. have come in this reference is irrespective of any charges under either of those heads. ii.-With respect to the report of Messrs Haswell and Tilston upon the subject of the average net selling prices at the pit for coal and slack to all markets in January and August last, and which report certifies the prices of coal td have been in January 11s 8d, and in August 9s 4d per ton, and of slack im January 4s 3d, and in August 3s 4d (omitting in each case decimals). I find upon communicating with those gentlemen that what they intend by the average selling price at the pit is the sum received from customers less freight and waggon hiretbut without decuction for selling charges, discounts,, and allowanqes, which deduction must of course be made in oroftr arrive at the true sum with which the cost of promfcfcion is to be compared. That deduction (according to tne returns made to me) is about «Hd a ton, making the August selling prices of coal therefore 9s Ojd, and of slack <$3 Old (omitting de- flimilaj f 12.—W^h respectf- "'4' the cost of production, I find that taking into account laborage, material, general charges, and royalties only, and excluding the charges to which I have referred—for interest on capital and a depreciation or roplacement fund—there was. upon the four weeks working in August, to which the returns made relate, and without the existence of any special or exceptional circumstances causing increased outlay in the working, a very serious loss. 13.—If to this sum were added interest on capital employed and provision for a depreciation or replace- ment fund, the loss would be more than doubled. 14.—I reserve my opinion upon the question, into which under the circumstances it has not been neces- sary to enter, whether in ascertaining the cost of prduc- tion of coal as between masters and servants with a view to the determination of disputes as to wages, in- terest on capital, and an allowance for depreciation or replacement ought properly to.enter into the account. 15.—I concur in the view which has been put before me that mere reduction in the selling price of coal does not in itself necessarily justify a reduction in wages to a corresponding or even to any extent, and that the ques- tion of reduction must be determined upon a view of all the surrounding circumstances, including price. 16.—In the present case, upon a careful review of the whole matter, and giving due weight to all the facts which have been proved, and to the very able arguments ad- dressed to me by Mr Robertson, M.P., on behalf of the masters, and by Mr Macdonald. M.r., and Mr Jones on behalf of the men, it appears to me that inasmuch as by the working of the collieries at present in the districts in question, and taking into account only (as part and parcel of the cost of production) necessary expenditure in laborage, material, general chargeg, and royalties, and without reference to interest on capital and to a depreciation or replacement fund. a serious loss is en- tailed upon the employers, it is just and right that the workmen,whose wages have been from time to time ad- vanced in more prosperous seasons, should assist in diminishing that loss by a reasonable reduction in wages having some relation te the proportion which labour bears to the outlay incurred. 17.—I am. therefore, of opinion that the reduction of fifteen pounds per cent. ought to be made, and I award and direct that it be made accordingly from the twenty- eighth August last. (Signed), THOMAS WHEELER, 4th October, 1875. Umpire. RESOLUTION OF THE MEN TO RESIST A REDUCTION. On Thursday afternoon, a mass-meeting of col- liers assembled on the racecourse, Wrexham, for the purpose of deciding if any and what action shall be taken by the men in reference to the awara of Serjaent Wheeler. From 1,000 to 1,500 men were on the ground, represnting the Chirk, Ruabon, Rhos. and Wrexham collieries. Prior to the formal commencement of the proceedings, the crowd were addressed from the stand by several of their leaders in Welsh, and it was apparent from the animated tones of the speakers, and the sympathetic feeling of the auditors, that the subject of the award was being gravely discussed, and in a man- ner not favourable to an amicable settlement of the dis- pute. At length, a Mr John Bradley, a working miner, came forward, and took the presidency of the meeting, He commenced by reading aloud paragraph by para- graph the award of the umpire, making comments thereon as he proceeded. Having completed his task, he announced that at a meeting of delegates two pro- positions had been submitted, which he had now to put befora the meeting, in order that they might decide which of the two they would adopt. The first was as follows:—"That seeing the decision of the umpire, T. Wheeler, Esq., respecting the 15 per cent reduction, which he has decided for the masters, is a gross imposi- tion upon us, therefore we propose that we give them (the masters) notice on Saturday next, the 9th October, for an advance of 20 per cent" (hear, hear). The amend- ment was, That we have the 15 per cent. back which the masters are taking from us." The amendment was first submitted to the vote, and but few hands were held up in its favour. The resolution was next put to the meeting, and carried by a large show of hAnds-a result which was received with considera- ble satisfaction. It was then resolved unanimously that a printed notice ef the resolution just adopted be put up at every pit in the district Oil Saturday next. A Collier, addressing the chairman, said- "Johnny, we ought to know whether we are to start to work now, or what we are to do." The Chairman I daresay you are all aware that we shall have to give notice; that we cannot strike at present. We have agreed to go by the decision of the board; therefore we have to work fourteen days. I think it would be a wise plan for a proposition to be passed here, that every man resume work to-morrow, and wait until the notice is up. Bear this in mind, that wheIPthe notice is up we shall be men. We will not refer this to arbitration we will arbitrate upon it ourselves. A resolution was then adopted that the men should resume work on the following day. The Chairman then introduced Mr Martin Cooper, agent to the Salop district, to the meeting as one who had struggled hard for them and for all the working me a of England. Mr Cooper said it was a fact that cuuia not ta denied that without united effort they were not in a position to ccmpete with capitalists. He found the union in the greater part cf this district was a local union, and he maintained that unless the whole of the men joined in with the new federation or National Association that had been recently formed, the masters could do just as they pleased with ,them. But at the same time he would recommend the miners that were involved in this reduction to be very cautious in their proceedings. Had the whole of them been in connection with the federation, he would at once have said to them, give in notice and stacd out like men; but it would be unwise for him to say to them, stand out like men when they were not sure of that support which they ought to have. He must tell them they had acted unwisely inasmuch as they had left the pale of the association; nevertheless he would promise this, that in case the masters did not come to a reasonable decision he would use eyery effort in his power to get them support should they be bent upon a strike (hear, hear, and applause). But he thought the wisest cours3 they could take was to send for Mr Macdonald, M.P., to come among them here, and then he would be prepared to give them his judgment upon the matter, and if they could get that gentleman, who was warthy of the highest esteem of the working classes, to coincide with them, he had no doubt that they would receive support from east, west, north, and south (hear, hear). He believed there was ho necessity whatever for the reduction which had now been proposed by their masters. If they looked at the selling price of coal and at the wages which were given to the mining class, they must arrive at the conclusion that the wages were insufficient even at the old rate, apart from a reduction of another 15 per cent.; but unless they had a better fortification in existence than they had to-day the masters would make a greater inroad upon them than they had attempted to do at the present time. The proceedings throughout were conducted in an orderly manner. The following ia the notice posted up:—" We, the workmen of your colliery, give you notice for an advance of 20 per cent. on and after Saturday, October 23rd, 1875. October 9th, 1875."

HOLT. REGISTRATION COURT.—This court was held on Wed- nesday, at the Town Hall, Holt. Mr Evan Morris and Mr Tench, appeared for the Conservatives, and Mr W. H. Tilston for the Radicals. The revision resulted in a gain of 10 for the Conservatives for the county, and a gain of 10 for the Conservatives for the borough.

DENBIGH. THE FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE is rapidly and alarmingly spreading in Ruthin district. PUTTING HIS DONKISR AND CART IN PAWN.—At the borough oolice court, on Thursday, before Dr Evan Pierce and Dr A. E. Tumour, an old man named Thos. Jones, from Mold, was brought up in custody by Sergeant Lewis charged with begging. The old fellow told the bench that he had come all the way from Mold, and had got his donkey and cart in pledge at a public- house, and he was simply seeking a little assistance to get it back again.—The Bench sympathised with the old man, and told him they would adjourn the case to give him a chance of being on good behaviour for the future; but if brought up again he would be sent to gaol, RESIGNATION OF DR ELLIS, THE ASYLUM.—Dr Ellis, who for about twelve months has held the appointment of second medical officer at the North Wales Lunatic Asylum, has resigned that office, and leaves this week for a very excellent appointment as medical officer in connection with a very large ironworks. During his stay at the asylum, Dr Ellis has shown himself a most painstaking and clever practitioaer, and his removal is a source of regret to the officials and committee of the institution. His successor is not yetnppointed, there being a difficulty in obtaining a young Welsh practitioner eligible for the office. CLEVER CAPTURE OF A DENBIGH THIEF IN EDINBURGH.—About six or eight weeks ago a robbery took place at the residence of Mr Williams, Brookhouse Nursery, the culprit carrying away the sum of £10 and a purse, together with a pair of boots. The thief or thieves left very little trace behind, them, and no clue could be had to their whereabouts. Suspicion however fell on a young man named Joseph Pringle, who had suddenly disappeared from his work and the district. A faithful description of the fellow was duly published in the Police Gazette, and other means taken to track him. Nothing was, however, heard of the affair until Monday last, when information was forwarded to Superintendent Tndge that the runaway was in safe keeping. On TuesdayMnorn- ing Sergeant Lewis left Denbigh for Edinburgh armed with the necessary documents for the removal of the prisoner to Denbigh. The prisoner was brought before the magistrates at the Petty Sessions on Friday (yesterday), and charged with the robbery. He had spent the money in travelling [ to Edinburgh where hia mother, a respectable I widow, lived. It appeared that he had been in a reformatory for three years for felony at Edinburgh. He yesterday admitted his guilt, and was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions. MONTHLY SCHOOL BOARD.—Thursday: Present Mr J. R. Heaton, in the chair; Mr Thomas Gee, vice- chairman the Rev Edward Smart, and Messrs J. Copner Wynne Edwards, J. Harrison Jones, Nathaniel Robert?, Hugh Jones, and the clerk, Mr R. Humphreys Roberts. A very long discussion took place on the proposed new school. Mr Rhys, inspector of schools, wrote approving of the site which is in the vicinity of Middle lane, and belongs to the chairman of the Board. It seemed from the conversation that the Board thought about purchas- ing a quarter of an acre and building thereon schools and master's house and leaving space for playground, and to build another wing to the schools if necessary. Ulti- mately they agreed that Mr Clough, the borough surveyor, should measure a certain portion likely to suit the B:<ard, and that the discussion as to the plans be then resumed.—A discussioa arose on the great delay in the transfer of the British and Henllan schools!; the majority of the members were surprised at the delay and seemed ignorant of the cause. Mr Roberts (the clerk) said in reply to questions, that the necessary papers had not yet been sent up to the Education Department, but were lying at his office; as he wanted formal resolutions passed by the managers of the schools approving of the transfer. The Rev E. Smart and Mr Harrison Jones were surprised that this was a Gause of delay, as both had furnished the clerk with the necessary resolutions. The Clerk said those resolutions would not do; they must be formal resolutions passed at meetings of the managers called for that special purpose. Mr Smart siad the resolution from him bad been so passed and signed by the managers. The clerk said they did not state that in the resolution and it must be done. Mr Harrison Jones was under the impression that the grants to the schools would be affected digadvantigeously by this delay; the Department would take notice of the fact that they had not been transferred.—Mr T. Gee If the Government do that they will take up a very unworthy position.—The Chairman: They do it to hinder dilatory proceedings. I brought this view of the matter before you some months ago. The Department uses that power as a sort of screw to prevent their being unnecessary delay. Eventually it was agreed that the clerk furnish Mr Smart and Mr Jones with official instructions as to what he needed from them, with' a view of remedying this delay as quickly as possible.—The Education Department sent down circulars asking for particu- lars as to the character of religious instruction given in the schools; by whom given; at what period of the day imparted; what number of children were withdrawn from such instruction; and, if any, how where they employed whilst such instruction was imparted ? The managers of the schools were rsked to fill up the papers to the first of April, and the clerk would do so afterwards; also some other forms as to the number of children at schools in the district; schools provided, &c.—A precept for £350 from the Corporation, to be paid by November 15th, was signed.—On a bill being presented for about £23 from Mr T. Hughes, for work done at Love-lane School; great complaints were made about the desks furnished which were said not to be of a satisfactory or durable quality; JS10 on account was ordered to be paid and the rest to stand over for the work to be investigated. Bills were paid to Mr Evan Thomas, for ironwork at desks, &c., j87 17s 6d, and also one for plastering. —Mary Parry Williams. High-street, and Margaret Davies were accepted as paid monitors at Love- lane school; and tome other formal business dis- posed of.

LLANSILIN. REVISION COURT.—This was the last court for the revision of voters in the county of Denbigh, and was held at Llansilin, on Thursday, before Mr Coxon. Mr Evan Morris, Mr Tench, and Mr Chas. Richards, junr., were for the Conservatives, and Mr Tilston for the Radicals. The revision resulted in gain of nine for the Conservatives.

MINERA. ACCIDENT.—On Thursday afternoon a sad accident occurred at the Vrou Colliery, which caused the death of Edward McDonald, of Minera. Part of the roof fell on the waggon road in No. 5 Pit. He has left a widow and children to mourn their great loss. BLASTS.—On Wednesday, the 6th inst., in the after- noon, two large blasts were fired at Mr Lester's Lime Rocks, Minera. One of them seemed to be over charged with powder, or there was some weak part in the rock which was not visible, as the rock was thrown a further distance than expected, causing great damage to the property on the opposite side, belonging to the Minera Lime Company.

LLANGYNHAFAL. HARVEST THANKSGIVING SERVICES.—These were held at Llangynhafal on Tuesday last. The English service was held at three o'clock, when the sermon was preached by the Rev. Llewellyn Thomas, Fellow and Tutor of Jesus College, Oxford. The Welsh bervice was held at seven o'clock, when the sermon was preached by the Key. David WiUiuma. rector of Lbmdyrnog, to a large congregation of people, who were very attentiro to his interesting discourse. The church was decorated under the direction of Miss Roberts, of the Rectory, who also presided at the harmonium. The Rev. Morgan Rees rector of Llangwyfan, and the Rsv. John Roberts, took part in the services. Many Dissenters- attended the Welsh service. The singing and the chauting were said to be very good by those visitors who understood singing.

RHYL. HARVEST GIFTS.—During the few last davs gifts of thanksgiving, on account of the late harvest have been sent to the non. sec. of the fund for the erection of the Bpire of St. Thomas's Church, amounting to about £12, which sum includes one gift of £5 from Mr Oliver George, solicitor. The offertory at the church after the harvest thanksgiving service, amounting to jE17 15s 2d, was also devoted to thii fund, which now i. c satotllof£J,iU 12s7d. END OJr THE SEASON.—Lodging-house keepers and tradesmen have now arrived at the end of their season, which they, as usual, complain has been "only a moderate one." Judging from the crowded state of the town during this season, and from other reliable facts we believe tha Rhyl was never better patronised, and with its increasing attractions and a little more attention to the comfort and tastes of visitors, by the residents, Rhyl will become the most popular watering place on the Welsh coast.

IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS' MEETING MojiUAY.—Present: Mr James Taylor, in the chair; R-'v Dr Butterton, Dr Wolstenhoime, Major Penn Messrs Robert Jones, William Morris, E. Ellis, j'. Jones, John Williams, Dudley Arms Hotel; W. Wynne, Samuel Perks, James Davies, John Roberts, Queen-street; George Debuey, Abel Jones, John E. Roberts, and Jonah Lloyd, ROADS AND WAGES. From the Road Committee's report it seemed that it was decided to finish Abbey- street in accordance with the Act of Parliament, and to call on the owners of property to do their share of the work. Au application how the scavengers for an allow- ance in lieu of being allowed to go to the harvest fields had been rejected, as they were already well paid. UNWHOLESOME MEAT PIES.—On the minutes of the banitary Cominutee was the statement that a number of meat pies of an unwholesome description had been seized at the shop of Air Onions, High-street, and had been bnried" by order of the magistrates. The com- mittee, however, recommended that if any proceedings were takeu against Mr Onious he should be dealt with leniently. Tne report was adopted. THK COMMISSIONERS' FAVOURITE BAND.—The Band Committee reported that Mr Chambres, the master of town and pier band, complained that his band had not been adequately supported by tha townspeople and visitors, aud asking lor some aid. The committee had informed him that no aid could be given out of the rates, but the commissioners would patronise a concert or anything else ot the kind. His application to supply a band next year was adjourned for two months MONEY, MONEY.—From the report of the Finance Committee it seemed that the application of Mr Hope the late Market llall keeper, tor a retiring pension had not and could not be granted. There being arrears of tne rate now due to the amount of £982. it was agreed that defaulters receive notice that unless they paid bv the 22nd October proceedings would be taken against them at the petty sessions. The wages account being veiy high, the bills were ordered to be submitted to the Finance Committee before being presented to tht board. THE DRAINAGE OF THE TOWN.—A very long report on the drainage scheme for the town was presented bv Mr Baldwin .Latham, O.E., Westminster. He also pro- duced a plan of the improved scheme which he thought would be better than the previous one. The commitceo aLo presented a long report; but for some reason the hoard seemed anxious that these reports should not go to the public. The prineipal facts, however, are that the committee recommend that the town be divided into Northern aud Southern districts; the railway to be the line of division, that tne sewerage lines should terminate at a filter and tank, open to both at a point near Welling- ton-road, between the gas works and the present outfall at Voryd. They think it best to follow Mr Latham's advice to carry tne sewage along Wellington-road, under the river Voryd, to a point below low water mark nearly at a right angle with the old telegraph house on the Abergele shore. This scheme will cost about £7,000, or ,£400 above the other scheme proposed, but it would be a far more satisfactory way of carrying out the work, and would not damage the present bathing ground in the least. Mr Perks moved the adoption of the report, and also of a resolution" that in the event of tho board sanctioning the principle of the recommen- dations in the reports, the committee ask for the adjournment of the further consideration of the question for a month, with a view of obtaining further details." He referred to the fact that he had discarded the old I[ scheme for this one, because he had personally inspected fhis route with Mr Latham, and he regretted that only one other member of the com- mittee had done so, as it was of the utmost -4 importance to the town that all should become welt acquainted with the matter. If thev did so they woukt be impressed as he had been of the" danger of pattinjv the sewerage matter into the sea at ihe point first* intended. He defended the committee against the charge of being so long in presenting thei: report and said they and Mr Latham had been anxioos to get all the information possible. As regarded tha cost thfiT must remember it was the most important work eXr carried out in Rhyl, and, therefore, it should be mada perfect as possible. He pointed out its adva»ta?eakiii said although the scheme appeared the most expensive v they must bear in mind that it would do away with tha* expense of emptying cesspools; if it did not do that' immediately it would do so in time.—Majtr-Pen* seconded the motion.—The Chairman suggesed tha postponement cf the discussion till the report Vas con- sidered.—Mr Wynne advised each member to renember 1 his individual responsibility and therefore mate ifznaelf acquainted with the scheme. He was in favour (f this one and thought it an excellent thing to get rid <f the sewage into th3 sea. (For some reason he here lectired the reporters about being careful not to report maters that were injurious to the town). He was in favou. of enlarging the committee.—The Chairman said when be report was adopted all responsibility was removed frOtt the committee, and he thought a small committee workld best, and that Mr Wynne's idea of enlarging it was not a good one.—-A desultory conversation ensued, afttf which Mr Perks explained that the present pipes' woult do for the system, and also that Mr Latham stated that no artificial means of flushing the drains would be required, as both old and new drains would be rendered self- cleansing.—The subject was postponed. RESIGNATION.—Mr Thomas Amos, who is still an invalid, sent in his resignation, which was acceptfjl and a letter of sympathy ordered to be sent to him on "halt of the board. Notice was ordered to be given fbifthe election of his successor at next meeting, | ENCROACHMENTS ON TO PUBLIC PROPERTY.—Iwjor Penn proposed that in future the surveyor rejall plans in which there were encroachments on to tlic property, without bringing- them before the boaft;—• Seconded by Mr Davies.—Mr Wynne thought Suit would put too much power in the hands of the surtwor, although he believed in the spirit of the The Clerk said the Act of Parliament gave the ow r of the plans liberty to come before the board parsotilly after the surveyor had rejected the plans.—Mr iferks said that the surveyor might imagine that they thht. he had been passing plans which contained encrrh- ments, which he denied.—Major Penn denied th he desired to convey any juch impression, but he evenikally withdrew his motion. ( A PERSONAL EXPLANATION BY THE CHAiRMiisr.— The Chairman said he wished to put himself right with the board in reference to certain statements made it the town and by one of the local papers, to the effect thit he was going to resign his seat and depart for the contiient. He wished to state that he was neither going to esign nor* going the continent (applause). He trusted he should be able to discharge his duties there untl the term of his office expired (applause). Probably his btsiness would call him away from Rhyl at intervals for short periods, but he loved the town far too well to thiik of going away in the manner described, and which vas a thing he fancied some people would like to see hin do. However he hoped to be a member of that boaid for many years, so long as the townspeople thought fit to elect him, and he hoped also to preside over con- sultations (applause). He thanked them for so kindly' receiving his disclaimer. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.—The Surveyor applied for an official date stamp to stamp all plans and documents going through his hands. Granted.—Tne Clerk stated that the Welsh Calvinistics had laid down a gravel foot- path instead of a brick one as required; also* that Mr Reynolds' new building in Shipley-street was unpro- tected by a proper hoarding; that the gutter was filled up and bricks. &c., laid in the streets. Orders for the removal of the same were given.—There was no other business.

GREAT S.TOCK SALE AT BARON HILL, ANGLESEY. Chief amongst the noteworthy and important sales of farming stock which have been held in North Wales for many years, must be placed that of the late Sir Richard Bulkeley's, the disposal by public auction of the late baronet's magnificent horses and cattle at the home farm Baron Hill, Beaumaris, occupying Messrs. Dew und Son of Bangor and Rhyl, on Tuesday and Wednesday, and attracting an immense gathering 01 well-known breeders and buyers from all parts of the kingdom. In the brief speech which prefaced the sale, Mr Dew, in a few well- chosen remarks, commented upon the late yir Richard Bulkeley its an agriculturist, pointing out that he might be aptly regarded as the pioneer of bigh class farming in Anglesey, one who, by personal example, spared neither expense nor trouble to impress upon Welsh farmers the necessity and value of improving, not merely their holdings, but also the quality and character of the stock they bred and reared upon their farms. He alluded to the active interest and generous support the late baronet had ever manifested in tha Anglesey and Car- narvonshire Agricultural Society, of which he was the founder and standing president, and feelingly expressed the great loss the county had sustained by the death of one whose memory would long be revered bv all nhxr- knew him. The prices realised in all the classes were extraordinary, the bidding was brisk and spirited, and, despite the large attendance of buyers from a distance, some of the bast stock in the yard was purchased by local farmers ai d the Baron Hill tenantry. On the first day, interest chiedy centred in the stud of carriage-horses' and cobs. A fine eight year old dark-brown horse by Oceanus, standing 16—3 hands, fetched the highest figure, Sir Richard Bulkeley, after a spirited bidding, securing it at the large price of 195 guineas; the baronet also bemg the purchaser, at 120 guineas, of a magnificent jet-black mare, bred by Mr Dew by Old Calabar, a race horse, owned by the late baronet, and which now belongs to one of his Anglesea tenants. A dark-brown entire cob, rising three, also belonging to Yr Dew, and got by Rapid Rhone out of a Welsh mountain pony, was knocked down to Mr Jones, Mona Brewery, Llanfachreth. at .£76, the same figure being paid by Mr William Humphreys, Sandon Forge, Liverpool, for a very handsome light bay horse cob by Hadji and bv the Rev. Cooper Key for a cob by Oceanus. A pair of carriage horses, seven years old, were bought by Mr Albert Wood. Benarth, Conway, for £295, and Sir Richard Bulkeley was the purchaser at .£105 of a pair of bay cobs got by Old Calabar. Mr Orlando Webb, Belmont, Bangor, and Mr Robert Roberts, Plas Llech- ylched, were also buyers in this class. The magnificent cart horses, hich were put up on the second day, also ietched very high prices-the largest, 90 guineas, being reached by Pilot, a bay horse rising four, which was < bought by a' Birmingham gentleman. A grey mare reached £7; King, a splendid dark brown horse, £70 and Lofty, a black mare, 74 guineas., The remainder of the horses averaged 50 guineas. The grand dairy of milch cows and heifers averaged .£26; two years old yearling ditto, .£16; and calves, £8. A two year old pure bred shorthorn bull, Sir Roger, one of Butterfly's stock, and boasting a pedigree as long as that of any Welsh baronet, was bought by Mr Gray. the new tenant of Baron Hill farm, for the very moderate figure of 40 guineas, the same gentleman getting a bull calf, with another long pedigree, for £16. For the sheep there was a very brisk competition, the long-woolled Leicester rams averaging £14 each; the stock ewes, ø 8s the cross-bred Leicester and. Hampshire ewes £3 5s; ewe lambs, 55s; and wedder Iambs, 50s, the majority of the lots falling to Captain Duff, Captain Pritchard- Rayner, Messrs. Gray, Henry Humphreys (Menai Bridge), J. Hughes (Llyslew), R Roberts (Lledwigan), D. Owen (Conway), Evans (Tyfry), A. Laurie, W. Brocklebank, T. Roberts (Casteil), O. Roberts (Plas Tregaian), and. Fair (Abergele). There was a small but choice collection of poultry, which, with the pigs, realised most extrava- ,f' gant prices, the purchasers being Sir Richard Bulkey, Lord Vivian, Captain Pntchard-Rayner, Captain Stewart, Mr W. Heyward, and Mr Evans, Gaorge Hotel, Bangor Ferry. Most of the family carriages were bought by Sir Richard Bulkeley. The proceeds of the two days ? sale realised close upon £10,000. The sale was most admirably conducted by Mr Dew and Mr William Dew. The arrangements in the yard were perfect, and the capi- „ tal condition in which tne stock was brought to the hammer merits a word of commendation for Mr Laurie, t the agent, and Mr. Morton, his farm bailiff. Luncheofi was provided by Mr. Philips, Bristol Hotel, Bangor, and ■ hospitality was liberally extended to the numerousv visitors at Baron Hill.

SALE OF SHARES IN PUBLIC COMPANIES.—At I Wrexham yesterday (Friday) afternoon, Mr. Snape sold by auction at the Lion Holise, the following shares:—Lot 1, £100 consolidated stock in the-, Wrexham Gas Light Company, representing- a. portion of the originalcaEital of the pany, was sold to the Rev F. W. Kittermasteri of lluabon, for < £ 117..Lot 2, thirty-six fully. paid £10 shares in the Wrexham Gas Light Company were disposed of as follows, thirty £1110s and six 15s to the Rev Mr Kitter- master. Lot 3, seventeen fully paid £ io shares ia the Market Hall Company, were put up in threelot two of six shares each sold at .£17 15s, and the1 remaining five sold at .£18, the purchaser being Mr Edward Tench. Lot 4, .£80 consolidated stoolE, in the Wrexham Waterworks Company, was soldi > for .£106 10s, to Mr John Griffiths, tailor anct draper, Yorke-street. Sir Michael Costa i3 on a visit to Berlin to the. Imperial Princess Royal, his former pupil. Printed and Published on Fridays and SaturdayJ at the Guardian Steam Printing Offices, 28, Hope street, Wrexham, by WILLIAM GAEEATT Jomnt. {• 5, Earl-street, Wrexham and JOHN HAMLI^V; LAKEMAN, 7, Derby-road, Wrexham; and alp '• Published at the Establishments of Mess&' Pring and Price, High-street, Mold, and Mr A* Phillips, Rhyl, in the county of Flint; Mr Re9e, Old Parliament-street, Dolgelley, in ftq# county of Merioneth; and Mr E. Newton, Caaftd- square, Caraai'von.—October 9,1875.