South Wales Echo

MINES INSPECTION. [BY ONE WHO KNOWS.] It is impossible to deny that under the present system Mines inspection is in some districts not mereiy a sham, but a costly farce. A proper system of inspection would not only be a protection to workmen, but a safeguard to employers. No one would expect an inspector to interfere with the design or laying out of a mine, or with the mode and means of its development, or the principle or details of working thd coal, or constructing the arterial communications for passage, drainage, or ventilation, and colliery owners should remain entirely unfettered in their discretion respecting the description of machinery and other mechanical appliances. And again within the range and direction of the statutory enactments, and the scope and provisions of the special rules, each employer should have unlimited authority in the order and regulations of his colliery. It would be intolerable that the inspector should in any way interfere in the actual management of the works or discipline of the staff employed, or in any of the contract or trade conditions affecting them. The employer and the employed must each be absolutely free from interference upon these heads. The inspector's duties should be strictly limited to matters affecting the safety of the mine and of the operations carried on therein. This would, of course, make it obligatory that there should be a careful and more frequent examination than at present of the mine in all its parts-not upon stated occasions, but by uncer- tain and unexpected visits. Every part of the machinery should in like manner be examined by the inspector. There would by these means be some value obtained in return for the inspectors' salaries. The advantage wounl not be limited to the workman, but it would 11, par- ticipated in by the employer. In the best regu- lated concerns it is found that carelessness creeps in, unless the under officers are well watched and even with the most perfect supervision, those who are constantly engaged in hazardous occupa- tions will disregard routine precautions. Hence the visits of inspectors in private commercial occupations are uncertain, and their inspection is most thorough. So in many Government depart- ments the inspectors come and go like a summer storm. It is a mere excuse for idleness on the part of the existing inspectors that their districts are too extensive. Their districts arc, It in tlrue, too large for a thorough supervision of all the collieries m the mode suggested, but some of them could be thoroughly inspected. The inspectors, however, make the great number of collieries in their districts an excuse for thoroughly inspecting none of them, and for absenting them- selves nearly entirely from their duties. A few visits are giveil by the sub-inspectors, but tiie chiefs remain at home at their ease. When an accident occurs, they then rush to the scene like shepherds to the field when a wolf has borne away a lamb. Hut the visit is even then a sham. The inspector comes at twelve to inspect a large colliery where an accident or a series of accidents have taken place, and he is off again at one. Ho has just made a stir at the colliery as a spider does along the lines of his cobweb. and then retires again into his dormitory. He comes to the colliery, doffs his superfine, and puts on a miner's dress, goes down to the actual site of the acci- dent, takes one measurement of the main intake with his anemometer, jumps to a conclusion, visits no other part of the colliery, mounts to the surface, and is off again by the next train. This, even in the case of an accident, is all the inspection! And except in case of accidents, or of some special request for a visit from the em- ployer or the workmen, the chief inspectors make no inspection from year's end to year's end. They must be busy all the time in reading the last year's reports,made by themselves or their fellow- inspectors, or in compiling the formulated reports for the coming year. Verily, it is all a sham. No one conversant with the existing system can question Mr David Morgan's emphatic words. But why is it a sham ? Sir, it is a sham because the inspectors are not inspected. I should like to read the private diary of one of these gentlemen. It may begin at eight o'clock in the morning, and be carried through the day in this fashion:- 8. Awoke. Hope there are no letters. Thought of the great labour I am doing until 9, and then arose, anti then to my dressing-room after laving myself, put on a dressing-gown, and breakfasted from 10 to naif past then read my letters, there are several— four-all to be answered to-day. Wrote to my assis- tant saying he must inspect a colliery where an anonymous letter says thu ventilation is detective. Replied to the manager of the Hope Colliery, with my signature, certifying a copy of the special rules. Kead the papers until dinner, dined from two to three. Wrote to tha manager of the Fiery Vein colliery that I would come there by the second train to-morrow, to enquire into the accident, and telling him my assistant had said to him 18 months ago that some accident was sure to occur at the Fiery Vein Colliery. What a bother! I shall have to breakfast to-morrow before nine. Replied to the Home Office that I thought the col- lierie- in my district, though inspected as often as I could visit them, required that I should have addi- tional assistants. Finished my day's worlc. Quite done up with the labour. Had tea at six. Went out for a walk; returned. Had my pipe and grog went to be(L Now this is a fair picture of the labours of these Government officials, whether with inspec- tors from the class of working men we shall have more work done, experience will show. We cannot have less than that had from the present staff. One of the regulations of the Home Office should be that these officials should keep a.day and time book, showing how they are occupied during each day's work of eight hours. The mystery of their existence would in this manner be to some extent made plain. The public would then know how many collieries had been seen by the inspectors from a dis- tance, how many had received a closer inspection, how many had been actually visited, into how many of them the inspector had really gone and looked at the workings, and what part of the workings and machinery had received a fair bona fide inspection. Perfunctory inspections are worse than useless. They are shams that breed shams. Instead of tending to the protection of life and limb and prevention of danger, imperfect inspections and a mere formulated system of inspection, like other unreal affectations, promotes the evil intended to be repressed.

THE VF.RY BEST! "I have examined the II-I-, known as KEBNICK'S r VEGLIIA'ILE PILLS, i certify their composition to bs P \"c;etable. 1 have aiso tried their effect, allll C('!h- them one ot t-hl: i;1 Anerie.Jt Pills ior consci- I IC,'HN 41E, -NI.A. M.I> —— 166 I Sold by all CI1mb, 1," 7?d. ld. ad 2s 9d boMs.

GOILLOTINED. A Hair-raising Story. -0.- There is a boulevard in Paris on which stands a cafe set back somewhat from the regular line of houses. In front of this cafe is a smooth pave- ment that is a step higher than the sidewalk. Overhead is a white canvas awning, and a num- ber of spidery, round-topped, spindle-legged metal tables stand in the space in front of the cafe. I liked this place, not only because the coffee was exceedingly good, but because the tables were not set on the sidewalk;as is generally the case, and be- cause the slight elevation gave one a sort of vantage ground from which, apart from the crowd passing and repassing, one could sit and watch the traffic. The broad avenue in front was paved with some kind of smooth cement and the wheels of the omnibuses and yellow cabs passed easily over it in comparative silence. The metal chairs were not the most comfortable in the world, for an American likes a chair that he can tilt back while he elevates his feet on something, and these were not chairs to stand that sort ot trans-atlantic indignity. Two chairs accompanied each little round table. I had a table to myself there one summer evening, and .was contentedly smoking a Turkish cigarette, when a tail, gaunt young man, with a soft slouch hat, sat down on the other chair and told the white-aproned' waiter, in a tone of unnecessary peremptoriness to bring him some coffee and brandy. As he placed his hand and forearm on the table top the ends of his fingers chattered against the resonant moal as if the man were shivering with cold. This seemed to annoy him, for with an oath, in good round English, he withdrew his arm and clinched his hand together. When the waiter set the little cup of biack cofiee before him and placed beside it a thing like a cruet glass filled with brandy, the man, after a moment's hesita- tion, poured the brandy into a tumbler, tossed it off au a gulp and sent the waiter for more. Thinks I to my seli, "Young man, you're perhaps nearer to delirium tremens than you have any idea Jf." As if he read my thoughts LIe turned sharply to me and said in a quarrelsome voice; "Do you see anything peculiar about me "Weil," i said, "you appear to be just a trifle nervou "A trifle?" he cried; "my nerves are gone. I've lost my grip on life, and I'm clutching around trying to catch hold again." D" you thinlc'drinking brandy like water will make you 'catch on' any quicker?" 1 kuow about that. It caut't make me any words, that's certain." an,y i What's the matter?" I asked. He took off his slouch hat aud drew the back of his hand nervously across his brow. His hair had the most singular appearance. It had been re- cently cut and was aoout an inch loug. It stood up as if the man were frightened. But the peculiar part of it was that while the outer half inch was white the inner was black. It looked as if he had been using a white dye and had discon- tinued it. it also gave a comical idea of the man being a tall paint brush worn down and the stubby brush dipped in white paint. Kind of remarkable, i sn't it ?" he asked, see- ing I noticed his head. You wouldn't have believed it it you hadn't seen it in black and white, would you?" Oli, you're all right, "I said. "Any man who can make so bad a joke as that will get over any little nervousness he may have." "Hope so." he answered, replacing his hat. Now, I'll tell you how this happened. I'mgiad to tind a countryman I can talk to over this matter. I left New York a year ago. Artist's business. Funds ran short. Thought I would earn something with iny pen to help out my brush. Wrote some letters ior New York papers Never heard of them. Waste basket, I presume. So I wrote direct to a friend on the daily Scaven- yer and asked if he wanted au account of the trial of Dr Sabre, wiio killed that wlftle family. The fellow who was guillotined the other day ?" The man shivered as 1 said this and helped him- self to the brandy again. Yes, the same man. My friend wrote to me that they didn't want the trial, but if they—er —executed him I might write a thrilling letter on the working of the—the—instrument—the infer- nal guillotine. Now I thought that as all the executions are pretty much alike I would see the condemned celJs and the locality of the affair and get some one to work the guillotine for me, so that I could write up the thing as well as if I saw the real business. This I could send away a coaole of Sveeks in advance, and the Scavenger could use it as if it were a special dispatch all for the cost of half a frahc or so postage. See ?" Great scheme. Did it work?" I went to the chief of police day after day to get the necessary permission, but he put me off, told me that although there were many people in Trance who ought to be guillotined, yet ho didn't like to take the responsibility of executing any- body without having the proper authority for it. I think I made life a burden for him. At last, about three weeks before Dr Sabre's cut off, I went to the chief's residence. There was a ball or something, for the servants let me in under the impression that I was a guest, and the moment the chief saw me he uttered an imprecation, said something to a couple ot gentlemen theru and hurried away. The gentlemen approached me, and one, whom I was told was the chief's nephew, came blandly toward me and said Are you the American reporter ?' ,Yes,' said 1, I wanted a word with Mon- seur le We are authorized,' said the nephew, inter- rnpting me, to furnish you such information as you desire, but this is hardly the proper place to I know—and apologise for my intrusion, ;bpt the matter is urgent.' Then follow me,' said the other politely, and lie led me to what seIned to be the library. I told him what I wanted. It is unusual,' he said, but if you are wiil- ing to submit to the inconveniences of a short time in prison, I will give you permission." I'll submit to anything,' I said. Thensigu this document, which expresses yom willingness to do so.' It seemed harmless, and mereiy stated that any indignities I might receive were accepted with my own free will. I signed, and he. wrote out another and calling a gendarme, gave the docu ment to him saying, pointing to me: 'This is the man.' The officer saluted the gentleman, and then asked me to accompany him. The moment I was out of the house two others fell on nu and pinioned me, and before I could protest we worp in a police van hurrying to the prison. I was kept three days in a condemned cell, and a guard put over me. 1 found it impossible to get a word out of my guards. On the fourth morning I was awakened at daybreak. A priest stood be- side the guard, and behind him a masked man. The cell was quite dark, lit only'by the'lantern carried by the man in the mask. My son,' said the priest solemnly, I am here to offer you such consolation as one of my calling can bestow on a fellow crcature in your situation.' What situation?' I demanded. You are condemned to die within the hour.' Nonsense,' I said, I have done nothing. I am "not condemned.' The priest looked toward the door inquiringly, and as the lantern was shifted I saw standing there the two I had met at the chief's house. They were in evening dress and had evidently come from some revel directly to the prison. A case of cowardly murder, father .id the nephew, stepping forward, and now a case of real or feigned insanity.' I sprang at the man, but the guard at once grappled me, another stepping from the outside gloom to help him. Instantly the executioner tied my elbows together, then my wrists, and next my ankle", in spite of my struggles. He left room for my feet to shuffle along, and a guard took me by each arm and forced me along the corridor, the priest going in front and murmuring the words of the service for the dying. After turning into another passage lighter than the first we came to a square room, in the centre of which stood the guillotine, with its bright axe in the sliding per- pendicular framework a few feet from the floor. Gentlemen," I cried, 'this is carrying a joke a little too far.' "The priest, who seemed shocked at what he considered my levity or shamming, retired, and the executioner bound me to an upright plank attached to the guillotine. The plank itself was a horror. It had evidently been painted and re-painted to cover the stains of blood. Across the upper end was drawn a black line, and on that line the edge of the axe had fallen repeatedly and left a deep indentation. A strap around my brow secured my head firmly to the plank, and other straps bound me to it, so that I could not move a muscle. The axe was then raised to the top of the frame- work, and twice dropped, with a sickening swish through the air, and it struck a temporary block placed under it. Then it was finally fixed at its proper altitude. I have read or heard that the plank swung swiftly under the axe carrying the victim with it, and at the same time the blade cropped. Now, while I had no doubt that this was all a practical joke, for, of course, it was impossible thus to uinrder an innocent and uueondemned man even in Franc?, yet I began to fear that some one would inadvertently touch the lever teat startc-i the ¡nach¡ul> Hd tÜ.. nrur. anyone could interfere- the joke would be a tragedy for mf), I felt as one might do wh') stands before a loaded gun with the hair-trigger up. up" This guillotine did not work as I had reason to anticipate, for I felt my body slowly swaying through the air, my feet being fixed as if they were a pivot, and as my body swung around a sickening sensation came over me and I closed my eyes. When I opened them I was on my back with my neck direotly under that glittering knife.' The two men knelt beside me. The nephew said in a distinct whisper, 'Monsieur, allow us to extend our sympathy to you.' Hang your sympathy,' I said let me go, You're drunk, and the next thing you'll know there will be a mistake and a murder here. After that you'll find to your sorrow that I'm an American citizen.' Excuse me,' he wbitpered, every word as distinct as a poniard thrust, you are an unworthy citizen ofjFrance, and you have forfeited your life to her. You are Mouchard, the wife murderer. Let me explain. Mouchard, who was to be executed to-day, unfortunately died in his cell, that you have occupied, three days ago. We had an interesting experiment that he had agreed to. My friend here is interested in science. He believes the head Jives and is conscious a few moments after decapitation. You may have read an instance where such a thing was apparently proven. If this was so Mouchard agreed to wink with one eye immediately the axe fell. For this we were to give him all the brandy he wished. He took too much and now alas is dead. You are more intelligent and will answer the purpose better. I beg of you, monsieur, that you will allow no foolish resentment against me to prevent you from adding to to the treasures of science and gratifying my friend, who, please to remember, has harmed you not.' My God, gentlemenv you cannot be in earnest!' Why not ? We are alike, you and I. You Are content to break the laws of good manners— of social usage in quest of information. Good. We are content to brea k other laws to secure other information. Which is the mora important law? Who shall judge ? We shall derend on your co-operation, monsieur.' With that they rose and I looked up at the steely glitter of the knifp, in the place of the steely glitter of that brutal Frenchman's eye. They stood back. The masked executioner held his hand on the lever. I felt my heard beat wildly and my very brain throb against the strap across my brow. An artery in my neck pulsated so strongly that I remember wondering if it would burst. I feared I would become insane. The executioner kept his eyes fixed on the two men. The physician took out his watch and held it in his open palm. The other gave a signal and I glanced at the axe. I heard the jerk of the lever and saw the drop of the blade. In that one instant was compressed the fear and aflony of a century. The next I knew I was in a rOOln in the prison and the two men, somewhat sobered, were looking down on me. I felt limp and nerveless. They were talkng of my whitened hair. They had placed a plank where it would intercept the kni fe and to show the recklessness of those men they made no calculation for the sinking of the knife in the wood and so you see this scar across my throat." Don't you intend to do anything about it ? 11 Do What can I do ?" Why, tell the American minister of the outrage. I did tell Vice-Consul Hooper about it." What did he say ? He has known me some years. He just laughed, and said if I stopped drinking so much brandy these littit3 episodes would not occurr. With this my tall white-haired friend ordered his seventh glass of brand v.

REPRESENTATION OF THE RHONDDA. Mabonts Candidatupe. I Ou Saturday evening a mass meeting was held on the bill side, close to the main road. near the Woodfield Hotel, Pentre. About 400 persons were present. Mr John Morgan (Heolfach) pre- sided. Mr Rees Howells proposed the first resolution That, in the opinion of this meeting it is neces-ary and imperative that the newly enfranchised working classes should use their political power for the purpose of returning to Parliament representatives of their own classes at the next general ejection. Mr BEVAN seconded tha resolution, which was unanimously carried. —- Mr ABRAHAM then !lridrs,:ed tht mcetingjn English and in the vernacular. He remarked that it was natural for them to ask what use were they going to make of the /rancliise? Would they return a landowner to Parliament, would they return a capitalist, or would they return a man from their own rtiiiis ? The answer was obvious enough from the present constitution of the House of Commons, and it proved conclusively that labour should lie more efficiently represented ill Parliament. (Hear, hear.) There was every reason to believe that labour would be better represented in the new Parliament. He believed that the number would be increased from two to 13 or H. I hey would find that labour representatives wotiM always be true to their party, and would always vote for measures essen- tial for the welfare of the country. (Applause.) They wculd not confine themselves entirely to questions relative to labour, but would be pre- pared to go to the division for the disestablish- ment and disendowment of the Church. (Cheers.) Referring to the Mines Regulation Act, he said that no doubt the legislators intended to amelio- rate the condition of the working classes, but had failed iu their object in consequence of their inexperience in mining affairs, and the want of thorough practical workmen to assist them. With regard to tho Employers' Liability Act, he remarked that it was passed not so much for com- pensating those who were injured or killed through official negligence, but to ,afford addi- tional protection for the limbs and lives of human beings. (Hear, hear.) He therefore maintained that the workmen should contract themselves out of it. Mr THOMAS LLKWKLLYN proposed— That we at this meeting of workmen and electors of tho Ithondda division desire to express our confidence in Mr W. Abraham, our chosen and a cepted labour and Liberal candidate for rhis division in the reformed Pai-liauienr, and tbat wo agree to unite to support a labour representative, and vote for Mr Abraham at the t next general election, aud work faithfully and truly to secure his triumphant teturn. The resolution was seconded and carried with enthusiasm. __r

PRINCE ALBERT & THE FREE- DOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON. Prince Albert Victor was presented with the I freedom of the city of London at noon on Mon- day, at the Guildhall, in the presence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke of Cam- bridge, Lord Cranbrook, 'Sir R. Cross, Baroness Burdett Coutts, Mr (ioschen,several ambassadors, and a large number of other distinguished persons. The presentation was followed by a luncheon. Prince Albert Victor, replying to the toast of his health, said: I shall long remember this day and the cordial greeting you have given to my parents and myself. The Prince of Wales proposed the health of the Lord Mayor.

MURDERS AT LIVERPOOL I A coalheaver at Liverpool was remanded on Monday, on the charge of killing a fellow labourer by striking and kicking him after the latter refused him some money ou Saturday evening. The body of a child, cut into pieces, was found in a basket on the steps of St. Patrick's Catholic Chapel, Liverpool, on Monday.

GREAT SHIPMENT OF AMMUNI- TION FOR EGYPT. Two million rounds of small-arm ammunition, weighing 120 tons, have been sent to EKypt from Woolwich Arsenal, in the Government transport Carlis Bay. It is believed that this shipment is connected with the project of re-occupying the Dongoliv district. One hundred and sixty barges are now employed in unloading the railway transports from Suakim at the West India and Victoria Docks.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO A POLO PLAYER. Our Sandgate correspondent telegraphs that while playing at polo, on Monday, Lord A. F. Compton, the adjutant of the 10th Prince of Wales Own Hussars, met with a serious accident. His lordship's horse threw him, breaking his collar-bone and inflicting other injuries.

A SCREW STEAMER ASHORE. The screw steamer Coiina, 2,000 tons, Captain Hastie, bound from Glasgow to Montreal, went ashore at Ashut, ou the south-east end of Rathlin Island, on the A ntrlm on Saturday night, during a dense fog. She wa., laden with pig iron.

I \t YANKEE YARNS. I- IN A DRUG STORK. Boss, hab you got any of them confounded cavotio pills f Yes. Do you want them plain or coated 7" "Dunno. I want dem ones what's white- wasbed." lie got lem. WANTED TO GO OUT. A By was buzzing against the window panes. Little Fanny noticed it and said Mozzer, shan't I open the door?" Why do you want the door open, my child V Because I 'spect that fly wants to-go out." THEOLOGICAL INTELLIGENCE. A lady living on Madison avenue undertook to teach her little boy the Lord's prayer. He got along very well until he came to the words, "Give us this day our daily bread," then he paused for a while, and at last asked:— "God knows everything, doesn't he, ma?" Yes, my son." Then its no use trying to fool him by asking to give us our daily bread. He knows that the baker brings us bread every morning." TIMJK IS MONEY. The following conversation between two Austin inebriates was overheard a few days ago "I wish summer would come, so the nights would be short; it would be money in my pocket," remarked the worst looking one of the two. How would you save money by the nights be- ing shorter?" Well, you see, time's money, and I lose a heap of tune in winter by the saloons not opening untd haif past six. In summer I can begin work an hour sooner." DIDN'T WANT THAT KIND. A coloured lady from Onion Creek, Mrs Si Jackson, accompanied by her husband, recently visited Austin. She was not used to city ways, aud watched with great interest some hats in the window of a millinery store, which were arranged on a revolving stand. Dat's a mighty nice arrangement. Yer can see how de hats looks in dem ar different per- sishuns," remarked old Si. Huh 1" said his wife, dat'a ao, but die ole niggah don't put her head in no hat what goes raun', an' roun' like a cat what's bem* pizened." A MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCE. Are you aware ot any mitigating circumstance in your case?" asked a Texas judge of a negro convicted of horse fitealing. Yeii, sah, lots ob 'on. Ef I had time, jedge, I could talk to you for a week on dat subject." If you know of any mitigating circumstance, please state it." Yes sah, I'll tell you ob one right now, sah. How easy would it hab been for me to bring my family inter disgrace and misery, sah, by stealin' dat hoss. BUG 1 didn't do it, sah. I jess remained single. I nebber married, sah. Annudder miti- gattu' saecuntittance am——" Sheriff, remove the prisoner." WK, us AND co. It is al ways best to be careiul and precise in giving directions to servants. Col. Yerger told his culoured servant Sain:— Go anil get us a couple of tickets for the per- formance to-night." Sam came back and only brought one ticket. Where is the other ticket 1" I has done disposed ob hit." What do you mean ?" Boss, you tole we, 4 go and get us two tickets.' Dar's your ticket, and I done guv my Licke6 to a cuHud lady I met on de street. She will be dar, boss. You bet she will be dar. Dr?e. no dauger ob de ticket bein' los' or wasted." A PUBLIC PERSONAGE. Colonel Bill Sanders was elected to an office, and of course he was very proud of being a public man, but his wife, who is not particularly well educated, is perfectly carried away with enthusi- asm at the idea of his being a public official, and takes all the honour of his election to herself. Mrs Sanders was present, shortly after the election, at a social gathering on Austin avenue. The elite of the city were also present. Somebody happened to remark to her :— You go out a great deal more since the election than you did before, do you not. Mrs Zanders 1" Oh. yes," replied loIrs Sanders, now that I .1 'GàRr.Jj" ueraon- -L-ÙuL Tableaux.

IMPORTANT ACTION BY WELSH MINERS. Judgment for the Workmen. In the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, on Monday—before the Lord Chief Justice and Mr Justice Mathew—the actions Lloyd v. Humby and Morgan v. Humby were heard. The-M were two actions brought by colliers working in the Garth Colliery. Lloyd's action was brought to recover a sum of money due after a guarantee given on the 7th of June, while Morgan sought to recover a guarantee given in August for money which feU due previous to the date of the guarantee. The first case affected about 70 colliers similarly situated to Lloyd, while 10U men depended on the decision in Morgan's case. The question at issue was as to whether the two guarantees given by Humby, and which had been fixed in the windows of the cashier's office, were binding as betweeu him and the men, and whether each of the men could sue him separately for the wages due in the one case after the 7th of June ana in the other previous to the end of August. The guarantees were different, but the facts in each case sub- stantially the same. Mr Abel Thomas appeared for Lloyd and Morgan, while Mr Humby was repre- sented in Lloyd's case by Mr Pool, and in the other one by Mr Dyke.—Their lordships gave judgment for the workmen in each case with costs, and likewise granted leave to apply in case any difficulty arose with regard to an undertaking which was to be given by the solicitor to the defendant Humby that the money due to the other men under the same guarantees should abide the event in both actions.

BULL'S IRON AND STEEL OOM-: PANY, LIMITED. At a special meeting of the shareholders in the above company, held in the Law Association Rooms, Cook-street, Liverpool, a proposal made I the directors to grant five thousand 21 shares to Messrs B. D. Healey and B. H. Thwaites, A.M.I.C.E., who had undertaken the practical supervision of developing the patents held by the company, and of completing the works at Trim- saran, in South Wales, was granted unani- moualy. Mr ?ohn Hireb.U -tliedAranted unani- the directors be empowered to increase the share capital of the company by the issue of 5,000 shares in accordance with the articles, ready money being required to carry out the last stages ot the experiments in South Wales. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously, and the meeting, which was well attended, was then addressed by Messrs Healey and Thwaites explanatory of the condition of the works and the prospects of the company, which appeared to be satisfactory.

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE AT PONTYPRIDD. i On Friday, an elderly bachelor gentleman, named Jones, came from Llandovery to visit Mr Prytherch, Courthouse-street, Pontypridd. On Saturday he went with Mr Prytherch down town. Mr Prytherch holds a responsible position at the Loadon and Provincial Bank, and having his duties to attend to parted with Mr Jones, but advised him, as he was in delicate health, not to go for too long a walk. It was understood Mr Jones would nut go beyond the "Big bridge." Mr Jones has not been seen since, although searching inquiries have been made for him. Apprehension is lelt as to his fate.

I FATAL CARRIAGE ACCIDENT. I A fatal carriage accident occurred in Kensing- ton, London, on Monday morning. Mr Andrew Perston, of 2, Ladbroke-gardens, Notting-hill, was being driven along High-street, Kensington, when the horse became restive. The coachmau losing control over it,the carriago was overturned, and Mr Perston received injuries which shortly proved fatal.

UNFAILING REMEDY FOR HEADACHES. I KERNICK'S VEGETABLE PILLS. FOR INDIGESTIOST. old oy a.U Chemists, &E.,IU 7id, 14d, and ?Agd boxesI BEWARE OF IMITATIONS.

I MR GLADSTONE AND THE GOVERNMENT. Important Letter to His Con- stituents. On Monday afternoon the annual meeting of the Midlothian Liberal Association was held' in Queen-street Hall, Edinburgh, Lord Rosebery presiding. Mr John Cowan, of Beeslack, chair- man of the committee, read the following letter from Mr Gladstone 1, Richmond-terrace, Whitehall, June 27,1885. Mr dear Mr Cowan,—I beg you to convey to the County Association at its annual meeting on Monday my hearty congratulations and my best wishes. I rejoice that you meet under the presi- dency of my friend and late colleague, Lord Rosebery, who has to play—if his life be spared Unit. important part in the futurS politics of the United Kingdom. The battle of the franchise which formed the subject of our chief anxiety when I met my con- stituency last autumn has been won, and the Go- vernment whichhadthe honour of lightingitfor the nation has by the necessary consequence of a vote of the House of Commons been removed from office. Although it has thus happened that a vote of the representative chamber has put an end to the late Cabinet, I must take this early opportunity of placing on record my deep and grateful sense of the fidelity of the Liberal majority of 1880 to its trust. It has to act under difficulties almost without example, and I can no. more forget that than I can repay its confidence and kindness. The time has not arrived for me to enter upon politics at large either in the way of defence or criticism. Whatever we may think of the con. duct and course of the late Opposition, it has become the Queen's Government, and the interests of the empire are primarily in its hands. I now look to its future and not its past. My duty is to support and assist it as far as I have the power in doing right, and not to anticipate that they will do wrong. You may rely upon it that the Liberal party numbers in its ranks an abandimoa of qualified by knowledge, ability, and vigour of age to exercise the necessary vigilance. I have never anticipated in or since 1880 that I should solicit at your hands, when the existing Parlia- ment bad done its work, a renewal of the commis- sion that Midlothian generously gave we much less, I need hardly add, have I thought of asking a like honour elsewhere. But 1 am not at this moment released from my duties to the party which has trusted me, and the first of these duties is to use my strongest and most sedulous efforts to prevent anything that can mar the unity and efficiency of the great instrument which, under Providence, has chiefly and almost wholly made our country for the last half century. In these sentiments I am quite sure I shall have your approval and co-operation, and that of the association, and I remain, sincerely yours, Mr John Cowan. W. E. GLADSTONE. Lord ROSEBERY addressed the meeting at length, and alluded to the circumstance con- nected with the change of Ministry. He said he believed the new Cabinet would soon have more of a dissolution than they wished but he also believed that nobody had any desire to harass the new Government. As to Mr Gladstone, he he was convinced that, in the present state of his health, it was impossible for him to retire from public life even if he wished to do so, and that the very children of Midlothian would go and pull him out of his repose. (Cheers.) A resolution was adopted expressing continued confidence in Mr Gladstone as the representative of the county, and looking forward with confi- dence to the return of the Liberal party at the next general election by an overwhelming majority. THE NEW ATTORNEY-GENERAL. I Mr Richard Everard Webster, Q.C., the newly- appointed Attorney-General, is the son of the late Mr Thomas Webster, Q.C., who was himself a well-known lawyer. He was born in November, 1843, and was educated at Charter-house School and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was Thirty-fifth Wrangler smd Third Class Classical inn in 1868, and joined the "South-eastem"$ffSr' tfome) Circuit, and was afterwards appointed to the ancient but honorary offices of Tubman and Postman in the Court of Exchequer at West- minster. He was made a Queen's Counsel in 1878, when about 35 years of age only, and is be- lieved to be the only man who for many years past received that honour at so early an age. Mr Webster has been extensively engaged in most of the heavy commercial and railway cases of the day, besides having a large general practice he has also recently been retained in numerous appeal cases in the House of Lords. The learned counsel has never sac in Parliament, although be has always taken a very prominent part at all Conservative gatherings and meetings. Mr Webster is a Governor of Charterhouse, and is also a member of the Council of the Inventions Exhibition. THE NEW SOLICITOR-GENERAL. I The Standard of Tuesday morning says Mr I Gorst, Q. C., has been offered and has accepted the post of Solicitor-General. THE NEW VICEROY OF IRELAND I Arrival at Dublin. I Their Excellencies the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, and Sir W. Hart Dyke, Chief Secre- tary for Ireland, attended by their private secre- taries—Capt. Jekyll, R.E., and Mr Brownink- arrived at Kingstown on Monday afternoon, and were received by Mr Gibson (Lord Chancellor), Sir Robert Hamilton, K.C.B. (Undersecretary), and Col. Forster(Master of the Horse). They entered the ordinary train, and arrived at Westland-row about a quarter to six, the guard signalling their presence by waving his hat and raising a cheer. The occupants of the platform were a few repre- sentatives of the press, Chief Supt. Mallon, and a couple of inspectors. When the train stopped the passengers quickly emerged and greeted the Viceregal party with a cheer. The indefatigable guard ran out of the station shouting Where are the Irishmen now ? three cheers for the new Lord Lieutenant. In the street at Westland-row, a crowd collected and cheered lustily as their excellencies entered the carriage and drove to the Viceregal Lodge. The only escort consisted of two mounted police, who were at either end ot the street to keep the thoroughfare. There was no carriage in waiting for the rest of the party, who had to wait till the luggage van arrived. Sir W. Hart Dyke and Sir Robert Hamilton, with Colonel Forater, master of the horse, as whip, got upon the box and drove off, being Hit TUI wllMW ■> day (Tuesday), a meeting of the Privy Council will he held to swear in the Lord Lieutenant and the Chief Secretary. SEA LORDS OF THE ADMIRALTY I The following officers have been appointed Sea Lords of the Admiralty Vice-Admiral Hood, Vice-Admiral Sir Anthony Hosking, and Captain Codrington. The statement that Admiral Cemmerell would be one of the naval lords is incorrect. FURTHER CREATION OF I BARONETS. We are officially informed that with the gra- cious permission of the Quean, baronetcies were offered to Mr Jardine, M.E., and Mr Thomas Brocklebank, of Springwood, Allerton, on the retirement of the late Ministry, and hive now been accepted by them. Mr Watts, R.A., has asked leave respectfully to decline the baronetcy whbh was offered to him. AN HONOUR FOR LADY SPENCER The official Court Circular announces that the Queen has been pleased to confer the decoration of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert on Countess Spencer, as a mark of her Majesty's personal esteem.

THE CONTEST AT WOODSTOCK I Opposition to Lord R. Churchill. I The election contest at Woodstock has been commenced in good earnest. For several days past the Liberals have been actively canvassing the electors on behalf of Mr Corrie Grant, the Liberal candidate, and his opposition to Lord Randolph Churchill seems highly popular amongst the local Liberals. At first there was a disposition to allow Lord Randolph Churchill to be re-elected unopposed but it is said that a sec- tion of theLiberalparty,consisting chielfy or work- ing-men, were so sciougly iu favour of running a candidate that it was found uudesirable to their wishes, and accordingly an unthusia.v..ic meeting was held, at which it was unanimously decided to invite Mr Grant to become a candidate. The work of organisation was then commenced. and committees were appointed to act in each of the six polling districts into which the constituency is divided, with a central committee in the town of Woodstock itself. Manv offers of assistance in securing, it possible, Mr Grant's election have beeu received, and on Monday the arrangements for the election, so far as the Liberals are concerned, were nearly completed. Mr Grant h%s been personally canvassing the electors, and though the cnances of his return are problematical, yet there is no donbt the contest will be a very close one. The Liberals rely chiefly upon the working-claps element for their success. The Conservatives express but little doubt as to the result of the election. They are aii>a.]y well organized, and know with tolerable accu^y thi" number of votes which Lord Randolph Church ill is likely to receive. Considerable disappointnent is felt at the fact that his lordship has intimated his inability to leave his Ministerial duties ill order to address the electors, but it is hoped that this will not materially affect the chances of his return. The only uncertainty which th« Conservatives admit to exist is as to the way in which the agricultural labourers may vote. The agricultural labourers who have a vote in the constituency, however, are not numerous, and whichever way they vote are not likely tu seriously affect the result. Some apprehension is felt that the effect of the Liberal opposition will be at least to reduce Lord Randolph Churchill's majority. Lady Randolph Churchill is staying here at the Bear Hotel, and has been canvassing on behalf of her husband. Lord Curzon aud other influential Conservatives are also working on behalf of his lordship. At Woodstock on Monday Lord R Churchill, Conservative, was proposed by James Butford, Hordly Farm, Wooton, and seconded by William Scroggs, Mill-street, Kidlington, a duplicate paper being tilled up with Henry Lock, Wood- stock, as proposer, and Wm. Crute, Woodstock, as secon ier. Mr Corrie Grant, Liberal, was proposed by Josiah Godden, Woodstock. and seconded by John Banbury, Woodstock, a dupli- cate being signed by Edward Dunsby, Woodstock, and George Pentycross, Woodstock.

THE GREAT FtRE, AT CARDIFF. The disastrous conflagration of tiio prececfcuig day continued on Monday to absorb, to Avery con. siderable extent, the conversation of the towns- people. Throughout; the day large crowds, bat little, if any less numerous than those of Sunday, gathered in front of the charred remains of the once handsome pile of buildings, and followed, seemingly with theli veliest interest, the movement* of the small contingent of firemen engaged in pouring water upon the still smoking embers. At present, there would appear to be no possible cause for further apprehension; for although smoke continues to ascend from the mass of debris, evidencing tbejexistence of a smouldering fire beneath, every precaution has been taken to prevent a renewal of the outbreak. As intimated above, the place is being closely guarded by mem- bers of the fire brigade, and care has been taken to have on the spot all necessary applianoee foe coping with the flames, should they again present themselves. The origin of the fire remains, so far as can be ascertained, as complete a mystery as ever. Of course, plenty of theories are forthcoming, of a more or less plausible character, concerning the probable cause, that which seems to find most favour being that the outbreak was due to the electric light, by means of which Messrs Samuel Brothers' premises were illuminated. Supporters of this view, however, are not very clear in their efforts to demonstrate how or in what way the latter agency could possibly have set the building ablaze. As demonstrating the intensity of the heat thrown out by the fire, it may be mentioned that a quan- tity of beer, which it was found impossible to remove from the cellars of the Borough Arms, ')was discovered on Monday morning to be In a luke-warm condition. The interior of the hostelry itself presented a curious spectacle, those rooma which had escaped being thoroughly burnt out, having their wails and fittings blistered as though subjected to close contact with red hot iron. In fact the whole is little better than a ruin. In our account in yesterday's issue we were able to say, on the authority of public rumour, that Mr Peachey, who carried on the business of a mantle maker, at premises situated next door to Messrs Cross Brothers, was insured to the extent of £ 1,000, but were unable to give the name of the insurance company from W9pæ hÐdU:t4 Nt w!Y,* n,,w ena thi?t U I u, uÁ,. l _Mr nt'1(1:Ua. St. Mary-street, is t;w .r;. a?nt. Messrs Samuel Bmthei'3 h? secured a tem- porary place of busmes at 71, St. Mary-street, ( where for the present they will carry on the bespoke department, and all orders taken will be carried out there.

THE WRECK OF THE CHAMOIS. Officers' Certificates Suspended. At the Wreck Commissioners' Court, Westmin- ster, on Monday—before Mr H. U. Rothery. the wreck commissioner, and nautical assessors—a Board of Trade inquiry into the circumstances at- tending the total wreck of s.s. Chamois, of Hartle- pool, on the 23rd of May last, off the Spanish coast, about 30 miles E.N.E. of Cape Finisterre, was concluded on Monday. Mr Ratclitfe ap- peared for the Board of Trade; Mr Botterell for the master of the steamer, Mr Thomas B. Metcalf, of Sunderland; and Mr Iaoe for the owners.—It appeared that the Chamois was built of iron at Hartlepool in 1878, her length being 243'7 feet, her breadth 32 feet, and her depth 18 feet. She was owned by Mr Walter Jackson and others, of Crosby- square, London. On the 19th May the Chamois left Newport, Mon., with a cargo of about 1,470 tons of coal, and a crew of 20 hands- all told, bound for Savona. All went well until about 2.30 a.m. of the 23rd May, when the look out reported breakers ahead on the port bow. The helm was immediately put hard a-port, and the engines were reversed full speed, but the vessel struck and remained fast on what proved to be some rocks on the Spanish coast, about 30 miles east-north-east of Cape Finistiarre. The Wreck Commissioner in giving judgment said the cause of the casualty undoubtedly was that the master put the vessel upon a course too close to the land without making any allowance for the east running current, and he was also to blame for not being on deck when the safety of the vessel required his presence. The second officer was also to blame for not in- forming the master when the weather became thick. Both their certificates would be suspended for three months.

At Brighton, }>1>jMonday, William Smithies, At Brighton, t!" '? 'Petor, was itentenckld to late borough ra. lector, was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment for embezzling various sums of money received by him on behalf of th. corporation. t ),BEI. SO WJURY AND TLRVrl JUS WJW ON«ITIIUNUI«NR u[ M 7 waolu-wweaftv TQAPFC "e they never pause to think or reflect upon the eaaM" of this feeling. It may arise from "slnmrisk vnd ikp, blood, which, if neglected, is the forerunner of 'ffUou and chronic disorders. This weary and tired feeling is nature warning us that there is something wrong, which must be set right, or a long anli lingering illnw* will speedily follow. What does nature require to throw off this weary and tired feelii'ir ? ;J. requires to have new life and energy imparted to all she organ* of the body, and the best means to do so is to take "Gwilym Erans" Quinine Bitters," which purifies tbe blooil, and imparts ue* life and energy. It is invalu- able to those who are suffering from affections of the chest, indigestion, nervousness, dpbility in its wors; forms, depression of spirits, and melancholy. GWILTM EVANS'S QCININK BITTERS. THK VEGETABLE Torilc.-This preparation is now exten- sively taken throughout the country by patients suffer- ing from debility, nervousness, and general exhaustion, and, if any value be attached to human testimony, the efficacy of medicine this has been successfully estab- lished. its claims have been tested and proved by the medical profession and others. and corroborated by the written testimonials of eminent men. The Quinine Bitters contain not only a suitable quantity of Quinine in each dose, but the active principles of the following well-known herbs—sarsaparilla, saffron, gentian, laven- der, am dandelion root. The use of Quinine is well known, but it has never been satisfactorily combined with these preparations until, after overcomiug consi derable difficulties, the proprietor was able to secure a perfectly uuiform preparation, combining all the essential properties of the above piants in thei greatest parity and concentration. It is now established as a family medicine, and is increasing in pepuiar favour the more it is known and tested. Owyliiii Evans's Quinine Bitters is a tonic Pick-me-up,' cientilically mixed in happy proportions MODE .OF ACTION.—(And here lies the secret of the Remedy.)—The Quinine Bitters (being a vegetaoie ¡¡onie). oy their peculiar power, strengthen that part of tho system which is weakest, and, therefore, most liable to coids and their attendant diseases. The in. gredients they contain cannot be put into pills, bus the patient can follow his usual occupation without fear «: exposure. OWILYM EVANS' QUININE BITTERS are recommended by Doctors, Analysts, Chemists. Sold in :!8 9d and. 4' 6d Bottles, and Cases carntainitvr three /,s gd Bottle at 12s 6d per case, by all Qheuilxti, or from the Proprietor, carriage frta, parceU po*t(un-ier cooer). N.B. Nat), should suffer without trying "Gfwilym jivans' <Jiunin« Bitters.' )Ir ..wilym Evaus, F.C.S., Pfo»-ie:yr, Laboratory. Man»llv, South W.iios. 7Jo-; Printed and PnhUshed by the Pr?prmt-?rt, DAVID DUNCAN & 80, at their SteHn PrinM«{ £, Works, 75and76,St. Mary-street,and W's.sig.tte-stree#, 1 in tne town of CiwUH', in th? "IU1Y ef Uhunorgan I