The Cambrian

NEATH AND ITS DISTRICT. NEATH MUNICIPAL ELECTION.—The forthcoming annual Municipal flection is the absorbing topic of con- versation at Neath just now. There is a plethora of candidates, as many as eight being in the field to fill four vacancies. The four members who retire are Messrs. W. T. Lewis and John Rees, and Messrs. Bartlett and J. Arnold, offer themselves for re- election. Mr. Arnold has been a most attentive and active member, and stands well with the burgesses and rumour has L f at he will again resume bis seat at the Council table. Mr. Bartlett has been many years a mem- ber of the Corporation, but the general feeling is, that he should give place to younger men, having enjoyed the sweets of office so long. Amongst the candidates there are several excellent men. ^r- Thomas Phillips is ?n experienced townsman, «nd £ *a 3one yeoman's as Councillor and • r" Evans Sevan comes f°rward in compliance wi an in- fuentially-signed req'^ition. He bears an r^"°UJfrd name, and, being a J'°nng man and a Ia«ge ratepayer, there is every probability that he will be not far from the head of the poll. Mr. D. Llewelljn and Mr. J W Thoma8 are Judical men, are well known, and will no doubt, nuke good and usefnl Councillors. Mr. E. Law is a standing dish" at these elections, He is a man of considerable energy, but we are afraid that his chance as well as that of Mr. Kimble, will be in the future,' rather than in the present— nous verrons. Ar' BAVON —The retiring councillors are Meters. J. M. S.aiih'(mayor) Charles Jones. Evan Philips, and B.A. Daniel], The three first named seek re-election, and there are also three new candidates, viz,, Messrs. ewellyn Howe! tin-plate manufacturer; L. M. Joseph, enied victualler f dW. Walpole, tailor and outfitter. OBITUARY.—We regret to chronicle the demise of Mra. V-» eapec»« ■}. inhabitant, the relict of the late Mr. Ge<>rSe Barnes, Cwmavon, and mother of Acting-Sergeant- Barnes, of the Borough Force. Mr*. Barnes, who was upwards of 74 years of age, had been confined to her residence for a most prolonged period, She was greatly .especteu, i^d much sympathy is ex- pressed with the leiatives in their bereavement. The interment took place at Aberavon a Thursday last. RARVFST FESTIVAL AT LLAX "-VIT—J he harvest thanksgiving service at the old Pariah Church of St. lltyd, Llantwit, took place on Tuesday e *iing last. The church had been very appropriately decc Ued tor the occasion by Miss Jones, Tynyrheol; the M. «es Mill*, MUlf Lucie Jane Williams, the Misses Yates, and others, A very pretty text in gcH-" Daicnus «* yr Arg]wydd''—w*j placed over the chancel by Mr. Tom Jones. Th-i sermons were preached by the en. Archdeacon of Llandaff, in the unavoidable absence of the Vicar of Cwmavon, who hud intended officiating, The church was well filled, and the choir acquitted them- selves most creditably, under the leadership oi Mr. J). S. Davies, the choirmaster. THE Next ORGAN AT THB Gwpj HALL.—It will be seen by advertisement that th» inauguration of the new organ, the munificent gift of Mrs. Gwyn, of DuffryD, is fixed for Thursday, November 7th. The arrangements for the occasion are being pushed forward rapidly, and a grand treat may be expected. The new organ is a mag- nificent instrument, and will rank as one of the largest and best in the Principality. The oratorio performed -ill be Handel's Messiah," at the express de«ire of MpJ Gwvn. It will be rendered by tbe Neath Harmonic Society, 'numbering 200 voice*, assisted by a band of 20 instrumentalists, with Mr. E. G. WoodwRr<jas leader, and Mrs. E. P. Morgan presiding at the organ. The artistes engaged on the occasion rank high in oratorio • nfl will be worth hearing. Vie would remind our music and l the seats are rapidly being taken, Neath friends that 8electin pIftceit. they should lose at ABEEAVON.—At the monthly GENERAL ^RET, on Town Council, the following lX"naddre"ed to Mr. J- M Smyth, the Mayor, was read from Mrs. Llewellyn, of Baglan, sister of General GrenfellOctober 14th, 1889. My Dear Sir —I was much touched references to me in ihl addres? presented to my brother, also for the lovely bouauet voa sent me, and als» for your most kind recep- Douqueijo who will never forget his arrival at PoItTaKt and drive through Aberavon more especially aa L 4 unknown to you. I feel it the more S lbrTgb reoolliotione of niV husband, and aDy tributi; to him la most precious to me. Had my brother been able to return here to-dav he would have called upon you to thank 'yol1 penally, but he had a military engage- ment in London to-niuht —I remain most truly yours. G. Llewellyn » 6 Examination OF m LEWIS BROS—At the Neath Bankruptey.eonrt (bet:ore Mr. H- registrar), examination of T. Benjamin of Lewis Bros., auctioneers and ^countants^m Wnkruptcy)i took lace. Mr W. H. David J' and David) appeared for certain creditors, JREvaa8 for the debtors.- In answer to t^e Oftcia^ Ut w T Lewis explained that h1 T j ] e trustees of the estate and the a G,rxffith,. The cheques produced were dra P T^»orsran8hire Bank fn respect of the truj acc°iint^Two httndred an(J fifty pounds had beenpal<* f e trust account but he really couW not say what became of the Lonev' He did not think hisbrQtheruseditbutxt misrht ha^e been used m the business.—The Official Rec6lVer. And vou have no knowledge of what Jone with the money?—The Debtor: No knowledg-e whatever. -xhe Official Receiver • Then you have been guilty of a breach I of trust r-The Debtor: Of neglect" yhieh amounts to almost a breach of tru=t.—The Registrar I say a srroas breach of trust-to sign blank cheques on a trust account aQd not know beconf f°i Registrar Were vou a trustee under the will ?-The Debtor: Not Uli(]er the will, but under a settlement. The Registrar y must have signed it.—The Debtor The late Llewel ,1, made a settlement, and consequently he ^n- The beneficiarieg under the will agreed >t ld be transferred to us- I accepted the re sibility by s^n^ the cheques.After s0l?e furt^er 0StlOn9 on the subject, in which thedebtorsbank g[ccoUBts were the subject of close inquiry, the Officia[ R«c gaid he would make an application that examination be adjourned sine Jie; and 3Ir. w. H t>avi(J as re regenting several creditors, supported the a ,i i; p __The Registrar thought, tteciroam^cwof the case, to grant the application and adjourn the ftearingsine die^ XE ATS ^t)U £ ey eOT1 ay^lONS.—FKIIJAV. r u. '»r^on0f> *,h L™,r'Is- J'RAXSFER.—Edward iiar.en, ./pntiu aDnlied fur the temporary transfer of the license of the Vim p Arm* Hotel JBriton i&ry. from Thomas Harnes. TheeV )pti™iou was granted. DISOHDEKLIES.—William Jones, coU'er' torbeinir ,inmv nr, tlie 5th October, on the road near the ^eren Sisters, was fined 5s. and costs, or 5 days.-Daniel Roberts for a siffiuRT offence was ordered to pay 2s. and costs, or n ^,s-r«ichard Daries for drunkenness on the Jersev-road, ADergwinie, on the 12th October, was fined lt>s. an^ costs, or 7 dav&. FURIOUS DRIVING.—Arthur Matthias, charged with furious driving, at Cadoxton, was ordered to pay 1Us- an'l costs, or 7 days. BREACH OF THB LlCRNSIXG LAWS.—Mary Thomas, of the Wocdland-roatl, Cwmavon, was summoned for supplying beer on the premises, whilst she had only an out-door license, p.c, Jones said that on the 9th inst. he saw three men on the premises, and they were supplied with beer. Defendant was fined £1 or 7 days. Mr. S.T. Evans, who defended, applied for a ease on a point of law, which was granted. NEATH PETTY SESSIONS.—MoNMT. [Before the Mayor and W. Leyson, Esqrs.] A FURIOUS DRIVER.—G-eorge Parker, a labourer, of Penrhiewharad, was charged by the Head Constable with furiously driving a horse in Green-street, at midnight, on the 12th October inst.—The Head Constable and isergeaut Jones testified to the facts.-Fined 5s. and costa.-PaId.. 1 FuGiHSTS.-John Kyan, Jarues-street, and John Michaei, t-ting I Mclincrythan, were charged a breach of tne peace in Market-street on the 18th October inst.- Defendants were seen lighting an-1 causing a grea. disturbance by P,C. Jones, 6.—Each fined 12s. including costs. A DESEETER.-William Morgan, a collier, formerly of Neath, was charged with being a deserter from the Royal Engineer Militia, Monmouth. Defendant had been an absentee from training f"r ve*!s" was arrested by Sergeant Jones.—Ki-manded for the prosecution of the necessary enquiries. TUESDAY LARCENY -Florence Jones, a young woman, 21 years of age, employed as a domestic servant at l'j. Green way-terrace, was charged with stealing a jacket, value 5s., the property of Gustav Seifriz, a jeweIIer.-Pnsoner was employed by Mr. Seifriz and purloined the jacket, which was found in her possession. 8he was given into the custody of Police- Seriieant Price.-Remanded until Monday nexi. It appears prisoner is wauted for similar depredations at Newport. Mon. A ItuN 4-WAY PATIENT.—William Henry Date, a labourer, w8s charged with deserting his wife and family at Neath since January. 18; Prisoner, who was apprehended under a warrant, had been away for some considerable time in America and elsewhere, but returned to the town on Monday night, and was afterwards locked up by the Head Constable.— Remanded. NEATH TOWN COUNCIL. An adjourned meeting of this Council was held at the Gwyn Hall, on Monday afternoon. There were present the Mayor in the chair; Aldermen J. H. Rowland, P. Charles, H. P Charles, and David Davies; Councillors Edward Davies R. Bartlett. H. Cuthbertson, J. Arnold, W. B. Trick, J. T. Llewellyn, W. Cribb, and J. Markham. ANOTHER POLLING STATION.-The meeting was coa. vened to receive the minutes of the Property Committee, re polling station at Melyncrythan, and expenses of muu- icipal election. The committee recommended the use of Bowen-street Schoolroom, MelincrythaD, and the Mayor moved the adoption of the minutes, and that the sum of one guinea be given to the trustees of the schoolroom for its use for the 1st of November. The motion having been seconded, Mr. Llewellyn suggested that the old Gate House would be more cen tral. The Mayor said that the committee had considered the different places care- fully, and were of opinion that the Bowen-street School- room was the most convenient. Mr. H. P. Charles urged the Bible Christian's place for the purpose, and hoped that a fire would be provided for the comfort of the pre- siding officer and the clerks. After some further con- sideration, the Mayor's motion was put and carried. It was also decided to allow the Town Clerk £10 for the additional services for the new polling place THE OPENING OF THE GWYN HALL. -.Alderman H. P. Charles, referring to the opening of the hall, said that some time ago he believed that it was arranged that the opening should take place on the day of the unveiling of the statue. Someone or other bad now fixed the 7th November. This was the date fixed for the meeting of the County Council, so that neither he nor Mr. Charles Evan Thomas could be present It appeared that every- thing was being taken out of the hands of the Town Council. The organ had ruined the platform, and the Council were entirely ignored in connection with the whole of the arrangements. There was so much secrecy or reticence as to the opening of the hall, that he could not understand it. Personally, he was in favour of post- poning the opening of the ball unhl next year. He moved that the standing orders be suspended. This having been agreed to, Councillor Markham said that he was at a loss to understand who had authority to fix the opening ceremony for tf!f tr* t^1^8 been arranged, it was quite without the knowledge of the Council. He suggested that a special meeting be con- vened to consider the matter.-After some conversation, during which Mr. Charles said that he did not wish to interfere with the opening of the organ, it was agreed, on the motion of Alderman H. P. Charles, seconded by Mr. H- C,1'5 «erTi a sPecial meeting of the Council be called for Friday next, to consider the question of the formal opening of the Gwyn Hall." DECLAHING THE POLL ON THE DAY OF ELECTION. Councillor Markham, referring to this matter, said that in 'ecent years it had been the custom to declare the lesult of the poll the day following the election. He saw no reason why it should not be done the same night. The counting of the votes only took a few hours, and if I the poll were declared the same night, it would, he was sure, be a source of satisfaction to the burgesses as well as a great relief to the candidates. He moved that the poll be declared on the night of the election.—Councillor Trick seconded the proposition. He said that Aldermen who were secured in their seats for six years, and who were afterwards re-elected without coming before the burgesses, might not like the idea, but he could assure them that candidates and the burgesses generally would hail the change with the greatest satisfaction.—Alder- men Charles and Rowland said they saw no objection to the motion.—Councillor Edward Davies said the reason the counting was discontinued in former years was, that a good deal of drinking and excitement had been going on, and it was thought, if the declaration of the poll was deferred until the following day, that it would save dis- turbance.—Councillor Arnold approved of the motion, and upon its being put, it was carried unanimously. CONTRACTS.—The Council then sat as the Urban Authority, and proceeded to consider the tenders for the ensuing year.—The following were received for the scavengieg :—C. Thomas, Cwrtyclawdy, £ 450; William | Williams, Neath, £ 4S1; Francis Alford, X439 1211.; Thomas Thomas, £ 470. General haulage and street watering :—D. Thomas, 5s. 6d. per day do. for limestone haulage, lid. per ton; William Williams, 5.. 6d. per day do. limestone haulage, 6d. per ton Francis Alford, 6s. 6d. per day; do. limestone haulage, 8d. per ton; Thomas Thomas. 5. 9J. per day; do. limestone haulage, 6d. per ton.—Upon the motion of Alderman H. P. Charles, seconded by Mr. Edward Davies, the tender of Mr. Francis Alford was accepted for scavengiug) a.nd that of Mr. William Williams for general haulage> street watering, and limestone haulage. Two tenders were re- ceived for general masonry, channelling, &c., viz., Mr. Abraham George and Mr. Charles Harris. That of Mr. Charles Harris being the lowest, was accepted. The meeting then separated. -» ■■

LOCAL RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS. :O5D0K & NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY. Week ending Corresponding T De«cr.?tion. 0ct 20i 1$J# Week iu 1888. Dec £ £ A £ No. of Miles op«n. 1.875* 1.871i Ii Passengers, parcels,) gl 581 78,344 3,237 Sec., and mails S »«• Merchandise, Min- i 139iC13 135.760 8,853 erals. ft Lire stock l Total for the Week.. Sf!1.194 214.104 7,090.. Total fur 16 weeks i 3,520,217 170.071 F. HAKLBY, Secretary. GREAT WROTERif )LAILWAY WMk ended Oct. 21, 1888. Description. Week ended (Corrected to Inc. Dec. Oct. 20, 1888, the actual figures). £ £ n Mo. of Miles oi«n c- *• c* Mo ia' Passengers, parc^Ji" *.«« «0 2,<«0 42 9 18 ■■ Ac., and mail. £ 69,630 66.750 2.880 Merchandise, liye i stock, 4 minerals f 100,470 89,700 10,770 Total for the Week. "l7o^ Amount for pre-) 166,450 13,0-0 •• vio«sl4 Weeks of A«F f°r S 2.8HMO 22;53M6J 138>™ VVeek* j 2.691.9X0 152,620 QOIXB. Secretary. TAFF VALE RAILWA.Y, Week ending Oct 19,1869 •• Corresponding week last yo*r • • • • *»A7|55O Decrease BRBCOW A MKRTHYR RAILWAY. Week ending Corresponding Description. Oct. 20,1889. y^r Inor. jjecr £ s d » £ 8 1 £ s d passsengers, &c. 276 1 4 2» 3 Goods, minerals Ac 1,4'jo 5 1 1,438 17 3 Total 1,736 6 5 17.5 1 1-11 5 4 •• Per mile per week 28 9 3 28 5 7 AggregiLtsfOr 16 27,821 7 28,678 6 4- ..1.S56M 4

LOCAL PATENTS. The following record is supplied by Mf- N. Watts, offices for patents, designs and trade marks registration, 31. Queen-street, Cardiff, 30, High-street, Newport, and 5, Salubrious-place, Swansea. APPLICATIONS FOR PATEKTS.-Frederiek C, Bartlett, Bristol, an improved cooking range and boiler.—Thomas W. Joseph, Swansea, a. spring clip to fasten the necktie to the collar in such a manner as to prevent the former slipping. Robert Jakeman, Lassington, method of securing the spokes of J. wheel in the hub or box.—Edward Rawson and Charles »»nons. Cardiff, antiseptic and aseptic vents and spigots.— Price, Swansea, improvements in appliances for mixing um.r an(* °ther substances.—Charles E. Basevi, Cheltenham, imTivoVernent *n steam engines.—Henry Bottomley, Trewbridge, WestoT,etnerit in the handles of velocipedes.—David Gill, Herbert1Trn,prove^ method of perforating and fixing slates. and finishin Abergavenny, improvements in dressing irachinei-p g steel railway keys for steel or iron sleepers, and in Gloucester „ £ onnect-ed therewith.—William A. Walton, and tricycles bolder for an auxiliary brake for bicycles scissors, increTai rry 8- obbard, Cheltenham, improvements in ments in the rnaV,? «heir cuttiuK power.—James Read, improve- Timewell, Bristol i °f decker and other ovens.—William T. Portland cement m d mprovements in the manufacture of and Amos D. Fear S .from hard limestone.—Robert S. Jones or stiirt stud.—Jobrfa13 ?1' an improved fastening for a solitaire steam and other enain»« ™ risto1' an improved lubricator for for two-wheel vehicles ^>orter> Newport, sliding seats varieties for R- Barrow. Bath, butting rock INVENTIONS PROVIBIOWI??^U??R BOILERS' Bristol, an improved ball pU7zL Benjamin Pitt, improved bench seat.—Tboma«;~I ,Te Pn^?' Newport, an attachin- horse-shoes without nai'u T06, «' metllod of ments in pocket knives.— Thnm ~ia,nes Berry, im],r.;ve- apparatus for aerial navigation.-Hi,1^8' 8TI improvements in blast furnaces Hvim^r '!?"es' L1?nsamlet; darning machine.-Joseph Butiand 'BHA"' •AN, LMPR?V,ED si—-y rail- tobacco pipes.-Francesco Lucich, an improvP^f-r°'ement m Frederick G. Bartlett, an improved cooE^f1^8 PU.™P-- Prtfr M Baxter, arran-ementfof cylindeis iL tr^fndb°'ler-_ engines as applied to driving triple screws. ple pansion APPLICATIONS TO REGISTER TRADK MARKS—1). Anthony Cardiff. Class3;-TheLandore Copper Company. ClatsS \n' 90,710—Charle? J. Lilwall, Hay. No. 91,621, Class 5.

THE WELSH SUNDAY CLOSING COMMISSION. Lord Balfour of Burleigh, Lord Emlyn, Sir Richard Harington, Mr. T. J. Hibbert, and Judge Horatio Lloyd, the Royal Commissioners upon the Operation of the Welsh Sunday Closing Act, resumed their sittings at the Shire Hall, Carmarthen, on Tuesday. There was a large attendance of the general public. The witnesses were drawn from the counties of Carmarthen, Cardigan, and Pembroke, and for the most part they supported the Act.—The Chief Constable of Carmarthenshire stated that he considered it had effected much good, and would do more. The slight increase shown by the statistics of Sunday drunkenness in the county was due to bogus clubs amongst the tin plate workers. These had now been suppressed. The public were in favour of the Act, but they would not assise the police to secure conviction of offenders. He considered the ootid fide clause was good enough, if it was rightly interpreted and resolutely enforced. — Superintendent Harris, Car- marthen, stated that the only infractions of toe law in his district were due to people who went by train to seaside resorts in that neighbourhood, where they drank to excess. The police d:d not interfere with them unless they were disorderly. He would be inclined to open the public-houses for an hour on Sundays in towns. In the colliery districts many attempts were made to ?et drink from public houses during prohibited hours, but there were no clubs or shebeens. Mr. Brigstocke, J.P., chairman of the Carmarthenshire County Council and of the Cardigan Board of Guardians, presented a petition in favour of the Act from these bodies. Within his recollection a great improvement had taken place as regards temperance in Cardiganslurp, but of course it had not been all due to the Act. He reCom- mended that the three-mile radius should be abolished, and the bona fides of travellers left to be decided by magistrates.—The Rev. Wyndham Lewis and the Rev. Thomas Job, Calviuistic ministers, on behalf of the Methodists of Carmarthenshire, strongly supported the Act as one of the greatest boons ever conferred on Wales. They thought the bona fide clause should be totally done away with. One landlady had told them to tell the 0001- missioners to stick to the Act. Yet you areapnblicao, they replied. Yes, but not a sinner," was the rejoinder. (Laughter.) — Mr. Bishop, c'^ A^° the magistrates at Llandilo, stated that the Act had not diminished, but rather increased, tae convictions of Sunday drunkenness in that town. The Rev. J. H. Protheroe, vicar of Aberystwyth, and formerly of Mountain Ash and of Cowbridge, Gla- morganshire, stated that at Mountain Ash the Act did not effect any diminutionof Sunday drunkenness, and it had lead to an increase of Sunday drinking. Young men used to club their moneys on Saturdays and buy supplies of drink for Sunday. A.t Cowbridge the streets were very quiet on Sundays, and the same was the case at Aberystwytb. The wbole question was largely one of Sabbath observance, in favour of which the feeling in Wales had always been strong.—Dr. Edwards, Principal of Aberystwyth University College, said he had known the town since 1872. He testified from personal ex- penence that in Merionethshire the Act had effected much good. He admitted that there had been an improve, ment as regards temperance before 1881, but it w*8 accelerated by the Act. After several other resolutions had been presented in favour of the Act, Mr. George Green, manufacturing engineer and proprietor of lead mines, Aberystwyth, stated that be had known the town and district since 1848. He could testify that working people, both mechanics and miners, attended to their work on Mondays much better since the passing of the Act. The convictions for Sunday drunkenness in the borough for seven years before 1881 numbered oo, but during the subsequent seven years there were only three convictions. He advocated the total closing of public- houses on Sunday, and also on Saturday evenings; In fact he would almost give up Sunday closing if he could have Saturday evening closing.—Further evidence in favour of the Act was given by the Rev. J. Bancroft and the Rev. J. Maylor on behalf of the Methodists of Pembrokeshire, and by two workmen from the Government Dockyard at Pembroke. The Sunday Closing Commission continued its inquiry at Llanelly on Wednesday afternoon in the Athenaeum. hall.—Captain Scott, police superintendent, stated that he had been four years in the town. The statxstica of Sunday drunkenness were as followsIn i°°|7> 14 cases; 1885,11; 1886, 8; 1887, 15 1888, 44; 1889> 47. The rise of tho numbers in the two latter years was dUe to the existence of clubs in the town. Do you thInk that the closing of the public-houses tends to increase or diminish intemperance ?-If we could do away With the clubs it would tend to diminish intemperance.^ Police-Inspector Evans concurred with Superintendent Scott's evidence. — Mr. J. Jennings, clerk, and clerk to the local board, stated at he had known Llanelly for 28 years. In witness's opinion it would be an improvement 1D the law if associations of persons merely f°r 8^ke of selling drink to members were niade l gal,— Mr. Joseph Maybery, chairmaa of the local o wh0 had known Llanelly for 45 years, had no doubt as to the benefits which the act had conferred upon the town. lie saw very distinctly, walkiug through the town several times each Sunday, that there were far fewei persons about on Sundays now than there were before the Act came into operation. If there Lad been any increase he would have seen it.—Dr. James Arthur JOlle9, alderman of the county council, practising as a surgeon, stated that he had known Lla»e^y for 13 years, 8.nd believed that Sunday drunkenness had materia^ decreased. Fewer persons got drunk on Sundays thHn was the case before the Act. Certain bogus clubs h*<j been started, and they were opened day aoJ night. People went into them and stayed there until they gOt dead drunk, and the police could not interfere. If the clubs were under magisterial supervision they wouij refuse to grant licenses and if liquor licenses were not granted they would cease to exist, for they wele est&b. lisbed for no other purpose. Nineteen 0 ,° eyery twenty of the working class were in favour ot ie Act— Mr. John Hopkins, mechanical engineer, a member of the local board, of the school board, and one of the harbour commissioners, said the Act had mateually bene- fitted the town people generally were more sober.^—j,jr J. L. Thomas, Pontardulais, banded iu a resolution from eight places of worship, and spoke in of the Act. -Mr. J. H. Rogers, of the South Wales Works, employ. ing 1,050 hands at Llanelly, stated that he had had charge of the works since 1870, first as manager an afterwards as managing partner. After the Act came mto operation the workpeople came more punctually on Monday morn- ings, and they were now as able to work on Mondays as on other days. Such was not the case ormerly_ The houses of the men were more com ortable, and from the pecuniary point of view ie ujea weie great gainers. He believed that the general opinion of the workmen was in ^T°-nl n| 1 Act. Mr. Griffith Elias, manager of tin-piate works at Ammanford, who had himself been ..or,n,*n, ex- pressed approval of the Act, an a that many men had been improved in then en instances as a result of it.—Rev. Canon Willis-1118' _• •. coul(j not say that he ever saw much drunkenness m anelly before or after the passing of the Act. however, had put a stop to an enormous amount of nrinking in public- houses on Sunday nights. .caa n? personal knowledge as to whether it had driven drinking into private bouses. On the whole, he was in favour of the continuance of the Act, with a; few amendments.— Mr. John Hughes, brickmaker, testified that the Act had great blessing to the ™^n-~p?lice-InSpector Giddings, of Pontardawe, presented statistics showing that from October. 1887, to October. 1882, there were J8J persons proceeded against for Sunday drunkenness • from October, 1882, to October, 1888. there were 507. He attributed this increase in numbera to the 507. He attributed this increase in number, to the greater prevalence of illicit drinking"; Ie congregated in private houses, casks J* been brought there previously, and n,eQ gathered together there solely for drinking.— p s V J „ stationed at the Mumbles, declared that the Act had l>eeu a real failure," so far as that nlioa was eonciriied. Previous to the passing the Act respectable people would visit the place with their families on Sunday afternoons, take tea there and return home a quiet and proper manner 'since i.up *ct a diff0rent class of people came, £ fT X'ss- .sjw-Ws those persons j to h« travel- lers," and *ntltled+- se??ed »t the public-houses when t y d the Mumbles. Nine out of every tea P^lic-houaes.— Mr. W. Robinson Smith, solicitor, of Swansea, solicitor to the Licensed Victuallers Association of that town, presented memorials from the license-tiolders of the dis- trict, mainly with reference to alterationaof the Act. In *heir opinion the Act had not prevented Sunday trading. had diverted the trade from properly^"reguluted and Th lce-controlled bousss to clubs and private premises. jj- Act had not afforded relief the dealers in country the in°t8' having on the contrary increased their labour by out onCr<«ase<* cumber of the bona-fide travellers who went houses f Un<iays- They suggested the opening of the sale bothODa to 2.30, and from 8 till 10 o'clock, for members an(* the premises. Mr. Smith stated the persons can the trade were considerably hairassed by selves falselvl8 at their houses and representing thew- of refreshment be persons qualified to demand a supplf to the polica .ltk e trade had made no representation his own obse'rvaf- Ugh they to hitu Persoual'y- From uess had increased0- he couId *ay that Sundi,y drunkeo* t-l.P villaze of Sk^In the neighbourhood of Swansea. IB treat blessing bu^t Vhe, Act had ™^tedly *>een<> *nndav drinking in bad not prevented the increase <>r *e trade was done around Swansea itself. A vetf iay many being bo^J^1 casks on Friday and Satur* J*J:„ houses. ThebonfijV^ sub,acrlPtl(fs from h»If 4 \r Erown Andrews. in„!jeer trade' to°' increased. ? £ V the Act had been I f 9 a £ ent' Dafon- declar^ that th j a, failure s0 far as D^fen conG^rne2;7been a me^Uel..ioiner, Llanelly. stated that he h r ianelly but«r ot committee of Central C1 jj. 'w severed his connection abot1^ three month.. bef«reit^Suppresged_ Occasionally the oiub amattn « the business w*s done on Sunday r of fact wais any husiness worth apeakmg of done ^on other daysr-A trifle." There were 300 or dava° c^- and on^ j few went there on Saturday at1^ Sunday.—Mr. Geo:rg tonemaaoilj expressed an opinion aatagonist worV<f Blackmo^6' formerly acting manager at Kidwelly, stated that prior to the Act it was frequently the case tb»t departments were at a till through the absence of men on Monday, the Act ^vas in force this evil ceased.—■» • fvid Shakesuere, tin-roller, Kidwelly, spoke in the Act.— Mr. Evan David,shunter oq the Western Raiivray Brynaman, handed in a document in lavour of Sunday- closing from the chapels in tbat district, himself gave testimony in favour of the measure.—lhe Rev. W. D. Williame, Calvinistic Methodilt minuter, Oowertoo, stated that the Act bad been of great benefit.—Mr. William Jones, tin-plate worker, who gave his evidence iu Welsh, presented a memorial signed by 650 workuien, iu favour of the Act.-Mr. William David, curator of the Mechanics' Institute, confirmed the evidence of Mr. Maybery and Dr. Jones as to the improved condition of the people.—This closed the evidence, and, in announcing the adjournment the chairman took occasion to thank the Local Board for the great trouble they had taken, and their kindness and hospitality to the Commissioners.

SWANSEA EXCHANGE. At the meeting of this Exchange, on Tuesday afternoon, there was a very large attendance of members, and the proceedings were marked by considerable animation. Amongst those present were Wm. Will^ms, Worcester Works David Davies, Beaui'ort; Daniel Edwards, Duffryn Lientenant-Co!. Wright and Ro"er Beck, Elba Steel Works G-, H. Strict and W. R. Quick, Amman Iron Co. Richard Marriu, Bh-chgrove Basil Jayne, Boughton and Co. Thomas Freeman, Clayton Works; F. Yates, Neath; R. J. Letcher, Glamorganshire Banking Company J. tCound, Pontardulais JJolm Cady, Dlllwyn and Cu Travers Wood, R. A. Wood, Jenkin ThomM, A. T. O'Suliivan, Jose, Ford, and Co. T. a. Jones, do. McNeill, Watson and Co. L. S. C. Moss, Capital and Counties Bank it. C. Jenkins, Port Talbot D. Jenkins, do. Evan Davies, do. D. Lewis, Gorseiuon D. Morris, Glanamman Co.; H. Clement, Beaufort; Thomas Davies, Cambria; Godfrey Thomas, Neath 8u:ton, do. R"bert c^atou, do.; G-. Birkbeek, Gower Co. A. H. Bartlett, Leach, Kower and Co. Jackson, Gowerton George Sims, Great W estern Railway E. T. ickey and R. S. Lowe. do. George Morns Landore Works Bertie Morris, John Thomas, Ystalyfera B. B. David, Port Talbot Charles Edward and Graham Fores.er, J. W. Jones, Newport; T. M. Davies, Newport; Rees Harries, Pontardulais W. Margrave. J. D. Thomas, A P. Meeds. F. Le Bo„ a„Ber. Thurgood, 8 wan sea Harbour fnurgood. j^nr., F. ^eviii, Llaoellv; W. H. Edwards, Heywood, Carditt Scrivener, Carditt"; J. Thomas, Llansamlet; «. Jones, Mat. Jones, Edwin Jones, Griffith Thomas, Court Herbert; H A. Cnapman, C. E. SDd H. M. Peel, T. Simrn, S. Stevens, T. R W.Mason, J. Bangham. Barrow C*. W. W Storr, E. Bali, Murdock, Pontardulais S. 8. Mock Richardson aiid to. Gwyn.ie, Villiers Co.; Starbuck Williams M. Moxnam, 6. H. Blenkinsopp, George Jaspar, Midland Railway Company E. F. Daniel, George Smith, Resolven; W. Brignt, i<airwood J. Squire, Bristol and West of England Bank Thomas. DaneUy A. J. Richards, H. Chalk, Thomas Ford and Co. E. Roberts, J. C. Newbould, A. Beard, &c. The continued improvement in pig iron which hastaken place during the week has forced the price of tin-plates to something near the quotations of the makers, and it is to be hoped that ere longt s .mething like equivalent prices will be obtained fur plates. So far the prices realized for the few sales that have been made are' siili under the cost of production, so that tin- plate makers have derived no benefit as yet from the improve- ment in the trade, and makers are holding off and hesitate to make any heavy forward sales until they see the market far the raw materials more settled, and it would be dIfficult to fix any- thing like an approximate price of the day. We hear that several works are idle for want Oi pars, and that the scarcity of steel bars lias been the means of a further advance of fully iOs. per ton. r, „ Pie IRON.—Glasgow warrants, 54s. I0d., Bis. 10id„ 54s. 7d., 54s. 8d., casn sellers. Market st: ong. MIDDLESBRO.—No. 3, 51s. ,d. to ol6. 4jd. prompt. Other numbers in proportion. MarKet strong. HEMATITE. Warrants, Ms. 4d. to t.3t. 6d., for mixed numbers, f.o.b. Cumberland. „ WELSH BARS, £ 1 '-16- !0 • Angles, 4c., at usual extras, f.o.t. at works. SHEET IROK.—Singles, £ 9 0s. 0a. to £ 9 5g, Qd., f.0.t a+ Vrorks. STEEL RAILS. Heavy sections, t5 15s. to t6 light ditto, t6 17s. 6d. to 1:7 0s. Od,, f.o.t.; sleepers, angles, channels, &e., according to selection and specification. STEEL SHEETS.—Sing'-68' ^10 0s. to £ 10 15s., with the usual extras for the higher guages. BESSEMER ^00LNF> £ o 17s. 6d. to £ 6 2s. 6d.; tin-plate bars, £ '6 5s. Gd. to £ 6 lis. 0d. BiEMjEN-e Tix-PLATE *• 6d., ^6 T7s. 6d. per ton. all delivered in the district; cash, less2!, per cent. MAKERS' QUOTATIONS FOK TIN-PLATES.—Iron coke tins, per box I.C., 14s. 9d. to 15s. 0d. Bessemer steel coke, 15s. 3d. to 15s. 6d.; Siemens'(coke finish), 15s. Jd. to :6s. 0d.; ternes, per double box, 28 by t0 6d.; charcoal do. (Siemens'steel), 31s. 0d. t3 o4s. Od. best charcoal, 22s. Od. to 27s. Od. according to finish of brand,; wasters, (id. to Is. per box less than primes. All delivered in Prince of Wales Dock, Swansea; cash, less 3 and 1 per cent. The Swansea Harbour trustees have furnished the following official return of I tin-plates received from the works, shipped, and in S^OCK ViTeeK ending Last week. Corresponding Oct. J9th, 1889, week last year. Boxes. Boxes. Boxes. Received 54.7H0 43,543 37,558 8hipped •• •• 58,892 6.672 In stock 571 107,213 74,7l>2 COPPER.-Chili tiara: xqz A.OS. od, to £ 43 5s, Od. BLOCK TIN, £ ^1 2s. ^d. to £ 91 12s, 6d. SPJJLTER Od. to £ 22. L«AI».—English, £1:J 10s. to £12 128. 6d.; Spanish, £ 12 5s. to £ U 7s. 6d. ANTHRACITE COAT., ^ne-si. oig vein, selected for malting purposes,lis. 0d. tolls, bit.; ordinary large, according to quality and selection, 8s. 9d. to 9s. Od Small rubbly culm, os. Od. to 5s. 3d. per ton. All delivered f .o.b. Swansea, cash in 30 days, less 2j percent. T .STEAM COALS.—^Large, 12s. 6d. to 13s. 6d.; bunkers, 10s. 6d.te 12s. 3d., acconling W quality; small, 68. Od. to 6s. 6d. per ton, delivered f.o.b. Swansea, cash 30 days, lees 2| per cent. BITUMINOUS COALS. Large, 12s. Od. to 13s. 0d.; thro' coals, 9s. to 10s. Od.; small, 7s. 3d. to 8s. 3d. per ton, delivered f.o.b. Swansea; cash 30 days, less 2* per cent. COKE.—Best foundry, zos. to 21s. Od furnace liJs. Od. to 19s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b. Swansea cash 30 days, less 2i per cent. PATENT FUEL.11s- to 128. 3d. IRON ORES.—Prices, las. Od. to 15s. 3d. per ton, ex-ship; cash 3u days, with an additional charge of Is. 6d. per ton for selected '"prrwooi). 19s. Od., 19s. 3d. per ton into trucks; nett, cash 30 days. FOOTBALL. 30days.

FOOTBALL. CARDIFF v. Newport.—These two rivals met at Cardiff on Saturday in the presence of a large number of spectators. The gams was evenly contested from start to finish. In the first half W. E. 0. Williams scored a try for Cardiff, while Weob dropled a goal for Newport. In the second half, Fred. Jones scored a try for Cardiff, who won by 1 goal, 1 try, to I Viropped fo«l «iul 2 minors. IILANKU-y V. LAMPETER.—Played at Lampeter, the visitors winning by » tries and 10 minors to ail. The tries we"e scored by Gitto Griffiths (2), Percy Lloyd, Btephen Thomas, 1'om Morgans, Prosser, VV. Thomas, and ii. EVllu. PKKARTII v. MAINMSE.—the holders of the Monmouth- shire cup (for minor teams) met, and were defeated by Penarth—the Cardiff and District cup-holders—on the SPuiidur*' midden on Saturday, the score being 3 tries, 2 tn i trP The tries were scored for Peiiarth by Brown rnd Wi lia n. sud for Miindee by Badger. v. PONTYMISTER.—Played oil the ground of the latter resulting'm dr*w in f*ro,u' of tlle visitors by 3 minors to4iT„T BuiDGENu.-These clubs met at Bridgend, the visitors winning by a dropped goal to ml. Broskham dropped ^Cardiff 2>cs ^h^KVibeEThumf'rPIaTed at Newport in unfavourable try^ld 4 team won by 2 goals. 2 tries, and 1 wlU^ »hife^Toiibl S% Blgffs *oor*d two tries for Xewpor'' "'n'e ^ould dropped a goal. MANSEL aiiIA s ItAMBLERS.—Played at Swansea. Jt»nsel u l,y 5 goals, 4 tries, and 3 minors to UKAGiiur> S€Iu0^.B2ys' v. MYSYDU JUXIORS.— Raeaed School Bo)s Brigade, 2 goals, 2 tries, 4 minors Tiininr« *2 KILVEY "a rKA.M v- ILLA«E BOYS.—Village Boys, 6 minors; Kiive^mm^ (t MansKI- &ARL.e«ili.MS v. CAKLTOX.—Played at Swansea. Carlton you by 1 try, 4 minors, to nil. UNITED STARS (ITONTAHUULAIS) V. TREBOTH Jlf.VIOBS.— Ptayeti at. Pontamulais, and ended in a victory for the home teain bv 1 goal. ii, tnes- -1 minors. Melyn ROVKZS v PONTARDULAIS 1ST.—A match was played at betweeu the Meliu Rovers (cupholders) and Pontardu ■ s AV., resulting in a decisive victory for the bome team. ochres: Pontardulais, 1 goal, 3 tries, 5 minors; vers, 1 minor. Pontardulais played a 'n splenuid game, and the captain's (Mr. Pitt) .assiduous training is alrelldy producing excellent results. -NOTF, ON THE (jtAME. .(n, « ARQtJS.") K*»«bler8 tried conclusions with the A" teaio ou Saturday, and, of course, were literally sat" upen. The i a smart lot of voung fellows, and they played a.capital game against the «« All Whitas" seconds. The fortvards P •' rare stylo, and the game throughout was very tast. *110Ina« (captain) and W. Tiiomas, as usual. plaVe<i ing game at three-quarter, as did «lso Thorojfoo Fraak Saunders at full-back wag very #a*e' wL niptnf ti ij6 n2 bis side considerably. 3. Davie* was the pick of the Rambler's three-quarters. ^'ieiu.-i'atC'i *Jetween tne Excelsiors and Trinitv on t~s,?0st stubbornly fought, and the wsult hung i" ° the veiT end. At first ii looked as though the ^xceis were g01ng t0 wiu at a canter< for after the kick- off tbev rustled the ball iuto their opponents' territory, and Co°ke £ fh- t,°we«sion r ,n over the line and scored a try rijht Denind the posts, and it was easily converted, lhe Trinity men, urged on bv their captain, the Rev. A. A. ilatliews, now warmed to their work, and hovered about the Excels. i5 m a very dangerous manner. The play of the cup- holders. however, was too good to be broken through, although determined attempts were made. It was wticti the battle was raging furiously in a corner of the Excels'. 25 that the unexpected happeued. A serum was formed, Mathews s rueu broke through, and Arthur Davies smartly picking up, sent the oval Hying over the cross-bar. This piece of play was loudly applauded, and deservedly so, but hardly a voice was heard when Cooke ran his try, a grander bit of work than the drop-goal. Nothing further was scored in the first hill on either side, except that the Excels, had a few miners notched against them. In, the second half the fight was even more hotly contested, now III one part of the field, and now in another. The for- wards on both. sides worked like Trojans, but the Trinity pack wfs the best. Mathews' men were a little heavier, and, more important still, smarter. They followed up well, dribbled in tine style, and tackled very effectively. The Excels., although a jnore experienced let of players, were evidently not in form. T^y extremely well, but were too slow in the open, a'ld f .e<^ combination. The Trinity forwards, whenever tbsy started a rush, supported each other. "If The three-tltlarters on both sides played a good game, but the Excelsiut, quartette was the best. They won the game and saved 't, and playing behind a beaten pack they deserve the credit ot tne victory. Cooke, who scored the try, did a lot of useiui work and saved his side over and over again, either by a timely avid judicious kick, or by his great speed. Jones and .tiri °j^eserve mention, but it would be well if the latter would endeavour to plav more gently, a remark which will 88yeral players, both in the Trinity and the ExcelsIors, Mathews was the mainstay of the Trinity backs, slid he captaiiis his men in excellent style. That he has been very painstaking in training them was apparent on Saturday, !0In ,e Way the forwards obeyed his orders. Dixon played a stenii'e, game, and looked like getting in several times. # The pick of the half-backs were Charlie Allen and David Lloyd, of the Excelsiors. Those two played well together, and \eTeral ugly rushes. Williams, for the Excels., was re le fu'l-back, and so was his confrere. xt''a* said that the best team lost. Now, I do not agree with that. The Excelsior is undoubtedly the liest team when in tora-), but most of the players 911 Saturday were painfully off-colour," while the Trinitarians were in the pl5ti u°ndition. The fact is, that the Excelsiors under- rated the strength of their opponents, and by which they had a very "arrow escape from being knecked out of the round, vv hen in training the Excelsiors would, I believe, van- quish Trinity by a sllbstantial score. To-morrow (Saturday) Swansea will play the first of six matches on her own ground, the visitors to-morrow being Aspull. JNot much is known of the Aspull men, but I have heard that they are a smart lot of fellows, and will take a lo of beating. I hope Captain Bowen and his men have bee training this week, so that they may be able to give a good account of themselves. Every effort should be made to van- quish the visitors, for a defeat at the start would be disas- trous. The supporters of the All Whites" have every con- fidence in their favourites, and seem sanguine of victory. Here's my tip for to-morrow Swansea, 1 goal, 2 tries, and a few minors to a try and a few minors, 1 wouder whethor it will turn out correct, I hope go.

%otzl Intelligence. ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.—Last Thursday evening a social gathering was held to give a hearty welcome home to the Rev. W. E. öbaw. after his recent illness. The meeting was the largest of the kind ever held, and e very- body seemed delighted to have their pastor am jngst-them again, The room was beautifully decorated, and over the platform was a large motto of welcome. Mr. Wallace, in hearty terms, expressed the pleasure the congregation had in seeing Mr. Shaw so far restored to health. Mr. Shaw thanked his people for their warm welcome, and spoke some earnest words about the coming winter's work. The choir discoursed some sacred music durm" the evening, and among other things chanted some Psalms from the Revised Psalter, which it is expected will be introduced immediately into the Church Service. Mr. Broad read a paper on the Psalter and Chanting, which will be found in another part of our columns. The ladies provided tea and coffee, and the meeting altogether was a most hearty and enjoyable one. THE UNIVKESITY COLLEGE OF SOUTH WALES. — An appeal is being made on behalf of the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire to the workmen of the district to es'ablish funds for workmen's scholarships. It will be recollected that in October, 1883, the so-called farthing scheme for providing labour ucholarships was set on foot, but ultimately fell through. The com- mittee, in a popular appeal in leaflet torm, tell the working men that "Money is required njt merely to carry on the college on the present lines; the annual Government grant, together with the interest of money already contributed, almost suffices for this. We require iunds for two objects. First, that we may offer scholar- ships to young men who are comparatively poor. We have m intense desire that the working man's son who possesses talent andability should have thesame Jacilnies for the cultivation of his mind as the child of we-ituy parents. For this he must have not merely tree tuitiou, but pecuniary aid to support, him while at college. To meet this want we contemplate establishing a number of scholarships of £ :j0 and upwards. Next, we are desr-ous of bringing new biauches of knowledge, especially engineering and medicine, within the curriculum of the college. Cardiff, as the centre of a mining a.d manu- ffccturiiig district second in importance to noue in the world, is excellently tituated for both. The Draper's Company has promised x-JOO a year towards the main- tenance of an engineering department, provided that the Welsh people make up the remainder of the sum required. The establishment oi a school of mediciee would save about 100 of our young men annually from the necessity of going to Edinburgh. Glisgow, and other distant places in order to be qualified as physicians and istirgeols. SATURDAY NIGHT'S GOSPEL TEMPERANCE MEKTISG.— The series of weekly temperance meetings, at. the Albert Hall, Swansea, are. owing to some changes that have been made in tbe order of the proceedings, likely to be during the present season, more successful'and more 'popula! than ever. Last winter the atteudance fell off some- what, not from any lack of good speakers, and not for the want of enthusiasm, but for the want of variety. Unless there was an exceptionally able speaker or some specially attractive item, the attendance generally suffered. Speeches enforcing total abstinence, listened to week after week, become monotonous to, and cannot effect any further improvement in, those who are already total abstainers, and such speeches are not likely to bring together those who are more or less hostile or apathetic. The "new departure" that has been made is that only one speech is to be given, at any rate that was so on Saturday night last the rest of the proceedings to consist of vocal selections by the well-traiued choir, and the best and most favourite of our local artistes. Thanks to this arrangement, the proceedings will in future combine all the attractions of the Saturday night popular entertainments, and be in every way calculated to attract those who are not total abstainers now, but who, if they can be placed upon the first rung of the ladder, may be got to climb to the summit- of entire conversion. The tone that characterized Saturday's meeting was very satisfactory and encouraging, and if this tone is main- tained-as we are assured by those in the know that it will be—the meetings in the ensuing season will be crowded, as Saturday's meeting was, and also be productive of good and lasting results. Mr. W. Lloyd presided (in the unavoidable absence of Mr. Councillor Rocke), and opened with a practical and vigorous speech. The choir then sang a hymn, after which Mr. J. D. Thomas gave a tasteful and effective rendering of "Tue Valley," Miss Polly Jenkins following with the song Daddy." Her very clear enunciation and power ot pathos pleased and touched the audience, and "Home, sweet home," sung in response to an encore, afforded much gratification. The next item was the duet— organ and piano—"War March of the Priests." Rev. W. J. Nicholson delivered an address which was loudly applauded. Mr. W. A. Davies ably rendered the song "Alone on the Raft." Miss Polly Jenkins was cheered for her second song Fiddle and I." She appeared again with Mr. W. A. Davies in the duet The Sailor Sighs," which was highly appreciated, the proceedings concluding with the hymn Long in darkness we have waited," and the benediction, pronounced by the chairman. Dr. Horatio Kawlinga presided at the organ; Mr. F. C. Tunbridge was the accompanist. SWANSEA WATCH COMMITTEE.-THE HEAD CONSTABLE'S ANNUAL REPORT.—A meeting of the Swansea Wa'ch Committee was held last week at the Guildhall previous to the meeting of the Council. Mr. H. A. Cnapman occu- pied the chair, and there were present Aldermen Lewis and Tulloch. and Councillors W. H. Edwards and W. Pike. The Head Constable submitted his anuuai report of criminal and miscellaneous statistics for the year ending September last. The same was authorised to be printed and circulated among the meuibsrs of the Council, and the Chairman was instructed to sign a copy thereof, for transmission to the Home Secretary. From the report, it appeared that the total cost of the police establishment, was £ 9,209and of this sum £4,09715, lid. will benllowed by the Government, and the Harbour Trustee* will allow £350. The total number of persons proceeded against was 3,437, of which 980 were by arrest, and 2,571 by summonses, being an increase of 212 compared with last year, the increase consisting chiefly of common assaults, drunkenness, and persons proceded against under local acts and bye-laws, aud for non-payment of poor rates, etc. There were 210 offences reported under the heading of indictable offences, compared with 204 last year, being an increase of six. For these offences 62 persons were arrested, 478 of whom were committed for trial at the assizes and quarter sessions, eight were discharged for want of evidence, and seven for want of prosecution. The number of persons proceeded against summarily was 2.760 in addition to 615 poor rate, Local Board of Health, &c. Of this number 771 were discharged, and 1,987 con- victed. The total number of robberies which came to the notice of the police was 408, and the value reported stolen, k476 12s. 9d., being a decreaae of £96 18s. 7d. in value, and an increase of 17 in number. The number of persons proceeded against for these robberies was 207, compared with 197 last year, The number of persons proceeded against for drunkenness was 568, against 529 last year, or an increase of 39. The Head Constable was pleased to have to report a decrease in the number of persons proceeded against for Sunday drunkenness, being 49 compared with 73 last year, or a decrease of 24. Pro- j ceedings were taken against the occupiers of 39 public and beer-houses, 27 of whom were convicted and of the total number proceeded against, 24 were charged with breaches of the Sunday Closing Act, 15 of whom were convicted and during the same year the occupier of one bogus club was proceeded against and convicted, in addition to 17 other persons found on the premises. The occupier of one private house was proceeded against for selling beer without a license. The report dealt with a variety of other matters of minor importance. SWANSEA TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.-Mr. Lowes presided over a full audience in the Ragged School on Saturday. Electionering speeches occupied the greater portion of the evening, but the following interesting entertainment precededNo Grumbling," creditably given by Miss Reed; solo," Rocked in the Cradle," sweetly delivered by Miss Evans; chorus, Ye faithful Band," sang with precision and expression by the choir; recitation, "Bring Men Up," pro- nounced with clearness, by Miss Jones; chorus, The Social Glass." rendered by the choir with freshness and vigour; solo, "Meet me once again," betokened Mr. John Evans' firm baritone voice to perfection, and, in response to an undeniable encore, he gave Take back the Heart;" solo, Say not so," rendered with purity and in modest style, by Miss Reed. Mr. JohnTrehaxne led the choir; Miss S. A Jones played the musical accompaniments, and Mr. Jones acted as secretary pro tem. The chairman invited all to use their strenuous efforts to ensure the return of the temperance candidates to the Council, as they were pledged to do all in their power to prevent the licensing of fresh pnbhc houses and the renewal of as many as possible of the existing ones. He had been waited upon by an influential depu. tation and asked to stand for a ward, but had not yet made up hismind.—Mr J. M. Mayne, who has decided to contest the St. Helen s Ward, said he started life a poor boy, and by diligence and application had risen to such a position that he could afford a certain portion of his time to represent them in the Council. On these grounds he claimed every working man's vote in his Ward.—Mr. W. Johnson despised those teetotallers who wished the cause God's speed, and yet on grounds of expediency were afraid to come forward and work under its colours. (Hear, hear.) They wanted men in the Council who were honest to their constituents; men who could tell the cost of a yard of macadamised road the cheapest and most effective way to repair their drains when out of order who knew something about shipping; had a knowledge of houses an £ J"??'* addition possessed general business quali o n this respect he had pleasure in recoinmendiiigRIes.ri. Charles Davies and Mayne.—Councillor 1 asked all who believed temperance a p ? 9, Pu^ their hands to the work. The po«tion of » County Coun- cillor was not all beer and skittles for-no matter how pure one's motive was in acting m that Council, some one would be sure to impute evil to it. He had never done anything there to be ashamed of yet; he had been rS? handled, and members who would agree with his riews outside, ^ankeefsav WfU"d out of a spirit, as the Yankees say, 0f pure cussed- ness." (Laughter.) He had never gone there without seeking counsel at the mercy seat for the day, and that was the right way to go into the Council Chamber. (Hear.) In that room was the nucleus of a committee which could sweep Swansea clean in their votes on the election day. He entreated the ladies to visit and solicit their friends' votes, as he believed it was mainly their efforts that secured his re election. (Hear, hear.) Working men electors were amenable to reason and conviction. Therefore, he urged them to study the questions affecting their side, and work with a will. (Applause.) The electrification of wine is likely to be extensively pursued in Italy. Fifty different sorts of wines have already been experimented upon, and the results have been very satisfactory. The wine is clarified, acquires a bouquet," and, it appears, stand* equally well trans- port by land or long journeys by lea, Messrs. Lever Brothers, have been awarded gold medals forSunughtSoapat the Paris Exhibition, and aho at the Ghent Exhibition. The Earl of Leven and Melville died on To-day after- noon, at his seat at Glenfesephail. His lordship, who was in his sixtj. thiid year, sustained serious injurit-s in a carriage accident on Monday, September 16 The funeral is fixed for Thursday. The deceased is succeeded by the Hon. Ivonald Kutbven. LOCAL COMMISSIONS.—The London Gazette on Tuesday night contains the following :-Wa.r Office, October 22. Line Battalions. The South Wales B o, d erers. -Travers Edward Madden (Queen's India cadet) in succession to Li-ut-:nant W. H. W. A. Foster, resigned. SWANSEA HOSPITAL.—Tne secretary of the Swansea Hospital asks us, with best thanks, to acknowledge the receipt of £ 11 1,. Od, being proportion of balauce of an entertainment-given hy the students of the Higher Grade Schools, Trinity-place, Swansea, on behalf of the Laudore Ralief Fund. MR. BURR'S LIBEL ACTION.—At the Central Criminal Court, on Wednesday, Mr. Grain mentioned to the Recorder the case of Sir. L-wis Miles and Mr. Stanley Charles Straker, who were charged with having published In a Croydon newspaper with which they were con- nected, a false and defamatory libel of and concerning fi r" 4"rt^Ur Burr. The learned council stated that the alleged libel was an article extracted from the financial News, reflecting on Mr. Burr in his capacity 's a company promoter. Mr. Burr had commenced an act ion against the Financial Neivs, but the case bad been postponed with a view to having it removed to the Queens Bench. He asked that the same couise should be taken in the Croydon case. The Recorder consented. HARVEST FESTIVAL AT ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, SWANSEA. —Harvest thanksgiving services were held at this church on feunuiy. Die edifice had never before been so well decorated, the ladies of the congregation having bestowed every eaie and ability upon the work. The musical portions of the service w. re extremely well rendered The !Tc Z)euw was Hoiikins s, and the anthem Sydenham's Lord, My Soul Tnirsteth for Thee," Miss Lia Brown taking tne solo. Ax the stfrvici?, th6 duot <rO Lovely Peace," from Judas Maccabeus, 'was effectively given by Miss Phcebe Davies a.,¡d Miss Ida Brown. Mr. Charles Stmdish a^iy presided at tbeorg^n. The pastor. Rev. W. J. Nicholson, occupied the pulpit at both services, and preached eloquent sermons to crowded congregat ons. MINERS' PROVIDENT SOCIETY. — The board of management of the above society has just issued an appeal to the lessors of the district for pecuniary aid to the funds of their institution. At the commencement of the movement it was mentioned that as soon as the society was in operation its claim to financial support would be brought before them, and that they would be asked to co-operate. A few nobly responded to a. previous appeal by contributing handsome sums and with a view of enlisting the sympathy and co-operation of others, a letter, setting forth the claims ot the Society, is about to be sent out. From this it appears that the Society, which was established in 1881, numbers at present 42,011 members and since its commencement there have been 738 deaths, resulting in 367 widows and 711 children being thrown upon the funds, and in addition 55,941 members have been dis- abled by accidents. During the same period the sum of £ 190,116 16s. lid. have been contributed by ordinary members (working men), colliery owners, mineral land- lords, and honorary members. out of which sum pay- ments have been made to the amount of J;126,946 Is. 5d. On the 30th June last, there were 276 widows and 549 children depending upon the fund, and taking the same average of men suffering from disablement as for the year 1888, the amount required per annum to meet claims of widows, children, and disabled men is now about > £ 21.159. The facts and figures set forth in the letter show that the Society is doing good work among the population of the district, and we trust the result of this appeal will be the acquisition of a large number of lessors as honorary members and a largely-increased income from this source. PROVINCIAL COLLEGES, AND THE REPORT OF THE LONDON UNIVERSITY COIlI:MISRION.- A few days ago a conference of the representatives of the Provincial University Colleges of England and Wales, was held in the Mason College, Birmingham, by invitation of the Council and Academic Board, to consider the bearing upon those colleges of the recent report of the Royal Commission appointed to enquire into the proposal for a Teaching University for London, the Commissioners having reported in favour of an extension of the present University of London, so as to include the metropolitan colleges of University and King's, giving to them special and direct representation upon the Senate, and to their students exemptions from certain university exami- nations. The delegates present included Principals i Garnett (Newcastle-upon-Tyne), Clowes (Nottingham), Eeichel (Bangor), Jones (Cardiff), Professors Smithells (Leeds), Carleton Williams (Sheffield), Grey (Bangor), and Snape (Aberstwyth), together with Dr. J. Gibbs Blake, President of the Council; Dr. Heath, Chairman of the Academic Board, and other trustees and pro- fessors of the Mason College, Dr. Heath and Professor Hillhouse (Mason College), being respectively chairman and secretary of the conference. Letters of apology for inability to attend were read from Principals Green- wood of Owens College (who strongly sympathised with the purpose of the conference). Rendle (Liverpool), and Lloyd Morgan (Bristol); and Principal Wace of Kings College. London, attended, by invitation, for the pur- pose of offering any explanation that might be desired as to the attitude of the metropolitan colleges towards the report of the commission. After prolonged dis- cussion, the following resolution was unanimously adoptedThat this meeting, composed of repre- sentatives of the University Colleges at Abervstwith, Bangor, Birmingham, Cardiff. Leeds, Newcastle-on- Tyne, Nottingham, and Sheffield. protests strongly against the adoption of any scheme for remodelling the University of London, which follows the lines of the report of the Royal Commission, on the ground that any such scheme invades the vested rights of the pro- vincial colleges, and, by placing them at a disadvantage as compared with the metropolitan colleges, would, if carried into effect, operate seriously against their future progress and development." By a further resolution, a small committee was appointed to ap- proach the Lord President of the Council, to request him to receive a deputation composed of the repre- sentatives of the Provincial University Colleges, and to communicate his decision to the other colleges con- cerned and, further, in the event of his consent being obtained, to make arrangements for the interview." THE MAYORS AND PROVOSTS AT THE MANSTGX- HousE.-On Tuesday night, at the Mansion-house, the L(\rd Mayor entertained at dinner the Mayors and Pruvosts of the United Kingdom. Amollg those present were Mr. C. T. Ritchie, M.P., Mr. R. Lincoln (the United States Minister), the Lord Mayor of York, Dr. Chautemps (president of the Municipal Council of Paris), the Mayor of Londonderry, the Lord Provost of Dundee, the Provost of Stirling, the Mayor of Cardiff (Alderman D Jones), the Mayor and the Town Clerk of Swansea (Alderman James Jones and John Thofa"), Sir A. K. Rollit, M.P., Alderman Sir W. Lawrence, M. Leo Caabet (Consul-General for France), the Mayors of Manchester. Liverpool, Leeds, and Birmiogh*m, Mr. TVoodall, M,P., Alderman Sir R. Hanson, and Alderman feir J. Sittaker Ellis. The Lord Mayor proposed Continued Success to Local Self-government," coupled vitli the name of Mr. Ritchie. fCbeers.)—Mr. R'tchie, who was cordially received, said that in all his public career he had never proposed anything to Parliament with a clearer conscience than he had proposed the Local Governmeut Bill for Eng and, and after he had sten the Act in operation he was glad to say that he knew of no reason for changing his views. He believed it would have a very great effect in educating the people politically; but the Government admitted that the Act as it stood was incomplete. It had not been possible to do everything at once but he might state that be had in his pigeon-hole at the Local Govern- ment Office the whole scheme complete. (Cheers.)—The Lord Mayor then proposed the toast of The Mayors and Provosts of the United Kingdom. The Lord Mayor of York, the Provost of Stirling, the Mayor of Londonderry, and the Mayor of Cardiff responded.—The Lord Mayor next proposed the health of the President of the Municipal Council ef Paris, Dr. Chautemps.—Dr. Chautemps, who was very cordially received, responded. -The Mayor of Birmingham then proposed The Houses of Parliament," Mr. Woodall, M.P.. responding; and the Mayor of Liverpool proposed The Health of the Corporation of the City of London," Alderman Sir W. Lawrence responding.—Mr. R. Lincoln, the United States Minister, who was received with continued cheering, pro- posed The Health of the Lord Mayor." He said that there was nothing heartier or more sincere than the good relations existing between Great Britain and America. The American people had • great affection for those of the ancient institutions of Great Britain which were constantly doing good. and the Mayoralty of London was one of the most beneficent of these institutions as well as one of the most ancient. The Lord Mayor had national duties, and he was indeed a Crown Miuister without a portfolio—the Minister o[ kindness and hospitality. (Cheers.)—The Lord Mayor having briefly responded, the company separated. PBOFBSSOB STOKES ON THE BIBLE.— Professor Stokes, M.P., President Of the Royal Society, occupied the chair on Monday night at the annual meeting of the Oxford Auxiliary Branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society. He laid that in apprehending what was revealed the heart and conscience must be exercised as well as the understanding, and if their intellectual faculties were finite and imperfect, still more were their moral percep- tions obscured through the influence of sin. They would expect, therefore, the Bible to contain more than any one man could fathom. Thsy would expect that, in the endeavour to interpret it, different persons would not on all points arrive at identical conclusions. Hence the importance of having the written Word by which to teat what they heard from their tsachers. He did not say for a moment that each &man was at once to adopt what struck him as correct, disregarding the opinions of men more learned and it might be better than himself. That would be presumptuous indeed, but neither, on the other hand, might he regard this his teacher, however much and however justly he might esteem him, as infallible, and surrender his private judgment, for the exercise of which he wag responsible. Such a coorse would tend to the stereotyping of error, and not only so, hut to the formation of pai ty divisions. A striking testimony to the work of the society was the way in which Christians of different denominations were drawn together in hearty co-operation in that spiritual work. On some points they must, he supposed, for the present agree to differ, though he could not help thinking that their differences would become smaller and smaller if they thought more of the great points on which they agreed, and less of those of comparatively minor importance on which they differed, if they were less inclined to pry into and dogmatize concerning mysteries, if they were more tolerant of differences of opinions. SXAMMKBERS AND BTUTTJtltER8 should read a book bv a gentleman who cured himself, after suffering nearly forty years. Post free for 13 stamps from Mr. B: Seasely, Sherwood, Willesden-lane, Brondeebury, London, and Brampton Park Huntingdon, [6481