Barry Dock News

BARRY DOCK AND RAILWAYS COMPANY. HALF-YEARLY MEETING AT CARDIFF. GRATIFYING TRIBUTES TO THE MEMORY OF THE LATE DEPUTY- CHAIRMAN. ,7- PROSPEROUS CONDITION OF THE COM. A PANY. THE SHIPMENTS AT THE DOCK WILL REACH FIVE MILLION TONS ANNUALLY. [BT OUX OWN MPOMBR.] The twelfth half-yearly meeting of the share- holders of the Barry Dock and Railways Company was held on Friday afternoon last, at the Park Hotel, CardifT, when there were presentLord Windsor (chairman of directors, presiding), Edward Davies (managing director), Messrs A. Hood, John Cory, T. R. Thompson, J. H. Insole, Louis Gaeret, and E. H. Watts (directors), Messrs. Robert Forrest and T. Webb (new directors), Mr J. J. Handcock (Messrs Downing and Handcock, molicitors to the company), Mr Richard Evans (general manager), Capt R. Davies (dockmaster), and Mr W. Mein (assistant secretary.) The following shareholders were also in attendance :—Alderman W. Jenkins, Messrs F. J. Bevan, Llewellyn Wood, D. A. Thomas, M.P., W. Jonee (Uandough). J. B. Ferrier, W. Henry, H. Jeffreys, E. H. Davies (Pentre), H. Edwards (Crumlin), T, Evans (Treorky), C.H. Jamos(Merthyr), Edmund Williams (Tonypandy), E. T. Lyddon, Bees Jones (Ocean Coal Company), E. A. F; T. Demattos, Clifford Cory, Edward Jones (Llandinam), R. Phillips, H. W. Travis, G. O. Chitham, J. C. Jones, J. W. Courtis, W. Bradley (solicitor), C. W. Christy, F. S. Thomas, J. G. James, R. Duncan (Glamorgan Coal Com- pany), J. P. Davies, L. Whitwam, A. Foa, Alexander Duncan, T. R. Morgan, John Duncan, DavidDuncan.tc. The minutes of the previous meeting were read by the assistant secretary, approved unanimously, and signed by the noble chairman. THE LATH- MR DAVID DAVIES. Lord Windsor said:—Gentlemen, in rising to move the adoption of this report which has been Eut before you* there is one subject which I should ke to put before you, as I am perfectly con- vinced everyone in this room will be willing to do, to pass a resolution with regard to it. Since we last metoere at a half-yearly meeting of the com- Kny we have suffered a most severe loss that will fresh in the minds of all of you. I allude to the death of our late deputy-chairman, Mr David Davies. It is difficult for me adequately to express the feelings thatrl have with regard to the great loss- which we have sustained. Mr Davies, ia the commencement of this undertaking —in the germ of its existence—was the guiding spirit, thamost resolute supporter, and also the most confident always in the success of the com- pany. We are all of us most happy to think that he lived to see the great result of his labours, and he lived to see this company working, an accom- plished fact, and beginning its existence with very great hopes of success. But we shall never fail to fftet deeply the loeawe, have sustained, to feel the loes of his excellent sound judgment, and of the advice that we always so much relied upon. I cannot leave out the personal feelings that one has on such an occasion, and I know I am express- ing the feeling of all those who have known him. personally, that, at the same time the company has lost such valuable support, personally we have lost a staunch friend, a colleague that the directors had the utmost confidence in, and in every sense of the word we feel the loss of a' Welsh gentleman. I shall ask you to pass this! resolution— That this meeting hears with sincere regret of the death df our late deputy-chairman, Mr David Davies, and expresses ita deepest sympathy with Mrs Davies and the family in their sad bereavement; and to place on record the irreparable loss the company has sustained. (Hear, hear.) There is one other point I should like to mention to you before this resolution is put. The directors have felt very deeply that it would probably meet the views of the shareholders if ther company, as a company, erected some memorial to the late deputy chairman—(hear, j hear)-and I beg to put also as a resolution to to this meeting—• That it is hereby resolved that a manifestation of their feeling be exhibited by the erection of a suitable bronze statue at Barry. (Applause.) I would also suggest, on behalf of the directors, who have already considered this matter, that the statue be erected by the Barry Dock and Railways Company. I beg to move the first resolution. Mr Archibald Hood My lord and gentlemen, -In rising to second the adoption of this report, coupled with what I consider a most important resolution, I feel overpowered with the difficulty I have in expressing my own feelings upon the subject, and I am sure I cannot sufficiently express the feelings of not only the directors of this company, but of all the shareholders of the company. (Hear, hear.) If I fail to express the feelings which I wish to express set it down, please, to my inability to do so. I feel that we, the Barry Dock Company, have lost our right arm. I cannot dilate upon the great abilities, and the constant attention which Mr Davies gave to the affairs of the Barry Dock. I just fear that he has devoted too much of his time for the purpose of securing that success which I am now happy to say has been achieved. I find we have reached the point which he sometimes said we would be able to reach, namely, that of paying 10 per cent. I had the good fortune to be associated with him very closely in the proceedings which initiated the Barry Dock, and although, as he often said, he was at first a little disinclined to join us, having regard to the immense opposition that we might meet with, never, having once joined us, did he show the slightest hesitation, and having put his hand to the plough, turn back. (Applause.) I do not wish to detract from the merits and zeal of the other directors in the least, but I will say this for Mr Davies that he was in a position, and had the will, to do more for the Barry Dock than any of the rest of us. He supplied what the rest of us were either unable or unwilling to supply- he supplied the capital, which was not only beneficial to us by itself, but which afforded immense encouragement to others to join us. At one time our shares were below par, but his resolute support of the concern was the means of raising the Barry Dock in the estimation of every- one. Now, in regard to this proposed monument to his memory, there are various ways in which the money could be obtained to erect it. Ten times the amount required could be obtained, but I think it would be a most beneficial tribute to his memory for the Barry Dock Company iteelf, without any extraneous aid, to erect this monu- ment, and have it there for all time overlooking the entrance of the dock. (Applause.) I don't think I can say any more in support of this reso- lution. I am sure it will command the support of everyone here. (Hear, hear.) Mr Davies possessed a kind heart and a willing hand. He was ever ready to support our arms and encourage our hearts. Never man was animated more with the sentiment of doing good to every human creature. I would say this, there was not a man in his employment but had the same opportunity of raising himself to the same poirit that Mr Davies raised himself to. He commenced with small beginnings—perhaps denying himself a pint of beer and a pipe or something like that—which enabled him to form the neucleus of a great fortune, which I am glad to say he spent and used in the most creditable way possible. I ask you to very cordially support the resolution now before you. (Applause.^ The resolution was then put to the meeting by Lord Windsor, and carried unanimously. Mr Edward Davies, son of the deceased gentle- man, who was manifestly affected by the touching tributes bestowed upon the memory of his lamented father, in acknowledging the vote, said —I beg to thank you, my lord ana gentlemen, for your kind sympathy. IMPORTANT ADDRESS BY THE CHAIRMAN. Lord Windsor I will now say a few words in moving the adoption of the report, which is already before you. It will not be possible for me to say very much, because the report really touches upon the chief questions that ha^e occupied the company during the last half-year. These questions only require the briefest .comment from me. You will observe, by studying the accounts, that the earnings of the half-year have been quite sufficient to justify the demand of a proposed dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum. The estimated expenditure for the ensuing half- year exceeds the capital available at the end of the half-year, but, as indicated in the report, further capital. and more than sufficient to meet the expenditure, is provided by the Companies Act of this session, which received the Royal assent on the 4th of July last. Early in the report you will notice that Mr Edward Davies has accepted the post of managing director of the company, and the directors have every confidence that this appointment will prove of advantage to the company, and that he will exercise the important duties of this poat with the ability thac he possesses. It was naturally an important thing thatyourdirectors should appoint a managing director. Although the greatest attention has always been paid to the smallest detail and all that is going on between the times that meetings of directors or committee meetings take place, still when the company was fully formed it was felt that & managing director alone could give that attention to details that it was absolutely necessary for us to have, and, as I say, they, are confident that in Mr Edward Davies the company will be admirably served. (Hear, hear.) I will draw your attention to the shipments for the half-year, which amount to 1,567,592 tons, which is more than the rate of 3,000,000 tons per annum, which was the utmost that was set forth in Parliament by our most sanguine expectations. And. with re- gard to that and the shipments, there are two new fixed tips on the mole nearly ready, and two movable tips—one on the north and the other on the south side—are in course of actual construc- tion, and it is hoped they may be at work before the end of the year. This will bring up the total of the tips altogether serviceable to the number of 21, and as we have been able to ship at the rate of over 3,000,000 tons per annum with An average of twelve tips, when we get this full num- ber of 21 at work we may confidently hope to ship at least 5,000,000 tons per annum. I need only for one moment draw your attention to the terms payable to the Taff Vale Company in respect of the Hafod traffic, which haa been decided by the Railway Commissioners. It sets forth in the re- port a claim of the Taff Vale Railway, amounting to3,625ths of Id per ton in all traffic. One penny and one-fifth per ton was allowed, and the direc- tors always felt that they were justified in believ- ing that it would not be fair to pay more than a very small proportion of the demands made by the Taff Vale Company, and I can only express my satisfaction that on the award of the Commis- sioners they were not wrong in their assumption. Respecting that bonus which it- payable to the Taff Vale Company on the traffic at Hafod, the accounts for the half-year have been charged with that liability. I think there is only one other point that I need draw your attention to in the report. Together with the fixed tips and two movable tips, the question of a graving dock is mentioned, and I may state that tenders have been received, and probably in a day or two will be accepted, for executing this important work. No time will be lost in its completion. It has been felt that we ought to have a second graving dock. The subject has been engaging our. atten- tion for some time past, and it ip, therefore, with satisfaction that tenders for it have already been received. Before moving the adoption of the re- port I should like to mention that owing to the less the company has received the post of deputy chairman is to be filled up, and I am very pleased ;to take this opportunity of saying that Mr Archi- bald Hood has accepted the post. (Applause.) I am quite sure that he holds the confidence of every one in this room, and of every shareholder, just as much as I can confidently say that he has the con- fidence of every director on the board. Per- sonally, I am extremely glad to say that it is with the greatest confidence and pleasure that I feel he is occupying already that post which personally relieves me of considerable anxiety, as chairman of the company. I should like also to mention that the directors have appointed two new mem- bers on the board. Mr Webb has been elected a member of the board in the place of the late deputy-chairman, and Mr Forrest in the place of Mr Perks, who resigned. I beg to move the adop- tion of the report. Mr Archibald Hood, in seconding, said he thought it would save the time of the meeting if, instead of "his attemping to elucidate what the chairman had so well said, some of the shareholders would express an opinion or ask for any information. As no shareholder seemed inclined to ask a question, the report was formally put and carried unanimously. A DIVIDEND OF 10 PER CENT. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr John Cory, it was resolved that a dividend be declared at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum on ordinary stocks, and on the amount called up in respect of the £10 ordinary shares, payable on the 22nd instant. CONVERSION OF NEW STOCK. It was also resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. E. H. Watts, that the .£10 5 per cent preference shares created under the Barry Dock Act, 1888, shall be converted or consolidated into 5 per cent. preference stock, and divided amongst the holders of those shares according to their respective interests therein. THK REMUNERATION OF THE AUDITORS. The Chairman said that the remuneration of the two auditors of the company was fixed at 30 guineas per annum, but now the work had greatly increased, and he proposed that the remuneration be increased to 50 guineas per annum. Mr. Jeffries seconded, and it was agreed to. A VOTE OF THANKS TO THE CHAIRMAN. On the motion of Mr. A. Hood, seconded by Mr. J. Cory, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman. The Noble Chairman responded as follows :— I thank you very much for this vote of thanks to me. I hope the tiihe I do give to the service of the company is given, as I assure you it is given, with the greatest possible pleasure and interest in the concern. During the last few weeks we have had some serious questions before us, and all that I can say with regard to that is this—that it is with the greatest satisfaction that your directors meet you this afternoon, feeling that a settlement has been arrived at. (Hear, hear.) In the unfor- tunate dispute which was in your hands, and in the hands of others, to settle to the best of their ability, I hope that you feel equal satisfaction at the result of yesterday evening's meeting. (Hear, hear.) SIMILAR COMPLIMENT TO THE DIRECTORS. Mr Llewellyn Wood said he hardly thought the shareholders would be content to go away without passing another resolution which would express the confidence of the shareholders, not only in his lordship, but in the entire board. (Applause.) He did not propose to make any speech, but if he were capable of making an eloquent speech it would not be nearly so eloquent as the report before them. (Hear, hear.) He thought that report deserved a cordial expression of satisfaction with the conduct of this company by the board. The expression of satisfaction should cover not only the financial operations of the company and the conduct of its practical affairs, but the con- duct of the recent unfortunate dispute, which they were all very gratified to know was settled. (Applause.) They did know-they did not want to know any more than this-that their directors, notwithstanding all past animosities, were prepared to throw in their lot with the other companies affected, and had brought the dispute to a sensible and satisfactory conclusion. (Ap- plause. ) In conclusion, he moved a vote of thanks to the directors. Mr J. B. Ferrier seconded. In doing so he said the directors were the servants of the company, and it was the duty of masters who appreciated the services rendered by their servants to increase their wages. He thought the shareholders ought to increase the wages of the directors. (Laughter, and hear, hear.) The motion having been carried, Mr T. R. Thompson said he had been deputed by Lord Windsor to reply. With reference to their conduct during the past week, he would not attempt to say anything which might go forth to the world, and that would in any way jpterfere with or ruffle the happy settlenignt- which they had arrived at, notwithstanding the large amount of misrepresentation which took place. Through- out the whole of this unfortunate business the directors were careful not to issue sparkling and vile manifestoes, and they strove to avoid doing anything which could ruffle the temper of the men. Their conduct in this respect had been greatly misconstrued, and many people outside had come to hasty and prompt conclusions as to what turn the strike ought to have taken and what the directors ought to have done. They sat on many occasions for hours together, and he was very much startled to find people putting him right in two minutes on points which they had taken seven or eight hours to discuss. He thought a very wise and happy settlement had been arrived at. There was doubt that in some quarters the men had not been treated too well; but so far as the Barry Company was concerned there had not been a single complaint from any one of their employees since the company had been in existence as to the treatment they had received from the highest to the lowest of their officials, and the Barry men might rely upon receiving fair play at the hands of the directors. (Hear, hear.) There were those who thought they had now finished with strikes, but he was sorry to say he did not share that view. How. ever, the shareholders might rely on the directors, should any such emergency arise, doing all they could to protect the interests of the company, and meet the difficulty in the best spirit they could. He thanked them for their kind expressions. (Applause.) This concluded the meeting.

THE LATE MR DAVID DAVIES, LLANDINAM. BEFITTING TRIBUTE BY WELSH CAL- VINISTIC METHODISTS. At the quarterly meetings of the Smith Wales and Monmouthshire Calvinistic Methodist Associ- ation, held at, Tregaron, on Thursday week last, the Rev Alderman Aaron Davies, Pontlottyn, presiding, the Rev J. Cynddylan Jones, D.D., by special request made feeling references to the loss sustained by the death of Mr David Davies, Llan- dinam. The deceased, Mr Jones went on to say, was an example of the verse, The hand of the diligent maketh rich," but what was special to him was that he was about the first in Wales to give embodiment to the idea of the uconsecration, of wealth "—its consecration to the services of religion. Besides, he was a total abstainer from the beginning of life to the close, and if the rich men of Wales imitated him in this, instead ofaell- ing their estates, they, like him, would be able to buy estates. But the chief feature on which they ought to dwell as a religious body was the religi- ousness ef his character. He was essentially a good man, walking humbly with his God, and showing.benevolence to men, and weeks before his end came he was resigned to the Divine will, having released his hold on this world, and, strange to say, his conversation at the last was chiefly in the Welsh language, Welsh verses, and Welsh hymns, showing that the first instincts of the spiritual man were rising above aU his surround*- ings and speaking the languaga, by .which.he probably found everlasting life. He (the speaker) would propose that a vote of condolence be passed with Mrs Davies and the family in their bereave- ment.—The Rev Thomas Rees (Merthyr) seconded the vote, which was unanimously agreed to. At the quarterly meeting of the Montgomery- shire County Council, held on Friday last, the chairman (Mr Humphreys-Owen, president of the North Wales Liberal Federation) referred to the death of Mr David Davies, late member for Cardigan. They all respected an d were proud of him as a Montgomeryshire man bred and born, who, by his great abilities, un- varying kindness, and sterling integrity, had won < the esteem and admiration of all who knew him. It was a great thing to see a man from the humblest classes raising himself by his own un- aided qualities to so high a position. They could not hope to have many such men, but he hoped that Montgomeryshire and Wales would, not be wanting in men of the same capacity, the same integrity, the same love for their country. He moved that the Council expressed its regret at the loss which it had sustained, and that this ex- pression of regret should be forwarded to the family.—Mr John Jenkins, Llanidloes (vice-chair- man), seconded the motion as an intimfate friend of Mr Davies, and referred to the great mineral discoveries made in South Wales by Mr Davies.— The motion was supported by Mr H. Howell (a shareholder of the Barry Company), and carried unanimously.

ROBBERY OF FOWLS AND APPLES AT LLANDOUGH. THE OFFENDER JUSTLY PUNISHED. At Penarth Police Court, on Monday last (before Mr. James Ware, in the chair, and Col. Gutherie), Frederick Jones, a farm labourer, was charged, under arrest, with stealing fowls and apples belonging to his employer (Mr. Evan Rees, farmer, Llandough), on the 14th instant. P.C. Charles Gregory (74), a member of the Cardiff Borough Police Force, said he was on duty near the Custom House Bridge, Cardiff, about half-past one o'clock on the morning of the 14th inst., when he saw the prisoner coming from the direction of Grangetown. He had a bag on his shoulder. The conatSble questioned the man as to what he had in the bag, and he said clothes. Gregory proceeded to search the bag, and took out a quilt. The accused then dropped the bag and ran away. The constable went in pursuit, and caught him, and at the bottom of the bag he found seven fowls, which were quite warm, having just been killed. In prisoner's pockets he found a quantity of apples. Jones was consequently de- tained in custody. Eliza White said she was in service with Mr. Evan Rees, Llandough. The quilt produced belonged to her master. It bad been lent to the prisoner about a fortnight ago in order to lie on in an outhouse on the farm. The fowls produced were also her master's. They were missed on the 14th instant. Inspector King stated that when charged at Cardiff Police Station, prisoner admitted the offence. P.C. Charles H. Morgan said the apples produced were similar to those he had picked up under the tree from which the stolen apples had been taken. Mr. Evan Rees gave evidence to show that prisoner had been in his employ as labourer. He missed a number of fowls from his farm similar to those produced, which he valued at 16s. Prisoner had no questions to ask, and pleaded guilty to the charge. Mr. Ware said the case was a very bad one, and the Bench sent Jones to prison for two months with hard labour, without the option of a fine.

========== GRANT TO BARRY WELSH CALVIN-, ISTIC METHODIST CHURCH. At the quarterly meeting of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, held on Thursday week last, at Tregaron, a grant was voted from the funds of the Home Mission Society towards the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church at East Barry, to commence from January next.

INSPECTOR G. W. SMITH. IMPORTANT APPOINTMENT FOR A FORMER RESIDENT OF C ADOXTON-BARRY, We learn with pleasure that Mr G. W. Smith, late of Cadoxton.Barry, (whose portrait we give as above), and who has for some time been engaged as Inspector of Works upon the Cplesberg-BIoem- fontein line, has j\ist been appointed Government Inspector of Bridges, &c., in the Free State. We believe that his firifet work is to superintend the building of the Jammerbergsdrift bridge. We wish him success.

BARRY RAILWAY PORTERS AND THEIR WAGES. FAVOURABLE INTERVIEW WITH THE! GENERAL MANAGER. On Monday afternoon last Mr Edward Harford had an interview at the General Offices, Barry Dock, with Mr R. Evans, the general manager, respecting the conditions of labour at present exis,tingon the line with respect to the Sunday duty of the porters. The number of men required to work on the Barry Railway is very small, but hitherto there has been no recognition of the fact that they are entitled to extra remunera- tion for such service. Mr Evans, we are given to understand, received the suggestions of Mr Har- ford on this point very favourably, and intimated hit intention of further inquiring into the subject with a view to increasing the wages of those porters who make a week of seven days. So satisfactory a result of the interview may be taken as another proof of the advantage of the representatives of the men conferring directly with the masters on all questions of labour and wages.

A GOOD STORY OF AN ARABIAN LAWYER. When I was. in Arabia," said Alexander Kbnta, whose home is under his hat," I'was told, a story which illustrates the resources of the Arabian lawyer, and which may offer somesugges- tion to the members of the legal profession in this country. An English merchant, staying at an inn in one of the smaller towns, placed on deposit with the landlord JB500. He neglected to take a receipt for the money, and when a few weeks' later, having been on a short journey, he had occasion to ask for it, the landlord opehed his eyes with well-feigned astonishment and pretended to have forgotten the transaction. The Englishman was naturally enraged, but he had no proof or no witness, and in his extremity he sought the advice of a native lawyer. The wise man of the east re- flected a moment, and then gravely said: 'Entrust another JB500 to the keeping of the landlord, but, be sure you have a witness on hand.' The Englishman was puzzled to know how this would help him, but he did as he was directed. Now,' said the lawyer the next day, go and claim the money, but don't take your witness with you.' This was done, and the innkeeper, ill-pre- pared to practice the same deceit the second time, handed over the notes. The traveller once more sought his legal advisor, who said to him, It is well. Approaah your host again, accompanied by your witness, and demand your money.' The Englishman followed his instructions. But I gave you your money,' protested his host. Come, now,' replied the merchant, 'here is a man who was present at the time. He will tell you he was not a witness of what you claim. He saw me hand you the money. Be quick, please I must leave the city.' The landlord was outwitted. He saw the trap, but it was too late, and without more ado he made good the sum."

SERIOUS ILLNESS OF THE REV. GLANFFRWD THOMAS. 7- That brilliant and popular Welsh poet, the Rev. Glanffrwd Thomas, whose dangerous illness has caused so much regret throughout the Principality, is now stated on medical authority to be in a hope- less condition. Even if he survives for a few years longer, he will be quite incapable of ever taking up the pen again or entering the pulpit. His mental and physical energies are hopelessly shattered, and partial paralysis has set in. This is all the more sad when it is remembered that he has a wife and children who must suffer sorely from his unfitness to pursue his ordinary vocations.

MR. BEN TILLETT AT EAST BARRY TO-MORROW (SATURDAY). At the weekly meeting of the members of the Barry Branch of the Railway Servants' Associa- tion, held at the Barry Hotel, on Saturday even- ing last, it was announced that Mr Ben Tillett had consented to attend a demonstration of railway men at East Barry to-morrow (Saturday) after- noon, and will deliver an address. A series of sports will also be held on the occasion.

r RHOOSE. A MOBSTER MUSHROOM.—On Monday last a mushroom was picfted up in a field near Rhoose by the Rev Joseph Ellis, Cadoxton-Barry. The mushroom was about 9in. in diameter and 2ft, 32in. in circumference. f

*THE BARRY AND BRISTOL CHANNEL STEAM PACKET CARRYING COMPANY. In our last issue we announced the registration of the Barry and Bristol Channel Steam Packet Carrying Company, Limited. This company, as will be seen by our advertising columns this week, has been formed for the purpose of carrying goods and merchandise from the Bristol Channel ports (including Bristol, Cardiff* Newport, Bridg. water, &c.,) to and from Brrry Dock by sea. The company will have a capital of JB5,000, in £ 1 shares, and the subscription list closes on Tuesday next. It is anticipated ,by the directors, who are all business men of Barry and Cardiff, that a very profitable business will be done in carrying from the several ports of the Channel the great and varied stock of materials required in ever-in- creasing districts l'ke Barry, Cadoxtoh, and Barry Dock. The company will at first charter steamers, but at an early date, as the trade develops, they intend to purchase or build others specially adapted for work of the kind, and suit- able for carrying passengers. Provisional arrangements have been made for erecting a suit- able warehouse at Barry Dock for the reception of general goods, and application has been made to the Board of Trade for power to erect a wharf and landing stage at Barry in such a position as will save a large sum each year in dock and wharfage dues. It is stated that the company has already had promises of extensive support from mercantile firms, and it is intended to add to the undertaking the business of coal, hay, corn, and straw merchants. We, therefore, invite our speculative readers to secure a sub- stantial interest) in this promising concern at once, because applications have already been received for a large proportion of the shares.

FUNERAL OF THE REV. CHARLES WILLIAMS, PENARTH. 'The remains of the late Rev. Charles Williams, Wesleyan minister, Penarth, (whose death was recorded in the last issue of the Barry Dock Nttcs), were interred in St. Augustine's Churchyard, Penarth, on Wednesday after- noon, the 13th inst., at three o'clock. There was a large attendance of ministers of various de- nominations and friends. Among them we noticed the Revs. T. B. Butcher, J. Aitkins, J. Pellow, D. Young,S. Dunman, — Hain, and Oswald Parry (Cadoxton and Barry), and Messrs. D. Sanders, J.P. (Mayor of Cardiff), J. Merrils, J. Heme, J. T. Hutch ins, J. Nord, — Dutton, F. Nichols, G. Pile, H. Wallis, H. Frazer, 8. S. Sillifant, J. Hol- man, J. Llewellyn, Mayne, J. Wallis, R. H. Strong, J. N. Strong, F. Hayter, E. Wood, J. J. Cook, C. Scott (Bridgend), and many others. A short service N88 conducted among the friends assembled at the house by the Rev. T. B.Butcher, who was in the Cardiff circuit when the deceased first came to reside in it, 22 years ago. The funeral cortege proceeded to the Arcot-street Wesleyan Chapel, where a short service was held and the first part of the burial service read. An address was delivered by the Rev. D. Young, who said deceased was born in 1806, at Chichester, and became a member of the society on the 9th of June, 1823, at the age of sixteen years. From childhood he felt that God had something for him to do, and he filled the office of Sunday School teacher and tract distributor, and a year after he accompanied his superintendent to a country village, where he preached for the first time. He was proposed as a candidate at the Portsmouth District meeting in 1827, and entered upon his first circuit in Jersey in 1828, and from that time till 1868, when he became a supernumerary, he passed through all the vicissitudes of an early Methodist preacher's life. He entered the ministry at 22 years of age, and laboured 40 years, and for 22 years further in connection with the Loudoun- aquMe Circuit. Having been in the ministry 62 years, he had only three seniors and two contem- poraries. An attack of rheumatic gout in July last laid him aside completely, and on the 29th of July he had a seizure, during which the heart's action almost stopped. From that time his mind ceased to be clear. On Friday last he was again suddenly taken ill, and eventually passed away.—The party left the chapel for the churchyard, where the burial service was concluded by the Revs. D. Young, J. Pellow, and G. Aitkins. The funeral I arrangements were carried out by Mr. J. J. Hooper, Windsor-road, Penarth.

THE RECENT STRIKE. ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING AT EAST BARRY. On Saturday afternoon last a meeting of railway- men was held at the Barry Hotel, East Barry, when an address on the subject of trades unionism was delivered by Mr. E. Harford, the general secretary of the Amalgamated Society. Mr. Fisher occupied the chair. The position of affairs with regard to the signalmen having been explained, the men were invited to attend the meeting on the following day at Pontypridd. A formal vote of thanks to Mr. Harford for his valu- able services in connection with the recent strike was carried unanimously.

A LATE BARRY DIRECTOR ON "CHURCH UNION." Mr Robert W. Perks, the Liberal candidate for the Louth division of L incolnshire, and till recencly a director of the Barry Dock and Railways Company, opening a Wesleyan bazaar at Donning- ton-on-Bain, Lincolnshire, on Thursday week last, spoke at some length upon the relation of Non- conformists, especially Methodism, to the Church of England in rural districts; He expressed his pleasure that the recent Wesleyan Conference at Bristol had displayed a greatly increased interest on the part of laymen in the proceedings of that religious body, and declared that, as they had shown by their vote to admit the public press to the proceedings of the conference next year at Nottingham, the action of the Methodist laity in shaping the policy of the connexion on public and social questions would be marked by a liber- ality of spirit, a breadth of view, and knowledge of the requirements of the people which would hardly be attained by a purely ecclesiastical assembly. (Hear, hear.) Referring to the answer which the conference had sent to the Archbishop of Canter- bury on the subject of Church Union, Mr Perks said that practical men must see that any such discussion as Dr Benson suggested could lead to no result. (Hear. hear.) The bishop and clergy of the Establishment looked upon themselves as the apostolic successors of the early Church, while modern Methodists, like their founder, rejected this strange theory as an idle and pretentious dream. (Hear, hear.) Nor were the relations of Nonconformists and the Church in the villages of England sufficiently fraternal to lead anyone to think that the decisions of the bishops and a select body of Nonconformist clergy on any such questions would be accepted by their respective followers. An eminent Wesleyan minister had recently circulated all over the country a pamphlet called "The Cry of the Villages A Call to the Nonconformist Churches of Great Britain," which endeavoured to show that there was an organised attempt being made by the Established Church to stamp out Nonconformity in rural England. Now he (the speaker) did not agree with this notion, and he felt perfectly persuaded the attempt, if made, could not succeed. (Hear, hear.) What, however, Nonconformists did need, and what they must urgently and constantly demand, was a fare and legitimate share in the management of village elementary Church schools, where at present the children of Nonconformists formed sp large a pro- portion, and frequently, indeed, the majority of the scholars. At Sunk Island, a Wesleyan school- master had just been turned out of the elementary school, which was practically under the control and management of the Woods and Forests Com- missioners, and was on Crown property, simply because he could not teach the children, who were largely Methodists, the Church catechism and initiate them into all the mysterious observances of the saints' day of the Church calendar. Here and there no doubt they met with some eccentric anachronism among the Church clergy, who believed, as the bishops did in the last century, that Methodism was a very horrid thing, for he had, for example, a letter from a Lincolnshire farmer complaining that the vicar had come into his house during a Methodist revival in the village, and after telling him that a revival was something akin to St. Vitus's or St. Anthony's dance, had proceeded to caper round the room to show how men acted when they were convicted of sin." (Laughter.) This man reminded him (the speaker) of an eloquent clergyman whom he heard many years ago preach at Winchelsea, in Sussex, who said that if he saw thp devil running across his churchyard with a Methodist on his back he would not call Stop thief," because he should con- sider he had got his own property. (Laughter.) Happily these quser geniuses were rare in the Church, and indeed in the world nowadays. (Hear, hear.) Methodists were still the friends of all and the enemies of none, but they must be let alone to do their work in rural England in their own way. (Applause.)

COWBRIDGE AND ABERTHAW RAILWAY. The report and statement of accounts of the Cowbridge and Aberthaw Railway Company for the half year ended June 30th have just been issued. The report is merely a statement that satisfactory progress is being made with the construction of the railway." The line will be a little more than six miles in length, and the amount of capital authorised is JE90,000 in shares, and £30,000 in loans. Of the total capital £ 65,000 has been created, in respect of which £ 13,000 has been received, tfce remainder ( £ 52,000) not having yet been called. It is esti- mated that the further expenditure on capital account during the current half-year will amount to 230,000.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT PENARTH. On Friday evening last, about 9.30, a man named David Williams, employed on the swings connected with the "roundabout" now at Penarth, was struck on the left side of his head by one of the swings, receiving a violent blow. He was at once conveyed to his lodgings at No. 63, Salop- street, in an unconscious state, accompanied by Dr. Aitken, who had been immediately sent for, and fortunately, was enabled to attend to the sufferer at once. The doctor stated that the injury was a serious one, and it was difficult for him then to state whether the man would survive.

LICENSING OFFENCES AT EASTBROOK. SUNDAY DRINKING PROSECUTIONS. At Penarth Police Court, On Monday last (before Mr James Ware, in the chair, and Colonel Guthrie), Thomas Hennesey, a farm labourer, was charged, with being found on licensed pre- mises during prohibitedliours on Sunday, the 3rd instant. Mr A. W. Morris, solicitor, Penarth, appeared for the defendant. P.C. Phillips (274), stationed at Dinas Powis, said on Sunday, the 3rd instant, he was on duty at Eastbrook. At half-past four he visited the: licensed premises known as the Swan Inn. On entering the bar he found Hennesey standing near the counter with a pint of beer before him. Witness asked him how he could account for his presence there that afternoon. Defendant replied that he slept in Cardiff the previous night, and had only just returned, and called at the Swan Inn for a pint of beer. Witness asked defendant at what time did he start from Cardiff on Satur- day evening, and he replied seven o'clock, where- upon witness observed that he was telling an untruth, arid asked him if he remembered speak- ing to him at ten o'clock on Saturday night. De- fendant replied no. Defendant, who lived within 500 yards from the inn, also denied that he had his meals at the farm house where he was em. ployed every S'Unday. Witness went to the farm house, however, to make enquiries, and found that he had had his breakfast and dinner there on this particular Sunday. Mr Morris stated that inasmuch as defendant did not accompany witness to the farmhouse he must object to this portion of the evidence, where- upon Mr Superintendent Wake applied for a re- mand, as this evidence was of a most important character, showing that defendant had been in the neighbourhood of Eastbrook all day. Mr Morris persisted in the objection, stating he could grove that the witness slept in Millicent-street, ardiff, on Saturday night, and he had only just walked back when found by the constable at the public house. Superintendent Wake maintained that it did not matter whether defendant slept at Cardiff on Saturday night or not. The constable could prove that he liad had his breakfast and dinner at. the farm-house that day, and being within 500 yards of home he had no right to go to the public house for drink on Sunday. In these circumstances, the Bench decided to grant an ad- journment for a fortnight. Chafles Redwood was then charged with the same offence at the same time and place. Mr A. W. Morris, again defended. P.C. Phillips gave evidence to show that he saw the defendant coming out of the Swan Inn at about half-past four on Sunday afternoon, the 3rd instant, and "on being interrogated defendant said he was a servant in the employ of Mr Lowrie, the landlord of the inn. The constable deemed the explanation unsatisfactory, and took the man back to the house in order to make enquiries. They went into the bar, where he saw the barmaid and the defendant in the last case. Lowrie was up- stairs at the time, and having beeir called by the constable, defendant said, For goodness sake tell him to come quick, for I have been here half- an-hour already waiting for him." Witness added that Redwood further told him he had been doing some work for Mr Lowrie in the morning, and he Bad now come to be paid. Lowrie then came downstairs and ordered Redwood into a back room. Mr Morris (for the defence) said defendant went to the Swan Inn for the purpose of driving Mrs Lowrie to Cadoxton to see her sister, adding that defendant was frequently employed by Mr Lowrie. The Bench gave defendant the benefit of 11 doubt, and decided to dismiss the case. William Henry Lowrie was then charged with selling beer to Thomas Hennesey, the defendant in the first cam, daring prohibited hoars on Sun- day, the 3rd ibstant. Mr A. W. Morris again appeared for the defence, but the evidence was J* not gone into, the Bench being of opinion thai' the first case should be decided before the sum- mons against the landlord could be heard. The case consequently, stands adjourned for a fort- night.