... READINGS.—The sixth meeting of these entertain- ments took place at the National Schoolroom, on Thursday evening, the 11th inst., Mr. H. Morgan in the chair. The programme opened with a harp solo by Mr. J. Evans in capital style. This was followed by a song by Mr. W. Collier; Mr. T. Watkins gave a reading, after which the Treberbert brass band played a march. Miss Banting played a pianoforte ...

... A FORTUNATE RECOVERY.—About six months ago Mr. C. Newcome, a young artist of Liverpool, while crossing the mountains at Capel Carig, having lost his purse containing twenty sovereigns, made fruitless efforts to trace it. A few days ago, however, he received a letter from Bettws-y-Coed, requesting his attendance there, and upon his presenting himself there he was agreeably surprised to find ...

... OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. Both Houses of Parliament met at two o'clock on Tuesday for the despatch of business. The opening of the first ses- sion of the present Parliament formally took place, indeed, in December last, but the meeting on Tuesday may be re- garded, practically and substantially, as the commencement af the session. Although it was generally known that the Queen would not come in ...

... PENNY READINGS.—Another of these instructing amusements took place at the chapel school-room, this week: Mr. Hopkins, of Llandaff, occupied the chair. After a few remarks by the chairman, the programme was opened by Miss Jemima Thomas, playing a solo on the piano, then followed a reading, Mr. D. Williams song, Mr. Vaughan Johns; reading, Master Beer; song, Mr. Evans; reading, Mr. Roberstone; ...

... THE LATE MR. ERNEST JONES.—The committee for obtaining subscriptions in aid of the widow and children of the late Mr. Ernest Jones, after making careful inquiuies in to the circumstances of the case, have decided that it is necessary to raise a sum of f5,000, and at the first meeting the sum of B200 was subscribed. All persons favour- able to the above object are desired to remit their ...

... CONTEMPORARY OPINIONS. THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TELEGRAPHS. The Times, in asking what action is to be taken with respect to the new Telegraph Act of last session, observes that, without attempting to distribute the blame of the failure, we may simply say that hitherto our telegraph system has failed to become what it ought to be. It does not give us cheap, popular, and available means of com- ...

... BOARD OF HEALTH.—The meetings of this Board— i. e. the rivers Rhondda and Taff—have been very fre- quent, and the result most beneficial to the health of the town. GAs.-The ratepayers at a public meeting held on Tuesday evening agreed that the chairman. Dr. Hunter, should sign on their behalf the contract. for the public lighting for the next three years, at the same price per lamp as hitherto ...

... GAS.—Moat of the shops and public houses in this place are now lighted with gas. It is of good quality and gives a very bright light. We understand that the price per 1,000 feet is Us., which, considering the great outlay of capital, is reasonably cheap. But we hope the returns will enable the company in time to reduce it to 4s. Gd., which is the maximum price in other places. The waterworks ...

... The annual report of the proceedings of this important association during the year 18G8 has been issued. Unfor- tunately, the council have to regret that in the year there is an excess of expenditure over income of £1,972 6s. Id., the total income from all sources having been £20,364 16s. 9d., and the total expenditure £22.337 2s. lOd. The total expenditure is slightly in excess of 1867, but ...

... The judgment of Baron Martin upon the petition pre- sented against the Right Hon. W. E. Forster was received with immense enthusiasm in Bradford. Mr. Forster was present while judgment was being delivered, and he appeared greatly moved by the remarks of the judge. A number of friends heartily shook hands with him and congratulated him on the unsuccessful result of the petition. Outside a great ...

... GENERAL NEWS. The funeral of Miss Nelly Moore took place at Brompton Cemetery on Monday morning. The Irish Times says it has been definitely arranged that the Prince and Princess of Wales will visit Ireland during the ensuing spring. A penny Conservative weekly newspaper, to be called the Britannia, is to be published every Wednesday on and after February 24. A statement which appears in one ...

... The further. examination of the prisoner William Sheward, charged on his own confession with the murder of his wife, Martha Sheward, at Norwich, in June 1851, was proceeded with on Monday at Norwich, before the Mayor (Mr. E. K. Harvey) and other magistrates. John Bird deposed: I live in Park-lane, Heigham, and am a corn merchant and commission agent. In 1851 I went to live in St. George's ...