Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1889-03-27 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

OLD SONG.  The decision of the Town Council at their meeting on Monday with reference to the sewer in Millands-road is a wise one. There seems to be a difference of opinion as to the size of the pipes. No one doubts the experience of Mr. Cribb, but I am of opinion that the surveyor is right, as the smaller the pipe the greater the flushing power. I will wait for the opinion of a greater authority in the person of Mr. Waring, borough engineer, Cardiff. If the surveyor should be wrong, Mr. Cribb will have been amply justified in his protest that the council should not spend something like £250.  The Press at Swansea are allowed to attend all Council meeting's, and also all meetings of the Watch Committee. The Aberavon Town Council has now decided to admit the Press to all committee meetings. I should like to see the Neath Town Council follow this example, as I think it is only fair that the ratepayers should really know what is going on, instead of waiting, as they have to do now, for a month or so. I trust one of the councillors will take this question up.  On the Ist of April, by the provisions of the Local Government Act, nearly 250 turnpike gates will be thrown open and become free from toll on the South Wales roads. The length of highways thus to be dis-turnpiked 1.3 P. 86 miles. This willow doubt, prove a great boon to many, as we are well blesaed with them in Neath and district. Looking over some old papers I have , in my possession, I found the following, printed lon a quarto-sized bill, which, no doubt, will prove interesting to some of my readers :-" Whereas some evil-disposed person or persons did, on Sunday night last, the 22nd inst., unhinge and carry away one of the Neath west turnpike gates, and threw it into the river, and was found the following morning near Melincrythan Pill, a reward of ten guineas will be given for the discovery of the offender or offenders by applying to James Fear, at the Neath West Turnpike Gate aforesaid.—NeathWest Turnpike Gate, Oct. 26th, 1815."  The Femi-final for the Ntab, Challenge Cup, between the Morriston Harlequins and the Melyn Rovers, was a splendid displayof football, one of the best and fastest games played on the Neath Football Ground this season.  There was great difference of opinion as to which team would come off victors. Theffurloquins were certainly the favourites at the start, and for the first 15 minutes of the game, during which time they pressed the Melyn boys very , hard. Tommy Griffiths at last came to the roe-1 cue, and made a grand run, but a bit of bad passing on the part of the Rovers placed their line again in danger. The Harlequins got a free kick in the Melyn twenty-five, and it looked a sure goal, but again Griffiths saved. The game now continued of a give-andtake character until, by a combined effort, the Melyn boys made a splendid rush down to the Harlequins twenty-five, and J. E. Jones scored a try, which Walter Evans converted.  From this point, the Flarlequins were forced to act on the defensive, the tackling and rushing of the Rovers being perfect. It would be invidious to select anyone individually, as they all worked hard.  Walter Evans was a strong acquisition to the Melyn forwards. Pegge, Ilugla Evan', and Anthony were never in better fettle. J. Williams, as half-hack, was also in good form, but the old favourite, Watt Thomas, seemed a little off colour. He was suffering from the effects of a kick on the leg.  Of the three-quarters, Diamond was the hero of the day, making some magnificent runs. G. Trick, J. Williams, and Griffiths also did splendid service, and the full-back, L. Morris, could not be found fault with.  I must admit that the Melyn team had hard work all through, as the Harlequins played a moat stubborn, straightforward game. Harris made the best run for them, and D. John deserved the try he obtained.  At the call of time the score stood: 2 goals 6 tries to I try, leaving the Rovers victors by 14 points to 2.  Mr. Gladstone goes to Hollis Hill on Friday, and will remain there till Sunday night, when he proceeds to Scotland to attend the funeral of his late brother. A labourer named Harvey has committed suicide at Cookstown by eating the heads of lucifer matches.  Wfhe appointment of Captain Seagrave to the Irish magistracy took place during Sir Michael Hicks-Beach's tenure of Chief Secretaryship. He stood first in the list for promotion which was left at the Irish Office by the Liberal Government. '-1-7  The Marquis of Salisbury, replying to a resolution recently adopted by the Dungannon Orangemen, approving of Colonel Saunderson's line of action, should the Government of Ireland be handed over to the Nationalist Party, Raym the realisation of these apprehensions would imply so complete an abandonment of the Loyalists oCCTlster by the people of treat Britain that he is unwilling to regard such an event except as a remote possibility.  The interest taken by the French public in M. Antoine's return has by no means abates!. The tremendous ovation which he received on his arrival in Paris has produced a great impression. M. Antoine says that the Polish members of the Reichstag alone were on cordial term, with him, and a friend (one of the Pole.) ivmarked to him as he was leaving Berlin, • • Our two parties oppose the Government. but you do go with hope, while we starve." The Socialist deputies were the only others with whom he could have any relations, and even they were not particularly friendly. M. Antoine's intercourse with his other colleagues was confined to a stiff bow.  "