Volume Two - The Era of Optimism, Investment & Development - Developments at the turn of the 20th century . . .

The likely outcome of the inquiry before Sir George Doughty's Committee at the House of Commons was published in an edition of the Cardiff Times [019] [361] on the 28th August 1909: 'Our London Stock Exchange representative says:- Intense excitement characterised the dealings in Welsh lines after the announcement that the Taff-Bute-Fusion Bill was doomed. Both Rhymney and Taff Stocks fell very heavily, whilst Barry issues made a big jump forward.'

Later that same day the Evening Express [135] [361] headlines stated:

1908 - Blow for Cardiff - Taff-Fusion Bill - Rejected by Commons Committee - A Big Surprise - Keen Disappointment - 'The proceedings in the Taff-Bute fusion Bill were resumed today before Sir George Doughty's Committee of the House of Commons. . . . The Chairman said that the Committee had considered the Bill very anxiously, and had come to the conclusion that, so far as the fusion clauses were concerned, the preamble was not proved.' - Evening Express [135] [361] 26th August 1909.

The article continued at some length to say that at the docks, the commercial men were disappointed with the outcome but in the Rhondda, there were mixed feelings regarding the rejection of the Bill. I suggest that on that day, the sales of Brains and Hancocks beers etc. were increased significantly by those in celebratory mood and those muttering and mumbling in the corners of the numerous public bars and working mens clubs of South Wales, whilst drowning their sorrows!

1910 - According to the Board of Trade Returns (1910) for the ports of Cardiff (including Barry and Penarth) and Newport, some 22,000 ships with a total tonnage of 13,248,000, were entered and a like number cleared. [1187] [499]