The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

ABERYSTWYTH. WATCHSKIHT.—On Saturday night a watchnight was held at the English Wesleyan Chapel in this town, when a large number of people assembled, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. Prayers were offered by the Rev. David Thomas, minister, who alsc preached au ex- cellent sermon.. Narrow ESCAPE.—On Saturday morning last Evan Rees and the mate of the Honora were leaving that vessel in a small boat during a heavy sea, and the boat was capsized. Several persons hurried to give assistance, and both men managed to reach the shore. The Honora had been stranded, but has since been got off without sustain- lllg much injury. DISSOLVING VIEWS. — On Tuesday evening, at the Tem- perance Hall, Mr TolinEllis3, our talented townsman, gave a treat to the children, who assembled in large numbers to see the pictures exhibited. The Rev. J. Williams, in his Usual humorous manner, explained the views. The pro- ceedings throughout were very satisfactory. IHE SEVERE WEATHER AND THE WORKING People. vnvrng to the very severe frost which has prevailed during the past three weeks, a great number of working men are kept out of work. Nearly all the mines in Cardiganshire, where thousands of people are usually employed, are at a standstill. Many masons and plasterers are preventefl from working at Aberystwyth, and a continuance of hard "weather will tell very hardly not only oil working people, but on shopkeepers. WINE Tn THE Peen. vV e understand that Messrs R. Watson and Co., of London, wine merchants, vho have lately taken to the business earned on l this town by the late Mr Joseph Downie, have kindly ordered Mr Richard Hughes, the managerof their Wine stores, to distribute amongst the deserving poor of Aberystwyth and neighbourhood a number of bottles of L por'- "ine. YFF, MEETINGS.—In pursuance of a recommendation a by the Evangelical Alliance, the various denomina- tv. in this town have held prayer meetings in their re- spective places of worship every evening dttfcng the week. Vn former occasions the dissenting denominations used to nx upon one day on which they all joined to have meet- ings helu during the day. Owing to some reasons they have not so joined this year. A IjElT. RE.—On Tuesd ay evening, a lecture was de- lIvered at the Enqlish Wesleyan Chapel in this town, by the Pev. David Thomas, minister, on "Japan, and the Japanese," There was a very good attendance considering the severity of the weather. The reverend gentleman treated his subject with considerable skill and eloquence, and the company were excc-edi-ngly pi-sased. The proceeds are to be applied towards liquidating the debt existing UpD the new English Wvjfileyan Chapel. Ti:E SNOW.—On Monday there was a heavy fall of snow here, several inches in thickness, and between seven and (iht o'clock at night a number of the town folks •gathered together on the Marina-terrace, and had an ex- citing game of snow-balling. A regular pitched battle ^sued; the young sailors t«6k up their position as the ■t rench, and the drapers and grocers' assistants and others as tiie Prussians. After f. severe struggle, which re gle. whi li r UlttKi m the breaking or peveral windows, and sundry' ard knocks to the combai'nnts, the French were routed, j. they were, as usual, out-numbered, and they fled ho if,11 irections, to the amusement of the supposed Prussians. MEETrs«, Tuesday. — Present: Mr nai les Hackney, in the chair Messrs .John Jones, (?feat ~ar,vgate-street ? Peter Jones, and Thomas Bubb. Owing tiie day being observed in the town as a holiday, all the snops and public offices were chased, which accounts for the Unite: 1 attendance. The oni v business transacted was the Passing of several bills due from the Commissioners Curing P fortnight. After the lulls bad been examined and ertified the treasurer was ordered to pay the same, amounting to £ 311-fe. Cd. A conversation took place con- eruiny the financial state of the Hoard, and the amount of ^ages paid to the Town Surveyor, as well as to those Deploy"d )jy him. It was thought that the expenditure as rather heavy, ar-d it would be desirable to take some sf-M in tue matter. HOSPITALITY.—It appears that on Friday before Christ- mas the large number of workmen employed at the new mansion no in course of erection for Mr Lewis Pugh ■ru"h, at Abermade, formed themselves into a grand choir at che building, and sang some beautiful carols with much skill and effect, in the evenin of the same day they were all entertained 'fey'Mr Pugh with his usual liberality at a splendid Envpper, at which several songs were very ably sung-, and pome patriotic w-re given and-responded to. is gratifying to learn that Mrs Lewis Pugh has puiehased a large number of inteiesting and useful books to distribute among the workmen engaged at the mansion, so as to render them able to amuse themselves while spending their Isng winder evenings at their lodgings.— he other day Mr He?irv H. Taylor gave a dinner to -'out fifty workmen (win. aiv engaged in creeling the new lancet by the Prince Albert 1 nn, and some cf whom were then in improving the house taken by Mr Taylor i fi 1 -harme-terrace) at thp Talbot Hotel. After the ? "ad'been removed, the health of the giver was drunk T T ^Ieat enthusiasm, and speeches were delivered by Mr • Griffiths. Mr 11. William*, and others. •PETT S" SESSIONS, WEDNESDAY.—Before the Mayor, and Griffith Thomas, Esq. th IV '7 &e<X" without a Lircnre.— Mr Ifenry Morgan, of "W- PenParhau Road, was summoned by Mr 0, ,™ckoi supervisor of excise, for selling beer with- adrr-P" taken out a proper bcetice.-—Tiie defendant ikted-the oftence, and was lined i'12Kfc., with a recom- e"dation to have it reduced to £ 1. Jitcpinp without Lirencc*.—Evan Morris, of Tre- .raST gatherer, was summoned for keeping three n'lout having taking out a license. The defendant j) 3i.arge. and was fined £ 1 5s.—Win. Joseph ofrf> Cnpnla House, was also summoned for the same te'.naViaS kept two dogs without a licence. Mr fine i;*0? Proved the charge. The defendant was the «s.»-vath an earnest recommendation to mitigate v.4w *'i -i °"a ac°ount of the severe illness of defendant, for some time. H,J' Y'il'"Mr John Jones, cooper, Trefechan, sum- Jiis p -,van ^orris, rag gatherer, who occupied one of a notie!^fetwi^ec'larl' r ref«s"ig to quit, having had defen,l"-rf) b served upon him.— Complainant said the « +Va3 Weekl>' tenant, and proved the service of fendaiit'tn I" C'MT vpon him.—The Bench ordered the de- to fa AfeUt, » warrant

ARERAYRON. URvjf"! F TT^vcit « toeetiii'- to-v".»>'C* J1 un!1ortanfc well attended sider the bn«f Ce !,wn ILdl, last Friday, to con- tion for the ° ^PPlving church accommoda- Season The*v;^° n ;m'-h "sitor.s durii■ g the summer lapidated 6 chair' and referred to the To^-n Hall. Resolutions app«>vTn!j of to, were mevtttU £ £ ? £ M n ^:r"nnT' ^'Ctl,r °f Neath- Gwynne Mr Mad-ay, Mr J. N. Evan-<, Mr Selby, Mr Joyne,' and Vncf!?' fln- iC r,\Vdl° c!,>('f tlle meeting upwards of £ 700 Mr r «'-nnS meeting was very enthusiastic, and buihlW and th^fS +T r,'a,lme.ss t0 the present A lar '<' ^enpror to the committee ot the new church, int,: c^iairtt L? W-ls fomie!h and.a small work- Hame,i v,il vicar as chairman, was also

Act'at wesSl~^eiTift'W ,>"r?°ns ar" awara that as the enforced a-iinst 1'«'nalty of five pounds can be after £ tTUiysMrt''m. adog for a single day expire the w' '"iut aA "cence. Ihe licences a licence hal 1 A eCf'H) .Als(>' if a for which person^ "ahen o„t he g,ven or sold to another ges ow'iv-r n ri'i) r,|"lre<1 each time the dog chan- ^mber^ni.^ S, 'VT can hielude it in Hie ig that a fww + V R<" s" prevailing supposition .Protects fw fe "v'fc !vt ,an.y time dni-ing the vear rigoronsKr \e ^n:l t- ,)ufc the excise officers have been l'V0„ T f'K01n% the penalty in all cases where the oe nab not been kept in force from the besrir.nin«->- of j onr. ° tan-GES tr-THE Hou.ss OF COMMONS IN- 1870.—Durin" ?h ls just c,"sed the House of Com- mons has lost-eleven memivrs through death, all of whom Kp^ast^V.s'' thy number was the same,.iii the Proportion of seven Liber-d, to four Conservatives. The repre.entatives^f the people who have been thus removed pA8'? 'Tr of a-^e Hon. F. H. F. Jerkekv, Mr Ku-k, Mr Corbally, 73; Mr &tr- don Kebow, 71 Mr \Vvkeham Martin, 69; Mr vdement, G.); Serge an- Ki e.d^ke. 65 • Ajr n. xr \r00-rP 5!); Sir J. SimeoK, 55^ and Mr E. Den,30 LIFEBOAT SEBT-kes.- hieswyjee* rendered todistreseed vessels and crews, either iR-hnymg to Wales or suffering «!}the Welsh coast, durin- tiu: ^arl870, are considerably! A he following list .ot vess- Is -J^Sted and lives saved by his noble insUtution appeals more <jloquently than words 'ft,o Welshmen for su]v;>>rt -Schooner Or»nant, of Carnar- A -irigantine Fhn. of Suarisea; sehooner Scotia, of f 31 (saved ve<s;'l :-u t hree of the crew); schooner "?jev- Carnarvon fs.iwl Abe. iovey Barge ,save 1 ve.-sel); brigant-i' V iia Ann, of Swansea (saved •»ve,s scho.mer Berth, .b-. -f Carnarvon (saved three); *n^k Transit, of Car.li- v<-d two}; smack Hopewell, V ■~a?Iaouth (assisted t" vessel and crew, two); pdot- ^her, of Cardiif (>• ) f 4^Ai>avICKSSHlRE (hiAiiif<>F AGEIOIILTUKE ON LocAli "Kr_ A<*J "7" A well -a -:tei i! 'iieetiu r of i'ke Council of the Sh'-re'w 'lire Chaml,er < Agriculture was held at the J/s Warwick, on S.-t:wlav mornin-r. to consider taxJ: 1X5 ■'vere nec('ss'r t.. Siring the subject of local on Pifcaainently b f. e che Court of Quarter Sessions axnon^f+i :y' Sir R- Hamilton, Tiart.. pressed, and H. Present were Vessrs i. Moore, li. Wise, J. discuss^iV^fT'' ,T- Palmer. After some h\* tho loeonri-ia-l w*s ad >uted, and signed Justices heh slf of the Chamber To the "^arwicl-1 Ses^iouK wmbW for the county of C'hanjYle.h«mble niemorial of the Warwickshire said rr0V!i-ni'H s i<.>-veth that the member oi the «oine .1 ier> x^e'*u~i "iroHLdy the urgent necessity of •a8sessmJwt10n ^A'I'n^nt of the present mode .of r<il»re ]-r,A' al.1 indiitin- the Government to contribute n7%d< «'hieh are levied xmdev rPecl-rullv h«L to 1") «<?Uai!ter St-ssions, would re- c'ai,t to tiu. PVtCa 'tion of your honourable ^onld xn^T" im'•'?*%<* of this subject, and the Court, as the rating 'nt0 this question Presenter! Iv^c 4'V'' x> 1 "memorial will be sident of fv Court oy Sir Robert <Jamilton the nre- ti'Jn from Chamber. Tliere will also be a similar peti- folV^e b,)<Vv of therntepayers, with the addition • Ser^e that thi'" Your nienionalists would greased by P^?Se ;>nrdcn.s have of late years been vastly for militia sKv nuw "hjeGt«-R»ch as police, build- thev 0011 t^i' lunatic asyl«H>s, etc., «tc., which at\ for f-lui ],eii,.f;f are f"r t!l'' common weal, rather Gjunity,»-t of one particnlar class of the com i 1

"CARDIGAN"QUARTER SESSIONS. I The January Sessions were opened at the Court-house, Aberayron, on Tuesday. There were presentMr C. M Griffith, Llwynderris (chairman); Colonel Lewes, Llanlear; Mr T. J. Hughes, Castell-dil; Air L. P. Ptlgh, Abermade; Mr J. Boultbee, Plas-y-gwernant; Captain Vaughan, Brynog; Major Lloyd Philip (is, Mahws; Mr C. E. Longcroft, Llanina; Air J. G. P. Hughes, Alltlwycl; and Captain Jordan, Pigeonsford. THE COUNTY GAOL. The first business of the court was to lake into con- sideration a presentment made at the last sessions by the Visiting Justices, that it is necessary that two large doors be erected in the south-western boundary wall of the county gaol at Cardigan. Mr' BOULTBEE explained the necessity which there was for the doors, and moved that they be provided, at a cost not exceeding R30. Major PHILIPPS seconded the motion, which was earned. APPLICATION FROM THE GAOLER. The Governor of the Counts7 Prison, Mr Elliott, having applied that he be paid 12s. per week, in lieu of rations to himself and wife, the court proceeded to discuss the mat- ter. Eventually, Mr BOULTBEE said the Visiting Justices had considered the matter carefully, and they strongly recommended that the governor's application be acceded to. He begged to move that the governor of the county gaol at Cardigan be paid 12s. per week in lieu of rations to himself and Wife. Major PHILIPPS seconded the motion. Carried. M"ve PAYMENT Of MAGISTRATES' CLERKS BY SALARY INSTEAD OF FEES. It will be in the remembrance of our rcadets that the question of the desirability of paying magistrates clerks by salary instead of fees as at present, has occupied the attention of a (oixmittee of magistrates for some time. It will also be recollected that at the last sessions a report from the committee was read, but not discussed, Colonel Lewes wishing that it might be printed ana circulated, s as to be taken into consideration at these sessions. Air PUGH, who acted as chairman of the committee, mcved the adoption of the report. The CHAIRMAN said he thought Ml Pi-igh could not propose that resolution. The one that stood 01# paper in'his name was—" That it be rccommen of her Majesty's principal Secretaries of Sta paper be taken after the other one had been passed, ana then' the report could be discussed, The CHAIRMAN said he was ^nte m the hands of the court, and it was for them tc decide what course should ^AfS^a'short discussion, the court decided that Mr P-di must adhere to the »ction on the notice paper. Mr Pnrw siid the matter-tow stood in this way. Aj !■ ferat the committee, with great trouble and great pams an. I considerable inquiry, arnveu^ certain conclu.Y'H s. wI thev embodied in a report, which he presented at the last sessions. If bis memory did not fail him, he moved that it should he adopted, and then Colonel Lewes proposed, M an amendment, that the consideration of the subject snoula J3 adjourned, and that, in accordance with the st&noirig orders of the court, the report should be printed. ims had been done, and he 'thought it due to the committee that there should be an expression on the report, naa f:dled to obtain an expression, and lie felt that feis on y alternative was to withdraw his motion. The CHAIRMAN said his opinion was that it woUd be utterly impossible that the motion, as it stood on the agenda paper, should be disposed of without discnssin-, report. He hoped Mr Pugh would reconsider his deter- mination to withdraw the motion. v Colonel LEWEE said that, as his name had boen men- tioned in connection with this matter, lie could only again, as he had before, assure Mr Pugh and the court that when he asked that the report should be printed according to the rules of the court, he did not do so from any adv eise spin to it. He was sorry Mr Pugh had withdrawn it, because he thought it was a pity. Mr PUGH persisted in letting the matter drop, and the next business <w as taken. APPOINTMENTS. The retiring'members of the Visiting Committee of the gaol were re-appointed.. It is usual at this sessions to appoint members of the Visiting Committee of the Joint Counties Asylum, and the court named the Dean of St. David's, Captain oJ ordan, Mr Harford, and Mr Tyler. THE LUNATIC ASYLUM. The anpusl report of the Visiting Committee was then read to the -court. It stated that the committee caused advertisements to be inserted in several and pro- vincial newspapers, inviting tenders for the erection of the retiring win^s. Nine tenders were sent in, arid they accepted that of Messrs Barnsley and Son, who laad c.vecuted a con- tract for thedue performance of the work. The contractors had already c ommenced the work, and had made consider- able progress ithey had "been paid a small sum on account of this contract, and as they would soon be entitled to further cerftrlcates for considerable amounts, the committee requested that each court will instruct its treasurer, im- mediately on being applied to, to forward to the treasurer of the asylum the amount of calls made upon tliein for the purpose of 'meeting the certificates, the contract stipu- lating that the works shall be completed by the 29th day of September, 1871. The farm buildings were nearly com- pleted, and the committee had purchased nine cows for the use of the asylum, whereby they anticipated a considerable saving would be effected in the annual expenditure of the establishment. The number of patients in the asylum was 247—120 males and 127 females. The Itev. J, Marsden had been appointed chaplain, at a_s3.iarv of £ lo0 per annum, vice the Ven. Archdeacon Williams resigned. The weekly charge for the maintenance of the patients had been redccsd from lls. Id. to 9s. lid. per head, and the committee hoped to make a still further reduction during the ensning year. The annual statement of the receipts and expenditure, &c., with the usual tables, would be pre- pared and published before the 1st of March next. The committee complained that some Boards of Guardians had not been punctual in their payments, much to the annoyance and inconvenience of the committee and their officers. A MATTER OF ROUTINE. The CHAIRMAN said all were aware that it was the cus- tom to read the statement of accounts in open court to- ;3, wards the end of the business, when there were few magis- trates present. Now it would be much better, as it appeared to him, if the finence committee would kindly j undertake to audit the accounts. fie had taken the trouble to inquire, and found tho. Ike system he pro- posed was carried out in a large LJ: !ounty, and he hoped this court would adopt it. After some little discussion, the chairman's suggestion was ordered to be carried out. 0:> r THE GAOL. The OtiiiiniAN said the court would remember that at the last sessions a letter was read from the Home-office, threatening, owing to the condition of the county gaol, to discontinue the Government grant towards the mainte- nance 01 -piisoners. They would recslicct that when the letter was read, it caused some little astonishment, be- Cause the I-lome-ofrice had previously granted a, request th nothing should be done towards erecting a new gaol until the judicature committee had reported, and until it was knewn whether a consolidation of Cardiganshire with other Welsh counties was to take place. At the request of the court, he (the chairman) wrote a letter to the Home-office, reminding the Home Secetary of these facts, and, in reply, he had received a communication, dated October 2Sth, 1870, stating that under all the circum- stance of the case the Parliamentary grant for the main- tenance of prisoners will be continued tc the county of Cardigan." MAGISTRATES' CI.KRKS' PEES AND THE POLICE. The Chair, AN said the court would recollect the magis- trates' clerk for the borough of Cardigan laying claim° to certain fees for summonses taken out by the county police. The court refused to entertain the claim, and since then Mr Mitchell had summoned the-chief constable in the county-court. Captain Freeman (the chief onstable) did him the honour to consult him on the .subject, and al- though it was h:s opinion that, strictly according to law, Mr Mitchell was entitled to the money, he (the chairman) thought it right, as Captain Freeman was a public officer, to advise him to employ a solicitor. This was done, and their friend Mr Fitzwilliams, acting as deputy for the judge, heard the case, and after great deliberation, gave it against the pcliee. This being so, he (the chairman) supposed the court would have no hesitation in allowing the amount of the lees and the chief constable's expenses. Then came another and a more serious question. It was true the court had no control over Mr Mitchell, but he (the chairman) thought they should send a communication to the Mayor of Cardigan stating that it was \e-ry preju- dicial to the interests-of the police that such an occurrence should have taken place. Mr BOULTBEE thouglrt the ourt could not eKpress too strong an opinion on sucJs conduct. The court ordered that the money should be refunded -to the chief constable. NOTICE OF MOTION. Colonel LEWES gave notice that at the next sessions he should introduce the subject of the incidence of loe&ltaxa- tien, and ask the court to iign a petition to Parliament 011 thn subject. V aiious reports were then read and adopted.

Me-. it res has capitulated to the Germans. The Echo understands that the chief inspector of fac- tories ha* made a report containing a reference to viola- tions oi tvie^Factory Act in the Government establishments at Woolwicn. The baroue volima, Matthews, was driven ashore in Dundrum Bay in a strong easterly gale 011 Sunday, and is likely to be a wreck. A telegram states she is breaking up. She has a valuable general cargo, despatched on the 29th of December by Messrs Ismay, Imrie, and Co. The Colima is a barque of 227 tons, built at Workington in 1859, and is owned by Messrs Fell and Co., of Work- A section of electors at Greenwich is circulating am0n,Tst the constituency a memorial couched in some- what extravagant language, calling upon Mr Gladstone to resign his seat for that borough. 'oe right hon. gentle- Win's policy, both domestic and fora?1"' 1S pronounced uv satisfactory, and he is reminded that si,ee hig re. tuir- in December, 1S(J8, he h&s neither united Greenwich, nor it-tended to its interests. woman named Edith Lace, who lived alone at Lean, in "Stafi u'dshire, having failed to open her house at the n- il the neighbours broke 111 and found that she l ad been literally burnt in two. From the knees to above the waint was reduced to ashes. The feet and a portion of the leva vere uninjured, and comparatively so was the S-fc of the body to near the elbows It is supposed tlatsl/hx! :/eon smoking till she fell asleep as her pipe wS fouW in' i'h" fender, and then to have fallen into the fire. V

MERIONETHSHIRE QUARTER SESSIONS. The Hilary Quarter Sessiom were held at the County Hall, Dolgelley, on Tuesday (yesterday), for the trans- action of business relating to the county rate or stock, the police rate, and other business. There were present-—R. Meredvth Richards, Esq. (chairman), R. J. Ll. Price, Esq., Colonel Bunbury, Lieutenant-Colonel Tottenham, Charles Edwards, Esq., J. Jones, Esq. (Ynysfawr), H. Robertson, Esq., H. J. Reveley, Esq., J. E. Parry, Esq., John Vaughan, Esq., Chas. Jones, Esq., C, F. Thruston, Esq., Captain Taylor, John Jones, Esq. (Vrondderw), Lewis W illiams, Esq., Dr Richards, the Rev. John Jones. Barmouth; Mr Edward Breese, clerk of the peace; Mr H. H. Ll. Clough, chief constable. The minutes of the previous session were read and confirmed. NEW MAGISTRATE. The Hon. Charles H. Wynn, of Rhug, qualified as a magistrate for the county of Merioneth. THE DOLGELLEY GREEN. The CLERK of the PEACE then read the following letter upon the question of Dolgelley Green :— Temp'e, Dec. 2S, 18/0. My Dear Sir,—I received your letter enclosing a copy of a letter from the chairman of our Quarter Sessions, on the sub- iect of the Dolgelley Green. The resolution was drawn up in the words of the minute entered in your b 10k, and passed with- out ejection by the magistrates then present. I therefore con- sider that you, as clerk of the peace, have no power to alter it, anil I, as the mover, have no power to authcSriae you to do so; but, at the same time, I, as an individual magistrate, should be glad to comply with the chairman's request, and if the magis- trates assembled at the next Quarter Sessions should think fit to authorize you to enter the memorial of the Green trustees in full, by Wity of recital ill th;) miuute, I see no objection tn that being done, and if yiresont at the next sessions, I would support a motion to th&t effect. That course mi jht probably meet tho approbation of your chairman and other trustees of the Green, whilst, at the sa.ms time, it will not prevent the magistrates' interference in the dispute about the Green. I remain, my dear sir, yours most obediently, E. Breese, fisq. UORGAN LLOYD. It was unanimously resolved that the minute be altered by Mr Morgan Lloyd's request, in the full words of the memorial. THE PROPOSED REMOVAL OF SUPT. HUGHES FROM BALA TO TOWYN. Mr THRUSTON, one of the committee appointed for the purpose, said he had visited the new lock-up at lowyn, and that it was now fit for occupation:; the only work re- qniring to be done being a little painting. The question to be eonsidered was as to what arrangement could be in Hide with Mr Hughes, the free occupancy of the lock-up being considered equivalent to an increase of salary to the amount of £ 15 a year. The question was fully discussed. The CHIEF CONSTABLE handed:in a report showing the order of the Secretary of State upon the maximum and minimum pay of the police; and stated that Mr Hughes, as Superintendent, was now receiving a lower salary than would be sanctioned by the Secretary of State. In reply to a question, The CHIEF CONSTABLE said that the report made no mention of an officer being, allowed the free tenancy of a house. After a great deal of conversation, Mr VAUGHAN proposed, and Mr J. JONES seconded, that the superintendent's salary be £100 7s. fid. the minimum allowed by Government and tnat he occupy the lock-up at Towyn, free of rent, and be responsible for the cleanliness of the place. Colonel BUNBURY proposed, and Mr C. EDWARDS seconded an amendment to the effect that the superin- tendent's salary be £ 100 7s. 6d., and that he pay £7 10s. a year as rent for the lock-up. A division was taken upon the question, when there appeared five for the amendment and four for the original motion. As the subject had been brought up at the wrong time it was introduced later in the day, when Col. Bunbury's amendment was withdrawn and the original motion carried. COMMITTEES. Committees were appointed to inspect the accounts of the police and surveyor. After an adjournment, Colonel BUNBURY reported that the police accounts were perfectly correct, and handed in the Chief Constable's report, and the report of the Inspector of Weights and Measures, which were read as follows:- CHIEF CONSTABLE'S REPORT. Gent1emen,-I have the honour to enclose returns of crimes committed ;ind repor'ed to the police during the quarter ending 25th December, 1870, viz.:—3 housebreaking, 4 larcenies, 2 larceuies froin the p -rson, 1 assault. 2 obtaining goods by false pretences, "i, d 1 wilful and malicious damage to machinery. Casoa undetected are as follows—1 larceny, 1 housebreaking number of persons apprehended IG, committed for trial 13, con- victed at petty sessions 113. Annexed is a return showing the pay and length of service of each officer in tha police force, as ordered to furnish by the magistrates assembled at the Quarter Sessions in October last. 1 beg to recomvn -nd Mr Supt. Hushes to the Police Committee as being an officer fairly entitled to an increase in his salary. Ho joined the force in July, 1S57, as insneet ir was promot- d in 1858 to superintendent, at a salary of £100 per annum, which is under the minimum as fixed by the Secretary of State. I may further add that during the thirteen years and six mouths he has been in the force, he has fulfilled his duty to my satis- faction. I apply for an order to supply the force with capes, top-coats, and other clothing for the ensuing year. The force is complete, and the c muty quiet.—I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your obelieut servant, II. H. LLOYD CLOUOH, Chief Constable. Indictable Offences. No. of crimes Xo. of persons Dis- Committed committed, apprehended, charged. for trial. 18 16 3 13 Corresponding qr. last year ..14 11 4 7 Oi'ences Determined Summarily. No. of offences No. of persons Dis- C m- cominitted. proceeded agnst. charged, victed. 127 l\Ll 14 113 Corresponding qr. last year 150 150 22 123 The Criminal Justice Act. No. of offences No. of persons Dis- Con- committed. proceeded agust. charged, victed. € 5 3 2 Corresponding qr. last year G 5 5 WEIS-IITS AND MEASURES. Gentlemen,—I beg to present to your worships my report on the inspection of weights and measures in this county during the quarter now ending. I have been engaged on this duty for twelve days, viz., nine days in adjusting and stamping, when I had to attend with tne standards weights and measures at the following places, viz., Bala, Barmouth, Bla-enau Festiniog, Corwen, Dolgelley, the village of Festiniog, and Penrhyn and the other three days in visiting shops and other places of business; testing weights, ,ti measures, and scales f-cr the purpose of detection. Attached is a proposed list submitted for the approval of the- justices, of the places and time of attendance with the standards weights and measures for the year 1871, as directed by the 5tli and 0th William IV. c. £ 3, s. 24. There is also attached 011 another sheet an account in a tabu- lar form of the receipts and expenditure, and the total amount of fines imposed under the Weights and Measures Acts in this county during the past fonrteen years, the number of shops or places visited, the number of detections, the way the same were disposed of, and the per centage found incorrect on the number of visits each year, within the same period. places visited, the number of detections, the way the same were disposed of, and the per rentage found incorrect on the number of visits each year, within the same period. I have the honour to be, gentlemen, Your most obedient servant, O. HUGHES. Inspector of weights and measures, Bala, Jan. 2nd, 1871. Merionethshire.. e,-1 Mr ROBERTSON asked whether the inspector received any remuneration as inspector of weights'and measures. The CHIEF-CONSTABLE said that he received about £ 10 a year. THE SURVEYOR'S ACCOUNTS. Mr THRUSTON said the committee had gone over the surveyor's accounts, and had made them correct. The committee wished to draw the attention of the court to inaccuracies on the part of the surveyor in preparing his accounts. It appeared tc be simply stupidity. There was one item of 5s. 7d. for a broom and handle obtained for the lock-up at Corwen, which the committee allowed, but, at the same time, recommended the court to disallow similar charges in future. After some discussion, it was resolved that in all cases where the police occupy lock-ups, they must for the future provide all appliances for keeping those places clean. Notices of motion were given by Mr J. Jones ancl Mr Robertson with reference to the payment of police officers. APPOINTMENT OF A PCIICS COMMITTEE. Colonel TOTTENHAM moved that a Police Committee be appointed, to consist of one magistrate from each petty sessional division of the county, to be called together at the discretion of the Clerk of the Peace, for the purpose of examining the police accounts previously to the day of quarter sessions, and to report thereon. Mr THUUSTON asked whether the committee would be permanently appointed. Col. TOTTENHAM replied in the affirmative, observing that such was the case in Cheshire and Denbighshire. 0 Mr THRUSTON seconded the motion, and it was car- ried. j Mr EDWARDS proposed that the surveyors' accounts be also inspected by the same committee, and reported upon. He brought the subject before the court two years ago. Those accounts required a great deal more attention than the police accounts. Mr ROBERTSO objected to the proposal, The surveyor's accounts, he said, seldom contained more than eighty items, and could be gone through in half an hour. The CHAIRMAN said he always thought it an objectiona- ble principle for the court to delegate its powers to a com- mittee. Mr EDWARDS said he did not think it could be carried out, or he should have made a similar proposition two years ago. The proposition was not seconded, and the matter dropped. TOWYN LOCK-UP. Mr THRUSTON said that in accordance with the direc- tions of the Quarter Sessions some time back, Capt. Wynn and himself, with Mr Spaull, the architect, went very carefully over the lock-up, last week, and inspected the tr- various items of repairs, &c., rendered necessary, he was sorry to say, through the mess made with the original contract by the county surveyor some time back. (Hear, hear.) 'le amount of the original tender, he believed, was £ 340. They found a great many things still requiring to be done, principally painting, but most of the painting, he understood, would last a year or two without the wood being injured. Mr Thruston then alluded to the various items that had caused extra outlay, and which ought to have been done in the first contract. A more disreputa- ble supervision on the part of a county surveyor, he sup- posed, never occurred, and he attributed it to his (the sur- veyor's) having wilfully shut his eyes. (Hear.) The accounts, as signed by Captain Wynn and himself, amounted to k328, irrespective of Mr Spaull's bill for £32. Captain TAYLOR asked who the magistrates of the dis- trict were ? Mr THRUSTON—The magistrates cannot look after every nail and every touch of paint. Captain TAYLOR—They might have checked the con- tractors. Mr THRUSTON—In what way ? I think that is the sur- vevpr's work, I Mr ROBERTSON said he thought it was unfair that the sur- veyor should be condemned when he was not present to defend himself. Mr EDWARDS expressed himself of a similar opinion, and to bring the matter to an issue, he would thank Mr Thruston and Captain Wynn for having brought the affair to a satisfactory result, and would propose that the county surveyor be censured, and that he be heard before a com- mittee specially appointed to investigate the matter from beginning to end. Mr REVELEY said it was important they should have a county surveyor on whom they could depend. Mr THRUSTON said that as the surveyor made such a mess in one thing, he had no doubt he would make a simi- lar mess in another. The contractors were the responsible persons, and the present contractors guaranteed the good preservation of the works for twelve months. Ultimately it was agreed that a committee should be formed to enquire into the matter, consisting of the follow- ing Messrs C. Edwards, H. Robertson, C. F. Thruston, J. Vaughan, and Colonel Bunbury, and the chairman, as ex-officio. It was arranged that the committee should meet on Friday, the 14th inst., at Towyn. The CHAIRMAN said it was but right he should remind the court that the matter had been enquired into, and the surveyor had given an explanation and was reprimanded, The account for £ 328 was passed. The CHAIRMAN then read the following report of the Governor of the gaol:— Gentlemen,-I have the honour to report that the state of the countv gaol, and the number of prisoners confined therein, since the last Quarter Sessions has been very nearly the same as usual-53 persons were admitted into custody, 52 were dis- charged, and 21 left ill the prison this morning. The highest number in custody at any one time was 32, the lowest 20. The average daily number was 24 males, and 4 females. Their con- duct has been generally good, 'the male prisoners were em- ployed to pick oakum, and make mats. 220 tons of stones have been carried away since the last Quarter Sessions, and about 100 tons more will be cleared off a soon as the weather permits. I shall then be able t,) employ the prisoners in breaking stones, which is the only first-class hard labour provided for them in this prison.—I have, &c., OWES THOMAS, Governor. REPORT OF GAOL SURGEON. The surgeon's report was next read as follows :— Gentlemen,—I am happy to state that although the weather has been very cold during the latter part of the quarter the state of sickness in the gaol is not above the average, but I regret to state that in the early part of November the matron was attacked with smallrox of a somewhat sovere form, but she has made a rapid recovery, and by complete isolation and the use of disinfectants and antisentics the disease was stamped out, and only one of the prisoners (a female) caught the malady; it was of a very mild and modified form. Of the number of cases treated 8 were due to diseases of the nervous system, 7 to diseases of the digestive 7 to enthistic causes, 6 to diseases of the skin, 5 to abscesses, Ac., 1 to smallpox, in a modified form, 1 to the bite of a dog, 1 to disease of the eve, 3 to bronchitis. I have, &c., JOHN E. JONES, M.TX The CHAIRMAN said that there was 110 report from the chaplain, and he requested the Clerk of the Peace to desire the chaplain always to send in a report. APPOINTMENT OF VISITING JUSTICES. The following appointments were then made as visiting justices to the North Wales Counties Lunatic Asylum R. Meredyth Richards, Esq., the Rev. John Wynne, and Colonel Tottenham. Visiting justices to the County Gaol: —Justices resident in Dolgelley district, Samuel Holland, Esq., M.P.. H Robertson, Esq., and C. F. r¡ h" '.a(. The CHAIRMAN observed that the asylum report WAS A most excelleut and favourable one, and contained remarks by two Commissioners in Lunacy. The report was not read. THE GAOL. Plans were produced for the proposed new gaol, and the CHAIRMAN read the following Christ Church Buildings, Birmingham, 31st Dec., 1870. Dear Sir,—Herewith I have the pleasure of enclosing my re- port, and of sending per book post the plans I have prepared for improving the county gaol at Dolgelley. The cost is greater than I anticipated, but not more than ought to be expected, and if anything less than I have suggested be done, I believe the justices will greatly regret the omission. It is possible that the Home* Secretary may ask for one of the female cells to be given up for the use of an officer. If so we can get the reception cell certified, and when not required as a reception cell it may be occupied as a criminal cell. The debtors'cell I should like to have devoted to another purpose, namely, for a reception room and officers' room but could not fillll any other place for the debtors. I should also have liked to have removed the building projecting into the entrance court, but as the room will be very useful as an infirmary, I have not proposed to interfere with it. I trust that the Court will approve of the plans withont any modification, and that we sliail be able to get the approval of the Home Secretary, so as to commence the work by April or May next.—I am, dear sir, yours very truly, WILLIAM MARTIN. Colonel BUNBURY proposed that the plans be adopted and forwarded to the Secretary of State for his approval. Agreed to. A PETITION TO GOVERNMENT. Mr EDWARDS said that, according to returns, the total rating of Merionethshire in 1807 was e6,469, and only of the sum of £ 2,253 had the justices independent control; those which were statutory, and over which the magis- trates had no control, amounted to £ 4,216. Therefore, he would move-" That inasmuch as very many of the charges at present paid by county rates (c.f/.), police, lunatics, militia stores, gaols, vaccination, registration &c.), are rendered necessary, not for the benefit of one par- ticular class, but r>f the community at large, it is both just a.nd politic that those charges should be more largely sup- plemented, if not altogether defrayed from the national exchequer, and that a petition from the magistrates in Quarter Sessions be presented to the House of Commons embodying resolutions to this effect." Mr EY seconded the motion, and it was agreed to. NEW RATES. The rates required for the ensuing quarter were made as follows: lor the county, at l^d. in the pound, and for the police at id. in the pound. The Court then rose, it being past four o'clock. „ TRIALS OF PRISONERS. The Court opened at eleven o'clock on Wednesday morning. The chairman, R. M. Richard*, Esq., was sup- ported on the bench by Colonel Bunbury, the Hon. C. H. Wynn, J. E. Parry, Esq., and Charles Edwards, Esq. 'i'he following persons composed the grand jury, of whom Mr Edward Pearson Williams, draper, Do:?ellev, was chosen foreman :—Messrs John Breese, Castcll, Thomas mreS% „trivcwi", Ellis Edwards, Penvbrvn, Thomas tV fy "hwyn, John Evans, Hendre, Griffith Griffiths, Maesyrhelma Humphrey Howell, Cefnberiaeth, Hugh Jones, Dugoed-mau-r, John Jones, Penantigi-uchaf, John Jones, Pentrewern, Hugh Jones, Ffrkldoilcwm, William wurS' v1™' Enoch Jones, Cefnmaelan, Willram Jones, Garth, Brithdir-isa, Hugh Lewis, Red n Samuel Morris, Peniarth Arms, Mallwvd, Griffith Owen, Derwas, Richard Owen, Tvddynmocli, Rees Puh, Dolgamedd, and John Thomas, Clipiau. The CHAIRMAN, in charging the grand jury, said--It is very gratifying to the magistrates of this county, at this inclement season of the year, to see so large a number of jurymen desirous of serving their country by appearing here in the box. It is always very essential that the grand jury should attend in large numbers, although the business is not very voluminous we have to do to-day. On the last occasion when I addressed you in this court I thought it my duty to refer somewhat fully to the state of the county finances and to other. matters connected with the conduct of the county. Having so recently referred to these I shall confine my observations almost entirely to the criminal business to be brought before you. I will, how- ever, allude to one particular matter, which is the Towyn lock-up. This place has been a very great expense to the county, it having been found necessary to make alterations and additions to render it waterproof. These alterations and additions are now completed, and I trust it will not be long btfore the building' will be permanently occupied by the police. At the same time I regret—and all the magis- trates regret—extremely the unfortunate and unforeseen events which have caused the excessive outlay upon this building. The cause of that expense and the talure of tha.t work are going to be enquired into by a committee of magistrates, who will direct their attention particularly to the causes, and you will hear more about it at the next quarter sessions. Our time yesterday was occupied entirely by the finance business of the county; and when I see so large an assembly of the grand jury attending to the summons sent to them-all of whom must of necessity be ratepayers, and ratepayers of a considerable amolint-I cannot help expressing regret that some of you do not attend on the previous day—on Tuesday, when the finances of the county are gone ino. It cannot be too widely understood that Tuesday's is an open court. I con- sider It most essential that all financial business of the county should be done as far as possible in public, in order that ratepayers themselves may have the opportunity of seeing, the magistrates doing their duty, and that the duty is well done. Although the expenses of this county—as in all other counties—are large, still we do our best to keep them as low as we can. I only throw out that observation because it is so very seldom that a single ratepayer comes to the adjoining room, where the financial business is transacted. I should be glad if ratepayers would come to see whether we conduct the business well or whether we negleCt; n. J-ne magistrates are extremely desirous to keep down matters of expense; and it is probably little known that in this county the sum laid out annually is upwards of £ 6,000 raised by rates. Out of that sum £ 4,000 are of necessity expended under the provisions of certain Acts of 1parliament, and only over the expenditure of E2.000 have the magistrates any jurisdiction whatever. Therefore wherever you hear complaints cf county rates increasing it is because of Acts of Parliament, which throw on counties many items of expenditure, and sometimes, I think, with a little undue severity. Many itans of expenditure might be distributed over the general taxpayers of the country; and with that in view, the magistrates yesterday adopted a petition to Government to call their attention to that state of things, alluding to the large amount of expenses laid upon tae county rates that ought to be thrown upon the country at large, such as matters of police and matters of gaol, concerning' which the whole -of the community is as much interested as a portion. This petition is in course of signature by the different magistrates, and will be sent to the House of Commons. Whether it will have any effect^ I do not know however, it is a move in the right direction, and I f,)r one should be glad to see the rate- payers of the county relieved to a great extent of the immense expenditure thrown upon them. The learned chairman then commented upon four of the seven cases to go before the grand jury, observing that the number of eases was more than is usual in this uncriminal county, but none of them were of a very bad description. LARCENY AT FESTINIOG. Mary Griffith, 48, was indicted for having stolen, at Festiniog, from the person of Morris Jones, a purse con- taining k3 10s. in gold, and two half-crowns, his property. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr David Pugh prosecuted. The prosecutor said he was a shepherd living at Festiniog, and was at a fair at that place on the 14th of November, He was at the Abboy Arms there, and had in his posses- sion a purse containing C3 10s. in gold, and two half- crowns. Prisoner was there, and threw her arm around his neck. A man was also there, and placed his hand on his (prosecutor's) 'breast, whilst the prisoner was standing by, and he afterwards missed his rnonev.-P.C. William Jones, Festiniog said he apprehended the prisoner, and f 1 told her the charge. She said she had given the pnrse and its contents to Thomas Jones, of Bethesda. Wit- ness's wife searched the prisoner. (A certificate of illness of witness's wife was put in, and her depositions read.) The sum of Is. 2d. was found upon her.—Owen Thomas, the governor of the gaol, gave corroborative evidence.— Guilty; two months' imprisonment. LARCENY AT LLANFAWR. Jane Roberts, 20, servant, pleaded guilty to having stolen, on the 25th of Nov., 1870, at Llanfawr, one dress, of the value of 5s., the property of Ellen Edwards, of Glanrafon. Prisoner also pleaded guilty to three pre- vious convictions. The Chairman told the prisoner she must be a hardened offender, and sentenced her to six months' imprisonment, with hard labour, and, in addition, four years' police supervision. HOUSEBREAKING AT CORWEN. Thomas Parry, 26, labourer, pleaded guilty to having broken into a dwelling-house, called Penygeulan, at Cor- wen, on the 4th of November, 1867, and stolen therein £2 9s. 6d., moneys of David Jones. Prisoner was employed by the prosecutor, and took the money from a mantle- piece, during the absence of his master. The Chairman, in passing sentence, said the court could not legally take cognizance of an offence committed by prisoner subse- quently to 1867, and for which he had suffered twenty- three months' imprisonment in an adjoining county. Sen- tenced to two calendar months' imprisonment. FALSE FRETENCES AT TOWYN. Edward Parry, 23, sailor, was indicted for having ob- tained tobacco by means of false pretences, at Towyn, on the 17th of October, 1870. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr G. J. Williams prosecuted prisoner was undefended. -John James, in the employ of Wm. William Jones, draper, Towyn, said that on the 17th of October last, Mrs Kdwards visited his employer's shop, and prisoner was with her. Mrs Edwards made a purchase and p lid for the articles she obtained. Prisoner left the shop a few minutes before Mrs Edwards went out. In a few minutes prisoner returned with Mrs Edwards's parcel, and asked for a quarter of tobacco, saying that Mrs Edwards would send the money for it by her little boy on the following morning.—The case was here stopped, and the Chairman, after a remark from Mr Williams, said that the advocate for the prosecution intimated he could not produce further evidence, and that produced was not sufficient to establish false pretences. In order to establish a case of false pre- tences something must be represented as an existing fact which was not an existing fact.—By the direction of the Court the jury found prisoner not guilty. LARCENY AT LLANABER. Mary Vaughan, 29, no occupation, was indicted for having stolen, at Llanaber, a mackintosh, the property of Owen Williams. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr W. R. Davies (Messrs Jones and Davies, Dolgelley) appeared for the prosecution. Owen Williams said he lost a mackintosh in October last, from The Last" public-house, at Barmouth. It was on the 26th of October. He last saw the coat on that day when he left, over his pony's back. He missed the coat on returning to his home. A search was made. He subsequently saw the coat produced at th* Last Inn. Mary Williams, wife of William Williams, of Bar- mouth, said that the prisoner brought a coat to her, like the one produced, asking witness to buy it. She said she found it on the ground, at the Last Inn. Witness re- fused to buy it. Prisoner said she had no food for the children. Witness gave prisoner a shilling, upon the un- der^tar.ding that the coat should be given up to the o Nner, if found. „ j Catherine Brodie,- of William Brodie, L.armout.1. said she received the coat produce 1 from the last witness, on the day following that on which it waS urssed.. j Prisoner made a long defence, stating that picked the coat up, and took it to William Williams's to cried, but Mrs Williams wanted to buy it for her husband or her son, and gave her Is. as part payment for the coat. Not guilty.-Discharged.. INDECENT ASSAULT. William Vaughan, about 25, was indicted for having, on the 17th of November, 1870, at Talyllvn, unlawfully and indecently assaulted Anne Owen. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr G. J. Williams appeared for the prosecu- tion, and Mr W. H. Thomas for the defence. Anne Owen said she was in service at Maesypandy in November last. On the 17th of November she went to chapel, at Abergynolwyn, in the evening, and on return- ing home, when she had gone about half the distance, she met some people in a cart and the prisoner. Prisoner asked her where she had been. She did not know the prisoner. He asked for a "night's courting." Witness refused to go with the prisoner, and he threw her on to the ground. He kicked and struck her. Cross-examined—Had had two illegitimate children. Had deserted them once. Had been in service at Bar- mouth. (Prosecutrix was subjected to a severe cross- examination.) P.C. Griffith Griffiths said he went to Maesypandy on the 18th of November last. He saw the prisoner at Machynlleth, and attempted to apprehend him, but failed. He examined the place on the road where the prosecutrix said the struggle took place. P.S. Thomas Roberts, Aberdovey, corroborated, and stated that he went to che spot where the struggle took place, and sent the last witness a distance of about 250 yards, and shouted with the view of asertaining whether he could be heard that distance off. Ann Jones, a fellow-servant with the prosecutrix in November last, said that on the night of the 17th Nov., the prosecutrix complained of having been interfered with by a man on the road. She also said she would not prose- cute him if he had not struck her. ( Cross-examined — Prosecutrix's bonnet was tidy enough that night; but when it was before the magis- trates it was not in the same condition. P.C. Wm. Roberts, Pennal, said he apprehended the prisoner at a gipsy's camp, near Machynlleth, cautioned him, and told him the charge again-t him. Prisoner said he would never have done it had ke not been in drink. Prisoner's face was scratched. The jury found the prisoner guilfcv. In delivering judgment, the Bench remarked that the jury had taken a very lenient view of the offence, but that the Bench considered that the offence was of an ag- gravated character, and would therefore sentence the pri- soner to three months' imprisonment, with hard labour. LARCENY. Charlotte Roberts, of Dolgelley, was charged with steal- ing a silver watch and silver guard, the property of Robt. Jones, Plough and Harrow, Llanelltyd, on the 10th of December last. Mr G. J. Williams prosecuted, prisoner being undefended. A difficulty being found in obtaining a sufficient number of jurymen who had been summoned, four other per- sons consented to act, at the invitation of the Bench, and Mr Lewis Evans, of Garthyfog, one of those summ med, having been seen in court in the course of the day, was fined 10s. for not answering to his name. Mr Williams, for the prosecution, called Robert Jones, Llanelltyd, who said-On the 10th of Dec. last I was at Dolgelley, and had occasion to go to prisoner's lusidence. Before going there I went to the Cross Keys. David Owen, of Maesmawr, near Llanelltyd, was there. I in- tended going home that night. I left the Cross Keys to go to prisoner's residence about ten minutes to nine. I took out my watch once before going, in order to see what o'clock it was. I went from the Cross Keys straight to Mrs Eddy's house, which is, I believe, the next door. I am quite certain the watch was in my possession when I went to Mrs Eddy's house. When I went in, prisoner and Mrs Eddy's little daughter were in the house. Pri- soner gave me two glasses of ale. Mrs Eddy not coming in, I fell asleep on the chair. When I awoke, I saw the watch in prisoner's hand. I tried to get it from her, and in trying to do so I fell across the table, upset it, and broke the ware that was on it. I have had a bill for those things. I went out for a policeman. Before that, Mrs Eddy had come in. She was in when I saw the watch in prisoner's hand. Prisoner said to Mrs Eddy— "I will keep this watch." Prisoner was drunk at the time, but I was sufficiently sober myself. I found a policeman, and we took prisoner to the police station. David Owen deposed that prosecutor had the watch a couple of minutes before he left the Cross Keys, to go to Mrs Eddy's for a note. P.C. Azariah Phillips deposed that he went with prose- cutor to the house and arrested the prisoner. She ws afterwards searched, and subsequently the house was, but the watch was not found. Witness continued—Prisoner was first taken before the magistrates on December 13th. As I was taking her to the hall through the Green, pris- oner asked me, What will they do to me?" I said, "I cannot tell you." She then said, Shall I come back this way." I said she should if she would be going back. She then said, "I don't know whether I took the watch or not, as 1 was so drunk that night." Prisoner, having no statement to make in defence, ex- ccpt that she had not seen the watch, and knew nothing about it, was found guilty, and sentenced to two months' imprisonment, with hard labour.

MR WATKIX WILLIAMS, M.P., AT WREXHAM. On Tuesday night, Mr Watkin Williams, M.P. for the Denbighshire boroughs, addressed a portion of his consti- tuency in the Town Hall, Wrexham. There was a crowded attendance. Mr Charles Hughes presided. Mr WATKIN WILLIAMS, who was enthusiastically re- ceived, said that since the last session of Parliament events of the most startling character had taken place on the Continent of Europe, and had so far eclipsed everything of public interest in this country, and Lad thrown back everything that took place in the last session of Parlia- ment to such a distance of time, that it appeared to be years ago since it took place. The first great measure that was passed was the Irish Land Bill, which he hoped would result in an improved relation between the land- lords and tenantry of Ireland, and also an improved con- dition of the people cf Ireland. The next great measure was the Education Act, with respect to which he should have liked to have seen the leaving of the teaching of reli- gion to the Christian churches which abounded in this country. That, however, might be made the subject of amendment in the next session of Parliament. There was one measure about which a great deal of misconception had existed with regard to the part that he took in it, and that was the Sunday Trading Bill. That Bill was brought from the House of Lords into the House of Commons at about two o'clock in the morning, and therefore the people had not much idea what it was about. The object of the Bill was to introduce a certain laxity in Sunday trading. It was confined to large cities of 10,000 inhabi- tants, and it prohibited the sale of certain things in shops that were generally kept open in those large ] laces. He objected to that Bill because be believed it to be a thorough Pharisaical and unjust Bill. It allowed the rich to buy their poultry and their wines on Sundav, and the only people it meddled with v/ere the poorest 'classes of the community. He objected to a Bill which would touch the poor and leave the rich unaffected. (Applause.) He knew people who gave champagne dinners on Sundays, and employed sen ants, and he therefore said if they were sincere about this Bill, let them carry it out thoroughly, and he proposed a clause that no one should give those grand entertainments and make their grooms clean their horses on the Sunday. The effect was that his amend- ment extinguished the Bill. (Applause.) With respect to the disestablishment and the disendowment of the church in Wales, he had told them before in that room that in bringing forward that question he had two objects in view, the first of which was to obtain a hearing upon the question, and the second was to open it for discussion. When he brought it before the House of Commons, he received the most kind hearing; but as regarded the ventilating and re- opening of the question, he was told that his principle was most ill-judged and premature, and that he was injuring the cause. What, however, was the result ? After bringing it before the House of Commons, in less than four months Mr Miall, the leader of the nonconform- ists, gave notice of his intention to bring forward a mea- sure for the disestablishment of the church in Enziand. Mr Miall had no sooner done this than the people of Scot- land called a meeting and asked why he had left them out, and they sent a deputation to ask him to consent to include Scotland in his motion, and he consented t' > do so. So far, therefore, from having retarded the movement, in less than twelve months England and Scotland had taken it up, and he prophesied that in less than twelve rao-iths it would be brought forward and he should support Mr Miall in his motion. (Applause.) Next refprrincr to the war on the continent, Mr Williams said that his mind was oppressed about the stupendous events which had arisen during the last six months. A fearful war, probably the most unspeakably tragic that had ever happened in the history of the human race, could notbe without the deepest interest to all of us, whether it was for the svmpathy which we must have for the people of those countries which had been dragged into this mutual destruction, or whether it was for the lessons which we must ourselves learn by those events. It was certainly one of those things which would engage the attention of Parliament in the next ses- sion. The question we had to consider was what had we to d 1 for ourselves, and what lessons had we to read from these events. There were some people who would tell us that the circumstance of two of the leading and most powerful of the nations in the civilized world beinsr plunged into the most unjustifiable war that the world had ever seen would lead us to the conclusion that the notion of having general peace in the world, and of having our dis- putes referred to arbitration, was gone for ever, and that we were as far removed from the blessings of peace and civilization as people were hundreds and perhaps thousands of years ago. After a careful studv of the subject he did not take that gloomy view of it. He believed that this war had not been brought about bv the same evil passions which existed in former days, but that it wns due to what might be called an accident. The view he took of it was this On one side there was France suffering from all the evil effects of protracted personal rule. Napoleon for twenty years had exercised absolute and per- sonal rule, and, in order to maintain his d vnastv and to stem the tide of popular government which was rising in r ranee, he was compelled, by whst turned out to be a mi-guided idea, to appeal to the worst and vilest feelinars of the people. With regard to the German peonle. they had endeavoured to develop their national unity, and in fn^lreJ^. agamst their own feelings anl instinctst, taey had been driven to throw themselves into the military- government of Prussia in order to protect themselves against the unfair rivalry of Napoleon. If that was a true view of it. then we need not take the Roomiest view of the war, because if people would determine not to be led by the nose in this way and were led to beliexethat they had their destinies in their own hands, then he believed that Peace could be accomplished. With respect to the question as to what we should do, his impression was that England had no need of any apprehonsi 1]1 what- ever. —(A-'fiyhtuse.) It must not be imagined that he was placing his trusl -ITT- the good intentions of anv Govern- ments, for we had seen the faith and the honour of nations in the last few m on tin? ,'29 far as their adherence to treaties was concerned, were not w'f^h the paner they were written upmi. The greatest enemf that England had to fear. France, was prostrate at the present tirae. and would probably not be in a condition to give an" trn' tor a whole century. Germany had also suffered too much to give any attention to a nation like ourselves. In the next place, England was isolated, and our crreat safe- guard was our fleet, and, from its numbers and eauip- ment and efficiency at the present moment, it was more than equal to all the fleets of the world opposed to us. (Applause.) With regard to our armv. it was really a melancholy and humiliating reflection to have to say that it^ co»t us fourteen millions a year, and y-^t that it was often boastfully stated that it was the m-t inefficient in Lurope and that we could not put 50.000 men in the v>e • ve-i sPer]t more than double on our armv to what 1 russia did, and more than what France did. There mus. be something radically wrong in our arm v. and he sutured to say that we must have an armv reform Bill next session. We had gone on too long in the old system: the amount expended on the armv was greater than was spent in any other country in" Europe, nnd vet it was said that it was the most inefficient of any in Europe. { oriarn?. ) I here was no doubt but that the system of purchase and the -enormous sinecures held bv people of rank was at the root of the evil. He should be dan. to see those sinecures swept away. A person who held a high position in the army appeared to be the Greatest obstacle to all these reforms. (Applause.) Why should there not be in the army what there was in every other profession -every avenue open for promotion from the lowest to the highest? (Applause.) In the army it did not matter what ability a man had every impediment was put 111 his way. The fact was that a large number in the army could not stand competition if it was introduced. Were we to stand this, and at the same time be told the humiliating truth that our army was not worth anything and could not be depended upon ? The time for having great professional standing armies had come to an end. War was their trade, and the more powerful they were made the more they brought us into war. (Applause.) He was afraid, however, that we had not got to that point at which we could say we could secure peace by dis- arming. What should we, therefore, do ? He should like to see the attempt made to increase the efficiency of the volunteers and militia—to see more of the enormous sums of money spent upon them, and to have a highly organized nucleus of an army, which could make use of the militia and volunteers as a reserve. (Applause.) Next alluding to the subject of the ballot, Mr Williams said he had no doubt a Bill in favour of it would pass the second reading in the next session of Parliament He concluded by ex- pressing a hope that his constituents would give him credit for the intention and desire to serve them faith- fully and so long as they honoured him with their confi- dence, so long would he endeavour to do his duty towards them. (Applause.) Mr R. C. R AWLINS then proposed That this meeting, on a review of the parliamentary labours of Mr Watkin Williams, begs to express its approval of his public con- duct, and its confidence in his fitness to represent these boroughs, and also to thank him for his assiduous atten- tion to his duties." Mr LORD seconded the resolution, and it was carried unanimously. At the conclusion of the proceedings, a working man got up and said that a good deal had been stated about the great amount of money that had been spent on our armv and other services. He wished to know what Mr Watkin Williams intended doing when the House of Commons was asked to vote 930,000, and kG,000 a year to the Princess Louise. Mr WILLIAMS said it was a question he had i..t ,iven attention to, but the feeling he had was that the present was not the time to break through the precedent that had been established. When the other princesses marric-d their German princelings, they had their dowries without a word, and could they deny it when one of the Royal family was about to espouse an Englishman, a member of the House of Commons? (Hear, hear.) He lid not agree with those who, without a word, would expend enormous sums of money on princes and princesses, but he thought the present case was not one in which to effect a change. He concluded by passing a high encomium on the Marquis of Lome, not hesitating to say that the marriage would be one of happiness and joy.—The remarks seemed to give general satisfaction. o A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.

LLANDINAM. On Wednesday Dec. 26th, a meeting of the ratepayers was held at the Lion Inn, for the purpose of taking into consideration the desirability of forming a School Board for the parisn. The chair was occupied by the Rev. D. Jones. vicar who in his opening speech said that he was very glad to be present on that occasion, inasmuch as he was glad to understand that no opposition would be raised against establishing a School Board in his parish, and also he hoped that everyone interested would agree and pull together until the object in view was obtained and every child in the parish was placed under proper educa- tion. A notice con veniug the meeting had been put on the church grid chapel doors throughout the parish, but it turned out that proper notice had not been given, and therefore the meeting that evening was illegal. How- ever, a very free aud friendly chat was entered into, the Vicar, Mr David Davies, Broneirion House, MrWoo.'«y,Mi Kinsey, Berthddu, Mr Hamer, and Mr PrN-ce Garth i&wr, taking the most active part, tn(I e venttiallv' tlief(-)Ilowin -.e- solution was adopted :That this meeting of the rate.- payers unanimously agree that a requisition should be made to Mr Smith, clerk of the Union, to call a meeting of the ratepayers for the purpose of passing a resolution that it is expedient that a School Board should be formed for the said parish of Llandinam."

The death of another peer, Lord "VValsiuaham, is announced. He is succeeded by his eldest son, the Hon. T. I)e Grey, M.P., foi West Norfolk. The new peer, who was born in 1S43, is a Conservative. MAILS FOR AUSTRALIA.—The next mails for Australia will be despatched from London, via Southampton, on the morning of Saturday, the 21st January; anil via Brindis I on the evening of Friday, the 27th January.