The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

+ WELSHPOOL STAG HUNT DINNER. The Welshpool Stag Hunt, which customarily precedes a dinner, was to have taken place on Saturday, the birthday of the young Lord Clive, in whose honour the Parish Church bells rang out merry peals, but owing to a heavy frost the hounds, kindly promised by Mr. Davies, of Marrington Hall, Chirbury, were unfortunately unable to attend, and no notification to that effect was received until the last moment. A large number of eques- trians and the general public had assembled on a field near the Moat Farm, in anticipation of some good sport as a fine brown stag was waiting to be loosed, and when a telegram came for the Earl of Powis from the Master of the- hounds, declaring that an unsuccessful attempt had been made to get from Chirbury, great disappointment was mani- fested, more especially as the waiting for the dogs was prolonged from. 12 o'clock to considerably after 1 o'clock. The annual stag hunt dinner, however, took place in the evening at the Royal Oak Hotel, Welshpool, a sumptuous repast being prepared by the landlord, Mr. D. Richards. The tables were nicely decorated with dowers, &c., and there was a very large attendance. Amongst those present were:—Capt. Robert Williams-Wynn (in the chair), Mr. W. Farmer (vice-chairman), the Earl of Powis, Messrs. E. O. Jones (the Mayor of Welshpool), G. D. Harrison, W. Forrester Addie, Dr. Gill, T. J. Hounsfield, Dr. Marston, Dr. Hawksworth, Dr. Ward, D. P. Owen, E. Watkins, J. Hickman, T. Morris, W. Ireland, W. Morgan, Davies, (the Bank,) Green, (the Moors,) J. Morris, W. P. Hole, Edward Green, Bank Farm, Pool Quay, Pryce Barratt. Williams, (Stalloe,) E. Langford Jones, &c. The menu was as follows:— SOUPS. Clear, Mock Turtle. FISH. Turbot. Lobster Sauce. Cod. Oyster Sauce ENTREES. Oyster Patties. Veal Cutlets. SSLEVIS. Roast Beef. Saddle Mutton. Boiled Leg Mutton. Boiled Chickens and Ham. Roast Goose. Roast Turkey and Sausages. Haunches of Venison. GAME. Pheasants. Hares. KNTREMET8. Stag Hunt Pudding. Cabinet Pudding. Damson Tarts. Apple Tarts. Custards, Jellies. DESSERT. Upon the conclusion of the dinner, The CHAIRMAN gave the toast of Her Majesty the Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal family (applause). In doing so, he said the people of Britain were pleased to have a Queen to reign over them who was per- haps second to none amongst the crowned heads of Europe. He was sure that during the fifty odd years Her Majesty had reigned she had seen her kingdom advancing steadily until she had now what he might fairly call the finest Empire of modem days. The Chairman went on to say that Her Majesty herself was a mistress of hounds, and, in regard to the Prince of Wales, that he had invariably done his best to ingratiate himself with the people of this country, being always ready to support anything that was carried on by Englishmen in a truely English spirit. There Was no one who took a keener interest in fox hunting, stag hunting, in harriers or in any other English sport, than the Prince of Wales. As to the Princess of Wales they could not find a pleasanter and nicer woman in the whole of Europe (applause.) DR. HAWKSWORTH said he had a toast to propose which was always received with enthusiasm—that of the <-Army, Navy "d, Reserve Forces." He did not know why iuca an unwarl.,ce person as himself should have been called upon to propose that toast, and when it was thrust upon him he felt as if he could do the same as our iron clads did when rammed-tum "turtle" and fall upon his face (cheers). Speaking of the reserve portion of our army they in Welshpool, he said, knew almost as much of it as anybody. He was sure that no more gallant regiments than the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry and the South Wales Borderers ever existed. He begged to couple with the toast one who was connected with the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry and one who had won his reputation on many a battlefield in Europe and Africa (applause). He believed the gentleman's name was a household I word in Turke-y, and that when the Turkish ladies wanted to frighten their children into quietness they had only to mention the name of Surgeon Gill (laughter and applause). Dr. GILL, in reply, said he thanked them all for coupling his unworthy name with a toast which was always received with the greatest enthusiasm by Britons. Whatever people might say he thought the Briton was a born soldier. Britons had always had the reputation of having done their duty when called upon, and had fought against as great odds as the fortunes of war could possibly bring against them, and he hadlno doubt they would do it again, and would come out with flying oolours I as at Waterloo and Trafalgar. Our Army was of course a small one as we were fortunately not cursed with a large frontier like continental nations, but we had the silver streak intervening and on that acoount it behoved us to look after our first line of defence —the Navy. Unfortunately we did not have any. thing like enough food for home consumption, and he thought that anyone who considered what would happen if even one weeks supply of imported food were cut off would feel of what paramount impor. tance it was that our first line of defence should be preserved in the highest integrity and so much so that we could not only cope with one foreign navy but the navies of any two or three countries com- bined (applause.) He thought everyone there would support any Government that would give us a navy that was adequate to do that. Speaking of the Army and the Irregular Horse, Dr. Gill said he thought we must look with pride to the achieve- ments, oyer the smaller tribes, of men who were re- ported to have taken Lobengula. He had seen some of their Irregular Horse in the Zulu War, where they did their duty and rode well; but he could say that they were not so smart on parade as the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry (applause). Irregu- lar Horse had done their duty, and had helped to make history, and he was quite sure they always would do so (applause.) The VICE-CHAIRMAN, in proposing the "Health of the Lord Lieutenant and the County and Borough Magistrates," said Sir Watkin Williams Wynn held a name which was revered throughout the whole of Wales—(applause)—and he was the head of the noble house of Wynnstay, of which their worthy and honoured president was a member. Anything he might say in alluding to Sir Watkin Williams Wynn would be superfluous. His reputation was known throughout the Principality, particularly as master of hounds. Sir Watkin was also the Colonel of the Montgomerythire Yeomanry, and every yeoman was proud of him, as the yeomen of his father's time were of his father. As Lord Lieuten- too Sir Watkin was equally popular. Mr. Glad- stone had received many letters in regard to the magistracy, but so far as they were concerned they thought things could not be improved. As to the county magistrates he had the honour of coupling with them the name of Mr. Hounsfield, one of the most popular magistrates of the county—(applause) —all of whom he believed tempered justice with mercy. He coupled with the health of the borough magistrates the name of Mr. D. P. Owen, a gentle- man all in the Borough of Welshpool were acquainted with. They had in the borough a hard working, painstaking, and merciful lot of magi- strates, and they were proud of them (applause.) Mr. HOUNSFIELD, in reply, said he was sure every member of the county magistracy felt the truth of what had been said in regard to the Lord Lieutenant. Mr. D. P. OWEN also responded, saying it was a great honour for him as an old Welshpool boy to have his name associated with the magistracy of Welshpool. Although there was no stipend attached to the office of magistrate he said the borough magistrates were amply paid in a sense by the kind acknowledgment of their services at meetings of that kind. Song, Here's to the Fox," Dr. Marston. The CHAIRMAN said he had the pleasing duty of proposing the healths of Lord Powis and the young Lord Clive (loud and prolonged applause). He was afraid that if he spoke- of Lord Powis's good qualities he might be, offended and refuse to take him to Church on the following day— (laughter)--so he thought he would have to let the noble lord off cheap (laughter). He had known Lord Powis ever since be was a baby—(laughter) —and he could honestly say he had never had a firmer friend and a better companion in his life. Lord Powis was one of the right old sort (hear, hear). He tried to do his duty and he did it it (applause). Lord Powis did everything with that congeniality which had brought him into close contact with the people. He had always a blight face and a kindly wish for everyone—(applause)— and he thought the Earl could not further the benefits of Welshpool better than by trying to maintain the old institutions of his country (applause). We lived in a time when a tax upon everybody and everything was the order of the day, and he was certain that old institutions, such as they were celebrating that day, which linked the present with the past, were deserving of main- tenahce as they brought the different classes together (applause). There was nothing in the world that would do this better than hunting (hear, hear). He suggested to Lord Powis at the previous dinner that if they had had a little strain of New Oswestry blood amongst the horses last year they might have caught their stag easier, but now he had another suggestion to make, that the noble Earl should bring the young Lord Clive up in the way he should go by teaching him the first rudiments of riding and hunting. A lad who could ride straight and look the timber right in the face was certain to do well in the world (applause). He had another suggestion, that Lord Powis should keep a pack of hounds himself (loud applause). Cheers were then given for the Earl, young Lord Clive, and also for the Countess. The Earl of Powis, in reply, said he thought Mr. Wynn had alluded to him in far too flattering terms ("No, no.") Then they must agree to differ (laughter). Mr. Wynn had said all sorts of nice things which had surprised him a great deal. He was not aware that Mr. Wynn had known him so long (laughter). He began to think they must have quarrelled in the cradle (laughter) he ex- pected he kept him in very good order (laughter). If he could keep Mr. Wynn in order when he was a baby he felt perfectly certain that his baby would keep everybody's baby in order (laughter). Mr. Pryce Davies had suggested to him that their respective babies should ha\ e a prize-fight (laugh- ter). All he could say was that allowing weight for age he was sorry for Mr. Pryoe Davies's baby (laughter). He hoped that as Lord Glive grew he would become fonder of hunting everyday (hear, hear). The members of the United Pack had the courtesy to send young Lord Clive a fox's brush on his first birthday, and nothing had given him greater pleasure during the past year than that brush (laughter and applause). It was commonly known in the nursery by the name of "pussy" (laughter). He thanked them very much for their cordiality (applause). Snnor Vr T-Torrv Tiovia --e' _u -'U' The EARL OF Powis proposed The Master of the Hounds." Personally he said he should be very glad to drink the health of all masters of hounds, but it was an especial pleasure to drink to the health of Mr. Pryce Davies, the Master of the Severn Valley Harriers (hear, hear). Mr. Pryoe Davies came forward when they were somewhat in a difficulty-and so far he had given them very good sport, and it was only a source of great sorrow that the exceptionally frosty weather had prevented their hunting that day. However, every c.oud had a silver lining and they must remember that if there had been that day they could not look forward to a Stag hunt "n the near future. As it was they had got their sport before them instead of behind (applause). Mr. Pryce Davies was at the beginning of his'Mastership and he could only hope that it would be a long one and that sport would increase (applause). Mr. PRYCE DAVIES, in responding, said he felt as if he oame there under false pretences as he had not been able to provide them with some sport, but, as Lord Powis had kindly promised it, they would have it another time he hoped. He had done his level best to get over to Welshpool in time for the meet but circumstances were against him, The ground was very hard %nd he could not get on. He had been rather handicapped in taking over the hounds this year. He had only just come to live in that part of the country and he had not been able to do all he should have liked with the hounds. Still he did not wish to let such an institution go out of the country—(hear, hear)—because when anything of the nature of a pack of hounds was disbanded it was very difficult to get it together again (hear, hear). Hunting was a grand thing and brought people together and they all felt the, better'for it. The worst difficulty the huntsman had to deal with was the barbed wirefencing. He did not mind a good .honest post and rail fence or plain vim feooe mt barbed wire cut horses, dogs, and men. Many people thought that hunting only benefitted the wealthy, but he should like to disabuse their minds by pointing out that it was a grand thing for the breeding of horses. If nobody went hunting no hunters would be wanted, so there would be no market for them and a splendid breed of horses would go out of England. He considered the English hunter, next to the English race horse, the best horse in the world, because it had never been beaten anywhere (applause). Song, The Concert in Albert Hall," Mr. Edgar Hickman. The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of the Mayor and Corporation of WelshpooL" He said he was not very well up in figures so he could not say a great deal about municipal work, but Srom what he had seen he was sure that Welshpool would stand first andt foremost ampngst the towns of England (applause). He hoped the wave of de- pression which had gone not only over England but over the civilized world would not leave its mark on Welshpool (hear, hear)—and that the town would continue to grow and flourish. If ever a bad day should happen to it he hoped he should not be there to see it. He coupled with the toast the name of the Mayor. The MAYOR said the members of the Corporation would feel as he did, that they were deeply indebted to the Chairman for recognizing them. The Corporation did not consider that they were big people at all, still they had a great deal of dignity about them sometimes when anyone trod on their toes. It was sometimes the case that they were a little lively but he liked it very much, because a little fight was a useful sort of exercise; it circulated the blood a bit. During the previous twelve months, in which he held the position of Mayor, he had no cross words with anybody on the CounciL This was because he told them he had joined the Peace Society, but he was not quite sure that this year would be so tranquil. He however, liked little storms occasionally, as they cleared the air; they acted as a safety valve to keep the boiler from bursting (laughter). He thought the Corporation were endeavouring according to their lights-though some of them had not very much light-to do their duty conscientiously and when they had done their little fighting they would attend to the interests of the ratepayers (hear, hear.) Song, Mr. G. S. Brown. Mr. G. D. HARRISON said it was with no slight feeling of satisfaction that he proposed a toast which from its very character demanded their very cordial acceptance. Mr. Robert Wynn came to them of an old stock; he bore an honoured name, was a hard man to hounds, a thoroughly good sportsman, and what most commended itself to Montgomeryshire men he was the son of a gentle- man who was for many years respected through- out the county (applause.) Good wine needs no bush," so with the presence of their genial and eloquent chairman it was hard for him to delate on his virtues, but this much he would say that he felt they would be sorry if they allowed the opportunity to escape of- returning their very heartiest thanks to the gentleman who had, with such marked ability, presided over them (hear, hear). He trusted that Mr. Wynn would live long enough to see all his wishes realized. Mr. Harrison referred to the fact that the Corporation of Welshpool once possessed a pack of fox hounds, and he hoped the time would come when they would have a pack again (hear, hear.) Whether the Mayor of Welsh- pool would be master or the Lord at Powis Castle he would leave it to posterity to judge (applause.) The CHAIRMAN, in reply, said he only wished he deserved all that had been said of him. If it had not been for the hounds they would not have been there that evening and he believed the hounds would keep them together in the future when every- thing else failed. He certainly did not' think an Englishman could do do better than, keep a good pack of hounds. It brought grist to the mill of the farmer and brought the squire into contact with people he ought to meet. He himself had had a great deal to do with the management of hounds, and he could assure them that frosty weather was not good for their feet. He thanked them very much for the kind feeling which had been shown towards him. He always* had a very warm corner of his heart for Montgomeryshire. His father and his family had been connected with the county for a great number of years, and he hoped the bond of union would centinne and strengthen in every way. Since he had been in the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry he had met a great many real good farmers, and he only wished it was in his power to transplant some of them to his part of the country (laughter and applause). He wished success to the Montgomeryshire farmers to the Stag Hunt, and to Welshpool (applause). Song, Mr. S. Manford. Mr. GREEN, the Moors, in giving the Town and trade of Welshpool," said the tradesmen of Welsh- pool it was well known were as enterprising a body of men as any in the county, and were always ready to do anything for the town and for the rural districts around (hear, hear). They all knew that a town like Welshpool was dependent on the agricultural community, and when agriculture was not prosperous the town could not be. Welshpool was at present suffering with the agriculturist, but there was a bright lining to every cloud, and he hoped it would soon be seen. He coupled with the and one who tried his very best to bring the urban and rural populations together. Mr. FARMER, in responding, said he must say the trade of Welshpool was bound up heart and soul in agriculture. He thought, however, that things had reached the bottom—it was a long lane that had no turning-and that they could already see a small streak of the bright lining which had been referred to. The trade of the town was also to a very considerable extent dependent upon encouragement from the surrounding landowners. He was sure he was expressing the sentiments of all the tradesmen when he said they were indebted to Lord Powis for all he had done since he came into the great responsibility of his vast estates. They had never gone to the noble Lord when they had asked in vain. He felt that if the other land- owners would follow his example and that of his respected agent, Mr. W. Forrester Addie, the trade of Welshpool would improve. The MAYOR, in proposing the health of the Countess of Powis and the ladies of Montgomery- shire, said he had been thinking about his Lord- ship's generosity in all affairs connected with the good of Welshpool, and he had no difficulty in discovering that the Countess of Powis, as his better half, had been standing in the back ground of the whole (applause.) tHe could venture to say that no noble lady in the Principality of Wales or in England had more endeared herself to the in- habitants of the neighbourhood- in whieh she lived than the Countess of Powis had (applause.) Dr, WARD responded. The oomcluding toasts were the Press," proposed by Mr. Williams, of Stalloe, with which he coupled the representative of the MONTGOMERY COPXTY TIllES who replied, and the Host and Hostess proposed by Mr. T. Morris. The proceedings then terminated.

4, ELLESMERE. This paper can be obtained from Messrs C. HILL and C. ROBERTS, Stationers, and Mr. V. EVERETT, Hairdresser, every Saturday morning. PROPOSED PRESENTATION TO MISS PEAKE.—A meeting of the Committee for carrying out the above was held in the Town Hall, Ellesmere, on Monday evening last. The chair was occupied by Dr. J. W. Roe and there were also present Rev. H. Pugh, Messrs. T. Embertoni (Hon. Sec.) Brownlow R. C. Tower, A. T. Jebb, A. J. P. Child, Wm. Hudson, F. W. Bickley, F. J. Brown, Charles Davies, A. A. Thompson, Wm. Tims, and J. A. S. Jennings. Mr. Emberton announced that he had received the books from those who had undertaken the collecting and the amount received up to the present was over X45, and he expected it would exceed JE50 before the list was closed. The question as to what form the pre- sent should take was then discussed, and it was eventually decided, on the motion of Mr. B. R. C. Tower, seconded by Mr. A. T. Jebb, that it should consist of a gold watch and chain, the watch to have a suitable inscription engraved inside; Miss Peake to be asked to choose the watch, and any money left over after its purchase to be expended in such articles of plate as Miss Peake might select. It was also decided, on the motion of Mr. F. W. Bickley, seconded by Mr. W. Tims, that a suitable book be obtained and that the names of the sub- scribers be inserted therein and that it be given to Miss Peake with the other presents, the cost not to ,exceed.fl. The Chairman was asked to see Miss Peake and tell her what had been decided upon. LITERARY SOCIETY.—The usual weekly meeting was held in the Town Hall, Ellesmere. In the absence of the President Mr. J. Hood was elected to the chair. The subject of the evening was announced in the syllabus as An eventful life by the Rev. H. J. Wiloox, of Cockshield. Mr. Wilcox chose for his subject the life of Julian the Apostate." The lecture was illustrated by large maps of Europe and Asia. The speaker commenced his address by giving a brief account of the Great Roman Empire as it existed in the 4th century of the Christian Era, and of the position of the Christian Church at that time. He spoke also of Constantine i- nd Constantious and of the great persecution c » ChriefeisBe Tinker -wfeiok began in 303. The lecturer then spoke of Julian, his bict-h mid early education, of his position in the Christian Church, of his apostasy, which he did not openly announce for many years of the effort he made to restore Paganism, which met with small success, of the encouragement he gave to the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple which was also unsuccessful, of the wars in which Julian took part, and of his death. The lecturer concluded his admirable address by giving a brief sketch of the character of Julian. The Rev. S. T. W. Barker moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Wilcox for his excellent address. He referred to the trouble Mr. Wilcox must have taken to get .up such k subject, to the humourous way in which Mr. Wilcox had told his story and of the use the con- sideration of historical subjects would be to a society like theirs. Mr. T. Williams seconded this Mr. J. Pay and Mr. J. Hood supported it and spoke of the pleasure they always experienced in hearing Mr. Wilcox. The vote of thanks was then put to the meeting and carried with loud applause. Rev. H. J. Wilcox briefly replied, and this brought a very pleasant evening to a close. The subject next Wednesday will be a debate on Home Rule." Mr. J. Williams, of Oswestry, opening in favour of Home Rule for Ireland, and the President (Mr. A. T. Jebb) taking the other side. A DISTRESSING CASE.—An inquest was held on Monday, the 4th inst., at Britannia British Work- house, Bronygarth, in the parish of St. Martins, before J. Pay, Esqr., coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr. James Hughes was foreman, on the body of Richard Edwards, a labourer, aged 85. Ann Williams stated that she was the wife of Henry Williams, and lived at Pontfaen. She had known the deceased all her life, he was about 85 years of ago, a labourer, and bachelor. He had always been a healthy man. Dr. Smith attended him in the autumn, but she did not know what for. He lived alone, and did for himself he would not allow anyone to go to him. She believed he was allowed 7s a week by Mr Baines, of The Quinta." The cottage he lived in formerly belonged to him, and on signing an agreement the property went to Mr. Barnes, who paid up to Edwards death the 7s. a week. She was in the habit of seeing him several times during the week, and often took him food. He never complained of being unwell, and was very reserve. She oftentimes tried to pursuade him to have his house cleaned but he would not allow anyone to touch it. When he was unwell some four years ago, she attended to him and made him very comfortable; got him a nice bed and other comforts, but after he got better he destroyed all of them. He had had a slight cough of late but did not complain of being worse. On Friday last she took him some bread and miJi at 10 in the morning also at 1 o'clock and her boy took him some more at 8. He had a fire and she last taw him at 1 p.m. He was as usual and made no complaint. He was naked and looked very dejected it was a terribly oold day. She fetched a coat and put on him and made him as comfortable as she could but he was in a most miserable con- dition, distressing to see him. Ladies had called to see him but he would not let them in and made use of very bad language. She had no reason to sup- pose that he took his own life her opinion was that he died from starvation. Her boy was in the habit of making his fire in the morning and he went about 8 o'clock on Saturday morning and found him dead; and he came to her and she at once went there; Edwards was lying on the hearth, his right side opposite, the fire. He had no bed, and had burnt sheets, blankets and everything else, and laid on the floor every night. She at once informed Mr. Frith, agent to Mr. Baines, of what had taken place, and he looked after the case and information was given to the police. Edwards has no relations. He would not be prevailed upon to go to the Workhouse, and said he would never leave the cottage. Stephen B. Williams, son of the last wit- ness, aged 1 stated that his motherfrequently sent him with food for Edwards, who never complained of being unwell. At 7.30 p.m. on the day in ques- tion witness took him some bread and milk, and he asked if witness could see anything the matter with his eyes and mouth. Witness replied that his eyes looked very bad. He made the fire up and stayed with him abont five minutes and then left. On Saturday morning he went to make the fire at eight o'clock and said Well Richard, how are you," but there was no reply. Witness thought he was dead and went for his mother. Witness did not know that deceased ever washed himself. He used to order his coal 10 ewt. at a time, and he always had plenty. The coroner, in summing up, said in his experience he had never witnessed such a wretched and miserable place, the filth being some- thing terrible. Edwards lived a miserable and wretched life. He would not take the good advice given to him by his neighbours and others, and it certainly was a terrible end, for as he lived, so he died. He (the coroner) thought that death was due to natural causes accelerated by Edwards's habits of being exposed to cold. The jury, after a brief deliberation, returned a verdict accordingly. PETTY SESSIONS. Monday, December 4th, before S. K. Mainwaring, Esq., W. C. E. Kynaston, C. Morrall and N. Robinson, Esqrs. Permitting Drunl-cnnexs.—John Watkins, inn- keeper, Three Tuns Inn, Ellesmere, was charged with this offence on October 7th.-P.S. Elcock gave evidence as to seeing a man named Wm. Howell on the premises in a drunken state on the evening of the above day. Howell had part of a glass of beer near to him, and he remained on the premises about half an hour.-P.C. Lewis, who was in com- pany with the last witness, gave corroborative evidence.—Maria Watkins, wife of defendant, gave evidence to the effect that Howell came into the house drunk, and she refused to give him any drink. She had more to do with the house than her husband, as he was often away at work.—Wm. Davies, blacksmith, said he lodged at the Three Tuns Inn. On October 7th, between ten and eleven o'clock, Wm. Howell accompanied him to the Inn. Howell was drunk, and witness knew that Mrs Watkins refused to give him any drink, and told him to go before the Sergeant came in. Witness was quite sober himself. Howell did not drink with him or anyone else.—John Watkin said that when Davies and Howell came into the house on October 7th Davies had a glass of beer, but he refused to draw anything for Howell, and asked him to go out.—Cross-examined by Supt. Lang- ford: He denied that Howell was in the house for more than half-an-hour.-The Magistrates retired for some minutes to consider this case, and on re- turning pointed out to defendant that, according to his own witnesses, Howell was drunk, and that he ought to have taken the necessary steps to have got him out of the house sooner. Fined £ 1 and costs.-The money was paid. Drunk.—Joseph Beckett, of Coptwiney, labourer, was charged with this offence in Cross-street, Ellesmere, on November 2nd. Defendant did not appear. P.C. Lewis proved the case. A long list of previous convictions was handed in. Sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour.— William Drury was charged with a similar offence on November 8th, in Willow-street, Ellesmere. Defendant pleaded guilty. P.S. Elcock proved the case, and said that defendant was so drunk that he had to lock him up.—Fined 5s. and 5s. costs. Highway Offence.—John Smith, farmer, Hampton Wood, was charged by P.S. Elcock with allowing five pigs to stray upon the highway at Hampton Wood on November 5th.—Fined Is. each pig and 5s. costs. Assaulting a Wife.-William Dean, of Weston, near Baschurch, farmer, was charged with assaulting his wife and threatening to kill her on November 19th. Mr. W. H. Bott, solicitor, Oswestry, appeared for the defendant, and Mr. R. H. Ellis, solicitor, Oswestry, was to have appeared for Mrs. Dean, but was prevented from doing so as he was ill.—Complainant deposed that defendant came home about two o'clock in the morning on November 19th drunk. He turned some of the children out of doors and struck witness, and after he had taken his boots off kicked her in the face. Defendant got her down on the kitchen floor and beat her. He then forced her to go upstairs,where he struck her several times about the head and arms, and took hold of her throat and said he would do for her," and that he would dash her brains out.—Witness felt that she was in danger of her life, and asked for a separation order.—Cross- examined by Mr. Bott, witness said she was sure that it was about two o'clock when defendant came home on that Sunday morning. He was frequently out very late on Saturday nights, but he had no occasion to be. Defendant assaulted her before she went upstairs. The children did not abuse their father that evening. It was after she had gone upstairs that defendant threatened to finish her. She thought that the bruises on her arms were caused after she had gone upstairs, but he beat her both before and after she went upstairs. Defendant got witness some water to bathe her face afterwards, and next morning he said he was sorry for what ke had done. He had assaulted her before on several occasions.—Samuel Kynaston, of Weston Common, said that between two and three o'clock on Sunday morning, November 19th, the defendant's children came to his house with nothing on but their night shirts. It was a very cold morning. Witness took them into his house and put them to bed. They made some complaints about their father. Witness went to Dean's house and stayed outside about twenty minutes. It woul,d then be after 3 o'clock, and the 'house was quiet." He could see defendant moving about upstairs. About half past nine witness went to see for the children's clothing. He saw Mrs. Dean, she had black eyes and her face was much disfigured. Witness also saw defendant, who said that Mrs. Dean had provoked jiim. Witness took the children back in the afternoon. It was not the first time the children had come to his house in the night.—Dr. Theodore Hodge, of Baschurch, gave evidence as to seeing Mrs. Dean on tke Monday, when she had two black eyes. Her face was much disfigured. There were bruises on her forehead, her left ear, left arm, shoulder, &c., and she appeared in an exausted state. Considerable violence must have been used. The bruises could have been produced with the fist.-Fanny Davies gave evidence as to seeing Mrs. Dean on the Monday, and corroborated what Dr. Hodge had said.—Mr. Bott, for the defence, said that defendant had expressed great sorrow to Mrs. Dean for what had occurred. He had struck her under great provocation. They had differences with regard to the correction of the children, and he submitted that the father was the right one to administer the correction, but the wife interfered. The children were the great cause of their differences. He submitted that Mrs. Dean had told a very exaggerated story of what occurred, and he did not think a sufficient case had been made out for the granting of a separation order, but that a small fine would meet the case.—The Magistrates having retired, took some time to consider the case. On their return the Chairman announced that they had carefully considered the evidence; they were satisfied that defendant had behaved in a most disgraceful manner. They then sentenced him to one month's imprisonment with hard labour and to pay the costs, £2 2s, They also granted Mrs. Dean a separation order, she to have the custody of the children, and defendant to pay 5s. a week towards their maintenance. Cruelty to a Horse.-Samuel Berresford, Halghton, was charged with cruelly beating a horse on November 22nd.—William Painter said that he was a rural postman, and lived at Char- lotte's-row, Ellesmere. He saw defendant beating the horse about the head and body with a stick. Defendant was sober, but he had had some beer. The breken stick produced was part of the stick used by defendant, who broke it in beating the horse. Witness took the horse from defendant and took it some distance. The horse was in a very poor condition. Defendant said he was a kicker" and he should like to shoot him. Witness saw defendant beat the horse twice afterwards.—Jane Whitfield gave corroborative evidence and said defendant was beating the horse for about ten minutes. The stick was thicker than the one defendant held in his hand.—Mr. T. T. Walley, farmer, Welsh Frankton, said he was leaving Oswestry about 4-30 on November 22nd, when he saw defendant beating his horse in a very bad manner. Witness spoke to defendant, and would have given him in charge if he had met with a police-constable. Defendant was either before or behind his trap most of the way between Oswestry and Frankton Lane.—Fined Li and costs ZI 15s. 6d., in default a months' imprisonment.— Defendant asked for time, which, on the advice of Supt. Laugford, was refused.—The Magistrates and Superintendent complimented and thanked the witnesses, especially Painter, for what they had done. Obstru,ction.-Samuel Tricket, of Criftins, farmer, was charged by P.S. Elcock with causing an obstruction by leaving a horse and trap near the Old Vaults from 8-30 to 9-20 p.m.—Fined 10s. including costs. Begging.Thomas Edwards, a tramp, was charged with begging alms on Saturday last.—P.C. Lewis proved the case. As defendant had been locked up since Saturday he was discharged. Trespass in Search of Ganw.-Richard Cornes, fireman on the railway, was charged with this offence on land in the occupation of Samuel Whit- field, on October 24th.—Fined 7s. including costs; allowed a week in which to pay. Non-payment of Gas Rent, J-c.-William Drury Beddow, late of the Bull and Dog Inn, Ellesmere, but now living at Oswestry, was summoned by J. A. S. Jennings. collector to the Ellesmere Local Board, for not having paid certain amounts due from him to the Board.—Defendant wrote to the Chairman asking the Magistrates to adjourn the caae for a month as he was unable to attend. The case was accordingly adjourned. ♦——

SERIOUS FIRE.—Damage estimated at 93,ooo was caused at Longton, on Tuesday, by the dis- truction by fire of Messrs. Poole's earthenware manufactury.