The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

¡r£ c'ruuMif. 0 v' u THE TOWN-HALL REPAIRS.—Mr. Rees, the con. tractor for the re-plastering of tbe above building, has at length made arrangements for the completion of the necessary repairs. The plastering already put on is being taken off again, and we do not venture an opinion as to the why and wherefore"- the fact speaks for itself. There certainly has been an extraordinary amount of bungling over the improvement, and the ratepayers naturally ask, Who's to blame?" THE LATE STORM.—The high wind on Saturday last did considerable damage in the outskirts of the town, sheds being unroofed and trees blown down. The rains produced a heavy flood iu the low lands, cattle and horses being rescued with some difficulty by means of boats. A quantity of loose hay was floated off, and the roads rendered impassable for some hours by the deposit after the water had subsided. A PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE.-On Tuesday last one of the most extraordinary and providential escapes perhaps on record occurred under the following peculiar circumstances :—The Neath Abbey steamer was, about two o'clock on Tuesday morning, steaming down within two miles north-west of the Holmes. The night bad b-len intensely dark, and consequent on the late storm the sea was running high. Some lights in the vessel's course caused the captain to slightly alter her bearing, when he fancied he heard a voice, ont away on the port bow. The vessel's speed was eased, and on getting within hail a boat was lowered, into which three men at once entered. Thev made for the direction in which the sound appeared to be, and in so doing lost sight of the vessel's lights, thus increasing the danger of their position. After being nearly an hour in search they discovered a sailor in the water, holding on by a small ladder fasten,' d as a raft to two small pieces of board. On enquiry, he proved to be a native of Picton, Nova Scotia, named Dan Beddie, who had shipped on board a vessel, in which, according to the custom which seems to be so infamously preva- lent, he was most harshly treated, and, preferring the chance of a watery grave to the probability of a continuance of the ill-usage, he made the attempt, so happily terminated, to escape from the ship. We need scarcely add that he was taken on board the steamer and most kindly cared for, Captain Evans, with his usual generosity, presenting him with the means of reaching another port whence he could obtain a vessel bound for his native place. HONOUR TO WHOM HONOUR IS DUE."—The doll's model residence, with its elegant suite of furniture in walnut wood, which formed so great an attraction at the stall of Mrs. Joshua Williams, at the Swan- sea bazaar, was she work of Mr. William Morgan, of Tomia, one of the workmen of the Aberdulais Tin Works. Mr. George Ball, of Neath, executed the painting and gilding, but the entire design and skill exercised on the manufacture of the" attrac- tion itself belongs to the first named ingenious artizan. THE TEMPERANCE HALL AT BRITON FERRY.-The progress made in the erection of this building con- tinues to surprise the casual visitori to Briton Ferry. It reflects the highest credit on the contractor, and il), when completed, be quite an ornament as well as a useful addition to the rapidly increasing town in which it is situated. Report says it -will be com- pleted before the proposed drill hall at Neath, or the assembly rooms at the Masonic Hall, in Queen- street. THE PROPOSED CHORAL UNION.-The Philhar- monic Society referred to ia our last impression is likely to take the form of a Choral Union," a meet- ing at the Town-ball having been convened for Monday week, "to decide on such arrangements as may be best suited to carry out that object." The rector, the Per. J. Griffiths, will preside, and all persons interested in the improved cultivation of sacred music are invited to attend." The move- ment appears to be exceedingly popular among the musical public, many, however, expressing a hope that secular music will also be introduced. As a variety of suggestions will be offered, and as great interest has already been taken in the effort to form a society free from that jealousy which, like other members of the "irritable genus," musicians are more or less subject to, we shall give a full report of the meeting in our next issue. 11 PRIZE EIFLE SHOOTING. One hundred and seventy-five competitors entered the lists at the annual prize competition at Newport on Thursday, including Mr. Lane, of Bristol, winner of the Queen's prize at Wimbledon. The weather was very unfavourable, a nasty head wind, perpetually shift- ing, blowing throughout the day. Neath was repre- sented by Corporal Bell, loth; Corporal Gregory, 17th, champion medal holder; and Private Sims, 17th. Corporal Bell made 28 points, Private Sims 25, and Corporal Gregory 22. Corporal Bell took the 12th prize, X4 the others were beaten. Private Burgess, of the 12th Glamorganshire, who tied with Gregory for the championship at Port Talbot, took the 30th prize, £1. It is rather remarkable that Sergeant Lane, the Queen's prizeman, tied with Corporal Gregory, the Glamorganshire county prize- man, both making 22, four points below the qualifica- tion number for a prize. ORDER OF SERVICES AT ST. DAVID'S CHUKCII.—■ Twelfth Sunday after Trinity, August 30th.— Morning Voluntary, O rest in the Lord," "Elijah," Mendelssohn; Venite and Gloria, No. 1., Tallis TeDeum, M.S.Y., 13 Jubilate, Boyce in G Kyi ■ie, No. 5, Jones Hymn 294, Psalm 81 Voluntary, Marcia, Dr. Elvey. Evening Voluntary, Selection, Spohr Magnificat, Monk 17; Nunc Dimittis, Elvey 12; Hymn 281, Jam lucis 249, 109 concluding Voluntary, "Let the bright seraphim," Handel. BOROUGH POLICE INSPECTION.— Captain Willis inspected the borough police force last week, express- ing himself satisfied with the clothing and other important matters connected with the force. The old gaol was considered by the inspector as both unsuitable and unfit for the lodgment of prisoners, although kept in such excellent order by the officer in charge, P.C. Phelps. The Mayor promised to lay the inspector's remarks and opinions before the watch committee, with a view to its alteration and improve- ment. BANKRUPTCY CASES.—The following cases have been heard by Mr. Commissioner Hill at the Bristol Bankruptcy Court :-Re J. Stewart. late of Neath, travelling draper.—Mr. Press appeared for the assignee, and said that the estate was being wound up out of court, and he was not instructed to offer any opposition. He bélieved that no accounts had been filed, but it was a question whether or not it was necessary to file the accounts when the estate was taken out of court.—His Honour said it was ciear that where the creditors accepted a composi- tion there was no necessity for accounts being filed. —After some discussion the sitting was adjourned to enable the bankrupt to file his accounts. Re T. W. Davies, Neath, schoolmaster. Mr. Press, said that this was a case in which he filed the petition, and now represented the official assignee. On the last occasion Mr. Clifton opposed for a creditor, in consequence of the bankrupt's father claiming a property alleged to belong to the estate. The father, however, had now abandoned his claim. Mr; Clifton said that the ground of opposition had now been removed, and he had no objection to the bankrupt obtaining his discharge. The Court granted the order of discharge. SIIMMERFIELD CONVERSAZIONE,—The heartiness which generally characterizes the proceedings of the members at Summerfield appears to have almost reached a climax in the preparations for the forth- coming conversazione. As an instance of this fact, we in,y mention that the "necessaries" for the tea party have all been presented by the friends and supporters of the movement. Mr. John George, of Lacdore, Mr. T. Williams, of Dowlais, who won theEIO prize at the Carmarthen Eisteddfod, and Mr. William Thomas, an American visitor, have volunteered their services as solo vocalists, while the choir, under the baton of Mr. John Arnold, will give a selection of the last and best music of the day. Other attractions are p.-omiscd, and we are glad to learn that the thousand and one" tickets issued are already nearly all bought up. A lull report of the meeting will appear in cur issue of September 5th. THE ARTILLERY PHIZES.Our attention has been called to the supposed award at the late competition, c ai as recorded in our columns, in which, the Briton Ferry company was placed out of the correct order. We propose to give the referee's and umpire's unqualified decision on the question as soon as it is finally announced. MARKET ITEMS.—Wednesday's market was exceed- ingly well attended and well stocked, hut the general complaint appeared to be that business was dull and buyers scarce. The supply of fruit was very large, and prices low; plums so cheap that prices could not be quoted with any certainty apples 4s. to 5s. per pot damsons, retailed, 6d. per quartern; cucumbers, frame grown, 8d. to Is., other sorts, Id. to 3d.; mushrooms, 2d. per lb.; onions, 6s. 6d. per cwt. Poultry was not so plentiful as last week, and prices were more reasonable. The cattle warket was represented by a drove of twenty Irish heifers, three or four milch cows, four pens of sheep, and a fair show of pigs. Quoted figures were higher, fodder being more abundant. The general run of business was not encouraging, and complaints were freely made that it was "a wretched time for trad- ing." The show of meat was unusually fine on the foreign side of the market, while the home butchers, as usual, made an excellent display of prime beef, mutton, and veal. NEW I-Iops.-The first pocket of new Worcester hops were taken to market on the 22nd instant, and consigned to Evan Evans, Esq., Vale of Neath Brewery, Glamorganshire. 6 EFFECTS OF THE GALE AT BRITON FERRY ROAD.— Considerable damage was done to the bathing machines at the above popular place of resort on Saturday last, through the high tide and the violence of the gale. It appears that the machines floated as the water reached them, and the wind then dashed them about with considerable violenoe. They were eventually secured, and placed in one of the more sheltered parts of the retreat. THE CHISSELTON COLLIERY.-A new shaft is being sunk at the above works, in anticipation of finding another seam of coal. An impetus will thus be given to the trade of the Briton Ferry port, which, with the large orders now on hand at other works in the same locality, will, we trust, be the means of im- proving the prosperity of the district. SHOCKING ACCIDENT.-A shocking accident oc- curred to the driver of one of the engines at the Tin-works, Briton Ferry, last week. It appears that the man, whose name is William Bright, was standing on one of the spokes of the fly-wheel in order to reach some other part of the machinery, when the crank, being at the "centre," moved with his weight, and the wheel made part of a revolution, crushing one of the poor fellow's heels completely off, and injuring his other foot in a frightful manner. Medical assistance was at once obtained, and, con- sidering the severity of the accident, the sufferer is progressing as favorably as can be expected. THE BANTING PRIZE AT THE FISTEDDFOD.-The award of the above prize at the National Eisteddfod created considerable interest, still more enhanced by the report that a similar one will be offered at the Eisteddfod to be held in Brecon in 1869. The prize was offered for the best new poem or song, suitable for music (in English), not exceeding thirty lines, on any subject, by a Welshman or Welshwoman; prize zC20, given by W. Banting, Esq., London, and a silver medal by the Eisteddfod Council. The judges were Townshend Mainwaring, Esq M.P., the Rev. J. W. Freeborne, head master of Rutbin Grammar School, and John Hullah, Esq., and eighty compositions were received. The Rev. J, Griffiths, rector of Neath,, read the judges' award, and their adjudicatiou on the two best, as follows :-I. "The Harper's Grave," by'Geirant; the subject well chosen and successfully treated a decidedly poetic vein runs through it, and it seems well suited for the purpose for which it was written, 2. "Victoria." This poem possesses considerable merit, but lacks the originality of conception which pervades Geirant. As few of our readers are likely to be favoured with the poetry which the judges considered worth 13s. 4d. per line we append a copy :— Banting 1'1'Üe. Stanzas for Mask. THE IIABPER'S GRAVE.—ISEDD Y It was a Sunday morning, And the sound of praise was o'er; As I was slowly turning Away from the old church door, I heard a strain of music I ne'er had heard before. Then some mysterious feelillg Allured and guided me, L Till I found an old man kneeling On a grave 'neath a dark yew-tree, Nervously waking the harpstrings To mournful melody. Old man "I I said, unshaken, 'Tis not the place or hour For minstrels to awaken These handmaids of their power, The songsters of the graveyard Are bells in yonder tower." He did not cease his playing, But said, When a soldier dies, We hear his war-horse neighing In his splendid obsequies, And his comrades waken the music Which he did dearly prize." And then the voice was silent, And hush'd the quivering string, But we heard for a single moment A gentle fiuttering- Was it a chance vibration Or the brush of an angel's wing'!—GEIRANT. The successful competitor proved to be the Rev. Llewelyn Thomas, M.A., of Jesus College, Oxford, curate of Llanrhaiadr, and son of the Rev. Canon Thomas Thomas. It was announced at the meeting that the same gentleman was the winner of the New- degate prize at Oxford. We append a copy of the second best, by Mr. Dowling Evans, of Newport :— FOR EVER. Like mated doves in concert found, "When spring makes green the heather, From early years our hearts were bound In fondest ties together; We thought not of the future then What ills that bond might sever, J And so we vowed, and vowed again, Our love should last for ever! And sunshine on our hearts was shed Beneath a nation's blessing, Love's tender branches round us spread Caressed, and all caressing As banded souls harmonious move, '.J. SO each combined endeavour, In heaven's own light appeared to prove Our love should list for ever. What time thus passed, 'twere vain to tell, In Winter's stormy weather, Death bade us take a sad farewell Though long we loved together; «. If here his form 1 ne'er behold, His voice respond to never, Affection still retains its hold- Our love shall last for ever '—VICTORIA. What the other" bests" were our readers will infer from what we have published. COUNTY POLICE COURT, before G. LEWELLYN, Esq., and the Rev. W. GRIFFITHS. LICENSE. Mr. Caleb Davies, grocer, Briton Ferry, applied for the transfer of the license of the New Inn, iltelyncrythan. -Granted. AFFILIATION.—Solomon Wyatt was summoned by Catherine Lewis to show cause, &c., he being as she alleged the father. Order made for the usual pay- ment, with costs. STEALING A RING.-Sophia Lewellyn was charged by Margaret Roberts with the above offence. It appears that prosecutrix was in the habit of plac- ing the wedding ring in a glass on a chest of drawers while washing, for fear of losing it, and shortly after the last September fair her husband asked her where it was on going to the glass to look for it, she found it had been taken, and she saw no more of it till she found it in the possession of Ann Jenkins last week. She recognised the ring by a small notch or dent which was in it, caused by a fall about three months after her marriage. She alleged that the ring had been altered, but she could still swear to it.—Mr. Blellock appeared for Ann Jenkins, who said that she bought the ring pro- duced from Sophia Lewellyn the Friday before last fair, having had it offered her many times previous to that, but Lewellyn happening to be in the house one day, when she (the defendant) said her ring was broken she (Lewe-lyn) offered to sell her one, as she had two. This happened more than twelve months previously. After looking at the ring, and observing that it was too large for her, she bought it for 8s., and had it made to fit by Mr. Curtis, jeweller, of Wind-street, and she had worn the ring ever since until given to the police-officer. The prosecutrix was then questioned about tha time she had lost the ring, and the Bench not considering there was any prima facie case, dismissed the sum- mons. THE DRUNKARD'S LIsT.-Hannah Boddicombe was charged by Superintendent Matthews with being drunk and disorderly at Neath Abbey. The defen- dant denied the charge, and said she was the mother of fourteen children, and wanted protection from her husband. Fined 5s. and costs, with an intima- tion that had she been charged with being riotous she would have been sent to gaol. John Williams was charged with being drunk and riotous at Skewen. It appeared that defendant's wife bad sent for the officer as her husband was drunk, and had broken all the furniture up. Defendant did I. ot appear, but, wife-like, she appeared for him, and pleaded that her husband was not responsible for his actions when drunk, because he then lost his senses. The Bench thought otherwise, and fined the defen- dant 10s. and costs, with an intimation that if it was not paid the defendant would be sent to prison. Thomas Morgan pleaded guilty to a like charge, and said he had only had four pints of beer, and it was the first time he had ever been before the magistrates in his life.—Fined 10s. and costs. Before G. LEWELLYN, Esq., and Rev. W. GRIFFITHS. AssAULTS.-Margai-et Jones, of Skewen, was sum- moned by Caroline Trott, of the same place, for dssaulting her on Monday last. Complainant deposed that defendant would not allow her to have water from a well at Skewen, and that when remon- strated with the assault was committed. The case was dismissed A cross-summons was taken out for an assault, arising out of the same affray, in which the defendant (complainant in the last case) was fined Is. and costs. NON-PAYMENT OF RATES.-The Phcenix Iron and Colliery Company, Limited, were summoned by the overseers of Baglan Lower for the non-payment of a highway rate, made on the 15th May last, amounting to Y,13 2s., and a poor rate, made 15th April last, amounting to .£52 8s. The case was adjourned for a week. SUSPICIOUS INDIVIDUALS. -Jas. Scriven and David Davies were charged by P.C. Saies with having nets in their possession for the purpose of taking game. The informant deposed that he met the men on the road leading from Skewen to Bircbgrove, with nets in their possession, on Thursday, the 13th inst. Defendants were fined 40s. each and costs, and the nets to be forfeited. ADJOURNED.— lhe case of John Powis v. Jenkin Davies for assault and wilful damage, was adjourned for a week. STRUCK OUT.-The case of Rosser v. Thomas, for poaching, was struck out for non-appearance. CRUELTY TO A DONKEY.-David Lewis was charged with the above offence. From the evidence of P.C. David Lewis it appeared that the defendant was in charge of a horse and cart, and also a donkey tied to the cart shafts, at Cadoxton he was very drunk, and whilst driving the wheel of the cart came on the hinder parts of the donkey, and one of its legs was so much injured that the animal could scarcely put it to the ground he said the donkey was his own, and he should do as he liked with it the officer then took the animal out, and also took the defendant into custody. The defendant said in reply to the charge that the donkey had been cut on the legs by a rope, which had been tied about his less a fortnight ago he said he found it on the Cymla injured, and then took care of it.—Lewis Jones. a private constable, con- firmed in every respect the first witness's statement, and the Bench, after commenting upon the atrocity of the case, fined the defendant 20s. and costs 12s. 6d., or 21 daya' imprisonment. BOROUGH POLICE COURT, before the MAYOR, EX-MAYOR, and J. H. ROWLAND, Esq. THE|FORGERY CASE.—James Hernaman and Martin Nolan were formally committed to the assizes for trial. The particulars of the case were given in our last police reports. BEERHOUSE ACT OFFENCE.-Thoinas Jones was charged with a Sunday morning Beerhouse Act offence.—The case was adjourned, on application of defendant, to August 3lst. FALSE P.RETENCES.Tohn Hughes was charged by the Head-constable with this offence.-Adjourned to September 5th. BREACH OF SEWAGE REGULATIONS. — Morgan Mainwaring was charged by the surveyor, Alfred Bryant Campion, with having made an entry into the main sewer improperly. Complainant deposed I am sewers' surveyor for the borough of Neath on Wednesday morning I had notice that a connection with the public sewer was about to be made at Penydre I went up and saw the defendant working with another man he had a hole in the ground I told him he was to make an open and direct hole into the ground, not to work underneath, so that I might see all he did I asked him if he knew where the stoneware pipe was; he said" yes;" there was a mark in the kerb directly opposite where the pipe was supposed to be I told him as soon as he had worked down to the stone covering the mouth of the pipe he was to go no further without sending for me to my office I told him so repeatedly when I got back I had some information, which induced me to go the next morn- ing I descended into the hole in the ground, crawled in with a candle, and found that a hole about a foot square had been cut into the brick sewer, and a stoneware pipe stuck in loosely, as though it was about to be fixed I was very angry with the defen- dant, and told him I should obtain a summons for him we had words, and at last he asked me what he should do I told him, as the best way to partially remedy the damage, to get the sewers' contractor to fix the pipe.—Cross-examined Edward Cribb is the sewers' contractor; I did not engage him-the sewer authorities did; I do not know who the occu- pier of the house was that was to be connected; I was not told it was Mr. Couch it is usual to drain opposite the mark in this case it was under the door; this is to No. 3 sewer; I was superintending the construction of that sewer I was there every day I have drawings of the sewer,—not with me there was a stoneware pipe opposite the mark in this case fixed in my presence; the diameter of the sewer from top to bottom is two feet, and the diameter transversely sixteen inches the hole was about half the height of the sewer a man's head or arm could be put in; except in cases where one pipe would be sufficient to drain all the property of one owner, I have caused a pipe to be put opposite every house I am sure Cribb has not cut holes in the sewer; I saw the hole when he had got down four or five feet; I did not see it after it was finished.-Moses Cole deposed to the particulars as stated by Mr. Campion, after which Mr. Dixon, solicitor, addressed the Bench for the defendant, and contended that no pipe being in the culvert at that place to connect to, there had been no offence committed, and in cor- roboration ot his statements he called William Poley, a partner of the defendant's.—The magistrates fined the defendant 20s., including costs, allowing a fortnight for payment. DRUNKENNESS.—Samuel Griffiths was fined 5s. and costs.—Allowed a week to pay the same, MAGISTRATES' CLERK'S OFFICE, before S. GARDNER, Esq. THE FORGERY CASE.-Martin Nolan was admitted to bail in two sureties in 920, and himself in £ 20. BOROUGH POLICE COURT, WEDNESDAY, before W. J. PLAYER, Esq., S. GARDNER, Esq., and the Rev. W. GRIFFITHS. ASSAULT AND WILFUL DAMAGE.-Edward Rees and Philip Lloyd were charged with assaulting Jeremiah Finigan, a rag collector, and damaging his donkey cart, peep show, and scenery.—Rees was convicted of wilful damage, and fined 6d., damage 15s., costs 9s. 6d and for the assault, fined 6d. and 9s. 6d. costs. Lloyd was fined lis. 6d., damages 15s., and 8s. 6d. costs. ASSAULTING A POLICE OFFICER.— Wm, Homlls was charged by P.C. William Jones with the above offence, committed while the latter was on duty.— Fined 20s. and costs. DRUNK AND RiOTOUS.-Saralt McGuinness was charged by the Head-constable with being drunk and riotous in Commercial-street at one o'clock on Wednesday morning.—In defence, she said she came from Lanham's, and was knocking at her own door for two hours trying to get in; she supposed the officer heard her, and he took her like a dog and clasped her with something he had in his pocket, knocked her down, and used her "shocking;" she said she had a few glasses at Lanham's, and that it was her misfortune to take a drop of drink occa- sionally.—Fined Is. and costs. THURSDAY, before the MAYOR. DRUNKENNESS.- William Hughes was dicharged with a caution for the above offence. Before J. H. ROWLAND, Esq. AFFILIATION. Joseph Hopkins, summoned by Elizabeth Emmanuel, was discharged on defendant paying .£1 arrears, due up to the 22nd August, and costs. BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The Guardians for the Neath Union held their fortnightly meeting on Tuesday last, when the fol- lowing gentlemen were present :-Howel Gwyn, Esq., M.P., chairman Griffith Lewellyn, Esq., vice- chairman (in the chair during the latter part of the Board's sitting); Rev. Walter Griffiths, Rev. Pendril Lewellyn, Rev. A. T. Hushes, Rev. D. Thomas; Messrs. S. Gardner, P. Davies, J. Jenkins, W. J. Player, C. S. Price, C. Thresher, F. J. Gibbins, R. Parsons, W. Jones, &c., &c. RELIEF LISTS. The usual revision of the relief lists occupied the Board for a considerable time, the greater number of applicants being Irish, the graphic account of their circumstances as given by them affording a strange contrast to their general appearance. CASUAL PAUPERS. During the revision of the relief lists the attention of the Board was directed to the exp ense of casual pauper maintenance. Mr. Price said: I have been speaking to the superintendent about the "casuals," and he says they are generally a "jolly lot of fellows, and always ready with a song." If that is the case it is a pity that the ratepayers have to keep them. In some unions they have to break a quantity of stones, but they soon find out where that is to be done, and they know where the best places are. I hope the guar* dians will take the matter into consideration, and see if something of the sort could not be done here by those who receive relief. Mr. P. Davies You may always know a well-to- do casual by his lazy strolling ways. It would be necessary to have a ward specially for them, if we intend to set them to work. You 3ay the admissions are signed by the superintendent-then he complains of his own act. Mr. Player No; he merely describes the sort of people who obtain the admission tickets. Mr. Price Let us suppose that the erection of a ward will cost .£100, that is less than their mainten- ance, and if we diminish the cost of maintenance we diminish the rates by the value of the work they do. The Mayor You had better bring it forward ia the general business. The Chairmau: Singing a song is no proof that they have money in their pockets. The Mayor Perhaps they act on the principle of no song no supper." (Laughter.) The Chairman The casual" question is, I think, the most difficult question of the day. The greatest cause of vagrancy is, that people are too ready to relieve those who beg. They get a supply of food from every house, from day to day, and if ratepayers would but make up their minds to refrain from giving, vagrants would make up their minds not to beg, and idleness would not be encouraged. You generally see a vagrant with a lump of bread and cheese, or bread and butter. The remedy, therefore, is in everybody's hands, and I wish they would exercise it. I have heard of a bishop-the Arch- bishop of Dublin-who used to boast that he had never given anything to a beggar in his life, and, I think, it would not be a bad rule to follow with the view of preventing vagrancy. The subject then dropped. DR. JENKINS. After the disposal of the first lists the public business commenced by the clerk reading a letter from the Poor-Law Board in reference to this gentleman. The Clerk remarked that he had been written to three or four times, but he had not attended to the communications Poor-Law Board, Whitehall, 21st Aug., 1868. Sir,—I am directed by the Poor-Law Board, with reference to the letter which they addressed to you on the 1st ult., to request that you will furnish them with the particulars of the appointment of Mr. John Jenkins to the office of medical officer for the Glyncorrwg district of the Neath Union, in the form of queries, which has been forwarded to you for that purpose.—I am, sir, your obedient servant, H. FLEMING, Secretary. H. Cuthbertson, Esq., Clerk to the Guardians of the Neath Union. Mr. P. Davies The Board thought it would be as well for him to come here as for the clerk to write to him. The Rev. P. Lewellyn He is from home, and has been away for the past fortnight; or he would have attended to the clerk's letters. The Chairman Who doeti his duty for him? The Rev. P; Lewellyn: He has a deputy. Mr. P. Davies: That deputy should have the sanction of this Board before acting for him. The Chairman If he attends at your office, Mr. Cuthbertson, it will do, I suppose. The Clerk Yes; the Poor-Law Board merely require their forms to be filled up. THE LLANSAMLET POOR RATE COLLECTOR. The Clerk read a letter he had received from the Poor-Law Board, and also the following copies of correspondence; Poor Law Board, Whitehall, August 22, 1868. Sir,—I am directed by the Poor Law Board to transmit to the Guardians of the Neath Union the enclosed copy of a letter, which the Board addressed on the 20th ultimo to Mr. T. Howell, collector of poor rates for the parish of Llansamlet Lower, relative to the recent report of the district auditor, together with a copy of the reply, and to request that tbe Guardians will iurniah the Board with any observations which they may wish to offer on that cor- respondelice--I am, sir, your obedient servant, H. FLEMING, Secretary. H. Cuthbertson, Esq., Clerk to the Board of Guardians. [COPY.] Poor Law Board, Whitehall, July 20,1868. Sir,—The Poor Law Board have received a report of the dis- trict auditor, made after his audit of theacconnts of the parish of Llansamlet Lower, in the Neath Union, for the half-year ended 25th March last, in which he states as follows:— Beceipt and paymentbook, rate receipt cheque books.—Monthly statements not. kept in new form prescribed; in his rate book, column gross estimated rental not cast. Collecting and deposit book. When this officer had deposited any sum he had omitted to enter the total against the entry of the sum in the deposits. Unpaid rates, statement not kept." The Board direct me to send to you the enclosed extracts from the general order of accounts of the 14th January, 1867, and to request that you will furnish them with an explana- tion of this point.—I am, sir, your obedient servant, (Signed) M. E. H. BEACH, Secretary. Mr. Howell, Collector of Poor Rates, Llansamlet Lower, Neath. [COPY OF RZPLY.] Llansamlet Lower, July 22, 1868. My Lords and Gentlemen,—In reply to yours of the 20th inst., after the report of the district auditor, I do confess my errors by not casting the gross estimated rental and collecting on my side; as for the deposit side, it was cast up, and the overseer had signed his initials, therefore I beg your favour for once more, and I shall not give you any trouble again. In reply to the new form, Mr. Jones, the auditor, asked the Clerk of the Board whether the receipt and payment book, rate receipt check book, and the monthly statements had arrived at the office, and the Clerki answered, no, not yet.- I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, (Signed) THOMAS HOWELL, Collector. Mr. P. Davies Have you any further remarks? The Clerk That is all the correspondence. The Chairman Have they been replied to? The Clerk No. I am waiting the Board's obser- vations, as required by the Poor-Law Board. Mr. Price We ought to see him, and let him know what the Guardians think of the matter, and also hear his explanation. The Chairman Is there no guardian here that knows him? Mr. Jenkins He is a very respectable person, and acts very regularly in every way he is methodical in his accounts, and I suppose, like many other officers, he has not been able to keep the new form of accounts yet. Mr. P. Davies He is a highly respectable man. Mr. Gardner: The Poor-Law Board appear to have accepted his explanation. The Mayor: Whose fault is it that he has not had the new forms? (To the clerk) Was it not your office to get them? The Clerk Yes we should have to send to the publishers for them. The Mayor Then you are to blame, I suppose. The Clerk: No we have sent repeatedly, but the publishers have not sent them. I think the letters have merely been sent down by the Poor-Law Board for the guardians to see the report made by the auditor, and to know your opinion respecting the same. The Chairman: It appears to me highly necessary that the Board should state to the commissioners the facts of the case. They think he is not compe- tent, and we believe he is, and that the omission lies with them. 1 think the clerk should write to the Board about it, and furnish them with a proper explanation. LUNATIC PAUPERS. The Clerk read the following letter respecting two lunatic paupers Glamorgan County Asylum, Bridgend, 17th August, 1868. Sir,—I am directed to inform you that Edward Evans and Janet Miles, having been certified as recovered by the medical superintendent, are ordered by the visitors of the asylum to be discharged. The former left on the 14th inst., and the latter on the 15th. —I am, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM JENKINS, Clerk of Asylum. H. Cuthbertson, Esq., Neath. The Chairman: Have you heard anything of them ? The Clerk Nothing more than is stated in the letter. The Mayor One of them is perfectly recovered- the patient Aliles. The Charman You may probably have some- thing to report by next Board day. MEDICAL EXTRAS. The Clerk read a letter from Dr. Watkin Rhys in reference to extra payments for attendance on patients :— Aberdare, August 15th, 1868. Dear Sir,—I enclose a bill for attendance on a boy, Williams, at Maesmarchoy, for simple fracture of the leg. The relieving officer's order to attend I sent you some months ago. I also send you a statement of amount due for vaccina- tion. Will you kindly submit both for payment to the Board, and oblige, yours truly, WATKIN RHYS. H. Cuthbertson, Esq. [ENCLOSURE.] The Board of Guardians of Neath Union Dr. to Watkin Rhys, Surgeon, &c. TO surgical attendance on a boy, w imams, at Maesmarchoy, for a simple fracture of the leg, from June 10th, 1867 £3 0 0 To Vaccination, second central district Neath- Neath Higher, 7; Middle, 3; Lower, 3; Blaen- gwrach, 1; Clytha, 1; Resolven, 3.-Total, 18 1 16 0 £4. 16 0 The Chairman I suppose those amounts are due. The Clerk They are due, but you eannot pay them. They are beyond the time-the six months' limit. Mr. Gibbins Where are the vaccination fees for ? The Clerk There is no date but 1868. Mr. Gardner: I think no advantage should be taken, because it is past date, or out of time. If the amount is due it should be paid. The Clerk The auditor will disallow it, and whoever signs the cheque will have to pay the amount. Mr. Gibbins If we are satisfied that it is due, an application should be made to the Poor-Law Board, and a certificate would be granted on the produc- tion of the order from the relieving-officer to attend the patient. Mr. P. Gibbins Then move an application to the Board, and pay on receipt of their certificate. The vaccination fees can be paid then also. Mr. Gibbins Better pay to-day, as the past date" six months will soon go by again. Mr. Thresher In a former claim on this Board Mr. Rhys stated that there was another amount due, and it was acknowledged by us. He particularly called our attention to it, and I had a letter from him at the time to that effect. The Chairman Let the proper steps be taken in the matter to settle the claim. AN ANONYMOUS COMPLAINT. The Clerk I have a letter signed a A lover of justice," or A well-wisher of justice;" no other signature. Am I to read it ? Mr. Gardner Anonymous letters should not be brought forward. We have hitherto always ignored them. The Chairman Does it affect any of our officers 1 The Clerk No it is about a person living at Glyn-Neath. The Board Let it be read. It can be passed by, or inquired into, if necessary. The Clerk then read the following letter, which caused much laughter To the Board of Guardians of the Neath Union. Gentlemen,-It is high time that you should stop relieving Gwenny Rees, widow, living at Glyn-Neath. She has two nice houses of her own, and a son getting good wages, and constant work at Bwllfaron colliery, besides a shop of every- thing to sell. There is more money spent by her upon drink some days than she receives from the Board in the week. It is a pity that the Board do not know who they are relieving. They are misinformed often times no doubt, otherwise there would be more justice done. Hoping, gentlemen, you will take it into consideration, and relieve those that are really in want, and not them that spend it for intoxicating liquors.-I remain, gentlemen, A WELL-WISHEB OF JUSTICK. Mr. P. Davies Better not go into print with it, I think. (To our reporter): You had better not take it down. A Guardian If it is not libellous let it be pub- lished. The Chairman: Is the relieving officer here? He can perhaps tell us how much of it is true. The Relieving Officer I see the woman every week. She lives in one cottage, and rents the other. A letter was sent down to this Board about her some time ago, and you agreed to allow her 3s. per week. The rent of one house is swallowed up by the mort- gage on it, and her little boy is only now in work, and earning 9s. per week. She is a very tidy woman. He gives his mother this, but she has two to keep besides. Mr. Gibbins: What age are they? The Officer One six and the other eight, and the parish pay is to keep them. The Mayor: Then she gets no relief herself? The Officer No. I go every week there and why don't they speak to me, and not write letters about things of this sort. The Chairman I understand that a will was made, leaving property with a mortgage to the eldest son. Has it been proved? The Officer Yes. Mr. P. Davies: What is the ground rent, and what are the houses worth? A Guardian The ground rent is ze2. The Officer And the houses are worth 250 each. Mr. P. Davies And the rent is X,5 each per annum. That leaves her X3 to live on. Mr. Price I think you ought to have more infor- mation before you come to any conclusion on the matter, because it is the practice of this Board not to relieve any pauper with property in possession. We do not know that she has any property. If the property belongs to her son we cannot interfere. The Chairman Is she given to drink? The Officer I never heard of her being so. The Chairman Does she keep a shop? The Officer: Yes, for apples and pears. (Laughter.) Mr. P. Davies Perishable articles, I suppose. The Chairman If the property is worth a greater sum than the amount of mortgage she has no ground or claim for relief here. It might happen, or be like, as it were, a person applying for relief with 250 in his pocket at the time. There seems ground for further enquiry, and our business is to see into it. The Officer Mr. Thomas will give me all the information you require, and I will report the parti- culars at the next meeting of the Board. THE ASSESSMENT QUESTION. The Chairman (handing some papers to the clerk): Mr. Gwyn requested that those papers might be read to the Board. The Clerk read the following documents :— Neath, August 25, 1968. To the Guardians of the Neath Union. Gentlemen,—The Clerk to the Union is required under the general orders of the Poor Law Board to produce for your consideration his estimate of the coming calls of the Union, four weeks before they are made. I received a letter from the Clerk's office requesting me tojfurnish him with the gross value and rateable value of each parish in the Union, on tie 25th of March and 29th of September in each year.. I was preparing to supply the information when X the enclosed letter, marked "'No. 1," and on niy the messenger the letter I had received, stating tnat tne totals required of me was upto the 25th March and 29th September, to take to the Clerk's office, he returned to me with letter "No. 2" (endorsed), but keeping your 1 to me, and on my sending for it I was told I should not have it, and it has been detained up to the present tame. The Guardians will see from the letter, JNO. 2, that the writer is ignorant of his duties, and if I had supplied the totals he asked for, viz., the March returns, and the calls were made thereon, I must leave the Ouaruans to judge of what a pretty state the accounts of the union would be in, as it is upon this return the common tuna expenses would have to be charged at the end of the If the Guardians making their calls on the 29th September and the 25th March in each year, the resolution referred to will have to be altered so as to comply with the general orders, and in neu ot the totals of gross and rateable value being supplied on the ioth March and 29th September, they will he required about the 15th February and the 15th August in each year, so as to allow the Clerk time to prepare the calls, ready for production four weeks before they are Asto produce the letters to the assessment committee at their next meeting, I must ask the Guardians to request their Clerk to return me the two letters enclosed and the one detained. For the information of the Guardians, and any ratepayer, the gross and rateable value of any parish in the Union can be ascertained at any moment of the day upon application, except when the committee are sitting. The vice-chairman, Mr. Wm. Jones, has seen the arrangement which has been made for the production of the above totals, and, I believe, approves thereof. I shall be obliged if the Guardians will give directions that in future all official communications to me be signed by their Clerk only.—I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, JAMES KEMFTHOBNK. [COpy No. l.J Water-street, Neath, August 20, 1868. Sir,—Be good enough to supply to bearer the return of the gross and rateable value of each parish separately m this Union, as asked for in my letter to you of the 11th instant.—I am, sir, your obedient servant, HOWEL CUTHBERTSON. Per J. A. James Kempthorne, Esq., Solicitor, Neath, [COPY No. 2.] THIRD APPLICATION. Water-street, Neath, August 20, 1868. Sir,—If you decline to furnish me with the return asked for I shall most reluctantly be compelled to bring the matter before the Guardians at their next meeting. It is the March returns I require, to enable me to prepare the calls.—Yours obediently, HOWEI, CUTHBERTSON. Per J. A. James Kempthorne, Esq. The Chairman Who signed the letters? The Clerk One of my clerks. Mr. Jones Where is the letter of the 11th? Please to read that first. Mr, P. Davies That is your official letter to him. The Chairman Who is the writer of that letter? The Clerk Mr. Allen, one of my clerks. The Mayor Written in your name as if from you, and by your authority. The Clerk Yes, in my name. The Mayor Did you get the returns then? The Clerk: No. He said he would not send them. Then I wrote my next letter, stating that I would bring it before the Board. Mr. Jones Mr. Kempthorne thinks that had he complied with the request, the returns would not have been legal, for by the consolidated orders of the Poor-Law Board this Board is required to make the returns four weeks before the expiration of the half-year, of the rateable value. As it stand* at present it is to be obtained at any time. If he had not written what he bas, but had replied as desired, he would have put this Board in reference to the valuation lists on quite a wrong basis. Mr. Allen: What you asked for I applied for that was the March returns. Mr. Thresher Mr. Allen is right. We wanted the returns for the half-year up to March 25th, not September. Mr. Allen: I was requested by Mr. Jones to apply for them, and I did so. The Mayor: We really must take some method of stopping this squabbling: it is becoming quite an interruption to business. Here, we make an order for a certain thing, and he refuses it point blank. Mr. P. Davies But gives a letter of explanation instead. The Mayor It ought to have been sent to the clerk. Mr. Gibbins The directions on the envelope are printed and addressed to the clerk. Mr. Jones I was in communication with the clerk respecting the calls, and they were handed to me. The Mayor But you are not the clerk. The Rev. W. Griffiths: Mr. Kempthorne has supplied the information, and I hope now a better feeling will exist between the clerks. Mr. Jones He has sent a form which will show for every month the rateable value of each parish. Mr. Thresher That will be found very useful. The Board generally expressed the same opinion. Mr. Price I believe the spirit of the request has been complied with. A minute was passed here a short time since so that the guardians might have the information as early as possible. (Minute read.) The object was that each might see the rateable value for each half-year, and they would thus have four months to make any alterations or re-valuations, if required, before the case was settled. These little disputes are so perfectly frivolous, that when we understand what is actually wanted they appear more unnecessary than before. I hope we shall hear no more of them. Mr. P. Davies: Have you done, Mr. Price ? Mr. Price: No, but I can speak on the subject again. I'll wait for you. Mr. P. Davies As there are far greater irregu- larities existing than those between our clerks, I regret that it is my painful duty to bring them in some measure before your notice, and if not recog- nised I shall lay the matter before the Poor Law Board. (Mr. Davies proceeded to read a minute from the assessment committee's book), and con- tinued I was called to the meeting quite unex- pectedly on behalf of some ladies who had property rated too heavily. A garden rating was reduced, de- ducting from one valuation and placing it on another. One has been attended to and the other has not,— this is evidently wrong. I have to complain, there, fore, of our collector, who has not inserted this in his rate cheque book, thus ignoring the proceedings of the assessment committee. Consequently the rating of these ladies' property is carried on in arrears, and if this continues to be done they will by and bye be subject to the annoyance of a warrant. Finding 1 was called upon to pay the rates, I asked the collector the reason, and he gave none. I want to know now why our collector does not attend to the orders of the assessment committee, and- Mr. Price The assessment committee is the place to bring this question. This Board cannot deal with it. The Mayor I always understood that Miss Morgan's house and garden were assessed separately, and when Mr. Jones took the garden it was charged as such, while the house was charged to the full amount. Mr. P. Davies That question was fully entered into before the assessment committee. Mr. Gardner Is the overseer here ? Air. Price: I repeat that this is not the place to discuss the question. We are certainly not regular if wo entertain it. Mr. P. Davies If it is not within the province of this Board I do not wish to press it here, but will take other steps. The Chairman It is evidently not the place of this Board to interfere in that matter. We have no authority, but while on the subject of rates and assessments, I think I may say that the Board have a right to express a wish that all personal differences should be set aside and not allowed to interfere with public duties. We are sorry to hear of them in any form, but I must again express the wish that they will not be allowed to exist. I am sure you will support me in that desire for their removal. We expect Mr. Cuthbertson to be perfectly regular in his duties, and he is so but if the slightest irregu- larity occurs between our officers it ends in a squabble before this Board. It would also be advis. able, perhaps, in future communications with the other clerk, for Mr. Cuthbertson himself to sign the letters. The Board at length decided that the question should be referred back to the assessment committee. NEW GUARDIAN. Mr. Jones gave notice that the guardian of Clyne was dead, and that a new election was required. The Clerk was directed to write to the Poor Law Board for the official papers. ARREARS OF CALLS. The Clerk laid on the table the list of parishes in which there were arrears of unpaid calls, amounting to £ 3,467 14». 2d. Directions were given to summon the defaulting overseers for the amounts due. YSTRADFELLTE. A minute of the vestry held at the above place was read, recommending an advance of salary from X25 to X40 for the rate collector. The Clerk was directed to communicate with the Poor Law Board in reference to the same. RELIEF LISTS. The remaining lists were then disposed of, and after the usual formalities the Board adjourned.