The Aberystwith Observer

LOCAL. TOWN COMMISSIONERS, ABERYSTWYTH. Tuesday, 2nd February, 1869. A monthly meeting of the town commissioners "ai held on Tuesday last, in the Town-hall. The commissioners present were Messrs. John Matthews, mayor, in the chair, Thomas Jones, John Davies, Dr. William Williams, Dr. James, G. T. Smith, J. J. Atwood, Charles Hackney, J. P. Jones, Philip Williams, Richard Morris, John Williams (43. Marine Terrace), Jonathan Pell, David Williams, E. W. Jones, Dr. C. R. Rice Williams, John Jones, and Capt. C. Bassett Lewis. M^* John Vaughan, town surveyor, and Mr J. W. Szlumper, C.E., were present. The usual fortnightly bills for labour were laid upon the table. Mr Atwood said (when the bill for raising the pipes behind the Queen's Hotel was placed on the table) that he had been told that it was wrong to take out the pipes at all. It would have been better to leave them there to perish than to have gone to the present expense. Dr. W. Williams Then why did you sanction it? Mr Atwood I did not sanction it. I was not present when any leave was asked to do the work. The mayor thought it would have been better to leave the pipes where they were till the new system of water was being proceeded with. Mr Atwood You might have done very well with the old pipes, and I am told by Mr Pell, who has been educated as an engineer, that it would have been much better to have allowed the old pipes to remain where they were. o number ofconunisaioners essayed to speak :r vou wish lltiv. at once. The mayor: One at a time, gentlemen, j the business to be proceeded with. Mr J P. Jones: Was the subject not brought before the commissioners, and the work ordered to he done ? At any rate, that is the way it ought to have been done. Mr Atwood No. I am informed that permission never was asked to do the work. Mr J. P. Jones Then that was very wrong. Mr Jesse Morgan: It is a saving to the town to raise the pipes—a great saving, I am of opinion, because if they had not they were sure to lose the pipes, laid four years ago. I think we save money by it. How could we be going down fifteen feet to look for pipes every time anything happened to them ? I think it has been a great saving to the town. Mr Pell: I think I have attended every meeting here for months past, and nothing of the kind was spoken of here no permission was ever asked. Dr. W. Williams All I had to do with the matter was to ask for the lead for Jesse. Mr Pell Application for permission to execute the work in the first instance never was brought before the meeting. Dr. W. Williams (to turncock) Who did you take your authority from ? The turncock: The board. I was told the board had granted it. Mr Ilackney: All that was said about this matter at any meeting was said by Mr Williams about the lead, and I was at a loss to know for what the lead was wanted. After Mr Williams said he had 5 cwt. of lead, and that he wanted more, 1 was dumbfounded that is all that I know. Mr Pell: I am satisfied it was never brought before the commissioners. Dr. W. Williams Was it not in accordance with your wish that it was done ? Mr Pell Our permission never was asked. The work was being done before we knew anything about It. The mayor What are we doing now ? Mr Atwood: There is no order on the books to show that the work was ever authorized by the commissioners. To say the least of it, it is a very loose way of doing business. Every order for work performed at the expense of the town ought to be placed on the commissioners' books at their meeting. We are not commissioners out of this room. (Hear.) The mayor Do you move a vote of censure ? Mr John Jones Jesse says he did the work by order of the board. Mr Atwood Then he states what is not a fact, for the subject never was brought before the board. Mr Morris I recollect it was discussed here for half an hour. Mr Atwood How is it then that there is no record of it on the book ? Mr Pell The purchase of the lead was mentioned, but permission to do the work never was applied for. The mayor When there is a breakage of the pipe, is it necessary to ask for an order before it can be repaired ? Mr Atwood Certainly not; that is a work of immediate necessity—any accident may be repaired at once. Capt. Lewis All accidents from tempest, flood, or fire, too. The turncock In Bridge-street, when the pipes became corroded, I repaired it without coming to the board for an order. Mr J. P. Jones Any amount such as this ought not to be expended without the sanction of the board, however. Mr Atwood And an order for all such work ought to appear on the book. He should propose that the matter be examined into by the finance cummittee. The mayor was clearly of opinion that no public works ought to be executed without an order from the board, which should appear on the books. Will you bring such a motion forward at the next meet- ing, or now ? Mr Atwood There is no necessity for bringing it forward at all. That is the law, and the law ought to be complied with and it is the duty of the commissioners to remedy the evil. Mr J. P. Jones should like to know how the finance committee were to examine the bills. Jesse Morgan brought him a bill the other morning of 140Z. to pass. He refused to have anything to do with it, and handed it over to Mr Lloyd. Mr Pell: What was that bill for ? Mr J. P. Jones: Ellis and Sons. Jesse told me that the bills have been passed in that way for the last eight years. Mr Pell If the finance committee would meet previous to the general meeting, those bills could be properly examined. HOURS OF MEETIXG. The mayor Shall we have a better understand- ing as to the hours of meeting ? There is no use in calling a meeting for a certain hour, and having the commissioners coming in three quarters of an hour later than the time appointed. This morning for instance. Shall we say a quarter before eleven instead of ten, and let ten be the time for the meet- ing of the finance committee. Name some hour at which the commissioners will attend. Dr Williams Let the finance committee meet at half-past 10. Mr J. P. Jones Then you will have half-an-hour too little. I beg leave to propose that the finance committee meet at 10, and the commissioners' meet- ing take place at half-past 10. Mr Pell seconded. Dr. Williams moved as an amendment that the commissioners' meeting be held at 11, so as to give the finance committee time to transact their business. Mr Smith seconded. On being put to the vote, however, the original motion was carried by a large majority. Henceforth, therefore, the hours of meeting will be-for the finance committee, 10 o'clock for the town commissioners, 1030. BORROWING POWERS. The chairman A special committee has been appointed to draw up a petition to the Lords of the Treasury for powers to borrow money for the fur- ther improvement of the town and that committee has further undertaken to draw up a code of bye- laws. Already the committee have met twice, and sat over their labours for 4 or 5 hours. The petition they have drawn up, and I will read it to you But it will require several more sittings to complete the bye-laws. The chairman then proceeded to read the lollow- bg petition :— To the Right Honourable Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of Statejor the Home Department. The petition of the undersigned commissioners, act- in0, in the execution of an Act of Parliament, in- tituled, "An Act for Improving and Regulating the Town of Aberystwyth, in the County of Car- digan, and for Supplying the Inhabitants thereof with Water." Respectfully sheweth that, 1. The above-mentioned Act was passed in the 5th and 6th years of the Reign of Ilia late Majesty King William IV., and received the royal assent on the 3rd day of July, 1835. • 2. By section 150, the commissioners were em- powered for the purposes of the said Act to borrow 12,OOOZ. at interest on mortgage of their works, rents, and rates, and by section 157 they were re- quired to form a sinking fund for the repayment of the monies to be so borrowed by appropriating from the said rents and rates the sum of ol. per cent. per annum on the loans besides interest. 3. The commissioners from time to time raised various sums of money on mortgage, and which monies were expended in the purchase of lands, and Ü, the construction of sewage water, and other per- manent works, and the whole of the 12.000Z. has been raised. The last portion thereof on the 1st of May, 18CG. 4. Besides paying the interest on the 12.000Z the commissioners have had to provide out of their rates arid rents for 'he expense of repairing and cleansing the streets, lighting "the town, supplying water, and numerous other incidental expenses. 5. A memorial from certain inhabitants of the town having been presented to the Secretary of Siate, complaining of nuisances, and the want of drainage in parts of the town, Arnold Taylor, Esq., its inspector, attended at Aberystwyth on the 3rd of Xpi^l) 1807, who, after inspecting the town, and iiolding' a public court of enquiry, made his report, in which, amongst other things, he directed the com- missioner to ootain a better supply of water, and to complete their sewage works. 6. After the 12,000Z. had been expended, many urgent demands were made on the commissioners for sewage and other works, the making of which could not with safety be postponed, and which they were therefore compelled to construct, and to defray the expenses consequent thereon the commis- sioners had to resort tn the rates and rents levied by them. 7. For the reasons before mentioned the commis- sioners have failed to form a sinking fund for the repayment of any portion of the 12,000/. 8. The commissioners have adopted numerous sections of the Local Government Act, 1858, and among others section 55, for levying general district rates, and sections 57 and 78, for power to raise money on credit of the rates. 9. To carry into effect the directions contained in Mr Taylor's report, the commissioners are prepared to lay out and expend the monies necessary for im- proving the water supply, and for extending the drainage works. 10. The following statement shows the population and number of houses in the town in the respective years therein mentioned, viz. :— Year. Population. Xo. of Houses. 1861 5641 1089 1869 estimated at 7641 1489 II. The opening of the different lines of railway to the town since 1864 accounts for the greater in- crease since the census taken in 1861, as compared with the census of 1831. The difference (5,1121.) between the present debt of 15,OOOZ. and the assessable value for one year of property in the town is quite inadeqtiate to defray the expense of the contemplated works. Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that you will be pleased to issue a provisional order, under section 78 of the Local Government Act, 1858, for granting the commissioners powers to borrow for s«ch intended works an amount (including the not exceeding two year's assessable value ■the town and liber- ie, of the property assessaoie ties on mortgage of the works, rates, and renis. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c. 2nd February, 1869. Mr G. T. Smith moved that the petition just read 1 be adopted, and that it be engrossed and forwarded to the Secretary of State without delay. ] Mr Hackney seconded. Carried unanimously. In reply to one of the commissioners, ( Mr Lloyd stated that the assessable value of the 1 town last September was 17,000Z. odd. Two deeds agreed on to be drawn in former meet- ino-s were now executed, one for the drainage in Trefechan, and the other an agreement with the Messrs Ellis as to the pumping of water to the re- servoir for the next two years. THE BOAT SLIP. Mr Vaughan enquired whether the board would allow him, after the tides subsided, to have some men to repair the damage done to the boat slip on the Terrace. Mr Thomas Mr Pell and Mr Atwood think that the stones ought to be secured by iron bolts and cramps. Mr Vaughan replied that there were cramps there before. Mr Atwood And at the further slip, too. Mr D. Williams We know what it cost us the last time-a great deal too much, and we -ought to have a contract for this work now. I propose that the work be let by contract. Mr P. Williams seconded. Capt Lewis. That slip, I am informed, cost us a vast sum. I have heard 80Z. Mr Davies It was very expensive work. But I don't think it cost as much as that. Mr Vaughan The town mason can repair it now without any extra expense. It can be put back as it was in the course of nine days. Mr Atwood How much will it cost ? Mr Vaughan Not over 10Z. between 51 and 10Z. Mr P. Williams Mr Atwood, the very man who proposed that no work over 51. should be done without a contract, now wants to break his own law. ] Mr Atwood explained that outlay under Mr Vaughan would be actually only 21. for labour, the materials to be purchased was another question, and they could be obtained by Mr Vaughan for the town at cost price, whereas if the work was made a con- tract job, the contractor would of course have his discount on them. It was moved and seconded as an amendment that Mr Vaughan be authorized to do the work. On the question being put to the vote there were I For the amendment 10 For the original motion 6 Majority in favour of Mr Vaughan's — repairing the slip 4 Mr Jones suggested laying the stones in con- crete and blue Eiiar lime, which would effectually secure it against any such injury in future. A discussion then took place on the subject of the rating of the Queen's Hotel, the rental of which was stated to be 2,0001 or 3,000Z. a year, and which was rated at 495Z. It was decided that the commis- sioners had no discussion in the matter. Capt. Lewis called attention to the vacancy in the office of inspector of nuisances for the town, which he thought ought to be filled up without a moment's delay. After some considerable amount of discussion, Mr J. P. Jones moved that Acting-Sergeant Evans be appointed inspector of nuisances pro tern. Mr Smith seconded, in terms complimentay to the new acting-sergeant, and the motion was carried unanimously. After some further discussion, the meeting ad- journed for a fortnight. ♦

TOWN COUNCIL, ABERYSTWYTH. Wednesday, 3rd February, 1869. A quarterly meeting of the town council was held on Wednesday last, in the Town Hall. The mem- bers of the council present were John Matthews, Esq., (mayor,) in the chair, Aldermen Thomas Jones, John Davies, Griffith Thomas; Councillors Jonathan Pell, Richard Jones, Richard Morris, John Watkins, David Williams, and G. T. Smith. Mr Hugh Hughes, treasurer, and Mr J. J. Atwood, solicitor to the council, were in attendance. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and signed by the chairman. Mr Atwood said that the lease to Mr Williams of plots of ground on the new Terrace was in hand, and would be ready in a few days. And as to Mr Balcombe's deed, that had been drawn before the appearance of Mr Balcombe's letter in the ABERYST- WYTH OBSERVER. THE TOWN HALL. Mr Parry thought before the business of the day was entered upon, it would be well for him to explain to the meeting the position of parties with respect to the Town Hall. By deed of lease executed (a copy of which he held) on the 1st April, 1851, the hall and that part of it to the north were demised to the treasurer of the County Court for 51 years, in con- sideration of their paying 400Z. towards the comple- tion of the building, at a nominal rent of Is. a year. That 400Z. was paid, and the whole of the building was actually theirs with the exception of the room in which the council were then sitting. Alderman Jones: What the hall and the north wing ? Mr Parry It is so. Alderman Jones I never understood that before. Mr Hughes Nor 1. I fancy there must be some proviso. Mr Parry In 1854 the town thought it judicious to pull down the old Town Hall, considering it an obstruction to the traffic, and they negociated with the magistrates of the county for the removal. The hall belonged to the county, although the town used it. The county magistrates consented in conson of the town conveying to them the south part of the present building, that is, the room in which the pre- sent meeting was being held. This arrangement was agreed to and carried out. At the end of the deed (a copy of which Mr Parry held) a proviso was in- serted, which reserved to the town the right of al- ways using this room when it was not being used by the magistrates of the county for county business, so that in point of fact we have the right to come here although we have conveyed the fee simple to the county magistrates. As to the north part of the building, that is, as I said before, under lease to the County Court, and we have no right to occupy it or touch it during the term of the lease. Mr Hughes Then you mean to say we can't make use of the body of the hall. That's very strange. Mr Pell: Then how about holding the assizes here ? The mayor Can they close the body of the hall against us ? Mr Parry They can close it against us. Alderman Jones This is very singular. I never knew this before. Mr Parry We have only the right to come into this room. I brought the subject before you on ac- count of the likelihood of our having the assizes here. Mr Pell: In that case the treasurer of the County Court ought to be a party to any arrangement wc make as to improving the building. I:> Mr Parry: I don't see how we can take upon our- selves to alter or embellish the hall for the reception of the assizes. The county ought to do that, because it is for the accommodation of the county that the assizes are to be held here. When they moved the assizes in Montgomeryshire, Merionethshire, and other places, the County did so. Besides, our funds are in a very bad state, we have no money, and even if we had we are no" empowered to expend it on the Town Hall without the consent of the County Court. Mr Atwood here perused the deed of lease to the County Court, quoted by Mr Parry, and found ny it that the town has the right to every part of the 1 own Hall with the exception of the small room in the north wing known as the County Court clerk s office. Mr Parry But it is only the use of it it is only an easement. Mr Hughes We have the right to the use of the whole of it, except on the days when they want it for the holding of the County Court, and that would 11 y never clash with the assizes. Alderman Jones I thought it was so. I was quite taken aback when Mr Parry stated to the con- trary. Mr Parry But you can't do anything in the way of repairing it Mr Pell: Why not ? Mr Parry There is no covenant to repair. You can't touch it. Mr Hughes Nonsense. You can't pull it down, that's all. Mr Pell Don't you repair it at present? iMr Parry Yes that's because you have not got the right to do so. (Laughter.) I see I was mis- taken, and that the town has the right to all except as you say. The subject then dropped for the time. NEW SLAUGHTER-HOUSE. Alderman Jones said that he and the other gentle- men appointed a committee at a previous meeting to see Mr Szlumper's plans respecting the new slaugh- ter-house, smithfield, and road leading thereto car- ried into execution, had visited the ground. It was a very wet day, and they afterwards went to Mr Szlumper's office, where they slightly altered the position of the slaughter-house, so as to leave the smithfield on the opposite side, which would leave all the land between Lewis Terrace and the slaugh- ter-house for building purposes. The market to be opposite Lewis Terrace. THE MILL LEET. Mr Parry here read the following letter which had been received from Col. Pryse :— Peithyll, January 26th, 1869. Dear Sir,—Mr Fryer has informed me that you have (on behalf of the town authorities of Aberyst- wyth) asked permission to place' a pipe for the con- veyance of waste water through the mill leet, near Pontcorry. I beg to state that there will be no ob- jection on the part of Sir Pryse Pryse to your doing so, provided it is placed at sufficient depth to prevent any detriment to, or interference with, any buildings which may be hereafter erected on the mill leet. Yours faithfully, T. PRTSE. j • JC.. ii. Please send me by return an acknowledgment of t ;his letter. I After some discussion on the subject of the above I letter, Mr Smith moved that the mayor, and aldermen rhomas Jones and John Davies, be appointed a :ommittee to negociate an exchange of the mill leet ivith Col. Pryse, and that they report on the same 1 to a special meeting, to be called for the purpose of f receiving such report. ( Alderman G. Thomas seconded. I Carried nem. con. An order was made to advertise the fields on i Morfa-mawr, to be let from the 25th March next. BUILDING OF SLAUGHTER-HOUSE. ( Mr Parry said that Mr Hughes had now some trust money at his disposal, which he would lend to the corporation, and with which they would be snabled to pay off Mr Robert Edward, and the 1 remainder would go for the building of the slaughter house, and other works. Mr Smith remarked that it was now three years since the plans of the slaughter-house had been approved of, and surely it was high time the work I should be commenced. He could not understand the cause of such delay. He proposed that contracts be advertised for at once. ( Mr Parry You agree, gentlemen, that we take 1,500/. Very well. Mr Pell Then, as Mr Smith proposes, let us get J the specifications ready, and advertise for contracts at once. Mr Szlumper will improve upon his present design, and make it much more sightly. He will be to London shortly, and will there examine the most recent improvements Alderman Thomas But how can we begin the building if Mr Szlumper has to go to London and c make new plans ? Mr Pell: No. Mr Szlumper is going to London on other business, not at our expense, and he will introduce into his present plan the most recent im- provements. The subject here dropped. TOWN CRIER'S LIVERY. The three following tenders were sent in for fur- nishing the town crier with a suit of livery £ s. d. John Simons (hat and band included) 5 5 0 David Griffiths ditto 4 12 0 Evan Owen £ 4 7 6 ) R New hat 0 16 0 f After the specimens of the cloth enclosed in each tender were examined by the drapers in the room, Mr John Watkins moved that the tender of Evan Owen be accepted. Alderman John Davies seconded. Carried unanimously. COMMITTEES' DUTIES. The mayor thought it would be desirable to fix a time for a meeting to enquire how the committees were getting on—in fact for the purpose of keeping them up to their work. Alderman Jones said that he and his colleagues were prepared to attend such a meeting any day that might be fixed upon. Alderman Thomas proposed that the present meeting be adjourned for a fortnight. Alderman Jones seconded. Carried nem con. THE ASSIZES. M. Pell begged leave to move that a committee be appointed to draw up an estimate of the cost of fit- ting up the Town Hall for the accommodation of the Assizes. The mayor thought that was rather the business of the county magistrates than of the council, and that the county magistrates thought likewise. Mr. Pell: Excuse me it is not so We told them we had a Town Hall and in any case we ought to be prepared with an estimate of the cost of the neces- sary alterations and improvements to present, if need be, at the next Quarter Sessions. Alderman Jones considered this a very judicious suggestion. Mr. Parry opposed. He thought they ought first to write to Mr. Bruce, the Home Secretary, and ask him whether the Commission of Judges and great lawyers sitting in London had decided on altering the circuits. Alderman Jones That line of proceeding was dis- cussed at the last Quarter Sessions, and decided against then. What Mr. Pell proposes would be a very proper step indeed to take. The mayor We repair the Hall at present. Mr. Parry We do because we ought not. (Laugh- ter.) Mr. Pell I propose that a committee be appointed to consult with an architect, and have drawn up a plan and specification of the necessary alterations and repairs. Alderman Jones seconded. Carried unanimously. The following committee was then duly appointed: The Mayor, Aldermen Jones and Davies, Mr. J. Pell, and Mr. G T. Smith, Mr. Pell undertaking to act as whipper- in. The meeting then adjourned for a fortnight.

ABERYSTWYTH LITERARY INSTITUTE & WORKING MEN'S READING ROOM. The Second Annual General Meeting was held in the Reading Room of the Institute on Tuesday, the 2nd February inst the Rev. E. Owen Phillips, M A. President, in the chair. Amongst those present were the Rev. Octavius Davies, the Rev. A. W. K. Griffith, Messrs. Thomas Jones, J. A. Cross, Dr. C. Rice Williams, Capt. C. Bassett Lewis, Dr. Morris Jones, Hugh Davies, Capt. Davies (Harbour Master), George Jones, J. P. Jones, John Rees, Thomas Griffiths, G. Hunt Thomas, and G. B. O'Halloran, Hon. Secretary. The financial statement, prepared by the Hon. Secretary (and which appears in our advertisement sheet), having been duly audited, was read by the Chairman to the meeting, which expressed itself fully satisfied with the result. The Chairman moved that a special meeting be called to consider Rule III. in the general rules of the Institution, and that the Hon. Secretary be requested to give a month's notice of the same, in accordance with Rule XIX. Mr Cross seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. The Hon. Secretary stated that the Library now consisted of 1,079 volumes 119 volumes having been presented by Col. Powell, of Nanteos, since the last meeting, and 32 volumes by Mr George Powell, the founder of the Library. Sir Thomas Lloyd, M.P., had also volunteered to present the Institute with a donation of books at an early period. The ceiling of the Reading Room was ordered to be coloured, apd tin shades to be placed for the protection of tN ceiling from the smoke of the gas lights. 1,1 The meeting then broke up.

MR. BERVON'S CONCERT. Mr Bervon sent out a circular "me days since announcing a concert to be given by him on the 9th of March next. The date of such concert should have been for the 9th of April instead. The error was not Mr Bervon's, who requests us to set him right with the public, but was owing to a mistake of Mr Cumming, whose convenience Mr Bervon was obliged to consult. Mr Cumming named the former date, and, after the announcement was made public, he wrote to say that it was the 9th of April he had intended to name. Consequently the concert will take place on the latter day. Amongst the artists whom Mr Bervon has secured for the occasion are Miss Edmunds, (who took the 50 guinea prize at the Aberystwyth Eisteddfod in 1865,) Madame Patey Wytock, Mr Cummings, (the favourite teuor,) and Mr Patey. $

ABERYSTWYTH OPEN COURSING MEETING. The above meeting will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, the 24th and 25th instant—the first day at Rhoscellan-fawr, and the second at Cross- wood Park. From the fact of the meeting being an open one, and from the value of the stakes, a numerous entry may be expected. The draw will take place on the day preceding that of the first meeting. An advertisement, which we publish to-day, gives particulars in full.

PETTY SESSIONS, ABERYSTWYTH. Wednesday, 20th January, 1869. Before John Matthews, Esq, (mayor,) Thomas Jones, Esq and John Daviea, Esq. PETTY LARCENY. Arthur James, of North Parade, an engine cleaner, was brought up in custody, charged with stealing a window sash, the property of Mr Thomas Williams, of Cardiff, builder. James Chaffey, sworn On last Monday witness saw the prisoner taking the window sash from Mr Williams' yard to light a fire on the Cambrian rail- way. I saw him as I was coming up the walk under the water tank that feeds the engines breaking it up. Told him he had no right to take it, and he replied that I had no need to be so fast. Asked his name, and he said it was John Jenkins, and that he was from London. To Mr Hugh Hughes It was between 3 and 4 in the day. Saw him take it away from where Mr Williams' wood is. There ought to be plenty of pieces of wood there. The timber was bought at the Castle Hotel sale. It was not in an enclosed place. Did not ask him what he was going to do with it. Did not see him pick it up. It had no marks on it. He said he did not take it for himself, but for a fireman, whose work he was doing. We have lost from 10i. to 201, worth of wood from there since we bought it. Mr Hughes submitted there was no felonious in- tent proved and the timber was left lying about without any visible owner. Mr Jones That I conceire to be the greatest fault. The prisoner said the wood with which they lit the fires was generally brought from Oswestry, but now the bridge was broken they had to pick up any bits they could get about the company's premises. He would not have taken it if he did not believe it to be the property of the company. The mayor said it did not appear to the bench that the boy took the wood with any fraudulent in- k°nMon, and there was great neglect on the part of FH/r not take mors cars of their J he owners that LU"J iroperty but the boy must be careiui not to x jriate property so falling in his way. Charge dismissed, with a caution. ABUSIVE LANGUAGE. J. Lloyd Griffiths, the master of the Union Work- louse, was summoned by W. J. Davies, of Tre- echan, schoolmaster, for using abusive language, jalculated to incite complainant to a breach of the « >eace.. A cross summons was issued for the same offence, n which the above parties changed places. Mr Hugh Hughes appeared for Griffiths in both J :ases. William Joseph Davies, on being called to prove lis charge, refused to be sworn on the bible in court, which certainly is rather the worse for wear, and is :ied together with a piece of twine.) He said he cnew that in this court persons had been sworn for] pears on a tied-up copy of Robinson Crusoe, very similar in appearance to the book now offered him. So he would not be sworn on that suspicious-look- ng bundle of greasy paper. He brought with him 1 bible of his own, (producing a copy,) and he would )e sworn on that. That was a book on which no me had ever perjured himself. The complainant was allowed to have his own way, ind was accordingly sworn He (the complainant) protested that he had no animosity personally against ;he defendant Griffiths, who was annoyed with him. [t was of the ways of Griffiths he had to complain— lot against his person—but against his deeds. The Irst time of which he complained was the 15th of April last, when he went to the Workhouse to en- quire for a child whom he had lost —— Mr H. Hughes objected to this. It had nothing to :10 with the charge which the magistrates had to hear. The complainant: You are not te open your nouth, sir. (Laughter.) I am addressing the bench. Mr Hughes But I appear here for Griffiths. The complainant I object to your appearing. [Laughter.) All I require is that other parties should not interfere. The mayor Don't talk to Mr Hughes. Complainant Am I to be allowed to go on ? Mr Davies Confine yourself to the charge. Complainant I object to Mr Davies sitting on that bench, because he assaulted me. (Laughter.) The mayor Go on. Sir, with your charge. Complainant I have a lad in the workhouse, who was ill, and his brother went to see him. Instead of being allowed to see him, Griffiths told him to be off at once. When I heard this I went to Mr Wat- kins, of the Wine Vaults, and I heard that he and- some other guardians were at Mr Hugh Hughes's. Went there, and found three guardians coming out, and I told them how Griffiths had acted. That was on the 15th of last month. Just then Griffiths came by, and Mr Richard Morris stated to him the com- plaint I had made against him. I asked him why he should turn my hoy away, and he replied, "Don't speak to me, you blackguard." I then went to the shop of Richard Morris. Here the complainant, turning to Griffiths, ex- claimed, No whispering here whilst I am in posses- sion of the court. (Laughter.) Statement continued Went to Morris's shop again, and Griffiths was there. He accused me of following him. Told him I did not know he was there. Words took place between us. He said to me in this-wise, So you went to Llanbadarn to get a summons against me. Haw haw (Laughter.) Mocking me, like. I went to another place," I replied in the same tone. "Haw haw (Laught- ter.) The witness here repeated some exchanges of compliments which passed between him and the defendant, of a character not pleasant to appear in print. Mr Davies insisted on the complainant confining himself to the charge. The compla nant questioned Mr Davies's right to sit on the bench at all and continuing in the same line after he was cautioned, Mr Davies committed him for contempt of court, and he was removed in custody. Subsequently Mr Davies consented to the release of the complainant, if he promised to conduct him- self properly, and the hearing of the case was resumed. Defendant admitted that he had called the com- plainant a blackguard, and he was prepared to prove that he was one. The complainant, having apologized to Mr Davies, continued his statement: I was in the shop for some time, conversing with Mr William Morris, when Griffiths came in to banter me about the summons. I took my coat off, and said, "If you dare to lay your hand on my boy, then I will settle you hash." Then he came up and challenged me to fight, and said, Do you think I am afraid of you?" I am no fightiug man, gentlemen, but I will protect my son and I would protect a poor man or a donkey if I saw him ill-treated. This lasted for two hours and a half. William Morris asked me what right I had to interfere with the paupers or the business or the workhouse. Something was said at the last meeting of the board about my having an authority. I have from the highest authority—I have it from God. Several persons were present during this time. I went and applied for a summons, and the moment it was served upon him, a fortnight after, he goes and takes out a summons against me. William J. Davies (son of complainant), sworn, corroborated the evidence of his father in the main. Complainant And why should I be called a blackguard ? I am more highly connected than any one in this county. I am a gentleman. I was edu- cated at Cambridge. I studied Jaw under Dr. Geldert. I am only an apprentice of the law at present, but I may be induced to open shop one of these days to teach these lawyers their business. I am not a blackguard. I can claim relationship with Sir Anthony Hart, and there are not many who can go higher. In reply to defendant, complainant's son admitted having got into the house through the window. Mr Hughes Are you afraid of Mr Griffiths ? Complainant: What, personally afraid ? Mr Hughes Yes; are you afraid of his doing you bodily harm ? Complainant (contemptuously) Afraid of him no, nor twenty like him. I am afraid of myself. I am afraid of his provoking me to a breach of the peace. Mr Hughes Then what do you want here? Complainant: Afraid of no tnan, for 1 am protec- ted so long as I have faith in heaven. I am no blackguard by nature, but 1 might appear as one under the influence of too much alcohol. I am hot tempered, as you saw here to-day, and, if provoked, I might damage him. Afraid of him! It is he that is afraid of me. CROSS SDMMOIfS. J. Lloyd Griffiths, sworn, proved meeting the de- fendant in Mr Morris' 9hop, who used the most dis- gusting and threatening language towards him. He has been annoying me ever since I have been in the Workhouse. They say that he is mad; if so, he is a dangerous lunatic. (Laughter.) I am afraid of him, and with to be protected from him. Cross-examined by Davies You say you are afraid of me ? Witness: I do. Davies: Then why did you challenge me to fight in Morris' shop? Witness: 1 did not; but you rubbed your nose in my whiskers. (Laughter.) Davies Did you not call me" Cracky Bill ?" Witness: I did so you are. (Laughter.) William Morris, sworn, corroborated the evidence of Mr Griffiths with respect to the violence of W. J. Davies. He said the interesting interview in his father's shop lasted two hours and ten minutes by the clock. The bench dismissed the summons against Grif- nths and strongly censuring the conduct of Davies, bound the latter over in his own recognizances in the sum of 5Z. to keep the peace for 12 months. WIFE DESERTION. J. L. Griffiths, relieving officer, summoned David James, of this town, for refusing to maintain his wife, Mary James, and allowing her to become chargeable to the parish. Mr Hughes said that the court could not hear this case, as it must be heard by two county magis- trates. 1

APPROACHING CONCERT OF THE MILITIA BAND. It will he seen by our advertising columns that a concert is to be given at the Temperance Hall on Tuesday next, and for which a very excellent pro- lamine has been drawn up. The principal vocal performers will be Mi*s Margaretta Morgan, whose singing in the Church choir is so generallv and so justly admired; the Stentor of our town, Mr J. A. James; Mr Jones and the Aberystwyth Glee Club Choir. The instrumental portion of the programme includes Master R S. Hughes, the clever young pianist; Sergeant Kain, and the members of the Militia Band, of which he is the leader, and which he has so vastly improved since he undertook its training. Musical performances have been so scarce this season, that he has no doubt but this which may be said to be the first, will prove in every way 1& success, ■—4u",rr——

lyAM PETER. „ „ 11 —These sessions were held on PETTY SESSIONS. Llewelyn Lew- Saturday lasi, before Ihe Very »Ilin, D.C.L., and Willi;™ Jones, Esq., of Llwyn- irgroea. when the following cases were brought for- ,yard :— ASSAULT AND BATTERY. Mrs. Jane Davies, of Tanybryn, Llanfairclydogau, charged Messrs. David Jones, of 'Rallt, and David Morgan, of Waunwen, with assault and battery. rhe parties did not appear, and the case was ad- journed till the next meeting. STEWARDS OF A BENEFIT SOCIETY SUMMONED. Mr David Evans, of Cnwcyronen, in the parish of Llanarth, summoned the stewards of the New Court Friendly Society, called "Tradesmen, Mechanics, and others," for neglecting and refusing to pay him his pension or weekly allowance from the society's fund, which he claimed since he attained the age of 70 years. The parties on both sides expressed their wish to settle the matters in dispute out of court, and they were allowed to do so. CRUELTY TO A HORSE. Mr Thomas Jones, of Ty'nywern, Cellan, charged one Daniel Davies with having cruelly beaten his horse; but neither of them appeared, and in con- sequence the case was adjourned. FIRING A HAY-STACK. Two tramps were brought up in the custody (If P S. Richard Roberts, charged with having, on the 28th ultimo, set fire to a rick of hay belonging to Mr J. Jordan Jones, auctioneer. Therickwasstanding in a field, part of Vronbedr farm, which is about a quarter of a mile from the town of Lampeter. Al- though the fire was discovered pretty soon, its ex- tinction could not be effected by any means, as the wind was blowing so strong. The inhabitants of the town gathered immediately into a great multitude around the place, and loud shouts of "Fire were heard from every direction but a very small quan- tity of the hay was saved from the devouring flames. P. S. Roberts captured the offenders not far from the place where they committed the foul deed and they voluntarily confessed to him that they were the par- ties who set the hay-rick 011 fire. itisatlegedthat they thought themselves badly treated at one of the neighbouring farms, and. thinking the hay belonged to that farm, in return for their ill-treatment, they determined to accomplish what they actually did. Several witnesses were examined on their trial, and they were committed to the assizes to be further dealt with according to law. POPULAR ENTERTAINMENTS. Another of these entertaining meetings was held at the Town-hall, on Friday evening, the 29th ult., at which the chair was ably filled by Professor Hughes, of St. David's College, when the following programme was gone through :—Piano,—duet," Full Cry," Miss Evans and Miss Watkins. Reading,— Glanau Cothi," Mr. Daniel Evans. Vocal duet,— Mr. and Miss Evans. Pianoforte solo,—"Delhi March," Miss Watkins. Songs,—By and bye," and "Trip to Brighton," Mr. P. P. Lascelles. Songs,— "Bessie's Dreams," and "Yr Aderyn pur," Miss Evans (Post-Office) Reading,—"Speech of An- tonius," Mr. Powell. Songs,—"Ten little Niggers," and "Oh boys, carry me along," Mr. H. C. Lloyd. Songs,—The naughty little boy," and "Her bright smiles haunt me still," Mr. T Lloyd. Song,—The Young Girl from the country." Miss Brown. Song, —"By studying Economy," Mr. G. Clutterbuck. Singing the National Anthem, "God save the Queen," terminated the proceedings. —

LLANFAIRCLYDOGAU. LITERARY MEETING.—A very successful meeting of this nature was held at Capel Mair, on Friday evening, the 28th ult., the Rev. Thomas Thomas in the chair, who delivered a suitable speech at the time. The adjudicators on the singing were Messrs. Davies and Williams, and on the poetry, readings, and recitations Mr. N. Marlaw Wiliiacns> Lampeter. The prizes were awarded as follows:—Sinking any Welsh air, one of the Llanfair choir. Reading mu- sic at first sight, sol-fa notation, best, one of the Llanfair choir; second, Mr E H. Evans, Lampe- ter. Competition in reading by children under 15 years of age, best, Miss Davies, Llanfair. Reading by persons of any age and both sexes. Several com- peted and the prize was awarded to Mr. Thomas Davies, Schoolmaster, Llanfair. Impromptu ad- dresses on "Time," 8 competitors, best, Mr. Evans, Shopkeeper, Llanfair. Reading t>y females of any age, prize divided between Miss Davies, of Llanfair, and Miss Davies, Cellan. Stanza lo the "Boll," (Englyn i'r Tarw,) 13 competitors, best, Mr. David Jenkins, Blaenwaunganol, Llanwnen. It is as fol- lows :— Y Tarw 0 naturiaeth-a fanwl D'leil fyny 'i rywogaetli Ei hil o yw'r 110 ga'r llaeth, A buehoit 0 bob achaeth.

WE have much pleasure in stating that Mr J' W. Szlumper, engineer of the Manchester & Milford and the Whitland & Taff Vale Railways, has been appointed engineer of the Pembroke & Tenby Railway. THE MANUFACTURE OF JEWF.IXERY. —The striking deve- lopment oiTine Art productions in this branch of the industrinl trades since the period of the great Exhibition is admirably ex- emplified in a most interesting little work just published b; )[1'. J. W. Benson, who holds the appointment to H.n.R thePrillce of Wales, and H.H. the Maharajah of Burdwan, of 25, 014 Bond Street, 99, Westbourne Grove, and the City Steam Factory, 58 and 60, Ludgate Hill. It i, profusely illustratefl With the most beautiful designs of Bracelets, Brooches, EarrinKs, Lockets, &c., &c., in every coneeivable style, and with prices attached and thus the intending purchaser is enabled te make II selection suited to his taste, and have it forwarded to any part of the United Kingdom, India, 01' the Colonies. The price of this most useful guide is twopence, for whieh it is forwarded post free, and to anyone wils contemplates a purchase, either for per- sonal wear or for a weddinpr, hirtb-dav, Christmass, or other present, it will be found of the vcry greatest service. Advice t'3 Mothers.—Are you broken of your rest by a sick child, suffering with the pain of cutting teeth ? UO at once to a chemist, aid get a bottle of Mas WISSLOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP. It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately; IT is perfectly harmless; it produces natural quiet sleep, by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub awakes as bright as a button." It has been long in use in America, and is highly recommended by medical men; it is very pleasant to take; it soothes the child; it softens the gums, allays all pain, relieves wind, regulates the bowels, and is the best known remedy for dysentry and diarrhoea, whether arising from teething or other causes. Be sure and ask for MRS, WINSLOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP, and see that "Curtis and Perkins, New York and London," is on the outside wrapper. No mother should b6 without it.-Sold by all medicine dealersat Is..ljd. per Bottle, London Depot, 205, High Holborn. "tuxuriant and Beautiful Hair is the distin- guishing badge of Youth." MRS. S. A. ALLEN'S WOELB'S HAIR RESTOHER OR DRESSING never fails to quickly restore Gray or Faded Hair to its youthful colour and beauty, and with the first application a beautiful gloss and delightful fragrance is given to the Hair. It stops the Hair from falling off. It prevents bald- ness. It promotes luxuriant growth; it causes the Hair to grow thick and strong. It removes all dandruff. It contains neither oil nor dye. Ih large Bottles—Price Six Shillings. ZYLOBALSA. MUM (MRS. S. A. ALLEN'S) far excels any Pomade or Hair OIL- To those whose Hair is naturally dry, requiring frequent dressing, its cheapness and great value will be proved. Its early use on Children's Hair will insure an abundant and bountilnl supply from Youth to Old Age. In large Bottles-Price Three Shil- lings. Sold by most Chemists and Perfumers. Depot, 2ü6, tligh Holborn, London. THE MANUFACTURE OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS.—A more interesting and instructive little work, describing briefly, but with great clearness, the rise and progress at watch and clock making, has just been published BY Mr. J. W- Benson, OI 25, Old Rond Street, M, Westbourne (Trove, and the City Steam Factory, 53 and 60, Ludgate Hill. The book, which is protusely illustrated, gives a full description of the various kinds of watches and clocks, with their prices, and no one should make a purchase without visiting the above establishments or consulting tlrs truly valuable work. By its aid persons residing in any part of the United Kingdom, India, or the Colonies, are enabled to select for themselves the watch best adapted for their use, and have it sent to them with perfect safety. Mr. Benson, who holds the adpointment to the Prince of Wales, sends this pam- phlet to any address on receiptoftwo postage stamps, and we cannot too strongly recommend it to the notice of the intending purchaser. HOLI.OW A Y'S PILLS are the medicine most in repute for curing the multifarious maladies which attack humanity, when wet and cold weather gives place to more genial temper- atures. In short, these Pills afford re1ief, jf UIeY fail of being an absolute remedy in all the disturbances of circulation, digestion, ami nervous energy, which at times oppress a vast portion of the population. Under the wholesome, purifying, and strength- ening powers exerted oy these excellent Pills the tongue becomes clean, the appetite improves, digestion is quickened, and as- similationrenderedix-rfcct. Holloway's medicine possesses the highly estimable property of cleansing the whole mass of blood, which, in its renovated condition carries purity, strength, and vigour to every tissue of the body" Happiness consists in taste, and not in things; and it is from the possession of what we love that we are happy, and not from possessing what others find amiable.

ENTHRONEMENT OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. The new Primate wa3 enthroned on Thursday, at Canterbury Cathedral. The ceremony was an im. posing one. The Bishops of London, Oxford, Ely, and Rochester, attended in person, while Dean Stanley appeared as proxy for the Venerable Bishop of Winchester. The number of sufpliced clergy present is estimated at between 300 and 400.

ABERDOVEY. THE LATE MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.—THE BODT OF MR KNOWLES FOUND.—Our readers will remem- ber the melancholy accident which took place on the 9th December last, when two gentlemen, named Jackson and Knowles, went out in a boat and were capsized. The body of Mr Jackson was found on the Saturday following the accident, but that of Mr Knowles was not picked up until Friday morning, the 29th ult. The particulars may be gleaned from the evidence given at the inquest, which took place on Saturday, at the Dovey Hotel, before G. J. Wil- liams, Esq., coroner. Mr Thomas Daniels was fore- man of the jury.—John Jones said: I am a ship- builder, reside at Derwenlas. On the morning of th 29th January I was walking along the turnike road, near Vrongoch. and saw a body floating down the river with the tide. I immediately went down, and got into the water np to my waist; I then drew it to the shore, and, with assistance, got it on to the bank. I then sent for P. S. Roberts to fetch the body. I remained with it until a conveyance came to carry it to Aberdorey.—P. S. Roberts identified the body as that of Mr Kuowles, who was supposed to be drowned on the evening of the 9th of Decem- ber.—Capt. John Bell said that on the 9th December last he saw the deceased with Mr. Jackson in a small boat; that was the last time he saw him alive.—The learned Coroner, in a feeling speech, referred to the late melancholy catastrophe, which had cast a gloom over the town and neighbourhood and the jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally drowned. "-Os.Ad.

THE WELSH COLONY IN PATAGONIA. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ABERYSTWYTH OBSERVER' Dear Sir,—It may be gratifying to many of your numerous readers to learn that the'latest intelligence directly iCC°!ve<^ ^'rom W<-Nh settlement in Pata- gonia is highly satisfactory, and bespeaks a promis- ing if not a brilliant future. However gloomy may at one time have been the prospects of the hardy band of our fellow countrymen who sought in Pata- gonia for a new home, it is pleasant for those who gave their sympathy to the enterprising movement from its very initiation, and looked forward hopefully: to its ultimate triumph, at a time when it was but too generally the custom to pooh-pooh and sneer at it, now to learn that the many and dire difficulties in- separable from starting a new colony have been con- tended against and overcome. The following letter, selected from many others recently received, will convey to those interested a glimpse of what is going on in the distant Cymric settlement in Patagonia :— Patagones, November 25th, 1869. Dear Mr J-1 have received your note, dated 6th June. I reached here (Patagones, distant 200 miles from the Welsh colony) about a week ago, and purpose sailing back in three or four days. The ■ colony is now prospering well. Everyone has had a good crop of wheat. There is an abundance of butter yielded from the cows lately imported. In January we shall send to Buenos Ayres about two tons of butter, the remainder of the cargo being wheat, unless some unexpected disappointment may intervene. I have brought up with me this time worth 200Z. of Indian goods, (such as skins, feathers, &c..) and shall return with about 30 animals, (horses, cattle, and mules,) a flour mill, and a large assortment of general merchandize. Mr D. Wil- liams, of New York, is here with me. It is very probable the vessel will return here shortly to fetch a load of cattle for him. He has received money from home. After this voyage I intend remaining at the colony to superintend the erection of a Plus Heddwch on my farm until the harvest is due, and in the meantime I will despatch the vessel seal- hunting. Our people are rich and prosperous. Here (Pata- gones) a severe drought has destroyed much of the wheat, and locusts have devoured the remainder. (Signed) LEWIS JONES. I have other letters before me which substantially corroborate the above extract, and speak hopefully of the prospects of the colony. Now that the worst ordeal is passed, and the colonists have realised a condition of comparative prosperity, the ultimate success of the enterprise, as first projected, may be considered beyond a doubt. Men and money will continue slowly, perhaps, but steadily, to flow tu- wards the rising colony, until a few years may wit- ness the rising of great cities, and the birth of a new nation, the offshoot of Old Wales, on the eastern shores of the southern continent of America. In a future letter I shall be happy, with your kind permission, to lay before those of your readers who may feel an interest in the subject, what is being done among the Welsh people in the United States to promote the advancement of the movement. Yours, &c., CYMRO.

THE WATER QUESTION. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ABERYSTWYTH OBSERVER. Dear Sir,—I have read a letter from Mr J. G. Williams of the 30th ult in the Aberystwyth Observer. I thank him for so candidly approving the plan sug- gested for dealing with the town property. I desire to comment on that portion of the letter in which he objects to the water being brought from Domen, because it is ynflt for use. I refer him first td Professor Whitbread's ana- lysis, when he will see that both the streams supplied water of exceptionable purity, and without a trace of lead being discovered. This should suffice, but I must express my dissent to the assertion that Mr Duncan was unable to see and judge of the supply. It was an unusually dry season, and any impurity would therefore be more easily detected, should the source be from the springs in a lead vein. Will Mr Williams tell your readers how water could come from the Great Darren lead lode or vein when thousands of tons of lead have been taken from it, and probably hundreds of thousands of tons of stone from the vein also, and a level or gallery has been driven 600 feet deep below the source of these springs from the Darren valley ? The analysis, and there being no foundation for the water to rest upon, shall be the explanation which Mr Williams professes to desire to receive from me. One other remark as to Rhosgoch mine. I his is below the site of the proposed reservoir at Domen, and cannot affect the supply. The other remarks are fair questions to be discussed with the commis- sioners, in whose hands I will for the present leave the matter. I remain, dear Sir, Yours fiuthfully, JONATHAN PELL. — ♦

A TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ABERYSTWYTH OBSERVER. Sir,—Looking over an old file of the OBSERVER the^other day I noticed a paragraph announcing the distribution of the funds of a Temperance Society, which then existed in this town, amounting to above 100Z. A similar society was started, I believe, some two or three years ago, but what became of it I never heard. Is is not possible to get up a similar club in the town?—Yours faithfully, TEMPERANCE. ♦

A MODEL CORRESPONDENT. The annoyances to which professional press-men are subjected may be guessed at from a perusal of the subjoined letter. A newspaper editor is ever in his smaller degree—an equity judge. He is bound to listen to many complaints he is compelled to refuse a hearing upon the want of merits to many communications be receives and he is bound to give his reasons for so acting. As in the present case, when violent personal attacks are refused in- sertion in his journal from their very nature, he is subjected to bear the abuse, transferred to himself, which he refused to publish when applied to another. We give the following letter as a very subdued specimen of the genus irritabile to which it belongs:— Y Gwir yn erbvn y Byd. "Truth against the World." January 29th, 1869. TO TI E EDITOR OF THE ABERYSTWYTH OBSERVER. Sir,—Newspapers and periodicals are necessarily speculations—commercial, political, religious, or what not. Their contents must suit the tastes of their customers. The flagellations that you thought proper to administer me in your last impression I take kindly, knowing whence it comes, and do not wince in the least under the unintended torture or castigation, and I tmst that neither my mental ur moral courage, by Cod's Help, will ever collapse, but remain firm, like the rock on which I stand, let the raging waves lash ever so nolently-they will only serve to wash me clean, and render me thank- ful to God for all means employed for purifying me. I endeavour to gather pearls from toads. One I receive, and the other reject as venomous, perhaps, Personality I consider unavoidable from the nature of the subject of my letter however, I will endea- vour to apply some labour rince to it, and fit it up for the Observer machinery by next week. I remain, Mr Editor, A sincere well-wisher to my enemies, in hope of their speedy reform, at the same time, your obedient and obliged Servant, WM. JOSLHI DAVIES. P.S. "Qui alterum accusat probri euni ipsum ss intueri oportet." He that accuses another of malpractices should avoid them himself- The powers of the press I Culy appreciate, but do not fear them, neither regard them as omnipotent, though their achievements have been greater than those of the sword.

I THE GALE AT ABERYSTWYTH. The highest tide that have been knowji here for over a quarter of a century visited our coast on Sa- turday and Sunday last, leaving memorable marks behind. The south pier was almost eaten away, and the timber bridge spanning the Ystwyth, but which had been for some weeks in a very dilapi- dated state, was swept bodily away, and cast high upon the banks of the harbour. Sunday morning's was the highest of the tides, and then the waters washed clean over the Ro-fawr embankment into the harbour, where thousands of pounds worth of timber belonging to Mr. Thomas Jones was lying in imminent danger of being swept away. The win- dows of the Welsh Univarsity bear the marks of the violence of the sea. About ten o'clock, when the the tide was at its highest, the striking of the seas was awful to hear and behold. The rolling swells striking the sea wall by the promenade pier, and rolling its fearful weight along the line of protec- tion to theTerrace, resembled to the hearing so many ceaseless salvos of artillery against the walls of a city. The wall stood its ground gallantly against a test which places its durability beyond all question. Great fears were entertained for the promenade pier, around which the resisted waters sprang forty feet into the air. The manager of the pier, how- ever, very judiciously removed a large portion of the planking, and so enabled to reduce the amount of resistance which otherwise would have been of- fered. The new boat slip was half torn away, and huge coping stones, weighing four and five cwt., were lifted from the beach and cast scores of yards in upon the Terrace, which, wbeu the tide had fallen, was covered with pieces of rock and sand ankle deep. The water rolled into the area of the Belle-vue Hotel, and broke two windows in the basement storey of the Queen's Hotel. Several houses on the Terrace sufferad severely, one so much that not only were the windows broken, but the furniture also. The Rheldol river was so swollen that its banks were overflowed, and the fields in the vicinity were impassable. On the whole it may be said that one such sight is sufficient for a lifetime. At Borth two houses were completely swept away, and the village presents the appearance of a land wreck. The railway line was so damaged that for several hours the traffic between Borth and Aber- ystwyth was stopped. SERIOUS DAMAGE ON THE WELSH COAST. — Great losses and serious damage to property are re- ported from the west coast of Wales, consequent upon the great gale and unusually high tides which prevailed on Sunday and Monday last. That por- tion of the Welsh Coast Railway which skirts either side of the estuary of the river Dovey has received material injury in many places from the effects of the tide, and the traffic since Sunday morning haS been greatly interfered with. One portion, nearly half-a-mile in length, extending from Towyn station to the Dyssyni river, has been almost completely washed away, six large openings in the surface having been made by the tide, which swept over the line with great fury on Sunday morning. The surface has been carried away in some places to a. depth of nearly ten feet, the metals having been kept up solely by the wooden sleepers. The sea wall near the Friog cutting, or A111," between Barmouth Junction and Llwyngwril, has also been slightly injured, and another gap has been made between Glandovey Junction and the Frongoch quarry, on the deviation line, closely adjoining the road to Pennal, at the corner of the marsh. At Ynyslas station a small portion of the line has been washed away, thus interfering somewhat with the traffic, the passengers being obliged to change trains and walk for a short distance on the road. The down mail, which leaves Machynlleth for Aberystwyth at 9 30 a.m., passed over safely on Sunday morning, but the mail on the deviation line for Dolgelley and Towyn was fortunately stopped before reaching the first gap made by the tide. and since Sunday morning traffic has been entirely suspended between Barmouth Junction and Glandovey Junction, the mails to and from Dolgelley, Towyn, and Aberdovey being con- veyed by mail car. A report was generally prevalent that a large pile bridge, known as "Traeth Bach," some 180 yards in length, which crosses the estuary of the Penrbyn river between Portmadoc and Pt-n- rhyndeudraeth stations, close to the old coaching road to Maentwrog and Tanybwlch, had been washed away, but upon inquiry it seems that the damage has been solely confined to the embank- ments on each side, the structure itself remaining uninjured. The damage, which was very slight, was speedily repaired, so that the traffic between Carnarvon, Pellheli, Portmadoc, Barmouth, and- Dolgelley has not been in any way impeded. On the news of the disaster reaching Oswestry a strong "break-down" train was at once despatched,-and a large body of men have been hard at work day and night repairing the mischief which has been caused. It is rather a singular coincidence that this series of misfortunes to the Cambrian Railways should occur on the anniversary of similar mishaps last year. On that occasion the giving way of bridges, yielding of the embankments, &c., was solely confined to the Inland section on the present occasion it has been limited entirely to the Coast section. At Ynyslas the tide was several feet deep in the houses adjoining the railway station, and a quantity of timber, since recovered, was swept away from the timber yard of Messrs. Griffith and Jones. On the other side of the Dovey the damage caused by the gale has also been very serious. At Aberdovey the tide swept over the road in front of the Dovey Hotel and terrace, and did great damage to the shops and houses. The vessels lying in the harbour also suffered seriously, and between eighty and a hundred tons of coal, be longing to Earl Vane, which were stored on the Upper Wharf, were carried away. One circum- stance of a peculiarly painful character occurred on Friday morning. It will be in the minds of many of our readers that some four weeks ago two young gentlemen, who were spending their holidays at Aberdovey, left one afternoon in a small boat for the purpose of sea-lark shooting on the sands at Ynyslas. Neither returned alive, and on the follow- ing day the body of one of them, a Mr Jackson, from London, was found on the sands. No trace could be found of his companion, a Mr Knowles, the only son of a solicitor practising at Stafford, and after drag- ging the river for several days, the search waS abandoned in despair. Early on Friday morning the body was discovered, thrown up on some shingle, near the Frongoch quarry, shockingly mutilated, and only just recognizable by a small scrap of clothing which yet remained attached to one of the limbs. The body was conveyed to Aberdovey, and an inquest held on Saturday, before Griffith JoneS Williams, Esq., the county coroner for Merioneth, a verdict of "Accidental Death" being returned, From Portmadoc we learn that great disaster wer? received by the shipping in harbour, the tide having risen to a height which has not been known fof forty-five years. The accounts from the rural dis' tricts describe the effects of the gale as being very ruinous. The Dovey is much swollen, but up to the present has kept within its natural bed. Between Abermule and Montgomery numerous fields in the vicinity of the Severn and Ceinlyn are t many feet under water, and the low-lying lands between But' tington and Welshpool are also submerged. On Saturday and Sunday nights the tides rose an extraordinary height at Newport and Cardiff' The violence of the waves was such that the closing of the dock gates at Cardiff had to be delayed for a11 hour and a half, and a number of punts and other small boats were here and there thrown on the shc,re. Several of the streets in the neighbourhood of rbtJ docks were flooded, the water coming in through ¡)¡e drains, and penetrating to many of the houses. At Newport the sea rose equally high, and several ware* houses and other buildings were flooded. There W'1* an unusually high tide along the coast of Cardiga^ Bay, and great damage had been done to houses aOj stock.

LLANBADARN-FAWR.A farewell supper was iv<?" by the Vicar and the Churchwarden of this parirh' at the Black Lion Inn, on Tuesday last, to all workmen employed to restore the nave (which 1 nearly completed) of our grand old church they separated from one another. The chair taken by the Vicar, the Rev. J. Pugh. and the vicff by the churchwarden. Many good speeches were made on the occasion, and the whole passed offino highly successful manner. f WRECK.-The schooner Omnibus, Capt. Rees, 0 this port, bound from Portmadoc to London, w9 totally wrecked in the channel on Wednesday mgbt The crew were all saved.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. Mr. Pelt's answer to Mr. Baleombe's 1erter came to hand tOI late to appear in our present impression.

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. THE GOGERDDAN FOXHOUNDS WILL 2IEE- WILL 2IEE- Tuesday, February 9!>h Lodge Par^ Friday, February 12tb Miii, top of Cwmwjf AT 10 O'CLOCK.

THE VALB OF AYR0N FOXHOUND? ( Capt. Vaughan's) WILL JlKL-T ON. Tuesday, Oth February Highine*^ Friday, 1^'th ditto Bwlch, Dihew.Y1 at 10.30 o'clock.

Critic. On ths 2nd inst., the wife of Mr D. Roberts, TJlt Green, Tivfcchan, in this to-.vn, of a son. On the 3rd instant, the wile of Jcnkiu Portland Lane, of a son. Qeatl/O, On the 28th ult., deeply regretted by a I.1r;¡ circle of relatives and friends, Mr Hugh RobeV.' Flour Merchant, Tregartb, near Bangor. On the 1st. inst., ht'ter a long and severe iliuc»' aged Gi years, Mr Humphrey Edvvards, Bucoli^' Bridge-street, in this town. On the 1st inst., at Neuadd-iawr, :i?ar Lampc- Miss Margaretta Sophia Hughes, in the 68th o* of her age. On the 1st inst., the infant soa of Mr Hughes, 7, William-street, in tkh toven, ( t