The Merthyr Telegraph and General Advertiser for the Iron Districts of South Wales

MURDER AND MURDERERS. «. Tim progress of civilization is a theme on which everybody feela himself entitled to pronounce very positive opinions. Jf anyone were to say that we are not a whit more virtuous, or more just, than our ancestors; .that we are, in short, no better than they were, he would hear Oh Oh shouted from every quarter. And yet when we read our police cases, and our coroners' inquiries, we can hardly avoid the conclusion that the sins of our ancestors are our sins, only they wear a Jittle more polish. Their attire is a redeeming feature. Sometimes they are naked enough, and conse- quentty as hideous as the barbarity of ancient days could have made them; but in general they wear a little gloss, and thus deceive the many. No one can accuse us of being less stained with blood of I the most crimson dye than our forefathers were, for murder seems to be growing more and more into repute. The demand for the abolition of capital punishment seems to be confronted with the counter-demand for Blood We have no in- tention to defend capital punishment; but in the interests of humanity something is required of all who speak or write for the public good, in order to repress, if possible, the lawless spirit which has made murder and double murder a daily story in the British press. Our ancestors were bad enough, but dastardly assault was probably not so common among them as it is in our own times. They were guilty of many cowardly deeds, but a great deal of their blood-shedding was perpetrated in open day. They would not hesitate to challenge their neigh- bour to the combat, and give him a chance of de- fending himself but now the poor victim is tracked on some lonely moor, followed down some solitary lane, or surprised in his sleep, and the death-blow is inflicted before resistance can be offered. The assassin either escapes altogether, or he is caught by the police, and, after a trial, is sentenced to death, or some other heavy penalty The squeamishness of a jury composed of men who seem to think every death horrible but murder, will sometimes set him at large but even when the judge is required to put on the black cap, and pronounce tho awful doom, the guilty wretch is smuggled out of sight, and made away with in the quietest manner possible. Probably thousands of persons sign petitions for commutation or release, and a general pity pervades the very community which should feel most scandalized at the enormous crime. The murdered victim is forgotten his un- heard cry raised in the dark solitude is" seldom thought of his poor children thrown as orphans on the world claim no one's sympathy. ihe demon himself is the only centre of attraction If anything can be done, it must be done for him if any tears can flow, they must flow for him if any mercy can be wrung out of a Sovereign's heart, it must be for him and occasionally, tha crnwd- led by their instinctive horror of a cruel and das- tard deed—will hoot the wretch to the very scaffold, but in general the expressions ( f pity run so high that to a mind without hope of fame or reputation there may be something even charming even in the infamy of crime. Without making death a necessary part of the murderer's penalty, we might make his life tiore bitter. Quiet retirement from the world is not the most healthy punishment for the class of persons who are likely to stain their hands with human blood. We are not sure that the old fashioned but now unpopular method of public ex- posure is not the best for such lawless beings. There is nothing that wounds them so deeply and so keenly as t tie hooting and jeering of the crowd, and though we should not like to encourage the questionable practice of dogging the steps of crimi- nals, and saluting their ears with unsavoury epithets, yet we believe that the old custom of tying a miscreant to the back of a cart, and forcing him to parade the streets, without any official at- tendant except the common hangman with whip in hand, inflicting sturdy blows, would have a won- derful effect on all persons disposed to make free with the lives of others. Were the lives of as- sassins spared, in order to subject the cowards to this treatment once a year, or as often as might be thought advisable—depending on the atrocity of the crime—men and women of bloodthirsty inclina- tions would pause before striking the fatal blow. It is all very well to stow away yur criminals as we do our sewage. Clean streets are very agreeable to look upon, and as the sight and odour of sewage can be of very little physical or moral benefit to society, we may as wt ll conceal it But why hide our criminals ? Is it not part of our policy to deter the innocent from crime by punishing the guilty ? And how can we do this so effectually as by maki ng the penalty a public endurance ? The senseless reeling and the utter degradation of a drunken man must often have made the sober shud- der at the very thought of taking too much drink. Concealment of crime and concealment of punish- ment arc two of the greatest curses which one can inflict upon society. In France, where they are said to manage things better than we do, are the ordinary social vices of which the tourist sees so little on the streets of Paris not to be found at all ? Is the moral condition of France a whit superior to that of our own country, even though it may ap- pear so to the. superficial observer ? Not at all. The more we conceal, the more easy do we make it for the rising generation to be wicked, and yet pursue its favourite vices in the dark. To allow a profligate to run his mad career to the very end before the eyes of all, is to read out a great practi- cal lesson to the whole community. We learn from example. To show us how men learn to <ret drunk, and yiet concisal from us what they become when drunk; is to teach the wrong part of the lesson. The second half would be many times more useful to society than the first. To show the world what a murderer's miseries are, wou'd have a much more powerful influence on the reckless mind than stow- in^ him away in a cell, there to lead a life which, to this very day, we hesitate to describe as abso lutely miserable or not. J here is, however, a very large and, we fear, a growing cla-s of murders for which society is itself responsible. We refer to the cases of infanticide which have lately, been familiar at our doors, as well as in other parts of the country. There is something exceedingly heartless in the social degradation to which a woman is subjected when she yields to temptation of a certain kind. The whole of the punishment comes upon her. Society shuts the door i.1 her face, refuses her a character, and condemns her to provide almost entirely f°r ^er unfortunate off- spring. The freaks of social justice are something dreadful to think of. A child born out of wed- lock is denied the rights of birth, even by the law of the land. It is socially disgraced, though it has come into the world with all the innocence of any other new-born babe. The father is unscathed A paltry half-crown a week for a certain length of time is all that is exacted from him. He may neg- lect every parental duty, if he only pays down his sorry half-crown. He goes out and comes in as if he had never done any wrong And all the while the poor woman, whom he probably deceived with false promises, has to carry all the scorn, and hang down her head, while even the heartless fair pass by with up-turned lip and haughty look. Is the crime of infanticide wonderful when we look ( honestly at the circumstances • The man may go t down the street, quietly enjoying his pipe, smiled { at by his neighbours—both men and women—not I an inch lower in moral stature, or at least in social ( esteem, while the poor girl, not more guilty, has J to pass by on the other side, hiding her face, cower- <■ ing down in shame, feeling that the world has shut its iron gate for ever against her, and will hence- forth refuse to own that a single virtue has been left. It is only the other day that we heard of a ¡ a girl sent to the muddy Thames labelled by her per- f jured lover, so that her body might be recognised 1 when it was found. Our law does not punish the J: crime of seduction, and society, winking at the i man who perpetrates it, makes the woman suffer j all the scorn, and brands with infamy and loss the helpless of&pring. Hence Ç()t1)ø infanticides. They { are the crimes of society. Hence, also, come many ,s suicides So long. as women wno have been be- trayed have no refuge but in tho cold embrace of a stagnant pool, which must neces^irily be tnire n,L- tractive to them than a scowling world a ) long as men are not compelled by law to maintain the mothers of their children and the children too so long as society obstinate'y refines to light a lamp of h >pe, and throw open the harbour to let the wretched vessel come in from the storm, child- murders will continue to disgrace our country. \Ve do not exonerate the woman whose hands commit the crime. To slay an innocent smiling infant in cold blood is infamous hnt it is seldom done in cold blood. It is t'le desperate dued of one to whom all hope is denied. Society may put an end to infanticide, and to many a deed of desperation, if it choose to do so. +

LOCAL HTELLIGMCE. A COLLISION, which it is feared will have a serious re- sult, occurred on Wednesday at Thomas Town. Messrs Pearce and Shnjitou's spring cart, containing sotne barrels of beer, was driven violentiy against a water cart, the horse being at the time uumnua^ealde. The cKiver was thrown out, and some of the barrels fell over him. He was severely hurt on the heatl, and on various'parts of thebody, and it is not yet Kno.\n what oi iy be the result. He was iamiedi itely cot, vt-ycl to Dr. Webster's Humerv, and both that gentleman and Dr. Dyke attended u^ ou him. EDUCATIONAL ^ISTEDDKOD —It is with much pleasure we refer t" an eisteddfod which is announced to he h"I,I at the Temperance Hall, on Monday next. Many of «ur eistedd- fodau are Worthless in their desgn. and as worthless In theirresutts. This however is an exception, for the inten- tion of its promoters is evidently to encourage the stni^iles of youth tu acijime Uno^ledire, so as to render them more qualified fur higher alld more honourable positions in life. With tins excellent ol>j,;ct in view. we trust their effort will' be appreciated and supported by the public, and that Mon- day next will witness crowded meetings, morning, after- nooll, alld p.ellill; ELOPKMKNT OF A NEATH DRAPER tvrnr HIS SISTER-LY- LAW.— Arpitt-:ni-;N\siox or TUB FUGITIVES IN L'VKK- POOL.—On I uesdav an extraordinary ease of elopement was made known. It seems that a young man naim-d Charles D.ivies, has accomplished the rather uncommon feat of running away with his sist«r-in-!aw, Mrs .fulia Bennett, whose husband is a draper carrying on business at Neath. Davids was a draper's assistant in the employ of Mrs Bennett's father, allll some eight or nine mouths ago he manied into the family. His choice of the sitters was an unfortunate one, and he transferred his affections to Julia, w.io was abo 1IJ;.trried. Julia received his aHe"- tions. and they arranged t" go to America together. B. Saturday tiiey had completed their arrangements, and on Sunday morning, under some pretence or other, they took train from Neath to Liverpool. Their elopement soon be- came known, and, on matters being enquired into, it trans- pired that the pirties had taken with them £ 70 and some jewellery belon-in,' to the father of Mrs Bennett. The police of Liverpool were communicated with, and on Mon- day the fugitives were apprehended 011 board the steamship Colorado just as she was about to leave the Aler^ey for New York. I hey had taken a double berth in the i.aine of "Mr anil Mrs Anderson." They were sent bank to Neath on Wednesday. POUTKATT OF W. PERKINS, ESQ.. POXTYFRIDD. —Pro- bably 110 sadder calamity has befallen the district of Ponty- pridd for many years past than the removal by death from amongst its inhabitants of W. Perkins. Esq.. the much esteemed Chairman of the Board of Guardians. Useful he made himself in every walk of life, and his courtesy was extended to every class, regardless of social distinction. It will, we are sure, he pleasing to his many friends to know that our townsman, W. E Jones, i £ sq to whose skill and pencil we owe the preservation of the forms and features of so IlIany departed worthies, has just com- pleted. in oil. a life-sized poitra.it of iMr Perkins. To state that it is uUIJJistakcahle llfl 'a likeness, i" too faint praise. It requires but a slight el10rt of the imagination to regard it as the living lIIan, and we are sure that many wiil 11.. found of Mr Perkins's friends who will, wheu they see it, Breathe a blcssin? on the pencil's aid » That half restored the substance in the shade, We do not know whdt the intention mav be with regard to this porfrait. but we think it could not fail tobc regarded by Mr IV-rkitis's relatives and friends as a graceful compli- ment paid to his memory if it were purchased Ioy public sub-cript.ion, and placed either in the County Court Hall, or the B urd Kooui of the I'ontypri ld Union, at both of which places his faithful and self-denying services will be long reœemlwred. THE LATE FIRE.Among much that is disastrous in connection with fires, there is occasionally a relief to be found in these c damaties, and that is iu the direction of insurances offices. Not, unfr quently. however, every inems is fouud wuetber honourable or dishonourable— to avoid liabilities by these offices, but when the contrary is the case it is dese: vin^ of honourable 1J.,¡,utiou. In the case of the fire at Atr Meredith's—so disastrous in its resul s the III. surance Companies, viz t he Imperial tiud the Royal, have acted wil,h great credit 10 hemselves, and with such promptitude, that we fed sure the circumstance will give great satisfaction to their patrons in this district it ap- pears that Messrs. Harris s Taylor, who are the local agents of these Insurance Ortices ill Merthyr. ci nimtiiiica'ed with the principals of the companies, and immediately the claim was assessed and sent in, it was met without, the slightest demur, and cheques were forwarded for tilt-irre- spective liub.lities without the least delay or hesitation. This action on their part is not only highly gratifying to those who are most interested in the late fire, but the knowledge of the fact must, we think, greatly conduce to knowledge of the fact must, we think, greatly conduce to the more general application of iusuranje to the security of property in the district. CONCERT AT THE TEMPKRANC •; HALL.—A concert of secular And sacred music was given at Temperance Hall. on Thursday evening, by the choir of Ynysgau Chapel for the benefit of D." vid Havard, a member of tho 6hoir, who had met with a serious accident several months ag.) at the Dow- lai" mille works. Tile choir consisted of ahout 150 voices including several volunteers from other choirs in the town. The pei forinatice throughout was very creditable, and sho.ved that great labour had been spent in bringing the choir to such a liig'i state of eiffciency. Some of Handel's great choruses were done with a pn cision and ed'.ct q iite surprising, particularly when it is considered that altthe performers were working m.n and wouieu. dome of the members of the eh "ir have taken part ill the great Handel festivals at the Crystal Palace. Mr Abraham Bowel), of Dowlais i the first teacher of Miss Watts) sang "Man the 1 ftr-boat," and several airs with spirit and effect, and a Mrs Davies, wife of a working man, sang "Barney O'Hea" with considerable feeling and sweetness A glee party from the Bethani.t choir, Donlais, sang Y Gwanwyn" most creditably. Mrs Montgomery presided at the pianoforte and Mr I). Bowen at the harmonium. The hall was crowded in every p-i.rt, anil many had to go away for want of room. The lie v P. Ho wells, minister of Ynysgau Chapel, referred to the object of the concert during the "internal." and proposed a vote of thank" to the singers and others, wiio had promoted the concert, for their gratuitous service, whichwasheartityrespondedto. Mr f'osser Buytion, the conductor, returned thinks, and spoke.of the readiness of members of other choirs tn. help them in their attempt to relieve the wants of a worthy young man, for whose benefit the c'ot c jrt was got up. THE MERTHYR SFWAGS DIFFICULTY. —The position of the Merthyr Board of Health is most embarrassing. The Messrs iNixon and Co. have obtained an injunction restrain- ing them from emptying the sewage of the town ir.to the river Tatf, and the Master of the Rolls has ordered the property of tlie Board to be sequestered. TheBoardis also applying to Parliament for powers to take land for the purpose of applying the sewage to irrigation, but they are threatened witll opposition by the powerful landowners whoselandtheyproposetotake. They are compelled by law to drain the town, and their rates are to he sequestered because that sewage flows into the river. Tney are in a dilemma, and do not know of a way of escape. We un- derstandthat they have given notice of appeal against the decision of the Master of the Itolls, and that Sir lloundell Palmer has been retained to con li; jt their case before the Lords Justices. In the event of tne Court above sustain- ing the judgment of Lord Rouiilly, the local affairs of Mer- thyr wib come to a dead lock. We cannot hel]4 thinking that the legislature has been very remiss 11l the matter of the drainage of towns and disposal of sewige. Corpora- tions are compelled to drain their towns, and inland towns that have 11.1 tidal water to take away'the sewage use the rivers. Butthelawstepsinand says, "You must not pollute the rivers." They are thus placed in extricable difficulty; compelled to do one thing; the doing of which places them in antagonism to the law in another form. The legislature ollght to tind a way out of this difficulty. It is right and proper that our rivers should be preserved — it would tie a calamity if they were allowed, as in some places, to be turned into common sewers but some method of disposing ot town sewage should be found out. It is unjust to tnlke individual towns responsible for the cost of experiineuts. Tbe matter is of imperial ilJtere>it. and a commission composed of the most eminent chemists and agriculturist should he appointed to test the various schemes proposed for the dt.pusa,1 of town sewage, and ri-- cotiiinend to Parliament the best place. The result of this imperfect legislation is severely felt at Merthyr. Oaly one- half of the town is drained, and the other has no channel of escape. There is no doubt that the fearful mortality in the parish of Merthyr last winter—39 in the 1.00.1 -is due in great measure to the imperfect state of the drainftge. The Home Secretary has been appealed to, but he says he is powerless in the matter. durely there i3 a. way of escape. + MERTHYR LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH. The usual fortnightly meeting was held on Wednesday last, when there were present: — Messrs. W..Tolles (chiii- man\ W. Han is, J. Jones, W. Gould, A. J Morris, G. Martin T. Jenkins, R. Harrison, J. W. James, and W. Hicc. The minutes of the hst ordinary meeting as Wt]) as those of all extraordinary inditing held an Monday weie read and confirmed. SUF.VEYOR'S B^PO'tT. The following repmt was th, u lead :— To the Merthyr Tydfil Local Board of Health. Gentlemen,—With resp Jet to the letter of Richard Morgan, complaining of the practice of drawing trams laden with rnetai through the streets of DJVVI lis, I'e lerr,oct to me at jour last, meet ng for my report thareon, I bJtr ta report that the trams alluded to belong to the Ujwluis Iron Coaipauy, and arc used chiefly tor the removal of small eastings of irofl and brass from one part to another of their worki. The onjecttonabte part of the practice is due to the absence of proper means tor guiding and controlling ttie trams when going down hili, in eensequence of wliirhitis necessary to sprag th: wheels, and in this state the trams frequently cross and re-cross the road, to the damage of the sauw, and to th" danger of passengers, horses, atjd vehicles. The remedy is very simple. The u-e of a pair of shafts, with moans of atbching to the trams, and data 'h.n/ as repaired, is all that is waited. I beg to recoinmeud tlie add.t.on to the tire extinguishing appli- an ?es of the fodowuig articles 1 jumping she ;t, 1 saw in case, J axp, 2 d'ps for suspending hose from ladders, 3 hose clauips, 2 balls ot lapping cord, aud 2 dozen torches. I beg to report that T have received the fallowing plans and notices ofbuddngs. to which I see no cbjeciioi, viz:— 1. From Evan Jones, Pant-road, of ttvj houses at Pant for himself, 2. From Evan Jones, Dowla's, of two houses in Mardy-street, Mountai¡1 Harc. for William Lew.s. 3. Fro n Kvau Jonas, L>owla;s, of add't'on to house No. 4, Upper Un ou-street, U i.vUi s, for 'Klom is :;amuc1. •Ji, From Gabriel Frced,uan, of aûd.tion lO. premises* in Union. street, Dowlais, foe himself J anj, gentiempa, YOnr obedient semut, > SAMUBT. HABVUB, Surveyor. Merthyr, May 18th, lh70 THE DOWLAIS COMPANY'S TRAMS. IMr Martin st ited that lie was not present at the last meeting of the Board, and he therefore did not hear the letter referred to in the Surveyor's r-oort read, but lie pro- mised the Baard tuat he w «ul attend to the matter. THE Finn ESCAPE. The necessary tire exu iguisbiug articles us recommended by '.he Surveyor were ordered to be procured. The Chairman remarked that t'ere was a letter from j Siipt. Tnomas on the sani:! su' j ;ct wlvc'i was then read :— 1 To the MerthyrTyd.il L),al Iloir l of Health Mr Ch-iirm in and Ueutle run — I bi^t»report that information was given at this stviou a ion; h il;p iss nine p. m on the 2 ad inst. that tiie sho.i of -Mr Evan Meredith, draper, High-street was on tire. land several constables w^re o.i the spot with h hose and I reel at Once The titmes were then coining through the windows. 1 an'! .Sergeant Tho m- opened the hydrant near Airs White's but hiled to screw 0'.1 the stand-pips in c:mSel.:Ien..e of some dirt. and Sill til stones having got Into It After iryiug to de) so for about two minutes we then rail down to the hydrant n;ar tile Court Arms. and screwed it on the stand-pipe. One of the turncocks was there aft the time assisting I then ran to the jet, aad in a short time the water was tumed on, and continued plaYlllg Ulltil the fire was extinguished. Ail the fire apparatus was on the spot at once, but there waa about five minutes delay at the commence- ment, before we got the water, in consequence of what I have stated above, there being small stones and dirt in the hydrant. I beg to recommend that the turncocks should open the hydrants oftener than they do at present. I have the honour to be. Mr Chairman and Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, JO IN THO M A-S, superintendent. Constabulary Office, Merthyr TydtU, 18th May, 1870. The Surveyor observed that Mr Thomas did not open the hydrants, for if he had done so he would lia"e bad a plenti- ful supply of water, but what he had done was simply to open tile water plug. The Chairman thought there ouidit to hp a staff of m^o trained for the use of the hose and fire esca.pj, though he di,1 not think it was right tlnvt they shoull bear the ex" pense. He thought that as the fiarish paid such a large amount of police rates that the police ought to do it. It was bis opinion that it could easily be arranged between the Surveyor and Superintendent. As to having a bell, be thought the Church bell could he run'/ for the purpose. Mr W. Harris remarked that it would take some time beiore theycotddgetinto the church to ring it. The Chairman said the best thing'to be done would be to refer the question to the Surveyor for him to report as to tile best UJeau" I., > adopt —Agreed to. IMr lames remarked that they might teWraph up to Dowlais to put on the hooter." (Loud laughter.) BUILDI.VG PLANS The building notices referred to in the Surveyor's report, and to which there was no objection, were agreed to. MEDICAL OFFICER's REPORT —OUTBREAK OF FEVElt AGAIN. Mr T..J Dyke reported that fever bad again broken out at No. 10, Lwyfeti-street, C u pantywyll. There Were seven inmates in tile house, a man named Tliomas Husliand, his ^ife and daughter, and four grand-children. O.U.y Hus- band bad got fever at present, and :t was very desirable that he and the family should be removed at once in order that the house might he properly cleansed and disiufeeted. This be recommended the Board to do, as well as to serve notice upouthc owner to put the house in thorough venti- lation. He also reported another case in the sa ne street, in which a man named Timothy Collins was afflicted ti ere were thirteen living in the latter house. He like- wise recommended in this case the serving of a notice to put the house in thorough ventilation, and that it should be cleansed and disinfected. In the first case Dr Dyke stated that Dr Galle had ordered the 11101.11 Hushand into the hlllhe, hut he refused to go. Mr Dyke asked where would the persons ue removed to whilst the house was being disinfected. The Chairman stated that they could easily have an empty house illtll which they could he removed. ,\1 I' James suggested that tlley could be rell10veù to the Refuse. The Surveyor said thefcost would be great, as they would have ',0 engage a staff again. Dr Dyke thought they might get a cottage which would answer the purpose, for they had iu the Refuge all the ne- cessary furniture. &c. The Chairman concurred, and after a few further re- marks it was agreed io unanimously, that the Board should engage a house into which to remove the man Husband -and after he was well, and his house disinfected, they ejuld remove Collins into the same house. "1 I' Dyke asked the permission of the Board that he and the Surveyor might engage a house again if any similar case again occurred, instead of waiting until the Board met, for in that case, if the permission wis granted, they could deal with the case immediately. Granted. THE WORKSHOPS' REGULATION ACT. 1837. The Clerk stated that respecting the infringement of the above Act by Messrs Phillips and Evans, and by Mr M. da.nuel, High-street, he quite agreed with Dr Dyke, ihat both were transgressors of the law, and it was nOw for them to decide whether they would proceed against them, lie had read the Act and the making of mounting to order" Wi's not exempted in any way. There were undoubtedly mitigating circumstances in hoth cases. The Chairman thought they bad 1:0 alternative but to pr Isecute, for inasmuch as they adopted the Act they were bound to c tri^' it out. It would he very unfair on their part if they did not proceed against these gentlemen now. and at another tillle when some other person had violated the Act they should proceed against him. Mr \V. Harris only wished the Board to deal as leniently as possiblv. The Chairman stated that they wished to do so, hut thev had no alternative but to prosecute, and then it was for the magistrates to consider the mitigating circumstances. It was then agreed that the Clerk should suounou both Messrs rdiil.ips and Evans, and "r Morgan Samuel. THE REUSE TIPPING GROUND. The Chairman read a letter from Mr R. E. Davies, Gwaelod.vgaith off.-ring his laud ou the side of the Tiff Vale liailway to the Board for tipping purposes at £ '3l) for the first year, and afterwards at JE75 per year, the agreement to terminate by six montas' notice from either side. Ti.ese terms were accepted, and the Clerk was ordered to prepare an agreement accol dingly. THE AUDITING UF THE BOOKS. The Clerk read a letter from Messrs \V. H. Williams and Co., Bristol, which stated th It they would semi their account in a few days for auditing the books of the Board. THE REPORT OF THE DEPUTATION TO THE HOME SECRETARY RESPECTING THE PROVISIONAL ORDER.. The riiairinan then read t Ie following report: To the Merthvr Tinifil, Local Bo trd of Health. Gentleman,—In acdorclance with a resolution "of this Board the undeisigned. accompanied by the Clerk and Surveyor, proceeded to London as a dep itition. a.id hit the honour of h iving an tn- lerview with the Home Secretary on Wednesday afternoon hst They related the circums-ances under whicli the Board were suf- fering wi h reference to the disposal of the sewage of the di trict. Mr liruce received the deputation most kindly, and entered into their case with evident intercôt He explaineil the il11p05sibi1íty of intro luciug an Act based rpoi the recommendation of the Rivers Pollution Commission in time to seive this Board, but stated that the Government had the natter umler carerul and active consideration and courteously.afforded your deputation much good advice 011 th3 suoject of their visit, aud on IvlJiclJ action was at once taken. Your deputation further took nrlvantJtge of their presence in London to see several gentlctnen who have to deal with the present position of the IJ ,arcl relative to the sewage question; and, though they feel it wOIÙI be imprudent to enter into particulars, they have pleasure In assuring the Board that they have reason to regard their vi3it as <10 pro.it.1ule one. Signed, WILLIAM JoNrs, WILLIAM HARRIS, G-KOKOE MARTIN, Board Room, May 17, 1870. ARTHUR i. MORRIS. ■ The Ciiairuiau stated that when in London Mr Harpur had seen Atr A. Taylor, and had had a conversation with him as to how Boards of Health had generally proceeded in such cases as they were situate. Mr Harpur would relate to the Boar.J what passed, and it would be very sat.sfactory to them. Mr Harpur then stated that on Thursday morning last he called at Richmond Terrace, and saw Mr A. Ta> lor, to whom he related the whole of the circumstances. Mr Taylor entered fully into the matter, with evident interest, and stated that he would proceed with his report upon the late inquiry immediately. He ( Mr Harpur) had understood from him that his report would he favourable, and if such would he the Ctse he had little doubt but that the provisional order would be granted. He (the speakei) had asked how other Boards had acted ii similar difficulties and he then related the following case which occurred at Tuubridge w .-lis in 1867, which case was very much the same as tneir own.—An injunction h id been obtained by a Mr Goldsmith against the Local Boirdof Health for contaminating the river by emptying therein the sewage of the town For several months he held it over them. and did not put it in force. After Mr Goldsmith's death his son succeeded bin), and put in force the injunction, thereby throwing the Bond into very great expense. During the whole of this time the Board had done nothing, had not prepared any plans for irrigation works, but still allowed the sewage to fl IW into the river in direct contraveutijii of the injunction, and seemingly in defiance of thesequestrator. When however the order was enforced they agreed to a system of irriga- tion, and took lands accordingly; they alsu appealed* t, have the illjllllction withdrawn, but the app1ic,.tion was refused until they had bad a provisional order. III due course they obtained toe latter, and then the injunction was withdrawn, and the Boaid proceeded with their works as though lJuthiug whatever had occurred. He (the speaker) had very little doubt that the same course would fullow nere. The following was also read: Local Government Act Office, 3, Richmond Terra'*e WlutehaH, -.W, ](irh May, 1870. Sll1.-I. am directed by Ur Secretary Bruce toacknowtedgethe receipt of. your Idter ot, the l-Uh May. asking for the dec.sion in the uas jot th» Mortuyr Ty-lal mqn ry. In r. pl>, 1 havo to state that the inspector will probably make his report in the course ot three or fouc days, an ) that the decision will be comnnni.cased to you in due course.— Iain, sir. vour obedient servant. r XAYLOK Thos. Williams, Esq., Clerk to the Mother noard i~e Chairman stated that he had just had the followin" letter put into his bands. 0 Allchurch (Yard) Chambers. Cannon-street, London, E.C., Miy 16, 1370. To William Jones, Esq Chairman t> the Board of Health, Jilertk.jr Tgdjil. Dear Sir,—I wasgladtobeins rulneutal in obtaining the ap- pointment for a meeting between the Home Secretary and the gentlemen deputed to wait upon him by the Alei thyr Board; at wh cli meeting Mr Bruce informs me that he was, as I had feared, unable to offer much consolation to the unfor unate ratepaye'S under the strange diiticulties of their posili m, but that he had views of relief under consideration for similar cases of hardship. Anthis I presume you to be ful y acquainted with, and I umch. regret that the saort notice I received by telegraph of the intended arrival of the deputation mall" it impossible) for ne to change a prior engagement and attend your meeting (for. in fact, I was engaged at the very hour upon an important reference ease) but having heard Mr Bruce's views, I venture, as a considerable rate- payer, to write to you, the Chairman nf the Board, to say that I quite concur in tne wisdom'of employing not only the first talent of tue day. but ill the choicd whie:1 has been ma Ie and I desire to add that I shad always UJ happy to forward the interests and objects of Merthyr l'ydtil, as represented by your Board of Health, in every way, ami by all the means at the cummand of Your faitnful servant, ItlCUARD f'OTHKUGILL. SCHEMES FOR THE DISPOSAL OF THE SEWAGE. A letter was' read from a Mr Archioall W wttl stating that he was aware of a way to dispose the seivage at very little expense, tie was willing to attend and explain his scheme piovided the Board would pay his travelling tX- Another letter was also read from Mr J. C. vVolndge, Courttand Tenace, who advised the Board to pause ere they sanctioned the spending of £ 3J,000 on irrigation works. I This nli¿ht, he said suit lawytrs and eng neers, but did not suit the ratepayers. As there were only three or four tons: of sewage daily, he thought that could bo burnt at very little expense. He (Mr H otridgc) was of opinion that Mr Cope Pearce wóuld soon devise some method for burning it The reading of this letter caused much laughter, aa the burning of the sewage seemed to the members to be a Hovel Way of disposing of it. The Surveyor remarked that Mr WolrIdg0 was labouring under a mistake. It was the solid sew«gi, llutter that thfc.y had about four tons ot. The Chairman stated i hat he had as'ced Mr Cope Pearce, THE ARREARS. The Chairtnnn read a long statement of the arrears of both the District and Water Bates whieb was as follows Of the £ 5d5 (5 s 7 Ad unc'I'tcted of the distiis rite; Mr Bevan bid collected tlb3 receipts ba I been produced for £ '18il 4< 4 id allowances made L'do Is "2 and outstanding £ 9J8<5d; of this latter sum t'69 lfis 2id was considered go.nl; £ 14 4-i 2 1 doubtful anl ±! 8s irrecover ble. Re- specting the t'l,6Jo 4s 3 1 arrears of the Water rate. £ 483 17s 2d had been collected; receipts ha I been produced tor L270 ns a I; allowances £ 3 55 2< Id; still ontstandng £ •517 5s 9 I accoi nts reu Iered an l irrec )Vt-r,tble £ 17 4s 0 I. Of the E-517 5, !) I outstanding £ 2J(j Ids 91 «as considered to be irrecoverable A long list of defaulters was then presented and read, in wh ch members of p Lst Boards as well as the present Board figured for no small amounts. Mr-John Harpur was cilled into the room and stated that a large uumber of the defaulters had received notice to pay. After a short conversation Mr J. Harpur was ordered to serve those wno had not received notices, and the Clerk was instructed to summon those that had received them, and should any person dispute their liability they could ap- pear before the Board on Wednesday next. RESIGNATION OF MR HARRIS, THE BOOKKEEPER. A letter was read from Mr Hairis stating tnat he wished to resign his appointment as bookkeeper as soon as would 6 be convenient to the Board. The Chairman remarked that Mr Harris was unsuited for theln. and he had in his opinion acted very wisely in resigning, for the books and accounts of the Board wirj very backward. It would now be the duty of the Board to till up the vacancy by a person really competent to do the work. Mr James proposed that they advertise for another man. The Chairman asked if they could not appoint a. compe- tent person without advertising the sooner they filled the vacancy the better. Mr Morris remarked that they had about thirtv applies. tions since last time. Could they not select one from that It ? The Chairman thought they ought to do something, for time was valua le. Mr Martin seconded Mr Jatne3's proposition which was agreed to. the advertisements to lie inserted in the TELEGRAPH. t-xpressand Westcn Mail. APPLICATION FOR BORROWING POWERS. The Clerk stated that they would soon have to apply to Parliament for powers to borrow money to purchase the land, and to make the necessary woiks for carrying out the sewage scheme. Mr Jaup.-s asked how much it was proposed to borrow. The Surveyor said that was not clearly known. The Chairman state that it was his opinion that they would b perfectly safe if they leased the land for twenty. one years, and he thought they would also be safe in grant- i ing the landowners power to use such portions of the land as they thought was necessary for sinking purposes. It was quite certain that only one or two would sink in the locality, for as the co d was so deep there, it would never pav to sink inuiypits, hut the probability was that it would be only one gigantic undertaking. If they took the land for 21 ve irs they coild if the scheme turned out a. failure give it up, if on the other hand it was not neces- sary to give it up, he was certain there would be no diffi- culty in renewing the leases with the landowners. It would be to their advantage to do so, for unless they di I so the land would fall back to its normal condition If they agreed to let the landowners have any reasonable power to sink upon the lands, he was certaill that out of the 9 or 10 landowners from whom they would have to lease land not more than 2 or 3 would oppose them in Parliament. The Clerk stated that they would have to show Parlia tnent how they intend laying out the money proposed to b borrowed. It would have to be repaid during the next 5 years. Mr Morris thought that they ought to app'y for powers to borrow £ 41,0JO. ■ The Chairman was also of that opinion, and after a few further remarks it was agreed to unanimously that the 13,. '1',1 should petition Parliament for power to borrow £ 40,000. APPOINTMENT OF A MEMBER INSTEAD OF MR. CLARK. Mr Gould called attention to the subj 'ct of the appoint- ment of a irie nb-r to All the vacancy occasioned by the re- signation of Mr Clark. Mr Morris observed that it would be within the recollec- tion of the Board, that a short time ago he gave notice that he would propose a gentleman to fitll the seat rendered vac- ant by the resignation of Mr Clark. It was then very pro- perly suggested that Mr Clark should be requested to recon- sider the matter, and again favour the Boird with his presence and assistance, but as he (Mr Morris) fully anti- cipated at the time, that gentleman had since expressed his regret that it wOIl:d not be convenient for him to return to the Board, a circumstance which all must very much re- gret. He (the speaker) had intended moving that a gentle- man, of whom he knew they would all approve, and whose great experience and talent would be of much valuable assistance to them at the present juncture, should be selec- ted to fill the vacant seat. He at u led, as most of thetu knew, to Mf Simons, whose knowledge of the district, and great ability generally, would be of immense service to them. Circumstances had, however, rec ntly occurred which led to Mr Simons being professionally engaged to attend to legal interests of the firm under whom he Mr Morris i served. He was n it aware whether Mr Simons would accept the seat if eltcted to it but he thought under the circuiii-tances.it would not lie decent on his part to p.oceed furtht-r in the matter, and he therefore begged to t-t-tirefrotttthf subject. He would, however, add that he was very much pleased to know that his friend Mr Gould had a proposition to make which would bring back to their assistance a gentleman, who would be Welcomed by them as heartily as his absence from the Board was now regret- ted—he meant Mr Purchase, who he trusted would kindly take the seat offered him, and coutinue to occupy a posi- tion he had held for so many yearj, with so much protit to the ratepayers and honour to himself. Mr Gould then proposed that, looking at the fact that Mr Purchase could afford the Board so much assistance in the prosecution of the sewage scheme, and that he had always served the ratepayers so usefully, commanding the respect and confidence of all who knew him, he should be electral to the vacant seat. Mr Martin seconded the proposition. The Chairman remarked that they could not have a. gen- tleman better qualified to fill the vacant seat. He was cer- tain that they would agree to the proposition unanimously, for Mr Purchase was a gentleman well-known to them, and one in whotel both the members and the ratepayers had confidence. Mr James stated that Mr Purchase was a very useful member. The proposition was then a rreed to unanimously, and th Clerk was directed to write to Mr Purchase and ask bi.n to become a member. MEMORIAL OF THE J ATE A. LINCOLN. The above volume was lud (1) che table, and on the pro. position of Mr Jones, it was agreed to hand it ovet to the Merthyr Library, and ask the committee of that institu- tion to be its custodian. The Board then proceeded t) discuss some matters in private. ♦ MERTIIYR BOARD OB' GUARDIANS. The usual week'y meeting was held on Siturday, when there were presellt: -Messrs. G T. Clark (Chairman), R. H. Rhys, J. Lowis, \V Harries, T Williams, W. L. Daniel, T. Jenkins, J. W. James, W Gould. J. Matthews M. E) wards. J. W. Jones, L. Rhys, R. Lewis, H. Jenkins, and the Rev. J. Griffith. The minutes of the last meeting were re d and confirmed. THE MASTER AND MATRON'S SALARY. Th'-J C erk read a letter from the Poor L iw Board approv- ing of the resolution come to by this Board «oiue short time since, to increase the salary of Mr Meredith to JL75, and Mrs Meredith to £ .50. # THE GELLYGAER MEDICAL DISTRICT. Another letter was also read from the Poor Law Board confirming of the appointment of Ur. S. Coalthurst and Redwood as medical officers in the above district. THE MORTALITY IN THE INFIRMARY. Mr R. H. Khys remarked that for some time past a good deal had been said both in and outside the Board room upon the great mortality in the Worknouse an I Infirmary, and upon enquiries he found that a high rate of mortality had taken place. He had asked the Master to make a return of the number of deaths; and this return he now held in his hand, and which the Chairman would kindly read. It would be seen that the detths were just twice as many for the six months ending March last, as compared with the co. responding six mont'is of last year. During the quarter ending December 18.8 there had been 77(i inmates in the house, and out of tuat number 9 diaths had occurred. During the quarter ending March I860, there had been 9tt inmates in the house, and 26 deaths occurred. During the quarter ending December 1869, there had been 811 inmates ill the bouse, and 17 deatus had occurred. During the quarter ending March 1870 there hid been 854 inmates in the house, and 43 deaths. Ihey (the Board; would now see by that return that the deaths had been for the six months ending March 18711 nearly double those of the cor- responding six mouths of last year. The number were.35 as against 60, and all these deaths occurred in the infir- mary. As there had been so much said respecting the great increase in the mortality he thought it was but right and just to appoint a special committee to inquire into the pro- bable causes which had led to so increased a mortality, and to report to the Board, as to the cause of the great difference in the two periods. He mu t state that the increase was enormous, as they would perceive. There was only t-vo or three deaths from fever. The Rev J. Griffith I was just going to ask the ques- tion. Mr R. H Rhys again stated that there were only two (,r three deaths from fever, ani he therefore thought that they ought to appoint a committee. He then made a motion to that effect. Mr J. \V. James reminded the Board, that throughout the town, during the peiiods stated by Mr Rhys, the utorta- ity hal been neariy twice is heavy as usual. Heremembered a short time since that Dr Dyke stated All one of his reports to the Board of Health that themortatityof the district 39in 1,000, whilst the aver ige number was only 24 or 25. thought this explained to acertain degree the increased de* rate iu the house. He stated this that both stately enjg might go forth at the same time. A r R. H. Rhys would be glad if this wo aid e >"4a a$he increase Mr DiLni, I ha.d much pleasure in seconding the m Ition, He had also heard a good deal about the iuf.rK>I10 mortality of the house. He th JUght that W n vin T 6 had already said, and taking in o consider Ln tho J™* winter they had had, it would cxnlain f n aev«e large incre se, and he ciiougnt it was 1'ut ri ht ? a cnuaiittee to euquire into the causes appoint XUe ^nau'iutn said thpra/>o»u > that it was their duty to ennui"! i ? "u (luestl0n whatever traordinaty increasp in the tllue esf at the same time lie bcotn I of the houstY th()USh est grounds Z reSut^ lhere WaS nol,thB sliCht- was further fmm .I- U,WA ANY,,NE» and nothing their (infTT ♦ their nunds than to do so, but it wa» would r,y 0 ,enquire >to th* inattfr. The commit^ talitv\)f "• iT that 1(i VV;ls to be- ex')ected that the mor- town w inuhmaFy woullbe hi«her th** that of the house' Ti SUtfl lf 'hef belonged to a work- ouse U y committee that took the question up would Jo well to know the ages of the paupers that had died and it any epidemic or rever had visited the house and also any special causes of death, so that they might arrive as tar at the causes of the great increase in the mortality of. the house. The motion was then agreed to unanimously, and the following weie named as the cOWluitWe :-MtjSsrs Wm. Jjunons, W L. Daniel, J. W. James, the Revds. J„. Griffith, and G. 0, I, Harries. NIASTEWa BEPORT; The usual report was read by the master, from which it appeared that there had been 18 admitted. 0 b, ru, 2' died, 18 discharged, during the week remaining in the house Wit ai compared with 328 in the corresponding week of last year in the infitmary there were 50 patients. This concluded the public business, and the Board htte broke up aad prooeodvd wiA tfee relirf listo.