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

MERTHYR COUNTY COURT, (Before His Honour Judge FALCOSB R.) SALEM CHAPEL, MERTHYR TIT DFIL.- IMPORTANT JUDGMENT EQUITY, IN RESPECT OF A LEGAC Y OF £ 100, BEQUEATHED BV THE WILL OF WALTER WATKIXS DE- CEASED, (FORMERLY OF THE CANTON TIM WAREHOUSE. > Mr Frank James, for Salem Congress*) ion and Mr T} tomas "Williams, for residuary Legatees. His Honour gave judgment in this im^ a rtant case on lesday last. The evidence was gfiven at 41 le last Court. His Honour said The late Walter Watlrih s, by a codicil to his will, dated the 26th day of October. 1854, directed tA trustees named in his will, after the decao se of his wife, t(> j)-ay out of his estate and effects as shall' onsist of per- to the trustees for the time bein; of th? YVelsli esle yan Reform Chapel, about to be buini m Merthyr, e sunr of £ 100 for the benefit of the CongW gation of the tid Chs ,pel. The testator died the 22nd of No member, 18o4, >nd the will and codicil were proved the < » <J' une, 18oo. The char el contemplated was eracted in 1855, and the date °f the de wi of the foundation of the Chapel is "he 10th of April 185. 5. This deed is enrolled, and tbe de ath of the tes- tator there was no chapel such as is described ui the will, in existence i there was no trustees of the intended chapel, ^he wife'of testator., Elizabeth Watkins, died ^e4th of July 1869 The fund, namelyUhe legacy of £100, is Maimed by DiWid Davies, of Blaengwawr John Rees. George William S Richard Hams, John John, and Evan Evans of lsantvfi l°> as the present acting trustees of the Welsh' We< levari l?«f°rm Chapel mentioned in the ss.id codicil. On e "moiety of the fund is also claimed by Dinah Lewis widow David ll>ewis, William David and Annf; his And the other claimants of part of the fund are John Catkins Walter Jones, William Jones, and Thomas }Vilson Goodfellow, in right' -of Anne his wife. They allege, in their petitioi I, that there is no such sect as the Welsh Wesleyan Reformers, nor amy Welsh Wesleyan .Reform Chapel in Merthyr, nor was there at the time of the death ?.f Elizabeth Watkins. At the' outset it is important to men- ?l°n, that the bequest of mo ney by will to build a chapel v°id.—Thus in the case of B-opkinsv- Phillips, 4, L. I. K. our; George Towey, who was himself a deaf and dumb ^rson, by his will gave £ 200 to the aid of the deaf and dumb, o found a chapel for them in London. This bequest was h^d to have been a gift ifii Mortmam-a conclusion *Wh the Vice-Chancellor sail, "he came to with the S^.test reluctance and regret." Here, however, the gift ? f«r the benefit of the congregation. Then, again, as the ^uest in this will is, for a particular object, if that object fails, though, it is a charitable gift, it will form part of the residuary estate to be administered. If also, when a testa- to,r makes a general gift, by will, to trustees for' an object the law does not allow to be accomplished by will, a communication to the legatee of the testator sin ten- r "on is proved, though it is not expressed in the will, the fails I Walsrr&ve v. Xebbs, 2 K, and. J. 313 Moss ?• Cooper 4 L. T. R. 793 Jones v. Badlev 19, L. T. R., and Juniper v. Batchelor, 19, L. T. R. 200.] If a gift trustees with the design to aid in building a chapel '"e gift is void if such intention were communicated to the j^stees by the testator, though not expressed by the will. |VIra Watkins, the widow, advanced £ 100 on a note, in her {^etime to aid the building. Since her death this note has J beea sued on by her representatives. Probably,-if this had jjot been done, the disposition of the £ 100 by her, if it had ^charged this legacy, might have been questioned. _Af, tinae of the death of the testator the chapel, not bein g b'Jdt, there was no congregation in that chapel, though thf re a congregation which intended to meet in the cha pel ^en it should be built. Mr Joseph Jordan says, he left "BC Wesleyan Congregation along with Walter Wat'.{ins, testator's wife, and a number of others that they wor- shipped for some time in a school-room, and afteywavds re- ^.°vet\ to the Temperance Hall, having -differed ^ith t,he old Wesleyan connection on certain points °* Chu rch government, and formed themselves into ??. assov "iation of Welsh Wesleyan Reformers during "hich t ime they were getting up subscriptions t?r a cha pel to be used as a place of worship by them .?at the ch urch was erected in 1855; that W. VVatkins, ?e testato. died the 22nd November, 1854, ar.d that the was c 'pened about the year 1856 that he and. other ^embers of the congregation, including the widow, Mrs. yatkins, wot"shippedthere for some years, and that their ?ass-itteetin" ?, doctrines, and mode of worship were similar L those of th e old Connection. The declared trust of the I papel Was i.; Upon trust to permit the said chapel or ,lleeting-hcmse, with the appurtenances, from time to time, used and enjoyed as a place of worship of Almighty ^°d for the use the congregation, church, and society of roteatant Dissei iters of the denomination commonly called Vesleyan Reformers, at Salem Cbapel aforesaid, and of Uch persons as si iall hereafter be united to the said chapdl °r Society." This is the substance of the declaration of fust, under the d eed of 1856. Then Mr. Jordan says that aftfc/ they had been there about two years a number of people from O chapel called Horeb, situate at Penydarran, being a? Indt ^pendent chapel, having had a dispute in their le ct it and came to them, and professed to become \v sleyan Reformers. These new members made S^jection, +„ the class meetings^ and to the old hymn book.. Mass niepH s were discontinued, and the Independent *yinn bont8 substituted for the one formerly used, in 8pite of V nfr Jordan's) objections, and the objections ,°f all • i Welsh Wesleyan Reformers hut being Jess niltT1 gina} • were over-ruled. The chapel then Wame ,fr<^us independent congregation, and Mr. Jordan a.n- o longer that of a Welsh Wesleyan 13 n 1 the congregation Welsh Wes- eyan nPr, it is now on a certain register S? the fii'ff ner.8 u i v. ponging to the Independents. Jhe pev 5rerl c yaPe s. states that the differences of tw0 'mbonley+-Jobnst °B that the Independents 1° Zt are principle as part of their recognise the c< >nne> i i Reformers do- SP! organisation, while the v EB,F>A1N ^-etormers ao. e°onHiv xi pY.vnt deacons, have any °$cial Itnf iiQ r lay,m i ndent C.hu'-ehes, whereas lay- Preacher i111-, Indep vg a definite official £ ?sition a 1^ H Ckw t, ,n Methodist Reformers: thirdly +i"0fn^l1t \v T6S Met Hodiat Reformers have aeverr that th? Lesleys .n Met. ^nfcg members 0f their recogmsed b,ylhef rmers have never as „ ^nomination, and that thiese Keto ,nised ^ut nni 01 body expressed a wish to be so recog. cegsation of fcas John Davies says th, ,e te been no of 'n the chapel, or any sudden or abrupt se.. e^bers, the changes havin ? been gradual, some v. "a some aoing • and that Mr. Johnson is in error ,f lay-preachers as part, of their system, he himse,. tWD! been a lay-preacher b efore Mrs. Watkins left, and c Jcrt, Mr" John Morgan has acted as such. Perh&ps Mr. t i anaGs^0newas misunderstood t.for he speaks of official status, \Viiv^^t mere preaching. Messrs. Thomas Williams and j 0{ -J«atQ Wilkins say that the chapel was used as a place 1 er« shiP by the sect knowi las Welsh Wesleyan Reform- beli ?P.to- and about the year 1860, to the best f their ] -.I > since which period th e said chapel has been used as -j or p °f worship for the se ct known as the Independents, j that Ongregationalists. Mr John William Lewis states j cban ^arge number of pe ople from. Zoar Chapel left that I that an^ came to theirs, a R'.d owing to their influence and hefo °f .the people from 11 oreb, who had joined them L finj-re (in the year 1S59), s<; veral changes were made and ) oha^f at so many altera: ,i ons were being made in the f Drl, and that they wacited to introduce one Robin Wit-v,' had been and was an Independent preacher, he, the several others, includeing Mrs. Watkins, widow o ll! ^stator, left the chapel, and joined the Wesleyans.. Thomas Williams, one of the surviving trustees and v e°Utor of the will of the -testator, states the facts of the ^Uest an(j tv ,jrg -yvatk ins lent £ 100 to the trustees of Wesleyan Refortr. C'hapel, on their note of hand, that after her decease lie and his co-trustee com- th need an action for the saiue. He says the trustees of cbapel have never been changed, but tha.fc !"he>a0 not ^iip in the said chapel, nor d o they hold it for the con- futation which has always worsh ipped there, such congre- now consisting of WelsL' Independents, instead «. ,W"elsh Wesleyan Reformers. Upon this state or ;^ts there can be no doubt tl'at the congregation, of Independents, is a, different denominational con- f f?egation than that of Welsh Wesleyan Reformers. But nf^,as further said that there are instances of recognition ■o the change of tenets of the members of such chapels. t "wherever such recognition has taken place it has been Peculiar and exceptional circumstances, and chie y o^.er the operation of Lord Lyndhurst's Act of the 7 and ^^ct., ch. 145. In the case of Attorney-General v. Bume, hich ig) perhaps, the latest of this class of cases, having decided in 1868 (18 L. T. R., 742), there had been a t^ndation at Devizes for the benefit of Presbyterians m seventeenth century. Gradually the congregation Baptists. For 70 years the congregation, which, deed of 1803, was described as Presbyterians, was ^ually Baptists. There was nothing definite in the ^Pressions qf the deed of foundation in the use of the of0lD "Presbyterian," and there having been a succession _#.(~.aptist ministers for more than 70 years, the case was ^ttun the terms of Lord Lyndhurst's Act, which provides „ 25 years' usage previous to the suit was conclusive Ol! nce °f objects of the charity. And the Vice- aT1cell°r further said:—" Even if this were not so, it is, th* i even*'s» dear that there is not, and has not been for if last century, any strictly Presbyterians at Devizes, and' the Baptist congregation is not the object of these nantiea, they must fail altogether. This would make it case for the application of the cy-presx doctrine, and Pon that doctrine he was of opinion that the present con- Pon that doctrine he was of opinion that the present con- ^Sation was the proper object of the charities. There Pr » decree accordingly." (37 L. T. n., 704.) Certain .a^j yterians, consequently, who claimed the fund failed, i»i baptist congregation were confirmed in their enjoy- L^^t 0f the chapel and the endowments. In the case nae. at the very inception — and only a few years J^ce—of this chapel, the distinctive difference of Welsn jb €sleyan Reformers and Independents caused them to be Stioct churches. The words Reform and Reformers ^ded to thp "Wesleyans," would not describe,a body of i'CSeJS. If thfdoMtion had been dtaBnotto giro. build the chapel, it would have failed through a legal 1 tuition of Sh a testamentary appropriation. But « <U <■> "WA the «n ««*3 110 doubt thit those who asriembied in +"he'testator occasions here joined in prayers ^iththetestator "'ere those whom heexpectéd would join m worship m the ehapel they designed to build. But m tIns hall they were Uncertified or unregistered assembly, so far as the law ^d recognise them" -of pious persons meeting here forming a congregation bound by any enforceable J^ks-qf association. They professed to be VVesleyans m es^ntials of teaching and in their doctrinal professions, .$t they had severed from, and were in opposition to, the SesleyL Church as a constituted body of Christian men cabled themselves Reform Wesleyans, hut the word inform iiierely expresses a vague and indefinite sentiment, ying, when it expresses anything in defined words, some of temporary efforts though the word Reform may be ^ade significant to designate the accomplished purpose a new society to which an older society may have been PPosed. In political contests, and in the changeable ^cunistances of human life, new institutions are proposed, fresh objects, of desired, or desirable of, attainment, 'J'ise, and the multitude may be held together to assist in attainment by aery for''Reform. It brings many nto one flock though of different folds, who entertain Prions decrees'of political hopes and expectations, and who I^uire for their union none to be defined as common to all. ut in a reliaious eqmmunity, if the word Reform is not ) congregation, church, and society of Protestant Dissenters, the denomination commonly fcalled 'Wesleyan Reformers.' at Salem Cha,pel, and of such persons as should thereafter be united to the said Church, and to be used occasionally for such purposes of religion and benevolence as a majority of the communicants of the said church and society should require and to, permit such persons to officiate therein from time to time, as the majority of members who have been in full communion, for three months shall choose and appoint to be their permanent minister, during their will and plea- sure only, and without any control by the trustees for the time being; anc: to permit such persons to officiate until he or they may be displaced by a like majority." There is no expression of doctrines, and the chief object of the trust seems to be that the congregation may always have an acceptable minister to guide and instruct them in religious duty. The word "Wesleyan seems to be as much a mere name as that of Reform," in the style and designation of the chapel. The trust deed does not define the meaning of either of th ese words. It seems to be a free church, in the election of i ministers acceptable to the congregation at all events it is < ;he congregation of the chapel to which the gift was approp riated. The chapel did not exist when the testator die, 1, and the trusts were declared eighteen months after his de; ith. The chapel and the congregation were non- existent wh en the will took effect. If the gift were to be con- strued as a g-ift by the testatorfor the benefit of the congrega- tion aasemb ling in the intended chapel when his wife should die and then p: iyable, the present religious services of the chapel would not prevent the trustees from receiving this bequest. I think, h owever, that as there was no existing congrega- tion at th" time of the testator's death, the gift failed. As a religiou s person, the testator must be presumed to have had defin ite views respecting the purposes of his intended charitable bequest; but is it to be inferred that the trusts of the ch apel promulgated by the deed eighteen months after thw tieath of Mr. Watkins were expressions of the pur- poses he. intended to promote ? I by no means desire it to be supposed that I infer he would not have assented to them. J merely say he had not the opportunity to have assented to the principles of the trusts, if the trusts were to be regap led in the benefit of the congregation," which he desired 'to aid. But there is another ground on which it ap- pears to, me that the bequest' conclusively fails. It is the gift of £ 100 for the benefit of the congregation of a chapel to be built." Is it possible to say that these are not irr tentionally vague words, directing the trustees to tpply this money to the building, or that they are not ivords used to evade the legal effect of words which, ivithou t doubt, would have made the gift inoperative, lad th ey distinctly directed the appropriation of the money ;o the. building of the chapel ? It appears to me that the jene^jij of the congregation contemplated by the testator vas the building and that, on this account, the bequest :ailr>d. Judgment for the residuary legatees. T heire was no application as to costs, it being understood ;hp,t as; it was, in a sense; a friendly suit, the costs would i )e deft ayed out of the legacy amount. ] ABERDARE INTELLIGENCE. TEA MEETING.—A tea meeting was held at Nazareth Chapel, on Thursday last. A large number of persons put in an appearance, who showed, in an unmistakeable manner, their appreciation of the tea and the proceedings generally. The chapel was very neatly and appropriately decorated, a circumstance which tended to heighten the enjoyment. Tea being over, an entertainment came off, consisting of singing, &c. The chapel was now well filled, and the evening passed rapidly, but pleasantly. The usual cere- ve I g monies having been gone through,"the audience dispersed. MEETING OF COLLIERS. —A meeting of colliers was held on Monday evening last in Maesydre, in order to hear a deputation from the North of England on "the Colliers Universal Amalgamation." Mr Thomas Thomas, Cwmdare, took the chair, and addressed the audience in Welsh, ex- plaining the object of the meeting. The deputation, Mr Lewis, then spoke. He said he was a Welshman, but had. been fourteen years in the North of England. During that time the changes in favour of and against the colliers had been many. He wanted to know whether the colliers generally were in the position they ought to be in at the present day ? No, they were not, and he appeared before them in order to try and amend matters. Very recently they had received an advance of wages, but were they in a posi- tion to maintain that ? If the masters were to come and say, We will lower your wages again so much," the pro- bable result would be that they would have to succumb to it. Union throughout the kingdom would place them in such a position that would compel the masters to keep up the wages, and very soon the collier would be placed upon i level with persons of other occupations. He explained what were the results of amalgation with the carpenters, joiners, masons, [and others, and contended that by the same means colliers might raise themselves from their pre- sent miserable poverty-stricken condition. Time after iirne the colliers of Aberdare had been solicited to have an jniversal unity, but to their shame, he said, they had leclined or rather refused again they were solicited by (• iieir brother workmen for the sake of themselves, their vives, and their children. He then proceeded to state the )bjects of the proposed amalgamation, which were princi- )ally-less. working hours, more wages, permanent widows' :ompensation, better system of sub-inspection, &c. The ipeaker indulged in the usual clap-trap with great vehe- nence, and was seemingly appreciated by his listeners. The .atter part of his speech was given in Welsh, by which he jxcited the enthusiasm of the meeting. Other men also spoke on the subject, advocating the principles of the icheme. After all was over in the shape of addresses, the issembly unanimously decided in favour of amalgamation. Che meeting broke up in good order. BOARD OF HEALTH.-The ordinary meeting was held yesterday (Thursday), when there were present Messrs R. H. Rhys, (chairman), J. Lewis, T. Davies, D. Davis, Wil- iam Davies, Daniel David, T. Burn, T. Pugh, and the Rev M. Phillips.-The minutes of the last meeting were read tnd confirmed, and also a report of the Finance Committee was read and adopted from which it appeared that there was a sum of £ 271 10s 4d in the Treasurer's hands they -ecommended.that cheques for, £ 446 13517 d should be signed n payment of the several amounts. The Inspector of Nuisances' report was read, and notices werelordered to be served upon the parties complained of. The Medical officer )f Health reported that the well-known Privy House" in Vlarket-street was overcrowded, and he recommended the Board allow to only two persons to live in it. A discussion iollowed, and it appeared that-the house had been so iltered as to justify the Board in allowing people to live therein, but the question now was one of simply over- crowding.—Mr Pugh, who had a motion on the question, k-i rose and said he should not make a long speech, as the .I,- iress ^tated he was in the habit of doing, but he would only nake onL" of five minutes duration, this he did, endeavouring o show tha the Board had not been acting fairly in the natter of appi,,)viDg of building plans favouritism was not le said a byegone but a present element of the^Board and o denounce lit was reason for nsmg.^The Chairman „i +>i<.t Tmrl hp k*Q°wi1 that Mr Pugh did not ial a mo+ion, he should not have ntend maki g time of the Board. in taking a speech.—The Clerk was requested to write to the wties that lived in the*house that unless they reduced the fuX to'two, they w^be.mn^g; n<r —The surveyor s report was also read, ine price IOI ;he North West Gate of the park, which had been broken JV one of Mr Hosgood's cabs would be £ 8 8s. 9d, the work was ordered to be proceeded with, and Mr Hosgood 7be charged with the expense,-The building plans from Messrs. P. Rees, William Davies, and T. J. Pearce were improved of.—Mr. Dyke appeared before the Board asking that they would take into their serious consideration the makin"- of a proper road te Abernant Station there had been he said, several accidents on the road lately. The members*all agreed that it was necessairy tha^somethi^ should be done, for at present the road was a very dangerous one.-The estimate for a new general district SSSeS iu the JE. as well as a park rate of Id intl £ was' read.—Tenders for the supply of gas to the street larrins were read from both the New and Old Gas Com- panies, in which the former offered to supply^ a™p with gas, of the requisite illuminating power at: £ 1 lfa"bd. ITnd the latter for £ 2 per year; the tender of the New Company was accepted.-One or two other unimportant matters having been disposed of, the Board broke up. ABERDARE POLICE COURT. TUESDAY .(Before H. C. Greemmod, and B. H. Rhys, Esquires.) FURIOUS DRIVING.-TWO men named Thomas Williams and David Price, from Pentremawr, Cefnpennar, were mmmoned for furiously driving along f mS°%hbuir bf LrSottlJiJtr together hibSlfined at the lit »urt). rm horseback, tiding down amTtke sfc S wf 4 was full of people, who had to run m all directions to make way for the defendants and their horses he ran after them for some- distance, but they still continued at the same Tate until they went out of his sight The reason at, *■ 4-a ti' *tv* «n full was that it was iu.st about half-past "Id Se^Sle »ere co-tag U of the different nlaces of worships-One «f the defendants said there Were noTmanypeople on the streets a<; the time and^ll that wpre there walked on the pathway. —-Mr J^ees, wno seemed to know the place much better than the defen- dant, reminded him that there was no pathway for a lo distance on the road where he was seen by the oqlcej?., and as to the number of people walking up and down the street he was certain that as they were coming out of the places of worship, that they could be counted by thousands. The Bench, after cautioning defendants against indulging in such mad freaks again, fined them 5s and costs, amounting altogether to 12s 3d, which sum was immediately paid. Six KNIGHTS OF THK NEEDLE IN TROUBLE. — Henry Griffiths, William Price. John Lewis, Edward Williams, Timothy Edwards, and Evan Jones, all of them tailors, were summoned for being in the White Hart beerhouse, Aberaman, during prohibited hours, and for \^hich offence/ the landlady had been convicted. The two last-named de- fendants did not appear; and after the service of summons upon them had been proved, warrants were ordered to be issued for their apprehension.—P. S. Davies said that on the morning of Thursday, the 26th ult, he went into the above beerhouse where he found all the defendants drinking in a back room Mrs. Watkins, the landlady, was also in the house at the time.—All the defendants admitted being m Se at "he time stated by the officer but they went • tViorp to have a *'drop" with the lodger, when the officer came and disturbed them.—The P^uch said that they could not make any excuse now for being m a public- house during prohibited hours for it was well known that they were making themselves liable to a fine and that a heavy one, too, viz., 40s. and costs. They d nl however, to impose the full penalty this time, they again be summoned for a similar offence they would certainly be dealt with much more harshly, rined-s 6d and 8s. 6d. costs, or 7 days'imprisonment. No APPEARANCE.—-Charles Williams was summoned by Mr Daniel David Ifor wilfully damaging two fields.-De- fendant did not appear.The summons was proved to have been left at the house where he lodged, but it appeared that he had not had it yet.—The case was therefore remanded for a lortnignt. COWARDLY ASSAULT ON A FEMALE.-Henry Lewis was summoned for assaulting Susan Poole on the 4th inst.—The complainant said that on the above date, she met the defen- danf in Gwawr-street; they had a few words, after which he struck her on the back until she fell down in a brook of water," where she was nearly smothered; she was much hurt by the fall.—A witness named Eleanor Rules was called ajid deposed to seeing the defendant strike the com- plainant until she fell into the water she did not see MJ*S Poole give him any provocation.—P.C. Cross said that he remembered prosecutrix coming to the station a few days ago; she was quite .wet, and seemed as though she had ago; she was quite .wet, and seemed as though she had Vea taken out of sopjepool of water she had also a wound head which was bleeding very much, and one of her on the ■ crovd 4c%l swollen she s»i<J tha-t she bad been hand8wasae 1 • '■ pushed into the brook in Gwawr-street.—The defendant admitted having struck prcsecutrix as she stated, and then entered into the particulars of numerous rows which he had had with her for beating his children, which he said, she was continually doing.—The prosecutrix denied having at any time beaten the defendant's children.—The Bench con- sidered the charge was proved, and fined the defendant for his cowardly assault upon the complainant in the sum of 20s, and costs 13s 9d, or in default 14 days' imprisonment. DISORDERLY PASSENGER.—William Morgan was charged with being drunk in the Great Western Railway Station, and also with using abusive language, and interfering with the Company's servants.—Samuel Williams, ticket col- lector, said that the defendant came into the station on the 7th instant; he (witness) did not notice that he was drunk when he came in a short time afterwards he got up from one of the seats and began quarreling with another man, whom he struck and he also made use of very bad language.—In reply to the Bench, witness said he had not a copy of the Compatfy's rules to produce, for he thought that Inspector Mends would have attended the court.— The case was therefore adjourned until next week for the production of the rules. A YOUNG BURGLAR.—Richard Howells, a young lad about 15 years old. was brought up charged with stealing two quarters of tobacco and a bottle of sugar lozenges, the property of Mr Benjamin Evans, grocer, Cwmbach.—The prosecutor said that on the 6th instant he went to the back of his shop, when he found one of the windows of his ware- house quite loose, as though it bad been taken out by some inexperienced hand, who could not put it back in its right place he had such a large quantity of goods at the time that he could not say whether he had lost anything or not; he had two boxes of tobacco there, and a large number of sweets in eight pound bottles; he knew the prisoner per- fectly well, for he lived opposite his shop he had also sent I him away from his shop many times the bottle produced was precisely the same as the ones he had, and it had also the maker's name, which corresponded he was the only person in Cwmbach that kept such bottles the tobacco was like that which he sold. Rees Williams, another lad living at Cwmbach, said he knew the prisoner very well about, a month ago he gave him a quarter of tobacco for 6d.; he used a portion of it, and the remainder he gave up to the police-constable; the prisoner did not say at the time where he got it from, but said on the following day that he had stolen it from the man with whom he was lodging last Sunday week he also received some lozenges from the prisoner ;|they were like those produced he did not say any- thing as to where he had got them from.- Thomas Davies, another lad, said he received nearly a whole quarter of tobacco from the prisoner that day week for 45 marbles he smoked the whole of the tobacco the prisoner did not tell him where he had had it from.—In reply to the Bench, the witness said the marbles that he gave for the tobacco were not worth a penny, and did not think it strange that it should be given him for those few marbles he did not know the price of a quarter of tobacco, for he only bought apennyworth at atime.—The Bench, addressing the witness, remarked that he must have known that the prisoner could not afford to give a quarter of tobacco, which cost from Is to Is 3d. for a few marbles, and advised him to be more careful in his purchases or exchanges in the future, or he might find himself in the same awkward predicament as the prisoner.—P.C. Williams said that from information received, he apprehended the prisoner at Cwmbach last night; he told him he was charged with unlawfully enter- ing the shop of Mr Benjamin Evans and stealing there- from two quarters of tobacco, and some lozenges; he replied that he knew nothing about it, but atterwards said he had had one half-a-quarter, and again said It was only one whole quarter that I took out of the shop, in the strike week, at Cwmbach prisoner asked him to tell Mr Evans to call at his (prisoner's) house, and he would tell him all about it; prisoner told him some time after he was charged, that he had stolen another quarter of tobacco on the Friday after he had taken the first. Under the window where he got in there were some visible footmarks corresponding with the prisoner's shoes, which he produced the bottle (produced) he found in a closet at Cwmbach, having been thrown down there by some children whom he could not trace. Mr Rhys here remarked that he thought Mr. Evans was very careless with his pre- mises.—Thomas Walters, the person with whom the pri- soner lived, said he had not missed any quarters of tobacco. -Inspector Howlett said that after P.C. Williams had brought prisoner to the station, and he had booked the charge, be repeated it over to him, and he replied, I do not deny but that I took the two quarters of tobacco, but I did not steal the lozenges.—The prisoner was now charged with simply stealhig the two quarters of tobacco, to which he pleaded guilty, and the Bench sentenced him to 21 days' imprisonment with bard labour. A YOUTHFUL THOUGH CONFIRMED DRUNKARD.—A young man named Griffith James was brought up under a war- rant Gharged with being drunk and riotous in Mill-street on the 24th inst.—P.C. Pointz proved the charge.-It ap- peared that this was not defendant's first appearance, he having only about a month ago been fined in the sum of 25s, :3d. for a similar offence. —The Bench now mulct him in the penalty of 10s. and 10s 9d costs.—The defendant applied for a week to find the money.—Their worships granted his application on the condition that he would give up drinking.—Defendant said he now intended trying to keep away from it. ANOTHER PAIR OF DRUNKARDS.—James Donovan and Thomas Jones were also summoned for being drunk and riotous.-The charges were proved and the defendants were severally fined 5s and 10s, and costs.

PONTYPRIDD PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY. —{Before E. Williams, W. Nicholas, and D. Davies, JSsguiers.) ASSAULTING THE POLICE. — Thomas Thomas, an ap- parently mild and inoffensive looking man, living at Ystraa, was charged with assaulting P.C. Morgan in the execution of his duty.—P.C. Morgan said that defendant was standing on the road with his coat off on the afternoon of the 8th 'inst., challenging everybody to mortal combat. The con- stable requested him to go home. Defendant declined, On the constable touching him on the arm, he received some blows on the chest, and several kicks from defendant while on the ground and standing. — P C. Lewis saw the blows struck by defendant, and went to hitn defendant struck him while assisting to carry him to the station, expressing a wish on the way to have him in a field by himself. This constable's evidence formed 'the substance of a second charge against defendant. The defendant, who was said to be of drunken habits, put in certificates as to character. Fined for the assault X2 and costs, or 28 days for the second, jbl and costs, or 14 days. The amount, J3 Is., was paid, evidently iuvolving considerable sacrifice on the part of defendant's relatives and friends. Fupious DRIVING.—Timothy Martin, a sun-burnt looking young fellow, of singular facial expression, was summoned for endangering the lives and limbs of the passengers travelling along the highway, by driving at an unusual pace fo'r mules, one of which he was riding. The offence took place at Heolfach, Rhondda^ Valley, on the 27th ult. Defendant had a previous conviction recorded against him, when he then run over a child. He pleaded guilty, and was fined 10s and costs, or 14 days' hard labour. FEMININE DIFFERENCES.—Hannah Ellis, Ystrad, sum- moned Rebecca Jones, of Trealaw, for assaulting her OR the 8th instant. There was a cross-summons, in which the defendant applied for complainant to be bound down in sureties to keep the peace towards her. After the evidence for the case had been given, the Bench dismissed each case, the litigants to pay their own costs. DRUNK AND RIOTOUS.—David Arthur, and his son John, living at Llwynypia, Rhondda Valley, were summoned for being drunk and behaving riotously on the 8th instant.- Defendants did not appear. Fined 10s and costs. DRUNKENNESS.—Edward Jones, from the Ton, an old fellow of a somewhat venerable appearance, was summoned for being intoxicated, and behaving in an unbecoming manner for a man of his years.—Defendant said it was the first time he had the honour of appearing before the Bench, in his present capacity. It was not the first time. however, that he had allowed alcohol to overcome him.—Ordered to pay 15s, including costs. TRIVIAL CASE OF AssAULT.-Catherine Badham, a little girl, summoned Esther Lewis, a young girl, living at Llwynypia. for assaulting her on the 8th instant.—The case was dismissed, evidently to the triumphant gratification of the defendant's mother. DRUNK AND RIOTOUS.—John Gray, whose appearance tn this court is recorded in the annals of the sessions, was summoned for a precisely similar offence, viz., being drunk ind riotous.- He pleaded guilty, and was fined 7s 6d and costs, or seven days. ASSAULT.—John Bennett, a stone-breaker, employed by John Appleby, a contractor, was summoned for assaulting him on the 4th instant. The parties live in Treforest, and the assault complained of occurred in the Rickard's Arms, Treforest, and arose out of complainant refusing to pay 10s which defendant alleged was due .to, him.—The case was dismissed.—Each to paybis own costs. TREHERBERT. RHONDDA VALLEY AND HIRWAIN JUNCTION.-—There is every prospect that the first part of this line will be com- pleted without further delay, as the works are progressing very fast. We hope the directors will have the line com- pleted, as it will prove a great boon to the inhabitants and colliery proprietors in this neighbourhood. TAFF VALE RAILWAY.—The construction of a double line of rails from Ystrad to Treherhert is being busily pro- ceeded with, under the superintendence of Mr G. Fisher, and Mr Billups, the contractor. As there are five bridges to be widened, it will take some time to complete it; but the contractor has wisely taken advantage of the present dry weather, when the river is low, to build the buttresses. When the line lis completed it will greatly facilitate the mineral traffic on this branch, as the mineral trains are often detained to.allow passenger trains to pass. BAZAAR.—New British Schoolrooms are just about to be opened here. After labouring under great disadvantages for many years, through want of more and better school accommodation, we are blessed at last with substantial and commodious schoolroom. As the managers receive no Government building grant all the funds have to be raised by voluntary subscriptions. In order to aid the managers in raising funds the most influential ladies in the neigh- bourhood have exerted themselves in getting up a bazaar, tea-party and concert. The ladies have spared no trouble to make the bazaar as attractive as possible. The articles to be exhibited will beofavariedandusefuldescription. Teawillbe provided in the lower room, and there will be a refresh- ment stall in the upper room. The Taft Vale Railway Company have kindly consented to issue return tickets at siagle fare to all who wish to attend the bazaar from a distance. RHYMNEY INTELLIGENCE. MORIAH SUNDAY SCHOOL.—It has been customary at the above school to present every registered member of the school on his or her departure from the place with a handsome Bible. On Sunday last two little girls, named Rebecca Harris and Hannah Davies, were each presented with a Bible previous to their departuite from this place to Stock ton-upon-Tees. The plan has been found highly beneficial, and might, with equal advantage, be adopted by every Sunday school. THE GWENT AND MORGANWG TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION. -It appears that some malacious person has written a letter, (and which has appeared in the Bane ac Amserau Cymru,) in which he states that the Independents have not assisted the Temperance Association in a commercial point of view that is, they have not assisted to liquidate the expenses of the association. This is utterly untrue, and from what we have [heard, the local committee have sent a letter to that paper, denying the assertion. — Com- municated. ANNUAL NONCONFORMIST SUNDAY SCHOOLS' FE^MKM«- —A committee for the purpose of adopting measures for holding the above festival, met at Brynhyfryd Vestry oil Friday evening last. Delegates were present from all the chapels, and it was decided that the schools in the upper part of the place shall proceed down as far as the Puddlers' Arms, where they will be met by the Pontlottyn schools. A procession formed of all the schools will then go as far as Upper High-street, after which every school will proceed to its own chapel, where tea will be prepared. Preparations are being made in all the chapels for the event. -+-- TREDEGAR INTELLIGENCE. INQUEST.—Mr Brewer and jury met at the Sirhowy Inn on Saturday, when the inquiry touching the death of William Isaacs was proceeded with. Jonah Edwards sworn I am a roadman under the Ebbw Vale Company' and work at No. 7 pit, Waun-y-pound. Deceased Wm'. Isaacs, was a banksman there. At about 10 a.m on Thursday last he asked me to help him to shift a truck on to the siding; before we could do it the engine came down from Sirhowy and knocked against the truck deceased fell on the side of the road, and the truck left the metals and went over his body, the wheel resting on his sroin he lived about two hours we did not expect the engine so soon.—Coroner Why was the truck moved ?—Witness • We moved it on to the main line to unload the timber — Coroner I see, to save the men trouble in carrying it • then the fault was your own.—Henry Miles said I was driving the engine on Thursday; I left Trefil with a load of 20 trucks, some of which were empty on nearing the truck I tried to pull up but failed to do so in time the engine struck the end of the truck as they were moving it from the crossing we were running about 10 miles an hour; the road was clear when I went up; they had pushed thp. truck on the main line to unload the timber • they often do so after the engine has passed down to Ebbw Vale. On coming down the engine "skated" and would not hold the train; all the brakes were down. -This was all the evidence, and Mr. J. Jones, foreman, having con- sulted with the jury, a verdict of "Accidentally killed" was recorded.

TREDEGAR POLICE COURT. FRIDAY.—{Before Rev. E. Leigh, A. Darby, and J. G. James, Rsgs.) SURETIES.-Brown 71. Clements.—This was a case be- tween a pair of females. After hearing evidence, which proved the complainant to be a steady peaceably-disposed woman, the Bench put Mrs. Clements under sureties of the peace. THE DAY AFTER THE RACES.—Thomas Jones, moulder, Sirhowy, was summoned for an assault committed on Mrs. Jones, landlady of the Carpenter's Arms, Blackwood, on the 7th inst. Defendant did not appear, and a witness named Parry having deposed to seeing defendant strike Mrs. Jones a violent blow in the face, the Bench imposed a fine of 10s. and costs, or 14 days. ASSAULT.—David Evans v. Thiras Jaines.—Mr. C. R. Harris for complainant. Adjourned to Blackwood to allow defendant to produce a witness. DRUNK AND INCAPABLE.—Samuel Hughes was charged with this offence at Ebbw Vale. Fined 5s. and costs or seven days. THE BEDWELLTY GUARDIANS V. WILLIAM FRANCIS.— Mr. C. R. Harris for defendant.—Superintendent Fowler said he visited defendant's house in North-lane and found in a pig-stye two sow pigs and a heavy litter. The stye was within four yards of the highway, and ten yards of the dwelling-house, A Vent again on 30th ult. and found things m the same state and:reported it to the Guardians. The resolution produced was issued by the 'Board.—T. G. Anthony sworn, said 1 am medical officer for the parish of Bedwellty. Have had fever cases in close proximity to defendant's piggery.—By Mr. Brookfield, clerk to the Guardians: I have had seven cases of fever from the same house. These piggeries in the midst of our population, who are naturally dirty in that particular locality, such a nuisance cannot be kept without being detrimental to the health of the place.—By Mr. Harris: Have had eases of fever where there were no pigs.—The Bench: We have de- cided to allow the defendant three weeks to remove the pigs, and order him to pay expenses. STEALING A GRINDSTONE.—David Eljas was charged with stealing a grindstone belonging to Daniel Elias. Thp par- ties were brothers, and the Bench requested them to retire and try to settle the matter. ASSAULT AND EXPOSING THE PERSON.—.Ellen ritzgerald r charged Dennis Tracey with insulting her by exposing his person in her face. Mr. C. R. Harris defended, and cross- examined complainant who said defendant never went into any closet at all. Could see the closet from her house door.—Thomas Fitzgerald deposed that he saw Dennis with his trousers down to his boots. Saw him go in his (witness's) door step and threaten his wife.— J or the de- fence Biddy and Kate Delaney said complainant had her back to the defendant, and he wai not exposed in any way. Witness could see it all, and did not see mss clothes at all disarranged.- The Bench The case is dismissed. BASTARDY.—Jane Jones v William Prosser.—Complain- ant said she resided at Garn Fach. Had a child of which Prosser was the father.—By Mr. C. R. Harris, for defend- ant: Left Mrs. Price throqgh being in the fauuly way by Prosser. Never went 'with Alfred Jones-Mary Ann Prosser. Never went 'with Alfred Jones-Mary Ann Cullen deposed to seeing complainant and defendant together in Abergavenny.-Thomas J ones. deposed to seeing the parties together frequently and to hearing Pros- ser say he was the father of the child.—Tne ad- journed from last court after this evidence, for the pro- duction of other witnesses. To-day Mr. Shepard. appeared for the complainant, and in reply to his examination she said Prosser came twice to 3ee her at Llandewi. She re- ceived letters from him which' were reMt to her by Mrs Edwards's little boy, at Gardener's Hall.—Cross-examined by Mr. Harris: Don't know that Prosser can't write. Mrs. Richards has not censured me for being out late at night.- William Evans sworn, examined by Mr. Shepherd I knoT defendant, and have seen him and Jane Jones walking together. I took them to be sweethearts. He i told me he was courting Jane. He asked me to come with him about Christmas to see Jane at Abergavenny.—Cross- examined by Mr. Harris Was married to Jane Jones s sister a month ago.- Philip Jones sworn, said I am father of complainant. Have seen Prosser and my daughter together. I understood thfy were courting remember my daughter leaving a basket at the stable at Nant-y-glo Prosser came for it and took it home that was in ^Novem- her.—By Mr. Harris My daughter was up at Nantyglo between May and November.—By Mr. Shepard: My wife is too ill to come to-day, and two other witnesses are unable to attend frcm the same cause.—Mr Harris I have nve or six witnesses to call for the defence.—Mary Jenkim svforn, said I am in service at Gardener's Hall, L!an dewi; I know Jane Jones and James Davies; they werl fellow-aervants;at Llanddewi, and appeared to be on friendlj terms with each other; they used to attend cbapei together. Jane told me she was keeping companj with Davies.—By Mr Shepherd: That was in Octo- ber. Mrs. Richards went to the same chapel.— Thomas Prosser, father of defendant, sworn My son was from home one day only, and that was with an excursion to Newport; be cannot write.—By Mr Shepard: The ex- cursion was in July, and was on a Monday can prove he went to Newport.—Mary Prosser sworn I am mother of defendant, and am able to say he was not away only one day in July; the witness Evans said he never heard my son say he was keeping company with Jane Jones.—By Mr Shepard I asked Evans about it because there was so much talk about my son and Jane she said my son had never acknowledged anything to him.—Sarah Tucker, sworn: remember being at Prosser's one day, and heard Evans say that defendant had never spoken to him about the affair. — By Mr Shepard Mrs Pros.scr began the talk never heard defendant was keeping company with Jane Jones.—Wm. Prosser, defendant, sworn Was at Abergavenny in May met Jane Jones there did not see her again till a fortnight before Christmas will swear I am not the father of her child her mother called me in one day after Christmas to have a whiff; can't write never caused a letter to be sent to her never carried the basket deposed to by her father. —By Mr Shepard have known complainant these four years have been in Abergavenny, that was in May last year, she was with another young man never saw Mary Ann Cullen in Abergavenny went to Cardiff last April, stayed there five weeks her father never saw me at his house never did more than pass the time of day with her. —Q. Why did the witness say you were the father ?—A. because I kept him a week in Cardiff, and paid victuals and lodgings. (Loud laughter.) -Cross-examination con- tinued Her brother met me, and asked me why I didn't call; I said why should I call" ? he said there's a fine boy for you there." (Laughter).—Bench We dismiss the case. NEW TREDEGAR.-AsSAULT.- Wi11iam and Harriet Car- penter v. Caleb Tillet.—Mr C. R. Harris for complainant, and Mr Plews for defendant.—Mr Harris said the assault on the husband arose through his asking Tillet about an assault committed on the wife which was of a very indecent nature.—Harriet Carpenter sworn On 28th May I was on my knees painting the grate, Caleb came in and asked for the loan of a bed-key; sent the little girl to look for it Caleb leaned down and put his band on my thigh I thought be did it by accident; he then gave my thigh a squeeze, and I knew it was no accident; he came in again on the Monday and tried to kiss me, but did not succeed got him out after a time he came again next day and knelt down to beg my pardon; he then jumped up and caught in me; I took up the poker and pushed him back on the hearth; he said, "You can't ill-use me when you know how I love you." (Laughter); told him I did not want his love, one was enough for me, (she was a widow of over 50, and was married a second time); he spoke of my rosy cheeks and so on, and then he put his hand under my clothes, yes he did gentlemen, ana I am ashamed to come here to say so.—By Mr Plews Did not send my girl up- stairs she was in the back kitchen if I had called out any neighbour could have heard never heard the word liar" made use of during the altercation with my husband; there was a rumour about Caleb and some married women. —By Mr Harris I never said I would get money out of it don't want money.—Wm. Carpenter sworn: I am a darpenter by trade, and live at Tredegar in consequence of what my wife said I called Tillet into my house charged him with taking liberties with my wife; asked him before her face, and he did not deny what she said he had done he said he knew he had done wrong, and he was very sorry he came again another day and confessed all and begged pardon; I;thought it was too bad, and I determined to expose it; on last Wednesday morning and was going to the smith's shop; saw Caleb who asked me if the affair was over I said the magistrates would have to decide it as it was rather too serious a case he then struck me I and fell down, and received sundry blows when on the ground.—By Mr Plews I never quarrel, and Would rather run a mile than fight a minute I received the blow quite unawares I said nothing to provoke him he said he meant no harm in what he had done; he used some very "abuseful" language.— P.C. Young gave Carpenter an excellent character; could not say much about Mrs Carpenter had not heard any- thing against her.—The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge of assaulting the husband, and Mr Plews in an able speech drew attention to the fact of the wife receiving the defendant, and advising him as to a remedy for preserving kidney beans from insects, instead of, as any woman so grossly insulted would have done, ordering him to quit her house at once.—The Bench fined Caleb Tillet 10s in each- case, and costs, or 21 days.

THE SUDDEN DEATH OF MRS. SPOONER, OF THE GLOBE INN. The Coroner, Mr Brewer, after finishing the inquiry at the Sirhowy Inn, proceeded to the Globe Inn, to swear in the jury empannelled by Mr Superintendent Fowler, to inquire into the death of Elizabeth, wife of Richard Spooner, and landlady of the Globe Inn, who died suddenly on the morning of Friday last. The following is a list of the jurors David Hughes, focer; Jenkin Davies, grocer; T. Rees, grocer; John vans, grocer; Charles Bennet, grocer; John Jenkins, chemist: Edward Morgan, builder; Rees Roberts, tailor T. Lloyd, shoemaker; Owen Pearce, shoemaker LI. Lewis, shoemaker; Jenkin Harris, merchant; Henry Weaver, excise onicer and John Jones, greengrocer. The Coroner and jury having viewed the body, Supt. -Fowler said that in consequence of serious reports which are going about, concerning the death of Mrs Spooner, who is said to have been badly treated by her husband, he had to request of the Coroner that a post mortem examina- tion of the body should be made, by desire of the relatives as well as the husband, as they are anxious that the fullest possible investigation should take place. Mr Brewer: Gentlemen of the Jury, before Mr Fewler made his application I had heard of some unpleasant rumours as to the husband's ill-treatment towards deceased, and it is nothing but right on his behalf, as well as on behalf of the relatives of the poor "woman, that it should be done, and I adjourn this inquiry till Wednesday next, and re- quest that Mr Brown, the works doctor, make a post mortem examination of the body without delay. Dr Brown and assistants made the post mortem during the afternoon, and on Wednesday the evidence will be gone into. The deceased lady was in her ;38th year, and was the daughter of Mr Davies, Timbrell Cottage, Trowbridge, and sister to Mrs Blacke, of Swansea. INQUEST ON THE BODY. The coroner (Mr Brewer) and jury met at the Greyhound Hotel on Wednesday, when the inquiry into the death of the above-named lady was proceeded with. Mr.' Horace Shepard, solicitor, watched the case on be- half of the relatives; and Sir C. R. Harris, solicitor, was present for the husband of the deceastd. Richard Spooner, sworn I keep the Globe Inn, Trede- gar the deceased, Elizabeth Spooner, was my wife she died on Friday morning last, the 10th inst. I found her dead in bed about ten o'clock it was half-past eight when I got up I left her in bed she was quite well and spoke to me as I left the room she woke me and asked me to turn round; I did so. and she said I must get up." She in general rose first and opened the bar I had a reason that morning for getting up first; I told her to stop in bed and I would get up I got out and she said she would stop where she was I partly dressed and went and called the servants my wife was very jocular and said, get a nice cup of tea and do some ham when I was leaving the room she said, Now, Richard, don't you leave the bar while the girls are cleaning the rooms I went down and did not move from the bar when the cleaning was done I said to the servant" get breakfast and I'll go and call the misses when I entered the room I saw she looked pale, and her jaw was dropped; I put my hand on her forehead and said, Lizzie," she did not make any reply, and I I called to the girls who ran up immediately; I said, "Oh, God, go into the misses, I fancy she is dead the girls burst out crying and said, Oh, master, she is that was shortly after ten o'clock. I have risen early frequently, and have allowed her to remain in bed; my usual custom is to get up about 11; she generally rose at half-past eight. She frequently brought me in a bottle of gingerade and some brandy for the last two or three months I have been in the habit of getting up.as often as three mornings in sue- cession sometimes my wife got up the same time as I did that was when we had some one to attend to the bar my reason for getting up early was to keep my wife from the drink, because when she was bad overnight she generally new to it in the morning she used to drink brandy at a fearful rate, and many times my servants have come to me before nine in the morning and asked me to come down as the misses was drunk I have on such occasions called in Mr." David Morgan, blacksmith, and he can tell you the same thing. On the night of Thursday, the !)th inst about half-past eleven, she fell down in the bar; I was standing leaning on the edge of the settle in the smoke room; Mr Morgan was sitting at the end of the seat where I was leaning I was talking to someone in the room I left my wife sitting on a chair in the bar. and my daughter- in-law was attending to the engine I heard something, and on looking round I saw my wife on her knees near some jars that stood under the bar window. Mr Morgan looked round and asked what the noise was, and, went into the bar. I said, pick her up and try to get her to bed." Mr Morgan and my daughter-in-law helped to take her to her room. She walked up stairs, and my daughter- in-law went behind to keep her from falling. On reaching the top of the stairs my wife said, I'll do now, Polly you go and mind the bar." My daughter-in-law came down stairs. My wife was veiy tipsy; she used to wash and come down quite fresh in about an hour after being tipsy; when I want to bed that night she was i|h bed it was about half-past one; she said, ycfa, are late again, Richard;" we had no quarrel nor a mis-word we were married four years last May; always lived on friendly terms till she took to drinking I never struck her in my life, only in pushing her out of the bar, or dragging her to bed now and then; I did not knock her down on the night before her death. By the Foreman: When she fell in the bar, it aroije from drunkenness; she used to sit on the jars and *ook into the room. By a juror Mr. Morgan passed me to get in the bar when my wife fell By the Foreman: My belief is that she kicked her foot against one of the jars. Coroner: When you knew your wife was given to drink- ing don't you think you ought to have kept the bar under lock and key?—Witness She i^ed to promise me she would not drink I found in her pocket on one occasion a bottle ox gin,—Q. Did you sleep in the same bed as your wife on the Thursday night ?-A. I did, sir,—(J- Why did they move her from that room?—A. I can't say; some of the women did it.—Q. Where are the sheets?—A. They are here, sir.—Q. Are there any spots of blood on them ?— A. No sir, not in the least. Q. Were you at the post mor- tem. examination.—A. No, sir. By Mr. Shepard: She was my second wife. I sever in. sured either of their lives Mr Morgan might have been in the house on the Thursday an hour or more L don't know George Evans, a puddler. Coroner: You are n'ot compelled to answty. K 4P■ r. Mr Spooner I am anxious that everything should come out. By Mr Shepard I will swear over 50 bibles that I did not strike her on the Thursday night, nor in my life we were not on friendly terms that night, hut we were all right next morning she spoke on the Thursday of ?oing to Trou-bridge I was always willing to let her go home. George Evans sworn I am a puddler at Tredfgar Works I a.m. in the habit of drinking at the Globe Inn. two or three times a week Mr Spooner is the landlord I was there on Thursday evening the 9th instant, between !) and 10 "'clock I .w Mrs Spooner in the bar she drew, a fiuart of beti- for me she did not seem to me to be tipsy Mr Spooner came out of the little room into the bar; he seemed in a bad way, and was mumbling to himself; be struck Mrs Spooner, and she fell backwards with her head against the shelf where they keep the jars he struck her with his fist on the face I took the beer, and went into the room to my butties," and told them what had happened I did not see Mrs Spooner again that night; I have seen Mr Spooner push her on other occasions never saw him strike her before then have never noticed Mrs Spooner tipsy; have always seen her attending to her duty the back part of her head went against the shelf when Mr Spooner struck her; when I told my butties, John Jenkins said "never mind, it is man and wife. leave it between them." By a juror: He struck her with his right hand; wa knocked for the quart, and no one answered, and I went to fetch it, and was quite sober. By Mr Shepard I told Jenkin Davies when I took the beer back. By Mr Harris Only Mrs Spooner was in the bar then am Quite sure it was the deceased who drew the beer • Jenkin Davies and Thomas Thotms were my "butties-" Mrs Spooner took the sixpence from me just as Mr Spooner came out in a mumbling way and struck her. The court adjourned at this stage of the proceediu°*s for refreshment. ° By permission of the coroner several of the relatives of the deceased, and a few personal friends of Mr Spooner were admitted into the room. On resuming the examination, Mr Superintendent Fowler | ,aid some of the jury objected to parties leaving the room Inrin" the ennuirv. i The Coroner said it was only proper that parties should not be allowed to carry forth to the public what was takino- place. Each solicitor might retain one friend of his client! Mr Shepard selected Mr Blatch, brother-in-law to the late Mrs Spooner and Mr Harris called Mr W. Walters. Mary Ann Gwillim, sworn On Thursday last, about 9 o'clock, I saw the deceased, who is my aunt, in the Globe Inn Mrs Jones Davies, young Mrs Spooner, and Mrs Richard Spooner, were in the bar I went there for a pint of beer for my mother deceased asked me to put my hand up to her head; 1 felt a lump at the back of her head; she said Mr Spooner had been beating her throughout the day, and pointed to the grate she did not say he had struck her against the grate—she only pointed first to the grate, and then to her head; she asked me if mother had any message to send to Trowbridge, as she was going there next day I never saw or heard any quarrelling between Mr Spooner and my aunt: the lump was as large as a tea cup when she pointed out the grate, I thought she might have been thrown against it. By a Juror: Deceased and my mother were cousins; I have seen deceased with scratches saw her two years ago with a black eye have seen her drunk or stupefied I live in Polar Place. By Mr Shepard Mrs Spooner did net appear tipsy on Thursday she did not seem faint; I went home with the beer, and told mother of the lump on the head. By Mr Harris: t thiuk she was quite sober; can't say if Mrs Jones Davies, or Mrs W. Spooner heard what deceased said my mother and Mr Spooner have not been friendly since deceased broke her collar bone about three years ago. G. A. Brown, sworn: I am surgeon to the Tredegar Com- pany on June 11th I made a post mortem examination of the body of Elizabeth Spooner; I was assisted by Mr Anthony, and my assistant, Mr Ollerhead I found the btldy that of a woman well formed and nourished, and ap- parently o5 years of age the skin was broken on the right shoulder, right elbow, and right knee, and two slight abrasions on the chin there were bruises varyinc in size from half-a-crownto a crown over the left shoulder, the inner portion of the right arm, the right fore-arm, the right breast, and the back of the left foot; the staying of the tissues after death was strong there was a putfiness on the back part of the head the scalp was then reflected from the skull; I found on the left side of the forehead a bruise as large as a shilling over the upper part of the head there was a bruise about the size of a crown, and a small one on the left; over the occipital obtrusion I found a bruise of about three inches in length in removing the skull-cap there was nothing unusual; removed the dura- mater, I found the right hemis) here of the brain enveloped in a clot of blood, which extended to the base of the brain I removed the brain and found at the under part of the pos- terior lobe of the right side a contused mass of brain sub- stance it was also torn or lacerated anterior to this there was a portion of brain substance, about the size of a six- pence, contused but not lacerated I next examined the other cavities of the body. and found the heart and lungs healthy the liver was somewhat enlarged, and a little paler than usual; the stomach contained abmt half a wine "lass- ful of gruellynuid. and a few undigested peas; the spleen and kidneys were healthy, and-so were the bowels the bladder contained half-a-pint of urine the organs of generation were healthy there was no evidence of any sexual in- timacy having taken place for 24 hours—12 hours certain- previous to death death resulted from pressure on the brain by an effusion of blood this laceration was caused by either a blow on the skull, or by the head striking against a hard substance in falling the injury I found on the back of the scalp I have do doubt was received at the same time I cannot tell the difference between injuries re- ceived through intoxication and falling, or by blows any hard substance might have produced the injury; violence must have been received to cause such injury she did not die from the effects of drink the vessels of the brain were perfectly healthy I distinctly detected the rupture in the vessels the deceased might have walked up-stairs after receiving the injury she was perfectly unconscious for several hours (four or more) before her death one-tenth part of the blood I found would produce unconsciousness. By a Juror: 1 am sure she must have been unconscious 'o at least four hours no sexual intercourse could have taken place as stated by the husband, or I should have noticed it. I did not find any smell of liquor in the stomach; she might have vomited she was washed, and in her grave clothes when I saw her. By the Coroner In this weather she would not be cold for some hours I found difficulty in taking off the rings, as rigidity had set in. By Mr. Shepard: The Superintendent told me that a statement had been made as to the husband having had sexual intercourse with deceased that morning, and I made an examination and found no traoes whatever. By Mr Harris The injury on the back of the head was the most serious, but I can't say positively whether that or the injury on the top of the head had caused death but I am inclined to attribute it to the wound on the back of the head the extravasation of blood, under the dura mater would not have been there without violence had been used the bruise on the forehead was quite recent, say a few hours' before death. Superintendent Fowler sworn: On the morning of the 10th instant I was passing the Globe Inn about ten o'clock some little girl ran out of the Globe, and said Mrs Spooner was found dead in bed I went in immediately and saw deceased in bed Mr Spooner was in the room and the two servants I believe I asked Mr Spooner what time he rose and he said about the hooter time" he said his wife then appeared quite well; he said he had told her to remain in bed while he got breakfast ready he said he went up again about ten, and found her dead; I was there again about half-past twelve, and in a conversation he told me he and his wife were more comfortable than ever on that morning and that they had been sexually intimate, as would be proved by a post mortem examination. Coroner That seems to me a very suspicious remark and one he had no right to make. Did you see any marks on the body ?—A. Yes, I saw two marks on the chill; I did not give any orders to move or change what was on deceased; can't say if the body was moved; the bed clothes were disturbed, and the deceased bad-nothing but a chemise on; I did not notice anything particular as to the state of the room. The inquiry was adjourned to next day at 10.45. ] THURSDAY'S ENQUIRY. This serious and important enquiry was resumed on 1 Thursday and continued throughout the day, and was again further adjourned unti: Friday -(this day). Up to the hour of going to press we have not received our report, which we much regret, but we presume our correspondent c reserves it, so as to give it more fully next week.—Much I excitement prevails throughout the town. EBBW VALE. c SPECIAL SERMONS.—On Sunday the Welsh Calvinistic t Methodists of Silo Chapel. Yictoria, held their annual ser- i vices in aid of the chapel debt. Three services were held t during the day. The morning and evening sermons were 1 preached by the Rev. J. Davies, of London; the Rev Mr Jones of Aberdare, was announced to preach the afternoon s discourse but failed to attend, and his place was ablv filled f [I by the Rev. Evan Williams, of Carmarthen. The sermons s were of a very superior order, and were listened to by i crowded congregations. At each service liberal collections I were made in aid of the trust funds of the chapel. OUR CRICKETERS. It is with pleasure we state that this b j,ruly national sport is this season engaging the earnest at- I cention of a large part of our youn# men, who are in active I practice nearly every night on the cricket ground in pte. b paration for the arranged match which is to como off be- a tween the Ebbw Yale Club and the Bassaleg party, on the b 22nd mst. Mr. J. Lewis, the late secretary, has resigned n his post, which has been filled by Mr. Thomas Richards ii uf the Pontygof SkihooL There can be no doubt that if the c tlaj will be fine the match will be one that will excite much n interest, and attract a large and fashionable assembiv « VOLUNTEER SHOOTING CLUB.—This club has been'formed o for the purpose of encouraging rifle shooting by brinnng V larger squads periodically together at the targets for prac V tice. The advantages of this society will be that a certain 1 number of rounds of ammunition will be supplied to the I members free of expense twice a month, these rounds to he fired on the same day, and must not be reserved for an ? other time. One of the practice days will he the W Saturday in every month and the other in the im'rMio c the mouth. Every member will be expected to snV>- u 1 a nominal sum to the funds of the club, and at the pff t the season (October) a general dinner will be EHVPT, members. The club is to be managed bv^f .!9 the six members, with president, secretary anrl ee chosen by the members. -It is fully volunteer movement will be greatly icmroved ) lishment of this club. y the estab- A NARROW ESCAPE,—OC of a man named Iu»avchaat oi thp O' T* mo™1ng the wife was ba^iftg, and had succeed in'h ^fdeSar"road: had drawn the fire out "«vf I beating tbe oven and tire, and had it not have W for Mr CaUgK* was fortunate i„„ • .Ior John Gardener, who must'tbeW, she standing close bv at th! t; deat^ ,A°other1. female wa? sfieinr ,.e time, with a baby in her arms, and Gardener" ran +11 instantly screamed out. Mr. biirnincr rlr j rescue, and, by catching hold of her sihlo ?] 6SS a Wrapping it as closely around her as pos- TTH'i' fll}S r*reveiited the air from extending the flames, u mately the dress was ripped from off the woman, and thus she escar,ed from a most dreadful death. As it was, she was badly burnt, but Gardener fared the worst, being severely burnt about the hands and arms. The woman had a sovereign and a locket in her pocket, which some of the conipauy succeeded in fingering," and the husband, with another man, actually lost a day's work each in order to go to Merthyr. to consult the celebrated "CUUD^- woman as to who had the cash. But the matter. is not to be finally cleared up till another jou>" taken, and, of course, another "consult'" ■ J. „ the husband appears, determined fee paid, which surprising to hear with *° undertake. It is really spejSr af this "lat siHy confidence many people „ remarkable delusion. GRAKD CONCERT.—On Monday evening the Ebbw Vale j ^°ral Society gave a grand concert at the Pontygof j British School-room, under the patronage of A. Darby, j Esq., of Victoria Park. the president, hon. members of the society, and several influential ladies and gentlemen of the I district. Artistes :—Miss A Smith (pupil of Mr Wels. ford), Miss Alice Giurd (eight years of age), Miss E. A. Walt contralti, Miss Ettie Salvage and Airs. Davies; tenori. Air. Vaughan and Nr. J. \V. Wall baritoni, Mr. Higgsi (Bristol) and Mr. Welsford accompanyist, Mr. J. W. Wall; conductor, Mr. J. E. Welsford, organist of Christ Cnurch. The attendance was large, and included several leading families of the town and district. The pro- gramme was well executed throughout, and nearly every piece was encored. Mr Higgs and the Misses Salvage and Guard met the warmest reception from the audience, and their musical efforts were most successful. Miss Smith displayed considerable ability in her songs, and was also loudly applauded. This was the first concert given by the Ebb w Vale Choral Society, and it is but just to say that Mr. Welsford succeeded in getting up no ordinary treat, and we wish him every success in his efforts to cultivate a refined musical taste among those under his tuition. The National Anthem closed the entertainment, the solos being taken up by the Misses Smith and Guard. BEAUFORT. MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.—On Saturday, as one of the workmen employed at a patch near this town, was on his way to the tips, with a wheelbarrow full of mine, he stum- bled, and fell over a rock. The wheelbarrow and its con- tents fell upon him. He had fallen over a precipice thirty feet high, and fears were entertained that the poor fellow was killed. On being picked up, however, it was found that he was only stunned, and slightly bruised about the face. He was able to walk home. SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY. — The school anniversary of the English Wesleyans was held on Sunday, and the Rev. G. Hack, of Crickhowell, was engaged specially to preach the anniversary sermons. The eloquent discourses delivered by the rev. gentleman were listened to with rapt attention by crowded congregations. The collections towards the school fund amounted to £10.

BIRTH. On the 5th instant, the wife of Mr James Griffiths, Albion House, Rhymney, of a son. DEATH. On the 20th ult., at Calcutta, of cholera, after a few hours illness, Thomas Cook Seymour, of Cardiff (brother of Mrs T. C. Parker of Dowlais), chief officer of the British Shipping Company's ship, the British Flag." Aged 26 years.

THE IRON TRADE. Wet or dry, hot or cold, no weather seems to stop the toil of the millman or the puddler. In this respect the Iron Trade is free from the hindrances incidental to many other kinds of labour, and the ironmasters can relv upon an average amount of work being done week by week and year by year. And it is well that this is the case, or the enormous demand could not be met. Happily, too, the labour question, which some years ago used to cause a terible amount of excitement, is for the time at rest, and employers and employed seem to live and work peaceably together. The export of railroad iron keeps increasing every month, and we notice that Russia, Prussia, United States, and British India, all are taking much larger quan- tities than ever. This increasing demand causes all the furnaces and mills and forges in the land to glow with the moil and toil of the busy life. As a result, labour has its rewards. The men are getting better wages, and the masters are getting better prices, for in all the markets the prices are rising. Better prices are also obtained for rails, and the Welsh iron trade was never better off for orders for railway iron. In Staffordshire, too, notwithstanding that she has not the geographical advantages of other districts, the range of prices for manufactured iron is stiffening so that consumers must look forward to a time when prices will be very materially increased. The engineering establishments are also well" off for orders for their locomotives, and from the port of Liverpool alone more than £ 34,000 worth of machinery have been sent to various quarters. The iron shipbuilding yards of Clyde are full of work. During last mouth there 'were eighteen vessels built, with a total of 12,586 tons. Some time ago we were threatened with being swallowed up by our Continental rivals. It is now seen where the large orders have to be sent, and but for the extent and capacity of our productive power the demand could not be met. The works both in France and Belgium are not near large enough for the trade of the world, and to this country the buyer must send for years to come. It is true that both Russia and the United States contain within themselves the coal and the ironstone, but they are as yet undeveloped and in the United States the high price of labour will pre- clude any extensive development of iron industry; but this is of very little consequence to the American people they have thousands of miles of uncultivated soil, which for years to come will absorb all the labour that can be thrown into the market, and they can much better afford to buy the cheap iron of England than by an unhealthy, process, increase the price of their own. We notice by a cable message from the Times correspondent at Phila- delphia, the House of Representatives has passed the Bill to reduce the taxation, together with General Schenck's amendments which fixes pig iron at 7 dols. a ton, the present duty being 9 dols. scrap-iron at 6 dols. a ton, now 8 dols. Steel rail bars are low, but the amendment fixes steel Lars at I.Ic. per lb. bars part steel, atl je. Bes- semer rails, at lAc. No iron or steel duties were referred to in the amendment. The reduction of two dollars a ton on imported pig-iron will have a favourable effect upon. our exports to the States. The inquiry for finished iron continues decidedly aoth e in South Wales. Orders have been numerous in the market, and buyers have yielded to higher quotatioas than they had intended to give but makers have shewn little disposition to burden themselves with fresh engagements at present. Good orders are secured at advanced rates. The works throughout the district are in full employment and makers will have no difficulty in keeping them so for some time to come, if prospects are to be relied on. A strong tendency is already evinced to advanced prices in all departments, and there is every reason to believe that higher rates of quotations will shortly be generally estab- lished. In the home trade there is scarcely any change to report. For pig iron there is some improvement in the de- mand, and higher prices are obtained. Bars, &c., are in average request. At the Dowlais Ironworks, where an unusually active state of things prevails, experiments arc being tried with the view of attempting a better fusion of steel ingots by the application of gas flame. At present all the ingots that cannot be worked up by the Bessemer pro- cess are sent off as waste to Sheffield cutlers. Should the experiment be successful, the company expect to effect a. considerable saving of material. "0. SOUTH WALES COAL^AND THE HOUSE. OF In the debate upon the votes of supplies in the House of Commons allusion was made h- several o{ the speakers South ales ooaL The remarks, as a rule, were anything but complimentary, but they will doubtless be of interest to our readers, who will be able to rightly estimate their rr T n6 JL y part of tile evening's sitting, the Hon. H. G. Liddell, the proprietor of considerable coal mines in the counties of Durham and Northumberland asked the Financial Secretary, in the absence of the First Lord of the Admirality, whether there was any objection to lav upon the table, in a Compendious form, the result of a series of experimental trials made during the last twelve months on board her Majesty's steamers Urgent and Lucifer, at Portsmouth, with Welsh and North Country coal, with the view of ascertaining the best proportions in mixed coal and the best form of furnace to be used for the consumptioa of smoke. Mr Baxter's reply was that there would be no objection to lay upon the table the results of the experiments referred to. They were very interesting and instructive, and he: might add, were thoroughly confirmatory of the wisdom «f the eourse adopted by the Admiralty in ordering te h* used by her Majesty's ships a mixture of North Coontro bituminous and South Wales anthracite coal ™ Later at night, when tW Navy Estimate were under discussion, Sir John Hay, m making an attack UDO* tlT new Purchase Department, said there was a colherJ in Wales called Hirwam Colliery, the coal of which mieht hL applied to certain uses, but was of a dangerous and iiTfllw character, and was condemned by the nroDer ■-fit to be Navy iroffl th, pXbStj- carrying it would be set on fire. Nevertheless, 18,000 W of that coal were received at Sheerness, havin- S purchased at a Wh rate. Coals for the Admiralty were no longer bought by tender, but by a friend of the Secre- tary to the Admiralty, a Mr M'CuIloch, who, it was uS- stood, received 3d a ton from the Admiralty for everv t^» of coal received by them-what he might receive at other end of course nobody knew* There was a eenfcW man of the same name as Mr M'CuIloch who was the manager of the Hirwain Colliery he did not know whether they were related in any way, but Hirwain coal was certainiv bought by Mr MCuUoch. Some of the coal so purchased was placed on board the Megaera, and when on the line she caught fire, and might have been lost, owing to the fuel she carried. A return had been moved for upon the subject, but the right hon. gentleman proposed to nve a much larger return than was asked for, and it had not w 1 been produced c Mr Baxter, after completely refuting two af i. brought against the Purchase Departmeat-which SirT been guilty of using Hirnaki coll ^that ^y>d anthracite coal of South Wales, and'ou^ht iw i? j by itself, but which was nns e use^ mixing with bituminous coal In L Very ^St -coals for ment wtnm I an coaDected wi^ the Purchase Depart- 16 ?e,v«r saw or heard of until he became nffir. 'J' Admiralty, was sent down to show the ? w rt ought to he used and ought to. be mixed with 0 tuminouB coal; and in both instances the report was that havxng the matter explained to them, the mixture w& £ Satisfactory. With respeot to the Mezjera. KP- regretted that the papers were not on the table but, when produced, they would not support any of the which had been made. Sir G. Elphinstone, who followed, was of ewionthat the Admiralty ought to employ patent fupl Thp PVrmrh bought the bees Welsh coal. They crushed it, aad the result was more steam and better work, while the nKipg were kept clean. At present ehe smoke coroded the rigging, destroyed the clotLmg of the ship's company, and deteriorated every part, of the ship. The present source of supply was maintained for nothing else than in order to get political capital for the G ovcyaooffflt, :=7

SREAKI-AST.— EPPS'SI COCOA—GRATEFUL ANU COMFOBT. ING. —Ine very agreeable character of this preparation han rendered it a general favourite. The Civil bervkc Gazette remarks The singular success which Mr. Epps attained by his homoeopathic preparation of cocoa has never hftew surpassed by any uxperiiaentalist. By a thorough know- ledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected cocoa, Mr. Epps haa provided our breast tabies ™*h a delicately flavoured wmc-n may save us many heavy doctors' bills," Made simnhr with boiling water or n&k. Sold by the T^deoSy in"fb jib., and 11U tm-Kaed packets, labelled-JAXES EPPS & Homoeopathic fThemists, London 'ilT* SxSr°^ LAMES !:hnhaVr ?°S tried the GLE^U) Ksspectf'ully solicited tc.give it a trial, and care- ~J 'Oliryw out the directions printed on every package It 15 ratber more difficult tq make than other Starches, but when this is overcome4 they will say like the Queen's. Laundress, that it is the finest Starch they ever used. DUSVILLE & Co., Belfast, are the largest holders, nf whisky in the world. Their Old Irish Whisky is recom. mended by the medical profession in preference to. French brandy. Supplied in casks and cases for home dse OT portation. Quotations on application to MFJ^SRO. DTTK. VILLE & Co., RoyAi DlSIILUMES^ ftni)1«;T_ 3(^5