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PEMBROKE.

PEMBROKE-DOCK

MILE 0 ED.

INARBERTH.

CARMARTHEN.

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CARMARTHEN. THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD.—A meeting of the Council was held on Wednesday, in the Shire Hall; the Rev Latimer Jones in the chair. The business was of a formal character and the only matter of public interest was the selection of artistes to take part in the evening concerts. The artistes engaged are—Vocalists, Miss Edith Wynne, Madame Patey Whitlock, Miss Edmonds, Mr Lewis Thomas, and Mr W. H. Cumrning instru- mentalists, Mr Lazarus, Mr Brinley Richards, and Mr J. Thomas, or ApThomas. Mr Brooke was appointed accompanyist, and Mr Lleweliin Williams, harpist. Owain Alaw and Llew Llwyfo, were also engaged to take part in the Eisteddfod. The arrangement of the programme was left in the hands of Mr. Bunley Richards, who was present and kindly undertook the task. Mr Salter, paleontologist, of the Government Geolog'cal Survey, was appointed to arrange the geological pan of the physical science exhibition. HAYMAKERS AND THEIR <TOLL.' At the Borough police-court, on Monday week, before the Mayor, E. B. Jones, Esq,, and James Bagnall, and T. Lewis, Esqrs., a young woman, named Phoebe Phillips, the wife of Eenjamia Phillips, was charged by Mr. Thomas George, C.E. and Surveyor, of Carmarthen, with an assault. Mr. T. Davies appeared for the plaintiff; the defendant was not represented by a solicitor. Mr. Davies having briefly stated the facts of the case, called Mr. George, who deposed: I am Civil Engineer and County Bridge Surveyor, residing at Carmarthen. On either Tuesday or Wednesday last I passed through one )f the fields leading from the gas works to the Royal Oak gate, and in the fourth field there were some men and women making hay. The defendant was amongst them, near the wickt't gate at the end nearest the town. When I entered the field they crossed up and intercepted me, stopping right across the path, I asked them what I they meant by preventing my pa-.sing, and they said that I should pay them some money before I passed. I told them it was very strange, that they might as well stop i me in the turnpike-r 'ad as in a path in that way, and they replied that it was an old custom, which they meant to keep up I said that if it was an old custom it was a very foolish one, and the sooner it was stopped th" better. I told them that if they would give me their names I would give them money on the morrow, but not then. The defendant was willing to do this, but the others were not, and then I asked them what would be the alternative of my not giving them money. They said that the consequence would be that I should be thrown down and tied. This conversation was in Welsh. 1 told them that the struggle must come I asked how many they were, and they replied two." I then walked back a few paces, put my hat, umbrella, and walking stick down, and asked them What are you going to do now." The defendant approached me; I kept my hands to my sides, and I gave her a chance to throw me, but she could not, and I then threw her down. After throw- ing her I wont cross-legged over her (loud laughter), ready to meet the other one, who win coming up. Ali this time the defendant had been resisting, and trying to get tip; whilst the other woman came up and laid hold of me, so I knelt down, took hold of her ancle and tilted her over. (Renewed laughter.) Whilst I was leaning backwards to do this, the defendant., who was under me, managed no twist my anele, and then got on top of me. (Laughter.) The other woman whom I had tilted over, assisted her. I heard one of the men in the Meld say, He is gamo enough, let him go.' One of the women replied, He is not angry, look at him smiling then they allowed me to get up. and I walked away. After I had got about seventy or eighty yards, the wo- man came up to me and told me that there was hay on my back, should they brush it off? I thought she lo"k"d mischievous, so I told her to leave it. alone, as it. looked sporting. I then walkel backwards, telling her to keep at a distance. She afterwards begged for besr, saying, 'If you give us some beer you shall go.' I thereupon promised to pay for some beer at the Tioyal Oak, and, having made the promise, did not feel at liberty to break it, so I left sixpence for them at the Royal Oak. Mr Lewis Then, Mr George, you putdown your hat, umbrella, and pipe for the purpose of vanquishing the woman ? Mr George: No; I laid it down because I have been served before in the same way, and I knew that there would be a scufHe. served before in the same way, and I knew that there would he a scuffle. Mr Warren I think it is only fair to the defendant to ask whether this tumbling was done in good humour ? Mr George 1 was very angry, and very much fin- noyed, and consented in no way at all. noyed, and consented in no way at all. Mr Davies What about your ancle, Mr George did j you sustain any injury ? Mr George I do not wish to press that for a moment: I merely wish for a nominal fine. Mr Davies: I think you may as well say what injury you sustained. Mr George Well. I shall be laid up for a couple of months. In reply to questions put to him by the defendant, Mr George said that it was quite true that, after the seuffi., he returned through the field, and she offered him some of the ale he had paid for, but which he re- fused to take. Ho WHS quite certain that it occurred on the Tuesday, as several gentlemen were attacked about the same time. Mr George Thomas (Magistrates' Clerk) said that undoubtedly the custom was one that ought to be put down, (fiear, hear.) Rachel Jenkins deposed that she was in the hay field Rachel Jenkins deposed that she was in the hay field last Saturday week when Mr George camo up. There were two women besides herself. Mr George asked how many there were, having first remarked, It is a custom I don't like, I will try you.' He then t"ok off his hat, put down his umbrella and pipe, caught hold of Phillips, and threw her down. Ptoebe was quite ready for him. (Laughter.) Cross-examined by Mr Davie3: We did not get across the path, but close to it. We were doing the same then as is done in every field where there is a foot path. It is the custom to stop passengers, demand money of them, and throw them down if they did not pay. We asked Mr George to give us as little as he pleased, and he then asked how many we were. We did not tell him we would throw him down if he did not pay. I did not hear him say that he was unwell. The defendant did not try to throw Mr George until he tried to throw her we did not think of moiesting him until he put his pipe, hat, and umbrella down. I did not hear Mr George ask for the names before the scuffle; but Phoebe Phillips gave them when lie was going away. Margaret Griffiths deposed that on Saturday week she was in the hay-field, about 50 yards from Phcebe Phillips and the other women. She heard Phosje go up to Mr George and asked him if he knew the custom of hay. He replied that he did, and asked how many there were. The reply was Two he said I will try you,' put down his pipe and stick, and put Phoebe down. The other woman went up, laid hold of Phoebe's hand, and Mr George then laid hold of her leg, and put her down. By the time the jug of beer was in the field Mr George came back, but refused to drink, saying that they wanted ) it more than he did. She was certain that it was not on Tuesday, and she had seen Dr. Lewis pass through a short time before Mr George. Dr Lewis said that to the best of his belief he went thr ugh on Saturday week. Cross-examiuation continued: Defendant did not put her two arms round Mr George's waist and try to throw him he tried to throw her first. She did not see Phoebe Phillips lying on Mr George, and he with his two hands trying to push her off. She considered that the last witness went to Phoebe to assist her, as Mr George had the best of her. She did not observe Mr George walking backwards but Phoebe followed him, and be asked her to fetch the beer. This was the case for the defence; and there was a conversation between Mr George and the magistrates. Mr George said he had no feeling at all in the matter, and Mr G.Thomas said he was sure that the summons had been taken out with the best intention—to put a stop to the annoying practice. Mr Warren thought it necessary that a repetition of such an obstruction should be prevented and Mr Bag- nall said that such an ab-urd custom should be put down Mr George replied that this was just what he wanted. Ultimately, Mr Davies said that he was instructed by Mr George to withdraw the case if the defonJant would give a pro- mise not to offend again, an,1 in that event no costs would fall upon ber. The woman might have thought it all a joke, although Mr George did not. tlluuout ihe .U ay or and Mr \Y arren pave the women clear! to undetstand that they must not be guilty of such con- duct in the future, and that, in a public foot patb they had no right to moiest anyhodv. The defendant readily promised not oftend again in a like manner, and add/d that she would not have tonched Mr George if he had not touched her first. (Laughter.) The summons was then withdrawn.

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