The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

< UP AND DOWN THE COAST. j A SLIGHT MISTAKE. t } In one of the main thorou^hrr.rcs ol a i~.su town there is a dining room next door to a photographer s shop. One Monday twelve strapping Welshmen walked into the fjrmer place of basiness, and aked for dinner, which was promptly and plentifully supplied. The Sons of the Mountains ate like glints, and seemed to be brimming over with fan. At last they were satisfied, and one of them placed five shillings in the hands of the proprietor, who calmly asked which of the eleven he bad paid for in aidi- tion to himself. I was pay for the lot," exclaimed the man, there is the five silling (pointing to the money), and there is the charge for him (pointing to the photographer's sign outside, which was placed between the two shops, and announced on one side, Twelve for Five Shillings.')" "01:1 paid th" man at th dining "that meana photographs, and you thought it meant dinners: I see f Dinners, gentlemen, are 23 6J each, and I imi3t trouble you for a sovereign, gentlemen With difficulty the money was got and the twelve diners-out went sorrowfully away, feeling that they had been shamefully entreated. SOME BELLMEN. It would be more correct to call them Town Criera, for one of them has no btll, and cannot, there-fore, he called a beiiman without a slight deviation from accuracy. At the beginning I have sciid some Bellmen; but really I only iatend to write about one, though I may mention three of [he brotherhood b-fos e I have done. f Mira says I ought to tell what she always calls toe bell- man's story. Every profession has its romance, and the held of the nairative she is anxious I should relate. Whether the present bellman or his predecessor was the crier at the time is of little importance. I shall not tell the story this week, lest I should worry my fiends. Well a3 I h3ve said, one of tbe bellmen has no bell. Perhaps Tregaron is too poor to purchase a bell; or, as is m -e hkely, it is nobody'* business to buy him one. >\ e will suppose you are sitting in the Lion Hotel after dinner. Y ii re Jot peace with all the world, and wondering how soon the train would arrive as you blink between your fin- gers at the Are. It is fair day, and the streets are full of cattle and stalls and d-alers. The bridge is crowded with women knitting and selling stockings, and the only vacant LUce is the new Market Hall, which the people have not vet leamt to appreciate. I say yon are sitting over the fire quibtly and comfortably digesting a good dinner, wh«n suddenly you are startled sy a ho;riblesound between a. yea and a scream like this, as far as type will do it: Ah-aha- a-aha-oo-ohoo-yah! with terrible emphasis on the final yah You start in your chair, and as the sound continues you rush out. The disturbance is evidently somewhere near the bridge, and you dodge madly along the legs and tails of the cattle, in order to find out what has caused the agonized noise. Just at the entrance to the churchyard you see a haggard-looking man—not over particular, one would think, as to his ablutions. There is a small knot of people stand- ing round him, and you are just enquiring what has hap- pened when you are startled by the higgard-loobing man, who, with eyes fixed upon you as if in mortal agony, repeats the awful cry of Ah-aha-a-a-aha-oo-ah-oo y^h but this time throwing the emphasis on the .,o-:ih-oc)." This is the Tregaron crier, and the nr,.i7,- that startled you is only the preliminary announcement which stands in the place of a bell. The beiiman of whom it was my intention to write does not reside at Tregaron but at, let us say, Newcastle Em- lyn. This gentleman is more than a mere common-place bellman, and having rung his bell makes an oration, not perhaps word for word like the following, but near enough for those who have not had the pleasure of hearing him to judge of bis style :—" Come here, all of you, I am going to cry, and if you ask me what about 1 shall tell you at once that it is Thomas Thomas's sale. He is as good a man as can be found in this parish, you may take my word for tht. John Jones, the auctioneer—and a rare good auc- tioneer he is, too-will sell all the household furniture-as good as new, most of it, and the remainder's a good deal better. Making furniture is one of the lost arts. What are you laughing at (to a young girl) ? I don't mean sweet- hearts. However, there it is, and you can com and see it, and mind you bring your wives with you. There are two pigs to be sold which will make rare bacon, and no doubt the purchaser will invite me to breakfast if he does not send me several good rashers. Now, you men, if you do come to the sale come sober, and don't let us have a row in the streets. I have a lot more things to cry, but I shall tell you more next time I ciy opposite Bill Morgan's shop door; but now I must have a glass of beer, and the one who is going to pay for it can come into the Sailors'Arms." Opposite Bill Morgan's shop this original crier proceeds with his announcement which is lighted up with a good deal of humour and considerable wit of the unpolished sort. THE TREGARON GHOST. I am sorry to hear that this ghost has disappeared altogether, and the magistrates will, therefore, not have an opportunity of sending it to Cardigan. What a joke it would be to give the ghost's name and age. Perhaps my friends did not ktiov ghosts had names. We need not, however, say anything about names at present. GOOD NEWS. I never take Christmas boxes mvself, and never give any except to people who are shamefully underpaid by a poverty-stricken nation. Everybody ought to tip the post- man at Christmas even if he does not bring a letter on Christmas Day. I hav3 a recipe to give away which will enable those who practice it on a hundred a year to keep three servants, ride a horse, go out shooting, and always have a bottle of good wine in the house, to say nothing of being able to keep your wife's mouth shut with silk dresses and your own trousers from having knees." The recipe is to liquidate by arrangement as often as necessary. You will tind that your creditors will be willing to take five shillings in the pound and be glad to get so much. If your creditors get very awkwerd you can say, Well, gentlemen, sell me Up. and you will only get three- half pence in the pound. I have never wasted a penny, but I think nobody but a cad can always be thinking about paying his way, and you don't surely expect a fellow to live without a horse and a gun Of course not It would be cruel. The Coast. PERRY WINKLE.

NOTICE. Reports of Concerts by Herr Polonaski, &c., unavoidably crowded out also Corwen County Court and Meeting of Ratepayers Portmadoc Connty Conrt, &c.; Pwllheli Town Council aud Petty Sessions; Carnarvon and Bala News, &c.

THE PRINCE OF WALES IN INDIA. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales left Kandy, in the island of Ceylon, on Saturday morning, Dec. 4, for two days' elephant shooting, en route for Colombo. The sub- sequent movements of his Royal Highness are undecided. lie It is believed that the proposed visit to the Madras Presi- dency will be avoided, on account of cholera still prevailing there. The Indian Government has recommended the abandonment of the land journey from Tuticorin. Colombo, Tuesday,—The Prince of Wales shot two elephants yesterday. On returning from the hunt his car- riage was over-turned and smashed, the Prince being thrown underneath. Fortunately he escaped unhurt.

TRAFFIC RECEIPTS. 1875. Great Western "j £ 98,583 West Midland J. 1874. South Wales £ 100,386 1875. London and North-Western £ 165,386 Shrewsbury and Hereford. I 1874. Shropshire Union j £ 164 835 OAJTBUIA.IT RAILWAYS. Approximate return of traffic receipts tor the week ending Dec. 5, 1875. Miles open, 178, Passengers, parce.s &c., ;EllgG; merchandise, minerals, and live stocs, £ 1,834; total for the week, £ 3 030; aggregate roTnQQ°m-enCemerv I CU!r-;nt half-y<*r to this date £ 92,9b3. -ne.pondng week y.ar. Miles open, 178. Passengers, sc., tl.lbs merchandise, &c., £ 1769 *ota! for the week. £ 2,0:>2 aggregate from commencement of the current half-vear to this date, £ 90,940 BUECON AND MEBTBYB RAILWAY (6l'sniies open I_H„ turn of traffic for the Jweek ending Dec. 5, 1375 '—pS sengers, p.ircel3, kc., £ 202 7s. 7d.; goods and live' stock" £ 1,058 3s. 8d.; total, £ 1,260 lis. 3d.; £ 20 13s. 4d rar mile perSweek. Corresponding week last year (61 miles open > —Passengers, parcels, &c., £ 267 10. 6d. goods and live &tock, £1,061 8s. 10,1. total, £1,308 19s. 4d.; £ 21*93. 2d per mil" per -Decrease for this week, £48 83 Id Aggrejate for 23 weoks, 1875, £28 277 18. 31.; ditto, 1874 22671 67 o,. joki. I-'cr«-asp £ 170 0* 5d.

He ilth, Beauty, and Longevity without medicine or excensp bv Da Barry's delicious Kevaleata .Yrahica Food, whicKvIs flftv times its c'»t in medicine, it restores good appetite, peife t digestion, strong nerves sound lungs and liver, refreshing functional regularity and energy, to the most disorder, a or enfeebled adult ..r infant, removing ingestion (dyspepsia), 1 constipation, diarrhoea, bwnorrhouJa. liver complaints, nervousness, billiouscess, all kinds of fevers, sore flT,ailency, coids noises in the keaJ and ears, rheumatism, throats, catarr efty of ttie blood, eruptions, hysteria, gout, lmpuri-ies,j lg]eepiessne3s, I >w spirits, despondency, neuralgia, irritably y> of the heartburn, headache, rri;Thetes cramns, spa-ms, nausea, and vomiting debility, dropsy, diab cough, asthma, bronchitis, con- even in pregnancy, binkW pf the stomacb> between the sumption, scrofula, pa bitter ta-te on waking up, or shoulders, and the feverish or^c _ml) left by tobacco or caused by onions, garlic, a^a c\eu T.rnv.nce 0f Anirnlq drinking, &c. Dr Livingstone dweraang t e P™vmce ot Angola to tli9 Journal of the London Geographical Society mentions the happy state of tin people, who r' ^n 1 unf1 raliii>a nor medicine, their staff of life being the Food, which keeps them perfect! free from di=eas tion, scrofula, cancer, &c., having been sc irce.y h -an 1 S them, nor omall-pox or measles for more tha." Wa extract a few out of SO,000 cures:—No. 0 Marchioness de Prehai, of seven years' liver complaint, wasting away, debility, nervousness, with a nervons palpitation all over, bad digestion, constant s'eeplessness, and the most intolerable nervous agitation.—No. 49,632: Fiftyye rs'izi(lescrib;tb,e,"VonY from dyspepsia, nervousness, asthma, cough, constipation, flatu- jencv spasms, sicknes-, and vottiiting.—Maria Joly. In tins, i lb "L'S 1 lb, 3s 6d; 2 lb, 6:s; 5 lb, 14s 12 lb, 28s; 24 lb, 50s. Also Revalenta BpClllt, packed in tins, lib, 3s 6d, 21b, 6s, 241b, goj >Iav be eaten at ailY time, eIther dryor soaked in chocolate, coffee water, milk, tea, wine, &c. They soothe the ino-t irritable siornachsand nerves, removingn«»n-sea and sickness even in pregnancy or at sea, and heartburn. They improve the appeti'e, assistTlisestion, secure sound refreshing sleep, and are them- gg^Y0s more higtily nouiisijing than^ extract of meat. They are invaluable to pL>rcons in the office, oh the road, rail or at sea, or to any onA who has not the means of cooking the .Revalenta Food.. Also Do Barry's Revalenta Arabiea Chocolate Powder is packed in tin canisters: For 12 cups at 2s, for 21 cups at 3^ 6d, for 48 cup-; at 6a, for 283 cups at 30s, for 576 cups at 55a. Costing about, one penny per cnp. The 28?, «0s, 5os, and 55s tms are sent free of carriage in England on receipt of post office order. The 2s tina j are sent free by post for 251 4d in stamps. Du BARRY and Cc., 77, Regent-street, W., London. No licence required. Agent for Portmadoc—Mr ROBERTS, grocer.

TREFRIW Music —A meeting to promote sacred music was held at Trefriw, near Llanrwt. on Monday evening,Dec. 6th,under the presidency of the Rev. J. J. Roberts, C. M. minister, Trefriw. The conductor was the Rev. T. W. Jones, Peny- groes, and the meeting was considered a success.

BALA. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD INQUIRY. Major Tuilock, Local Government Board Inspector, was occupied four hours at the Town Hall, Bala, on Wednes- day, December 8th, in a conference with the members of the Local Board and ratepayers, regarding the sewerage and water supply of the town. There were present:—Mem- bers of the Local Board, Mr David Morgan, Dr Hughes, Messrs. W. T. Phillip*, J. Peter, J. Jones, D. Evans, D. Rowlands, W. Owen, White Lion Royal Hotel, W. Owen, N. P. Bank, R. Roberts, E. Jones,Mr A.A. Passingham, clerk, Mr R. Woodcock, surveyor, Mr Roberts C.E., Portmadoc. Among others present were:—Messrs O. Richards, M.D., Fronheulog, T. Jones, chemist, J. R. Jones, solicitor, D. Jones, G. Jones, banker, O. Anwyl, Brynygroes, Rev D. Evans, Llanvcil, Rev W. Jenkin, Messrs Thomas Ellis, Henblas, R. M. Roberts, Henblas, F. Parmeter, Brynyraber, D. Janes, surgeon, Corwen, J. B. Jones, Bala, R. Hughes, Tanrhall, J. Parry, grocer, Gomer Evans, chemist, Thomas Jones, Bryn- melyn, Morris, station-master, Jones, Bull's head hotel, L. Williams, Djigdiey, E. Jones, printer, &e. In opening the proceedings the INSPECTOR said that when he was last down at Bala he was under the impression the proposed works were to be carried out, but there now seemed to be some obstruction in the way, and he should be glad to know the facts of it. Dr PRYCE JONES said that he had no wish to censure the Local Board, for he was animated rather by a sentiment of pity towards them, since he did not consider their conduct had been wilful, but as trustees they bad certainly omitted to make themselves acquainted with the provisions of the trust they had to administer, and had so brought themselves to the threshold of the Court of Chancery. l'ill last night it had been a mystery to him how these gentlemen still continued in default," as they had been to his knowledge for more than twenty-five years, though before the Board was formed fifteen years ago, the state of the town was woree than it had been since, as con- siderable efforts had been from time to time made to cleanse the streets—he need not say with what success. The INSPECTOR said he should be glad to know what the Board had done. Dr JONES remarked he should rather have said that with what want of success he need not say. It was a curious puzzle to him the misunderstanding which had arisen between them and the ratepayers as to their duties. The INSPECTOR wanted to be put in possession of the efforts the doctor had referred to. Dr JONES answered that he could only say that there had formerly been open drains about a yard across, and stag- nant ditches, and these did not exist to the same extent now. But no doubt there were those present who could give more definite information. The INSPECTOR desired to get at facts, not mere state- ments. Dr Jones had said considerable efforts were made to clean the streets," and he (the Inspector) wanted to know what had been done. It would be better for Dr Jones to speak of facts within his own knowledge. It was no use for him to appeal to his neighbour (Mr Evan Jones) for the facts. What efforts had been made ? Dr Jones answered that he could not say, but efforts had been made. In the sanitary district he was medical officer of, the Board met the ratepayers from time to time, so that any misunderstanding might be cleared up. Could people wonder, however, that these worthy gentlemen, anxious to do their duty, had failed, when it was discovered that the provisions of the Act of Parliament they had to administer were to a great extent unknown to them-for he had learnt that the members were individually unprovided with the Sanitary Acts. The INSPECTOR said he supposed the Clerk had a copy, and could supply the members at any moment. Dr JONES alluded to the Sanitary Acts generally, as for fifteen years there had scarcely been a year in which some sanitary act had not been passed. There had, furthermore, been a kind of vague impression that the Board had scarcely power to do what was wanted without the order of the Local Government Board. The INSPECTOR said he was to understand, then, that the Bala Local Board knew nothing of their business. Dr JONES said he did not say that. He apprehended that the present proceeding was taken under Clause 299 of the Public Health Act, and he should begin with the second portion, which provided that where an authority had made default" by not providing a supply of water, and where danger arose from insufficient supply or the unwhole3ome- ness of the water, the Local Government Board should step in. The Act, however, stated that the supply should be provided at a reasonable cost," and the second paragraph of the 234th Clause provided what that Cllt was to be. As to sewers, the cost of making them was practically left un- defined, and must be entirely left out of consideration, in proof of which the doctor instanced a judgment by Baron Bramwell against the Worcester Park Company. The INSPECTOR did not understand his point. The cost must. of course, be a consideration. Dr JONES answered that Baron Bramwell had ruled as otherwise. 1he INSPECTOR replied that this was cot a question for a court of law. It was simply a question for the Local Board to decide how much they should spend on a sewerage system. What had Baron Bramwell or any judge got to do with that? A town not Bala-proposed to spend a cer- tain sum of money, say a thousand pounds, on the work, their engineer made a plan, and the work was done. Dr JONES observed that they could not escape from the necessity imposed on them, they must make the sewers. The INSPECTOR could not follow him. He wished to do Dr Jonei's side j iistice, but really he was not en rapport with his mind. Dr JONES said that if the question of cost should arise, then what he was speaking of would be important. Sup- pose their sewage could not be made sufficiently pure to run into the Dee, then an injunction would be laid on them to refrain from pouring it into the river. This would involve increased cost, and what he had just stated would show them what to be prepared for in case of such injunction. He would submit that the default had not been proved in the case of the water. There was abundant evidence that the existing supply was wholesome, that from time immemorial it had been absolutely pure. The bow can you prove that without a series of analyses from time immemorial ? Dr JONES said that old inhabitants could be brought to show that they had never suffered any ill effects, and no case had ever been known of any inhabitants suffering frou-i pollution of the water. Lastly, it had been found by analysis to be absolutely pure. The INSPECTOR—Would you go by that in a town where the water is liable to pollution, would you say in that case no water supply is necessary ? Dr JONES replied that if water was absolutely pure and had always been absolutely pure, and if there was a suffi- cient quantity of is there would be no power to compel the inhabitants to provide another water supply. The water must, by the 75th clause, be proved to be injurious to health, as he knew, being a medical officer, and having hundreds of wells in his district. The INSPECTOR—But you are co r paring yourself, a medi- cal officer, to a Local Board If a Local Board thought it necessary to c irry out works for obtaining a supply of water or other sanitary works they could, with the sanction of tne Local G-overnment Board, do so. TVn rL (?I!E8 ^at that was the point he was coming to. Rala ace We^s Were fraught with danger, but the simnlv LWrtn0t SUrf,ane wells at all-their water was B&ss »»"• whf The INSPECTOR asked if he a«*P..fo,q7K V -t • -i.i for sewage water from open £ M1?T info these wells, for that was th^iT 3 t0 where thQ water came from ? The^rl??3 *?, maUer the water liable to pollution ? Was anv JIn /6?, 7T mercy of a neighbour from the drinking of w f taminated by whose carelessness fever, mi«h? h, £ > COn,' be disseminated through a town. D e out a I)r JONES said that the answer to that was that there was no evidence for years and year,, within the memory of thl present generation, that such a thing ha<! ever ham,^ He could, as a chemist, give evidence that it was absolutelv not li.ible to pollution. The INSPECTOR answered that when he made an analvsis of the water of eveiy well in Bala, he might make such a statement. Coula he really prove they were not liable to Dr JONES said there was no evidence that they were liable to pollution. '1 he INSPECTOR added that the point was not whether they were polluted or not, but whether they were liable to pollution from open drains, cesspools, and ditches contain- ing filthy water. # Dr JONEs-That is an assumption. The INSPECTOR—What is an assumption ? I am assuming ] nothing. I um asking whether wells under these conditions are liable to pollution. Dr Jo-TFs-I do not find thtm so. The INSPECTOR—Under what circumstances, then, would you consider wells liable to pollution ? Dr JONES replied that the wells he considered liable to pollution were generally mere surface wells. They had the entire volume of Bala Lake, which was sufficient to counter- balance the existing things. The INSPECTOR asked if he really put, that forward as his opinion? Dr JONES said that no doubt wells were liable to pollution from any source of sewage which could reach them. The INSPECTOR inquired if a drain or cesspool, then, was not a source from which wells might be polluted? Dr TONES answered that it would be the duty of the Local Board to prevent every possible source of pollution by so^kage or leakage. The INSPECTOR asked how one poor Local Board inspec- tor could look aft^r thirty or forty wells, could go poking his nose into every crevice in Bala. When he himself went round with the Local Board he came to the conclusion that there were great sources of pollution, open ditches, open gutters into which the sewage was flowing, heaps of manure, in fact, a nuisance in almost every street. He had come to the town knowing nothing about the place, but from what he had seen he knew these sources of pollution did exist. Dr JONES said that the present water supply was abso- lutely pure. This had been established by analysis from two pumps. The INSPECTOR—From how many sources is Bala sup- plied ? Dr JONES-I don't know. The INsPEcroR-Bllt from the analysis of the water from there pumps you would not ^ay all in j?ala are pure ? Dr JONES admitted he would not, and he had repeatedly desired the Board to have this cleared up. To examine the water from every pump, however, would be to go to almost an unjustifiable expense. The INSPECTOR supposed that, as a medical man, he would admit thar, from two or three wells sickness and fever might be carried through the district. Dr JONES said that even as things were there had been no fever, and by arrangements they could make the probability of pollution would be ieduced to nil. As to the sufficiency of the water, there was abundant evidence. The INSPECTOR supposed he would admit a Behem-, was necessary. Dr JONES admitted it was necessary to cleanse the place of all filth; and it might, be necesiary for this purpose to pump up water, or fetch it down by gravitation. The INSPECTOR hardly thought he would propose that this should be done simply to cleanse the sewers. Dr JONES merely mentioned it as a question for the con- sideration of the Local Board. As to the stream whence it was proposed to take the water for the town, it always used to be dry for mouths in the summer, and he believed it was so still. Besides, the water was dangerously soft. Nos. 1 and 3 (pump water) of the bottles fubmitted to analysis by Mr Evan Jones had been found to be perfectly pure, whereas No. 2 (water from the stream) contained organic matter, was nearly the same as untiltered water from the Thames at Hampton Court, [I'he result of analysis has already been given in the Cambrian News of September 17th.] The analysis and the duplicates almost exactly corresponded. No. 2, in fact, was unfit for a potable. As a chemist, he was of opinion that this analysis gave the general character of the water. He quoted the evidence of Earl Grey's commission,against soft water, and especially commented on its danger when the universal use of lead pipes was considered, and referred to the poisoning of the French royal family at Claremont, and ot a whole town near Whitby through soft water. The INSPECTOR said his opinion was different from that of others of his profession. lie had always understood en- gineers and medical men to be in search of soft water. As to lead it should only be used in the portion of the pipes in the house. Dr JONES—But there are the cisterns. The INSPECTOR- that is a matter entirely for the people who use them. Besides, why should they store it all; the Local Board might supply the water constantly. Dr JONES said he wanted a harder water than that the Board wished to supply. The INSPECTOR asked where the Board was to get the water except that which fell from the hills unless they pumped it from a well. Dr JONES remarked that on the opposite side of the valley there was water of a wonderfcl Duntv. The INSPECTOR answered that the water it was proposed to supply was pure-they need not go further to seek purity. They had this testimony from Dr Erankland, one of the most eminent chemists in England, and this analysis ought to be received wi th great satisfaction inasmuch as the water was drawn, he believed, in presence of the chairman and several members of the Local Board. There c uld bo no suspicion about that at all. Dr Frankland had said that the water was potable, of excellent quality for dietetic pur- poses, and well adapted for washing. The sample" as turbid, and if such was its natural condition filtration through sand would be necessary. Dr JONES said that nothing could be more confirmat ry of the truth of his argnm<>nt.. b. tbia turbidity. -> be water was not fit to drink unless filtered through the sai d. The INSPECTOR asked what reason he had to believe hø water on the other side of tho hill would be harder ? Dr JONES replied that there was not so much peat. HE was not advocating hardness in water, but showiug his cis- approval of peaty matter in the water. The INSPECTOR—But here is Dr Frankland's opinion di- rectly contrary to yours. Dr JONEs-He says it requires filtration before drinkin" and therefore he agrees witlI us. No doubt the discrepancy between the two analjses is caused by Dr Frankland having allowed the water sent by the Board time to settle. The INSPECTOR—But that would be the case in a reser- voir; it would settle for months there. Dr JONES replied that if the sample was kept on hand some time the organic matter would disappeM--an analysis, indeed, of water which had been kept was of compara- tively little value. Thames water became perfectly pure by a sea voyage. He argued that to make it safe for the country the water should, however, be filtered through sand He admitted that the Local Board was in default as to the removal of excreta. The INSPECTOIEL-Yoll admit that the liquid sewage must be taken away. Dr JONEs-Yes. The INSPECTOR—Then, that sewers must be made. Dr JONES was not sufficient of an expert to say what should be done. The INSPECTOR-It seems to me, then, you grant any- thing. The Local Board are at one with you there. Dr JONES would be very loth to have any system of closed sewers in connection with houses. He objected to them on account of the decomposition and generation of gas, and should strongly dissuade the local authority from any system of the kind. He would advocate open drains. The INSPECTOR said he surely would not advocate open drains in Bala. Dr JONES would do so, as they got a better fall that way. The INSPECTOR asked how they expected to attract visitors to Bala if they had open drains? Why, their visitors would leave them as soon as come when they found open gutters in which the refuse flowed open through the streets How could they expect people, who found every convenience in other towns, to stay in Bala under such conditions ? To put it vulgarly, the people of Balli. would be cutting their own throats. To get visitors to Bala the town should be made clean and thoroughly sanitary. He could not under. stand anybody in the present day, really advocating open drains-why the depreciation in the value of the property in consequence of the nuisance would be very great. Dr JONES said it would be incumbent to see there was no stagnation. And, moreover, the drains need not be open in the streets-they might have gratings over them. The INSPECTOR replied that immediately he went to the gratings he went to underg'ound sewers, which was what the Local Board proposed to carry out. A mischievous person could block any open drain up, and how was an in- spector to prevent this ? Dr JONES remarked that a brook could be made to run down them, which would be rather pleasant than otherwise. Or the water might be brought up from the lake by a'donkey engine. The INSPECTOR said that the matter had been talked over when he came firt to Bala and the Board agreed to leave it in the hands of an engineer. The reservoir bad an obvious advantage over what Dr Jones proposed, as there was the money to ba expended for maintenance-for coals every day and for a man to look after the engine. Dr JONES said that as far as the water was concerned he saw no objection to the present water, and, besides, if the Local Board did make a reservoir, they could not stop up a well. The INSPECTOR said they could if it was proved unwhole- some, and all knew the practical result of affordigg people the advantage of having the water iu their own houses. Dill he wish underground sewtrs? Dr JONES said he did not except in so far as they must be underground in crossing streets. Underground severs were hkely to leak. The INSPECTOR answered that in the case of properly- constructed sewers it would be known at once where they leaked. Dr JONES remarked that his experience was that on taking up old drains the ground was soaked with sewage. The INSPECTOR repeated that that was because the sewers were badly put down. The doctor's opinion as regarded sewers was against the whole profession of builders. Sanitary pipes, glazed inside, impermeable and unenterable by rats, were what to use. Dr JONES said that the matter might freeze in the pipes. The INSPECTOR said that experience showed that sewage was warmer than the atmospheie, so that that would not be likely the case. EVAN JONES, builder, detailed what he had done in the way of forwarding samples of water. He said be had taken on August 30, samples from the Llanycil Brook, the Castle- street pump, on the north side of the town, and his own pump on the south side. They were taken under great pressure of time, and so he did it by himself. They were sealed and given to Dr Pryce Jones. The bottles were rinsed with rainwater from a pail. There was no tamper- ing possible. The INSPECTOR pointed out how much better it would have been to have taken the samples in the presence of several persons, as the Board had done. Mr EVAN JONES said he had not taken the samples for public purnoses, but only to satisfy his own mind. Dr JONES Raid that as soon as the result was known he had advised the people to have fresh samples taken, and had written to the Local Board on the subject. Mr W. T. PHILLIPS said that a communication had last Friday been placed before the Board. Mr EVAN JONES admitted he had been asked to send fresh samples, but complained that all the expense of this fell on himself, whereas the Local Board expenses came out of the rates, which was unfair. The INSPECTOR questioned Dr Jones whether he thought Mr Evan Jones's samples were really samples oa which any public body could be justified in acting. I Dr JONES said he had the fullest conviction of their genuineness, and, in answer to a further question, asserted that he would still have written the letter to the Local Government Board which he had written bad he known, as he did not, the full circumstances under which tile water was taken, There should be another analysis to clear the matter up. The INSPECTOR asked through whose default this had not been done. Dr JONES replied that it was that of his friend, Mr Evan Jones. Mr EVAN JONES did not think he was called on to give the expense or trouble to the matter which he was asked to give. Mr ROBERTS, engineer, Portmadoc, in answer to a ques- tion, said the aiea of the watershed for the reservoir was half a mile each way, and the rainfall at Trawsfynydd, the nearest point at which it had been guaged, was eighty inches, of which the Board would be able to get twenty- five inches. The Rev. D. EVANS, Rector of Llanycil, who was pressed to give his evidence, wished it to be understood he did not appear as a partizan. He lived close to the spct, and his experience was that though a great quantity of water passed down in winter there was but little in summer. He had bteu obliged to go to the lake for water to wash his sheep. (Applause.) In 1868 it was dry for two months, and people from Bryntegid. &c., were obliged to come to therectory well-St. Benuo's well. Where were the bottles of the Local Board rinsed ? (" They were rinsed in the stream.") —(Mr Evan Jones So were mine, three or four times.)- And what spot did they take the water from ? Why at the confluence of the brook from Moel-garnell with that from Gwastadros, but for the reservoir they meant to take the water above the confluence. Mr PHILLIPS said that the Moel Garnell brook would be turned away. The Rev. D. EVANS said that one stream was impure and the other was not. The INSPECTOR said that as the samples had been found to be pure, it could not be made worse by turning away one confluent. The Rev. D EVANS said there was not enough of water there to supply the whole of Bala. The INSPECTOR said the rev. gentleman went by the daily flow, but according to this there was hardly a stream in England which would do for a reservoir. The way was to store the water in floods, and distribute it in dry weather. Manchester, Liverpool, and other large towns would fare very badly if this could not be done. The Rev. D. EVANS said he was personally concerned in the matter, as the reservoir would be above his house, and all had heard of reservoirs bursting, and of the Sheffield and other calamities. The INSPECTOR-This, then, is your objection. "Hinc illse lachrymae." (Laughter.) The Kev. D. EVANS (to the Inspector, who went on taking notes)—You need not take the trouble of putting that down. I said I was personally concerned. (Laughter.)— He had never heard anyone complain of the water being impure or scarce, but he thought the Local Board might have been more active in cleansing the streets from the heap3 of manure and other nuisances which could be seen in the streets. The INSPECTOR said this showed the Local Board was not acting hurriedly. Mr THOMAS JONES, chemist, said that if the Local Board would enquire of any farmers about the place they would very sooa be satisfied. He had known Llanycil twenty- five years, and money thrown any on this scheme would be lost. (Applause.) The. area was two small. The INSPECTOR said he was told that ten million gallons were available, and that eighty inches was the rain fall. Mr T. JONES said it might be on the Festiniog hills, but was not at Llanycil. The average in the town of Bala was not more than fifty-six inches, and in the summer months when water was most wanted there would be none to be had. The INSPECTOR asked him if he knew how other towns were supplied. Mr JONES said through pumps. The INSPECTOR answered that there were hundreds of large towns in England supplied simply through water col- lected from the surface. Mr JONES sai 1 that what was got from the Bab. wells was far better than anything filtered, or unfiltered, from the Llanycil brook. No town in Wales suffered so little from fevers as Bala. The water was within eight feet of the surface everywhere. Mr J. R. JONES, soli-itor, did not know what the scheme was, and he could not get to knw the details. He had -been told that the level of the outfall was below the level ot the river, which they knew was liable to floods. Many ratepayers thought the members of the Local Board were desirous to throw a frightful expense on the town. The INSPECTOR replied that the Local Board had only acted because they could not help themselves. Mr ROBERTS admitted that the floods would affect the outfall, but said there was a method of preventing this. The INSPECTOR remarked that all these details would be afterwards fully gone into. Mr J. R. Jones would admit that there must be drains of some sort ? Mr J. R. JONES was afraid they were absolutely neces- sary, and be did not think they conld be opexi drains, thotgh he would prefer th«M. Places previously free from disease were now, since they had had closed drains, reeking with fever. He presumed it was desired to improve the health of Bala, but what did the town suffer from ? There had not been a single death from fever, nor was there any diarrhoea or filth disease, while Dolgelley, which had been properly sewered, suffered from these diseases. The INSPECTOR could give hundreds of cases the other way. What was the consensus of opinion among medical men and the engineering profession? Mr J. R. JONES Suggested delay, as many towns were proceeding with costly experiments, and in a short time a better method would be found out. The INSPECTOR replied that these experiments had refer- ence to the outfall works. There must be drains. Mr J. R. JONES thought they might be going too fast when a little delay would be of advantage. The INSPECTOR had heard the same argument 20 years ago. Dr JONES said it was not too soon to get rid of the liquid sewage, but for the solid he preferred the dry earth system. Mr EVAN JONES then described the state of Arenig, Castle, and Tegid-streets, an declared himself against un- derground sewers, and for ones on a level with the streets. The INSPECTOR declared that it was out of the question that the Local Government Board or Local Board could lend their countenance to a system of open sewers. Mr EVAN JONES did not advocate open sewers through- out the whole town. The INSPECTOR said it would be unfair net to give the same conveniences to all. Mr EVAN JONES said he wished to comply with the Sani- tary Acts. The INSPECTOR said he would show him what the Acts said, and read the clause, laying down that, on complaint baing made to the Local Government Board, of the Local Board being guilty of default, such as Mr Price and Mr Williams had made, the Local Government Board should make an order fixing the time within which the Local Board should perform the necessary work, such order to be enforced by mandamus, and the expense, and a reasonable remuneration for the person appointed to see that the work was done, should come out of the rates. A town in E-33, x bad been served this way on declining to carry out sanitary works. Was it not better for Bala to do the work itself than to have the Local Government Board stepping in ? Mr EVAN JONES asked what the default was? The INSPECTOR replied that it was the want of sewers and the judge was the Local Board. Mr EVAN JONES said he was for sewers, but not for underground ones, and he was speaking the voice of the majority of the ratepayers of Bala. Dr JONES, on leaving, took occasion to deny it had been his intention to speak against having any system of sewers at all. Nothing had been further from Lis intention than to obstruct the Local Board. Dr RICHARDS thought the water from the pumps suf- ficiently pure for all household purposes. Dr JONES said that if there was any suspicion in any case he would make an analysis free of expense. The INSPECTOR suggested deferring the question of water supply. Mr OWEN, the Lion, instanced two pumps which were polluted. Mr EVAN JONES denied that he was in favour of surface drains altogether. He knew a well which, for fifty years, had been within ten. yards of a cesspool, and was not liable to pollution, because it had never been pollute J. In answer to the Inspector he said there might be a dozen other wells with cesspools within ten yards of them. The INSPECTOR said that in face of this fact he really could not come to any other opinion than that the water supply of Bala was liable to pollution, and he should with- draw what he had said about delaying this question. Mr T. JONES said there were very few pumps in Bala, of which the water was used for domestic purposes, which were anything like so near cesspools. Mr EVAN JONES said that the dry earth system would prevent pollution. THE INSPECTOR said that the Board were not bound to adopt any particular system, but, speaking as an individual, he was in favour of water closets, of which he pointed out the advantages, and instanced their general use in hotels. Resolutions which were passed at meetings the previons evening, and which appear below, were then presented to the Inspector. Iii. concluding the inquiry Major Tullock ran over the history of the proceedings since the first complaint three years ago. He praised the conduct of the Local Board, who had not wished to burden the ratepayers, but, when a clear case was placed before them, had seen, like able and sensible men, that sanitary works were nec-f&ary. After the resolutions which had been come to, could.: the Local Board and the Local Government Board so utterly stultify themselves as to come to the conclusion that no works were necessary ? It wai puerile to transact business in this wav. The sewage scheme should, he thought, be submitted, as soon as ready, to the Local Government Board, and the Local Board certainly should not stop short of obtaining a supply of water under pressure. He did not, in fact, think they should bark back at all. This ended the inquiry. At a public meeting the previous evening, Mr J. R. Jones, solicitor, in the chair, the following resolutions were passed :— That the ratepayers do not wish to condemn or find fault with the Bala Local Board." That we as ratepayers pr-y that the Bala Local Board will delay proceedings with their schemes of sewerage and water supply until we exhaust other modes of dealing with these questions, and that the Local Board urge the Inspec- tor of the Local Government Board to allow us time to test other methods of dealing with excreta." That inasmuch as we have not been found in default as to our water supply, the Loeal Board be requested to con- I sider the undesirability of procuring any additional supply of water for drinking purposes." That the Bala water being now good the Local Board be requested to adopt all possible means to prevent its being polluted."

TOWYN RENT AUDIT DINNER. About ninety persons, including invited guests and tenants, sat down on Wednesday afternoon, December 8th, to the Xnysymaengwyn rent audit dinner, which had been carefully prepared by Mr Thomas Seaton, late of Bala, the new landlord of the Corbet Arms Hotel. The catering was very good and such as fully sustained the prestige of the hostelry under its late veteran proprietor. The dingy room in the so-called town hall was tastefully decorated by Mr beaton, who also lighted the room. Interesting as these occasions have been for the tenants and their friends in the past, an additional interest was attached to the present audit on account of the presence of Mr Charles Elliott, whose recent appointment as a resident agent of the Ynys- ymaengwyn estate has given general satisfaction which is likely to be maintained and increased by that gentleman's genial and obliging manner. The chair wa occupied, in the unavoidable and regretted absence of A J. S Corbet Esq., by Mr Charles Elliott, and the vice-ennirs by Mr Adam Hunt and Mr R G. Price. There were aho present the Rev. Titus Lewis, Vicar of Towyn, Mr W. Parry, Fen. DrJ. Ff. Jones, Dr D. R. Pughe, Machynlleth, Messrs Owtn Daniel, L. Gwynu Price, London, G. D Burdet' Aberystwyth, W. Rees, J. Jones, Neptune Hall' W. W. Jones, Edward Watkins. Penllvn. .Tohn Jones, London House, Edwin Jones, Towyn A.cademv J. H. Jones, timber merchant, Aberdovev, the Rev G! Evans, Cynfal, Messrs Evan Newell, "Escuan, John Roberts, Tyddyn berllan, Griffith Jones, Gwyddlebynydd, R. Roberts, sen, Towyn, John Daniel, Carthie, John Pricj Dol^och, D. Lloyd, Henddu, John Morgans, Ysguborian, &c., &0. Grace was said before meat by the Rev. Titus Lewis and after by the Rev. Griffiths Evans, Cynfal. The cloth having been removed, The CHAIRMAN gave the healths of her Majesty the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Famity. The toasts were loyally honoured. The Vicar of TOWYN proposed the health of Mr Corbet and deeply regretted his unavoidable absence from the meet- ing. (Applause) The CHAIRMAN responding on behalf of Mr Corbet, thanked the assembly greatly for the very enthusiastic manner they had drank Mr Corbet's health. He had been caused a great deal of uneasiness at not being able to at- tend the meeting which he at oy' e time hoped to be able to do. (Hear, hear.) He had sent a telegram saying that he would be detained in London some time longer, and consequently he was not able to carry out his intention of being present, and of sittting at the head of the tible on the present occasion. (Applause.) The CHAIRMAN said he was sure the meeting would re- ceive the next toast with a great amount of pleasure. He was about to ask them to drink their own healths— (laughter)-the tenants of the Ynysymaengwyn estate. He had been among them only a short time, and what he had seen had given him great satis- faction. On all occasions he had been re- ceived with the greatest possible kindness. He hoped to be able at another meeting to deal more particularly with what he had seen, and to tell them better what he thought of them. He was exceedingly pleased now to be able"to say that in business matters he had always been met in the most honourable and straightforward manner -(her, hear,) —and when he said that he said a great deal. He should therefore at present simply content himself with proposing the healths of the tenantry of the Ynysymaengwyn Estate, coupled with the name of Mr Robert Roberts. Mr ROBERTS responded in a humourous speech, in which he referred to the fact that he had attended the rent audit for the last sixty years, during which time he had seen many changes. He was now pleased to know that they had a resident landlord as well as a resident agent. (Loud cheers.) n Mr W. PARRY said he had been present at similar occasions for the last forty years, and had during that period the honour of proposing the toast to the health of the agent of the Ynysymaengwyn Estate, but never before had he so great pleasure in doing so as on the present oc- casion. (Hear, hear.) For the first time in his life he had row to propose the health of a resident agent of the Ynysymaengwyn Estate. (Hear, hear.) As there was also a resident landlord at the present time there was every prospect that the estate would greatly prosper in the future. (Applause.) The CHAIRMAN rose to respond. He thanked the tenants greatly for the kind manner they bad drunk his health, and Mr Parry for the kind words in which he proposed it. As he had told them before he had only been living among them a short time but he trusted that he should have the pleasure of meeting them again on many similar occasions. (Applause). In all the important mat- sers which he had had to conduct, he had hitherto met with so great kindness, and the assistance he had received bad been so satisfactory that he should, in return, be always ready to give his best attention to the most trivial matters connected with the welfare of the tenants and of the estate. (Applause). They would not have far to go to seek his Ofmawl ho sfeu>olcL ba Since he had been living among them he had noticed that there were many things in the town that he thought had been somewhat neglected. He was far from saying that the neglect was wilful or the result of carelessness. He referred to the building on the beach—(cheers)—and hoped it would be soon in progress. It would not be his fault if the build- ing was delayed, for he should do all he possibly could to promote it, as well as several other matters which were likely to greatly advance the value of the estate. (Ap- plause). He then proposed "Prosperity to the town and trade of Towyn," coupling with the toast the name of Mr W. W. Jones, as one of the oldest inhabitants of the town. (Cheers). Mr W. W. JONES said he was the oldest shopkeeper in Towyn, and consequently he bad seen a great many changes in the town. He regarded the recent appointment of a resident agent, as one of the best changes that had taken place within his knowledge, and he believed the change would result in the prosperity of the town in every sense. (Cheers). One of the great drawbacks to the pros- perity of the town was that a great deal of money bad been spent out of the town, that could reasonably be expended at home. What was wanted was the outlay of capital in promoting the building of houses, and the erection of pub- lic works, as well as the opening out of mines and quarries by which money would be drawn into the neighbourhood. (Hear, hear). He was pleased to see that there were advances now being made in those directions, and he hoped they would be successful, and that the number of projects would be increased. He thanked the chairman for his kindness in proposing the toast, and for coupling with it his (the speaker's) name. t> Mr NEWELL said he had to propose the toast to the health ol a gentleman who W is very closely connected with the Ynysymaengwyn estate, and in doing so he might mention that although he could not pride himself like Mr Roberts at sitting sixty years at the rent audit table, or for y years like Mr Parry, but for only fourteen or fifteen years, yet during that time he could bear out the remarks that had been male respecting a |andloid and non- resident agent. The tout that he had to propose w;ts that to a gentleman who had resided on the estate while other aeienfs had been changed. He was still there with the new resident agent and it must be said, and he knew all would agree with it, that the tenants of the; Y nysym"engwn estate had been dealt with as men of honour, andVey felt that such would be the case in the future (Auolau J'\ The gentleman whose health he (Mr Newell) was about to propose had never forgotten the tenant's interest, and while advocating that had likewise borne in mind that of the landlord. (Hear, he ir.) The name of that f-cntieirrn w Air Benjamin Richards. (Loud cheers.) He was a middle man who was too honourable to interfere with the indi- vidual rights of the tenants. (Chfets.) Mr BENJAMIN RICHARDS said he had been completely taken by suiprise. He had been enjoying a dinner in another room with a select company—(laughter)—and directly he came into that halt he heard his name mentioned, and had seen bin tospt so favourably recti ved. It was about fifteen years since he fiist saw Towyn, during which time he had been made so comfortable among the Ynysy. maengwyn tenautry that he should be happy to go on another fifteen year, (Laughter.) He hoped that their respected landlord, tlle .gent, and all the tenantry, as well as the people of Towyn, wuuld enjoy prosperity and happi- ness f. tr a long time to come. (Applause.) Dr D. R. PUGHE said the present was not the first time he had had a toast to propose, although not in that room, but on an occasion of that sort. (A Voice Not the last' I hope.") But there was something very peculiar about this time. On the last occasion it was by daylight, but now it was by night light. (Loud Laughter.) [Night lights werf, burning on the table ] Of course they would put it all down to the weather, whether or not. (Laugh er.) The toast he had to propose was tlut to the health of the ladies. (Cheers.) While the meeting was held at Tow., n he outd not help calling upon Mr R. G. Price to respond on their behalf. (Laughter.) Mr R. G. PRICE briefly responded. The CHAIRMAN then gave the toast of The Press," ob- serving that he bad never seen more faiihful reporting than in the local journals, or better got-up papers. He coupled with the toast the name of Mr W. K. Hall. Mr W. R. HALL responded on behalf of the Cambrian News. Mr PARRY gave The host and hostess," which was acknowledged by Mr Seaton. The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of the two Vice- Chairmen, Mr Hunt and Mr R. G. Price, and said they had fulfilled the duties of their office in an admirable manner. (Cheers.) The toast was acknowledged by Messrs Hunt and R. G. Price. The CHAIRMAN then proposed Unr next merry meet- ing," after which the company sefarateci, having enjoyed a few boll entettaiument.

GORRESPONDEN j AN ARBITRATION^CASE. t SIB,—Your readers will probably recollect last we brought an action in the Aberystwyth G°aue f if a»ainst Mr David Watkins, mason, to reenver j^LlI £ 5 2s 4d, being balance for excavating ft' M street. At the trial Mr Watlcina stated that t excavating was seven shillings per yard, and not lings and sixpence as sworn to by us three" jf lengthened hearing the Judge adjourned the ca«e fV following court, and directed proceedings for P, taken against us upon the testimony of the deftJV *A his wife, lhe charge of perjury brought agfi'l9,kil>Vy similar charge brought by us against Mr subsequently dismissed by the borough afterwards mutually agreed between Mr ourselves to withdraw the case from the jur'0t« V the County Court Judge, and to refer the men ryhf) w0uld pa'iently hear both sides, and decide between us. We accordingly signed sf]uf appointing Mr Peter Jones, merchant, named Mr David Williams, architect named by Mr i J arbitrators, who afterwards received evidence, a /j full and fair hearing to both parties. Jg, I' We called before arbitrators Jenkin important witness, who, for some reason "T r;u £ Aberystwyth a'week or more before the f County__Court action, whereby we were unable t birr., ana it was only upon athreat that an °T^elig Queen's Bench would be obtained, that he gave » before the arbitrators. This person has for yearh>gr/ occasionally employed by Mr Watkins. We «rr Jenkin Richards that he should join us a* partI?ng i° out the contract, at d h^ called upon Mr Wa.tk,n J tain the terms undf-r which worked. *J Below we give you an ex'rnct from his A before the arbitrators, Jenkin Richards (s^°r /I that he had arranged svith Daniel, John fr.e'jf I to join them in partnership. Two or three rW1 he called upon Mr David Watkins, and a rf was to oin th» contr ctors and be replied be t'f /'f V'i he was giving 5s a y *H for P>er-sireet. and T* street." The arbitrates unanimously, and j'l in the aid of an umpire, found in our favour- ,<n rected that David Watkins should pay to U-q bpinsr the full cl-<im made by us for i £ 3 2s for costs. Mr Watkins has paid Yours, &c., JOHN | „ D^NiEt r J g. A LEWIS l'rOI Prime) by R. £ 1. VENULES; and Published for VJ at the dwelliug.h'Mi-, ,.f JACOB JONES, Higb-8tr,0Ut>^K the county of Meri. neth: of JOHN GIBSON, Aberystwyth, ir. t>c county of Cir liw. and ol u Portmadoo, in the county ot Carnarvon. Friday, December 10th, 181

PWLLHELI IRREGULARITY OF THE TRAINS.—A correspond-AT, WH-ISE communication was crowded out last week, writes.—There are lond complaints in Pwllheli and the district around, of the serious want of punctuality in the running of the trains on the London and North Western Kailway between Car- narvon and Afonwen. Ou the 12th, 13ch, and IGčh Nov., the last train from Carnarvon was so late that when it arrived at Afonwen, the Cambrian Railway train was gone to Pwllheli, and scores of people had to walk home as well as thpy cjuld, for there ate no houses where peopie might get lodgings, nor any cars to hire. What a great inconve- Dience must this unpunctuality have caused to women, children, and old people generally. In the evening of the 16th November the train which ought to have left Carnar- von at 710 p. Til., did not start until 7.55., and as if they could not annoy and inconvenience people enough, there was a stoppage of twenty minutes at Penygroes to wait for another train. When the train arrived at Afonwen, the Pwllheli train was gone, and there were about forty people there, some of whom had to go far beyond Pwllheli, and others to Portmadoc. There was one woman with a b iby in a'ms who wanted to go to Festiniog that night, her husband having made arrangements to meet her with a conveyance at Portmadoc. She had not a farthing in her possession, and her case excited great compassion. These bad arrangements are cruel. It would be impossible to drop a lot of people down at a more inconvenient and in hospitable spot than Afonwen, and it is to be hoped that the authorities of the London and North Western Railway will, without delay, remedy these irregularities."

PWLLHELI COUNTY COURT. (Dec. 7th, before Homersham Cox, Esq., Judge.) There were only some fourtetn .ca''Ps t-nter-d for hearing, and there was only one of public interest. CATTLE KILLED ON THE RAILWAY. Robert Thomas v. The Londsm and North- Western Railway Company. This was an adjourned case, in which plaintiff sought to recover damages to the amount of JE40, being the value of four head of cattle killed at a level crossing on defendants' line near Ynos station, on the 12th of March last. Mr J. H, Jones, Portma.dos, appeared for plaintiff, and Mr Preston for defendants. The case for the plaintiff had been completed at the previous court, and Mr Preston now opened the case on behalf of the com- pany. He observed that it had been urged on behalf of the plaintiff that the accident had been caused by negligence on the part of the Company's servants-from carelessness shown in the high speed at which the train was running, aud negligence on the part of the stationmaster at Ynys, who ought to ascertained that the level crossing in n was clear before altering the sknals to allow the pass. On the Carnarvon side of Yny3 Station on the b don and North Western Railway there was a level j, the private property of the plaintiff. On the 12oh of g{ ♦ last plaintiff was endeavouring to drive eighteen be.a. 0f cattle across the line from his farm to the opposite s.idrf>j the railway, and he (Mr Preston) submitted that it an ill-advised step that one man alone should &id driving eighteen cattle across the railway, since, under circumstances he must, in a great measure, leave take their own course, and if any accident had bappf the occupants of the passenger train nearly due, his carelessness, he would, in all probability, have himself liable to the charge of manslaughter. Mr produced plans of that parr, of the railway which „hdtl to Ynys Station, showing the position of the three sem?rA signals, also of the level cro33ins aud the farm-house > recapitulated the facts of the case. This proved produced plans of that parr, of the railway which „hdtl to Ynys Station, showing the position of the three sem?rA signals, also of the level cro33ins aud the farm-house > recapitulated the facts of the case. This proved driver was not to blame. Mr J. H. J ones, plaintiff's solicitor, contended tb^,1$ much as tbe stationmaster did not ascertain b* crossing was clear before the train wa3 allowed to V8S' was guilty of gross negligence. tjoJ' Mr Preston replied that it was no part of the 3^ I master's duty to look after the private crossing. Mr Jones called the attention of the court to ment of Rowlands, in which he said that he had the stationmaster on the unusually high speed of the stationmaster's reply being that that engiDe always drove fast. 1 Mr Preston observed that the speed was not e%e \i< seeing that it was a special train, and that there *aV2eJ>^ limiting the speed. After refesring to the law of neg%M he said that on .the day in question, plaintiff s^, eighteen cattle across the company's line and it wl he had his hand on the flank of one of the alliog' "to were killed. He believed plaintiff was not 100b J ascertain whether the train was coming tbroug 'ce tD'j knew it was its time. It would be shown in evid«", j, at the gate he had just passed through be W. seen several hundred yards towards Afonwen, chosen to look. It:had been stated that the statippd$ and Rowlands heard the whistle, and he mainta1" the old man might have heard it too..A Mr Jones pointed out that Rowlands said he heard the whistle. His Honour observed that the fact of the wb. j/ being heard would not be proof of it3 not h^fti sounded. But Rowlands said he ran out aud beØ whistle. Mr J. H. Jones said it was admitted that the should have seen the cattle some time before u them..J Mr Preston contended that it was self-evident them, It that Mr Preston contended that it was self-evident driver was in great danger, and the instinct of vation would make him avoid running iuto tUeiii. Jjtlfj were no other reasons to influence him he$o'!? avoid it for the sake of his own safety. It had ^eeI1g it>eu that he actually tried to stop the train, and it J dence that he ran on only twenty-five yards be? topr, crossing where the accident took place, before be the train.. Mr J, H. Jones said the train went on for beyond the scene of the accident, and then cawe J within 25 yards..( Mr Preston, addressing himself to the damages, said the company admitted that tle espo claimed as damages, supposing the company to D «ji'. sible, was reasonable. He maintained that this -0iPuj portant case, not only for the railway company, out their duties in reference to the public, bllt giP^Jl to the public also, to the occupants of these cro« disclosing to them their responsibility. He m witnesses on behalf of the company. e are Jonathan Ward, surveyor, proved having Fr J plans produced in court.. William Pritchard said he was an engine dri^'D^V bv the London and North-Western Railway C1''1', he & M resided at Carnarvon. On the 12th March >J the train in question from Afonwen to Car»a%iii name of his father was David Hughes. Tbe „ce Afonwen at 11,5 a.m. On approaching the ded J at Ynys Station he saw it at danger, and be s°"e fj whistle from the Rhoslan Crossing to within \o*eM of the signal off Ynys Station, when the sign^ t&'L# then the home signal was also lowered, and »itec frofyi stop aud start signal. He was going at the rate to 35 miles an hour. After passing the dist»°ce' & U went at thirty miles an hour. As saw the distance signal up at he shut off steam and slackened speed. &e. & distance signal was about 440 yards from the As he was approaching the home signal, tbO "Ootb lowered-in fact the three were lowered, one to 4tet After he passed Ynyø station he saw, froul 30.00diO in front of him, four cows on the line. He, jj'e shut off steam, and told his mate to put on tae tbf A he himself reversed the engine. Ili he 11:1 oø man close to the flanks of one. of ta. 0t m In fact, he had his hand on .the cfceVj of them, and that animal 4twas only about a yard off it. Qf cGurse, as ^P,^SaS%o^ animals on the line, he tried to stop as qulcklJM for the sake of his ownTife, if there was no for doing so, as it was a great risk -'or him. ee.dM gested that he was going at an extraordinary sLyr' rate of forty miles an hour, but the rate was an hour. 6M By his Honour—The train ran J, sixty yards after pacing the scene ot J dent and he immediately returned He did not say anything to Rowlands that \or Rowlands declared positively that he that he had not seen the cattle at all. He ».e$J him that he found that something had bf300 with the engine, and that he returned to discove of it. David Hughes, fireman, and Owen Ellis, brea j gave evidence. (w William lones said he was the stationm*9 o0 tb0,^ station, on the company's line. He was on ^,1^D8st March. Was at his office at twenty minute9 \>e$^ that day, and Rowlands was there with hini.. Dtio"'$ of the train coming from Afon Wen called bis a ^aji^jf he went on the platform. The signals sel- J train. Having looked up and down tbe ii „ce' °$ were clear, and found that it was, be P*'1 V? t *Tt il. down, and also the home and the stop and sw t„ which it took him about half & Rowlands went up to him about a n5' wards. Could not see the train as it f tance signal,but saw it a quarter of a mile oS- j berf remarked to him how fast tbe train wa- going, Ta''j noK, > plied Yes just the same we used to go." P'r l.owiands that the driver bid be n in trouble t ^,1 a- His attention was called to cattle eP by Rowlands calling out that some cattle had which was after the train had passed the s J ness immediately went up to the farm .1 The engine was just returning. Witness a ..ur,, I Rowlands speak to any of the inen, and J must have heard him if he' did. He ff- Ynys Station for four years, -and wa quaihted with ^he private level question. Tbe stop( &id stait signal was clo? bef'jn signal made a noise when it was moved, so t hear-it from the station. From his known- crossing, he thought tbe whistle should heard'there. He. was sure that he looked an o0o^ if' line f.o see if it was clear, and was sure there wa.s.0g C tion on it when he looked.—There was not"1 crossing. 0(j Though the witnesses seemed pretty well g train ran only sixt.J^ yards after running int° 1 ftf" Cime out in cross-examination that, tho distant J considerably more. The" case ^as further adjourned to the FdbrlIu0t') where His Honour will hear the advocates OU argue the^natter. <