The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

DINA8 MAWDDWY ATROCITIES. Srn,-Dium Mawddwy atrocities are doomed never to end, at least not in this generation. The policeman seems to have an unpleasant time ..f it. Last week two persons met, and had a quarrel and a tight;, to the annoyance of aeigbbours, who were disturbed late at night. It appears that the persons thus creating a disturbance were brothers. The quarrel and fighting took place in the house of one of the brothers, who blamed and reported the "poor bobby "for not interfering to take his own brother in charge. It is to be hoped the Chief Constable did not censure the policeman, whose duty does not lie in private houses, and whose in- terference between brothers- might have as disagreeable consequences as interference between man and wife.-I MH. &c., BARLEY GRIT. SIR,—A few evenings ago a serious affray occurred here between two brothers, who may well be distinguished by the title of "erring brothers," ond whose eccentricities in their various ways are the source of considerable annoy- ance to their more peaceful neighbours. The result was, one brother invaded the domestic privacy of the other; and one, or both, being under the influence of Bacchus, the result was likely to have been serious, had not the policeman interfered, and, with great difficulty, separated them. j! Had they both been consigned to a lock-up, no doubt it would have given them a fair opportunity to heal their differences without annoyance to their fellow-citizens. Mr. E. D. Evans, being well acquainted with the parties referred to, has seen the necessity for some ac- commodation being provided for our erring brothers" in Dinas Mawddwy. No doubt the policeman was puzzled to know what to do with them to keep them out of mis- chief, whereas, if a lock-up existed here, it would have been an easy task for the policeman, and of inestimable advantage to the public generally.—I am, &c., ENS RATIONIB.

CHURCH RESTORATION AT TOWYN. SIB,—I noticed in your issue of the first of this month a brief announcement to the effect that a meeting of the Church Restoration Committee was held on the 25th of last month, from which your reporter withdrew on being requested to do so by the V ic.ir. I presume that the ob- ject aimed at by excluding your reporter, was the shroud- ing in mystery of the proceedings of the meeting. I am at a loss to understand why a number of gentlemen, as- sembled to deliberate on a public question, should wish to do so secretly, especially when the matter under delibera- tion affects so closely the tenderest feelings of almost erery resident native in the parish, lhe out-come of this mysterious council is all manner of rumours. Reports are circulated about the parish to the effect, that the plans re- cently approved and adopted by a section of the Building Committee were condemned on the ground of being too extravagant, and unnecessarily interfering with the graves of the dead, and that it was resolved (after a fearful storm) to have other plans and specifications prepared more in harmony with the feelings and opinions of the majority of the Committee, but at strange variance with the desires of the great majority of the parishioners. It is in- comprehensible to me that any number of self-elected oommittee men, however exalted their rank, should act in such a way, as is attributed to the Building Committee, and ;I trust some of them will think proper to publish a report of the proceedings of the meeting, which it is to be hoped would allay the turbulent manifestations caused by these mvsterious proceedings.—I am, &c., A. M. D.

THE TOWN CONTRACTS. SIB.-Allow me to call your readers' attention to the lame reason given by the Aberystwyth Surveyor at the last meeting of the Local Board for having ordered slates to the value of E-50 or £ 60 for the use of the town pri- vately through a certain gentleman, instead of calling in tenders for the same. He said-" I wanted the Aberllyfeni slates, and for that purpose I gave the order to Mr. Jones, Rope-wal No doubt this remark was intended to imply that those slates could only be had through the Rope-walk. But it is not so. Indeed, while other works contine their supply to certain agents, it is, and has been, the practice at Aber- llyfeni, to supply all parties, as far as possible, without distinction. They will supply a mason or a farmer who anly wants one truck load in twenty years. Now, to take the Surveyor at his own word, he goes down to the Rope-walk, avoiding with great care all others in the trade, and privately gives an older for a large quan- tity of materials, which he could get through almost any chaisnel he could think of. Why, then, did he not call for tenders, naming the slates he wanted ? Was he not forced to do this private business by the cost price party." I hope the slates supplied will make a better roof than that under which the so-called party sheltered at the last meeting. WILLIAM THOMAS.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. CARDIGAN. Messrs. Asa J. Evans, R. E. Rees, Jas. Williams, and Wm. Woodward were elected.

PWLLHELI. The retiring members were—Mr. Robert Williams, Penymaes House, Mr. David Evan Williams, Druid House, Mr. Thomas Morris Owen, Glasfryn House, and Dr. Thomas Hunter Hughes, Plas-y-ward. In conse- sequence of the fair being held here on the same day as that of the polling, there wa& not so much interest taken in the election. There were two new candidates nomi nated, viz., Mr. G. Jones, ironmonger, and Mr. Richard Hughes, Madryn Arms. The result of the polling was as follows Mr. R. Williams, Auctioneer, Penymaes House (L).. 243 Mr. R. Hughes, Madryn Arms Hotel (L). lS6 Mr. T. Niorris Owen, Glasfryn House (L) 184' Mr. D. E. Williams, Druid House (L). 172 Mr. G. Jones, Ironmonger (C) 158 Dr. T. Hunter Hughes, Pla.sj ward (C) 113 All these, except the last named, had issued cards to the voters, requesting their vote and interest. Ir. the even- ing a friendly meeting was held at the Madryn Arms Hotel, to congratulate Mr. Hughes on his return as a member of the Council. Addresses were given by Mr. Jones, Mynytho, Mr. Thomas, The Brewery, Mr. Matheson, and other persons.

ABERYSTWYTH. The election of four members of the Town Council and Urban Sanitary Authority, on Friday, Nov. 1st, was con- ducted much the same as usual in former years since the introduction of the ballot. The votes were taken in the Town Hall, the interior of which was divided into polling booths. At No. 1 Alderman John Watkins presided, assisted by Mr. David Jones, borough accountant; at No. 2, Alderman John Davies, assisted by Mr. David Lloyd No. 3, Alderman Thomas Jones, assisted by Mr. Harold Atwood and Mr. Richard Samuel No. 4, Mr. D. Roberts, the Mayor, assisted by Mr. Evan Jones; and No. 5, Mr. Isaac Morgan, assisted by Mr. Harry Lloyd. The Mayop, who acted as returning officer, began to count up votes at half-past five, and finished the work more than an hour earlier compared with last year's counting up. The following result was declared about nine o'clock, in the audience of a noisy crowd, in which the non-elective element predominated John James 668 J. J. Griffiths 591 Thomas Griffiths 559 Dr. Harries. 518 Georjce Green 496 Dr. Itfeo Williams 227 Mr. JOHN JAira, who was received with loud and con- tinued cheering, thanked the electors most sincerely for the great, honour they had conferred upon him. It showed that he had not forfeited the confidence that they had re- posed in him for the tirst time six years ago. (Cheers.) Their returning him twice in succession at the head of the poll was almost unprecedented, and he trusted that in the future h& should do nothing to shake the confidence which the ratepayers had in him. (Applause). Mr. J. J. GRIFFITHS wa, also loudly cheered as he came forward to speak. He most sincerely thanked the electors for the compliment thev had paid him that dav. He was not previously aware that he was held in such e e high e-itecin by the ratepayers of the town generally. It was the F, f. time for him to seek their suffrages. He had not canvassed one-sixth of the -vot krs; he had hired no earri.u,'ts nor resorted to the use of placards, and yet they h,d -returned him second on the poll. (Applause.) It aSDried Inil much pleasure to know that he might now avail h:ms If of t!i opportunity of serving those who had that dav declared -hoiaselves in his favour During the time he held the offi e of a town councillor he should do his utmost to keep tiie expenditure within proper limits but alw.iv s allowing an adequate outlay in order to inzike ttietown as v.tracti ve to vi.-itors as possible. (Applause. It was essential that the ratepayers sh,itil, I be faithfully and conscientiously represented in the Town Council, n 1 e tru fe thitUi* conduct as a councillor would m rit vlr w rm a. (Uheeis.) He would support j no measure which he considered prejudicial to the true in- terests of the town. On the contrary he would do his beat to promote and continue the prosperity of the town in every respect, and he hoped the time WAS far distant when he should forfeit the good opinion of those who had that day placed him in the honoured position of a member of their Town Council. (Applause.) To him it was a matter for regret that Mr. Green had not been returned. (Cheers.) He looked upon Mr. Green, although the majority of the electors did not agree with him, as a use- ful member of the Council, and he would rather have sacri- ficed his own position than that Mr. Green should have been defeated. (Applause.) Mr. THOMAs GRIFFITHS said it was with feelings of great pleasure that he then appeared before them for the third time to thank them for the mark of confidence they had had in him. His friends and ratepayers had behaved very honourably to him, and he hoped they would never be sorry for what they had done that day. His views would be the same in the future as they had been in the past, to curtail expenditure. (Cheers.) Dr. HAURIEifwas received with deafening cheers. He said it was six years since he came to Aberystwyth as a stranger. He came fully trusting to the friendship of the inhabitants, aud ill the hope that they would be his friends. He did not know then whether they would be friendly or not. They had, however, justified his anticipations, and had patronized him as very few young men had been patronized. He had felt that his future existence must be among the people of Aberystwyth aurt he would live among them to all ecjruity. (Laughter ana clieers.) Since he had been in their beautiful town he had written a small guid., to sea bathing. Tnat guide had been pub- lished in Paris and also in America, and he beiieved it had done the town good. (Cheers.) The friendship of the people had increased day after day aud as their love b: üi, increased he had been accused of having] so much in them that he raised their mellicai fees tu 5s. He ii.td beau accused of doing it, but it was not he wno originated it. (Applause). i>ut this he said, wtat u uiuia aiiii WcLbÜl-I >vere allowed to be estab- lis'tied in the town, working men would be able to pay the 5s. fee. (Applause). The crisis had now come; the fever had run its course. He had been returned, not by plumpers, but by single votes. He would do all he could for the working class. (Applause). Not a single industry or allythillg that would employ labour should, if he could help it, be sent from the town. (Cneers). As to the water question, it was one of the greatest aud most important that had been before the Council, and one that would be before them no doubt for many years to come. It was a question that would call for great consideration, both as it regarded the expenditure of money and supply of water. He must say that he regietted that their friend, Mr. Green, had been defeated. A gravitation scheme was no doubt, better tnan any other scheme. (Hear, hear). He again thanked them for the honour they had done him, and hoped that at the end oi his term of office they would find him :to.. deserving of their con- fidence as they had found him that day. (Applause). Mr. GBOiuiE GREEN, one of the uefeated candidates, was the next speaker. Although unsuccessful at this election, he said lie had to thank the assembly and a very large proportion ot tne ratepayers of Aberystwyth fur supporting him for the third time. He could not tell how his defeat had been brought about. There was one thing of which he was quite certain, and that was, that he had been firm in sup- porting the principle with which he started. (Applause.) He had neither turned to the right hand nor to the left, but had taken a straightforward course, such as his own knowledge had dictated to him. (Cheers.) If that had been the cause of his defeat, he was perfectly satisfied with the ratepayers' decision. He was fully aware that to do their duty in the Town Council they must sacrifice a large proportion of their tune. That he had done with- out regard to his own interests. He had also saved the town a great outlay. (A Voice "You have saved the town 1;12,000," and cries, Turn him out.") Although he had been defeated, the ratepayers had put in two good men — (applause)— who, so far as their judgment went, would serve the town as faithfully as he had served it. The ratepayers knew per- fectly well that his policy had been to allow, so far as in his power lay, no expenditure of money until its purpose had been fully and carefully considered. (Uproar, during which Mr. J. Morgan appealed for silence.) That had beem his policy from the beginning with respeut to the water question. It would be recollected that when he first mooted that something should be done to carry out the scheme which had been sanctioned, other mem- bers of the Council brought forward other schemes, and he opposed them. And to this day schemes had been brought forward to oppose the scheme which had been sanctioned, and which he proposed should be properly carried out. To this day members of the Council had gone on opposing the scheme he had gone into; and even now the Council did not know anything about it. They were entirely in the dark, nut only as to the expense, but as to the result of their taking the water. That was a fact, and all he had said in regard to the water question was that he thought tne Council should be fully enlightened in every particular before they undertook to carry out a scheme. (Applause.) If they could have shown him that they had a better scheme than the one he advocated, he should have joined them heart and hand in carrying it out. (Applause.) It was true that he had been defeated that day, but he did not look like it. (Applause.) Al- though he had been unsuccessful that time he should try again. (Cheers.) They might depend upon it, that was his policy. (Cheers.) He snould try and try again un- til he was once more their representative. (Applause.) If he had been defeated that time, it might have been the result of his own dilatoriness. His time had been so much occupied lately that he could not apply himself to his public duties in such a way as to ensure his success. (Cheers.) He believed that he still had the confidence of the people of Aberystwyth, and, although he was then twenty-two behind, he hoped that on the next occasion he would be twenty-two a-head. (Applause.) Dr. Rice Williams was absent, so Mr. GBEAN continued by moving a vote of thanks to the Mayor, which Mr. JOHN JAMES seconded, and which was carried unanim- OUThe MAYOR thanked the assembly for the way they had proposed his health—(loud laughter)—he meant, proposed a vote of thanks to him. He thought he was at a public dinner; he thought he was dining with the Oddfellows. (Loud laughter, and a voice Very well turned, very well out of it.) He tnaulced all present i'or the way they had conducted themselves that day, and hoped that they would all return peaceably to their homes. (A voice "And none of you come before me to-morrow," and laughter). Mr. ISAAC MORGAN, who was loudly called for, re- marked that he had not intended to have said anything that evening. The Mayor had thanked them for the way they had conducted themselves that day. They had behaved like Christians; like people of Aberystwyth. (Laughter and applause). It would not be wise for him to speak of what had been done during the past year. They had lost one good member from the Council, Mr. Green, and he hoped that the two new members who had been returned that day would be good and useful repre- sentatives, and would do their best for the good of the town. (Cheers). The question of the day was the water question. Gravitation, as every one agreed, was better than pumping but before they entered upon that scheme they must see that they had sufficient means, and know exactly what the expenses would be and what lands they would have to pass through in bringing the water to the town. It was mentioned at the last meeting of the Council that a provisional order could be obtained tor 230. That was not correct. It would take £ 300 at least. He hoped something would be done respecting the renewal of leases, so that the town might reap the benefit of its property. (Cheers). The meeting then separated. LLANIDLORS.-The following are the number of votes polled by the different candidates at the Llanidloes municipal elections on the 1st of November: The first five were elected. John Hfcnry Webb 322 Edward Davies 292 Evan Williams 2" William Thomas 239 George Thomas 229 Henry Hamer 197 Richard Hamer 136 RUTHIN.-There was a very spirited contest at Ruthin on Friday, there being six candidates for four seats. Politics did not enter into the contest, the points involved being opposition to the expenditure of the Council, and a desire to control the election of the future mayor, determined opposition being shown by some to the re- election of the present mayor. The state of the poll de- clared from the Town Hall showed that Messrs. William Edwards, John Davies, W. Hunt, and Edward Edwards were elected, Messrs. William Jones and Edward Evans being defeated. Messrs. W. Hunt and Edward Edwards were retiring members. WELSHPOOL.—The election on Friday, Nov. 1st, was conducted with great spirit by both parties, and the ill- feeling, if there was any, did not manifest itself as it has done on some former occasions. All the proceedings were carried out in an orderly and peaceable manner. Not much interest was taken in the result until about three p.m., when the agents of the candidates might be seen searching both far and near for any straggler who might not have given his vote. There were eis4bt candidates nominated, and all went to the poll. Out of these eight, four bore the "uncommon" name of John Jones, which caused many to ask Which is which?" Which is the right one ?" &c. The four retiring candidates who sought re- election were—Me srs. G. D. Harrison, W. T. Parker, T. Morris, and Robert Jones. The others were-Messrs. John Jones, R.N., Blue Bell, John Jones, Berriew-street, John Jones, The Coppice, and John Jones, Trewern. The counting and scrutiny of the votes commenced at five p.m. in the Council-room by the Mayor, Mr. S. Davies, Mr. E. Jones, Town Clerk, Mr. Roper, Mr. J. Evans, and other officials. A large crowd assembled in front of the hall soon after six p.m., and passed the time away in cheering for their respective candidates, &c. A treat was also afforded them in the shape of a band composed of "tin whistles and a drum," which paraded the chief streets from eight to nine p.m., starting with the tune of Auld Lang Syne," and ending with a tune called "No Name," or Anythiiag." The result was known about a quarter to nine. and was as follows :— Mr. T. Morris 656 Mr. T. Morris 656 Mr. G. D. Harrison 651 Mr. R. Jones 574 Mr. W. T. Parker 564 1 Mr. J. Jones, R.N 443 The Joneses seem to have collapsed. Mr. T. Morris and others of his party addressed the electors, after their victory, from the Oak windows, thanking them for the honour they had conferred upon him and the other successful candidates on his list, and referred to the different achievements of his party in the Council. Mr. W. T. Parker and Mr. E. T. D. Harrison (on behalf of Mr. G. D. Harrison) also addressed the company, after which the successful candidates were not chaired" but carriaged," their supporters dragging them up and down the streets in the neighbourhood of thb Royal Oak. WREXHAM.—The annual election p issed off very quietly. The only contest was in the North Ward, Messrs. Walter Jones, John Williams, and W. Sherratt, being returned unopposed for the East. South, and West Wards re- spectively. The contest in the North Ward lay between Mr. John Jones, solicitor, and Mr. Weaver, provision merchant. The polling took place in the Savings Bank, Mr. AlderinanBeale beingthe presiding officer. The poll closed at four o'clock with the follow i, I.- result :-Mr. John Jcones, 105, Mr. Weaver 91. There is such a majority in favour of Mr. Councillor Shone being made Mayor that it is highly probable all opposition will be withdrawn, and that Mr. Shone's election will be unanimous. CHESTER.—The contests for the wards of St. Mary and Trinity resulted as follows St. Mary's (two members) Griffiths 390, Weaver 264, Bird 248, and J. P. Cartwright 227. Trinity (two members) Salmon 528, Roberts 512, T. W. Jones 274, and Billington (retired) 12. Municipal elections in Chester are supposed not to be fought on political principles, but the two elected members for Trinity, and one (Weaver) for St. Mary's Wards are Con- serva-tives while the retiring members, seeking re- election, were—in Trinity, Mr. T. VV. -Jones. Liberal; and in St. Mary's, Air. J. P. Cartwright, Liberal, and Mr. G. Bird, who represented temperance principles. SHBEWSBUBY.—Friday, Nor. 1st, was a busy day in this as in many other towns, but there was not nearly so much excitement as on many former occasions. Only three out of the five Wards were contested. In the Castle Ward Within the old members, Messrs. Eddowes and Blower, were allowed to walk in unopposed. In the Stone Ward Without Messrs. Bagnall and Gillitlie, both Liberals, were returned without a contest, although there were besides three Conservatives in the field, but all three were disqualified in consequence of the same person nominating the three when there were only two vacancies. A protest has been entered against the return, and it is understood that neither of the gentlemen will be able as vet to their seats in the Council Chamber. There were uuiart tights in tue other three Wards, resulting as follows :—Stone Ward Within Frail (C), 206; Burrey (C), 182; Trentham (L), 109. In this case Mr. Burrey takes the place of Mr. Ebrall, who retired. Castle Ward Without: Heath (C), 597; Palmer (L), 544 Barker (L), 527; John Cross (L), 281. Mr. Palmer here steps into Mr. Coggins's seat, who retired. Welsh Ward": Lawson (L), 492; Kent (L), 426 Healing (C), 384. The two former were old members of the Council. In the whole there are but two changes, leaving the constitution of the Council, as respects Conservatives and Liberals, precisely as it was before. Of course speculation is now rife as to who is to be Mayor, and the question will probably not be settled until the 9th, the day of election.

MALICIOUS WOUNDING AT MACHYNLLETH. On Tuesday, November 5, at the Magistrates' Clerk's Office, before the Marquess of Londonderry, Gabriel Davies, Machynlleth, hawker, was brought up on remand under a warrant, issued ou the complaint of Rowland Wood, Machynlleth, butcher, charged with having maliciously wounded him with a knife at Machynlleth on Friday, October 25.—Mr. Griffith Jones, of Aberyst- wyth, appeared for the prisoner. The following evidence was given :— 0 Rowland Wood I am a butcher residing at Machyn- lleth, in the county of Montgomery. On Friday night, the 25th October last, about nine o'clock at night, I was passing the Vane School at Machynlleth and heard shouts of murder in the direction of my house in Penyrallt-street. I ran on and found a large crowd of people opposite the shop of Mr. William Jones, the grocer, in Penyrallt-street. I was about 100 yards off when I first heard he shouts of murder. I went through the crowd and found the pris- oner beating some one on the door step of William Jones's shop with a strong stick, a little longer than half a yard. The man was lying down on the step and his hat covered his face. I bent down and took hold of the hat so as to see who the man was. I then thought that he was my son-in-law, Griffith Williams. I afterwards discovered that he was not my son-in-law. I then stood up and said to the prisoner, Gabriel Davies that is not right;to strike a man on the ground like that." I then took hold of the stick which the prisoner had and wrenched it from him. He then struck my hat off my head, and he also, I believe, with the same blow struck me on my shoulder. I defended myself with the stick which I had taken from the prisoner and thereby kept him at a distance from me. In consequence of something that was said by the crowd, I stepped backwards, and the prisoner immediately rushed at me and touched me on my left thigh. I did not then see any instrument in his hand and did not feel any. Some one immediately took hold of me to take me away, and I then found that I was wounded on my left thigh, as I felt blood running down my thigh and leg. I felt my trousers, and found a hole opposite my left thigh, which was wet. I was taken into the Skinner's Arms Inn, and then discovered blood running from the cut. It was rather dark on the street, but there was a gas lamp burning a few yards off across the road. I then went home and stripped, and found a cut on my left thigh. J had on at the time a pair of trousers which were lined with strong calico, a pair of flannel drawers, and a flannel shirt. The instrument penetrated through each article of clothing, and the shirt, being doubled, was cut in two places. P.C. Henry Roberts immediately entered the house, and I then gave him information. I then delivered to him the pair of trousers and the pair of drawers, and I have subsequently delivered to him the shirt, being the articles which I then wore. I subsequently laid a formal information before Mr. Richard Jones, upon which a war- rant was issued for the apprehension of the prisoner. I was also visited by Dr. Lloyd, who has attended me ever since. I was confined to the house for several days, and still feel from the effects of the cut. I am unable to walk without a stick. I delivered to P.C. Henry Roberts the stick which I took from the prisoner, and it is the one now produced. The articles of clothing also now produced by P.C. Roberts are those which I then wore and deli- vered to him. Cross-examined—I was on my way from the Eagles Hotel, passing the Vane School, when I first heard the noise. I had been to the railway station, and on my way called at the Eagles Hotel for a few minutes. I was at both places on business. I now know that the man on the ground was not my son-in-law but Gabriel's son. I did beat the prisoner with the stick to defend myself. Evan Morgan—I reside at Machynlleth, and am an ironfounder. On Friday night, the 25th October last, I attended a lecture at the Town Hall in Machynlleth, and found, after coming out, when I was opposite the shop of William Jones, the prisoner running from the direction of Doll-street after bis son. The son turned towards the shop and attempted to go in, but the assistant closed the shop door against him from inside. The prisoner then struck him with a stick on his head, and he fell down on the shop step. He hit him several times on the ground with the stick. He then took hold of him by the collar and raised him partly up, and again struck him with the stick on his head until he fell down. I then went on a little and told the prisoner not to kill the boy. The last witness then came forward and said to the prisoner that it was not fair to beat the man like that; that he would kill him. The prisoner said that his son had fired his own (the prisoner's) revolver at him. Rowland Wood and the prisoner were then in a stooping position, and they then stood up, when Rowland Wood's hat fell off. Rowland Wood then took hold ef the stick and wrenched it from the prisoner. He then kept him at a distance, but I can- not say whether he struck him with it or not. In the act of taking the stick from the prisoner Rowland Wood went downwards a little way and afterwards came forward. The ground sloped a little towards the Town Hall. He came up again and stepped towards the middle of the street. When he was coming on I called out "stand back, Rowland Wood." The reason I did so is that I saw the prisoner put his hand in his coat pocket. Rowland Wood then, instead of coming straight on, went the other side of the pavement, nearer to the Skinners' Arms Inn, and his son then stood close by him. Rowland Wood and his son were going backwards out of the crowd. The prisoner then turned and said, Damn you, Rowland Wood," and he went at him with a blow. I thought he struck him in his bowels. I did not see anything in his hand. Rowland Wood partly fell from the effects of the blow, and I believe the son fell down. The prisoner then went towards the opposite side of the road. I also went on to the opposite side, by the lamp post. The prisoner then challenged any man to come forward. I cannot say he was drunk. He marched up through the middle of the crowd, and called Rowland Wood to come forward. A cry was made, and I saw something shining in the prisoner's hand. I could see it in the light of the gas lamp. I do not know what it was. He was then five or six yards distant from me. David Wood—I am a butcher, residing at Machynlleth, and am the son of the witness Rowland Wood. I attended the lecture at the Town Hall on the night of Friday, the 25th October last. I came out from nine to a quarter past nine o'clock. When I came out I heard shouts of murder. I found a crowd opposite William Jones's shop. I saw a man lying down on the step of the door. I saw the prisoner lay hold of the mm by his collar, and he said, Come up, little Ben," and he then struck him with the stick which he had in his hand. I did not know who the man was at the time. My father then went forward and said Don't knock the man on the ground." I then saw the stick in my father's hand. My father defended himself with it, and keeping the pri- soner at a distance, a cry was made, and I walked to my father. At that time I saw the prisoner put his hands in his coat pockets and trousers' pockets. I was then three yards off, and could see the prisoner quite plain. He took out something from his coat pocket which he held in his right hand. I could see what appeared to me to be the haft of a knife with the blade concealed under his sleeve. I did not see the blade. I went towards my father, and the prisoner rushed at him, and I fell down. On my getting up I went in search of my father, and found^ him near the lamp post on the opposite side of the road. Then prisoner walked up through the crowd towards us. He mentioned my father's name, but I do not know what he said. I then saw something in his hand shining. It was like a knife. I was then about six yards off. He came up to within two or three yards. My father and I went away, and he turned back. In consequence of what my father told me, I took him to the parlour of the Skinners' Arms, and found that be had been cut on the left thigh. There was a hole in his trousers; he put his finger in it, and when he took it out it was covered with blood. Hugh Lloyd-I am a surgeon in practice at Machyn- lleth. In consequence of something that was told me, I, on Friday night, the 25th of October last, visited the house of Rowland Wood. It was between nine and ten o'clock. I examined the wound, and found it about an inch in extent on the outer side of his left thigh. I examined the extent and direction of the wound, and found that it penetrated in a downward direction to the extent of three inches deep. I probed it, and measured it. The course was be- tween the true skin and the muscular part. I believe the wound must have been made by means of a sharp instru- ment. I did not consider the wound dangerous. I have attended him ever since. I examined the clothes pointed out to me as worn by Rowland Wood, and I found a hole in each article corresponding with a cut on the thigh. Henry Roberts-I am police-constable stationed at Machynlleth. I was on duty in Maengwyn-street on Fri- day night, the 25th October last, about nine o'clock, and in consequence of what I was told I immediately pro- ceeded to Penyrallt-street. Seeing a crowd going towards Rowland Wood's house I followed, and went into the house. I assisted in undressing him, and found that he was cut on the outer side of his left thigh. I then took possession of the trousers, the drawers, and the stick. I subsequently took possession also of the shirt. They are the articles which I now produce. A warrant was afterwards placed in my hands for the apprehension of the prisoner. Edward Hamer-I am police-constable stationed at Machynlleth. On Thursday night last, in consequence of information which I received, I proceeded to Llanidloes, and thence on the following day to Gwstre, near Penybont village, in the county of Radnor. I there found the prisoner in a public-house. I immediately went in and handcuffed him, having heard his voice from the outside. The prisoner then said, Well, well, I am done for now. I snail be transported for life." I afterwards charged him and cautioned him. I searched him and found upon him the knife, which I now produce. He paid, It was all done through drunkenness. The knife was my son Ben's and I had t. struggle to take it off him, and struck him with it. I do not know what made me to do it, because I was a better man by half than he was, but it was all dt ne through drunkenness." On the road towards Machynlleth be asked where was Rowland Wood stabbed. I said "here," pointing to my thigh. He said, "I do not know where I struck him, but I hit him the first place that i had the chance; but it m all ihrough.drunkenness," and began to cry. The prisoner, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial at the next Quarter Sessions. An application for .release on bail was refused. The hearing of the case lasted nearly three hours.

HARVEST THANKSGIVINGS. LAmpimTER.-The annual services were held at the Parish Church on Thursday, October 24. There were three services, the morning and evening being in Welsh, and the afternoon in English. The church was very prettily decorated for the occasion with fruit and flowers. The preachers were the Rev. Evan Morgan, Ystrad, Rev. Charles Llewelyn, Coychurch, and ltev. J. Williams, Llausawel. A collection was made a.fter each service in aid of the Aber-oarne relief fund, and about £ 5 was re:1lifip.d. PENNAL.—Thanksgiving Services were held in Pennal Parish Church on Thursday, the 31st of October. The services at eleven a.m., three, and six p.m., were conducted by the following clergymen, the Rev. C. Price, vicar, Rev. D. Morgan, Penegoes, Rev. R. L. Protheroe, curate of Machynlleth, Rev. T. Edwards, Llanfihangel-y- Pennant, and the Rev. Canon Evans, D.D., Carnarvon. Canon Evans preached in English in the mcrning, the Rev. R. L.,Prothero in Welsh at three, and the Rev. T. Edwards in Welsh at six. Collections were made on be- half of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. The singing was very good throughout the services. Mr. J. Williams, schoolmaster, played the harmonium, in the absence through indisposition of Miss Price, the Vicarage, to whom great credit is due for the able manner in which the singing is conducted. The church was decorated by Mr. E. Leatham, gardener, Talgarth Hall, and Air. R. Lewis, gardener, Llugwy, under the supervision of Miss Price, vicarage. The congregations were large, especially in the evening.

THE MERIONETHSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS. The annual meeting of this Association was held at the Dol- gelley Board School, on Saturday, October 26. The following members were presentMr. Williams, N.S., Dolgelley, presi- dent, Mr. Roberts, Board School, Dolgelley, vice-president, Mr. Thomas, Barmouth, treasurer, Mr. Roberts, Towyn, secretary, Mr. Williams, Dyffryn, Mr. Rees, Bontddu, and Mr. William, Llwyngwril. Subjects of the first importance to the profession were discus- sed, e.g., The Teachers' National Provident Society The Bene- volent and Orphanage Funds; Revision of the Code. It was resolved to take the Provident Society into further considera- tion, and three members were nominated to make preliminary arrangements for a grand concert, to come off at Barmouth, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to the Orphanage Fund. The rules of the Association were slightly altered in several points, the most important modification being the one which enacts that for the future, all the meetings shall be held at Bar- mouth, on account of its more central position. The present officers were unanimously re-elected for the ensuing year. The meeting was pleased to learn, through the Secretary, that several teachers, who have lately settled within the district, had expressed their intention of joining the Association. Routine business over. Mr. Williams, Dyffryn, Board School, read a valu- able paper on the School Board System," of which the follow- ling was the substance It is generally acknowledged that the School Board System, embodied in the Education Act of 1870,' has done more to fur- ther the means of education in this country than any other sys- tem yet introduced. It is astonishing to find on comparing the statistics of elementary education for the last year with those of eight or nine years ago, what wonderful results have been achieved. In fact, a complete change has been effected, and a new era begun in the popular education of the country. The rapidity with which our large towns in England and Wales have availed themselves of the provisions of the Act to establish School Boards in spite of great opposition from those who were in favour of the voluntary system, clearly showed how ade- quately it met the great wants of the bulk of the population. "Such a system as this necessarily affected the position of teachers generally to a considerable extent, and it must be ad- mitted that all classes of teachers in elementary schools have materially gained by it. The following are some of the most important advantages which may be enumerated :— 1. Teachers are better paid.—The whole profession will agree that this is a matter of vital importance to them, No class of people of equal standing have for such a length of time disposed of their tlabour so cheaply as teachers of elementary schools. Under the voluntary system it is well known how difficult it is for managers to make "up the teacher's salary, and how seldom it is paid when properly due. In many instances some of them hrlve to go about begging for contributions, and very often con- certs and lestures have to be held, simply to make up defieiences in the treasurer's fund such proceedings being everything but agreeable to the teacher's feelings. The Boards, on the contrary, carryon all their affairs in a business-like manner. Money is forthcoming according to the calls, and all the officers are punc- tually paid. Nor is tl1is all. The salaries are increasing, and in an pro- bability will continuo to increase until teachers are enabled to lay by asufficient sum of money on which to subsist when old age obliges them to retire from the profession. The fact that School Boards in our large towns have taken the lead in this respect will go very far to reconcile teachers to their vocation, and to afford them better prospects in the future. "2.—They are m07e illdepend8nt.-)fany a teacher under the old system had to yield constantly to the whims and dictates of some one or two individuals, who were led to suppose that be- cause they patronized the school they had a right to domineer over the teacher. Such as a rule is not the case with teachers under the School Board system, for if they do their work conscientiously they re- ceive the approbation of their employers, and are readily sup- ported by them in the exercise of their duty. He is also more independent with regard to the parents of the children. The authority of the teacher is more fully recognized by them, simply because they feel that the School Board is a legal power at his back, to defend him against undue interfer- ence on their part. "3. Me is supplied with a better staff of assistants.— The re- quirements of the present code being so varied and numerous, it is next to an Ünpossibility to be up with them wIthout being supplied with an efficient staff of assistants. The School Boards have opened their eyes to this fact, and the consequence is that they save no expense to afford the teacher all the assist- ance that can be reasonably desired. "4. Better School-buildings are provided throughout the cormtrll.-The building ill which teachers hlve to spend so much of their time should be as conducive to health as possible. They should be fitted up with all the modern improvements in archi- tecture, for the sake of both the teachers and the pupils under their care. 5. Better attendance at school 8cured-especially where the compulsory clause is enforced. This is and always has been one of the greatest grievances of teachers in general. Irregular attendance is a nuisance which must be endured in many places, until our Government adopts a scheme of unicersal^com- pulsion. We have reason to hope that it will come to this hefore long, and when this compulsion is secured more than half the vexations of teachers will be got rid of, and their daily toil will be pursued with It much lighter heart." A warm vote of thanks to Mr. Williams for the able manner in which dealt with the subject brought the meeting to a close.

MACHYNLLETH. ENGLISH CALVINISTIC METHODISTS.—The anniversary services in connection with this cause, extending over five Sundays, were brought to a close on Sunday, Nov. 3rd, when the Rev. T. C. Edwards, M.A., Principal of the University College of Wales, preached three sermons to large congregations. Collections amounting to upwards of £26 were made during these services in aid of the building fund of the chapel, which was opened some months ago. On Monday the annual tea party and com- petitive meeting were held, the former at the Maengwyn schoolroom in the afternoon, to which the members of the school and many others sat down, and the competitive meeting at the Town Hall in the evening, under the presidency of the Rev. David Jones: pastor of the church. The competitions were confined to members of the school. There was a fair attendance, and the proceedings were so interesting that they secured unrelaxed attention for nearly three hours. The adjudicators were the Rev. Wm. Evans, M.A., Aberystwyth, and Mr. Edwin Jones, the Academy, Towyn. PETTY SESSIONS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6.—Before the Marquess of Londonderry, J. G. W. Bonsall, Esq., and C. F. Thruston, Esq. Offence against the Railway By-laws.—Dnxu'l Thomas, Llan- brynmair, was charged with travelling on the Cambrian Railway with a ticket not issued on the day on which it was used.— Richard Howells, porter at Llanbrynmair, said that on the 28th he was collecting tickets at Llanbrynmair station, when a ticket (produced) was given up by the defendant, who at once left the platform. Saw the date was wrong, called defendant back, and told him the ticket had not been taken that day. Defendant said he had taken the ticket, but just before he took him into the stationmaster he offered to pay and settle the matter.— David Richards, booking-clerk, proved the ticket was issuerl on September 21.-A fine of 40s..including costs, was inflicted.— The Marquess of Londonderry retired from the Bench during the hearing of the case. A ssault.—Margaret Thomas charged John Thomas with assaulting her on Saturday, October 19th.—Mr. Rowland, solicitor, appeared for defendant. Complainant said she was going to cut some things in the garden, and on the way she had to pass the defendant's house. Had to pass through a gate. The staple came out of the gate, and defendant called to her. He afterwards stepped on her hand and hurt her.—The defend- ant's solicitor cross-examined complainant, but made nothing of her.—Dismissed on payment of costs. Maintenance of Relatives.—Daniel Howell, relieving officer, applied for an order against Owen Lewis for a snm towards the maintenance of his father, John Lewis.—An order was made for 2s. per week.—Evan Evans, Staylittle, Trefeglwys, was ordered to pay 6d. a week from the 1st January next, owing to the fact that he has had illness in the house. -Edward Pugh, Grove Farm, Birmingham, was ordered to pay 9d. a week towards the maintenance of his mother.—Rowland Lewis, Birmingham, was ordered to pay Is. a week towards the maintenance of his parents.

CORRIS. REDUCTION OF WAGES.—The wages of all the workmen employed a.t Aberllefenny Slate Quarry have been reduced ten per cent and the workmen of the Braichcoch Quarry have received notiJe that a similar reduction will take place in their wages. THE TRAMWAY.—Passengers travelling between here and Machynlleth, now will have the luxury of travelling in a new set of first and second class carriages, well lighted and cushioned, which form a pleasing contrast to the rickety, suffocating, and dark boxes, hitherto in use. We are also glad to say that the language and behaviour of 30ITW of the passengers on Saturday nights, has greatly improved since we had occasion to comment on it in the Ca?nbrian News. THE CLOSING OF PUBLIC HOUSES ON SUNDAYS.—Ahouse- to-house canvassing took place here last week to test the public feeling in respect to extending the restrictions already exisiting on the sale of intoxicating drinks on Sundays. The result of the canvassing in this neighbour- hood is not yet known but there cannot be much doubt about it as the friends of temperance here are numer- ous.

FFESTINIOG. Y FASNACH LECHAU.—Gofidus genym hysbysu mai tywvll yw yr awyrgylch. Y mae gostyngiadau mawr wedi cymeryd lie trwy yr oil o'r chwarelau a lleihad yn rhif y gweithwyr, a hyny ar gyfrif y cyflenwad mawr sydd ar law. Ataliwyd yr wythnos hon 80 o weithwyr y Hhosydd, a thua 30 yr wythnos ddiweddaf yn chwarel y Drum. CYNGHEKDD MAWREDnoG.—Nid yn fynych y cymer cyngherdd iuor lwyddianus Ie a'r un a ddigwyddodd nos Wener diweddaf. Dygid ef ymlaen dan arolygiad Mrs. Ernest Greaves. Plas Weunydd, yr hon a'i rhoddai fel gwledd flynyddol i weithwyr y Llechwedd. Llywyddwyd gan Mr. J. Ernest Greaves, ac arweiniwyd gan Mr. W. Jones (Ffestinfab). Yn mhlith y rhai oedd yn bresenol, heblaw y gweithwyr a'u teuluoedd, sylwasom ar y Parch. T. J. Wheldon, B.A., a Mrs. Wheldon, Mr. a Mrs. W. Davies, Cae'rbkidd, Mr. R. Rowlands, Mr. John Thomas, a Mrs. Thomas, Portmadog, a Miss Greaves, Leamington, &c. Y cantorion oeddynt Cor y Waenfawr, y rhai a ganasant yn ardderchog, ynghyda Mrs. Greaves, Mrs. Taylor, ei chwaer, Miss Wedgwood, a'r Ffestiniog Brass Band. Cafwyd anerchiadau gan y Mri. Wheldon a Davies. Cynygiwyd a cbefnogwyd hefyd gan ddau o'r gweithwyr fod y diolchgarwch gwresocaf yn cael ei roddi i Mrs. Greaves am ei charedigrwydd. Cydsyniodd y gynulleidfa yn galonog. Talwyd y warogaeth uwchaf i gantorion y Waenfawr fel gorchfygwyr yn Birkenbead. Encoriwyd amryw o'r darnau a genid. Wele y drefnlen :— "Toriad y dydd," Festiniog Brass Band; glee, "Codiad yr haul," Waenfawr Choir; trio, "Blumenstraus," Mrs. J. E. Greaves, Mrs. Taylor, and Miss Wedgwood; solo, The little beggar girl," Mr. J. W. Thomas pianoforte duet, "March," Mrs. J. E. Greaves and Mrs. Taylor; glee, "Y Gwanwyn," Waenfawr Choir; trio, "Pernda. Clori," Mrs. J. E. Greaves, Mrs. Taylor, a Miss Wedg- wood Huntsman's chorus," Waenfawr Choir; Welsh Airs," Festiniug Brass Band duet, Flow gently Deva," Messrs. J. W. Thomas and D. Jones; trio, "Hearts feel that love thee," Mrs. J. E. Greaves, Mrs. Taylor, Miss Wedgwood; glee, "Comrades in arms," Waenfawr Choir Dragoon march, Festiniog Brass Band; part-song, "Mael- gwyn Vaughan," Waenfawr Choir; trio, "Lift thine eyes," Mrs. J. E. Greaves, Mrs. Taylor, a Miss Wedg- wood; glee, "Market Chorus," Waenfawr Choir; "Hen Wlad," Festiniog Brass Band —Wrth derfynu dylem hysbysu ddarfod i Mri. R. R. Owen a Percy Thomas, Portmadog, ddilyn ar y berdoneg. Teimla v gweithwyr yn dra rhwymedig i'r foneddiges o Plas Waenydd.— COFNODYDD.

PWLLHELI. ? THE FAIR.—On the bt November a cattle fair was held here. It was very well attended by buyers. Horned catole fetched good prices, but the demand for horses was very slow. SCHOLARSHIP.—The friends of Messrs. William Michael Williams, Druid jHouae, and John Edmund Jones, Cae- rhydderch Shop, P wllheli, will be glad to learn that they have both recently successfully passed their examination at the University College at Glasgow. The former was educated at the University College of Wales, and the latter at the Bottwnog Grammar School. Both these young scholars are preparing for the medical profession. BIBLE SOCIETY.—On Monday evening, October 28, a meeting was held at the Town Hall in connection with this Society. The Mayor (Mr. John Edwards) occupied the chair. The deputation was the Rev. Thomas Hughes, of Kenchester, supported by the Revs. Thomas Owen (M.), D. E. Davies (M.), and R. LI. Jones (W.) Mr. Jones, the secretary, read the annual report, which showed an increase of about B5 over the collection of last year. SUNDAY CLOSINS.—On Tuesday evening, October 29, a meeting was held (the Town Hall being engaged) at Penlan Chapel in support of the closing of public-houses on Sunday. Chairman, Mr. John Ellis, Bodarvor depu- tation. Rev. Samuel Owen, Ffestiniog. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. J. Williams, Thomas Owen, and D. E. Davies, Mr. John Edwards (mayor), and Mr. R. O. Jones (ex-mayor). The meeting was well and influen- tially attended.

DINAS MAWDDWY. CARLYLE QUARRY.—The workmen of the Carlyle quarry have agreed to a reduction of ten per cent in their wages, and have commenced work. LECTURE.—On Monday, Nov. 4. a lecture was given at the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel by Mr. T. Lloyd Jones, who appeared in character the subject being—" Y dyn du yn ei wlad ei hun." He appeared first as a Prince, in various colours, then as a Mahometan, in white robes, afterwards as a Chief, in yellow. Miss Cordelia Edwards sang Di- wedd v flwvddvn." Hiraeth uwch ben bedd fy mam," Tnd "Y deryn pur." The Rev. E. Williams presided. The chapel was crowded, and the singing gave much satis- I ^CHURCH SERVERS.—On Sunday, November 3rd, there were no services held at Mallwyd Church in consequence of the illness of the Rector. Surely the services of a stranger could be had in such cases of emergency, instead of closing the Church altogether.

ABERDOVEY. PETTY SESSIONS, FRIDAY, Nov. 1.—Before C. F. Thruston, D E Kiricbv, and C. N. Thruston, Esqs. The Explosives Act.-Th Abergynolwyn Slate Company was charged by P.S. Roberts with having on the 21st September kept more explosives than allowed by licence.—P.S. Roberts having proved the charge. Mr. Evans, the manager, said he had made enquiries several days before of the store keeper, and he was told by him that the explosives in store were within the licence. That report, however, proved to be incorrect.—The Bench con- sidered the excuse to be inadmissible and fined the Company one half the full penalty, £.5, including costs. They said it was their intention to inflict the full penalty in the next case. Drunkenness — Thomas Roberts, quarryman, Glanyrafon, Corris admitted a charge of drunkenness brought against him by P.C. Ashton, and was fined ,£1. including costs. Chanye of Obstructing the Highway — Rees Francis, tailor, John Morris, labourer, and Evan Davies, labourer, of Towyn, were summoned by P.C. Arthur for having on Oct. 12, placed a quantity of timber upon the road leading from Towyn to Aber- dovev.—P.C. Arthur said he heard a noise, and going in the direction of it, saw a rail laid on the road, near the British school and another within fifteen yards distance. Witness then saw a man cross the road, and going to look where he went, saw the three defendants lying down in the ditch as if hiding them- selves.—The defendants called John Jones, labourer, Towyn, who said he saw the rails on the road near the British school about a fortnight ago. They were then near the middle of the road. It was then about eleven o clock. He was going to Caethle and saw the defendants near the Towyn vicarage when he left the town.—David Williams, labourer, Towyn, said he saw the rails across the road about nine o clock on the Satuiday night when he was going home from his work.—The Bench said the policeman was perfectly right in bringing the case forward, but as evidence had been given to show that the rails were on the road previously, they would dismiss the case. At the same time the conduct of the defendants in crouching down in the ditch was suspicious. If the defendants came before the Bench on a future occasion they would be dealt with severely. School Board Prosecutions.—The magistrates made the follow- ing orders in the cases brought before themHush Lewis, Pontbren, fined 5s. including costs; Griffith Edwards, Cwrt. dismissed; Richd. Edwards, miner, Aberdovey, 5s. Hugh Gabriel, labourer, Aberdovey, Ann Lewis, char- woman. Aberdovey, adjourned to next court; Philip Evans, labourer, Aberdovey, 5s.; Ellis Jones, gas works, Aberdovey, 5s. and Sarah Pugh, Drenewydd, Towyn, 5s. Mr. Thruston did not sit en the Bench during the hearing of the cases in which his tenants were concerned. Ellis Jones, of the Gas Works, stated that he had not been served with a notice, and when fined declared that he would not pay.

LLWYNGWRIL. PREACHING MEETING. — The Wesleyans held their annual preaching meeting on Friday, Nov. 1. when the Revs. J. Evans and H. Jones preached. The pe; vices were very well attended, 'especially in the evening of Thursday, October 30, when the chapel was crowded. SCHOOL BOARD, THURSDAY, Ocr. 80.-Prese"1t. Messrs. William Jones (chairman), D. Price (viee-eh linn an), .1. Williams, L. Reese, J. Ellis, clerk, and G. Evans, attendance officer. Non-attendance of Schr>() Children.—The Attendance Officer produced lists from the different teachers with the names of children who were irregular in their attendance at school. The Boned resolvc.! that the parents of tl1e worst were Lo be served with notices, and that those who were previously served with notices should be summoned. hlvyngwril Schoo'. —Applications were considered for the mastership of this "chool. Mr L. Lewis was unanimously I elvtetl m:1Acr. Mr. Lewis had received n1Ot praisew<.un- reports, and produced the BO:l1"(l the hi2;h,t t èstim'mi;ll-" ffo had had considerable experience in teaching, chiefly in large schools, and was presently engaged a3 master of the Llcchryil j Board SchooL ..¡

TOWYN. A DRUNKEN OUTRAGE.—A drunken man in Frankwell- street was sitting by the fire-side in his house, quarrelling with a neighbour, who stood in the door-way, by whose side a little girl of four years of age was standing. The quarrel having waxed very hot, the drunken man took up the poker and threw it with great violence towards the person standing in the door.way. He, however, missed his aim, but struck the poor child in the head, inflicting a fearful wound, which bled in an alarming manner, and the child's life was for a long time in a most critical state. The child ia, however, better, and hopes are entertained that it has not suffered any permanent injury. GUNPOWDER PLOT.—The anniversary of the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot was commemorated by some of our loyal townsmen with a good display of fireworks, and substantial offerings to Bacchus, whose votaries were un- commonly numerous. WOODCOCKS.—Mr. E. Hun.phreys, of Pier Villas, near this town, shot two very fine specimens of woodcock on D.yffryngwyn farm, in the Happy Valley, on Nov. 1. We also understand that the first cock of the season was killed on this farm. BUILDING OPERATIONS.—It is a common saying, that the darkest hour is just before the dawn of day. Be that as it may, it is a fact that the state of the labour market had reached as dark a state in this place during tha last few weeks, as warranted the apprehension of a most gloomy prospect for the winter. Great numbers of men were out of work all about the country, and there were no visible signs of any coming relief. But, quite unex- pectedly, it was announced at the end of last week that several large building contracts had been let, which would be commenced the beginning of this week. The news was almost too good to believed. Monday morning, however, proved the new. to be true. Mr. Henry Jones's staff of men were set to excavate the foundation of ten houses on the land close to Drenewydd, and formerly the pro- perty of the Towyn Building Society. These are only1 the first batch of a much larger number of houses which are to be built on this eligible site before the end of next summer. On the same day, and by common consent, as it were, Messrs. Hammond and Son marked out land for building ten houses opposite Athelsfcan Row, and now there are a number of men at work cutting foundations, hauling material, and fully engaged with other prelimin- aries incidental to building. Messrs. Hammond and Son have already completed the building of fourteen houses, besides other extensive buildings, within a very short space of time. There is a great demand for houses at Towyn.

THE NEW WATER SUPPLY. BANQUET BY THE COMPANY TO THE CORPORATION. The Pwllheli Water Company, who have just completed their works for supplying the town with plenty of good water invited the Corporation to dinner at the Crown Hotel' on Saturday. November 2. The Company were well represented by Mr. Grundy, solicitor, Manchester, and Mr. Butcher, also of Manchester The engineer for the works was Mr. Thomas Roberts, Portmadoc, an the contractor Mr, O. E. Owen, Llanberis. The tota., ex- penditure has been about £4,000. The source of supply is at Mur-y-Cwymp, about f our miles from the town, and at an elevation of about 3( Oft. During the driest seasons it is said that one spring alone yields 200,000 gallons every twenty-four hours, and there are more springs that can be utilized, so that if necessary in the future the supply can be easily trebled. The main pipes between the source and the town are four and five inch., and are capable of delivering about 240,000 gallons in the twenty-four hours. There is a service reservoir within half-a-mile of the town capable of holding a three days' supply. Five plugs have been put down about forty yards apart, so that every house in Pwllheli is within reach of the water, and that it can be brought to bear with great force was amply proved on Saturday. Fortunately Saturday was a bright, sunny day, and when the water was turned on and shot high above the house tops, the effect was very satisfactory, and was greatly enjoyed by a large crowd of spectators. Before the Mayor, Mr. J. Edwards, who wore the official robe and chain, declared the works opened, he addressed the assembly, and said that he was very glad indeed to have the honour of being present at the ceremony of opening the Pwllheli Waterworks. The occasion was one of great importance to them all, as by these works they had brought within their reach a plentiful supply of pure water. (Applause.) They ought to be very thankful to their English brethren for the enterprise manifested in the works now completed, and he thought he might say they were thankful. (Cheers.) Whenever any great quarry or mine works were to be carried out in Wales. Englishmen were always the first to come forward with their capital. (Applause.) The Mayor then turned the water on, amid loud cheers. A pane of glass or two in one of the windows was broken by the force of the water. The men in charge of the delivery pipe soon drove the spectators into places of shelter, and much amusement was caused at dignified at- tempts to retreat before the watery attack. At the Tower Hotel a fountain jet had been fixed. The graceful curves and lines made by the water in the sunshine delighted the crowd, and called forth very sincere exclamations of pleasure. At the Whitehall Hotel, again the hose was fixed and a good deal of damp amusement was caused by turning the water first in one direction aud then another. The impression created by the opening ceremony could not possibly have been more favourable—the water was bright as crystal, and the weather was as favourable as if the month had been July instead of November. The dinner, laid out in first-class style at the Crown Hotel, was a, credit to the proprietor, Mr. R. Griffiths. The food was of the best, and it was well cooked and well served. The eulogy of the Mayor was well deserved—a better prepared dinner is not often met with. The follow- ing was the bill of fare :— Soups-Hare, vegetable. Fish-Turbot, ole". Joints—Roust beef, boiled turkey, tongue, ham, saddle of mutton, roast fowls, pigeon pie, goose. Game- Pheasants, partridges. Sweets-Plum pudding, mince pies, fruit tarts, lemon .idly, strawberry cream, blancmange. Dessert-Grapes, oranges, &c. There were present, Mr. Grundy, solicitor, Manchester, representing the Pwllheli Water Works Company, in the chair, Mr. Thomas Roberts, engineer, Portmadoc, in the vice-chair, Mr. Butcher, Manchester, representing the Water Works Company, Mr. John Edwards, the Mayor of Pwllheli, Mr. R. O. Jones, ex-Mayor, Mr. G. Jones. Mr. L. Jones, Mr. Thomas Lloyd, Min-y-don, Mr. H. Hughes, Madryn Arms Hotel, Mr. Ivor Parry, solicitor, Mr. R. H. Jones, Mr. E. J. Edwards, Mr. T. M. Ow.-n, draper, Dr. Hughes, Plasyward, Mr. O. E. Owen, the contractor, Mr. W. Davies. Mr. John Ellis, Mr. L. G. Pugh, Mr. R. G. Williams, auctioneer, Mr. R. Roberts, solicitor, Mr. A. O. Owen, Idwynrhydol, Mr. R. Jones, banker, Mr. Isaac Morris, The Lodge, &c. After dinner the CHAIRMAN said there was one which they must drink, and that was" The Queen." With that toast he would also counle the Prince invi Princess of Wales, and all the rest of the Royal Fainilv. (Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN—There was another tcast which must ask the company to drink. He came to Pwllhe:i an entire stranger. The reception he had met from everybody had been most gratifying, so much so that li- I. soon ceased to consider himself a stranger. (Applause.) The Mayor and Corporation of Pwllheli had met the Company he that day had the honour to represent, in company with Mr. Butcher, in the best possible spirit. (Cheers.) The works that had been completed and so satisfactorily opened by the Mayor, he trusted would be of great service and comfort to many. (Cheers.) Hs believed the water works would be a source of great convenience and comfort to many, and that the prosperity of the town would be increased by what had been done. (Cheers.) There was, he thought, a great future for Pwllheli. (Applause.) He proposed the health of the Mayor and Corporation, and thought they would, by united effort, overcome any little difficulties that stood in the way of their future progress. The MAYOR, who speaks with great fluency in both languages, responded, and said that generally a Welsh- man in the first part of his speech told his audience that he was unaccustomed to public speaking. He would on that occasion speak in the language of their entertainers. (Hear, hear.) It gave him great pleasure to see the water works completed, and also to have the honour of taking part in the opening ceremony. (Cheers.) For many reasons he had taken great interest in the advancement of the town and had done h,is best to promote whatever tended to promote the happiness and well-being of its in- habitants. (Cheers.) In all his life there had been no- thing he was more anxious to see procured than a plenti- ful supply of pure water. (Applause.) To have water in great purity helped to increase the health, comfort, and prosperity of a community. (Cheers.) They were a slow people that did not make rapid progress in any way, and he had 110 hesitation in putting himself among the lot, and taking upon himself a full share of any blame or responsibility that might come to him. (Cheers.) .• t Pwllheli they had not the opportunity of embarking in large undertakings similar to those carried out by their Manchester friends, who looked at these water works as a small affair, whilst they in Pwllheli thought them a very considerable matter. (Hear, hear.) Manchester was a place in which he had spent many years of his life, and he hoped the new water works would be a profitable undertaking to the gentleman from that city who had embarked capital in them. (Cheers.) In the future he hoped the Corporation would become possessors of the works. (Cheers.) They had been blamed by some people for allowing strangers to come and take the construction of the water works into their own hands. I Well, there was considerable difference of opinion on that head. By some it was thought better for a private com- pany to construct the works, but others again were of a different opinion. Of one thing there could be no doubt. Whatever became of the works ultimately—whether they became the property of the Corporation or remained in the hands of the Company, the inhabitants of PwllheH had good people to deal with; people who would act fairly and take no unfair advantage of them. (Cheers.) In some places the inhabitants wera called gents, but in Manchester they were called men. (Cheers.) He hoped there was a good future for the works, which he was sure were for the good of the town. (applause.) He looked at Pwllheli as only in its infancy, and he expected that it would grow and develop in the future. (Cheers.) There were many improvements needed, but it should be re- membered in comparing that town with other places that Pwllheli was, so to speak, at the end of the world. They had no railway beyond them as yet, but he trusted that would not always be the case. (Cheers.) If they got English friends to come among them they would show them what to do with their capital, but without capital they could not do the things they saw needed to be done. (Cheers.) Great complaints were made by some people that the Corporation of Pwllheli did not know all their faults. If those writers knew all the Corporation's difficulties they would not write as they did. (Cheers.) If all the diffi- culties the Corporation had to contend with were known to those writers they would not write as they had written during the last two or three weeks. The particular article in the Cambrian News to which he alluded was the most one-sided article he had ever seen. (Hear, hear.) There was not in his opinion a more healthy town in the kingdom than Pwllheli. They were proverbial for not having much disease in the town. (Hear, hear.) When- ever they had a disease in the town they could stamp it out in a few days, so that it was not fair to say what had been said. (Cheers.) The population of Pwllheli was one of the most healthy in the Universe. He hoped the friend who wrote the article he referred to would pay them a visit, and then he would see for himself that they were not in such a bad state after all. (Cheers.) They were not perfect, of course, and they contemplated doing more in the next few years than they had done in the past. (Cheers.) Application had been made for the loan of a large sum of money in order to carry out improve- ments in the town, and they hoped they would get that money. (Applause.) Their Manchester friends, he hoped, would give a good report of Pwllheli to their acquaint- ances, so that they might be induced to come to do as the gentleman had done who had carried out the waterwox-ks. (Cheers.) It was their duty to return their sincere thanks to the Water Company for the noble way they had been entertained, and he would give them" Success to the Pwllheli Waterworks Company, coupled with the names of Mr. Grundy, their chairman, and Mr. Butcher." (Loud cheers.) The toast was honoured in water. The CHAIRMAN responded, and said he reciprocated the remarks of the Mayor as to the great difficulty of admin- istering the affairs of a town like Pwllheli. It was very hard to be attacked when doing their best. (Hear, hear.) Very often attacks of the kind referred to by the Mayor might be the means of frustrating the object they had in view and of retarding progress. (Hear, hear.) The Cor- poration ought to have silent sympathy, and should not b3 unjustly attached. (Cheers.) He thought there Wid a great future for the town, and he was of opinion that the water they had been the means of bringing into it would be a great help, not only in adding to the comfort of the people, but in making the sewerage effective. (Hear, hear.) On behalf of the Company he desired to accord their most sincere thanks to the Corporation for the uni- formly kind way in which they had been treated through- lout. (Cheers.) If at any time hereafter it should happen that the Corporation had to deal with the Company they would not have to deal, he assured them, with a hard, exacting body, but with men anxious to meet them liberally. (Cheers.) The Company would, of course, expect to re- ceive something for the risk they had incurred in the undertaking, but the Corporation would be dealt with in the same kindly spirit with which the Company had been received. (Cheers.) Mr. BUTCHER also replied, and endorsed what the chairman had said. If he had in any way assisted in bringing a supply of water to the town of Pwllheli, be was glad to have been so useful. (Cheers.) The MAYOR had a toast to propose which he knew would be well received. There was a gentleman who could not well be dispensed with in an undertaking like that whose completion they were celebrating. He had to take the sections, prepare the plans, &c., and without some one like their worthy vice-president the affair conld not have been carried out. (Cheers.) He did not know anyone who could have been employed by the company. who could have done the work as well as Mr. Roberts had done it. (Applause.) He was pleased to think that the scheme long thought of as the best for supplying the town with water had been carried out. Although he knew the district better than Mr. Roberts did he was willing to plead his ignorance that there was a source for water so near the town. He. in company with the gen- tlemen who had purchased the fore shore, had been look- ing for a long time and trying to find a good source of water supply. He was pleased to find that the level wall so good and the quantity so great that there would be ne difficulty as to the present supply or the supply for the future. (Loud cheers.) The VICE-CHAIRMAN was much obliged t) them for the kind way in which his health had been given and received. The site was high enough and the water was bound to come down to the town. He desired to say that the land owners and agents had been most willing to give him encouragement, and he had obtained good and satisfactory results both for the town and the company. (Applause.) If engineers could have money placed at their disposal they could do almost anything. (Cheers.) Th, works opened that day were begun in July and they were finished. (Applause.) There were nearly five miles of piping, and he questioned whether a work of that magni- tude had been carried out in such a short time in that district before. (Cheers.) The engineer might plan, but unless they had some to do the work it would be very little use. He had great pleasure in giving the health of Mr. Owen, the contractor, who got the work done with great despatch. There was a pressure of 110 lbs. per square inch, so if there were any leaks they would have shown themselves. (Cheers.) Mr. OWEN briefly replied in Welsh, and thanked thea heartily for the honour done him. The CHAIRMAN said there was another toast he would like to give. There were landlords and landlords, and there were agents and agents. (Applause.) The com- pany could not have been better met in every way in any part of England than they had been met in that district— they had been met in a spirit of fairness. (Cheers.) must not for a moment be understood to say that the agents with whom they had had to deal, had in the slightest degree, neglected the interest of their employers—they had done nothing whatever of the kind. (Hear, hear.) That the scheme had been carried out, was due to the fairness of the landlords and agents with whom they had found it necessary to treat. The agents had been of great assistance ■ and in giving the toast of the landlords and agents" had much pleasure in coupling with the toast, the name øl. the Ex-Mayor, Mr. R. 0. Jones. (Cheers.) The Ex-MAYOR said he had much pleasure as an agent in handing over the lease which enabled the Company to get to the high road. As they all knew it was easy enough to get along as soon as you once got to the high road. (Cheers.) It was his hope that he might be one of the Corporation to hold up his hand in favour of purchasing the interests of the Company, and to extend the water mains to the new town to be built on the beach. (Cheers.) Dr. HUGHE asked to be allowed to endorse what the Mayor said as to the health of the town. (Cheers.) Al- though the Cambrian News had taken upon itself to say that Pwllheli was theworst town iu thecountry, they would compare favourably with the best. (Applause.) He thought it was very unfair of the Cambrian News to bring out such a scurrilous article—an article which was not worthy of the name of an article. (Laughter and cheers.) It was not right, just when the town was in a state of transition, to find fault with the streets and with every- thing else. As to the manure heaps at every street corner almost, that was a deliberate lie. (Cheers and laughter.) There were, he admitted, some manure heaps, and he hoped they would be removed. (Hear, hear.) Then as to the mud in the Iwrbour; to remove that would take many thousands of pounds. (Hear, lear.). As to fever, there were fewer fevers in Pwllheli than in any other town in the Principality, and he hoped the editor would be more truthful in future. (Loud laugnter.) The attention of the speaker was called to the representative of the Cambrian News, and Dr. Hughes concluded by asking the company to drink his very good health. Mr. GIBSON acknowledged the compliment and the abuse, and said it was fortunate for him that the adverse criticism was not mortal. The interests of the Cambria* News were identical with the interests of Pwllheli, and as the town prospered the paper would prosper. It often perplexed him that this fact was not more clearly realized at other places besides Pwllheli. As for the transition state of Pwllheli, it was the queerest transition he had ever known, for the town seemed not to have moved one way or the other for more than ten years, but NO there seemed to be signs of life, (Cheers.) Pwllheli needed to believe in itself more, and to aim at progress of every kind. The future that was before the town needed grasping and making their own as it could only be made their own by determined efforts and in the face of consider- able differences of opinion. (Applause.) He would be a" pleased as Dr. Hughes could be to see Pwllheli prosper, but they would not improve unless they looked at the place as visitors looked at it and tried to bring it accord with modern notions of what summer resorts should be. (Cheers.) The health of the host, Mr. R. Griffiths, was proposed by Mr. HUGHKS, of the Madryn Arms.—lhe CHAIli- MAY supported the toast- in highly complimentary terms.—The MAYOR also observed that he ha( on D grea many occasions during the past forty years dined in tha room, but he never in all that time sat down to a better dinner better put on the table. (Cheers.) Mr. R. GRIFFITHS suitably responded, and the party broke up.

CORRESPONDENCE. All Utter* must be written on one side of the paper and accompanied by the name and addresi of the writer, not y for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. DUFUHDANT.—Applications to have police cases omitted are never attended to.

FOOTPATHS ON TURNPIKE ROADS. SIR, r was pleased to see i:i your last week's issue that Perry Winkle suggests, the making of a footpath at the side of the turnpike roads in Wales. The inconvenience and danger to the public by not having footpaths can scarcely be estimated, but it is scarcely likely that the County Roads* Board—a non-representative and irresponsible body—will undertake a work of this kind in Cardiganshire. Tbat it is so difficult to obtain reforms from Courts of Quarter Sessions can only be explained by the fact that county magistrates have an exaggerated and incorrect idea of their importance and powers. As soon as the representative element has been introduced into county management it will be no longer impossible to obtain reforms loudly called for by the necessities of the PtLblic.-I aw, & PEDESTRIAN.

THE TREGARON UNION VALUATION. SIs,-In reply to "Looker On" in your last week's impression, re the Tregaron Union aluation, I beg to state that I am prepared to make a;. appointment with him to show progress, if he is a ratepayer. If not a rate- payer I would respectfully advise him to mind his own business.—lam, k; D. P. DAVIES. Troedybryn House, Aberystwjth, oth Nov., 1878.