The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

FARMERS' COLUMN. THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT, 1878. On Wednesday, Oct. 30, a largely attended meeting of the Shropshire Chamber of Agriculture was held at the Guildhall, Oswestrv, to consider the provisionsof the Weights and Measures Act of hist Session. Mr. Stanley Leighton, MP., President •f the Chamber, occapied the chair, and amongst those who were also present were Mr. Wm. Nevett, Yorton, Vice-President, the flavor of Oswestry (Mr. J. Thomas) Mr. J. Bowen Jonea, Mr W L Browne. Shrewsbury, Mr. Alfred Mansell (secretary), Mr. John Humphreys, Hanlev Hall, Mr. R, Legh, Foxhall, Mr. Thomas Humphreys. Middletwi, Mr. R. I„-ingfor<l Weston Mi. John Jones, Ashlands, Mr. W. Sheraton, Broom House Klles- Were Mr W. H. Lacon, Oswestry, Mr. C. Morns, Chirburj, Mr. Langford, Chirbury, Mr. Thomas Thorny, The Buitidings, Baschurch, Mr. Thomas, maltster Slirewsbnry Mr C°P Shrewsbury, Mr. Phillips, Llansnmtifraid, Mr. G. W. Edwards, Mardu. Mr. Oswell, Eardiston, Mr. Shinier Birch Hall Mr. .1. G. Vonlkes, Llwynymaen, Mr. Jones, Weston Lower MIlls, Mr. George Kempster,'Four Cl0S^M^™Tl^™ere Mr Newnes, Mr. Thomas Thomas, Beech House, Ellesmere Mr. J. Cure ton. Hordlev, Mr. W. Vaughan. Ruyton.Mr A Atfield, Mr. T. S Minton, Mr. Deakin, Mr..T. M £ rT\ £ Fle^hl Mr B. Deakin, Mr. H. Lee, Mr. E. Hawkins, Mr. W. Fletcher Rogers Mr. R. B. Oswell, Shelvock, &c. The CHHRMAN said, that in opening the proceedings he did not intend to anticipate the discussion which would be carried •n by others, but he wished to thank the Mayorand Corporation •f this town for their kindness in giving the Chamber the use •f that place to meet in, and to assure them how glad the Chamber were to avail themselves of this kindness. (Hear, crnimRY read letters of apology for non-attendance frnm Mr R. Jasper More, from Mr. John Bather, Mr. R. Blake- wavVhiilips Mr. Samuel Miller, the Court, Mr. J. H. A. Hayne, the secretary to the Birmingham Corn Trade Association Mr. Woodliam, Shrewsbury, Mr. T. W. Davies, Sugden, Mr J. H. Chattorton, secretary to the Association of British and Irish Millers London, who enclosed the report of their meeting held on the Sth October, at Liverpool, for the adoption of the cental; Mr William Blakeway, Wootton, Craven Arms. Mr Jasper M ore's letter ran as follows Linley, Bishop's Castle 28th October, 1873. Sir,-I am sorry I am prevented attaid'ing the meeting of the Chamber on Wednesday, as I was nraviouslv engnged to the Clun Society before your fixture was made It seems not improbable that Parliament may be asked ton-is" the measure of which I gave notice before I lost my seat in it the object of which was to make the Liverpool cental, or 1001b the legal weight for grain, to sell by weight only, and to aiake the sack 2001b8. I am aware provincial farmers prefer the twtof 1121hs., but the influence of the great markets is sure to nrevail. I found them all in favour of the cental ten years ago for international as well as local convenience. A meeting in London has just pronounced in favour of the cental, and as there is a meeting at Birmingham on the 31st for the Midland Counties to express their opinion, I would venture to suggest the advisability of your sending a delegate to that meeting.-I sira, your obedient servant, R. JASPER MORK, the secretary of '^Mr^W^I^'BROW^K6 Shrewsbury, in opening the discussion, *aid- In the first place, I must acknowledge the compliment vou have paid me by requesting me to open a discussion, before I general meeting of the members of your Chamber, upon a •nestion of so great importance to the farming and trading confmunitv as that dealt with by the new Weights and Measures Act We 'have it upon the authority of Mr. J. R. Kenyon, the loirnod chairman of our Quarter Sessions, that our ancestors, passed an Act of Parliament providing that there should be one scale for weights and measures in this country, from which has resulted the customs with which we are nnw familiar. The system of weights and measures, which ha:: hwn in use in this country from the time of the three barley corns of Edward III. to the present day, is one that has been sn niiiect of detestation to all men in whom love of method is a ru liil passion, and of utter perplexity to those who have had to transact business in markets scattered over a wide area of the kingdom. It is what might have been expected as the creation of a people who were constantly influenced by the varying ebb and flow of circumstances, rather than that of definitely organised plans or carefully-elaborated theories and that it should have been tolerated so long by those who pride themselves in being styled the first mercantile community in the world, must have greatly astonished the more methodical and systematic men of other countries. When we seriously look into this question, and begin to enumerate the different weights mellsures, and customs by which grain alone is bought and sold within the narrow limits of this country we must ourselves largely enter into that perplexity so bewildering to foreigners, and wonder how it is possible we have so long sat quietly down to enjoy so great a reputation with so much confusion around us The nail of our grandfathers has been banished from our homesteads, to be cherished only as a relic of the past, and the once-wonderful steam thrashing machine has taken its place to perform with ease in one day what its predecessor could not have accomplished in a month. The sickle has been thrust aside by the introduction of a most perfect combination of mechanism" the rattling music of which annually gladdens the hearts of all; and the expeditious drill has stolon from the hands of the toiling seed-sower their occupation. Many other momentous changes have been the result of the urgent requirements of the times in which we live but in the matter of buying and selling our grain we are as we were a hundred years ago. when from centre to centre English counties were practically asfur apart as several continental countries are now apart from the centre of England, and when railways and telegraphy had not destroyed isolation, and brought all markets and towns into one eeneral uniformity. It is unnecessary for me to allude, whilst "ontining myself to the buying and selling of grain only, to the variety of weights and measures in use to-day even in our own county-in all they number 28—or to point out the rlifficultyen- countered by every farmer who makes his sales in this town, in his attempt to ascertain where, away from the market he is in the habit of attending, the best price can be realised for the produce he wishes to sell, in order, I think, to gain your approval of any scheme that has for its object the establishment »f one universal standard by which all grain shall be bought and sold. It has been the good fortune of gentlemen here, who have during their lives feiught many hard battles before that monster, prejudice, could be overcome, to see adopted, and generally approved of by their fellow agriculturists, various progressive principles so long desired to be introduced, and which, now they are widely recognised and esteemed by these whom'they were destined to benfeflt, could not be disposed of without creating a thousand times greater revolution than was caused by their introduction. It will be the same with regard to the uniformity of weights and measures. For a few weeks the usual difficulty of understanding the working of a new •▼stem will be felt, hut when it has once been mastered, the magnitude of the burden we are now labouring under will be realised and every one whose province it is to transact business in more places that one, will feel that a yoke which has long chafed and irritated him has, by the wisdom of an enlightened era at last been taken from his neck. I have made these general remarks with feelings akin to those of a man who has long been compulsorily associated with some most disagreeable companion, but who at last has been liberated from his tor- mentor, and is able, without fear of punishment, to give him "a piece of his mind." The Act passed last session has come un- 8ltpectedly to our assistance, and, to a great extent, after the 1st of January next, will clear away very much of the disorder which now reigns supreme. It is true there is a considerable degree of mystery connected with the history of the Act, and your worthy president will perhaps tell you that even he was unaware it would so soon become law, or otherwise this Chamber would have been mformoo of its chief features, and the opinion of practical men solicited upon them. Many of the provisions of the measure, however, are plain enough, and in manv respects very much to the purpose. They provide for the care" and valuation of the standards, remove doubts as to the le.al parts and multiples of the imperial standards, and provide tint, no weight or measure is to be used for trade purposes that is not of the denomination of the Board of Trade standard. This, of course, at one stroke puts an end to the entire system of local measures, a decree which will unquestionably result in good, but which in hundreds of local centres may produce temporary consternation and inconvenience. The Act, however, is an accomplished fact, and it is of less importance now to dis- cuss what it might have been, than to consIder what has to be done to reap the largest share ot benefit from the measure. It is Drobable the Government acted, wisely by passing it quickly anil ouietly into law, without consulting those various interests iiffilrfced by it; for it was a certainty that the vigor- nn«T representatives of those interests, if left to them- selves would not, without much delay, if ever, agree upon the recommendation of any one denomination of weight or measure. I will not. encroach upon your time by quoting the various sections and clauses of the Act, which are now well known to all, but will merely express my own regret that the Act did not go further than it does, and lay down clearly one legal standard of weight for all grain throughout the country. If in future, you sell your grain by the bushel, it must be by a measure of capacity, the dimensions of which are laid down in the 15th section of the Act; but there is nothing in the new law which will in any way affect the selling of grain by any or all the weights now in use. A pound is the legal standard, and vou may sell bv anv number of pounds you choose. But it would seem to abolish the weighed quarter. All our present anomalies—excepting the 38. "9, and ill quart measures, and the terms bushel, sack, or bag, as representing a stated number of pounds—will be legal as they have been. Now, the passing of this Act gives an opportunity for the revival of the old agitation for the adoption of one uniform standard, and if this can be achieved by the public expression of opinion entertained by members ef such institutions as this, the Act we are now con- •iderin" good in itself up to a certain point -will be acceptable to the°country as the stepping-stone which led to general uniformity in buying and selling grain. If we refer to the third clause of "section eight, we shall there see a door open to" us, through which we can pass and obtain what we require, without overstepping the confines of the law. It is there enacted that— The Board of Trade shall from time to time cause such new denominations of standards, being either equivalent to, or multiples, or aliquot parts of the impevial weights and measures ascertained by this Act, or being equivalent to or multiples of each coin of the realm for the time being, as appear to them to be required, in addition to those mentioned in the second schedule of this Act, to be made and duly verified, and those new denominations of standards when approved by her Majesty in Council shall be Board of Trade standards in like manner as if they were mentioned in the said schedule." It would there- fore appear that if proper representations are made to the Board of Trade—who have large powers under this Act—it will be quite within their power to legalize standards of 3001bs., 1121bsM •JOOlbs., 3001bs, 4001bs., 500lbs., or other weights which might be recommended to them as best for universal adoption in the corn trade. This is borne out by a letter already issued from the Board of Trade office, which, in reply to enquiries made by the Local Taxation Committee, tells us that should the exigencies of the trade at any time demand the legalisation of a material standard weight of the cental of lOOlbs. referred to in the Chanwer A griculture Journal, or of any other standard being multiple or aliquot part of an imperial weight or measure, it will be within the power of the Board of Trade to legalise such standard." From the tone of this letter we may also infer that the Board of Trade will be pleased to exercise the powers with which they are invested. I dù not think there are many here present who will disagree with me when I say that the bushel of capacity as maun* by this Act, and as understood by ourselves, would be a most inconvenient and unsatisfactory standard by which to sell ail imbi It his recently been spoken of in deservedly strong ami disrespectf ul terms. The good old-fashioned bushel, so long tho uride of every farmer, has been characterised as a perfect demon in disguise as th, =;e„t, but unhappy medium for rendering transactions difficult and slow, and for stirring up legal strife and angry disputes between the mildest of men It has been accused of assuming more than a dozen different forms in order to frustrate the hopes of honest traders; and is pictured as a huge bugbear which causes the farmer to veil his corn in one wav to deliver it in another, to settle for it in yet another way, and which finally involves every one who has anything to do with it in endless calculation, confusion, and uncertainty. I can conceive but one standard by which the enormous grain trade of this country can be expeditiously and conveniently carried on, and that is a standard of some uniform weight, carrying its quotation with it from one end of the king- dom to the other. What weight would be best suited to the re- quirements of the country it is perhaps difficult to say but I would not carry opposition to any one so far as to prevent its adoption. This question has already been discussed before crowded meetings m London, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, and many other places holding high positions in the corn trade, and to-morrow the Midland counties wiiispeak out at Birming- ham on the same subject. The Corn Trade Association of London have decided to adopt, as a trial, until January 1st the following weighte, namely..>00 lbs. for wheat, maize, Indian corn, pulse, and seeds 400 lbs. for barley, and 300 lb3. for oats. Thev found it difficult even now to come at once to the position of advancement at which the trade m Liverpool had arrived so long as twenty years ago, and adopt the cental of 100 lbs. In some agricultural districts there is a strong feeling in favour of the hundredweight--112 lbs. because ^"PPose a, weight re- presenting those many P^nds, or its half, or quarter, is possessed by most- people; and others have gone so far ;us to suggest the General adoption of the ton. It would certainly be easy to do business by the ton, but when, divisions and sub-divisions were made the same awkward weights we have now to contend Zfth would still present themselves, and prevent us from entirely avoidin" our present troubles. In reverting to the bushel of capacity, I might say that for all practical purposes-with the exception of its use for selling barley or malt, and that is by no nmn'ten eral, it must be considered obsolete weight being the onh-means of testing the value of grain with anv degree of certainty. I now come to the importantquestion W hat weight will vou represent to the Board of Trade, or to your Central Chamber and through it to the Board of Trade as the best by which all'grain should be bought and sold endorse the recommendation of the London Corn Ti arte Associa tion bv adopting the weights they have selected, or agree with the merchants who recently attended the gre^t meetings in Liver- ta preferable •; I am myself in favour of the lOOlbs It har- monizes with the decimal system, which isrw^gni/.ed by all scientific men as the true mode of calculating and defining numbers. By far the greater number of those who have already taken part in the general discussion that is taking place through- out the country upon this subject, agree that it is time that a ?f iti«>n, taking a lead in the commerce of the world, should have universally intelligible system for buying and selling. We lIu"t. accept the fact that some change is not only necessary, but Ius to he made, m order to conforuTto tbe Act of Parliament, which as I have already pointed out is very explicit in its enact- ments of reform in local or customary weights and measures. It is desirable that whatever alteration is made it should be "IW that can receive general support, and at the same tun" be based Oil principles that are correct, both in theory and in practical application An approach to the decimal svstem must be regarded as that most useful and likely to be of permanent utility. The period may be remote, but, sooner or later it is probable that not only weight and measures, but coinage also, will he brollht to a decimal system, lull it will he a step in the right directiou, and one there can be ■to fear of having to retrace, if you and others in making the dinner? now will, by combined action, take the lOOlbs. as the foundation upon which to base your operations. That standard, too, would be easily manageable and quickly understood, and its adoption would do less to revolutionize the present state øf thirgs on this side the country than would the introduction of anyother. That is worthy of your consideration. When it was announced that this meeting would take place so early as to- day, I hoped that the Shropshire Chamber of Agriculture, which has always come well to the front in discussing public questions affecting the interests of agricultllri..ts-anrl it will undoubtedly continue to hold that prominent position so long as it is fortu- nate enough to receive the support of men possessing the intel- ligence and perseverance of a Bowen Jones, a Nevett, a Mansell. and others, whose efforts to do good are well known and duly appreciated by all,although they have passed quietly byfwith- out more tangible recognition—I was hoping, I say, that this Chamber would have been the first to approve of the adoption of the 100 Ibs. standard but I fiud the Pevonshire Chamber has forestalled you, for on Friday week last they unanimously passed a resolution in favour of the general adoption of that weight. The simplicity of the 100 lbs. standard is a great argument in its favour. The more simple the system we adopt the better, if, as I take it, it is the wish of all that the trade of this country should be conducted upon the soundest principles. It will be within the recollection of many here that not many years ago the laborious and cumbersome system so long employed by our forefathers in bringing their grain to market in bulk was still adhered to. That custom was discarded by the same intelligence which recognizes the utility of useful and beneficial changes, and the morè convenient method of selling by sample at market the bulk which remains at home is now practised. What would you say if we returned to those customs again ? The present con- fU8ed network of exasperating complications called by some "customary local weights and measures," would surely provide for us an excuse or reason to do more absurd things than that. There is no desire, however, to go back to the old usages of by- gone days, for the general anxiety is to step forward out of those threadbare customs that now trammel us, into others better suited to the age in which we live; and now that an oppor- tunity, for which you have long waited, prllsenti1 itself, I may safely conjecture that all will be solicitous to turn it to the best account. With these remarks, gentlemen, to which you have I done me the honour to listen, I will conclude, with the hope that after a free expression of a diversity of opinion—for that is one of the surest ways of arriving at a sound conclusion in any matter of discussion—you will agree that, in the interests of agriculture and of commerce, it is desirable that the great grain trarle of this country should be carried on under the standard of one universal weight, and that the basis of that weight should be OXE HUNDRED POUNDS. Mr. J. BOWEN JONES, Ensdon House, said as there appeared to be some little diffidence on the part of those connected with that district in continuing the discussion, he might be permitted to take that opportunity first of all to thank Mr. Browne for his very able address, and to add the few words he wished to say upon the subject. In the first place as lr. Browne had told them, the history of the weights and measures question was one of considerable antiquity, and had been often discussed, but although a considerable amount of feeling had been displayed from time to time from some cause or other, at the present time they had not solved the question. He believed this had to a certain extent arisen from the diversity of modes which ex- isted in consequence of the selling by weight and by measure at the same time. They knew that the measure of capacity could not be equal unrler all circumstances; that the condition of grain would make a difference in its specific gravity, or in other words that grain in a bad condition would weigh a good deal more than in good condition. (Hear, hear.) It was therefore impossible to get uniformity of weight. He fully agreed with Mr. Browne that they as a Chambar should express their opinion in favour of selling by weight alone. (Hear, hear.) The prin- cipal objections urged against this system appeared to be three in number. Firstly that the tithe averages would be affected by the selling by weight, secondly that the corn rents being assessed on the same principle as the tithe averages, would be influenced adversely by its adoption, and thirdly that the malt duty being levied by the Imperial bushel measure, it would create a difficulty. With regard to the first objection, it was perfectly a matter of truth that the tithe averages were taken by measure, and without regard to weight, he believed, but they were based upon calculations received from 150 of the principal towns in the corn growing districts of the country, and they all knew that at those large corn markets in those districts, where land and climate were of the most favourable character, the weight of the Imperial bnshel was pretty uniform, and was, he thought he might say, 621hs. or 631bs for wheat, with a high rate for barley and oats. Practically, therefore, the tithe averages were taken by weight, hecause this uniformity existed. He supposeù this might work disadvantageously in poor dis- tricts like Wenlock, as Mr. Evan Davies contendwd. As to the second objection, the corn rents being taken on the price of corn at certain averages of years, six or seven, he believed, it was patent that in manv instances these aver:1ges worked the very opposite way they were intended to, because It person might occupy and pay on a rent of five or six years of high rate, and be receiving a JlIuch lower rate. He thought it was desirable that thev should go into this question of tithe averages, and arrive at t'he resolution that the tinw had Cllle for tho fixing of a per- manent basis for the tithes. (Hear, hear.) He did not think, however, having met for a definite purpose, that they could on that occasion pass a resolution 011 this subject. With regard to the third objection, that Iltalt pairl rluty by the Imperial bushel, he centemled that it was far easier for the maltster, supposing he bought by weight, to make his calculations as to what it would make by weight than before; it would be much better than for the public to be bothered by the present diversity of systems. (Hear, hear.) The maltsters could if they chose abolish the system of paying by mea- sure, for it was open to them to pay for malt by weight. The weight they should adopt was the metric system, as that was no doubt the most complete, and was almost universal, England and Russia being the only two countries which had not adopted it. But he did not think that at present it was practicable in this country. They had learnt their lesson and it would not be easy for them after thirty or forty years of their lives had passed to learn it over again. If they could not adopt the metric system they should do the next best thing. He was personally in favour of the old ton and its parts, but he could not shut his eyes to the fact that other parts of the country were not of the same opinion, and if they wanted to get uni- formity they must sacrifice individual feeling, provided the feel- ing of others was not against theirs in principle altogether. He therefore should not oppose either standard. All he wanted to advocate was to arrive at a unanimous opinion in favour of selling by weight, and if possible a unanimous opinion as to what that weight should be. (Cheers.) Mr. A. ATFIELD said he fully agreed with Mr Browne a.nd Mr. Bowen Jones that weight was the thing that should be adopted, and that measure should be thrown aside altogether. (Hear.) He was in favour of the established weight of tons, quarters, and cwts, to which they had been accustomed for many years) and which would come very approximately to the present bags' In the grain trade he should be in favour of the 100 Ihs. standard, but he thought there would be a difficulty in applying it to all merchandise, and he contended that there should be one standard only, whether it was grain, butter, cheese, or any other product, throughout the country. (Hear, hear.) If they had one standard for grain, and another for other merchandise, they would not have the uniformity they desired. The maltsters could make malt, and duty could be charged by weight, and he thought it would be to the advantage of the maltsters, for now if they had to buy barley at light weight, they had to pay the same duty. In proposing to that meeting that the weights should be cwts., qrs., and tons, he only did so to invite discus- sion, and should have much pleasure in falling in with the opinion of those who thought differently, should the 112 lbs. not be adopted. (Hear, hear.) The MAYOR OF OSWESTRY said he was very happv to welcome the Chamber to 4!iiscuss that question. He believed it was exactly ten years ago when they had honoured the town with a visit before, and this was the very question they had then had before them. He had then been invited by his friend Mr. Bowen Jones to take part in that discussion. He had taken his line of argument upon the uniformity of weights and measures, and had contended that the fairest and best way would be to sell by the specific gravity of grain, and to say, as was the custom in London, it weighs so much per bushel, not made up. The Government contracts were made so, each kind of grain being specified as weighing.so much per bushel. That was a good way if they could get competent men to measure—(hear, hear)— hardly two men could measure the same. (Hear, hear.) Now he was a convert—(a laugh, and hear, hear)-and was for abolishing measures altogether, except for liquids, for which he thought it was the fairest method. Looking at what was being advocated throughout the kingdom, he thought the most practicable thing to do would be to adopt the cental, or lOOlbs. There would be no difficulty in adopting that standard, and calculating its several parts. The present mode of selling barley by the 38 quarts was most ridiculous, and he could not think who had originated it-slaughter, and hear, hear)—and the same remarks applied with even more force to the measure of 39 quarts, though there was more sense in the 40 quarts. Mr. FOULKES— Who makes half-strikes in Oswestry ? The MAYOR said he had been in trade for some years, and the measure was the cause of all the bickerings which occurred. (Hear, hear.) Nothing touched the dignity of the farmers more than questioning their measure, though the mistakes could not be prevented some times. They could not have a 39-quart measure stamped, it was contrary to the law; it might be right, or it might be wrong, and in nineteen cases out of twenty it was the latter. (Laughter.) He should be glad to propose that that meeting recommended the adoption of the sale of all solids by weight. (Hear, hear.) The Act was not entirely in the interest of the com trade, but in the interests of the whole country it must apply to all other products, and he thought it could not be but very beneficial. (Hear, hear.) Mr. BOWEN JONES seconded the motion. Mr. LANGFORD, Chirbury, who was invited to speak on the question, said lie thought the meeting was very unanimous on the point. He was himself very much in favour of the pro- posal. Mr. C. MORRIS, Chirbury, said he should have very much pleasure in supporting the resolution, if it were intended to apply to all products generally, coal, lime, &c. If they confined it to agricultural products, he thought they would make confu- sion wofte confounded. (Hear, hear.) The MAYOR said he intended the resolution to include all solids, of whatever character. The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. Mr. G. KEMPSTER, Llansaintffraid, said he had been re- quested to propose that in selling their grain and other pro- ducts by weight they should recommend the adoption of the standard which had heen agreed to unanimously in Birming- ham, Liverpool, London, an,1 othr places, and that was the lOOlbs. (Hear, hear.) Under the present system, they bought at Welshpool by the 801bs., at Oswestry by the 75lbs.. and at Liver- pool by the lOOlbs., and when millers wished to mix their grain when they made it into flour, there was a great difficulty in the way. They wanted it one weight, and he felt that this would help to show all which was the best market to buy and sell in, which at present was difficult to ascertain. The newspapers re, ported that grain was sold at such prices in such towns, but gave no weight, and it was impossible to know which was high or low. (Hear, hear.) They could not do better than adopt one uniform weight, he thought, the lOOlbs. (Hear, hear.) Cnder the present system he thought there was need of mis- sionaries to throw a little light amongst them. (Laughter, and hear, hear.) He proposed that there be one uniform weight, and that it be the cental. (Applause.) 11:11'. DEAKIN seconded the resolution. Mr. J. HUMPHREYS, Hanley, said there was a slight inform- ality, Mr. Kempster not being a member of the Chamber. He had, therefore, much pleasure in proposing him as a new mem- ber. Mr. SHINGLKR seconded the motion, and it was carried unanim- ously. Mr. C. MORRIS said, as he understood the matter, the cental wou]d do away with the existing weights and machines through- out the country, and would cause great trouble and expense. He was himself not adverse to the cental; he thought it might be preferable to their existing weights, but he was afraid they were proposing a thing they could net bring about without a great deal of trouble. Mr. BOWEN JONES said he did not suppose they could abolish any existing weights. All they desired was that the cental should be a weight that the Board of Trade should sanction for «S c^. e cer,tal was adopted with unanimity, they would find the others go out of use. ii?0RIVs sajd be was afraid that hitherto the discus- sions at other places had been confined too much to the sale of ram. (Hear, hear.) He was himself in favour of the cental, if he could see his way to its adoption. Ihe MVVOR said he had taken particular notice ef what the last speaker had said. He could not see the least necessity for interfering with existing weights. They could weigh by exist- ing weights and calculate at 100 lbs. The cost of the systelll would not be great and nothing could be done without cost. TheIr chIldren, as It were, in the colonies, had adopted the thousand and hundred pounds standard, and malt was sold by weight m A"^alia ;ind wheat and flour also. If thev could get the universal adoption of decimal.weights, they might ultimately, as he should like to see, get the decimal svstem of roinifp He would rMolution that the cental should be the standard, and that 2,000 lbs. be the standard of thi? ton Mr. A. ATFIELD said he had promised several friends he had seen on the previous day to move that the standard be the cwt of 112 lbs., and he would, therefore, move an amendment to that effect. He did not do so out of any spmt of opposition to the cental, which he thought the best for the corn trade but they ought to look at other trades and manufactures hide pendentlv of the grain trade—(hear, hear)-and he thought by the adoption of the 112 lbs. they would be benefitting the greatest number. (Hear, hear). He, therefore, movad that the weight be the cwt. of 112 Ibs. Mr. LANGFORD, Chirbury, seconded the amendment. Mr. W. NEVETT said he came quite prep ired t,) hear the Chamber recommend that the measure be done away with, hut as to the objections raised to the cental, he confessed he could not see any great difficulty, and with such educational measures as they now had in this country, he hoped his children would be able to calculate by the 100 Ibs. or the 112 Ihs. (Hear, hear.) A meat many of them used the new patent beams for weighing, and he explained that there would be no difficulty in using them to weigh according to the ew system. It would bo a great point, if they could only arrive at a uniform system. The Bill had stirred up the question, and might do great good in that way, but as long as it was permissive, and a man might say that he would not sell in such a way, he contended that it was of no use. Some conclusion as to the best standard ought to be arrived at, and that standard made compulsory. (Hear, hear). He had come there undecided as to which was the better standard. and did hot care which was agreed upon, but he hoped they would be unanimous—(hear, hear)—and that it would not go forth that the Chamber was divided upon the question. (Hear, hear.) Seeing the feeling of the Chamber was greatly against him, he thought Mr. Atfield might his motion. He had done what he had promised his friends he would do. Liverpool and the other largo towns had adopted the cental, and it would be rather absurd for Shropshire to go against them. Generally speaking the 100 lbs. standard was the f:tV9llrito one. Mr. ATFIELD said he had not taken the course he had out of any spirit of opposition to the cental, and should only be too glad to fall in with it. (Hear, hear). He quite understood Neveg's intention, and he would withdraw his amendment as the Chamber wished It. (Applause). Mr. W. L. BROWNE expressed pleasure at the fact that the amendment had been withdrawn. The cental was the standard which had been generally adopted throughout the country by the great centres of trade, and from what he had heard would be adoptad at Birmingham on the following day, and he hoped the meeting would pass a unanimous resolution in favour of its being the universal standard. (Hear, hear.) The motion was then carried unanimously. Mr. NEVETT movedg vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was seconded by the Mayor of OSWESTRY, and carried by accla- mation. The CHAIRMAN, in responding, said it had been a great plea- sure to him to preside there. He was satisfied that the discus- sion ought to have taken place, and extremely glad that they had come to the conclusion they had. It was not the first time the subject had been before the Chamber. On the contrary, as the Mayor had said, ten years ago it had occupied largely the attention of the Chamber, and had also been before the Central Chamber. That Bill was a step towards the wishes expressed by the agricultural commu- nity; it might not be a step very forward, but it was a step, and he hoped that the attention which the passing of the Bill had drawn to the subject would gradually result in afar more perfect system than they had hitherto enjoyed. (Cheers.) The hon gentleman concluded by moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Browne for opening the discussion. (Applause.) Mr. BROWNE, after responding to the vote, which was carried unanimously, proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor of Oswes- try for the reception he had given the Chamber and the exposi- tion he had laid before them. (Applause.) The MAYOR responded, and said that speaking on behalf of the Corporation, he was sure that they would be glad to render the Chamber any accommodation at any time they might be dis- posed to honour them by a visit. (Hear, bear.) Mr. T. HUMPHREYS, Middleton, said they might forgive him if he appeared somewhat in the character of a detective. The discussion of an interesting and important question had at- tracted many who were not members of the Chamber. It was a very admirable institution and did not meet with the support it deserved. (Hear, hear.) He hoped they would forgive him if he urged them to join. He had one fresh member to propose, viz., Mr. George Withers Edwards, Mardu. (Ap- plause.) Mr. Edwards was duly elected, and the meeting then broke up.

THE ASSOCIATED CHAMBERS OF AGRI- CULTURK-THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT. The new session of the monthly council meetings of the Central and Associated Chambers of Agriculture com- menced on Tuesday, when Mr. Phipps, M.P., presided over a numerous gathering in the rooms of the Society of Arts, London. The annual report of the Local Taxation Committee was presented, and expressed regret at the withdrawal of the County Government Bill. It was hoped the question would be settled next session. A resolution was passed that all solid agricultural products should be sold by weight only, another motion being subsequently carried that the cental of one hundred pounds should b the standard adopted. A discussion took place upon the County Government Bill, a resolution being passed to the effect that the meeting confidently relied on the rein- troduction of the Bill early next session by the Govern- ment. A motion on the subjecb of the working of the Highways Act was agreed to, and the meeting separated.

CORN AVERAGES, For the week ending November 2. The following are the quantities sold and the prices this year and last year:— QUANTITIES SOLD. PRICES. This year. Last year. This year. Last year. Wheat 59,000 48,506 39s. Od. 53s. 8d. Barley. 82,985 79,858 39s. 9d. 42s. 4d. Oats 3,051 3,808 22s. Ild. 24s. 2d. Corn, &c. LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY. -The attendance of millers to-day was good, and a large business was done in wheat at an aùvance of Id. to 2d. V centztl. Flour moved freely at an advance of 6d. to Is. on the week. Indian corn sold freely at 24s. to 24s. 3d. for new American mixed, which is 3d.$quarter dearer than on Friday. PRICES (this day). s. d. a. d. American Nl'he:tt, ZP cental of 100 lbs 7 19 to 9 6 English Elour, 2s0 lbs 37 0 40 0 Foreign Barley, V 60 lbs 3 1 3 3 English Oats, 45 lbs 2 10 4 3 Egyptian Beans, 480 lbs. 36 9 38 6 Indian corn, American new white 25 6 26 9 mixed American 24 0 24 3 Malt, pale new English,$qr. 64 0 72 0 I LONDON, WEDNESDAY.—The market was quiet for English wheat at previous rates; foreign exhibited an upward tendency. Flour, oats, and maize realized full values. Grinding barley rather dearer to buy. Beans and peas unaltered.—Arrivals British wheat, 490 quarters; barley, 2,010 quarters; Irish oats, 1,500 quarters. Foreign wheat, 43,100 quarters; barley, 5,850 quarters; oats, 52,720 quarters; maize, 7,320 quarters; flour, 1,340 sacks.

CURRENT PRICES OF GRAIN AT MARK LANE. Shillings ¥ qr. Wheat, new Essex and Kent (white) 36 to 46 Ditto ditto (red). 32 42 Wheat, Norfolk, Lincoln, and Yorkshire (red) 30 40 Barley (Chevalier) 36 50 Malt, English pale, new 67 73 Oats, English feed 23 27 Beans (Mazagan) 34 26 Peas, white boilers (English) 36 40 (foreign). 36 36 Maize 23 26 riour. Town liousenoius, '1!! saCK 01 ;\1SU IDS., to *os. WAKEFIELD, FRIDAY.—We had more demand for wheat this morning, and prices must be noted Is. quarter dearer. Very little enquiry for barley, and, with the exception of the finest sorts, prices were again lower; ordinary almost unsale- able. Other articles steady. LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY. There was a good attendance of millers, who bought freely of wheat, and a tolerably large business was concluded at very firm prices, and rather in sellers' favoui, though hardly quotably dearer. Flour firm, and in fair request. Indian corn met with a fair demand, at an ad- vance of about 3d. 1Ii quarter. SHREWSBURY, SATURDAY.—There was an average attend- ance both of buyers and sellers in this market. There was a fair supply of grain, which realized prices much the same as those Quoted last week. n-n s. d. s. d. White Wheat, V 75 lbs 5 6 @ 7 0 Red ditto, 5 0 6 0 Barley (malting), %( 33 quarts 6 0 6 0 Barley (g-rindillg), 11 5 3 5 9 Oats, 225 lbs 170 24 0 Beans, %J 22& lbs 17 0 22 0 Peas, V 225 lbs It 0 16 9 CHESTER, SATURDAY.—Good red wheat was worth about 6s. %< bushel. Barley was the turn lower. Oats sold slowly, at unaltered rates. LONDON, MONDAY.—The market was firm, but not active. Both English and foreign wheat was quoted Is. dearer than last Monday, with a fair business doing. Flour also 6d. tA sack and barrel dearer on the week. Grinding barley 6d. to Is. higher since Monday; malting sorts firm. Russian and Swedish oats 6d. dearer on the week. Maize exhibits a similar advance. Beans and peas slow of sale, and 6d. to Is. lower on the week. Seed market remains inactive. -Arrivals: British wheat, 3,703 quarters; barley, 3,081 quarters oats, 787 quarters; flour, 2i,6s4 sacks. Foreign wheat, 41,965 quarters; barley, 3,405 quar- ters; oats, 64,616 quarters; maize, 13,597 quarters flour, 853 sacks and 4,619 barrels. WELSHPOOL, MONDAY.—Wheat, 6s. 9d. to 7s. Od.$80tbs.; barley, 5s. 6d. to 6s. 3d V 40 quarts; oats, 17s. Od to 18s. Od. V bag; eggs, 00 to 8 for a shilling; butter, Is 4d. to Is. 5d. lb.; fowls, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d.$couple; ducks, 5s. 6d. tu 6s. Od.$ couple; geese, 6s. 6d. t07s. 6d. each.; turkeys, 5s. Od. to 7s. 6d. each; potatoes, 4s. Od. to 4s. 6d. <¡¡I measure. NEWTOWN, TUESDAY (NOV. 5).—Wheat, 0s. Od. to os. Od. V bushel; barley, Os. Od. to Os. ed.; oats, 00s to OOs 1fI bag egg*, 00 to 8 for a shilling; butter, Os. Od. to Is. 4d. V lb.; fowls, 3s. 61. to 4s. 6:1. V couple ducks, 4s. 6d. to 6s. od. zO couple; geese, 5s. 6d. to 7s. Od. each; turkeys, Os. Od. to 00s. Od. each; potatoes 7 lbs. for sixpence; beef, Od. to lOd. lb.; mutton, Od. to 10d.; veal, Od. to Od.; lamb, Od. to 00d.; pork, 8d. to 9d. OSWESTRY, WEDNESDAY (Nov. 6).-The following were the quotations: Wheat, 5s. 6d. to 6.4. 2d. V bushel; bailey (malt- mg), 5s. 6d. to 6s. 2d.; oats, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 3d.; butter, Is. 3d. to Is. 4d. 40 lb.; eggs, 8 to 9 for a shilling; fwwls, 3s. 6d. to 48. Od. ti couple; ducks, 4s. 6d. to 5s. Od. 43 couple; geese, Os. Od. to 0s. Od. each; turkeys, 0s. Od. to Os. Od. each; potatoes, 12 lbs. ui 13 lbs for a shilling. WREXHAM, THURSDAY.-Wheat, 5s. 9d. to 6s. od. 10 bushel; barley, 4s. Od. to 6s. Od.; oats, 3s. 2d. to 3s. 10d.; butter, Is. 3(t. to Is. 4d. ¡J lb. of 18 oz.; eggs, 0 to 8 for a shilling; fowls, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. V couple; ducks, 4s. Od. to 5s. Od.$couple; geese, 8u. to 9d. V lb.; potatoes, 4s. 6d. to 5s. Od. V 120 lbs. Cattle. LIVERPOOL, MONDAY. -There was a large falling-off in the supply of both beasts and sheep, the numbers being 2,903 beasts and 6 555 sheep, included in which were 328 American cattle and 350 sheep. Prices lower for middling and inferior descriptions of stock. Trade was very dllIL-pnces: Best beasts, 7id. to Sld. ilJ Th.; second ditto, Oct to 7d. V lb.; American, 6id. to 7icl., Spanish, nil; sheep, bd. to lOd. METROPOLITAN, MONDAY.—The cattle trade was extremely dull, and prices tended lower. All middling qualities have de- clined iu value. Choice Scotch and prime British of neat weights were the only kinds for which last week's prices were obtained. A limited supply of American beasts. The sheep market was also dull; prime sorts rsalized previous rates, but inferior kinds were lower to sell, especially coarse bieeos. Calves the turn lower. L,trge breeds of pigs a shade cheaper. Prices: lleef, 4s. 6d. to 5s. 10d.; mutton, 5s bd to 7s. Ai veal, 5s. 6d. to 6s. 4d.; pork, 4s. Od. to 4s lOd. Ihe stock on offer consisted of 4,130 beasts, 10,700 sheep, calves, ani 100 pigs; included in which were 400 foreign beasts, and J(X foreign sheep. SHREWSBURY, TUESDAY.—There was a tolerably good show of stock in our Smithtield, and a fair amount of business was transacted, with scarcely any change in prices from last week.- Beef made 7Ad. to 8d. V lb.; mutton, 8d. to 9d.; vea 8U., pork pigs, 8s. 6d. to 9s. 6d. V score. Stores a very dull trade. BIRMINGHAM, TUESDA'Beasts 346; the beef trade ruled very quiet. Sheep 704; with a steady demand for mutton. at pigs 1,437; a fair clearance made.—Current quotations: Beet, 7d. to 8d.$lb.; mutton, 8d. to lOd. %) lb.; bacon pigsi 9s. score; sows, 7s. Gd. to 8s.; porket pigs, 10s. to 10s. 6d. SALFORD, TUESDAY.—The supply of beasts at market was smaller this morning. Choice animals were scarce, and com- manded a quick sale, but there was no advance in the prices of last week middling and inferior sorts sold better. The foreign supplies consisted of 100 American and 80 Spanish cattle, both meeting with a fair enquiry, at about 5id. 41 lb. The market was well supplied with sheep, but trade ruled dull at late rates. About 100 American sheep were penned; and realized last Tues- day's prices. A fair demand was experienced for calves, and late rates. were well maintained. -Quotations: Beef, iijd. to 7jd.$tt> mutton, 7.el. to Old.; veal, 8d. to 9id. Miscellaneous. LONDON PROVISION, MONDAY.—The arrivals last week from Ireland were 355 firkins butter and 5,207 bales bacon, and from foreign, ports 24,522 packages butter and 2,537 bales bacon. For the finest quality of butter there was rather more enquiry last week; finest Normandy 122s. to 126s., and for sometiiing superior more money was made. Quay price for best Dutch ms. to 126s. The bacon market ruled dull, and at the close of the week a further decline of 6s. on Irish and 3s. W cwt. on Ham- burg was submitted to, say, sizeable Irish 62s. to 65s., Hamburg 57s. to 60s.; at the decline there was more steadiness in the market. LIVERPOOL PROVISION, WEDNESDAY. Beef neglected, and prices hardly tested. Pork quiet since last Wednesday, aad prices 2s. 6d. %) tierce lower. Bacon in limited demand, and prices generally have declined 6d. :j;1 cwt.; shoulders also 6d. lower. Hams unchanged. Butter difficult of sale as regards lower sorts, which have sold at as much as 10s. under last week's rates. Cheese also extremely slow, except higher qualities, at prices substantially in buyers' favour. AGRICULTURAL SEEDS, LONDON, MONDAY. current i-rices:— 8.. n. S. a Cloverseed, British, com., V cwt 60 0 @ 64 0 „ Foreign, red" 58 .0 OS 0 white 76 0 90 0 Trefoil, fine new ..20 0 24 0 Ryegrass, British, ;P qu,,trter 22 0 24 0 Italian,$bale of 2 cwt 32 0 34 0 Linseed, 11 quarter. 53 0 68 0 Rapeseed „ 60 0 t,6 0 Tares, new winter, ;¡¡J bushel 4 0 6 0 Mustard, brown and white, bushel. 11 0 14 0 LONDON POTATO, MONDAY.—The supplies of potatoes on sale here to-day were again rather limited, and very few sound parcels were offering. The trade was firm, and the better qualities of produce advanced in price 10s.$ton parcels were offering. The trade was firm, and the better qualities of produce advanced in price 10s. ton. I Kent Regents IOOS. to 1208. ton. Essex ditto. 90s. to 130s. 11 Rocks 70s. to 90s. 11 Champions 80s. to 90s. 11 Flukes 130s. to 15ns. 11 Scotch Regents lOOs. to 12 Js. WORCESTER HOP, SATURDAY. — Messrs. Piercv, ho 11: bottom, and Faram, in their circular, say—Our m irket is very poorly supplied with hops, and choice sorts are vei v rarely seeli now. The chief supply, being low mismanaged,' finds.L slou sale, but the best sorts are a ready sale. 127 puckets passed the scale to-day, and 178 during the week, making the Lotal 12, 411) pockets of new up to this evening. LONDON HOP, MONDAY.—The little business doing in our market is not of a cheerful character. Where hops are pressed for sale very low prices have to bi submitted to. Re,.lly choice hops and the few fine parcels offering command ready sale- LIVERPOOL WOOL, FRIDAY.—Peru and Lima appear at present to be the only descriptions for which there is a trifling demand, as all others continue quite neglected. The only other sale worth naming this week is that of 260 bales alpaca, at 13id V lb. Nothing doing in mohair. The last series of East India pnblic sales will open here on the 19th instant, .simultaneously with that of Colonial in London.—Quotations: East India, white, 6d. t» 14d. f It. yellow, 4d. to ll £ d.; gray, &c., 3d. to 9 £ d.; wjvshed Peruvian, 9 £ d. to 14id.; washed River Plate, lOJd. to 14d.; unwashed Kiver Plate, tid. to 9d.; washed Morocco, 9d. to 13d.; unwashed Morocco, 5d. t,, I. Egyptian white, 7d to 14d.; Oporto tieece, Od. to 1:J,d.; mohair, us. Od. to 2s. 2d.; alpaca, Is. 5d. to Is. 6d. LONDON WOOL, MONDAY.—The trade for wool continues extremely quiet. The reports from the manufacturing districts in reference to the state of trade in manufactured goods are very unsatisfactory, owing, amongst other causes, to political affairs. There is very little enquiry, therefore, for the new material. unsatisfactory, owing, amongst other causes, to political affairs. There is very little enquiry, therefore, for the new material. CURRENT PRICES. This year. Last year. (Per lb.) s. d. s. d. 8. d. 8. d. FLEECES.—Southdown hoggets ..1 Itol 2..1 3tol 4 Halt-bred ditto lIte 1 2 -1 1 3] Kent fleeces 1 Oitol 1 ..1 2jtol at S. Down ewes and wethers ..1 I-to 1 2 ..1 3 to 1 44 Leicester ditto 1 Oitol 1..1 2 to 1 3 SORTS.-Clothing 1 1, 1W 1 4..1 5 to 1 6 Combing 1 2 tol 6..1 6 tol 7 WOLVERHAMPTON HIDE, SKIN, AND FAT, SATUR- DA.Y.-Hide.s, 95 lb. and upwards, 5d. V th.; 85 to 94, 4^<1.; 75 to 84, 3 £ d.; 65 to 74, 3id.; 56 to 64, 3d.; 55 and under, 3d. Cows, 2Jd. to 21d.; bulls, :¿d.; flawed and irregular, 2jd.; kips, Od. to 3d. Horse hides, 0s. Od. to 12s. 6d. each. Calf, 17 lb. and upwards, 5d.; 12 to 16, 61d.; 9 to 11, 5Jd.; light, 4d.; flawed and irregular, 3Jd. Wools, A-l, Os. Od.; A, 5s. 5d.; B, 3<. lid. each. Pelts, A, Os. Od.; B, Os Od. each. Lambs, A, Os. Od. B, Os. Od. each. Fat;'2d. to 2id. V lb.-JNO. s. D'ARCY, Broker, Cleveland-street. ANOTHER REPORT.—Hides, 95 lb. and upwards, 4ld P lb.; 85 to 94, 3Jd.; 75 to 84, 3fd.; 65 to 74, 3 £ d.; 5(5 to 64, ^#d.; 55 and under, '2Jd. Cows, 65 lb. and upwards, 2|d.; 64 and under, 2|d.; bulls, 2 £ d.; flawed and irregular, 2/rd. Calf, 17 lb. and upwards, 4d; ]2 to 16, 6id.; 9 to 11, ojd.; light, gd.; flawed and irregu- lar, 3d. Wools, ls. 6<1. to 5s. 4d. each. Fat, 2d. to 2-d. <¡¡J lb.- THOMAS FISHER, Broker. BARK, TANNING MATERIALS, &c.—SATURDAY. H e. b s. English, load of 45 ewt. delivered in London.. 14 0 @ 15 0 Ditto, Coppice. 7 0 8 0 Munosa, chopped £ 7 @ ill 0. Ground 7 0 11 5 Valonia, Smyrna £ 14 0 <g> £ 20 0. Morea 13 0 15 0 Gambier, in bales £ 18 0 c? £ ls 5. Cubes 23 0 28 10 Cutch, best Pegu 23 0 28 10 Sumach, Sicily 18 0 19 0 LEATHER.—LEADENHALL, TUESDAY. w lb. s. d. s. d. Hides, crop, 23 lbs. to 40 tt>s 0 11 @ 1 3 Ditto, 40 lbs. to 60 lbs 1 2 1 9 English butts, 14 lbs. to 24 lbs 1 1 2 5 Ditto, 25 lbs. to 36 tbs 1 4 2 10 Foreign butts, 16 lbs. to 50 lbs 1 1 2 3 Crop bellies 0 6 0 10 £ Shoulders 0 9 1 3 Dressing hides, common 0 10 1 6 Ditto, shaved 1 1 1 8 Calfskins 1 4 2 6 LIVERPOOL PRODUCE, WEDNESDAY.—Sugar was in mode- rately fair demand. Rum tirm. Coffee quiet. Cocoa inactive. Nitrate of soda 13s. 6d. to 14s. W ewt. Tallow 37s. to 37s. 6d. for prime North American. Lard quiet, at 34s. to 34s. 3d. ? cwt. Palm oil unchanged. Olive oil till in very limited demand. Linseed oil 27s. 6d. to 28s.$cwt. in export casks. Rape oil, re- tined Stettin, 3J8. 6:1. to 37s. Cottonseed oil, 30s. to 31s. 14 cwt. for Liverpool refined. Petroleum, refined oiI8d., and spirit 9d. gallon. Rosin, 4s. 9d. V cwt. tor common. Spirits of turpen- tme 25s. Ashes, pots 21s., pearls 34s. V cwt. FERTILIZERS.—LIVERPOOL, SATURDAY. 4 s. (t. Z s- d- Peruvian Guano, 10 to 13 am sp ton 11 10 0 Clt 13 0 0 Ditto, highphosphatic. 7 13 3 8 0 0 Bone Ash, River Plate 6 7 6 6 10 0 Superphosphate, 75 to 0 cent.. fJ unit. 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ditto 0 to 0 cent. 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 -Nitrate of Soda V ewt. 0 13 6 0 13 9 AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE.—LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY. Hay, zto 20 its. s. d. s. tL I tj ton. Old 0 6 @0 10i s. d. s. (I. New 0 0 0 0 Carrots 0 0 @ 0 0 Straw. Turnips 23 6 25 0 Wheat 0 4J 0 5j Mangel \V urzel.. 0 0 0 0 Oat 0 4 0 5 Manure 5 6 7 6 Barley 0 0 0 0 Grass, iO 20 lbs 0 0 0 0 HAY AND STitAW.-LONDo.N, TUESDAY. s. d. s. d. Prime meadow hay (V ton) 75 0 @ 84 0 Inferior ditto 11 40 0 70 0 Prime clover 11 100 9 ,,112 0 Inferior ditto 11 80 u 9u 0 Straw loit,l) 30 0 38 0 Trade Intelligence. WOLVERHAMPTON IRON TRADE.—WEDNESDAY. There was a slightly better tone throughout the market this afternoon. The leading works, such as Earl Dudley's and the Patent Shaft and Axletree Company's, have more to do, and the season export orders are occasioning some additional activ- ity elsewhere. More transactions were therefore reported than last week but at very low rates. A few quotations were even weaker than on last Wednesday, yet raw iron is airiving in smaller lots, and the native make decreases. Three furnaces will by Saturday be added to the two put out last week. Coal is in better demand only for house samples; manufacturing coal is. easy. MINERAL REPORT.—MANCHESTER, SATURDAY. Messrs. Berger Spence and Co., in their weekly report, say- The week's experience in the house coal trade points to the fact that winter supplies have now nearly been catered to. The re- quirements are less numerous, and for smaller quantities. Supplies remain still over plentiful both at depdts aud at the pits. Some of the larger houses have signified their intention of advancing rates this month; circumstances, however, do not seem to justify this. Steam fuel remains neglected, and stocks are accumulating more rapidly. List prices are lower as an inducement, but without any practical success, as they have still to be ignored if business is to result. Slack is also cheaper and more plentiful; its prospects, however, are somewhat more cheerful The exceedingly low prices ruling for shipments help to sustain a fair trade, principally for export. Brimstone has been in fairly moderate request, chiefly in bulk parcels. Iron ore has become weaker, and larger supplies are on the market for placement. THE CROPS AND THE CORN TRADE. The Mohrk-Lane Express says:—Although unfavourable for thrashing, the return of moisture has been, generally speaking, beneficial to farmers. Active progress has been made with sowing, and in some of the earlier districts the wheat is begin- ning to show above ground. In Scotland, potatoes have been secured in good marketable condition, and turnip-storing has commenced, but growers' prospects are the reverse of encour- aging. English wheat has been marketed more sparingly, both in London and in the provinces, and a healthy tone has predom- inated in the trade, although up to the present without any visible effect on the prices. Some of the samples shown have been in better condition, but a large proportion of each week's offerings has consisted of damp, discoloured, or sprouted lots. The imports of foreign grain into London have been fair. A better business has been done during the past week in wheat than for a long time past; and although an advance has been too occasional to be quoted, a very fair milling enquiry has been met, at fully late rates. Maize has advanced 6d. 1!J quarter in Liverpool, and at Mark-Lane there have been signs of re-action.

AN ILLEGAL LEGACY.—THE WREXHAM WESLEYAN CHAPEL. HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE, CHANCERY DIVISION, LINCOLN'S INN—NOVEMBER 5. Before Vice-Chancellor Sir C. HALL. HE OLLERHEAD* -GARNETT V. OLLERHEAD. Mr. Speed said when this case was last before the Court certain accounts were ordered to be brought in. The tes- tator, by his will, after bequeathing certain legacies, de- vised the residue of his real and personal property to trustees on trust for the Wesleyan Chapel, Regent-street, Wrexham. It was upon this that the question arose, and he submitted the devise of the real estate to the chapel Was bad, the chapel being a charity. Mr. Graham Hastings, Q.C., on behalf of the trustees, said he admitted the gift of the real estate was b id, but should contend that the gift of the personality was good. Mr. Speed said he did not dispute that. Mr. Graham Hastings, Q.C., applied that the costs should be paid out of the real estate. The Vice-Chancellor granted the application. ♦

STAFFORD AND SALOP ASSIZES. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5. Before LORD JUSTICE BRAMWELI^ THE CASE OF MANSLAUGHTER AT A SHREWSBURY ASYLUM. In the case of Richard Hatton, 38, labourer, who was charged with the manslaughter of John Jackson in the Bicton Asylum, Shrewsbury, on the 5th of September last, the Grand Jury found a true bill.—Mr. Spearman, who prosecuted, said in this case the prisoner could not be brought up, because he had been removed from gaol back the asylum, by order of the Secretary of State, in con- sequence of insanity. He suggested that the recognizances of the witnesses should be enlarged sine die.-I-lis Lordship, having heard the evidence of Dr. Strange, of the Bicton Asylum, as to prisoner's insanity, agreed with this course. ARSON AT CHELMARSH. Edward Williams, 18, labourer, was charged with setting fire to certain stacks of hay and barley, and also to some agricultural implements, on the 20th of October, at Chelmarsh, the property of Richard Dodd.—He was found guilty, and sentence was deferred. THE SHREWSBURY MURDER. The grand jury returned a true bill against Thomas Humphreys, 50, spinner, who is indicted for the wilful murder of his wife, Ann Humphreys, on the 30th of August, at Shrewsbury. His Lordship asked what day it would be convenient to take this case upon. Mr. Boughey, who appeared for the prosecution, said he believed that as yet no counsel had been retained for the prisoner. Wednesday would suit the witnesses as well as any other day, he thought. His Lordship concurred with the suggestion, and gave instructions that the prisoner should be questioned as to whether he had secured any counsel. It was important that the prisoner should have counsel. The prisoner was not brought up to plead, owing to his suffering from fits, to which he has recently been subject.

WELSHPOOL STAG HUNT. The annual stag-hunt, in honour of the birthday of the Earl of Powis, was held yesterday with all the old enthu- siasm the event has for so many years evoked. Favoured by magnificent weather the proceedings passed off most pleasantly, and the stag followed not unworthily in the steps of the quarry of layo years' ago, the run on which occasion was so meQMjjMfeiEor its severity. The meet was at the'lKoat Farm, about two-and-a-half miles from the town. At noon, when the stag was un- carted in the presence of a very large field, numbering over two hundred horsemen, amongst which were most of the gentlemen who were afterwards present at the dinner, and a number of ladies, and a little army of pedestrians. Half an hour's start was given to the stag, which, on being uncarted, made straight for the canal which runs in "1 >se proximity. Crossing the canal he made straight for Belan thence to the White House, Dyserth. In this neighbourhood the pace was very warm, and over remark- ably rough country. Past the Pwll" the pack hunted him through the outskirts of the Castle grounds, by Castle Caereinion, on to Pantyffrydd, and forward towards Sting- wernHiH. Turning sharp to the right, the hounds then raced into the stag, in the river Rhiew at New Mills. It was a capital run of some two and twenty miles, and over some of the stiffest and roughest country imaginable. Falls were frequent, and not a few were thrown out of the run comparatively early in the day. As usual, Captain Delmar's gallant little pack of harriers acquitted them- selves most admirably. The annual public dinner was held at the Royal Oak Hotel in the evening. The dinner, as has invariably been the case, reflected the greatest credit upon Mr. Rowland. The chair was taken by Mr. R. Jasper More, Linley Hall, and Mr. Edward Pryce, Tan House, was vice- president. Amongst those who took tickets, most of whom were present, were :—The Right Hon. the Earl of Powis, Mr. C. W. Williams Wynn, M.P., Mr. R. J. Harrison, Caer- howel Major Huddlestone, 13th Hussars, Mr. J. Buckley Willianies, Mr. J. Buckley Williames, junr., Mr. J. liobinson Jones, Brithdir Hall, Captain Delmar, Mr. G. H. H. Hayburst, Ystum Colwyn, Mr. W. J. A. France, Colonel Heyward, Mr. J. M. Dugdale, Llwyn, Mytton, Mr. E. S. R. Trevor, Penylan, Captain Bowyer Lan., Colonel Harrison, Mr. R. B. Oakeley, Captain Story, Mr. P. A. Beck, Mr. Samuel Davies (Mayor of Welshpool), Mr. G. D. Harrison, Mr. C. E. ilowell, Mr. Edward Jones, town clerk, Mr. R. M. Har- rison, Mr. 1). P. Owen, Mr. Thomas Mallinson, Mr. E. I\ 1). Harrison, Mr. W. T. Parker, Mr, John Sayce, Mr. Thomas Nevvill, Mr. E. F. Robinson, Mr. W. Jones, I Trade Hall, Mr. S. Miller, The Court, Mr. E. Hum- phreys, Walcot, Mr. R. Ellis Jones, Ruthin, Mr. Alex- ander Davies, Mr. Samuel Salter, Mr. William Withy, Golfa. Mr. A. Whitlow, Mr. Graham Brown, Mr. Thomas Morris, Spring Bank, Mr. Samuel Morris, Mr. J. H. Anderson, Mr. G. E. Davies, Mr. Charles Jones, Mr. W. Beattie, Mr. R. Richards, Mr*John Morris, Mr. Henry Smith, Mr. Morgan Morris, Mr. W. Rogers, Mr. R. Clayton, Mr. Samuel Davies, Mr. J. Fortune, Mr. II. Hickman, Mr. J. Jones, Berriew- street, Mr. A. Parry, Mr. Edwin Farr, Mr. Thomas Turner. Newtown, Mr. Wm. Powell, Buttington, Mr. Frank Roper, Mr. Charles Eddowes, Mr. E. Green, The Moors, Mr. C. Pugh, Leighton, Mr. W. Morris Pug-h, Mr. J. Pugh Morris, Mr. John Hickman, Mr. William Morris, Mr. David Davies, Crowther Hall, Mr. George Macqueen, Mr. Edward Pryce, Mr. John Pryce, Mr. Edward Watkins, Mr. John Jones, Mr. W. Higginson, Mr. Ed. Embrey, Berriew, Mr. Ed. Green, Bank Farm, Mr. Edmund Jehu, Mr. J. S. Allan, Montgomery, Mr. W. Collender, Mr. T. Kinsey, Caethro, Mr. Edward Davies, Mr. Jehn Davies, High-street, Mr. E. Lloyd, Severn-street, Mr. E. Rowley Morris, Mr. John Humphreys, Mr. W. Humphrejs, Mr. John Hum- phreys, Berriew, Mr. William Evans, Wernllwyd, Mr. W. Langford. Mr. Thomas Vaughan, Mr. Edward Francis, Mr. George Morris, Mr. R. D. Rider, Mr. F. Bluck, Mr. T. B. Barrett, Mr. Cound, Mr. Thomas Evans, Mr. J. Jones, surgeon, Oldford. Mr. T. Jones, Clive Place, Mr. Instone, Llyseyne, Mr. Edward Green, Maesydd, Mr. J. E. Williams, Rhyl, Mr. Clarke, maltster, Welshpool, Mr. T. E. Roberts, Pant, Mr. T. R. Morris, Welshpool, Mr. J. Batton, Lymore, Mr. W. B. Gurney Littlewood, Mr. Robert Jones, High-street, Mr. Watkin, Dragon Hotel, Montgomery, Mr. A. Smythe, Holly Bush, &c. After dinner, The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of her Majesty the Queen, the most benevolent, potent, and constitutional of sovereigns. He observed that he thought many of them who had had the good fortune to live in this part of the country could scarcely appreciate those privileges they enjoyed as some of them might do who had witnessed the absence of them abroad, nor understand the ardent long- ing which other countries showed for them. Should we be led into war with one of the bordering powers our Indian Empire, he thought nothing could give greater satisfaction than the thought that we might be the means of introducing a better form of government there as we had in that jewel which had been partly won for the British Crown by a distinguished ancestor of the noble lord their guest that evening. (Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN next proposed the health of the Prince and Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family, remarking how popular the Prince had made himself in every department of late, especially iu his position with regard to the Paris Exhibition. It was of the greatest importance that the Prince should cement the sympathy which existed between this country and France, but his popularity in that country was so great that he had eveIl been spoken of as the possible candidate for the next vacancy in the post of President of the Republic. (Laughter and cheers.) The Earl of Powis proposed "the Bishop and In that diocese, on the borders of England and Wales, comprising parishes in both countries, and on the borders of two languages, they expected to hear from the pulpit both the stately cultivated language of the English scholar, and the more fervid inspirations of the Welsh bard. The past year had been remarkable for the assem- bly at Lambeth of English bishops from all parts of the globe, not only from the colonies of this country, but from the United States, whose prelates in numbers almost equalled those ot the English dominions. It', as had been said, nations were drawn together, and international courtesies were promoted and strengthened, by exhibitions of all nations, it could not, he thought, but conduce to the growth of sympathy and good feeling, when the dome of old St. Paul's echoed with the tones of a sermon by a bishop from the United States. (Hear, hear.) In that diocese, they had that year had for the first time a con- ference at Oswestry, at which he had been glad to see the representatives of the parish of Welshpool had cut a good figure in numbers. He considered such conferences were excellent, because at them they discussed matters without coming to a division upon them. The system promoted an intercourse of ideas, without tying men to an immature conclusion by voting. With the duty of the clergy everyday increasing in magnitude, from the increase in the numbers of the population, and from other reasons, it was their duty and pleasure to support them, and he was sure he need say no more in asking them to drink the health of the Bishop and clergy. (Cheers.) Capt. MYTTON said he believed that for the first time in his life the toast of the Army, Navy, and Reserve Forces had been committed to his charge. Since they had last met together on the 5th November of last year, they had certainly passed through a time of great anxiety. It had been a waiting game for the Army, the Navy, and the Reserve Forces. During that period the army had done its best ttl get into a state of efnciency. They were aware that the navy was well prepared to annihilate any foe which might be brought against her, but in the case of the army some preparation was necessary. The point most affecting them was that they would have to pay for these preparations, but he was sure they would not grudge that when the army had saved them from war, and he thought they would admit that it had done so by being prepared for war. When they did go to war, they some- how always showed that they were well prepared and could hold their own, as was the case when on the 15th November, 1854, gallantly led by Sir Percy Herbert, they licked the Russians at lukerman. (Cheers.) If they looked back to the past history of the Cape of Good Hope, and remembered the numbers of lives lost in the subjuga- tion of the Kaffirs, he thought their thanks would be ac- corded to the brave Volunteer reserve forces of that colony. (Hear, hear.) He called upon Major Dugdale to respond for the army, and Capt. Harrison for the re- serves. Major DUGDALE, in response, said they all knew the feeling Englishmen had for the profession, and that they were always ready to accept a speech of a few words from a military man. With regard to what Captain Mytton had alluded to, the army was now in quite as good a state of efficiency, and as ready to fight the battles of their country, as twenty years ago. The way the re- serves had this year answered the call made upon them had in every way showed encouragingly of the present system. Peace was now threatened in India by a power which was backed up by the same power which had tlJreatened our peace in Europe, and he was confident, should circumstances require it, our army would show as gallantly as they did at Plassey a hundred years ago, when Lord Clive led them on to victory in the Continent. (Cheers.) Captain R. J. HARRISON, in responding for the Reserves, said he thought he might fairly say that the reserve forces of the county of Montgomery were in as efficient a state as any in the kingdom. When recently called up all had been accounted for with the exception of three men, who might have been dead or elsewhere. He thought the way the men had answered to the call throughout the country had done as much as anything to save the country from war. As a man, who had been serving with them in Jersey, had remarked, Well, you see, sir, the Rooshuns were afreed o'us." (Laughter and cheers.) Mr. T. MORRIS proposed the health of the County and Borough Members." He said that one-half of those in the room might agree with what was said in praise of one, and the other with the qualities of the other gentle- man, that both members gave their valuable services to the county, and acted with the greatest sincerity in all they did, and he was sure they would all drink the toast most heartily. (Cheers.) Mr. C. W. WILLIAMS, M.P., responded. He said it was always a very pleasant episode in the life of a pub- lic man when he found himself amongst an assembly where no political feud was allowed to penetrate, and where political feeling did not show itself. They were met to do honour to a nobleman who in his public or private capacity was equally entitled to honour and respeot. (Cheers.) Most of them who had got to his lordship's age and to his (the speaker's) would admit that there did come a time when a birthday hardly gave satisfaction. For himself he could not say that his had since the days when his birthday had brought presents. (Laughter.) If there was anything to soften the feeling of regret which must come over anyone at the thought that another year had passed over his head, it was at being received in that way by his neighbours and friends, and those best able to know him. (Cheers). With respect to the toast, he could only say that they had favoured him with their confidence during the sixteen years he had represented them, and he only hoped, in spite of the thunder clouds which threatened the horizon, that it would be continued to him. (Cheers). He could not sit down without saying a few words on behalf of his colleague, their borough member. He had found him as cordially co-operating with him as his brother had loyally done, and so far as his duties to that constituency were concerned, they were faithfully and honestly performed. (Cheers). Song, Mr. E. Jehu, My Pretty Jane." The CHAIRMAN said the next toast he had the honour of asking them to drink was the toast of the evening—the health of the Noble Lord, the Lord-Lieutenant of Mont- gomeryshire. (Cheers.) He had no doubt that most of those who had occupied the place he filled that evening had told them that it required no words of theirs to intro- duce the toast. It had often occurred to him that it must have given some little amusement to the noble lord to speculate as to what would be said of him. It had been said of the House of Lords that they seemed to live up in a balloon, but he was sure all would agree with him that in all affairs there was no peer in the House who lived so little up in a ballon, as the lord present. (Cheers.) He had been reminded only the previous day that when he came of age the noble lord announced his intention of living amongst his tenantry and on his estates, and all who knew him would understand how he had kept that promise up to the present time. (Cheers.)

NORTH WALES WINTER ASSIZES. The assizes for the counties of Montgomery, Merioneth, Carnarvon, Anglesea,. Denbigh, and Flint, were opened at Ruthin on Wednesday, October, 30th. The judge, the Hon. A. H. Thesiger, Lord Justice of appeal, arrived in town from Chester by the 4 "20 train on Wednesday. He was met at the station by the high sheriff, Mr. James Goodrich, Eyarth; Mr. LI. Adams, under sheriff, and the usual retinue. Having attended the County Hall and opened the commission, his lordship proceeded to St. Peter's Church to attend divine service; the sermon being preached by the Rev. W. Basil Jones, M.A., rector of Llanfair and chaplain to the high sheriff. The business commenced on Thursday morning, when the following gentlemen were sworn on the GRAND JURY. Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., M.P., foreman, Thomas Hughes, Esq, George Osborne Morgan. Esq., M.P., T. L. Fitz-Hugh, Esq., J. LI. Wynne, Esq., Colonel Tom Naylor Leyland, Brook Cunliffe, Esq., Robert Ble- zard, Esq., J. Hassal Ffoulkes, Esq., Colonel C. J. Tottenham. P. Henry Chambres, Esq., R. F. Birch, Esq., F. Henry Barker, Esq., J. R. Heaton, Esq., Robert George Johnson, Esq., W. Douglas W. Griffith, Esq., J. Carstairs Jones, Esq., J. Richardson Barnes, Esq., George Hampden Whalley, Esq., Oliver Burton, Esq., Colonel R. M. Bonnor, Edward Evans, Esq., and Archibald Peel, Esq. The proclamation against vice and immorality having been read, his Lordship proceeded to deliver his charge to the Grand Jury. He said that the calendar, in regard to the number of cases, was a light one. There were but six cases taken from the six counties grouped together for the purpose of making the assize district, but whilst there were six cases in the calendar, only four of them, strictly speaking, should come under their cognizance that day. This was a matter of some importance, as it was desir- able that the magistrates should be clearly aware of what was intended to be the character of those assizes what mischief they were intended to remedy, and the cases which were intended to be tried at them. That was not an assize instituted for the purpose of complete gaol delivery. The assizes were instituted for a specific purpose and to remedy particular mischief, which was that, while for cases of a lighter description there was quarter sessions held every three months during the year, for cases of a graver description not coming within their jurisdiction there was always the danger of a mas alleged to have committed an offence of a grave character shortly after the summer assizes had been held, and con- sequently could not be tried certainly before the winter and possibly not before the spring assizes. As to the mode in which the assize was to be cairied (In, and the importance of grouping counties together, there was much to be said. The matter to be fuUv under- stood was that the assizes were not formed the trial of quarter sessions cases, but to remedy the par- ticular mischief to which he had already referred. Yet although this was so, he found that two out of the six cases were cases which might have been tried at quarter sessions. This was an important matter from several points of view. It was, as many of them knew, a moot point whether the quarter sessions could not have ite powers so enlarged as to take cases of a somewhat heavier kind, and he could not help thinking that it waa to some extent a hardship that while this assize was being held in Ruthin, there was not, he believed, a single case from the county of Denbigh. He had no doubt that they were gentlemen who were quite willing to perform all the duties which may fall to them, but it must be important that those duties should not be unduly enlarged. They were entering upon a trial of a new state of things, and he (the judge) was aware that it was in the minu of the Home Secretary to consider whether the area should not be en- larged horn which jurors, byth grand and petty, should be drawn, not, perhaps, to the full extent of the counties represented, but somewhat larger than at present, 80 ae to relieve somewhat those upon whom the duty of the trial of these cases now fell. He only threw out these hints, and it was all he should trouble them with, upon the general question of these assizes. Speaking of the cases 111 the calendar, his Lordship said they were of a sufficiently grave character for their most serious consideration. The first case was one of murder, alleged to be committed by a young woman. As far as the law was concerned this crime of child murder had been placed in the same category as others, so that the woman, who, with all the pain of her labour and the shame of it, by putting an end to her newiy-oora child had, by the law, been placed in the same category as the Rushs"' and the Palmers" who had committed the most barbarous premeditated murders. He went on to say that the very fact of these crimes being placed in that category had made it in many cases difficult to ensure convictions, as in many cases where the death of the child was undoubtedly due to the wilful act of the mother tne juries, feeling the force of their decision, often returned verdicts of concealment of birth, and the judges were left to discharge the invidious duty of giving the maximum punishment for this offence because the evidence showed the woman was often guilty of the graver offence. The Grand Jury directly afterwards found a true bill. After the Grand Ju: y had finished their business, Sir \Y atkin handed iu a presentment from the Grand Jury as to the holding of the winter assizes. In the presentment they pointed out the fact that there was only one prisoner, and that was really a quarter sessions prisoner, from that county, and further, that all these prisoners were from places very much nearer to Chester than Ruthin, and that it would, therefore, be much better that these cases should be tried at Chester, both for the prisoners and as regards the convenience of witnesses. The Judge said he would take care to peruse the memorial, and wuuid also take care that it was brought to the notice of the proper authorities.

ALLEGED MlJKDEK A CHILD BY A SERVANT GIRL AT ABERMULE. Mary Ann Lewis, aged eighteen, who had resided at Aberuiuie, Montgomeryshire, was charged with the wilful murder of her infant child on the 5th September. Mr. Swetenham prosecuted, and Mr. Marshall etc. feuded. Mary Jane Stephens, wife of John S ephens, inn, keeper, Abermuie, said the prisoner had been in their empioy about two years. She was eighteen years of age last June, and was generally a healthy girl. A little before September witness noticed a difference in the prisoner s appearance, but the girl denied that she was likely to become a mouier. This was about three weeks before the child was born. On the 4th September prisoner went by an excursion to Manchester, and returned about four o'clock the next morning. Saw her about a quarter to eight that morning sitting in the back kitchen leaning her hand on her head on the table. Asked her if she en- joyed her trip, and she said she would not go again. Before breakfast Elizabeth Thomas told her something, and she went into the cellar about five minutes to eight o'clock. The cellar was underground, but had a window in iv. Found near the cellar door a lot of blood, and on going on found the body of a child with its head nearly against the wall and the back against the leg of a table. Had not the slightest difficulty in seeing it on going down. Did Bot stay to see if the child was alive or dead, but sent for a neighbour who came in a minute, and they went in the cellar together directly but could not say for certain whether the child was dead. The table in the cellar was about a yard high, and had nothing hanging down before it. Sent prisoner to bed, and did not see her again until ten o'clock at night. Noticed a string round the child's neck. Cross-examined—Prisoner had been a good, hard-work- ing girl; she was very kind to witness's children, and when told to kill fowls she did Hot do so, as she said she could not. Sarah Ann Evans, a servant at the Abermuie Inn, said that she let the prisoner in the house when she re- turned from Manchester. The prisoner got up about six o'clock. Witness, when she went down, saw the prisoner in the back-yard, and asked her what was the matter, as she looked unwelL About half-past seven the prisoner came out of the cellar with some chicken's meat, and then went in the back kitchen and sat down. Soon afterwards witness heard a low moaning noise, apparently proceeding from the front rooms. She could not see where the prisoner was when she heard the noise, but she was not in the back kitchen. It was not like the cry of a child, but like the moan of a grown-up person. She was sure it was not the cry of a baby. Elizabeth Thomas said that on the day the prisoner went to Manchester she was doing her work. When she came home she asked for a drink of water, but did not complain. Saw her go to bed as soon as she went down stairs. About half-past seven saw prisoner in the back kitchen leaning on the table looking very pale. Went to the back kitchen to fetch a knife to go to the cellar for butter, and prisoner said, "I'll go for it," and took the basin for the purpose, but afterwards said she could not go, "there was something in her head." This was about eight o'clock. Went into the cellar and found blood as she went into the cellar by the side of the table. It looked to be a great lot. Went back and told Mrs. Stephens, and they both went to the cellar and found the child by the table. Didn't notice whether it was alive or dead: didn't examine or touch it. Saw Mrs. Corbet take hold of the child. It made no noise. She put it in a box on the table. Saw a string round the neck of the child; some kind of silk. j. Ann Corbett gave similar evidence. Sarah Humphreys, a monthly nurse, described the con- dition of the child when she found it, and stated how she saw the silk tie tied in a knot round its neck. She after- wards went to the prisoner, who was in bed, and found that she had been delivered of a child. The prisoner, in answer to a question as to how it was she had not sent for assistance and let the child live, said she did not know. George Coburn Smith, physician and surgeon, Newtown, proved the examination of the child, which had arrived fully at maturity. He gave technical evidence to prowe this. It was the body of a well-nourished male child. Found on the neck of the child a piece of silk tied in a half-knot, but it must have been tightly, as it was embedded in the flesh, compressing the windpipe, and the lips and tongue were swollen, as if death had occurred from strana gulation. Opened the body, and found that air had entered the lungs. Heart and lungs floated in water. Some of the signs, however, that he mentioned he said were not indicative of the child's independent existence. The child had breathed, and he attributed death to stran- gulation. Children, however, do breathe before they are completely born. Had not been able to arrive at an opinion whether the strangulation took place before or after the child 'had a separate existence from its mother. A long cross-examination on technical points followed for the purpose of showing that the child had not had a separate existence from the mother. The .J udg-e pointed out to Mr. Swetenham that after tbe evidence of the doctor, who could not say that the child had really had a separate existence from its mother, it was not to be expected that the jury could find the woman guilty of murder; and then, as regarded the charge of concealment of birth, it was clear there had not been any concealment, for the child had been placed in the cellar in such a position that the first person that went down saw it. Mr. Swetenham concurred with his Lordship, and said that the case could not be carried any further against the woman. At this point the case was stopped and the woman dis- charged, to the evident satisfaction of a large number of persons in court. NO TRUE BILL. The grand jury threw out the bill against Wm. Pugh (30), wheelwright, charged with feloniously setting fire to farm buildings and the contents thereof at the parish of Llanfihangel, belonging to Evan Williams, on Saturdav the 26th October. ^raay, UNNATURAL OFFENCE. Joseph Jenkins (32), farm labourer, pleaded guilty to having, at Overton, on the 10th October, 1878, feloniously committed an unnatural offence. His Lordship sentenced the prisoner to ten years' penal servitude. OBTAINING GOODS BY FALSE PRETENCES. John Beck, (52), labourer, pleaded guilty to obtaining certain tools by false pretences from John G. Bevan, Hint. There were two distinct offences. The Judge passed a sentence of four months' hard labour. THE HORSE STEALING CASES AT WREXHAM. George Woodvine, engine driver, twenty years old, pleaded guilty to having at Wrexham, on October 10th last, stolen one mare belonging to Edward Williams; also stealing a pony belonging to John Leece on October 18th. The Judge sentenced prisoner to two years' hard labour and three years' police supervision. THE ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER AT OVERTON. James Onslow (32), plasterer, was chatted with having on the lGth August, at Overton, near prexham, felon- iously killed and slain one James Pamow. Mr. E. Swetenham prosecuted prisoner was undefended. The particulars have been very recently published. The men had a quarrel outside a public-house, during which the deceased was severely injured and his leg broken in two places and he was alleged to have died from the injuries, though he lived about a fortnight after the assault. The prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to eighteen months' hard labour.

FRANCE AND THE EASTERN QUESTION. Paris, Tuesday. The Yellow Book presented to the Chambers yesterday contains documents relatmg to the Eastern Question, in- cluding a despatch from Lord Salisbury of July 7th, com- municating to M. Waddington the Anglo-Turkish Con- vention with reference to Cyprus, explaining that this step was taken with the view of not leaving Western Asia defenceless at the feet of Russia, and stating that England declined to occupy Egypt, or seize the Suez Canal out of consideration for France. In the despatch of July 21, M. Waddington recalls the fact that Lord Salisbury had recognised the principle of the equal rights of France and England in Egypt. Lord Salisbury replies confirming this statement of his views, and adds that both powers desire the maintenance of the authority of the Khedive while energetically pur- suing the realization of reforms.

COURSING FIXTURES. Llandrillo (Edeyrnion) NOvember 12 Purslow, Salop. November 13