READ ARTICLES (7)
News
REMARKABLE CHARGE AGAINST A SOLICITOR. THE DINAS MINE SHARES. In the Queen's Bench Division on Alonday, January 17th, before Lord Coleridge and a special jury, the case of Brewis v. Stacpoole was called on for hearing. It was an action by Air Edward Brcwis, a stockbroker, against Air Robert Ward Stacpoole, a solicitor, for negligent and improper conduct of his defence on a criminal charge (a charge of obtaining money by false pretences), and, instead of defending him, paying £ 900 to get the charge withdrawn, and advising him to go abroad to avoid detectives, knowing all the while that he was innocent of the charge made. The plaintiff, in his statement of claim, set forth that in May, 1S72, certain criminal proceedings were threatened and ulti- mately taken against him in respect of the alleged sale by him of shares in a mine on a charge of obtaining money and cheques by false pretences and conspiracy that lie retained the defendant as his attorney to act for and advise him in these proceedings, and to endeavour to prevent their being taken, and to defend and conduct his defence against them when taken, but that the defendant omitted to take any steps to prevent the proceedings from being taken, and con- ducted the plaintiffs defence in a negligent, careless, unskilful, and improper manner, by omitting to cross- examine the prosecutor and certain witnesses so as to show or procure evidence to show that a certain letter and telegram which were used against the plaintiff related, as the defendant was instructed, and well knew, to a matter totally unconnected with the charge; and by allowing a certain written statement made by one Henry Shearer, with whom the plaintiff was alleged to have conspired, to be read and used as evidence, without such conspiracy being previously proved and by omitting properly to instruct counsel; and, further, that the plaintitf, while he was in prison on the charge, employed the defendant to obtain bail for him, and paid him f 1.100 for the purpose, but that the defendant omitted and neglected to do so and though knowing that his client, the plaintiff, was innocent of the charge, without his authority-instead of proving, as he could and should have done, thc plaintiffs innocence —paid to the person by whom the proceedings were in- stituted. one Hodgson, the sum of £ 900, as the amount which Hodgson alleged he had paid for the shares, in order to induce him to lay before the Court a certain letter and certain facts showing the plaintiff's inno- cence and thereby to procure the Court to discharge the plaintiff, as he accordingly did. Further, that these criminal proceedings have been falsely and mali- ciously instituted by Hodgson, the plaintiff instructed and retained the defendant to bring against Hodgson all action for malicious prosecution, which he had neglected to do and that the defendant had falsely and fraudulently represented to the plaintiff that cer- tain warrants were or were about to be issued against t,iin on various criminal charges, and that it was unsafe for him to remain in England, and thereby induced him to leave this country and go o Holland, and after- wards to Spain, and to sell his furniture and take his family abroftd. There were other charges of negligence in tIw plaintiffs business, but these were the principal charges rgainst the defendant, who, in his defence, entirely denied them, and alleged that, so far from his having been retained to endeavour to prevent the criminal proceedings from being taken, it wa;3 not until after they were taken and the plaintiff was in custody that the pliiiitiff retiiiie(I him for his defence, and that he conducted it with due (-are and as to the i:1,100 paid o him by the plaintiff,*Tt was not paid to him for the p rpose of obtaining bail, but for the purpose of enabling him to settle with the parties who had taken the proceedings and that he paid the f900 to the prosecutor, Hodgson, at the plaintiff s request. He also denied that he had ever been retained by the plaintiff to bring an action for malicious prosecution against Hodg.;oji, and he denied all the other material allega- tions. Sir U. Gifiard, Q.C., Air M'Intyre, Q.C., and Air Willes Chitty were for the plaintiff; Sir J. Holker, Q.C., AlrGorst, Q.C.. and Air W. Y. Clare were for the defendant. The plaintiff, it appeared, had been for some years before 1S72 a stock and Hhare dealer in the city, and Shearer had become interested in a mine called Dinas, seven mi-es from Aberystwyth, which he desired to dispose of. The plaintiff, acting, as he said, for 81 rearer, or, according to the defendant, jointly interested with him, entered into negotiations which resulted in a sale, as the plaintiff said, to Hodgson and himself; but oil the case for the defence Shearer was the agent for the plaintiff in a sale to Hodgson. In fact, Hodgson, at all events, was induced to take a share, for which he paid £ 7">0. In May, 1872, Hodgson compl. inedthat lie had been imposed upon. and made the ch: rge against the plaintiff, on which, on the 17th, he was brought up at the Iansiou House and remanded to the ISth and again to the 25th, when he was com- mitted for trial. The defendant was retained for the defence and attended the hearing, at which a state- ment by Shearer was admitted that he acted as agent for the plaintiff' in the transaction, and so the case was taken to be. The principal piece of evidence against the plaintiff was a letter by him to Hodgson, in which, writing of some mine not named, but spoken of as "the mine," he spoke of it as "splendid," and assuring exceptional profits, &o. The sum of money mentioned was paid by the plaintiff to the defendant, who, after his client's committal for trial, paid JL900 of it to Hodgson to settle the matter, the charge being then withdrawn on the 12th oi June and the plaintiff liberated. The plaintiff then went abroad, and remained abroad for some time. In the taxation of costs between him and the defendant the Alaster debited the defendant with the remaining f200 out of the £ 1,100. and in the event this action was brought by the plaintiff against his solicitor to recover damages for neglecting his defence and improperly paying the £aoo to the prosecutor. Sir H. Giffard, in opening the case for the plaintiff, stated that his defence, in substance, was that the letter which formed the foundation of the charge referred, not to the Dinas mine, but to another as to which it was quite true, and that this fact was never brought out by his solicitor, Air. Stacpoole. Thus, the defenee of his client, the plaintiff, had been neglected, and he would probably be entitled to damages even though guilty but, assuming that he was not innocent, then surely the damages to which he would lie entitled would be very considerable. The plaintiff stated that he placed the matter in Air. Stacpoole's hands before he was arrested, and told him that the letter on which the charge rested referred to the other mine and not to the Dinas, the one ill question and placed the matter fully in his hands, with all the papers.. He produced a copy of a letter he stated he wrote while he was in prison to the defendant, his solicitor, expressly pointing out that the letter re- ferred to "related to a different mine, and not to that purchased by Hodgson." He also stated that the was obtained by Mr. Stacpoole to get bail and was paid to him for that purpose, but that no bail were obtained, and he remained in custody until his case came on at the Central Criminal Court, when he was discharged. He swore that he did not know why or how he came to be discharged. Some one. he said, touched him on the shoulder and told him to go, and he did go. (Much laughter.) He drove at once to the office; of the. defendant, w ho toid him that a sergeant of police with three others had been hir him to take him into custody on warrants they had produced, and that he had better be off'at once out of this country to Holland, giving him C50 for the purpose. He went to the Bishopsgate Station to go to Harwich, to get oil to the Continent, in consequence of what was thus said to him. He was then worth £ 22.000, turning over in bis business from £ 3,000 to £10,000 a year profit. He went to Antwerp, and thence to Amsterdam and i Rotterdam, the defendant writing to him to get money to settle the supposed charges against him. and the plaintiff replying to him that he did not think that a good time to settle, that he should not like to live again at his house (at Ley ton) after what had occurred, and that the furniture might be sold. Alany other letters of similar tenour passed between the parties. In one of these the plaintiff saicl he did not wish to come home into the sharks' mouths," and in another he wrote, I wish to stay quietly here some months, and see what the sharks will do." In another he wrote, It is easy to make an affidavit and get a warrant in the hope of settlement." In one the defendant wrote, I am anxious to get you back again, but it will not do until we get rid of the vouchers." In one the plaintiff wrote, "If I were to crime back old associations might come back too, and I am anxious to keep out of business a few years and live quietly here until we have seen how far the vouchers have gone," &.o. In answer to this the defendant wrote. "Perhaps, after what yon say, your plan of living abroad a few years is best. Notices from lawyers come in frequently," A:c. In another letter the plaintiff wrote, "I came here to have peace of mind and to get out of their hands, as to have peace of mind and to get out of their hands, as when a thing like Hodgson's was settled it might be supposed that similar other things would lie tried." I Lord Coleridge hereupon observed to the plaintiff, — I rather understood from your evidence that you did not know that Hodgson's matter was settled. I The plaintiff said he did not; he heard it acciden- tally; he did not know how it was done. The reading of his letter.^ was continued. In oue of his letters he alluded to extradition, on which Lord Coleridge observed that this implied sume criminal accusation. Of what did you suppose you were accused ? The plaintiff said he did not know. It v. as inconse- quence of what Air. Stacpoole wrote. Air. Stacpoole told him it would be unsafe to' go to Paris, as there were too many English there, and then he made inquiries at the Consul's office. Lord Coleridge.—There is nothing in the letters to indicate that you did not know why you were to fly the country. You seem to have accepted the situa- tion quite easily. The plaintiff said lie Mas "tiuite confused," and there was a letter from the Judges alluded to. Lord Coleridge.-A letter from the Judges! That is a new fact in judicial history. (A Laugh.) The plaintiffs counsel said of course it was a mis- take, and the reading of the letters went on. In the next of the defendant's letters he wrote:—"You are as safe where you are as if you were at the North Pole." The trial lasted all day and was adjourned till the following Alonday. On the resumption of the case the Lord Chief Justice said that lie had received two communications from the Jury, and the second being the shorter one he would read it:—"We are all of opinion that the plaintiff has failed to establish any of his charges against the defendant." Do you wish, M'lntyre, to proceed further with the case on the part of the plaintiff ? Air. Al'Intyre said that he expected Sir H. Giffard to come into Court directly, and perhaps he might wish to comment on some of the statements made the previous night by Air. (jorRt in opening the defendant's case. He would not himself address the Jury after what had been said. The Lord Chief Justice said that the learned Counsel had exercised a wise discretion. It was a waste of time to proceed further with the case. After waiting a short time the Lord Chief Justice said—I need hardly say that I most entirely agree with the Jury. He added that lie had seldom seen an action against a professional man based on such shadowy grounds. Mr. M'lntyre had done what was consistent with his character and position (and what he should have expected) in withdrawing from the case. Therefore, there would be a verdict for the defendant. I Air. Gorst.— Then I ask, my Lord, for judgement. The Lord Chief Justice. -Certainly. Mr. Al'Intyre.—As it is the plaintiffs Special Jury I must ask your Lordship for a certificate. The Lord Chief Justice. -Yes. To mark his sense of the case he gave the defendant immediate execution. -—
News
A LLANUILO DIVORCE CASE. In the Probate and Divorce Division of the Hi^h I Court of Justice, before Sir J. Hanuen, -Air- Elizabeth Jones, Salutation Inn, Llandilo. prayed for a dissolu- tion of marriage on the grounds of cruelty. The hus- band denied the charges and alleged condonation of adultery if any. Air. Bayford appeared for petitioner I and Dr. Tristram for respondent. The parties were married in October, 1875, at Carmarthen, and both of them were between GO and 70 years of age, and had property in their own right. They kept the Salutation Inn, Llandilo. In 1878 and] 87a there were quarrels between them, and the respondent assaulted the peti- tioner on two occasions by kicking her. In February, 1879, she suspected something was wrong between the respondent and one of the servants, and got two men to wateh, and the respondent was seen to go to a bam with the woman. She filed a petition for divorce, but she was induced to withdraw it, and to resume co- habitation on the promise of the respondent to treat her better. Last year lie again ill-treated her, and some time after that he was seen to commit adultery with a woman named Alary Thomas, near a quarry at Llandilo, by two men who she had set on the watch. Upon receiving that information she presented this petition. Airs. Elizabeth Jones, the petitioner, in I cross-examination by Dr. Tristram, stated that she was worth about £5,000 at the time of her marriage, and her husband considerably more. Both of them put £1,000 each into a settlement. She first of all. kept the Hope Inn at Llandilo, which was her private property. Y\ itness was examined at some length as to whether she had offered XIOO for evidence as to her husband's guilt, which she indignantly denied. Rachael Davies, formerly in the service of the parties, said that the respondent committed adultery with her in a barn on one occasion. In cross-examination, she said that she was a single woman and had two child- ren. She denied that she had been offered a sum of money for her evidence. On the occasion of the adul- tery two-men came towards them and said, Now we have got evidence." She was unaware that these men were concealed in the barn. Evidence, was then given that in August 1878, the respond- ent met a woman named Lewis, and they were seen together under suspicious circumstances, On the conclusion of the petitioner's case the respond- ent went into the witness-box. He stated that at the time of his marriage with the petitioner he was a farmer, but some time after the marriage, at the request of his wife, he gave up the farm, and went to live with his wife, first at the Salutation, and afterwards at the Hope Inn, Llandilo. He had an income of his own, and the petitioner had the same. The arrangement was that they were to contribute to the househol expenses equally. The petitioner refused to do so. and quarrels ensued. His wife struck him on several occasions. He deni.d ever having treated his wife with cruelty, and in regard to the charge of infidelity, he stated that, while it was untrue, lie was entrapped into a semblance of it by the artifices of his wife and a Mrs. James, a friend of hers. He went to call on Irs. James at the request of that ladv and his oven wife. Airs. James was then absent. Rachel Davis, the servant, was in charge of the house, and kept him there under the pretence that Afrs. James would return immediately. She did not return. He stayed and nad dinner. After dinner Rachel Davis asked him to go into the barn and see the grain. He did so, and the girl shut the door. Two men who had given lip evidence for the wife started upas if by magi, aIlll sang out, "witness, witness."—In cross-examina- tion. the respondent stated lie never struck or kicked his wire, though he might given her a push. When he did so his wife screamed without the slightest reason. He was certain that his wife was a party to the trick to get him into contact with Rachael Davits, —One of the sons of the respondent by a previous marriage stated that he was a farmer, but some times resided with his father and the petitioner. He never saw his father strike or ill-treat the petitimwr.Betsey Jones stated that she was the wife of a farmer, and li\ed at Llandilo. The petitioner told her she would give her a hundred pounds if she would play her husband a trick. The trick was to induce him to make love to her, and get witnesses to catch him.- Sir James Hannen said this was one of the classes of cases in which the witnesses on one side or the other had committed the grossest perjury. The greater por- tion of them not being able to speak the English lan- guage rendered it difficult to say on which side the fault lay. Some facts in the case were clear enough. For one thing, it was clear that the disputes between the parties arose about mouey matters. They both had property, the wife's property being the larger, so that it might be the wife was anxious to get rid of her husband altogether, while the husband was anxious to maintain his connection with his wife, and that, perhaps, M as the secret of the case. In regard to the cruelty, the evidence for the petitioner established that the respondent was a violent man. He came to the conclusion that the petitioner had made out a case of cruelty against her husband. As regarded the other charges, lie decided that they had not been established. There was a great conflict of evi- dence respecting them. As regarded Rachael llavis, he did not believe that either the girl herself or the wit- nesses who had spoken as to that part of the case. Under these circumstances he pronounced a decree of j judicial separation on the ground of the husband's cruelty, but dismissed the petition for divorce.
News
I' -u_ u A Glasgow dairyman named AJaekie, has been fined 111 the mitigated penalty of £ 4 for selling cream and sweet-milk diluted with skim-milk.
Advertising
THE CAMBRIAN NEWS I ^H'cricnrthohirr ;mb tSirien I J;anncr&' (Sa=riic Tm: LEADING JOURNAL for an EXTENSIVE DISTRICT in NORTH and SOUTH WALES. M i.rmNc, MERIONETHSHIRE. SOUTH MONTGOMERY SHIRE, CARDIGANSHIRE SOUTH CARNAR- YONSHIRE, and Parts of other Counties. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. Post, or by Cambrian or Dcliveredin Manchester and Iil- town in ford Railway. wii-re there is aii agent. Advance. Credit. Advance. Credit. d. s. d. E. d. s. d 2 2 2 6 1 20 g 4 4 0 :{.. 3 12 „ S S 10 0 0 tj 7 6 In these cases it better to order direct of the agents Y. hose names will be found below. The VAMBJilAy JYEJUV is sold by AGENTS m the following places:—- CARDIGANSHIRE. ABERYSTWYTH (A, Air. J. Gibson, 12, Chaiy- Parliamentary and beate-terrace (Publibh- nicipal Borough, a sea- 1 ing Office of the Caiu- port, and one of the briar, lavouritewateriiig places I Alessrs. Smith of the Kingdom. In the I Railway Booksta/ neighbourhood are a Air. E. Edwards, Great number of important f Darkgate-street. mines. The University Mrs. Stephens, Bridge- College of "Wales is situ- street. atcll here. Aberystwyth t is the terminus of the Cambrian Railway and the Manchester and Mil-I ford Railway.) ABERAERON (Watering "l Mr. J. AI. Howell, place, seaport, and quar- v Alarket-street. ter sessions town.) J BORTH Air. Evans, Majfield Cot- tage. BOW .STREET Sold at the Station. (-APEL BAN GO]; lr. Blackwell, Post Offit CARDIGAN (Assize tow n, Airs. Williams, IxKikseller. Parliamentary and AIu- f nicipal Borough, aud ( seaport.) ) CWA1\ STW A TH Air. C. Bunvll, Post Office GOGINAN (Situate near ) Ah'. P. Nicholls, Druid Inu several lea l mines.) ( several lea l mines.) ( LAAIPEi ER (Parliamen- I Air. J. W. Evans. Medical I tary Borough. St. j- Hall. David's College is here. J Air. D. Rees, draper. LL AND DEW I BREFI. Air. Thomas Jones, grocer. LLANIVENO(-, Air. Eran Evans. LLANGEITHO Air. Stephen Jones, picture framer. LL A NIL All Air. Jenkin Morris, draper. LLANON Air. Daniel Jones, grocer. LLANRHYSTID ROAD Statiomnaster. rONTERWYD (Water-^ Air. William Olaridge, falls and lead mines iu J- Gogerddan Arms, neighbourhood.) J PONTRHYDYGROES Mr. T. W. Davies, Poet Office. SW A DDII\ NNON Air. Evan Jones, shop- keeper. TALIESIX (Lead naiie,- ) Air. Thomas Jones, FOISt. Offiee. TALYBONT (Lead mines) Air. John Pritchard TREGARON (A market I Air. E. C. Evans. town where large fairs ] are held.) J YSTRAD Air. W. Owen Hughes. CARNARVONSHIRE. BANGOR Alessrs. W. H. Smith and Son, Railway Bookstall. CARNARA ON Air. 1). W. Davies, sta- tioner, 30, High-street. CK1CC1ETH (A pleasant t Air. Bowen, books9ller and watering place, with tine stationer. mountain views.) DOLYDDELEX Air. Ellis Pierce. PORTA1ADOC (Terminus\ Air. D. Lloyd (Publishing of theFestiniogRailway, j Office of the Cambrian An important shipping I _Y< "v). port; a growing town.) >AIr. R. Humphreys, book- | seller, The Repository, j Alessrs. W. H. Smith ajbd J Son, Bookstall. PWLLHELI Air. J. T. Evans, bcok- y seller, Church-street. AI ERIONETH SHIR E. ABERDOVEY (Seaport ) Air. W. Williams, Caprcra and watering place.) ( House. A R E R G A N OLW N Air. E. Jones, Post OtBee. (Great slate quarries in the neighbourhood.) j ARTHOG Airs. Jones, Post Office. BALA (The CalvinisticX Air. Jacob Jones, High- and Independent Col- | street (Publishing Office leges are situated here, I of the Cambrian cs. ahd it is much visited > by tourists for its fine | lake and ^nrr ounding I scenery.) .J BARMOL-TH (One of the 1 Air. John Evans, grocer, favourite watering places J- Glanvmor House. of Wales.) .J CORRIS -Ali-. Robert W. Evai>!», r grocer, Rhosynant. J Air. I). Ifor Jones. COItW LN (A market I Air. T. Edmunds, printer. town.) DI A AIAWDDWA | Alessrs. Evans and Son. (Terminus of the Alaw- | ddwy Railway.) .J DOLGELLEA (Assize and Air. David Davies, groce». Quarter Sessions held I Air. R. O. Rees, chemist, here. One of the head All'. Owen Rees, printer, quarters of Tourists. Manufacture — Welsh I Tweeds.) .) Tweeds.) DYFFRVN Air. J. Roberts, Shoplsaf. J ES'ITNIOG (The great Air. Ellis Roberts, boct- slate district of 'W ales. | seller, Four Crosses. Terminus of the Festin- ^Alr. Evan Llovd, Saron. iog Railway. A very Air. R, J. Thomas, boot- populous place.) I seller, New Market- place, Four Crosses. HARLECH I Air. W. Evans, (Torpkvyw- S fa Cottage. LLANBLiiR Evans and LLANE*;PA N Air. Pughe, chemist. LLANELLT^ D Air. T. Griffiths. LLANU\\ CHL1A N Air. J. Al. Jones, Caeruai LLWYNGWRIL Air. J. Lewis. The Mill AlAENTWROG Mr. Evans. I'E,N-N A I, Air. R. Humphreys. TALSARNALJ -\Ir. G. Williank f master. II TOWA N (Favourite wa-i Air. J. Jones. Post Office. tering place.) rAt Air. E. NewelTs (Mr. J R. B. Evans.) M ONTGOAIERYSHIRE. I AIACHA NLLEI H (Alar- ) J. Stephens, el) kettown. In the neigh-r street. bourhood are several Alessrs. Smith and mines.) ) Railway Bookstall. LLANBRA NAIAIR Air. Al. Jones, WiuHan. NEW! OWN "j Aie^srs. Phillips and Sou, printers. I J Alessrs. Smith and Son. WELSHPOOL i Alessrs. Smith and Sq;, < Railvav IViokstalL LLANIDLOES r. Hi Mills. Mrs. Pierce, Ch:r;.wtre< OSWESTRY ) Alessrs. Smith and Son. Askew Roberts, Woodall, J and Yenables. LIVERPOOL Alessrs. Foulkes & Hv.u.Sj r 16, Tithebam-strei t. J Air. Lloyd, .12, Evcrt-or, LONDON Alessrs. Davies & Co., i, I Finch-lane, Cornhiil. I Air. AI. AI organ, 22, LA y- t hourne-rd.,KentishTown â– v >AIr. E. Evans. 21, Fa»r j bank-street. East-road 1 Air, V* Richards, 27, I Acorn Street, Kishop- gate Without, E.C. CHESTER !1". J. Juithbunie, n ) Baths, Bridge-street CARMARTHEN.(Messrs..Smith and Railway Bookstall AfANCHESTER Old Ai c. BIRAIINGHAAI Alessrs. Smith and Sou Great Western P. J tall, .Snow-hill. HOLYWELL Mr. Evans, printer, ic. AN HITCH I RCH Alessrs. Smith and WREXHAAl I Alessrs. Bayley and Co., Caxtœ]-1mil([illV. RUABON STAT ION Messrs. Smith and ADN ER 1 IsEAIENTS and other communications, in Welsh and English, should be sent not later than Thursday morning to the Publishing Offices— ax -tie residences of J. GIBSON, 12, Chalybeate-terrace, Abervstvrvth JACOB JONES, High-street, Bala, or D. LLOYD, Portmadoc.
News
(ilorrcsponbcnrr. ,-v,t -v "[, All letter* must be written on cm: side of the paper, and aec-vm- panied Oil the ntun-i: and address of the*crtt?r not necessarily for publication, but ax a guarantee of good faith.
News
BOYCOTTING. Sre,—Verily, verily, the Irish are a very rude and a barbarous people, and we upon this bide of the water are more civilized and more righteous than they; but it does seem at times to me that Government should employ able editors or eloquent orators to point out to the muddle-headed mucn-enduring British MOiking man M'here the difference lies between combining to refuse to work for a, man who wishes to obey the law in Ireland, and combining to refuse another one work who is desirous of carrying the law into effect ia England. Of course, there must be a vast difference lor we find that it is being demonstrated to the Irish with an immense amount of military and legal labour that they may not combine to reiuse to work for, or to deal with obnoxious persons, while on this side of the water it seems that, in spite of s.ic.i bogeys as Acts of Parliament, which only frighten small employers, wealthy corporations are still entitled to hire men to work under death- scaling conditiona, or to "Boycott them it they refuse.. Truly "freedom of contract is a sacred and a just thing, even when one of the contracting parties has the other at his mercy, and Plirnsoll was wrong and the ship wreckers were right, and men shall sail in worm- eaten ships in its name, and men snail work with worn out boilers, shall be lowered down pitshafts with rotten ropes, and shall face death daily in a thousand horrible forms at their own sole risk, that high rents may be pa,(I. dividends may be increased, and that the idle may fatten in this grandest of all countries for large capitalists and landowners but it does not seem to be suited to the Irish constitution. H. Festiniog, January 21st 1881. "IS THERE SUCH ANOTHER BUSINESS." STII.-—J always looked upon the yearly tenancy fanner as one whose condition was not to be envied. Mr. Roberts has laid the condition of the Welsh farmer in its true form, before one of its best friends. He very properly asks, "Wiiere is there such another business No. there is not such another business. Thr letter which you publish from the iurthei illustrates the case. I will quote from I rofessor Thorold Rogers:- "But unlike other inventors, he (farmer) cannot protect his process by a patent, or even by secrecy. All his operations are in the open, and his neighbours may copy them. It is possible that his landlord may instantly appropriate them. Nome years ago a tenant farmer in the Dukcries, unable to make head against the ravages of game, determined on growing potatoes for the Nottingham market. But the invention—no great one— was so easily iuiit- able, that the very next year the Duke's agent quadrupled his rent. Unjust and one-sided laws have driven many farmers from England and will drive them again. The land- lords have always been ready to advance the rents of farms which have been improved by the tenants capital. Thus the tenant is compelled to pay interest oil his capital, and should he kill a hare, he will have to leave his capital on the ground by being ejected. Is there such another business ? No, not one better -calculated to discourage and take the heart out of a good man. No wonder that farmers go to the London milk trade, America, and where not, from the tyranny ,of landlords and their agent. "It is probable also that the addition of an enormous raid increasing area of wheat-growing land in W estern America, the construc- tion of extensive railways in that country, and the cheapening of freights will check any rise above the old rents, and even drive them lower than they have been.I)rof. Rogei- "-But how do things stand with us ? Instead of lowering by American competition rents have risen. What shall we do ? I think that all farmers should join the Fariiier,, Alliance which at present has several members in Parliament, so that our claims might have a better hearing. We must also diminish our numbers by emigration. Waiting for something to "turn up," is a poor work, we must work like one man. GKNEU I;CH,YN\ BARMOUTH DRAINAGE. DK.UI SIR.—When I wrote you last I had no inten- tion of hurting the feelings of Mr. Roberts in suggesting that he was a friend of the would-be "A Heron,' writing so strongly, as from authority, in support of the works going on under his (Mr. Robert's) directions at Barmouth. At the same time, it was scarcely worthy of his indignation, since it is quite clear that if Mr. Roberts thinks it necessary to disclaim" rteron" as his friend, and as having had nothing to do with Heron's 1, letter. The letter does not disclaim the friendship and high consideration for Mr Roberts, in- asmuch he sustains Mr. Roberts with the energy of a confidential friend, and recommends to me not to rely too implicitly on the representations that are made to me about the Local Board of Barmouth or their engineer, but rather to obtain the information I. require by personal observation and enquiry at Barmouth, whenever it suits my convenience. This is the very thing I have done several times, but without being ad- mitted into the eoniidence of the Local Board or their engineer, as "Heron" has evidently done, and, not- withstanding nij' random shot is alleged to be at too great distance from the Heron perched on the is- land to cause upon the poor bird any bodily harm, it has produced the information that has been so re- peatedly denied to me and my friends at Barmouth, and by the engineer, that on the island, nearly opposite the old Ferry House, is a good point to observe where the intended outfall of the drainage is proposed to be carried, and is within a short distance from it. I ask the engineer at present to answer whether it is or is not as his friend "Heron" alleges; and shall here- utter have something more to say.Voars, faithfully, (Ilandwr, '25th Jauy., 1881. u • SIR,—With their usual reticcnce, the Barmouth Solons mention the fact that the pipes first put down were too small, at the end of their report. They also state that provision will be made for the storm water. Now. I was down there during the rain storm before Christmas day. and no one can imagine what a mess there was. The drain water mixed with exerementi- tious matter came up the pipes into the cellars of several of the houses. In fact, if the Heron," who champions the scheme, had been there, I am afraid his long legs would scarcely have kept his body out of the water. This, I take it, is the cause of that paragraph iii the report of the Local Board meeting. I am afraid the ratepayers will find that such wisdom a-id adminis- trative ability as has been shown in connection with the drainage will cost a pretty penny. It is known as a sanitary law that no main drain ought to be less than two feet in diameter, and then separate drains must be used for the storm water. But instead of this we have nine-inch pipes to take away everything. If the Board had let the people know what they were going to do, they would have given the ratepayers an opportunity of objecting, oratleast: of knowing what the probable cost would be. As it is, I am afraid too much harm has been done and money wasted. As to Heron's" idea that the place whore the drain is to open, as I think I know a little about Bar- mouth harbour, I must contradict him, and say that it is in the harbour, although in the current of the river. He seems to think that there is one continuous ebb there. Even if there were ebb all day, there are so many currents and eddies (nine in number, I believe) certain points of the tide that some is sure to wash Ashore. It is no use proposing any new scheme to the y^scaeres of the Board till the present one has about •' lined the place then, perhaps, they will say, I told you so," or something like that. I heard that one ')f them, on being reminded that the pipes were small, 1>1.1d, "Well, didn't I tell Mr. Roberts so." If "Heron" \nts to kaov-, of a better scheme, let him study the System as practised at Rochdale. Perhaps that is too ^jfieient a scheme lov his ideas. In conclusion, I hope .hat the Board will put down pipes of a proper size .is time, and not make it necessary to put others ''own in six months' time. It is very nice for the con- tactor and engineer, but it is the reverse for the rate- payers, who have, to pay the piper.—Yours, &c., YJKINC. CARDIGANSHIRE COUNTY ADVERTISE- S MENTS. t';í" T\Ten:filiu8" agrees with me that the u'l'nV' -V< "'x have the county advertisements j ai'diganshire. But it was not this that induced ".n to write. It was to protest against my remarks, bonder if he ever noticed mischievous boys WoivUing a *tre»m. As the water gets up their "iv^ H;come;s unable to withstand the pressure, and it '•arrf V'ai 'u: then runs with a rush and Torj,eS everything in its course. That is what the eounirv f when ,t!iey aro in power. They stop the Olllt' refoi-ii, until there is danger of The KaimTi-i y liave cause<l the troubles i: Ireland, eountrv b-nSs av" done in almost every European After 8ame system of blocking progress. ''Onsetmen,° ''l<H'omP^Mbed their work, and, as a Wis, thev turn ere(il I)e°Plc in distant they want and. 1jlame Liberals. If in Ireland tV>V ao'netning like what is now going > things tako lr>»'llor.ls ai-e getting U?Iris" managed bv ron.-l, f hey leave them to tenants have been turned out of kf °W thiat P°°r •^hey did not vote as thev I ?V ^rms because trcated h itLrtoya;S.t0ld- Indeed'they ° e lne' TerraiiliusV' sun has passed its j meridian. He is in the churchyard amongst the tomb- | stones, under the shadow of his Church its steeple hinders him from seeing the coming events, and it will soon be setting in the horizon. I honestly hope that that cloud now resting over Ireland will be out of his zone. W hen his sun is about setting, I will get all the rustics from every Bethel and hoar in Cardiganshire to come to the seashore to see it going down. There I will be with them with a big white choker, and we will all join to say, AMEN. TRKOH CWLAH N A<: ARGIAVYDD. A QUESTION. SIR,—The flood in the Rheidol of :.?ad December last, just about one month sines, carried away the slight protection which the authorities had provided at the side of the Pont Oifeiriad or Parson's Bridge, Notice of the event was, I know, at once communi- cated to the Road Surveyor, and he was recommended to consult with the owners of property, landed and mining, in the immediate neighbourhood, who would, probably, aid him, with materials or labour, to con- struct a durable fencing of posts and rails or wire, not only on both sides of the planks forming the hridge, but along the slippery a d uneven rocks which lead to it. Miners, as well as villagers, going to or f oiii church or shop, have had to cross this place, at any time unsafe to careless people, but in the weather we are now having, dangerous in the extreme. Nothing, however, has been done to mitigate this evil, or any notice, as far as I am aware, taken of the wanin g, although a week of weather very suitable for the repair of damages occurred immediately after Christmas, This neglect of precautions to avoid danger to human life or limb has happened twice before here, and I should b" obliged if you, sir, or one of your readers would obligingly point out who is the legally responsible party, and the speediest and shortest method of bringing him to a sense of his duty.—Yours, &e., A SUBSCKIUFJ:. [We should be glad to hear from our correspondent! again on this and other topic, -F,,). ('. A. [ THE ABERYSTWYTH COCOA HOUSE. Sijt,Th(! AI)ery.it%vytli Cocoa House Company has been a financial success. The paid-up capital is £ 178 3s. 9d., with a subscription of J:20 from Mr D. Daviee, M.P., and has produced a gross revenue of £ 5-12 LSs. 6d. in twelve months, having, after all expenses are paid, about £ 70 for a dividend, or for whatever the Company think lit. This is most satis- factory. I question, however, whether it has answered the end that it was specially started for. I believe it was meant to be a resort for all classes (the working class especially) of people instead of the public-house. As far as a place for the working class or any other class in Aberystwyth resorting thither in the evening, it is absolutely a failure. If you ask the obliging manageress where the greatest part of her customers come from, she will tell you, the country—that, indeed, if it were not for the country the place might be closed any day. The Directors should take this into serious consideration. There is something wanted about the place to make it more attractive. Indeed, it can hardly be possible to make the present place more attractive. The house is too small to begin with it is neither one thing nor atiotliez-a pimping little hole without any arrangement or any special accommodation for a house of that purpose. The rooms upstairs, for which a penny extra is levied as toll, gives one the strong impression of a workhouse; and after being once in them you do not feel inclined to go back again. The only decent place is downstairs, and when there are a dozen people in, it is filled and on market da^s there is no room for the attendants to go about, and people are shouting for food from holes and corners all over the house, whereas if there were a large bar as there ought to be downstairs, it would be much more convenient for everybody. I believe that large school parties from the country coming with excursions by traiu on Mondays have had to be refused for the want of accommodation on those days. What is wanted is not a second cocoa house, as was mooted at the meeting, but a larger place better fittted up—a place where an) one would not be ashamed to be seen going r- into. The place at present outside looks like a miser- able pot-shop indeed, many have gone in for a glass I of beer, thinking it was a place of that sort. The experiment has been tried, and has been found to succeed on its own merits and if one real good cocoa house was obtained for the town, there is no doubt that it would succeed, not only financially, but, what is of much more importance, as a moral, healthy resort for the men and women of Aberystwyth. So the Directors need not be afraid to launch into the work which they first set themselves to do, and which still remains to be done, as far as Aberystwyth is con- cerned.—Yours. SHAREHOLDER.
News
Iiiipcrial Viirli-Iiiiictit. HOUSE OF LORDS, THURSDAY. ¡ There was no business on the paper of the House of Lords on Thursday. HOUSE OF COMMONS, TJTT R.SDAT. The SPKAKKR decided that Mr. Dawson's Amend- ment on the Address was technically inaccurate but the Government permitted it to be altered. It was then negatived by two hundred and seven-four to thirty-six. Mr. O'KKLLY moved another Amendment relating no Irish Affairs, of which no notice had been given, and it was rejected by one hundred and seventy- three to thirty-four. The Address was agreed to. Upon the Report, Sir W. LAVVSON moved an Amend- ment in favour of mediation in Basutoland. Sir H. HOI,I.A:\D and Mr. GOHST justified the Imperial pel icy. Mr. GRANT Duyi, opposed the Amendment, and re- minded the mover that her Majesty had in her Speech opening the Session stated that it would cause her much satisfaction if a suitable occasion should present itself for a friendly action on her part with a view to the restoration of peace. He pointed to the great danger to t-ne South African Colonies of allowing tho Basutos to be armed while there was such a vast dis- parity between whites and blacks in their territory. Sir W. LAWSOIV withdrew his Motion, and the Address was agreed to amid cheers. HOUSE OF LORDS, FRIDAY. Lord FORTKM TE called attention to the precedent for introducing into that Chamber a Bill for the better protection of life and property in Ireland. Lord GRAWIIXK did not consider this convincing; and after a short conversation their Lordships adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, FRIDAY. Mr. OLADSTONI:, referring to the conduct of business next week, explained that on Monday the first subject would be the motion to give precedence to Mr. Forstcr's notice for the introduction of the two Biils for the protection of person and property and the precervation of the peace in Ireland and that on Tuesday he should move a resolution giving'precedence to these measures in their several stages of all orders of the day and notices of motion, from day to day, until the House should otherwise direct. On the order for going into Committee of Supply, Mr. RYLANDS called attention to tlie state of affairs in the Transvaal, and moved that the annexation of that territory was impolitic and unjustifiable, and that the House would view with regret any measures taken by Her Majesty's Government with the object of enforcing British supremacy over its inhabitants, who rightfully claimed their national independence. Mr. GLA DSTO.VJI frankly admitted that he had expressed disapproval of the annexation of the Transvaal, as well as that of Cyprus and Afghanistan, but he denied that he had repudiated them. To disapprove was one thing, to repudiate another, and so far as the annexation in South Africa was concerned, the Government could not forget that new obligations had arisen out of it which could not be disregarded. He deplored the existence of hostilities, but hoped that the instructions given to Sir Hercules Robinson would tend to restore order, and bring the working of the new colony into harmony. The Government would act with firmness, temper, and promptitude inre-establish- ing the authority of theCrown, and, having accomplished teat object, pursue a. policy which would be for the benefit of the inhabitants. Sir S. NOIITHCOTK insisted that in reference to this subject no uncertain sound should proceed from the I House, for we were engaged in carrying on hostile operations, and, hard as was the necessity, no one could doubt that they ought to be carried on in such a spirit that we should not deal blows at those who were in arms against us, and, at the same time, use language representing them as being in the right and we our- selves in the wrong. Defending the late Government from the censure of some of the speakers. Sir Stafford claimed for them the credit of having done what was their real duty in the matter, and concluded by expressing his concurrence with the Premier in the hope that, when this crisis was over it would be possible to bring about such a settlement as the President of the Orange Free State desired. Eventually Mr. RYLANDS offered to withdraw his motion, but the House refused its permission, and upon dividing negatived the Motion by P29 to *J3, or a majority of 96. HOUSE OF LORDS, MONDAY. The Duke of RICHMOND and GORDON called attention to the Provisional Order made by the Secretary of State relating to Burnett's Literary Fund (which was be- uueathed to Aberdeen University in 17?">), and moved that the House should disagree with the same. Lord GRANVILLE intimated that the Government assented to the proposal. HOUSE OF COMMONS MONDAY. At half-past five o'clock, in a very crowded House, Mr. FORSTER rose to move for leave to bring in his Bill for the Better Protection of Person and Property in Ireland. Remarking that the information on which he based the measure was not newspaper but official reports, the right hon. gentleman adduced copious J statistics to show the serious increase which had of late taken place in agrarian outrages, especially during the last three months, in Ireland. The offences with which he dealt were composed principally of threaten- ing letters, intimidation, the maiming of cattle, out- rages on the person, and tiring into dwelling-houses. The declared objects of these outrages were, he said, to prevent men from taking farms from which others had been evicted, from working for men who had taken such farms, from working on grazing lands, and from paying a rent that had not been sanctioned by the Land League. Their elfeet was to increase fear and terror, and to enforce submissive obedience to the un- written law of the Land League. In fact the League, through its branches, reigned supreme; by threats ami terror. It had, indeed, established a Reign of Terror. Those who broke the law of the land were safe, whilst those who obscrvu it, the honest men, were in danger, for witnesses feared to give evidence and juries feared to convict, and the "unwritten law" of the Land League was powerful, because punishment was sure to follow the infraction of that law. What, then, must be done? The Land League had struck terror into the people. Parliament must strike terror into them, and the outrages would stop. Person and property would then be protected, and the criminals lie arrested. These criminals consisted of three categories, namely, those who were remaining of the old Secret Societies ol 1871, some Fenians, and a larger number of strangers. Coming them to the proposals which he had to submit to the House, Mr. FORSTER explained that lie asked for power to enable the Lord-Lieutenant, by his warrant, to arrest any person whom he might reason- ably suspect to be guilty, either as principal oi accessory, of treason or treasonable practices, or of any offence against law and order in proclaimed districts, and to detain him as a person accused of crime and not convicted; the Act to continue in force for eighteen months, until the 30th of September next year. He assured the House that lie did not ask for this power without the greatest reluctance. But he did not see how it was to be avoided and he felt sure that there was no man who ever sat upon the Treasury bench but must feel reluctance and dislike to proposing such measures. For himself, had he foreseen that this would have been his duty, as the result oi twenty years of parliamentary life, he should have left parliamentary life, alone: but lie never felt more clearly in the line of duty than in introducing this measure for the protection of person and property in Ireland. Had the evils of the Irish Land Laws not existed, coercion would have been unnecessary. But whilst it was their first business to protect life and property, there was another duty incumbent upon them, and her Majesty's Government were thoroughly determined to reform the Land Laws, and to perform that duty in the present Session. On the right hon. gentleman resuming his scat, which he did amid vojiferous cheering. Dr. LYONS moved as tii Aiiieil Intent that, in the opinion of the House, it was expedient and desirable, and was most fully in accord with a wise and generous exercise of the indisputable power of this House and the Empire at large, that remedial legislation on the land question in Ireland should take precedence over the coercive measures designed by Government, and that her Majesty's Ministers be requested to recon- sider their decision in this regard. The Amendment having been seconded by Mr. GJVAN, the debate was continued by Mr. DILLON and several other hon. members. Sir S. NORTHCOTK, expressing the view which the Conservative Opposition entertained of the proposal, remarked that though, if disposed to be critical, they might regret that earlier steps were not taken, they could not but feel that it would be ungenerous and unwise to go back on subjects of that sort, and that it would be better to consider the question as it had been laid before them that night. In his judgment the case was only too strong, and more than sufficient for the necessity of the demand now made, and to the best of his belief the Chief Secretary would receive from the Opposition all proper support in the progress of the measure. With regard to the Amendment, he and his friends were prepared to consider any proposals that might be made for the improvement of the Land Laws in Ireland, but there could be no permanent settlement of the question that was not founded on true principles. On the whole, it was his firm conviction that Ministers were taking the right couise in first establishing law and order, and that until this was done the House could not consider the other questions. Mr. O'DONNKLI. declared that in declining to consult the Irish members Mr. Gladstone was a traitor to his Sovereign." Called to order by the SPEAKER, Mr. O'DONNELL withdrew this phrase, but added that the policy of the Premier was incompatible with his duty to the three kingdoms. On the motion of Mr. LABOCCHKKK the Debate was adjourned until Tuesday. HOUSE OF LORDS. TUESDAY. Lord ENKIKLD stated, in reply to Lord Incliiquin, that the Secretary of State for India had received, through a distinguished officer of the Horse Guards, a Memorandum relating to Candahar, written by Lord Napier of Magdala but the Government did not intend to lay it upon their Lordships' table. While they had every respect for the military ability and opinion of that distinguished officer, they had not thought it necessary to consult him upon the subject of Candahar, because he was not at present, and had not been for some time past. officially connnectcd with either the political or military affairs of India. HOUSE OF COMMONS, TCESDAY. Mr. GLADSTONE, in moving (after a preliminary objection of Mr. Gray, which was overruled by the Speaker) "That the introduction and the several stages of the Protection of Person and Property (Ireland) Bill, and the Peace Preservation (Ireland) Bill have precedence of all orders of the day and notices of motion from day to day, until the House shall otherwise order," observed that, whilst sub- mitting the resolution as a measure of urgency, lie had no wish to curtail the liberty of debate, so long as it was kept within the bounds of reason and us;ve, but that the obtrusion of matter of secondary consequence would be fairly regarded as a wasting of the time of Parliament. Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR then proceeded to move an I a Amendment standing on the paper in the name of Mr. Parnell, to the effect "That the present state of Ireland does not afford sufficient justification for depriving the members of this House of their usual facilities for the discussion of public business, and of their Constitutional right of initiating and proposing legislative alterations, and of demanding the redress of grievances but as the SPEAKER ruled the proceeding to be out of order, Mr. O'Connor went on to speak on the general question, concluding his observations with a "final appeal" to the Premier to reverse his Irish policy by giving remedial measures precedence over Coerciou. Mr. A. O'CONNOR moved, and Mr. seconded, that the Orders of the Dav be now read. After several hon. Members had addressed the House, Mr. BICCAR said he was ashamed of the conduct of the Government, and rebuked the Radicals for sink- ing the question of principle in favour of Party. The hon. Member proceeded, at considerable length to comment upon the state of Ireland, and read numerous documents with the view of showing that there was no necessity for the application of Coercion to the country ani that the case of the Government was based upon fraud and falsehood. The House listened with much patience for some time, but eventually the SPEAKER had to interfere and remind .Mr. Biggar that he was wandering from the question before the House, and making a speech that was more suitable on the adjourned debate. Mr. BICOAR responded in the usual phrase, that he "bowed to the Chair," but soon resumed his former line of argument. Warning after warning was given him by the SPEAKER, but in vain, and finally the right hon. gentleman intimated that he ha 1 only one course to pursue, as Mr. Biggar persisted in his dis- orderly conduct, and that was to "name" him as dis- regarding the authority of the Chair. Thereupon Air. FORSTKR rose and moved that Mr. Biggar be suspended from service in the House during the remainder of that day's sitting, and oil a division being taken the proposal was carried by IGO to 30, and Mr. Biggar, in compliance with the direction of the SPEAKER, withdrew, amid some laughter from the Liberal benches and cries of "Shame" from the Home-rulers. On his retirement Mr. HKALY rose from the front Opposition bench below the gangway and moved the adjournment of the debate until the return of the member for Cavan, a valuable member of the Irish! Party, to his place in the House. The Motion having been seconded by Mr. M'CARTUY. Mr. O'DONNELL followed in its support, and de- nounced the Premier's resolution as intended to shut the mouths of the Irish members. A Cromwell, indeed, 1 -3 could not be more despotic in carrying out his unconsti- tutional hleas than the present head of the (lovernment. When Mr. O'Donnell sat down, after speaking three- quarters of an hour, Air. GLADSTONE observed that the argument of the lion, member was utterly irrelevant to the motion for adjournment, and that the course which the (Joveni- mcnt proposed to take would give the Irish members full opportunity of stating their case. A division was then taken upon the motion to adjourn the debate, which was negatived by 6B to 3'i. Next, Mr. GRAY moved that the House should adjourn, and, referring to the Resolution of the Govern- ment to give precedence to the Coercion Bill, said it amounted to this—that the House should sit from day to day until every man in Ireland was deprived of his constitutional rights, which for eighteen months would be at the absolute discretion of two men. What guarantee had he if he returned to Ireland a fortnight hence that he would not be arrested under a warrant of the Lord Lieutenant and scut to prison The motion was supported by Mr. LA LOR and Mr. CALI-i-N, but Mr. HENRY opposed it on the ground that the reason fcr proposing it, alleged by its mover, was to secure the return of the suspended member to his place in the House. On the House again dividing, the motion for it adjournment was defeated by 277 to 34, and upon the SPEAKER putting the original question and the amend- ment thereto, Mr. O'SL-LLIVAN intimated that after having two divisions, the Irish members had no objection to resume the debate. He then proceeded to speak against Mr. Gladstone's motion. After some observations from Mr. LEA MY against the motion, Mr. BYRE, at half-past twelve o'clock, moved the debate be adjourned; but Mr. GLADSTONE evoked vehement cheers by declaring that he decline to accept the proposal, which he described as a distinc challenge to the House whether it should retain in its hands the capacity to transact the public business. Sir S. NORTIICOTE remarked that the Government, having decided upon taking that course, would receive his support and that of his friends on the Conservative side of the House. The O'DONOOIIUE wished to know when the debate on the Peace Preservation Bill, would be resumed, and was told by Air. FORSTER that it would be when the present Alotion had been finally disposed of, and Sir W. HAl{"(lUT, replying to Air. O'Shauglmessy, said the advice which Ministers tendered the House was to continue the debate until that was done. In the course of subsequent discussion. Air. SEXTON exclaimed that he accepted the chal- lenge thrown out' by the Government with all his heart, and would oppose his most determined resist- ance to the attempt now being made by an unholy political combination to silence the representatives of Ireland ami the House. I