The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

ABERYSTWYTH. I EXECUTION OX THE TOWN. j] Last Thursday, May 25th, the sheriffs officer levied; 4)n the goods and chattels of the Corporation in respect of the judgment obtained last March in what is now h known as the Fairy" case. The action was brought, it will be remembered, by the late Mr John Jones, cooper, Trefechan. against the Corporation for damages done to the Fairy through the giving way of one of the mooring posts in the Aberystwyth harbour during a flood in "the river. After considerable litigation jiidgmnt vias taken for £ 1,300: The judgment was obtained in the month of March last when the matter was before the court in London on further considera- tion as was reported in the Camhrian A e/c.< at the time. The plaintiff, John Jones, died a short time before judgment was obtained, and his death, necessitated delay in the issue of execution. If Mr Jones was alive execution would issue as a matter of -course immediately after judgment, but in con- sequence of his death the will had first to t'e proved. Soon after judgment had been obtained plaintiffs solicitor, Messrs. Roberts and Evans, ap- plied to the Town Clerk to ask the Council to make a small payment on account, as the widow had payments to make after the decease of her husband, and at the same time intimated that she was willing to wait and take any security for the remainder. Several applica- tions of the same kind were made between March and May. At the request of the Town Clerk, Mr Kvan Evans. solicitor, attended a meeting of the Council and asked for a 6iliall instalment on account. He was then told that the Council had no funds wherewith to pay. and that the Council had 110 power to borrow for the purpose. At tiiat meeting the first thing said after the application by Mr Evans was "What about the In- smance CompanyHas the executrix settled with them The Town Clerk said that no notice had been served upon him at the time on behalf of the Insurance Companies, but thit they intended at once to take proceedings. The matter was then referred to the Finance Committee. Mr Evans attended the Committee Meeting and was asked to wait a fortnight in order that some arrears of the general district rate might be got in. A fortnight and more elapsed and nothing was heard of the matter. Mr Evans next wrote twice to the Town Clerk, and stated that execution would be issued unless the Council at their following meeting voted the money. The only reply made to the applications was that Mrs Jones was ignoring the eliims of the insurance companies, and asking how it was proposed to deal with the difficulty ? The Council did nothing, and therefore, on Monday, the Lith May, a summons was issued for execution, and the Town Clerk was served with it on the ] Gth May, a day when the Council met. The summons ■was made returnable on Friday, the 19th May. At the request of counsel for the Corporation it was adjourned to Tuesday, the 23rd May, in order to enable the Town Clerk to set out in an affidavit the noticed served upon him by the Insurance Societies, On Tuesday the matter was again heard, and an order was made for execution, because the plaintiff was entitled to it as a matter of course, and because the notices of the Insurance Companies had nothing to do with the matter. Between the 19th and 23rd of May, the date of adjournment of the summons. the Aberayron Society commenced proceedings against the executrix, alleging that she was going to pay the debts of the deceased out of the money. The Court made an order on Monday, the 22nd, that the executrix wns not to deal with the monev until Thursday, the 2 itli. The executrix had no notice of the application on Monday that the motion was to be renewed on Thursday, when counsel on behalf of the Aberayron Society and the executrix agreed that the injunction obtained on Monday should be dis- charged, and that plaintiffs counsel should undertake to retain the damages obtained tor the Corporation until further order of the Court. Ktiecutiou was issued on Tuesday, the 23rd. The Town -Clerk was informed oil Wednesday that Messrs Roberts and Evans would not interfere, as the. execution was in the sheriffs hands, and on Thurs- day morning, he was also informed that the under- sheriffs clerk had arrived with the warrant. The levy was withheld until a special meeting of the Council was held on Thursday afternoon. After the meeting an offer was made to pay the £ 1,300, but without the Sheriffs fees. That oiler was refused, and levy was made. The goods scired were sold by valuation to the Town Clerk for 1;311, out of which Sheriffs fees have been paid, and the balance has been paid to Messrs Roberts and Evans, The notices of the Insurance Companies appear to have had nothing to do with the question, as the result has proved. The executrix is advised by her counsel that the Companies have no claim upon her. It is thought that the Corporation have been all along playing into the hands of the Insurance Companies, and on this account the Insurance Companies have been assisting materially the Corporation in defending tile action both in Swansea and in London, and the Corporation, since judgment, have been endeavouring to assist the Insurance Companies. This seems to have caused the unpleasantness which has been manifested in the matter. TOWN COUNCIL (SPECIAL MEETING), FRIDAY. May 26th. — Present Mr John Jones, Bridge End. Mayor, presiding Aldermen John Watkins, Phillip Williams, and David Roberts, Councillors Peter Jones, John James, J. R. Jones, Thomas Griffiths, George Green, Richard James, D. C. Roberts, Edward Hamer, E. J. Jones, Isaac Morgan, Mr A. J. Hughes. town clerk, Mr Griffith Jones, corporation solicitor, Mr Evan Jones Williams, treasurer, Mr H. I.. Evans, borough accountant, and Mr Rees Jones, surveyor. THE ALDER.MAXIO <IALR. The MAYOR signed the declaration as alderman. C, THE ARTILLERY MILITIA. The Tow x CLERK read a letter from Colonel Lloyd Pliilfpps commanding the Artillery Militia acknow- ledging the vote of congratulation passed at the last -meeting of the Council, and hoping that the conduct of the Brigade would continue to merit approval in future yewra. !•*I VAN CIAL EM BARASSM F. N'T. Mr RICHARD JAMES sugg3stecl that the Council should arrange the matter which had been considered in Committee as to signing a bill before proceeding with the business of the day. The Treasurer was present. The Tow.v CLERK said he had requested Mr Williams to be present for that purpose. Mr GRIFFITH JOE, remarked that the question was: should the note be drawn for three months or six moutha after date. (hie or two members thought the bill should he drawn for six months, Mr GRIFFITH JO-NF- remarking that any sum the Council could afford to lay by for the purpose would go in reduction of the £ 1,300 for which the bill was drawn. Mr ISAAC MORCAN understood that the Is. Sd. ) general district rate would only be sufficient to meet I ordinary demands. ) The BOROUGH ACCOI'NTAXT explained that it was made to cover all balances due. It was then agreed to draw the bill for six months. MI JOHN JANIE.4 feared they would have to make a special rate. It was a very serious thing, but he did net see how they could avoid it, seeing that there was at least £ 2,000 to be provided for. THE TOWN CLERK—Oh, no. Mr PETER JONES said the Council would have to pay on account of the warrant which had been issued against them, and including that amount it would re- present the very formidable item of about 12,000. The TlJWN CLERK believed that between £1,600 and £ 1,700 would cover what was required. Mr RICHARD JAMES said there was another matter to he considered. It was very desirable to dispense with the sheriff's officer as soon as possible. The TOWN CLERK said he had offered to pay the officer the money, and as soon as lie could tell the vrtlue of the things lie had levied upon, he wuld be paid. The expense would be a shilling in the pound. Nuppo-e he levied on £ 200 he would receive five per cent <*• £ 10. Nuppo-e lie levied on X200 he would receive five per cent fw itO. MR RICHARD JAMES said the occurrence had placed the Corporation in a very invidious position. The TOWN CLERK said a better arrangement could not have been effected. M r D. C. ROBERTS asked if an arrangement could not nave been come to sooner ? Tne T\4w .CumK replied that it could not. unless the Corporation paid a certain sum of money, and they could not do that. The Insurance Company was in no better position than it was before, because the money would be held. Mr D. C. ROBERTs-And we have to suffer for the Insurance Society ? The TOWN CLERK—Oh, no. If you had paid the money you may have been subject to another action which might have been more expensive. Mr JOHN JAMES said that judging from what Mr. Roberts now said he (Mr James) thought it was an oversight 011 the part of some one that a meeting of the Council was not called after the execution was issued Oil Monday. The TOWN CLERK replied that on Tuesday leave was give!! to issue execution, and he did not hear of it until Wednesday. He then saw Mr Evans who did not thiuk a levy was going to be made, it was thought that :t would be in the hands of the sheriffs officer at Alwrystwyth. There was a good deal of ill feeling in consequence of what the Insurance Company had done. -J,%)IE. it li,-t(I been stated that delay htd occurred with the view of helping the Insurance Companies. The TOWN CLF.RK—Not at all. Mr JOHN JAMES added that the Corporation had nothing to do with the Insurance Companies. There should have been an arrangement instead of delay. I -Messrs. Roberts and Evans had obtained judgment igainst the Corporation and they should have been laul or an arrangement made. It was a very serious natter for the town, for if the creditors heard of it ;hey might want to call up the money they had lent. The Tow X CLERK replied that the matter was put before a special meeting of the Council. Notices were served, and the Council were advised they could not pav the money. There was no means at all, and Messrs. Roberts and Evans would not interfere. Mr PETER JONES asked if the Corporation had in- curred any legal expenses in opposing the execution ? The TOWN CLERK replied that they had not. The proceedings in London were taken by the Insurance Companies. Mr RICHARD JAMF.S presumed, in that case, that the blame rested on Messrs Roberts and Evans. The TOWN CLERK did not know but what he should have done the same in similar circumstances. Mr RICHARD JAMES asked if Messrs. Roberts and Evans were willing to hold the money, why not have paid them ? The Towx CLERK replied that an injunction had been obtained to restrain them, and Messrs. Roberts and Evans had given an undertaking to hold the money. Mr JOHN JAMES said the delay had occurred in con- nection with the Insurance Clubs and the Corporation was put to the expense of something like £100. The TOWN CLERK replied that the levy would only be upon the actual amount seized; and that would be about £ 200. Mr RICHARI) JAMES added that it was strange the Corporation should have to pay even that. They might as well have paid the money on jTuesday as on Thursday. The TOWN CLERK replied that the Corporation could not pay it; and Messrs. Roberts and Evans would not stop unless it was paid. Mr JOHN JAMES remarked that it appeared that the Messrs Hughes were working for the club and the town had to suffer for it. The TOWN CLERK—It is not so. Mr E. J. JONES thought the Council themselves were to blame. The MAYOR said it had been explained that the Council would run a risk if they had paid the money after receiving notice. Mr ISAAC MORCAN said the Council were not even now in a position to pay the money without becoming personally responsible, and that he thought was very hard. The Towx CLERK said Mr John James seemed to think that that matter was not brought before the Council until Thursday. Every single letter that had been received from Messrs. Roberts and Evans, nearly every one of which said that execution would be issued, had been laid before the Council, but no steps were taken. Mr JOHN JAMES remarked that it was stated that the Town Clerk knew last Monday that execution would be issued. The TOWN CLERK replied that it was issued on Tues- day and lie did not know of it until Wednesday. Mr EVAN EVANS, solicitor, who was in the room, said that Mr Hughes had correctly stated the matter. His (Mr F]vans's) firm had written six or seven letters to the Council asking for payment of a portion of Mrs Jones's claim, and saying they were quite prepared to wait for the remainder. He had also attended one of the Council meetings, where lie was told that they had no funds and no power to pay the money. Since then, two or three letters had been written saying that they should take the course which had been taken, and the only reply obtained was with respect to the claims of the Insurance Societies, and his firm were asked what proposition they had to make. In reply, they said they were advised that the Insurance Societies had no claim, and that they had no pro- position to make. The Council then took no steps in the matter, and there was no other course open but to apply for an execution. Ample notice was given, and last Tuesday they succeeded, after considerable argu- ment, in obtaining execution. The Towx CLERK remarked that he was taken by surprise. Mr EVANS added that his client could be restrained no longer. The instruction was that the warrant should be enforced at the earliest possible notice, and he had given the notice. As to the offer of JE300, if an undertaking was given, it was not made until Thurs- (lay. If such a reasonable offer had been made sooner, it would not have been refused. Mr RICHARD JAMES said it appeared to him that if a meeting had been called 011 Tuesday or Wednesday, those costs 'would have been saved. It was well known that the execution was pending. The TOWN CLERK said that both in respect to that action and to Evans v. the Corporation, they had had threats of execution, but no steps had been taken to prevent it. Judgment in the case Evans v. the Corporation had been obtained before that in Jones v. the Corporation, and execution had not been levied in the former case. It was never expected that they would levy. It was true that it was not until the man came from Cardigan that the offer was made. Mr EVANS said there was this difference between the two cases. They had an assurance that the money would be paid in Evans v. the Corporation as soon as the rent charge could be so applied. If they had had any assurance that the money would be paid in Jones v. the Corporation they certainly should not have taken the course which had been taken. Instead of that the Council repudiated the claim. Mr HAMER said the Council did not repudiate it at all. Mr EVANS added that the only reply they got to repeated applications was that the Council refered to the claims of the Insurance Companies, and asked what proposition his firm could make in view of the notices. Mr PETER JONES said that certainly that would not be a ieply made by the Corporation, but by Messrs Hughes and Sons on behalf of their clients. The TOWN CLF.KK— Nothing of the kind. It is true that my firm is acting for the society, but I have never mixed up the positions I occupy. I have not said any- thing directly or indirectly. The plain broad fact is this that Mrs Jones has not been hardly treated. She has received this money, and the struggling insurance societies ask for a return of the money which they have paid oil these policies. I, acting for them, have taken steps to secure this money. If Mrs Jones had this money she would have applied it in payment of debts. Mr GEORCF GREEN did not know that the Council were saving money by that argument. They were wasting time. The Towx CLERK said that in each case he had conferred with Mr Griffith Jones upon the matter at the time it was mentioned at the Council meeting, and lie was of the same opinion that the money could not be paid in the face of those notices. He might say further. In all probability an application would be made to have the money paid into court and not at all to Mrs Jones. He had acted under advice the whole time. Mr GRIFFITH JONES thought the course to be adopted was pretty pla:n. First of all. pay the amount the sheriffs officer valued the goods and his poundage upon the goods seized. As soon as they got rid of that they should pay the balance to Messrs Roberts and Evans as they had undertaken to hold the money. The Towx CLERK said that if they paid the money direct to Messrs. Roberts and Evans either before or after the Sheriff had levied, they would still be open to be shot at by the Insurance Societies. Mr. GRIFFITH JONES said that in an exactly similar case notice was served by the underwriters upon his opponent, who stood in the same relation as the Cor- poration. His opponent paid the money into court. The note was then signed by members of the Council. THE SERVICE RESERVOIR. The Council was specially convened to meet the con- tractor of the new service reservoir to endeavour, with- out prejudice, to settle the disputes existing between the Council and the contractor also to take into con- sideration the desirability of proceeding with the new reservoir and completing the same. The MAYOR asked who was the contractor? Mr. GRIFFITH JONES said that Mr. Thomas James wm the contractor originally, and the contract was afterwards assigned to Ir. Thomas Davies. Mr. H\MER asked what was the extent of the dispute. The MAYOR said a claim was sent in for nearly 1:1,200. Mr. HAMER—For extras ? The MAYOR-—Not all extras. Mr. HAMER asked if the particulars had been sub- mitted to the Council. Mr. STOOKE said lie had considered the claim and was in a position to give his opinion upon the parti- culars. Mr PETER JONES moved that the Council should resolve itself into committee to hear :Mr. Stooke's explanation. Mr HAMER seconded the proposition and it was agreed to. On the readmission of the public the MAYOR said the original contract was £ 1,802 £ 1,101 had been paid, leaving a balance on the contract of £ 701. Mr PETER JONES thought it better to state the result and not the particulars. The MAYOR then said it had been resolved to offer without prejudice in entire settlement of the claim, 1: -1 3 Is. Mr GRIFFITH JON.ES—The Contractor to retain bricks at the station. Mr EVAN EN-A-IS--Onl), £700? The MAYOR— £ 738, including the claim for extras. Mr EVAN EVANS—Oh, no. BOARD OFiGUARDIANS, MONDAY, May 29th.— Present Mr H. C. Fryer, chairman, Mr John Jones, Bridge End, vice-chairman, the Rev. John Pug'.i, Messrs Hugh Hughes, Glynpadarn, John Jenkins, John Pryse, Bronygof, Lewis Jones, Mon- achty, Griffith Griffiths, E. Jenkins, Tanllan, John Morgan, (warallt. David Morgan, Alltlwyd, John Thomas, Thomas James, John Davies, David Jenkins, 11 Goginan, John Richards, James Jones, Tyllwyd, I Richard Thomas, George Price, Rowland Rowlands, r Daniel Jones, David Jenkins, Henllys. Evan Jones, Nantsiriol, Hugh Hughes (jun.), clerk, Morris Jones, and J. E. Hughes, medical officers. Statistics,—Out-relief administered during the past fortnight: Aberystwyth district, per Mr T. G. Thomas, £ 45 19s. to 223 paupers Llanfihangel-geneu'rglyn district, per Mr John Jones, A:54 18s. 6d. to 234 paupers; and liar district, per Mr Joseph Morgan, £ 53 8s. (¡d. to 2] S paupers. Number in the house, 74 last ) ear, St) vagrants relieved during the past fortnight, 24 last year, 71. Balance in the bank, £.)3S 12s. 5d. Prevention of Floods.—The Chairman remarked that he had said he would call attention to the Rivers Con- servancy and Floods Prevention Bill. It was a Bill brought in last session but was not passed, and it was brought in again this session with a few alterations. It seemed to him to contain some excellent provisions, and there was only one small point in which the inhabi- tants of that county need take exception to. The great object of the Bill was to allow any numbers of owners, or owners and occupiers, of land in a river basin, or in the neighbourhood of a river to join together and make application to be formed into a Board for the purpose of carrying into effect the pro- visions of the measure. The Board M ould be elected out of the latepayers every third year, and when the Board was formed, it would have power to do certain works to prevent floods and to maintain and preserve in proper order the course of the rivers, and for that purpose they had pretty large powers of rating all owners and occupiers in the area which was embraced by the district. It seemed to be very wholesome pro- visions to enable persons to join together to do works in that way, which were often very desirable, because it was very difficult indeed always to get owners to combine. There might be eight or ten owners of land 1 71 along the rivers who were prevented from doing what was necessary by two or three, or perhaps even by one holding out and refusing to contribute. So far as it affected lowlands subject to floods, it seemed a useful Bill. It gave large powers for borrowing money for os the purpose of making extensive works, for clearing out beds of rivers, and, in fact, doing anything necessary to diminish floods and to carry off water. The only objection seemed to be the way it was proposed to levy the rate. When a Board was formed lands were to be divided into three classes-first, the lowlands, lands habitually subject to floods; midlands, lands that were sometimes subject to exceedingly high floods. or to having their drainage water backed or pounded by floods, and so slightly damaged and, thirdly, up- lands. It seemed to him that the Bill must have been drawn by persons not acquainted with the position of uplands in very hilly countries, for it certainly seemed unfair that owners of uplands, lands out of the reach of floods and not damaged by floods, should have to pay even a small proportion to that paid by the owners of richer lands on the sides of rivers. In the Bill of last year the proportion to be paid by owners of uplands was one-sixth, this year it had been altered to one-tenth. That was to say that if the owners of low- lands paid lOd. in the pound, the owners of uplands would have to pay Id. It was a small amount in pro- portion, but it was the principle of the thing. It was certainly not fair that persons who cerived no benefit from the improvements to contribute for the benefit of owners whose lands would be improved. Therefore, it was only upon that point that they in Wales need take exception. The matter had been very fully dis- cussed in neighbouring counties, but no one appeared to have taken the subject up in Cardiganshire which would be very largely affected by the measure. It would be necessary for twenty owners and occupiers to join to form a district. As to the district, it seemed to he unfair, for instance, to make Mr Jenkins of Tanllan, pay even a small proportion of the rate for the purpose of protecting Glanystwyth or that Mr Riehardes, Penglaise, or Mr Isaac Morgan should have to pay towards protecting lands along the sides of the Clarach river.—The Rev. J. Pugh asked how farms on the sea shore would be affected by the Bill?—The Chairman said it only applied to rivers.-Tlie Rev. J. Pugh supposed those farms would not be rated.—The Chairman said the Board would have power to rate the whole water- shed of any particular river. Any urban authority, where there were 10,000 inhabitants, might take in a large district around it.—Mr Jones. Bridge End, supposed Morfa or Monachty would not be rated.—The Chairman replied that there seemed to be little limit as to the district. There would, however, be a Govern- ment enquiry. The watershed would be included, but places along the sea coast outside the watershed would not be affected.—Mr Hugh Hughes said the Flats were flooded, and he thought it fair that the owners should contribute.—The Chairman: The words are "contiguous to rivers." The question was how far were they to go from rivers. The only point that affected that meeting I was as to the rating of uplands.—Mr Jones, Tyllwyd, said that if water was kept on the high lands there would be no floods,-Tlie Chairman remarked that that was the argument. But it should be remembered that water flowed down from the uplands from time immemorial, that the lowlands had been taken subject to it, and that the floods had enriched the lowlands. The only argument he had heard in favour of rating the uplands was that the down-flow of water from them caused the floods, and they were increased by artificial drainage. He did not think, however, that artificial drainage in Cardiganshire had increased the water by many inches. Then, again, it was quite a moot point among engineers of experience whether artificial drainage really did increase floods. The uplands in Cardiganshire contiguous to the river were not drained—did not, perhaps, want draining, and probably never would be drained. Altogether it was a useful Bill, and it was a pity if it were wrecked upon a small matter like the proportion to be paid by owners of uplands. In the case of uplands the whole of the cost of improvements would have to be borne by owners, but in respect to the lowlands it was divided to a certain extent between owners and occupiers. He suggested a memorial should be forwarded to the proper quarter, worded as follows :—"That, while approving of the objects and the main provisions of the Rivers Conservancy Bill, this Board is of opinion that any rating of uplands towards the expense of protecting lowlands from river floods will be most inequitable, and that the proposal violates the sound principle that the area of benefit shall be also the area of taxation."—Mr. John Jenkins asked who was to receive the rents after the embankments were made.—The Chairman said if embankments were made the value of adjoining land would be materially increased. The owners were therefore the people who should pay.—Mr. Jones, Bridge-end, asked who would have the land reclaimed. -The Chairman said the Board would have power to hold land.—Mr. John Jenkins remarked that if the Ystwyth was kept in, the land on its banks would be worth f300 or 9400 a year. Who would have that ?— The Chairman The present owners of the land.—Mr. Jenkins: Then let them fence the river in.-The Chair- man said that was just the provision of the Bill. It was to get the owners to join together for the purpose of preventing floods If they could get twenty owners, or ten owners and ten occupiers of land of the ratable value in the aggregate of X2,000, they could join in getting a Board.—After conversation, Mr. James Jones said the rivers would never improve so long as miners were allowed to tip rubbish on their banks.—The Chair- man said the Conservancy Board could take steps to stop that practice. The whole of the original expense would fall upon the owners, and half the expense of maintenance upon the occupier and half upon the owner, so It did not affect occupiers to a very great extent. —Mr. trriffiths then proposed the adoption of the memorial, and after the proposition had been seconded by Mr. Morgan, Alltlwyd, it was agreed to unanimously. South Wales Turnpike -Roa(lq.-The Chairman also referred to the Bill amending the law relative to turn- pike roads in South Wales, and said that when the Act was passed, which affected South Wales only, money was advanced by Government to pay otI the Trusts repayment of which was to be made by instalments. So long as thatmoney was unpaid, Government had the right to appoint a superintendent of roads to see that the roads were kept in good repair, and that the money was properly spent upon them. Now the money advanced had been repaid. Government said they had no interest in seeing that the roads were attended to, z!5 and would no longer pay a superintendent. Some of the South Wales counties seemed to think that the roads would go to pieces without a superintendent, and Government had brought in a Bill for the purpose of enabling a county or combination of counties to appoint a superintendent of roads in the place of Mr Codrington, who had hitherto acted in that capacity. The salary which had beeu paid M'as £ 350, which, with £ 100 for a clerk, E300 for travelling and personal expenses, and f95 for incidental expenses, made up a total of £ 844. If the six counties joined in appoint- ing a superintendent, Cardiganshire would have to pay something about jE70 a year. No doubt, very shortly there would be some alteration in the manage- ment of county matters and that, again, was no party matter. A County Government Bill had been brought in by every Government that had existed for the last ten years at least, and both sides recognised the neces- sity of appointing County Boards in some way or other. The general principle had been established and < had been accepted by every party in the state, that those who paid rates should have control over the expenditure of the rates. At the present time they had not. He did not think that county matters would be managed more economically. Quarter Sessions managed them very well, and were very careful over expenditure but the general principle was that those who paid rates should have control over their ex- penditure. It seemed, then, in view of expected change, undesirable to allow any appointment to be made. If they once got a man appointed, and County, Boards came into existence, and they afterwards wanted j to make a different arrangement, they would have to pension that officer off. Therefore several of the "Welsh members had already proposed different amendments to ¡ the Bill in order to put it off, and of course they wanted their hands strengthened by the people of the country. The question was whether they in the country were anxious to see an extra officer appointed and paid out of the county rates, over which ordinary ratepayers had no control. He suggested the following memorial as suitable that it is undesirable to give the County Roads Boards of South Wales power to appoint and pay a superintendent of county roads, or to create any new officer until, by the establishment of County Boards, those who pay the rates have some control over their expeiiditure.Tlie Rev. J. Pugh said that would 11 o t a ffe e 11 h e b y w a y s.—The Chairman Ko; nor would it affect in any M'ay the question of turnpike gates.—Mr. at David Morgan said if Government intended to legislate the Bill would most likely include both subjects.—The Chairman said in fact Ir. Gladstone stated that it was the intention of Government to bring in a general Bill for the regulation of highways in England and Wales. They did not know of course whether it would affect South Wales in any way or not; but if the general Bill was brought in for alteration in the management of roads it was another and very strong reason why no neM' officer should be appointed. There was now appointed a County Roads Surveyor at a salary of C200 a year. The present officer was a very good man; and if they appointed a superintendent to see that the County Surveyor did his work, they might want a superin- tendent to see that the superintendent did his work and there would be no end to the matter. The money, in his opinion, might be better expended in some other way. What would be enacted in the new Roads Bill it was impossible to say, but it would probably make some alteration in regard to roads upon which the lines of traffic had been altered by the advent of railways and changes of various kinds.—Mr Morgan, Alltlwyd, agreed M-ith what the Chairman had said, but thought there ought to be some alteration in respect to the basis of rates for the maintenance of roads. A great many merchants living in Liverpool and in all parts of the world sent their goods over the roads and did not pay a penny. He thought that the basis of rating was not equitable.-The Chairman did not think it was..No Bill had been yet brought in. The present proposition of Mr Gladstone put a higher rate upon carriages. It was only a temporary measure, but it seemed to show Mr Gladstone's lean- ing in the direction of putting a tax on all vehicles that used the roads. Nothing cut up the roads more than traction engines, but the charges upon them was little more than upon ordinary vehicles. Cardiganshire had decided against the abolition of turnpike gates. The present system seemed to suit the county generally. It was, however, an expensive mode of collection and, he thought, an unfair mode. Moreover the northern part of the county paid 1:200 or £ 300 and sometimes more towards the maintenance of roads in the lower portion of the county. Then it was said that if the gates were abolished it would benefit the gentrr-those who kept horses and carriages. He did not believe it would. He thought it could be proved that out of every sovereign paid in tolls, 19s. was paid by farmers. Though the tolls were let for zCI,200 a year no doubt between £1,ûOO or f 1,700 was taken yearly out of the pockets of the people to meet the payment of salaries and provide profits for the lessees. When the matter was gone into some years ago it transpired that out of every Is. only about 4d. went for the repair of the roads. However, so long as farmers were con- tent to put up with that system he was con- tent, and he thought the county would also be content. The question of turnpike gates did not affect the question before the meeting that day. They only wanted that no appointment should be made of new officers until the question of the management of roads was in a more settled state.—Mr Morgan, Gwarallt, still thought the subject had something to do with turnpike roads, and suggested an adjournment for another fortnight —Mr Morgan, Alltlwyd, however, proposed, and Mr James Jones, seconded the adoption of the memorial, and the proposition was agreed to.- It was also decided to forward the memorials to one of' the representatives for presentation to Parliament. NORTH CARDIGANSHIRE AGRICUL- TURAL SOCIETY. An adjourned meeting of the North Cardiganshire Agricultural Society was held in the Town Hall on Monday afternoon. May 29th. There were present Sir Pryse Pryse, in the chair, Mr Yaughan Davies, Tany- bwlch, Major G. G. Williams, Mr Lewis Williams, Mr J. Hughes Bonsall, Carrog, Mr T. W, Bonsall, Llydiarde, Mr Silvanus Lewis, Nanteos, Mr R. Gillart, Machynlleth, Mr Abraham James, Glanfread, Mr Evan Jones, Nantsiriol, Mr James Jones, Tyllwyd, Mr Jenkin Jenkins. Talsarn. Mr Richards, Nantybenglog, Mr David Lewis, Pencraig, and Mr David Evans, Talrhyn. The Committee met to revise the rules which had been drafted by Mr Lewis Williams. During the revision of the rules the question arose whether the prizes for butter should not be open to landlords and tenants. A proposition and an amend- ment was made, and an equal number voted for each. The PRESIDENT gave his casting vote in favour of allowing tenants only to compete for the money prizes; and remarked that they were getting like the Aber- ystwyth people. He should now be mayor, he sup- posed. (Laughter.) Major WILLIAMS—No, alderman. (Laughter.) After the rules and regulations had been revised, the following gentlemen were appointed on the Finance Committee :—Mr Vaughan Davies, Mr James Jones, Mr John Trevethan, Mr Edward Jones, Elgar, Mr Richard Gillart, Machynlleth, Mr John Roberts, Lion Hotel, Mr David Lewis, Llanrhystyd, Mr Evan Jones, Nantsiriol, with the President and Vice-President. PETTY SESSIONS, WEDNESDAY, May 31st.-Before Alderman John Jones, mayor, J. W. Szlumper, C. Rice Williams, Phillip Williams, and David Wil- liams, Esqs. Chimney on Fire.—Susannah Jenkins, Moor-street, charged with having allowed her chimney to go on fire on May 25th was fined Is. Drunkenness.—James Daniel, fisherman, Crynfryn- buildings, and Joseph Sherlock, fisherman, High- street, were summoned for having been drunk in Chalybeate-terrace on May 27th. The defendants did not appear. P.S. Evans said that lie saw the defend- ants in Chalybeate-terrace arm in arm very drunk and rather noisy. After going up Little Darkgate-street they went home.—The defendants were each fined 2s. 6d. and costs.-—Jane Dawson, Thespian-street, was charged with having been drunk and.disorderly, and also with having assaulted Margaret Evans, Skinner- street, on May 2Sth.—P.C. D. Evans (26) said that on Sunday afternoon he saM' the defendant drunk and very disorderly standing in the doorway of her own house. Witness was called to Margaret Evans's house, who said that the defendant had assaulted her.- P.C. James Lewis (20) said that about half past ten on Sunday night he saw the defendant very drunk in Thespian-street, she made use of very obscene language and then went to Moor-lane.—The defendant denied both the charge of drunkenness and assault.—Margaret Evans said that about half past three on Sunday afternoon the defendant came to her house, threw her down on the floor, and kicked her and otherwise assaulted her.—Ellen Jones, Wind- mill-court, said that she was in Margaret Evans's house on Sunday afternoon. The defendant came in and threw Margaret Evans down and kicked her on her side, leg, and arm.—For having been drunk the defendant was fined 5s and costs or fourteen days' imprisonment, and for the assault she M'as again sentenced to one month's imprisonment at the expiration of the fourteen days. -George Williams, Gray's Inn Lane, and James Jones, Chalybeate-court, were summoned by Thomas Kilvington, station master, for having tres- passed on the Cambrian Railway's premises on the 22nd of May.—John Bainford, foreman at the station, said that the two defendants were constantly annoying the passengers who arrived by train by asking for luggage to carry. They had been warned to leave the platform, but as soon as witness turned his back they returned again.—George Williams admitted hav- ing been on the platform, but lie did not return after having been sent away.—James Jones said that he went to the station to book a parcel for Borth sent by Mr Owen, tailor, North Parade, and he produced his delivery book in which wots an entry for May 22nd.—■ Mr J. W. Szlumper remarked that they had gone the wrong way about from the beginning, the Company's bye laws ought to be produced, and he would have nothing to do with the case until they were produced. —Mr Kilvington having sent for the bye laws which were produced, the defendants were each fined 2s. 6d. and costs. Gas Bates. —William Jeffreys, Queen's-square, was summoned by the Aberystwyth Gas Company for having neglected to pay £2 5s for gas supplied. The company was represfnted by Mr R. J. Jones.—On the Mayor asking the defendant if he could pay the debt by instalments, Mr J. "W Szlumper said that lie pro- tested against any of the magistrates interfering between the gas company and the debtor, they had nothing to do but to make an order. He objected to the Mayor, as the mouthpiece of the Bench, asking the parties if they would pay the debt by instalments as it was beyond their power to do so.—The Mayor said that he only put the question for the benefit of both parties.—The defendant was ordered to pay the amount due. Ejectment.—David Jones, lodging-house keeper, Tre- fechan, applied for and obtained an ejectment order against John Williams, Trefechan.