The Cardiff Times

Depart foral gitMltpw. EXPLOSION OF GAS.—A startling explosion of gas occurred near Mr. J. N. Knapp's sail loft, at Pill, on Saturday. Fortunately no considerable damage was done. COUNTY COURTs.-The usual monthly court was held on Tuesday and Wednesday, before J. M.Herbert Esq. There were for hearing 352 new plaints, 8 ad- journed cases, 59 judgment summonses, and one insolvent. POCKET PrCKING.-The light-fingered gentry were about on the days of the cattle show. On Tuesday evening the wife of a tradesman at Abertillery, while waiting on the Western Valleys Station platform for the last train up, had her pocket picked of her purse containing £ 5 and some silver. FIRE AT PILL.-On Saturday, at noon, a fire was discovered in the house of John Haun, Court-y-bella- street, which was, however, soon got under by the exertions of the police and Sergeant Wilcox, who were promptly on the spot with the engine. It ap- pears the fire originated from the children playing with some straw. THROWING STONES AT A TRAIN.—On the arrival of the last down train (passengers) at the Western Val- leys Station, it was discovered that a large pebble stone had been thrown through the window of oix- of the carriages fortunately no one was insid«^nat compartment, otherwise there might havp-'been se- rious injury inflicted, as the thick glass-was scattered about in all directions. We hope the miscreant who threw the stone will be found and punished. FATAL ACCIDENT AT BLAINA WHARF.—On Thurs- day morning, about half-past three o'clock, the watchman on the British wharf observed a man named John Deggett, a hobbler, walking along the river-side towards the Clydach yard, and in a few minutes afterwards he heard a cry of distress pro- ceeding from that direction. Heranatoncetowards the spot, and saw a man struggling in the water, and raised an alarm, upon which the crew of the schooner Circassia, of Dundee, came promptly to the assistance of the drowning man. They were unhappily too late, the man having sunk, and it was a full hour before the body could be recovered. The watchman then discovered that it was the body of Deggett. The spot where the deceased fell over is very dangerous, it being the outer angle of a bight in the quay, and a lamp at a distance-of twenty feet only serves to render the darkness on the water more intense. It is a matter of surprise that the authori- ties do not compel the proprietors of wharves, and property on the other side, to place posts and chains along for the protection of life in such dangerous places. THE STREETS.—The wet weather has again com- menced, and as might have been anticipated the streets of Pillgwenlly, on the Tredegar Wharf pro- perty and the Cae Crook estate, are in a wretched condition. Is there no immediate remedy for the evil? From the apathy manifested by the Town Council on the subject we fear there is not, and there- fore would advise the unhappy individuals who, re- siding thereon, are compelled to daily wade and flounder through the "slough of despond" before their doors, to unite in a strong appeal to that body praying them to take such steps as will have the effect required for their health and comfort.

SnorriN6 WITH A LADY.—Patience on a monument is a 4ne poetiCilI idea but a more perfect figure of Pa- tience is exhibited by a gentleman standing for hours behind his lady's chair, and before a linen-draper's counter. His only consolation is that of reflecting that a choice, suited with such extreme difficulty, was once satisfied with himself.

S EOO N D EDlrrlON. CARDIFF TIMES OFFICE. Saturday, 1 p.m. FRIDAY-SECOND DAY. The court was formed at 9.30 a.m. this morning. Mr. Bird and Mr. Stephens appeared for the de- fendant. Mr. Mason, Mr. Willett, and Mr. Cory, were the only guardians present at the commence- ment of the proceedings. Mr. Willett called the following witnesses Mr. Hammond, examined by Mr. Willett: I am Mr. Hibbert's assistant, and have the entire manage- ment of his retail business. Mr. Hibbert has the contract for groceries for the present year—tea at 3s. per lb., sugar at 5d. per lb., and cheese at 40s. per cwt., or 4 £ d. per lb. I received the first order from Mr. John in writing, and supplied it at contract price without variations. I was asked by the messenger for the officers' tea when the first order was supplied. Don't know her by name. I suppose she was a ser- vant to Mr. John. I did not understand what she meant, and I don't think I made any direct answer. The following week I supplied goods in the same way, according to the order, and was asked the same question by the same messenger. Complaints were made during two weeks of the quality of the goods sent—they were made to the man who carried the goods. In consequence of what I heard I went to the house and saw the master and mistress. Mr. John complained of the peas and the rice, and we changed them. No complaints about the tea, but Mr. John said he had been in the habit of having better tea for the officers, and a much better sugar. The officers could not make use of the sugar, it was too brown. He asked me to send 3 lbs. of best moist sugar at 6d. lib. of lump sugar at 7d., and li lb. of better tea. He did not mention the price of the tea, but I sent 4s. tea. He said I could reduce the quantity to make up for the quality, both of the tea and isugar. He said in about another week he should want cheese for the officers, and that was to be managed in the same way. He said he had mentioned it to the board, and he had authority for the variation. The order of the 5th of November is in Mr. John's hand-writing. This note of the same date is in my hand-writing. I do not keep a corresponding entry in the trade book to that memorandum. We generally file those orders till we get the printed orders from Mr. Watkins. I think the first lot of goods were supplied a fortnight before we got the printed order; generally about a week, and always after the goods were sent. When I got a printed order, I got at the same time a blank invoice to fill up. In the order of the 5th of Novem- ber, for the 4! lbs. of tea, I sent li lb. at 4s., with 3 lbs of sugar at Gel. and 1 lb. of sugar 7d. That was called officers' tea and sugar. I enclosed particulars, and directed it to Mr. John. I always sent Mr. John's parcel in that way. At the same time I sent 20 one- oz. packets of tea, 8 half oz., and the remainder in one packet. We reckoned the I I lb. at 4s. as 2 lbs. at contract price, 3s. That left lbs. of tea supplied at the contract price. I sent altogether 4 £ lbs., and invoiced it as 4flbs. The 3lbs. of moist sugar at 6d., and lib. of lump at 7d., we reckoned equal to 51bs. at 5d. Every we k there was jib. less of tea and lib. less of sugar th, n the quantity invoiced. I produce an order-" pick out a good cheese for omcers"- dated October 15th. I sent a best Gloucester cheese, weighing about 121bs., at 8d. per lb. Cross-examined by Mr. Bird I packed up the officers' cheese the first week after I saw Mr. John, until the inquiry commenced, and now we send all alike. I will venture to say that I sent an officers' parcel six times. I wrote Mr. John's name on the officers' parcel. He left it to me as to the quantity and quality of the tea and che3se. I furnished him with the particulars. Re-examined by Mr. Willett: Mr. John told me how much butter to son(i-lilb., and also the sugar, but the weight of the cheese. He did not say the prices of the tea and sugar, but I sent the prices every week, and I never heard any objection. After I sent the officers' parcel, I had no complaint from the house. By Mr. Mason I recollect coming to the work- house last Saturday fortnight with the clerk and you. I recollect weighing 271bs. of our sugar upon the machine. It weighed more than 21bs. over 27lbs. by the machine and weights used in this house. You weighed the tea, and the difference was more than jib. heavier according to these weights and scales than the weights and scales in our shop. I think it was 4flbs. that weighed more than 5ilbs. I brought some of the weights used in our shop. Our weights have been stamped and adjusted by the inspector. I recollect trying a ilb. weight belonging to the house. The jib. used in this house and an £ oz. that I brought were put in one scale, and a Jib. from our shop in the other, and the two just turned the scale that had the good weight, in. We do not use such rough scales as are used in the workhouse. The same weights were changed in the scale, and the difference was the same. These were the scales and weights used in weighing out the paupers' food. I was 0 Dot aware that Mr. Wyld was appointed temporary mas- ter of the workhouse. Mr. Watkins has given the orders since the inquiry. By Mr. Bird: I made a memorandum about the 1121bs. of cheese, that it was 1 Jib. overweight, be- cause I did not break bulk. The tea I weighed was packed up in ounces and half-ounces, as I have de- scribed. I understood after' that the information about the overweight came from the temporary mas- ter of the workhouse. Mr. Thomas Yorath, inspector of weights and measures for the Cardiff district: I received a request from the clerk to the board to inspect the workhouse scales and weights. On the 30th ult. I went to Mr. Watkins's office and received a number of weights under seal. I tested them at my own premises, and then came to the workhouse. Mr. Willett, Mr. Mason, Mr. Twigg, and my son were present. The result of the inspection at my own premises is as follows-141bs., lOJozs. light; 71bs., 7Jozs. light, and it was without the ring; 41b., 41ozs. light; 21b., 2Joz. light; lib., 8f drachms light: lib., 6 drachms light; lb., 5 drachms light; Jib., 3 drachms light; 2oz., drachms light: loz. correct, stamped; that was the only stamped and correct weight; loz., i drachm light. Then we proceeded to the house, and examined the larger weights. First tried the large scale or machine, which was correct. A 561bs. weight was light; 56lbs., 6iozs. light: 56Lbs., 3ozs. light; 501bs., 6ozs. light; 281bs., 6Jozs. light: 281bs., Joz. light; the small scale was a little in favour of the pauper. Not one weight in the house was stamped. Taking the two 281bs. weights, it would have been very easy to have detected their defects. There was a piece of lead upon the beam scales to adjust the beam. I have seen worse scales and weights, but the small weights were the worst. There appeared to be a good deal of wear and tear upon the small weights. The small weights were of brass, and the larger of iron. I once said in the workhouse to Mrs John that the house weights ought to be adjusted. It may be twelve months ago. Bridgend workhouse is in my district. The weights belonging to that house have been sent to me when 1 visited Bridgend. I have been inspector since 1845, but the Cardiff weights have never been sent to me that I remem- ber. If I find unstamped weights on inspection, they are seizeable. I saw no measures in this work- house. I dont know that I have a right to inspect weights and measures in a workhouse. My warrant says where goods are bought and sold, or weighed for conveyance." Cross-examined by Mr. Bird: They are very old weights, and such as wear 'and tear might produce, except in the case of the weight that had lost the ring. The piece of lead on the beam was put on in the usual manner, and evidently not for cheating. Where such a thing is fast we do'nt object to it. By Mr. Willett: A person might have played fast and loose with it. By Mr. Mason When the guardians and I were at the workhouse the schoolmaster was asked for a missing Jib., and he said he did not know where it was. The scale in favour of the paupers had an iron beam. William Fowler, a boy from the Sailors' Home I am 13 years of age, and was formerly an inmate of William Fowler, a boy from the Sailors' Home I am 13 years of age, and was formerly an inmate of the house. 1 left the house about ten months ago, and have been at the Sailors' Home since I left. I know 1, Union-street, Cardiff. Miss Thomas lives there. She is a dressmaker. I do'nt know whether she is a relation to Mr. John. I was in the habit of going to that house, and took something in a silk handkerchief. The parcels were not veryheavy— oil), or 41b., per) taps Gibs. Sometimes there was a small parcel put in the large ones. I was ordered to go along and take no heed of anybody, and Mrs. John said I was not to look into the basket. Some- times I took a basket, but not very often. Sometimes I left the basket at Miss Thomas's, but most fre- quently I used to bring it home. Could sometimes feel a small parcel in the large one. Thomas Jones, John Hughes, and John Thomas u-ed to take baskets to Miss Thomas's. Cross-examined by Mr. Bird I have been spoken to by Mr. Willett and Mr. Masen. They said if I did not answer the same questions as the other boys I should have six or twelve months' imprisonment. The master of the house saw me cry, as I was frightened. They also talked about a policeman. That person with a bald head did not take me into a shop at the docks. Mr. Cory: Is that me you mean ? Witness: I was not taken into Mr. Kernick's shop at the docks. The master of the home was not by when I was threatened. No one was by. What I took to Miss Thomas seemed to be dresses. If I had looked into them I should have had a bad character. I was told to go quickly on my message. Mr. Willett Do you know the nature of an oath ? Witness: To tell truth. I solemnly swear that you threatened to get a policeman. I did not cry in your presence. You did not request me to fetch my master to be present, but he came in after. You told me you wanted nothing but the truth, and that I was to say like the other boys. In the first place, I did not deny taking the articles to Miss Thomas. You said my story was different from the other boys, and you asked me to say that I took dinners to Miss Thomas's, and I said I did not. I told master about the policeman, and he said he would see about it. By Mr. Mason: I recollect you coming to see me, and coaxed me to tell the truth. You said all the time Oh William, did you not take provisions to Miss Thomas's ? Mr. Bird did not call on me. I have not seen Mr. John. My master was not pre- sent when you coaxed and threatened me, but he was present when my evidence was taken down, and I signed the paper. Mr. Mason You must hear of this again, William. The Inspector Now you are beginning to threaten. (Laughter.) Mr. Willett: Have not I seen you since? Witness: Not since. The Inspector The witnesses must be aware that they are liable to the pains of perjury if they commit perjury. Mr. Willett asked the Inspector to tell the wit- nesses that they have nothing to fear from this exa- mination. A good deal of coercion has been brought to bear upon them by the schoolmaster, who has acted as a partizan throughout, and one of the wit- nesses I shall call has been beat most severely. The Inspector: If you can substantiate what you say the offence would be a very serious one indeed; but if you cannot carry it any further the evidence is of no use. Mr. Bird: What indictment could be sustained upon that? Mr. Willett: I can show the boys going several times a day. The Inspector If you can't show concealment, the mere taking of baskets would not be of much use. Mr. Willett said he would call the boy who took the piilk to Miss Woods. He hoped the Inspector would tell the boys that they had nothing to fear from giving evidence. The Inspector (on Thomas Jones being called in): Has anything been said by the schoolmaster—has any threat been held out to you ? Thomas Jones: No, sir Mr. Willett Has anything been said in school about beating John Thomas—did you bear the mas- ter say he would flog the boys ten times worse ? Jones said he had heard something about John Thomas and David Morris. The Inspector then told the boy he must give his evidence without any fear or affection, and he must speak the truth. Thomas Jones, a workhouse boy, said I am 14 years old. I knew the late Miss Woods who lived in Crock- herbtown. Mr. Bird: You surely won't drag that esteemed lady into this inquiry. Mr. Willett: I have no charge against Miss Woods. I think the remark very ill-timed. Witness Mr. John's sister lived with her. At this moment all extraordinary scene occurred, the beginning of which we cannot account for. Mr. Paine and Mr. Mason were standing near the fire at the back of the inspector, and appeared to be en- gaged in conversation. Suddenly b Mr. Paine addressed the inspector, saying I am in- sulted by a. guardian behind your back. I must claim the protection of the court. The Inspector: If I see any offence I will put a St°Mr'CWillett: Mr. Payne ought not to be in the room if lie is it witness. jyir Paine: I will not be insulted by any one, even a guardian. The Inspector: If I had seen any improper con- duct on the part of Mr. Paine, I should have stopped him and y°u (^r- Mason) if you said anything about tliia'matter, you ought to know that this is not the time to make remarks. Mr Willett: I must ask the inspector to remove all witnesses from the room. The Inspector: I must do so. Mr. Paine: I have been subpoenaed here, and I have not conducted myself improperly. The Inspector (to Mr. Mason): I hope j'ou will not address any observations to hurt the feelings of finv witnesses. Mr Mason I have merely stated a fact. The Inspector You have given me the room and have resigned the power into my hands. I must pre- serve order as well as I can. If you see anything you consider improper mention it to me, and I will check it. I Cltnnrit allow any altercation. 1 Mr. Willett: Since the thing has gone so far 1 ,1(.f say I have seen ironical smiles between Mr. Paine and Mr. Bird. Mr. PaIDe: I WIn not allow this. The Inspector: I have not seen anything of the kind. lVIr. Mason Mr. Paine should keep his temper much better. Mr. Willett: I should like for Mr. Paine not to sit opposite the witnesses. He has been looking at the witnesses as theyliave given their evidence. Air. Paine (striking the table): It is an untruth: 31.. Mason His conduct is disgraceful. The Inspector: I must ask you to leave the room. You have been betrayed by your temper into silence. T Mr. I air|e: f am exceedingly sorry for having said anything in your presence tha.t is offensive. I am responsible for my own conduct, and if I have been provoked to it I am sorry for it. The Inspector: I am sorry for you. You will be good enough to sit on the other side of the table. jlr. Willett: The observation about Miss Woods had a tendency to flurry my witness. The examination then proceeded. Witness Mr. John's sister lived at Miss Woods's as servant. I took milk to Mr. John's sister; about a pint every morning, for nearly six months. The milk was taken from the pans in the workhouse. saw it taken out of the pan. I never saw any money pass between any one for that milk. I never heard that it was paid for. I took currant cakes there twice. Mrs. Johns gave me the currant cakes to take there. Sometimes the cook gave me the milk, and sometimes John Thomas, a boy. The oakes were made in the hou e- I saw them. Sometimes I took the workhouse bones to sell, and William Samuel did. I have seen Samuel give the cook, a pauper, the money got for the bones. Cross-examined by Mr. Bird Mr. John's sister was housekeeper to Miss Woods. I know that Miss Woods was ill many months. I don't know who I took the milk for. I generally gave the milk to the servant, and not Mr. John's sister. I used to see the sister of a Saturday night. I gave the cake to the ser- vant. Mrs. John said °' Take this to Miss Wood's for me." I recollect when Miss Woods died. I have seen that gentleman before. Mr. Bird I beg his pardon, I called him a gentle- man. Mr. Cory We all know him, Mr. Chairman. Witness Mr. Cory called me into Mr. Kernick's shop, and he asked me if I was going messages for Mrs. John, and I said I was. He asked my where to, and I said to Miss Thomas's or Miss Woods's. He asked me if I knew what was in the parcels that went to Miss Thomas's, and I said no. I said the weight would be about the weight of a leg of mutton. I told him I took a piece of currant cake to Miss Wood's. By Mr. Willett: You said nothing about a leg of mutton. You used no unfair means to get informa- tion. By Mr. Cory: You did not use unfair means to get information. By Mr. Willett: Mrs. John did not tell me what I Was to say about the baskets—she asked me what had taken place between you and me. ny Mr. Mason I have not seen you or Mr. Willett or Mr. Cory coaxing or threatening the boys to say anything. By the Inspector: No milk went after Miss Woods died. After some conversation, the evidence proceeded :— Mr. D.Lewis, tailor, of the Temperance Hotel, said: I recollect seeing Mr. John in Queen-street, two or three months ago. I was going from my master's draper's shop to the tailor's shop, and Mr. John came along staggering, and a man leading him. He was going towards home. It was after gas-light. I can't say the hour. I was close to him, and he appeared to me to be drunk. I first mentioned the circumstance after the inquiry commenced, but had no thought of giving evidence. I said if another master had to be appointed, I hoped he would be a sober one. I believed him to be drunk. The man had hold of him fast by the arm, and he had a hard job to keep him up when I saw them. Did not know the man who was leading him. It was not so late as ten. Yesterday the schoolmaster spoke to me, and asked me what time it was, and that he was very often with the master in town but never saw him drunk. He had walked home arm in arm with Mr. John, and nobody could say lie was drunk. Cross-examined I am a temperance man, and wish every one else was, but I cast no reflections on that account. I stood that night to look at Mr. John, and looked as far as Mr. Hopkins's public-house. I formed my opinion from what I saw. I mentioned the circumstance the same night in Mr. Thomas's shop. I said I had seen the master of the workhouse led home very drunk. c By the Inspector: The street was very light. Mary Jones and Mary Evans gave some unimpor- tant evidence. Mr. Wadley, butcher, Cardiff: I had the contract for the two years previous to this. The price of the meat was 5d. per lb. for all meat. The contract did not specify what meat. I never took the exact weight of the meat before sending it to the house, but sent a man to see it weighed. I always weighed meat for the infirmary and the gaol before sending it out. I have sent meat to the workhouse without weighing at all. I charged the weight sent back on a scrap of paper signed by Mr. John. Then I got an order from Mr. Watkins, which was a copy of the weights on the scrap of paper. Generally got the order on the follow- ing Monday or Tuesday, or during the week. Once and again I sent in a quarter of lamb or a leg of mut- ton for the officers. At the commencement of the season lamb would be worth lOb. or Is. lb. I don't think Mr. John ever said anything to me about lambs dying without fore-quarters. I dare say I said that John said (ur calves died without loins. (A laugh.) I have had to buy loins of veal at a high price in the market to send to Mr. John. I never took the meat myself to the workhouse. If those high priced joints had not been supplied it would have made half-a-far- thing a lb. difference in the contract. By Mr. Mason I cant say that I have sent loins of veal or quarters of lamb without Mr. John's order. I have told my man to ask Mr. John what he wculd have for dinner, and then he has said a loin of veal or a quarter of lamb. It was no use grumbling about the matter when 1 had taken the contract. I gave in the price for all kinds of meat. Mrs. Cattle, wife of Mr. Isaac Cattle, butcher: I manage the business in the shop. There is a con- tract existing between my husband and the union for the supply of meat. It is something under 5d. per lb. for all meat. I have not the pass-book with me. I did not know that I was to bring it. I have been in the house talking with Mrs. John, but I said nothing more to her than that I did not know what I had come here for. Mr. Willett said the witness's statements were so much at variance with what she had formerly said, he would not ask her another question. By Mr. Mason I have been in the habit of sending meat to the house without being first weighed. My husband said there was no difference between his weights and those at the workhouse, and he had con- fidence in Mr. John that he would do what was right. We had notice to send so may pounds, and when it was properly weighed we received an order, and an invoice-paper. Mr. Mason was about to put a question respecting a summons against her husband twelve months ago, but on the interference of Mr. Bird, the Inspector stopped the question. Edward Shilloe, a workhouse boy No one has threat- ened me about what I am going to say. I am 14 years of age. I was in school when Mr. Wyld told us he would beat us ten times worse. That was a fortnight ago. I recollect Mr. Willett, Mr. Mason, and Mr. Cory being in the school and talking to the master about John Thomas being beat. It was before that or after, that the master said lie would punisli us more than ever he did from this time out. Mr. E. David suggested that Mr. Wyld should be pre- sent to hear the charge. Mr. Wyld was sent for. Witness Mr. Wyld said he had done nothing to John Thomas that he was afraid to speak what he had done. There were four gentlemen here one day after Mr. Willett was here-Mr. David was one,—and they cross-ques- tioned me. They asked me if I eat out of the boiler, and I said I ate out of the wash-tub. Mr. David said there was nothing done that would bear the construction of intimidation. Witness (to Inspector): Nothing was done to frighten me. Mr. David: Two gentlemen present took the evidence down, and I can produce the notes. The Inspector If you please. Witness (to Mr. Willett): I have been in the habit of eating potatoes and cabbage leaves from the wash tub. Mr. David This only applies to the dietary. The Inspector: If the dietary were not given in full it applies. Mr. Willett: 14 or 15 boys are prepared to prove that they were driven to this. Witness: I have eat meat out of the wash tub, after dinner, because I was hungry. I found pieces of suet pudding, carrots, and parsnips in the wash, and eat them. I have eaten raw potatoes from the field. I did it be- cause I was hungry. I had the same quantity to dinner as other boys. I have eaten raw cabbage stumps from the dunghill. By Mr. David: It is a middling bit since I did this. I never complained to any one of not having sufficient food, except William Samuel and Thomas the shoemaker. Did not complain to master or guardians till I spoke to Mr. Willett. By Mr. Willett: The guardians were not in the habit of coming round the house until lately. The guardians came perhaps once in six months. Mr. Vachell used to come sometimes. Mr. David The visiting book would state that. The Inspector: The visiting book does not make all the entries. Mr. David: It generally states that the visitors have seen all the inmates. By Mr. Bird: My uncle used to keep a public-house where Mr. Winstone's house is now. I have been in the house five years, but I was out twelve months Tince-a blind woman took to me, and I led her about. I did not eat raw potatoes then. She fed and clothed me. I was with her eight months. She was in Canton when I came into the house the last time. I cannot tell you how often I eat the stuff out of the wash-tub. I saw the doctor twice or three times a week. He looked at my eye. I had the rheumatism two or three months ago, and was in the sick ward. I never told the doctor about not having plenty of food. The clergyman used to come twice a week, and he spoke to me very kindly, but I never told him either. I would not mind telling him what I thought. He is a very kind man. By Mr. Willett: I generally saw both Mr. Paine and his assistant, but mostly the assistant. None of them ever asked me if I had enough to eat. If they had asked me I would have told them. By Mr. Paine: I have never had extras by the doctor's order-John Downie has. By Mr. Cory I am not getting any extras now. By the Inspector: The schoolmaster did not sav what he would punish us for. Witness: You (the schoolmaster) did not say you would punish us if we told anything to the gentlemen. You did not ask what the gentlemen had said, or what I had said. John Thomas, another boy I am 14 years old. I was examined by Mr. Willett, Mr. Mason, and others, in this room one evening. The Saturday after that examination the schoolmaster told me to go and look for his cane, which a boy had put into a box. I could not find it, and he punished me for not being able to find it. The Inspector What has that to do with it? Mr. Willett: I take it that was a mere pretence. Mr. Bird Oh The Inspector: Have you been threatened by the schoolmaster ? Witness: No. The Inspector: If this were to prove that the school- master had improperly beat him, that would be a proper subject for inquiry. At present it does not affect the workhouse master. The boy was then asked about the deficiency of food, and he said I have seen Matthew Matthews, Edward Shilloe and other boys eat out of the wash-tub. I have also seen boys from the refuge do the same. I have seen pieces of bread and meat in the wash-tub. I have been in the habit of going into Union-street, to Miss Thomas's. Once I took a basket there. Mrs. John told me to tell the truth, that I took a mantle, a shawl, and a dress, and other things. I saw a dress once that I took. I did not always see what I took. Sometimes it was shut. There was nothing inside the dress, because I saw Mrs. John packing it up. I don't get enough to eat myself. There ilb a very little improvement in the bread, but non: in the meat. There is an improvement in the potatoes the last few weeks. By Mr. Bird: I was born in the workhouse. I have been treated kindly by Mr. John, and the other children HI. the same way as far as I can see. I did not eat any- thing from the Tiie things I took to Union- street belonged to Mr. John I believe. Mrs. Allen's pastry shop is in Duke-street. I was there for Mrs. John, to fetch a pound of best flour to make cakes of. She gave me 6d to buy the flour, and she gave me a penny for myself. It was used to make cakes. I saw Mrs. John make them. By Mr Willett: Mr. Stephens came here the other day, and I told him about this. I had no conversation with Mrs. John about it. This was five months age. I did not fetch any currants then. I have before. The Inspector said he thought there need not be anv more boys examined. He would take it as a fact that some boys had eaten from the dunghill. Mr. Willett: I thought this was an equitable inquiry, and that the general state of the house would be proved. The Inspector What you have proved already is suf- ficient to draw attention to the dietary. I will state in my report that you wished to call more witnesses un that point, but that I thought sufficient had been given. George Griffiths, (66,) George Ellison, (59,) and John Waters, (70,) were called to prove that recently there had been an increase in the quantities of tea, sugar, butter, &c. Mr. Willett stated that the next witness he should call was the old man who was punished. This led to some remarks on the irregularity of not reporting punishment to the board. The book was sigued by the chairman but not by the clerk, and the records were never read to the board. Mr. Willett contended that they ought to be. The Inspector searched out the consolidated order on the subject, and said there was an omission in the prac- tice of the board which ought to be supplied. Mr. Wil- lett then examined John Edwards, an inmate of the house, who is 76, and and his old woman" 75, He said I and my wife have lived separate since we have been here. We came in last year. We have both wished to live together. Mrs. John told me it was the rule of the house to be parted. Mr. John was not present. The mistress drove me back about ten yards from the door when I wanted to go to my wife. The cook has driven me back. I have some- times been kept a month without seeing my wife. I U5ed to slip into the room when I saw the door open. She was ill in bed, and I asked leave to see her, but was re- fused sometimes. I was told it was just the same to ask the cook as the mistress. I asked the mistress, and she turned me back, saying, What do you want to see your wife for ?" The matron refused to allow me to go and read the Bible to her on a Sunday afternoon. I was told there were plenty to read to her without me. We belonged to the Baptist Chapel before we came here. My wife can't read. A man who was out of his mind was put into a room with me, and there was no fire or candle in the room, and the door was locked. The man was about 30 years of age. On one occasion the deranged man took the victuals belonging to a cripple, and I had to throw him on the bed before I could get them from him. I was locked up with liim at night, and there was a chain across the door. There was no fire, or he would have put his clothes into it. I had neither candle nor matches. I broke the door open one night. I was afraid of my life, as I had no light in the room. That ward is right at the back of the house, out of the call of anybody. After I had broken open the door, the master, schoolmaster, and porter came. The schoolmaster told me if I did not hold my noise he should make me fast enough. They gave me a candle and fastened me in again. It was between nine and ten at night when I made that stir. The man was afterwards sent to the Wells Asylum. I had an allowance of beer twice while that man was there, and the third time somebody else got my beer. Two days I was put on bread and water. Last winter I had flannel shirts ordered by the doctor; one was brought to me that had on it fifteen calico patches, and I could reckon half- pence through the holes, the flannel was so thin. I re- fused to put it on, as I had the rhuematic in my arm, and was afraid it would make the rheumatism worse. I was punished with a change of diet for that. I am still act- ing as a nurse. I did not see the medical officer before being put on bread and water. I don't feel very able to look after sick people. Some of them are so heavy to lift. We have fire and candle in the sick ward during the night. By Mr. Bird The reason they gave for separating me and my wife was that there was no room for married couples. I have been three times in the Newport work- house. I can't tell you how often Mrs. John has refused to allow me to go to see my wife. Once Mrs. John brought her to see me in the hall, but we could not talk together. I did not complain of being separated. I was with two madmen two nights. I looked after one mad- man three weeks. I did not complain to the doctor about being with the lunatic. I did manage the lunatic, but I wanted to get away from him. The sitting then closed for the day, and the Inspector said he would sit again on Monday morning at ten o'clock, when he hopes to get through the inquiry. At the close of the Inquiry, we shalllmblish an Er- traordinary Edition.

LLANDAFF. FATAL ACCIDENT.-On Friday, the 10th, Stephen Thomas, a mason employed at the new college works, Llandaff, fell from a scaffold and was fatally injured. The men conveyed him to his house at Canton, and he died almost immediately afterwards. Deceased, who was a native of Pontypool, has left a wife and several children.

BEDWAS. THE LATE MISS PRICE OF CARDIFF, who died on Saturday last, was interred at Bedwas on Wednesday. The deceased lady was the daughter of the late Rev. James Price of Bedwas. The funeral procession was a long one,—a tribute of respect which showed the estimation in which Miss Price was held.

11 Y in the workhouse, and it was only detected IRO' The clerk sends a return of the ad- dischai^es every week. tK Jer*c: No. I have a return of the inmates tof "le house. rd* J; ^i^ett: And that may be fictitious. 3Dt +i i. ory: The clerk had better make a minute -Ie& lat- M ^-nsPector The clerk had better mention it the board. The visiting committee should count io 1?ma';es» and see whether they correspond with S. M ha,^es in the books. iral r, y dlett And also that they should take stock. 0 nsPector I am not quite sure whether there ett» rp, a r,^e about taking stock. 8s' ipsc/u ?v*('ence was_ then proceeded with, each wit- aid T. being examined on oath. ■Is" ikt '• Awards, examined by Mr. Willett: I am a jrd 0' nct medical officer of the Union, and have been ( practice fourteen years. I have read the document be. lOW Put into my hands. I know nothing of the ernal management of the workhouse. He read as ISO. 0 OWs:- I o Clifton, December 15, 1858. «hel)avG carefully considered the dietary of 'Witt tv.ar<^ Union, as submitted to us for our opinion j I accompanying table. in-L 5s dietary corresponds very closely with one of series of six diet schemes drawn up by the Poor ^omi»issioners in 18-36, and is no doubt adopted ofl'fcaw n°m" Second Annual Report of Poor bfjfT, 0omrnissioners, 1830. Dietary, No. 1.) 1Sf.°nly vai'iation consists in the insertion of a he °nary Power to substitute rice for potatoes. iv8wh t not ku°w under what circumstances or to aifbui- e*tent this power may have been acted upon, mm as, effect of it would be (as far as we can learn 0fk m the table) to deprive the inmates of the Work- OUse of all fresh vegetable food, its exercise, pro- nskon?6 wo,u^d necessarily lead to the development of jj.11' j,V and other serious disorders. Don Povver> therefore, which involves great res- a| tin ]S 1 and which can only be safely exercised „ w ,er the constant supervision of a well-informed M Medical man. I Of the dietary itself, the principal remark we have *° make is, that it is founded on the minimum scale f the Poor Law Commissioners, and is, therefore, j! o doubt, bare enough. » The more matured knowledge and experience of he present day would probably lead these gentlemen 4 to suggest a more liberal, as well as a more varied 8cheme. We are of opinion that the Cardiff dietary Squires modification in both these ways. ai^e niake these remarks with special reference to ults, for whose use this dietary appears to have more particularly framed. in fit scheme of diet for growing boys, employed on ■ |a^our> we have no hesitation in expressing °Piflion that it is both faulty and insufficient. It probably adopted at Cardiff in accordance j the rule laid down by the Poor Law Commis- j l0ners that boys above nine years of age should 1 ,ave the same food as women. But this rule is ob- 'loiisly erroneous in principle and unsafe in practice. j have only to repair by means of food the «aily waste of the body. Boys to provide not only I jPr its waste, but for its growth and development. -yie need is not only different iu degree, but in kind als°. It is plain, therefore, that a dietary which is SUIted to the one condition of life, cannot be suited to the other. Among the most marked and distinct of the many p lj1Scn'ders _n'hich are known to follow the use of insuf- ti°len'' or*mProPer diet, are cases of low inflamma- ^he eyes, and eyelids. Such cases are espe- 'y common in neglected and ill-fed children, u appears that several children from the Cardiff Nion suffering in this way have been under treat- ment in Bristol. Of the various aliments in common use, there are ur&e—milk, butter, and sugar, which hold a very Important rank as articles of food for young cbil- ren. It is not too much to say that no diet can be considered wholesome for children from which these articles are excluded. Not one of the three figures In the dietary submitted to us. It is scarcely necessary t) add that even in a pecu- niary sense, there is no such false economy as to keep persons, who are to maintain themselves by their labour, in food which is insufficient for the Maintenance of health and of healthy development. If it were permitted to take such bad ground in a ease in which human life is concerned, it would be easy to show that the cost of the siclcess and infir- nilty, which are the inevitable results of such a pro- far exceeds the petty saving effected in the -first instance. W. BUDD, M.D., Senior Physician to the Bristol Royal Infirmary. AUGUSTINE PRITCHARD, F.R.C.S., p Surgeon to the Bristol Royal Infirmary. Mason, Esq. ,p Ihe Inspector said this did not involve the master -Lhe guardians can consider the-dietary table, andthe j.°°r Law Board can consider it, and obtain the nghest medical testimony thereon. Mr. Willett: We show that the boys have been driven Mr. Bird That M not charged. The Inspector The only thing I can see that it ps to do with the master is in aggravation, if it is a o\v dietary and the master takes it away from them. Mr. Willett said he presented it in that light. 1 The Inspector said he would admit the evidence In that sense. Dr. Edwards having- read the report, said I coin- in the opinion herein contained. I consider the dietary table of this union scanty. Any diminution r°m that table would lead to bad effects upon the Pauper inmates. I think the dietary altogether is low. I think there M too little variety itt the dietary. The Inspector asked if there had been no corres- pondence as to the children's diet? The Clerk: There was au alteration at the sug- gestion of the medical officer in 1857. [Produced.] The Inspector: The order of the Poor Law Com- missioners would specify ages. That is not their order. The Clerk said he would produce their order. T>r. Vachell was called, but he did not answer, and 16 Inspector said it was not necessary, as the Poor aw Commissioners would be able to judge of the scanty dietary- Mr. Thomas Watkins, the clerk to the union, was examined by Mr. Willett I produee the minute °°k, containing the acceptance of the tenders tor the quarter ending 25th of September, 1858~ •Mr. Hibbert's tender for grocery, and Mr Heme for drapery. There is no written contract, but the ten- der accepted by the guardians forms the contract. It is a written tender. That acceptance was commu- nicated to the contractors, but not in writing. It was communicated by my clerk, I believe,'and the order heing sent to them would be a communication. They take very good enre when they send in a contract to know whether it has been accepted. It is not the practice of this board for the master to furnish an estimate weekly of the articles needed—he has not done so. There is an order to that effect. The estimate has been sent to melhy the master sub- sequent to but not at the meeting of guardians. I have heard that in some cases the goods were sent in before the estimate was sent in to me. It has been My habit to send a written order—a counterfoil to the order in the cheque book. I have no knowledge that the goods were received before the order was given by me, but I heard it stated in evidence here. The orders for the week ending Saturday last would m the ordinary course be forwarded in the next week, bearing date the Saturday to which it related. I dare say that would be after the articles had been received. I have no recollection of the order being postponed foil a fortnight. It may have been so. I can't say that it has not. In some cases the signatures to the orders are my own—in others, my clerk's, authorised hy me. I recollect a document being produced like this (paper given into his hand). It is in the hand- writing of the master of the workhouse. That order I heard was jent by the master to Mr. Hibbert, and that an order signed by me was subsequently sent. I have no doubt that is the case. The counter-part will always be the same signature as the cheque. The master was always made acquainted with the names of the contractors, and the particulars of the contracts he copied into the contract book. I have the master's book before me. The clerk's initials are in my clerk's hand-writing. Sometimes that book is behind two or three weeks—the invoices are not received, and they cannot be entered until they come. I have the mi- nute book before me. The Inspector asked if Mr. Willett had a charge gainst the clerk? Did these questions affect the master ? Afr. IVilletfsaid he thought they did indirectly bear llPon the matter. Mr. Watkins did not wish the questions to be ayed in consideration to him; he was willing to give fullest information. Mr. Willett said he would not question r. T^at- kl°s further. J- N, Flint, grocer, Duke-street, examined by r. Willett: I had a contract with this board in the HUarter ending Sept. last, and for two orthree quarte: a Previously. The last quarter my price for tea was s, 2d., sugar 4$d., cheese 34s. per cwt., or about 3td,. per lb. I had no contract for eggs, bacon, or cur- rants. I can't tell whether the latter were supplied during the last quarter, but I believe they were in some of the quarters. I received the orders from the messenger from the Workhouse. I believe they were in the master's handwriting. These are all the orders I have, to the best of my knowledge. The orders tally with the invoices. In the major part of the articles they correspond with the printed orders from the clerk. My invoices tally with the printed orders. The order sent by the master comes generally a week before that sent by the clerk, and they would corres- pond except in the cases of cheese, where the bulk would not be broken. The tea would not be accord- ing to the master's order in weight, nor according to the clerk's order. The difference in tea would be, for 4 lbs., 20 one ounce packets at the contract price (3s. Qd.), 8 half ounces, at contract price, half a pound singly at the same price, and Ii lbs. at 4s., which 4 was charged as H lhs. at 3s.; so that the quantity supplied would be 3J lbs. instead of 4lbs. Some weeks the order would be for more than 41bs. and in- variably the quantity supplied would be less. The document I hold in my hand was what I had nailed up in the offiee. I supplied the articles in a different way from the order by Mr. Johns wish, at the commencement of my first contract, at the latter end of 1855, or beginning of 1856 That wish was not communicated in writing. Mr. John stated to me that he had been in the habit of having better tea for the onicers' use, and I stated at the time that if he had it better in quality he must have it less in quantity. At first l j lb. of common tea was the quantity put up in one parcel. I cannot say whether it was for the officers or not. Throughout the whole of my contract a quarter of a pound less has been supplied than was invoiced, and that by the messenger's instruction. It must have bean by Mr. John's authority. I had no benefit in doing it. We did not charge full retail price for it, treating the union as a whole- sale customer. The difference would be threepence against me if I had supplied it as a retail article. 41bs of 3s. 2d. tea would be 12s. 8d.; what I fur- nished was of the value of 12s. lid., making 3d. in excess. In the article of sugar, the master had pro- portional quantities put up according to the docu- ment already put in, viz., (841bs. of sugar, would con- sist of twenty parcels, each containing 7ozs., at 4 £ d., eight parcels containing 4ozs. each, at the same price, a half-pound parcel at the same price, lib. of loafat 7d. and 31b., of moist at 6d.; in all 224lbs., making it equal in value to 241bs. at contract price. In the day book for July 9, 1858, I have an entry 1481bs. of cheese, at 34s. per cwt., £ 2 5s." In that order was an office cheese. In the margin is written 12lbs. equal to 281bs." Rev. H. Thomas How do you know that was an officer's cheese, Mr. Flint ? Mr. Flint: Because I had an order to supply offi- cers' cheese. (Order put in from master. Please to pick out a good cheese for officers, and let me know weight and price." Others of a similar import were put in, such as Let the girl pick out a good cheese, and let me know weight and price.") Witness continued When 112 lbs. were ordered, the cheese would be charged in this way-12Ibs. at 8d. would be charged as 241bs. at 4d. At the end of the June quarter, 1857, 1121bs. were required to make up the quantity, and I supplied as officers' cheese 10klbs. at 8jd., which would be equivalent to a larger quantity (331bs.) at 41d. I am speaking from general practice. The bulk is not entered in my day-book. I have a list of the whole variations of the cheese from May 9, 1856, to September 10, 1858. I am prepared to swear that the amounts supplied were equivalent to the amounts charged. On the 11th June last, 181bs. of cheese at 8 £ d., equi- valent to 421bs., is charged in the day-book. Referring to the 6th August last, the entry is 201bs. at 8|d., equal to 471bs.; September 10th, 1 cwt. ülbs. at the contract price, and 17 Jibs, of better cheese, equal to 1 qr. 1ilbs. I never sent a private note, but a ticket was sent showing the price and the quantity equal to. I never sent a cheese in this way without Mr. John's authority, and there was no alteration in any- thing but tea, sugar, and cheese. I had no authority from the clerk for the variations. I made out the invoices for a larger quantity of tea, sugar, and cheese than that which was supplied, but not as to the price. By Mr. R. 0. Jones: I never communicated to any one belonging the board that I was sending these variations. I sent them on the understanding that Mr. John had the authority of the board, and be- lieving that he had the authority. By Mr. Bird I understood from others that the master was in the habit of having better cheese. The first cheese I sent for officers was charged in full; the next time the master gave me the order that a better cheese was to be supplied, and that it was by the authority of the guardians that he was allowed it, and also according to the rule of other contractors. In the course of the contracts Mr. John has complained of the quality of the articles. I produce one complaint, which was as to the defi- ciency of 31bs. of soap. That was explained at once. By Mr. Willett: I can't tell the exact words used by the master about the board, but had he not in- structed me I should not have done so. T quite believed lie had the authority of the board. Two other contractors admitted to me that they did the same thing, but they are not game enough to come forward and acknowledge it. It was then arranged to examine Mr. Hawkins, surgeon, Newport, for the defence, to prevent him .coming again. Mr, Hawkins said I am a surgeon, practising at I'tewport 20 years. I examined the children of this workhouse last Saturday fortnight. I found them ifi healthy state, besides a few scrofulous subjects, bj&t inot more than I should expect to find in such al' assembly of children. They presented the ap- pearance of being-well-fed, well-clothed, and carefully attended to. Cross-examined by Mr. Willett: I did not reckon the scrofulous children. I cau't say there were 20, nor 12. I saw a great many children. Perhaps 100 boys. I examined the boys only, and saw the girls as well. The boys were undressed. Scrofulous disease is more frequently among the poor, and as a rule arises from poverty of diet. It is a prevalent disease. It does not mean poverty of diet. The Inspector: It comes from scrofa—a pig. (A laugh.) Mr. Paine: It is a disease arising from the pig. 'By Mtv-R. 0.vJones: Consumptive people are generally scrofulous. By Mr. Willett: Three or four children had very sore eyes. It is a diseaSiLQf a scrofulous nature. Those who are well fed may have sore eyes, but the disease is more amongst the poor. Low diet would bring hn scrofula; and sore eyes more from damp- ness. Ten oz. of bread a day I think is sufficient for boys from 9 to 16 engaged in field labour. The Chairman and Mr. Thomas both interrupted Mr. Willett in putting these questions, and Mr. Wil- lett contended that he had a right to prosecute these inquiries. The Inspector thought the questions were irrele- vant. By Mr. R. O. Jones: Believed the proportion of children sickly here was not larger than those in the Newport union. By Mr. Willett: The children walked past me when I examined them. I reported to the board that I considered them healthy, but I did not consider it necessary to mention those that had sore eyes. Mr. Paine sent for me, at the request of the chairman. The examination was by candle light. By Mr. Cory All the boys were undressed. Dr. Budd would say with me that scroflulous people are subject to sore eyes. Rev. H. Thomas Has Dr. Budd seen the children ? Mr. Willett: He has reported upon the dietary tabls. Rev. H. Thomas: Oh That is not like seeing the boys. Mr. Willett then examined a young girl named Emily [Birt: I was an inmate of this workhouse, and left! here seven months ago. I have been in the house now, but have not talked with any of the offi- cers. I am now a servantjwith Miss lhomas of Pen- tyrch, sister of the Rev. H. Thomas. I have neither father nor mother. I was engaged in the kitchen of the workhouse sometime before I left, waiting. I car- ried the dinners from the kitchen to the dining- room, and assisted generally in the kitchen. 1 re- collect the bell ringing very early one morning a long time ago. It was about five o'clock. The proper hour was six o'clock, as I know. I had a beating when I went down stairs that morning by Mr. John. He beat me with a cane on my back. I showed my back to Mary Rees. There were whales" on my back. I was ill awhile after, but it was not from that. Cross-examined by Mr. Bird It is a long time ago, but not four or five years since. It was more than a year before I left. Mr. Mason and Mr. Willett came to Pentyrch to see me, but they did not promise to give me money, only to pay my passage. I don't know whether it was after my proper time when I came down stairs that morning. I don't know whe- ther I deserved the beating. Mr. and Mrs. John were kind enough to me when I was here, and Mrs. John was kind enough to get me my present situation, where I am very comfortable. By Rev. H. Thomas: There was no one in the house yesterday when they came to Pentyrch. They asked me about the beating, and if Mrs. John kept a "jenny rod." Mr. Willett asked me if Mrs. John beat me. All that they said to me was, when I got here, "You have come." (Laughter.) Mr. Thomas: You knew that. (Renewed laugh- ter.) „ • By Mr. Willett: Mr. Thomas saw me on Sunday, and he said I was to come. I had the run of the larder when I was in the workhouse. By Mr. Gory Mr. John was very kind to me. The Clerk interrupted, and Mr. Cory appealed to the Inspector. By Mr. Cory: I live with Miss Thomas, the sister of the Rev. H. Thomas. (After a pause) I was not offered money to come here and make certain state- ments. It was when we came out of church that Mr. Thomas said I was to come to Cardiff on Thursday. This closed the inquiry for the day, and the court adjourned to 9.30 a.m., on Friday.