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CARDIFF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
CARDIFF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The first annual meeting of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce was held on Wednesday, at the Windsor Hotel, Bute Docks. There were present Mr. J. H. Insole, president, in the chair; Mr. C. H. Page, vice- president; Mr. A. Dalziel, secretary; Mr. E. C. Down- ing, auditor, and a number of the leading merchants and sbipbrokers of the port. The Secretary having read the notice convening the meeting, The PRESIDENT observed that the report had now been issued, and had been in the hands of the members for a week, and it might therefore be taken as read. He moved that it be received and adopted. It was usual, in moving the adoption ef a report, for the mover to deliver an address but the meeting must excuse him from doing so on this occasion, as it never was his forte to make a speech, nor did he consider it necessary on this occasion, the vhrious matters which bad come under the notice of the Chamber during the year having been fully set forth in the report. Mr. PAGE said, as one of the vice-presidents of the Chamber, he rose to second the irotion for the adoption of the report; and in doing so he would remark, that in his opinion the report should not be adopted without a few observations being offered to the meeting upon it. In the first place, he might congratulate the Chamber on having arrived at its first anniversary, and on the success of its labours during the first year of its exist- ence. On looking over the report, and seeing what had been done during the past year, there were many points to which the Chamber had addressed itself which had not bean successfully brought to a conclusion but on the other hand, they had been fortuante enough to bring to a satisfactory termination other very important mat- ters so that taking the one class with the other, the members would on the whole agree with him, that the Chamber had not been instituted in vain, and that its labours had on the whole resulted satisfactorily. With regard to the most important matter they had dealt with —the subject of crimping—there was no doubt that they did a great deal of good in remedying that great evil at this port. Crimping, as those present all knew, was the pest of seaport towns, and be thought it might be said of Cardiff that nowhere had that evfl been carried out to a more outrageous and unblushing extent than it bad prevailed at this port. The time had therefore arrived when something should be done to check it, and he thought the action of this Chamber upon the subject duiing the year bad had great weight, and bad strength- ened very much the hands of the Board of Trade in the alterations which, the members would be aware, that Board had made dnring the past year in connexion with the shipping of seamen at this place. An increased number of clerks had been employed at the shipping office, and also an addition to the staff had been made, in the shape of detectives, who were instructed to be on the look-out for deserters. This was a step in the right direction, but other reforms were still needed, and the Chamber, be hoped, would not leave the subject until they had succeeded in bringing it to a satisfactory con- clusion. One of the reforms still required was a re- moval from the present location of the shipping office. He thought there could be no doubt that the existence of the office in the present locality was one of the main causes of the evil of which they had complained. If the shipping office were situated at the docks, or near the Sailors' Home, or anywhere away from the dens of infamy which were now contiguous to it, a great deal of the evil might be remedied. Another evil was the sys- tem of advance notes. Sooner or later some arrange- ment would have to be made for doing away with them. The difficulty was to devise some plan by which sailors might be shipped, some of whom were without means, and required a supply of clothing before they could pro- ceed upon a voyage. Certainly the advance note system was, of all modes of effecting this object, the least bene- ficial to the sailor that cou:d be conceived, and hence he could not think that either this or other Chambers of Commerce, or the country generally, would allow this system to endure much longer. He hoped that this Chamber would not rest satisfied with what it had done towards putting down crimping in Cardiff, but that it would continue on the alert, in regard to this and every other subject affecting the interests of the port; and that when they met again next year, it would appear that still further advances had been made toward this object. It was a credit to the Chamber, and a matter of congratu- lation to all who were interested in Cardiff, that the Chamber bad done what it had towards the discourage- ment of crimping and the notes which it had received on the subject from other Chambers showed that in this matter the Chamber had the sympathy and encourage- ment of the commercial interest of the country at large with them, both in what had been done and in what he hoped they would hereafter be able to effect. That was the most important matter to which their attention had been directed during the year. But there was another subject, of minor importance, but yet of considerable interest to the trade of the port, to which their attention had been turned. He referred to the bills of health for Spain. This port dealt to a large amount with Spanish port, and he, as one of the largest shippers to that country, had often experienced a difficulty in regard to the bills of health. Nominally they were clean bills of health, but the Consul appended a clause stating that this port was in communication with all the other ports in the world, and that no measures were taken for the prevention of disease. Though it was not a positive assertion that there was disease in the port, yet it had an effect almost as damaging as if it bad been stated that the bill was not clean and vessels were often sub. jected to annoyances in consequence of that clause. Individuals on many occasions bad brought this griev- ance to the notice of the Consul, but were not able to obtain redress but when representations were made to him, backed by the weight of the Chamber of Commerce, he consented to dispense with the clause. That was a benefit conferred on the trade of the port, which would not have been arrived at but for the establishment of this Chamber. He regretted that there was not a larger at- tendance at this meeting, for, considering the number of members belonging to the Chamber, he thought the number now present was scanty. The PRESIDENT said, he bad received letters accounting for the absence of some of the members—among others Mr. Thompson, one of the Vice-Presidents, and Mr. S. D. Jen kins. Mr. PAGE went on to say that he was glad to find that tlrose who had not attended had thought it worth while to write, to explain their absence and express their interest in the Chamber. He thought it was an insti- tution which every merchant in the port should encour. age as much as he could, and that especially now in its first year or two it onght to be supported by the personal presence of all its members. Other Chambers of Com- merce were accustomed to meet with support and en- couragement from the local members of Parliament. Parliament being in session now, and important business being before it, we could not have expected our member to have attended on this occasion but bad not parlia- ment been in session he (Mr. Page) would have sugges- ted to the president and secretary to have invited Colonel Stuart to the meeting. He considered that great ad- vantage might be gained from the member of parliament being brought into immediate contact with the Chamber of Commerce; and that had such an invitation been given, Colonel Stuart would no doubt have responded to it; and he hoped next year the meeting of the Chamber would take place at a time when the Colonel might be able without inconvenience to attend. He was glad to find that the hon. member had at once ac- ceded to the request of the Chamber that he would be- come one of them. He did not know that he had anything more to allude to, but he was simply expressing the general feeling of the meeting when he stated, that if they were to judge from the past what the Chamber would effect in the future, they had every reason to feel glad that they bad established it twelve months ago, and he had no doubt that it would progress and become a most useiul and valuable institution (applause.) The PRESIDENT said, on referring to the report the members would see that the directors of the Chamber bad already corresponded with the Board of Trade on the question of removing the Custom House and the Shipping Office. Mr. PAGE said he was aware of that, and that the Government had declined to remove it because it was new building. That reply should not stop the Chamber from proceeding in the matter. There was a petition now being circulated in the town in favour of the re- moval. Mr. lATCH said that in Newport the Government gave up a building of which they had a long and favour- able lease. They ought not to suffer the question of the building to stand in the way of removing the Cardiff Custom House. Mr. DOWNING said the position of the Custom House involved serious loss to the trade of the town. The PRESIDENT said that some years ago he and others attended a meeting at the Custom House in re- gard to this matter, when the question was fully gone into, and the bonded store keepers made out a very good case for retaining the Custom House where it was, the decision by the Government being governed by the amount of money they received from the keepers of the bonded stores near the present building. The adoption of the report was unanimously agreed to. The report comprised a full account of the operations of the chamber during the year. The following is a synopsis of its contents, the more important paragraphs being given in full The Chamber negotiated with Lord Bute's Trustees early in the year, for the purpose of obtaining alterations of clauses in the dock bill of 18G6, which they deemed preju- dicial to the trade of the port; but the deputation which waited on Mr. Boyle on the subject did not succeed in con- vincing him. A petition was forwarded to the Chancellor of the Exche- quer in March by the Chamber pointing out the unequal operation of the income tax, and that it was a grievous bur- den to traders. At the suggestion of Mr. Ingledew the Chamber issued documents expatiating on the numerous advantages of Car- diff as a port of departure for mail steamers. Her Majesty's Government did not, however, effect any change, the depar- tures continuing from Southampton as heretofore. TAFF VALE RAILWAY COMPANY. Some of the members of your Chamber, being colliery proprietors and hiring coal wagons, drew attention in May to the fact, that whilst the Trustees of the Marquis of Bute and the Rhymney Railway Company permitted wagons to receive slight repairs on their railways near the tips, the Taff Vale Railway Company refused similar permission, so far as their railway sidings at the West Dock were concerned but that such refusal did not apply to the Taft' Vale Railway Wagon Company, who were allowed this privilege. This was annoying to the freighters, and therefore your Directors wrote to the Taff Vale Railway Company, who in reply en- quired whether, in case the Taff Vale Railway Company relaxed the regulations, the Chamber would be disposed to accept all the responsibility and risk of life and limb, as well as to the traffic on the branch. Your Directors deemed this answer unsatisfactory, because the Taff Vale Railway Com- pany did not reconcile the inconsistency of according that permission to the Taff Vale Railway Wragon Company which they withheld from the freighters, the risk of life and limb being equal in both cases also, because the Taff Vale Rail- way Company allow the freighters and Wagon Companies to grease the wagons whilst at the tips. The Government having removed the import duties levied upon foreign timber, the Directors memorialized the Chan- cellor of the Exchequer, asking that the Officers of H.M.'s Customs should continue to measure the timber as heretofore. The request of the Chamber met with a refusal. The Trus- tees of the Marquis of Bute's estate appointed measurers, for whose services a charge of sixpence per load is made. The Directors having (applied to Mr. Boyle, for room in the new building now in course of erection at the Docks, Mr. Boyle consented, and the Directors wrote again, hoping he would make the rental as low as possible. An answer to this has not yet been received. A petition praying for the adoption of the Scottish system of banking had been presented to the House of Commons on behalf of the Chamber by Col. Stuart. M.P. Although the Collector of H.M.'s Customs at Cardiff was issuing clean bills of health, the Consul for Spain was placing at the foot of each document a remark in Spanish which negatived the contents-in fact, rendering it equivalent to a foul bill of health." The Chamber in July successfully remonstrated against this practice. The Chamber having written on the subject to the Board of Trade, an answer was received that the Government would be very glad if they could induce the Spanish Go- vernment to modify the quarantine regulations in that country; but at present they see no prospect of prevailing upon that Government to take that course." In regard to cholera the directors regret that their efforts did not result in preventing the importation of the disease into Cardiff. BELLIGERENT RIGHTS AT SEA. During the war between Prussia and Austria, a letter was addressed to the Italian Consul at this port, asking if coal and iron were contraband of war," and also if neutral vessels carrying such merchandize to belligerent ports were liable to seizure." The Consul replied that the Italian Government had given instructions to the commanders of men-of-war on the subject, and from this it is evident that coal is considered as contraband of war, since it may be used for maritime armaments without undergoing any manipu- lation. It will be observed that an allusion is specifically made to such iron as is exported from Cardiff. With refer- ence to the seizure of neutral vessels, the Consul referred the Chamber to the principal points of the International Mari- time Law established by the Treaty of Paris in 1856. The Directors having heard that the Pilotage Board in tended to make certain alterations in the rates and the re- gulations, a committee was appointed to confer with the Board, with a view to such alterations being made as would be satisfactory to the trade generally. The Directors regret that a pressure of other business requires that they should leave this subject to be pursued by their successors. The question of coal agents' fees for stemming vessels was agitated, but, not meeting with general approval amongst the Directors, no action was taken upon it. RATES OF PAYMENT FOR COAL TRIMMING. In consequence of a strike amongst the" trimmers" of the Port, a general advance in wages took place, and a majority of the colliery proprietors met to arrange a uniform scale of rates. This was a very desirable object, but at a meeting of the Directors of this Chamber some dissatisfac- tion was expressed at the colliery proprietors charging an additional id per ton for the collection and subsequent pay- ment of the trimming moneys to the workmen. As this custom has precedent in many other classes of labour through- out the country, the colliery proprietors declined to alter the system, which had already been in practice in a few offices for some considerable time prior to the strike. The Chamber has presented a petition to the House of Commons praying for the establishment of courts for the speedy settlement of trade disputes by arbitration. INSPECTION OF SHIPPING AND STEAM SHIPS' MACHINERY. Your Directors wrote to the Board of Trade, calling at- tention to the inconsistency of sailing, steam, and tug vessels not being periodically examined, although they carried a 3 13 great number of seamen, whilst passenger ships and steamers were so examined; at the same time pointing out the proba- bility that in many cases vessels would not be sent to sea in a bad condition, if owners knew that a check existed. The Board of Trade promised to give the subject its consi- deration. The Russian Government being about to revise their im- port duties, your Directors have written, calling attention to the almost prohibitory duties upon iron. The Chamber will for the future pay ten guineas annually to the Association, instead of five as heretofore. In conse- quence of the inadequacy of the funds, your Directors have been unable to attend any general assemblies in London, or any of the influential deputations appointed to wait upon and represent important matters to the consideration of her Majesty's Government. During the year, your Directors have derived much valuable information from the Associa- tion, and they hope next year to put to some practical pur- poso the influence they have gained by joining the general Association. THE CRIMPING SYSTEM. So much has been reported and commented upon in the local press on this subject, that it seems almost superfluous to offer any further remark on the matter. The members have been furnished with copies of a correspondence between your Directors and the Board of Trade with reference to the evil, which appears to have attained an aggravated state in the earlier months of 1866. Probably no subject has en grossed so much of the attention of your Directors as this; and, as a part of the result of their labours, it may be re. marked that the Board of Trade, recoghising the inetficiency of the shipping office's staff, increased the number of clerks from two to four, and appointed, in addition, a detective police officer and two assistants. The Board of Trade, through the Home Office, also urged upon the local magis- tracy the strict enforcement of the present law, and your Directors have observed that several cases have been se- verely dealt with of late. It is not to be supposed that your Directors are perfectly satisfied to allow this matter to re- main in its present position. They are of opinion that the law, as it now is, requires revision, and they trust that their successors will follow up with vigour the steps they have taken, and endeavour, by co-operation with the other Cham- bers, to bring about an alteration calculated to stop crimping entirely. Your Directors have been, and yet are, in corre- spondence with other Chambers on the subject, and much sympathy has been expressed by all. In the letters referred to on the foregoing subject, your Directors called attention to the great distance of the Cus- tom House and Shipping Offices from the business places of the trading community, and begged that at least the Ship- ping Offices might be removed to some place more conve- nient, near the Docks. The reply was to the effect that the present buildings were so comparatively new, and had been enlarged at such a considerable cost, that it was not desir- able to vacate them and take others, although it is acknow- ledged that such might be more convenient for the mercan- tile interest. There has only been one change rendered necessary during the year-that caused by Mr. Dalziel accepting the secre- tary ship, vacant in consequence of Mr. Stephens's resigna- tion. Mr. Thomas Powell was elected in lieu of Mr. Dalziel. Your Directors have not had one single case submitted to them for arbitration but this they attribute chiefly to the very recent formation of the Chamber, and probably the members have waited to see the result of your Directors' labours, before bestowing upon it such confidence as to settle trade disputes. The Directors recommend that in the case of firms where there are two partners, the subscription shall be two gui- neas if three or more partners, three guineas, the firm being entitled to one vote for every guinea paid and that the Member of Parliament for the borough be elected one of the Directors, who shall not, however, exceed twenty five in number. The PRESIDENT next brought forward the subject of electing the directors. It appeared that according to the rules, the whole of the directors vacated their scats each year, and the members at the annual meeting proceeded to elect a board of directors by ballot, each member being supplied with a sheet of paper on which was the name of every member, and be had to place a mark against each of the twenty-three names of persons whom be wished to veto fo1, The votes having been collected, Mr. Howard, Mr. Latch, and the Secretary, acted as scrutineers, and reported the following Board for the en- suing year The M.P. for Cardiff, and the Mayor, ex. officio; Messrs. W. Alexander, Jno. Batchelor, J. Cory, Lewis Davis. E. C. D >wning, J. Davies, D. Grifi'.ths, S. S. Ho vard, E. S. Hill, J. H. Insole, S. D. Jenkins, Rees Joins, J. Latch, A. 1. Lucovich, J. Morgan, J. Nixon, S, Nash, C. H. Page, C. Thompson, A. B. Tellefsen, J. VY• Vacbell, T. Powell. There was one seat in doubt, an Vacbell, T. Powell. There was one seat in dcubt, an equal number of votes having been given for Air. W. Ronfeldt and Mr. F. E. Staniford. The President, having been called on to give a casting vote between the two, nave it in favour of Mr. Ronfeldt, on the ground that lie had attended the meeting to-day, while the other gentleman had not. 00 the motion of Mr. BOULANGER, seconded by Mr. LATCH, Mr. E. C. Downing was re-elected as auditor for the ensuing year. On the motion of Mr. PAGE, seconded by Mr. J. W. VACHELL, Mr. Clement Lucas, of the West of England I Bank, was re-elected as treasurer. Mr. REES JONES moved a vote of thanks to the Presi- dent, Vice-presidents, and Directors for their services j during the year. He said that seeing the able manner in which they had got through the mass of business that had come before them during the past year, they had earned the cordial thanks of the commercial men of the pott. Mr. RONFELDT seconded the vote, hoping that the value of the labours of the Chamber would be more generally perceived as time wore on, and that its numbers would be increased by the adhesion of many merchants and others, who as yet had not paid due at. tention to the matter. The vote was passed unanimously, and briefly ac. knowledged by the PRESIDENT. Mr. PAGE said, a special vote of thanks was due to the Secretary for the manner in which he had performed his very laborious duties. He was to the Chamber, what the kernel was to the nut. Unless the secretary of such a body discharged his duties with care, attention, and assiduity, it would not be likely that the directors would have met as regularly and taken that degree of interest in the business, which they had done. The secretary had never failed in sending out the notices for the meet- ing, to bring before the directors in a detailed and con. venient mauner the nature of the topics affecting the interests of the port, which awaited discussion. The effect was to produce a good attendance at the meetings, and the other directors would agree with him in saying that the secretary had been most attentive, and had dis- charged the duties very satisfactorily, notwithstanding that, owing to the small amount of funds at the disposal of the Chamber, they had net been able to award him a remuneration at all adequate to the value of his services. Mr. MORGAN, in seconding the motion, observed that the Secretary bad brought to bear great ability and at- tention to his duties, and had been constant in his at. tendance, devoting his utmost services to the Chamber. The resoluion was unanimously adopted, and the meeting was thus brought to a close.
--------CARDIFF BOARD OF GUARDIANS.
CARDIFF BOARD OF GUARDIANS. This Board met on Saturday. There were present E. W. David, Esq., chairman Mr. Alderman Alexan- der and Rev. T. H. Jones, vice-chairmen Dr. Paine, Rev. C. Lewis, Rev. V. Saulez, Mr. Cory, Mr. D. Jones, Rev. W. Evans, Mr. French, Mr. Ainslie, Mr. Eli Evans, Rev. J. W. Evans, &c. The Master of the School reported that 212 children were in the school, an increase of 28 on last year. Mrs. David, of Radyr Court, wife of the Chairman, had kindly treated the children to a Christmas tree and a supply of oranges, &c. There had been 7000 gallons of water used during the week.—Mr. E. EVANS complained that the quantity was constantly increasing. Alderman ALEXANDER said that, on the contrary, it was decreas- ing and on the Clerk referring to the minutes of for- mer meetings, the quantity now called for appeared smaller than in former weeks. Tae Master also re- ported that Catherine Davies, one of the servants at the School, was of dirty habits, and the Matron wished to discharge her. The Master was directed to give her a month's notice, and engage another servant to take her place. The Master of the Workhouse reported 99 admitted and 96 discharged during the week. There were now 355 inmates, an increase of 61 on last year. The Master stated that a lad, who had been troublesome and incor- rigible in the Union some years ago, and had been sent to sea, bad now returned, and declared that he intended to live in the Workhouse for the future, but that he would not work. He was now 17 years old. The CHAIR- MAN directed the Master to put him to work at the pump and other labour, and keep him at it, and if he would not work, let him be brought before the magist- rates, and they would know how to deal with him. A communicatiou was read from the Poor-law Board stating that the accounts of Mr. George Thomas, collec- tor for the parish of Llandaff, had been reported to them by the Auditor as being characterised by omissions and irregularities. The Poor-law Board remarked that they had had occasion to make a similar complaint in respect to Mr. Thomas before, and they bad considered now whether they ought not to remove him from the office; but finding, on reference to the overseers, that they spoke very highly of him, notwithstanding the irregularities, the Board had determined to afford him another trial, by waiting the result of the next audit.—The Rev. T. H. JONES asked what was the nature of the irregularities complained of.—The Clerk said they were of a very trifling character. There were some omissions in send- ing in the monthly statement; Mr. Thomas had re- tained more than £50 in band at one time, there being a rule forbidding it, and he had once held a sum of money beyond a week without paying it over.—Mr. ELI EVANS said the parish, if Mr. Thomas were dismissed, would be a long while finding one more trustworthy. They had an excellent collector at Whitchurch; but they often had such small irregularities in his case.- The Clerk said he bad gone over Mr. Thomas's accounts carefully, and out of 443 items, there were only four dis- crepancies. The Clerk read a letter from Dr. Taylor, resigning his position as medical officer of the West Cardiff district, and thanking the Board for the confidence they bad re- posed in him during the period he had held the office. He wished to be relieved of the duties at the end of the current quarter.—The CHAIRMAN said the Board would be very sorry to lose Dr. Taylor's services, for be was a very valuable officer, most attentive to the paupers, and, until recently, regular in his attendance in this room. He moved that the resignation be accepted and a successor advertised for.—Mr. E. EVANS thought there was no need to go to the expense of advertising and having a contest for the office. Mr. Grainger had been proposed as a candidate to fill a recent vacancy, and when they remem- bered the large amount of support he then received, the Board would, he hoped, feel inclined to offer him the present appointment. It was only by lack of one or two I votes that he failed to receive the other district.—The Clerk stated that he understood Mr. Grainger would be willing to accept this appointment.—Dr. P AlliE feared if the course suggested by Mr. Evans were adopted, that it would be a precedent, and a very bad one, and he there- fore hoped the usual course would be followed in refer. ence to this vacancy. At the same time he would be glad if Mr. Grainger received the appointment, for he was a very proper man for it, but the precedent pro- posed was one which would lead to considerable incon- venience. Mr. E. EVANS said the precedent for the course he proposed had already been given in the case of Mr. Edwards.—The CHAIRMAN said the Board would follow the course laid down in the rules.-The Cierk, re- ferring to the rules, found that it was not necessary to advertise, if notice were given in the meeting, and on the motion of the Rev. T. H. JONES, seconded by Mr. E. EVANS, notice was given accordingly that this day month the Board would proceed to fill the vacancy caused by Dr. Taylor's resignation. THE CARDIFF RELIEVING OFFICER. The Clerk read a letter from Mr. Cox, clerk of the Bridgend Union, stating that he was informed that a pauper who bad been living in this Union, but who was chargeable to Bridgend, and whose name was Esther Lamb, had died last March, but notwithstanding, the Cardiff Union bad continued to charge the Bridgend Union for her relief up to Christmas, and the Bridgend Union had paid for her relief up to Michaelmas last. Mr. Cox upon these facts desired the Cardiff Board to call their relieving officer to account. The Clerk added that on receiving this'letter, he spoke to Mr. Wride, who informed him that the pauper was non-resident, and that she came for her relief once every month or six weeks, and though she had not come for it since March, he had not observed her non-appearance, but bad gone on charging the Board for money which he had not paid her, until now. He (the Clerk) knew that it was the practice of some of the non-resident paupers to come for their money once a month or fortnight, but that did not seem to account for so long a period as from last March till now. The CHAIRMAN Mr. Wride, have you any further ex- planation to offer? Mr. Wride: No, sir, I have not. The CHAIRMAN This is a very serious charge. Rev. T. H. JONES: Where did this woman live ? The Clerk When I said she was a non-resident, I meant that she did not live in the Bridgend Union, to which she belonged. Rev. T. H. JONES Did she not live in Mr. Wride's district ? The Clerk: Yes; she was non-resident as regards Bridgend Union, and was non-settled as regards this Union. Mr. Wride She said she lived in Louisa-street. I have not seen her at all, but a woman who was a relation of hers used to come for the money. The CHAIRMAN He has not paid this money for a long period, yet he has charged the Bridgend Union, while he has not been paying her or any one for her. Mr. Wride: I was not informed that she was dead, and the card was not brought to me. The CHAIRMAN But not having paid the money, how came you to still charge for it ? Mr. Wride: She used to come to me about once in six weeks, and so do four or five others, and I marked the list as paid, expecting the money to be called for. The Clerk: You should never enter money as paid until it is paid actually, and then such things as this cannot occur. The CHAIRMAN: The same sort of thing may have occurred with our own paupers; we have no security. Rev. WALTER EVANS This is precisely the same sort of case as Smith's. Rev. T. H. JONES Mr. Wride should personally see all the paupers he is paying, once a month or once a fortnight. The CHAIRMAN He should see them periodically-at least once a quarter. The question is, can he accom- plish this, with all that be has to do ? But that is no justification for his entering payments which he had not in fact made. Mr. E. EVANS: What is the longest interval at which you pay a pauper ? Mr. Wride Once in three weeks is the longast period at which I pay. Dr. PAINE This is a most irregular thing, to pay paupers at long intervals. A person who can afford to wait several weeks for the money, must have means of living in the meanwhile, and is not a proper case for parochial relief. Mr. JONES: They should either come weekly for the money, or the officer stop paying them altogether. Rev. W. EVANS asked Mr. Wride if it never struck him that it was a long while since this woman's money bad been called for. Mr. Wride replied that he never thought about her at all. Dr. PAINE: Don't you keep an entry of what you pay ? Mr. Wride Yes. Dr. PAINE Then how could you go on charging this woman's money for six months or more after you had ceased to pay it ? Mr. Wride said he had a card, and ticked the name off as paid, each week, expecting the money would be called for. Mr. D. JONES: Did you never wonder how you came to have. six pounds more in hand than you ought ? Didn't you ever balance your cash account during the time ? Mr. Wride That is a very difficult thing. The CHAIRMAN Na it is not. There need not be the slightest difficulty in your balancing your cash at any hour in the day. We must call on Mr. Wride to fur- nish us with a list next Saturday of all the paupers he has not seen within a given period. Alderman ALEXANDER: It is impossible he can visit one half of them often enough. He 'ought to have assistance. Dr. PAINE When an officer most egregionsly neglects his duty, we should not reward him. When he does it efficiently as far as he can, let us assist him. This is not merely neglect, but culpable neglect, and we should not reward him for it by giving him assistance. Let him first do his duty well, and then we will consider whether he requires assistance. But when we find him charging for payments that he has never made, we should at least express the opinion that he should be more attentive to his duty. Mr. E. EVANS said, if assistance was required, and the Board did not supply it, the poor would be punished, who were now neglected; they would be punished through the relieving officer. He supposed that the re- lieving officer had ticked oft. this woman's money as paid, in order to get it back from the Bridgend Union. The CHAIRMAN: But be had never parted with it. Mr. E. EVANS But he would not have got it back if he had not marked it to show that he had paid it. It was only a mistake on his part. The CHAIRMAN It was a very serious and gross mis- take and if such a mistake occurs again Mr. Wride stands a great chance of being suspended. The Clerk said he believed it was simply neglect. The CHAIRMAN moved that Mr. Wride be called on to furnish, on this day week, a list of all the paupers whom he paid, but whom he had not visited during the past quarter. The Rev. T. H. JONEq seconded the motion. Mr. Alderman ALEXANDER The man requires assist- ance, and this will only impose extra work on him, and the paupers will suffer. I am quite as ready to blame him in this case as any one, but he is overworked and cannot do his duty without assistance, and the Board should supply it. Mr. D. JONES Here is a man brought up for taking credit for money which he has never paid, and we are asked, instead of inquiring into fa'its to ascertain to what extent this may have occurred, to give him more help to do what he does not do. He may or may not require help, but when he is brought upifor neglect of duty, that is not the time for talking of affording him help. Alderman ALEXANDER: You are imposing a'greater duty upon a man who has already neglected the paupers for want of time. The CHAIRMAN said, what was first wanted was to as. certain the extent of the neglect. For that purpose, the list to which reference had been made must be laid be. fore the Board next Saturday. In reply to a question, the Clerk stated that the re- lieving officer bad precisely the same duties to perform in regard to paupers living here who were chargeable to other Unions, as he would have if they were chargeable to this Union. The list referred to was ordered to be produced by Mr. Wride at the next meeting. The Sanatory Committee reported in favour of paying the bill of Mr. Luke Evans for cholera medicine sup- plied to the parishes during last summer.—The amount was £ j.17 0s. 2d. Tbe CHAIRMAN said that Dr. Paine had carefully gone through the account, and ,found that the charges were very moderate, Mr. Evans only allow- ing himself twopence per bottle over the wholesale price of the drugs, and furnishing the bottle out of that. The medicine had been furnished to all the parishes through- out the Union, and he was personally aware that in his parish, Radyr, and the neighbourhood, it had an excel. lent effect.—The Clerk said that Mr. Superintendent Stocknale had told him the demand for it in Cardiff was extraordinary.—The Board ordered the bill to be paid. —The CHAIRMAN stated that the bills of tha medical men for services rendered during the epidemic, would be audited at the next meeting of the committee. On motion of the Chairman, a balance of five guineas due to Dr. Lisle for taking charge of Mr. Wall's district' was ordered to be paid to his executors. A sum of due to Dr. Taylor for taVing charge of Dr. Lisle's and' Mr. Wall's districts, after the illness of Dr. Lisle, was also ordered to be paid.—The CHAIRMAN stated that Dr. Taylor bad, by order of the Board, employed an assist. ant for the purpose, for five weeks, at four guineas a week.—The Rev. V. SAULEZ mentioned that he had seen a letter from the assistant, stating that the work was so severe, he would not take it again under five guineas a week. He thought the Board should make some com- pensation to Dr. Taylor for his own services at that pe. riod, when be had all the districts in the town in his charge. He thought if the Board were so kind as to let off a relieving officer with a slight reprimand, under the circumstances just disclosed, they ought to do some- thing for the excellent medical officer who had resigned, and who during his term of office had been much troubled by the same relieving officer.-Mr. D. JONES rsmarked that Mr. Smith had been suspended for the same thing for which Mr. Wride had only been repri- manded. The Master of the Industrial School reported that for three weeks the young man who had been engaged to teach the children the fife and drum had not at- tended.—The Rev. V. SAULEZ said the conduct of the young man in giving up the work without notice was exceedingly uncourteous; however, he would try to find some one in his place. The Board then adjourned.
-----__--THE ENGLISH CALVINISTIC…
THE ENGLISH CALVINISTIC METHODIST CHURCH. On Monday evening a meeting was held at Stuart Hall in recognition of the Rev. James Mortimer, as minister of the English Calvinistic Methodist Church. Tea having been provided, with other refreshments, and partaken of by a numerous company, a public meeting was subsequently opened, at which the hall was well filled, the chair being taken by Mr. John Bird, who was supported on the platform by the Revs. ty. Howells, N. Thomas, A. Tilly, Mr. J. E. Billups, Mr. R. Cory, sen, Mr. J. Cory, Mr. T. White, &c. The proceedings commenced by singing the hymn commencing Jesus shall reign where'er the sun," after which the Rev. A. Tilly offered prayer. The CHAIRMAN then observed that the duties which would devolve upon him this evening would not be of a very onereus character, as he would simply have to in. troduce one after the other the various speakers who would address the audience in regard to the objects for which the meeting had been assembled. He desired to say that that object commanded his warmest sympathy. No one who was at all acquainted with the religious re- quirements of this place could help feeling great thank- fulness and warm congratulations upon so much having been done to meet those requirements. Running over in his own mind the various churches and chapels that had been erected in Cardiff within the last twenty years, or even the list of those edifices which bad been within the last ten years erected for the propagation of God's truth, he could easily count up no less a sum than £ 50,000 which bad been expended in the promotion of this great and glerious object—(applause). But while so much had been done, they could not but each and all feel that much more still remained to be done. In this wide field of operations there were many portions of ground still unoccupied, and they could not but feel thankful that one spot, little though it might be, would by the church which they bad this evening met to re- cognise be filled, in addition to those already occupied and that thus an additional instrumentality for the accomplishment of this great object would be afforded. It was, then. for the purpose of promoting a cause which tended in some measure to supply the religious requirements of the town, that they had gathered to- gether this evening. He was sure that the object was one to which the meeting would accord their sympathy and a liberal measure of support. Differing as be did from the immediate promoters of it in regard to ques- tions of church discipline, and in regard to some minor matters, he still felt that that difference should form no barrier against bisrendering them any support that might be in his power, either in the way of influence or pecu- niary means, toward the accomplishment of their object (applausej. One word on a more personal matter. When asked to occupy the position of chairman of this meeting, he might have denied himself that pleasure, from circumstances unnecessary to refer to, but for cne pressing reason-a reason so irresistible that it over- came .:ery objection, though there were objections which be might safely and truthfully say, could have been overcome by no other motive whatever. Upon this platform there sat one whose name he would not mention, who bad been known to him be could almost say from his birth-at any rate from his earliest child- hood. They had been play-fellows together, and had grown up alongside each other, until the period arrived when they separated to go into different parts of the country, each to work and accomplish his rabsioo in life, one in one way and the other in another. Nearly fifty years bad elapsed since they bad sat side by side on the same form in an old dame's schoolroom, learning their letters from the same alphabet, lisping the same words, and kneeling at the same prayers. Little did they then think of this period, nearly fifty years later in life; little did they fancy or imagine then, that at such a distance of time they would both be standing on the same platform, engaged in promoting such an object as this. That old playfellow of his bad now attained a distinguished position in the service of the greatest of all masters; be (Mr. Bird) had during the same period been travelling through the same wilderness, though by a different path, but by and bye, he hoped and prayed, they would meet together in the future world. It would be un beoming in him to occupy more of the time of the meeting; he would therefore proceed to call upon speakers who would specify with more particularity than he was able to, the motives by which the promoters of this movement were actuated, the objects they contemplated, the prospects they entertained, and the degree of support which they required. He had no doubt that the audi- ence would be disposed to actively assist them, that they would be actuated by a hearty sympathy for the object, and that they would contribute liberally toward so good and rreat an object.—(applause). The Rev. John THOMAS, of Mertbyr, said he bad been requested to make a short statement of the history of the church which was being formed, on account of his having been connected with it from its commence- ment. For some years past it bad been in contempla- tion to establish an English church in connection with the Calvinistic Methodist denomination in Cardiff; it was felt that, considering the size and importance of the town, there ought to be an English church here, whijh would do credit to the denomination. After a great deal of talk the enterprise bad at last been begun, and it was now placed upon a permanent basis, and had t%ken a substantial form. It was not yet twelve months -ince the actual commencement of the move- ment. Last March a deputation had been appointed, at a monthly meeting of the Welsh Calvinistic Metho- dists, to visit the various churches of the denomination in Cardiff, to ascertain their feelings in regard to the proposed establishment of an English church ef their denomination, and whether they were prepared to give liberal pecuniary support to the movement. The depu- tation found the greatest readiness existing on the part of the Welsh churches to help forward the matter, as they felt it to be a disgrace to their body not to have an English church in Cardiff. He desired however on their part to say, that while they loved Methodism beyond any other form of religious denomination, they did not propose to start this church in opposition to any existing church or other denomination in the town, but Only from a proper and laudable desire that their denomina. tion should do its part in the work of God, side by side with other religious denominations, endeavouring to spread among those who were yet ignorant of it, the knowledge of Christ. Finding the members of the Welsh churches ready to help in the enterprise, in April list this hall was hired for public worship and an English Calvinistic Methodist church was formed. As a Welsh body the Calvinistic Methodists were re- spectable, but as an English body they were weak. Thrj had individual wealthy members, but their wealth j had not been devoted to the purpose of establishing English churches of their denomination. They had not, like some other religious bodies, wealthy English congregations to fall back on for support in an effort of this kind. They had an English Presbytery to manage the affairs of the English Calvinistic Methodist churches, but it was weak, and they bad no building futad as other denominations had, from which they could give or lend five hundred or a thousand pounds to aid in the erection of a new church. All that they could afford to give to the new church in this hall was twelve months supply of a minister, froe from all cost but travelling expenses. He (Mr. Thomas) was nominated as the secretary to secure this ministerial supply to the new church, but after they had received it for six or seven months, in November last, they found themselves in a position to obtain a minister for themselves, and they gave an in- vitation to the Pev. James Mortimer, who had become their pastor. The church and congregation was in its infancy, but it had vitality and tbe elements ef strength, and he had no deubt it would grow. Having secured a minister, its next necessity was to obtain a commodious plaje of worship; and he was glad to be able to state that an eligible site had been secured in Great Frede- rick-street, and plans obtained for a building which in point of architecture would reflect no discredit cn this town. He concluded by appealing for liberal support for the new church, and hoping that it would be a work. ing i-bureb, which would be the means of doing much good in the town. Mr. R. CORY, sen., remarked that this movement should have been carried out twenty or twenty.five years ago. It was 31 years since he bad come to the town, and he considered that there bad been room for a church of English Calvinistic Methodists at any period Tluring the time be had lived here. He was glad to find that the minister of this new church was a teetotaller. He would not have been acquainted with one-tenth as many Calvinistic Methodists as be knew, but for their co-operating with him in promoting Teetotaiism. There were so many sorts of Methodists now that he could hardly distinguish one from another. It seemed as if they were all going to become Methodists in Cardiff, by and bye. He was thankful that he belonged to a sort of Methodists who could use their chapel for any meeting for a good cause, without asking the consent of pope or priest, and he advised this society to secure the use of their chapel in the same way. He hoped that the new church would administer their affairs with economy; if so. he bad no doubt they would succeed. Though be differed from them on some points, he believed they were all right on the main question. Their Calvinism and his Arminianism were but different scaffoldings; the building was the same. The chapel he was con- nected with, in Guildford-street, was chock-full every. Sunday, and people bad to go away for want of room. There was room, therefore, in his opinion, for more new chapels in the town and his motto was, Down with the public-bouses, and up with the chapels." The Revs. W. Howells, of Trevecca College, N. Thomas, and J. Fordyce, and Mr. Billups and Mr. White, addressed the meeting, warmly welcoming the new minister. The Rev. J. Mortimer, in conclusion, briefly and feelingly acknowledged the kind sentiments ex- pressed towards himself and his society.
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==-= -=-======--===: CARDIFF COUNTY COURT. The usual monthly court was held on Wednesday and Thursday, before Judge Herbert, when there was about an average amount of business to transact. At the ) court on Wednesday the following case came on for hearing. CLAIM AGAINST AN EXECUTOR. JONES V. DALTON.—Mr. Raby for the plaintiff, and Mr. Ensor for the defendant. It will be remembered this case came on at the January court, when after hearing the case his honour refused to adjudicate and gave the plaintiff an opportunity of trying the case with a jury. The plaintiff agreed to the Judge's propo-al, and ,the case accordingly again came on for hearing. The jury was composed of Messrs. Drane, Glass, George Downs, Daniels, and Owen Davies. The facts of the case as stated by Mr. Raby were that the plaintiff's father (Mr. Harris) carried on business as a cabinet maker in High street, Cardiff, and died in January I860. Plaintiff kept her father's books, and soon after his death removed to Brighton-terrace, where in 18C1 she sold a Mrs. Lodwick a quantity of upholstery, amounting to £:30 11s. 3d. She applied to Mrs. Lodwick several times for the money, and she always said that as soon as Mr. Dalton (Mrs. Lodwick's husband's execu- tor) settled with her she would pay the account. Mrs Lodwick died last year, and Mr. Dalton was her execu- tor. Mr. Ensor severely cross-examined Mrs. Jones upon the,various portions of her evidence, more particu- larly as to where she obtained the goods which she allegedlshe sold Mrs. Lodwick, and as to the genuine- ness of the book in which she kept the account. Mrs. Fry, a sister to the plaintiff, gave.evidence of seeing her sister sell goods to Mrs. Lodwick, at Brigh- ton-terrace, in 1801, and of various things having been sent home She had frequently heaid her sister ask Mrs. Lodwick for the owing money, and she always said she would pay as soon as Mr. Dalton settled. Mrs. Lodwick took part of the goods home herself, and other things were taken by Thorn and Roberts. William Roberts said he was in Mr. Harris's employ up to his death, and stated that in 1861 he carrie< several parcels to Mrs. Lodwick's from Mrs. Jones. Edward Thorn, another cabinet-maker, enumeratec various things which he took from Mrs. Jones's house t< Mrs. Lodwick Edward Jones, the plaintiff's son, proved that som, years ago he copied out Mrs. Lodwick's account ant sent it to her at Swansea. He dated the account 185! instead of lHü1 because he mistook the number of th page (59) for the date of the year. He carried severa parcels to Mrs. Lodwick's in 1861 or 1862. Mr. Raby summed up the plaintiff's case, and referre to the corroboration which all the witnesses gave to Mri J ones' testimony that the goods were supplied in 1861 He also spoke as to the genuineness of the accoun book produced by Mrs. Jones. Mr. Ensor addressed the jury in defence, and said th two questions they would have to consider wer whether the goods were really sold, and if so whethe they were supplied within the time prescribed by th Statute of Limitations. He spoke at great length upoi the various portions of Mrs. Jones' evidence, an, pointed out various incon-isteneies which showed tha her statement was not be relied upon. He also re ferred to a letter written by Messrs. Dalton and Spence in reply to the letter accompanying the account sent b) Mrs. Jones to Mrs. Lodwick. in which they totally de- nied that any goods had been sold. But notwithstand- ing this the plaintiff remained quiet, and did not take proceedings till nearly a year and a half after Mrs. Lodwics's death. Mr. Ensor then referred to the> genuineness of the account book, and afterwards pointed out several differences between the account sent to Mrs. Lodwick and the account book produced, which, he maintained, conclusively proved that the account ren- dered was copied from another book, and therefore that the book produced was not the original one. There were from ten to twelve alterations and additions in tha account as compared with the book. The learned ad- vocate then referred to the difference in the handwriting and also the variation in the total of 10s. between the first account sent in and the book. Then with regard to the letter sent to Mrs. Lodwick, he asked the jury whether they could believe that a document like that could emanate from a b.y of twelve years of age, which Mrs. Jones swore was the fact. He then referred to Mrs. Fry's evidence, and asked why she was not called on the first hearing of the case, and said she was only cal'ed after the thing had become public, to bolster up the case. He also analyzed the two workwen'3 evidence, and contended it amounted to n thing- Finally he asked the jury if they could see their way clear and reconci'e all the various discrepancies to givo their verdict for the piaintiff. If not, in the interest the living and the dead, they would give it for defendant, and thus show their utter detestation of fraud and perjury. His Honour then summed up, going over all the argQ' ments of the advocates in a most lucid and caref1^ manner. In particular he referred to the additional descriptions made use of in the account sent in as cotO' pared 10 the book. He said an omission might be madfl in copying an account, but they could scarcely that a stranger to the goods would take upon h.mself that a stranger to the goods would take upon h:mself to alter the description of the goods, and therefore mother (airs, oones) must have been cognizant of t116 fact. Then again he could not but think that the book produced was not the original one, in which, if articles were really supplied, the entries were originally made. Then again it appeared very strange that tba| plaintiff did not apply to Mr. Dalton for the liquidate | of the debt, before the death of Mrs. Lodwick, and 1113 (the Judge) thought that the only course Mr. DaltoO could pursue with justice to himself and the decea.,541 was to defend this action. As to the account in t1161 book being written alternalely with black and pale in* of the same tints, that was an extraordinary thing, bnt¡ the jury would examine the book and decide that mattetl themselves. The case involved a serious consideration I far beyond the amount of money, for if it was not due tO Mrs. Jones, it as a case of great fraud. If 01 the otherhand, they thought the account was a prO" per one, the plaintiff was justly entitled to their verdict"! In concluding a summing up of an hour's duration his Honour characterised the speech of Mr. Ensor, fo* the defence, as a very powerful and eloquent one, oi as regards the way in which the case had been manage on both sides, he had never seen one better coW ducted. The jury, after an hour and a half's consultation, re, turned into court about half-past nine, with a verdict for the defendant.
TAFF YALE RAILWAY.
TAFF YALE RAILWAY. The following is the report to be presented to the meetingv to be held on Tuesday next:— '11 The directors now present to the proprietors theit Sixty-second half-ycany report, and with pleasure CaU attention to a considerable increase of revenue. The pressure on the general revenue account bv the working charges and rent of the Penarth Harbour, Dock and Railway, has been reduced by an increased revenue during the last half-year. It is found that the Penartb undertaking affords great additional facilities for the outlet of the traffic over the Taff Vale Railway, and with the vie of affording still further accommodation at Penarth, pla.nØ for the erection of merchant's offices, hotels, &c., have bee* prepared by the instructions of the directors. The item of Parliamentary expenses,' as anticipated W j your directors in the previous report, has proved one of un' usual magnitude. They are, however, glad to state that the competing schemes, for this session, are much less and that those introduced will receive the attentive consi* i deration of the Board. [ The balance of account enables your directors, after plac- mg the sum of £ in0 to the credit of the depreciation fundi to declare a dividend at the rate of Xio per cent. per annutØ I upon the ordinary stock and 'C' shares, payable on the oth March next, and on the preference stock No. 1 payable as usual on the 8th April next This will leave a balance of £ i,047 19s. lid. to be earned forward to the current half' 1 year. The satisfactory increase of the traffic has enabled the directors to remove the penny terminal charge upon all coal taken direct to the place of shipment. The works of the Dare Valley Railway have been coin* pleted, and this company took possession of that line, under their leasing agreement on the 1st July, lt;66. The traffic is progressing favourably. i It was stated in the last report that an Act for the exten* sion of the Llantrissant Railway towards the western coal fields had been obtained. It has now become important that the prosecution of those works should be undertaken, and after mature consideration, your Board recommend that an agreement for a lease of the undertaking be entered into by this company. With this object, a special meeting bsS been called for the purpose of considering the details of such a proposal. The directors have to announce that Mr. George Fisher, who for so many years has safely and efficiently tilled the office of general superintendent, has resigned the manage' ment of the traffic. Whilst your Board regret that they will lose Mr. Fisher's valuable services in that particular depart- ment, it is satisfactory to them to state, that Mr. Fisher will still continue to act as engineer to the company. The Board have appointed Mr. Edwin E. Page, who has been in the company's service for many years, successor to Mr, Fisher if the management of the traffic. The company have made all the returns required by Par' liament, under the Railway Securities Act of last session* showing their borrowing powers, and the extent to whicb those powers have been exercised. The directors are enabled to state that the company's powers in relation to the mort' gage debt, have in every respect been strictly observed, and it may be desirable to add that long before the Act was con- templated, the directors have for many years given that information to the shareholders and the public, which the law now makes compulsory. The revenue for the last year, after deducting all working expenses and all other preference charges, left a sum more than seven times the amount of the interest payable on the debentures. The Board desire to refer the proprietors to the annexed report of their engineer. Cardiff, Feb. 18th, i867. JAMES POOLE, Chairman." The engineer, Mr. George Fisher, reports as follows Gentlemen,— I have to report that the permanent way and works of your railway, and of the Aberdare Railway, also of the Llantrissant and Taff Vale Junction Railway, and of the Dare Valley Railway have been efficiently main- tained, and are in good working order. The new works is course of construction to meet the requirements of antici- pated increase of traffic, which include the alteration of the Main Incline, are all close on completion. It may be satis- factory to know that during the late very severe weather and high floods, neither interruption nor delay was caused to the traffic, nor have the works been in any way affected thereby. The company's locomotive and rolling stock con' tinue in good working condition." RIIYMMEY. The report of the directors states that the expenditure on capital account during the half year was The total receipts on revenue account amounted to zt:14,360, against £ 31,363 in the same half of 1865, showing an increase of £ 2,1)97. The balance at the credit of the revenue account was jE3,001, out of which the directois recommended a divi- dend on the ordinary stock at the rate of 3 per cent. per annum, leaving a balance of iT4o. The total expenditure on capital account amounted to £ 557,KIO. The revenue account showed that £ 34,36'i had been received, and X14,738 expended in working, leaving a balance of i
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