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ASSOCIATION FOR" THE PRESERYA-TION…
ASSOCIATION FOR" THE PRESERYA- TION OF FISH IN THE RIVER USK. MEETING AT ABERGA VENNT. A meeting of the above-named association, convened for the purpose of adopting such measures as will ensure the efficieet working in the river Usk of the New Salmon Fisheries Act, which comes into operation on the first of October, was held at the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny, on Monday'. The Right Hon. Lord Llar.over presided the following gentlemen being also in attendance:- Major the Hon. Godfrey C. Morgan, M.P., Capt. Parkinson, W, R. Stretton, Esq., Martyn Roberts, Esq., J. LloYd, jtin., Esq., Major Herbert, A. A. Williams, E=q., Mr. W. H. Bosworth, Mr. Cornelius Evans, Mr. W. Graham, jun., Mr. Walford, and Mr. Wilson. The Noble Chairman, having read the notice convening the meeting, remarked that although the Act recently passed did not contain all that might have been desited, and although a great many provisions first introduced bad been struck out, still the enactments generally were beneficial; and, so far as it went, the Act was a good step in-the right direction, because it settled a great many ■ points which bad been previously undefined, and dealt i: with those destructive engines which abounded at the mouths of some rivers. Having enumerated some of the beneficial results which would accrue from the Act, such as the compulsory removal of those fixed engines and the passes through weirs and mill-dams, the Noble Chairman observed that, although in the bill as it passed the Commons, the weekly close time was from Friday at six in the evening until Monday, at six a.m., an attempt had been made in the Lords to reduce that period by 24 houre. This attempt was partially frustrated, and now the weekly close time is fixed from Saturday at noon to Monday at six a.m. Still, this arrangement was an improvement upon that which formerly existed, inasmuch as they secured two or three additional tides. A clause was inserted in the origiual bill which determined that parties who had the light of fishing should have the power of putting down gratings to prevent salmon and the young of salmon from going down canals and all other cuts from the rivers. That was struck out. Bat he (the noble Chairman) had succeeded in introducing another clause by which it was enacted that parties who took "Water from the river for the supply of canals or towns, should be compelled to place and to keep in repair such gratings as would prevent salmon and tha young of salmon from going into artificial cuts and getting out of the rivers. In order to show the damage caused to this river, by the waut of such a clause, he might state the simple fact that some Years ago, when there was no grating at Brecon, where the water went into the canal, immense quantities of small fry used to go down, and at one time, when the water was let out of the tjanalj and some of it flowed through a meadow belonging to him, there were nearer 200 than 100 young talmon found which had gone .down the canal; and a piece of water on his ground was > full of salmon from the canal; and yet 'the point of distance waa about -26 miles from the place at which the water was taken out of the river. Now the association had, with the permission of the Canal Company, put up gratings; but, in future, the Canal Company would have to bear the expense of those gratings, Md put up such others as the lnsfector might deem necessary. But the difficulty as regarded the new act was- this- [low were its provisions to be carried out? By the bill as first introduced into the House of Commons, power had been given for the -appointment of a fishery board in every district. But nil that had been struck out by a select Committee of nsbe Commons, and had not in any subse- queat "Stage or the bill been re-inserted it was, there- fore, !eft to tbe private subscriptions of those interested to carry out the Act. He presumed the object of the meeting was to see how theyicould best carry out the provisions Of the Act for the preservation of fish. Those provisions were, generally speaking, sufficient for the pm-pose,if fands were forthcoming to put them intoforce. He had considered the matter "with other gentlemen of g the county, and he could see only one course to be adopted, by which the objett -could be achieved, and that was by a voluntary rate levied along the river. He was quite sure if gentlemen and owners of property -subscribed a proportionate euta according to the length -of their frontage to the water, a good sum would be raised. He hoped that wben the Government Inspectors were appointed, one of them would be sent down im- mediately, so that in the report which he would have to make annually to Parliament, he might set forth not inerely that the Association was doing all they could do, but all the difficulties by which they were beset, „„ the poaching, against which-everybody Would have to contend, but also, especially, with regard to the nuisances existing in the neighbourheood, for the suppression of which, the greatest facilities should be given. One of the great evils with which the owners of fisheries and all who are interested in the spcrt of fish- ing had to contend, was the practice which was so gene- ral at paper manufacturers, gas makers, and others, throwing, or permitting tcrflow, all their filth and poison- ous matter into the river, in order to save themselves some, little expense. The Usk would be one of the finest salmoa rivers in the United Kingdom, if it had What was commonly called fair play, but it was almost ruined by the practices fUKwhich he had referred. There was«nother evil of the greaitest magnitude not far from Abergavenny. On one of tbe streams that forCl the tribu- taries to the Dak were aomeironworks, called the Clydach Works tbelessees of these works were now in the habit of tipping into the Clydaoh -brook all or a great portion of their cinders and aabe6 in order that they might get rid of them. These cinders and ashes were carried down to theSlTakj where they filled up the bed of the river and damaged the spawning beds; and everybody who fished the river knew that as soon as what was called "the ■Clydach" water came down, there was an end of all aport. In consequence of the extent to which this per- nicious practice was now -carried, he (the Noble Chair- man) had sent his agent to examine the water about three weeks ago, when he found that this tipping of the rubbish was going on at six different places in front of the works, and as the proprietor was not at home, the agent went up again last week, when he found ten diifcrcnt tips, and learnt that this practice was carried Qn in-order to get rid of the rubbish, and save the pro- prietor the expense of finding .room for it. Thus, it ap- pealed, that in order to save this ironmaster's pocket the whole,river was damaged and the pleasure of all those who to have sport in the Usk, w,g.a destroyed. The ill offecte of al) this were felt not only below the point at which this Clydach" water fell into the river,-but also above that point, for as soon as a fresh came and swilled the Clydach and swept down the cinders and ashes, the fish WAitld not rise to a fly neither would they mcvj or run uptbe river. It was a nuisance which must now be suppressed, and to which he was glad to have the op- portunity of drawing public attentijn. The meeting must be aware that there existed in the county an asso- ciation of the gentlemen of the county called the Tros- trey Weir Association who had subscribed for the pur- pose of renting the fishing weirs and the netting in order that the river might be stocked with salmon. Great expense had been incurred, but all;their endeavours to stock the river, by preventing the wholesale destruction of fish at the weirs and by netting, would be wholly una- vailing, if .the proprietors of these works wore permitted to use the tributary river of "tbeClydach" as their cinder and rubhish tip. He had frequently seen When the river would otherwise be in the finest order for sport, the angler's hopes destroyed by the mix. tur9 of ashes and filth from these works, which was Jet down by everyfi-efth into the river Psk, merely to .save the proprietor the expense of providing that tipping room which every other ironmaster in the kingdom felt it was his du y to provide. He would not, however enter further upon the subject at the present time. The nuisance had arrived at such a pitch, and the whole was done for such a purely selfish object, that it must be stopped. The Noble Lord concluded by remarking that AS the Act came into operation on the 1st of October and as it contained many provisions which might not be generally known, it might be advisable that a summary of those provisions should be djrawn up, so that they might be posted throughout the district in the form of handbills, or might appear in the public papers, in order that no persons might plead ignorance of their existence. He would only add that he should be happy to assist in P-^ing the river, in order that the breed of salmon and that tbe angler and fair sportsman nnne .n !he ^"Ashing for which the river Usk was •t ° S' ant* 'or which it might be famous again, if the nuisances to which i, a t T J (Hear hear ) "01tn he had referred were removed. In reply to a question whether the Trostrey Weir Association would be broken up, Mr. S:retton said the association was an association for taking up weirs and for renting fisheries, and it was pro- posed to continue it, so that the public might hare the benefit of what the association had done and was willine to db. But, of course, an association of so limited a character, could not be expected to preserve the river from top to bottom. Still the association would afford every facility it cauld towards preventing undue netting and in taking up weirs, so that parties might have the benefit of the salmon fishing. Mr. Roberts suggested the appointment of a general Board to devise and carry out measures for the im- provement of the whole river. He thought a great deal of spawning ground might be obtained from the tributaries. The Noble Chairman thought the best course would be to keep up the local boards. Each board or association would attend to its own locality. Mr. Roberts repeated that he thought the spawning grounds might be vastly improved. Mr; Stretton said the first thing was to raise a fund. The act gave them powers to preserve the waters,—to appoint conservators, but not to pay those conservators. When the fund was raised they might employ a sufficient j Staff to carry out the provisions of the act. { • itis-j Mr. Roberts remarked that in his judgment the better way would be to appoint a Board with a view to im- proving the tributaries. After some conversation, Mr. Lloyd said the difficulty was-Supposing any large fishery owner, being subjeot to a self-imposed rate, should imagine himself relieved from subscribing to any association. Mr. Stretton His object had been to make it small and confine its appropriation to the payment of con- servators, and of such public prosecutions as the conser- vators might direct to be taken, and it would be for gentlemen to say whether they would pay the public rate to see the Act of Parliament carried out, and to meet tbe cost of prosecutions of poachers and of other prosecutions arising out of the Act. Of course the rate would be voluntary. Major the Hen. G. Morgan thought no difficulty would be met with. Still it was just possible some gentlemen might object. Mr. Roberts inquired if there were no power given in the Act for the payment of conservators ? The Noble Chairman replied that there was cot any provisions in the bill. His Lordship further read from the 33rd clause of the Act, which provided that it shall be lawful for justices of the peace to appoint conser- vators, for enforcing the provisions of the Act, within the limit of such justices." What was proposed was simply to place themselves in a position to go to the Court of Quarter Sessions and ask the justices to ap- point conservators; and then by a voluntary rate either to pay conservators or adopt other means to prevent poaching or other interference with the river. Those gentlemen who were on the river-as in the case of himself (the Noble Chairman), for instance, would also, he presumed, render all the assistance they could, either personally or by means of their keepers, to preserve and improve the river. Mr. Roberts thought it singular that power should have been given for appointing conservator?, and no power given for remunerating them. The conversation turned upon the necessity for paid conservators, Mr. Stretton remarking that Mr. Cornelius Evans had for a number of years rendered valuable and efficient service as a conservator, but ho certainly could not be able to continue L r nothing under the new Act. He would not be able to afford the time. Mr. Evans said -certainly he had acted gratuitously for some time, and at considerable expense to himself, but he could not perform the duties without charge in future. Mr. Lloyd suggested that a committee should be an- nually appointed, consisting alternately of three gentle- men from Monmouthshire and two from Breconshire; and that to them should be left the duty of selecting and recommending to the Quarter Sessions qualified persons as keepers. Mr. Stretton thought the committee should be allowed to carry out all details,-to say how many keepers they considered necessary, and appoint their -dutIes. Mr. Lloyd And as to the amount of the rate ? Mr. Stretton We cannot settle that here to-day. We must first ascertain upon what. terms we caa find intelligent people to act as conservators. Mr. Lloyd suggested five per cent, upon the rental as the amount of the rate. The Noble Chairman Don't you think the frontage should constitute the basis? frontage land worth a -stilling is often as «ood for fishing as land worth 40s. Mr. Lloyd disagreed with that mode, contending that m some places one mile was as good as was three miles in others. He thought the plan named by the Noble Chairman would,elfford-grounti for complaints of injustice. A brief conversation ensued upon this point, the meeting atmost unanimously taking the same view us the Noble Chairman, it being remarked that although Mr. Lloyd's plan might appear theoretically to be the more desirable and just, -still, if adopted, it would in practice be found exceedingly inconvenient and difficult. Mr. StTetton observed that the river-tJsk was seventy* six miles long, which taking both sides formed a length of 150 miles. Strike out 50 miles, and at £ 1 a mile, the "rate" would realise £ 100 per,annum. With that sum be thought, something might be done to improve the river, Mf, Walford Aad if one of the proprietors-stand out ? Mr,'Stretton intimated that, in that case, the rate being voluntary, there would be no,help for it. Ha had no doubt a remedy would be found ia an amecded Act next session. • °faa'f««n remarked that one of the prin- cipal features of tfee Act, was the appointrat of Go- vernment Inspectors. One of these gentlemen would come dawn, and he would find what a difficult matter it was to carry on the provisions of the Act. That would be one of the poiats upon which he would probably report, and most likely his report would lead-to further legislation. Mr. Roberts >1.in alluded to the tributaries, remark- ing that proper attention to them would double the value of the river. "Salmon did cot spawn to the same degree in a river like the Usk, as they did iu its tributa- ries, and yet the Usk tributaries w«re to a very large ex- tent.r.but up or rendered useless. Reference was made to th-e.great injury inflicted upon the river by the practice of piitoiag 14 puts, -Mr. Evans remarking that there were about 2,000 at Góldcliff, and ^O a little higher up. He purposed going down in October, and, having given notice of his inten- tion, institute proceedings against all parties whe failed to remove them. Several gentlemen seemed to have a doubt whether the Act conferred any power to interfere with the puts," but upon refereoaee to the Act, "puts" was considered to come within tbe meaning of u temporary ifxtures," and for the removal of all whicb, ex-cept when put up under under charter, or from time (immemorial, a clause provided. Mr. Evans said the first of which he had any recol- lection were put up by a m'in named Willis about thirty five years ago. ¡{If late years they had increased very much. The Noble Chairman thought a large proportion, at least, of the "puts" might be removed. Of course, if any-were put down under charter, or from time imme- morial, they must he submitted to. Mr. Stretton observed that the evil had increased very much within the l&st nine or ten years. He was surprised the river had improved so much of late, considering the measures taken at Us mouth to prevent the fish finding their way up. ° Tbe Noble Chairman passed a high compliment upon the Duke of Beaufort, for the aid his-'Grace had rendered in obtaining the passing of the measure. Notwithetand. he was a large landowner (the Noble Chairman said), his Graee had acted most liberally and kindly, having,tail aside bis own interests, and most heartily co-operated in securing the accomplishment of the general object aimed at. (flear, hear.) Mr. Lloyd adverted to the constitution of the com- mittee, and again suggested that it should one year eoo- I sist of two gentlemen from Breconshire and three from Monmouthshire, and the succeeding year the number j should be-Ctce tWM. The Noble Chairman thought it should consist of three gentlemen from each county and added, with respect to the fund, that no doubt gentlemen would contribute in addition to the amount of the rate. Mr. Lloyd-- 5Tou would not touch upon the question of licenses ? • The Noble Chairman: We cannot go into that. I think there are other rivers inihe county nearly as good for fishing as the Usk. J formerly was well acquainted with one—a large reach of which belongs to Lard Tre- de.gar-the Rutnaey. That is.me of the best rivers in thejeiogdom. Mr. Evans said, to show the good effects of doing away with the vitriol that had run into the waters from the Pontymoile works, he -might mention that several gentle- men had assured him trout had been seen in the Avon Ll wydd—a circumstance which had not been witnessed within the last twenty years. Mr, Stretton said that clearly showed where there was a will there was a way." The gentlemen owning works on that tributary having had the matter repre- sented to them, had kindly get to work and retuedied the evil. Major the Hon. Godfrey Morgan referred to the Rumney, and stated that some time since .considerable injury had been inflicted upon that river, owing to the rubbish from the Machen Tin Works, through some defect, getting into water. That defect, however, had now been obviated, so that the water was not now in the 8 ig test discoloured, and the consequence was a great improvement in the river. > • a'lud<*d to the fence months, as laid down in the new Act, remarking that they were not at all adapted to the river Usk. But he had had some conver- ( sation with the Noble Chairman, who had told him that { there was a strong opinion upon that point, and wished ( the plan to be tried. ( Mr. Lloyd: It is very early. But I think we should I let the Government try it, notwithstanding it does not > suit us. I Mr. Stretton: I think we ought to express a hope ( that all gentlemen who belong to associations, or who 1 intend subscribing, will not fish in the river Usk before c a certain date. f In the course of conversation, t The Noble Chairman remarked: I am .certain th.e Home Office will not listen to any application from 8 Quarter Sessions for a change in the fence months, until the Act has had a fair trial. Mr. Stretton said there was not the least use fishing II for salmon before April. They had been in the habit off going m February, destroying a few old salmon, and ne- s real|y g°od trout fishing. He did not c i »V wo, any hardship if they were obliged to € ,ha.fm0n un,lil APriI- Mr. Sttetton further re- •a8» J 88 proportion of the magistracy g were unacquainted with the nature of salmon^ it was very important that prosecutions for illegal fishing might { not fail, that tbe conservators should be vkn fully c ,v**y.vi tjvsii i Hv'i. qualified distinctly to swear whether a fish were clean or unclean. The following reaalutione were then adopted Moved by Major the Hon. Godfrey C. Morgan, and seconded by Mr. Stretton :— It appearing by the provisions of the Act of last Session that there is no power to levy a rate or to raise funds compulsorily for the payment of conservators or overseers, who may be appointed by Quarter Sessions, as provided by the Act,—Resolved, that the owners of land and fisheries adjoining the river, be requested to co- operate in providing funds for carrying out the provisions of the Act, by paying a rate according to the length of their frontage to the river Usk." Moved by Major Herbert, and seconded by Mr. Roberts "Resolved,—That a committee be appointed, consist- ing of three persons residing in the county of Monmouth, and three persons residing in the county of Brecon, for the purpose of carrying out the foregoing resolution, and such provisions of the Act as may be necessary for the preserve tion and improvement of the river and its tribu- taries." Mr. Lloyd The rate should be levied immediately. We want the money at once. How about the mileage ? Mr. Stretton thought if they took the poor law map, and looked at the lands belonging to different parties, they would be able to measure the frontage as near as possible. Major Herbert inquired whether portions of mileswouid be rated—whether they intended to go below a. mile The Noble Chairman replied in the affirmative, observ ing that the resolution stated according to the length of frontage." Mr. Stretton moved that, as Lord Llanover ha.d ren- dered valuable and efficient service in promoting the preservation of the rivers, and bad acted so kindly in that.day presiding over the meeting, the Noble Lord be requested to act as Chairman of the Committee. The Noble Chairman acceded to this requp.st, observing that be was desirous to render all the aid he could in adopting such measures a3 would tend to the improve- ment of the river, and the only objection he could have to acting was the short period during which he was able to be in the country. After some discussion the following gentlemen were appointed on the committee, it being understood that all details should be left to them :—■ The Right Hon. Lord LLANOVER, Chairman. The Right Hon. Lord LLANOVER, Chairman. FOR MONMOUTHSHIRE. FOR BRECON. Mr. Stretton Mr. Lloyd, jun, Mr. Lyne Mr. Brown Mr. Manning I Mr, Crawsbay The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Noble Chairman.
COAL MINES AND THE TEMPERA-…
COAL MINES AND THE TEMPERA- TURE OF THE EARTH'S CRUST. Mf. Fairbairn, the President.ofthe British Association, submitted the following "Remarks on the Temperature of the Earth's Crust, as exhibited by thermometer returns, obtained during the sinking of the deep mine at Dunkin- .field." He said that it is now more thaa ten years stace a nellies of experiments were commenced to determine the temperature at which -certain substances become fnid und-ar pressure, These experiments had reference to the density, point of fusion, and conducting power of the msteriala of which the earth's crust is composed, and were prosecuted with a view to the fotution of some questions regarding the probable thickness of the earth's crust. Contemporaneously with these, we were fortunate in being able to ascertain by direct experiments, under very favourable circumstances, the increase of 'temperature in the earth's crust itself. Those observations were obtained by means of thermometers placed in boreholes at various depths during the sinking of one of the deepest mines in England-the coal mine 'belonging to Mr. F. D. Astley, at Dunkirtfieid. The bore-holes were driven to such a depth as to be unaffected by the temperature of the shaft, and the thermometers-were left in them for periods varying'from half an hour to two tours. It is very ditlicult.t.s arrive at accurate data on the subject of the increase of temperature in the earths crust. The ex- periments hitherto wade give, unfortunately, corifiieting results, and even in the same mine'the rate of increase of temperature is by no means uniform. This is -shown very clearly in the results obtainei by Mr. Asi:ey. It is scarcely probabte, however, tftat the temperature in the mine shaft influenced the resiilts, ami we must, there- fore, ^eek the cause of this irr«g«lar1jty in$e varying conducting power of the different strata, arising from dlnereut density, and different degrees of moisture of the strata. As to the rate of increase, they appear to,-Confirra previsus experiments, in which it has been! shown that the temperature increases directly as the depth. The rate is at first rather less than this, after- wards somewhat greater, and at last agaidesa but on the whole the -straight line on which the temperature increases as the depths nearly^zpresses the rn-an of the experiments. The amount oNncrease indicated in these experiments is from 50 degrees to degrees, as the depth increases from yards to 231 yards, or an ia- -crease of-1 degree in 99 feet. But if we take the re- sults which are more reliable—those between the depths of 231 and <685 yards — we have an increase of tempera- ture from degrees to or I7f degrees Faltr. Shat is mean increase of 1 degree'ip-76'8 ft. Ttbis rate of in^reaae is not widely rfiftefgfrt from that ab- eerved by ^th«r tutlioritiM," Walfema and Arag-o feund an increase of 1 degree in -69 feet-in the aitjaan well at GreneHe. At the salt worw at ffcheme, where-an artesian well penetrates to the depth of 760 yards, or -rather more than the BunkiafieH Mine, the increased 1 degree ia J54.'7 feet. WI. De fa Swe and Mareet found an increase of .1 degree in 57 ft. at Geneva. Other experiments have an increase of 1 degree in.?lft. In one respeotfthe observations in the DttE&infield Mine are peculiarly interesting. As they give the tempera- ture in various descriptions of rock, they appear to prsve what has hitherto been partially -suspected—that the conducting powers of the >^v»cks exercise a consider- able influence OE the tempera-ture of the strata. If we add to this the influence percolation of wateCj we,shall probably have a --sumcient explanation of the irregularities observed in the experiments. From the above observations we have evidence of tibe existence in the,earth of central heat, the temperat ure,- so fai as can be ascertained, increasing in the simple ratio of the depth. I do not, however, presume to offer an opinion as to whether this increase contiaues to infinitely greater depths than we have yet penetrated, as observations upon this point are still imperfect. But, assuming as ta hypothesis the law which prevails to the depth of yards continues to operate at still greater depths, we aprive at the conclusion that at a depth of less than two and a half miles the temperature of boiling water would be reached, and at a depth -of 40 miles a tempera- tureof:3000 degrees Fahr., which we may asssrne to be sufficient to melt the most refractory rocks of which the earth's fcrust is composed. If, therefore, no other.circum- stanee modified the conditions of liquefaction, all within a thin crust of this thickness would be in a fluid slat This, however, is not the case. At thesa depths the fuiug point is modified ;by the pressure and conductili- lity of the rocks. We. know that in volcanic districts, where the great subterranean laboratory of nature is partially opened for our inspection, the molten mass, relieved from pressure, pours forth from volcanic craters, currents of lava, which form a peculiar class of rocks. B- sides this, it has been ascertained from experiments made by Mr. Hopkins on various soft substances, such as spermaceti, WM, and sulphur, that the temperature of I fusion increases about 1*3 Fahr. for every.fOO lbs. pres- sure per square ineh—that is, in other words, that the temperature of fusion under pressure, is increased in that" ratio. If we assume this to be the law far the mate- ( rials of the earthy .crust, and correct our previous calcu. lations in accordance with it, we shall find that we shall bavejto go to a depth of 64 miles, instead of merely 40, before the point of fusion of the .rocks is reached. It must, however, be observed that Mr. Hopkins's later experiments with tin and barytes de not show such an increase of the point of fusion in consequence of pressure, and he is led to the belief that it is only in the more compressible substances that the law holds true. Inde- pendently -of this, however, Mr. Hopkins points out to me that in the above calculation it is assumed that th<e conductivity of the rocks is the same at great-deptbs as at the surface. In opposition to this, he has shown ex-; perimentally that the conducting power for heat ii at least twice as g^eat for the dense igneous rocks as for the moie superficial sedimentary formations of elay, sand, chalk, &c. And these close-grained igneous rocks are those which we believe must most resemble the rocks at i great depths below the surface. Now, Mr. Hopkins shows that if the conductive power were doubled, the increase of depth, corresponding to a given increase of temperature, would be doubled, and we should probably nave to descend 80 or 100 miles to reach a temperature )f 3,000°, besides the further increase which investi- gation may show to be due to the influence of pressure )nthe temperature of fusion. Mr. Hopkins, therefore. joncludes that the extreme thinness of the crust assumed >y some geologists to account for volcanic phenomena s untenable. Calculations on entirely independent data ed him to conclude that the thickness did not fall short )f 800, instead of 30 or 40 miles. If it be so much, he s further led to believe that the superficial temperature If the crust is due to some other cause than an internal luid of nucleus. It remains a problem, therefofe, which ny friend, Mr Hopkins, is endeavouiing to solve, as to vhat is the actual condition of the eanh at great depths, lnd the relation of terrestrial heat to volcanic phenomena. Mr. Hopkins said the communication which bad been nade by the president of the association was worthy if more confidence than any which had hitherto been iiven to tbe public. No former treatises on this point sad so largely taken into account the various cirtum- tances in connection with mines, and the causes in- :ident to them, which affected the temperature of the crib's crust. He referred, at sume length, to his own ixperiments in mines, remarking that the temperature lensibly affected the earth's crust. He did not mean o say, as had been asserted by some, that ,he -eartIt-B iruet was 800 miles, but he felt satisfied, from his own 'toemtions, it must be more than 100 or 200 milei.
PONTYPOOL. I
PONTYPOOL. I COUNTY C OU R T. — TUESDAY. 1 [Before J. M. HERBERT, Esq., Judge.] Lloyd v. Pullin.—His Honour reserved his judgment j in this case from last Court until to-day, which he now delivered.- The claim was for 161 lbs, of beef, at 4J. 1 per lb., which plaintiff said that he sold to defendant, hy the ageny of Penry Williams, and having received 15s. on account, by two separate payments, it left a balanced of £ 1 162. lid the amount sued for.-His Honour believed complainant's statement, and gave judgment for him for £ 1 16J. lid., at 5s. a month.—Plaintiff wished a. larger instalment, when the Judge told him that 5s. a month would do very well-h You've got rid of some meat that was scarcely saleable, and you had better not talk any more about it." Griesharber v. Knobbs. — The parties reside at Pontypool -This was a claim of 9s., due for balance on bedstead.—Judgment for 2s. 6d. a month. WalJiingshaw v. Newman.-Clalm of a balance of 9s. 6d., for advertising in the Free Press,—Judgment to pay by two instalments. Thoixas,Tames v. Thomas Lewia.-Claim for tl Ss. 4J., for balance on groceries.—The wrong plaintiff appeared, and the Judge said that had arisen because he did cot know that his name was Joseph.-Judgment for the amount, at 10s. a month. James Morgan v. Daniel Williams.—Claim of 83. for beer. Judgment for the amount. To pay in a month. Watkin Herbert v. Roger Williams.—Claim of f8 19s. for meat. Defendant had paid jEl 10s. and had promised to pay 30s. a month. Judgment for L7 93., at 30s. a month. The same v. William Stephens.—Claim of.E104s.for malt and hops.—Judgment for the amount by two in. stalments. Thomas Lewis v. John Rarvell.-Claim of £1 4s. od. for groceries. A judgment was about to be given in this case for the amount claimed, by two instalments, when a nofficer of the Court informed his Honour that de- fendant had had his effects recently swept away, and was now paying two or three instalments on other plaints in coui t.-Plain tiff He was well to do.—His Honour: What, when a man's been sold up, do you pall that- well to do ?—Judgment for the amount, by 23 6d.a month. Henry Rosson v, James Morgan.—Plaintiff, a miller at Trosnant, Pontypool, claimed X2 4s. 6d. for meal and flour,supplied to defendant at Mamhilad.-J udgment for amount claimed, at 5s. a month. The Same v. Arthur Powell.-Ulaim for jEl 9s. 21. for goods sold and delivered.—Judgment for 3s. a month for the first two months, and balance at once on the succeeding month. The Same v. Daniel Prestige.—Claim for £ 1 9^. 2d.— Defendant is a labourer.— Judgment for the amount at Ss. a months Trotter v. Georpe Porter — Defendant resided at Aber- sychan, and plaintiff clained 94 Is. for beer.—Judg- ment for the amount by two instalments.—There was also another claim that was similarly disposed of between the patties. The Same v. Thomas Prke.-Claim for £4 10s. for two barrels of beer.-Defendant, who was said to be a jobber, had not promised the witness, Wm. Burnell, payment, nor had ho denied having bad the goods.— Judgment for the amount, to pay in a week. Henry Thomas v. Åftn Dailies.—This was a claim for £ 2 8s., in which Mr. Bytheway appeared and pressed for time on behalf of defendant. — Judgment, 3s. a month. Charles EdwarSs v. Henry Kimtone.—This was a judgment summons on a claim of £1 19s. 7d.—Plaintiff, resided at Abertiliery, and defendant at Llanhilleth.- The latter was oommitted to prison for 10 days for not having paid. Dam&el Smith v. James George.—Another judgment summons on a claim of 14s. 8d.—Defendant was a miner residing at Cwmyniscoy.—Plaintiff did not wish to send him'ts prison.—His Honour reduced the amount ofmstalment to 4s. a month, and told defendant that he I ought to appreciate plaintiff's leniency by paying the instalments Tegularly, for if he had pressed him, he certainly-should have sent him to prison for not having paid. Catherine Haggarty v, Jane Tovey.—This was a claitn "a'aftlcle on a pair of boots.—jjeferidatft denied her liability.} and said that her father had the boots, and that she never agreed to pay for them.—Plaintiff was nonsuited. Willimn Dobbs v. Richard Knight.—^Plaintiff claimed Is. as part of a day's wages, he having only received Is. 61. out of-2s, '6d. which defendant, he said, had. promised to pay him for delivering summonses for this court.—In answer to defendant, who is one of the bailiffs of this court, plaintiff said that he agreed to serve summonses at half a crown a day, and to attend on court days at Is. a day.-In answer to his Honour, plaintiff said that defendant had never paid him half a crown a day for the days specified, when the former said, then you are lucky in getting 'the eighteenpence, ifjr j according to your own statement, you're clearly out of court,—Call the next case Ettteh Mile* v. <Oeorge Brown, sAborsychan.— This;| was aelaim of < 13*. for a month's rent of a cottaga.— it appeared that the rent was due -on the 12th of the month, and defendant had given notice on the 29th day of the month. Pkintiff had also made a distress on defendant's effects for £1 16s.—Judgment for 12s. at 3s. a month. Smith v.. James George.—This was a claim of 14s. la-td. balance of account for money l mt, lodgings, and vegetables.—It appeared that plaintiff had assisted defendant when he was in difficulties. Defendant said that he had paid plaintiff 10s., for which, he had not given him credit. The Judge ultimately told plaintiff that if be liked to take a verdict for 10s. (H. he would give it, being the amount of the money Jent.J ulig- ment fw 10s. 6d. at 4s. a month.—iDefeniant said he wouldn't pay a fraction.—His Honour trtld him to reserve what he had to say until he got out of MUft, or he would send him to Monmouth. Jordan v. Absalom,.—Plaintiff, a shoe-taaker, resi- ding in the neighbourhood of Garndiffaitb, claimed 1 12s. -81. of defendant, who lived at Blaemavon, .as a balance for boots and shoes.-Eliza Absaloci, wife of defendant, disputed All item of 63. 6d. in th e account, for a pair of boots said to have been mtlde for and given ■1.0 her daughter. She acknowledged that she* seist her -daughter to get measured for the boots, aad added that she never had them, the cause assigned at -the time being that plaintiff s shop was closed for a period about the time mentioned. Plaintiff said thatJthe boots were obtained by the daughter.—The Judge said that the girl might take the boots from the shop, and not take them home, and told defendant that she had no case at all unless she brought the girl here.—Judgment was ultimately given for the amount claimed, at 5s. a month. John Robins v. Chat lee Davies.—Plaintiff claimed 41 7s. 8d for his wife's attendance ia dressing the arm of a girl that had met ivith an accident.—Defendant, who resides at Pentwya Mawr, uear Newbridge, <<was assistant to the surgeon of the parish, and according to plaintiff's version of the matter, had said that the par'jchial autho- rities would pay her but astheyrefused to do so, plaiatiff looked-to him to pay his wife, as he first employed Jher. -In arigwer to the :?udge and defendant, plaintiffs wife said that an old woman employed her in the first in- stance that defendant had not -sent for her, and had not promised her paynient.—Defendant said that he told plaintiff's wife when site asked who was to pay her, that it was probable that the parish would, and that he would see William Eliai, the assistant over-seer, about it.-His Honour said that it was quite clear that plaintiff had no case against defendant. He only expressed a belief that .the parish would pay, and defendant appears to have en- tertained the like opitiion.P lain tiff was nonsuited. INSOLVENT DESBTOK.— George Rogers, shoemaker, Ttt06- tiant" Pontypool, came up for his first examination. The petitioner was supported by Mr W. H. Lloyd, and op- posed .by Mr. By-way, of the firm of Greenway and Bytheway, for Mr. Absalom Russell, grocer, ,&c.. of the same place. The cross-examination of the insolvent oc- cupied a length of time., but nothing more important ap- j peared to be elicited than that be had in three years increased tis debt with the opposing crejitor just £ 1 a year, and that it amounted to £ 7. His Honour ulti- mately characterised the opposition as of a frivolous cha- racter, and said that next court he would name a day for insolvent's final order. I Timothy Cronin v. Morris Fenton.-These litigants were said to be members of an Hibernian Sjciety, callld True United Brothers," whose unity seemed to be evinced in true Hibernian fashion by continued squab* bling.-Plainlitf claimed X3 4:i. 6d., said to be due to him for arrears of sick pay. It appeared that the amount of relief accorded to the sick members was 10s. 6J. a week, but according to the power which the I rules gave the committee, they can reduce the amount as low as to 63., and had reduced it to 8J. a week.- Defendant was one of the omeers of tbe club, and he and others proved that when a member feels aggrieved he can obtain an investigation and arbitration, from which decision there cannot he any appeal. — His Honour carefully went over Ihe rules of the club, and told plaintiff that it was quite clear that according to them he was out of court.—Judgment for defendant. Hunter v. Wm. Jones and others. — Plaintiff is a tailor, &o., residing at Bristol, and travelled in this2 district, where he appeared to have met with con- siderable patronage for wearing apparel and drapery. He had from 16 to 20 plaints, varylhg in amounts from 5s. to £5, and obtained judgments in most cases by monthly instalments of from 2s. 6J. to 5s. each agaiust the defendants. A MODEST AGENT.-Coaklev v. Hunter.-Claim for £ 6 5;. said to be due for commission, &c., for selling clothes or wearing apparel.-Plain tiff said that he for. merly resided in George-street, Pontypool, where he occupied a beer-house. He entered into an agreement with the defendant, which was a verbal one, that he was to have A half a crOWD in the pound upon all orders t j irhich he obtained for wearing apparel. He was also to leliver goods, collect accounts, and the expenses he should be charged tor carriage were to be defrayed by leCendant. He bad sold nearly. jMO worth of goods, and itad received towards his commission in- weatieptrparel ind cash, about X4 143., which left the balance he Maimed due to him.—Mr. Thick# solicitor, who appeared forxefendant, subjtcted plaintiff to a lengthened exami- nation, in which be said that he had not been a tailor, bnt that defendant had taught him how to measure. He aid not know how many bad debts there were. He be- lieved that Mr. Hunter had obtained more than from £ 5 to £ 6 out of the £79. He had nothing to do with the bad debts. He was to have his commission on all orders received. Hp did not øieet with the customers in his beer-house, nor intend to victimise the defendant. W. Hunter, of Bristol, said that he was the defendant in this action. He never made an agreement with plaintiff to obtain orders for him. Remembered meeting him once, when he asked him to let him have a coat, and when he called at plaintiff's house there were a large number of people there, of whom plaintiff said that they were sure marks." He let them have goods, and had not obtained more than from X5 to X6 out of the £79. Many of the parties he had summoned to this court to- day; and plaintiff had obtained bis goods and money, for which he would proceed against him hereafter.—His Honour commented at length on the improbability of plaintiff's statement, and observed that defendant would have taken more caution in guarding himself from lose, and the commission would therefore have been affected by the bad debts as well as the good ones. This arrange- ment would be an inducement for the agent to take orders from men of straw, and it was imptobable in the highest degree that defendant would make it. Plaintiff had not produced any writing or anything of the kind to show that such an agreement had been made. After other remarks, his Honour non-suited plaintiff. JUDGMENT SUMMONS ON A BILL OF EXCHANGE.— John Bate8 v. William Harris.—Plaintiff is one of the registered officers of the West of England Bank. He obtained judgment under the Bill of Exchange Act against defendant, who was a manager of a shop be- longing to Mr. Alarshall, in the Tredegar Court, on the 5th of April, on defendant's acceptance, which, with costs, amounted to X15 10s. 6d.—Mr. Byetheway appeared for defendant to-day, and asked for time for his client to pay.—Thg latter-said that he drew the accep- tance on his brother, endorsed it to George Hicks for a debt due to Derham and Co., to whom Hicks was agent, and the latter endorsed it to the Bank. That he had been in business at Abertillery, where he had many debts owing, which he expected to receive, which would have enabled him to meet the bill when it became due; that he had offered a composition to his creditors, had mort- gaged his property for £300, and that he had offered Messrs. Derham Brothers, the composition.-By Mr Hicks Had given a bill of sale on his property gave it to Mr. D. Harris, of Blaina; it was drawn by Mr. Shepard, of Tredegar before the bill was give 1 never instructed his wife to take the bill of sale to any one did not know that she had done sc. Daniel Harris had not a mortgage on his property; did not say that he had mortgaged his freehold property.—The Judge He said that he had property which he mortgaged, but did not say what kind it was furniture w.ould be property.—By Mr. Hicks: The houses were mortgaged previously to my having mortgaged the furniture. I mortgaged them for JMOO to pay the composition. The composition had been paid with part of the J6600, and the remainder had been spent to carry out my intentions. Did not say that I came over here to obtain some money.—His Honour to Mr. Hicks Won't see how a fraud on you is a fraud on Mr. Bates. Before you can have a loeits standi you must pay Mr. Bates, and then sue defendant in your own name. -In answer to Mr. Bytheway, Mr. Hicks denied that he had induced defendant to act as he had done, and appealed to defendant to say whether or not he had acted kindly and disinterestedly towards him.-After other remarks, his Honour adjourned the case until next Court for settlement, with an intimation that if it was not settled then, defendant would be likely to get into trouble. TOWN HALL.—SATUBDAT. [Magistrates: CHARLES H. WILLIAMS, Esq., and Lieut.-CCL. BIRD.] POOR RATES.—Several parties appeared to summonses charging them with the non-payment of rates of this description, which they-were ordered to -poq,Cases of this description are now heard every week. WAGES CASE.-J ames Jones was charged with the non-payment of 15s., due to another person of the like name.—Defendant was ordered to pay the amount with 6s, ^d. expenses, and on saying that he couldn't pay, the Bench intimated that a distress would be made on his effects if he did not do so. A NARROW ESCAPE.—A lad, named Henry Jones, was charged on suspicion of having stolen from Is. 6d. to 2s. €d. from a till, the property of Joseph Merchant, San Inn, Ponty pool. Defen (Ian t was seen in the bar, and was heard to rattle money.—As prosecutor had no desire to press the charge, the defendant was cautioned and discharged. 'HOCSB TRESPASS.—Catherine Crouth was charged with committing a trespass, by removing a door step from a house belonging to Mr. Morgan John, which she had recently occupied near Pontypool.—Defendant said -that the etep was her own, as she put it there, and lfttd a right to do asahe liked with it.—The Bench told her that-after putting the stone on the premises, it became the property of the landlord, and she bad no right to remove it.—Defendant was fined 12s. including costs, or to be committed for seven days' imprisonment, in default of payment. STEALING AN INXSTAND.—James Morgan was charged with having stolen an inkstand, the property of Eliza- beth Young, of the King's Head Inn, Pontypool. It appeared that defendant had been drinking in the house in question on Thursday last, and had obtained two quarterns of rum and two pints of beer, for which he had not paid. The pen and inkstand had been seen in his pockei, and the bottle or glass containing the ink had fallen on the Rjof of the house.—Defendant, on being asked whether he was guilty or not, said We shall have to see that," and after the evidence had been gone into he said he didn't know what he wanted with an inkstand, as he couldn't write, and said that he was so drunk at the time that be had no recollection about the matter at all. JEt seemed that defendant had been imprisoned since Thursday, and the Bench discharged him with a caution. COAL T«ESPASS.—William Churchill (13) and Wil- liam Ev&as (13) were charged on the information of Constable Humphries with having stolen 25lbs. weight of coal, the property of the Pontypool Iron Company It was stated by witness that Evans took the coal from the stock, carried it a distance, and then gave it to Churchill. -Defendants were fined 10s. each, including costs, for trespass. DRKJNJL AND BMTocs.—Jolm :Stock was charged with having been drunk,and riotous at Blaenavon. P.C. Mc Evoy discovered defendant drunk in the streets, and like a good Samaritan, accompanied home, where he became ob^toep^rous, and endtavoured to pull witness down by tbe legs. Defendant pleaded drunkenness. He ,was told that that was no excuse for the offence, and that a fine of AOs., which he was ordered to pay, would teach him how foolishly be had been spending his money. A BAD PAJIENT.—William Hookey, a mere lad, charged his father, Richard Hookey, with having as- saulted him. It appeared that defendant had been com- mitted from Waoourt on a former occasion for having assaulted the p<esentdefendant, together with a littlegirl, his daughter, and that he was lining with Lydia Powell, who had borne him a child.—Complainant said that he was at work on Tuesday last with his father, who beat him and threw a lump,of coal at him. He frequently beat and struck him with a mandril. In answer to the charge defendant said the boy had thrown a atone in the gob, that he had messed" the bed, and that he had stolen articles from his parents. — Com- plainant denied having throwa a stoce in the "gob," and said that he once did stual two pence for something to eat.-Hency Giles was called ajid said I that the parties formerly lodged at his house, and the father then always behaved well to his chi dren. The case was adjourned for the production of other evidence, and the boy was ordered into the Union meanwhile. I WOMBN'8 QU4.RK.EL8. — Hannah Macarthy charged Ann Hughes with having assaulted her.—A squabble appeared to have arisen between these parties from I complainant being jealous of her husband going with defendant.—The latter was fined 16s. including costi.- Joannah Carey charged Mary Carey with a similar ojffeMe.—These parties -commenced hostilities by tangling each others hair on the 1st inst., at Abersychan.— Defendant said that she did not strike complainant until she spat in her face.- The Bench inti ated that as one appeared to be as bad as the other, they must both enter into recognizances to keep the peace, and pay the ex- penses, 10s., between them.—Jane Brute was charged with having assaulted Maria Br»ite.—Complainant spid that on the 6th inst., defendant began shotiipg" stores one of which struck her, and one hit her boy. This quarrel appeared to have been set on foot and fomented by the ".green eyed monster." —As defendant had injured some of complainant's property, she was ordered to pay for its repair, which, together with a fine for the assault, and expenses, amounted to loa., or to be com- mitted for seven days to prison in default of payment DHER HoesE OFFENCES.-Richard Copley, Colliers Arms Abersychan, was charged on the information of P.O. Brown with having offended against his licence during a prohibited hour on Sunday last. Witness said that he discovered half a dozen men in the house drillking.-Dcfendant said that one came from Abertillery. -Fined 15s. iicluding costs. Samuel Stone, of the same place, appeared on the information of the. same officer, to answer a similar charge.—The officer had seen a person taking half-gallon of beer away from defendant's house, during a pro- hibited hour for selling beer.—Defendant said that the beer had been given away, and not sold, to some puty ..UU-.f 1 Si. lia* 1 for paying a beer score. He was told not to give it away during prohibited hours for filling.—Fiatd 10s., including dosts. Elijah Plummer was charged on the information of P.C. Stone with a similar offence. The plea in this case was that the men to whom the beer bad been sup. plied were travellers.-Defendant was discharged on the payment of 4s. expenses. Elizabeth Macdonnel, of the Rose and Shamrock beerhouse, Abersychan, was charged on the information of P.C. Brown, with a similar offence. Some people were discovered in defendant's house, with a quart vessel containing beer before them, which the landlord threw into the fire, on the approach of the policeman. —Defendant was fined 10s. including costs. Charles Telling, Forge Hammer, Sowhill, was charged on the information of P.C. Herbert, with a similar offence, for which he was fined 10s., including costs.
ABERGAVENNY.
ABERGAVENNY. ALLEXSMOOR CLUB AND GROUND v. ABERGAVENNY,— A friendly match was played on the AUensmoor ground between the above clubs on the 16th inst. The Aber- gavenny commenced the innings, and by some steady play made 126, of which R. Gabb contributed 26 in good style, G. Junes 19, and A. Towgood 14. For the Allensmoor, H. Beavan was the principal scorer, he adding 28, and R. Phillips 13. The whole innings amounted to 8.0, or 46 behind the Abergavenny. The latter again went in for a short time, and put together 29, with the loss of three wickets, G. Peake making 18, not out, including a hit for 4 out of the field, and F. Bigglestone scoring 8. The game was therefore de- cided by the first innings. The fielding and bowling on both sides were considered very good, especially that of the Allensmoor. TUESDAY'S MARKET.—The market was brisk, with an excellent supply of cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, vegeta- bles, &c There was a large attendance, and a good business done. Steers and young heifers in good condi- tion realized ample prices fat beasts were worth 61d., and sheep 6ld. tu 7d. per lb., (sink the offal.) Potatoes 9s. to 10s., and turnips, 3s. per sack. Beef, 7d. to 7-id mutton, 7d.; veal 614. to 7d. pork, 714. to 8d. per lb. Flour, 9s. 8d. per bushel. The quotation of wheat this week is 68s. Id.; and barley 32s. 4d. per imperial qr. WHOLESALE DOG POISONING. -On Sunday morning last, there was a little excitement occasioned in the neighbourhood of Mill-street, Abergavenny, on account of three dogs having been destroyed, in a very short period, and within a few yards of each other. The ani- mals belonged to Mr. John Goodwin, of the Swan Hotel, Mr. William Powell, and a person named Weeks, a shoemaker, all of whom are trying to find out the mis- creant. TOWN HALL.- WEDNESDAY. [Before the Hun. W. P. RODNEY and Rev. J. FARQUHAR.] Elizabeth Probert, wife of a travelling sweep, was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment, for using profane language in the street. Hannah Maria Lewis, Mary Buckinghanm, and Char- lotte Jones, were charged by Adelaide Beams, with a similar oflence, but had left the town. A warrant was applied for and granted.—Mr. Sayce appeared for the complainant.-From the evidence, it appeared that Char- lotte Jones had been at the complainant's (who keeps the Omer Pasha beerhouse in Monk-street,) several times on the 14th instant, drinking, with a man whose name did not transpire. The man asked complainant if she could accommodate him with a bed, which was not refused him, and he went to bed during Jones's absence. On her return, she was informed that the man had gone to bed. This enraged her, and a row ensued, in which the other defendants took part.-Each was ordered to pay the costs. John Stephens was charged by P.C. Kennedy, with being drunk and disorderly. -Defendant acknowledged the charge, and was sorry for it.-Discharged on paying the expenses, 4s. ILLEGAL FISHING.—Wm. Morris and Peter Wright v. Charles Thomas and Samuel Davies.-The complain- ant's did not appear.—-Defendants promised not to offend again, and were discharged, Mr. Batt informing them that he would this time give up his fees, on the above conditions. COUNTY COURT.—THURSDAY. His Honour, J. M. Herbert, Esq., held his jnonthly Court here this day, when the cause list contained,—old cases, 8 judment summonses, 10 and new cases, 150, m my of which were struck out. Job Williams v. Samuel Ivory, Blaenavon.—This was a claim of 10s. 5d. for meat.—Judgment by two instal- ments. Mary Morris v. Frederick Ball.-Tho parties reside at Blaenavon. Plaintiff claimed 7s. 10|d. for vegetables.— Judgment to pay by two instalments. James Lee v. Ihoinas Cadle —riamtiiF claimed 12s. 6d. for a pair of boots supplied to defendant at Blaenavon.— Judgment, 5s. per month. The same v. Daniel Thomas.-A claim of 15s. 2d. for balance of shoe bill. Defendant had bsen a policeman at Blaenavon, but his whereabouts was at present unknown to his friends in that town.—Judgment forthwith. The same v. Jane White.— Plaintiff claimed JBI 5s. 6d. of defendant for boots and shoes supplied to her in her own name. Her husband was in America,—Judgment, 10s. a month. Walter Luke v. Charles Griffiths.—Claim, 6s. Sd. for flour. Defendant said that this debt was contracted about eluven years ago. Plaintiff said it was nearly six years since. His Honour told defendant that if he had intended to plead the Statute of Limitations he ought to have given notice at the proper time, and further said- You've had the flour you know, what will you pay?- Defendant: I'll pay Is. a month. His Honour: Say 2s. a month.—Defendant: I can't; as I am only earning 63. a week.—His Honour: Then you shall have your own way to-day.-J udgment, 12. a month. Walter Jones v. Samuel Morgan.—A claim for 18s. 33. for beer and cider.—Plaintid's wife appeared and said that defendant was a master tradesman.— His Honour wished to know what witness wished him to understand by a master tradesman. -She replied that he took jobs of work.—Judgment for 4s. a month. W. H. George v. William Langley.-This action was brought for £7 7s. 41. for groceries supplied to defendant at Blaenavon.—Plaintiff said the goods had been obtained for defendant by his sister, with whom he formerly re- sided, but she had since been removed to her parish: Defendint had a shop book at the time, in which they were entered, and he bad also paid plaintiff money on account of goods several times.—Djfendant denied owing the money—said that he destroyed the book when he had given over trading with plaintiff, and that the latter would never have brought th3 present action if his sister bae been in the way.—The case was adjourned for plain- tiff to produce defendant's sistet next court day. Ann Giles v. William Thomas.—Plaintiff claimed £4 8s. far groceries.-Defendant said that he did not owe the money, and plaintiff had not given him credit for all he had paid her, but he wouId'ntTlet her have his book to compare it with plaintiff's.—His Honour took con- siderable pains in going over the books belonging to tffe parties, and having pointed out several inaccuracies, suggested that plaintiff should take a judgment for £3 to save an adjournment of the case until next month. His Honour asked defendant how he would pay the t3, and thought he had got off very well.—Defendant pleaded that he was out of work as a miller, and had a wife and family.—Judgment was ultimately given for f3 at 4s. a month. George Sharp v. E. Thomas.-P.aini.ift claimed for an overcharge that he had paid defendant fbr hay.-His Honour, to plaintiff: At the time that you were paying defend int were you aware that you were paying him the overcharge r-PtaintiBF; I was.-His Honour: Then. the law says that you cannot recover the money De- Tnlrp^h' ?V? pay my "Penses ?-His Honour: lake them out of the overcharge. Dale v. Scott.— Plaintiff, who was represented by his father, claimed 8s. 9d. for hay supplied to defendant.— account appeared to be confused, and a witness was calied who could not throw much light on the mat- ter. The latter said that defendant owed for a few hot bouns." The Judge seemed at a loss to know what hot buns" had to do with hay dealing, when it was suggested by the clerk that odd pounds" of hav was what witness meant when he said hot bouns Judgment was ultimately gicen for 3s Maegowan v: Qweut. — Tinz Was a claim of 5, a A for 8 vards of Drint.—A ro. that he sold it for plaintiff to defendant -Th? the latter appeared, and said tha- liit-wifeof it ia their house, and that she » 1 cat?e and left as her husband was Zt h'm ^ke it back, He came on the followL j heLr t0 it. what she had stated hp tnl 1 3 00 R rePeating lethio, i°0 g« "P 'y ■'«*—Sarah Robineon wag called that defendant's wife refused to have „ j' u S w f»r Ann Edtclii; Tfiomas.—Tins was a claim of and said th' t sh J r)^erieS* endant'8 wife aPPeared She V 1 > C D0' 0we t'ie wk°'e °f the money. ■ il l 1 accustomed to trade with plaintiff, and lad received accounts on small pieces of paper of her goods, similar to what she produced, and many of which she had thrown away at the time she had paid the money, as she thought she would not be asked for it again. She believed that she owed 7s. 4d., and had paid plaintiff's son the remaining 17s. 4d.-Sidney Giles deposed that he served customers behind his mother', counter, and had never received the 17s 4d fmi defendant. -His Honour told defendant wife thaUf she was so foolish as to pay money without obtaining » receipt she must pay it again. Witnea8 said that Jhf ibergavenny tradesmen had made her paymoaey tV £ c >ver -His Honour said that that oughttoformaa f°r u" it0 obUin receiPt8» wwi that he vas afraid she would have a difficulty in obtaining in Abergavenny tradesmen if che libelled «uem IQ that manner.