Monmouthshire Merlin

THE ALLEGED ILLEGALITY OF THE NEWPORT WATER RATE. PUBLiC MEETING AT lEE TOWN HALL On Tuesday evening a public meeting of ratepayers was held at the T wn Hall, convened by the Mayor, W. W. Morgan, Esq., in compliance with a numerously- signed requisition, for the purpose of considering the present mode of levying and collecting the water rate." The attendance was not so large as had been anticipated, the assembly room being atno period of the evening mere than two-thirds full, and when the proceedings com- mented half an hour after the appointed time, the empty benches were decidedly more numerous than tho-e which were occupied. The business passed off very quietly, and although sleeping resolutions were carried, yet while the comparatively limited attendat,ce seemed to warrant the conclusion that the great bulk of the inhabitants are unconscious of suffering from a very heavy grievance, the general tone of the meeting did not by any means indicate that the majority even of those present regarded the question under discussion in a very serious light. The Mayor presided the only other gentlemen on the platicrm beir.g Mr. James Brown, and Mr. T. M. Lleweiiin, one of the directors of the Water Works C mpanv—and the whole discussion, as will bit seen from our report, was practically confined to the two gentlem n last-named The only interruption of any moiceit which occurred during the erening, was that occasioned b) some working man who had been indulging in exciting potations, and whose vehement ex- pression of opinion that that meeting would end in notbina," created a little diversion but the faithless individual wng without much trouble ejected, and the good order o; the meeting was not further d:sturf;td. The Mayor, who was greeted with cheers, in inaugurating the meeting, after apologising for his un- avoidable want of punctuality, read the requisition, and then britfly claimed for ail who should speak, a fair hearing, and reminded the speasers of the desirability of avoiding personalities. He then expressed his readiness to hear any genileman disposed to address the meeting. After a pause, Mr. James Brown responded. He said: Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen, I attend here to night with a great deal of pleasure. I should have attended had I not been asked; however, having been asked to attend, I feel the compliment the more, and I acknowledge it. The qnes tion now before us is, whether for many years past the Water Works Company have been charging that which the law empowers them to charge, and no more, or whether they have been exceeding the powers which the Legislature has given them ? The blot, if I may so call it, in the Water Works Ait, was struck as far back as 1862, about two years ago and the credit, if there be any credit due in the matter, is due to Mr. Charlts Keene, < f No. 9, Railway-street. I am now going to read a few lines from the Star of Gwent, of March 22nd, J 1862. This is ii-headed "Despotism of the Newport Water Works Company." This gentleman on my left (Mr. Llewellin) is a director of the Newport Water Works Company. (Laughter and cheers.) Mr. Brown read as follows :— DESPOTISM OR THE NEWPORT WATER COMPANY IMPOKTANT APPLICATION AT THE POLICE COURT.—On Friday (yesterday morning), Mr. T. Woollett appeared before the Mayor, E. J. Phillips, R. F. Woollett, and C. Lyne, Eeqrs., to take the opinion of the Bench res- pecting the pioceeoings of (be Water Works Company. It appears that the company's private Act fixel- the amount of water rate at 5 per cent. on the annual value at which the premises supplied shall be assessed to the poor rate," and another clause gives power to summon defaulters before the magistrates. In the present case Mr Charles Keene, of No. 9, Railway street, bad ten- dered thf-sum of 12s. to the collector, being the 5 per cent., in proof of which he showed the last quarter's poor rate receipt. The officer demanded another shilling, and on being refused, declined to accept the and stopped the supply of water by cutting off the tap. The supply of water had now ceased for a fortnight, to the great in- convenience of the family. Mr. Woollett submitted that it was a hard case indeed if the company were allowed to enforce payment by taking people before magistrates, unless there were means of compelling people to keep within the limits of the law. The Mayor expressed him- self strongly on the tyrannical, and, as it seemed to him, unjustifiable proceeding. If the company had any legal claim for an extra sum, why not summon the party and as he was a responsible man, why did they not continue the supply of water instead of stopping it for a fortnight ? It appeared to him a suicidal act on the part of the col- lector, and one calculated to damage the interest of his employers pecuniarily very much.—Mr. Wool'.ett said that the beauty of it was that the cutting of the tap had stopped the supply from two of the adjoining houses as welL- The case was finally adjourned until Monday in order to give Mr. Webber (the collector) an opportunity of attending. The clerk was directed meanwhile to see whether the magistrates had jurisdiction under any Act of Parliament. —Accordingly Monday came; Mr. Evans and myself were on the bench. Alr. Brown again quoted from the Star of Gwent, of March 29th :— THE WATEK WORKS COMPANY AND THEIR LEGAL POWERS. Mr. Webber. the representative of the Newport Water Works Company, appeared to answer a complaint made on the previous Friday to the Bench, by Mr. Chas. Keene, of Station street, as to the summary manner in which the company had cut off the tap from his house, thus depriving his fan ily and two others living in the adjoining houses of the supply of water for more than a fortnight. It wili be recollected that Mr. Keene bad remonstrated with the collector as to the amount of the rate demanded, and having obtained a copy of the company's private Act, he ascertained that the water rate was fixed at five per cent. on the annual value to which the premises are assessed to the poor rate. The amount at which be was rated being £12, he offered the per centage accordingly, but Mr. Web- ber demanded Is. per annum extra. This claim was resisted, a diagreeable feeling arose, and the Water Com. pany took what the Mayor stigmatised as an undignified and unworthy, if not despotic course. They cut off the tap. Hence the application to the Bench on behalf of Mr. Keene last Friday and we may add that the question was mooted in order to bring the dispute to an issue, a large Dumber of the ratepayers being under the iuipiession that the Water Company were exceeding their legal powers by overcharging. To-day Mr. Webber contended that the company are empowered to charge on mord than the amount on which the poor rate is actually made. By their Act the Water Company are enabled to charge on the annual value at which the pioperty supplied shall he asses-ed to the poor rate." In the poor rate assessment deductions are made in respect of repairs, insmance, &c., with which Mr. Webber contended the Water Works Company had nothing to do in other words, that the company were entitled to take the gross annual value as the basis of their rate. The Mayor again expressed his surprise at the course which bad Leeu taken in the instance referred to, which he characterised as spiteful and overbearing. Instead of summoning the man before the magistrates, and settling the question by establishing their !egal ciairn, the agent of the company had deprived three families of their supply [ of water for a considerable period. Mr. Webber said the water rate had been owing for fifteen months, and had been called for many times. It was only after a peremptory tefusal that the water was stopped. Mr. Evans said Mr. Webber had only acted under instructions from the Board of Diisctors. —I believe Mr. Evans is a director of the Water "IV orks- is he not ? Mr. Lleweiiin Yes. (Laughter.) Mr. Brown: This is rich indeed— Mr. Fox and his deputy, Mr. Kessick, stated, "the legal questi)n was clear enough the Company had a right to the higher charge." Of course Mr. Fox is solicitor to the %Vater Works Company, and Mr. Evans being a director. (Cheers and laughter.) I made these observations:— The Mayor The letter of the law may be in the company's favour, but I think the better course would have been to prove the company's right, instead of proceeding in the summary manner which has been described. The subject then dropped. -We being only two magistrates on the Bench, and the one choosing to act being a director — whi-jh to svy the least was an indecent proceeding,—and myself not being a director, of course there was nothing to do but to dis- miss the case. Well, gentlemen, I was not very well satisfied with the proceeding and it cccurred to me that I could get a very good opinion, on very reason- able terms, by writing to a publication called the Justice of the Peace,-a publication which- Mr. Fox in some other proceedings which we have had pending for seven years now, characterised as one conducted by barristers of great eminence and high attainments in the law, which has a wide circulation, and a large influence that was the publication I next appealed to fur an opinion on the matter. Now, if I read that to you I think I shall not find it necessary to read any more. I put the case in this way :— LOCAL IMPROVEMENT ACT—WATER RATE—ASSESSMENT. By statute 17 and 18 Vict., c. 191, local and personal, the Newport and Pillgwenlly Water Works Act, 1854, section 70, the company are compelled to supply occupiers of houses within the borough, not more than eighty feet above the coping stone of Newport Dock, with water to be laid on by pipes for domestic purposes at the rate of E5 per centum on the annual value of the premises 10 supplied with water. By section 76, the water rates shall be paid by the owner or occupier requesting the supply of water, and shall be payable according to the annual value at which the premises supplied shall be assessed to the poor's rate. And by subsequent sections the rates may be recovered before justices. By 6 and 7 William IV., c. 96, an Act to regulate parochial assessments, section I, it is enacted that no rate for the relief of the poor shall be allowed by justices or be of any force which shall not be made on an estimate of the net annual value, that is to say, of the rent at which the same might reasonably be expected to let from year to year, free from all usual tenant's rates and taxes, and tithe commutation rent charge, if any, and deducting therefrom the probable average annual cost of repairs, insurance, and other expenses, if any, necessary to maio. tain them in a state to command such rent. 9 The schedule to the Act gives a form of rate, containing among others, three columns. Gross estimated rental, EGO rateable value, JE55 rate at 6d in the pound, JE17t6d. The Water Works Company charge on the valuation in the first column, namely. gross estimated rental. The parties supplied with water contend they ought to be charged only on the figures in the second column, rateable value, generally ten per cent. less. Which is the correct mode of assessment for water rate, the column showing gross ren'al, or that showing the rate- able value on which the poor rate is charged? —That question was put to this pubiicui n, conduc'ed by seven barristers, and universally received as a standing authority. They give their opinion thus:- ANSWER. The water rate, in our opinion, should be charged ac- cording to the sum stated in the column headed rateable value" in the poor rate. 'I he 1st section of the 6 and 7 William IV., c. 96, defines what is the annual value" on which the poor rate is to be made, and the amount, so defined corresponds with the Bum which is named as "rateable value" in the schedule. The annual va ue" therefore, named in the 76th section of the 17 and 18 Vic., c. 191, is the same as the rateable value" mentioned in the schedule to the 6 and 7 William IV., cap. 96, and the water rate should be made according to it, ami not accord- ing to the gross estimated rental." -(Applause), So the matter has been allowed to go on from time to time. The Water Woiks Company have contented themselves in some instances with getting a quiet settlement by Mr. Webber by making a remission, and in other C3S"8 by sticking up for the whole. That was the case with myself. I paid mine under protest; bat I mean the next time the water rate is demanded from me, I will not pay at all-(applause)-I will tender the right amount. Now I will read from the Act of Parliament. The 70th section says the rat. s are to be assessed on the annual value of the premises so sup- plied with water." We ficd, going to the 76th section— That such water rates shall be paid by the owner or occupier requesting the supply of water, and shall be payibta according to the annual value at which the premises supplied shall be assessed to the poor's rate." -That is clear enough. We are assessed at the poor rate, and called to pay according to the poor rate. (Applause.) I have gone further, and I find the poor rate governs the water rate whether the poor rite be an equitable rate, whether it be a fair and just rate as tween one individual and another, that does not matter so long as it is a poor rate, signed and passed, it governs the WaterWorks Company. (Applause.) That is my construction of the law. (Applause.) Now the last publication upon the subject of rating generally is a book I hold in my hund, and an excellent work it is— Practical Remarks upon the Union Assessment Act of 1862," by the well known surveyor, Mr Henry James Castle. Now 1 wanted to be informed satisfactorily, having some idea myself beforehand, how the poor rate was to be constituted, and I found this. The statute 6 and 7 William IV., cap. 96, says this :— No rate for the relief of the poor in England and Wales shall be allowed by any justices, or be of any force which shall not be made upon an estimate of the net annual value of the several hereditaments rated there- unto, that is to say, of the rent at which the same might reasonably be expected to let from year to year, free of all usual tenants' rates and taxes, and tithe commutation reot charge, if any, and deducting therefrom the probabla average annual cost of the repairs, insurance, and other expenses, if any, necessary to maintain them in a state to command such rent." —No rate shall be made on any condition other than that, nor shal any justice allow it, nor shal! a rate have any force on any other basis (applause). Yuu are many of you aware that we have had a committee sitting at the Workhouse, at which that indefatigable and worthy man, Mr Samuel Homfray, has been engaged, to get an equitable rate for this town, and the last rate was m ide by those gentlemen. Now I find on looking a little further, as to the 30th clause of the Union Assessment Committee Act of 1862, these instructions When the assessment committee for any union shall have approved valuation lists fur all the parishes com- prised within such union, the guardians of such union, in computing the amouut of contribution to the common fund for the several parishes, shall thenceforward take the annual rateable value of the property in such parishes respectively from the valuation lists for the time being." Making the annual rateable value the measure of con- tribution to the union expenses, or, in other words, the landlord's yearly beneficial ownership of the premises, the measure of the contribution for the premises to the common fund. -You will remember this-the Act says this you shall poy according; to the annual value at which the premises supplied shall be assessed to the poor rate I point that out to you-the word net is not here but you will have the explanation of that immediately. It is this:- Now, if the (net) rateable value (for it will be seen, on turning to the schedule at the end of the Act, that the column is simply headed rateable value, and not net rateable value, so that the terms net rateable value, and rateable value,and annua'i'ratetble value are synonymous),be deemed a fair mode of apportioning the union charges among the several parishes of a union, and parishes have to contribute in proportion, not to their gross rentals, but to the aggregate of their assessable, or net rateable property. —Now, gentlemen, what I complain of—and I am uncommonly glad to see my friend Mr Lleweiiin here to- night as a directnr of the Water Works, b cause we shall arrive at the point, and he will be able to convey correctly to his brother directors what has passed at this meeting —I am going to show y. u how unfairly and harshly and unjustly the illegal doings —for 1 will call them illegal until they are proved otherwise—(applause)—the illegal doings of the Water Works Company operate. I take the name of Mr Jones, tinman, of Commerci.I-stteet, a man well-known. lie is assessed to the poor rate at jE20 he is called upon to pay to the Water Works Co at the rate of f,25 instead of .0 he pays 2os for the water rate Takethe case of Ilr Davies, hair dresser; he is rated to the poor rate at jEla: but instead of paying 15s they demand a guinea from him. Take Mr Johns, Riiiway street. He is rated at £ 12 they charge 14s instead of 12s. Mr Scott Richmond, Corn-street, is rated at JE11 5s he ought to pay lis 3d for his supply of water, he has got to p y 16s. And so on with a great many more. And tho re are a great many housps in this position-bouses charged in the poor rate £9 and they have to pay instead of 9s, 14s for the water. I say that is a very harsh pr( is vei-v oppressive, and tells heavily upon the wonting men who occupy houses of such a class in this town and 9-. being the allowance made a: d provided by law for water, it is an unfair and improptr thing they snould pay 14s. instead ot 9s. (Applause.) Now, I simply give this by way of illustration. J here is anJther esse in Railway- street, Mr. Ruddall, rated at £85. ihey demand 12s. But while I look at the Water Works Co. am select cases for illustration of the way iu which they treat the public, I find this—and I will give them justice. You know the ciub-houses in Club-row. They are rated at jE85, and the water rate is charged 85s. There is real justice done; and I want to know why is not the same principle pursued to the inhabitants ot Railway-street, and Commercial-street, an the lower parts of the town -lower than the Water Works ? I want to know why they are not charged upon the same principle as Club- ro v ? (Applause.) That is what I complain of—the great unfairwess of this preceding altogether, (Ap- plause.) NDW the W. ter Works Company have had this u.atter before them— ii has not come upon ihem by sur- plÍse-it Las been before them now, as I have shown y -u, just two a d a halt yea's. Now having adopted tile measures I tell you-first fwrmeu my own opinion of the legal construction 01 the Act, and, being contradicted by the adviser of the Bench in the Court below and his depu:y, then sought a higher opinion than my own or theirs, I he opinion of the Justice of the Peace publication and that being in accordance wnii In) own opinion, thtre I rested-let us see what the Water Works Co. have done, unless Mr. L'owellin tc-lls you they have done something I have not heard of. They have done this. They go to Bristol, or else they meet a Bristol solicitor by chance—Mr. Fussell, a very respectable man indeed, con- n, cted with one of the most respectable la w firms in Bristol, and one of the oldest—Sivery and Clarke; they take the opinion of Mr. Fussell, a man of the same status in the law as Mr. Fox, who says-" You are right, Mr. Fox;" and upon that they continue their system of charges. I say the Water Works Company have not done their duty, neither towards themselves nor to- wards the ratepayers in this town. When this question was raised and mooted and disputed, and this clear opi- nion was given against them, if they had faith and con- fidence in their cause, they ought to have drawn up a case. Mind you, there are upon the Board of Directors some learned gentlemen. There is my friend Mr. Lie- wellin, Mr. Farr, solicitor, and there is one or two more; and beyond that they have Mr. Charles Burton Fox, clerk to the magistrates. (Applause, and a few hisses.) I think with that collective legal wisdom, they might have drawn up a case setting forth the legal bearings of the question, and seen whether they were right or not; and if they had had given them an opinion that they were right, it would have been nothing but common courtesy to their customers and the men from whom they derive their dividends upon the capital in. vested, to have published that, and said—" You have had your minds disturbed as to whether our charges were legal or not; some of us have had a little doubt ourselves we have taken the opinion of Mr. So-and-so, an eminent counsel; here it is he says we are right; and we trust you will be satisfied in future." That is what I say the Water Works Company ought to have done, and that is what I complain of the Water Works Company for not doicg. (Applause.) Well, now, gen- tlemen, if the construction be right that I have put upon the law of thie case—and that I am not prepared to abandon until I see a much higher authority than I have yet had before me-the question is this: For the last six years-I state it confidently in the presence of Mr Lleweiiin the 1a wyer-I state it confidently, for the last six years every shilling that you, the ratepayers, have paid to the Water Works Company over and above what you are assessed at in the poor rates, is recoverable. (Laughter and applause.) They are recoverable upon a well-known principle in law-you bring your action for moneys had and received, and there is no difficulty Judge Herbert-for you need not go to a higher court; all will come in here; I have no hesitation in saying Air. Judge Herbert will give judgment in your favour. (Applause.) I will now pause, and for the present sit down perhaps Mr. Lleweiiin will now offer a few observations and I may have something to say again. (Applause.) Mr. T. Jones (Stow-hill): What dividends do the Water Works pay ? Mr. Brown Well, really, Mr. Jones, that has nothing to do with it. Mr. Jones But will you tell —— Mr. Brown 1 think my little daughter has a small iuterest in the Water Works-I believe it is £ 6 or L7 they pay. Mr. Jonrs Six per cent ? Mr. Brown Yes, certainly six. The Mayor suggested that any gentleman who might desire to fono" in the same line of argument as that taken by Mr. Brown, had better offer his remarks before Mr. Lleweiiin repiied. Mr. A. J, Murphy dissented. He thought the busi- nesss would he much expedited if Mr. Lleweiiin in- formed the meeting what might be the views of the Water Works Company, It would clear the ground materially and shorten the discussion- (Hear, hear.) Mr. Brown coincided, and said he thought if Mr. Lleweiiin replied satisfactorilv to his observations, much trouble would be saved other gentlemen. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Lleweiiin accordingly rose, being greeted with cheers. He said Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,—It seems to be your desire that at this sta;;e of the proceedings I should offer a few remarks in reply to those so ably brought before your notice by Mr. Brown. In address- ing you I wish you perfectly to understand that I don't attend here as the representative of the directors, or of the Wa'er Works Company. I attend here certainly as a director, to offer my own individual feeling, and to ascertain the views of thi3 meeting but I don't appear here to answer for my brother directors, or to represent the company. A \oice 'I hen you are getting up for nothing. Mr. J ones You ou;ht to stand down then. (Laughter.) Mr. Lleweiiin I will not answer all the details brought forward by Mr. Brown as to tae several cases in which he stated that he thought injustice and oppression had been suffered at the hands of the Wat, r Works Com- pany. This question rtsdves itself into a simple ques- tion of law. I am surprised at the case staled to the Justice of the Peace. I hold the opinion of the Justice of the Peace, when a case is fairly stated, in considerable veneration. I observe in leading that paper that ex tremely good opinions are given and therefore I have great confidence in the opinions given by that paper. But this case is really not fairly stated in this paper, in- somuch as there is a very important omission from the rating clause of the Water Works Act. Only half the Water Works rating clause—only half that important section which governs the rating, has been quoted in th -it case. Now, you all know how important it is in con- struing a sentence of any kind that you get the whole sentence. If you only have half ycu may be misled; and here the gentlemen who gave this opinion in the Justice of the Peace evidently did not consider the rest of the section, because it was not placed before them. T will read those words— That such water rates shall be paid by the owner or occupier requesting the supply of water, and shall be payable according to the annual value at which the pre- mises supplied shall be assessed to the poor's rate, if the payable according to the annual value at which the pre- mises supplied sha]] be assessed to the poor's rate, if the same shall be so assessed, and if not, according to the annual value (to be ascertained in manner provided by the Water Works Clauses Act 1847) of the premises supplied." —These words are left out "if the same shall be so assessed." The water rate shall be payable according tothe annual value at which the premises shall be assessed to the poor, if the same shall be so assessed." That is- if properly assessed at the annual value in the poor rate, then the Wa'er Works Company are bound by it; otherwise they are not. How is it in regard to the rates and the mode in which they were dealt with by the recent Assessment Committee? I am told upon houses above X20 value 10 per cont. was taken off as deductions for repairs and insurance in every instanee and that for houses under £20, 25 per cent. was taken off capriciously —I say capriciously, because there was nothing to war. rant a larger amount being taken from houses under 120 value than houses above and therefore the rateable value in the poor rate is reduced very much below the real annual value of the property. Therefore the Water Works Company say, Under our own Act, if that rateable value does not represent the annual v&lue, we have a right, and it is our duty, to assess at the annual value." That is the simple principle upon which the Water Works Company have gone. They say," We take the actual annual value, and if the poor rate is wrong in that respect, which we say it is, we have a right to assess at the annual value." If any one chooses to dispute that, under the Water Works General Act of 1847 reference is to be made to justices as to what the annual value may be. (Hear, hear.) That is the view which I consider has been taken by the Company, and which T believe is fairly mainfninable by the Company undpr this Act. SJ that really the difference between gentle- men and the Water Works Company is simply a legal difference. The gentlemen who say they have been oppressed, no doubt contend for the rateable value, as Mr, Brown has ably done, as the meaning of the Act. The Water Works Company say this is the meaning of the Act, so that it simply comes to a simple legal ques- tion as to which is right. Now I cannot think there is any doubt about the Water Works Company being en'i- tled to assess at the actual annual value. Suppose the assessment committee, instead of taking off 25 per cent., had said, We shall do very well if we take off 50 or even 75 per cent. or any other capricious sum, are the Water Works Company to be ruined? No; the Act says they ate to charge at the true annual value. Mr. Brown Where do you find true annual value?" Mr.Lleweiiin Annual value. Well, I don't think lean be far wrong, if Isay the annual value is the actual annual value. The word net does not occur in this section. I attach importance to that; because it shows we are enti- tled to a higher value thun the nft value, which Mr. Brown says is the true one. (Cries of "No, no.") 1 am afraid it will not do to address you as a legal tribuna'. This is not. the place to settle a. point ot law but I may say it is absurd to suppose a set of gentlemen living among y 'u have any object in assessing you any more than by law they are entitled to do. There is no desire on the part of those gentlemen to commit an act of oppression but where thousands of people are assessed t iere are Oiierepincies-differeiiees as to tbeactual value and therefore little quts ions must constantly arise wbich must be matter for special adjustment. But the directors have a duty to perform towards their own proprietary. Mr. Jones ju>t now asked a per inent question as to what the dividends had been. I believe if you take the history of the Company from the time the capital was paid up to the present time, you will find tiiat the dividends have been scarcely more than 4.1 to 5 per cent. at the outside. That is not an enormous profit for a company to receive, considering the great benefit the town has derived from having a pure and excellent supply of spring wa'er. Many of yoo, gentlemen, are aware that during the great drou6ht there has been a great outcry for good water in many places. In the city of Bristol they have npt blell able to give that proper and abundant supply which they had been able to give, and woild d. sire to give. But with the slight exception of a few hours, we have been able to keep up the supply of water to full pressure during the whole of the season, and I think we sha'l he able to continue it. I think wehave as fine a reservoir suited to the town as any in the kingdom. [A Voice: "Come to the point, pl ase;" followed by cheers.] Mr. Brown has urged it was the duty of the cotupany to have taken an opinion, and make that opi. nion known to the town; and he has alluded to the name of Mr. Fussell. Now Mri Fussell is a practical man and I believe has had more to do with ra ing, and especially the rating of water works, than any man in the West of England. I have great confidence in his opinion and especially when that opinion seems quite to be borne out by the words of this section. And therefore the company have not felt it necessary to go further into the matter at present; because they felt that no counsel's opinion, if the people were determined to try this question, would be satisfactory to them nothing short of a legal decision would be satisfactory to them in case the people of the town were not satisfied with Mr. Brown Will you try a case before Judge Her- bert, if we try a case with you? We will raise the question, and take it to the Queen's Bench after? Mr. Lleweiiin I believe that a case is about being instituted in the County Court, so that you will have the opportunity of raising the question—that is to say, if you consider it necessary. If the town are satisfied the Water Works have a right to depart from the rate- able column, that the construction I put upon it is right, and that the assessment should be upon the actual value of the premises, no litigation will be necessary; other- wise, it seems the matter can only fairly be settled upon a case. (Hear, hear.) I don't know any other point I need advert to; I feel I am on the unpopular side- (laughter)-but at the same time I hope you see the matter a little more plainly than you did. (Cries of no, no laughter, and cheers.) The Mayor invited further discussion, but there being no response, he inquired if any gentleman was prepared with a resolution ? Mr. James (Stow-hill) then ascended the platform and proposed the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Thomas Price That this meeting pledges itself to resist by every legal means available, any further attempt on the part of the Water Company to continue their present illegal system of charge." Mr. T. Davies (hairdresser) next moved, and Mr. Brimfield seconded— "That the Water Works Company be called upon to refund the excess of charge paid by the consumers of water supplied by them over the last six years." i The third resolution was proposed by Mr. Brimfield and seconded by Mr. Keene, as follows That it appears to this meeting that the Water Works Company have, for many years past, been charging the inhabitants of Newport rates greatly in excess of those authorised by their Act of Parliament and with a view to counteract the same, the consumers of water supplied by the Water Works Company, now present, resolve to form themselves into an association for mutual protectiou, and that on the payment of eighteen pence each, all persons aggrieved will be enrolled as members of the association." The whole of the resolutions were carried, two hands bfing held up against the second resolution only but the neutrals formed rather a strong force. The Mayor then declared the meeting dissolved but Mr. Brown, claiming a reply to Mr. Lleweiiin, pro- ceeded to say that the town of Newport did not possess a more skilful gentleman than Mr. Lleweiiin for making the wrong appear right but during his laboured speech that night he (Mr. Brown) had felt sorry indeed that his powers and ability should not have been employed in a better cause. (Laughter and applause.) Mr. Lleweiiin had not made one single point. He (Mr. Brown) had shown them incontestably that a poor rate must be made upon the net annual value. Mr. Llewellin ba] followed up his observation by saying the word net" did not appear. He might retort upon Mr. Lleweiiin, and ask—are the words gross estimated renta! entered ?" No; not a word. (Applause) But he (Mr. Brown) had shown them ineon estably from a book of the highest standing—fnr higher than the opinion of Mr. Fussell or Mr. Fox-that the terms "rateable value," "net rateable value," and "annual rateable value" were synonymes-ttiey were all one, and upon that footing he had gone. (Applause.) The ratepayers had no appeal upon the water rate. If Mr. Webber demanded a rate according to the sum entered in the rate book, whether they were asssessed rightly or wrongly, they had no appeal to the Water Company. He stated broadly and confidently in the presence of Mr. Lleweiiin, they were helpless and powerless. If they felt they were aggrieved-that they were rated at £15 whereas they should berated at j612, and complained that they were called upon to pay 15s. water rate upc.n the £ 15, although they were really paying £ 12—they had no remedy they must submit and pav the money with a good grace. The only way to remedy it was to appeal against the poor rate the next time it was made. The poor rate governs the water rate and if the poor rate was wrong the water rate was necessarily wrong. But they had power to remedy the poor rate though they were powerless to remedy the water rate. (Applause.) Mr. Brown again contended that the present charges of the company were forbidden by their Act, and he took the opportunity of informing Mr. Lleweiiin that Mr. Webber had been invited over and over again to try the question in the County Court. And he was sure he was speaking the sediments of the meeting when he said they were now ready to meet the company there. (Applause.) He told Mr. Llewellin this—that meeting invited the company. They did not want to waste money in wasteful litigation or anything of the kird, any more than the company did but he would say this of the Water Works Company, that, as a prosperous public company, and making handsome di- vidends, it would have been but as a small pinch of snuff out of their exchequer to have taken the opinion of an eminent counsel, and laid it before the town. He thought it was their duty to have adopted that course. (Applause.) He thought that was a duty the directors owed to the town, if they had any confidence the opinion would be in their favour, and contrary to the opinion of the Justice of the Peace. Such an opinion upon a case fairly stated wou'd have influenced him powerfully; and he should have recommended the meet- ting to be influenced by it. But in the absence of that there was nothing to go upon. Therefore the cheap way was to raise the question, go before Judge Herbert, and if either party was dissasfied with the decision, then go before the Court of Queen's Bench. Therefore, said Mr. Brown, I think myself, instead of the Water Works Co. going on and proceeding in this way any further, we had better come to a practical solution of this difficulty. But in the meantime, I have no hesitation in giving this advice to every one of you-Tender the money to Mr. Webber according to the poor rate and unless he will give you a receipt in discharge of all de- mands, don't pay him at all. LVoices That is what I intend to do next time.]—Say, Mr. Webber, I am rated upon the poor rate at JE10 here is 10s. for your water rate." Mr. Webber says, "No; I must have 12s." Will you give me a receipt in discharge of all demands for 10s ?" "No." Then put the money in your pocket. (Applause.) I don't know that I have anything further to say. I think good will result from this meeting and I shall be deceived if you don't find the law to be in your favour, and as adverse as it can be to the Water Works Co. (Applause.) Mr. Brown concluded by moving a vote of thanks to the Mayor. In accordance with a suggestion cf Mr. Clementson, a committee was formed, headed by the Mayor and Mr. Brown, for the purpose of receiving subscription?, in accordance whh one of the reao!u i..ns, to defray any cost arising out of the steps horoaftcr to Co takon. Mr. Lleweiiin seconded the motion, eulogising the fair and impartial conduct of the Mayor, and humour- ously expressing regret that Mr. Brown should have laid down such bad law on several points (Laughter.) He trusted, however, none of them would be the worse friends. (Applause.) The motion was carried by acclamation, and the Mayor having briefly acknowledged the compliment, the assem- bly dispersed.

CAERLEON. PETTY SESSIONS.—TUESDAY. (Before Rev. W. POWELL, JOHN JAMES and F. J. MITCHELL, Esqrs.) LEAVING WoRK — Philip «Joshna was charged by James Thomas with leaving his work without notice. Prosecutor stated that he had engaged the defendant to work on the canal by the month, and to give a month's notice upon leaving. Prisoner left without giving no- tice on the 6'.h of July, and the work was stopped in consequence. Defendant de:!ied agreeing to give notice upon leaving, and stated that he left because Mr. Thomas would not provide him with a boy to assist, capable of doing the work. He had told Mr. Tnomas that he would leave if he did not put a proper one on.—Discharged upon promising to work his month, and paying 6s. 61. costs. ASSAULT,—William Whittakerwas charged with as- saulting James Lloyd, of Llantarnam. Complainant stated that he was engaged at work in his field, when de- fendant came and asked him to go with a horse and cart after some cider. He consented to go and def"n.iant promised to meet him on the way back. Upon re'ur u' g by the Cocks' Inn, at Croesyceilog, defendant came out, and without saying anything, struck complainant down with his fist. Upon rising, complainant asked what he did that for; when defendant said, with an oath, Where have you been so long ?" and kicked him. On the road home defendant was threatening complainant all the way.—Upon cross-examination complainant denied being drunk, or that ha wanted to fight defendant.— Complainant called John Powell and James Parsons as witnesses, but they put a different face upon the matter, one saying that he saw complainant foliow defendant about the road, challenging him to fight, the other say- ing that defendant was too drunk to put the horses in the stable.—Discharged, the Bench ordering the prosecu- tor to pay 6s. 6d. costs. STEALING MONEY.—John Prosser was charged with stealing ten shillings, the property of William Anstey, of Llaugattock, his master, on the 3rd of November, 1863. William Anstey stated On the 3rd of November lavt I sent prisoner with a load of swedes and some straw f^r Miss E. Morgan, Caerleon. Prisoner did nwt bring me any money back, and he left my service suddenly on the following day.—Elizabeth Morgan, of Caeileon, stat"d that prisoner brought her the load of swedes only, and she gave her servant half-a-sovereign to pay him for them. Amy Evans, the servant, stated that she paid prtsoner by order of her mistress half a sovereign for the swedes.—Prisoner pleaded guilty and was committed for a month to Usk with hard labour. Assessed Tax Collectors for this division were ap- potnted at this meeting.

EBBW VALE. EXCURSION TO LUDLOW.—On Saturday last an ex- cursion and pic nic to the above ancient town took place for the benefit of the Widows' and Orphans Fund of the Order of Odd Fellows. To secure a large number the works were stopped about eleven o'clock on Friday night. The trains consisted of 23 carriages and contained about 800 passengers. The Ebbw Vale band was in attend- ance to add to the interest of the excursionists. The first train returned about half-past ten p.m., and the last about midnight. On the same day the Ancient Order of Foresters held their annual dinner, and paraded the town, headed by a band of music. The principal atlrac- tion of the procession was the officers on horseback, who had spared no expense to make a conspicuous show. They visiti-d in their route A. Darby, Esq., Victoria Park, W. Adams, Esq, Ebbw Vale House, and thence re- turned to their lodge, where a bountiful supply of roast beef and plum pudding were provided for them. The funds of this society are in a prosperous state.

CARDIFF. FATHER AND SON IN GAOL.—James Helps (father of the lad who ivas convicted on Thursday at the assiza fur robbing the Bute Dock Post-office), was brought before the Mayor, at tne Police court, on Saturday, charged with stealing pigeons, the properly of Mr. Hugh Bird, at Roath. The prisoner was sent to prison f.jr 21 days' with hard labour. BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The usual weekly meeting of the above Board was held on Saturday, at fit- Union House, Edwaid David, Esq., in the chair. The master reported the number of inmates admittted to bi 69; the total remaining, 221, being a decrease of 42 on the cor- responding week of last year. The master of thj indus- trial school reported the number of children there to be 150. The question of erecting a small room ns a depot for clothes, &c., was referred to the Visiting Committee. Adplication was made for an order of the Board for X300 for the purpose of draining that portion of the Llalldaff district nut included in the Canton Local Government Board. This was agreed to, and the meeting separated

TREDEGAR. COUNTY COURT. His Honour Judge Herbert, held the July Court in the Temperance Hall here, on Wednesday and the two following days of last week. The list contained the fol- lowing cases :-Aèjourned from last month, 6; not served, ditto, 22; new plaints, ditto, 440; judgment summonses, 9 new trials, 2 bankrupts, 4; judgment reserved, 1. Tot:ll, 484. Pope v. Hatton'—Claim for groceries at Tredegar.— Defendant acknowledged the debt, but could not pay a heavy instalment.—His Honour wanted to ascertain defendant's means.— Plaintiff: They are two single people, your Honour.-His Honour, smilingly: How can the defendant be two single people ?-Plaintiff: They are married and have no family.—His Honour I sup- pose you mean to say that two sing'e people make one married couple ?—Plaintiff: Yes, that's it, sir, and his wife earns 10s per week, at binding shoes.—His Honour: I should think binding shoes is a good trade.-Piaintiff; I have earned 12s a week at the same trade.—Judgment 6s a month. P. A. Williams v. John Pain —Defendant disputed the claim, on two grounds. First, he had been dealing with the plaintiff at the Beaufort Company's Shop, for ten years, and the plaintiff had alwayr stopped his money in the office, and paid himself; and secondly, the last X2 that was stopped was never credited but he could not prove it, for he had lost his office ticket.-In answer to defendant, His Honour observed that the case was not brought before him under the Truck Act. As to the £2 alleged to have been stopped and not accounte I for, he would adjourn the case for the production of the Beaufort Company's pay book for that monthj and also to see the clerk who paid the money. P. d. Williams v. Thomas Lewis.—Claim of £ 9 14s 6d, for g roc ries from the Beaufort Shop.—Mr. Harris ap- peared for plaintiff, and Mr. Plews for defendant.— Thomas James said I am now in the employ of Mr. Parker, B aenavon. I was in the plaintiff's employ when a portion of these goods were had; I wen1 there in 1851, and left in 1861. Between April 1855 and- April 1861, various sums of monej were piil by the de- fendant to me. — Mr- Plews argued that the account was opened in the name of Phillip Williams, the father of the plaintiff, and afterwards continued by the son, with- out any transfer of names, and now the business was car- ried on by Mr. Stinchcombe, and he was in reali'y the person recovering the rnoney.-His Honour being satis- fied ot this. gave a nonsuit. Stinchcombe v. Davies -Claim of £ 30 14s. 5d. for groceries.—Defendant acknowledged the debt, and said he was a poor collipr. His Honour: This claim being above £20, I have no power to give a judg- ment. Plaintiff wanted judgment forthwith.—His Honour recommindad a mutual arrangement.—-Judg- ment for 20s. per month. Same v. James Bull.-Claim of £6 17s., by 5s. per month. Same v. T. lewis.—CSaim of L4 6s. 6J., by 4s. per month. Same v. J. Harris.—C.'aim of £8 16s. 4d., by 1081 per month. P. A. Williams v. Stephen Jones.—Claim of £ 35 Os 5d for groceries at the Beaufort shop. — Mr. Hairis for plaintiff, and Mr. Plews for defendant, who had been a fiieman at the Beaufort furnaces, but was now working (It Eblnv Vale.-Tllornas James called, said: I left plaintiff's shi.pin 1861, the last payment plaint ff made was to me, it was 16 lis. lid. I gave him credit fur it. —CroeS-exannrt) (! I will swear that J-nes brought me the money. I have received money from the office by Jones's authority. The tickets were sent from the shop. I cannot, say whether ail the cish was paid, or whether part of it was transferred from the office. I went there as an apprentice. I think Mr. Pnillip Wil- liams left in 1855: his son kept the shop until 1861. Mr. Stinchcombe then took on. The tickets used to come from the office, and the money was paid at the shop. The men were not compelled to deal in the shop Every person had a book. I will swear the 10s was paid by him. Mr. Stinchcomhe may now be sueing for what I know.—Mr. Plews subsequently asked for an adjournment, and to be allowed to pie.d the S aiute of L'mitation.— tlis Honour: Yes, you may, on paying the costs ot to-day's hearing.—Adjourned.

BEAUFORT. CAMP MEETING.—On Sunday last the Primitive Methodists held their annual out-door services, generally knowlI as camp meetings. The Sabbath school and church members met at the chapel in the morning,formed a procession, and sang through the village, and repared to a convenient spot on the Wainypound hill, where a preaching stand had been erected on the previous evening. Here members of the same body from Ebbw Vale, Sirhowy, &c, met for worship. Impressive sermons were delivered by Messrs Smith, Williams, and Harvey, during the service. In the afternoon the Revds. J. Broadhurst and W. Harvey preached excellent sermons. A large concourse of people attended the afterri on service. A Love feast" was held in the chapel in the evening. ——

LL AN OVER.. ANNUAL GATHERING OF THE ABEKGAVENNY TRADES- MEN AND THEIR WIVES AT LLANOVER HOUSE.—By the kindness and liberality of Lord and Lady Llanover the Abergavenny tradesmen and their wives annually assemble at Llanover House, when an abundant and good supply of tea and cake, and strawberries and cream, are provided for them. Such a gathering took place on Thursday, when about 100 people assembled together. Her ladyship's choir, consisting of her employes, enlivened the event by rendering, in ex- cellent and praiseworthy style, many of old Cambria choicest melodies. At the close of tba gathering votes of thanks were accorded to Lord and Lady Llanover I for their hospitable entertainment, and to the Rev. Joshua Evans, vicar of Llanover, and Mrs. Evans, for their courteous and affable demeanour to the party, who, we must not omit to mention, were permitted to peram- bulate the groves and gardens adjacent to the mansion.

THE PHILANTHROPIC LODGE OF FREEMASONS.—On ABERGAVENNY. Friday, Mr. Freeman was installed as Master of this lodge for the ensuing year. After the installation, which took place at the lodge room, the members repaired to the AngerHotel, where they sat down to their anniversary banquet; and the company enjoyed themselves in the cus- tomary manner of such gatherings. THE IMPBOVEMENT COMMISSIONERS. A public meeting of the Town Improvement Com- missioners was held at the Town Hall, on Thursday. present. Mr. E. Y. Steel, chairman, and Messrs. Isaacs, Hiley Morgan, Meredith, Bowles, Phillip Morgan, and Brown. The minutes of the last meeting having been read, and me topics of a publicly uninteresting character having en discussed, beThe Water Committee's report was read. It stated that the committee had resolved upon leaving the discharge of Harris, the plumber, for the consideration of the whole Board. Some discussion upon the matter ensued. Harris, who was said to be an intemperate man of ill health, was dis- charged with the unanimous consent of the Board. A report was read from the,markets' committee, stating inter alia, that Cotterell had been instructed to construct additional pig pens oat of the material* brought from the old aheep market. Mr. Philip Morgan I must say that the animals in the pig pens would find much relief from the pens being covered. If pigs are exposed to the weather, they are liable to deteriorate in quality. Now, it has been sug- gested that if the commissioners went to the expense of erecting a covering to these pens, a larger number of pigs would be brought to the market. The tolls might be in- creased, and I think the extra tolls would not be objected to. ILiIey MorSan If at>y one w'l! a resolution to the effect that these pens should be covered, I will second it, because I have introduced the subject*before. I have stated that several pig dealers have said they would pay 4,1. more per pig if the pens were covered. Mr. Philip Morgan If you cover these pens, then con- tinue the flagging out all the way and make it a complete th i r) Mr. Meredith The question is—Where is the money to come from? We have no money to spare. The best thins to do will be to see what the suggested improve- ments will cost, and then you will see how far the increased toll will go to pay for them. Mr. Phiiip Morgan Mr. Hoskins told me that a cover- ing of aspahl'e would cost £ 50. It is a most desirable thing to do. During the hot weather several people have been obliged to carry water to throw over the pigs. If these pens were covered we don't know how many more people it would bring to the market. We must look further than the pounds, shillings, and pence question. Bui (hers and others say that our market is one of the best in the West of England, and some of the best stock comes to it. I once saw in this market eight animals—fat cattle —which were calculated to be worth about X25 a piece. That is what never occurred when the market was in Lion-street, and now the pigs average from 200 to 300 a day. After some conversation the Market Committee's report was adopted unanimously and the erection of a covering to the pigs' pens was referred to that Committee. The Chairman The next business is the water question. Mr Hair, we have been anxious to have you here to con- sult you upon matters beating upon our water supply, and especially upon the question of the pressure. The reason why this question is brought before us is this Some time pist. many of the services were damaged by the presscre -they were constantly going out of repair, and the cost of repairing them has led to serious complaints, and we are anxious that something should be done to remedy them. We, in the public department of the town, have had seriou- breakages, apparently by the pressure of the water. This matter having been mooted to Guest and Chrimes, whom you (Mr. Hair) recommit d'd to us, that firm sent a gentleman djwn here to examine the town pipes at least to have the hydrants opened; and his warning to us was that the pressure was very great in. deed, and that so long as it was continued breakages would occur. Speaking for myself, no bteakages have oc- CUrirTtl.?" Premises since the wa'er was first laid on. *r a »tiat was tho case many others. Ir. Hair (Pontypool) With us we "baVe greater pres- sure on our lower services than you have-we have 100 ftet nioie he^l than you, and we find no difficulty in con- tromngit. We have occasional bursts of service pipes, caused perhaps through neglect, and a tap goes out of re- pair, either by the screw wearing away, or by concussion, and concussion will burst any pipe, no matter what the pressure. To judge of this matter correctly I should like to take say a dozen services where these bursts have oc- curred, and see what has been the expense of putting them in repair during the four years your works have been erected. I fancy mysdf, that with proper care-and ours is an instance of it -there is no difficulty in controlling the pressure- I think that if you get rid of the pressure you have you will do yourselves a serious injury. For instance, take the case of a fire. With great pressure you have always—supposing not a drop of water was coming iu-ten thousand gallons at your command to throw on any fire. Then, by simply following out the plan laid at the commencement. by extending these pipes to the brook, in the case of a serious fire, all yon would have to do would be to despatch a man on horseback up to the tank turn a tap, and you would have a supply of water from the brook as w It as from the springs." A man might reach there in five minutes—before the water in your pipes could be drained away, supposing there was none in the springs. But I find you have an excellent supply from the spring, and I can assure you you are quite an ex- ception to the majority of the towns in the country. At Bristol,they have the water on a few hours only during the day and at Brecon, it is only on about an hour during the day. At present, with ourselves, we have it about an hour or two a day. And I really cannot recommend you to do away with your pressure to any extent. If you do your street mains will not convey the same quantity of water. Take half your head, for instance, it will only convey half the quantity of water. I consider your posi- tion now a mos' secure one, and therefore cannot recom- mend any alteration. The Chairman It is very satisfactory to hear Mr. Hair's statement on this point. I have great confidence in Air. Hair's experience, und I believe that probably the damage spoken of if put down upon paper would be found to be very small; Mr. Hiley Morgan was of opinion that the pressure was too great.aud stated that he had written to a dozen of the laigest towns in England asking the authorities of the water works what th ir pressure was. He had received se- veral answers, the replies going to show that the average pressure of the water in the towns referred to did not ex- ceed 2:0. He added that he had received a letter from an engineer in Swansea, that any pressure above 220 would cause the constant bursting of the mains and service pijes. Mr Han did not agree with the engineer referred to, and asked M r, idoigaQ whether he had put this question to those to whom bo had written Could a greater pressure be procured if you required it ?" He (Mr. Hair) questioned whether it could, the towns Mr. Morgan had wiitten to being upon a level. After some conversation, it wa* determined upon to re- ceive a report, from Mr. Hair in respect to the general state of the water works. This concluded the business of the Board. PETTY SESSIONS.—WEDNESDAY. [Before the Hon. \V. p. RODNEY, CAPEL HANBURY WILLIAMS, Esq and Captain WHEELEL] MALICIOUS DAMAGE.—Albert Syme, draper, Bryn- mawr, was charged by Mary Ann Howell", dressmaker, Abergavenny, with maliciously breaking two panes of glass.—The charge was proved, and the defence set up was that defendant had unintentionally broken the win,low in apprising the complainant, who w;ts in bed at the time that he anted his dog, which w.is in complainant's house! —Defendant was convicted in the mitigated penalty of 2s. 6d and was ordered to pay the cost of repairing the window, which was estimated at'la. A SSA ULT.-Ellen Finn charged John Dolan with striking her—Complainant made out her case, and the defendant was bound over in his own r<;co,'nizrncesof £ 10, an-l one sorely of £ .3, to keep the peace tor three mouths. LAUCENY. -Edw!!t Lewis, tailor, was charged with stealing lis. 3d. from the person of Caroline Arkwell.- He pleaded cjuilty, and was sentenced to three months' imprisoa!i,ent with bard labour.

BRECON. BOARD OF GUARDIANS. — A meeting of this bodv was held at the Town H dl on Saturday, the Rev. W. Bow- cott. chairman, presiding. Mr. Graves, the assistant poor law cPIJIlnis.i,¡ner, was present, and called the attention of the Board to a recent decision of the Court of Queen's Bench upon the law of irremovability by reason of a three years residence in the Union. He said that the Poor Law B ard had given it as their opinion that if a pauper bad but recently removed out of his own parish to any Other parish injthe same Union it would render him ir- moveable but now it had beeu decided that a status of irremovability cou;d only be gained by a three year's resi- dence out of the settlement parish, or in other words, the resilience in the pauper's own parish is not to be counted in the three years.—Mr. Thomas Evans observed that the effect of the law of irremovability had certainly been be- neficial to those parishes comprised in the town of Breson, where a great number of poor people residetl; but he was sorry to add that, notwithstanding the efforts of the Guardians to endeavour to effect savings, the rates had not been reduced one farthing. In fact, what is termed a poor rate is not a poor rate,—immense sums in the hape of borough rates, county rates, and po ice rates, 'being levied upon and paid out of the mis-called poor rate and those demands, instead of decreasing were continually on the increase.

BL AENAVON. THE SEASON.—The inconvenience arising in the coal and iron works from the want of water continues to increase, which is a serious matter to many of the work. men, whose employment from that cause has been con- siderably lessened. CAPTAIN HUDSON, of mesmeric notoriety, has during the week been operating in the Town hall. The patronage he has received has been limited. LECTUHB —On i lie evening of Thursday week the Rev. J. Johns, of Abersychan, gave a very instructive lecture in this place on Peter Cartwright, the backwoodsman," who, r.s a preacher rendered hims If exceedingly popular from the peculiarly original nature of his discourses. The chair was ably filled by Mr. Deaken, druggist, and the audience was numerous and respectable.

CRICKHOWELL. PETTY SESSIONS.—FRIDAY. (Before W. H. WEST, Esq., MARTYN J. ROBERTS. Esq., W. PARRY, Esq., and T. DAVIES, Ksq.) CAUTION TO PUBLICANS —Mr. Hallam, of the Bear Hotel, charged with keeping his bouse open during prohi- bited hours on Sunday, was fined 8s. including costs. A VIOLENT ASSAULT UPON A POLICE CONSTABLE. -Rees Rees, Crown Inn, Llangattock, and George White, labourer, for whom Mr. Lewis appeared, were charged as follows :—P.C. Lewis deposed About a quarter to one on the morning of the 17th, I went to the Crown Inn, Llangattock; I was told that only the landlady and a woman from Merthyr were in the house; I remained in the house talking for five or six minutes; Rees Rees then came in from the back he insulted me, and made use of obscene language; I then went outside, and Rees fol- lowed me to the door; I requested him not to create a noise on a Sunday morning, but he continued the use of abusive language j I asked him what I had done to canse him to be so abusive, and he said I had tried to ruin his family by bringing him up on a former occasion I told him I had only done my duty at the time, and that I should do so again you will." he said, and gave me a push first of all, and then struck me in the face we then had a struggle, and I put him down on his back he then called out to George White, who was near the door j George White then tried to pull me off Rees I then had to struggle with them both finding they came too strong for me, I took out my staff; directly they saw it they went into the house and came out 'again with weapon* in J *"S