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f & !Uoiu«o:ithsWre Michaelmas Sessions. ¡U USK.—-OCTOBER 13, 1845. The Sessions for this county commenced on Mon- day last, S. R. Bosanquet, Esq., presiding. At twelve o'clock, the hour appointed for the commencement of the business, the following ma- gistrates took their places on the bench :— F. M'Donnell, G. Cave, T. Prothero, W. A. "Williams, O. Morgan, C. H. Phillips, Tjromas Oakley, — Reece, and F. H. Williams, E^rs. Sir D. Mackworth, Dr. Jones, Captains King and Marsh, Major Marriott, Hon. W. Rodney, and the Revds. J. Coles, J. Probert, and — Evans. The jury lists having been received and read, it was found that the parish of Trothey had failed to make a return, when it was ordered—" That the overseers of the parish of Trothey having neglected to return the jury list for that parish, ordered that the Clerk of the Peace draw the attention of the Justices of Petty Sessions to the omission, with a view to considering whether they think fit to impose a fine upon the overseers. Ordered,—That the treasurers of the connty stock do forthwith pay to the Clerk of the Peace the sum of £228. lIs. 3d., being a balance of his annual account, up to the 31st of Angust last. The orders of the last Sessions were then read, the first business arising out of which was the con- sideration of the report of the visiting magistrates appointed to inquire into the character and fitness for office of Mr. and Mrs. Merrett, the governor and matron of the Usk House of Correction. ?!r. Coles suggested that as the discussion might lesd to the disclosure of some particulars, which had better be suppressed, and which did not affect the public business of the county. The report had better be read in the magistrates' private room. Considerable discussion followed this suggestion, and it was ultimately determined that the report should be read in court, whereupon The Clerk of the Peace, in accordance with the direction of the chairman, proceeded to read it; the following is the substance of the report;— That, in pursuance of the instructions given to them, the committee of magistrates had, in inquir- ing into the character and fitness for office, of Mr. and Mrs. Merrett, examined the gaoler and ma- < tron, and a great many witnesses, from whose tes- timony the following particulars were gleaned:- That no stock-book or inventory had been kept; that the governor sometimes employed the prisoners to do tailoring and other work—but that the rules of the prison had not been violated in this respect that he had not given receipts for prisoners left in his custody at the gaol, as he was required to do that he did not exercise a proper or sufficient disci- pline over the subordinate officers in the gaol; that he did not keep up or encourage moral and reli- gious discipline among the prisoners. The report then concluded by expressing the opinion of the magistrates that Mr. Merrett was incompetent for the discharge of the duties of the governor of the House of Correction—but that there was no cause of complaint against Mrs. Mertett; as matron. Major Marriott moved that the report be received and acted upon. Mr. Prothero seconded the proposition. Major Marriott requested that some clauses of the report might again be read, in order that the magistrates might be correctly informed upon the opinion of the visiting magistrates. Mr. Prothero wished to enquire whether the committee had come to any conclusion as to the course the magistrates had better adopt. The Chairman said, the committee had fully ex- pressed their opinion in the report, and that the re- port contained all that they deemed it necessary to say upon the case which had been submitted to their consideration. Mr. Prothero had understood that there were moral delinquencies of a serious nature proved against Merrett, and he wished to inquire if that was not the case. The Chairman said the evidence upon which the report of the committee was founded, was in court, and could be received if the magistrates wished that it should be. Mr. W. A. Williams said he rose to express his sense of the difficult state in which the magis- trates were placed. At the last sessions many things were publicly stated, and many others hinted, strongly impeaching the moral character of Mr. and Mrs. Merrett; but now, after a committee of magfagratesKh&d been appointed to inquire into the delinquencies then complained of, and about which many severe things were said, their report was entirely sitentvpon the subject. He presumed that whatever the magistrates might consider it right to do, as an ultimate measure, with regard to the gaoler and matroa, they would at least, if they resolved upon dismissing them, allow them to go away without any stain upon their character, as the report presented no tangible evidence against them—and after the many reports which had been mentioned prejudicial to their character, he was ratber astonished that it was not so. Indeed, viewing the matter in this light, he thought he should be perfectly justified in moving, as an amendment to the proposition,—" That a copy of the report of the committee, with the evidence on which it is foanded, be forwarded by the Clerk ofthe Peace to each magistrate of the county, and that at the next sessions, the Court shall take the subject into their consideration." It this conrse were adopted, each magistrate would have an opportunity of deliberately consi- dering the evidence, and judging for himself—and ? at the next sessions, they thought him unfit for his office, then some one should move that at the following sessions he should be removed. Sir Bigby Mackworth seconded the amendment. Major Marriott said he had no objection to the amendment, and he would therefore withdraw the proposition. Mr. Prothero said he would certainly prefer having the evidence read to-day. Serious charges had been made against the governor and matron of the House of Correction, and be thought that some charges had been fully proved and if he was right in that opinion, why Merrett ought certainly to be at once discharged. Mr. Williams' proposition was to continue him in office six months longer— but if the reports which had been propagated re- specting him, and which he had been given to un- derstand, had been proved against him before the committee, were correct, he considered that nothing could be more dangerous—and nothing more detri- mental to the end of public justice. He was very anxious that the evidence should be gone into, either here or as Mr. Coles had suggested, in the magistrates private room. Some cutting irregular discussion followed, when Mr. W. A. Williams explained that he did not, by his amendment, intend to convey any opinion as to Merrett's fitness or unfitness for office, but merely to induce the magistrates to take the right course in coming to a conclusion on the subject. 1 After a further discussion on a matter of no pub- lic interest, Sir Digby Mackworth said there was nothing before the Court which could lead to such an im- mediate discharge, as seemed to be contemplated in the motion which had been proposed, and, there- fore, he should strongly object to such a proceed- ing. — Reece, Esq., said he had known Merrett for 16 years; and, for the last 13 years, he had been the habit of seeing him two or three times a-day, but he had never seen him drunk. On the con- I trary, ho had always observed that he was very attentive to his business. Mr. O. Morgan wished that the real qnestion be- fore the pencil might be regarded; viz., whether the report of the committee were to be received or not. Mr. Coles said, as the matter had now taken the turn it had^he should certainly wish to express his sentiments respecting it. He wished that the re- port might have been read in the private room, in order that thia public discussion might have been avoided. The Hon. Bart., Sir D. Mackworth, and Mr. Williams, would not attend the committee, and the Hon. Bart. would not even vote for the inquiry. The question had now gone abroad; and that being the case, the best thing now was, to investigate, in order to acquit or condemn. He wished the ma- gistrates to consider that justice must be done, as well to the public as to Mr. Merrett. He had cer- tainly signed the report of the committee with re- luctance—4iot because of its severity—but because of the concluding sentence in the minutes of the meeting of the committee, which he would pre- sently read to the Bench. Notwithstanding there seemed to be an impression that the charge of drunkenness had not been made out against Mer- rett, yet he considered that it had been most clearly proved and notwithstanding the difficulty of get- ting evidence, there was, nevertheless, according to his opinion, the most conclusive evidence against the gaoler. He was sorry to have to go into this now but as the thing had been so often discussed, he thought he might properly read a part of the evidence upon which the report of the committee was founded. There were six charges against Mr. Merrett, and he thought they had been proved. Mr. Reece had gone back 16 years and if he (Mr. Coles) were allowed to go back, he thought he could establish some grave charges against the gao- ler.—Mr. Coles was alluding to some points to sub- stantiate his last remark, when Sir Digby Mackworth objected to Mr. Coles going back further than the report went. Mr. Coles: The public would be astonished, did they but know what had been done; indeed, it was a thousand to one that every prisoner had not escaped. Harford, a turnkey who was at the gaol, but who had now gone to Tiverton, said he had repeatedly seen Merrett. Sir Digby Mackworth said he thought Mr. Coles should not be allowed to go into those statements now, A lengthened discussion followed, as to the propriety of the evidence taken before the committee being read to the Court, which terminated in Mr. Coles proceeding to read the evidence, when Mr. W.A. Williams said he thought it was unnecessarily occupying the time of the Court to read the evidence now, and it was particularly inappropriate when a motion for furnishing each magistrate with a copy of the evidence was before the Bench. Mr Prothero urged the reading of the evid ence. Sir Digby Mackworth thought the other magistrates were certainly entitled to the same advantage which Mr. Prothero has enjoyed, in having an opportunity to read the evidence. He (Sir Digby) could not come to a conclusion on the sub- ject, merely by hearing the evidence hastily read over in court, but should like time to think deliberately upon the subject. Mr. M'Donnell expressed his concurrence in the senti- ments of Sir Digby Mackworth. The Chairman remarked that he was anxious to avoid a public expression of his opinion on the subject at present. It must be known to many of the magistrates that some of the evidence given before the committee was rather contra- dictory and he, therefore, considered that they could not do better than act in accordance with Mr. Williams's amendment. If they prolonged the discussion now, and then came to no conclusion on the subject, he feared that injury might be done, as well to the character and prospects of the gaol, as to the interests of justice. Mr. Prothero thought, considering the remaiks of the Chairman, that the magistrates had better come to a conclu- sion at once. If it were true, as he thought it was, that Merrett was in the habit of frequently getting drunk—that he did not maintain the proper discipline of the prison— that, rather than encouraging morality and religion, he scoffed at the.serious i^ressions made upon the minds of the prisoners—and that he was, as the committee of magis- trates had stated they considered him to he, incompetent for the discharge of the duties of his office-then he thought they could not do better than at once remove him. Mr. M'Donnell said his faults had been principally those of habit, and the visiting magistrates ought, therefore, to have discovered his incompetency before. He certainly was of opinion that it would be improper to remove him hastily from his situation, merely because he now appeared to the committee of magistrates incompetent, when it was remembered that that incompetency arose principally from habits which, as he had before remarked,onght to have been observed before but which, nevertheless, afforded no reason for so sudden and harsh a dismissal as that remarked by some of the magistrates. Mr. Coles remarked that, whatever the other magistrates might think on the subject, he was unshaken in the opinion that the charge of drunkenness had been clearly proved against Merrett. The Chairman then proceeded to submit the amendment proposed by Mr. Williams to the Bench, which was carried by a small majority. Mr Prothero then remarked that he thought it of impor- tance that it should be distinctly understood what course would be pursued lespecting Merrett at the next sessions; and after some discussion as to the necessity of coming to a conclusion at that time, it was resolved, "That the Clerk of the Peace write to E; Harford, inspector of police, at Tiverton, to request his attendance at the next Quarter Sessions, and to inform him that his expenses will be paid." Mr. Prothero then gave notice that he would move, at the next Quarter Sessions, for the dismissal of Mr. Merrett, the keeper of the House of Correction. The report of the visiting justices as to the best use which can be made of the land belonging to the county, adjoining the House of Correction, was the next matter brought before the Bench; but upon this, the visiting magistrates asked for further time for consideration. 1.UNATIC ASYLU)I. This being announced as the next subject for the consideration of the Court, Sir Digby Mackworth said he had received. letter from Lord G. Somerset, requesting him to bring the matter before the ma- gistrates, in order to put it in train for future consideration. To effect this, he should occupy the attention of the magistrates only a short time. The Act of Parlament affecting the subject re- quired that we should erect a lunatic asylum, either exclusively for this county, or in connection with some other county or counties. The magistrates were also bound, without any option, to appoint a committee to attend to the erection and maintenance of the same. Lord G. Somerset, in the letter he had sent him, but which be did not thiok it necessary to read at present, strongly recommended that they should take measures for the erection of an asylum immediately,—and not leave it till they were compelled to do so by the Secretary of State. He advised that they should not erect an asylum for this county exclusively, but to join with Glamoiganshire and Breconshire, in building an asylum for the use of the three counties and for this purpose he would recommend a spot somewhere near Abergavenny, as most central, and therefore best adapted to answer the purpose of all parties concerned. Sir Digby then proceeded to read a clause of the Act of Parliament, authorising the erection of lunatic asytums, and concluded by moving the following resolution :— That, in compliance with the Act to amend the Laws for Lunatic Asylums, 8th and 9th Vic., pap. 1*23, 3rd clause, public notice be given, within ten days, by the Clerk of the Peace, in the several county newspapers, of the intention of the Justices of the County to appoint, at the next Quarter Sessions, a Com- mittee of Justices, either to superintend the erecting or providing a Lunatic Asylum, for this county, or to treat with the Justices of some other County or Counties, for the erecting or providing such Asylums, in conjunction with them." 1 hat proposition being carried, it was ordered— That the Clerk of the Peace write forthwith to the Chairman of the Quarter Sessions of Glamorganshire, and enclose him a copy of the above resolution." TROTHY BRIDGE. The report as to the liability of the parish of Monmouth to keep the Trothy Bridge tn repaij, was the next subject foi the consideration of the court. A lengthened discussion followed the reading of the report, which terminated in the passing of the following resolution That the magistrates are of opinion that the county is not liable, by law, for the repair of the Trothy Bridge." LOCK-UP HOUSE TOR THE PARISH OF BEDWRLTY. On this subject Captain Marsh appeared to represent the magistrates of Bedwelty. He remarked that the parish was a very extensive one, in which there was a dense population—prin- cipally composed of persons employed in the iron works of the district—this being the case, he considered it was essentially necessary, in order to the interests of justice, that a lock-up house should be provided for the parish. He would, therefore, move that the magistrates take such steps as might be necessary for the accomplishment of that object. Mr. Prothero seconded t" proposition. He said he quite agreed with Captain Marsh, as to the necessity for a lock-up house in the parish of Bedwelty. It was really lamentable to know what expedients the officers, in that paiish, were compelled to resort to, in order to the keeping of prisoners in safe custody they were sometimes kept two or three days in a public-house, and, notwithstanding the vigilance of the police, they frequently escaped, it being impossible that, in all instances, where the means for their security were so insufficient, that they could alwavs he prevented from escaping. The Chairman read a clause from the Act of Parliament, em. powering the county magistrates to build a lock-up house, in any parish, where it might be deemed accessary, and to appoint a police inspector for the management of such district. An estimate of the cost, fo-Jthe erection of such a bouse, was submitted by the inspector for the county, Mr. James. The amount required, he considered, would be £275., .13- After a lengthened discussion on the proposition of Captain Marbh, Mr. Phillips remarked that he fully agreed with Captain Marsh, as to the necessity of a lock up house, in the parish of Bedweity and had he represented that parish, he should cer- tainly have sought for it, by some means, long ago. In the dis- trict in which he lived (Treveihin) there were 5 policemen, and having found that they were insufficient for the protection of the popu'rtion, and for thefull accomplishment of the ends of justice, he had caused forty special constables to be sworn. In that parish, they were as deficient of the means of security as they were at present in the parish of Bedwelty-be saw the necessity for a lock-up house, and, after some time, they procured one, but un 'ir another act from that under which Captain Marsh, now sought to obtain one for Bed welty-he meant the Lighting and Watching Act." He begged further to remark, as the establish- ment of the proposed lock-up house at Bedwelty was contem- plated principally to protect the property of the iron and coal masters in that neighbourhood, that lit would be reasonable to apply to those gentlemen, some of whom were opuleni, and had large interests in the parish, to support the proposed lock-up house, and pay the expense of keeping a police inspector, and otber necessary officers. Sir Digby Mackworth agreed with Mr. Phillips and Captain Marsh, as to the necessity of a lock.up house for the parish of Bedwelty. But it ought to be sought for under the Lighting and Watching Act, and not from the county magistrates,—else all parishes that wanted lock-up bouseswould be soon applying to the magistrates for similar houses, and the county would thus be burdened with immense additional expense. A further discussion followed, in which Mr. Coles, Mr.O. Morgan, and other magistrates, took part; and it seeming to be the prevailing opinion of the Bench that the better course to be adopted was that suggested by Mr. Phillips, Captain Marsh withdrew the proposition. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT, The Finance Committee reported that they had passed the several bills submitted to them, but thought it necessary to sug- gest to tbeconrt the propriety of inquiry, there being several cases of verdicts of Natural Death in the coroner's account— whether there was any necessity for holding inquests in these several cases. The consideration of this point was deferred. A County Rate of Id. in the pound was ordered. Ordered That the Vicar of Usk become one of the visiting I magistrates for the county. THE SURVEYOR'S REPORT presented no feature of public interest. The report of the Inspector of Weights and Measures slated that the following persons had been fined for using short weights Aaron Brain, shop-keeper, Bedwelty fl 0 Henry Bryant, shopkeeper, Bedwelty .10 David Anthony, innkeeper, Bedwelty 0 10 Reese Price, innkeeper, Bed was t 0 Joseph Watkins, beer-house-keeper, Monythusloyne I 0 George Parsons, shopkeer, Monythusloyne 0 10 Edward Waters, shopkeeper, Monythusloyne 1 0 John Jones, miller, Monythusloyne 2 10 George Lovell, shopkeeper, Bedwelty 10 Isaac Jeokins, shopkeeper, Bedwelty .10 John Hopkins, miller. Bedwelty 10 John Rogers, innkeeper, Bedwelty .10 THE PRISON REPORT Stated that certain alterations were necessary at the House of Correction at Usk, )0 prevent recognition between the prisoners. The general state of the prisons was said to be satisfactory, ex- cept in one particular; viz.: that in consequence of some defect in the erection of the treadmill, an accident had happened to a lad but rhe injury was not of a serious nature, and the boy was getting better. Mr. W. A. Williams stated that this wheel had been taken from the old prison, and had never worked satisfactorily since it had been erected in the House of Correction. In consequence of this circumstance, the visiting magistrates had thought proper to request Mr. Bush, an engineer, of Bristol, to examine the wheel, and furnish them with an estimate of the cost of the necessary alterations. That report had been furnished, and the amount required was said to be £40. The Court ordered that this amount should be allowed for the repair and alteration of the wheel. The County Gaoler's Report, the Report of the Governor of the House of Correction at Usk, the Chaplains' Reports. &c., were presented, but contained no points of interest to the public After other routine business—reporting to the Secretary of State, in accordance with the gaolers' repoits, &c. &c., the Court rose about half-past five. SECOND DAY. The Conrt met at half-past nine and, after the swearing of the Grand Jury, the reading of the proclamation against vice and immorality, See., The Chairman proceeded to address the Grand Jury to the following effect:—Gentlemen of the Giand Jury, — We are happy to observe the small number of cases appearing upon the calen- dar for trial, considering the period which has elapsed cince our last sessions. This is certainly a mailer which affords consider- able satisfaction to the magistrates—and must be equally pleasing to you, whether you consider it to arise from an increase of trade, or from an improved state of the public morals. As well as there being but few casea for trial, I am also happy to perceive that those which are in the calendar are of a very light description, if we except one case, that numbered in the calendar, 16, 17, 18, 19,20, in which the prisoners are charged with having assaulted a man, with a view to commit a felony, by stealing from him some sheep that he was driving. This, gentlemen, is a serious case in the eye of the law, and one which, if you think, from examining the depositions, that the assault has been committed with intent to rob, must be removed to the jurisdiction of a higher court, and will be tried at the assizes for this county. There is, gentlemen, one class of offences which occurs frequently in the present calendar; viz., obtaining goods under false pre. tences. It will be for you to decide, gentlemen, under the direction of the Couit, whether the circumstances of the particu. lar cases which will be submitted to your consideration, are such as will prove that offences of this description were committed, ft therefore now remains, gentlemen, for the Court to inform you what circumstances constitute an offence of this character. Some pretences are of a trivial description, and not at ftll calcu- lated to deceive—hut that is not a question for the consideration of the jury—the matter which you have to consider is, whether certain pretences, not obviously false, are employed in order to deceive a party, so as to obtain from that party, anything ic the possession of that party, with a view to deprive him of the same. You will remember, gentlemen, that it is not a naked and obvi- ous he which constitutes the offence, according to the statute ;— for example, if a man say that any parcel of goods weighs 161bs., when it is obviously 201bs., that ts not an offence of the desciip- tion of which I am now speaking. To constitute the offence named, the pretence must be respecting some fact or circum- stance otherwise unknown to the party, and by which pretence it is intended so to deceive as to obtain from that person something in his possession, to which the other has no legal claim. There is one other case, upon which I think it necessary to make two or three observations—and that is the case in which the prisoner is charged with obtaining goods under false pretences; and the crime is said to have been perpetrated by his presenting a note, signed by the daughter of a workhouse keeper, to a shopkeeper, and thereby obtaining a pair of boots,—the Court thinks, that in case a question may arise in your mind as to whether the pri- soner should be eonvicted of the crime laid in the indictment, or of forgery but to constitute the latter offence, the parly whose signature is used to obtain goods, must be a person who would have some authority to obtain the goods but if the signature be that of another person, then the offence laid in the indictment is the one which it will be your duty to find a bill. Gentlemen, 1 do not think it necessary to make any further observations to you on the calendar; but I wish to call youi attention to an Act of Parliament recently passed—an Act which affects you all as rate- payers, and one of considerable importance to the county. Iallude to the Act which provides that every county shall be furnished with a lunatic asylum for pauper lunatics. It is now no longer left to the option of counties whether they will have lunatic asy- lums for pauper lunatics or not. The Act lately passed is com- pulsory, and will, of course, entail some charge upon the county late; but, gentlemen, when YOIl consider the object of this Act, I have no doubt you will willingly contribute your quota to the additional charge which may be thus incurred. The intention of the Act is, that those persons who may be afflicted with madness may be placed under proper treatment on the first appearance of this dreadful malady-the Act providing that paupers, in the first stage of lunacy, may be removed immediately to the asylum pro. vided for their reception. You cannot fail to perceive, gentle- men, that this provision, whilst it throws additional expense upon the county, may be the means of relieving the various pt- rishes in the county from the oharge of some paupers, who, from their being insane, are incapable of providing for themselves; but who, if placed under proper treatment in time, might be re- stored to a sound stale of mind, and rendered useful members of society. These, gentlemen, are all the observations I think it necessary to make to you and I must, therefore, dismiss you to your room, requesting that you will furnish the Court with some of the bills submitted to you, at your earliest convenience. The Grand Jury having retired to their room, the Court pro- ceeded to hear APPEALS. The following were the cases :— LANDIT.0 FAWR, appellants: BEDWELTY, respondents. Counsel for the appellants, Mr. Daniels: for the respondents, Mr. Rickards. Appeal against older of removal. Order quashed, whh;C5. costs. MIDSUMMER NORTON, Somersetshire, appellants TREVETHIN, respondents. Mr. Daniels for the appellants; Mr. Smythies for the respondents. Order of removal. Order quashed, with usual costs. HARTFURY, Gloucestershire, appellants MONMOUTH respondents. For the appellants, Mr. Daniels for the respondents, Mr. Smythies. Appeal against order of removal. Order confirmed. NEWLAND, appellants SHIRENEWTON, respondents. Mr. Daniels for appellants Mr. Ri. kards for respondents. Appeal against order of removal. Order quashed, wtth £5. costs of a respited appeal, and £3. 15,. 3,J. costs of maintenance. David Morgan, James Gill, William Hatill, Abraham Comack, and Ebeneter Jones, charged with assaulting John Grove, with intent to steal sheep from him, near Newport, were brought up, and informed that the gaoler was ordered to keep them in custody, for trial at the next assizes. TRIALS OF PRISONERS. John Richards, a hardened looking fellow, and Ann Jones, a young woman, with a very reckless expression of countenance, and who appeared at the bar with an infant in her arms, were charged with stealing a pair of women's boots of the value of 5> and a pair of cotton stockings, of the value of 2d. the property of Ellen Sweeney. Ellen Sweeney On the 27th of September I slept at my house in Abergavenny, and the prisoner lodged with me ibat night. The same day the prisoners came to my house I saw the boots and stockings, which I afterwards missed, in the room in which we slept. They slept in the room w)th me, and no one else ex- cept a child. Shortly after the prisoners left my house I missed the boots and stockings, and informed the constable of it. Patrick Cusack said, I apprehended the prisoners about three miles from Abergavenny, on the Hereford road. I found the stockings and boots on the male prisoner. He told me he had them from the woman; the woman was close to him at the time he said he had received them from her. The constable produced the boots and stockings, which were identified by Ellen Sweeney. This being all the evidence for the prosecution, The jury, after a brief consultation, returned a verdict of Guilty, and the Court sentenced John Richards to four months' imprisonment in the House of Correction, with hard labour; and Ann Jones to four months' imprisonment in the county gaol, with appropriate labour. John Jonet, an unrelenting youth, aged 17, (read and write well.) was charged with stealing a silver watch, a seal, two watch keys, and a sleel chain, value £4. 13s., the properly of William Davies, on the 5th of August. William Davies,the prosecutor, sltld-The prisoner lodged with me at Tredegar. One morning the prisoner went out early, and soon after I lost my watch. This was on the 5th of August. — Walts, the police-constable, in the employment of the Newport Dock Company, said—1 saw the piisoner on the 6th of August, at the Newport Dock—and found a watch upon him. I asked him if he had a watch j he said he had—but that he had it of his father. He afterwards told me that he had taken the watch from William Davies. The watch was produced, and identified by the prosecutor. After a brief address from the Chairman, the jury returned a verdict of guilty, and the prisooer was sentenced to six months imprisonment at hard labour. Ann Griffiths, a very decently dressed female, aged 15, (read imp., not write,) charged with stealing a sixpence, a penny, and a halfpenny, on the 21st of September, the property of George Gotrell. George Gorrell said he lived at Trevethin, and prisoner had lived with him as a servant; that in consequence of suspecting her, he marked some money, and put it in a waistcoat pocket, and hung the waistcoat on a bed-post. On returning from cha- pel, on the 21st Sept., he missed some of the money. The Police-sergeant of Trevethin was called, and proved that he had taken the piisoner into custody on the charge laid in the indictment. She asked him to forgive him and said she had never done anything of the sort before. He took her to the sta- tion-bouse. The prisoner said she had taken the money up from the bed, and not out of the prosecutor's pocket. The Jury returned a verdict of Guilty. After a witness had been called, who gave the prisoner a good character, the Court, after a cautionary address, sentenced her to one month's hard labour in the House of Correction. Mary Ann Norton, aged 23, read and write imp., a decent- looking girl, but whose conduct, as described in the evidence, sems not to have corresponded with that appearance, was charged with having, at the borough of Monmouth, on the 25th Sept. instant, stolen one half-crown, and one shilling in silver, from John Prichard. John Prichard, the prosecutor, said he was at Mr. Owen's office, Monmouth, on 25th September last; and that on the same evening he was passing near the Bull Ring, in that town, when he was accosted by two females, one taking him by one Mm, and the ether by the other, and asking him to give them a glass of beer: he had not, he said, been long in their company when the piisoner at the bar and the other woman placed their hands into his pockets-and 00 their leaving him, he said to the prisoner at the bar, "Youhaverobbedmf." The giils then ran off, Rnd he shouted, II Police, stop thief." He soon after- wards saw several persons running away, but he did not know who they were, excepting the persons who had taken hold of him, On being cross-examined by the prisoner's counsel, Mr. Daniels, the witness admitted that he had been some hours on the Monmouth race-course drinking—but positively and pom- pously asserted that he was sober enough to know whether he was robbed or not. Mr. Daniels pointedly cioss-esamiued the prosecutor as to discrepancies between ihe statement now made by him and the deposition taken before the magistrate, which resulted in the disclosure of some important inaccuracies. Williams, a constable, was the next witness examined: He deposed to hiving ran, when he heard the cry of Stop thief," and taken the prisoner into custody. A cross-examination by Mr. Daniels elicited that some inac- curracies existed between the witnesses's deposition and his pre- sentevidence. These discrepancies in the evidence were fully commented upon by Mr. Daniels, in a lengthened address to the jury—and Mr. Smythies. who was engaged for the prosecution, subsequently addressed the jury, with a view to leconcile these differences. The case was then clearly summed up to the jury by the Chairman, who, alter a short consultation, returned a verdict of Not Guilty. George Stanley, a decently dressed youth, aged 19, read and write Imp., charged with stealing nine geese, the property of George Jones and John Harrhy, both of Caldicot. George fones, the prosecutor, being sworn, said he lived at Caldicot, and was, on the 18th August last, in his potatoe field, with a dog—the dog smeit about the field as if he scented some- thing. I afterwards found a bug hid between the potatoes. I then went to a coosiable, and went with him in the evening, to the field to watch the bag I had previously seen there. Whilst waiting there, I heard the hedge crack, and afterwards saw the prisoner in the custody of Adams, the constable. I found that the sack contained geese, four of which were mine the sack was given to me by the constable. The constable Adams corroborated the former witness's testi- mony, and staled that he had taken prisoner into custody. Edward Musgrove, a farmer, said he was in the field with the oiher parties, and that, after hearing the hedge crack, he saw the prisoner come through the hedge, and take up the sack and as he was going away with the sack, he caught him, and asked him who was his company he said one Vincent, a baker, and said he would take me to his house. Witness did not see any oneetse. The witness, on cross-examination, said that he had been hid between the potatoe rows, and that, on the prisoner taking the bag, he took hold oi him, and gave him into the custody of the constable. — Jones, a farmer, said he had been shown some geese, and found that five of them were his property, and which he had lost. He knew the geese by a slit in the outer web of each foot. Mary Harry, wife of John Harry, said her husband's geese four of which she had missed, were marked on the feet in such a manner that she knew them. She knew, therefore, that those shown to her before the magistrates, were her husband's geese. Mr. Daniels addressed the jury on behalf of the prisoner, and called several witnesses, who gave the piisoner an excellent character. The particulars of the caM were briefly recapitulated by the Chairman to the Jury. who returned a verdict of Guilty.— Sentence six months' imp. in the county gaol, at hard labour. The following prisoners pleaded guilty :— Mary Bryant, a hard-faced creature, who frankly acknow- ledged a former conviction, and lamented, in truly Irish phrase- ology, that she had corne away from Newport now, leaving her dear dead infant" on the bed. She was charged with stealing 100 lbs. ofccai, of the value of 3d., the property of Mr. John Lawrence, coal merchant, on the 14th of June last. Six months' impiisonment in the House of Correction. Thomas Trowbrey, an unfortunate wight, with an unmeaning expression of countenance, charged with stealing a silver watch, at BEdweIty, on the 8th September last, was sentenced to four months' imprisonment, io the House of Correction, to hard labour, Ann J ODes, a decent-looking girl, was charged with unlawfully obtaining, from Ann Jenkins, a straw bonnet, of the value of 4s.6d., with intent to defraud John Jenkins, on the 25th of July last, and pleaded" Guilly, werse luck." Prison at Usk, six months' hard labour. Abel Rosser, charged with stealing 24i lbs. of coal, value one penny, the property of Thomas Powell and others, on the 2nd of August last. Imprisoned one month at Usk, hard labour. Edwaid Collins was charged with stealing a hat, the property of James Ilart, at Trevethin. Two months' bard labour. George Thomas, (who looked horribly frightened at his pre- sent situation, and received a good character from E. Hopkins, policesuperintendent, Newport, and Wm.Lewis,of Abersychan.) charged with embezzling a pair of lasts, four pieces of leather, and a piece of cloth, the property of the said Wm. Lewis, his master, on the 27th September last. Mary Callaghan, charged with unlawfully obtaining, by false pretences, six yards of black Coburgh cloth, and a yard of brown Holland, with intent 10 defraud Mr. Edward Morgan, drapet, of Newport, on the 15 h August, last. Six months' imprisonment, hard labour Thomas Williams, charged with unlawfully obtaining, by false pretences, a pair of boots, of Mr. Luke Horner, of Pillgwenliy, on the 14th August, 1843, was transported for seven years. The indictment, against Hannah Davis, charging her with ob- taining a pair of boots, by false pretences, the property of Eliz. Prewett, was quashed in consequence of an informality.
[No title]
INTERESTING FESTIVAL.—On Thursday, Mr.G. England, engineer, and founder of the Hatcham Iron Works, near New Cross, Deptford, gave a dinner to the whole of his establish- ment, in order to celebrate the birthday of a son and heir. The dinner, which was most bountiful and substantial, was served up in the factory; Mr. England, without the least ostentation, presiding at the festive board. The railway amateur brass band, members of the Deptford Foresters Club, attended, and partook of the hospitality of the worthy host; and played a great variety of popular airs in the even. ing. After the cloth was removed, a number of the wives and sweethearts were admitted to partake of this novel and interesting scene. The factory was decorated with ever- greens, and the forge fires were kept in a constant roar, which created an appearance resembling eruptions of Etna or Vesuvius more than an ordinary smithy. Mr: England having abandoned the use of the ordinary forge bellows, uses an invention of his own, worked by steam power, that throws out an almost instantaneous heat, resembling liquid fire. During the evening, boards were laid down, when country dances, hornpipes, &c., were danced with great animation. A celebrated clown from one of the London theatres was present, and sang a number of very comic songs, one or two of which were composed for the occasion. Mr. England declaied his intention of giving similar entertain- ments annually, until his son arrives at his majority, in order that a proper feeling shall be kept up between master and men. Mr.Ens;land having been the sole architect of his own fortunes, is resolved to bring his son up to similar acts of industry and business habits, void of all aristocratic feel- ing. The whole party separated at twelve o'clock, highly delighted with the day's enjoyment. The newspapers of New York are full of ovations of Mrs. and Mr, Charles Kean. A larger audience was assembled upon the occasion of the benefit of Mr. Charles Kean than had ever been witnessed at-the Park Theatre. More money had been received at the treasury during their engagement than had been taken during a similar number of performances for twenty.five years. Eleven nights have reaJizod to these artistes £ 1,000. The Jamaica papers state that 400.000 pine apples had been sent from the West Indies to England during the present season. The sugar crop of the present year is expected to be the largest ever raised in the West Indies since the abolition of slavery, and considerably to exceed the crop of last year, which amounted to about two million four hundred thousand cwls. ST. SAVIOUR'S CHURCH, COALPIT HEATH.— This beautiful edifice, situated near Bristol, in a district wheie the ministra- tions of the Church have been much needed, was consecrated on Thursday last by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol. His Lordship was met at the entrance by nearly forty of the clergy of this city and its neighbourhood, where the usual preliminary ceremonies took place. The Bishop and clergy then entered the church, and proceeded to the chancel, re- peating the 24th Psalm and, having taken their seats, the deed of conveyance was presented to his lordship by Mr. Hewitt, in the name of Ihe lords of the manor, Lord Middleton, Sir John Smyth, and Edward F. Cobton, Esq.. who had given sites for the church, parsonage, and schools. The Bishop then read the consecration prayers, after which. Dr. Maddy, the Chancellor of Gloucester, read the act oi coosecratton. The Rev. J. R. Woop- ford, who has been pieseotnd to the incumbency, read the play- ers, assisted in the lessons by the Rev. Da. Allen and the Rev. P. Freeman the communion service by the Bishop and his chaplains. The Rev. J. Huetly, Rura! Dean, preached an ad. mirable sermoa. The impressive ceremony of consecrating the church having been gone through, the Bishop and clergy pro- ceeded to the church-yard, which was solemnly set apart for the burial of those who die in the Lord." The congregation then reentered the church, where the Bishop administered the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, assisted by the Rev. Archdea- con Thorp and Rev. Canons Murray Browne and George N. Barrow, hIs lordship's chaplains. After the service an elegant dejeuner was provided forjthe Bishop, clergy, &c, in a tent in the field adjoining the churchyard. Thebuitdiogisasingularty cha-te edifice, in the decorated Goihic style, and consists of a chancel, nave, and aisles. The cluocel is appropriaieiy sepa- rated from the body of the chureh by an oak screen, and is lighted by windows of stained glass, painted by Williment, of London, and Bell, of BrietoL-Bristol Journal. THE ANDOVER UNION.—The new master of the union, Mr. Price, who was appointed on the recomroeodatiou of the Assis- tant Commissioner, has been dismissed. At a meeting of the guardians, held on Saturday, the clerk read a letter fioro ihe Poor-iaw Commissioners, in which they stated that they were not aware of the previous conduct and character of Price, or they would not have sanctioned his recommendation. They admitted that one of their Assistant. Commissioners, Mr. Austin, was sent down to Oxford some time ago to inquire into the ronduct of the master there, and that he had forwarded to them an official re- port, which they had not examined until the present time, hav. ing understood, at the period of Mr. Austins inquiry, that as soon as it commenced the master resigned, and that, therefore, the charges against him were not investigated, and required no further notice. Mr. Assistant-Commissioner Parker had written a similarexplanatioo, saying he had heard that Price had resigned because he wished to leave his situation at Oxford, and not be cause of any charges brought against him connected with his conduct in his situation there. The Commissioners having, con- sequently, recommended that Price should bt: dismissed, the guardians agreed to a resolution to that effect. M. THIEPS.—It is said that M. Thiers does not intend to pro- long his stay in England beyond the close of this week. He will visit Loid Lansdowne, and will, lo-monow leave ivart s for the Grange. Hants, on a visit to Lord and Lady Ashbunon. ac. companied by Count Walewski. Madame llllers and Madame Donne take their departure lo-morrow for Paris. Count Wale- wski, natural son of Napoleon, who has been the cotnpagnon du voyage of M. Thiers, is son-in-law of the Dowager Countess of Smdwich, and consequently nearly connecte o e arl of Sandwich. M. Thiers and Count Walewski were to have gone on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Sandwich, at Hinchin- brooke, near Huntingdon, but owing to the sudden death of Lady Agnes Byng, of course they could not receive company STRANGE OPERATION.—A French surgeon lately removed the cornea from the eye of a female who had been blm e y,s*ntt. pox, and, replacing it with that of a young dog. enabled t e grrl to distinguish between day and night,—[The na has since fallen in love, at first sight, wiib a youog puppy* J
WORCESTER AND MERTHYR TYDVIL…
WORCESTER AND MERTHYR TYDVIL JUNCTION RAILWAY. A public meeting of the inhabitants of Merthyr Tydvil and its neighbourhood was recently held at the Castle Hotel, for the pur- pose of taking into consideialion which of the proposed lines of railway from Merthyr to Abergavenny, will be most desirable for the inlerest and convenience of tbe town and neighbourhood. We observed present the following influential and highly re- spectable gentlemen William Thomas, Esq., Court, Mer. thyr; Walter Thompson, Esq., banker, Merthyr Edward Da. vies, E-q.. surgeon, Cyfarthfa; Edward Davies, Esq., Merthyr; William Davies, Esq., solicitor, Merthyr; Watkin Scale, Esq., Aberdare James Russell, Esq., solicitor, Meithyr Thomas Brown, Esq., Stthowy David James, Esq., Merthyr — Wal. kinshaw, Esq. Lewis Lewis, Esq. Charles James, Esq.; solicitor, Merthyr; — Illingwcrth. Esq., Tredegar; — Need. ham, Esq., Llandaff; Samuel Homfray, Esq.; David Evans, Esq., Dowlais Works Benjamin Martin, Esq.; Mr. William Williams, Swansea Mr. Kirkhouse, jun., Vale ofNeath Mr. Stephens, Merthyr, &c.. &e. The following gentlemen attended as a deputation from the Worcester and Merthyi Tydvil Junction Railway Company :— William Chadwick, Esq., chairman Thomas Bridges Simpson, Esq., deputy chairman W. L. Whitmore, Esq.; fohn Hem- ming, Esq.; W. H. Cooke, Esq., and the solicitors Charles G. Jones, Esq.; C. Chamberlain, Esq. David James, Esq., was unanimously called to the chair. Shortly after two o'clock the chairman lose, and said he had no doubt they should get through the business of the day very pleasantly, and that all present would give their support to that line of railway, which, upon examination, would be found the best calculated to promote the interests of the district with which they were connected. (Cheers.) With those few preliminary observations, he would then call upon some gentleman of the deputation to address the meeting, and to state what thtir views were. (Hear.) William Davies, Esq., thought it right to state at this stage of the proceedings, that having received a private communication respecting this line, and with reference to the course it should take, and having taken some interest in the matter, he thought it to be his duty to call a meeting of the inhabitants, iu order tbat they might hear fully what its promoters had to say. (Cheers). The Chairman asked whether the engineer was prepared to give the meeting information how he intended coming from Aber- gavennv to Dowlais, and what would be the rise. The Enginneer 1 have ascertained the levels from Aberga- venny to Dowlais. The Chairman How do you come from Abergavenny to the Ebbw Vale The Engineer: I come up the first ten miles at the rate of 100 feet in a mile, which is about one in 52; and aftej that the line is comparatively level to Dowlais. (Hear.) The Chairman And does that ten miles briog you to Ebbw Vale? The Engineer Yes, between Beaufort and Nantyglo. Thomas Brown, Esq., said that for his own personal satisfac- tion he spent nearly a day with the engineer in going through the levels from Abergavenny up to the valley above the Ebbw Vate and as far as that porliou of the line went, he (Mr. Brown) was satisfied that it was perfectly practicable,—(Cheers,)—and that he (the engineer) would have a line to foim that would not pre- sent difficulties of ar.y extraordinary character. Mr. Chadwick said that if Merthyr could not be approached by the line in question the company would undertake 10 make a branch for that purpose. (Cheers.) The Chairman said that no person could make the line from Merthyr to Dowlais a passenger line, as the nature of the ground rendered the matter impossible. He then asked the deputation io what way it proposed to connect Roes wi'h London. There was no connecting railroad at present. (Hear ) W. H. Cooke, Esq., explained that by means of this line, and the Monmouth and Hereford, parties would be brought within six miles of Gloucester, from whence they might proceed in any direction. Further explanations were given, from which we gathered that a plan had been matured for connecting the dictrict of Mer- thyr with the Great Western and other leading lines of railway. Mr. Chadwick and other gentlemen explained that by the pre- sent undertaking the most direct route would be formed for the north by way of Worcester, and for London by way of Glou- cester. Charles G. Jones, Esq. Our line from Merthyr to Worces- ter is much neater than the Eastern and Western line because that line goes from Merthyr to Hereford, and then from Hereford to Worcester whereas we goiuthemostdirect manner. (Hear.) Some time was then occupied in conversation, and in exam- ining maps of this and other lines. After which, William Thomas, Esq., rose and proposed a resolution, con- taining an expression of opinion that the meeting highly approved of the contemplated undertaking, and would give the promoters its strenuous support. [See Advt.] The proposition was seconded by Thomas Evans, Esq. The Chairman suggested the expediency of withholding any specific pledge upon the subject. He thought they should not pledge themselves to give this undertaking their strenuous sup. port, lest they should thereby deprive themselves of the right to support any line which might possibly be proposed for their approval. W. H. Cooke, Rsq., thought that pledges had been withheld only in cases where the neighbourhood did not feel sufficient confidenoe in the promoters of the line. (Hear.) Thomas Brown, Esq., thought that if they pursued the course suggested by the chairman, they were not likely to have any line of railway at all. (Hear, hear.) He thought snfficient time had been given for considering the matter, and that when they viewed the quantity of preparations which were necessarily required in order to comply with all the provisions of the stand- ing orders of parliament, he thought they would be of opinion that no time was to be lost. With reference to the proposed undertaking as a means of affording a direct communication to London, he (Mr. Brown) thought it was the best thing for this district which had yet been proposed. (Cheers.) He had not heard of any line which took them beyond Abergavenny. If they ran down either of the valleys to join the South Wales line, why, they would be left at Chepstow—(cheers)—whereas this line took them within seven miles of a connecting link of the Great Western line, and there could be no doubt hut that that seven miles would be filled up. He firmly felt that the proposed undertaking was fully deserving of tbeir cordial support. (Cheers.) The resolution was then put formally from the chair, and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the gentlemen who composed the deputa- tion, was then proposed by Thomas Brown, Esq., seconded by William Davies, Esq., and carried by acclamation. A vote of thanks to the Chairman for his able and impartial presidency was ihen proposed by Mr. Simpson, seconded by Mr. Chadwick, and carried unanimously, with loud cheers. In acknowledging the compliment, the Chairman said that he had entered the room rather adverse to the plan proposed. He thought it was not a better plan than some others which had been proposed for public consideration but the map of the line which he had seen, together with the remarks which he had heard, con- vinced him that a better line from Merthyr to London had not yet been devised. (Cheers.) If his opinion had not been altered, he would not, certainly, have taken part in the proceedings; but he was compelled to acknowledge that he thought this line gave the inhabitants the best communication from Merthyr to London —at least the best that had yet been submitted for publifc atten- tion and, therefore, he felt very great pleasure in»having been present when such resolutions were carried. (Cheers.) The names of several gentlemen were then added to the pro- visional committee, after which the meeting separated.—Merihyr Guardian.
DREADFUL CONFLAGRATION AT…
DREADFUL CONFLAGRATION AT INVERNESS. On Wednesday, Inverness was visited with a more destructive fire than ever previously occurred, by which Hamilton-place, the greater part of Inglis-street (west), and of Theatre-lane (east), constituting an extensive pile of lofty and valuable premises, has been, for the most part, burnt to the ground. It appears that, shortly before four o'clock on Wednesday morning, a watchman perceived fire issuing from the attic flat of that part of Mr. George M'Kay's premises situated in Inglis-street, and immedi- ately gave the alarm. The town beils were rung, dispatches were sent for the fire-engines and watermen, and for Dr. Nicol and other parties whose premises were endangered. There is some doubt as to the exact locality where the fire occurred it appears, however, to have originated e'ther in the pantry of Mr. George Mackay, the propiietor, or in that of his tenant, Mr. Mackay, tailor, as, on the latter descending to the street he saw the rool burnt through over the pantries, but nowhere else. The inmates of the extensive pile of buildings, on being made aware of their perilous condition, made a hasty retreat, many escaping merely in their night-dresses, or some garment thrown hastily about them. Mr. Forest, mail-driver, who lodged in Mr. Urqu- hart's premises, in oider to discover where the fire was, opened a door in the gable that separated that building from Hamilton- place, which, unforlunalely,gave vent in that direction to a body of smoke, which was so powerful as to drive him and his wife and children from their bed-rooms, without being able to secure his cash-box, containing £17. Mrs. Mackay, a lady occupying apartments in the eastern side of Hamilton-place, did not even save her gold watch, which was under her pillow, being forced with her daughter, Mrs. Macleod, to quit her bed-room with the greatest precipitation. Shortly after the alarm of fire was given, numerous parties assembled 10 render assistance a demand for pails and buckets was made, which was not only complied with, but several seivant girls and females turned out, many of them merely in their lower clothes and bed-gowns, and foPhours with such untiring energy, in carrying water to supply the engines, as to have elicited the admiration of all who were present. The Provost, Dr. Nicol, Bailie Fraser, and other members of thp Town Council, and leading inhabitants, were indefatigable in their efforts io extin- guish the flames; unfortunately, however, the hose of the engine Wall in bud repair, indeed, liD. much BO that we have seen Ihe people press their hands upon the holes to prevent the escape of the water, and the want of experience and firemen having authority to command, was too manifest. By this calamity, about thirteen families, amounting to sixty- two individuals, have been burned out. We understand Mr. Mackay was insured to the extent of £1,000. on his building, and Mr. Urquhait £350. on his, both in the Scottish Union. Mrs. T. Fraser, Mrs. Hunter, and Mr. Forsyih, are also insured, but many ate uninsured and have lost their all.—Ross shire Advertiser.
[No title]
THE MAN-WOMAN MYSTERY CLEARED UP. — A ease arising out of the death of the eccentric person who for a considerable time wore the garb of a man, and went by the name of Sir Edward Douglas, but who was, In fact, a female, said to be the natural daughter of an English nobleman, came before the Civil Tribunal of Paiis on Wednesday. Alter this person's death, and the absence of all claimants, the officers of the crown took possession of her furniture as an escheat. Subsequently, howe»er, a Mr. George Carter came forward, and claimed this furniture as being his in right of his mother, who was the reputed sister of Sir Edward Douglas, alias Miss Digby. In founding his claim, he stated that the two sisters lived together until the death of Mrs. Carter, to whom the furniture belonged, when the surviving sister requested to retain it, allowing Mr. George Caiter 100f. a- year for the use of it. The evidence produced by Mr. Carter in support of his claim not being satisfactory to the crown officers, they refused to give it up to him, and thereupon he appealed to the tribunal, which, after considering what he submitted to It, decreed that he was entitled to the furniture, ordered it to be given up to him, and condemned the crown to pay all the costs of the suit. IMTORTANT TO FARMERS.-—Mr. William Tayler, an agiicul- turist, living at Copped Hall, near Ryde, was summoned under the following chaige :—Edward Downer being sworn, staled that he was engaged by defendant for a month as a hanestman, at five pounds. The corn being granered a few days before the month was expired, defendant gave him .£4. 6s. 6d. for what he had done, and stopping a shilling for the harvest gloves, told him he did not want him any longer, unless he would work for Is. 6. a day. The Court decided that defendant should pay the remainder of the money, together with the price of the gloves (which it was not the custom in the Island to make the workmen find), snd the «o»U of Court,—J/amp»Air« Independent.
DIRECT j
DIRECT Brecon, Abergavenny, and Monmouth Independent Junction Railway, Forming (in continuation of other lines) a direct Railway from London, to Abergavenny, Crickhowell, and Brecon, Capital, £ 450,000. In 22,500 Shares of £ 20. each. Deposit, £ 2. 2s per Share. Provisionally Registered under 7 and 8 Vic. c. 110. No shareholder to be liable beyond the amount of his subscription Provisional Committee. Sir Henry Webb, Bart., Pall Mall, London Sir Richardson Uobson, F. R.S., 47, G loucesler-place, Porlman- square, London Sir John Hare, F.S.A., 11. Langham.place, London, Director of the Leeds and Liverpool, and the London and Windsor Railways. Francis Ignatius Vanzeller, Esq., Jeff'ry's-square, Portugese Consul-General, and Director of the Italian and Austrian Railway G. Hammond Whalley, Esq., Barrister-at-Lavv, and Tithe Commissioner for England and Wales Capt. C. Twisleton Graves, Army and Navy Club, London, Provisional Director of the Leicester, Tean, and Dove Rail- way, and Eastern and Western Junction Railways William Pawson, Esq., Tarnby House, near Leeds, Justice of the Peace, and Director of the West Riding Union Junction Railway Samuel R. Bosanquet, Esq., Dingestow Conrt, Monmouthshire, J.P. for the county .T. J. Kane, Esq., The Hill, Monmouthshire Robert Fisher, Esq., Wonastow House, Monmouthshire John Roberts, Esq., Cleddon Lodge, Monmouthshire, Justice of the Peace for the county The Rev. S. Wright Gardner, Lanvair, near Abergavenny John Wintle, Esq., Piercefield-park, near Chepstow, Mon- mouthshire The Rev. T, Price, the Skenchill, Monmouthshire, Director of the Grand Trunk Railway Edwin Whitehouse, Esq., Redbrook House, ironmaster, and tin plate manufacturer, Redbrook Iron Works, and "The" Forge," Monmouthshire John Willis, Esq., Oxford Lodge, Cheltenham, Provisional Di- rector of the Oxford, Witney, Cheltenham, and Gloucester Independent, and Oxford and Southall Extension Railway Robert Whittlesey Purchas, Esq. Pilstone, Monmouthshire Lieut.-Colonel Ley. Penzance, Cornwall, and Cheltenham Edwin Ley, Esq., Penzance, Cornwall The Worshipful the Mayor of Monmouth The Worshipful the Mayor of Gloucester The Woishipful the Mayor of Carnarvon The Worshipful the Mayor of Leeds John Powell, Esq Alderman of Monmouth, Director of the Monmouthshire and Glamorganshire Banking Company Thomas Griffin ^hillpotis, Esq., Alderman of Monmouth, and Provisional Director of the Bristol and Liverpool Railway Charles Tyler, Esq., Town Councillor of Monmouth, and the Duffryn, lireconshire Mr. James Davis, merchant, Town Councillor of Monmouth Mr. James Mc'Gowan, Town Councillor of Monmouth George Stackpoole, Esq., J.P. Laugharne, Calmarthenshire C. S. Shaw, Esq., Justice of the Peace for Pembrokeshire, Vic- toria House, Cheltenham, Director of«the Brighton and Cheltenham Railway Joseph Busher, Esq..Glyn Sciros, near Neath, Glamorganshire, Provisional Directorof the Vale of Neath, "the Great Eastern and Western," and the London, Bristol, and South Wales Railways William Henry Buckland, Esq., Cadoxton-place, near Neath, Glamorganshire, ironmaster Josiah G. Barrett, Esq., Ross, Herefordshire J. M.Shipton, Esq., R.N., Walmer Hall, Gloucestershire George Brown, Esq., TWYDing Park, Gloucestershire Henry Bold Williams, Esq., Barrister-at-Law, Cheltenham William Cother, Esq., Barrister at-Law. Temple, London, and Gloucester Anthony Gilhert Jones, Esq., Hatherley Court, Gloucestershire, Provisional Director of the Cambridge and Lincoln Extension, and Lincoln, York, and Leeds Extension Railways Henry Taylor, Esq, Melrose Villa, West Clifton, Gloucester- shire J.Clifford, Esq., Alban Court, Gloucestershire Richard Hodges Carter, Esq., Sherborne Villa, Gloucester, Barrister-at-Law, Chairman of the Gloucester Board of Guardians, and Vice Chairman of the Gloucester and Dean Forest Railway David Mowbray Walker, Esq., Gloucester, Alderman and Justice of the Peace, and Provisional Director of the Glou- cester and Dean Forest, the Northampton, Banbury, and Cheltenham, and Managing Director of the Worcester, Here- ford and Gloucestershire Railways Arthur Hammond Jenkins, Esq., Alderman of Gloucester, and Managing Director of the Gloucester and Dean Forest, and Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester Railways Edward Leader Kendall, Esq.. The Spa, Town Councillor of Gloucester, and Provisional Director of the Gloucester and Dean Forest, and Worcester Herefoid, and Gloucester Rail- ways George Davidson Moffatt, Esq., banker, Gloucester, Director of the Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester Railway George Jones, Esq., Gloucester, Managing Director of the Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester Railway I homas C. Avery, Esq Gloucester *\ProvisionalDirectors of Robt'rt Heane, Esq., Gloucester, mer- /tiloucester & Dean c[lant \Forest, and the Wor- CabbTrotter,Esq., Collep Greerr, cester, and forest of Dean John Bradley, Esq., R.N., Marine Villa,') Gloucester I Provisional Directors Samuel Jones, Esq., Gloucester,merchant, 5>° £ and Director of the Gloucester Banking | Lincoln Extens'on Company n J 'n Samuel Hitcn, .Esq., M.JU., uatnenrat nouse, uioucesier, rro- visiona) Director of the Gloucestor and Dean Forest, and Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester Railways John Amett, Esq., Cloisters, Gloucester, Previsional Director of the Gloucester, and Dean Forest Railway John Frederick Coules, Esq., Gloucester, merchant, Provisional Director of the Gloucester and Dean Forest, and the Cam- bridge and Lincoln Extension Railways Henry Fox, Esq., Gloucester, merchant, Provisional Director of the Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester Railway Edwd. John Woodhouse, Esq., Gloucester, merchant, Pro- visional Director of the Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester Railway William Washbourn, EFq., Gloucester, merchant, Provisional Director of the Northampton, Banbury, and Cheltenham Railway W. H. Evans, Esq., Gloucester, merchant, (Firm of "Southan and Evans ") C. Walker, Esq., Gloucester, merchant, (Firm of Price and Co.") Charles Frederick Cliffe, Esq., Provisional Director of the Dean Forest, aud Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester Railways The Rev J. Poole. M.A. Mansfield, Director of the Leek and Mansfield Railway William Cadman, Esq., Alderman and Justice of the Peace for Leeds, and Director of the Oxford and Worcester and Extension, and Welsh Midland Railway William Singleton, Esq., Director of the South Midland Junc- tion, Leeds and Liverpool Direct, and Lincoln, York, and Leeds Junction Railway John Blackburn, Esq., coroner for Leeds, and Director of the Oxford and Worcester Extension, and Welsh Midland Rail- way Mr. Alderman Porter, Noithampton John Thompson, Esq., Alderman of Wigan.lDirector, of the Liverpool and Leeds Direct Railway, the Birkenhead and Holyhead, the Yotkaud Lancaster, and Staffordshire Potteiies Railway Thomas Byrom. Esq., Alderman of Wigan, Director of the Liverpool and Bolton direct, York and Lancaster, the Liver- pool and Preston, and North Union Railways Henry Taylor, Esq., Wigan, Director of the Manchester and Wigan, the Liverpool and Bolton Direct, and Bristol and Dover Railways William Byrom, Esq., Oldham, Lincoln, Director of the Oldham District, the York and Lancaster, the Birkenhead and Holy- head, the Ipswich and Southampton, the London, Bristol, and South Wales Railway William Sharp, Esq., Linden Hall, near Lancaster, Director of the Leicester, Tean, and Dove Valley Junction, and Tean ar.d Dove Valley Railways Samuel Simpson, Esq-, The Greaves, Lancaster, Director of the Leeds and Liverpool Direct Railway Edward Ilvde Clark, Esq., Hyde Hall, Cheshire, andTickford Park, Bedfordshire William Douglas, Esq., Liverpool, Director of the Newry and Carlingford Railway, and of the Direct London and Edin- burgh Railways Jas. Thomas Bourne, Esq., Newnham Hall, Lancashire and Liverpool John A. Dixon, Esq., Burnley, Yorkshire, Director of the Great Western, Southern and Eastern Railway Thomas Burnley, Esq., Pollard Hall, Gomersal, near Leeds, Thomas Burnley, Esq., Pollard Hall, Gomersal, near Leeds, Director of the Leeds and West Riding Junction Railway Robert Baldry, Esq Halifax Charles Ransiord Court, Esq Wrington, Somerset George Murray, Esq., Chichester, Justice of the Peace for the county A. Alexander, Esq., Sullington House, Warwick Capt. Tringham, Solihall, Warwickshire Henry Heane, Esq., Newport, Salop George Walker, Esq., Birkenhead, Cheshire Thomas Spawforth, Esq., Woolstapler, Broadford Thomas Rogers, Esq., Bradford, Director of the Liverpool and Leeds Direct, and Liverpool and Derby Railways F. Duffield, Esq., Bolton House, Bradford, Director of the Cambridge and Lincoln Extension Railway Samuel Smith, Esq., Suddenda Fort, near Halifax, Director of the North and South Junction, and Bradford, Manchester, and Liverpool Direct Railways Thomas Smith, M D., Vice Chairman of the Great North of England and Yorkshire and Glasgow Union Railway, and Director of the Leeds and Liverpool, and Leeds and York Railways J. M. Cottle, Esq., Leamington, Director of the Coventry and Leicester Railway, and Lirect Western Railway Capt. James Hunter, Benswood Terrace, Leamington Capt. T. Hodges, Connaught-terrace, Hyde Park, Director of the Leeds and Carlisle Railway Major William Snow, Cavendish-street, Cavendish-square, Director of the Portsmouth and Chatham Railway S. W. Hamilton, Esq., Grafton-street, Fitzroy-sqcare, Direc- tor of the Manchester and York Railway Rev. J. Nash, '27, VVestbourn Terrace, Hyde Park George Evans, Esq., Melbury Terrace, Regent's Park George Mann. Esq., Wood Lawn, Surrey Jonathan D. Dow, Esq., Cornhill and Streatham, Surrey J. R. W. Atkinson, Esq., Elmwood House, Leeds, Director of the Eastern Counties Extension Railway Darnton Lupton, Esq., Leeds, Director of the Nottingham and Gainsboro' Railway Joseph Wykes, Esq., Northampton, Director of the South Midland* Railway R- Rising, Esq., Director of the Rugby and Worcester Railway George R. Paul, Esq., Strand, and Worthing, Sussex John Soane, Esq., Waltham Hall, Waltham Abbey, Essex W. W. Pell, Esq., Uttlesthorpe, Leicestershire William Ekin, Eaq., Cambridge Samuel Sanders, Esq., Fernhill, Isle of Wight (With Power to add to their Number.) Engineers. Bankers. London— Monmouth—Messrs. Baileys, Gratrex, and Williams. The Mon- mouthshire and Glamorganshire Banking Company Usk—The Monmouthshire and Glamorgansbire Banking Com- pany Abergavenny—The Monmouthshire and Glamorganshire Bank- ing Company Brecon—Messrs. Wilkins and Co. Messrs. Bromage, Snead, and Co., at their Branch Banks. Gloucester and Cheltenham-The Gloucestershire Banking Company. The County of Gloucester Bank Solicitors. J. Barnett, Esq., Cheltenham J. Lovegrove, Esq., Gloucester Parliamentary Agents, Local Agents. Monmouth—Messrs. Powles, Tyler, and Powles, Solicitors Abergavenny—T. Gabb, Esq., Solicitor Usk—Messrs. Powles, Tyler, and Powles, Solicitors Neath-George Leeds, Esq., Solicitor PROSPECTUS. THE object of the proposed line is to perfect, by the shortest .A. and most eligible route, a railway communication between the Metropolis of England and Central Wales, and to directly connect the county towns of Brecon, Monmouth, and Gloucester. Parliament having lately sanctioned the introduction of rail- way co mmunication into Wales, and passed some important acts re ating to that locality, bul not having adequately provided for its demands, It is intended by this undertaking very materially to assist in supplying them and bills having been passed for connecting Ragland, Monmouth, Ross, &c., with Gloucester- shire, and other measures being about to be introduced for ren- dering the railway connection between that county and London shorter and more complete, the uniting Brecon and intermediate places with the Monmouth line, at the most eligible point, seems much to be desired. It is, therefore, proposed to effect the shortest practicable con- nection between the towns of Brecon, Crickhowell, Abergavenny, and Monmouth, and Gloucester, Chel enham, Oxford, and Lon. don, and thus attain a communication with the numerous rail. roads, extending to the North and West of England, diverging, at different points, from this direct line of intercourse with the Metropolis. Although the present high road traversed by the mails is sus- ceptible of several improvements, yet its general direction ap- pears to have been wisely selected, and, regard being had to the valleys and present populous and wealthy districts in its course, this comparatively short and inexpensive line of rail- way suggests itseif as the natural and best route* for perfecting a most important link in railway communication, and forming a very material portion of a trunk railway into the heart of Wales. Brecon having increased in importance by the recent erection of permanent militory Lalracks there, its speedy communication with the Hoise Guards will be highly desirable to Government; and the immense mineral and other wealth of the districts to be traversed, and of the contiguous towns of Pontypool and Merthyr Tydvil, manifest not only the superior advantage of this line, but at once mark it out as one of vast national importance, as well as a source of considerable profit to the shareholders. The contemplated lines from Carmarthen and other places in Wales, up to and through Brecknock, will preserve that town as the key-stone for Central Wales; with neither of them will this line prejudicially interlere, but will materially aid their avowed objects, as also those of the projected lines to and from Merthyr Tydvil down to Abergavenny. This line will commence near Monmouth, by diverging, at the mcst eligible point, from the rails of the ^eref'oid, Mon- mouth, and Newport lines and leaving Usk iij^^ontypool to the south-west, wiil run close to the townisppAbergavenny and Crickhowell, to a suitable station at Brecon, adopting, for many miles, the valley of the river Usk, and keeping, as near as desirable, the line of the present turnpike-road, used daily by two four-horse mails and several other coaches between the above places; avoiding, in its course, interfeience with the nu- merous gentlemen's seats it passes, and having due regard to, and preserving the heauties of their rich and ornamental grounds; affording every facility to the public for direct railway commu- nication, and preserving the great traffic of Central Wales Sb the line ot country through which it has for centuries been conveyed. The objects to be effected by the proposed measure will be- 1st. The affording great accommodation to the public. 2nd. Benefiting the localities it traverses, and enhancing the value of property, as it at present exists. 3rd. Keeping pace with improvements effected in other places. 4th. The best connection with the towns of Brecon. Crick- howell, Abergavenny, and Monmouth, and—by means of pro- jected lines to and from Merthyr Tydvil,—with that populous place and adjacent parts, and Abergavenny, Ragland, Mon- mouth, &c. 5th. The shortest and most eligible railway communication between the above places and the contiguous neighbourhoods, with Gloucester, Cheltenham, and Oxford and theieby afford- ing the most expeditious means of conveyance to London. 6th. The opening ot the justly styled "Garden of Wales" to distant parts, by the construction of a connecting line, at the least possible cost, through the splendid valley of the Usk whereby travellers from all lines may be attracted the present traffic increased; and further profit result to the shareholders. 7th. The saving of expense, time, and distance, as compared with the present mode of communication, from Brecon to Lon- don, viz.— Present mail coach route to Gloucester. 62"i Railroad from thence, via Stroud, Swindon, > 176 Dideot, and Reading, to London. 1143 By the proposed line, and thence, by other lines, to Gloucester, Cheltenham, Oxford, and London direct 150 Thus saving a distance of about. 26 Miles. 8th. The like between Brecon and Oxford, a distance will be saved of about. 39 Miles. 9th. Opening to the iron and coal masters, manufacturers, and traders of the traversed districts, and the contiguous looalities of Merthyr Tydvil, Pontypool, &c., a better and cheaper means of transit for their goods and merchandise, and the introduction, at a lower cost, of salt, cattle, artificial manures, and other com- mercial and agricultural commodities. These are only some of the important objects this railway will secure to the public generally,-and to the counties it traverses and unites in particular. ] t doubtless will stand high as an investment, the existing traffic being remunerative, and such as will unquestionably increase. That there are are no engineering difficulties can confidently be stated; this fact, independent of the surveys, has been suf- ficiently attested by gentlemen residing in the locality who, from past experience and local knowledge, are best qualified to form an opinion. Attention too may here be directed to the late Mr. Telford's Government Report, from which the foot ex- tracts are taken. The Directors are to have power for varying or extending the proposed line, or making such branches thertfrom as may, in their discretion, appear desirable, and also for entering into arrangements with any other company which may be deemed advantageous, whether by leasing, sel- ling, amalgamating, or otherwise; and the liability of each shareholder will be restricted, by Act of Parliament, to the amount of subscription and power will be applied for in the bill to allow interest, at 4 per cent. per annum, on all calls, from the passing of the act until the opening of the line. Applications for shares, in the annexed form, (with a banker's or other satisfactory reference,) may be addressed to the Provisional Committee, at the Offices of the Solicitors, at Cheltenham and Gloucester to Wm. Sharp, Esq., solicitor, 2, Verulam-Buildings, Gray's-Inn, and Charles Bell, 'Esq., solicitor, 36, Bedford-row, London; to any of the Local Agents or to the following Share Brokers:—London, Messrs. Pepper- corne's, 2, Old Broad-street; Messrs. Huggins & Lang, 14, Austin- Friars; Mr. Ratton and Mr. M. Abitbol, 8, Comhill.—Manchester, Messrs. Thomas Canlwell & Sons. Mr. Frederick Tootal, and Messrs. T. & J. Wilson.-Leeds. Messrs. Haigh and Womack, and Mr. C. J. Atkinson.—Liverpool, Messrs. Fletcher and Sharp, 10, Bretherton's- Buildings, Mr. M. L. Pritchard, and Mr. Wm. Simpson, 3, Brunswick- Buildings. -Bradford, Mr. Thomas Milthorpe.—Edinburgh, Mr. Wm. Bell.-Glasgow, Mr. J. Watson.—Dublin, Messrs. Bruce and Symes.- York, Mr. It. C. Cattley, and Mr. U. Lockwood.- Bristol, Mr. — Goss and Messrs. Edwards and Son.—Nottingham, Mr, S. Collinson Exeter, Messrs. Beaumont and Co.-Hull, Mr. Henry Hall.-Sheffield, Mr. R. B. Scholefieid.—Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Mr. Thomas F. Dickenson.- Worcester, Mr. J. H. Wheeler.—WakeneM. Mr. E. H. Armitage.- Sheffield, Messrs. J. N. Bardwell and Sons.- Leicester, Messrs. Wil- liams and Sunderland.-Halifax, Messrs. Halliwetl and Davis.-Derby, Messrs. Cuff and Fox. — Gloucester, Mr. J. N. Balme, and Mr. Thomas Spier.—Cheltenham, Messrs. Hall, Brothers, and Mr. Stokes. FORM OP APPLICATION FOR SHARES. To the Provisional Committee of the Direct Brecon, Abergavenny, and Monninnth, Independent Junction Railway." Cientlemen,- I request you will allot me shares of X20 each in the above jrailway, and I hreby undertake to accept the same, or any less number that may be allotted to me, aud to pay the deposit of 1:2 2s. per share thert on, and to sign the subscriber's agreement and parlia- mentary contract, when required. lName Residence Profession and Professional Residence. Date. Reference (in full). 1 ,-1-'1 The Heport ol Lore, t nicaester, as rusuuisiw-ueuerai, io tne Lords of the Treasury, with the Survey and Report of the late Thos. Telford, Esq., from which latter the following applicable extracts as to the mail road from Carmarthen via Brecon to Monmouth are taken, fully corro. borate the above:- Between the towns of Carmarthen and Abergavenny,the line of mail road is distinctly determined by the extensive valleys of the Towey and the Usk, but the formation of this mountainous district does not admit of any material variation, and in passing across such a track, these valleys are founil to be uncommonly regular, as may be seen by the longitudinal sections which accompany this Report. From this place (Abergavenny) for about four miles, the road is suffi- ciently direct and level. Further on it ascends to Clytha Hill, where a new road has been made by a very deep cut to the summit. This, when completed, will be an easy road. From hence to the village of Ragland the general direction is straight."
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A FINE PARLIAMENTARY PROSPECT.—The amount of railway work cut out for Parliament next session is something prodigious. Counsel learned in railway law are already girding up their loins for the coming warfare and the battle of the gauges last year was nothing to the deadly strife which the conflicting interests connected with the various lines is certain to produce. Each committee will be converted into a legal "Fives' Court," in which barristers, engineers, and witnesses will be pitted against one another before the hon. members whose awiul fiat will determine the fate, in men and money, of thousands. The deposits of the shareholders will of course supply the grist to the mill," and the rise and fall of empires will be unheeded in the Babel noise and confusion attendant on the settlement of the lines. Nothing less than lungs of steel and faces of brass will be able to carry the tribe of railway bar- risters through the amount of business; and unless the com- mittee-men have constitutions of iron, we do not see what ea: thly power can prevent their^breaking down before the ses- sion is half over. Many of our readers may be aware that the Kennet and Avon Cannal is to be formed into a railway; and in conjunc- tion with this and other lines, an undertaking is announced with the title of the London, Devizes, and Bridgwater direct Western Railway. Commencing at Devizes, it will proceed through various towns to Bridgwater—shortening the route between that and London to the extent of about thirty miles. PHEASANT SIIOOTIX<J.—Very favourable accounts are given of the plentifulness of young birds. The season has been very favourable for rearing them, the spring being exceed- ingly dry. Young birds are particularly strong on the wing, are very plump in condition, the young cock pheasants have attained their plumage.—Hampshire Advertiser. THE STAo.-The stag is a railway ruminant and belongs to a common herd that may be seen loitering about the Stock Exchange. The railway stag has his head full of branches, but he sheds a new branch directly there is any premium. He is exceedintly fleet on foot, and when he is once off there is no catching him. Some railway stags are, however, distinguished by a sort of waddle, like that of the lame duck of the Stock Exchange. There are strange stories told of the various forms assumed by the railway stag, for the annnal is exceedingly cun- ning, and will resort to any artifice to keep out of danger. The railway stag often causes great annoyance to the bulls and bears of the neighbourhood of the Stock Exchange.— Punch, BRISTOL, OCT. 15.-SUGA H.Thetransactions in the Sugar market this week have been very trifling, owing principally to the trade having got into stock, and present prices do not induce them to purchase forwards, as the rates rule high. Brown Raw Sugar is worth 48s. to 40s., and Fine, 54s. to 55s. The Hum market is quiet; but prices are fully maintained for all descrip- tions.. RISE IN THE PRICE OF COALS.—A considerable rise has taken place in the price of this material. At Ayr, the cart, which four months ago was 5s. 6d., has Hvanced to 7s. 6d. All the col. lieries in the county are in the Hest operation, but such is the rapid consumption from the quantity exported, from what is re- quired by the iron works, iy steam boats, and steam carriages, that the supply is hardly adequate to the demand. At Ardrossan, we understand, difficulty is experienced in supplying some of the steam-vesssels which regularly ply from that port. PLENTY OF MONEY.—As a proof of the soundness of bonk fide railway speculations, we are to state as a fact, of which we have the means of ascertaining the accuracy that the depositors of the Direct London and Manchester Rail- way (Rastrick's) have paid up their 10 per cent. without a single exception. Newport, Saturday, October 18, 1845. Printed and Published fcr the Proprietor, E D W A R D DOWLING, of Sto-v Hill, in the Parish of St. Woolos, in the MERLIN General rintins wtnre, situate in Corn-street, in the Borough of Newport, by WILLIAM CHRISTOPHERS, of No. 1, Chailes-street, in the said Borough. London Agents Messrs. Newton and Co., Warwick -square Mr. R* Barker, 33, r leet-street; Mr. G. Reynell, 43, Chan- cery-lane, Mr. S. Deacon, Coffee-house, No. 3, Walhrook, near ^Maosioo Houae, where this paper is regularlyaled.