Monmouthshire Merlin

BoAlQ) CHEPSTOW. ?^i this Boa!L^UARI)IANS'—r^^Le usual weekly meeting jWas held on Saturday last, when the ,•' itith n> were Present W. yEneas Seys, ^r' T- P w7lr Rev. John Price Messrs. J. Tay- J^andler p „ams' G- Roberts, G. Murrell, C. T. i0ck> ty 'p- L Medley, J. Till, H. Higgins, F. Bul- t poUard n a^ds'-W" Gale' E- Woodroffe, G. Jones, ^Ury Oi a' .Collins, F. Griffiths, and Isaac Mullins; °$cio ^rLUa'' Lewis, and R. C. Jenkins, n. ^alance in the treasurer's hands was iQiat 6 ^s- 3d. The Master reported that it 0n 3 num^ere<l 120, against 119 last week, and A Va8ranfrreSp1°ndin§ week of lash year. The number Uec^p s relieved was reported to be 39, being a upon former weeks.

> W TREDEGAR. G-eor^ —On Monday, before the Rev. E. R ered to 1 was charged with vagrancy, and ■^ymond f Gave the locality.—John Jones and Wm. T113' tthv" re^us>ng, when drunk, to quit the Royal ohn Barr?trnney, were each fined 5s. and costs.— °aSatu aar8e(l with drunken and riotous con- I; ei* was TP a^' Was ordered to pay costs. —Michael aluf^^ded till Friday on a charge of e We J^R ^EQUIES.—On Tuesday the remains of vn ^^Terl r0c^> formerly house agent at Tredegar, tn«T" The f 111 the family vault in Blaina Church- to;, tlje Ulleral was attended by the elite of the Con of »5etn^ers of St. George's Lodge of Free- la llSPicUou WhICh body deceased was a member, being to,. anrJ r„' Every house had drawn blinds, and the that \jPectaWe attendance at the funeral was a A filTl7Aftv r' ^rock had been much beloved aT*11 Ethervq'rjn Friday Mrs. Price (formerly Sarah j §e) died, after a few weeks illness, of con- 0 Th'ow, 011 Sunday, from the same cause, Mrs. |J"0cer, eldest daughter of Mr. J%nkin Davies, o' ail<i bf/i v6^ ^er htst. She was only 19 years of J ^en married about four months. S I^E CHANGE.—On Wednesday the rain y a'' day, and the water courses had a good ?mPtysAlxe ponds were in many instances nearly ■tt5 fait k lU a few weeks the pits and works would aj- ^pjp^y the want of water. TH COUECTI RACES.—The good people of our town fn ^QJer for a silver cup, to be given as one of s/ thg prizes, on Whit Monday. This prize is t -s of race> an(l is to be added to a sweep- °De sovereign each. Sundry ponies are under far an^ *s anticipated that the races of 1870 ^eutejja surpass the last and all previous years, pre]' 'roucl is actively engaged in carrying out are on. Jttimaries—a most efficient staff of stewards ^ne list, and railway arrangements are all that

BEAUFORT. W^ARROW ESCAPE.—A number of people who Bipi Ilear and about the incline which lets down the liv ygarn coal had a narrow escape for their 8ll last Monday. The rope which works the incline .Pped, and consequently two trucks were let free, b fWen^ down at a wonderful speed, and carried \vljo retliem. Luckily the men, women, and horses ^av 1°rk ^lc bottom of the incline were out of the b^n ] ^la" nioment, otherwise many lives would have One of°SM as it was, a great deal of damage was done. other d;?e Jtr/cks was smashed to atoms, and the n°t ^arG much better. The great speed at c°al fl trucks came down, with the iron ore and ^Wv^m°r *n directions, might have caused much V{0r aiI<l damage had it taken place a little time e> and many children would have also suffered.

MONMOUTH. TKP°^ES\S FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL. r 0wment of this school, under the will of SJ about Q^eS' ia 1614> consists mainly of an estate &ent-r0a,f 2 acres> situated at New Cross, in the Old a1d G-rep 'n<l°n> at the point where the London Y0q and OW ^be London and Brighton, the Lon- ^HctioQ raiT ^he South-Eastern, and the Thames iTe Preaer>+Wa^s aPpi'oach and intersect one another. T^arit-Y (whioK1'1,00'110 is upwards of £ 3,000. The old disea,^ comprises almshouses for twenty haberdashers t peoPle) is vested in the Company of forporated forTi°don> as governors, and they were a body of twelve Purpose. They are assisted by leading oent]PmoVls,1|;ors, who consist of some of the Monmouth a J lyino- in the neighbourhood of OUt the Superintend the school, and governors i S wbich have been laid down by the eery, g n(ier the direction of the Court of Chan- "^ho are lese rules the school consists of 100 boys, bleetinbell by the visitors at their quarterly candi-, an examination in reading only, among i ates who must be natives either of Grloucea- 4i e, Herefordshire, or Monmouthshire, between 1 ages of eight and fourteen, the best readers being elected without any reference to their comparative 4ge. The school is entirely free, the boys not even Paying for their books it is entirely a day school, the faster not being allowed to take boarders. Owing to *}at fact the boys from a distance lodge in the town ^'bout any supervision and this, reports the com- Y^ioners, appears to produce, as might be expected bad effects on the moral charade:'s of some of about one-third of whom ome from the ^a^j^and are lodging in the town. When their ;Sn418 equally good, boys natives of the town of cbooit have a prior right of election to the l e School is divided into classical and J r 7o l Scbols. The former contains 25, and the fppeaj. °ys. Both schools, says a Commissioner ft good be exceedingly well-taught. They afford tlie tree classical education to a certain number 8oiis of tradesmen and farmers, and a good p education, also free, to a certain r,Hf.lab0Ur drs and small tradesmen's sons who The berwise go to National or British Schools. the eXn°rne of the charity, however, already exceeds re by more than £ 1,000 per annum, and JSV o11 has' in consequence, been made to the Commissioner for an extension of the scheme; discussion has taken place, and very tauts gs have been aroused, among the inhabi- C°^Cni °f- Monmouth and its neighbourhood." The Stigg then describes in detail four different tig ft 0ns made for the extension of the charity by °,f Mon ernors, the visitors, the mayor and corporation electe and a committee of the inhabitants at a public meeting, representing a large CorpQer persons who differ from the views of the Vje^.rate authorities. Before stating the several lfca expressed to him, the commissioner thus le- View S uP0n what appear to him to have been the t^a, s °f the founder :—"It is clear that he intended ^be school should afford a very high class of Ration indeed, he seems hardly to have contem- Jj. ted the more elementary branches being taught in s V does not appear that he wished to confine the uool to natives of Monmouth, or the neighbouring • Unties, but only to benefit the town by establishing large school. An opinion to the above effect as gjveD by Yice-Chancellor Page Wood, when at bar. Considering, however, the alteration in Cfe state of eduction throughout England, the in- Ca?asecl facilities for obtaining a high class edu- °f ti'1 the upper classes, and the large amoi nL. Plan fpresent income of the charity, the original sidereH^ ^oun(ler can hardly, perhaps, be con- opinio aa binding." Without expressing any plan of the schemes alluded to, or stating any genera} ? own, the commissioner remarks that the en(|0 Principle which should guide the employment fr0m fi w'Uients, as far as they appear to him dedueible thi^k facts e bas obtained in his district, are, he the > pre-eminently applicable to a school such as loll grallllliar school at Monmouth. He adds the ag the1^ observations —" If boys are to be admitted fr0lll ]vrare al; present, whose homes are at a distance for K onmouth, it is essential that accommodation °Pini°ar^erS sb°ul(l in some form be provided. The Peten/1 bave heard expressed by all who were com- the ^orm an opinion is most unfavourable to tbemS111 of allowing boys to live in a town by j)0g an(^ without any supervision, for the pur- °f attending a school. For this reason it i>Uil^probably .be necessary to extend the present ^Uch1^8' ^bis might, I think, be done without difficulty, though the ground on which the pre torn Ullding stands is rather confined. A thoroughly 'e, j>og Petent architect should be employed for this pur- Mvant.™ ?;steI?, of admitting boys free has one Qtage it enables the master to insist on certain the 1 and' in particular, on the regular attendance of ^*at +?S' w^liout objections by the parents, who feel f0r fbey have no claim to regulate an education the j lcb they do not pay, and are unwilling to risk thed^8Sj°^ e advantages of the school. Whether JHiSsi1Sa antage known to attend the perfectly free ad- in th°ni°^ boys to a school are more than compensated fcuter* 3m)ve wa}% is a question on which 1 need not Present -le aPP°intment of all the masters rests at Voio ^b the governors, the head-master having tor 8;Ce 111 the matter. The masters are appointed StZ Months on probation, after which time tlie J reP°rt to the governors their opinion of his I "'■he tinenc^ before the appointment is confirmed. Seho an^ number of holidays, and of the hours the °; .• and such other matters, are also regulated I fv^iatp1"^ 8- of the school. Whether it would be Po»r w'itb the well-being of a large school that hp er the head-master should be so limited questioned."— Western Mail

ABERSY CHAN". LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD. The monthly meeting was held on Tuesday. Pre- sent Messrs. Greenway (in the chair), Josiah Richards, J.P., Mitchell, H. Lewis, Rev. H. Daniel, Jones (Varteg), Walters, Fisher, Pitt, W. Richards, Pratt, and Hambleton. The minures of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, The Chairman read the SURVEYOR'S REPORT. Fire Plugs.-The Trevethin Water Works Company have been instructed to fix a fire plug by the Union Inn, and near Snatch wood Schools, as ordered at the last meet- ing. They have not yet been fixed, but will be so in the course of a week or so. Well at the Gam.—The walls of the above have been repaired the steps taken away altogether, and an easy walking way made down to the water instead of the steps. This is much safer for those who use the well. Tahjwain.—The order respecting the complaint of nuisances at Talywain, caused by defective drainage and a deficiency of privy accommodation, has been attended to. An examination has been made and notices have been given to remove the nuisances, and this, in almost every case, has been attended to. Notices have also been given to the owners requiring proper privy accommodation to be provided to the houses now without. But before this can be effectually done (except in a few places) proper main sewers will have to be constructed, or the privies will prove to be a worse nuisance than at present, owing to many houses not having a sufficient area thereto for the purpose. The land at the back of some of the houses is for sale, and I understand that the owners intend procur- ing some for the purpose of erecting the accommodation required. •• A portion of Garndiffaith is equally as bad as Taly- wain, although in the upper part some short pieces of main sewer have been made from time to time, and these convey the nuisances near to the Ffrwd Brook. It is now requisite that two or three short pieces of 9-inch drain pipe should be laid from the existing sewer, to enable branch drains from the houses near to be made in connection with the same. I would recommend the Board to direct the Drainage Committee to meet before the next meeting, to view this place and Talywain for I am of opinion that little good will be effected until proper main drainage is carried out either in this place or Talywain. Urinals.—In consequence of not having obtained the consent of the owners of the ground, at the places I would advise the above to be fixed, I beg to ask for the same to stand over till the next meeting of the Board. Branch drains, &c., have been made in connection with the main sewer to the houses in King William-row and to those in Swan-row since the last meeting. The work to Evan Williams's four houses is now in progress. Notices are before the Board, for the signature of five of the members, respecting the drainage and closet ac- commodation to Mrs. Ann Phillips's house, near Nailor's- row. New Buildings.—Plans are before the Board, for confirmation, of the enlargement of a house at Cae Palash, Pontnewynydd, and of an alteration to the New Inn, Varteg. Collection of Rates.-The sum of £21 10s. 2fd. has been received from the various rates, and the sum of X32 5s. deposited with the Treasurer since the last meeting. PARKINSON CHAPMAN, Surveyor." P.C. Lewis reported that on the 6th instant, he found Mrs. Ingles, who keeps a bakehouse in High- street, Abersychan, setting her chimney on fire to burn the soot. The Board generally agreed that the drainage of Talywain and Garndiffaith required immediate atten- tion and the remarks of Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Jones, Mr. Josiah Richards, and Mr C. Herbert, proved the existence of a most deplorable state of affairs in se- veral places. It was agreed that the Committee should meet on Thursday morning at Talywain Church to make a town inspection. The plans produced were passed, subject to the buildings being carried out in conformity with the bye-laws. The Chairman stated that the expenditure for bills and wages would leave £ 72 in hand, and that there were still X50 uncollected, and good,on the old rate. A letter was received from Mr. Harrison, stating that the Monmouthshire Railway Company had no in- tention of departing from their arrangement with the B a rd, relative to the approaches to the bridge at CWIll ffrwddore. The Clerk was directed to ask when the approaches would be completed. The Board directed that a vote of thanks be con- veyed by the Surveyor to P.C. Lewis for reporting the setting fire to the chimney, and that proceedings In' I should be taken against the party culpable. On the suggestion of Mr. W. Richards, the Clerk was directed to write to the Post Office authorities, urging on the extension of the telegraph to Abersy- clVUl and Talywain and on the suggestion of Mr. Pratt, he was also directed to write again on the sub- ject of the North mail.

BARGOED. SETTING A PLANTATION ON FIRE.-Three boys named James Hill, William Palmer, and John Jones, weavers, were brought up at the Merthyr police-'j court, on Tuesday, for setting a plantation on fire near Bargoed, the property of the Gelligaer Charity Trust, by which X200 worth of property was destroyed. It was ascertained that Palmer set the match to the plantation, and the other boys were dis- charged, in order to enable them to give evidence of the fact. It did not transpire that there was any object, except sheer mischief, in setting the plantation on Are. ———

BLACKWOOD. POLICE COURT.—FRIDAY. [Before JOSEPH DAVIES, Esq. and J. G. JAMES, Esq.] STEALIXG A SHOVEL.—Cotter v. SulHvan.—Prisoner bad secured a shovel to which Cotter laid claim and swore to on account of certain marks visible thereon. -The Bench sent Sullivan to Usk for 14 days. DIWXK AND HIOTolTs.-Thomas Jones for this offence, at Tredegar, was fined 2s. 6d. and costs.- P.C. Goswell gave the evidence.—John Baker, a pugilistic-looking "cove," was, in addition to being 9 11 drunk, charged with assaulting Sergeant Milkins at Tredegar, and the Bench, in order to remind him how serious a thing it is to meddle with the police, sent him for 14 days' reflection in Usk. FIGHTING. -Two puddlers, Lloyd and Williams, for fighting at Blaina, were bound over to keep the peace for three months. COURTING IN TIlE PANTRY.-Edward Davies, of the Britaania Inn, Abertillery, was summoned for having parties in his house in a drunken state after hours.— P.C. Fleming deposed to going to the house on Sun- day and seeing a light, which was removed on his going to the door. On gaining admission found the landlady and a man and woman (Enoch Hillman and Elizabeth Merrifield) in the pantry. The man, being drunk, fell over the chairs in passing through the kitchen.—Mr. Greenway, solicitor, cross-examined the witness, and elicited the fact that admission was given immediately the constable said it was a police- man who knocked.—Mr. Greenway said the man Hillman and the woman Merrifield were sweethearts and Merrifield had been assisting Mrs. Davies that day and with her sweetheart, they were goiug to take sn pper. Elizabeth Merrifield sworn, said she and Enoch was courting he was not drunk at all.- The Bench dismissed the case. A DISORDERLY HOUSE.—William Davies, Bridge Inn, Pen-y-bont, was indicted for allowing disorderly persons to assemble in his house on the 23rd of April. —P.C.'s Fleming and Baker deposed to hearing a noise, and on entering the house they found about 20 persons, several of whom were drunk. —For the de- fence, Mr. Greenway called Thomas Evans and other witnesses, who depose ■ +:iaL there was no more noise than usual on the "2 leI of April.- The Bench con- sidered the case proved, and fined him 10s. and costs. NEGLECTING WORK.—Five lads, named A. Terrell, E. Evans, J. Tippard, and W. and M. Jones, were charged as above.—The offence was committed at Abercarne, where the defendants were employed in the colliery.—Mr C. R. Harris said the Company did not desire to press for heavy damages, as the lads were sorry for their conduct. They had by their neg- leet kept 400 men idle a whole day still a nominal 1 fine was all that was asked for.—The Bench fined de- fendant X2 each and costs. Two underhands named Morgan and Long were summoned for 1 neglecting work at Ebbw Vale.—By their neglecct the furnace had nearly been stopped.— Morgan was lined 5s. and costs and against Long, who did not appear, a warrant was issued. Thomas Moore was summoned on a charge of set- ting lire to a cabin at Abercarn, whereby several hun- dred tons of coal narrowly escaped being destroyed.— The charge was not pressed, as defendant expressed his regret for havi.ig in the hurry taken up a bucket of water, as he thought, but which turned out to be tar, and which only added fuel to the fire—Fined 10s. and costs. AFFILIATION.—Jones v. Leader—In this case defen- dant did not deny being the father of the child, and the Bench made the customary order. ASSAULT.-Timothy Keating v. Patrick Foley.- This was Irish melee, in which women were active agents, and which resulted in numerous cross-sum- monses being taken out. —Mr C. R. Harris appeared for Foley, and sadly perplexed Keating by referring to the Blama Court, where Keating was fined a month ago. -Some curious witnesses, who would have done better by staying at home. gave evidence for com- plainant.—An old Paddy, Jeremiah Murphy, whose nose was well plaistered up, created considerable mer- riment by his quaint remarks.-The argument went against Keating, who was ordered to pay costs, and the case was dismissed. Several cases arising out of the same squabble, were swept away by the magisterial besom, all the parties being put under sureties of the peace.

PONTYPOOL. POLICE COURT.—SATURDAY. [Before the Rev. J. C. LLEWELLIN and J. C. PARKES, Esq.] THE SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A RESPECTABLE MAN.-Joshua Andrews was charged with stealing two planks, the property of Charles Raffle, at Llan- hilleth.—This case bad been adjourned, for the at- tendance of defendant's carpenter, to explain how the planks (which, according to the plea set up for the defence, were only taken as in loan, without leave of owner, but in the supposition that Mr. Raffles would have no objection) came to be cut.—Mr. Greenway now said it appeared he was responsible for a mistake in saying that the plank was merely used for scaffold- ing, but the matter would now be explained—William Miles, the carpenter, deposed that seeing the plank on the premises, he cut and used one on his own responsibility, in the absence of Mr. Andrews, and that as for the other plank being hidden, it merely lay under some timber which he had thrown about in looking for a suitable piece.—Thomas Andrews, son of defendant, stated that he heard his father speaking of borrowing some of Mr. Raffle's planks, and saying that he did not think he would object. -The Rev. Mr. Llewellin said he should rather not decide on the case, and bound defendant over, in his own recognizances, to appear again when called upon. SINKING A WELL.-The case of Joseph Fellows, summoned for non-payment of £1 to Henry Howells, for helping to sink a well, was again called on Mr. Alexander Edwards appeared for the prosecution. —At the last Court, defendant denied that he ever employed complainant, or promised to pay him but after hearing the evidence now brought forward by Howells, the Bench ordered Fellows to pay the money claimed, with Ss. Gd. costs. MRS. PARRY AND HER LoDGERS. —Mary Parry was charged with assaulting James Jarvis.—Mr. Jarvis went home one night to his lodgings and found no fire. His wife said the coal was all gone. Thereupon, he went to his landlady, and accused her of selling or giving away the coal. A row ensued, in which Mrs. Parry made the first dart at Jarvis's whiskers.—She was ordered to pay the costs. DISTURBING A CONGREGATION. Noah Watkins, aged 10 years, was charged with disturbing the reli- gious services in the Wesleyan Chapel, at Pont- newynydd -It appeared that defendant was one of a gang of boys who were in the habit of opening the chapel door, popping their heads inside, and yelling or whistling, and then running away. He had been cautioned before.—Fined 5s., or seven clays' hard labour, and allowed a fortnight to find the money. A WIFE BEATER.—John Jones, charged with as- saulting his wife, at Abersychan, did not appear, and a warrant was granted. AN IRISH Row. Maurice Allen was charged with assaulting Mary Canningham, at Blaenavon.-It ap- peared that defendant and his family were drinking together, and got quarrelling, and that complainant somehow received a severe blow on the head.-Fined 40s., or 14 days' hard labour.

BLAENAVON. LOCAL BOARD. --A special meeting of the above Board was held in the Girls' Schoolroom, on Thursday, the 5th inst. There were present — Messrs. Hemming (chairman), D. Lewis, J. Pritchard, W. B. Parker, Charles Smith, Dr. Steel, J. Harris, J. Kay, F. Prosser, W. Burgoyne, John Thomas (clerk), and Joshua Evans (surveyor). The object of the meeting was to meet J. N. Radcliffe, Esq., the Inspector from the Privy Council Office. Mr. Radcliffe informed the Board that he had made an inspection of the town, and he pointed out several matters connected with the drains, privies, &c., which required the attention of the Board. He also stated that probably the cause of the unusual epidemic of measles was the absence of any such epidemic for several years past; and that when the epidemic came it found a great number of children unattacked be- fore. He would report the result of his visit to the Privy Council, from whom the Board would receive a communication shortly. The Sanitary Committee met on Tuesday evening. Mr. Joshua Evans enume- rated a number of nuisances existing in the place, which: he had orders to remove, or abate, at once. Dr. Steel, the medical officer, read the following re- port: Gentlemen, I have to report that the number of deaths from measles, for the week ending 7th May, was eight. We have still a residue of the great outbreak left to be dealt with—but the number of fresh cases is now very trifling, and I have no doubt they will soon cease. We have some cases of scarlatina, but not to a serious extent, nor have we had a fatal case lately. But it is one of these diseases whose presence even on a small scale, and in a mild form, calls for the carrying out of sanitary measures, as at any moment, some atmospheric influence might cause it to assume a virulent form, and to cause a serious morality. Collections of decaying matter, foul drains, and bad ventilation, are all circumstances which encourage its spread.—R. STEEL, M. D." THE 4TH RIFLE VOLUNTEER CORPS CHALLENGE CUP. The first competition for the above cup took place on Friday, the 6th inst., and, after a close competition, at 200 and 500 yards, five rounds at each, was won by Lieutenant E. Jayne, with a score of 29 points Sergeant Clark taking the second prize with the same score. NEGLECT OF DUTY.—Some little confusion occurred at the London and North Western Railway station here on Monday afternoon. A large number of passengers were waiting on the platform for the arrival of the engine to convey the 5.10 p.m. train to Brynmawr. Some time elapsed, however, after the usual period for starting without the appearance of the engine. Thinking something serious had happened, Mr. Price, the station-master, proceeded along the line, and, when about half-way to Bryn- mawr, discovered the missing engine at a stand still, the steam having gone down a result, as appeared, of intoxication. Mr. Price proceeded to Brynmawr and procured another engine and fresh drivers, when, after considerable delay and inconvenience, the pas- sengers were enabled to pursue their journey. WESLEYAN JAMES-STREET CHAPEL.—The anniver- sary of the Sunday School, in connection with the above place of worship, was held on Sunday last. Previous to the morning service a procession of about 300 persons paraded the principal streets, the choir singing some beautiful hymns. The Rev. J. Goodacre, of Ebbw Vale, preached three sermons in the chapel, in the course of the day, and the children recited appropriate pieces at each service. The chapel was crowded to excess. On the Monday following the annual school treat of tea and cake was given, and, in the evening of the same day, the Rev. J. Bramley, of Pontypool, preached an excellent sermon. The proceeds on Sunday and Monday realized over £17.

ABERGAVENNY. AN APPEAL CASE.-On Saturday last a case-was heard before Justices Blackburn, Mellor and Lush, in which the Guardians of the Crickhowell Union were appellants, and the Guardians of Abergavenny Union respondents. It was an appeal from an order of Justices by which the appellants had to pay X66 for the maintainance of a pauper. It appeared that the pauper and his wife, named Watkins, were under an order of removal from the appellant's to the re- spondents' union, but one of them being suddenly taken ill, the removal-order was suspended, and in consequence the pauper stayed five years in the parish. In October 1868, he went voluntarily to Llanelly. Mr. Maule, Q.C., and Mr. Cleave appeared for the appellants, and Mr- Smythies for the respondents. The Court held that the justices were right, and affirmed the order. MONMOUTHSHIRE COUNTY GUN CLUB.—A meeting of members of the above club took place on Wednes- day last, on the cricket grounds. The] heavy, fall of rain, which continued throughout the day, must have made it most unpleasant for the sportsmen who were rather limited in number. There were' however, some good shots present, and but few birds escaped the boundaries. POLICE COURT.—At the Police Court, on Wednes- day, before W. H. Wheeley, Esq., (in the chair,) and Captain Amiel, R. Rees, and James Humphrey, Esq., John Prosser, innkeeper, Llantilio Pertholey, was fined £5 and costs for not admitting the police into his house at 3.45 p.m. on Sunday, May 1st, and for allowing beer to be drank on his premises at that hour. THE WEATHER. — Farmers and gardeners have been complaining of want of rain. On Wednesday last copious showers fell, and a marked change in the state of vegetation is already visible. HIGHWAY BOARD.—A meeting of this Board was held on Tuesday last, at 2.30 in the afternoon. Mr. William Williams, Wernycwm, presided supported by the waywardens. The Clerk (Mr. J. H.' Farquhar), having given his opinion that Mr. Morgan had no right to empty the drain complained of at the last meeting, into the Cae Bamier road, Llanthewy Rytherch, the surveyor was directed to serve a notice for the immediate removal of the nuisance. Tenders were received for repairing the roads of Llanvetherine, to the 25th of March, 1871, and the tender of Mr. Samuel Pritchard, to do all the work for oE73, was accepted. A committee was appointed to take the preliminary steps to obtain possession of the land re- quired for widening the road from Govilon Village to the Railway Station, with power to approve of a specification, and to advertise for tenders. The esti- mates of the Surveyor for the expenses ending the en- suing year for each parish in the district, were ex- amined, and calls issued to the overseers for the first half-year. The Clerk was directed to summon the overseers of four parishes, whose calls are still un- paid. The meeting was then adjourned for a month.

USK. THE FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.—This school, in the quaint little town of Usk, is one of an important group of charities founded in 1621 by Roger Edwards, and it had, after along series of vicissitudes and mis- fortunes, been established, upon the footing on which it was found by Mr. Commissioner Bryce, by a scheme of the Charity Commission, dated November 7th, 1862. According to this scheme, the revenue is divided into three branches, and the grammar-school receives less than one-third, and education in any form not necessarily more than one-third of the total revenue of the foundation. The only. payment made to the grammar-school is the master's salary, which is at present fixed at XIOO he has also a good house and garden, assessed at £a9 per annum. The management of the trust is vested in 14 trustees, who renew their number with the consent of the Charity Commissioners. They are all members of the Church of England, and six, which the Usk people think an I unduly large proportion, are clergymen residing in the Ily town and neighbourhood. There was a strong feeling in the town that the Board had a tendency to become cliqueish, and complaints were made to the Commis- sioner that the commercial class was not represented in it. In a recent case, when two vacancies arose at the Board, and the Charity Commission recommended that an endeavour should be made to meet the wishes of the townspeople, who suggested in a memorial the names of eligible persons, the Trustees persisted in their own nominations, and the Charity Commission eventually acquiesced. Mr. Bryce observes The Trustees when I asked about the matter, assured me that they would elect an Usk shopkeeper if they could find a suitable one, and that they had on this occasion been actuated only by a desire to find the best men. Although this may be true enough, it would surely have been more politic and more graceful for them to have yielded, and gratified the not unreasonable wish of the townspeople to have a spokesman among the members of the trust. This squabble is only one among the many which has made Usk and Roger Edwards's Charity a by-word in Monmouthshire. The inhabitants are at war with the Trustees the Trustees (or at least a party among them) are at war with the master the Trustees are at war among themselves. In the autumn of 1865 a violent quarrel arose about a walnut tree in the master's garden, which, several months after it had been blown down, he had disposed of it without asking the Trustees' leave. A resolution, censuring him for this act, was passed at one meeting of the Board, in the absence of a leading Trustee, and rescinded at the next, when he was present. On the latter occasion the debate was so stormy, and such strong language was used, that the Trustee above mentioned, who was one of the most able and useful I nietn bers of the Board, a man universally respected, felt himself obliged to resign his seat, and could not be induced, although requested by all the principal inhabitants, to resume it." These dissentions, the Commissioner thinks, greatly injured the school, in which, on his visit to it, he found 14 boys, four of whom were boarders. Instruction was formerly free, but since 1S48 fees have been paid, not without great grumbling from time to time on the part of the townspeople. The scheme fixes the capi- tation fee at X2 a year, and XI Is. entrance. This latter payment had not for some few months before Mr. Bryce's inspection been exacted by the master, to whom all the fees were paid, and who had not then engaged an assistant, the scholars being so few. The largest number he had ever had was 45, in 1858. The Commissioner reports that, in his examination of the pupils in the usual subjects, they did not show to advantage in viva voce, owing to that slowness and timidity one finds in the inmates of very small schools; but their work, taken as a whole, was quite respec- table. He learnt from inquiries which he instituted into the state and prospects of the school, and the measures that might be taken for promoting its use- fulness, that the complaints of the townspeople were these (a.) Fees were chargad, although the founda. tion was for a free school." (b.) The head-master received boarders, and was supposed to devote his chief attention to them. (c.) The system of the school was too classical, and not sufficiently commercial for the wants of the place. The Commissioner argues that as to the first of these complaints little need be said. Fees have been paid ever since 1848. They were then fixed at a very low rate and, for those who cannot pay them, instruction is provided in the elementary school on the other side of the street. If it were not for one or two agitators, the people would acquiesce in the present state of things. On the second head, there seemed, in Mr. Bryce's opinion, no better ground for dissatisfaction. In the arrangement of the school, no distinction seemed to be made be- tween boarders and day-scholars, and it was ob- viously the master's interest, as well as his duty, to increase the number of the letter class. As respects the character of f.h-. instruction, there was reason to think that ffitXtjtGrs might be t:Upro\-ed. Arithmetic was not badly taught, but the master would probably do wiser in giving even more time and attention to it than he gives now, and in working the boys well in geography and English composition. "If these things, and especially arithmetic, are thoroughly taught, and if French is offered to any boy whose parent asks for it, the master may continue to teach Latin without exciting notice, much less hostility. So much indeed was admitted to me by those among the Usk people who were most eager for what they call (a commercial education. To do this it may be necessary to provide an assistant master, and this it would probably be wise to do at once." The Com- missioner concludes: "The chief cause of the present depressed state of the school is beyond doubt to be found in the disputes that have raged among its Trustees, and between the Trustees and the master. (The master may, perhaps, not always have acted in the most judicious way but as far as I could ascer- tain, he has never failed in attention to his duties at the school, and has given little or no ground for the persevering attacks that have been made upon him.) Usk has the reputation of being the most quarrel- some place in Monmouthshire and these disputes spread by the press through this and the adjacent counties, have made people fancy that the school must be an ill-conducted and ill-starred place, and have deterred them from sending their sons either as boarders or day-scholars. If the Trustees, or rather some restless spirits among them, can be persuaded to leave the school to itself for a few years, it will some restless spirits among them, can be persuaded to leave the school to itself for a few years, it will probably regain the standing it has lost, and become useful to the town and neighbourhood.— Western Mail.

EBBW VALK. EMIGRATION.—On Monday last a number of families left this place for America. A number leave every week, but the majority generally make it convenient to go in batches, and that on a pay Monday, when from thirty to forty persons leave their native place to try their fortune on the other side of the Atlantic. The station was crowded by the friends of the emigrants. ————

CARDIFF. THE MILITIA.-On Sunday evening Inspector Price, of the Cardiff police-force, was passing the Great Eastern beerhouse at the corner of Hope-street, when, hearing a disturbance among the militia, he went in for the purpose of quelling it. He was immediately set upon by ten or twelve militiamen, who struck him, one of them with a quart jug over the eye, and another kicked him on the head when on the ground. They also beat him with their belts, and then pushed him outside, where he was found by a constable in an almost insensible condition, and bleeding from the wounds he had received on the head. He was at once conveyed home, but he is at present unable to identify any of those who attacked him. CARDIFF CORPORATION.—The quarterly meeting of the members of the Town Council was held on Mon- day; at the Town-ball, the Mayor, Mr. E. Whiffen. in the chair. The reports of the Watch Committee and the Property Committee were read and adopted without discussion. The report of the Fire Brigade Committee was then read, which, in consequence of a recent fire at the Glamorgan Hotel, was regarded as the principal feature of the meeting. The committee recommended transferring the command of the fire brigade at fires to the superintendent of police that two of the fire brigade, with the engineer, be on duty every night from six p.m. to six a.m., and that a contract be entered into with Mr. Lansley for two horses and a driver to be kept in constant readiness for a fire, at £40; that an additional fire escape and reel be purchased for the docks, and that a cottage be rented, at which a policeman could be stationed, ad- joining which there should be a shed, with the hose and reel under his command that a gratuity should be given to the person who first gave information of a fire at the police-station and that 13 additional hydrants be fixed at convenient distances. The chairman explained that these alterations would in- volve a regular outlay of X250 in addition to the pre- sent cost of the brigade; and exclusive of X90 for a new hose and reel and a new fire escape, and £ 25 for the erection of a shed for the fire escape and reel, the 13 hydrants would cost another £130, making an additional cost of £250. The question of a better supply of water was left for further consideration, as the committee had not obtained sufficient information on the subject to include it in their report. The Mayor was asked to communicate with the Canton and Roath Boards of Health with a view of inducing them to contribute a sum annually towards the ex- pense of the fire brigade and engines pro rata with the rateable value of the property in their districts. The remainder of the business was entirely of a for- mal character. An application from the superinten- dent of police for an increase of salary was postponed to the next meeting.

PANTEG. THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD was held on Tuesday evening. There was but a small attendance. Mr. A. A. Williams, chairman, presided, and called the attention of the meeting (to the sanitary condition of Sebastopol. The Board agreed that it ought to be attended to at once and it was resolved to call on the owners of property to provide proper drainage, as in default of their doing so the Board would be inclined to do the work and charge them with the expenses. A general district rate of 6d. in the XI was brought forward and signed. Mr. Parkhurst complained of groups of young men loitering near the Hanbury Arms and assaulting passengers, and it was agreed to take steps put down the nuisance. After some minor business the Board separated.

NEATH. EXTRAORDINARY OCCURRENCE OX THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.—On Tuesday evening, as the usual goods train came into Neath, it was discovered that the bottom flooring of a horse box had given way and that four horses, which were being conveyed from a local fair, had been injured. Two of the animals were put out of their misery, by being shot as soon as possible the other two were so much injured that they were disposed of at a sacrifice, their recovery being doubtful. The accident is supposed to have taken place near the Skewen cutting, as the last exa- mination of the trucks near Llansamlet did not dis- close anything amiss with the train.

MERTHYR. THE SUBSCRIPTION IN AID OF THE SUFFERERS BY THE LATE FIRE.-The subscription list in aid of the assistants, apprentices, and servants of Mr. Meredith, who lost their clothing by the late fire, has been closed, and Mr. T. J. Evans, Mr. William Harris, and a number of other subscribers, met at the Bush Hotel, a few days ago, to consider the claims of the eufferers, and to distribute the money. The amount collected was £125 2s., which was collected chiefly by Mr. William Harris and Mr. David Phillips. Three young men also, Messrs. Jenkins, Evans, and Harris, assistants at the South Wales Ironmongery Ware- house, Temple of Fashion, and Cloth Ball, collected a considerable sum in small contributions. The prin- cipal contributors were-The Rector, XIO Mr. G. T. Clarke, Dowlais House, £ 10 Mr. T. J. Evans, XIO Mr. William Harris, XIO; Messrs. Phillips and Evans, £ 5; Rev. Father Bruton, X3 3s. Each one was paid the full value of his or her loss, and the balance was ordered to be given to Mr. Meredith. The young man, James Jones, who is only 19 years of age, was presented with £5, in addition to his loss, for his courage in going upstairs to Mr. Meredith's bed-room whilst the fire was raging, and bringing down the two youngest children, and handing them to their anxious parents. The young man was highly complimented by Mr. Evans whilst giving him the testimonial. LOCAL BOARD.-It will be remembered that an order was made some time ago to sequestrate the property of this Board for disobedience of a previous order, restraining them from polluting the river Taff with the sewage of their district. Execution was, however, postponed for a time, which has been repeatedly pro- longed, to enable the Board to carry into effect some temporary mode of abating the evil by process of deodorization, pending the acquisition of land and construction of the necessary works for a sewage farm. These temporary works have failed, in the opinion of the relators, to abate the nuisance, and the matter was again mentioned in the Rolls Court on Monday, upon an application for further time. The Master of the Rolls intimated that the patience of the Court was exhausted at the dilatory proceedings of the Board. Experience showed that issuing execu- tions in such cases had often the effect of stimulating public bodies to exertion. The motion to continue the suspension must be refused with costs. Sir R. Baggallay, Q.C. (Mr. Phear with him), said that the Board would appeal and Mr. Jessel, Q.C. (Mr. Marten with him), for the informant and plaintiffs, undertook not to issue execution until after the next seal in Trinity Term, pending the appeal.

EAST DEAN. DISSOLUTION OF THE LOCAL BOArtD OF HEALTH. -On Friday, the 6th instant, a special meeting of the members of the above Board was held at Cinderford for the purpose of formally dissolving the existence of the present Board, which has been strongly op- posed by a powerful section of the ratepayers. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, it was resolved that all bills and ac.o mts legally due, and chargeable upon the rate made on the 11th of August last, should be paid, and cheques were accordingly drawn. The members of the Board then severally handed in and tendered their resio-na- > +1^eui)on the meeting broke up. Of course the result of this movemem ° that the Local Board of East Dean can only be resus- citated by the same means by which it was adopted, a state of things not very likely to happen if the ratepayers are consistent in their movement. The local authority now in the township will be the Board of Guardians, who will necessarily, on behalf of the Union and the public at large, be obliged to appoint some energetic person as inspector of nuisances.

BRECON. THE BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—A meeting of this Board was held on Saturday, Mr. David Downes pre- siding. Some discussion took place in reference to the salary to be given for the schoolmistress it was decided at the last meeting to get, and eventually it was decided to offer £ 40 per annum and rations. A letter was read from the Poor-law Board, enclosing a copy of one addressed to them by Mr. Benjamin Griffiths, the late schoolmaster of the workhouse, and who, after an investigation into his conduct, had been allowed to resign, charging the master of the workhouse with being an habitual drunkard, and with being helplessly drunk on two occasions for a week together.—Several members of the Board expressed their utter disbelief of these statements, and their confidence in the master, and it was resolved that the Clerk communicate with the Poor-law Board, and inform them that it was the opinion of the Board that the statements contained in the schoolmaster's letter were groundless. — The only other matter of im- portance before the Board was the directing of the sur- veyor to prepare plans for the drainage of the house, and advertising for tenders for the same.

The happy delivery of the Princess Christian of a daughter increases the number of Her Majesty's grand- children to seventeen-viz,, eight grandsons and nine granddaughters. THE REGISTRAR GENERALS RETURNS. — An ex- amination of the mortality returns in South Wales shows that 4,910 deaths are reported against an average of 4,19.5 in the three previous March quarters. Here, therefore, the mortality is far in excess of the average rate. Of this total, 1,062 were children under 1, while 1,293 were adults of 60 and upwards. Only 8 cases of small-pox are reported for the whole of South Wales. There 57 cases of measless, 295 of scarlet fever, 12 of diphtheria, 150 of hooping-cough, 189 of fever, and 30 of diarrhoea. There were 211 deaths recorded from the information of the coroners, and in 89 cases death is reported to have resulted from violent means. PROTECTION FROM FIRE.-Bryant and May give the following as a type of what is constantly occurring through the incautious use of ordinary Lucifers, and would point out the perfect security afforded by their Patent Special Safety Matches, which ignite only on the box-for if left carelessly about within the reach of children, they are perfectly harmless-as it is only possible to light them on the prepared surface of the box Frightful Death from Fire.-Last evening an inquiry was held at the London Hospital by Mr. John Humphreys, the Middlesex coroner, respecting the death of William Poley, aged 7 years, who lost his life under the following shocking circumstances: Thomas Poley, 11 White Row, said that on Tuesday morning he heard a noise in the room where deceased and his brother Alfred were. He went to see what was the matter, and he found their bed in flames and deceased's clothes on fire. He was burning fearfully, and he screamed out, Oh, it was Alfred made me do it, he told me to light the matches.' It appeared that de- ceased had got some lucifer matches and set fire to the bed and himself. Witness had much difficulty in ex- I tinguishing the flames, and was himself severely burnt. Mr. Appleyard, house surgeon, said that the skin and flesh were burnt off deceased's stomach and limbs. He was dreadfully charred, and recovery of course hopeless. A verdict of 'Accidental Death' was returned. "Morning Star, 8th April 1863. [8 ADVICE TO MOTHERS.—Are you broken of your rest by a sick child, suffering with the pain of cutting teeth go at once to a chemist and get a bottle of Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup. It ^ill relieve the poor sufferer immediately—it is perfectly harmless it produces natural quiet sleep, by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub wakes "as bright as a button." It has been long in use in America, and is highly recommended by medical men. It is very pleasant to take-it soothes the child-it softens the gums-allays all pain—relieves wind-regulates the bowels-and is the best known remedy for dysentery and diarrhoea, whether arising from teething or other causes. Be sure and ask for Mrs. Winslow's Sooth- ing Syrup. No mother should be without it.—Sold by all Medicine Dealers at Is lid per bottle. London Depôt, 205, High Holborn1

ENGLISH AND IRISH FREEDOM. T, LIFE IN ENGLAND .The editor of the Buihlers'' Trade Circular has mitrarr,f0m? Particulars apropos of the recent trade TTninn A Manchester. One result of the Trade U mon Commission has been to make the master buil- submit ^ster determine that they will no longer in br nViL rf,l?7 restrictions and they have succeeded nfa S- y-W?rked stone int0 -Manchester.and in It annears AT niaking and other branches. Johnson, whose workshop and house were attacked a few days ao-o has taken a -nrn. minent part against the unionist* t ',5 '■" u i umonists, and, m consequence J rW iaS dogged and watched and warned, so that he could not sleep for many nights together in one place, and most of at all at home." In a recent letter Mr. Johnson wrote • "Truly life is becoming almost unbearable. My friends say I have no right to live in the country This is a fearful state of things for a civilised country If I go to bed it must be dog sleep, and always on the alert. My coachman has not dared to drive me home at night for the last twelve months—in fact, he would have left my service sooner than have done it. My servants now wish to leave, as they dare not stop in the house for fear of meeting with some disaster. Until the matter is settled by the authorities or my- self, no one at present knows where I sleep." The family of a physician who live next door to Mr Johnson's offices in Manchester, received a friendly warning that they had better not sleep at home for a few nights. And the Midland Railway Company, l °S^ large goods station Mr. Johnson has just com- pleted and was to hand over for opening, also heard that the brickmakers intended to blow up the shed. Strange to say, notwithstanding all the evidences of conspiracy-the explosion at Mr. Johnson's house, and the incendiarism at his works-he is refused any special protection from the police, unless it be paid for. Mr. Charles Reade, in his new trade-union story, "Put lourseli in his Place," says that the police are sometimes in the pay of the Unions. Of course no- body supposes this is the case at Manchester. LIFE IN IRELAND. Irish Ribbonmen have met their match in Mr. D'Arcy Irvine. That gentleman has been threatened, and more than one attempt has been made on his life. He has accordingly declared his residence in a state of and warned the public not to enter his grounds, as "he has no idea of using politeness, but intends to have the first shot." What life at Castle Irvine is like we glean from an address issued by its owner for the information of Ribbonmen. He says "As God protects those best who best protect themselves, T have placed myself in a position to defy you. My tenantry have enrolled themselves in a body, my castle and park are placed in a state of siege and as far as the best of weapons, handled by good men, can protect it, we will. The men you have to deal with are not unused to the same business. We're not cotton spinners. What property we have got by the sword we can hold by the sword. We are loyal and peaceable, and have no trouble in life but to rid ourselves of brigands and murderers and plunderers instead of paying the Government for doing it, we'll make it more sure by doing it for ourselves and as, if the opportunity offered, you would give no quarter, neither will we."

SECRET VOTING. The Daily Svws, in an article favourable to the bovernment proposals on this subject, says the voter must be able to reckon absolutely on his security from inspection by any persons who are concerned in the election. He must know that under no cir- cumstances shall his landlord, his customers, his clients, his neighbours, or anybody who can serve him a bad turn for his vote, be able to ascer- tain how he has voted. Any system which gives this guarantee and actually operates to produce this sense of inviolate security is the Ballot-anything else is open voting. But if this inviolate security can be guaranteed, there is no reason why means should not be adopted by which it might be possible in the case of disputed votes to verify the poll Mr. Leatham, in his Bill, provides for this possibility by having the ballot ticket marked in invisible ink with the voter's number on the register. The mark thus made on the -ticket would be invisible at all times except when the card was held to the fire and warmed, and it would therefore be altogether impossible for any ticket to be identified in counting the votes. The Government proposal is a little more roundabout. The voting papers are to be numbered, not with the voter's number, but with a number of their own. They are to be printed with counterfoils, like banker's cheques, and on the back of the voting paper is to be printed the number which is on the face of the counter- foil. The deputy returning officer will enter on this counterfoil the voter's number on the register,and tear- ng off the paper will hand it to the voter. When the names for which he does not vote, he folds up the paper, with the number visible on the back, and in presence of the officer and the representatives of the candidates, deposits it in the ballot box. When the poll closes, the books of counterfoils are at once sealed up and sent to the Clerk of the Crown. The ballot boxes are then opened, and the deputy returning officers take out the voting papers, unfold them with the number upwards, and lay them one on another in bundles, which are sealed up and sent to the Return- ing Officer. The Returning Officer has them before him face upwards, and, without even seeing the num- bers on the back or allowing them to be seen, counts the votes, seals up the papers, and sends them to the Clerk of the Crown. All this is done in presence of the agents of all the candidates, and the seals of each candidate are put upon the packets.