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ABERDARE.
ABERDARE. THE ODD-FELLOWS.—Aberdare was enlivened on Saturday the §.th instant, by the anniversary proceedings of the Odd-fellows of the four lodges held in this place. At an early hour in the morn- ing, though the clouds were gathering and the rain descending, groups of well-dressed men were seen weeding their way to their respective lodges. At noon might be seen one of the largest and most respectable processions ever witnessed in Aberdare, formed of the brothers constituting the four lodges, in which order they proceededed to the parish ehu.ch, where a Welsh sermon was preached by the Rew John Griffiths, M.A., from I Peter ii. 13, '17. After this, the different lodges returned to their respective rooms to pay their respects to the good things provided for them by their respected hosts. The dinner at the Green Dragon pro- vided by host Morgan was all that could be desired, and the wine accompanying it—the genuine production of nature—was much to our taste. When the friends present, including the Rev. Mr, Griffith, the minister cf the day, had done ample justice to the good things of the table, and thp cloth being removed, our much respected young foetid, David Davies, Esq., surgeon, was voted to the'chair, .and Mr. John Ey-ans, graper, to the vice-chair ;• and the afternoon was most innocently and happily spent irl listening to addresses by our chairman and others explanatory of the princi- ples of Manchester Unity of Odd-fellows. During the whole day we saw nothing but a desire to cherish and spread the principles of order, peace, concord, and brotherly love.
NEATH,
NEATH, BIUSTOL DISTRICT COUCT OF BANKRUPTCY, JULY 6.-(Be- 5 fore Mr. Commissioner Stevenson,) — In re Marriott, Keene, Dunn, and Co., brewers, Neath.—The bankrupts in this cafso were partners in the Yale of Keath brewery, a concern con- r nected with the Maesteg Iron Works and this day was ap- painted for the choice of assignees. On a proof being tendered on behalf of NVm. Robinson White, by Mr. Heaven, partly on account of bills held by him, and partly for goods sold and deliver.e.:i tg the. bankrupts, Mr. Skinner, barrister, objected to the proof being admitted, on the ground that a deed had been executed bv the bankrupts, which was held by Messrs. FysQn Curling, and Hope, solicitors to Mr. White, ?uid .also te Messrs. Chuck and Wigan, who it was believed were trustees under this deed. I? was 'contended by the learned counsel that it would be premature to admit this proof before the production of the deed referred to, as in its abscise the assignees were in iglloratKeof the real state of the bankrupts' affairs. Mr. Heaven said he was notatvare that. the party seeking to prove had the L- p custody of the deed. -There waS a deed, he knew, under which -«>ryoT- .rWlitora had already received some benefit. Mr. Whittington, solicitor to the fiat, said there were creditors at Neath for upwards of EI,000, who had not yet received a far- thing, and he knew of a creditor in Bristol who had been offered 7s. 6d. in the pound, but had not been paid a fraction.— The Commissioner: Who has the possession of this deed ?—■ Mr. Whittington: The very parties who seek to prove, your honour—Messrs. Wigan, Chuck, and White. They are also, we believe, in possession of large sums of money belonging to 9 11 the estate, and our object is to get those funds into court. We should have no objection to this proof if these moneys were paid over to the official assignee.—Mr. Marriott, one of the bankrupts, was eventually called, and he deposed that a deed was executed for the benefit of the creditors of the Vale of Neath Brewery Company, the trustees of which deed were Messrs. Chuck, Wigan, and Richmond. Varioussmns of money had been remitted to their solicitors, Messrs. Fyson, Curling, and Hope, amounting altogether to about £ 2,000.— The Commissioner was of opinion that this deed and any books relating to the bankrupts' estate should be produced, and said that if an intimation to that effect from the solicitor to the fiat to the parties by whom they were held should fail to have the desired effect, he would then issue a summons ordering their production to the official assignee. With this view he named the 18th instant, as the day by which the deed and books must be produced, and adjourned the choice of assignee till the 1st of August. SOUTH WALES RAILWAY.—Four hundred tons of rails for this line have arrived at Neath. They are of the bridge pattern, and are very neatly executed.. TAIBACH.— On Tuesday, the 4th instant, the body of a man was discovered on Margam Sands, near the entrance to the old harbour. From papers found on his person, it appears to be that of Peter Perkins, of the ship Gowrie, of Liverpool, engaged by C. H. Stonehollse, of Newport, Monmouthshire, to proceed with a cargo of Ebbw Vale steam coal to Southampton, for the agent of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company.
SIRHCHVY.
SIRHCHVY. A meeting was held at Ebenezer chapel, Sirhowy, on Tues- day evening, the 4th ult., for the purpose of conveying infor- mation to the people on some important truths for the times." Mr. David Hughes presided, and introduced to the meeting the Rev. Noah Stephens, who delivered the following address on- CIVIL GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL ECONOMY. When the present meeting was announced, it was intimated that wo should not give it a name until we should first see what sort of an affair it should be. As to myself, I am perfectly will- ing for you, my friends, to exercise your ingenuity to name our meeting after it is over. I shall content myself with merely stating its main object, and the mode—if it will meet with your approbation—in which it is intended to conduct the same. The immediate circumstance which occasioned our meeting this evening is simply this. 'You are aware that a few days ago a petition was signed in favour of Mr. Hume's motion for Parliamentary reform. At the time you were asked to sign that petition many of you intimated that you should be most happy to attend a public meeting convened for the purpose of explaining at full length the purport and bearing of the afore- said motion. Allow -nie to inform you that that measure shall be explained, but as far as my own views are concerned it is not the chief object, the grand design of our meeting, to con- sider the motion of Mr. Hume. What then is the object ? It is to lead you back to the first principles of political economy. To investigate the origin and progress of civil government. We shall look at them from every position—examine them in every particular-trace them from the loftiest bough to the deepest root-consider them in all-possible circumstances— and fancy them in every imaginable case. Of course I need not inform you that all this cannot be done in the one and the same meeting. But in case it will meet with your approbation I will have no objection to take part in a series of meetings of this nature. Indeed, to do any good to society at large in this respect, as well as in any other, would greatly add to my own happiness. Probably the steps we take and the course we adopt this evening will to some appear highly objectionable. I am not ignorant of this fact; n), I am fully aware of it. And I think that I have duly considered the matter. However, to remove all scruples, we shall briefly notice some of the chief and the most plausible objections to the steps we take. It is said that it is not right to introduce secular affairs into our chapels, or convert our chapels into lecture rooms and po- litical halls. I readily admit that there is great plausibility and some apparent strength in this objection. I confess that I do not deem it disirable to introduce political matters to places set apart for Divine service. It is highly desirable to keep the sanctuary sacred. When I say this I am not an ad- vocate of consecration. I do not believe that even the prayer of a bishop can effect any change in the stones and mortar which constitute the walls of a place of worship. There is no sacredness intrinsically existing in the chapels; at the same time there exists a relative saereclness, which being so dear to me I would not trifle with. Meanwhile I wculd make this remark, that I am sorry we have not a single room-to the best of my knowledge, we have not a single public room, from Merthyr Tydvil to Nantyglo, exclusively prepared for political purposes and social improve- ment Can any one present tell me how many public-houses have been built from Merthyr to Nantyglo—yea, think how numerous they are in our immediate neighbourhood. The working people at the iron and coal works are excellent men in many respects. It is easy to command their attention, it is by no means difficult to move them to action their sympathy may readily be obtained; I very much like their liberality; I praise their frankness I admire their candour. But it is shameful to think that they have preparations so ample for sensual pleasures, while they are almost entirely deficient of means and preparations for social improvement. They have cheated the head in favour of the stomach. During the last forty years the latter has had the lion's share. Let me im- plore you to make an experiment of the reverse. Now I have cleared the way to meet the objection it is not desirable-to hold political meetings in our places of worship, but as they possess no intrinsic soundness it is not morally wrong to hold in them meetings of political character. It is not too much to hope that we shall have a public room ere long in every populous locality for the exclusive purpose of teaching and discussing political subjects. Under our present circumstances, however, we are necessitated to assemble in a chapel, or not assemble at all. The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath." Again—Ministers of the gospel should not interfere in politi- cal matters. It is a fact of which you cannot be ignorant that Nonconformist ministers and the people have always been closely allied. This is an evident truth in respect to the world in general and Wales in particular. Our forefathers lived in darkness and superstition, without hope and without God in the world." In the tenth chapter of Luke we have the fate of Wales de- lineated by our Redeemer himself. Wales went down from Jerusalem to Jericho," from the purity of gospel truth to the corruptions of popish errors. She fell among thieves, and was stripped of her beautiful raiment, and was wounded. And what was the conduct of the State and the State church in the event ? Their character is given in the persons of the priest and the Levite. The priest pressed by and went the other side, and the Levite passed likewise. At length the' Dissent- ing ministers in the persons of Walter Caradoc, Vavasor Powell, and Daniel Rowlands, like so many good Samaritans, had com- passion on Wales, bound her wounds, pouring in the oil of truth and the sweet wine of the gospel—Luke x. 30. I repeat it then, for it was not a slip of the tongue, that Non- conformist ministers have been excellent friends to the people through the world in general, and in Wales in particular. If any one feels the least hesitation to receive the statement which I have made, let me refer him to the Reform Bill, the emanci- pation of the negro slave, the repeal of the toleration act, the removal of the Jewish disabilities, and particularly to the abo- lition of the Corn-laws, Owing to this and other particulars, we have a whole nation of Dissenters, a whole nation kindly disposed to our ministry. We have won your affections, which greatly facilitates our way to do you good. And besides, you ought, as subjects of the realm, to know something of the nature of the character of the constitution you uphold, the elements of the government you support, and" the nature of the laws you aobey. You will admit that all this is desirable. Then comes the question, is it attainable? It is attainable, if some will volun- teer to become your teachers. Will the aristocracy assist you in this matter? I can hardly thihix. they will, because most of them firmly believe and unhesitatingly declare that you have nothing to do with the laws save to obey them Under these circumstances then I am ready to defend the course we adopt. The objection is not valid. It is likewise stated that it beeometh Christians to suffer in- juries, rather than restlessly to complain against them. I wil- lingly admit that when we are chastened of the Lprd it is our incumbent duty to bear it with all patience. But when injury is inflicted upon us by tyrants, we are in duty bound to raise our voice against the powers that be." The apostle Paul was a patient and a forbearing Christian; for all that, he failed not to app( al to Caesar for his rights as a citizen. We have witnessed no good results after these religio-politi- cal meetings, To this I give a flat denial. Id the slaves have been emancipated had it not been for the pressure from without ? Would the Reform Bill have been passed by Go- vernment by its own accord? And with emphasis I would ask, would the Corn-laws have been abolished if the thunder voice of the people had not been raised up against them ? Who can tell what would have been the present state of the working classes and of the poor if the flour cost them 18s. or 20s. per bushel ? While you remember the repeal of the Corn- laws, while your chief sustenance is bread, how can you say that you have witnessed no good results after these political meetings ? Having fairly met the chief and the most common objections, it is convenient to move a little onward. It is impossible to form anything like a correct idea of the nature, the character, the purpose, the working of a civil go- vernment unless we touch the fundamental principles. We may set it down as a general rule that in order to acquire a thorough knowledge of any art or of any science, the shortest way and the safest plan is, first to examine the fundamental principles. Having laid down your foundation you may pro- ceed with your superstructure. This rule will hold if applied to that branch of knowledge usually called political economy. And to induce you to observe the rule laid down there are in- numerable motives. I will allude to one in particular. The first principles of every branch of knowledge are very few and extremely simple. Take reading for instance. Although English literature is extensive, and the volumes written in the same language are numberless, if you know the twenty-six letters, and the power of each in every possible position, you can read the volume you please. What is music ? Sound, and sound in relation to time. What arc all the machines which we every day witness ? They are but different applica- tions of the six (or less) mechanical powers. The material world, stupendous as it is, is constituted of but very few ele- ments. The law and the prophets, the New and the Old Tes- taments, consist in the short but comprehensive sentence, Love God and love thy neighbour." It is a great encou- ragement to observe this rule that fundamental principles are few and simple. And so it is to political institutions and civil government. I believe it comes to this-The obligations of man as a citi- zen, and his claims for the due observance of his duty. The origin of a civil government is net a chance. Necessity is the source whence it emanated. It was not intended for man to be insulated and alone. Mutual dependence regulates the af- fairs of mankind. Let every man act for society, and let so- ciety protect every such man. Division of labour is economy. This is self-evident. It is practised every day. It is economy for every man to fill one occupation, to follow a single line of business. If it were otherwise everybody would be his own farmer, his own blacksmith, his own carpenter, his own shop- keeper, in fact everybody would become what is commonly called Jack of all trades. As it is expedient for every man to follow a certain vocation for the benefit of society at large, it is also just that he is pro- tected by society. However, to come home to ourselves, we are members of society, we are subjects of the British realms. I have two questions to ask. Do we discharge our duties as subjects, and are we treated as citizens ? If we are faithful to support order, if we contribute to the general welfare of poli- tical economy, we ought to receive reward commensurate with our service. If we are all interested in the same common wel- fare, if we are all to obey the same laws, it is suggested that we all ought to have a voice in the legislation. At length we are on the threshold of a most important sub- ject-the question of manhood suffrage. I have always been and am still a warm advocate of universal suffrage. I am al- most sure that you are also. But I must say that tlic-ic are weighty objections to this. What is the design of civil go- vernment ? Why, it is to defend persons and property. Every- body has the same number of persons to be defended by the government; that is, no one has more than himself. So far universal suffrage appears very plausible, and ought to be given by all means. But civil government is to defend pro- perty as well as persons. We are not all on the same equality with regard to property. If I claim a vote as a man to defend my person, don't you think the nobleman can claim one vote to represent his person, and some additional votes, in propor- tion to his wealth, to represent-his property? It is not equal as it is. And the greatest inequality exists at present. Frank- ]in's remark is appropriate here,—It is far more important to be a man than to be a lord. It is far better equality to leave the property without a vote, than to rob man of his natural rights. It is feared, if the suffrage is extended to all, that as the ope- ratives are far more numerous than men of property, that the former would stand a good chance of out-voting the latter, and so they would not regard property. There is a danger here. But we ought to give liberty to all; it is the man himself that is responsible for the use he makes of it. Adam would not have fallen had he not been free. Would it not have been a better policy, then, not to grant him his liberty? No. He could not have been a moral being without possessing a free will. God chose the risk of the fall of man rather than deprive him of his liberty. I think we ought to imitate him in this important example. As a guarantee that every one should occupy his proper po- sition in society, there is one law on the statute of England which I should be very happy to see it repealed. I refer to the law of primogeniture and that in connexion with it,—the hereditary law. If these were repealed, and the moral sentiment cultivated in man, it would be a step in the right direction to secure respect for property, and honour to whom honour is due. Every office ought to be open to competition, and every man should receive a fair remuneration for his services. The candidates for office: should never determine what number we will have. The first question is, Is the office essentially necessary to society at large ? Then we should determine the salary; and then ap- point the fittest individual to fill that office. If the salary required exceeds the advantage of the office, of course it should be abolished. We have now thrown some hints on the fundamental princi- ples of political economy. It would have been very interesting to take a cursory survey of the origin, the progress of empires from the time of Nimrod down to our own age; but we will reserve that for another opportunity. The Ilev. Robert Ellis then delivered an excellent address on the necessity of Parliamentary reform. At the close, it was cordially and unanimously requested by the congregation that a series "of similar meetings should be held in order to explain the rights and duties of the subjects of civil Government. We greatly commend our brethren Stephens and Ellis, for thus com- ing forward to supply a deficiency so much to be deplored among the working classes. The remarks about public rooms are worthy of attention. What a reflection on the policy pursued by the masters and the indifference of the men, that there is not a single public room from Merthyr, the great iron metropolis, to Nantyglo. How long shall the stigma remain? The men, we know, are ready, and it is hoped that their employers will soon assist them in an undertaking so praiseworthy.
PONTYPRIDD.
PONTYPRIDD. Ox Monday last a large meeting of the friends of the Sunday Schools and the "Temperance cause in this town, was held near the Market-house, where a convenient platform had been erected. Shortly after half-past ten, the hour appointed for the com- mencement of the proceedings, Mr. D, R. Morgan, chemist, of Merthyr Tydfil, was called to the chair. He gave some account of his own conversion to the principles of total abstinence, and urged their adoption on the meeting as a sure remedy against the evils of drunkenness. He then referred to the success which has attended the labours of the English society atMer thyr. They had only commenced operations in September last, and they now numbered about 969, which was a clear proof that they had not been idle. He then introduced to the meeting Mr. Thomas Morgan, sculptor, Cardiff. Mr. Morgan com- mented by reading the following letter from Philip Jones, Esq., Llanarth, who had been asked to preside Llangattock House, near Abergavenny, July 3rd, 1848. Dear Sir,—You jijust attribute your not hearing from me in reply to youv's of last month to my abscnce from home, and to its having boon directed to Clifton. 1 am just at present exceedingly engaged, and it is very uncer- tain whether I shall be in the country on the 12th instant; I must therefore beg respectfully to decline the honour of presiding at the Temperance Meeting at Pontypridd on that day. Rest assured I feel great interest in the success of the Jcmpcsaaco movement, helievr iiig; as I do, that great benefits ha^e Seen derived from total absti- nence. How desirable it is that men in the higher walks of society should not only preach by word, but also, by example, refrain themselves from all sorts of intoxicating drinks. I trust at some future time to be enabled to fittend your meetings, I remain, iyp ur s most obediently, PHILIP JONES." As Mr, Jones's reply had not been received in time the Mayor of Cardiff was requested to take the chair. That gentleman had consented, but was unable to, attend as it appeared from the' following note:— Cardiff, Sunday evening. pear Sir,—I regret to say .that my official duties will prevent my being present at the meeting at Newbridge to-morrow, for promot- ing abstinence from intoxicating liquors. I wish you every success in your laudable example and endea- vours, feeling assured from the eighteen years' experience I have had as county coroner that drunkenness is not onlv the fruitful source of crime, but also the frequent cause of premature death. "Be pleased to convey my reason for non-attendance to the meeting, and believe me to remain Your's very obediently, R. LEWIS ItESCfi, Mr. Thomas Morgan, Trinity-street, Cardiff." Mr. Morgan then delivered a lengthened address, in English in defence of the principles of total abstinence. He argued that the great things which had been already done bv the tenn perance reformation proved that if zealously supported it would effect still greater things. Mr, Evan Jones, of the PIUNCIFALITY, delivered an address on the claims of the temperance movement on the friends and supporters of Sabbath Schools. He reviewed the progress of education in Wales, and produced statistics to show that the success has been perfectly unparalleled in the history of nations. But he believed that unless the temperance cause would be generally taken up, that many Sunday scholars would be en- snared by strong drink, and the most disastrous results would follow. He then argued that it was their duty to provide a remedy, and that that remedy ought to be the best remedy, and that the best must be the safest remedy; and as total absti- nence is perfectly lawful, and is neither physically or morally injurious, that it must he the best means, which renders its adsotion under present circumstances morally obligatory. W. T. Edwards, Esq., M. B., Cardiff, then briefly addressed the meeting. As a medical man he had no hesitation in saying that nine out of every ten moderate drinkers were injured by,, the practise. He was therefore anxious that a remedy should be provided, and looking at the present enormous evils of drunkenness, he had come to the conclusion that it was neces- sary to adopt the total abstinence principle. After a few remarks from the chairman, the meeting was closed, ° Shortly afterwards the procession was formed. The Glamo-jr-' ganshire band were present. The route was through Treforest, over the bridge, and back to Pontypridd, oyer the celebrated bridge built in 1750 by W. Edwards, architect, great-grandfather of our esteemed townsman, Mr. Edwards, M.B. Tea had been provided at the Market-place, where about 1,400 partook of the cheering cup. We observed among the party 150 workmen from the Daranddu colliery (who had joined the procession out of respect to the agent, Mr. Evans, and who were treated to tea by him) John Batchelor, W. T. Edwards, M.B., and C. Vachell, Esqrs., Cardiff; Revs. J. James (Iayo Emlyn), D. Evans, Neath II, W. Hughes, Maesjeg; W. Edwards, Aber- dare Titus Jones, Llanhary; Mr. J. E. Williams, of the Guar- dian office; and numerous other influential and respectable parties. Shortly after five o'clock, the chair was taken by C. Vachell, Esq., Cardiff. Mr. Vachell delivered an excellent speech in- terspersed with many striking facts, to prove the necessity for the movement, and its adaptation to the wants of the country. Fifty millions of money are annually spent for these pernicious liquids which ought to be saved for families and old age. Mr. Woods, the respected governor of the Cardiff gaol, had told him that 99 out of every 100 brought to that prison, came there either directly or indirectly in connexion with strong drink. He greatly commended the efforts of Mr. Millea, the Catholic priest at Cardiff, for the good of the children under his care, and said they had been eminently successful. Mr. Vachell then enlarged on the quality of alcoholic beverages, which ren- dered them, in his opinion, unfit as articles of drink. Mr. Thomas Morgan, Cardiff, said a few words on the early history of the temperance cause at Pontypridd, and praised the Baptist brethren for the kindness they had displayed in open- ing their chapels from the first. He was followed by Mr. Corry, of Cardiff, who expressed his unabated adherence for abstinence. If a better principle could be found he would adopt it, otherwise he would stick to that system which had already done so much good. He intended to carry out the principle under all circumstances. Mr. Watkins, of Merthyr, said he was glad to meet his tem. perance friends. He was convinced the sabbath would not b.; kept unless sobriety would become more general. He had been very successful in persuading others to adopt the principles, as nearly a thousand had signed with him in the shop, and felt assured that the system would ultimately triumph. Mr. Thomas Maddy, Merthyr, encouraged the friends to be active and diligent in promoting their principles, as they had seen their good effects in families and neighbourhoods, He then made some remarks on the traffic, which seemed to excite the feelings of seme person in the crowd. lIe maintained that the safest side of the public-house was the outside. The Rev. W. Edwards, Aberdare, said. that he had been on a tour in North Wales lately, and after an absence of several years from there, he was surprised to witness the good effects of temperance. With the exception of one town, wherc a mar- ringe feast was kept, he had not seen one drunkard from Llai.iuloes to the island, of Anglesey. He had seen many of his friends who had become possessors of handsome pro- pcrty by their own diligence, since they had adopted the principle, and he believed most of those who then heard him would soon be enabled to build houses and cottages for them- selves, and thus the working classes might work out universal suffrage. The Rev. H. W. Hughes, Baptist minister, Maesteg, delivered an address in favour of the Sabbath .schools. He referred to what they had done already, and advised all classes to continue faith* tul. The Christian Church was under great obligation to the school in his opinion, as many of the most efficient ministers had been Sunday school teachers. They aimed at enlightening the soul. Air. Hughes mentioned several instances of the •• unfair dealing of the Commissioners with Sabbath schools in this neigh- bourhood and concluded by wishing the good cause every success. The Rev. D. Evans of Neath, then closed the proceedings with a powerful address delivered with his usual fluency hi favour of aostinence. We believe about fifiy signatures were obtained, The vanity fair'' held on the common was ruined by the meet- ing, the attendance at which was very numerous. MONMOUTHSHIRE CANAL COMPANY. The following extracts from the Reports of the Company read at the half yearly general meeting on the 28th ult., will- explain its present position and prospects. Since the last general assembly, in No vember last, the com- mittee have proceeded with the purchase of land for the New- port and Pontypool Railway and have also re-let, on satisfac- tory terms, the contract for the formation of the viaduct, at Cvvmyniscoy, abandoned'by Mr. Fitzpatrick. The contracts for the formation of the road, exclusive of the permanent-way, are, therefore, now complete, from Crane-st. Pontypool, to Pill House; and the works are nro"-ressin^ steadily and satisfactorily. 1°° Means are being taken for the acquisition of the land, and active surveys are being made for the formation of the railway from Pill House to the Docks, and from Craue-streetj pontvr -pool, to Abersychan. Upon an investigation of the company's affairs, it appeared quite certain thaj, the company would not be enabled, looking to the excess of the past expenditure over the original is i- mates, laid before Parliament in 1845, to complete the Newport N e,%N o and Pontypool Railway, either within the time, or with the means at their disposal, under the Act of 1845 and the com- mittee, therefore, became mere convinced of the absolute necessity of the application (authorised by the general as- sembly, held in November last) to be made to Parliament, net only for an extension of the time for completing the railway, and raising an additional sum of money for that purpose, but also, if possible, for relieving the company from the obligation of becoming carriers. 'The additional sum sought to be raised under the present bill is £ 150,000, and nearly all of which, it is estimated, will be required for completing the Newport and Pontypool Rail- way, for providing plant thereon, and improving the roads in the western valleys. The bill, having been read a second, time in the House of Commons, was referred to a select committee, where, after a determined opposition on the part of certain of the freighters and others, who presented three petitions against the bill, it received various alterations,,andJaas since been printed, with the amendments, and reported to the House. The printed bill is now submitted to the proprietors for their inspection and approval and the advantages which it appears to the committee the company will derive under such bill, if carried into law in its present state, may be briefly stated as .follows.;— 1st. The company get rid of the very heavy andunprofital),e obligation of providing mineral waggons—an obligation, impos- ing upon them the necessity of raising nearly £ 116,000. 2nd. The company,get the exclusive privilege of providing locomotive power and carriages, and waggons for passengers and merchandise, at the same time getting rid of the horse teams (from which so much inconvenience has been experi- enced), and the company having likewise the sole ethlrol of the road. 3rd. The conipany will have an ir< reased road toll of one In farthing per ton per mile for generd m.. c e, aid the reduction of 25 per pent., which was to have taken place under the act of 1845,on the 31st July, 1850, on the general road tolls, will be deferred until 1858. ,4!h. The company get an extension of one year for becoming:
,MERTIIYR.
POLICE, JeLY 5.—(Magistrates present, H. A. Bruce and V. Thomas, Esqrs.) — Griffith Evarn, of Dowlni-, miner, was or- dered to pay 2s. 6d. compensation, and 10s. costs, for breaking the window of Margaret Hayes. Watkin Jones, miner, late of Pen- ydarran, was committed to hard labour to Cardiff house of cor- rection for one calendar month, for deserting his wife and child- ren, thereby coming chargeable to the parish of Merthyr. David Williams, boatman, was fined t 6 for an assault on P.C. Thomas Vigors, in Bridge-street, and in default of goods to dis- train upon to that amount, he was committed to Cardiff house of correction for two calendar months, and there kept to hard labour. Benjamin Evans, Carrier's Arm- and Srnnllel Richards, Bri- tannia, George-town, Merthyr, were fined Is. each, and costs, for having their houses open for the sale of beer after 11 o'clock on Sunday last. Several fresh summonses were granted, a full re- port of which will appear in our next impression. POLICE, JULY 8.—(Magistrates present, H. A. Bruce and W. Thomas, Esqrs.)—Benjamin Jones, of Dowlais, cooper, was fined X.5 for an assault upon P.C. Edward Davies, whilst in the execution of his duty. He was allowed two months to pay the same. John Jones, labourer, was fined 5s. for being drunk and disorderly in High-street, July 5. Margaret Trueman was fined ,51., and 5s. costs, for an attack on George Lyndon. Catherine Jones, wife of Thomas Jones, of Penydarran, was fined 5s. for as- saulting Evan Keely. Ann Edwards, of the Blast Furnace beer house. Rhymney, was fined 10s., and 10s. 6d,, upon the informa- tion of Superintendent Wrenn, for keeping her house open for the saie of beer at illegal hours on Sunday. POLICE, JULY 10.—(Magistrates present, W. Thomas, N. E. Vaughan, and G. R. Morgan, Esqrs.)—Thomas Roberts was or- dered to pay 3s. compensation, and 7s. costs, for breaking the window of David Williams, High-street, Dowlais, and in 'default of payment he was committed to hard labour for one week to Car- diff house of correction. Oliver Phillips, miner, was ordered to pay Ss. compensation, and 8s. Gd. costs, for breaking the glass of the window of John Williams, and in default of payment com- mjrted for one month to hard labour. Thomas Taylor was or- dered to pay-Is., and lIs. Gel. costs, for breaking the table, and other furniture, of Elizabeth Davies, and in default of payment he was committed for one month to hard labour to Cardiff house of correction. On the complaint of Theresa Mahony against Mary Jenkins, for an assault, each was ordered to pay her own costs.— Mary Lyndon was ordered to pay Is. 2d. compensation for breakings plate, &c., the property of Thomas Thomas, of Pen- ydarran.—r—Ellis Evans was ordered to pay 2s. 6d. a week for the first six weeks, Is. 6d. a week afterwards, and 5s. midwife, to- wards the maintenance of his bastard child by Adelaide Thomas. Few remember such alarge flood as was seen in the Taff on Sun- day. Monday and Tuesday again were beautifully tine harvest days. PRESENTATION OF THE PEXYDARRAN- WORKMEN'S ADDRESS TO Ma. ALDEKMAN THOMPSON.—It must be fresh in the recol- lection of uur readers, that a numerously-attended meeting of the workmen of these works took place at the Market-square, on the Ili;th of May last, when an address to the proprietors was unani- mously agreed to. It was also agreed there and then that the address should be presented as soon as Mr. Alderman Thompson would visit Penydarran. Having arrived at Penydarran House on Tuesday, the workmen availed themselves of the opportunity of presetiti,:ig the same on Thursday evening, as the Alderman was leaving on Friday. Accordingly, a vast number having met by the office, the worthy Alderman permitted them to come up- stairs bat as so many hundreds weie outside, he, Samuel Hom- fray, Esq., of Tredegar iron-works, Mr. Benjamin Martin, &c., came outside the office door, and, having taken their position on the steps, Mr. John Rees, the chairman of the meeting at the Square, stepped forward and spoke as follows Sir,—Having had the honour of presiding at the public meeting at which the address to the Penydarran Company was adopted, we have this evening ap- proached your worship for its presentation, assuring your worship that it totaily emanated from the good feeling entertained by the workmen, and their matu e consideration of the importance of the lease being renewed, and not from any compulsive suggestions from those in authority. I bsg also to introduce an old workman, of 58 years' permanent service, as a deputation of scores of from 20 to 50 years' servitude, to present the address, according to the resolution of our meeting." The old workman having had the address, it was read by Evan Davies, weigher, to which the bene- volent Alderman replied as follows:—"George Browne, Richard Thomas, George Phillips, Evan Evans, and other worthy and in- dustrious workmen employed at the Penydarran works,—I thank you in the name of my pa:tner, Mr. Forman, and also in my own name, for this gratifying token of your consideration. I feel a just pride in knowing that there are among you those whose fa- milies have been employed in these works through several gene- rations, and some of you, I am told, varying from 20 to 50 years. And the anxiety which has been expressed that the connexion should continue, is not only creditable to you, but redounds to the character of the several agents, under whom you have served, and especially to Mr. Martin (pointing to him), who has had the di- rection of the entire establishment. The Penydarran works have existed for a period of more than sixty years the coal and mine- ral field belonging to them had become exhausted, and it was ne- cessarily a subject of great interest to you whether a new mineral field would be added, or the works abandoned and, as far as the personal feelings of Mr. Forman and myself were to be consulted, the latter alternative was to be preferred but we could not forget the many years of faithful servitude which you and the agents had rendered to our predecessors and to ourselves, and therefore it was that we decided to risk an immense outlay of capital in new win- nings, and to sacrifice our ease rather than witness thousands of fa- milies driven from their happy homes to seek employment else- where. and at a period of great depression in the iron trade when all WE re diminishing and not extending their establishments. These are I do solemnly assure you, the considerations which influenced Air. formananci myself; and the address which you have just pre- sented to me proves how highly you have appreciated our motives. The new mineral field about to be added to the Penydarran works is of such extent that, in the natural course of events, it will exist beyond our time and I offer up to the Giver of all good my ar- dent aspirations, that this establishment may, for generations yet to come. afford constant and profitable employment to thousands of peaceful, industrious, and skilful artisans. I think this is not an unfitting oceasion to tell you that I have under consideration a plan whereby better education will be provided foryour children. It is my anxious desire that they should receive a moral and reli- gious-education. I m convinced the advantage will be that they will become better Christians, better subjects, and better servants, and that they will be better able to appreciate the laws and insti- tutions of the country, and the blessings which they enjoy under the paternal rule of a benevolent, virtuous and gracious Queen." Immediately on the delivery, the kind-hearted Alderman wiih- drew, but the cheers of the men almost made the welkin ring.