The Principality

POLICE.—MONDAY, MAY 21.- [13efore the Rev. T. Stacey.] John Stephens, imister of the Union, was charged by Lieut. Dornford with entering the gut of the Bute Dock before the bull was hoisted. Fined 40s. and costs. James Bryant, Mary Bryant, and Cox, were charged with committing a nuisance by depositing liltli and putrid potatoes at the back of the houses in Waterloo-buildings. Mr. Stockdale complained to the bench of the parties, and he was directed to report them to the Street Commissioners. Joseph Brown and Daniel Beddows were charged with having on Saturday last, in company with a man named Bryan, stolen from the person of George Nash, St. Mary-street, aged 17, 6d. in copper, by cutting off his pocket whilst he was held down on some baulk of timber in a field near the wharf. The boy's evidence was confirmed by police constable Morgan, and the case was adjourned. A warrant was issued for the apprehension of Bryan, who has escaped. The superintendent of police, Mr. Stockdale, in discharge of his duty com- plained of Joseph Thomas, for having created a nuisance by burying the entrails of a horse in adungheap, inalane near the free school, inWhitmore- street. The defendant stated that the horse had died, and been given to an Irishman whom he did not know. The case was dismissed. The nuisance was so great that it prevented the usual routine of business at the school, and might have been perceived at a great distance by the stench, which was sufficient to cause fever. George Bull against Mr. Cosslett. This was another of those wages cases, which have lately been so shamefully prevalent, and it was remanded on account of the death of the defendant's mother; but Mr. Cosslett will have to pay the man for his time. „ Mr. Dawe, of the Custom House, Cardiff, applied to the bench for the remand of the prisoners, GuisejipeSanguinetti and JSicholas Gasparini^ of the Nuovo Aurora, of Ancona, charged with smuggling, in order that he might hear from the authorities in London. The following evidence was taken;— Mr. Jenkins, officer .of Customs, sworn: From information I received I went to the station-house on Saturday night and broached two kegs of all inferior kind of brandy, which I placed under detention. In one was three gallons one pint, and in the other one pint short of two gallons. John Rawlins sworn: On Saturday night last I was on duty in Bute-street. I happened to meet police constable Nash; I observed the prisoners coming up Bute-street, and carrying something bulky under their clothes. 1 followed with Nash, and we took them into custody, when they dropped the two kegs, which, with the prisoners, were taken to the station-house. Police constable Nash confirmed the statement. Kemanded.

NEWPORT. CAUTION TO IRISH CAPTAINS OF TRADING VESSELS.—A CAPTAIN FINED £ 200, Jasper Travers, master of the James, of Kinsale, was charged before William Evans, Esq., mayor, and Thomas Hughes, Esq., at the Town-hall, yesterday (Thursday), on the information of Stephen English, superintendent, with carrying forty passengers from Courtmasherry, county Cork, to Newport, more than allowed by license. Richard Trew, assistant tide surveyor, proved that defendant's vessel arrived on the 22nd instant, with 1.19 adult passengers and 78 children on board, and there were also 16 horses and 30 sheep confined together in the hold, and the vessel only registered seventy-eight tons. Witness stated that, from being so overcrowded the effluvia aris'ng from the hold was very offensive, and that he had never witnessed such an emaciated and abject lot of human beings in all his life. Defendant's license allowed him to carry 98 pas- acn,ei-s, and calculating the children as three for one adult passengers, he had on hoard 47 more than the number allowed by his license. Mr. Edward Frost, tide surveyor, produced the vessel's register and license he received from defendant, also his cargo book, in which he had entered only 61 passengers. The defendant Travels said he did not know the number he had on board, and produced one of the passengers named Nicholas Welsh, to prove he smuggled two friends on board. The case being clearly proved, Travers was lined £200, being £5 each for forty passengers, or two months' imprisonment. IVOOI)L our men, named John Davies, William Parker, George Perkins, and Frederick Jones, alias lioss, were apprehended by the Newport police, on suspicion of being a party in the burglary at the residence of J. J. Cordes, Esq., and were examined on Wednesday last, before Thomas Prothero and Thomas Pope, Esqrs., county magistrates; but the evidence not being sufficiently dileet to commit them for trial, they were severally committed for three months with hard labour, under the Vagrant Act. INQUEST.—An inquest was held on the 23rd inst., at the Red Lion, Charles-street, before W. H. Brewer. Esq., deputy- coroner, on the body (;f an Irishman, whose name was unknown, apparently about 50 c)i. CO years of age, who died iu the street of starvation. It appeared that he came over in one of the Irish coal vessels Oil Sunday last. POLICE, MAY 21st.—[Before Thomas Hughes and William Jen- kins, Esqrs.] Catherine Collins and David Crowly were charged with stealing eoal, the property of the Rock Coal Company. Committed for one month each, under the Vagrant Act. William Davies, J'lmes Coles, and Timothy Price were charged with assaulting Thomas F. Wsde, landlord of the Ship Inn, Pill- gwenl'v. Davies was discharged, Coles fined El, and 12s. 6d. costs, and Price 5s., und 12s. 6ti. costs, or ope month each. William James was summoned, under the bye-law, for furiously tiding his High-street, on Saturday last.

MERTHYR. SANITATIY.— Mr. Superintending Inspector Rammell continues to take evidence for and against the sanitary condition of this town, at the vestry-room. The evidence, we presume, will be balanced in London, and the Board of Health will decide according to the evidence. We hear it is voluminous already. The beneficial rain of last week has quite altered the appearance of our hills and fields. Nature now wears a beautiful aspect. PEACE.—On Monday evening a numerously attended meeting was held at Pontmorlais chapel, to promote the principles of peace and arbitration. The treasurer of the auxiliary, J. W. James, lisq., surgeon, occupied the chair, and introduced the lecturer (Kev. John Roberts) for the evening to the crowded meeting, in an appropriate speech. r. Roberts, in an argumentative and eloquent speech, which, occupied an hour in delivery, proved to the entire satisfaction of all jm sent that the Canaauitish wars were no examples to the present nations of the earth, as we are living under a different dispensation, and the theory and practice of the *\< u Testament principles, which art: place on earth and goodwill towards men, in ail nations „and ciiniFS. Tiie Rev. Abraham Jones, in pn posing the thanks of the meeting to the worthy lec- turer, expressed the gratiiiciitioii he had in listening tosuch agooù lecture, and paid a compliment to the men of Merthyr. foi appre- ciating such sound and powerful discourse. 1 he Rev. Dr of Bethesda, in seconding the proposition, nho expressed himself highly delighted in listening to such a speech. This, as well as a vote ci thanks to the chairman, was carried with accla- mation, and duly acknowledged. The meeting separated before nine o'clock, after a short pt-tyerby the lecturer.— [We received another account of the lecture after the above was in type.] j 111 it w A IN —T it E LATE MB. WM. JOHM.—In our obituary of this week, we notice the death of the late Mr. ^>\m. Jones. Mr. Jones had been in the employ of Messrs. Crawshay, iit Cyfarthfa and Hirwain Iron Works, as furnace manager at the latter, for a period of upwards of half a century of active em- ployment the duties of which he faithfully discharged. For the last twelve years he had been enabled by the kindness of his employers to withdraw from the duties of his avocation, and to pass the remaining years of his declining life in retirement and repose. He was much and deservedly esteemed.

POLICE.—SATUKDAY, MAY 19.-[Before W. Thomas, Esq.] Several hundred pounds of meat, principally veal, were this day seized by the police, and after being tasted by 14 butchers, were declared unfit for human food, was publicly burnt in the square, amidst the acclamations of hundreds of adults and boys. The greater part was brought from Bristol, by John Morgan, Wm. Itees, Peter Price, and Mary Evans. Thomas Lewis and Howell Williams, from Hirwain, were charged with having- wilfully and maliciously put a hot poker in powdel-, whereby Elifc. Williams, the wife of the said Howell Williams, and child, were so seriously injured as to be unable to attend to give evidence, as appeared by .the certifi- cate of Mr. Davies, surgeon, of Hirwain Iron W orks. The prisoners were remanded.

MONDAY, MAY 21.-[Before II. A. Bruce, and W. Thomas, Esqrs.] BASKCOIX.—Hy. Williams and Mary h iliiams, man and wife, tramps, were charged with having 21 counterfeit shillings and 2 half-crowns in their posses- sion, with intent to utter the same as the coin of the realm, ltcaiaiulcd till Wednesday to obtain further evidence. CHUNKKNKUSS.—John H'ylde, of l'oiitstorehouse'cellars, was charged with drunkenness and breaking 11 panes of glass at the police station. Fined 5s. 6d., the value of the glass, and 7s. costs. Paid. Benjamin Jones was charged by John Morgan with breaking his bottle. Ordered to pay 3d. for the bottle, and 7s. costs. DUUXKKNXESS.—John JSormall was charged by police constable PoynU with being drunk and disorderly. Fined 2s. 6d. Francis Stephens was charged with being drunk and disorderly. Repri- manded and discharged. NEGLECTING WORK.— H m. Kelly and George Griffiths were charged by Mr. Wm. Robins Davis, agent to the Dowlais Iron Works, wifh neglecting- their work, whereby the iron was burnt, by which the company sustained a loss. Kelly was to have 15s. and expenses deducted from his wages, and Griitiths £ 1 and expenses. INFRINGING THIS EXCISE LAWS.—Edward Thomas, Mile-end beer-house, was charged by Superintendent Wrenn with selling beer at illegal hours on the I th inst. Being his second offence he was fined £2 and expenses. NON-PAYMENT OF I'OOK-KATKS.—David IFilliatll8, charged by the assistant overseer with non-payment of 4s. 7d. poor-rate, was ordered to pay the same immediately, and 3s. 6d. costs. Thomas Lewis and Howell Williams, who were remanded on Saturday for setting powder on fire at lIirwain, were admitted to bail for a fortnight, in consequence of the inability of Elizabeth Williams to attend and give evidence. Superintendent Wrenn, who had seen her the preceding evening, produced a certificate to that effect. WEDNESDAY, lAY 23.-[Beforc H. A. Bruce, and W. Thomas, Esqrs.] James Breese, a celebrated character as regards brass stealing, was charged by the Dowlais Iron Company with stealing brass cocks, &c., belonging to Dowlais engine, which runs trom Cwmbargoed pit lo l)owlais. Committed for trial at the sessions. John Keliy, charged by Edward Jones with fradulently removing his goods to evade the payment of his rent. Ordered to pay double the value of the goods removed, and costs. Isaac Bells was charged by Patrick Marony with refusing to pay him zEl 17s. 3d., due for wages. Ordered to pay the sum claimed, with costs.

BRIDGEND. DEATH BY DROWNING.— On Tuesday morning, as an immense torrent was rolling down the river Ogmore, something bearing a resemblance to the human form was discovered near the New Bridge, which proved to be that of a man. On being taken out he was found to have swoollen considerably. Several wounds were found in various parts of the body, and the head and face severely bruised, which indicated that he must have been beaten and thrown in the river by the perpetrators. The body was in an advanced stage of decomposition, and presented a very ghastly ap- pearance. It was conveyed to the union workhouse to await the coroner's inquest, and was interred the same evening in the parish burying ground, Coity. MAY I'AIR. -At this fair, on Thursday week, there was but a very small attendance compared with former years Horses were scanty; the horned beasts realised but low prices. The new cattle market is found to be of some advantage. In former years the animals were crowded together along the main road, so that every passer by was in danger; but now, not the slightest inconvenience is occasioned. SUDDEN DEATH.—CAUTION To DRUNKARDS.—An inquest was held on Saturday last, at the White Hart Inn, before It. L. lleece, Esq., coroner, on the body of William Donaldson, tailor, aged thirty-live. It appeared from the evidence of David Howard, that the deceased, Wm. Thomas, and the landlord, were drinking together at a public-house, on the pre- ceding afternoon. Deceased was very drunk and violent. He cursed and swore at the landlord because he would not give him more drink till he paid for what he had had. William Thomas told deceased that he ought to pay. Deceased then got up and struck Thomas, who is an old man, and a scuffle ensued. They were parted by witness, and both sat down apparently quiet. Thomas, findin; that he had bitten his thumb in the scuffle, made some remark to him, and said he would go for a policeman. Deceased was then lying on the settle. He got up in great rage, and almost immediately fell down dead. Verdict, Died from natural causes," accelerated by drink and excited feeling. THE soi disant orators on teetotalism, of the name of Jeremiah Dowdee. and his better half, who have been holding forth with so much energy on the principle of temperance, have bolted," Jeav., ing their landlord minus of his rent and borrowed money, and likewise taken with them other articles, by way of remembrance. The ungrateful hypocrite was sent for by Gaffer Smith, and was paid more wages for his work as a navvy than he actually was worth, and to assist Smith in carrying out his good intentions of advocating teetotalism. Thus he has returned evd for good. CHARGE OF BURGLARY.—At the petty sessions held at this town, May lyth, before the Hev. H. L. Blosse, iiachel Jones and John Williams were charged with having, on the 15th inst., felo- niousiy entered the house of Thomas John, of Tynycaia, Newton Nottage, and stolen therefrom two silver spoons, money to the amount of £5 10s., and various other articles. Catherine John, wife of Thomas John, stated that her husband was out at work, and did not return home on the night in question that previous to going to bed she locked and fastened the doors and windows she fastened the dairy door with a cord as usual; that she had a sore foot, which pained her much and prevented her sleeping that night. Some time durmg the night, and before three o'clock, she heard the dairy door open she then got up and went down stairs, and found the dairy open, and saw a woman, whom she knew to be the prisoner Iiachel Jones, jump out; she said, What do you want here at this time of night?" No answer was given, but she heard people talking outside. She got frightened, and went back to bed. She and her servant girl got up about three o'clock next morning, and found that the cord which fastened the dairy door had been cut, and the above articles taken from the house. She sent for her husband, who gave information to the authorities, and the pri. souers were apprehended by P S, Roberts, who found several of the articles in a trunk, in the house of the prisoner John Williams. —The female prisoner, who had been in the service of the prose- cutor, stated that she had not been near the house. The other prisoner said that the spoons in his possession lie found some time back on the tramroad.—Both prisoners were committed for trial, but admitted to bail.

PONTYPOOL. ON Monday evening last, Mr. O. Owen, of London, delivered an interesting lecture on Scripture Characters," at the British School-room, Upper George-street. The, lecture was illustrated by a number of dissolving views, with which the audience appeared highly delighted. At the close the lecturer announced his intentiull to deliver two lectures on astronomy, on the evenings of Wednesday and Thursday next, in which he should make very different statements to those made by Mr. Popham, a recent lecturer on astronomy in this town.

TENBY. SEVERAL meetings have been recently held at this place, Saun- dersfoot, Sardis, and Bethesda, at which the Temperance reforma- tion was advocated by Mr. Jayne, from Cornwall, and others. The meetings were well attended, and Mr. Jayne's addresses were very well received. During the meetings about 60 signed the pledge altogether about 200 during the last half-year have taken the pledge in this neighbourhood.

HAVERFORDWEST. AN accident, which it was feared would have been attended with fatal consequences, occurred at the lime kilns, situate in Cartlett, which have been recently lighted for the summer's work. The bottom of the kiln having burnt (as it is technically termed) hollow in the centre, suddenly fell in, while the man in attendance was busily engaged on the top. He was carried down with the falling mass, getting completely jammed up to his waist by the surrounding stones. His agonising screams soon collected a crowd, who evinced every readiness to extricate him, but consi- derable danger existed, as apprehension was rife, as to whether another sinking might not take place. '1 wo or three of the crowd more daring than the rest ventured on the burning pile, but found the man so firmly wedged in, that the only hope of saving his lile lay in quick y getting the stones from about his body and lens. This was no easy task, as the pestilential gas, arising from the burningculni and stone, was spreading its baneful influence on those engaged in this work of humanity. The poor suti'erer had by this time become insensible. The rescuing partv worked with unabated zeal, and succeeded in passing some strong girth webbing round the, and body of the ur.toriuuate man, and in that man- ner released him from his perilous position. Fortunately the top of the kiln had not attained its usual heat, or instant death must have ensued. Mr. George Phillips, suigcon, was promptly-in at- tendance, and having administered the usual remedies, succeeded after a considerable time in restoring animation, iititi tl e poor fellow is fast progressing to convalescence. <

DREADFUL ACCIDENT AT IAN TWIT V ARDRE COLLIERY. -r- SEVEN LIVES LOST. Last week we gave particulars of a fatal accident at the Werfa colliery, by means of which two of our fellow-creatures were brought to an untimely grave. No sooner had the intelligence appeared in our columns, than another fearful and more distressing accident occurred at Lantwit Vardre colliery, near Treforest, be- longing to Thos. Powell, Esq., the extensive colliery proprietor, when five men were killed on the spot, and others dreadfully in- jured. It appears that there are two pits at the colliery, worked by the same machinery, so that the weight descending into one pit en- ables the engineer to raise the weight in the other with compara- tive ease. On Friday night, the chain belonging to one of the pits was broken, which led to the temporary suspension of the works. There was left, therefore, but one pit in working order, and the weight of materials ascending or descending it must have been, consequently, borne by the engine itself. About one o'clock on Saturday morning the fireman made ap- plication to the engineer to let him down the pit, but was refused, the engineer very properly wishing to ascertain by daylight whe- ther or not any injury had been done to the machinery by the ac- cident of the previous night. About four o'clock, having first of all examined the engine and found everything safe, he let three men down the pit, who reached the bottom in safety. About seven o'clock, John Jones, a contractor, or underground steward, came to the engineer, accompanied by three or four other men, and requested to be let down also. The engineer, we were given to understand, remonstrated with him, he being anxious to test the machinery by some dead weight but it was to no purpose. The engineer then set the engine in order, and when the carriage was descending the pit, he perceived that a considerable number of men had entered it. They had not descended more than seven or ten yards before the engineer heard a crack or a jerk in the ma- chinery. He instantly stopped the engine, examined it, and found it out of "gear." The unfortunate though reckless men in the pit, by this time perceiving their dangerous position, cried out, and called on the engineer to raise them. He attempted, and while doing so the engine lost all power over the fly-wheel, and the natural consequence was, that the poor fellows were precipi- tated to the bottom of the pit, nearly one hundred yards deep. The heavy chain which suspended the carriage then fell with great force on them. Every effort was then mude to assist the sufferers, and it was not until one o'clock that all the bodies were taken out. Medical aid was immediately sent for, and every attention was paid to the injured. It is rather remarkable that the only man whose injuries were comparatively light was a stranger, who had gone with the men to see the pit. On Monday morning, an inquest was held on the bodies, before R. L. Reece, Esq., and a respectable jury of tradesmen from 1're- forest. It was heartrending when we reached the village, to witness the mournful countenances and Sunday attire of the people who had assembled to pay their tribute of respect to the deaa- the spectacles of the dead and dying lying in the different cottages -the coffins (made of oak and handsomely trimmed) being car- ried in various directions—and above all, the bitter cries of wives, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and relatives who had been de- prived of their dearest friends without a moment's warning. We were much affected by observing, in a cottage, the remains of a father and son being removed to their last resting-place, amidst the lamentations of a widow and fatherless children, while at the same place, another son was lying dangerously ill from the effects of the same accident. After viewing the several bodies, and the machinery of the works, the coroner and jury retired to an adjoining inn to hold their inquest. The first witness called was a lad named David Jones, nephew of the contractor (whose life was made a sacrifice to his workmen), who was present. He said I recollect Saturday morning last, when the accident occurred. It was between seven and eight o'clock. My uncle (John Jones, contractor) told me to wait at the mouth of the pit all day, to open and shut the fails (or flaps). Some of the workmen asked my uncle if they should have any work that day, as the chain had broken in the other pit. He said, Come down, perhaps I can find you something to do." He said so to several to Thomas Rees and Morgan Rees. My uncle did not tell the men not to go down. I told Zachariah Williams he had better not go. He said he would go. I did not hear any of the men say there were too many in the carriage. There were about 16 or 18 in it. It was quite full. I saw them go down. After they had gone about ten yards I heard two jerks. The engineer stopped the engine at once, and tried to reverse it, for the purpose of having them back again. The carriage then fell down with great force to the bottom of the pit. Thomas John was the next, witness examined. He said I am one of the engineers at the Lantwit colliery. I have been em- ployed in it for four years. I was engaged at the engine on Satur- day morning last. An accident jhappened on Friday night. The chain of the old pit, which is next to the engine, broke by heaving a tram of coal up. That caused a stoppage of the works. The pit has not been in use since. About seven o'clock on Saturday morn- ing, John Jones came to me, and asked me to put him down the furthest pit. The engine was in gear (in working order), for I had put three men down before. I then went to let him down. I did not know there were more than three or four with him, until I saw their heads as they were entering the pit. I was some dis- tance from the pit. I wondered to see so many going down, be- cause I knew there was nothing for them to do. The pit is 96 yards deep. The chain is 145 yards long, and could bear more than double the weight of the men. The chain is a new one. It has only been in use four months. I am always in the habit of repairing any injury done to the chains before anything more is .Y 11 done with them. After the men had descended the pit about seven or ten yards, I heard a crack or jerk, which much alarmed ire. I immediately stopped the engine, and went out to see what was the matter. I found that the cogs had started out of their place, and could not work. The first thing I did was to put the cogs right. Just at the time the men called out to me to pull them up. I be- gan to do so; gave a stroke and a half, when the engine went out of gear again, after which I had no control over it. I could not tell why the engine went out of gear; but I found after that the bolts which fastened the wheels had started. I don't know the cause of it, except the sudden jerk or crash. There is a connexion between the two pits—one balances the other. After the other chain had broken the engine had to bear all the weight of the carriage and men. I recollect the pit in work before the new pit was made, when the lower weight, as now, was let down. When the engine had the balance of the other pit, it could let down double the quan- tity. I believe the accident would not have occurred had not the chain of the other pit broken the night before. I had cautioned the men not to go down but as John Jones insisted upon it, I let them go. I cautioned them because I was afraid the loss of the use of the other chain would be attended with danger. I wanted to test the machinery with some dead weight first. I cannot tell exactly the cause of the accident. Thomas Williams examined: I am surveyor and mineral agent to the colliery. I know something of engineering. I can- not account for the engine getting out of gear. It might have been because of the bolts having started. I think it is highly probable that it occurred by the contact of the carriage with the side of the pit, and thus causing the jerk spoken ot. The engine had worked the pit for six years before the new pit was opened. If the chain had not broken the night before, there would have been a greater tendency to keep the engine in gear. William Habbakuk examined: I am agent and mineral sur- veyor to the colliery. I attribute the accident to the starting of the bolts, which was probably occasioned by a sudden jerk, pro- duced by the uneven manner in which the carriage went down. An undue pressure on one side would produce such a jerk. Such things sometimes occur. A horse was killed some time ago by its restlessness in going down. It is not improbable that these men might have unduly pressed on one side, and thereby occasioned the jerk. George James Penn examined I am manager of Messrs. Brown and Lennox's works. The chain is quite new. I recollect Mr. Powell giving strict. instructions to have it first of all properly proved. It is made in four parts. It was proved first singly, and then conjointly. Each part would sustain a weight of three tuns, or the whole, twelve tons. The coroner then summed up. After referring to the evidence, he said that as the two pits had been for some years worked toge- ther, and as the chain of one of them had broken the night before, the engine migh; probably have sustained an injury, but it was quite clear there was no blame attached to either the proprietors, the engineer, or any one connected with the colliery. The engineer had .cautioned the men before they went down, and as Jones was ft responsible man, the engineer was justified in letting him down. if; there was blame attached to any one, it must have been to Jones, who ought to have known better, and had by bis indiscre- tion brought himself and others to a premature death. He could not see it to be any other than accidental. The jury almost immediately returned a verdict of "Accidental Death. The names of the deceased are as follows John Williams, aged tweuty-one, single Samuel Rogers, aged twenty-one, single John Williams, aged sixteen, single; Thomas Rees, aged íiity, mar- ried Joseph Rees, aged ten John Jones, aged ti William J-nkins, aged for y-six. The names of the other sufferers are as follows:—David Hop- kins, Jeukin Jenkins, John Jones, William Jenkins, Zachariah Williams, David Williams, John Griffiths, Morgan Rees, William Williams, Thomas Richards. We find that Mr. Powell has taken a deep interest in the rjw- lancholy affair, and has done all in his power to ascertain the cause of the accident. He had sent Mr. Griffiths, from New- port, Mr. Francis, from Cardiff, and two surveyors, to render all the assistance in their power to the sufferers and widows, and also with a view, if possible, of preventing a similar catastrophe. Not satisfied with this, he has promised the widows that permanent support of which they were so suddenly and lamentably de- prived, pecuniarily. Owing to Mr. Powell's humanity, they will sutler no loss. It has been some slight alleviation that most of the sufferers were unmarried men. It is to be hoped that the lesson taught by this accident and similar ones will not, to the workmen, be given in vain.

SWANSEA. HEALTH OF TOWNS' ACT. In pursuance of public notice, George Thomas Clark, Esq., one of the superintending inspectors under the provisions of the above Act, held a court at the Assembly Rooms, on Monday last, for the purpose of inquiring into the sanitary condition of the town, and other objects contemplated by the provisions of the above statute. The attendance was small. There were but few present beyond the Mayor, Town-clerk, Clerk of the Paving Commissioners, Mr. Tripp, who had been retained to watch the evidence on the pari f the corporation, Air. W. H. Smith, a few members of the Town Council and Paving Commission, and some dozen other gentle- men. The inspector said lie would have to inquire into the general sanitary condition of the town. This would include an investiga- tion into the condition of houses, more especially those of the poorer classes, as well as a statistical inquiry in reference to the mortality and health of various portions of the town. Mr. Clark then named Mornston, Greenhill and the district, Caercrober, Jockey-street, Regent-street, and other portions of the town in whicn diseases most frequently prevailed. The second point of inquiry would comprise the sewerage and surface drainage of the town. The third head of inquiry would have reference princi- pally to the state of the house-drainage of the town. His in- quiries under this head would relate more especially to the dwell- ings of the poorer classes. The fourth head of inquiry would ere have reference to the supply of water avaIlable for the use of the town. It would be a portion of his duty to inquire as to the sup- ply which could be made available for the use of the poor. He would likewise have to ascertain the quality of the water, the situ- ation of its source, and how far it could be rendered available for supplying every portion of the town. The next head ot inquiry would have reference to the means of cleansing and surveying the town the next to tie state of the paving and lighting. It would be his duly to take cognisance of the various lucatacts-re- lating to this part of the subject. The sixth head of inquiry was that respecting the condition of any manufactories carried on within the town, and their influence on its sanitary condition. He would have to inquire as to the efficiency and expense of the light- ing of the town. The eighth topic of inquiry was that of the public nuisances of the town, if any such existed therein. The ninth head related to the state of the burial grounds, the accommo- dation lor burying, &c. He believed that at Swansea all the ground had been fully occupied. The tenth head had reference to the existence of any marshes in the vicinity. This branch of the inquiry was not applicable to Swansea. He would likewise have to inquire into the applicability of portions of the local acts to the carrying out of sanitary improvements. They had reference to the best, mode of supplying the town with water, and to the means of carrying away and distributing the sewerage of the town. The last was a matter of some importance to Swansea. He pre- sumed, seeing that they had a New Cut, und a bridge in course of construction on their river, that sooner or later they would have a floating dock. At any rate it was possible that such might Letbc ease. It was, therefore, obvious that it would be improper to turn tne sewerage of a town into a floating basin. A portion of this. town was below high-water mark, but by far the greaM and better part was above high water. He likew ise found that water was brought to the town by natural pressure. On Tuesday, the superintending inspector again attended at the Assembly Rooms. He commenced his observations by stating that he had em. ployed the previous day in inspecting the suburban districts of ,ie town. He alluded to the examination of the suburban districts and situation of the town. The remaining portion of his task com- prised an inquiry into the sanitary condition of the interior of the town, domestic accommodation, house drainage, &c. He likewise purposed this day visiting the outlying districts, such as Vivian'a town, Morriston, &c. The position of Morriston, in reference to di-ninage, a supply of water, and so forth, ditfurod m \tcrifdly from that of Swansea. The higher portions of the town, and indeed the greater portion of it, lay in a. favourable position for drainage. Not the slightest difficulty to a thorough and efficient drainage of the town presented itself. The difficulty would be somewhat greater in draining the portions of the town lying between portions of High-street and Castle-street, and the Strand, and portions of the latter place. The sewage of these places must be conveyed more directly into the sea, because the fall diminished as the length of the sewer increased. The inspector said that there were two sources from which the town might be supplied with water. The best was that taken possession of by the S wansea Water Works Company. Another was that at Mount Pleasant. The present reservoir was well adapted for preserving the water, and keeping it free from impuri- ties. It was surrounded by a plantation of evergreens, keeping off tliii dust, and preventing the water being filled with withered leaves, &c. The great defect, was its low level, which precluded it from efficiently supplying the upper portions of the town, especially in cases of fire, &e. After answering some questions, the inspector announced the morning's proceedings at a close, as he was about proceeding to Vivian's Town, Landore, and Morriston. MESMERISM AND PHRENOLOGY.-During this week, Swansea has again been enlivened by the visit of two accomplished mes- merists, in the persons of J. D. Owens, M.D., and H. Storer, M.D., whose lectures and manipulations have created some little stir. The influence left in the town, by the visits of Messrs. Davey and Jackson, has been such that in very many private families mesmerism is regularly practised, and in some cases as a remedial agent. The gentlemen who have recently arrived in our town are, however, come to meet with powerful opposition, as it is cui-reiitlv reported that a medical gentleman, well known for his bittel hostility to mesmerism, is determined to expose wliat he considers to be the base hypocrisy of the day. On Monday evening last, Dr. Owens delivered his intrt ductory address on phrenology and mesmerism, and at the close of an admirable lecture mesmerised parties, who up to that hour had been perfect strangers to him. On Wednesday and Friday (this evening), he is to continue the work.

NEATH. FATAL Accil)ENT.-Oll Friday, the lSt1. instant, as John Davies, a little boy, aged four years, a son of John Davies pattern maker, Neath Abbey, was playing with some children on the Marsh, below that place, his cap fell into the river, and in endeavouring to take it up he fell in himself, and was drowned before any assistance could be rendered. CIIOLEKA..— On Monday last, two women residing at Aberdu- lais, near Neath, after reluming from the latter place were attacked with cholera. One died that night, and the other on the following morning. Another woman died at the same place on Wednesday morning after a few hours' illness.

GELL YGAEIL GELLYGAEE COLLIERY.— We stated -in our hist that a venti- lator, on an entirely new principle, had been erected at this colliery, the invention of Mr. Brunton, and that some exper- ments had been made, which were highly satisfactory, it consists of a very simple mechanical arrangement, without valves or separate moving parts, and all the friction is on the pivot moving in a socket containing oil. It is applied to the .top of the upcast pit by a short tunnel, or air-course, and is driven by a steam-engine. In its rotatory motion it subjects the air to a high degree of centrifugal force, whereby anv degree of rarefaction necessary to the complete ventilation of a colliery may be attained, with the greatest economy of power. In a part ot' the airway where the area was only yi superficial feet, the air was prppeUed with a velocity of 32 teet per second, and in its way TO the upcast pit, through an opening of four feet area, it obtained a velocity of 7G feet per second. On the following day a very important experiment was made bv stop- ping the influx of air from the downcast shaft, and in less than five minutes the whole of the colliery was thus artificially sub- jected to a rarefaction equal to, and in its effect upon the gas in the coal corresponding with, a sudden fall of the barometrical column, of about two-tenths of an inch of jneioury, and this may be greatly inci-cuied.—Mining JournM, R.

in this world of ours the weak must ever do before the strong. On Tuesday morning, the enemy (consisting of navvies and po- licemen, headed by Mr. James) surprised them in ignoble sleep, and before they could recover themselves, the houses were entered, the roofs were taken off, and the Milesians, finding that the better part of valour was discretion, quietly pocketed the affront, and speedily commenced a retreat to some more conge- nial spot. CASE OF CROLERA.-An inquest was held at the Town-hall, on Saturday, before R. L. Reece, coroner, on the body of Agnes Mary Savage, aged two years and a half, the infant daughter of James Savage, sail-maker, of No. 7, Bute-street, who died under the following circumstances :—James Savage, father of deceased, said, deceased is rtiy second child, and was generally healthy, having a good appetite; and was rather stout, was not subject to illness. About twelve o'clock last night deceased appeared unwell, she made a noise and then vomited, and cried fur water, of which she drank hearty, after which she again vomited, and continually called for drink; deceased purged and vomited continually, sleeping occasionally, until about five o'clock a.m., when I got up. I made some weak whiskey punch and gave deceased; I afterwards gave her some tea, it rattled in her throat. She died about twelve o'clock at noon. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God." [We have since been given to understand that several other cases, which occurred yesterday, have proved fatal.] ACCIDENT TO A POLICE CONSTABLE.—Un Tuesday, while in the act of apprehending an Irishman, in Mary Anne-street, for some misdemeanour, W. Jones, police-constable, was assaulted by the son of Erin, and had his leg broken in the encounter, The case will be heard on Monday. MAIL ACCIDENT.—On Tuesday morning, as the London mail coach was on its route from Gloucester to Pembroke, when near Newnham, the leaders took fright at some temporary rail- ings that had been put up on the South Wales Railway, and immediately made for the hedge, drawing the wheelers and coach after them. The coach was upset and considerably da- maged. The guard sustained some bruises, but not of a serious character. The passengers and coachman, we are glad to say, escaped unhurt. In consequence of the delay, the mail was about two hours later in its arrival at Cardiff than usual. CARDIFF AND WORCESTER.—The Hero coach will, we per- ceive by an advertisement, run daily after Monday next. The people of Cardiff will, we doubt not, be glad of the change. IMPROVEMENT IN PENMANSHIP.—We can speak with confidence of Mr. Goodmane's system of penmanship, because we have seen, within the circle of our immediate acquaintance, a case where only three lessons from him have converted an irregular, cramped, and almost illegible hand into one remarkably plain, easy, and handsome. We advise all who wish to excel in this useful accomplishment to embrace the present opportunity. LAUNCH.—A fine clipper schooner, 140 tons burden, named the Fidget, was launched from Mr. Tredwen's yard, on Tues- day last. She has been purchased by a Liverpool merchant, and is intended for the fruit trade. Everything went off well. ———