The Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette and Merthyr Guardian

Destructive Fire in Bute-street. One of those fires, as destructive, we regret to say, in its consequence, as it threatened, at one period, to be alarm- ing to a densely-populated neighbourhood, broke out on Thursday night, about half-past 10 o'clock, on the premises of Messrs. Brown and Son, ship-chandlers and general dealers. The family had retired to rest at their usual early hour, and all appeared in perfect safety. Two women who were passing the premises, first perceived smoke, and gave the alarm to t\Vo sailors, who had directly come up. These, upon a further examination of the premises, ascertained, beyond doubt, that a fire was raging within, and instantly routed up the inmate?. The family of Mr. Brown, perceiving the danger, got out of the premises as quickly as possible. Considerable delay took place before the shutters, which were fastened on the inside, could be got down. When taken off, the entire of the basement story was found to be in flames. These, from the nature of the combustible materials on the premises, spread with rapidity, and in a few minutes, the entire of the house was wrapt in one sheet of flame. They quickly spread to an adjoining house belonging to Mr. Brown, which was also destroyed. A fire-bell gave the alarm, and one of the borougn engines was on the spot with all possible expedition. Although a copious supply of water was at hand, yet from some mis- as to the manner the engine should be worked, it did not become available for a considerable time. It was then vigorously plied by crowds of persons, who were rather emulous in their contentions res meeting the di- rection of the pipes, &e., and thus not a little retarded the working of the engine. The flames at this period had got to It fcarfnllwight, antI illuminerl the atmophcre for a con- siderable distance round. About half-past twelve a second engine had arrived, and commenced playing apparently with little effect, as the fire had gained an ascendancy, which, considering the nature of the articles which supplied it, baffled all attempts to get it under. All hopes of saving the premises of Mr. Brown were abandoned, the engines, there- fore.commenced playing on the adjacent houses. One of them, an office belonging to Mr. Coffin, was partially de- stroyed. The whole of the stock, furniture, and books were completely destroyed. A troop of the 4th Dragoons were speedily on the spot, and were soon followed by a detach- ment of the 73rd foot, and effectively co-operated with the public, who, under the active superintendence of Mr. Stockdale, rendered all the assistance in their power to suppress the flames. Mr. Brown is understood to be partially insured in the Norwich Fire Office. The premises of Mr. Brown are extensive, the warehouse and dwelling- house adjoining which are entirely destroyed. MERTHYR. STATISTICS OF MERTHYR Happily, says the Times re- porter, getting rid of the subject of turnpikes, it may not be wholly interesting to your readers to describe the features of this seat of vast mineral wealth and creative industry. The town itself is a miserably, ill-built, dirty place but the popu- lation seem too busy to mind what their streets or houses are. It i-i built oil the face of bleak and abrupt hills, and the enormous mining operations and iion wcrks here carried on have heaped up around it grey and smoking mounds of ashes and dross. It is a-place where no one would live for. choice, except to make money, and in the brisk periods of the iron trade that was made in abundance. Now, however, the trade is as much depressed as it well can De from over- production. Still the Nvoi-k-peol)lc get tolerable w,,is(es, and are all employed. On the prosperity of this place depends in a great measure the agricultural prosperity of South Wales. There are four sets of ironworks here, belonging to different firms pf iron masters; connected with each of which are mines from which the ore is obtained, and collieries which supply the coal for smelting it. The heads of these firms are —Sir John Guest, Mr. Crawshay, Mr. Hill, and Alderman Thompson. At Sir John Guest's works there are 18 blast furnaces; at Mr. Crawshay's, 11 at Mr. Hill's, G; and at Alderman Thompson's, (i. It requires to work each of these furnaces, in coal mining, obtaining the ore, and manufacturing the iron, about 300 men. At Sir John Guest's, the most extensive of these works, over part of which I was politely shown, upwards of 5000 workpeople are employed in mining and at the 18 blast furnaces. Each of these furnaces (Sir John Guest's) consumes GO tons of coal in the night and day, or amongst them about 1,100 tons of coal per day. The day before I was there 1,028 tons of coal were consumed, and on Saturday 1,402 tons were consumed. The coal costs in getting 3s. 6d. to 3s. lOd. the ton. At these works, which are the largest in the world, about 1,100 tons of iron are manufactured each week. The firm ships annually about 60,000 tons of manufactured iron from the port of Cardiff. The present value of a ton of iron is about JE4. The wages paid by this firm at present amount to about £3,500 per week, or £ 14,000 per month. Formerly, when wages were higher, and the trade filoie brisk, the tinn has paid as much as £ 25,000 per month in wages. The wages the men get are now at the following rates :—Colliers about 15s. a week miners, 14s. firemen, 20s. on the average day labourers, 2s. a day carpenters, 2s. Od. smiths, 2s. lOd. fitters, 3s. 4d. This brief outline will give you some idea of the vast extent of these works. The firm has just completed a contract with the Russian Government to supply 30,000 tons of railway bars for the railway line now making between Moscow and St. Petersburgh. At this extensive firm the truck system is unknown, though this is far from being generally the case here. SUDDEN DEATH.—An awful instance of the uncertainty of human life occurred at Pcnydarran House, about one o'clock on Sunday last. Mary the wife of Philip Lewis, collier, having attended chapel in the morning, while in the act of preparing dinner, fell down and expired immediately. Mr. Williams, surgeon, was called in, and did everything that medical skill suggested, by bleeding, &c., but without success. An inquest was held upon the body, at the Red Gate, on Monday, before Mr. Thomas, deputy coroner, and a respectable jury, when a verdict of Died of Apoplexy was returned. STREETS, FILTH, AND DISEASE—We beg most partic- ularly to draw public attention to the dirty state of several streets in this town, especially Plymouth-street, which leads from the Railway station to the Britannia public-house. It has been represented to us that this street is filthy in the extreme, and requires the immediate attention of all those who value public health. Our worthy stipendiary magis- trate, chief constable, and superintendent of police, ought to go through the various streets of the town to see whether our complaints, and frequently those of many others, are well- founded or not. Is it any wonder that the scarlet-fever and other complaints are so prevalent and fatal among us ? Why do not the owners of houses provide accomodations for their tenants, instead of allowing them to throw their filth in the public streets, to the detriment of their own health and that of their neighbours 1 Were we unfortunately visited again with some pestilential scourge the authorities would be aroused. Why not rather prevent such calamity by due regard to draining, cleanliness, and ventilation 1 DRrN KENNESS.-A, human being, in the garb of a woman, was raised from one of the filthy gutters in this town on Monday evening, and was carried by the police to the lock- up house, until she can be recognised, and be capable of taking care of herself. The new police-station is under cover. INQUEST.—An inquest was held at the Sun Inn, Dowlais, on Tuesday, the 12th instant, before Mr. Thomas, deputy coroner, on the body of Wm. Humphrey, miner, who was killed by a mass of rubbish falling on him, while at work in one of the Dowlais levels, on the 9th inst. Verdict -11 A cci- dental death." On Thursday evening, two Carmartheushiie butter car- riers, were drinking together at the Bush Inn, Dowlais, named Jones and Davies. Jones, taking advantage ofDavies becoming intoxicated, managed to abstract from his pocket a purse containing £ 13, the proceeds of the sale of his butter. They soon after left the Bush together Davies had not proceeded far when he missed his money; thinking he may have left it at the Bush or some of the shops he had been selling at, he returned, accompanied by Jones, who pretended to assist him in searching for it. Suspicion, however, falling on him, he was taken into custody by Police Serjeant Wrenii, and on searching his cart, the purse with nearly all the money was found in a bag of oats. The following day he was taken before Sir J. J. Guest, Bart., at Dowlais, who committed him for trial at the next Glamorgan Quarter Sessions. The bell of Merthyr church has been ringing a mournful peal from the 13th to the 20th instant, in consequence of the lamented death of Mrs. Richards, the lady of E. L. Richards, Esq., barrister, of Aberaman House, Aberdare, and of Brewery House, Merthyr. F MERTHYR POLICE,—THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14. [Before T. W. Hill, Esq., and the Rev. C. Maybery.] John Herring, miner, of Dowlais, was summoned by Margaret Kirkhouse, for removing his goods in order to evade payment of rent, on the night of the 3rd instant. Ordered to pay rent due, 18s. D'lvid Davies, collier, of Merthyr, was charged by John George, also collier, of the same place, and Mary, his wife, with assaulting them on the llth instant. Allowed to settle the matter out of court. John Morgan, was summoned by Thomas Davies, both of Rhymney. The former, who is a steward of a certain benefit society, refused to pay the latter some sick allowance, which he claimed as a member, according to the rules of the society. Thomas Jones, was charged by David Lewis, roller, both of Penydarran, with assaulting him on the 8th inst. As it appeared a trivial one, the case was dismissed, and the costs divided between them. r TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19. ltletore T. \Y. hlilf, cfsquire.J David Edtcards, haulier, was fined 10s. and costs, for assaulting David Fisher, butcher, on the 18th instant-both of Merthyr. SWANSEA POLICE. A special meeting of the watch and ward committee was held at the Town-hall, Swansea, on Monday last, Starling Benson, Esq., mayor, in the chair, to investigate a charire preferred against the inspector of police, for refusing, on tho night of Wednesday, the 13th instant, to take bail in the case of one Charles Thomas, a seaman, who was taken up for drunkenness and disorderly conduct; also, for uncourte- ously ordering out of the station-house Mr. John Morgan Jones, perfumer, &c., Wind-street, whilst appealing there, ready and willing with any amount of bail for the said Chas. Thomas. From the evidence adduced in support of the charge, it appeared that on the Wednesday night in question, between ten and eleven o'clock, Mr. Jones was attracted by the cries of a man evidently in distress, in the direction of the Market-square. On coming up he found the seaman in the custody of. Lodwick, P.O. The man was crying bitterly, and said to the officer, Let me go; I am not drunk." Seeing the sailor cry so, he (Mr. Jones) intuitively felt an interest in his behalf, and followed both, the policeman and the prisoner to the station-house. After inquiring the nature of the charge, he respectfully offered bail for the man's appearance, and said he would also see the man on board safely. In reply he was accosted in strong language by the inspector, who said, If you will not go out of the station-house, I will lock you up in one minute." Al r. Jones then went outside, and asked if there were any ob- jections to treat with him there. Mr. Jones was again told by the inspector, Go home, and mind your own business." Another respectable witness corroborated the foregoing. This being the whole of the evidence in support of the charge, the committee heard the policeman on the part of the defence, from whose statement it was clear the man had been drinking, and was unruly in the street. An animated discussion then took place between the members of the committee as to whether the inspector was empowered, under any circumstances of the kind, to refuse bail. On reference to the act of parliament it was found that the inspector was legally possessed with discretionary power to refuse suiety or not in such cases. Several of the committee, though admitting the legality of the proceeding, animadverted in strong terms, in the course of their remarks, oil the harshness amI indiscreet manner such unexception- able sureties were refused. The inspector, in reply, alleged that in one instance, some time ago, when bail was accepted, the party bailed had not been long absent from the station-house before he was again brought up the same night, having been found in the canal. After some further discussion the following resolution was unanimously agreed to That it is the opinion of this meeting the inspector did not exceed his duty in the case of Charles Thomas." The case, which was considered to involve a great principle, excited no ordinary attention in the town. SWANSEA TURNPIKE TRUST. —In our last we announced that the tolls of the above trust had been knocked down," by public auction, to a Mr. Richards, for the sum of £ 3,235. Since then, however, we are informed that they have again been let to Mr. Thomas Bullin, the present lessee, by private contract, at a sum considerably lower, it is said, than the above.

DYFFRYN LLYNVI AND PORTH-CAWL RAILWAY COMPANY. A special general meeting of the shareholders of this company, was held at Pyle Inn, on Friday last, the 15th of December instant. Sir Digby Mackworth, Bart,, in the chair. There were present Sir Robert Price, Bart., the Right Honourable John Nicholl, M.P the Rev. Robert Knight. Rev. Charles Rumsey Knight, Rev. J. Montgomery Traherne, John Bowring, Esq., Rawlinson, Esq., j William Jones, Esq., J. H. Allen, Esq., Moses Moses, Esq., &c., &c. A meeting of the committee was held early in the fore- noon and at twelve o'clock the business of the public meeting commenced. THE ELECTION OF A TREASURER. This was the first question for the consideration of the meeting, and occupied the attention of the meeting for some time. It was ultimately referred to the superintending com- mittee who were recommended to sclcct Mr. Towgood, of Cardiff, banker. THE PROPOSED APPLICATION TO PARLIAMENT. At the request of the chairman, the clerk read the adver- tisement, which stated the application to parliament to be for power to alter and amend the toll levying clauses under the existing ac ts, and for further facilitating and ex- tending communcations on the said railway." Sir Robert Price, in introducing this question, said, that he hardly new what course to take. At a committee meeting lately held it was determined that a special general meeting should be convened for the purpose of appointing a treasurer and it was thought expedient to take that op- portunity for discussing the question, whether it was or was not advisable to go to parliment for power to alter and amend the toll levying clauses. It might be in the recollection of those gentlemen present at the meeting of the committee that he (Sir Robert) was not over anxious for this discussion to take place. He had given rather a different opinion. But finding the unanimous voice of the committee against him, he had, of course, given way, and it was determined without opposition to bring the question forward for discus- sion at the special general meeting which should be convened for the appointment of treasurer, These being the senti- ments of the committee, of course it was not in his power as chairman of that committee to dissent. Again, if those opinions should prevail at the general meeting, namely that it Would be an advisable policy to adopt, for the benefit of the company, to go to the expense of obtaining an act of parliament, it would be well to proceed immediately, as pro- bably they might be enabled to have the act passed this year. It was true that they could not have the act this year, unless it was by special favour but yet he believed if the meeting were unanimous, or nearly so, and if they went to parlia- ment merely for the purpose of enabling them to lower the tolls, the act might be passed this year. He had signed his name to the requisition principally with the view of giving an opportunity to shareholders to meet and discuss the question, as it was one of very considerable moment—not hastily to be decided; and if it met with any considerable disapprobation from the different proprietors 'of shares, not to be proceeded with. It was not a question they ought to try to carry out with a small majority; they ought to be unanimous before they proceeded with it. It was only on the grounds that it would be for the benefit of the railway that this policy could be proposed, or probably adopted. He (Sir Robert) had certainly a strong feeling, that that clause in their act of parliament which enacted that no lowering of tolls could take place before eight per cent. had been paid to the proprietors was a most unfortunate clause, and had acted most prejudicially against the interest of the company, as it would not allow the tolls to be lowered when their affairs most required it —when they were strug- gling with difficulties, and endeavouring to compete with neighbouring ports. It would be of no service to lower the tolls when they had surmounted those difficulties, and were going on prosperously but, now, when they experienced so much opposition in the coal trade, a reduction in the rate of tolls would be productive of the most important advantages. With the present rate they could not continue the coal trade for any lengthened period, as those engaged in it had lost money by carrying it on under the present disavantageous circumstances but if the company, by lowering the tolls, would encourage those coal proprietors whose works were situated at a great distance from the port to begin the trade again, he thought the interests of the company, and of the individuals engaged in the trade, would be benefitted. Cer- tainly, the interests of the company would be advanced as a reduction of the tolls on coal would lead to a very consider- able increase in the quantity brought down the line—the present high rate of tonnage having the effect of a complete prohibition. Iron stood on a dillerent footing. The question of tolls as it effected the sale of iron was compara- tively unimportant, at least as compared with that of coal. The coal trade depended entirely upon the decision the meeting might arrive at. It was a question of pence—a few pence making the difference of profit at loss. If it were not the case-if this explanation were not given—it might appear they were asking for and thinking of trifles but competition in the coal trade was so great that it was scarcely possible to carry it on. They had to contend against Cardiff, Newport, and Llanelly, ports which possessed a great many advantages, so that it was hardly possible for exporters of coal at Porth Cawl to compete with them. Cardiff and Newport were doing their very utmost to mon- opolise the whole trade, and to beat down all attempts made by other ports to compete against them, so that it was strict- ly necessary that the tolls should be reduced, in order to enable the exporters of coal at Porth Cawl to carry on the trade. But beneficial as he conceived a reduction of tolls would be, both to the railway as well as to the proprietors of collieries high upon the line, he was far from wishing to urge it upon the meeting. He conceived it ought not to be done unless it received the sanction of nearly the whole of the proprietors, or at least of a large majority. He only wished to place themselves in such a position, that if the proprietors should arrive at the conclusion that it would be for their advantage to consent to a reduction of the tolls, they might be enabled to act in that way which was best calculated to promote the interests of the proprietors generally. With that view he would move that it was expe- dient some stepts should be taken for obtaining powers to lower the present rate of tonnage. Mr. Bowring seconded the proposition. Sir Robert Price wished to add, that he was most unex- pectedly called upon to address the meeting, as he was not the originator of the requisition. He was) ather in hopes that Dr. Bowling's brother would have attended, and would have given them much greater information on the subject than he was able to give. Dr. Nicholl said they had no right to enter upon a question of expediency it was purely and simply a question of justice. They had not yet paid one per cent. to the shareholders. He was not prepared to say whether it was expedient to make application to parliament or othewise, but would suggest the propriety of letting the question re- main open, without further discussion, till their next annual and general meeting. Sir Robert Price had not the slightest wish in the world to press his motion at this meeting. The Key. Robert Knight thought the question should be left open for discussion at the next annual and general meeting. Dr. Nicholl asked Sir Robert Price to withdraw his motion-to leave the question open for discussion at the annual meeting, and thereby dispose of it at this meeting with good feeling. Sir Robert Price was most anxious to pieserve to the good temper of the meeting, and had no objection to adjourn the discussion. Qn A desultory conversation then ensued upon the ""ujci-i. oi aujournmenr. air itooert .rrice s motion was ultimately withdrawn, and the meeting separated. The question stands for discussion at the next annual and general meeting of the shareholders, to be holden at Pyle Inn, in June next. BRIDGEND.—We have great pleasure in informing our sporting friends, that Mr. Entwisle has kindly promised that his hounds shall meet on Ogmore Down, on Monday the 1st day of January next, between ten and eleven o'clock, for the benefit of Mr. William Evans, the landlord of the Dunraven Arms Inn, Southerndown's, house-warming dinner, which is to take place on the above-mentioned day. BRIDGEND TURNPIKE TRUST. At a meeting of the above trust, held at Bridgend, on the 11 4th ult., several petitions were presented, some of which had been agreed to at public meetings, complaining of the number of gates, chains, and bars within the trust, and con- taining charges of extortion, alleged to have made by sacral of the lessees' collectors. The right honourable gentleman who occupied the chair at that meeting, together with the other trustees, being of opinion that the various subjects brought under their notice could not be satisfacto- rily disposed of at one of the ordinary meetings of the trust, referred the petitions to a committee, consisting of the Right Hon. John Nicholl, the Rev. R. Knight, M. P. Traherne, Richard Franklen, William Lewis, Robert Lindsay, M. P. Smith, and illiam Llewellyn, Esqrs., who wi-re to meet as often as necessary, and make all inquiries and investigations into, and report upon, the various allegations contained in the several petitions, and upon the funds, expenditure, and management of the trust. For that purpose the committee were empowered to examine witnesses, documents, &c., and collect all necessary information. The result of that investigation has terminated in a report, from which the following is extracted:— Your committee now proceed to report the course and the results of their inquiry. They have as(-ei-Ltiiie(i--Ist. The length of each turnpike-road in the district. 2d. The toll-gates, bars, and chains, and the tolls payable upon each road. 3rd. The debts due on the credit of the tolls. 4th The revenue of the trust since 1833 inclusive. 5th. The expenditure of the trust since 1840 inclusive, beyond which they were of opinion it would not answer any useful purpose to cany back their inquiries on this head. Gth. They con- sidered the management of the trust generally. 7th. They investigated the allegations and complaints contained in the several documents referred to them. Lastly. They endea- voured to ascertain what would probably be the state of the fund, and the prospects of the trust, at the end of the year 1843. And in the course and at the close of their report, they have submitted recommendations and observations on various points, more particularly as to the conduct of the business of the trust, the accounts, the maintenance or re- moval of gates, bars, chains, and posts, and the granting or withholding exemptions from, or reduction of, toll." Under the first of the above divisions, the committee have taken considerable pains in getting up a series of tables, exhibiting the number of roads in the trust, the length of each road, the parishes through which it passes, the number of gates, the dates of their erection, and the other gates in the district cleared by them. The following is important, as affording most decided proof that the lessees of tolls have, in some cases, exacted tolls without the authority or permission of the trustees, thereby giving just cause for complaint:- On this line there are several pairs of posts, at which it appears that tolls have been occasionally collected. Your committee have been unable to asccrtaiu the times when, or the authority under which these posts generally were put up. There are no toll-boards or chains, at any house or hut for collecting toll at any of them. The following is a list of them, with their history, as far as the committee could discover." Then follows the enumeration of five pairs of posts, at the first of which tolls had been collected for a month; which when the fact coming to the knowledge of the trustees, they insisted that no further tolls should be col- lected." At the second and third, tolls still are occasionally collected. At the next, tolls have never been collected and at the last named posts, tolls are collected and the com- mittee add—" we know not by what authority they were put up." In addition to these there are two pair of posts named as having formerly existed, one of which has been removed, "having been put up without authority and for the other there has been substituted a gate, which the com- mittee recommend should be forthwith removed. The following note is added "Your committee do not find that the posts have been included in any of the leases granted from time to time since 1833, in many of which the actual gates dismissed are enumerated." Under the third head the committee give a statement of the debts due, how and when contracted, as far as they have been enabled to collect information:— The monies borrowed from time to time on the credit of the tolls are £ 9,713 10s. The whole is still due, and re- payment thereof with interest, at the rate of five pounds per cent. per annum, is secured to the creditors bv mortgages of the tolls. Your committee have been unable to ascertain with precision at what times, or for what particular purposes, the several sums were borrowed." Under the fourth and fifth heads the committee enter into full details relating to the revenues of the trust, which almost exclusively arise from tolls, and which are the highest leviable under the local act. ° The committee, under the sixth head of Management of the trusts," state the expense, &c., incurred upon each road, with observations upon the state of all the roads in the district. With regard to the mail-road, the report says— On the different parts of this line the cost of repairs varies considerably, principally owing to the different dis- tances from which the materials are hauled. The road from Brocastle to Bridgcnd, though much improved within the last three years, is still unsound, and considerable expense is incurred in the repairs, the stone (mountain limestone) being hauled from lands near Longland Farm, between Corntown and Brocastle, The road in the town of Bridgend had been invariably repaired with lias limestone, which was to be had close to the lime, and at a very trifling expense; but as that material is very soft and clayey, it has been found better, and, in the eud, more economical, to procure mountain limestone from Ewciny Down and the neighbourhood, not- withstanding that the expense of haulage is heavy, and the quantity of material required is very large, in consequence of the great traffic." The report then treats of the serious charges of exaction made against several of the lessee's collectors. The committee next come to the consideration of the peti- tion from Coychurch, Lanilid, and the adjoining parishes, and in support of which Messrs. Evan Bevan and Thomas Jenkins attended before the committee. It appears that some of the statements made in this petition were exag- gerated, and admitted by Messrs. Bevan and Jenkins to be so yet, it cannot be denied, but that there existed some causes for complaint, especially respecting the posts" at which tolls had been collected without any authority, and which the committee recommended should be immediately removed. The committee declined acceding to the prayer of the petition in recommending the removal of the CON church gate, for reasons fully given in the report, but which we have no space to quote. The last subject taken into consideration under this head of the report is, a letter addressed to the trustees, by C. R. M. Talbot, Esq., M.P., in which it is asserted That the state of the road in the Bridgend district is very much worse than it is in any other district." And that, The heavy debt incurred by the trustees, in turning the main line through the town of Bridgend, without thereby having shortened the line for the public, but with a view to the improvement of the town, has, no doubt, mainly contri- buted to the difficulties and necessities of the trust. The committee recommend the abolition of all gates bars, chains, and posts, except the following Aberavon gate, Taibach gate, Pyle side-bar in Pyle vil- lage, Pyle bar above the railway, Red-hill gate and chain, Newcastle bar, Bridgend gate (double), Oldcastle gate, Coy- church gate (double), Penprisk gate (double), Skibbor-y- Groes gate, Newcastle Bridge gate, Aberkenfig gate, Newcastle Old gate (double), and Cefn Cribbwr gate." The last subject referred to in this document is the prayer of the memorialists, that lime used for manure, and lime- coal, should be exempted from the payment of toll. The committee decline acceding to the request of the petitioners by recommending these exemptions and urge as reasons— their illegality—their injustice. 11 Whi, arc we, agricultural trustees," says the report, to continue the tax on other interests, and relieve our own, when the legislature has not said that there is a reason for such inequality." And, thirdly, their inexpediency, owing to the state of the finances.

NEWPORT. On Friday, the 15th instant, as the bark Lord S.a-idon was being towed by a steam-tug up Newport river, through the negligence of the pilot or captain her anchor was not dropped in time, and she ran against the bridge. By the eolation the buttress and coping-stone were damaged, the expei.se of repairing which is estimated at 5. NE^ PORT POLICE.—DECEMBER 18. [Before the Mayor, Thomas Hawkins, Thomas Kugiits, William Brewer, and Thomas Prothero, EsorsJ Informations laid by the Inspeetor^f Police. George Duckham, inn-keeper, for allowing billiards to be played in his house.Fined 10s. and 9s. 6d. costs. The same George Duckham, for assaulting Edward Wm. M'K •-■una.—Dismissed. Thomas Lewis, for being disorderly in the streets.—I ixied Is. and 5s. 6d. costs. Susan Carter, beer-house-keeper, for keeping her I.cui-c open for the sale of beer after the proper hours. — Fine 1 10s. and costs. Henry Williams, beer-house-keeper, for the same oliVaee. -Fined ]Os. and costs. Hubert Waters, beer-house-keeper, for the same offence. —Fined ]0s. and costs. James Bond, beer-house-keeper, for the same offence. Fined lOs, and costs. The same James Bond, for allowing thieves and '.rosu- tutes to assemble in his house.—Fined 40s. and costs. Cornelius Halt, beer-house-keeper, for allowing drunk and disorderly company in his house.—Adjourned. David Morgan, beer-house-keeper, for keeping his house open for the sale of beer after proper hours—Fined 10s. and costs. William tewis, beer-house-keeper, for the same offence. —Fined 10s. and costs. Sarah Hawkes, beer-house-keeper, for the same offence. — Fined 2s.Gd. and costs. The same Sarah Hawkes, for allowing spirits to be con- snmed in her house. Fined 1:5 and costs.

THE CHARACTER OF BRECON. The Reporter of the London Times, after spekin in commendatory terms of the conduct of the- Breconshire trustees, in lowering the tolls and abolishing some gates there were reasonable grounds of complaint against, and ob- serving, that in consequence the grievances brought before the Commissioners at this place, were of the most unimpor- tant description, thus proceeds :— The town of Brecon is very unlike the most other Welsh towns that I have visited. It is quite equal in its public buildings and institutions, in well-built handsome houses, and in public walks, to any English town of the same popu- lation that I have seen. Its churches are not white-washed bai lis, but handsome, venerable, and appropriate edifices. It has a spacious market, a handsome infirmary, fine barracks, and a 1 own-hall, which is, really, a very beautiful structure! and an ornament to the town. All these things evidence public spirit and enterprise, of which there is a plentiful lack'' elsewhere in Wales. For instance, one of the bravest men that modern times has,.produced-a man whose daring- valour won glory for his country in many a battle-field one of whose name the page of history shall bear proud record when generations shall have passed away, and whose feats of arms the bosom of many a young warrior yet unborn will heave to imitate—one who finished a career of military glory, and spilt his life's blood on the plains of Waterloo—the immortal Picton-was born in the neighbourhood of Carmar- then, and to him a monument has been in that town erected. The base of this unsightly piece of taste was originally covered round with alto relievo depictions of the siege of Badajos and other battles in which the hero to whose honor the monument is erected led or took part. But being ori- ginally done in Carmarthen fashion, by contract, cheaply, i!l plaster, the first frost cracked off and defaced all these figures. The contractor, for his own credit, sent down fresh figures from the old models, carved in stone, to replace those which had failed but will it be believed by fathers who have sons in whom to excite a spirit of emulation—will it be believed by the inhabitants of any other town which has given birth to any other man deserving of his country's honour, that these more lasting records of their countryman's renown now lie in an adjacent field, and have done so for years, with the grass growing over them, because-because (upon my life I can hardly write it for shame)—because it would cost the town's people—his own townsmen—some jE20 to put them up t and the monument remains, a shabby, defaced nondescript, to excite the indignation of every stranger, and their pity—their contemptuous pity for the people of Carmar- then The people of Brecon, however, are far removed from such peddling barbarism and it is worth inquiry how far they owe their evident advance in civilization to the universal use of the English language. They have positively a news-room here in Brecon—a luxury which the people of Carmarthen, not being able to get for nothing, wont pay for. The people read and keep pace with English literature and habits. Constant intercourse with England amalgamates the people, introduces English customs and habits and improve ments, which the Welsh inhabitants, naturally quick of apprehension, soon understand and see the value of, and imitate. But where the TN elsh people arc confined to their old and (except as regards oral communication) useless lan- guage, they only partly understand whatever is communi- cated to them in English, and, consequently, district it and the habit of distrust grows upon their character till they view every Englishman and every English custom with sus- picion, and pertinaciously adhere to their old habits and to that which they do understand. A DARING REBECCAITE.—A fellow named John Jones, alias Shoni Scuborfawr, already committed on several charges connected with the destruction of turnpike-trates and toll-houses in Carmarthenshire, has again been examined at the county gaol, on a charge of shooting at, with intent to murder, Mr. Walter Rees, of Ponthenry, near Pontvberem. The following are the facts of the ease :-On the 25th of August last, the great Mynydd Sylen meeting was held. At that meeting, it will be remembered, a resolution condemna- tury of nightly outrages was unanimously cariied. The piisonei was present and made himself very conspicuous, voting for the resolution on the show of hand's being taken. On the evening of that day, fa man named Levi asked him what he carried the gun for, after having held up his hand against nocturnal meetings and outrage. Shoni, with dreadful imprecations, levelled the gun at Levi's'breast who at once seized it by the barrel, and a violent struggle ensued, in which the gun went off, without, lionveye-r, in- juring either. Levi then ran away, and took refuge in a public-house, called the New Inn, followed by Shoni, who, rinding the door shut against him, attempted to force it in, and being a very powerful man, succeeded in his object, but did not enter the house, being suspicious, as it is supposed, that other persons were inside. The landlady inside saw him level his gun, as if he intended firing at some one throug-h the window, and being much alarmed, requested Mr. W. Rees, of Ponthenry, who happened to be in the house at the time, to close the door. Mr. Rees attempted to do so, but while in the act Shoni left the window and came to the door, and before it could be closed, levelled and fired at him. The charge from the gun made a large hole in the door, and a number of the shots went through Mr. Rees's hat. Shoni then made off. The circumstances were ascertained by Inspector Tierney, who, after about three weeks of incessant exertion, succeeded in getting the evi- dence in train so as to secure Shoni's committal.

iitrtfjs, ittarriagrg, atttt Qcatfjs. BIRTH. Lately, in this town, the wife of Mr. Joseph Norman, architect, of a son. MARRIAGES. Oil Tuesday, the 19th of December, at the parish church of Reynolstone, Gower, by the Rev. John Davies, Edward Wood, Esq., of Cwm, near Carmarthen, to Mary Catherine, eldest daughter of John Nicholas Lucas, of Stouthall, Esq. On the ISth of December, at Neath church, by the Rev. H. H. Knight, by licence. Mr. Thomas Thom'as, to Miss Louisa Wrentmore, both of Neath. On the 19th of December, at Neath church, by the Rev. D. Jeffreys, Mr. Henry Evans, to Miss Mary Morgans. both of Neath. DEATHS. On Saturday night, the Uth instant, at his resitWct?, Alfred Cottage, Whitchurch, in this county, at an advanced age, Mr. John Price, formerly and for many years a con- fidential agent under the Melingriffith Company. The deceased was remarkable for an uniform mild and "kind dis- position, which endeared him to a large circle of friends. Mr. Price was in the enjoyment of general health up to the day of his decease, his death may therefore be considered sudden. On the 9th of December, at Newport, Monmout, Mr John Rowe, builder, aged 64. On the lith of December, aged 70, Mr. Henry Lawrence, Pillgwenlly, Monmouthshire. On the 7th of December, of the Scarlet Fever, a-ed 4 years and 9 months, Mary, daughter of Mr. Wm. Bowen" chandler and grocer, Merthyr and on the 14th December" of 'e^cr> aged 1 year and 8 months, Catherine, the youngest", daughter of the above, to the inexpressible grief of their* parents. On the 15th of December, of Scarlet Fever, aged 3 years- and 11 months, John, son of Mr. Davies, cabinet-maker Merthyr. On the 17th of December, at Coedycymmer, Merthyr. aged 78, Wrm. Lewis, for 40 years puddler at the Cvfarthfe Iron Works. On the 18th, at the same place, aged fiO, David Davies formerly a sailor, but for the last 20 years a hard working and steady miner, at Cyfarthfa works. On the" 18th of December, at Brecon House, Dowlais, after a short illness, aged 36 years, the Rev. Daniel Davies f he was a kind neighbour, and his loss will be severely felt. by the poor. 1?]°!\ t!lc„,17,h of December, in her 77th year, Mrs, Elizabeth Meager, relict of the late Mr. Wm. Meager, s^ip builder, of Swansea. -o <- On the 10th of December, at Hastings, aged 29, Th-as Eaton., Esq., of the Middle Temple, barrister-at-law, eldest; son. oi the late Robert Eaton, Esq., of Brynymor, near Swansea.