The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

NOTICE TO ADVERrISERS AND CORRESPONDENTS. All Correspondence and Advertisements to be ad- dressed to the Editor," Reporter" Office, Bulwark, Brecon, on or before Friday morning. The Editor will not undertake to return rejected communications, and tvishes his correspondents to understand that ivhatever is intended j or in- sertion, must be verified by the name and address of the writer.

WE have so long been in amicable relations with France, that the slightest cause of differ- ence of opinion or disagreement with that country assumes an aspect more serious than the circumstances of the case might in them- selves warrant. So much is the maintenance of a friendly understanding between the two nations felt to concern the best interests of both, and so slight have been the grounds of ruptu"e occasionally in past times, that on both sides of the Channel any matter in dispute acquires an interest far beyond that which it would possess if the question arose between two other Powers. Hence the animated dis- cussion that has taken place respecting the recent notification by the French Government, that it would shortly withdraw from the treaty of extradition which for twenty-two years has been in operation between the two countries. The main object of this treaty, as our readers are aware, was the mutual surrender to j llstice of criminals who might have escaped from one to the other side of the Channel. The crimes specified were mnrder, manslaughter, forgery, fraud, and the like. It would be clearly against the interests of both nations that per- sons guilty of this class of crime should find a safe refuge in a land distant only one or two hours' journey. The treaty has at times worked well in actual facilities afforded for the arrest of such offenders; and on this point the statistics alone, which we shall presently mention, would furnish evidence that it has been at least of some utility. But a far higher purpose is served by the mere existenee of such a treaty, which prevents criminals from counting on so easy a refuge, and therefore has a tedency to check crime, without the provi- sions of the treaty being put into operation. Nevertheless, the French Government has thought fit to signify its withdrawal from the engagement, which will therefore no longer be in force after the 4th of next June. Its reason for doiug so is that, so far as France is con- cerned, the treaty as been inoperative, and that it finds he difficulties in the way of ob- taining the extradition of French refugee's from this side of the Channel so great, as to render the agreement valueless. The announcement of its intention has caused some surprise in this country, and has not failed to provoke un- favourable comment. The ruling power in France is well known to entertain a desire to see the country less facile in affording refuge to persons guilty of merely political crimes; and it is argued that the step it has taken in renouncing the existing treaty is one aimed rather at procuring a new arrangement which shall give our neighbours more power over refugees of any class, than based on a feeling of dissatisfaction with the existing treaty itself. In the first place, the assertion that the treaty has been inoperative, so far as France is concerned, has been met by the production of statistics, showning the number of fugitives from justice yield up by either Power to the other in the course of twelve years—1851 to 1862. Our readers may be surprised to find how this number is. In all that period France surrendered to Great Britain fourteen criminals only; the number given up by this country to France, was twenty-four. Here is a balance considerably in favour of France, and it is hard to see how the latter country, from the returns, can declare that the treaty has been" inopera- tive," or can advance any cause of complaint against Great Britain for want of reciprocity in its observance. But the real grievance no doubt arises from the essential difference between the spirit of the law in this country and that of France, which admittedly makes it far easier for us to obtain the surrender of our criminals who may have escaped across the water, than for the French Government to secure the delivery of its own to justice. In France, all that is necessary to the extradition is the produc- tion of a warrant from a British judge, endorsed by a French Secretary of State. On the other hand, before a criminal can be surrendered in this country, an examination must take place before one of our magistrates, who requires proof of the accusation brought against him, and, unless the evidence be so strong that the magistrate would feel it his duty, if the offender were a British sub- ject, to commit him for trial, no order of extradi- tion is issued. No doubt this difference of pro- ceeding in the two countries is embarrassing, and at times annoying, to the Government which has the more difficult task to perform before it can secure its end. It is not so easy to bring the evidence in a case before the court of a foreign country; nor, in some cases, is the conviction of an offender so likely to be secured, however impartial the judges on either side may be. The question is, whether England can relax its practice in this respect, and consent to require no more of the French authorities than they demand from her, in the case of persons accused of moral offences only. This country, of course, would never surrender or restrict its right to shelter politicil refugees. The argument should properly be con- fined to that class of offences which we have already enumerated as comprised in the extradi- tion treaty. We do not at all agree with those who assert that were our proceedings less elaborate and rigid, the right of asylum in this country for po- litical refugees would no longer be upheld as before. We cannot go the length of supposing that the French Government would deliberately cause a, person to be arrested in this country on a trumped-up charge of forgery or theft, and then when brought back to his own land, place him on trial for a political offence. Such a proceeding would be scandalous and disgraceful in the eyes of the civilised world, and would defeat its own ends, by at once causing the utter renunciation in this country of any treaty or understanding by which it had been made possible. Our own idea is that it may safely be presumed that no act of this kind will be attempted; and, if this be allowed, the way is prepared for a calmer and more impartial inquiry as to whether the views of France may not be met in some way, and whether, in fact, we have a right to do more than hand over a pre- sumed criminal to be tried by the laws of his own land, when, primd facie ground for doing so is afforded by the warrant of a French judge, en- dorsed by one of our own Secretaries of State. We do not desire to see this country made the resort of all the rogues and vagabonds who can escape across the Channel from the clutches of the French law. England may be an asylum, and we trust it always will be but not for such as these. If the truth must be told, we have rather too many foreigners amongst us already, who allege political reasons for their absence from a country to which, on entirely different grounds, it would be decidedly unsafe to return. Every refugee over whom this country extends its aegis is not a Victor Hugo or a Louis Kossuth.

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING. The members of the above Board assembled at the Board Room, at the Town Hall, on Thursday last, when the following gentlemen were present:— John Prothero, Esq., Mayor, occupied the chair; Aldermen Henry Maybery, Esq., and John Wil- liams, Esq.; Councillors—Messrs. Morris, Cansick, Griffiths, Davies, Bright, Trew, Jones, Rich, and Doctor Lucas S. B. Evans, Esq., town clerk. Doctor Lucas took the oath and duly qualified. The Town Clerk next read the minutes of the last meeting, after which, Mr. Jones said that he was sure the Board would agree with what he was going to say. He wished to propose a vote of thanks to Doctor Lucas for having kindly allowed himself to become a mem- ber of that Board. They render honour where honour was due. He was sure that Doctor Lucas would be, an honour to the Board. After a great many invitations, they had succeeded in getting a thorough gentlemen-a gentleman possessing the knowledge as Doctor Lucas did, and his gratuitous kindnesses to all who needed them; also in attend- ing to one of the finest institutions in the world- our Infirmary. Thus he must be an honour and a credit to the town. By having such a man among them, their Board would be second to none, and he begged to move a vote of thanks to Doctor Lucas for having accepted the office. Mr. Alderman Maybery said there could be no question aboUG the correctness of Mr. Jones's state- ments. Doctor Lucas would, he had no doubt, be an honour to the Board, and begged to second the proposition, which was unanimously agreed to. Mr. Cansick moved, and Mr. Morris seconded, that a vote of condolence be sent from that Board to the widow and family of the late Mr. Thomas Williams, brass and iron founder.—Unanimously agreed to. Some conversation took place concerning Mr. Farmer's accounts, when it was agreed that they should be referred to the Finance Committee. Mr. Bright said that he had something else to say in connection with the Finance Committee. It was respecting an article which he saw published, alluding to the water question, in which article he saw that the Markets Committee paid the Corpo- ration a, sum of X210 annually. He should like to know what became of that amount. He had not seen it accounted for. He then read as follows:— There is indeed an annual sum of X210 paya- ble by the Markets Company to the Corporation, which, with the Guildhall and Lock-up is charged with certain old Corporate debts, and from which sum, never carried to account, we have not heard that the ratepayers get any appreciable benefit, which by section 31 is to cease to be payable to the Corporation after the drainage works are completed, but still remaining liable to the debts charged on it. As no apparent advantage is now derived from this sum, it seen.s to us most desi- rable to give it in exchange for the priceless blessing of good drainage, coupled with a discharge of Corporate debts. It is far more preferable than what appears the only other alternative, namely, a drainage rate. Whether the works be effected by the Board of Health or in any other way-there is no drainage rate or other forced payment sought in the Bill." He (Mr. Bright) should like to have an explanation of the matter. The Town Clerk, in reply, said that he was not aware that he would have been attacked on that day in that manner, or he would have been pre- pared. It was well known to the members of that Board that there had been a great deal of money spent in the shape of costs in law suits. Mr. David Evans was appointed receiver. He (the Town Clerk) had to pay his agent in London, being the solicitor. 1 9 Mr. Cobb had paid him one cheque in his own name, which had never been produced for payment, and there was some due then. What the Markets Company had paid was paying off the law expenses. Mr. Bright said that X520 was an important item to the ratepayers. He wished to know what funds were in hand. They had not had the Town Clerk's account then, and he was anxious to know how they stood. The Town Clerk said that he would distinctly promise that his account should be handed in to the Board, along with the other bills, at the next meeting, and if that article represented Mr. Cobb, Mr. Cobb knew very well how matters stood. Mr. Davies said that at the time the Markets Committee was established, they paid off a great portion of the Corporation debts. Mr. Alderman Williaui4 in a lengthy explana- tion, said that X210 was to be paid by the Markets Committee from 1862 to the present date. It was full time something should be done in the matter. The Markets Committee should have paid all the borough debts-he thought so, and the legislature thought the same. Mr. Thomas Bold, when he gave up the treasuryship, claimed X700 of the borough, which should have been paid by the Mar- kets Committee. That was on the Town Hall and Station-house. The Markets Committee had dwin- dled down from £10,000 to about £2000, and they pay over 1 per cent, and if the shareholders did not take that they could leave it alone. He thought it out of all character that the Corporation property should be tried to be wrenched from them by any water or sewerage company. A long discussion ensued, and the matter dropped. The Town Clerk read the following letter, which was sent to the Mayor by Mr. Cobb:— Brecon, January 3rd, 1866. Dear sir,—It is proposed to proceed with the widening of the approach to Heolrhyd, from the Watton, and in doing so it will be necessary to interfere with the surface of the road and drains, and with a lamp and name plate of the Board of Health. It is thought much better that all alterations of these things should be done by the Board, and I am therefore directed to propose that the freehold of not less than 10 feet in width throughout from the Watton to Heolrhyd, on the side opposite the Watton Mount, measuring from the outside of the wall of the houses to be removed, where it joins the way, backwards at right angles to the road- shall be vested in the Board, the present vacant houses and buildings being removed by the con- tractors of the railway company, provided the Board sees fit to take to all alterations necessary in the surface of the roads, and to make good a roadway, or part road and part flagging, on the ground so ,g vested in them, to the exoneration of all other parties. I named this matter to you about a month ago, and asked to be allowed to attend the Board should further explanation be sought, but I have not been favored with any reply: I shall be obliged, there- fore, if you will obtain an answer for me from the next Board. Yours, very faithfully, J. R. COBB. John Prothero, Esq., Mayor of Brecon. Mr. Davies said that Mr. Williams, doctor, ap- plied to the Board for paving in front of some cot- tages and up to the bridge adjoining the Bridgend Inn. The Board declined on the ground that the owners of the property should first place the paving immediately in the front of their houses, and the Board afterwards would keep it in repair. Would not Mr. Cobb's request come under the same objection ? Mr. Bright said that he thought widening the street would be a decided improvement, and a great convenience to the public—that the Board should meet the matter in the best way they could, so long as Mr. Cobb, on behalf of the Railway Company, did not want the Board to be at any expense in the work he would therefore move that the mat- ter should be referred to Mr. Kirk, the surveyor of the Board. Mr. Griffiths said that he was precisely of the same opinion as Mr. Bright, and he seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr. Griffiths called the attention of the Board to the bad state of the Maddrell, which caused much inconvenience to the poor people in the neighbourhood.—The Town Clerk was ordered to communicate with the Surveyor, and request him to see to it. The Mayor called the attention of the Board to the cattle plague, when it was agreed that the affair be left in the hands of the Mayor. The Board then formed committee ou the water- works question.

CASTLE OF BRECON HOTEL COMPANY LIMITED. The general annual meeting of shareholders of this company was held at the Hotel on Wednesday last—Mr. Alderman Williams in the chair. The following report of the directors was read and confirmed:- REPORT. On presenting their report for the year 1865 your directors have great pleasure in referring to the balance-sheet already presented to each share- holder, as bearing evidence of a very satisfactory condition of business, and fully warranting their recommendation of a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, free of income tax. Since the last general meeting, a billiard room, fitted up with a first-class table by Thurston & Co., and a smoking room, have been added to the acco- modations of the hotel, at a moderate outlay, and with very satisfactory results. An arrangement has been made with the members of the Masonic Lodge, in accordance with which a portion of the building is in course of alteration for the purpose of holding their meetings on the premises other improvements in connection with which will be proceeded with as the season advances. It is proposed to fit up the large assembly room as a summer coffee saloon, in a manner which will render it a magnificent apartment, secodd-to none in the Principality-commanding as it does an ex- tensive view of the surrounding picturesque scenery, with the Brecknock Beacons in the distance. The attention of the Board is constantly directed to the improvement of the arrangements already made for securing angling and shooting for their visitors, by more strict and effectual preservation of their own private rights in the Usk, Wye, and Yskir. The following members of the Board retire by ballot, but are eligible for re-election: Messrs. John Dickson, Evan Jones, George Cansick, and Frede- rick Watkins. 5th Jan., 1866. The dividend of 10 per cent. was made payable on the 22rd inst. Messrs. J. Dickson, G. Cansick, Evan Jones, and F. Watkins, the retiring directors, were re-elected, as was also Mr. T. Frater as auditor. A sum of X40 was voted as a remuneration to the managing committee of directors for their services during the past year. Thanks of the meeting were unanimously voted to the chairman (Mr. W. De Win ton) and board of directors, and to Mr. and Mrs. Bates, manager and housekeeper, and the proceedings, terminated with a d similar vote to Mr. Alderman Williams, chairman of the day.

CUTTING THE SOD FOR THE BRECON NEW WATER-WORKS. Tuesday last was the day mentioned for cutting the first sod for the above new water-works, but for some reason or other, which is quite immaterial, was postponed until the Thursday, on which occa- sion the following members of the Corporation assembled at the Town Hall: The most worshipful the Mayor, John Prothero, Esq.; the Ex-mayor, George Cansick, Esq.; Messrs. John Morris, John Griffiths, John Davies, Phillip Bright, Joseph Bass, Herbert C. Rich, and S. B. Evans, Esq., town clerk. From the hall they proceeded to the place appointed for commencing operations, just a short way above the Union Workhouse. On arriving at the spot, the astonishment of all present was expressed with one accord. Nature could scarcely have ever formed a spot to surpass the one fixed for the filtering beds, which commands a most beautiful site, being far above the height of the Priory Steeple, and must prove a great boon to the inhabitants of the borough of Brecon, from, as we are informed, the unlimited supply of pure water. The first sod was cut by his worship the Mayor; next in rotation came the Ex- mayor, Mr. Morris, Mr. Griffiths, Mr. Davies, Mr. Bright, Mr. Bass, Mr. Rich, the Town Clerk, Mr. Phillips, the engineer, and the contractor, Mr. T. Davies, of Neath. Each party, as he acted the navvy, tipped nis barrow amid loud and prolonged cheers. This part of the programme being per- | formed, all present were regaled with champaign, sandwiches, and biscuits, supplied by the Mayor, and a goodly supply of beer for the men, by the- contractor. His worship the Mayor invited the members of the Corporation to a champaign luncheon at the Wellington Hotel, and several other friends and gentlemen. Among those present were—the chair being occupied by his worship, and the vice by the engineer of the works; the chair was supported on the right by the Ex-mayor, and on the left by Mr. Alderman Williams and Mr. Alderman Thomas— Councillors Morris, Griffiths, Davies, Bright, Rich,, the Town Clerk, Mr. Phillips, Messrs. Davies and Son, the contractors; Mr. John Evans Mr. Davies, > Mr. R. W. Price, Mr. John Williains, &c., &e. The various loyal toasts were given and drank after which several complimentarytoasts were given and drank,- and responded to in a most affable manner by the gentlemen present, the toast of the day being, Success to the Brecon New Water- works," which was most heartily received. The I company enjoyed themselves as guests of his Wor- I ship for several hours, and then dispersed, much. v pleased with the proceedings of the day. t FARMER'S CLUB.—Our readers, no doubt, will learn with pleasure, as will be seen in our adver- i tising columns, that a farmers' club is about to be established in this county, and we hope that every farmer in the county will put his shoulder to the I wheel, and that the landowners will set a good example by being present at the first meeting, to be held at the Wellington Hotel, in this town, and contributing handsomely to establish a good fund, j so that the back bone (the laboring classes) of Old j England may not be deprived of their beef.

THE BELLS OF SAINT MARY'S CHURCH. J To the Editor of the Brecon Reporter." Brecon, January 8th, 1866. i Sir,—In reply to your anonymous correspondent 1 of last week, I beg to say that I am not in the very I least degree responsible for the bells of St. Mary's I Church being silent on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. They were silent simply because the ringers, who had undertaken to hang new ropes if they were provided, omitted to do so. No one can regret more than I do the omissictt of The Merry Christmas Chimes." j I would also remind your correspondent that the f Vicar does not dispense the pew rents of St. Mary's Church. -1 am, sir, faithfully yours, f HERBERT WILLIAMS, F Vicar of Brecon.

TO THE ] E L E CTOES OF THE | BOEOUGH OF BRECON AND -r" TOWN OF LLYWELL. GENTLEMEN, I Solicitous as I am for the honor of represen- ting you in Parliament, my respect for your j feelings on the loss of your late lamented Member has hitherto commanded my silence. My political principles are, I have no doubt ] well known to you all as being Conservative and Independent. I consider the very essence of the j Creed of the Conservative to be, the use of the pruning Knife, carefully to cut off every proved and acknowledged abuse, and to aim at progress and improvement. r Though firmly attached to the Established Church, I nevertheless deeply respect the convic- ) tion of those who honestly differ from me in their religious views, and I shall therefore support any Measure that will relieve those who entertain con- scientious scruples from any longer paying Church Rates. Believing the Income Tax to be inquisitorial, j I am opposed to its continuance, and think it ought only to be used as a temporary resource in j cases of War or any great financial embarrassment of the Country. I consider the Ballot to be incon- V sistent with the spirit of the English constitution, ( and am convinced it, would not prove any real advantage or safeguard to the Voter. I am no j stranger to your ancient Borough and County, with which my Family has been connected for many fe centuries, and I should indeed feel proud and gra- tified if the connection were cemented by my becoming your Representative in the House of Commons. You may depend, in such an event, upon my best exertions being used to promote in every way the welfare of your Borough, as well as of the Country at large. | I have the honor to remain, GENTLEMEN, M Your Faithful Servant, j howel 6WTN. Brecon. Oct. 6th, 1865. TO THE

INDEPENPENT ELECTORS OF THE BOEOUGH OF BRECON AND TOWN OF LLYWELL. 't ) GENTLEMEN, j After the very flattering manner in which I you have received me, I should be ungrateful indeed, were I not to embrace this early opportunity of returning you my most sincere and heartfelt thanks. The success I have met with far exceeds my most sanguine expectations, and I entertain no 1 doubt, when my canvass is complete, that I shall find a decided majority of votes in my favour, and in this belief I subscribe myself, Your most obliged and grateful Servant, ROWEL GWYN. Brecon, October 9th, 1865. Printed and Published by Dfivio WILLIAMS, at his residence on the Bulwark, in the Chapelry d of Saint Mary, in the Parish of Saint jQhn the 1 Evangelist, in the County of Brecon—SATTODAT, F JANUARY 13, 1866. JANUARY 13, 1866.