The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

BRECON. TOWN COUNCIL AND BOARD or HEALTH MEETINGS. The above meetings were held at the Town Hall, on Monday last, when the following members were present:-John Prothero, Esq., mayor, in the chair. Councillors- Messrs. John Morris, George Cansick, Phillip Bright, T. Trew, John Jones, and William De Winton, Esq. S. B. Evans, Esq., town clerk. The Town Clerk read the minutes of the last meeting, after which he read a letter from Mr. Cobb informing the Board that he had paid to the credit of the board the sum of S299 3s., after de- ducting some small amounts due to him, he had therefore to lay this before the Board. One item in Mr. Cobb's account was the sale of some timber on the Captains Walk disposed of by the Board. Mr. Morris strictly urged that they should not agree to it. The Surveyor in answer to Mr. Morris said that its value was S,5 15s. Mr. Morris said that he should propose that the cheque be received under protest. The Town Clerk said that it was for the Board to decide whether the Markets Company had a real interest in the soil and produce of the Captains Walk. Mr. Morris said—he would propose that a com- mittee be appointed on this question, and that the cheque be received under protest, he would there- fore propose a committee meeting at 8 o'clock that evening. Mr. Bright seconded it.—Carried. The Town Clerk then read a communication from the Clerk to the Guardians, respecting pre- cautions to be taken in cases of cholera, and to inform them that resolutions had been passed on the Thursday, that the Board of Health should be solicited to co-operate with the Board of Guar- dians in taking such necessary steps to endeavour to prevent the spread of cholera. Mr. Morris said that having met on the day named by the Clerk to the Board of Guardians, the number of members of the Board of Health present was not sufficient to form a Board of their own, consequently they could not pledge them- selves to any measure that may have been adopted at such meeting. The Town Clerk said that he hardly knew what measures they were about to adopt; if they adopt- ed special persons or special powers the expense would fall upon them, (the Board of Guardians,) the order from Council was a copy of the Act passed in 1855, under which they were called upon to act. Mr. Bright said that he could perfectly under- stand how the matter stood. He was of opinion that the management of the sanitary measures ot the Borough belonged to the Board of Health, but if the Town Clerk thought that the sanitary con- dition of the Borough was included in the order in Council, they would be guided by him. Mr. Cansick said that he had attended the meeting of the Board of Guardiarfs and could partly explain what they meant. They had at their meeting appointed committees to act in their own districts, and had made other arrangements, he did not think that they wished to interfere in the least with the powers of the Board of Health, but merely to solicit their co-operation in the mat- ter, at the same time, he had asked at the meeting of the Guardians, and would ask the same again, If they co-operated with the Board of Guardians, by assisting them in any reasonable way, upon which Board would the expense fall? He was sure that they would all be happy and willing to do anything in their power to assist, but would not hold themselves responsible for the expense which the Board of Guardians would incur, it may be a great amount of money. Mr. Morris said that they ought, while taking these measures into consideration, to remember that at the former visitation of the cholera in this neighbourhood, that there was a great deal of lln- plicitness arose between the two Boards as to the settlement ox expenses. .Mr. Cansick said he thought they had better attend a meeting to be held that evening, at the Town Hall, that they would then be able to come to some arrangements with the Guardians in the matter, he would therefore move that they should attend the meeting. Mr. Bright said that he was only jealous of the right of interfereance with the Board of Health in any way. The Town Clerk said it was for them to consi- der their rights and independence in the matter. Nuisances were to be considered by them, as they were constituted a Board of Health. And the idea of removing pigs not to be within 100 yards of any dwelling house was ridiculous the Act of Parliament did not restrict them to any particular distance, pigs were to be as all other matters, but if they were proved to be a nuisance, to the full satisfaction of the authorities, then they would be ordered to be removed the same as anything else, and it was for the Inspector to see to these matters. Mr. Bright said that the poorer classes deserved their consideration in the keeping of pigs, and he quite agreed with the Town Clerk, that it was most absurd to talk about poor people removing their pigs 100 yards from any dwelling, they may as well be asked to remove them altogether, where were they to take them to ? The object of keeping a pig by a working man's house was a great deal, and would be a serious loss to them if they were ordered to do away with them ot once, he thought that if the Inspector was to see that all pigs and styes were kept (thoroughly clean, to his satisfac- tion and that of the Board, that would be all that was required by the Act of Parliament, the more particularly, thanks be to providence, they had not been driven to violent measures. The other members expressed their satisfaction of the explanations given by the Town Clerk and Mr. Bright, and it was at once arranged that the Inspector should be instructed to see that all pigs and styes in the Borough should be kept regular- ly and thoroughly clean, which would meet the requirements of the Board. Mr. Cansick said he thought that the Inspector of nuisances had acted well and attended to his duties up to the present time. The Mayor said that he begged to add his testi- mony to the same effect. Mr. Bright said that giving notice to remove pigs 100 yards from dwelling houses was entirely without authority. The Board considered that to have been done in error, from the confused manner in which it had been introduced in the meetings held at the Town Hall, last week. The Mayor then called the attention of the Board respecting the cattle plague, and said that in consequence of the extension of the order in Council, no cattle would be allowed to be exposed for sale at our next September fair, and by the recent extension not even sheep would be allowed, Mr. Trew moved and Mr. Morris seconded that the Lords of Her Majesty's Privy Council be at once petitioned to grant the liberty of cattle being allowed to be brought into our next and following fairs for sale. Mr. Morris said that at the recent meeting of the Finance and Gas Committee, he was sorry to have to remark that with regard to the former, he found that they were indebted to the Treasurer to the amount of £130, instead of having money to their credit, he would therefore wish that the col- lector should be pressed to pay more attention to the collection of the rates; with regard to the Gas Committee, he begged to propose that the same arrangements as at present stand for another year with the company. Mr. Bright said that at the meeting alluded to by Mr. Morris, they had been able, after some difficulty, to find the collector, and on examining his collecting accounts, they found that they were indebted to the Treasurer in the sum of JEKQ, when there was E400 due for taxes uncollected, things would not do in that state, the parish of saint John's being the only one in arrears. After some further conversation it was agreed that the collector should be urged as to the neces- sity of collecting and paying up the arrears as soon as possible. Mr. Morris said that he had another matter to bring before them, that was the irregularity of the hall keeper, although the hall was granted to some persons occasionally free of charge, yet the hall keeper received his fee of 2s 6d. But this was not all. He believed there was some monies received by the hall keeper which had not been paid into the bank, at least he had not heard that it had, and he wished to know whether it had been paid or not. The Town Clerk said that in fairness to the hall keeper, he believed that most monies received by him were paid into the bank, he would however read over the items entered in the bank book, from which it appeared that the sum of £7 2s lOd had been paid into the bank. The hall keeper was then called into the room, and requested to account for the sum of £4 which he had received from an Opera company, for the use of the hall. The hall keeper said that his wife had got the money locked up, but that she was at present not at home. Mr. Morris said they had nothing to do with his wife, he was appointed the hall keeper by the Board not his wife, and it was to him that they looked for what was right. that he should have paid the money at once into the bank, and he must always be careful than he did so in future, when the hall was hired. The Surveyor said that with regard to the order for an extra cart to go round the town to collect ashes and other refuse, he thought that the house keepers should provide themselves with dust bins or baskets to hold the same, and have them ready by the time the cart called. After some further conversation it was unani- mously agreed that the Town Clerk should have bills printed with instructions for the same, and to be left at each house. The members then agreed to meet at 6 o'clock and the meeting was adjourned.

iWarriage. „ „ J On Sunday, the 12th inst., at Saint L Church, Brecon, by the Rev. G. B. Sharpe, -p^ Arthur Cairns, the Watton, to Caroline /I Howard, daughter of the late Mr. Cheltenham. )

THE war in Germany, whether finished or destined to be prolonged by fresh complica- tions, has its weighty lessons which England must lay well to heart, if it values its exist- ence and privileges as a nation. Philanthrop- ists may, at times rightly enough, indulge in dreams of peace, hut recent events have made it plain that we are not yet in the millen- nium. The world is still what it has been in all ages, and the thirst for aggrandisement, with the desire for what is known as glory, are as rife now as ever among nations. There have been several rude awakenings from the peaceful vision so freely indulged in but a few years ago, when it was hoped that in future the only attempts of nations at rivalry and conquest would be displayed in the arena of International Exhibitions, and in movements of a kindred nature. The Russian war, which first dispelled the illusion, is gra- dually fading away into the indistinctness which shrouds the page of past history, but the lesson it brought has been frequently re- newed. We have since witnessed, on the plains of Lombardy, a brief but terrible war "for an idea;" more surprising still, we have seen two of the most powerful nations of Europe unite to attack a State from which certainly neither had anything to fear, but which invited spoliation by its weakness. On the other side of the Atlantic we have wit. nessed a civil war, the like of which in mag- nitude and violence the world had scarcely witnessed. And, lastly, we have seen a coun- try from whose ambition, it might once have been thought, Europe could have nothing to dread, developing designs which have startled us by their boldness, no less than by the rapid and effectual manner in which they have been carried out. Prussia has taken, for the time, the foremost place as a military Power, and has worked her will while surrounding nations could only look on and marvel. War, then, and aggressive war, is not a thing of the past, and is no more likely to be- come so in our time than in that of our fathers. It would even seem that, after a long interval of peace, we have reached a period when con- flict is to be, for a time at least, the normal condition of nations. The question naturally arises, How are we prepared to take our own part in such a time ? How are we prepared, not to make war upon other States, or to par- ticipate in their struggles with which we have no concern, but to resist an attack upon our- selves from whatever quarter it might come, and to keep the wolf from our own fold ? What is the state of our army and the condi- tion of our fleets? The answer this question must receive is by no means a flattering or an assuring one. It is true that as regards the army we have a numerous force at command, amounting, as the returns of the War-office tell us, to 750,000 men, including regular forces and reserves. This is enough for anything-on paper, but in the numbers militia, yeomany, and volunteers are all included, and the figures therefore re- present the utmost force at present available in case of actual invasion. The regular army does not constitute one-third of the number. Still, this is probably as large a force as the country requires or is justified in attempting to keep up, and if really efficient might be expected to meet all exigencies. When pro- vided with the improved arm which it has been demonstrated must take the place of the old weapon as soon as possible, we may have little here to desire. But what can we say with regard to the navy, which has always been, and necessarily must be, the nation's chief dependence for safety and immunity from attack ? Alas! it is here, as the country has to learn, that we are left without anything like sufficient protection, or anything that can be called a fleet worthy of the times. The painful tale must be told with- out disguise. After all the money that has been lavished upon the "reconstruction of the fleet" within the last few years, we are worse off now, in comparison with other nations, than when the reconstruction was commenced. We have the authority of the First Lord of the Admiralty for saying that nine-tenths of the vessels which compose the British navy are dummies "—mere hulks rotting away in har- bour, and unfit for active service. Even of the remaining tenth, it is questionable how far they could be depended on as efficient ships of war. The fact is owing mainly to the im- mense revolution in naval architecture which has been witnessed during the last two or three years only, and which has been carried out chiefly in the docks of the United States. The "hearts of oak" which were once I I Britain's best bulwarks are now comparatively useless, and fit only for storeships and gunnery vessels. The commander of the Miantonomah, when she was recently in our harbours, expressed his willingness to engage with such a vessel our entire Channel fleet; and it is certain that wooden vessels have no chance of holding their own against properly-built and efficiently- manned steam rams and ironclads. The en- counter between the Merrimac and gthe Cum- berland settled that question at once and for ever. In this state of things we must-be prepared for a large outlay upon a new series of vessels suited to the requirements of the time. The iron-clads we have are comparatively few in number, and utterly insufficient to supply the wants of the country for home defence, apart from the protection of its empire abroad. When we know that the United States have sixty such vessels as the Miantonomoh, and a fleet of some hundreds besides, and when we con- sider, also, the delicate nature of our relations with the States at various times within the last few years, we may feel it necessary on this ground alone to be somewhat better prepared than at present for eventualities which may arise, ardently as large classes in both countries would deprecate such a result.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The members of the above Board met at the Town Hall. at 6 o'clock on Monday evening last, when the Mayor occupied the chair. Present: Overton, Esq., George Cansick, Esq., James Wil- liams, Esq., Mr. Cornish, Mr. T. Trew, Mr. Fred- erick Watkins, Mr. Phillip Edwards, Rev. W. Evans, Mr. Phillip Bright, Dr. North, Dr. Arm- strong, Dr. Talfourd Jones, D. W. J. Thomas, Esq., Clerk to the Guardians, and S. B. Evans, town clerk. The small attendance of the members of the Board of Health caused some surprise, more par- ticularly as the present meeting was aujoiirried for the purpose of knowing whether that Board would meet the Board of Guardians and the committee, in order to arrange a co-operation for the purpose of carrying out former arrangements as a preven- tative against the appearance of cholera. After anxiously waiting for some time to see if there would be a larger attendance, Mr. Cansick said that the proposition of the Board of Guardians had been entertained by the Board pf Health, and that body did not exactly feel inclined to act upon them. Mr. Overton said that unless they were complied with, the Board of Guardians would have to take the matter in their own hands. The Town Clerk asked if he was to understand that as a private meeting of the Board of Guardians or not, if so, he would immediately retire. Mr. Overton said that he was surprised at the question, and he would ask whether it had not 't. been intimated to mm that they had met to meet the Board of Health. The Town Clerk was about to reply, when the Clerk of the Guardians said that it was no use to go on without understanding one another.' He would therefore read to them the minutes of the last meeting, which contained the names of the committee appointed, the resolutions passed, &c., this being done, Mr. Overton enquired whether this met with the approbation of the present meeting, and having been answered in the affirmative, that gentlemam as chairman of the former meeting, signed it. The Mayor said that he had informed the Board of Health of the nature of the former meeting, and they remembering that on a former occasion some unplesantness bad arisen between the two Boards, and they also considered that they were doing all in their power to suppress nuisances, and taking such steps as to them appeared sufficient for the present emergency, and he must say that he agreed with the present actions of the Board. Mr. Cansick said that he fully agreed with the observations of the mayor. In answer to Mr. Overton, the Town Clerk said he thought there was no legal objection to the co- operation of the Board of Health with the Board of Guardians, but the objection was open as to the probable expense no doubt it was laid down by certain rules thit the expenses would have to be borne by the Board of Guardians. He would read the letter directed to him by that Board, sta- ting the resolutions passed at their former meeting, which he had put before the Board of Health, who, after mature deliberation, had not yet decided whether or not they should form a committee of themselves, they had however adjourned their morning meeting until 8 o'clock that night, when he supposed some determination would be come to. Mr. Overton said that he would take it that the Board of Health want a committee of themselves. Mr. Evans said that he thought they had better form their own committee, as t e oard of Health considers that up to the present tune they had done all that seems to them practicable to the looking after the sanitary condition of the borough, and a great consideration is felt by them as to the burden of any additional expense. The Clerk of the Guardians explained that the costs of forming temporary hospitals, medicine, and other necessaries, would be borne by the Board of Guardians. Mr. Overton said he hoped it would not go forth to the world that any dissension should arise in so serious a matter on the score of expense. Mr. Cansick said to prevent a repetition of what had occurred at the former visitation of cholera at Brecon, they as a Board, he thought had, and would give a full explanation on the point. Mr. James Williams said that he was very much surprised at their answer to this important matter, and thought it was only a battle for power on part of the Board of Health. The Mayor thought that the committee appointed by the former meeting should of themselves act at once up to the resolutions formed. The Town Clerk said he would wish the Clerk to the Board of Guardians to inform the Lords of I' the Privy Council, that the members of the Board of Health had done all in their power to carry out the order in Council, Mr. Overton said that he did not consider the Board of Health had taken enough of prec I tIn 11 the matter. f The Mayor suggested the propriety of formlD committee of that meeting, to visit different Palo and make a report to the Board of health. The Town Clerk then called the attention meeting to the separate clauses in the Act, jj that their reports would ultimately be brou £ j before the justices. 1 Mr. Overton again repeated that the mainotyf] of the former meeting was, and particularly 8',jl an adjournment, that the Board of Health ^u'(i join them in their operations, he felt surprise1 y the present meeeting's opinions. Had the of Health told them honestly and plainly' they would not interfere, the Board of GiMJdw would know how to act for themselves..g Rev. J. D. Williams thought that if they not, within a reHSonable time, say twenty J hours, get a decided answer from the J Health, the Board of Guardians would 11)({ position to know that they decline assisting? 3' the Board of Guardians could form some P, that they may think the best for themselves "t° act. j Mr. Cansick proposed that a committee of Board of Guardians should visit the to,0/j report the result of their visitation to the B^10 Health. j Mr. Overton objected to the proposition. hitch Mr. Armstrong said that in his opinion n°_n J) of manner should then show itself. If the of Health had seen to all nuisances as sta^' m well and good; but if they refused to act i» J, matter conjointly, the sooner the better the 011 f Board take such steps as they may deem beS\Ji The Mayor said that he thought the J of the Guardians should visit, and report t0 Board of Health. J\ Mr. North concurred, and said that if there any nuisances detected, that they would act J'1 j manner directed. He did not think there j be any difficulty in having access to any h0Vle\yf places. He did not wish to find fault w rfe!e| instructions of the Board of Guardians, they jf enough present to form a Board, but the 0 paitj was not, therefore he considered it adopt the manner stated, because hitherto n" ( had been done. J Mr. Overton said that he hoped under P J sent appearance of things, the Board of Gu<jj would take steps in the matter, and fix a <faJ man as Inspector, and for other matters. Ve always taken an active part in the prevent0" j| cholera at Merthyr, and other places,. He therefore propose that instead of waiting r? disease had actually made its appearance, Sl1 jj.? gretting the answer at present received members of the Board of Health, that they sb> again wait until they should receive fr0"1<) Town Clerk, the confirmation of the arl, the resolutions passed at the meeting he the Thursday previous. rR^f01116 further conversation, {Jifi ihe Mayor said that he would L jj tiiS Board of Guardians should be provided$1 final answer at their next meeting to be ) Saturday, (this day). ° J Mr. Overton then handed in a written xeL( tiori, to the effect that they should have answer on the matter within two days. ,.g ill Mr. Nortb seconded the motion which once carried, and the meeting separated. once carried, and the meeting separated.

VALE OF CRICKHOWELL RAIL^ 1 The following report of the Directors etiing| sented at the Fifth Half-yearly General n of held at the Company's Office, in Crickh*^ G) Thursday, the 9fch August. Directors A. A. Davies, Chairman Mr. Wilkin Mr. Henry Jeffreys, Mr. William junr., Mr. J. H. Dillon, and Mr. J. W. W ill* REPORT. 11 tel" While the Directors regret again to encoil I 11 bell General Meeting of the Company, withotlt live able to state that the work of constructing tbe cir is actually commenced, they believe that the cumstances through which the Company hnS Pd¡l1'! will be regarded as sufficient excuse for the tjj The Directors deemed it essential t° ilPP 5i.»j Parliament, in the present session, for an „ >\ of their line to Brecon, and also for a devi»l the authorised line at the Abergavenny eI1 They were, reluctantly, compelled to 0g'ert"|j the proposed deviation, by the oppositio11 it; but it is believed that another, equally tageous, will be substituted for it. %vec"^ more successful with the extension t° coiM which was carried in the face of a projecte peting line, and of other opposition. gO" The act received the royal assent on th$ ult., and the Directors cordially congrattil*1 !l(i' shareholders on this success, which gives tbei 4 thority to effect a direct connection,— miles in length,—between the towns of g i)l (ravenny and Brecon, and the two large syste'.t,8 railway communication which centre at those P' respectively. jo The Directors have much pleasure in status conclusion, that the land plans, and notices)^ the line authorized by the Act of 1864, have J duly prepared and served on all the lando^ and the Directors have agreed for the pure jf some of the land, and are in treaty for the r der and entertain no doubt of being shortly position to commence the works. ason Qø

PURE TEA.-The Importations this se IIfl Messrs. Johnson, Johnson, & Co., LOndoo' t admitted to be the Purest- Strongest and e: :pl¡ they are now sold Eight-pence per lb. chedper in packets only— to prevent disappoint*0,1! that the name is on each packet—it ^S.S° Agents in every Town. For Agents in this bourhood see advertisement in our colunins-

J. B. GARDINER'M TWO GUINEA J BINOCULAR OPERA I WITH TWELVE LENSES, J\' Suitable for the Theatre, Racecourse, j Tourists, and General Out-door Observatio • j GARDINER, OPTICIA^' j CLARE-STREET, BRISTOL. -— ..———— i Printed and Published by DAVID WILLIA his residence on the Bulwark, in the Ch»P of Saint Mary, in the Parish of Saint J Evangelist, in the County of AUGUST 18, 1806. )