The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

THESTANDARDLIFEASSURANCE COMPANY, ESTABLISHED 1825. CONSTITUTED BY SPECIAL ACTS OF PARLIAMENT. ANNUAL REPORT, 1867. THE FORTY-FIRST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the STANDARD LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY was held at Edinburgh, 011 Wednesday the 8th of May, 1867,— H. MAXWELL INGLIS, Esq., P.C.S., in the Chair. THE MANAGER submitted to the Meeting— REPORT by the DIRECTORS as to the PROGRESS of the BUSINESS during the Year 1866. The Annual Report on the Books and Accounts by the Auditor of the Company, certifying that he had found the whole Accounts accurately stated and properly vouched. Balance-Sheet of the Company's Affairs, certified by the Auditor and three of the Directors, in accordance with the Acts of Parliament constituting the Company. A General and Comparative Statement explanatory of the Progress of the Business from 1825 to 1866. THE REPORT submitted by the DIRECTORS was shortly as follows :— The Board of Directors have again the pleasure of congratulating the Proprietors of the Company on its continued satisfac- tory progress. On occasion of the last Annual General Meeting in the Spring of 1866, the Directors had the pleasure of reporting the pro- gress and completion of large and important negotiations namely, the transfer of the business of the MINERVA and VICTORIA OFFICES, and the successful amalgamation with the COLONIAL LIFE AsSURANCE COMPANY, all of which brought new connec- tions and varied advantages to the Institution. In May 1866 the satisfactory result of the Quinquennial Investigation into the Company's Affairs, and Division of profits, as at lath November 1865, was reported, when the Company commenced the work of another lustrum, strengthened by its new and extended connections, supported on a broader basis, and full of confidence in the future, arising from the thorough inves- tigation which its Affairs had undergone with a successful and satisfactory issue. The first year of the new period has been marked, the Directors have pleasure in reporting, by complete success not only as regards the New Business transacted, but what is equally, if not more, important, the thorough and complete retention of the interests and connections of those Companies whose business was transferred to, or amalgamated with the STANDARD. The New Business, however, is perhaps the most tangible exponent of this statement, and the Directors are satisfied to rely -00 it as the test of their assertion. The following are the Results of the Business for the year under review :— AMOUNT PROPOSED FOR ASSURANCE during the year 15th November, 1865, to 19th November, 1866, X12439,927 0 4 NUMBER OF PROPOSALS FOR ASSURANCE, 2389 AMOUNT OF ASSURANCES ACCEPTED, £ l,190,281 11 2 NUMBER OF ASSURANCES COMPLETED, exclusive of Annuities, 2013 AMOUNT OF ANNUAL PREMIUMS on New Business. X38,918 19 11 AMOUNT OF CLAIMS BY DEATH, exclusive of Bonus Additions, X314,376 3 10 ANNUAL REVENUE, X675,267 6 8 ACCUMULATED FUND, X3,700,005 1 4 These figures represent numerous interests and an important trust, not much fewer than 28,000 persons holding Policies from the Institution. They are also a sure test of the confidence placed in the Institution by the public and the Directors, impressed with the responsibility which such a trust involves, make it their study to conduct the business on the soundest principles, free from speculation or undue anxiety to make profits. In accordance with these principles, the Directors have confined the Investment of the Company's large Funds to thoroughly reliable securities, preferring for the great bulk of their Investments the Mortgage of land at fair rates of interest to increased returns on Investments of a less certain nature; and in proof of this they request attention to the following Statement, show- ing the Company's Investments as at 15th November, 1866 :— Mortgages and other Landed Securities, £ 2,535,748 14 6 Government Securities, 86 782 17 2 Loans on the Company's Policies within their Surrender Value, 19s'610 2 5 Stocks and Debentures, 2is'313 9 6 Bank Balances, Agents'Balances, and Premiums in which Days of Grace are current, 3231675 2 0 Invested abroad in connection with Colonial business, 49 275 17 2 Life Annuities and Reversions purchased 34'403 14 9 Various other Investments, 253^195 3 10 93,700,005 1 4 The Directors are satisfied that all interested will approve of this course of procedure. To all other points of Management the attention of the Directors is carefully directed. The records of the Company's tran- sactions have been brought into the most thorough state of efficiency, after giving effect to the transfers and amalgamation W j have been carried through—a matter of the greatest importance in connection with transactions of such magnitude; and the endeavour of the Directors in future will be to conduct the Institution in such a manner as to devolop the resources at its command without seeking further extension of its field of action, making it their study to produce as much profit as they can, consistently with liberal dealing, for the advantage of all interested. T -1- HE REPORT was unanimously adopted. TH? I?N DIRECTORS, to supply the places of those who retire by rotation, in terms of the Company's Acts of Parliament, followed. The Establishment was then constituted as follows for the ensuing year GOVERNOR,—HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH AND QUEENSBERRY, K.G. DEPUTY-GOVERNORS I THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF DALKEITH, M.P. .DEPUTY GOVERNORS, J mE EIGHT HON THE EARL OF STAIR, K.T. EDINBURGH, 3 AND 5, GEORGE STREET. ORDINARY DIRECTORS. CHARLES PEARSON, Esq., C.A, J J. HAY, Esq., Merchant, Leith. T. MENZIES, Esq., Merchant, Leith. GEOUQE Mora, Esq., Advocate. H. MAXWELL INGLIS, Esq., P.C.S. H. DAVIDSON, Esq., Merchant. T. GBAHAM MuaRAY, Esq., W.S. I ANDREW BLACKBURN, Esq. W. SWWALKER, Esq., of Bowland. Sir J. Y. SIMPSON, M.D., Bart. JAMES VEITCH, Esq., of Eliock. J. Lindsay, Esq., Woodend. JAMES HOPE, Jun., Esq., W.S. f BOBERT HUNTER, Esq. JOHN DUNDAS, Esq., C.S. W. JAS. DUNCAN, Esq., Manager of the National Bank of Scotland. ANDREW WOOD, Esq., M.D. I WM. MONCREIFF, Esq., C.A. Manager and Acturary,-WILL. THOS. THOMSON, F.R.S.E. Home Sometary,-THOMAS ROBERTSON. Colonial and Foreign Secretary,—D. CLUNINE GREGOR. .A.ooant,-A. WOOD STEW ART. Joint A etuary,-SPENCER C. THOMSON, B.A., CaDtab. -4 uditor,-CHARLES PEARSON, C.A. Physician,—PROFESSOR CHRISTISON, M.D. Bankers.-THE BANK OF SCOTLAND THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND. LONDON, 82, KING WILLIAM STREET. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.-THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD ELCHO, M.P. ORDINARY DIRECTORS. ALEXANDER GILLESPIE, Esq., Heathfleld, Walton-on-Thames LUSTOCX ROBERT REID, Esq., 122, Westbourne Terrace. JKANCIS LE BRETON, Esq., 21, Sussex Place, Regent's Park. T. H. BROOKING, Esq., Merchant, New Broad Street, J. G. FRITH, Esq., Old Broad Street. I J. NESBITT, Esq., 42, Eastcheap. I J. C. DIMSDALE, Esq., Banker. W. RATRAY, Esq., 41, Tavistock Square; CHARLES HEMERY, Esq., 28, Threadneedle Street. I Lieutenant-Colonel JAMES D. G. TULLOCH. General Secretary for England,—HUN RY JONES WILLIAMS. Inspectors,-GEORGEEDW ARDS STEPHEN HUDSON. E Medical Officers,-A. TWEEDIE, M.D.; R. H. SEMPLE, M.D. Bankers,—LONDON & WESTMINSTER BANK; LONDON & COUNTY BANK; MESSRS. DIMSDALE, FOWLER, & BARNARD, Cornhill. LONDON—WEST-END OFFICE—3, PALL MALL EAST, S.W. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Colonel JAME$ HOLAND (late Quartermaster-General, STEPEN WALCOTT, ESQ" 17, Lansdowne Crescent, Ken- Bombay), 24, Prmces Square, Hyde Park, W. smgton Park. J- BcSeSrT'CoKf J" R" Tb°mSOn & °°" St- Peter'8 f is&45> Inverness Terrace, Bays water, W. J- FLEMING, Esa., of Messrs. Robinson and FleLnf?of Au'stta^ri^BStreet' Cavendish SqUare' Besident Secretary,-SAMUEL R. FURGUSSON. Inspector,—JOHN O'HAGAN. Medical Officers,-HENRY OLDHAM, M.D.; SAMUEL SOLLY, Surgeon. BY ORDER OF THE DIRECTORS, WILL. THOS. THOMSON, Manager. H. JONES WILLIAMS, General Secretary for Englawd. FURTHER INFORMATION can be obtained by application at the Offices of the Company in Edinburgh, London, Dublin, and Glasgow, or at any of the Agencies which have been established in almost every Tuwn of importance throughout the Kingdom. COLONIAL AND FOREIGN ASS URANCES.-Asstirances granted on the Lives of persons proceeding abroad. Branch Offices and Agencies in India and all the British Colonies, where Pre- miums can be received and Claims settled tondon ( 82, KING WILLIAM STREET, E.C.; and -• j 3, PALL MALL EAST, S.W. EDINBURGH, 3 AND 5, GEORGE STREET, (HEAD OFFICE). DUDUN, 66, UPPER SACKVILLE STREET. Agent for Brecon—Mr. J0KN" EVANS, Post Office. BROWN AND POLSON'S v PATENT CORN FLOUR. Packets, 8d., Tins, Is. i WARRANTED PERFECTLY PURR Recommended for CHILDRF,N,'S DIET. The Second quality Indian Corn Flour is sup- plied at 6d. Counterfeit cheap kinds are sometimes offered Instead of Brown and Poison's, which bears the makers'signatures. "JOHN BROWN," "JOHN POLSON," Upon each Packet. FIRST BRECKNOCKSHIRE RIFLE VOLUNTEER CORPS. ORDERS for the Week ending JUNE, 22nd,1867. Officer on duty-Ensign John James. Orderly Sergeant-Fred. Hodges. Corporal-Henry Bennett. Church Parade on Sunday the 16th inst. Full Dress Parade on Wednesday, the 19th instant, fall in at 7-15 p.m. The band will practice on Thursday, at 7 p.m. By Order, PENRY LLOYD, Orderly Rooms, Watton, Capt. Commanding. Brecon, June 13th, 1867.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NEW INDEPENDENT COLLEGE AT BRECON. The above event took place on Wednesday last, and at an early hour the streets of the town bore indications of a large number of strangers having arrived by the first up train from Swansea and Neath—and, as the hour of half-past two o'clock had been named for the formation of a procession, in which the Mayor and Corporation of Brecon was to form the principal feature, in company with the Building Committee, the Principals of the present College, the body of Students, and several influential friends, including a large attendance of Ministers of the Gospel from different parts of England and Wales-they were soon observed in large groups, and ultimately taking advantage of the time allowed them. They formed themselves into parties, and visited those places in our town which few strangers rarely neglect doing when an opportunity affords—namely, the Priory Church, Christ's College, Cemetery, Shire Hall, Barracks, &c., &c. The weather continued beautifully fine, and one and all seemed to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Brecon. Arrangements had been made by the committee for a luncheon at the Wellington Hotel, and the price fixed at Is. 6d., was reasonable, and the place selected was convenient as being situated in the most central part of the town. Shortly after one o'clock, the time announced for the same, a large company arrived, entirely filling the large dining room of that establishment, and numbering upwards of 250 persons. An excellent cold colla- tion was placed on the table, which seemed to give great satisfaction. The chair was occupied by John Davies, Esq., mayor, supported on his right by S. Morley, Esq., H. O. Wills, Esq., and John Prothero, Esq., ex-mayor, and on his left by members of the corporate body, nearly the whole of whom were present, and among the company present were several respectable tradesmen of the town, as also several highly respectable parties from Neath and Swansea, together with a large attendance of min- isters of several denominations from various places. Grace having been said The company seemed determined to avail them- selves of the short time allowed them for the re- plenishment of the inner man, and after ample justice had been done to the viands set before them, the worthy Chairman on perceiving a portion of the company about to leave the room to prepare for the forthcoming procession, rose and said that he would offer to the company the first toast of the evening, and hoped it would be drank in a loyal spirit. He would give them the health of her most gracious majesty the Queen. The toast was warmly received, after which followed that of the Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family. In a short time the Chairman again said that hav- ing drank the healths to royalty, there was another that he wished to be allowed to introduce, it was the health of a gentleman on his right, and turning to Mr. Morley, said that they all felt a great plea- sure in having him there that day among them. He (the Chairman) had heard of him and had read of him, and the incomparable name he bore with all classes of the community, rendered that name wel- come to that company. He (the Chairman) was only sorry that that meeting was not going to last a few hours longer, for he was sure they should have great pleasure in hearing some excellent speeches on that occasion by Mr. Morley and other gentlemen present, but they had arranged to meet at a certain hour to form in procession, He trusted the company would do justice to the toast by drinking the health of Mr. Morley. The toast was well received with applause. Mr. Morley, in acknowledging the compliment, said, Mr. Mayor, Ladies, and Gentlemen,—He thanked them for the great kindness they had done him. He was happy to come among Welsh- men, and was also happy to see how much they are like other men. He had the honor to be ac- quainted with several Swansea gentleman of high educational attainments, and had lately had a very animating conversation of material value, and he trusted that would end in beneficial results. He then alluded to matters in connection with that day's proceedings, namely, the building of the college, its situation approaches by railway, and other topics, and concluded by agam thanking them heartily for their warm expressions in drink- ing his health, and sat down amidst prolonged cheering. Mr. Bright next proposed the health of H. O. Wills, Esq., Bristol, whose name he said stood high among the noncomformists as a gentleman, whose zeal and generosity to their cause, had earned for him the love and esteem of that great body of people. He had therefore much pleasure in proposing the health of Mr. Wills. This toast was done honor to, and Mr. Wills, in returning thanks, said that he felt greatly obliged to them for the honor done him. It gave him great pleasure in coming amongst them that day, and having had the honour to sit with so highly and respectable a party. He was also glad that he came among them for so good a cause, as laying the foundation of what he hoped under God's blessing, would lead to great results and prosper. He again sincerely thanked them for the honor done him. Dr. Spence, of London, in a most appropriate manner, proposed the health of the worthy Mayor. (Cheering.) Mr. Davies, in acknowledging the toast, which was drank with great respect, said that he felt great pleasure in receiving the honor done him by so distinguished a personage as Dr. Spence, and in the manner in which the toast had been received. He also felt very great pleasure in such an event as the present happening during his mayoralty. He believed that they would all agree with him that there was not a more delightful spot than the one selected for the new college in the principality. He again thanked the company for the honor done him. This concluded the proceedings at the luncheon, and the party commenced forming themselves into a body for the procession, which was met at the Wellington Hotel by the Mayor and Corporation, who had formed in the Council Chamber, and was headed by the Mayor wearing his robes of office, supported by the superintendent and staff of the borough police, the town cryer, hall keeper, and sergeant at mace, carrying the silver maces in ad- vance, the committee, the architect and builder, the different ministers, the officers and students of the present college, and the visiting strangers and tradesmen of the town in the rear. In this order they proceeded through the Watton to the spot where the building is to be erected, and which is beautifully situated on an eminence some short distance from the Brecon and Merthyr Railway Station, on land belonging formerly to the Marquis Camden. On arriving at the place shortly after 3 o'clock, the corporation and ministers together with Mr. Morley, Mr. H. O. Wills, and a few other friends took possession of a roofed platform that had been erected for the occasion, while a large concourse of spectators crowded around the foun- dation. After silence had been obtained, a Welsh hymn was given out and sung by the audience, after which a portion of scripture from the new testament was read by the Rev. J. Kennedy, M.A., London, who also engaged in prayer. Mr. Profes- sor Roberts then read an elaborate address on behalf of the collegiate, to Mr. Morley, and a beau- tiful silver trowel was presented to that gentleman for the purpose of laying the foundation stone, on which was engraved the following inscription in English and Welsh-" Presented to Samuel Mor- ley, Esq., on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the Welsh Independent College of Brecon." Mr. Morley then proceeded to the foundation, in company with some of the ministers, and in a mas- terly manner performed the duty entrusted to him, and on again ascending the platform, made a most suitable and excellent address. Mr. Wills, and other ministers of various deno- minations also made addresses on the occasion, and shortly after 5 o'clock the procession re-formed, and returned to the town, taking for its return rout, the new road and Free Street. In the eve- ning a large and influential meeting was held in the Town Hall, at which S. Morley, Esq.. presided. The meeting which was crammed with people, was addressed by the chairman and several ministers of the gospel. Some able and very eloquent speeches were delivered on the occasion, and were listened to with that profound respect and atten- tion that their talented authors merited in the nature of their delivery. The whole terminated shortly after 10 o'clock.

DEATH FROM VIOLENCE. On Friday, the 7th inst., an inquest was held on the body of James Hopkins, aged 32, pedlar and rag and bone collector, at the Nag's Head Inn, Struet, in this town, before H. Maybery, Esq, coroner. Mr. Mathew James Hewitson, L.A.H., deposed that he on that day made a post mortem examina- tion of the body of deceased, in company with Mr. James Williams, surgeon; they first examined the head externally the scalp over the right eye showed that it had received a bruise or wound, not sufficient to break the skin, simply a bruise they moved the scalp corresponding with the external mark, it was found ecchymosed the same as the external; on cutting into the membranes covering the brain a quantity of pus or matter escaped, be- tween two or three ounces, and the brain was in a softened state. The Coroner Could you trace any demonstra- tive cause of death ? Witness His death was occasioned by convul- sions, depending on the state of the brain; the convulsions were caused by inflamation, which must have existed some time during his illness he attended him for two days, Tuesday and Wed- nesday he died on Wednesday night; he saw him on Tuesday, but did not attenCl him then; he requested his wife to go to the Infirmary he believed Dr. Jones, of the Infirmary, attended him once; deceased subsequently got relief from the parish, and he attended for Mr. Williams on Tuesday and Wednesday when he saw him he was but partly conscious he did not consider him in a dying state when he first saw him, but in a pre- carious state a fall in the street might have caused the mark; deceased's wife described to witness that he had a fall on a curbstone in a fight. Thomas Jenkins, brewer, Struet, deposed that on the second fair day (May 6th), he saw deceased fighting with Rees Morgan, of Mill Street, near the brewery they were both a little gone in beer; the fight did not last more than a quarter of an hour they both fell against the curbstones there was no foul play on either side. Other evidence having been adduced, the Coroner addressed the jury, who, after a short consultation, returned a verdict that deceased had died from violence, but that there was no evidence to prove how that violence was occasioned.

THE COST AND CURE OF DRUNKENNESS. To the Editor of the 11 Brecon Reporter." SIR,-The cost of the liquor traffic to this coun- try is almost incalculable. In 1866, the amount spent upon intoxicating drinks exceeded eighty eight million pounds—more than the entire na- tional revenue !—and for every pound thus mis- spent at least another pound was wasted indirectly through the idleness, accidents, offences, disease, and premature death resulting from intoxication. Take Manchester as a sample. The working classes of this city spend a quarter of a million annually upon intoxicating drinks on Saturdays and Sun- days alone. Another unwelcome fact which has come to my knowledge is, that the working men of England spend more for strong drink in one day than the hundreds of co-operative stores gain in the whole year. But what is the cost in money compared with the loss in morality and happiness? During one year a weekly newspaper, published in Manchester, recorded more than two thousand two hundred cases of horrible deaths, murders, suicides, rob- beries, stabbings, &c., resulting from indulgence in these deadly drinks. Even the Times is forced to acknowledge that the use of strong drink produces more idleness, crime, disease, want, and misery, than all other causes put together." There are at- least half a million law-made drunkards in this kingdom. Every twentieth person is a pauper— and it is admitted that drink causes nine-tenths of our pauperism. It is estimated that 50,000 per- sons die prematurely every year through drink and that at least 30,000 moderate drinkers be- come drunkards every year. And 0! what a sickening account of wretchedness, neglect, and cruelty might be recorded of the doings of drink amongst English women and children. Knowing the cause of this national disease, have we the courage to apply the remedy? The cure for national drunkenness is national sobriety. I rejoice to know that individual abstinence has done wonders in preparing the way for national absti- nence. The Rev. W uI. Jay, of Bath, said that for every one person whom the gospel itself had made sober, teetotalism had made a hundred. Yet after more than thirty years labour, we have to regret that drunkenness has increased, and is increasing, not only amongst men, but amongst women and children. The comparative failure of what Earl Russell justly calls the "great question of temper- ance" is owing to the liquor traffic, -to the licensed and ever-increasing facilities for obtaining intoxi- cating drink. The law sanctions the aaie of these liquid poisons for the sake of revenue, and to keep a fale peace with the people who make, sell, and drink them. But are these a majority of the na- tion ? No, they are a minority, if you count souls; and surely the dear children are more important, when estimating the future of England, than the indulgencies of those who ought to be their exem- plars. A radical cure of England's drunkenness must come from the enlightenment of the people, and the exercise* of their social power of prevention. Already a powerful feeling pervades the country in favour of freedom from the degrading tyranny of the licensed drink traffic. It is time that every one should take sides in the coming struggle of right against might. Our weapons are Love and Truth. Let those who desire to be disciplined for the fight write to Yours truly, Manchester, HENRY PITMAN.

CHARGE OF SLATE STEALING. At the Magistrates Clerk's Office, Thursday, before the Mayor, Thomas Price, boatman, was f brought up in custody of P.C. Watkins, charged with stealing ten sktes from the yard of the South Wales Coal, Lime, and Slate Company. The charge was made by Mr. Samuel Hancorn James, the agent to the company. Mr. Games defended the prisoner. Mr. James stated that on the night of Tuesday last, hearing footsteps in his yard in the Watton, he went out and saw the prisoner, who then caught hold of a bucket, and went to the canal for water for the horses, the prisoner's employer having sta- bles in the same yard he however watched bitnt and in a short time saw him remove some slates from a stock of the same and put them into a boat; he then went up to him and charged him with the, offence prisoner said that he had never taken any before, they were only a few for Ned, meaning a man named Edwards, and that he intended telling witness of them the next day. In answer to the Mayor, the witness said that they had missed a great quantity before he had wrote to the fir10 informing them of the transaction, but had not received any answer as to their prosecuting. Mr. Lee, superintendent, asked for a remand in order to get at further facts in connection with the case, which was granted until Monday next, bail being accepted in two sureties of S10 each and himself in the sum of £20.

BIRTH. At Brecon, June 9th, Mrs. Edmund Gwynne of a son, MARRIAGE. On Tuesday last, at the Registrar's Office, Bre- con,—Miss Eliza Pritchard to Mr. Wm. Roberts, plasterer, of Free Street.

NEATH AND BRECON RAILWAY. I UP TRAINS. 'jr STATIONS. 1,2, and 3 Class. I -A-M. A.M. P.M. P.M. Neath dep. 8 3011 5 3 20 Crynant 8 4611 17 3 35 Onllwyn 9 511 30 3 50 ••• Penwyllt 9 2011 40 4 2 Devynnock 9 5212 5 4 32 ..• Brecon arc 10 2012 25 4 55 •••_ DOWN TRAINS. 1 STATIONS. I 1, 2, and 3 Class. A.M. P.M. P.M. P.M. Brecon. dep. 8 1012 30 5 40 Devynnock 8 4012 56 6 11 Penwyllt 9 20 I 26 6 41 Onllwyn.. 9 35 1 38 6 53 Crynant 9 5 1 52 7 7 I Neatii arr. 10 15 2 8 7 28 Printed and Published by DAVID WILLIAMS, a* his residence on the Bulwark, in the Chapelrj j of Saint Mary, in the Parish of Saint John ,( Evangelist, in the County of Brecoa.—SATURDAY, JUNE 15th, 1867. J*