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LEGISLATION FOR FISHERMEN.

CARMARTHEN FIRE BRIGADE.

-----------SOCIETY AND PERSONAL.

CARMARTHEN.

--------LLANDILO BOARD OF…

LLANDILO LOCAL BOARD.

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CARDIGANSHIRE QUARTER SESSIONS.

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CARDIGANSHIRE QUARTER SESSIONS. The Epiphany Quarter Sessions for the Countv of Cardigan were opened at the Town Hall, Lampeter, on Thursday (yesterday), before Mr J W Willis Bund, chairman. The other justices present were The Lord Lieutenant of the County Mr Charles Lloyd, Waunifor Major Price Lewes, Tyglyn Aeron Mr T H Brenchley, Glaneirw Mr J E Rogers, A' er meurig Mr B E Morgan. Aberystwyth Mr Griffith Rowlands, London Mr D J Williams. Tregaron Mr J Fowden, Bank Hall Major Basset Lewis, Aberystwyth Mr T H Maddy, Dolaeron Mr C E Longcroft, Llanina Mr D J Davies, Cardigan Captain Jones Parry, Tyllwyd Colonel Howell, Pantgwyn Mr W 0 Brigstocke, Parkygorse Mr Tobit Evans, Llanarth Mr J C Harford, Falcond.-de Captain Stewart, Alltyrodyn and Rev Rhys Jones Lloyd, Troedyraur. GRAND JURY. The following gentlemen were empanelled on the Grand Jury Messrs J M Howell, Aberayron, fore- man R Bickerstaff, Evan Hugh James, Morgan Morris, and D Hopkins, skinner, Aberystwyth Thos. Davies, junior, Pantyfedwen T Hughes, Pantcoy Peter James, Hafodlas Evan Jones, Feathers, Aberayron John Jones, Dolfawr, Gwnnws D Lewis, Alban Square, Aberayron J W Lloyd, Trefynor and Morgan Morgans, Pantycraf. THE CHARGE. The Chairman, in charging the Grand Jury, said there was only one case to come before them-a rather pecular one perhaps. It was a charge against a pro- fessional singer for obtaining money & wearing apparel by false pretences. The Chairman then gave the jury a retrospect of the case, which is reported below. The jury retired, and the Court proceeded with the CIVIL BUSINESS. THE CHAIRMAN TENDERS HIS RESIGNATION. The first business on the agenda was to consider the resignation of the office of chairman tendered by Mr Willis Bund. The Chairman said-I must ask the indulgence of the Court for a few minutes, and then I will state the reason I have placed the first item on the agenda. The Court has always treated me with such kindness, and I regret to have to do so, but I could not see after last sessions that I could do otherwise under the circum- stances than tender my resignation to the Court. I do so for this reason. I have always said, and hold very strongly that whatever order this Court makes, it is the duty of every member of the Court to obev whether he agrees with it or not, and though I do not quite agree with the order-I do not say wrongly —which the Court has made, I think it is my duty to set an example of obedience to it, and although I can- not agree to assist in carrying it out, yet I do so at once by tendering my resignation that someone may be appointed in my place, who will carry out loyally the orders of the ourt. Another reason is this—As you are hll aware the Chairman of the Court is the representative of the Court on various occasions, in- cluding the standing joint committee. The only authority with which he speaks is the authority of the Court, and it is most necessary the chairman should have and give what he says—as the authority of the Court, and the Court should be prepared to sup- port him. That really ought to be the position of every chairman, especially in my case, being a stranger to the county, because, unless I have the authority of the Court anything I may say at the standing joint committee would be utterly worthless. Anything I say is only entitled to weight, because I speak on be- half of the Court, and as the policy commends itself to me, and not to the Court, I feel on that grourd alone I ought to make way for someone else. The third reason is this. If, after the order come to last time, I continue to occupy this posi- tion it would be said that I would only be doing so on account of the distinction which the position gave me, and that I was occupying it for my own glorification far more than for the good of the county. I could not for a moment allow such an insinuation to be made, and therefore, I think it is my duty first of all to tender my resignation. I regret having to do 80 and to put the Court to such inconvenience after they had treated me with such great kindness and considera- tion. But one was obliged to consult his feelings And what was right to the Court; and as a loyal member of it I see no other course open to me than that which I have taken. I am afraid I have on some occasions in the heat of debate or in the excitement of the moment, used some words or expressions to members of the Court that may have caused some pain. If I have done so I may say I only regret it and apologise most heartily for it. I thank those justices who have always so loyally supported me in the past in spite of the mistakes, which I must have made, and I hope you will honour me with your friendship even should I cease to occupy the chair The Clerk then read the letter of resignation as follows:— 15, Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, 21st December, 1891, Gentlemen, — I beg to place in your hands my resignation of the office of chairman to which you were good enough to appoint me two years ago. As thi Court has determined to follow a course of policy that practically outlaws the clergy, and delegates the maintenance of order to self-elected committees, both of which steps I hold to be improper, I am unable, much to my regret, to do anything else. I have the honour to be, gentlemen, Your obedient servant, J. W. WILLIS BUND--the Justices of the Peace for Cardigan- hire in Quarter Sessions. Capt. Jones-Parry said.- I rise to propose that the resignation of Mr Willis Bund be not accepted. I do so in the first place from personal motives, because I for one shall be very sorry that I shall not have the opportunity of welcoming Mr Bund at this Court. But I do so more particularly on public grounds, because I think his resignation would be absolutely a loss and inconvenience to the Court and to the county in general. I will not express my own opinion more fully, because I do not know that I hold a position in the county that would carry much weight, but I have the authority (and I am glad to be able to state it) of many gentlemen who have served on this Bench for many years—and have served with distinction—to say that, though they cannot to-day be present, they most cordially hope we, as a Court, should not accept the resignation of Mr Willis Bund. I hope Mr Willis Bund will feel that he has still the confidence of this Court, and I hope that one and all will give him the loyal and proper support which he deserves. Col. Howell. Sir, I have great pleasure in seconding the proposition, and hope you will be able to see your way to withdraw your resignation and remain to preside over our Court. Mr W 0 Brigstocke said I am sorry I oannot alto- gether agree with the proposition laid by my two friends, but I assure you I am not actuated by any personal still less by any political feeling. I am here not representing any party or clique, but I am here as an independent and old member of the Court, and although I do not move an amendment, I must take this opportunity of protesting against the policy of which, you, sir, have been the exponent. The policy that you have backed up has been that this Court has a separate and independent control over the police, other than that granted to it by the Standing Joint Com- mittee. I will not go into the question as to the strict legal and technical foundation upon which you base such assumption. Possibly you may be right in your construction of section 9, sub-section 3 of the Act. as to the powers conferred by the Act upon the Standing Joint Committee, but I cannot help thinking that it is most unfortunate that as long as that spirit of policy is carried out, we shall not have peace or quietness in the county. You, sir, have taken active steps (I have no doubt, you'have done it conscientiously, and with the very best of in- tentions) to put that authority into effect. You sub- mitted a case ably drawn up which you were goodenough to show me before it was submitted, to the Queen's Bench to pass au opinion, but you know the Queen's Bench at once declined to interfere. At the last Sessions you intr duced a serious resolution, which I think the Court in their wisdom refused to entertain. Now, please, gentlemen, do not think for one moment that I wish in any way to show any kind or sort of sympathy in the breaking of the law. I think it is absolutely the duty of every citizen to uphold and obey the law even if it is a bad one, when tne proper steps would be to have it repealed. Still it is a dangerous doctrine, on any grounds whatever, to refuse the pay- ment of just demands. But, I do not think it requires the intervention of this:Court or anybody else to point out to the police what is their plain duty. I think the duty of the police is as clear as possible, they are bound to afford proper protection, not only from violence to individuals carrying out their lawful business, but also to resist passive opposition to I the carrying out of the law. I am sure you will forgive me, sir, it is not on any personal grounds, but I do protest most emphatically against the Court of Quarter Sessions interfering in anv wav whatever with the control of the police except through the com- mittee. I do not offer any amendment' The Lord Lieutenant said I think it is only some three years ago that at the generally expressed desire of the members of this Bench I proposed your name as Chairman of this Court, and I can only say ] very much regret that circumstances should have arisen that in your opinion will oblige you to tender your resignation to day. Of course, there are occasions when differences of opinion between the Chairman and the majority of the members of the Bench can only tbe solved by his resignation, but we have never differed from you and we have never challenged your ruling upon any point of law, course of procedure, or order. At the last Court, and unofficially, as I take it, and acting in your private capacity as a magistrate, you placed a certain resolution upon the agenda and the majority of the magistrates present were of opinion that the time had not arrived when such resolution should be passed. It was merely a matter of judg- ment and in no way whatever was it a question of con- hdence. I therefore very much regret that this notice should have appeared on the agenda. However we have nothing to do now but to consider that notice as it stands upon the agenda. Unfortunately, we cannot consider that notice without coupling it with what occurred at the last Court here. We are none of us infallible and possibly the majority at the last Court may have been in error. But I must say that for myself personally, as one of that majority, I do not regret the vote J gave on that occasion, and I now find myself in a p isition that I really cannot support the motion put before us v Capt. Jones-Parry without stultifviny the vote on that previous occasion. I have only two options before rat one, to vote against It, and the other to abstain from voting, but I think I will follow the latter course and take no further part in this debate. The Chairman, having invited a continuation of the iebate, and no one complying with the request, pro- ceeded to reply. The Chairman said: Before I pat che question. I think, in answer to the observation of my friend, Mr Brigstocke, I ought to say just one word. I feel sure, and Brigstocke need not have said so, that when we differed in our views nothing personal was meant. But I think it only right, only fair, to the Court that I should state, and state plainly, what my views are so that there cannot be any mistake if it is the pleasure of the Court to ask me to remain here, because I agree with the Lord Lieutenant, and feel that in a case like this we ought not to disagree, if it can possibly be avoided, and it was only because I felt that it was part of my duty to the Court that induced me to put my resignation in its hands. I am quite aware from letters I have received from many justices that nothing personal was intended. But it was a question (If principle, and when on a question of prin- ciple the Chairman differs from the majority of the Court, the Chairman is bound to give the Court an opportunity for considering the position. As a man of honour I do not think I could have done otherwise. If I have put the Court to any trouble on this ground I feel sure they will forgive me; I have one word mora to say, and to say clearly, as to what my views on the subject are. I hold very strongly that there can be no more honourable position for any justice or gentleman to be allowed to occupy than to preside over his brother justices, if they agree to carry out the law without fear, favour or affection, as regards all Her Majesty's subjects. I do feel, and feel very strongly that when there is an incipient lawlessness, I will not use a stronger word, this Court abstains, for whatever reason it thinks right, from taking any part to sup- press it, and sits, as it were, with its arms folded and m does nothing—that policy is a policy that ought not to be followed. To me it is a policy that appears something like cowardice and desertion—a desertion of those persons who are entitled to the protection of the law, and allowing other persons to set themselves up above the law. I wish distinctly to say these are my opinions, and I hope I have the courage of those opinions. Having said this, and if the Court thinks I can be of any use to it by retaining this position, the poor services I can render are at the disposal of the Court. The amendment of Capt. Jones-Parry was then submitted to the meeting and declared carried, Mr Brigstocke being the only justice that voted against it. The Lord Lieutenant abstained from voting. Mr Bund will therefore retain the chairmanship. THE STANDING JOINT COMMITTEE.—APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS. The next business was to appoint twelve justices to act as members of the Standing Joint Committee until the Epiphany Sessions, 1893. The following were the old members :J, W. Willis Bund, Esq., the Lord Lieutenant, Major Price Lewes, Thos. Herbert Maddy, John Edwardes Rogers, Arthur Howell Jones, Esquires, Capt. James Stewart, the Rev J. M. Griffiths, Charles Lloyd, J. W. Szlumper, Tobit Evans, and John Fowden, Enquires. n The Chairman intimated that the Rev J. M. Urimths wished to resign as his time was otherwise fully occupied, and Mr J. C. Harford, Falcondale, was unanimously substituted in his stead. APPOINTMENT OF VISITORS. The next business was to appoint two justices to act as visitors to Her Majesty's Prison at Carmarthen for the eisuill, year. The present visitors (Sir Marteine Owen Mowbray Lloyd, Bart., and Capt. James Stewart) were re-appointed. SCALE OF FEES. The Chairman submitted a report to the Court upon f iire T1>S10n sca*e °f feeP to be taken by the Clerk of the Peace and of the costs to be allowed by the ol ln Prosecutions and appeals. A copy of the report was issued among the justices. The revieed scale was unanimously adopted. PEXAL SERVITUDE. The Court then considered the only communication from the Secretary of State, viz,, a circular referring to penal servitude. The Chairman explained its purport, which was to the effect that in future the term of penal servitude for three years would be reduced. A sentence for that period on a female, if she obtained the maximum marks, would be equivalent to two years imprisonment with hard labour, and on a man equivalent to two years and three months. CRIMINAL BUSINESS. AN IMPUDENT FRAUD.—A WELSH PROFESSIONAL A F U-N BLNGER TROUBLE. otherwi^ v aSaJnst Keturah Evans, was rharcr rl Vk • Pr°fessional singer, who "rom one F1? havin& obtained by false pretences, f rom one Ellenor .T OneS on the 21st of December last, the sum of sixpence, one skirt, one shawl, one hander- r'j in ,a Pal.r of boots, of the value of about ti juA Prisoner was described as being well- educated. She pleaded "'Not guilty." Mr Lewis M. Richards (instructed by Mr W Pie ton Evans, solicitor, Cardigan) prosecuted, and the prisoner was undefended. YT1S0 £ e-r had g?ue t0 Henbant, Cardigan, the home and «.v"rVen Jones' the well-known Welsh tenor, and «here prosecutrix was servant, and had falsely represented in Mr Jones's absence that she was a friend of his, on the face of which statement the goods were handed her. Prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour.—The Court then rose.

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