The Merthyr Express

The Dark Side of Convict Life. I [Being the Account of the Career of HARRY WILLIAMS, a Merthyr Man.] CHAPTER X. In this chapter I wish to deal with the search- ing system. A great deal has been said con. earning this, but the practice is still carried on. What is more degrading than for a man to be forced against his will to undress, as naked as he was born, and then submit to be examined. I can well remember a case some years ago. We were marched to the bath- room to go through the form of search. One man absolutely refused to take anything off beyond his over-clothing and boots, and when ordered to take his shirt off by one of the officers, he replied, No, I have too much I respect for myself to expose myself in that manner." Take them off," said the officer, or I will take them off for you." Still he refused, whereupon other officers were summoned I and they took him by force, and tore them clean from off his back. They then dragged him to the 'cells. The following day ho was brought before the Governor, and sent to be tried before the Director on a charge of incitement to mutiny; and finally he was awarded fifteen days' bread and water, together with a forfeiture I of ten weeks' remission. It matters not whether it is a shovel, chisel, wheel-barrow or a ladder! that is missing, this system of searching is carried out, and in full view of officers and prisoners. The same thing goes on once a fortnight, in the convicts' cells, where everything j is overhauled from a piece of soap to a single sheet of paper. Should a convict happen to have more than one piece of soap, or more than I his quantity of paper, or even a small loaf of bread over his day's rations, he is at once reported and punished with bread and water, and other forfeitures. For instance, a needle, found in a convict's cell or possession, is at once reported and the man punished. Sometimes convicts are obliged to place a button on one of their garments, and the way they do it is by making two small holes with a slate pencil, then tying the button on with a piece of string. Evdji this is considered a punishable offence, yet they are denied a needle to sew buttons on with. I was once reported for having a small piece of soap in my pocket, when searched on parade, and for this I forfeited three days of my ticket. of-leave. Another convict was awarded three days' bread and water, merely for feeding the sparrows through the ventilator of his cell window. For having a single spot of dirt or dust on any of his utensils, or to disarrange them or his bedclothes, or to neglect polishing up his shoes to perfection, a man is punished: An offence which is considered rather serious in convict prisons, but which, in the majority of cases, cannot always be avoided, is to be caught sleeping with the head covered up. Of course, it is considered unhealthy, but this is not the reason why this habit is prohibited. The night-watchinan has to look through each observation glass into the cell once every fifteen minutes during the whole of the night- watch, in order to see that the convict is safely within the cell. I can well remember one night a convict escaped through his cell window, and he so artfully arranged his mattress and pillow that when the officer looked into his cell the dummy appeared for all the world like the head of the convict, and he got clear away, in spite of the civil guards who were patrolling to and fro outside the prison walls. I remember being in the next cell to an old man who was nicknamed Snorer" owing to the noise he made during sleep. One night he was watched by an officer, and when he was seon to have his head covered, the officer kicked his door and ordered him to remove the bedclothes from his head, remarking that if he caught him again he would report him to the Governor. He got three days' bread and water. The man tried to defend himself by saying that he never knew that he was breaking the rules, neither was he aware that he had covered his head but all the Governor said was, A man of your age ought to know better." The Director visits convict prisons once a month, for the purpose of listening to complaints, and to try convicts for serious offences. In recent years, instead of a Director, a Visiting Commit,tee have done this. During my sentence of cine years, I have known over thirty officers who have been dismissed from the service for sleeping during night duty, and they often report a man every time they axe on night duty, in order to throw off suspicion from themselves. One officer used to give tobacco to a convict for watching for him while he stretched himself on a mattress outside the convict's cell door. When the convict heard the senior night officer coming through the doora he would just put his hand underneath the door, and give the officer a good shake to wake him. He would then quickly jump on his feet, when, like a flash of lightning, the mattress would disappear into the cell, and when the senior officer put his head into the hall doorway the officer would be ready with a salute and All correct, sir." (To be continued.)

Green peas from Madrid, in baskets contain- ing about five pounds, were on sale at Covent Garden Market on Monday, and realised 2s. 6d. per basket. The peas were in appearance as fresh as if they had come from Kent

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COAL CRISIS. Another Fruitless Conference. Stoppage said to be Inevitable. Although the representatives of both owners and men have expressed their willingness to meet again to discuss the proposed revision of the South Wales coal wages agreement* the position is regarded as being full of danger, as both sides seem determined on securing the terms they have put forward. The notices for the termination of the existing wages agree- ment will expire on March 31st, and if; there is no settlement by that date, over 200,000 colliers will be thrown out of work. In addi- tion, thousands engaged in the iron, steel, and template trade-will bo thrown out of work. The present uncertainty as to the outcoroo of tho dispute is already seriously affecting the trâdêl of Cardiff, Newport, Barry, and Swansea, Stnd shopkeepers throughout the coalfield are pre- paring for emergencies. In tho official report issued by too. South Wales and Monmouthshire Coal Conciliation Board on Friday night, the following signifi- cant words were included: "Both parties being agreed that it was very desirable to arrive at an early understanding in regard to the points in dispute, it was arranged that the discussion shall terminate on' Saturday." Therefore, it was fell on 'Saturday that the long anxiety as to whether it was peace or war was at length to be definitely known; but. at six o'clock, the parties separated without- coming to apy agree- ment. No further meetings were arranged, and the spokesmen on hnth sides r^trretted they could not accept either nrcno'^jp. THE POTNTS AT ISSUE. The following official report of tho day's proceedings wa." supplied on behalf of the coal- owners by Mr Gp^eoyne Dalziel:— The meeting of the Conciliation Boa-d for the coal of Monmouthshire and South Wales, adjourned from Friday, on Saturday resumed the negotiations between the owners and workmen s representatives for the revision of the Conciliation Board Agreement. Mr. W. J. Heppeil prE-sided over the owners' represent- atives, and Mr. W. Brace, M.P., presided the workmenV representatives. In the discuss'oi vrhich took place on Friday, the workmen's ?*??-■:<■ wtiti.c,? hod mada thf following propcsr.i — That providing ?,be owners agree not to reduce wa^os belor; SO pp>r cent, upon th<* 1879 standard during the term of an agree- ment for tiV4 the workmen agree- not to seek an *dr?»nc.c in wages above the 50 pfT cent, until t.-h-r- .i-^orage selling price of h coal f.o.b. ^.zcrM-'k 1\.5. 9d. per ton. This having r. declined by the owners' rs present Atives on 't?&n.>rd»y suggested as an &1 ternativoA •h«ii •wages should be subject a fixed peroerstog* oi* 50 per cent., with no van- ation at ali ovrr a period of five years, bl tbe owners' rcprcoofyt-sfcives intimated thai they were unAh; bind themselves to pay such. a percentage in vknr of the pousibV. con- ditions of Clause 2 proposab, M amend- ed by the ct»>i>wa'oa Saturday, •>«. ioi'icw- was discussed, Thaf the jc&s»rxig clause afcail be Ø1J:1 tuted _for E of ch«,- ^tb-.chn.i .o: ih-v 20th June,VX'5 ■—. That shsiu, dvW, r»>?ar^ "sc-va?, had to SAIOTJ-J USY.?. V!*> RI,<HT WVSKILLS' HI?.is respective cosi'je.vkfl ir. Bueb- d. b;. such shifts, 1o!'h'E'tl.:> for working ccai.or to- other purposes, sa they, may deem uooessvy to suit th oiTOUinst&ooas, of. the different coi- lieries; and for the .purposes aforesaid to, oaJi upon any. work wan to work upon such shift as the ownws .may.from time to time deter- mine, the payment to be fo" the actuaJ, nuno- .ber of shifts worked. The workmen's representatives-asked the em- ployers to state, assuming that this clausc was agreed to, what value tbey-Would put upon thJ with respect to the increase of the equivalent to the minimum, but- inlim-afed that they could j not accept the clause as it stood, and would have to consider how far they could, accept it The repreeentat.i ve* retired, and-on their return the owners-replied that un til. the;; knew in what form the workmen were submit- ting an amendment* to Clauee 2, they could not submit proposals as to- value against the equivalent • OVERLAPPING SHIIT. j Thereupon the ■vorlrmen's representatives sub- mitted the 'following propesy.: i • That the workmen's representatives Mf prepared to reocmrn^nd tho workmen'to j an overlapping." shift at the oollieries I the owners think i. ncoeesary. The shift-to commence not eariier than, 6 a.m. nor than S bui this arrangement must. be | conditional on provision being made for en- < ishing early t; ea-ch Saturday. Afternoon" Shift-—That we will not objeo. j to' an afternoon shift being established ti clear the coal, do any repairing work, oi j double shift in headings, conditionally that provision be made to pay six days' wages for the five shift* worked. provision be made to pay six days' wages for the five shifte worked. The workmen's representatives retired to allow the owners to consider this. The ownerfs intimated that they could not accept the men's proposal.. The owners ttien submitted as a final offer the following proposal:— The present ft^poemerits to be renewed for five years, but on condition that the workmen I accept the owneN p<«poftal No. 2 M amend- ed, the owners wfii agree to the equivalent to the minimum to be a s&Uing price of j 12s. 6d., or, in the alternative, the settJement I of the equivalent to bo referred to arbitra- j tion. To avoid any immediate decrease in -wages i on account of this, the owners will not ask j for this increased equivalent to oome into j operation at once. The workmen shall not I ask for any advance in wages above the pre- sent 50 per cent, above the standard until the I audited selling price of targe coal has reached a prioe equal to the last audited price plus the agT^eed addition to the equivalent. In the event of a fall of prices below the last audit- | ed price, the owners would not earlier than ) January next a.3k for any reduction of wages I on account of the equivalent being raised, j any reduction of wages applied for earlier i than that date shall oniy be applied for on account of an actual reduction in the selling j price below the last audited pr:o? on the j basis of the presenl equivalent. As and froru j the 1st of January next, the new equivalent shall apply. { The owners agTee that an abnormal work- | ing places clause shall be inserted in the form I submitted to the men by the owners subject I to an amendment in the wording defining the I right of the courts to settle the amount due in the event of the workmen suing the em- ployer, such wording to be settled by the ) solicitors to the owners and workmen. WORKMEN'S REPLY. Tha workmen's representatives withdrew to consider thie, and after a lengthy retirement I they returned a.nd submitted the following as I the best terms they were prepared to offer for a settlement of the question :— The workmen's representatives agree to re- commend to the workmen to renew the old agreement for a further period of three years, conditionally that the section dealing with the 60 hours clause is deleted, and that the solici- tors draft a satisfactory clause to be embodied in the agreement in connection with abnormal I places, incorporating the principles laid down I of paying men according to work done, and to be arrived at by mutual agreement, and failing an agreement the workmen to be given the right to take the question to the courts for settlement. They further agree to modify in the agreement the clause proposed by the workmen's representatives to deal with an overlapping shift and the afternoon shift, it being, understood that i* the event of this offer not being accepted, it is to be regarded as not having been made, and must in the strictest sense be treated as such in all future dealings of the parties. Mr. Heppell almost immediately intimated that the owners' representatives could no,t ac- cept the men's offer as & settlement. No arrangements were made for any further meeting of the Board, but Mr. Heppell intimat- ed the willingness of the owners to again meet the if the latter have any fresh proposals to make. Mz. Brace,, at the conclusion of the proceed- ings, thanked Mr. Heppeil for the courtesy which be had extended to the workmen's repre- sentatives throughout the negotiations, and ex- pressed regret that there had not been a. more suooessful issue from the negotiations.—Mr. HeppeU, for the owners, reciprocated these ex- pressions of good feeling, and expressed his per- fect satisfaction with-the conduct of the work- men's representatives throughout the negotia- tions on both sides. REPORT OF THE WORKMEN'S REPRESENTATIVES. The following official report was supplied on behalf of the workmen's representatives, by Mr. Thomas Richards, M.P., the secretary -.— Saturday's meeting of the Joint Board was for the purpose of continuing negotiations for a. new agreement. Mr. Heppell presided for the owners, and Mr. W. Brace, M.P., for the workmen. Messrs. Enoch Edwards, M.P., R. Smillie, and Thomas Ashton were also present on behalf of the M.F.G.B. The first definite proposal from the owners' side was as follows:— That the owners require that there shall be an increase in the equivalent to the mini- mum to meet inoreesed cost of working. To avoid any immediate decrease in wages on ac, count of this the owners will not ask for this increased equivalent to come into operatiqn at once. The workmen shall not ask for any advance in wages above the present 50 per cent. above the standard until the audited selling price of large coal has reached a prioe, tiyt owners will not, earlier than January gext, ii&k for any reduction of wages on ac- count oi the equivalent bjmc raised, and any reduction of wages applico ior eariier than that date shall only jjgg Joun of an actual reduction in the selling price below the last audited price, on the basis of the present equivalent. As from the 1st of January next, the new equivalent shall apply. 'WORKMEN'S OFFER. As an alternative to the above, the workmen made the following offer:— That, provided the owners agree not to re- duce wages below 50 per cent. upon the 1879 standard during the term of an agreement for iour or five years, the workmen agree not to seek an advance in wages until the average selling prioe of large coal f.o.b. exceed 14s. ud: per ton. The owners could not. agree to accept the abpve proposition, whereupon the workmen made a further proposition to tho following effect:— That an agreement be entered into for a period of years that the workmen would not seek any advance in wages,. and the owners no reduction from the present 50 per cent. above the 1879 standard during the existence of the agreement. QUESTION OF SHIFTS. The owners were unable to accept this offer, whereupon tho workmen asked them to explain how the alleged increase in the cost of produc- tion could be met apart from the increase ask- ed for in the equivalent. The owners replied that the difficulty might, to some extent, .be got over by the introduction of an overlapping shift. Upon this question of shifts, -it may be recalled that' the owners have so far clung ten- aciously to the proposal, contained in Clause 2 of their original proposal, namely:— The owners shall, due regard being had to safety, have the right to work their respec- tive oollieries in such a manner and by such shifts, whether for working coal or for other purposes, as they necessary, to suit the circumstances of the different cpllieries, this to include the right of the owners of intro- ducing an afternoon shift of any class of workmen • required, payment to be for the I actual number of shifts worked. Upon this, and to meet the owners' new sug- gestion re an overlapping shift, the workmen on Saturday made the following offer;- That the workmen's representatives are prepared to recommend to workmen to agree to an overlapping shift at the oollieries where the owners thing it necessary; the shifts to commence at 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock a.m. respectively, but that some arrangement must be made for finishing earlier on Satur- days. The next proposal of the owners was as fol- j lowsj— The present agreements to be renewed for five years, but on condition that the workmen accept the owners' proposal No. 2 as amend- I ed. The owners will agree to the equivalent to the minimum to be an average selling price of 12s. 6d., or in the alternative the w>tt-Jem-ent of the equivalent to be referred to arbitration. The owners agree that an ab- normal working-plaoe clause shall be inserted in tfco form submitted by the owners to the men, subject to any amendment in the word- ing defining the right of the courts to settle the amoun" due in the event of the workmen suing the employers; such a. wording to 00 settled by the solicitors of the owners and workmen. I "PRACTICALLY THE LAST WORD." The workmen were given an intimation that the above was practically the last word of the owners upon the situation. After a very long discussion, the workmen's representatives sub- tniited the following proposal as their final offfer'i— The workmen's representatives agree to ra- commend to the workmen to renew the "old I' agreement, for a further-period of three years, conditionally that the section dealing with the sixty hours clause be deleted, and. that the solicitors dra.ft a satisfactory clause to "be embodied in the agreement in connection with abnormal places, incorporating the prin- ciple laid down of ying. men. aosording-to the work done, and to be arrived, at.by mutual agreement, and failing an agreement, the workmen to be given the n"ht to take the question to the courts for settlement. They further agree to embody in the a'gTeettient the dause proposed by the workmen's represent- atives, to deal with an overlapping shift and the afternoon hift, it being understood that in the event of his offer not being accepted, it ii to be regarded as not having been made, and must, in the strictest sense, be treated as such in all future dealings with the parties. This was ,the proposal under consideration when the proceedings terminated. Mr. Heppeil, on behalf of the owners, in very few wordi,( regretted that it was impossible for the owners Side to aooept that proposition. Mr. Brace, M.P., on behalf of the workmen's aide, • also expressed regret that all attempts made at so many lengthy sittings, to -arrive at a settlement, had proved abortive. The parties then separated, no arrangement being made for further sittings.

Death of Mr. Matthew Truran, J.P., With great regret we have to record the death of Mr. Matthew Truran, J.P., of Oak- royd, Penydarren Park, Morthyr, which took plaoe on Tuesday morning, after a brief; severe illness, in the 78th year of his age. The de- ceased-had been in an indifferent condition of health for a considerable period, but was not seriously ill until quite reoently. Last week he underwent an operation for an internal trouble, 1 to the. effects of which, combined with his previous debilitated condition, be succumbed on Tuesday. The late Mr. Truran was th", eldest son of the late Mr. Samu'el Truran, who held a responsible position as mechanical engineer in the Dowiais Ironworks and oollieries for a long period during the first half of the last oentury. His eon Matthew went into the colliery department, and worked himself up to the appointment of general manager of the collieries to which he succeeded on the ap- pointment of the late Mr. T. E. Wales as In- spector for the South Wales District. He resided for many years at Bedlinog House, until his retirement from active life, when Mr. H. W. Martin was appointed colliery manager. Shortly afterwards he purchase the house known as Oakroyd, adjacent to the Penydamen- road entrance to Penydarren Park, to which he made some additions, and resided there to the end of his days. He was reputed to be one of the most efficient colliery managers in the South Wales coalfield, and the pits under his charge enjoyed a remarkable immunity from aerious accidents. In his retirement be was very fond of gardening and flowers, and took f^reat pleasure and pride in keeping the pretty grounds around his house in app:e-pie order, 3-nd always bright with the Bowers of the changing seasons. He was a justice of the peace for the county of Glamorgan, and regu- larly discharged his duties on the Bench at the Merthyr Court He was for many years a number of the Merthyr Board of Guardians nd Assessment Committee, and the Gellygaer Rural District Council; and as chairman of that authority he laid the foundation stone of the Council Offioe at Hengoed. His wife pre- deceased him soon after they went to live at Oakroyd. He leaves four sons and three daugh- ters, one of whom is the wife of Mr. D. JEt- Jones of Dowlais, and another the wife of Mr. T. B. Hirst, blast furnace manager, Blaenavon. We tender to the family our sinoere condolence in their bereavement. The funeral (strictly private) will take place to-day (Friday). MAGISTERIAL REFERENCES. At Merthyr Police-court on Tuesday, Sir T. Marchant. Williams (Stipendiary Magistrate) made a touching referenoe to the deceased. "We have just heard," he said, "very sad news. —the death of our colleague, Mr. Truran. I did not know that he was ailing, and I do not think any one of my colleagues knew that he was seriously ill, eo that the news of his death has taken us gp-eatly by surprise. I have known Mr. Truran on this Bench for some years. He was a singularly straightforward man, the very essence of honour, clear-minded, fair-minded, and just. I found him an honourable colleague, and I shall miss him very much indeed. He was a. conspicuous figure in this town and dis- trict for a large number of years, and I am sure that he will be verv much missed by his many friends. My colleagues entirely agree with me with regard to the loss we have sus- tained, and we extend to the family our sincere condolence. He was one of the best menwho ever sat with me on the Bench in my district, and be was much boloved." Mr. W. W. Meredith, as the senior solicitor present, endorsed all that the Stipendiary had said. Mr. Truran was, he said, a good man, both as a magistrate and a citizen, and all would feel his loss.

Abergavenny Easter Eisteddfod and Fete. The eisteddfod on Easter Monday promises to be of an excellent character, and in view of the length and variety of the programme it may not be inopportune to give a.n outline of the time table of the various competitions and attractions. The eisteddfod will open with the Gorsedd ceremony at the Castle at 9 a.m., fol- lowed by the Second Male Voice Choral Com- petiton, in which 11 choirs are competing, at 10 a-m., the ladies' choral at 11.30, the juvenile choral at 12.45, the chief male voice at 1.30, the congregational choral at 3 p.m., the chairing of the successful bard at 4 p.m., the chief choral at 4.30, and the second choral at 5.30. The vari- ous solo competitions will be held in the Corn Exchange, and Y.M.C.A. throughout the day, and the final tests as time permits, between the various choral competitions. The band oon- test a-t'the Caetle will commence at 11 a-m-, followed by the cornet solo competition at 12.30, whilst the famous band of the Royal Engineers will play one of the finest programmes of music ever produced during the day, with intervals for the performance of the various talented ar- j tistes. Considering that choirs are competing from Bristol, Cardiff, Newport, Wadaesbury, Birmingham, Kidderminster, Slourbridpo, j Hartlebury, Brynmawr, Tnad&j&i, -i&bw Vala, Garw Valley, Swansea Villc-j, j:y, Dowlai* J and Merthyr district, Fouiypoc!, Cvrrabraa. Bloxwich, TonvrofaiL Chepstow. Bi&iua. &aA other areas, Akeryavenny will undoubtedly hi a fftveurits icsort this j r i

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COMMONS AND LORDS. PRIME MINISTER'S RESOLUTIONS. QUINQUENNIAL PARLIAMENTS. Mr Asquith's Veto Resolutions were handed in at the table of the House of Commons on Monday night, and were prefaced by this .motion which the Premier will propose in the House of Commons on' Tuesday next: That this House will immediately rtsolve itself into a Committee to consider the rela- tions, between the two Houses of Parliament and the question of ,the duration of Parlia- ment. The following is the text of the three resolu- tions to be proposed in committee MONEY BILLS. (1) That it is expedient that the House of Lords be disabled by law from rejecting or a.mending a Money Bill, but that any such limitation by law t-hall not be taken to diminish or qualify the existing rights and privileges of the House of Commons. For the purpose of this resolution a Bill shall be considered a Money Bill, if, in the opinion of the Speaker, it contains only provisions dealing with all or any of the following subjects, namely, the imposition, repeal, remission, alteration, or regulation of taxation; charges on the Consolidated Fund or the provision of money by Parlia- ment; Supply; the appropriation, control, o.r regulation of public money; the raising or guaranteeing of any loan, or the repay- ment thereof; or matters incidental to these subjects or any of them. BILLS OTHER THAN MONEY-BILLS. (2) That it is expedient that the powers of p ien the House of Lords as respect Bills other than Money Bills be restricted by law so that any such Bill which has passed the House of Commons in three successive ses- sions and having been sent up to the House of Lords at least one month before the end of the Session has been rojeeted by that House in each of these Sessions shall be- come law without the consent of the House of Lords on the Royal Assent being declar- ed. Provided that at least two years shall have elapsed between the date of the first introduction of the Bill in the House of Commons and the date upon which it passes the House of Commons for the third time. For the purpose of this resolution a Hill shall be treated as rejected if it has not been passed by the House of Lords either without amendment or with such amend- ments only as may-be agreed upon by both Houses. DURATION OF PARLIAMENTS. (3) That it is expedient to limit the duration of Parliament to five years. Have you anything to Sell? Advertise in our Want Columns, and it Is a* good as sold-

Sunny Bank, Merthyr. t DISPUTE AS TO THE OWNERSHIP OF LAND. At the February County Court, at Merthyr, his Honour Judge Bryn Roberts, heard a pe- culiar action involving a right of way at Sunny Bank, Merthyr. The plaintiff, Probyn Isaac Evans, is the owner of No. 9, Sunnybank, Merthyr. and claimed an injunction to re- strain Thomas J. Rice, the owner of some cot- tages adjoining No. 9, Sunny Bank, from oon- tinuing certain excavations which he had started at the back of his property, land which plaintiff claimed belonged to him. The de- fendant counter-claimed for an injunction and damages in respect of a coalhouse erected by the plaintiff over a coal-house belonging to the defendant.—Mr. F. P. Charles was for plain- tiff, and Mr. A. Parsons (instructed by Messrs. J. Vauffhan and Son) for the defendant.—Con- siderable time was taken up in the examina- tion of plans ana title deeds of the respective properties by the J uclge. -Plaintiff claimed his right to the land in dispute under a lease grant- ed in 1884, and the defendant contended that the land belonged to him under a lease dated 1838.-After hearing evidence the ease was adjourned, defendant undertaking in the mean- time to make good the damage done by exca- vation to the satisfaction of Mr. C. M. Davies, architect. At the County Court on Monday, Mr. F. P. Charles said that since the last hearing Mr. Rice had at the eleventh hour done something towards making good the damage. Mr. Rice's solicitor and counsel had retired from the case, but he understood that Mr. Rice had subpeened many people to attend court that day. His Honour found upon the facts that there had been a trespass. The architect's es- timate of the depreciation of the property was R48, and that the actual cost of restoring the same would be something like £ 30. Mr. Rice now said that he wished to prove his title to the property. At the last court he was asked whether he had any title deeds, and he said he had not, because he had never seen the leases. Now, however, he had deeds which Eroved his title to the freehold and the lease- old of the property in question. Mr. Charles said this was purely & side issue which arose in cross-examination. His Honour: He excavated this piece of land, and you said it belonged to you. Mr. Charles: Yee, and we proved it to your satisfaction. Mr. Rice: The land belongs to me. Mr. Oswald Bevan was called by Mr. Rioe, but His Honour said that that erentleman gave evidence at the last court, and he would not re-hear his evidence. Mr. Race then called Mr. John Mann, ar- chitect, who said he saw Mr. Bevan'a plan, and went with him to Sunny Bank to check the measurements, and he found them substan- tially oorrect. The land in dispute was the land referred to in the lease now produced by Mr. Rice. Mr. J. T. Vaughan, solicitor, was next call- ed, and examined by Mr. Rice. He said he had been called to produce certain documents which had never been in his possession, which were dated 1838.—Mr. Rice handed a docu- ment to his Honour, who said there was noth- ing in it to identify this particular property.— Mr. Rice produced another document, which ho said related to this same property, showing the transfer, but his Honour still held that there was nothing to identify it. Mr. Rioe I have a title to the whole pro- perty, and I can prove it. His Honour: I do not think you have. Mr. Rice: I can prove it from the ratebook that these cottages belonged to this property. I am the owner of the lot, and they should be in my. possession, and they have been wrong- fully taken out of this lease. The measure- j ments on this plan will not fit in with any other proi>crtv on Sunny Bank. We have tried it wc; r 3. HIH Hotiour gave judgment for the plaintiff for £ 1, and granted an injunction, with costs, ) 1 and 4ion^1Mpd the counter-claim. °.

MERTHYR POLICE COURT. FMAY.-Before Sir T. Marchant Williams (Stipendiary), Mr. John Evans (Iscoed) and Mr. J. Plews. I TRANSFERS.—The licence of the Penybank Inn, Fochriw, was transferred from Chas. Samuel to Thomas Rosser, and that of the Bargoed Inn, Fochriw, • to Henry Evans. FIGHT IN A RAILWAY CARRIAGE.—Michael John Farrol and George Henry Howe were summoned for fighting at Brithdir station, the.property of the Rhymney Railway Company, on the 17th February.—A guard said he saw the men fighting in one of the compartments of a train,, and the train was delayed ive minutes.—Fined 15s. and costs each. A NUISANCE.—Joseph Thomas, Fochriw, for committing a nuisance at the Pontlottyn railway station, the property of the Rhymney Railway Company, was fined 20s. and costs. A DEAR SWEAR.—Richard Cotterill, of Brithdir, summoned for using bad language in the street, sent his wife to plead guilty, and was fined as. and costs. DEAR FmBwOOD.-Albert Grant was sum- moned for stealing pitwood, value 2d. the property of the Rhymney Iron Company, from the Groeswen Colliery.—P.S. Stead proved the case.—The Stipendiary said this sort of thing must be put a stop to, and fined defendant 5s. DEAR DBINK.-Reuben James, for being drunk in Bridge-street, Pontlottyn, was fined 10s. and costs.' SENT THEM Homm.-Mary Davies and Ethel Davies, mother and daughter, were summoned for assaulting Gertrude Thomas, at Aberfan. There 'was a cross-summons.—Mr. James (Messrs. James, Charles & Davies) was for the defence.—The Stipendiary said he would adjourn the case for a month to see if the parties could make up their differences. THEFT or OLD IRON.—Thomas Roderick was charged with stealing a quantity of old iron, value 3s. the property of Messrs. Crawshay Bros., on 15th Maroh.—John Chappel, signal- man in the employ of the company, said he raw the defendant at Ynysfach, picking up the iron and putting it into a bag. He gave information to P.C. Stephens, who arrested accused.—David Sims Jones, foreman at the engineering shop at Cyfarthfa, identified the iron.—Defendant was sent to gaol for 7 days. NEGLIGENT FATHER.Fred Simmons, of no fixed abode, was charged with running away and leaving his two children chargeable to the poor rate.—Defendant had been before the court on several occasions, and since he last came out of gaol his family had cost the ratepayers £ 46 9s.—He was sent to prison for three months. DEAR nGuT.-Thomas Burke and Michael Sullivan, for fighting at Dowlais, were fined 15s. and costs. CAUGHT IN THE ACT.—Richard Hawkins and Patrick Matigan were charged with stealing a quantity of brass, value 28s., at the Ivor Works, Dowlais, the property of Messrs. Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds.-P.S. Robert Bull said he saw the defendants in the works with a sack, which he found contained old brass. He asked them how they came with it, and Matigan replied, I don't know; I'm wondering meself" (laughter). Some plugs were also found in the pockets of both prisoners.—Sent to gaol for 21 daya TOTESDAY.—Before Sir T. Marchant Williams (Stipendiary), Mr. J. Plews, Mr. T. Rich, Mr. D. Prosser and Mr. R. Evans. TRANSFER.—Oa the application of Mr. J. T Vaughan, the licence of the Duffryn Arms Inn, Brecon-road, Merthyr, was transferred to Martha Richards. DEAR FOWLS.—Charles Rawlings was sent to prison for six weeks for stealing two fowls. the property of Rowland Jones, timberman, 83, Edward street, Caeracca, Dowlais. MAINTENANCE ORDERS.—Thomas Connelly was summoned to maintain his wife, who is an inmate of the Workhouse, at a cost to the Guardians of 10s. a weel-NLir. U. Richards, warrant officer, said the man earned il 13s. a week-An order was made for 6s. a week.— Defendant: I'm satisfied. Francis Denner, widower, Penydarren, was ordered to pay Is. 6d. a week towards the maintenance of his mother, who gets 4s. 6d. a week parish relief. Joseph Morris, Caepanttywyll, owed f3 8s. 6d. arrears of an order to pay 2s. 6d. a week towards the keep of his father, and he was ordered to pay. -Thomas John Davies, Abercanaid, owed L5 Os. 6d. on an order to pay 2s. a week towards his mother, who died last year.—He was told to pay. Timothy McCarthy, Dowlais, owed £ 5 18. 6d. on an order to pay 1 s. a week towards his father's keep, and a similar order was made. PETTY TEmrrs.-Henry French (16) was fined 5s. for stealing coal, the property of the Hill's Plymouth Co.—Elizabeth Macdonald, for taking away timber from a shed at Penyard, the property of Patrick Mansfield, Dowlais, was fined 5s.—Frank Spiller, Nelson, was fined 20s. or a month, for stealing brattice cloth, value 4s.. the property of the Ocean Coal Co., Treh arris. ASSAULTED THE POLICE.—John Cane was charged with assaulting P.C. Skinner, at Dowlais, that afternoon.—The officer said he saw the defendant, who was drunk, going through the Dowlais Works, and he ejected him at the lodge. The man tripped him up, they fell to the ground, and the defendant kicked him on the knee.—A fine of 40s. and costs was imposed. AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AT MERTHYR. Dd. John Connelly was charged with wounding Maggie Lewis, married woman, living at Keefe's Lodging-house, Merthyr, on the 8th March. —Prosecutrix said she was crossing the iron bridge with Maggie Murphy, and met the defendant, who asked her for a drink. He then requested her to give him money to pay for his lodgings. She said she had no money, and the defendant struck her, rendering her unconscious. She was cut over the eye, and she was conveyed to a doctor, who put two stitches in the wound.—Maggie Murphy cor- roborated.—Dr. Ernest Ward said he found a contused wound over the left eye, and a black eye; the optic was completely closed. The injury might have been caused by a blunt instrument, or a very severe blow from the fist.hief Constable Wilson said the defendant was one of the biggest blackguards in the town. He had been convicted twelve times.—He was sent to prison for four months, the case beins treated as one of aggravated assault. ALLEGED THEFTS AT MERTHYR. Emma Hutchings, defended by Mr. W. WJ Meredith, was charged with stealing articles of clothing, value £20, the property of Thomas Finucane, 50, High-street, Merthyr, during, the Christmas holidays.—Mr. Frederick Thomas prosecuted.—Mrs. Finucane said that she and her husband were away over the Christmaa holidays. Witness returned on the 12th. January, and in consequence of what her husband told her she searched the rooms up- stairs, and missed a set of white fox furs, a black and white check silk dress, two white silk petticoats, a brown skirt, a brown jacketi a pair of men's breeches, a silver-backed mirroB and clothes brush, and a razor, of the total value of flg. She had identified the goods.— Thomas Finucane, boot and shoe dealer, High- street, said he returned home on Boxing Day, and in consequence of what he was told he missed the articles described.—William Thomas^ landlord of the General Picton Inn,; Merthyr, said the defendant came to his house with some of the goods named. After she left he found papers on the floor which bore prose- cutor's name.—Emily Edwards, a widow, living at Daniel's Lodging-house, said she saw the accused with a black and white silk dress, a silk underskirt, a pair of gent's breeches, a white fur and muff, another skirt, and a silver- backed brush and looking-glass, and a lady's umbrella.—P C Hunter said the defendant was received from the Monmouth police. She was then wearing the muff and fur. In reply to the charge, she said I have nothing to say; I am sorry." Accused was then charged with stealing a lady's umbrella, a jacket, pair of gloves, and a purge, value 30s., the property of Mary Davies, an assistant at the establishment of Mr. Thomas, tea merchant, Graham-street.—Miss Davies I said she met defendant on the stairs at the side of the shop. She said she wished to see the lawyer (solicitors' chambers were on the first floor). Later on she missed the articles men- tioned from behind a door leading to Mr Thomas's office.-Mr. W. B. Thomas, tea merchant, said that he asked accused what she wanted upstairs. She told him she wanted to see the lawyer particularly, because it would mean a law case." The solicitor was Mr W. E. Thomas, witness's brother, and he took her into the office, but failed to get him on the telephone; the office was closed. She said she would return. Later in the day he saw accused with an armful of clothes.—Emily Edwards, again called, said that when she was in the Lord Napier defendant came there with the goods named.—Accused was committed for trial at Quarter Sessions. BREACHES OF COLLIERY RULES. John Evans, Treharris, was summoned for committing a breach of special lules in force at the Ocean Colliery, Treharris, by sleeping at the mine, on the side of the road.—Mr. Kenshole prosecuted.—Thomas Evans, under-manager, proved the case, and defendant was fined 20s" and costs. William Russell, in charge of the feed-wates boilers at the Ocean Colliery, and Wm. S. Bray; a stoker, were summoned for sleeping during the working hours.—The men were found asleep by P. S. Lewis, and Russell had a newspaper by his side.—Sir. F. S. Simons defended, and elicited that this was on a Saturday nighty there was little work going on, and all the engines were working properly. Mr. Simons said the men had had their supper, and they were not really asleep.—The Stipendiary said it was during the supper time, and the case would' be dismissed. Arthur Taylor was summoned for having & pipe in his possession in the same pit.—Ed. Charles Downe, collier, said that on the 20th January, he saw the defendant, who said, I've got something in my shoe." He took a clay pipe from the boot, put it into his pocket and went away.—Richard Brown, another collier, said he saw the pipe drop from the defendant'* boot.—Mr. Wm. Phillips, the manager, pro- duced the rules.—Defendant denied the offenoei and said he had never smoked a clay pipe.—A fine of 40s. and costs was imposed. Albert Wells was summoned for sleeping in the same pit, defendant being found asleep by Mr. Phillips.-A fine of 10s. and costs was imposed. Thomas Storey was similarly summoned, being discovered by Thomas Evans, under-manWr.- A fine of 20a. and costs was imposed. MERTHYR BAILIFF ASSAULTED. Henry Gunter, Westborne place, Plymouth- street, was summoned for assaulting Arthur John Thomas, a county court bailiff, on the 14th March.—Thomas said he went to the house to levy a distress, when defendant rushed at him, caught hold of him by the ear, and pulled him out of the house. He made another attempt to enter, and the defendant tried to get hold of a garden fork, but his wife interfered. Defendant then pushed witness out on to the road.—Defendant stoutly denied the offence, and said the bailiff came to his house when he was going to have a bath.—A fine of 20s. and costs was imposed.

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Sir Edmund Buckley, of Aborturnant Hall, Bala, died on Monday morning at the age of 76. He eat in the House of Commons for NewcastIe-undcr-LTme. from 1865-78 in the Conservative interest.