The Cardigan Bay Visitor

BARMOUTH. THE BOART" SCHOOL.—The reports of H. M. inspectors on the Barmouth Boaid School have recently been received. The highest grant has been Earned, viz., £ 1 Os. 6d. per head, by both the infants and^ie other department. JJSIL CART COMES TO GRIEE.—On Moaday even- ing the mail cart running between Barmouth and Dolgelley, when about a mile out of the latter town, came across a flock of sheep. One of the sheep got between one of the horses' legs and caused it to fall, with the result that the cart was upset and the occupants, four ladies and a child, were thrown on to the road. No one was seriously hurt. THE JESUITS.—The first batch of Jesuit priests is expected to arrive this week, and from this time on fresh batches will arrive and the old ones wili go, Altogether several hundreds will stay at Barmouth. The coming of the priests is regarded by the inhabitants as the signal of the advent of the busiest time of the year, and their arrival is awaited with pleasure because at present many houses are empty. A SURPRISING FIND.—On Tuesday a man walk- ing along the banks of theWnicn near Dolgelley was startled by seeing a huge 3nake in the water. On approaching nearer he found that it was dsad. It was thought that the snake had escaped from a menagerie which was in the town, but the manager of that concern refused to accept it. It was sub- sequently given to Mr Rawlings, of this town, who is having it preserved. The snake is about Oft. 6in. long. THE NEW URBAN* DISTRICT R.ATE.—A corres- pondent writes-" Although the general district rate now levied for the ensuing year is fifteen pence in the pound less than what it was last year, which to the large lodging-house keepers means a substan- tial reduction on the previous amount paid by them, still several of the ratepayers do not think it a wise policy on the part of the Council to drop it so low at present, but would prefer the existing over-draft should be gradually diminished so as to avoid paying interest thereon. The capital is still untouched and is a lasting burden." COUNTY SCHOOL.—An adjourned meeting of the Managers was held on Monday, when thf-re were present Messrs W. J. Morris (chairman), Lewis Lewis (vice-chairman), Rev Z. Mather, Dr D. A. Hughes, Mr H. Evans, Mrs Davies; Messrs E. D. Jones, headmaster, and J. Lloyd, clerk.—On the recommendation of the Headmaster, it was decided to bring the present term to a close on July 26th and that the school should be re-opened on Tues- day, September 19th.-As the annual examination of the lpopils is to take place on the 25th, the day fixed for the laying ot the foundation stones, it was decided to adjourn the ceremony till Thursday, July 27th.—The Chairman and Dr Hughes under- took to complete the necessary arrangements required on the occasion. Several speakers have already been invited and ic is expected that a large number of people will be present.—The examina- tion for entrance scholarships for the ensuing year is to be held on Saturday next (to-morrow).—The wordiog of the inscription on the stones and trowels was entrusted to Mr Mather and the Headmaster. —It was decided co order the trowels from Mr G. Owen and Mr Owen Parry, silversmiths.—The meeting was further adjourned till July 20th so as to draw out a final programme of the day's pro- ceedings. URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL, TUESDAY, JULY IITH.-Present: The Rev J. Gwynoro Davies, chairman, presiding Messrs E. Richards, J. Richards, 0. W. Morris, Wynne Williams, D. E. Davies, Wm. Owen, Edward Williams, Owen > Williams, Hugh Evans, and Robert Williams, W. George, clerk Owen Jones, assistant clerk and J. Adams, surveyor. BOATINO. The Chairman said the question of boating regu- lations had not been brought up because of what had happened at another watering plase recently. They had most stringent regulations already in force and they had been enforced during the last two or three seasons. He was glad to say also that so far they had been very fortunate in not having had any boating accidents. He wished it to go forth that they had a boating inspector and each owner of a boat was expected to take out a licence. The boating inspector had full authority to dea4 with any violation of the bylaws. He (the Chair- man) understood, however, that the boatmen were nnder the impression that it was the duty of the Council to send them word to say that their licences had expired. Of course, that was not sc, as it was stated on the licences distinctly that they expired on such and such a date, and it they con- tinued to employ boatmen and so on after the ex-, piration they were open to prosecution. However, to save any trouble or misunderstanding, perhaps it would be advisable to send word to the boatmen asking them to take out fresh licences and inform- ing them that unless they did so proceedings would hav» to be taken against them. He thought also that the Inspector should be told to report any violation to the Council so that they might be proceeded against. It was a matter which aff cted the interests of the town and the boatmen themselves. The Council could expect the heartiest co-operation from them, because if the town earned a bad reputation for boating it would tell immensely against the boatmen themselves and the town.—Mr Wynne Williams understood that the powers of the Council were rather limited. He did not know whether they could enforce the taking out of licences.—The Mayor: We hava bylaws. How- ever, let us do our duty and then we will be fre of any responsibility.—Captain Evan Richards said last year he remembered that a discussion took place in reference to the manning of wailing boats. It was thought that no sailing boats should- go cut without competent men in them and tlw large boats should have two. Suppose something happened to j the only man in a boat, twelve or thirteen lives might easily be lost.—The Mayor thought they should join with other seaside resorts in demanding fuller powers to deal with these matters.—Mr D. E. Davies said they did not want the same regula- tions at Barmouth as they had in places where the boating was done in the open sea. He thought if they did the same as last year it would do very well. He thought everything was carried on very satisfactorily last year. Of course, no regulations would prevent accidents similar to the one which last happened there, where a man climbed up the mast in a small boat.—Mr John Richards agreed with what Mr Evan Richards had said, that there ought to be a competent boatman in eac?: sailing boat. In the case Mr Davies mentioned, if there had been a boatman he would have prevented the man climbing the mast.-The Mayor observed that they could not compel a private owner of a boat to take a boatman out.—Mr John Richards You ought to apply to the Local Government Board for power.—The Clerk They would never give us that power. It would be encroaching on the liberty of the subject. —Mr Hugh Evans sug- gested that the Council should make an appeal to the boatmen to co-operate with the Council in this matter.—It was agreed, on Lhe proposition of Mr D. E. Davies, seconded by Mr 0. W. Morris, to write to the boatmen as suggested asking them to renew their licences.—The Mayor asked what the Council were going to do in regard to the number to be carried by each boat. Woull they leave that to the discretion of the Inspector, who would limit the number during stormy weather.—Mr John Richards proposed that this be left to the discretion of the Inspector, Captain Evan Richards observing that the boatmen could be trusted not to allow their boats to go out on stormy weather.—Mr D. E. Davies soconded the proposition.—The proposi- tion was carried. POSTAL DELIVERY. The Chairman said it would be remembered that last year the postal delivery was very unsatisfac- tory and it had been hoped that there would be a change for the better this year. He was sorry to say, however, that not only had there not been an improvement, but there had been a change for the worse. (Hear, hear.) To start with, the train did not arrive until twenty minutes or half-an-hour later in the morning than it used to during July, August, and September. But apart from that, say the train arrived at, perhaps, a quarter to eight. He sup- posed the delivery would start about a quarter to nine. At present the delivery was not over in several places within a few hundred yards of the Station until a quarter to ten. That was so now and he did not expect the deliveries would be completed later in the season until a quarter to eleven. He need not tell them what an inconvenience this was to visitors. He thought it was monstrous that a place like Barmouth was thus handicapped when it would be quite easy to get the mails down winter and summer by seven o'clock. The mails were received at Dolgelley, only ten miles away, at hall- past six and what could be easier than to have Bar- mouth mails sent down that way. They could be sent by road if it came to that, though it would be quite easy to run an engine and carriage down from Dolgelley to reach Barmouth at seven so that all the letters could be delivered before eight. Again, he found that this year a mail train from Euston ran to Barmouth via Machynlleth arriving at seven o'clock. Why not have the Barmouth mails brought that way during the summer months? If they came that way they would arrive at seven. He did not think any time wi to be lest in the matter. They ought to place it before the postal authorities without delay even if it meant a few pounds expense. He thought the only thing to do was to get the assistance of two or three members of Parliament and go straight to the fountain head and see the Postmaster General. It was a thing which could easily be remedied. It only meant that the mails should be sent via Welshpool and Machynlleth. He also thought that they should have a larger number of hands at the Pest Office in the summer months.— Mr Hugh Evans said this was a general complaint with towns in the district. —The Mayor: Yes, but we are worse off than any of them, Mr John Richards said the best: plan for the Council would be to agitate for getting the mails Dolgelley way, because if they came that way it would make no dTfference whether it was summer or winter.—The Mayor said he feared the only thing they could do at present wis to try and get them the other way, as no doubt the postal authorities had entered into an agreement with the L. and N. W. Railway for I that year.—All the members approved of the sug- gestion of the Chairman and on the proposition of Mr Wynne Williams, seconded by Mr D. E. Davies, it was agreed that the Chairman and Mr Hugh Evans should form a deputation to-interview the Postmaster General and to endeavour to enlist the assistance of some members of Parliament.— Tne Chairman said this would be done at their own expense. THE NEW RATE A SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION". The Chairman said he thought he cught to make a statement in regard to the rate for the current year.— Mr Wynne Williams asked whether the meeting which had been called was a regular one ? —The Chairman said he would come to that in a minute. Proceeding, he said, as they were aware, the Council had negotiated with the Penny Bank for the extension of the period of the repayment of loans. The first obstacle they had to surmount was the Local Government Board. After a great deal of correspondence and many interviews, the Local Government Board consented to the exten- sion of the period of repayment of the in respect of the waterworks. They, however, were not satisfied with that and made another effort with the result that a. final reply came stating that it no tise their applying to the Board any more, that they had given their decision and that they had never granted what they asked for to any other body. Now the Council were not willing to accept that as tinal and they asked I .Mr Lloyd George to use his in- iluence with the authorities, and not long ago a rply came down from him stating that Mr Chaplin, president of the Local Government Board, had ranted them what was asked for. That relteved them very much of the anxiety they felt. The state of Barmouth was such at t-he time that they did not feel very cheerful in making an increase in the rates, because there would have been an in- crease had they no been able to carry this matter to a successful issue. However, they subsequently received the formal sanction of the Penny Bank to the extension of t'me and they met that day week and after a good deal of discussion agreed upon a rate. Without entering into details, he might say they found that they could reduce t,he rate by one shilling in the pound without in any way impairing the efficiency of the work of the Council. It was a genuine reduction, because by this extension of the time they saved something like £500, which meant about thirteen pence or fourteen pence in the pound, but as there were other things they did not think it advisable to reduce the rate to that extent. They found that with the reduction of a shilling they would leave about £200 for emergencies. When they were sitting there, the Clerk despatched a telegram to the Penny Bank with regard to the repayment of the standing arrears of loans. They saw that if this was granted—that the arrears should be included as from that time out in the extended time—they would easily be able to make another threepence or more reduction. No reply was received then, but the following morning he met one of the members in the street who told him the good news that a reply had been received from the Penny Bank granting their request. He felt inclined to say Let thy servant now depart in peace." (Laughter). Broad daylight had come at once. Their little bark after tossing about at the mercy of the storm outside the bar had at last found sufficient water to carry it into port and at last in they came. After seeing one or two members he thought they would be justified in calling a meeting, as they were en- titled to do by declaring the matter urgent. He sent word down to the office asking the Assistant Clerk to call an extraordinary meeting in order to discuss this matter, to re-open the question since they were in a position to reduce the rate by con- siderably more than a shilling in the pound. Well, they met together, five of them, the meeting was declared urgent and the question of the rate was considered afresh. They did not interfere at all with the rate previously made, but they found that they had a surplus of JE140 or £150 to deal with after adding to the considerable sum they had previously allowed for emergencies. They found it came to about threepence and he thought they were quite justified in reducing the rate by this amount. He would go further and say that, know- ing that they had allowed a large margin for any- thing that might crop up. they would not be doing their duty unless they levied what was a fair rate, a rate that would cover any possible contingency. So they decided upon a 4s 6d general and district rate, a rate he might venture to say that would compare favourably with that of many places not only of the same size, but much larger than Bar- I mouth. tie could name half a dozen places in North Wales where the general and district rate was higher. The rate, including the water rate, was only 6; 6d in the pound and he was glad to say that the other rates were also lower, so that instead of having, as he saw it stated in one paper, a total rate of 10s in the pound, including every- thing', it was under 9s in the pound. That in- cluded even the water rate. Therefore he thought they had reason to be thankful. They had looked forward to this. They had been working hard for it. Every member had striven hard, and much was due to their Clerk and his brother who had served Barmouth beyond all praise. He did not know what they would have done had it not been for them. They had worked for Barmouth in season and out of sea- son. Wheneve r they asked Mr Lloyd George to go on their behalf to fight for them in high quarters he had done so cheerfully at all times. Not only had he never refused them, but he seemed glad to do anything for Barmouth and his efforts and their efforts had now been crowned with success. Bar- mouth was safe and he was not ashamed of expressing his joy and his pride in having had a hand with them in extricating Bir" j mouth from the morass into which it had been lead ypars ago. Let those who had lead Bar- mouth into this morass make fun of them as much as they could. The Council had won and they had not. They had the good wishes of every ratepayer in Barmouth—p-rhapa not everyone. He had one friend. Mr Allsop and the Rev Edward Hughes, the Siamese twins of Barmouth—where the one was the other was—he heard were now, having just recovered from the disappointment of their de- feat, preparing to oppose the extension of the loans or any payments in connection with the matter at the audit. Let them come, the Council were pre- pared for them. As he said before, they had quiet consciences in this matter and they had the hearty support of the majority of the Barmouth people. While he was on his feet he might say they nad recently received some communications from the Ratepayers Union. Now he had thought that the Ratepayers Union, or a few of them, had been taught a wholesome lesson at the last election and the one before and he was hoping that they would not place themselves as tools again in the hands of one or two outsiders. They knew who ha.d instig- ated the resolutions passed by the Ratepayers Union. If the ratepayers of Barmouth had lost confidence in the Council, why was it that only five months ago there was an overwhelming majority backing them most heartily and as long as the Council received their support, they ought to follow the course they had followed for the last three or four years. Until they told the Council they had no longer their confidence, he thought it was their duty to proceed on the same lines. Three years ago they saved Barntouth by going to the Penny Bank—who had treated them most gener- ously—and giving up the Economic,about f300 and now they had saved them £600 a year, and if the saving of jE900 a year was not something to be proud of, he did not know what was. In regard to what Mr Wynne Williams had said, he took the responsibility of calling the meeting and he did it with singleness of purpose and he did not think they would have cause to regret it.Captain E. Richards said he was very glad they were able to reduce the rates, but at the same time after calling a meeting and fixing upon a reduction of a shilling in the rate, he thought it would have been better to leave that as it was and use the remainder to reduce the overdraft.—The Clerk said to avoid any possibility of trouble, it would be better to piss a substantive resolution agreeing to a rate at that meeting.—Mr Wynne Williams Was the other meeting regular?—The Mayor Yes.—Mr Wynne Williams did not think so as the matter was not one of urgency because the time for making the rate had not expired.—The Mayor We declared it urgentin order tc fix the rate and havea week'snotice. We decided to call another meeting on Thursday to Bign it. Of course, there was a conspiracy not to attend that meeting, but we will let bygones be bygones.—Captain E. Richards: Who conspired? -1r John Richards I think it is better to pass a formal resolution to-day, as the Clerk says. You know how people are on the watch.—Mr Hugh Evans proposed that a rate of 451 6d be made. He could not help feeling very glad that they were able to make that reduc- tion. He felt that he would sacrifice a let for that and that all the other members would do the same. Of course, if they had received the reply to the telegram the first day, they would have made a reduction of Is 3d then. He thought they should leave questions of regularity on one side and not squabble among themselves there. There was no doubt that many people had suffered through the rates being so high.—Mr Wynne Williams I may say that there was no conspiracy. I never did any- thing but what was right. I do not care what any- body says.—The Chairman: That word" con- spiracy" has not hurt you, has it?—Mr Williams Yes, indeed.—The Chairman: Well, I will with- draw it. I did Jnot use it in any bad sense. I merely meant that on" or two members had said to each other" We won't attend that meeting."—Mr Owen Williams said he had spoken to one or two about it. When he understood it was not regular he did not go down, because he did not see the use. —The Mayor Well, we will leave that now.—Mr O. W. Morris said he was as anxious as anybody to 4 reduce the rate. He suffered as much as anybody if the rates were high. He felt that there were many improvements to bo carried on at Barmouth ] and that it would be better to retain the surplus J for that purpose. He proposed that the rate be 4s 9d, as originally agreed qpon.—Mr Edward I Williams asked whether the estimate last year did] not exceed the sum actually expended by a J siderable amount?—Mr O. W. Morris said t would not have been a surplus, but rather an o: j j draft, if things had come out as they anticipated. They would remember that they provided a sum to meet expenses in connection with the obtaining of a new loan, but things did not turn out as they thought and the new loan was not applied for.— Mr Edward Williams seconded the proposition.— Mr Wm. Owen said Mr Morris wanted impiove- ments for Barmouth. The greatest improvement they could have at Barmouth was a reduction in the rate. (Laughter.)—Mr Owen Williams seconded the amendment, believing the ratepayers were in favour of reducing the overdraft.—The Chairman said they made reasonable provision for the re- duction of the overdraft. He did not think it would be fair to pay off in one year what they should do in four or five years.—Mr Wynne Wil- liams thought they had made a sufficient reduction in the rate when they reduced it by a shilling. He did not think they should allow the overdraft to accumulate at the bank.—The Chairman said he would not like the impression to go forth that the overdraft in the bank was being caused by deficien- cies in the working expenses from year to year. The working expenses were cleared each year, but such thing as the waterworks and the removal of the money into the Penny Bank cropped up and went into the bank,—Mr Hugh Evans having pro- posed that the matter be declared a matter of urgency so as to place the Council in order in pass- ing the resolution and the proposition being agreed to, the Chairman put the amendment for which five voted:—Messrs 0. W. Morris, Wynne Wil- liams, Owen Wi'liams, Capt E. Richards, and Mr. J. Richards. For the proposition to reduce the rate by 3d., five of the remaining mem- bers voted, Mr R. Williams not voting at all. The Mayor gave his casting vote in favour of the pro- position which was therefore carried.

MERIONETH ASSIZES. A POSTMASTER SENTENCED. SLANDER ACTION. The summer assizes for the county of Merioneth were held at Dolgelley on Friday before the Hon. Sir William Rinn Kennedy, knight, one of her Majesty's judges of the High Court of Justice. His Lordship arrived at Dolgelley on Thursday evening and was met at the Station by the High Sheriff (R. E. Lloyd Richards of Caerynwch, Esq), who wore the levee uniform of captain in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers; the Undersheriff (John Charles Hughes, Esq), and a posse of police under the com- mand of Mr Superintendent Jones, and escorted to his lodgings at Brynhyfryd. At ten o'clock on Saturday morning his Lordship attended divine service in the Parish Church, when the Rev T. Llewelyn Williams, Brithdir, officiated. The com- mission was opened at the Shire Hall shortly be- fore eleven, when the following gentlemen were sworn on THE GRAND JURY: Edward Evans Lloyd, Esq., Moelygarnedd, fore- man Owen Slaney Wynne, Dol'rhyd Charles Williams, Hengwm; R. S. Wayne, Brynllwyn; Edward Griffith, Springfield; Robert Prys Owen, Aelybryn H. J. Lloyd, Tynycoed Edmund Buckley, Plasyndinas W. F. Jones, Colomendy R. D. Roberts. Bronygraig; John Hughes Jones, Aberdovey John ChidJaw Roberts, Leahurst E. R. Jenkins, Bodweni; John Williams, Gwern- hefin R. C. Anwyl, Llugwy J. O. Pugh, the Bank; John Parry, Glantegid Henry Haydn Jones, Pantyneuadd; W. Jones Morris, Glanglas- for; Thomas Edwards, Blaenau David Griffith Wiliams, Bryngwyn; and G. H. Ellis, Peny- mount, Esqrs. THE CHARGE. Addressing the grand jury, the Judge said he was glad on that his first visit to Dolgelley to find from the small calendar before him that the county was maintaining a. high character in its 1 inhabitants of a freedom from serious crime. There were two cases only—cases he should rather say of two prisoners. With regard to one of who was charged with offences which might be called offences in relation to his duty as an officer of the Post Office, he need say nothing in detail. The other was a case of an unpleasant class, but from the evidence it was a matter for consideration whether there was any case for investigation. In concluding, his Lordship referred to the Prisons 1 Bill which was a very salutary piece of legislation ] and one which tended specially to the better classi- fication of and the greater individualization, if one I might so say, of the treatmeut which they might j receive. It was one which he had hoped would be fruitful of good reformatory results, because I though certain men were not habitual criminals, 1 who might have slid into crime, in whom it was desirable to awaken a light of hope. Therefore I there was now power in magistrates to order a man ( to be sent as a prisoner of the first or second I division which would enable him to be treated ( differently from those who were sent simply to hard J labour and might be regarded as the third or ] general class, for there were cases in which such] discrimination might be just and right. In reply to Colonel Evans Lloyd, the Judge said however disgusting and unpleasant investigation of ( a case might be, if there was evidence, the Court < in duty bound must deal with it. 1 TRIAL OF PRISONERS. J The grand jury found true bills in the indictment t of William Jones, postmaster at Aberangell, for i having on the 9th May at Mallwyd stolen a letter r containing 216 stamps of the value of 18s of steal. ( ing a letter containing three pairs of socks and a 1 letter; of detaining a letter directed to A. a Lomas detaining a letter directed to Gethin W. a Griffith, all the property of the Postmaster r General. £ Prisoner having pleaded not guilty, the following i ivere sworn on the petty jury Messrs Thomas a Sodden, Blaengwnodl; Hugh Davies, Tynllwyn • r Eugh Davies, Garnedd John Edwards, Tyddyn- J nawr David Evans, Gwerniago Hugh Evans n Elafadybryn; Lewis Evans, Maesyllau Lewis s, 5vans, Morfa; Robert Foulkes, I rohn Griffith, Gallestra Owen HilfjV erngocb a Jadwaladr Jones, Moelygarnedducha • and Evan t' )avid Jones, High-street, Talyllyn. 8.1 Mr Trevor Parkins and Mr Clement E. Lloyd (instructed by Mr A. J. Hughes, Aberystwyth) appeared for the prosecution and Mr Ellis Jones Griffith (instructed by Mr R. Jones Griffith, Dol- gelley) for the defence. John Austin D. Phillips a young man of about twenty-three, who gave his evidence moderately and smartly, said he went to Welsh- pool in April and then went to Shrewsbury where he made up a letter containing 216 stamps marked io invisible ink and addressed the letter to A. Mor- gan, Esq., 9, Usk-road, Brecon, S. Wales, a news- paper to G. Chetwynd, Esq., Castle-street, Brecon, Wales; and the post card to the Rev W. Lloyd, Brecon College, Brecon. The letter and paper were produced, the post card could not be found. Posted the packages at Shrewsbury at two p.m. on the 19th April, and gave instructions to Mr Harries who was in charge of the sort- ing van between Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth. On the 22nd April went to Aberangell with Mr Foster, the Newtown postmaster, and P.C. Scott of the Post Office. Told Mr Foster to go on in advance and begin to check the accounts. Followed and had a conversation with prisoner who was then sub-postmaster at Aberangell, Mr Foster being pre- sent. First went with prisoner to get his stuck of stamps from the till and bring them into an inner room. Told prisoner that the letter to A. Morgan, Brecon, was enclosed in the letter bag received by prisoner at the railway station. The letter having been mis-sent, should have been sent back the same evening, but it was not sent away. What did he do with it ? Prisoner replied that he did not know anything about it. He acknowledged opening the bag on Thursday morning and going through the letters. He, however, said he did not open the Morgan letter, but left it on the counter when he went out for the delivery. It was opened on the desk when he returned, it having been opened by Mrs Jones or somebody else. Asked how the stamps got into his till, prisoner said he found them on the counter and made enquiry of Mrs Jones as to where she got them. She said It was in that letter." He left them on the desk or put them in the drawer. He had no recollection. Asked what he did with the letter, prisoner replied "I did not see it then as I was busy, but afterwards about four p.m. I had a few words with Mrs Jones about the stamps, but I don't remember what she said."—At this point counsel pointed out to the Judge that three of the jury did not understand English.—The Judge con- sulted Mr Crompton, clerk of assize, and various suggestions were made as to getting over the diffi- culty, such as translating the Judge's notes and giving the remainder of the case through an inter- preter as well as discharging the jury and calling a jury all of whom could understand English.—Mr Ellis Jones Griffith said the last suggestion would mean the disqualification of Welshmen from sitting on juries in their own country.—The Judge quickly repded that he was not going to lay down any general principle, but to find an expedient for get- ting out of the oifficulty a d at the same time to do justice. His Lordship ultimately said he would begin the case de novo and have all the evidence of the witnesses interpreted to the jury.—A remark having been made about the addresses of counsel, Mr Ellis Jones Griffith said he would have no diffi- culty as he could address the jury in WVlsh.—The Judge said Mr Ellis Jones Griffith knew that could not be allowed. He would have all the addresses translated. —Mr Ellis Jones Griffith asked how that would be done and the Judge said he would have each sentence translated as counsel proceeded.— Further conversation followed, after which Mr Ellis Jones Griffith said he would leave the matter in his Lordship's hands and it was ultimately resolved to discharge the jury, re-swear those who understood English, and call three others in place of Messrs Hugh Davies, Garnedd, Llan- for; Robert Foulkes, Hendregae'rucha, Llan- dderfel, and Cadwaladr Jones. Moelygarnedd- ucha, Llanycil. Messrs R. Lloyd Jones, Maerdy, Gwyddelwern Rev Robert William Jones, Towyn, and Robert Lloyd Jones, chairman of Bala District Council, were sworn, a.nd the case was all gone over again, even to the Judge's notes.—Tne witness Phillips went again over his evidence and, coming to the part where he left off, said he asked prisoner it it did not occur to him to return the letter in the evening, and he replied no. Asked prisoner what he did with the postcard and paper, also in the bag for Brecon, when he replied they were very likely in the office now. He then called Mrs. Jones and asked her what she did with the letter addressed to Brecon on Thursday. She replied that she saw it on the counter and did not know what became of it. He asked what account did she give to Mr Jones of some stamps about which he spoke to her, and which he found on toe counter. She replied, He did ask me about some, but I do not know what he said." He next asked her, Did you tell Mr Johes they came out of a letterj?" and she replied, "Yes, I did." He asked, How did you know that ?" and she replied, "The letter was opened and I did not open it. I looked at them in the letter and left the letter on the counter. I do not know whether they were in the letter when Mr. Jones asked me about them." He asked her if she opened the letter and she replied, No." He further asked, Did Mr Jones tell you that he opened the letter ?" and she replied, "I cannot remember, sir." Prisoner endeavoured to speak to his wife in Welsh, but was prevented. Told prisoner to accompany him on a search round for the missing articles and went behind the counter for that pur- pose. He noticed Mr Jones sneak away towards his private room, and witness notici g his hand near his left hand pocket asked him to turn it out. In that pocket was the letter addressed to Morgau (produced). Stamps found on the premises showed up tne private marks when chemically sreated. Gave prisoner into custody and handed him over to P.C. Jones at Dinas. He said he had no objection to the house being searched. Witness identified hi3 private mark on a stamp on a label addressed to the Royal Welsh Warehouse. Said something to prisoner about the letter being in his pocket, when prisoner said he put it there and for- got all about it.—By the Judge A letter to Brecon would not go in the Aberystwyth bag, and if it was mis-sent it should be impressed with the date of the office to which it was mis-sent and sent back to the office at Newtown.—On being asked by lr. Ellis Jones Griffith, in cross examination, if he had made the plant," witness confessed that he did not know what it meant, but acknowledged that he had concocted the letter with the swear words and all which led to the arrest. The man might be away from the office delivering from seven to eleven. Did not know whether he said, when the case was before t, e magistrates, anything about sneaking a A ay, but that hearing was about two months ago. Prisoner appeared to understand everything said in English perfectly well. He did not, of course, English m a very cultured manner, but he spoke it very intelligibly.—Mr Ellis Jones Griffith: Not up to the culture of the General Post Office ? Witness: That I leave you to judge. (Laughter.) There was a considerable portion of the gum on the flap of the envelope produced which had not stuck, and it was not a particularly strong envelope in wnich the stamps were enclosed. Saw nothing locked or concealed, but was told that the news- paper was secreted. Did not hear that the prisoner was worth hundreds of pounds, but from what he had heard people speculating as to his means, thought the other way.—Re-examined Took special pains to avid against the envelope becom- ing unfa9tened,—John Harries, sorter on the Aber angell mail, gave formal evidence as to the receipt and delivery of the nitil bags. The return [ j mail bag from Aberangell did not contain the mis- sent letter.—Thomas L. Fester, Newtown post- ( master, said he inducted prisoner on the 26th < January, 1891, and gave hira a eopy of a book of ) duties. When it was made a money order and 1 savings bank office in 1895, went into the accounts < and found a deficiency of £12 16s. 5d., which was 1 at once produced by the wife from his private cash i box. The cash should be kept distinctly from s private cash. Noticing a penny stamp on a parcel a sent on the 21st April to the Royal Welsh Ware- I house, he wrote a direction to the letter carrier ( "Ask for label back, and name and address of f sender."—Cross examined: The prisoner carried on a the business of grocer and draper, but did not I know that he had been a farmer. That was not a the only case where private and office cash were t mixed up. On the previous day prisoner took out t in order for £10 for himself, which was entered on J he accounts produced, and £3 10s. was afterwards t lound m stamps, which would convert the deficiency s nto a surplus. He knew English very well. Did r aot know his financial position, but someone c :ollowed him out of the Court at the adjournment t md informed him that prisoner had f200 out on t nortgage. — Margaret Jane Pugh, Aberangell, living i lext door to Mrs Owen, the owner of the parcel, v said she took it to the Aberangell office and posted i Scott, a constable employed by the Post s Jmce, said he found the paper on a stool in a store- J -oom in a room at the back of the shop.—This con- I uuding the case for the prosecution, Mr R. D. ( Roberts, of the firm of Messrs. David Jones & Co. c Liverpool, said he had financial dealings with s prisoner for many years and found him very honest, a md eas far as he knew he had a reputation for S lonesty and straightforwardness. — Mr Ellis Jones o jritfath addressed the jury, suggesting that the c mvelope was of so flimsy a quality that it pro- ii rnbly burst under the pressure of the bundle of v itamps inside.-r--The Judge summed up, pointing o >ut that the Post Office did not tempt the man by JS mything unusual, but tested him by a letter sent f< n a way which, if the postmaster was an honest ti nan, would not have affected him. The Post e Jmce gave him a day's grace in which to return the ci etter and it was not returned. The prisoner n .dmltted that the letter was delivered all right, IS .nd he produced the envelope eventually from his y locket, with figures in his own handwriting upon w t, showing that he had been using it.—The jury w eturned into Court after about ten minutes' hi nee and found a verdict of "Guilty," but a. ecommended him to t-he mercy of the CouEjt,—The ti udge said the other indictments were minor fc 1?1 which would not atfect the decision and w ai they could be marked not proceeded with." w n rely to the Judge, Mr Phillips was recalled ki nd said a large number of circulars and letters for fa nd Kh AR years f°r rival tradesmen were found, b< the office came under suspicion on account of bf stolen money orders.—The Judge said that while offences by persons occupying a fiduciary position must be dealt with seriously, still he did not forget the recommendation of the jury. The sentence would be ten months imprisonment as a prisoner of the second division. A BALA CASE. John Jones (41), blacksmith, Bala, was indicted for an offence alleged to have been committed by. him on the 1st July, but the grand jury found no true bill. Mr T. E. Morris was instructed to prosecute in the case. A BARMOCTH SLANDER ACTIOX. Elizabeth Munton, now of the South-parade, Grantham, ani formerly manageress of the Bar- mouth Hotel, sued Elizabeth Maud Priscilla Duffield, proprietress of the Pump House, Llan- drindod, and of the Barmouth Hotel, for £1,000 damages for slander alleged to have been uttered by defendant in October of last year at Barmouth. Mr Herbert Williams, London (instructed by Mr S. G. Warner, London) appeared for plaintiff and Mr T. Marshall, Q.C., and Mr Ellis Jones Griffith, M.P., for the defendant. The case was heard before a special jury comprising Messrs E. M. Roberts, Cefntreforisaf, foreman G. H. Ellis, Penmount, Festiniog; E. R. Jenkins, Bodweni John Hughes Jones, Aberdovey W. F. Jones. Corwen R. J. Morris, Tycerrig John Pairyl Glantegid, Bala J. O. Pugh, the Bank, Corwen J. Chidlaw Roberts, Towyn O. D. Roberts, vlogwyn D. Griffith Williams, Bryngwyn, Fes- tiniog and R. D. Roberts, Bronygraig. It appears that in addition to the claim for damages for slander, there were claims for wrongful dismissal and for the detention of letters belonging to the plaintiff. One of those claims was withdrawn and money paid into Court to meet the other. Mr Williams, opening the case for the plaintiff, said that Elizabeth Munton claimed damages for a serious slander from Miss Duffield. Miss Duffield was proprietress of the Pump House, Llandrindod, and of the Bar- mouth Hotel. At the beginning of the summer season of 1S98, Miss Duffield wanted a manageress for the Barmouth Hotel which had previously been managed by her sistpr, and inserted an ad- vertisement in the papers which was answered by the plaintiff who had been acting as manageress of an hotel and had a four years' good reference. Plaintiff was engaged at f35 a year, one month's notice on either side, and as Miss Duffield lived at Llandrindod it was arranged that plaintiff should forward a weekly statement of receipts and expendi- ture and pay the balance of cash into the North and South Wales Bank at Barmouth to the account of Miss Duffield. Plaintiff took up her engagement on the 6th June and Miss Ada Duffield, defend- ant s sister, showed her about the place. Plaintiff remained manageress until the end of October. During that time Miss Ada Duffield was at the hotel and assisted Miss Munton in keeping the books and so on. Every week the statement was for- warded and the balance paid into the bank, and during the five months not one word of complaint was made as to the management of the hotel. On the 28th, Miss Duffield went to Barmouth and was perfectly friendly to the plaintiff and found no fault. On the 31st, however, she went to Miss Munton in the bar and said she wanted to see her books. There were then present the two other sisters-Ada and Clara—and without examining the books, Miss Duffield proceeded to say to plaintiff in the presence of her sisters, There are f200 short somewhere. You have stolen it. You have lined your pockets well. You are a thief and a rogue and I will prosecute you for it." Plaintiff replied that it was untrue and that she had accounted for every- thing. Defendant added that she believed plaintiff must have stolen it without having entered it at all. Plaintiff said it was entirely untrue and that she had accounted for every penny received. She added that she would not stay longer in the house. Miss Duffield said she would send for the police to search and plaintiff said she was quite willing. Outside the hotel, as plaintiff was going away, she met a gentleman named Pickersgill who was staying at the hotel at the time and in conse- quence of what was said he went back to the hotel. Defendant then said she had searched the place and had found nothing at all only plaintiffs letters and those she was going to keep. She then called in Mr Pickersgill said to him, the sisters being also present, "I suppose you know Miss Munton has robbed me of £200." Pickersgill said he did not know it aud believed it to be untrue. He paid his bill and left and plaintiff also left, but was not allpwed to take her belongings. She complained to the Sergeant of police and asked for a constable to go to the hotel to assist her in getting her things. P.C. Jones went to the hotel with plaintiff and in his presence Miss Duffield repeated the statement Miss Munton has robbed me of several hundred pouuds" Plaintiff took her things dway with her, but remained in Barmouth a week to enable defendant to take proceedings against her. No proceedings were takes. Defendant did not now retract her statements nor say they were un- true. She pleaded that she honestly believed the charges were true and that she had a right to make it in the presence of her sisters and of the constable. That plea, however, could not apply to Mr Pickersgill and in respect of that part ot the case defendant said she did not make the statement in nis presence. Elizabeth Muuton, South-parade, Grantham, the plaintiff, was then called. She said she had been managing an hotel and in June of last year answered an advertisement and became manageress for the Barmouth Hotel for Miss Duffiefd at jE35 a year. She had four years' good character. She had to keep an account and sent a weekly statement of receipts and expenditure to defendant at Llandrindod Wells and pay the balance into the bank at Barmouth to Miss Duffield's account. She remained manageress from June till the end of October and received no complaint. Miss Clara Duffield was with her at Barmouth the whole time. On Saturday, the 28th October, Miss Duffield arrived at the hotel and treated witness ail right, but on the following Monday morning, the 31st, she said she wished to see her books as she had robbed her of £200. Plaintiff asked how could that be as everything had been booked and banked ? Defendant had not looked at the books before making that accusation. Miss Duffield said, "You are a thief and a rogue and have robbed me. She denied it. Miss Ada Duffield and Miss Duffield went through the books and the bank book and could find nothing against her. Miss Ada and Miss Clara Duffield were present when the accusation was made. Miss Ada nad been manageress previously, but had nothing to do with the management last year. Defendant then said she must have taken the hard cash out of the till. She denied having taken anything from her, but had done her best. Miss Duffield said she would give her an hour in which to say what she had done with the money or where she had put it and if she did not say in that time she would have her locked up. She also said she would have all plaintiff's things searched and she replied that she was quite willing. Miss Duffield would not let her go into her room as it was sealed until it could be searched. Put on her hat and went out. Met Mr Pickersgill, a gentleman staying in the hotel, and went back with him. Defendant sent for her and Mr Pickersgill into the room and the two sisters were also present. Defendant then said to Mr Pickersgill, I suppose you know Miss Munton has robbed me of 200." He said he did not believe it. She said, "She has done so." Mr Pickersgill sa.id he did not believe it; and Miss Duffield said, "She is a thief," but again Mr Piokjrsgill said he did not believe it. She (plaidtiff) asked Miss Duffield to let her take her things away, but she reused and plaintiff left the hotel. On the following day got P.C. Jones to go with her to the hotel when Miss Duffield said tne things could then be had and she went for them with the officer. Plaintiff asked for her two months' money which was due, but Miss Duffield said. in the officer's presence, I won't pay her anything, as she has robbed me of several hundred pounds." On the previous day she said if she (plaintiff) went away, no matter where, she would fetch her back with a warrant. Then went away from the hotel and stayed for a week in Barmouth. Nothing happened. She then went for 9. week to a sister in Birmingham and then went on to Grantham.—The Judge iuformed the jury that the wages had now been paid.—Cross-examined by Mr Marshall: Miss Duffield had not an oppor- tunity of examining the books before making the statement, as they were locked in the commercial room drawer and she (plaintiff) had the key. The commercial room was the place where the conversa- tion took place on Monday morning. She did not bake the books out on Sunday. She had sent all invoices on to defendant at Llandrindod. Asked whether defendant complained that invoices from Marlow's and from Magee and Gladstone had been sent on, plaintiff said there was only one from Magee and Gladstone .that had not been sent on. Defendant did complain about that and she [plaintiff) replied that she expected Miss Duffield to :ome over to Barmouth all the time as she had been saying she was coming. She had only kept one ind there was no reason for keeping that back. she did not know what discount was to be taken jff. She generally asked the travellers what dis- count was to be taken off and then send the nvoice on to defendant. She received no cheques therewith to pay those people. That matter )f the invoices was the beginning of the complaint. VlissDuffieldsaidshe had looked through the takings or August and September and found so much less aken than in the previous year and asked for an ixplanation of the difference. She replied that she :ould not as it was a very poor season.—As a natter of fact, was it not rather a brisk season ?— So, sir; it was not until September.—I put it to IOU that the season was a good season as compared vith the previous season ?—I did not look to see ] vhat the previous one was.—Did she ask you if you j T • care^u^ in keeping the accounts?—Yes; nd I said I had been.—Did she not then say "In c he face of all circumstances you must either be a ) Dolor a thief and if you have any money or knew 1 mere any money is she would be glad to know 1 fhat had become of it?"—Yes. I said I did not r now I had taken all to the bank. She said as i ar as she was able to judge a great deal less had 1 een taken than ought to be as August and Septem- s er had been good.—Did she then say she would ( give you half-an-hour to consider the matter?— She said she would give me an hour.—And that it would be necessary to consider then what steps should be taken ?—She said if I did not find the money I had taken from her she would prosecute me.—Now I put it to you it was not that expres- sion—that she would give you half-an-hour and at the expiration of that time she would consider what steps to take?—No.—Did you then go out?—Yes, between eleven and twelve and came back about one. I met Mr Pickersgill about a quarter of an hour after going out, walked about with him, and took him back with me.—When you went in did Miss Duffield show you a bundle of letters which she said she had found ?—Miss Ada had found them. She said she had searched my boxes and found the letters in one of my drawers which was kept locked and that she had no evidence against me.—Did you then turn round immediately and bring Pickerlgill in ?—He was sent for by Miss Duffield into the commercial room.—I put it to you that it was you who fetched him?—No, Miss Ada tried to stop me going out to fetch him. He stood in the hall of the hotel. I do not know who was seot for him. I was going out when Miss Ada caught me by the wrist and he heard me scream and came in. I screamed because she caught hold of my wrist and said I should not go out.—Did she tell you that the letters showed that you and Pickersgill had been living in that house as man and wife?—She did, sir.—And you have done it? No, sir. — We have got the letters there you know. I put it to you solemnly, is it not a fact that you and Pickersgill had been living there as man and wife ?—No, sir.—How long had you known him ? I had known him sometime, sir.—I think we have a number of these letters beginning My own sweet- heart —Mr Herbert Williams: I object.— The Judge: If Mr Marshall takes the matter entirely out of the pleadings as an instruction of his client it is a matter for you, Mr Williams, to deal with. That is all. It is only relevant as it goes to character. They may put it because a per- son may live as is suggested immorally, therefore you steal money.—Mr Marshall Honesty.—The Judge: Is there any other issue ?—Mr Marshall: It seems relevant to the issue in three cr four aspects. In the first place (word not audible); in the second place as to c aracter.—The Judge: Character for honesty.—Mr Marshall: As manageress of the hotel. Thirdly, she claims damages for the detention of these letters and there- fore I maintain that it is germane to the issue.— The Judge I won't say more now. The mischief is done.—Mr Herbert Williams: I really at this stage say what I must have to say.—The Judge I am sure you may trust Mr Marshall that he will not make the cross-examination of a witness a mere torture and needless pain. I am sure you are quite safe there.—Mr Herbert Williams That is what I mean. My learned friend said he was going to read the letters.—The Judge No, be said I have got the letters.—Mr Herbert Williams I did not object until he began to read them.— The Judge: I am sure Mr Marshall will never read the letters.—Mr Marshall (to plaintiff): Just look at the lines underlined there (handing plaintiff a letter) and say if you are prepared to repeat the answer you gave just now ? -Plaintiff (looking at the letter): I am, sir.—Read that which is underlined first 7-1 do.—And that does not lead you to alter your answer?—No answer.—The Judge (to plaintiff): That is so ?— Do you repeat the answer you have made ?—Plain- tiff: I believe there is no truth in it.—Mr Mar- shall Throughout this correspondence he calls you wifey and other endearing terms and you call him husband ?"—Not always.—Generally ?—Gener- ally.—Then you repeat the answer you gave just now?—I do, sir.—Just look at that bottom sen- tence. What do you say is that?—We had a con- versation previously and I suppose he referred to that. — What has the conversation to do with that ? We had a conversation in the daytime and told me -1 must put it to you, How I did wish I had stayed with you all that night ?—Because he had told me in the morning he had dreamed about me.—Here is one document found among the others. Is that your hand uvriting (handing a piece of paper to plaintiff) ?--No, that is not my hand- writing.—Do you swear it is not in your hand- writing ?—No, it was given to me.—By whom ?— By a cousin.—And you kept it?—I did.—Mr Mar- shall I will hand it to your Lordship. It is a document that I cannot read to the jury.—The Judge (looking at the paper) This comes from reading private letters to a woman who happens to be a servant and therefore entitled to some pro- tection.—Mr Herbert Williams My Lord, do you think these letters material to the issue ?—The Judge: I have expressed my feeling.—Mr Marshall: If your Lordship think this and the jury The Judge I cannot rule it is inadmissible for this reason when a person goes into a court of law to claim damages for character yon can go inLo this but probably the jury will take the view that it has very little to do with the question of being a thief whether ycu have or have not been immoral. But this is a matter in which I cannot say the learned counsel is going outside his right if he thinks proper to do so.—Mr Marshall thanked the Judge ror that expression of opinion and, continuing his cross-examination, asked plaintiff, What do you say, Miss Duffield told Mr Pickersgill when he was there ?"—Plaintiff She told him that I had stolen £ 200.—Was it not about you and Pickersgill and on that account she dismissed you on the spot and you and Pickersgill left the house ?—No.—Mr Herbert Williams (re-examining) Is there any truth in the suggestion made as between you and Pickersgill ?—There is not.—Henry Pickersgill was then called and said he met Miss Munton near the Church and went part of the way with her to Major Best, the chief constable's house, to consult him. Went back into the hotel. Plaintiff was first called into the room and then Miss Duffield called him in and her sisters were there. She said, I suppose you know that Miss Mun- ton ha.s robbed me of £200?" He replied that he did not know and did not believe it. She said plaintiff was a thief and could not leave the house. Defendant and her sisters were excited. They said something unpleasant to him. He was called a blackguard and he got his portmanteau, paid his bill, and left.—Is there any truth in that sug- gestion between you and Miss Munton ?— None whatever.—Examined by Mr Marshall You had been walking about with plaintiff about an hour and a half ?—About an hour. In the bar everybody was talking at once.—Did defendant dismiss plaintiff ?—She did not.-Did she tell her to clear out ?—She said, Pay back the money in an hour."—Did she tell her to go after reading the letters ?—No, she said she would detain her. — Did she say anything about the letters in your presence ?—Yes, she said she had searched plaintiff's things and found the letters.— Did she say anything more ?—Witness She said I was a blackguard.—Mr Marshall, having intimated J his intention to again refer to the letters, the Fore- man of the Jury expressed their feeling against i going into that matter further, and Mr Herbert i Williams said he thought that matter had been dropped.—The Judge said he left it to Mr Marshall entirely. He could not rule against it. < Mr Marshall had heard what the Jury < had said, but he was one of those who ( did everything with the greatest possible care. He i was also within his right.—After further debate, between counsel, Mr Marshall read a letter of the 18th August addressed to my own sweet darling Bess and saying the writer wished he was kissing her now. He did want to be with you my darling, your own ] loving Harry. There was another letter of the 4th s September about my own sweet Bess coming to i him. Witness identified the writing as his own I and Mr Marshall read further that the writer ( wished he was at Barmouth, my own best wifey, and making reference to room No. 15 which wit- 1 ness said was Munton's. There was also a I reference to room No. 5 which witness said he had 1 sometimes occupied. The letter further said "II do wish you bad stayed with me all last night. Mr Marshall (to witness) On that do you suggest t there was nothing between you ?-Nc, there was J. not. How long had you been staying there?—On ( four or five occasions; sometimes a fortnight, some- f times a week—Mr Herbert Williams saying that c at'3 *7aSu „ 18 case for the plaintiff, 1 Mr Marshall addressed the Court for e the defence, contending that on all occasions t when the statements objected to were made t they were privileged and without malice. On o Monday morning, defendant rightly or wronglv be- lieved there was a deficiency and she brought to I: plaintiff s notice certain irregularities in not for- g warding invoices.-—The Judge remarked that assuming the occasion was privileged it was im- possible to say there was no evidence of malice.— t Mr Herbert Williams said that privilege was not 1 pleaded; but the Judge said he would amend if f necessary so that the jury might deal with the jE whole thing. His Lordship pointed out in the f course of his remarks that there was evidence of I the accusation having made in the presence of I: I ickcrsgill who had certainly nothing to do with & the question of fact. A person might be privileged s to call in a policeman and state a case to him. — Mr g Marshall, continuing his address to the jury, said I the takings of the hotel for 189S were from £90 to £ £100 less than for 1896.7. Defendant therefore said ti to plaintiff, "You must be either a fool or a thief — n you have been so careless as not to enter the money w or you have got the money and have c not accounted for it." If plaintiff went t. out and fetched Pickersgill in, Miss Duffield h could not be blamed for what was said. The p policeman had not been put into the box by plaintiff. si Elizabeth Maud Priscilla Duffield, the defendant, fi was then called. She said that nothing was said g )n Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, but on Monday n she asked plaintiff to go into accounts. Then found f< hat people had been writing to complain of not h "eceiving money for their accounts and plaintiff said she had not sent them on to Llandrindod as she d thought it would be an insult, but she (defendant) n lid not think it an insult for people to ask for their b noney. Her sister went into the books and finding F takings less than in the previous year, asked tl :he reason and plaintMf said she did not know. t rold plaintiff that she had heard that it had been a P good season at Barmouth. Asked her if she 1 lad been careful in making entries of receipts and t ihe said she had been. Told plaintiff "If you a :annot explain you must be either a thief or a fool." r Did not accuse her of taking money. (Laughter.) There were invoices of whisky which she (defen- dant) had no idea was in the house, but plaintiff had not sent them to her. She said to plaintiff, I will give you half-an-hour for you to consider the matter and if you do not consider the matter I must consider what I will do." After plaintiff went out she read one or two of the letters which had been found and when plaintiff returned she in- formed her of the finding of the letters and said, "I find that you and Pickersgill have been living in my house as husband and wife and I am exceed- ingly sorry I ever had such a creature in my house. You pack up your things and leave immediately." Plaintiff neither denied nor acknowledged that accusation. Pickersgill was not there then. Plaintiff fetched him in. He asked if letters of his had come into her; hands and she replied, Yes, here they are." He did not deny. He had nothing to say. She ordered the bill to be made out and handed to him. She did not say in Pickersgill's presence that plaintiff was a thief nor did she say in P.C. Jones's presence that plaintiff had robbed her of hundreds of pounds, bhe told the officer that her sister had been looking through the books and there seemed to be a falling off in the receipts. Reference was made to a Saturday week when was alleged to have been taken whereas the books showed £1 17s.—Examined Had never refused plaintiff her boxes. It was an absolute falsehood to say she kept the letters in order to take the character of the plaintiff away. Her sister got the keys from the bar and gave the letters to her (defendant) and she made the best use of them. She had no general idea of what the takings were, but she did not make a loss by the hotel. The officer wanted her to take out a warrant and have plaintiff arrested, but would not do it without further con- sideration. Did not recollect saying anything about her acting dishonestly in the presence of the Sergeant.—I believe you still believe she robbed you ?—I am sure I do not know. There are facts and I allow you 10 judge.—I ask if you still believe plaintiff robbed you?—I don't know.—You have no belief one way or the other ?—What is the use for me to say ?—Ada Duffield, one of the sisters, who asked the Judge to let her sit down and have a glass of water which his Lordship directed, said she was at the hotel for a fortnight at the commence- ment of the season to show the plaintiff the place and came at the end of the season to meet her sister, the defendant, there. There was a com- plaint about invoices not being sent on. In looking over the hooks there was f5 odd for August bank holiday whereas she (witness) had taken JE12 in the corresponding day of 1897. She went over the book and turning to plaintiff said, "Miea Mountford, how dare you put such figures into the book," and she did not say one single word. She told her sister to keep cool as she would only make herself ill. She (witness) could not keep quiet. (Laughter.) Her sister said, "Now, Miss Munton, can you explain the falling off in the receipts ?" She did not answer, but presently she said, I don't know," and no matter what her sister said, Mias Manton replied "I don't know" until she finished up by saying I have not taken any of your money." Though her sister had not accused her of that. Her sister mentioned no sum of money whatever and there was no accusation beyond the remark concerning a fool or a thief. Her sister asked if everybody had paid their bills and said, "I will give you half-an-hour to see what explanation you can give me and I will consider what steps I will take myself." She did not say half-an-hour in which to get the money. Plaintiff then went out of the hotel. She (witness) went to plaintiff's room and looked over invoices from Flowers. Went into another room, got a key and opened a draw. and found the letters and some accounts which she brought downstairs and handed to her sister. After plaintiff came in again she showed the let- ters when without more ado plaintiff walked out of the room and in her (witness's) excitement she caught hold of her wrist. She (witness) did not call Pickersgill. She went out into the bar and Pickersgill and her came back. It was not true that her sister called Pickersgill in. She told her sister to say nothing that she would speak to Pickersgill. Sh9 did not detain plain- tiff. She told Pickersgill she had found the letters and he must know the contents. Her sister then turned to plaintiff and said, You and Mr Pickersgill have been living in my house as husband and wife and I am exceedingly sorry I had such a disgraceful creature in my house." Plaintiff was then told to get Pickersgili's bill and that was all that was said. Did not refuse to give up plaintiff's clothes. Was only too ghd to get rid of such a woman out of the house.—Examined Because you found there was a falling off you thought it was dishonesty.—It was all the season through. She had seen, continued witness, the weekly statements on Sunday night and wanted to see the books, but her sister objected because it was the Sabbath. She said the bar itself should have been as much as was shown. She knew that the plaintiff had been careless or that she had not looked after the business.—Did you mean careless when you said, How dare you put such figures down ?"—I say that the books had been kept care- lessly .—Clara Duffield, the sister who was looking after the bar, denied that her sister had mads use of the slanderous statements. It was a long and splendid season. The business was brisk and she told plaintiff so.—Francis Dodd, accountant, Liverpool, said he found by the books that the takings in 1896 were £725 5s 8d for the five sum- mer months £655 Is 8d for the same period in 1897 and £561 10s lOd during 1898 when plain- tiff was manageress. The bar takings were—1S96 £ 379 10s 4d 1897. £ 376 19s 6d and 189S* £288 Is.—Evan_Lewis, boots, thought 1898 was better than 1897.-This concluding the evidence, Mr Marshall addressed the jury, pointing out that there were three things originally set forth in the statement of claim—slander, wrongful dis- missal, and damages for detention of the letters. About a week ago notice was given of the intention not to go on with wrongful dismissal and 5s had been paid into Court for the letters.—The Judge, summing up, strongly commented on the taking of the letters. Nothing, he said, could be more blamewGrthy. Considering that the plaintiff was a servant defendant should have been strictly just to her and whatever might have been the question of hooesty should have handed over the letters as soon as they were found to be private. He was sorry not only that they had been taken, but that they had been used in the Court not for the matter of the letters, but in the matter of the slander of the plaintiff's honesty. Nothing could justify the picking of a lock where private things were kept, especially if that person was one's servant. It seemed to him to be evidence of malice and if it was done by the sister, the defendant afterward knew about it and kept the letters. He asked the jury to say if the words had been spoken and if there was evidence of malice.—The jury, after a brief absence, returned into Court and found that the words were spoken and that they were malicious and not privileged.— The Judge said the matter of privilege was for him to deal with.—The jury further said that assuming thete was no privilege, they awarded fifty guineas damages.—Judgment was then given for the amount found with f5 2s paid into Court and defendant was ordered to give back the letters. LONG V. THE CORRIS RAILWAY. On Saturday morning, the Court sat to hear an action to recover possession of freehold land at Pont Evan, lying between the Corris Railway Company and the River Dulas, with cottages and buildings, in which the Right Hon. Walter Hume Long, M, P, was the plaintiff and the Corris Railway Company the defendants. Mr Clement Higgins, Q.C., and Mr Bryn Roberts, instructed by Messrs Few & Cci., London, appeared for the plaintiff and Mr F. Marshall, Q.C., and Mr Walter B. Yates, instructed by Mr Hugh C. Godfray, for the defendants. By the statement of claim, plaintiff is owner of the Goedwig Estate, a part of which was a strip of land situate at Pont Evan and lying between the Corris Railway and the River Dulas and extending from the bridge known as Evans Bridge for a distance in a north-westerly direction of 354 feet. The defendant Company entered upon the land and erected upon a portion of it a cottage and claimed the whole of the strip of land. The defendants, by their defence, stated that, they were in possession at the land. The case occupied the whole day and was of very little public interest. In the end, judgment was given for the plaintiff.

CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS.—Approximate return of traffic receipts for the week ending July 9th, 1899: Miles open, 250. Passengers, parcels, &c., merchandise, minerals, and live stock, £2,141; total for the week, aggregate trom commencement of half-year, £5,882. Actual traffic receipts for the corresponding week ast year: Miles open, 250. Passengers, parcels, fee., £2,781; merchandise, minerals, and live stock, total for the week. £3,115; aggre- gate from commencement of half-year, £5,951. Increase for the week: Passengers, parcels, &c., £ 12 merchandise, minerals, and live stock, £ —; iotal for the week, £ — aggregate from com' nencement of half-year, Decrease for the Neek: Passengers, parcels, &c., £ mer- Jhandise, minerals, and live stock, £193 totalfor week, £181 aggregate from commencement of lalf-year, Aggregate increase: Passengers^ parcels, &c., £24; merchandise, minerals, and live stock, £ j total for the week, aggregate rom commencement of half-year, Aggre- gate decrease: Passengers, parcels, &c., £ — nercnandise, minerals, and live stock, jE93 total or week, £ aggregate from commencement of ialf-vei.r, £69. The result of the Osgoldcross election was leclared on Thursday Sir John Austin, the Liberal nember, whose resignation caused the vacancy, Jemg returned by a majority of 2,925 over Mr Roberts, a Liberal and Local Yetoist. Polling place at Oldam on Thursday, and resulted in ^he return of both the Liberal candidates, Messrs Emjnott and Runciman. Mr Emmott polled L2,;96 votes and Mr Runciman 12,770 while iheir Unionist apponents, Mr Winston Churchill md Mr Mawdsley, polled 11,447 and 11,449 votes respectively.