The Aberystwyth Times Cardiganshire Chronicle and Merionethshire News

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ABERYSTWYTH. PETTY SESSIONS, WEDNESDAY, December 9.— Before John Mathews, Esq., Mayor, and John Davies, Efq. Protection Order.-Mr W. Swain, Crealock, applied on behalf of Mrs Morgan Peter Davies, of the Crystal Palace Inn, Terrace-road, for an order of protection, her husband having deserted her some time ago.- Mrs Davies, being sworn, said I am the wife of Mor- gan Peter Davies. We were married in Christ Church, parish of Maiylebone, in the county of Middlesex, on the 30th December, 1861. The marriage certificate I now produce. After the marriage we came down to the country. We lived at Porthygwen about ten months, and then we came to Aberystwyth. We con- tinued to live together until the 22nd June, 1867, -when my husband deserted me. No quarrel had taken place. He left upon a Saturday, and on the following Tuesday the bailiffs took possession of the furniture, and I was turned out into the street, but by the assistance of the police I again obtained admis- sion. By the help of friends, and my own industry, I have been able to support myself from that time to this. I have not heard from my husband since he left, excepting through others. Mr Wm. Edwards told me he had been down the river with him, had Been his ticket, and that he was bound for New York. —The order of protection was granted, and it was arranged that it should be registered at the County Court Office. COMMISSIONERS' MEETING, TUESDAY, 8th.— Present: JohnjMatthews, Esq. (Mayor), Messrs Pell, Thomas Jones, Thomas Hugh Jones, Evan William Jones, Charles Hackney, John Pugh Jones, David Williams, John Jones, John Williams (43, Terrace), Captain Lewis, John Hughes, Atwood, Benjamin Hughes, Edward Ellis, Richard Delahoyde, Smith and Dr C. Rice Williams; MrW. H. Thomas, clerk: Mr Vaughan, inspector. THE ALLEGED ENCROACHMENT IN DARKGATE-STREET. The CLERK said he believed the Commissioners were aware of the discussion which bad taken place at their last meeting relative to a wall complained of by Mrs Penrose as being an encroachment, and that the matter had been referred to the Street Committee, for them to report. Mr Frederick Rowland Roberts, who appeared cn behalf of Mr Edwards, butcher, and the builder of the wall in dispute, said that Mr Edwards had determined to resist the Commissioners if they came to a decision to pull down the wall. Looking at the question fairly, he did not see how it could be construed into a nuisance. The CLERK 3aid Mrs Penrose complained that the wall which Edwards bad built was an obstruction to Davies's shop window. Mr Roberts said they would find that the late Mr John Bonsall put up a chain and rails to maintain bis interest in the property, some twenty-seven or twenty- eight years ago, and these posts and chain had always been there until the construction of the wall. One of the posts was yet visible in the wall, with a piece of chain attached to it. Mr THOMAS JONES asked if it was not possible for the parties to arrive at some mutual agreement, and have the wall made a little lower than it was at present. Mr FELL-But why was the house built out; why have they a right to bring out their premises more than this man? Why ask him to pull down his wall more than that they should pull their house do jvn ? Mr T. JONES—I suggested that the matter should be settled by some mutual concession. Mr Roberts—Mr Bonsall will tell you that the posts and chain and posts were put up by his uncle to main- tain his right in the property. The CLERK—Then comes the question, if there is a right to place posts and a chain, can these be substi- tuted by a wall? Mr Roberts-It is really of very little consequence to Mrs Penrose's house. People can see the window from the street. Mr HACKNEY—I think it comes with very bad grace from those who have already encroached more upon the street than what Edwards has, and so I think that they are not deserving of the least concession being granted. The CLERK-But Mrs Penrose will not acknowledge that she has encroached upon the street. Mr Roberts-That is a private matter. Mr PELL-There seems to be no difference of Option but that the posts and chain were put there more than twenty years ago, and now the question arises, had they any right to substitute a wall? The CLEI:K—Can you make no compromise, as has been suggested by Mr Jones ? Mr JOHN PUGII JONES said that it would be quite sufficient if Mr El wards would consent to lower the wall slightly, and he believed that would settle the matter. Mr Roberts-I think that the best plan is to let you take your own course. We can make no concessions. Mr HACKNEY—Mr Bonsall told me that if the Com- missioners touch that wall he will certainly enter an action against them. The CLERK—For what ? Touching what he has ■old? The MAYOR—Mr Bonsall has no interest in the property now that he has sold; it; he is simply a witness. Mr Roberls-I must say that this is rather a hard proceeding on the part of the Commissioners, consid- ering the wholesale encaoachments which have been and are going on in the town. The man's right in this case is not a fictitious one-one cooked up for the occasion-but it is a real, substantial, right that may g ) into any court. Mr Roberts having left the room, The MAYOR said—The question is, the report of the Street Committee respecting the wall lately erected by Edward Edwards, butcher, adjoining his premises in Little D irkgate-street. Is there anything to report? Mr HACKNEY said there was no report to present. The MAYOR—Then if there is no report the matter drops. The CLERK-Yen can make a verbal report. Mr HACKNEY—I say that it is no obstruction, be. 'I cause it terminates with Mr Edwards's house, and a crossing comes immediately between-a crossing into Windmill-court. I do not think that it is right for the Commissioners to take up a squabble between neigh- bours. Let them fight it out themselves. a Mr PELL-I have not been near the place. I said at the last meeting that whole Board of Commissioners had adjourned and viewed the place some time since, and I did not see why the Street Committee should report on a question on which nothing had been done after the whole of the Commissioners had visited the place. The subject then dropped. THE DRAINAGE OF TREFECHAN. Mr SZLUMPER said that, in company with Mr Richd. Roberts, Mr David Roberts, and Mr Pell, he had re- cently visited Trefechan, and had examined the place. It appeared that the most important portion was the drainage of the Brewery and Fountain's-court. He was never before in such a place; it was in a most filthy and disgraceful state, and it was with great difficulty that he could take his levels, owing to the foulness of the locality. He had drawn out a plan, but the only place of importance was from the Brewery through Fountain's-court to the outlet, which he pro- posed should be by the coalyard wharf, it being almost impracticable to have it near the bridge. The plans having been explained by Mr Szlumper, a desultory conversation ensued as to the position of the outlet of the drain, some of the members fearing that a nuisance would be created if it were by the coalyard, as proposed. Mr PELL said that from his visit to the place he thought that the outlet as proposed would be quite feasible. All that was needed would be the consent of the harbour trustees to permit a small channel to be made through the bank to the mouth of the outlet, so that the slight stream of water would effectually carry away any refuse which there might be at the outlet. Mr T. JONES proposed that the plan be received and approved in its entirety. Mr ATWOOD seconded the proposition, which was carried unanimously. Mr THOMAS JONES moved that a portion of the work should be carried into effect, viz., from the top of Fountain's-court to the proposed outlet at the north- western corner of the coal-wharf yard, across the turnpike road. The motion having been seconded, it was put by the Mayor and carried. Dr. C. RICE WILLIAMS-How is it to be pail for ? Mr ATWùoD-That is not the question at present. Mr FELL-Will you move an amendment that the work be not carried out ? Capt. LEWIS then proposed that tenders for the construction of the work should be advertised for. Mr DAVID WILLIAMS asked if the money to pay the cost of such work should not first be looked to. Mr ATWoOD-That objection ought to have been raised before we took the trouble to discuss this matter. Capt. LEWIS—Until you know the cost you cannot really settle the matter. It does not bind us to anything. Mr THOMAS JONES seconded Capt. Lewis's post- ponement, which was carried. WAYS AND MEANS. Mr PELL-I should like to state that on this day week, at our ordinary meeting, I shall propose that the question shall be raised and discussed, how the means for these works are to be found under the new Act. I beg to give notice that at our next meeting on Tuesday, the Commissioners shall discuss the mode in which the money shall be raised under the new Act; secondly, that two years' annual value be the basis upon which the Commissioners proceed, having regard to the fact that re-payment of the prin- cipal will then be extended over fifty years, placing the Board in possession of an increased amount, at a smaller annual repayment on account of principal." Mr THOMAS JONES—For the purpose of this scheme? (the drainage.) Mr PELL—For the purpose of all schemes. The CLERK-Are you aware that we shall have to go to Parliament ? Mr PELL-I am perfectly aware of that. THE STATE OF SPRING GARDENS. The MAYOR called attention to the present disgrace- ful state of Spring Gardens. In one of the row of houses which faced Trefechan, there was a man lying sick in bed, and the room in which he was lying was several inches deep in water, and every time that the tide rose the houses were flooded, a state of things owing to the drain which the Board had constructed there. Mr EDWARD ELLIS said that the drain had been made with Mr Roberts's cognizance and consent. The houses spoken of by the Mayor were now below high-water mark, and the best plan to obviate the present difficulty would be to raze them altogether. THE WIDENING OF BRIDGE-STREET. With respect to the houses which are being built by Mr Jesse Baker in Bridge street, Mr Szlumper said that if the main drain was extended for about 24 feet, Mr Baker might drain into it, and the portion thus executed would form part of the system of drainage in Bridge-street, when it should be carried out. The cost would be very small, and the money would not be thrown away, ai tho work would form a portion of the whole system of Bridge-street drainage. The MAYOR—I would suggest that when questions such as these come before us, we should have plans, so that we may thoroughly understand the matter. He thought that there was a drain within a very few yards of these houses which was quite deep enough to meet Mr Baker's requirements. Mr SMITH moved that the drain be extended in the same conditions as the Trefechan drainage. This was seconded by Dr. C. Rice Williams. Mr BAKER said that he wanted to go on with the buildings at once. Water was continually getting into the cellars, and it took a great deal of his time to get it out. Dr. WILLIAM-?—Will yon find the money for us until we can pay for it ? Mr BAKER—I expect that we are as short of money as you are. Mr VAUGHAN—From E4 to 95 will do it. Mr ATWOOD moved that the matter be placed in the hands of the surveyor, to do the best that he could. Mr THOMAS JONES seconded the motion. Mr DAVID WILLIAMS moved, as an amendment, that no works above the cost of JE5 be done except by tender. The MAYOR thought that it would make very little difference, to Mr Baker if he would carry the drain from his houses to meet the existing drain. With reference to the exchange of land between Mr Baker and the Commissioners, at the last meeting they were informed that Mr Baker was giving up 9:t 9in. in Bridge-street; such was the impression on his mind, but he now found that it was only 4 or 5 ft. at the front of Bridge-street, and about 9 ft. at the back, so that the entrance into Shipbnilder's-row would be widened at the front by about 5 feet. If they under- stood such was the case at the last meeting, he did net understand that such an arrangement was proposed until after he had left the meeting. Several Commissioners expressed themselves of the same opinion as the Mayor. The CLERK said that it was understood that the ex- change applied to the front of Bridge-street, and it had been so entered upon the minutes. Mr PELL said that no mention had been made as to whether it was to be front or back. He was under the impression that the street was not parallel, and that it would be made parallel by widening it at the bottom. Mr ATwoOD-It was our own fault that we did not ask at the time. Mr PELL-No doubt it was. THE LlfkyoR-You agreed to 9it. 9in., not to 5ft. Now the street will be narrower, and the angle more acute at the bottom of Bridge-street. It was very unwise to discuss the matter without having the plans before us. Dr. WILLIAMS—Is there no resolution that we should not discuss such questions without having the plans ? Mr LEWIS moved that the question be adjourned until plans were placed before the Commissioners. Mr PELL-I moved at the last meeting that a plan should be proiuced by Mr Jesse Baker, and it is in the minutes of our proceedings. Now, where is that plan. Mr BAKER said that Mr Roderick Williams had the plan. Captain LEWIS moved as an amendment on the motion of Mr Atwood, that the work of extending the drainage be deferred until the Board should have plans before them of the whole piece of land, the buildings, &c. The necessity of having plans had been shown in the first question which had been brought before the Commissioners, the wall in Dark-gate- street. Had a plan of the building been preserved in the records of the Commissioners, the question might never have risen. Mr HUGHSS seconded the amendment, and said that in his opinion the Commissioners ought not to j have arrived at a decision withcut having in the first instance sent a committee to report. The amendment having been carried, The MAYOR said that he did not suppose that Mr Baker had any wish or intention to mislead the Com- missioners, but it proved the necessity that in all cases they should have plans before them. Mr PELL said that Mr Baker gave them nine feet a little higher up Bridge-street, but not at the entrance to Shipbuilders'-yard, and he thought that had Mr Baker represented the facts to them as they now appeared, they would then also have granted permission to him. It was no use for waggons to go into the street, and after proceeding a short distance, to find that it was three feet narrower than at the entrance. Mr HACKNEY said that it was of no use their quib- bling about such matters. They had given what was of little worth to them, but had received in exchange a property which would be of great value to the town. Mr BAKER promised that he would have the plans ready for the next Board meeting, and the question dropped. THE WATER SUPPLY. The MAYOR—The next matter is the report of Mr Duncan on the best scheme for supplying the town with water. DrC. R. WILLIAMS proposed that the discussion upon the report should be adjourned until the next meeting, which was seconded by Mr J. PUGH JONES, and carried. This terminated the business of the Board, which then adjourned.

LLANILAR. PETTY SESSIONS, FRIDAY, 4th Dec.—Before G. W. Parry, Esq., James Loxdale, Esq., Jas. Davies, Esq., Lewis Pagk Pagh, Esq., and J. Chambers, Esq. A Dog Case.-John Jones, of Penybwlch, charged by Mr Sapervisor Hickox with keeping a dog without a licence, was fined in the mitigated penalty of 12s. 6i. Assault.-The case in which Wm. Williams,labourer, Lluestybroga, Liedrod-issa, was charged with having assaulted David Williams, farmer, Bronfynwent, Lledrod-issa', on the 12th November last, was ad- journed. Adjournments.-The cases of Benjamin Lewis, far- mer, Nantbeudy, Llangwrig, charged with trespassing in pursuit of game, and William and Henry Mitchell,. miners, C wmyst wvtb, Llanfihangel-y-Croyddin, charged with unlawfully fishing, were adjourned.

THE LATE FATAL POACHING AFFRAY. A young man named Jones, the son of a farmer at Ty'nllwyn, Lllangwyryfon, was brought up in custody of P.C. David Evans, charged with being concerned in the poaching affray at Dolfawr wood, on the night of the 27th ultt. Richard Jones said I live at Dolgelynen, in the parish of Llanafan, and I am a gamekeeper. I was out watching on the night of the 27th ult. We were four together, Morgan Evans, James Morgan, Joseph Butler, and myself. I and Butler joined the others about nine o'clock, and we went to Tynyberth wood. We stayed there till nearly one o'clock in the morning. It was a moonlight night. About one o'clock we heard a shot on the Dolfawr farm, and we went towards that place. The others went before me into the wood. We were outside the Alders when we separated. After they left me I heard a second shot, and I went to the other end of the wood-the lower end. I stayed there for a short time, and I heard the voice of Jas. Morgan, from the Lledrod side of the wood, and I believe I heard another shot. I then went in that direction, and I saw Morgan Evans and James Morgan holding a man close to Cwmhir-bach. I know the prisoner now, but I did not know him before. James Morgan went to call Daniel Jones, who lives in Cwmhir-bach. He went in and Daniel Jones lit a candle. The pris- oner had nothing in his hands then after we got into the house handcuffs were put upon him. I stayed there a short time after James Morgan and Morgan Evans went to fetch the body of Butler. I remained with the prisoner in the house till they brought the body in. I was not on the spot when Butler was killed none of the keepers had guns when we started. The prisoner was very quiet. I had no personal know- ledge of him. James Morgan deposed: I am a gamekeeper, and live at Talgarth, in the parish of Llanafan. On the night of the 27th of last month I was out watching. I started by myself about six o'clock. I was the first to go to Tynyberth wood, and Morgan Evans joined me in about a quarter of an hour. We all four met together in Tynyberth wood about nine o'clock, and remained there till about one o'clock, when we heard a shot in Dolfawr Alders. I went through the plan- tation, Morgan Evans and Butler being a little behind me, and after we had left the dingle we saw a blaze. I ran towards the spot, and saw some men running through the wood I cannot tell how many. I followed them, and ran them from the wood into Caegwyn field, under Cwmhir-bach. On leaving the wood, I saw three men running before me. It was not light it was cloudy. Two of the three had guns, and one had a stick. I shouted, Forward, forward here they are." I overtook the men, and the tall one turned back and said to me, in both languages, D— it, stand back, or I'll shoot you." I was then by my- self. The tall man put his gun up to his shoulder, and pointed it at me. I begged of him not to shoot me, but have a fair battle, and he said to the prisoner in Welsh, Shoot him, shoot him." They then ran away in the direction of Cwmhir-bach. I shouted again, Forward! Here they are." I overtook them a second time, and the tall man told me again to stand back, and put his gun up to his shoulder. I begged of him not to shoot me. The other two were standing by they said nothing. After that I ran them close to Cwmhir-bach, to the corner of a garden, and the tall man levelled his gun again at me, whilst the others got over the hedge. From the garden they went up a hill at the back of Uwmhir Cottage, and I followed them. After going up the hill a short dis- tance, I saw Joseph Butler. Here, Joe," I saH, Here they are," and I sprang forward and caught the prisoner by the tail of his coat. He turned round, I having my arms around bim, and said, Loose me." As soon as I took hold of him I saw Butler drop. The distance between me and Butler when he fell was about five or six yards. I saw the flash. When But- ler fell I saw the tall man turning away from him; the one that had been threatening me. I cannot say he had a gun when be was running away. The other man turned back and struck at me with a stick, while I had hold of the prisoner. I got prisoner on the ground, and Morgan Evans came to me while I had him down. I said they had killed Butler, and pris- oner said it was not he who had done it, but William Cefncooh. Prisoner never said anything to me except Loose me," when I caught him. He said to Morgan Evans, when he came to us, Oh Morgan, you know me." We put the handcuffs on him, he being very quiet, and took him to the cottage. When there he told us who he was. I took the gun from him when I caught him. In the cottage I examined the gun. It was loaded and half-cocked, but there was no cap on. He said it had a cap on in the wood. I told him there was none on now, and he said it There should be one." I gave him in charge of Richard Jones and Daniel Jones, and we went to fetch the body of Butler. He was quite dead. I asked prisoner whom the man that had the stick was, and he said he did not know. I found a ram-rod close to Butler's body. By Mr Crealock-I don't know what becime of Butler. When I saw the flash, he went in another direction. I did not see him afterwards until about a minute before he was shot. When I went to Caegwyn the prisoner was close to the tall man, and the tall man cried out for them to shoot me. The prisoner never raised his gun. He could not possibly have killed Butler. Morris Evans stated—I live at Cnwchwd, Llanfi- angel-croyddyn. I am occasionally employed as a night watcher for Earl Lisburne. I was out on the night of 27th Nov. I joined James Morgan a little after six, ia Tynyberth Wood. Richard Jones and after six, ia Tynyberth Wood. Richard Jones and Joseph Butler joined us between nine and ten. We remained in the word till about one o'clock in the morning, when we heard a report of a gun in the di- rection of Dolfawr Alders. We started together to go to Dolfawr Alders. In passing the dingle we saw the flash of a gun. We left Richard Jones in the bottom of the dingle. After seeing the flash, James Morgan went first into the wood, and I followed. I went a little on the right of Morgan, and Butler on his left. We all made for the place where we had seen the flash, and we heard the noise of men running through the brushwood. I ran after them. I saw three men together, going over the fence out of the wood into a field. I noticed one much taller than the other two. Directly I got over the fence into the field, I saw them turn back. I heard one of the parties say, Shoot." James Morgan was close to me at that time. I afterwards saw the tallest of the three levelling his gun in the direction where Morgan stood. Morgan called out, and the men ran off again. I saw them stop the second time in the middle of the field, and I heard one of them say, 14 shoot, shoot." Morgan was close to them. I saw them run away a third time, and a fourth. They ran to the garden of Cwm- hir-bach, and I lost sight of them in the garden. I saw them directly after running up a hill, four of them, and I followed. I went through the garden, and very soon after I heard a report of a gun, and saw the flash. I could see at least three men, and after the flash one of them fell. One man then ran away from the others. I didn't know then that Mor- gan was there, bui I heard him cry out, The man's killed." I knew it was his voice. At that time a man was running away. When I went to the spot I found Morgan holding a man, and I took hold of the man's collar, and he said, Oh, Morgan, you know me very well." I looked at him, but didn't know him, and I then asked him why he killed the de- ceased. He replied, I did not kill him." I then asked him who did, and he said, the boy of Cefn- coch. I went to Butler's body for the handcuffs, and we took prisoner to Cwmhir-bacb. We got a candle there, and then recognised him. Neither Morgan nor I had a guu when we started, but I felt a gun on the ground, where prisoner and Morgan were, and I told Morgan to pick it up, and carry it down to Cwmhir- bach. I examined the gun there, and there was no cap on it. Morgan asked the prisoner if the gun was loaded, and he replied that it was. The prisoner said there ought to be a cap on it, and Morgan put a cap on and fired it. I left the prisoner with Morgan, and went to fetch the body of Butler. I found a ramrod there, close to the body. James Morgan was recalled, and in reply to Mr Crealock, be said-I asked prisoner if they had killed anything, and he said they had killed two birds. The tall mm seemed as if he had something in his pockets. I asked prisoner who charged his gun, and he said Wm. Richards did. The gun produced is the one I took from prisoner, and also the ramrod. P.C. John Jones said-I went to Cwmbirbach on the morning of the 28;h November, about four o'clock, and prisoner was given into my custody. I asked his christian name, and he said it was Morgan. I charged him with the murder of Butler, and he said it was not he who killed him, but William Cefncocb." I then asked him if he meant William R chards, of Cefncoch, Llangwyryfin, and he said, Yes." James Morgan said that it was the tall man that killed Butler, and not the prisoner. James Morgan gave the gun pro- duced into my custody, and I asked the prisoner if it was his gun. He said it was, and he also said that the other man bad a double barrelled gun. I searched him, and found a watch, knife, and some money upon him. Dr Rowlands deposed-About four o'clock in the morning of the 28h November, one of Lord Lisburn's stable men came and asked me to go down to Cross- wood directly, as one of the keepers had been shot. I went there, and was shown the body of Joseph Butler. I knew him before. The body lav in a shed outside Crosswood garden. I examined it, and found a dark hole in the breast of the shirt. I opened the shirt to see what was underneath, and I found a round hole through the skin and the bone down to the chest. The shirt was singed, which must have been done by a gun discharged close to it. I afterwards made a post- mortem examination, and found a round hole just opposite the fourth rib, on the right side of the sternum. I opened the chest in the usual way, and found there was a hole through the pericardium. There is not the least doubt but that Butler met his death from a gun shot, and the gun must have been within a foot of him when he was shot. I ex- tracted about twenty or thirty mixed shots. There was a piece of the wadding in the body. The prisoner was then remanded for a week.

NEW QUAY. THE LATE ELECTION.—Perhaps the place of all others which afforded most support to Mr Richards during the late contest, was New Quay. On the night of the election, the whole town was most brilliantly illuminated, and there was also a grand display of fire- works, the news of the victory greatly arousing the enthusiasm of the inhabitants. We append an analysis of the voting:—Number of voters on the register, 181; Voted for Mr Richards, 97 For Mr Vaughan, 24 Abstained from voting, 11; Absent at sea, 49. Had aH the seamen been at home, there would have been a majority of at least 120 for Mr Richards.

PORTMADOC. SHIP AsiaoRE.-THitEE LIVES LOST.-On Friday night last, the 4th instant, a large vessel ran ashore On the sandy beach opposite Harlech Castle, near to this port, when three of the crew, which numbered twenty-two in all, were drowned, in attempting to escape to shore in the boat. The main facts of this shocking disaster are as follows :-The ship Castilian, Cdptain Christall, owned by Mr Miller, of Liverpool, which was returning from Quebec to Liverpool with a large cargo of timber, arrived in the Irish Channel on Friday evening. A heavy gale was blowing it was raining hard, and the atmosphere was filled with a thick mist, so that it was impossible to discern objects a mile ahead. The captain fancied he was off the coast of Ireland, and on nearing the promontory of Lleyn, the ship passed the Bardsey Lighthouse with- out the crew perceiving it, owing to the weather. They escaped the fatal Sam Badrig; but about eleven o'clock the ship (1,064 tons reg.) struck heavily on the sandy beach opposite Harlecb, and then, for the first time, Captain Christall knew where he was, and that he had missed his way. There was a very heavy sea on, and great danger that the vessel would go to pieces. In this dilemma lights were hung out, as sig- nals of distress, and a boat was lowered for use in case the ship broke up. When this was done, three young men, named Geo. Brown, James Dickson, and Wm. Hunter insisted upon getting into the boat, but they were washed ioto the sea, and all three were drowned in the boiling serge, it being impossible to save them, although the life buoy was thrown out. In this dangerous situation the crew remained until the following morning, the signals of distress being unheeded, although the Lifeboat Station at Cric-cieth was not more than four miles distant in a straight line, and the ship was lighted up all the night. In the morning the ship was seen from Harlech, and the inhabitants went down to render all the assistance they could. The steamtug, James Connell, was sent to Criccieth for the lifeboat, which arrived at the spot at eleven o'clock, on Saturday morning, the crew having remainei in their perilous and miserable con- dition for twelve hours without any assistance being rendered them, although so near a port and a lifeboat station. The crew were then safely transferred from the water-logged vessel by the lifeboat to the tag, and a little after noon they were landed iu Portmadoc, where they received every attention from the shipping authorities and the general iuhabitants. Doubts are entertained whether the ship can be got off the beach, as the sand in this part of the coast is very soft, but attempts will be made by steam tugs from Liverpool. The cargo, being timber, is all safe, of course; and the crew returned to the vessel on Saturday, and secured the greater part of their clothes. Much sur- prise is felt here that the lifeboat wao not sent out from Criccieth earlier, as the lights on the stranded ship must have been plainly visible from that town.

ABERDOVEY. SPECIAL SESSIONS, 7TH DEC.—Before C. F. Thurston and John Pugh, Esqrs. Stealing a Dog.-George Roberts, a tramp, was brought up at the police-station for stealing a dog, belonging to the Rev. John Williams, Pennal, value £ 1.—P.C. Roberts, Pennal, said I received informa- tion from the Rev. John Williams that bis dog had been stolen on Saturday last, and I male inquiry and found the dog had been sold to Mr Evan Pugh, Towyn, by prisoner. I then went in search of prisoner, and found him at Llanegryr. I took him into custody, and charged him with stealing the dog, which I told him I had found at Evan Pugh's. He admitted that he ha4 sold it. I brought him to this lock-up, and Mr Williams identified the dog.-Mr W. Norris, Aber- dovej, said: The prisoner offered me the dog on Thursday, and wanted JE1 for it, and said he sold the mother for 95. I remarked that he had stolen the dog.—Prisoner had no questions to ask. —Annie F. Roberts said I am the wife of Sergt. Roberts, and I keep the lock-up. On Thursday the prisoner knocked at the justice's-room, and I saw him but did not go to him. He had the dog with him it was the same dog that I saw in the possession at P.C. Roberts on Satur- day night.—The Rev. J. Williams identified the dog, and prisoner was sentenced to three months' hard labour.

BALA. PETTY SESSIONS.—Before H. T, Richardson, and 0. Richards, Esqrs. Drunk and Riot ous.-William Davies, auctioneer's clerk, was charged by P.C. John Jones wLh com- mitting this offence in High-street, Bala, on the 24th ult.-Mr O. D. Hughes, Corwen appeared for the de- fendant.—The case being proved, defendant was fined 5s., and costs. Assault on the Police.-E lwaid Owen, weaver, Bala, was charged by Supt. Hughes with having com- mitted an assault upon him whilst in the execution of his duty, on the 24th ult. The superintendent recom- mended defendant to the mercy of the Bench on account of his previous good character.—Fined 10s., and costs. Trespass in Pursuit of Game.—Robert Davies and Ellis Evans, two young lads from this town, were charged with having on the 28th of Nov. been unlaw- fully on the lands in the occupation of Mr W. Owen, White Lion Royal Hotel, Bala, in search of game. The case was proved by D. Jones, game watcher.— Fined 30s. each, and costs in default one months' imprisonment.

TOWYN. RENT AUDIT. The half-yearly audit of the Ynysmaengwyn ten- antry was held on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday last. The dinner took place in the Town Hall, and about eighty sat down. Mr Henry Spackman, who was appointed agent on the decease of the late re- spected agent, presided, and Mr Richard Price, of Pall Mall, Towyn, as usual, was the Vice-Chairman. The dinner was served up in good style by host Parry. Grace having been said, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were drunk, after which, The CHAIRMAN gave the Trustees of the Estate, John Soden, Esq., and the Right Hon. Earl Vane," which were drunk with enthusiasm. Mr ROBERT SODEN, on behalf of his brother, returned thanks, and briefly referred to the loss the estate had sustained by the sudden death of the late agent, Mr Gotterell. But he was glad to say that another gen- tlemau of the same firm had been appointed, who, he was sure, would do all in his power both to improve the estate and benefit the tenants. (Cheers.) Mr coden also remarked that after a few more rent audits the young heir would be in possession and preside at at the head of the table at their half-yearly audit. He was very promising, and was one who would like to see unanimity and good feeling prevail between land- lord and tenant. (Applause.) Before sitting down he would ask them to drink the health of their new agent, Mr Spackman. (Drunk in a bumper.) Mr SPACKMAN returned thanks, and feelingly re- ferred to the great loss he had individually sustained by the death of Mr Cotterell, with whom he had been acquainted for twenty-one years. He also made a few remarks respecting the drainage done by the trustees, and hoped the tenants would do their part so as to make it profitable to both landlord and tenant. (Hear, hear.) As a proof of what could be done, he mentioned that about ten acres, drained on the Kownier marsh last spring, had produced sufficient rf.if ° Pay.^wo"*hirds of the outlay in one season. Other portions of the marsh had also been drained and proved very remunerative, and he hoped to see more done at an early date. (Hear, hear.) H&hoped the farmers would not make ill-natured remarks be- hind his back. If anything was going wrong he hoped they would be straightforward and come to him stating their grievances, and he would do his best to have them remedied. (Great cheering.) He would propose the Ynys Tenants," coupled with the name of Mr Robert Roberts, Prefenant. (Drunk in a bumper.) Mr ROBERTS suitably responded. Mr SPACKMAN next proposed the health of Mr Parry, their host, and thanked him for the substantial dinner. (This toast was well received.) Mr PARRY returned thanks, and made a few remarks on the benefits of draining. He had eighteen and a half acres of the roughest land imaginable drained last spring. He employed a practical person to carry it ont, which he did to his (Mr Parry's) utmost satis- faction that gentleman was Mr Scott, drainage engineer, who had the superintendance of the marsh drainage. Oats were sown on the land, which produced nearly 1,000 bushels, and those he was selling at 4s. per bushel. It would pay him well for the outlay in one year. He would like to see all the marshes cul- tivated, and Mr Scott's staff of men kept fully em- ployed. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) Mr WILLIAM W. JONES wished all to drink, in solemn silence, to the memery of their late agent, J. H. Cotterell, and spoke in very feeling terms. He also asked their sympathies for Mrs Cotterell, at her great and irreparable loss. Mr EVAN NEWELL endorser! Mr Jones's sentiments, and hoped the memory of Mr Cotterell would be held in sweet remembrance. The health of Mr Price (vice-chairman), was pro- posed, and humourously responded to. Mr PARRY next proposed the health of Mr Benjamin Richards, the under agent, and spoke in very laudatory terms of his capabilities and tact, which had won for him golden opinions from all classes. 11 Mr SPACKMAN endorsed Mr Parry's sentiments. (Drank with great enthusiasm.) Mr RICHARDS thanked the trustees, agents, and tenants for their kindness at all times. He had en- deavoured to steer a clear course between landlord and tenant, so as to give satisfaction to both, which was very difficult at times. He thanked them for drinking his health. (Applause.) ° The meeting terminated at an early hour, and a very pleasant evening was spent. PETTY SESSIONS, 4th Dec.—Before W. W. E. Wynn, and John Pugh, Esqrs. A Charge of Neglecting to Maintain.—Hugh Jones, Towyn, waggoner, was brought up in custody of P.C. James Metcilf, charged, upon the complaint of Lewis Williams, relieving officer of Machynlleth Union, with neglect to support his wife.—Mr Griffith J. Williams appeared for the defendant, and objected to the infor- mation, as the defendant was charged with wilful neglect, or refused to maintain, and he (Mr Williams) was prepared to prove that the defendant's wife had left him of her own accord. He maintained, when a wife left her husband on her own accord, that hus- band could not be made liable for her maintenance, and quoted several cases, urging that the charge must be dismissed.—The Justices retired to consult, and on their return, said that they had made up their mind to go on with the case; and Mr Williams applied for a warrant against Andrew Davies,. a witness for the defendant, who had refused to attend after being served with a summons. A warrant was granted and put in the hands of P.C. Metcalfe, but the witness could not be found. The case was therefore adjourned till the next sessions. Drunk and Riotous at Corrk-John Jones, charged by P.C. Jones, Corris, with being drunk and riotous at Corris on the 14th Nov., wis fined 10s. and costs. —Richard Owen, charged by P.C. Jones with being drunk and fighting with John Jones, at Corris, on the 14th Nov., was fined 15s. and costs. Assault.-Owen Humphreys was charged with as- saulting William Davies, a boy thirteen years old. Mr David Pugh appeared for complainant. -William Davies said On the 4th of Nov. I was playing on the road near the school, and the defendant told me that we were not playing fair, and came over and beat me, and kicked me in the head. I tried to get from him, and he followed me to the house, and kicked the door. and told my mother that he would k 11 me.-Two witnesses were called, who saw defendant I unDina after complainant, who was crying.—Defendant called Edward Williams, who said defendant did not k;ck the complainant, but complainant struck him with a stone.—Cross-examined by D. Pngh I am in service at the same place as the defendant. I have not had any conversation with Owen Humphreys about the case since the day it happened, although I had a sum- mons to attend. I expect the magistrate to believe that.—The cise was dismissed, the justice advising them to be good friends. Setting Fire to a Barn at Abergynolivyn-Jobn Edwards, a boy twelve years of age, was charged with setting fire to some property of Mr M'Connell's, but J. P. Williams, agent of Mr M'Connell, did not ap- pear.—Mr D. Pugh said he was there to answer the charge, which was a very serious one, and he had a numberof witnesses brought down from Abergynolwyn. He applied to the Bench for their costs, and com- plained of the conduct of the prosecutor in not giving him notice, so as to enable him to prevent the wit- nesses from coming down.—The Justices considered the question of costs.

THE TWO SCREWS. Within the last few weeks many persons, to their great discomfort, have heard of that tyrannical instru- ment, the screw, and not a few, we fear, have suf- fered severely from it. This is the old screw; the screw we have had from the beginning, the reproach of our landowners, and the curse of the country. But it is a new thing to be told of a second screw, which is said to have been busily at work of late, and to have contributed not a littl3 towards bringing about the satisfactory results of the late elections, in more c than one Welsh county. An explanation may be desired, and we readily give it. The cry about a second screw has been set up by our defeated and chagrined Con- servative friends. Being used to manipulate the screw, and having so often found it answer the de- sired end of gaming an election, when their political opponents roused themselves to action, and succeeded in achieving a few glorious victories, such as those 0' Carmarthenshire, Carnarvonshire, and Cardiganshire disbelieving in any other kind of agency, they enr out with frantic bitterness: «' The screw I" « The scSw?' What screw ? it is asked. Thev replv, The Dis senting masters' screw;" those Dis*^™ £ ters, be it borne m mind, whose verv exi^t^ T "lei' influence and ,S £ *PI ponents had until now, or lately, insolently ignored. For our own part we felt curious at firs* to W something more about this charge of our friends and we made all the inquiries iu our power TM!1I T what they mean iB, the taken a prominent part in the late elections thatthly have held political meetings in manv of thpL if i that they have seized every opportunity of explaining their views on the questions of the day, with firmness and clearness, and have in some instances, we believe, done some active canvassing. It is if made use of their position as ministeJ members and friends to yot7 for [L T didate. This is called screwing! We say frankly, wonld to heaven this were the only screw ill the coun- propriety the appellatieD The 8 to syA Md' ^rpo,'io°re^™Ph*" wisa to deny t&at the ministers have been at work • we believe, moreover, that worK during the late ele^ tba' felt submit that it is to their glory that thi« 6 "i' them. It were a lasting Thame'h° °l spectators, or listless idlers, when such raging all around. Had they battleu have thought much less highly 0f them • »6 8?°n^ have feared that Dissent was growing f«f' ing lazy. One of the healthiest siJS of tw- T" Dissent is that the ministers have, nearly to a man' worked with a will. They could not haVbeen the brave sons of the brave old faihers, did they only rush to the "Cave when Mr Gladstone had sent out the cry, Form, riflemen, form Bat to return to the point. Is there one tittle of evidence that the winisters used any other influence than the power of persuasion? We say there is not Indeed, we have never found even th*i* a daring enough that there is. They tried to 2' people to look at the Irish Church question from the broad platform of national justice Thev ™ with Mr Gladstone when he aaid Thn u have a conscience." They often had ° 8hoaI<I over the old story that the Tories will cp*0"]8/?? t0 g0 and give as little as ever they mav Th0 he7<^ those measures for the highest welfare of reconn^e(1 for which their Liberal forefathers had to fithT'hald and long, before the day of victory came • thp* to mind the Toleration Act, the Trinity Bill Catholic- Emancipation, Abolition of the Slave Trade, the Re- form Bill, Abolition of the Corn Laws, of the News paper Duty, and lately, of the odious T*T Could they, in the face of the most telling facts in the history of our country, forbear so doing ? WeThink. not They doubtless urged upon their friends, the duty of acting as Dissenters ought to acf da *he crisis and advised them to listen to the '• s illTmalL voice" of conscience, and record thPir to their own choice and judgment, rather than'Tn dience to any one's dictation or caprice. If this is a screw we say it is a screw of the right sort. If this be called a screw, then, by all means 16t that other which has hitherto been known by this designation, he at once st.gmatized by a new name, borrowed f om Dissenting }« tbh* but what reflects the highest credit upon'S that they are foiled, have resorted to the old trick of Catch thief A guilty has rcuLtbnmnbotlnb r°rW3r!i VCa,Umni0ns andToward'y ^^fai shaHowpr »red 1U themselves, unless they They are so little in the habiuV116111] bdng" to conscience, that they can™? iT" of appreciate the virtue or the force'cf^cTVpeair Ar^ we uncharitable ? It is they who have driSS us' In their canvassings, who ever hears conscience or nrin- ciple appealed to ? We know their standing cries are The glorious Constitution, Church and State," ^pe.7A "teachers know nothing about Phi B«S» •• V^°n t.uarrel wilh your bread-and- cheese, Vote with your landlord," •' Refuse not your landlord such a trifle as your vote." The Nonconformist ministers of Wales are now, an(l. have ever been, as a body, hard-working, able-minded, conscientious, exemplary men. We venture to assert, and are ready to prove, that they have done more for the moral elevation and the religious education of the Principality—and we say it while not forgetting the signal obligations we are under to the Established Church, and while conscious of some serious dra"- backs that Nonconformity has yet to rid itself of- than all the bishops and clergy collectively have ever done. We believe they can compare favourably with any class of subjects in any part of the United King- dom We remember one of the Carmarthen Tory oracles, some time ago, declaring that the Dissenting ministers were « an illiterate body." In answer to. this remark we have three things to say -Fim the the Rho»?°Pf° l ?' -?avid's caustic observation about the shoals of literates, or rather, he slvly insinuated illiterates, who crowd into the Church,, deserves to be considered by those who seem to think that the ignorance, the vulgarity, and the presumption are all ranged on the side of the Dissenting ministers; secondly, we hold that, as a body, they are as well in- formed on general subjects as the clergy are and much better informed on matte™ ? I ar8' a ing to the sacred fnJfZtl ^^ly pertain- that there mar be more inst™! ? among the clergy • thirS °/ advanced learning sakp that tlm xt conceding, for argument's we ask tn k n.con^rm'st miaieterB are illiterate, we ask to whom is this chiefly owing? Who have done their utmost to press them down in this bondage- of ignorance, but the clergy themselves ? The national universities were closed against them, so that what they have acquired has been acquired at their own cost, in their own colleges. Will the clergy and the Conservative organs have the audacity to turn round S\Tth^' ^na I>i8Sen?ng miDi3te" witt lS result of their own narrow and cruel policy > They have been^f cusations that the NOT.? # 7- > ™ rant3om ac~ doned their mnv .NoDC™f°rming ministers haveaban- matters not th lmme<^te duties, and meddled with ■ *heir own. They are too glad to "et an a faIse CI7 *0 onr very real and substantial one thi screw! the screw!" Anything and every- thing to hoodwink the coantry to the patent fact that the days of clerical ascendancy, of slavish submission to the squirearchy, of bowing and cringing to the Tory wbippersm, and the agents, et hoc genus omne, are gone, never to return. Dissenting ministers we are prouder of you than ever we were before. Stand together. ready to meet another political crisis. Continue to educate the country in the principles of an enlightened national policy. Inspire yonr flocks with a still deeper respect for conscience. Keep working on, not over elatffl with recent triumphs. The present onteries a»airst you are only the wails of a disannni-i a V ° the shrieking of fallen nrL t £ PP? ted c!1(iuelim. B°

The Hon. Mrs Cholmondeley, of Condover Hall died a few days ago, shortly after giving birth to a daughter The deceased lady was only married in the October of last year. The contract for completing the Mold and Denbigh line has been taken by Messrs Scott and Edwards summe'r traffic. «-• '-the summer traffic. SerTehs\fCapplTunl"|lnbarqne EaP^™yne reports a heavens above anS TV I haPPened ™ the ▼ovace frnm T • depths beneath during his on ihe 8th nfvVerpoLo1 to St- At midnight, dreadfnl the vessel passed over some fnllv ai?i!UJm!rne f°nVU,4 ;n- The sea fear- with df»n lfi i t16 suddenly became overcast was bt • °, fgJC-°Dds' andin a11 directions as neard a noise like distant cannonadina The Sritv Qbrate?,Very mrcb' and almost'lost its polarity. Several large meteors, it i8 added, shot out aeamatbe heavens. and "the fish jumped out of the sea, and struck against the sidt>s of the vessel which trembled so that the rumbling could be distinctly felt as well as heard." 3 SrXAbe*^ at 12' Friday Evening, December 11th, 1868.,

BARMOUTH. ERRATUM.—In our last we stated that Griffith Griffiths, the defendant in the assault case heard on the 1st instant, was bound over to appear at the Qiarter" Sessions, whereas it should have been the Petty" Sessions.

CORWEN. DEATH OF THE REV. R. ROBERTS.—The death of the Rev. R. Roberts, of Plas y bonwm, Corwen, is deeply felt by a largo circle of friends, and a great number of people attended his funeral at Llansaintffraid Baptist Chapel yard on the 2nd last. The Rev. Dr Pntchard, the Rev. J. Robinson, Llan- silin, and others, took part in the ceremony-I