The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

BIRTHS. FORWARD.—At Builth, Dec. 17, the wife of Mr. C. Forward, of the National Provincial Bank, of a son. WILLIAms.-At Cottenham. Cambridgeshire, Dec. 9. the wife of the Rev. W. D. Williams, Wesleyan Minister, of a son. DEATHS. JAmEs.-At his residence, Nantyglasedwr House, Hay, Dec. 11, Thomas James, E'q, solicitor, in his 78th year. Universally respected and deeply re- gretted. MADDy.-At. the Lower House, Tredomen, near Talgarth, Dec 5, Mr Walter Maddy, farm- r, in his 86th year. Deceased was gr. atly respected, and his loss is deeply regretted hy immerous friends. PRITCHARD.-At Hay, December 16, Hannah, the belovid wife of Mr. Thomas Pritchard, draper, aged 36 year9. The deceased was much respected, and has left a large family to deplore the loss of a kind and affectionate parent.

THE BRECKNOCKSHIRE CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE. A meeting of the members of t, is Association was held at the Wellington Hotel, on Saturday, Mr. David Dowtirs presiding.

THE PROPOSED ALTERATION OF THE FAIRS. Mr. Penry Lloyd begged to say that the meeting had been called to give an expression of opinion upi n th alteration of the fairs. The Chairman said he had taken the chair in conse- quence of the unavoidable absence of Mr. Thomas, president, w hoe absence ne regretted. Tht y w r. all well aware that the que,iol¡ of altering the fairs had been discussed by them that day fortnight; but he t, thought the question had first been mooted at the Town Council, who referred it to this Chamb-r for an ex- pression of opinion upon it. A fortnight ago, how- ever, this Chamber adjourned the subject until to-day, and they had now met to c ns der )t. He was sorry is, see that the number in attendance was so limited, and he had hoped that the farmers wou'd have musteied in str ng numbers at this meeting. For his own par', if he m'ght take the li >eity of expressing an opinion on the subjew, he would say that he thought it very desi- rable for the fairs to he altered; and let them have all the fairs on Tuesdays. He said that because if they had heir fairs on Saturdays it would be very inco. ve- nient for the Hereford-hire men, anil other dealer-, to at'end them; and if they held them on a M n''ay it rtould be very inconvenient for the Her' fordshire deal rs, or any from Kn.land, for they would be unable to get up in time for th, m. If held on a l uesday the Herefordshire men might come Up, be iu tim. to make purchases, and i e u, it with them hy Wednesday for the Hereford market. He had, bow ver, only 'o lay the case before them, ilnd if any gentleman would m >ke a proposition with respect, to the subject, they would be hapnv to listen to ir. Mr. Penry L'oyd solicited Mr. Bright to state the view,- of the town upon the su j'ct. Mr Bright said be was not a memb'-r of their Ghamher-rhougb he had sign fie < his wisir to become one He dared say. however, that he should be pro- pose 1 i due course. In reference to the question of t)-- fai,,s, he was qui,e convinced that the f-eling of the town was ju t this-that, consistent with the con- venience and comfort of the agriculturists of the neigh- bour fy)od, the town would be very desirous of seeing the fairs held in the m'ddle of the week; f r, when held on a Saturday, and continued on Mond*v, the t,n was full of numerous characters on the Sunday. And when they had a fair between two markets they lost the t" 0 markets. He did no, kno*, however, whether the town had any (.articular feeling in the mat er, excepting to have th m on any day in the week further from Sund iy than Saturday or Monday. He though' the expression of opinion at the Town Council was consonant with the feelings of the town generally. The matter had b-en mooted there, and, although a certain power was vested in the Council, they wuul, not think of exercising it in any shape, unless it was with the approval of the farmers, because the establish- ingof a fair wdeh would not be attended by tie farmers would defat its own object Therefore, the Council could have no possible desire to influence or control the markets or fairs unless it met with the full approval of the farmers of the neighbourhood. When the matter was oiscussed at the COllI cil, he ba,l re- marked that it it were to he taken into consideration at the Chamber of Agriculture, they might ascertain 'he feeling of the farmers of the neighb 11 urhood upon it and it was agreed to a >ide the exoressior. of opin on as given by this Chamber— whether the fairs we e alte ed to the frst, second, or hi- d Tuesday in the month. But he agreed wi'h the motion of Mr. Downes, as tepo,ted in the County Times, that the fairs be alter d to the first Tuesday in the month, ex- cep ing the November fair. If the November fair were hId on the first Tuesday in the month, it would clash with Talgarth; but he agreed with the Hon. Secretary of the Breconshire Agricultural Society, that if they had not finished bar ey sowing by the 17th th y ought. However, whether it, w'.uld eff ct that much or not he could not say. But he thought it would meet with the approval of the town g. nerally if the fairs were altereii to Tiles ay. Let them all be on the first Tues- day in the month, and if th November fair be held as decided here, he was sure the Town Council would adopt the suggestion of the Chamber of Agriculture. He it-It more pel sonally interested in the subject of having a stock market on every Thursday, for he be. lieved he was the originator of it. He felt a great deal more in reference to that than the fairs, because he thought the prosperity of the town to a certain ex tent was itiv Ived in it, as well as the convenience of the farmers. It was an experiment worth trying— whether he pig market and the sheep market should not be held on the same day a< horned stock could he sold. He was quite convinced that there would be an at endanc of people to buy. But. in reference to the fairs he was quite c mvineed that the town would highly approve of the change of having the fairs invariably on a Toes ay. He thought the town had not expressed an opinion whether it -ould be desirable for the November fair to be held on the first, second, or third Tuesday in November. The Chairman: It w"uld be very inconven:ent to have it, on the first Tuesday, for we should Hot then have finished wheat sowing. Mr. WMikms (ceth og) mov. d that the question of at ering t.he fairs b« adjourned for six mouths, for it was too late to announc.* the change in the at anacks. He would also move that the market be changed from Friday to Thursday, but he did not think any other change was then desirable. Having, as they had now, a market on Friday fo. sheep, and one on Saturday for pIgS, was not, a good arrangement ;-it was not busi es--like. If, however, they had a Thursday's market it "auld suit, the agriculturist much b»tte< Mr. Penry Lloyrl said be thought AIR. Williams's remarks on the subject of J lae fairs was worr hy their seriou< attenti -n. because in cases of ihi-t kind it was nlways well io takt- plenty of time before step were taken. The alt ration f fairs in the Principality had been tried before. He believ d it had been tried at Narbeth (P mbr-okeshire), an I no good came of the trial. The periods in the year marked out for the faiis wer e look. d forward to, and people would not succumb to the aiteaio". This time six months, however, they would be enabled to come to a decided opinion upon th. subject. S ill, they ii-ioht alter the markets, an I see ho w that succt eded. And he would second Mr. Wibiams's ropo-ition—tha Friday's sheep market and Saturday's pig market be amalgamated and held on a Thursday. Mr. Rees Williams (Velinnewydd) thought the mar- kets should be altered, and enquired whether any time had been mentionef for doing so. Mr. Bright -ail he would not press for an immediate alteration, and for this reason—that it might affe t their present license from the Lords of th- Privy Council, to obtain which it had b, en rendered necessary to specify the dry. And that had been done, the day fixed being Friday and they were not at present in a position, without a fresh license, to hold the market on any other day hut Friday Now, he should hope that before the first Friday of March matters will be in a more settled state than they are at present, and that they would then he enabled to get the sanction, if necessary, of I he Pri 'y Council for the alteration of the market from Friday to Thursday. But there was one matter he should like to impress on the farmers, in order to make Thursday's market a success. He trusted the farmers would not only attend themselves, and that they would send horned stock to the market for a few months, and not be discouraged if they find ;heir efforts in that way did not turn out so well as they expected. He meant, in the appearance of buyers. To establish such a m.rnet itrequ red a littl" time to bring it about l'he object of the Council m establish- ing it, is to have a weekly stock -market. in the tow, and the pig and sheep market on the same day, w ich would of itself ensure a c<i tain attend ance. If lb, y were enabled to establisti a good stock market, it j would be of no small advantage, while it would go towards making up for a deficiency of fairs hich are very few in the ho ough of Brecon. Besides, there was no doubt, I ut that the Merthyr butchers woud attend it, having at present to rove all over the coun- try for stock they would be d 1 ghted with the change. If they were -ure of getting what they wanted on the Thursday, instead of talking over ':he country for it, it woul I be an advantage to them, while they would perhaps be induced o give a higher price in consequence for thei pur chases. No pro- posal had been made with rf/ga d to the period for affecting the change, but supposing he were io say from the 1st of March. He agre,d with Mr. Williams with regard to d fen ing the matter of ihe fairs. Let them decide some time in the middle of the summe about ir, a, d devote, if niecessary, 95 or 910 in adver- tising the alteration,—in aoverising- it until the almanacks are published. 'VI,h regard to the mar- kets, he h..d made no dt-fin te proposal as to the lime for altering them, but, on Monday he would suggest at the Town Council that the matter should be gone into with Mr. Cobb, and try for the first, w eh in March. That w< uld be giving two months. He did not, think it would be of much consequence before. As repre- senting the Markets' Company, Mr. Cobb must be consulted in the matter. Mr. Williams (Scethrog) There is a great demand for barrens after Candlemas Mr. Bright Tnere is no reason why the market should not be altered to Thursday b- fore the sheep trade begirc. I would propose that the alteration take place from the 1st Thursday in March. Mr. Rees Williams So far as I am interested else- where, I should like to see the fairs changed. The Chairman With regard to the fairs, that ques ion has been settled. Mr. Rees Williams I beg, then, to second the alteration of the markets as suggested by Mr. Bright. The Cnairman inquired whether there waS any amendment to Mr. Bright's proposition, and as hI- question evoked no rep'y, he declared it to be carried unanimously. A PROPOSED CORN EXCHANGE. Mr. Pen'y Lloyd Is there any expression of Opinion about the Corn Exchange? The Chairman W, uld it not be well for Mr C"bb to produce a prospectus htfore us at our next Chamber ? Then we shall he enabled to form an opiniou upon it. Now, I say, we are quite 111 th" dark. We do not know what to be at, or what Mr. Cobb intends to do. Mr Penry Lloyd Would you not go to a Corn Exchange, Mr. Handley ? Mr. Handley: If a Corn Exchange were to be fir. cled, it would be a boon to the to.n aud the dealers. Mr. Rees Williams: If you had one, every stall would be well filled. Mr. Bright When I asked some friends of mine why th. y did not come here to buy co, n they repli- d that it w s because they did not know where to fiud th., fartv,ers. Mr. D vid Brown: I thinl( prima facie the case looks very well but it has worked badly iu places I know in ^co btnd. Mr. Penry Lloyd The markets and fairs are m"re important than a Co n Exchange, t ecause this is a stock-.Toducin. count ry. Mr. B it;h' Would you not put it in th s wav-it 1 hr Markets' Company should erect a Corn Exch .nue. the farmers s' ould pledge themselves that they wil nrt sell elsewhere for twelve months, provided, of course, that the tods are reasonab e and low. Capt. Conway Llovd: Why not get-a programme from the Markets' Company setting forth what they will do and thou the farmers will say what they will do. The Chairman I think it rests entirely with Mr. Cobb. Mr. Bright As tne representative of the Markets' Company. Mr. Penry Lloyd He wrote to me and said he would erect an Exchange if the farmers woul t avail themselves of it. Capt. Con way Lloyd: The farmers would like to know the tolls. Mr. Penry Lloyd He almost said he would take any tolls. Capt. Conway Llovd Get his proposal in writinsj. Mr. Bright: If Mr Cobb we»uld put forward a scheme, s-tating the tolls he would charge the farmers using the Exchange, then we could give an opinion ul,on it,. Ihe Chairman If I understand the matter riahtly the sentiments pxpr, ssed will go through the Brecon County Times, fend Mr. Cobh will see our views. M". Willirtms There is one important part—the letiing of, he. stalls. Mr. Bright That is a matter for Mr. Cobb. If we get a uetinite scheme from him, we call act upon n, We get a number to take stalls, at a nominal toll. Then it will be for the Markets' Company to say wh" her or not they have met with an ad.'vjune response. I don't see why the farmers should con tribute anything t > the buildi, g of it, unless they choose to make a j int-stock affair of it. Otherwise, it w uld form part f the Ma ke's' Company property. i Cap Conway Lloyd Would they build it. Mr. Bright Yes. The toll arising from the busi- ne»s none iu corn now does not pay for sweeping out the place. Mr Rees Williams They have a Corn Exchange at Presteigii-one of the nicest I ever saw. Su, ely, then, we can do with one here. Mr. Bright They have one at Leominster, too. A vote of thanks was accorded to the Cuairman for presiding, and the meeting broke up.

BRECON POLICE INTELLIGENCE. COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS, SHIRE-HALL, SATURDAY, before GEORGE OVERTON, Esq, PENRY LLOYo, Esq., JOHN LLOYD, Esq, and LEWIS HUGHES, Esq. A CHARGE OF Ho USEBRRAKING.- George Jones labourer, London, and John Jones, labourer, L ing- tree, Devon, we; e charged with feloniously breaking into the dwelling-house of Thomas Davies, Llandiio- fawr, and stealing therefrom a quantity of wearing apparel,—Prosecutor having i-ie tifird the property all- g d to have beeu stolen, which property was pro- duced in court, the wife of the prosecutor deposed On Monday, the 3rd of December, about eleven o'clock in the morning, I left my house, locking toe door after me; the clothes IlO-Y produced were then in the house the articles consist of two coats, two waistcoats, a gair of boots, two shirts, two pocxe- haiidkercme's, two pairs of stockings, one comfor er. aud two shawls; I returned to my house t.bout 3 in the afl ernuou, 1 then found the lock of he door had been broken, and an entrance to the house effected u,ion entering, I found a chest of drawers had been opened, and several of the things now produced taken there- from; the greatcoat, however, was lying on the back of a ,-hair.-I answer to the Bench, pro-ecutor s'id he saw the things 'he Suuoay before he missed them. —Superintendent Constance d posed I am Superin tendeut of the Ra inoi-shire Consiabular y in conse- quence of information received I apprehended the prisoners that was on Thursday, the 6th inst. I aprehended them in the parish of Llanvihanget- Aberythou I found on them two suits of clothes, which I charged them with having s olsn from Brecon- shire I took possession of the cloth e now produced an,i delivered the prisoners and the clothes < ver to Sergeant Gabriel George Jones told me that the day previous to thi robbery he had come out ot B,-ecoti Gaol.-St-rgeatit Gabriel deposed: F. om in- formal ion received I went to p, aybout,, and on Mon- day, the 10th, the two prisoners were handed over to me by I he las witn ss, together with the property I now produce on the way back George Jones told me.th,it they had broken into the house with a piec- of iroti)-that they could find 110 money, and had therefore taken the cluilies.-In answer to the Bench, prisoners said they had nothing to say, and were then committed to take their trial at the ensuing Quarter Sessions. STEALING SHIRTS AND SrOCKIN(;S.-JOh I Jones, collier, Tredegar, and John Williams, Albion-street, Pillgwt'nlly, Newport, (youths;, were ch .rged with st aling thr-e shirts, the property of Roger Price.— Gwen. Watki..s depos d: I ain servant, to the prose- cutor, who lives in the parish of Merthyr-Cyuog on Monday last I put the three shirts now produced on a hedge to dry that was about half-past lIDe; the hedge was close to my mister-s house I afterwards went to look for them, and found they were gone; the shirts now produced are the orlPs. I hung up to dry.—Jaue Price, wife of prosecutor, identified the shi, ts, and P.C. Ralpu deposed Ou the 10th inst. I apprehended the prisoners at Lower Chapel, which is within four miles of the place where the robbery was committed I searched the prisoners, and fouuo two of the shirts now produced on John Jones; ttie other shirt produced was ou the other prisoner the shirts were then quite wet; I charged them with stealing the shirts, and John Jones said I t's no use telling any lies, but we stole the shirts from a hedge about three miles otf.Prisoiiers pleaded guilty, and, in answer to the Bench, John Jones said he had stolen the shirts because he had none to wear, a labourer whom he had met on the tramp having induced him to sel, the las. he possessed.—Tin- Bench expr s,eu their regret at seeing t-o such young boys in sue i a posi- tion, and inquired of th. m whether they h..d fri nds. —John W di^ms said he had a. mother at Newp >rt, aud Johu JOlle said iie had a mother aud a stepf-»toer. t —The Bench There is another charge agninst ihe piisouers, aud that is of stealing two pairs of stockiugs, under timilar circumstances to those in the pre- vious case. The second-charge against the prisoners "aa then gon in o, n l M try Dtvles deposed I live nt iyder, and am the d toight- r of lr-i. Dav es I put the stockings no*" produced on a hed,;e to dry that was about h It-past eleven on the in riiij.g' f the 10 h inst when I went to look for thtm [ found fey were gone; the stockings are the property of my ty.)ottit-r.- II.C. Ralph Oeposed to having tou id one of the two pairs of stockings now produced on John Jones, and the other pair on John Williams.— 1'iie prisoners pleaded gutlty to tins charge, and the B,iieh (tti,ou-,h Mr. Overton) said to tne u We have coiisid red the cas., and are sorry to see two s(j, h young met- in such a painful position. The offence is a very setious one, because the pi opc i-ty stolen is very ope n to depiedation, and wi enever men are ch.rged with it we ought, to make an exa-npte o them. People are obliged to put thij-ir ciottles out to d-y, ctnd it is a venous offence to go and remove them. You have been convicted on the clearest evidence, and the de- cision is this -that. you be com nitted t. the H >ose of Correction for two months each for the first offence, ano one month each for the second offence, and you must be subjected to hard labour. A CHARGE OF ASSAULT.—Jane Jenkins, wife of H wel Jenk.ns, Llanspychi i, was charged with assault- ing Air. Jonathan Beswick, water-bailiff.—Mr. Games, wflo appeared for I he defendant, pro uce a certificate to show the mabiliiy of his clit-tit to t end. The cer- tificate was signed by Mr Hewitson, L A.H.Nir. Phillips, who appear d to prosecute, doubted whether the certificate was sufficient, for he did not know, he said, what L.A.H." was. It was not a doctor's cer- I ificate. I'he Beach Who is Mr. H-wi son ?-,Xlr. Games: He is an assistant to Dr. WiiiUins.— The Magistrates' Clerk ( qr. Thos. Evans) In all these cases, the meoical man must c me in person to prove t.—Mr. Penry Lloyd It has been ruled that the production of a certificate was no proof of its genuine- ness.— Mr. Pml ips IL is uot a certificac,Mr Over- ton Such strict exceptions are not geuerally taken iu preliminary cases. If you ask me the legal ques- tion, I believe you are ri hr,right when a new trial de,.ends on it.—Iu auswer to a ques,illn, Mr. Lloyd aid tie presumed that "L.A.H." meant Liceutiate of Apothecaries' Hall.—Mr. Overlon (o Mr. Games) 1 uppose you want an adjouromeut ? Did you give notice to the other pariy of your app ication? If you dill, it would have saved them the trouble aud expense of coming, and then I think you ought to be allowed the adjournment.—Mr Games I dou't think the par- ties win be pi ejudiced, for tney are here in a, o her cdse,-oue ouo of whieii this ar ise. —Mr. Overton There seems LO be a doubt ahout the mtiter of the certificate, and I think you bid better have the gentle- man who signed it ere himself.— Mr. Games des- patched a messenger tor Mr. Rewit.on, who sent to she Court to say tnar in c msequence of the absence irom haine ofi)r. Williams he was unable to attenet. After some conversation, however, Mr. Phillips assented to an adjournment. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A GAFF.— Wm. Bowen, of Lianspythid, wb ise -ppe .ranee indicated that tie was not quite compos mentis, was charged with having a gafi unlawfully in his possesbiou.-Mr. Games I appear for the defendant, and plead guilty. Mr. Overtoil: We must know -ome, hiug of the cir- cumstances, or we cannot award any punishment,— Mr. Phiiii, s (who appeared to prosecute): Well, it appears, that on I'uesday, the 9 h in,t., Thos. Parry, one of the water-bailiffs, saw the defendant with a gaff in bis hand. Tbe deiendantat i he time was on the nver I arrait, in which there are salmon, and for which he was looking. the defendant is in the employment o a miller whose mill is on the strsam named. -Mr. Overion I here is no proof of his catching any, or Using it tor that purpose.—Mr. Games: No; he simply had it in his posst ssion.—Mr. Uverton But it must fit w that he had it u it lawfully. -Mr. Games Well, I will plead guilty to that. —Mr Penry Lloyd Hid it in his possession for cat -hing salmon Mr. names Well, yes but I would direct the at of the Bench to his appearance. I am told that he had the gaff and a stick in his hand, and that, without attempting to conceal it, he held it there until the keepers came up to him. I dou't like to say an) thing o do the poor boy any injury, but the Bench would judge of he state of his mind by iiis appearance. At all e-euts, the Beuch might judge wha' the result of a severe penalty would be.-Iu answer to the Bench, Mr. Beswick said tnis was the ii, bt offence of this kind against the defendant.—Superintendent Price He nas been here before, in th s c urt. -Mr. Overton For thi- offence ?—Superintendent Pri e No.—Mr. Overton William Bowen, we have heard this charge a„ainst you, and the observations of your advocate, aud those observations have certainly had sone weight with u-. No doubt the case could have beeu clearly proved against you, and you have OOLed ju lici msly oy pleading guilty, and I hope you nave done so with some d-gne of peniteuce, ttnd that you willuot uffeld again. However, under the ciicumsiauce* named, we ihiuk we are jus ifit-d in taking a more lenient view ot your case than we should under other circutu- st"I,C s. Therefore, you will be tined lUs. and the expenses. That will oe 17s. hu you have reudered yourself liable to a penalty of ze5 for lhi" offence, and you are lia ile to suffer three months' imprisonment. However, in default of the payment of the 17s. you will be committed tor 14 days.—The prisoner (wildly) Then I must go round wu h my hat to beg it." A CHARGE OF POSSESSING UNSEASONABLE SALMON. -Howel Jenkins, of Llanspythiel, was cnarged with ai offence uf this kiud.-Mr. Phillips appeared to prose- cu e, and Mr. Games appeared for the accused.—Mr. Phillips remarked that as the charge asrainst Mrs. Jei-kins had been adjourued, he hoped the present case would be, since bo.n cases were oaixed up one with another.—Mr. Overton: If the advocates aree trle the Bench, of c urse, will consent. The case was accordingly adjourned. MAGISTRATES' CLERK'S OFFICE, MONDAY, be. fore LEWIS HUGHES, Esq. A DFSERTElt.-Richai-d Donnel al as George Smith, aged 21, was nrougtu up in the custody of one of the warders of the gaol, who stated that the prisoner had been incarcerated for two months, having been com- mitted for tha peri d by Henry Allen, Eiq, Hay, for having deserted the tloyal London Militia. During be time of the t risoner's imprisonman the warder discovered from the Hue and Cry that the run-away sol lier answered the description of a deserter then advertised, and he n. I w applied for his remand, with a viww to c nnmunica e with the Secretar. y of State for War. The remaud applied for was granted, ani the War Office has since been commuuicated with on the subject.

RENT AUDIT DINNERS —Two dinners of this charac- ter have been well served up at the B ar Hotel during he week, the one being that of D Ivvii Llow,livn, Esq., and the other that of the Marquis Camden. Oa both occasions the, o were good attendances, the num- her at each diOnr being about forty. SUDDkN DEATH.-Ati inquest was bel,1 011 Friday last, before James Williams, Esq, coroner, aud a respectable ju-y, Mr. William Jeuains, of Aber, being foreman, on view of the body of Anne Morgau, of Aber vilage, who had died very suddenly. The ju y having heard the evidence of tile witnesses, returned a verdict of .1 D'atl1 from natural causes," A CARRIAGE ACCIDENT. On Monday afternoon, while driving towards Br. con on the Abergavenny road, Miss Robertson, lessee of the theatre, upset her carriage by driving againit an unobserved antl pro- jecting milestone, i'he occupants of the carriage, four in nu n'ier, were thro n our, and they all sus- tained paiuful bruises. This re-mark, h ewever, more J c directly applies to the driver, Miss Robertson, and M's. Ashton—the former, by reason of tilt, injuries re, cemd, having been c.)iidued to her bed since th- occurrence. Her medical attendant is Mr. Armstronge and under that gentleman's known skilful treatment, the unfortunate lady will, no doubt, be soon restored to her wonted state of health. ANOTHER SUDDEN DEATH. -00 Monday last, the same Coroner opeue d an inquiry at the Victoria lun, Llanfrynach, on the body of Mr David Price, azed 45 years, a carpenter, for upwards of twenty years in the employment of Mr D, Wlinton, of Maesderweu. This poor man w s greatly respected by his emp oyer and he inhabitants of the neighbourhood generally, as was testified ny the numbers and respeciaodity of the persons a-semnle 1 at his funeral to pay the last sad triouteof respect. to bis memory. Mf. John Lloyd having been chosen the foreman, th-s folio wing evidence was adduced, shewing most vividly how 1::1 'in tile midst of life we are iu death." Mr. Wm. Davies, a farmer on the estate, having sume business to transact with deceased, saw ijim iu the moruing between 11 aud 12 o clock; he called again on his return at nearly four p.m., and fouud deceased at his work, and after re- ceiving from him what he required left him apparently in his usual state of health. Iu a very few minutes afterwards Joni, Smith, a. rooln, passing "y the work- shop called out t" Price, aud receiving uo answer went i itu the shop, iIld saw him lying partially on his side quae dead -wi, h his tools in his hands. An alarm was immediately given, Wilen Mr. Edward Pritchard, of ly-fry, and others, se>ou araved ou the spot. The jury, after hearing evidence of tbe above facts, returned a verdict that deceased was "Found dead" —^death having arisen, as was supposed, from disease of the heart,

YULE-TIME associates us with many reflections, those uppermost in man's mind being, perhaps, such as bear upon festivity. The approach of this season of the year inspires one also with a consciousness of the relentlessly rapid flight of time, while it induces a disposition to review the past, and open a new chapter in life's his- tory. Besides these things, the time of the year is singularly opportune for an expression of good will towards our fellows, while it affords a fit- ting opportunity for renewing broken friendships, effacing malevolence and spleen, or obliterating the feelings arising from supposed injury. With ourselves, as journalists, we feel inclined to re- view the past year's domestic and foreign his- tory, but as it is now-a-day the special wont of the metropolitan newspaper organs to do this so fully, we need not now trace the origin, and show how an end was brought about to that deplorable strife which the battles of Sadowa and Konigratz will immortalize nor need we here refer to the present improved state of Italy, the embarrassment of the Pope, with his late peevish address to the French soldiers upon their retiring from the Eternal City nor need we point out now how unparalleled the year just closing has been in the way of having been the witness of an unprecedented monetary crisis, a sore murrain among the cattle, and of the ap- pearance of that grim contagion cholera. It would, however be fitting to glance for a mo- ment at some of the prominent features with which our own local history has been marked during the last twelve months, and, at the same time, to enforce the desirability of practically employing that kind of action embodied in a love for our neighbours. This remark has, per- haps, been directly evoked by the contemplation of the fact, that one of the chief events of the year-the election of a member to represent us in Parliament—has left a too broadly-marked spirit of rancour among many of those burgesses who took opposite courses in the contest, and our willingness to use the observation re- ferred to, has been increased, and to an extent suggested, by the advent of a season of the year in every way appropriate for the exercise of conciliatory advances. Having thus introduced one event in connection with our local annals, and as we have here sketched out for ourselves the duty of indicating, in brief terms, what has been going on for the. past twelve months, let us note that during that period a very im- portant railway communication for us, viz., the Neath and Brecon, has bad its works pushed forward by Mr. Dickson, the spirited and zealous contractor, to a state almost of completion. Now, however, for some reason, which can be no other than a source of regret, those works are not being rapidly proceeded with, only a very few men being engaged upon them. But it is to be hoped, for the material interest and prosperity of the town, and for the reason that the line passes through a rich undeveloped mineral and coal country, that the works will not be long before they are again resumed. Speaking of the Neath and Brecon, railway inte- rests naturally suggest themselves to us, and as an indication of their monetary state, and as evidence of what is going on, we may cite the fact that a Parliamentary Bill is to be sought for next session, with a view to amalgamate the Welsh railways into one system, which would include, amongst others, the Neath and Brecon and the Brecon and Merthyr. Of course the scheme has its supporters and opponents, but it strikes many impartial observers as a good means of making the property payable. In events brought about, the year has witnessed, under the direction of Mr. Isaac Davies, the close approach of the opening of the new Water Works, together with the establishment, under the auspices of Mr. David Thomas, of that very useful institution the Breconshire Chamber of Agriculture, whose recent deliberations, by the by, cannot have failed to have been of interest to every agricul- turist in the county. Amongst other matters discussed by the Chamber is included a very im- portant one-that of the proposed new Corn Ex- change. This subject occupied the attention of the Chamber on Saturday, as our report elsewhere will show, and we hope soon to see it dealt with in a practical spirit, for, with the alteration of the sheep market of Friday, and the pig market of Saturday, to Thursday, and the vigorous at- tempt which is being made to establish so neces- sary and useful a market as a stock market on the latter day, it will go hand-in-hand in bringing about a commercial activity which cannot fail to produce a common benefit. Having thus laconi- cally depicted where we are," and what we have been doing, locally considered, we must ask to be permitted to express the hope we enter- tain, that our numerous readers may experience a right meny Christmas, and a happy and joyous New Year, in which we look forward to chronicle many improvements for the general good of the little community in which we live.

THE BRECON TOWN COUNCIL AND BOARD OF HEALTH. An adjourned meeting of these bodies was held at the Towi.-hall on Mo, day. Present: Mr. Davies (mayor), Dr Lucas, Mr. Griffiths, Mr. Trew, Mr. Walton, Mr. Cansick, Mr. Rich, Mr. Bright, and Mr. Morris. THE BARRACKS. The Mayor I have received a communication from Mr. Gwyn this morning, respecting our barracks, and as I know that ev. ry member of this Board is very anxious indeed for the interest of the town, I think it quite right that you shou d know what he has been doing,—that you should know his success, or rather nou-suceess. This is the letter read Duffryn, Neath, 15th Dec., 1866. Dear Sir,—You will be giad to hear that I am pursuing my efforts to get your barracks at Brecon occupied, and shall continue to do so, though from the following extract of a letter I have received from a gallant relative of mine, you will perceive that there is no immediate prospect of success. Still I am not without hope of ultimately ob- taining my object. The following is the extract referred to: I went to the Horse Guards yesterday about the barracks at Brecon. I fear there is little chance just at present of any troops being sent there, as all the troops they can spare are packed off to Ireland. They have it in contemplation that in the future the camps at Aldershot and others are to be broken up for the winter, so that when this is settled you may then have a chance of getting some of them. I will let you know when this decided upon." I remain, yours faithfully, HOWEL GWYN. J. Davies, Esq., Mayor, Brecon. Mr. Griffiths It is a well-known fact that Govern- i ment is pouring all the available troops into Ireland, to prevent an unfortunate rising of the Fenians. The Mayor: We could have hoped that Mr. Gwyn would have been more successful. Mr. Bright One of his strong supporters told me the other day, that if we had soldiers to our barracks it woula be as the result of the report of the Commis- sioners which deprecated the continuance of the camp ng s stem nuring the winter months, and not through any influence which Mr. Gwyn might possess. Mr. Cansick Well, it is very gratifying to know that he is making every exertion, and whatever may be the result we ou^ht to be much obliged to him. The Mayor I think it very courteous on his part to write to the chief magistrate upon the subject. It shows that his eyes are open to the interests of the borough. We ought to be thankful to him, and 1 hope he will be successful. Mr. Griffiths There is no doubt but that we should have had soldiers here had it not been for this Fenianism. THE LATE COLLECTOR. The Town Clerk said that with regard to Farmer's business, he had to say that Farmer had sent two cheques in respect of the Board of Health and water rates, and on the following day the money was paid into the bank. The cheques were accompanied by a letter, in which he sought to recover for four month's ser- vices as collector, and in which he stated that he did not understand the objection made to pay him, since John Williams, sen., did not commence until the new rate was made in February. The one cheque was for 16 139. 4d., and the other for £2. Mr. Walton Now that he has gone a business-like way about it, let us discharge our obligation, if it be right. Mr. Rich When did his appointment commence ? The Town Clerk On the 29th September but I don't know when he commenced to collect. He gave notice to terminate on trip 29 h. The Mayor I remember receiving the notice, and I took objection to it, urging that it should not be re- ceived until the rates had been collected. That, therefore, was the reason why Mr. Farmer's notice had not been accepted,—because he had not collected the rates. Tnerefore, I think, the Board should be right and straight on that poinr. We said to him We cannot accept the resignation until you have performed the work." We woula have accepted it had the rates been collected. Am I not right, Mr. Town Clerk ? The Town Clerk Yes and it seems to me to be a matter between Farmer and John Wiiliams. Mr. Wilton Pay him what is due and no more. Mr. Bright r. Farmer claims this on the ground of his having had a considerable amount of arrears to collect at h appointment, and that he terminated at a period over the y-ar. The To n Clerk I understand that he had con- siderable arrears at his appointment. Mr. Bright: He was app tinted when the Local Board of Health was established first; and he bases his claim on the fact that his first year consisted of some 14 or 15 month's service. Mr. Morris I thought Mr. Farmer had not been engaged to collect the rates at a salary. The Town Clerk Yes, he was but the question seems to come to one between him and Williams. Mr. Bright: Because we should not pay the two men. L'he Mayor He claims from the 29th of Sept. to the period of the appointment of the new collector. After some turther conversation upon the ufject, Mr Morris moved tint the question be left between Williams and Farmer to arrange, as suggeted by the Town Clerk, for it would be stultifying themselves to suspend it any longer. THE FAIRS. Mr. Trew said he begged to withdraw his notice of motion with regard to the fairs, for he had heard that at a meeting ot the Chamber of Agriculture, on Satur- day, an opinion had been expressed to the effect that it would be better to leave the alteration for six months. On Saturday week he attended a meeting of the Agricultural Society, and those present were unani- mous with regard to the desirability of the alteration, and he was in hopes that he should move it, and tha' it would be carried. Mr. Bright said he begged to communicate officially from the Chamber of Agriculture. At a meeting held on Saturday those present were unanimous in their opinion that it would be of considerable advantage to have the fairs changed to a certain fixed day in the week. They were all agreed on that, but a proposition was moved that the time of the year was so far gone,— and probably the almanacks had been published,—that ir. was desirable not to give their sanction to the alter- ation of the fairs. But they had determined, with the assistance of the Corporation—the proposal being a fair and reasonable one-to take it up about June or Ju'y, and properly advertise it. But in reference to another matter of considerable importance to the town, they came to the unanimous resolution that they would highly approve of the proposal for changing the market from Friday and Saturday to Thursday and they pledged themselves to afford all the assistance they could in establishing a thoroughly good cattle, sheep, and pig market for that day. But theysugge st that the matter should not be hastily done. They propose the first week in March for the commencement of the markets, so that time may be allowed tor com- munieating with the large dealers of Cardiganshire and the upper part of Breconshire,-th.t there may he no mistake at all about it. And he begged to move that a small committee, if necessary, should be ap- pointed to m-ke arrangements for the change with the Markets' Company, for it was only right and fair Ithat that should be done and that they should be communicated with in a friendly and amicable manner. Or, that the matter be entrusted to the Mayor, on behalf of the Council. He could not say that the change should take place from the first week in March, because th re was then a fair. Those present at the Chamber of Agriculture said, however, that they would use the market earlier i,7 the Council deemed it expedient to establish it before the period named. Rut he was anxious that the matter should be a success, and he moved that the alteration shuuld no* take place for seven or eight weeks,—that it should previously be well knowu throughout the country. At all events, several farmers promised to send horned s'ock for some weeks, in order to establish the market. He was one who had promised to do so; and anything he could sell he should try to make a point of sending to the Thursday's market. If the opinion of the Board was in favor of the appointment of a committee to meet the Markets' Company, he should be-happy to name one, but for his own part he thought it was sufficient to ask the Mayor to arrange the matter with the Markets' Company for the second week in March, OT afterwards. Mr. Trew thought the period named was too early. Mr. Bright said he thought it well to commence the market some weeks before they absolutely required it, for the alteration would then be talked about through- out the country. Mr. Trew said he agreed with the alteration, but not with the period f or commencing it. Mr. Griffiths would suggest, in seconding Mr. Bright's observations, that Mr. Bright and Me, Trew, with the Miyor, arrange with the Markets' Company. Mr. Morris While agreeing with Mr. Bi ight to some degree, as to the desirability of it, I would have a committee formed to discuss the question, and not give the whole power to the Mayor, however much I respect him. Have a committee first, and the Mayor to represent us afterwards. Mr. Griffiths My suggestion is that Mr. Bright and Mr. Trew should act. Mr. Morris: Mr. Bright is prepared'to name a committee. Mr. Grithths Well, I beg leave to propose that the Mayor, Mr. Bright, and Mr. Trew, represent the Corporation ill arranging the alteration of the markets from Friday and Saturday to Thursday—the sheep market of Frirtay and the pig market ofS«tu>day. of course, this is not to interfere with the general market on Saturday. Mr. Cansick Before that motion is put I want to make one observation. I see by advertisement in the paper that they have already established a market at Hay. I think, having been in communication with the farmers from the neighbourhood ofTjdee on tht subject, that Thursday would be a very bad day,— that it would p event many farmers from there atten- ding. If fixed for Tuesday, it would suit < veryme, so I am told Whether it would suit or not, I do not inoividually know, but I have thrown out this remark for what it is worth. for. Griffiths Abergavenny and Kington markets are on a Tuesday. Mr. Walton tiegaed to second Mr. Griffiths' propo- sition. He would not say what day the market should be held on, 'or he fell a strong indination to be gutded by gentlemen who knew mire of the subject than he did. As Thursday had been recommenced, he had no doubt it was the best. The Mayor I shall be happy to do what I can in the matter, but it has occurred to me that the days are named iu the Act of Parliament. The Town Clerk So they are. By the Charter, the markets have to be held on the days i h. y have been, but recent legislation does not profess to go in accordance with the Charter. THE POLICE CLOTHING. The Town C erk said he had leceived five tenders for police clo hlllg. The tenders, for what reason he knew not, were much earlier this time than usual. It that were to continue to be the case, they would by decrees have two suits insi ead of one. (A laugh). The tenders were from the following Mr. David Jones, saddler; Mr. John Jones, sho, maker, Watton; Mr. John Jones, drap,r Mr. Rees T. Evans, draper, ana Messrs. Hi 'b<-rd. Mr. Walton said that the police complained of having been furnished with very inferior articles, -that the artiel, s were not supplied in accordance with the con- tract. Mr. Morris deprecated the course of a Councillor bringing forward a complaint on behalf of the police. and expressed himself in favour of the police bringing fo, ward their own complaints. However, they might he said, try to please the police as much as they could, but ttiey would never satisfy them. The Mayor said he was always anxious that persons in the en: ploy ment of the Council should be done justice to. Mr Morris We do it. The Mayor: It is our duty an'd it is a very impor- tant duty to clothe the police thoroughly we'l. A complaint has been made to me that the capes of last year did not wear well. It has been the practice of the Board to give capes every two years, and it is very important- that the clothing should be extremely good. However, he would take no resp >n-ibility upon himself m bringing forward the complaint, and he asked the Superintendent to bring it before the Boa, d himself. Th" capes are now b, f,, i-e you, and it is for you to determine whether they are good enough. I should give the men ano her for I he) ear, for it is most inapot tant that they should oe protected from the wet. Mr. M -rris said h- thought the capes might be worn for ano her twelve mon hs. Mr. Griffiths said there seemed to be a great dif- ference in the contracts, and he would therefore pro pose that Messrs. Hibberd have he clothing Mr. David Jones the leggings, and Mr. John J nes the boots. Tne Mayor: Mr. Jones has given g, eat satisfaction with the boots. Mr. Morris stconded Mr. Griffiths' proposition, which was carried. THE ACCOUNTS. The Town Clerk: The present. balance on the Board of Heal h account is X263, 2s. 10,1. Of course, you are aware that Mr. Cobb has paid up to June last. THE NEW WATI R-WORKS. Mr. Morris: Are the debentures for the Water- Works paid? The I'own Cle-k: Yes. Mr. Morris: Tliey were not paid when I last asked. The Town Clerk: They are paid when ver they are asked for. While on the Wa er Works, I must say that one of the gentlemen of the Board, Mr. Bright, is ab ut to adva ce £500 to the Bo* d on the Water- Works. The debenture has been prepared, and the Rev. John Lane Davies (Llinthew) advances Z150 un the sam" security.' The Mayor: The next question is with regard to Mr. Rouse, of Exet.r, who has been engaged from this day as manager of the Works, at a salary of £1 10s. per week. Mr. Rouse was then summoned to the Board-room, and requested to attend there again that evet ing. Mr. Bright said hj had an observation to th, ow out for the consideration of the Board-—wh«-ther it was nece-sary to continue the services of Lloyd. He did not know whether his duties wr.re very ouero us, or whet ier it was necessary to emplo> him for the pur- pose of witnessing a couple of men put in one or two hydrants in the course of the day. It seemed to him to be an extraordinary way of dealing with the funds of the Board. If his services were required at the reservoir to ch. ck the work then he was willing to continue hem. However, he threw it out for the con- sideration of the Board, whether it was necessary to continue his services. The Town Cler k remarked that he thought the Board ought to know that the compensation reservoir bad not been done yet. Mr. Bright: We have made arrangements with Col. Pearce to construct a compensation reservoir, and I fe, I strongly mat the work has not been done, for it is a part ot our bargain with Col Pearce that must be most scrupulously carried out. Otherwise, we may find the other sine of the bargain may not be kept. It is incumbent on us, if the work be not ex curt-d, tha' ir be done without any delav as the very lite and soul of the success of the Water-Works. Mr. Griffiths: I will move, then, that the Engineer report to the next meeting what has been done in th? matter of the compensatoa reservoir, and show that it is not the fault of the Board, because we entrusted the engineer at the time to arrange with the contractor. Mr. Wah on seconded Mr. Griffiths' resolution, which was carried The subjoined report from the Water-Works' Com- mittee was then read:— To the Brecon Local Board of Health. We, your Committee for carrying out the details in con- nection with the new water supply for your district, beg to report that we met this evening at the Town Hall, where we were attended by your engineer-Mr. Isaac Davies. At such meeting we resolved, that the Board, at their own ex- pense, should, in every case, provide and lay the service pipes from the mains to the inner side of the exterior boundary wall of the consumers' premises. That we con- sidered it would be cheaper and more advantageous for the Board to purchase themselves from the makers the neces- sary pipes, fittings, and materials to be used, than to ob- tain the same through the medium of a contractor. That deeming the prices contained in the tender of Messrs. Davies and Son for laying the service pipes to he too high we instructed the Clerk of the Board to communicate our view to them, and request that they re-consider their scale and inform your Board of the result. Signed, on behalf of the said Committee, GEORGE CANSICK, Chairman. 12th December, 1866. Mr. Bright proposed that they should hold a Water- Works Committee tha evening -Agreed to. The Town Clerk said he bad received a letter from Mr. Jordan (Newport), asking for the payment of X200 for pipes; but he (the lo-vn Clerk) had paid every item he had been a-sured he ought to pay The Mayor: We cannot entertain it without a cer- tificate from Mr. Dalies. Mr.Griffiths: I presume that the lastaccount includes the cost for all the pipes forwarded to Brecon by Mr. Jordan. If that is so, 1 must say that there are several tons of pipes which, to my knowledge, have been con- demned. And I anticipate that that account means the whob of the condemned pipes, as well as the others. Mr. Bright: We are not liable to pay except on the certificate of the engineer. THE ASH CART. Mr. Kirk (the surveyor) inquired whether the cart, which was f me time ago ordered for the removal of ashes, was to be continued, if so it would necessitate an extra horse. The Mayor What would be the expense ? Mr. Kirk It now takes a horse and a man ha'f a- day. From 4s. to 5s. a day it "ill cost. The Mayor I think it is the greatest improvement we have had for some time past. I should be sorry to see it discontinued Mr. Bright inquired whether it would not be advis- able to give out the hauling. Mr. Kirk repiied in the negative, because, he said, if they had it in their own hands they would be enabled to do the work whenever it was necessary. He thought, however, it was better to insist upon people putting their ashes in the cart. Ma.n) don't make use of the cart at all, and deposit the ashes on their pre- mises. Mr. Walton said the obligation to put the ashes in the cart ought to be carried out. rigidly. Many of the people in the Struet threw their ashes into the river, but he thought they ouht to be obliged to put them in the cart. Mr. T. ew: It must be an i'jury to the river. Mr. Brigh' said that wb-n the matter was taken up some time ago, it was found that th-y had no ju isdio- tion thit, the river beon.,t.d to the C IUVity. Mr Rich VYhar pow. r have we to compel theaa to put khe ashes in the cart ? The Town Clerk By the bye-laws we can, I think. The Mayor.: Do what. we can in the matter, with- out, however, dealing arbitrarily. Dr. Lucas And those who keep ashes for manure ought to keep it in such away that it should no; be injurious 10 the health ot themselves or the neighbour- hood. There ougnt to be proper places to.deposit I h,'Ill, or they ought to be compelled to bring them out. Mr. Bright suggested that Mr. Lee, as inspecor of nuisanc s, should give the people a gentle reminder with regard to the ash-cart. The Board concurred. THE TOWN HALL. Mr. Griffiths proposed that Mr. Kirk should repair a portion of the ceilii g of the Hall, ior it was leaky. lr. Kirk said he had ord, red the repairs to be done. THE COLLECTOR. In the course of some convers-.itior directed to Mr. Job Williams, the Collector, who, it seems, no'with- standiiii; the repeated remonstrances ot the B aid, is very dilntory m the collection of the accounts, Mr. W Itou remarked that it was a matter of astonishment to him that they allow. d their servant to be their ma ters. The remedy was very easy. If hu did Dot perform is duty get someone wito would. He had heard them almost t eg of him (the ColUctor) to do his duty, but he seemed to pay but little attention to rhetn. The Mayor: If you will move a resolution I will support you. The meeting theu broke up.