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INSECURE SCAFFOLDING.—An inquest was held on Saturday, before H. Cuthbertson, Esq., on the body of Richard Curtis, who met with his death through the giving way of some scaffolding erected for the purpose of building a new stack at the Morfa Colliery. It appears that the men were at work at a height of ninety feet from the ground when the scaffolding broke under them, and the deceased, in trying to save himself, got on the stack wall, became frightened, and fell over the outside to the ground. A verdict of ac- cidental death was returned. CRUSHED TO DEATH.—Another inquest was held before the same coroner on the 27th ult,, on the body of a child named TV*. Morgans, who was crushed be- tween some laden trams, near the tin works, at Aber- avon. The little fellow was playing on the road, and in running from his companions he rushed in between the trams, part of them crossing his breast after he had been crushed and had fallen under the wheels. A verdict in accordance with the evidence was returned. THE SUSPECTED POISONING CASE.—A telegram was received on Monday from Professor Herapath, who has had the analysis of the stomach and viscera of the late Margaret Taylor, stating that he had found phos- phorus in the intestines forwarded to him. The case appears to be more mysterious than at first supposed. Mr. Herapath's evidence will however be given at the next meeting of the jury, and it will probably clear up the circumstances, which now appear so suspicious, in reference to the death of the unfortunate woman. FUNERAL OF W. T. MORGAN, ESQ.—We give in another part of this day's paper a full report of the inquest on the body of the above gentleman. His remains were taken to their last resting place in the Summerfield burial ground on Tuesday, and although the funeral was strictly private, the mayor and cor- poration paid their last tribute of respect to the deceased gentleman by attending the funeral in pro- cession. The shops were partly closed in the town, and other marks of respect were shown by the inhabi- tants generally. The funeral cortege was arranged in the following order:— The Borough Police, craped on left arm. Superintendent Phillips. The Mace-bearer with maces craped. The Corporation, two abreast. THE HEARSE, Containing the Body, enclosed in separate shells and black cloth coffin, bearing the simple inscription, TV. T. MORGAN, AOED 63. The Mourners and followers. An immense number of people assembled in the neigh- bourhood of the deceased's late residence, and they remained till the return of the funeral party, his sud- den and untimely death being the chief theme of conversation. CONCERT. —Montem Smith, Edith Wynne, Mrs. Davies, and other talented artistes, have announced a concert, under the patronage of the member for Brecon, H. Gwyn, Esq., S. Gardner, Esq., Mayor, and the Mite of Neath, for Saturday evening next, at the Town- hall. The names and well-known talent of the per- formers will be sure to draw a house full." We shall duly report the performance, and the reception of the welcome strangers." SPURGEON OUT-SPURGEONED. On Sunday last, a little knot of people, three men and two women, had collected (by dint of singing, or rather attempting to sing) a few children and adults, opposite the garden of the Neath Union. One of the party, a strange- looking individual, evidently the Mercurius" of the party, then commenced a phillipic against what he termed" forrums of praise," cheerches" and" paar- sons" in general, challenging "the freeinds of the deevel" to take his part if they dared, condemning all who didn't thought as he thinked" to the judg- ment of thelar and the te-sst-temeny," and practically illustrating his shifty language by the most lively movements over one of the fire plugs, as he warmed in his original eloquence. We offer no opinion as to the necessity of such mockeries of religion on Sunday evenings, especially when so many places of worship are open, where at least politeness is not outraged by such personalities as street preachers too often in- dulge in. THE "PRINCE OF WALES" THEATRE.—This estab- lishment was patronised by the cricketers on Thursday and Friday evening last. The company is respectable and well-conducted, and a change of performance takes place every evening. We are informed that the characters are generally well-sustained, and that good order is insisted on among the audience by the mana- gers. The immense concourse of idlers, however, who loiter about the boothing and amuse themselves by stone-throwing, are a great annoyance to the passers- by, and a fruitful source of damage to the opposite buildings. GARDEN ROBBERIES.—As the fruit season advances these little matters" are becoming more frequent. Mr. Bartlett detected one young urchin in the act on Monday night, and Mr. Evans, of Greenway House. caught two fellows robbing the fruit garden in broad daylight. Lantwit Cottage appears to be common property, and handkerchiefs full of fruit are openly carried from the garden. "THEY MANAGE THESE THING3 BETTER IxFRASCE. We give a full report of the grand cricket match in another part of to-day's paper. We have omitted to state, however, that the police arrangements under Supt. Phillips were as usual admirable, excellent order and not the slightest confusion being visible all through the two days' play. Without presuming to interfere in these matters, it is but just to appeal to the liberal and generous members of the club, who so thoroughly enjoyed the play and the good order referred to, as to whether it would be more than an act of justice to acknowledge in some pecuniary sense the obligations they are under to the police officers. It is but right to state that it often happens that men after a night's duty are compelled to do a day's ser- vice extra, for which no acknowledgement is made. We are led to these remarks by observing that during the athletic sports on Whit-Monday the police stood several hours drenched to the skin by the pouring ram, without receiving any refreshment or extra pay! and at the late cricket match no acknowledgment of any kind was made for their services. We feel sure that a moment's reflection will convince the gentlemen of the club that though the police officers cannot share the honour of beating a "crack" club in a game of cricket, they at least feel deeply interested in the suc- cess of the members, and are certainly deserving of .some slight acknowledgment every time their extra services are required. Our remarks are written simply in justice to a deserving body of men. THE GRAm CRICKET MATCH.—NEATH AGAIN VIC- TORIOUS !—The uncertainty of the noble game" was never more clearly shown than in the issue of the two days' match between the Clifton eleven and the Neath and Cadoxton club, on Thursday and Friday last. The result of the firM innings was in favour of the Clifton men by 35 runs, the careless fielding of the Neath eleven permitting runs to be made off catches and short hits in a most easy manner. As usual, however, the style of play was watched and profited by in the second innings by them, the full score showing the excellent play of the Neath eleven both for and against the Clifton during that innin°*s. We think it worth recording that the fastest bowler in England, not excluding Tarrant, was on the Clifton side, viz., W. W. Barber, and also the underhand slow, F. Townsend. Barber, however, took no wickets, and Townsend only four in the first innings and two in the second, the Clifton men admitting that they had never batted to better bowling, nor seen I better fielding than that shown in the Neath second innings." 1st Innings. CADOXTON. 2nd Innings. W. L. Holt, c Aliddleton, b Grace 0 c and b Pullin 10 W. Richards, b Pullin 5 bowled Pullin 3 J. Lovering, c Middleton, b Pullin.. 0 bowled Pullin 4 Major Lee, c Ware, b Pullin 10 bowled Grace 5 "D.G.Thomas, c. Middleton,bPullin 0 bowled Pullin 0 H. Arthur, c Pullin. b Townsend 2t; c and b Gracc 5 J. Westren, bowled Pullin o 1 b w, b Townsend.. 0 P. W. Flower, b I". Townsend 11 bowled Pullin 20 J. T. 1). Llewelyn, c Bernard, b F. Townsend 13 c Boden, b Pullin. 9 W. Whittington, b F. Townsend 6 not out 4 G. J. May, not out 4 bowled Townsend." 16 9 Byes, &c ]. 7 S6 83 Run. at Fall of each Wicket.—1st innings 0 for 1, 1 for 2, 7 for 3, 7 for 4, 22 for 5, 25 for 6, 57 for 7, 66 for 8, 76 for 9,86 for 10. Second innings 16 for J, 25 for 2, 25 for 3, 30 for 4, 32 for 5, 39 for 6, 66 for 7, 67 for 8, 74 for 9, S3 for 10. Analysis of Bowling.—First innings: Llewellyn—t.b., 77; r., 41; in., 5; wkt«.,4. Lovering—t.b.,84; r. 34; in., 4; wkts.,0. Holt-t.b., 48; r., 20; m., 2; wkts., 1. Arthur—t.b., 40 r., 25; n '2 m.,0; wkts., 4—Second innings Holt-t.b., 68; r., 10; m., 13; wkts., 5. Arthur—t.b., 61; r., 17; m., 9 and 3 wkts., 4. 1st innings. CLIFTON. 2nd innings. F. G. Burmester, b Lk-welyn 9 c Westren, b Arthur 0 I). Bernard, runout 15 bowled Arthur 2 C. K. Pidlln, c Lee, b Llewelyn 12 c Arthur, b Holt 1 F. G. Grace, e Arthur, b Llewelyn. 7 c Westren, b Holt 9 F. Townsend, e May, b Arthur 36 bowled Arthllr 4 "W. W. Barber, c Richards, b Arthur 25 c Leo, b Holt 0 W. G. Warne, b Holt 6 bowled Holt 0 E. C. Austin, b Arthur 7 bowled Arthur 9 T. A. Middleton, c Westren, b Arthur 0 not Out 0 H. Boden, not out 3 bowleclHolt 2 J. A. Ware, b Llewelyn 0 runout 0 Byes i Leg-byes 3 „ 121 3Q Runs at itui 01 e&eh Wicket.First innings 22 for 1, 26 tor 2, 34 for 3, 40 tor 4, 89 foro, 98 for 6, 100 for 7, 109 for 8, 121 for 9, 121 for 10. Secona innings; 3 for 1, 3 for 2, 4 ford, 17 for 4 19 for 5, 19 for 6, 25 for 7, 26 for 8, 28 for 9, 30 for JL0. Analysis of Bowling.-—First innings F. CTrace-t.b., 96: t. 30; m., 12; wkts., 1. PL,Uin-t.b., m., 7; wkts' 5 Barber—t.b., 24; v., 6; JJ1., 3; wkts,, 0, Townsend—n.b., 1; t. b., 513 r., 18; m., 5; wkts., 4.—Second Innings: F. Grae- t.b.ä; r., 26; m., 3; wkts., 2., Pullin—t.b,, i2; r 32; m., 19; wkts, e. Barber—w., 1; t. n., 28; r., 4; Ill., 4; wkis,, 0. Townsend—t.to., 36; r., 14; m., 3; 2. Mr. Holt we;at in with W. Richards to the wickets first, and the former mis caught at short slip off the first ball by Middleton. Lowering followed suit—two iaen out iot one rwj. A fast -bumper" cleaa howled W. Richards for 5, the telegraph showing three men out for 7 runs. D. G. Thomas put a ball into Mid- dleton's hands at same place again. Major Lee and B. Arthur now made a stand, and the bowling was changed, one of Townsend's slows gently lifting the bails off B. Arthur's wicket, after a well-played score of 28, including a splendid hit for 5. Major Lee made 10, P. W. Flowers, Esq., 11, and J. T. D. Llewelyn 13, the only double figures of the innings. Mr. Holt stood for 10 in the second innings, when he was cleverly caught and bowled by Pullin, who took Richards's and Lovering's wickets in succession. Mr. P. W. Flower made a splendid hit for 6 during his cleverly played innings of 20, and Mr. G-. J. May scored 16, exhibiting some very cautious play to the oft-changed bowling given him. The first Neath innings of 86 against the 121 of Clifton caused a great deal of heavy speculation to take place. Those who knew the skill and usual "pull up" of the Neath second innings generally offered long odds on them, as much as C50 to £ 5 being offered as a bet that they won the game. Friday's play commenced with Neath going to the wickets, and completing their second innings for 83. Clifton had only 48 to get to win, and the clever batting of their first innings made con- quest seem sure. The" lion hitter," however, F. Townsend, went out for 9, a shooter from Holt re- moving his timbers, after making the best score of the second innings as well as of the first. The last wicket fell for 30 runs, the Neath men appearing to be per- fectly ubiquitous when the ball was struck, so that actually runs were lost through fearing to venture. The fielding was certainly faultless during the time the Clifton men were out, and the excellent placing of the team by the captain deserves special notice. The attendance on the ground of carriages and the gentry of the neighbourhood was very large, the Gnoll road being crowded with spectators anxious to witness the "renowned eleven" play with their "equals." The lookers-on were perhaps more demonstrative in their approval of the Neath efforts than they were of the Clifton science—a pardonable fault when the intense excitement as to the issue of the game is taken into consideration. ACCIDENT TO A Boy.-L--On Saturday a serious acci- dent occurred to a youth named Samuel Griffith, son of Mr. D. Griffith, of Prospect.place. It appears that, in company with others, he was playing with an iron trap-door, attached to a street hydrant, near the Union, and an alarm being raised that some one was coming, his companions hastily closed the valve door, cutting the third finder of the boy Griffiths's hand clean off. Medical aid was procured and the stump dressed, but the bruises on the other part of the hand make the consequences doubtful till the inflammation subsides. MAD DOGs.-An order has been issued, signed by the Mayor, warning all persons not to allow their dogs to be at large without a muzzle, under penalties for so doing. The disappearance of many annoying curs has been the consequence, but the order is openly disregarded in many instances, and no notice is taken of the neglect. MARKET ITEMS.—Wednesday was fair day, princi- pally for horses, although rather fewer than usual were on the ground. Cattle were in excess of the demand, prices being well maintained, and but few abatements made. Sheep and pigs in unusual num- bers, and at a slight decrease in quoted prices. The general market was well stocked, but buyers were scanty, consequently prices were lower than first quotations. Averages English fruits, plums, green- gages, &c., at 2s. per hundred currants, 3d. per lb. raspberries and strawberries, 4d. per lb.; butter, Is. Id. to Is. 4d. per lb.; fowls, 2s. 6d. per couple ducks, 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. per couple; potatoes (English), 8s. per cwt. ditto (foreign), 7s. per cwt. other vegeta- bles lower in price than late markets have been. Towards three o'clock the attendance of buyers and sellers became very limited, the gTeat attraction of the Crymlin Burrows having proved too much for the business folks to withstand. THE NEATH EXCURSION TO BrECO-.N-. -Saturday, the 10th of August, is the day fixed by the Oddfellows' lodge for their excursion to Brecon. The fare is nominal, and the trip one that will allow eight hours amidst the lovely scenery of the Beacons and neigh- bourhood. The proposed arrangements are so admir- able on the part of the railway authorities that we hope the treat will be taken advantage of by many who object to excursions generally on account of inconvenience and overcrowding, every precaution having been taken to make the affair a pleasure party in every sense of the word. VOLI'NTEER PRIZEMEN.—We correct our notice <f the volunti-er p' iz men belonging to ihe Neath com- pxiiy, 15th and I it'), I'tibl'st-d in our last, t-d-ion. Corporal W. Briiiit-, 15th, piize of £ 8, at second short range. This gentleman also holds the cup won in hrec successive vars at the long ratine competition. Private W. H. Sell, 15th, All Comers' piize of t7 Corporal Hopkins, 4ih, short rancre, £5 prize Cor- poral Gregory, the Ladies' Prize of £ 6. ST. DAVID'S CHURCH — ORDER OF SERYICES,-ith Sunday aft, r Trinity Gloria, Houldswoth 1Venite, Turner, 9 Te Deum, Cooke, No. 7A Jubilate, Jones, 4A.; Tal is's Kyrie; hymns 204, 173. Evening serviep Hou'd-sworth's Cantate, No. 5A Nunc Dimittis, No. 8 hymns 164, 239, 109. EARLY HARVEST.—A field of wheat, belonging to xlr. lied wood, of Cae Wern House, near tho Vale of Neath station, was cut and partly carried during the past weel;. THE FETE AT THE Burtno Nv. A fete champetre, tea uaviy, and concert, b thi- Z,mr choir, HSMSted by Mr. H. illiarr.s and Mr. H. Morgan, took place at the Jersey Marine Hotel Assembly Rooms, Cryrnlyn Bu-rows, on Thursday. Thu a'tendance was little short of incredible, and the trains were crowded to aiid ri-o during the wli,.Ie if the day. We have not -pace to entl-r into particulars respecting the pro- ceedings, but we finit ro..m to protest against the ileetin., of a religious body for a gooeY caUSfJ being taken advan'age of by some sporting adven urers, who issued a bill, head, d Short Notice," "Races for Ponies," "Stake-, £ 25," &c,, on the same d-iy, time, and place, as the fete was announced for. We shall refer to the subject in our n"xt impre sion, and give some important details in reference to it. WORTH KNOWING.—Ttiat although many thousands of ppopte passed through Neath, attended the fair day and market, vMled the Burrows to see the review, and m,-t friends from various parts in the town, not a -iog Ie case came before the magistrates, nor was there a street row or brawl of any kind throu-h drunkennt-s*, consequent on the day's excitement. The fact speaks vo umes, and requires no additional comment from us. PETTY SESSIONS, FRIDAY, before H. GWYN, Esq., and Hey. W. GRIFFITHS. ASSAULT CASES. Thomas was charged with an assault on Mary George. The case was a very trivial one, and the magistrates dismissed it with costs. Thomas Morgan was summoned by Geo. Archard for an assault. Mr. Jenkins, of Bridgend, appeared for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. This case was also of so puerile a character that the magistrates dismissed it with costs. Defendant's ex- penses allowed, but not advocate's fee. DRUNKENNESS. Henry Powell pleaded guilty to being drunk, and was fined 20s. and costs. BASTARDY.—Anne Williams charged WilliuM Jen- kins with being the putative father of her illegitimate child. Defendant appeared, but denied paternity. Complainant stated that Jenkins was her cousin, and came to see her as her sweetheart, though he lived eight miles away, and that he had told her before the child was born that she had better put it in the poor- house, if she had no one but him to look to. She called David Anthony, who said he lived at Aberdulais, and used to see the defendant coming and having tea with the complainant, and they then went out for a walk, and came in again together after about an hour or more had passed; this happened some time ago,— about seven or eight months. Defendant said he had offered her 2s. a week, or to take the child altogether, but she refused. The magistrates made an order for 2s. 6d. per week, 10s. midwife, and costs. r.. WILFUL DAMAGE.—Ann Rowlands charged William Joseph with wilful damage. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Complainant, on being sworn, said I keep a little shop at Cadoxton; defendant came in on Saturday night, 13th July, and began to quarrel with another man in the house he dragged him out, and when the young man got in again, I shut the door and locked it; defendant then kicked the panels in, and it would cost 4s. to repair it; lie broke five bot- tles, and also destroyed the lozenges in them; he was not drunk I kept the young man and his step- father in till half-past one o'clock for their protection. Complainant called Mary Lewis, who deposed that she saw the defendant kicking the door after he was turned out, and she also saw the lozenge bottles de- stroyed. George Broom, the young man in question, gave corroborative evidence. For the defence, defen- dant said I was not inside the door Broom was at the door when I came up, and he made motions at me I went down to him when ho "let fly" at me, and when I "let fly" at him, lie ran away and shut the door. William Be van denied that defendant was in- side the door. The Bench considered the evidence conclusive, and fined defendant 12s. for the damage, 2s. 6d. fine, and costs. THE NOTORIOUS GOLD-STREET CASE.—This case was settled out of court, neither party appearing. AXOTHER ASSAULT CASE. Eiiuito IIoicclls was charged with an assault on Hannah Dorey. Mr. Dixon appeared for the defendant. Complainant de- posed that she sent out two of her little boys to clean knives by the door, and the defendant's grandson went out to play with them.- The boy was twice fetched in, but went out again, and she used foul language to complainant's boys when she fetched the I boy in the third time; complaiftant then asked if Jier boys were not as good as the defendant's, when she replied, You are rotten yourself," and then fetched a pitcher of water which she flung over the com- plainant, and said, Stop you I'll do very well with you," at the same time lifting up the pitcher to strike her; complainant defended herself as well as she could, but received the contents of two buckets of water besides the pitcher; nothing was done to the defendant; she admitted to the officer that no blows had passed.—Cross-examined There was no jealousy between me and defendant she cleans the offices; I never accused her of carrying tales to my husband's masters; he has been in their service twenty-two years; he has not had notice to leave owing to this; I never called her a yellow old devil," nor a for- tune-teller from the Cymla," nor a "witch;" I did not say to Ann James "do you want your fortune told,—here is the old gipsy from the Cymla." Com- plainant called Mary Morris who confirmed her state- ments, as did also Ann James.—Mr. Dixon, for the defence, called Daniel Jones, who said he lived in Fairyland," a few hundred yards from the place of the row; he was up stairs and heard a row, and then went there to it; complainant had tucked up her sleeves, and she said, I am Dick Shon Shams, I'll conquer anyone on the Hedffas;" saw Dorey throw water three or four times, but heard no bad language. —Cross-examined: I am courting the defendant's daughter; I don't say I saw the beginning. After a brief consultation, the bench decided on fining the defendant 10s. and costs, or fourteen days' imprison- ment.—Hannah Dorey then appeared as the defen- dant in a cross summons to the previous case. The evidence was merely a repetition of the former affair, and the magistrates thereupon dismissed the sum- mons. MONDAY and TUESDAY, before S. GARDNER, Esq., Mayor, and J. H. ROWLANDS, Esq., Ex-Mayor. USING BAD LANGUAGE.—Margaret Tyler was charged by Mary Turner with using violent and disgusting y 11 language to her, and otherwise annoying her in the public streets. The language used, and recapitulated by the complainant, was filthy in the extreme. She called two witnesses to prove the case, and the defen- dant was consequently fined os. and costs, with an intimation from the Bench that if brought up again before them the punishment would be much more severe. THE DRUNKARDS' LIST. Thomas Samplin was charged by, Supt. Phillips with being drunk and riotous and fighting with a man named John Davies. Defendant pleaded guilty and was fined 2s. 6d.-Johii Davies, the fighting partner in the last case, was also fined 2s. 6d., the costs to be paid between them.- Hannah Thomas was then charged with being drunk and creating a disturbance in Church-place. Mr. L. Samuels corroborated Sergt. Miller's evidence respect- ing the annoyance, and the Bench adjourned the case for a month, in consequence of the husband's being a very respectable man, and his expressing his intention to remove from the neighbourhood he was then residing in. PALTRY THEFTs.David Davies was charged by Robert Cambourne with robbing his garden of a quantity of onions.—Prosecutor said lie was a fitter, and employed by the Great Western Railway Co. he missed some onions from his garden, and he suspected the prisoner.—W. Jones, a night foreman in the ser- vice of the same company, deposed that, while assisting to shunt a goods train, he saw the prisoner lying on a hedge leading to the garden, and a short time after- wards he was observed looking at the peas, beans, &c., in the adjoining garden; he then went and pulled about fifteen onions and put them in his pocket; he gave his correct name and address.—The prisoner said he went to look after a rat, and had only three onions, which he found on the path.—The prosecutor said it was not the value of the things stolen, but the frequency of the petty thefts, that made it nccessary to make an example of some one.—The Bench sentenced the prisoner to fourteen days' hard labour in the house of correction.
MR. HOWEL GWYN'S RENT AUDIT.
MR. HOWEL GWYN'S RENT AUDIT. The half-yarly rent audit of Howel Gwyn, Esq, M.P., took place at the Greyhound Inn, on Wednesday last. The unual banquet followed, served up with that profusion and excf-lh nee for which Mr. and Mrs. Thorne are so well known, every delicacy of the reason being abundantly represented. Af er the cloth was wiihdrawn, and some choice vintages placed on the tn hie, The Chairman, Howel Gwyn, Esq., proposed" The Quein," and "The Prince and Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family," which were cordially receiverl. The Chairman, in proposing "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers," said I hope it may be Ion: or perhaps never, before their services may be required,—not but. what I am sure they will keep up the character of our troops and render a good account of any enemy they may meet. John Bull will expect it of them, being hlunt himself, and liking it in his fellows. I must couple wth the toast the name of Mr. Edwards, though I think Mr. Jenkin Francis there ought to be a crporal. Mr. Edwards excused himself from replying on the groundof being aninvalid. Mr. Hutcliins was appealed I to, t ut was not in effect a volunteer and the "return thanks" was given by Mr. Pendrill Charles, jun who said he regretted that the duty hid not fallen into abh-r hands, as he was the youngest volunteer present. Had it not been for the review at the Burrows, Captain Rowlands himse f would have been present to acknowledge the compliment; but as it "as, he thanked them on behalf of :hc volunteers f r the cordial manner in which the toa-t had been received. The Chairrn-in t heii gave "The Bishop and Clergy," coupling w th it the name of the Rev. Jones, rector of Kil ytebill, spying they had, he was glad to say, a ood h shop and an excellent set. of clet-gy in that neighbourhood. He found the t-let-gy of the Church of England always mixed with the people, and tried to promote their temporal and spiritual good, and they ought to think themselves lucky in possessing so a le a body of men. The Rev, —Jones, in rising to return thanks, said: I wish there were a better representative of the bishop and clergy than myself present, to acknowledge the toast but if my tung-ue is sho t, my heart is long and my words sincere. I spi-ak only what I feel when I say I sincerely thank you for I he toast iusr. proposed; and in responding to it, I feel that. the chairman is right in calling the bishop h'^rd-work ng, as well as the clergy. For we all xert ourselves, and hope that. no unworthy motive may ever be attribuierl to those exertions. We try to do our best, in every way we ca n I therefore return you sincere thanks for the. cordial manner in which you have received the toast. The Chairman rose and said I have another toast to propos' which is always exceedingly pleasant for a landlord to do. I refer to the tenant farmers, and others" ho are tenants but not farmers. lean speak well of all of them, and can only hope they may continue to go on prosperously. I see one tenant farmer who has attended th^e meetings for the past 35 years. I am glad to see him. He is an old man now, but still younger than he seems to be. I am glad to see the townsmen mixing with the farmers and tradesmen, and to find that they deal with each other. It promotes ood feeling, and though some of you are not farmers I am glad to see you, and to propose "The health of the Tenant Farmers, Tenants, and Mr Davis." Mr. Davis briefly responded. Mr. Rees Morgan: Our friend, Mr. Gwyn, has expressed his feelings in reference to his tenants, and I happen to be one of them. I feel a great pleasure, therefore, in saying what you must all know already, that a more excellent landlord, a kinder friend to his tenants, does not exist; and you cannot do a more pleasn duty than wish him every happiness and drink his very good health. (Drunk with honours.) lVIr. Gwyn repl ed, and said I beg to return you my sincere and heartfelt thanks for your kind reception of my name. I have always considered it a duty and a pleasure to meet my tenants and neighbours as oftt-n as I could, and when I caiiiv into my property 20 or 30 years ago, I determined always to receive my rents myself, so that I mi-, fit hear any complaints the tenants had to make, for there is nothing like going to the fountain's head i'selP. I don't regret that step, and I wish every landlord would do the same. I have never missed meeting my Glamorganshire tenantry, though in some cases I have bten onliged to be absent from those in Carmarthen. I am thankful to say I am not 80. I thank goodness I am in good health and strength, and hope to five many years yet. Life, however, is uncertain, and often the young go before the old. It therefore is best to live in a state of harmony, and I hope we shall all dq so, and that I may meet you here on many occasions of this sort. Mr. Toomas Jenkins, of Cynghordy, rose and said I will propose a toast, which is the health of a gentleman well known amongst us, and ot.e who un. derstands farming in every way-a thing that a stew- ard shoul i always do. You must admit that farming is not very bright iu these parts, but still we have got amongst us one who is a good agent—a good farmer— a good neighbour, and a good companion. (Cheers and laughter.) I mean Mr. Close. (Cheers.) Per- haps you all thought that I had a Welshman in my eye, but you were wrong. We are all v. ry warm- hearted among ourselves, and I am an anci nt Briton. yet, I am proud to speak of Mr. Close, for if we are in a fix he will tell us what is best to be done. I shall conciud(- by proposing Mr. Cb-se's health. Mr, Close responded in an amusing speech. Air. Gwyn; You will all agree with me as to tfye next toast, I am sure. It is the town and trade of Neath. Possessing as it dops, many highly respecta hie tradesmen, it would be invidious in me to particu- larize them. hut saving one gentleman here, who fill, the highest office in the council, and who has done so before, so admirably that he has been elected again I shall propose" The town and trade of Neath, and Mr. Gardner." Mr. Gardner on rising, was received with loud cheers, and after thanking the chairman for the toast, he said We are all more or less interested in the trade of Neath, and its present progress is enc >urage- ing. The increasing population must naturally cause an iner, ase of wealth, and of consequent prosperi'y. Perhaps we are keeping pace (though not too fast,) with other towns of greater importai ce if so, pro- gress is sure, though further off; and the future is in the hands of those whose interest is linked with our own. With these few remarks, and without asking permission, I would propose a toast, and that will be the nam-of a ]ady well known to all, justly Hnd dnser- vedly known also for her "pluck" and for being uiilted I o a "plucky man." Mr. Gwyn has met us of en before, but on the present occasion he appears in a new character,—v z. as the member for B econ. (Ch ers.) One party has succeeded in taking the wind out of another party's sails. Still there is no occasion for alarm, nor will there ever be wbil,- goodness and virtue prevails for so long will all gu well with those who k. ep in those tracks. I have much pleasure in proposing the health of Mrs Gwyn (Drunk with honors ) Mr. Gwvn, said Gentlemen, I return you my warmest thanks for the toast just, offered, and so warmly received. Ever since Mrs. Gwyn has lived in this n-ighbourhood, she has identified herself wi, h the trade of the town, and has found that you can furnish her with as good thintrs as London houses. My friend Mr. Gardner, has alluded to me as a member of Par- liament. I can only say that I am, and that I am proud to represent a Welsh borough (cheers) as much as if it were in the West. Still I hope to be considered a member for the whole kingdom, in my votes in tlw House of Commons. I agree with my friend about the Reform Bill, but nor about the wind being taken out of the sails. It is notorious that as soon as the weaker party got into powi r, and occupied the Treasury Benches, Reform was made a stalking horse," and kept, it as such till they were secure. Look at the X6 franchise reduced by suggestion to £5, then to E2, and so on it would bti till it came to nothiug better have good firm ground in hoi seh Id suffrage than such shilling as t h,t I; sc t and lot was the ancient household suffrage, and every man who paid his Scot" bore his lot," and so matters were always safe and s eady. I have no douht that though whitt were considered as "safe guards" have been broken down, all will turn out hett. r than has heln expected. You have referred to "pluck." Well women have more pluck than men, and I am sure many members of Parliament would hear me out in saving that a lady canvasser is always better than a gentleman I beg to ttla"k yor for your cordiality in drinking Mrs. Gwyn's health. Mr. Gvyn retired, and the usual thanks and after dinner conversation took place till the close of the evening.
THE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT TO…
THE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT TO WILLIAM T. MORGAN, ESQ The particulars of this shocking accident will best be gathered from the report of the inquest, which we append. Tne deceased was a member of the Town Council, and formerly held the office of mayor He was hiybly respected for his urbanity of manner and liberality of heart, and the gr, atest sympathy is therefore felt for the family of the unfortunate gentle- man, who was held in the highest esteem by those with whom he was connected in his daily life. The inquest was held at the Somerset House, Taibach, before H. Cuthbertson, Esq., coroner. Mr. Morgan, son of the deceased, attended on behalf of the unfortunate gentleman's family and Mr. Langdon, superintendent on the Great Western Railway, was (.resent to watch the proceedings on behalf of the Railway Company. The first wil ness called was the Rev. Mr. Jones, who deposed I reside at Neath, and knew the deceased; the body which has been shewn to the jury to-day, is the body of Mr. William Thomas Morgan the deceased was very deaf; some- times he could hear when you were face to face with him, but not always. Robert Edwards was next called, and said I am a railway policeman, siationed at Port Talbot station the first tone I saw the deceased yesterday was in the six foot way between the up and down lice; he was crossing to the down platform this was about 2.50 in the afiernoon a down passenger train was due in ahout four minutes I saw no one with him I was on toe down platform at the time I ca led out to the deceased, and told him to go back I don't think he heard me the reason I called out to him was because a "through goods" was near him,—about 50 yards off; the goods train was going at about twenty to twenty- five miles per hour after I called out to the deceased I went towards him, but the train was too near for me to do so my du'y at the station is shunting" at the yard the deceased had either one foot on the step and the other on the line, or one foot on the platform and the other on the step I can't say which for cer- tain -hen the deceased was in that position I saw the buffer plank of the engine strike him on his left. side, about, the th'gh the deceased was struck thirteen yards and a half; he was thrown against the pillar of the wai'ing-room his forehead was struck against the pillar I went up to him, picked him up, and pui him on the seat; he was not alive then I did not see him move I have been at the station here about 13 months; Albert. Hodges has the care of the station and crossings I cannot say where Hodges was when this happened he is here to answer for himself; there ara two boarded crossings for the oassengers to cros over, one at each end of the platform 1 think the deceased was looking, when I first saw him in the six-foot way, up the line, towards Pyle; if the train had '0 stop at the s'at:on, he would have had time to cross the bne after I had called out to him. By Mr. Morgan I do not know what rate goods trains are allowed to travel through the stations porters' duties are to attend to the luggage, and policemeo's to attend to the trains. By the Coroner I cannot say for certain whether the driver of the engine gave the signal by whistling I was so frightened. The next witness called was Albert Hodges, who said I am a railway policeman at Port Talbot; I was on duty ycsterdiy afternoon I did not see the deceased until he was stepping from the six-foot way on to the down line I was passing the goods train at the time; I was on the up lin.ahout nine or ten yards from the passenger's foot-board crossing it is my duty to prevent passengers crossing the line when trails are coming, if I see them; I did not see the deceased until he was stepping on to the down line I called out to him other persons on the down platform called out to him also I do not think he could have heard,—the train was so close to him and made so muc 1 noise part of my duty is to attend to the gates at the cro-sing I signal the passenger and goods trains the goods train was late; I should have expected it at 2.15; the time the train passed was 2 52; I should think it was going at the rate of twenty miles an hour I nave five gates to shut; I see them closed before the train is in sight, or I should have no time to do it. and attend to the train; I could not protect the passengers crossing the line when a goods train was passing; I have been at Port Talbot station nearly two years; there are only two police- men stationed there—the last witness and myself; I go on duty at seven o'clock in the mornmi;, and leave at eight o'clock at night; I pass and signal thirteen trains on the up line, and ten on the down line every day exc, pt Sunday; no accident of this kind has oc. curred at that station since I have been there; I saw the deceased after he was knocked down; he had re- ceived a very severe blow on the forehead, and I be- lieve his legs were broken; the driver blew the whistle before he approached the station; the engine was about fifty yards off when he did so; I cannot say whether the driver saw Mr Morgan crossing the line; I cannot attend to the pass-ngers' foot-board crossing when through goods trains are passing. By Mr. Langdon: Edwards was on the down plat- form to protect the crossing. By the Coroner: Edwards could not prevent a per- son crossing the line from the up to the down line from where he was. By Mr. Morgan: The driver blew the whistle about half-a-minute before he came to the station. By the Jury: There was no person on the up side to prevent passengers crossing. The driver of the engine was next examined. He sa.id: I live at No. 9, Mariner's street, Swansea; my name is Joel Moore; I am an engine-driver on the Great Western Railway I drove a goods train from Bridgend yesterday; I think we started from there about five minutes to two o'clock; we were about twenty or twenty-five minutes late starting; I think it was about five minutes to t ree when we passed Port Talbot station; it is a through train at this station there is no stated time for our passing; this was n t a heavy train; there were seven 'rucks and a van we passed the station about, twenty miles an hour; that is about the usual speed; I saw a person walk from the up side to the down when we were no' many yards off —abou' a dozen yards; I had whisthd twice before then, but I did not whistle when I saw him crossing; we were too close on him; I believe that the person I saw crossing was the p- rson that was struck down. This being the whole of the evidence, the Coroner briefly summed up the statements of the various wit- nesses, and the jury, after a short delibpration, returned a verdict of Accidental Death, appending a note stat- ing that thev wished to call the attention of the direc- tors to the necessity of placing a man at the crossings r. specially to protect the passengers.
BOARD OF GUARDIANS.
BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The fortnightly meeting of the Guardians of the Poor for this district, took place on Tuesday last. Present: Jonathan Rees, Esq., Vice-chairman, in the chair; Revs M. R. Morgan and David Griffiths; Messrs. P. Wdliams, D. Jtnkins, Thos. Evans, D. Smith, W. B Sloan, D Roderick, J. W. Yintiu Thos. Rees, and Phillip Davies, M. H. Cuthberton, (clerk), Mr Turbtrville, and Mr. Allen. MASTER'S REPORT. This report showed that there were 103 inmates in the house, against 87, the number in corresponding week of last year. Admitted during past week, 4. Disehaiged, 3. RELIEF CASES. A considerable number of relief cases were dis- posed of, provoking a discussion as To the desirability of compelling (when possible) the children of appli- cants to support their parent. Ti e Rev. D. Grfffi- os quo'ed an Act of Parliament in favour of the sug- gestion. A case in point came before the board, in wiach a woman, Elizabeth Morgan applied for relief, having at t'le same time, one son a shopkeeper, and another a sawyer. MEDICAL OFFICERS. A letter from the Poor Law B ard was read bv the clerk, sanctioning the appointment of medical officers for Briton Ferry alld N eatll, at the salaries advertised, but requ* sting further information respecting Clyn- corrwg district. THE UNION GARB. A letter was read from the Poor Law Board, cal. ling attention to the report of commissioners stating that some of ih- innntes were without the ui.,oii elothes. Mr Turberville said that the master, (Mr. Richards,) had be,i) r' q,iested to draw up a report in reference to the clothing Mr. Richards replied, that he had done so, and that although the clothing was not new, there was sum- cietit for every one to wear. The report and expla- nation were consider! satisfactory, I/UNACV COMMISSIONERS' REPORT. The clerk then r-ad a letter from he Poor Law Bosrd calling aitenliowi t) the lunacy commissioners' report, on the state of the house, a copy of which is subjoined. No. 28,652. Neath Workhouse, June 21st, 18(57. The inmates classed as of unsound mind at this workhouse, are at present 13 in number, namely, 3 of the male and 10 of the female sex, all of whom, with the exception of one woman who was out visiting her friends, we have seen and examined at our visit to-day. One poor woman, named Mary Ann IVebb, was in bed in a state of "Melancholia," which is passing into "Dementia." She is also pale, and in feeble bodily health. It was elicited by our own enquiries, that this patient had been in the workhouse about ten months; that during the whole of that time she had never been out of doors; that she rarely left her bed, and could not be induced to dress herself or go down stairs; that she was generally very unhappy and depressed, often crying at the sight of a child, or the presence of strangers. We are of opinion that this patient ought, when her mental disorder fist manifested itself, to have had the benefit of treatment in the asylum, and feeling that, although the chances of her recovery are now necessarily greatly diminished, yet she is quite unfit a case to detain in such a workhouse as that of Neath, where there arc no means for her proper care, or for the employment of any treatment whatever. We made out an order for her immediate removal to the Glamorganshire county asylum, under the powers vested in us by the 31st section of 25 and 26 Vic., c. III. Another patient named Mary Davis, we observed to be de- pressed, and in bad health. She is said to be occasionally noisy and excited. We recommend that the special attention of the medical officer be called to her, and that she be at once placed upon full diet with beer or wine. The ordinary house diet upon which the majority of the in- sane inmates at this workhouse are placed, is upon a very low scale, and in our opinion insufficient for persons of unsound mind. It consists daily of water gruel and bread for breakfast, and comprises weekly two solid meat dinners only of 4 oz. for each person; on the remaining five days there is for dinner soup or broth, with bread or vegetables. We recommend that tea or coffee be given for breakfast, and that solid meat be substituted for soup or broth, on at least three of the days upon which this liquid dinner is given, as far as the inmates of unsound mind are concerned. These patients are distributed among the ordi- nary inmates, and we inspected their living and sleeping-rooms. The former were bare, comfortless, and very poorly and scantily furnished, and the latter were disorderly and far from clean. The beds in several instances were in bad condition, and the bedsteads out of repair, and among the bedding only one sheet is allowed to each person. These defects should be forthwith remedied, and greater attention given to keep the rooms generally clean and in better order. We repeat the recommen- c dation of the last Visiting Commissioners, That the inmates of unsound mind be taken out regularly under proper care for exercise beyond the premises. The small flagged yards to which they are at present confined, are quite inadequate, and unsuited to the purpose of healthy exercise. (Signed). JOHN D. CLEA TOX. The separate items of complaint were then discussed by the Board, the Rev. M R. Morgan observing that the medical officer would let the Board understand the refer* noe made to Mary Davies. Mr. Russell replied that he bad noibing. to say, as the cases were not so severe that they required separation. The Rev. M. R Morgan: But d,) you not think the) ouht to be taken out for a w,dk or airing? Dr. Russell; Yes; certainly that wou'd benefit them, but as to allowance of stimulants that must come in due course. Mr. Philbp Davies: You must allow that one thing requires altering—there are some pauper lunancs with- out caps, and wretched enough they look. Six weeks ago, in going through the house, their appearance was deplorable. Dr. Russell: There is agreat difficulty in the matter; but, the attention of the master and matron shall be called to it. The Ilev. M. R Morgan; Will you suggest in what way the lunatics can be taken 1 ut? Dr. Russell: Take them ut like school children. Rev. D. Griffiths: The master will see to the details if the illmltt's are to go out. Mr. Phillip Davies asked about the broken bedsteads, and said th,re are plenty of sound ones in the house. The Master stated th.it uuf'ori unat^ ly two nights be- fore the Commissioners came some girls jumped on and broke the iron stretcher bars. The Comm ssioners s, w ir, and noticed the bedsteads, but two were direct ly after placed in thei., room instead of the broken ones. Mr. Philip Davies ask&d if the matron wanted more sheets. The Master Yes we should be glad to have a doz n from Mr. Hawkins's, and as there are good sewers in the house they could be made here. Tne B.,ard Th n we can reply that all the orders have been noticed, and attended to. MISCELLANEOUS. Cheques were dra-vn for the amount of officer's salaries, to be p;,i,i forthwith. NotIce was read tht the "Nuisance orders," refer- ring to cholera, &c., were extended for six months. A letter was read from F. Gibbin3, Esq., to Mr. J. Francis, relieving officer, respecting a person a plying for relief from Llanelly.—Mr. Francis explained, and stated that the case was having his attention. Another letter was read respecting the out-door relief of another person, publicity to which was requested to he suppressed. Mr. W. B. Sloane stated that during his visit through the house the old men had complained of their" bacca." being stopped.—Dr. Russell was appealed to by the chairman. He replied that unless the supply of tobacco was made a necessity, the in, n would all want it.—The Rev. M, R. Morgan said, Oh, allow a little tobacco to the old men, poor fellows "—Dr. Russell rejoined that if the Board sanctioned it it was in their po er to order it .-Allowed accordingly. The remiining relief lists were then gone through, and the business closed. 0 L,
GRAND REVIEW OF THE GLAMORGANSHIRE…
GRAND REVIEW OF THE GLAMORGAN- SHIRE VOLUNTEERS. On Wednesday the seventh annual review of the Glamorganshire Volunteers took place on the Crymlin Burrows, a place admirably adapted for large meetings, but inconveniently rushy and full of hillocks, as the distance extends. At one time there could not have been less than 15,000 spectators on the grounds and surrounding, hills-Mr. Evans's hotel, the Jersey Manne," appearing like a flower garden of faces and colours standing on the slopes leading from the look- out tower to the beach. The whole of the various corps reached the ground by eleven o'clock-the day beautifully fine, and a gentle breeze blowing, so that the excessive fatigue att(-ndin- the massing of a large body of men was less felt than it would have been under less favourable clr. cumstances. The railway company had issued printed instructions to their servants respecting the convey- ance ufthf troops, and the arrangements were admir. ably carried out, without the slightest accident. All the trains were lab-lled with the numbers of the corps who were to occupy the carriages. The trains pon- veyin" the Volunteers did not stop at the station at Briton Ferry Road, but proceeded to the review ground, wh. re the men alighted and marched into posi'ion at oncp.. The 1st Artillery, with two guns (Swansea), 18 pounders, umb r Major Francis, seven officers, and 104 men, inI"cll .d f' otn Swansea with their band. This was the only exception to the conveyance of all the men by rail. The respective corps on the ground shortly after "falling in" compriit,d-lst A-tillery; 2nd Artillery (Briton Ferry), I captain, I officer, and 46 men; 3rq Artillery (Cardiff), four brass uuus, six-pounders, -vith 20 horses, I lieutenant-colonel, 7 officers, and 304 men. These formed the administrative battalion u,,(I,r Lieutenant-Colom-l Hill, of Cardiff. Two brigades of Tlfles-ht Brigade (4th co mpany), under LjeIJtennt. Colon-1 Viviaq; 3rd and £ j'h, under Maj tr Dilwyn and the ripht wing of tfee administrative battalion, under Major Vivian. 2nd Brigade under Colonel Clark, of Dowlais; left wing under Colonel Grenf-11. Total corps and men on the field, all told, 2 809 The Inspector General, Colonel Erskine, the Lord Lieutenant, Colonel Lennox, and Brigade Major Wick- ham reached the ground shortly after twelve, the bands playing the National Anthem, and the general salute being given. The line uf troops was first inspected and surveyed by the General, and the usual brigade movements exe- cuted. The "march-past" followed, various remarks as to dress, eiffciency, and soldier-like bearing being freely made. At the conclusion of the march, the men were taken in separate companies to tents, where refreshments had been liberally provided for them by their commanding officers. Shortly af1 er two p.m. the bugle call sounded for re- forming company, and the distribution of prizes took place. Those prize-men who were not present had iheir winnings handed to the respec'ive tifficerit of their corps, the Lord Lieutenant, in a few r»mirks, expressing his pleasure that the west end of the county had carried away the laurels." First'Prize, £ 15, Great Gun and Challenge Medal: John Peters, 3rd Artillery fCardiff). First prize (Colonel Clark's) for short range, a Cup, or £ 10 in money: Corporal Thomas, 18th Corps, 30 points. First long range prize, a Cup, or JMO Sergeant E. O. Jones, 1st Glamorgan, 29 points. Second prize for long range, £ 15: "William Griffiths, 1st Corps, 28 points. First prize for Lord Lieutenant's first stage, £ 15 John Clark, 17th Corps, 42 points. Second prize from the Lord Lieutenant's first stage, 915: John Clark, 17th Corps, 42 points. The Lord Lieutenant's prize of £ 50 and the Champion's Silver Medal for the county Sergeant E. G. Williams, 3rd Corps, 38 points. Lieutenant-Colonel Grenfell's prize of B5 5s.: Corporal Nott, 3rd Corps, 29 points. The first ladies' prize of £ 20: Sergeant Jenkins, 4th Corps, 39 points. The second ladies' prize of £ 10: Morris Evans, 4th Corps, 37 points. The cup won by Major Vivian was not on the ground. He had received it the previous day from the Lord Lieutenant. A hearty round of chte-s fol- loqd the dis ribotion, and the sham fight movements commenced at once. The movements were in imitation of a pursuit after an enemy, attacking an entrenched c Imp, and a St ries of tield battery movements, supported by a masked battery of heavy guns on th" sidn if the Crymlyn hill. She whole ail-iir was exceedingly eff..c ive, the bret-ze clearing away the smoke and enabling ihv* spectators to see oisiinctly the movements of the attacking and defending parties. The enemy were supposed to exist in the companies f rniirig the left wing of the first adminis:rative hattalion, and the second ditto was the attacning party. Contrary to usual custom, the latter wire defeated, and con.p. lied to retreat towards i he bill-side battery, wnich pounded" away at a terrific rate. as the tUt-my r tired. CapUin Evans's Neath Abbey steamer lay high and dry 00 the b^ach, covered with gay bunting, and made unm st..keable efforts to assist in the day's proc edings. A shght incident occurred during the day, which created a sensation in the camp. A female with a party of children were overtaken and surrounded by the tide, while watching the review. Several gallant fellows rushed to the rescue, and succeeded in bringing all off safely, although the water was in some spots five feet dt ep. We unoerstand that 1,500 people were booked direct from Neath to the review ground, 5,000 from Swansea, 3,500 from Merihyr and district, and 2,500 from Cardiff and district.
To the Editor of the BRECON…
To the Editor of the BRECON COUNTY TIMES. SIR, I propose sending you for publication next week, a translation of a biographical account of the family of the Rev. Theophilus Evans, the discoverer of Llanwrtyd mineral springs. He was grandfather of Theophilus Jones, the historian of this county. The original appeared in the Haul for the months of March and April last, from the pen of the Rev. David Lloyd Isaac, Llangathen, and should the brief memoirs prove ac- ab ceptable to your readers, I hope to be able to supply you occasionally with other matters on subjects of bye-gone days," which I trust will be deemed of sufficient interest to occupy a small portion of your columns. J. Brecon, 1st August, 1867. -♦
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE…
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE ON THE HILLS." To the Editor of the BRECON COUNTY TIMES. Slii,-I notice Lounger's" excellent letter in your paper on the want of proper attendance on the bench at Brynmawr, and can fully endorse all lie says,—nay, I must add that what he says of Urynmawr is equally applicable to Blaina and Trede- gar. But when he proposes to have a Government stipendiary magistrate, he must remember that a knowledge of the Welsh language is indispensable to the proper administration of justice in that district, and there would be a considerable diffi- culty in getting a stranger, who can speak it, to fill the office. Interpreters of Welsli into English are not competent to convey the shades of meaning so necessary for the detection of crime, and the mistranslation of a sing-le word does, and often will, defeat the ends of the law. I call especial attention to this .point (ere any decision is arrived at respecting the appointment of a stipendiary, or other mode of remedying the evil complained of), in order that those, who must pay for the work, should make a thorough knowledge of Welsh a sine qua nan, OBSERVER. +
To the Editor of the BRECON…
To the Editor of the BRECON COUSTY TIMES. SIR,—I had much pleasure in seeing the letter from" Lounger" in your paper of last week. The matter of it is so very impor- tant to the interests of the people that I crave leave to say a few words in support of what he has so well written. In my opinion, Sir, the intolerable inconvenience, the great hardship, and the vast expense occasioned to the public in connection with the attempted" administration of justice" in this neighbourhood of Tredegar, Blaina, and Brynmawr, call loudly for amendment. Lounger" speaks of the inconvenience occasioned by the difficulty of securing a bench of magistrates. As to this he speaks accurately. At Blaina, seldom or never are two justices in attendance; at Tredegar, often but one. The fact is, county magistrates will not—cannot—without remuneration give their time and services, travel miles over a mountainous district, incur heavy travelling expenses, and properly and regularly discharge the onerous duties of a justice of the peace. Hence, in many instances, prisoners are unnecessarily detained, cases adjourned again and again, and the attendance of professional men, suitors, and witnesses rendered abortive. I also agree with "Lounger" that, in order to the proper administration of justice, there should not only be disinterested- ness, but all doubts on the very possibility of the reverse should be obviated. Let no one suppose that I have the smallest par- ticle of such doubt. I know our justices to he gentlemen far too honourable to allow themselves to be biassed in a single parti- cular, but my knowing this does not alter the fact that they are closely connected with the trade or have other interest in the locality. But beyond all this, justices' justice is often so illogical and absurd-and I think necessarily so, as, however brilliant in knowledge upon other subjects a man may be, he cannot administer justice without a knowledge of the law-that there cannot be a doubt as to the immense advantage that must arise upon having the magisterial and criminal law administered by a legally educated man, and one whose calm judgment will be free from those petty local interests and prejudices which too often warp the mind and pervert the pure stream of justice, Brynmawr, not being a city, town, or borough, consisting of 25,000 inhabitants, is excluded from the benefit of the Stipendiary Magistrates' Act, 1861. I fear it is useless, therefore, looking forward to the appointment of a stipendiary magistrate, besides which, such a functionary would require at least £ 700 a year, and therefore too heavy a sum for a small and not over rich community to bear. If the local authorities of Tredegar, Blaina, and Brynmawr were to join in an attempt to remove the difficulty, it may be done. The regular and certain attendance, however, of one justice may be secured in this way; Mr. Martyn J. Roberts, of Crickhowcll, would, I believe, if sohOltedat a salary of Z200 or £ 250 per annum, a sum only adequate for the payment of his travelling expenses ^attend at Tredegar, Blaina, and Brynmawr. Iam quite sure £ 250 a year between these localities would be very trilling. One other justice at each place would only then be requisite, instead of as now two. Mr. Roberts is a good magisterial lawyer—a gentleman having a thorough knowledge of the colloquial "Welsh language, which is essential, possessing a calm and temperate judgment, having no local interest, well conversant with mining and manufacturing operations, so as to be efficient on questions between master and man, and whose decisions, I am told, have given universal satisfaction. "Lounger" has so well described the place where the magis- trates sit that I will not occupy your space to enlarge upon that, but hope the county will at once take measures to supply that accommodation at Brynmawr which is to be touna elsewhere, and to which Her Majesty's Justices are entitled -1 am, Sir, yours truly, A SOLICITOR.
[No title]
BRECON AND MERTHYR RAILWAY.—68 miles open. Traffic for week ending July 28, 1867:— Passengers, parcels, £ m 12 5 Goods and lxve stock £ 953 K 0 Total £142 6-6- £ -20 198. Gd. pet mile per week. a Corresponding week last year, 68 miles open Passengers, parcels, &c £ 564 10 11 Goods and live stock £ 832 17 7 Total 41397 7 8} £ 20 lis. Od. per mile per week. Increase £ 28 18 8f Aggregate from 1st July, 1867 £ 5699 13 n Ditto ditto 1806 £ 5464 9 8f Increase. 42.35 3 611 PRICES OF SHARES OF THE JOINT STOCK COMPANIES ESTABLISHED IN BRECON UNDER THE LIMITED LIABILITY ACTS:— s Last Present Business js Paid. Companies. dividends Price. Done. GO m Z PER CENT. £ 10 All. Gas 10 18 to If) 25 6 Breconshire Coal ) 5 £ 6 5s. to and Lime £ 7.. 500 300 Bargoed Coal 5 350 500 300 Bargoed Coal 5 350 10 8 CastleHotel. 10 11 to 12 T 10 10 Wellington Hotel 5 Dis. 7 South "Wales Mer- • eantile 10 U to 12 Printed for the Proprietors by William Henry Clark, at the Offices in t,,hiti-cit Street, and published a the Office in Higk Street, both in the parish of Saint Mary and borough, of Bi-econ. —August 3, 1867.