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

THE PENNOYRE ESTATE. On Thursday last this freehold property was offered for sale by public auction, at the Castle Hotel, by Mr. W. A. Bowler, of London. A large company of gentlemen was present on the occasion, and, in some instances, the biddings were very spirited. For some few of the lots, however, no offers could be got, and others were bought in, the reserve price not being reached. The property sold realised altogether £ 44,880. Lot I.-The Pennoyre Mansion, with park, and bettin plantations, &c., commenced at £ 5,000, and rose by thousands, to £23,000, and then by hundreds to f,24,000, at which sum it was knocked down to Matthew John Rhodes, Esq., of Allan. Lot 2.-Penyerug, and part of Upper Gludy (including timber), commenced at £1,000 and was knocked down at £ 3,260, to Mr. William Hiley. Lot 3.—Cae Dawkin, or Cae Seat, fetched £ 900, and was sold to John Williams, Esq. Lot 4.—Cae Dawkin fetched £675, and was sold to M. J. Rhodes, Esq. Lot 5.—Cae Painon fetched zel,500, and was sold to M. J. Rhodes, Esq. Lot 6.-Freehold estate in St. John's and Battle fetched f,2,500, and was sold to M. J. Rhodes, Esq. Lot 7.-Freehold estate in Battle, fetched £ 440, and sold to Colonel Charles Wood. Lot 8.-Gwaun-y-balwg (including timber), brought f,270, and was bought by M. J. Rhodes, Esq. Lot 9.-Freehold estate and dwelling-house, &c., not sold. Lot 10,-Part, of Battle Farm fetched E450, and was sold to Colonel Charles Wood. Lot 11.—Ditto fetched £860, and was bought by William Mainwaring, Esq. Lot 12-Freehold grass and wood land, John Evans,Esq., was the purchaser for 9350. Lot 13-Freehold pasture land, purchased by Colonel Chas. Wood at £ 300. Lot 14-part of Battle Farm-Not sold. Lot 15-Freehold and tithe free estate, purchased by John Evans, Esq., £ 130. Lots 16, 17, 18, and 19, were not sold. Lot 20-Vennyfach Farm (with timber valued at £ 1,360), purchased by Mr. Charles Francis at £ 5,850. Lot 21 Vennyfach Farm (with timber valued at £546), pur- chased by Lord Tredegar at Z1660. Lot 22 -Penywern (with timber valued at more than £1100) was bought by John Evans, Esq., for £ 5000. Lot 23-The Bolgoed Farm (with £ 100 worth of timber), was purchased by Mr. John Williams, Merthyr Cynog, for flillo. Lot 24-Not sold. Battle Farm and Coedygern were bought in at X8800 and for the advowson and impropriate tithe rent charges of the parish of Battle, no offer was made.

BRECON AND MERTHYR RAILWAY. In our last notice of the course of this railway between Brecon and Newport we landed our readers at Pont Aberbargoed, the point where a junction is formed with the Rhymney Railway. This seems to be of considerable importance to the line, for here is a second and very direct route opened to its traffic in passengers and in coal, lime, and iron, to the important seaport of Cardiff. In speaking of Merthyr we observed that by the connexion with the Taff Vale Railway a way was there opened to Cardiff. As yet, however, the through route" is only for goods and minerals, and passengers have to walk or ride from the Vale of Neath station—a building offine proportions, and offering ample room —to the Taff Vale station,—a small, cramped, and we were going to say, somewhat dingy place. Some two years since, an Act of Parliament was obtained empowering the Taff Vale Company to make a branch and run into the Vale of Neath station, and so to concentrate the passenger traffic of Merthyr at one station but up to the present time nothing has been done towards accomplishing this very desirable object, and the prospect of anything being done appears to be very remote. It is in view of this state of things that we think the junction with the Rhymney Railway,referred to above, an important one, since it affords to passengers the only route by which they may travel southwards without a break in the journey. Having said this much we would now ask our readers to accompany us to Rhymney, the northern terminus of the Newport section of the railway. Here we have another of those populous mining and iron district towns, situated in the midst of a wild, but not altogether unlovely country, and teeming with men, women, and children. Of the latter especially there seems to be no end, and here, there, and every- where, may be seen sprawling about ragged and unwashed urchins, for the most part huddled together —like the arrangement of the houses. But notwith- standing the din and noise, the smoke and dust, there are indications that the people are happy and con- tented. Of late years very much has been done, under the judicious and enlightened management of the Rhymney Iron Company, towards improving the town, by the supply of gas and water, and a thorough system of drainage. It has not confined its opera- tions therefore, to the conversion of the wealth that lies underground, but, like similar companies at Merthyr and Aberdare, it has kept a watchful eye over the interests of the large population it has brought together. Following the course of the railway towards Newport, we come in a short time down the valley to the New Tredegar pit, which is one of the largest in South Wales. Here hundreds of men and boys are employed in winning" the black diamonds" which are so extensively used in the navy and merchant services. The pit is worked by a company, formed some years ago on the limited liability prin- ciple, for working the mines opened, and to a very considerable extent worked, by the late Mr. Thomas Powell. A little lower down, and we have a station at the <! White Rose" or New Tredegar village, and further on we have the Hope coliiery, and the Brithdir and Cwmsyfiog works. The latter is cer- tainly one of the blackest and, by reason of the abundance of smoke, the most begrimed places on the line, although its name, which has been handed down from much purer and fairer times, leads one to think of pleasant dales and fertile gardens. The name Cwmsyfiog, as our Welsh* friends know very well, translated into English means the "strawberry dingle," and implies a state of rural beauty very different we should imagine from its present dingy appearance. We next come to Ponta berbarg oed, Pontaber- pengam and Fleur-de-lis,—all villages of consider- able extent the population of which is engaged in the works which are scattered here and there in the valley. At the latter of the three places a junction is formed for mineral traffic with the Taff Vale Extension (now Great Western) Railway, by means of a branch line which runs up to the latter on a high level. The Great Western crosses the valley of the Rhymney river near this place, at a height of about ) 90 feet, by a handsome stone viaduct of sixteen arches, built somewhat like the viaduct we noticed at Cefn, on a curve, and with a steep gradient. At the east end of the viaduct, on the low level, the Brocon and Merthyr Railway passes under one of the arches of the viaduct, and immediately after- wards we arrive at the Maesycwmmer station, near to which is a flannel factory. There are also some chemical works in the neighbourhood. At this point the valley, laving escaped from the smoke and dust which always accompany the working of coal and collieries, presents a very beautiful view. From the head of the Rhymney river to this place would be more properly described as a mountain gorge, through which runs a rapid stream. Here, however, it widens out into a picturesque valley of green fields and woods, the meandering river adding to the charming character of the picture. Here and there, too, amidst the green fields, stand out conspicuously, or peep shily from out the foliage of the trees, small but neat whitewashed houses, the scene altogether being vastly different from that a little higher up. Shortly after leaving Maesycwmmer we obtain a view of the residence of Mrs. Thomas, Ystrad, a handsome stone-built house, surrounded by gardens and pleasure grounds, A little way off may be seen a fine church, built in the Gothic style of architec- ture, and in the distance, high up on the hill, we get a glimpse of Gellygaer church. Proceeding down the valley for about three miles, and we come to Trehir, where a magnificent view of the vale and town of Caerphilly, and Caerphilly castle, presents itself. It is supposed to have been founded by St. Conydd, who was also a Welsh prince, and called it after his son Ffilli: hence the name Caerphiily, the prefix Caer signifying a fortress or castle. The castle is an object of great attraction, from its noble dimensions, being the largest in the Principality, and covering altogether, it is said, as many as thirty acres. It is an immense pile of lofty walls and massive towers, partly overthrown, and with huge masses lying scattered round. On the south side of the principal court, which is about seventy yards in length and forty yards in width, are the remains of the great hall. This is a noble apartment, being seventy feet by thirty feet, and seventeen feet in height, and on one side are several windows, beau- tifully ornamented, in the style of the 14th century. The castle comprises many towers, a mint, decorated arches in the pointed style, and a variety of fine architectural ornaments. The mint is a circular tower of no great height, but near to it is the lean- ing tower, which is a singularly attractive object. It consists of about one-half the circumference of a round tower, eleven feet thick, ruptured from top to bottom —the other part having been destroyed when this was forced into its present position. The part remaining is about eighty feet high, and the top portion thereof overhangs its base upwards of eleven feet, and is entirely sustained by the strength of the cement and its firm hold in the ground. The most striking view of this singular tower is obtained by the visitor lying upon his back, when its appear- ance is truly terrific, as it seems ready to overwhelm him. The early history of the castlo is involved in obscurity but from the different styles of its archi- tecture it has evidently been built by several parties. It seems, however, to have been the great border fortress standing on the debateable ground between England and Wales, which was so long contested by both nations, under the title of The Marches." Some have attributed its foundation to the Romans, some to Edward I., and* others give the honour to the Clare family. It was enlarged and fitted up in a most magnificent style by the De Spencers and in 1400 it was in the possession of Owen Glenddwr, at which time it was described as gigantic Caer- philly," and was a fortress of great renown. The annals of the Principality scarcely notice it in later times. It is thought the site was originally occupied by a monastery. The castle, the ruins of which are among the finest in South Wales, is now owned by the Marquis of Bute. At Caerphilly, also, works are in progress for extending the Rhymney Railway to Cardiff by a direct route of its own, instead of as at present running over about eight miles of the Taff Vale Railway from the Walnut Tree bridge. These works include, besides heavy cuttings and embankments, a tunnel about a mile long. In the neighbourhood are many extensive collieries in full work, including the Energlyn, Rhosllantwit, Bryngwyn, and Bedwas collieries, and all the produce of the three latter finds its way over the Brecon and Merthyr to New. port and other places along the line. At Machen a branch line of railway runs up the valley to Caer- philly, but owing to the non-completion of works at the one end by the Rhymney Company, the branch is comparatively useless. It is, however, worked as far as Rhosllantwit colliery, for the conveyance of coal to the Machen Tin-works, the latter being a very old-established business carried on by the Messrs. Woodruff and Co., who are likewise iron- founders and owners of collieries in the district. At Macben, too, are situate the erecting and repairing shops of the Old Rumney Railway. Proceeding on our way we come to Church Road station, shortly after passing which a glimpse is to begot of Ruperra Castle, the residence of Col. the Hon. F. C. Morgan. We also pass a short tunnel through the outcrop of the limestone on the eastern edge of the coal basin, where all traces of coal in that particular direction disappear. Leaving the valley of the Rhymney river, which here takes a southerly turn towards Cardiff, we cross over to the valley of the river Ebbw, near Bassaleg, where the line joins the Western Valleys Railway. Bassaleg is some three miles from Newport. Its parish church is a plain stone building, with a square tower, occupying, however, a lofty position overlooking the Ebbw, and is dedicated to St. Basil. On the western side of the parish is a large wood containing nearly 300 acres, in which formerly stood a convent for monks of the Benedictine order. There is also a well there of great celebrity, called St. Basil's Well, which formerly supplied the whole village with water. Continuing our journey, we pass through the "Park Mile" to Newport. The" Park Mile," be it known, is a piece of line, about a mile in length, running through Lord Tredegar's park, and his lordship has the power to levy a toll upon all minerals, &c., passing over this park mile. Some idea may be formed of the enormous traffic which is carried over this portion of the line when we state that in the accounts of the Monmouthshire Railway Company recently published, to whom this portion of the line belongs, the amount of the toll for the half-year was stated to be £ 2,276. Happy would it be if all railway proprietors were as fortunate in their specu- lations. In passing through, a most admirable view is obtained of the handsome residence of Lord Tredegar, situated in the midst of a beautiful and spacious park, with its fine lake, its stately and wide- spreading trees, and its herds of graceful deer, quietly browsing on the luxurious grass, or scam- pering off at full speed when anything startles them. A very short ride now brings us to Newport, which is noted for two things in connection with railways. The first is that it is blessed (?) with three stations and the second is that, unlike any other town we know, it has a great number of level crossings on the principal and busiest streets. The consequence of this is that the traffic is necessarily very much impeded during the approach of trains. This state of things has arisen owing to the circumstance that when the lines were made there were very few houses, and the restrictions now imposed by Parlia- ment upon the making of level crossings did not then exist. The town has, however, largely increased, and grown round the railways, and what in a new line would be considered fatal to its prospects is here looked upon by the generality of the population as of very little moment and we are informed that accidents at these crossings are of very rare occur- rence. No less than seven lines of railways converge upon Newport, and, as may readily be imagined, the traffic brought by them from the whole of the Mon- mouthshire district is very great. There is a very extensive dock at Newport, supplied chiefly with the water from the Usk at Brecon, and about which there has been lately a good deal of discussion, which will probably end in the supply being in great measure cut off, as far as the Usk is concerned, at all events. Large as the dock is, however, it is far too limited for the trade that is carried on there shippers of coal are almost entirely excluded from it, and driven to the river side, where cumbersome and somewhat primitive methods are adopted for shipping coals into the vessels while they stand in the channel. This inconvenience was greatly felt, and three years ago application was made to Parlia- ment for powers to construct the Alexandra Dock, with several short lines of railway, to effect a better communication with the various lines coming into Newport. The works of the dock are on a very large scale, and when completed it will no doubt give such facilities to the shipping of coal at Newport as will enable that port to compete successfully with its more favoured lival and neighbouring town of Cardiff. In our remarks we have fcarcely touched upon the natural beauties of the coui-try through which the line runs. These, however, are certainly great, the district being diversified in character, and most picturesque, and some very lovely glimpses may be obtained here aDd there. Near Newport the beauty is of a mild character, but higher up nearer Rhymney it is of a wilder and somewhat grander nature. The large number of works and collieries in the neigh- bourhood of the rail way naturally result in making the chief traffic the carriage of coal, iron, &c. A large number of passengers are nevertheless carried over it, and, this number will be largely increased by the connection recently made with the Merthyr section, to which we have before alluded. For Breconians the advantages thus afforded are very great. A great deal of business is transacted with the flourishing port of Bristol—the Metropolis of the West," and this line r.ow affords the most direct route for passengers and goods traffic from Brecon to Bristol, as well as numerous other places of importance. Under the management of Mr. Alfred Henshaw, this traffic will doubtless be developed to its utmost extent. The completion of the system will also, it is hoped and expected, tend largely to the greater prosperity of the Brecon and Merthyr Railway.

BRECON POLICE INTELLIGENCE. BOROUGH PETTY SESSIONS, MONDAY, before P. BRIGHT, Esq. (Mayor), and JOSEPH JOSEPH, Esq. THE REMANDED CASES OF ASSAULT, -Maria Lai-k- ham was summoned by Jemima Price for an assault. The defendant did not apptar, and it was stated that she had been confined. The case was therefore adjourned for a month. Elizabeth Cook was charged with assaulting Jane Davies. This case had not been settled, but the mother of complainant had not brought her daughter with her. The case was therefore further adjourned.

BRECON BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The usual meeting of this Board was held on Saturday morning at the Town-hall, W. Perrott, Esq., presiding. There were also present James Powell, Esq. Thomas Evans, Esq., St. Mary's; John Prothero, Esq., St. Mary's Lewis Hughes, Esq. Messrs. John Evans, Castle Inn Frederick Watkins, Christ College Thomas Smith and James Probert, St. David's T. S. Cornish, Llanspyddid Rees Davies, Penpont; John Davies, Llanriefaelotc fach William Williams, Merthyr Cynoj William Williams, Llanddew; P. Edwards and John Handlev, St. John's Llewellyn Rpes, Maescar W. W. Ricketts, Llandefalley Evan Bowen, Llangorse John Jones, Llandefaelog Tre^raig and W. Jef- freys, Senny. VAGRANCY. The number of vagrants during the last fortnight had been 33, a decrease of 74 on the corresponding week of last year. A HARD CASE. A young woman, named Gwenllian Evans, was brought before the Board in the custody of Superin- tendent Price, on a charge of deserting her illegiti- mate child, and leaving it chargeable to the parish. It appeared, however, that the mother had been paying persons for bringing up her child, while they had also been receiving parish relief for the same purpose. The magistrates present ordered the mother to take the child away from those who had charge of it, and upon this condition she was dis- charged. DESERTING AN INFANT. The Master brought under the notice of the Board the fact of a boy, named John Bevan, a year and ten months old, being brought to the Workhouse. The mother had gone away with an elder child, leaving the infant named at her father's and the latter had sent it to the Workhouse. Some conver- sation took place in regard to the case, and it was decided that the woman's father, who pays one shilling a week towards the maintenance of the child, be brought before the Board. RUNNING AWAY FROM THE WORKHOUSE. The Master also reported a case of punishment- a girl named Ann Tustain. who is half-witted, having scaled the wall of the Workhouse, and got away. When her absence was discovered, the Master sent down to her mother's, where it appeared she had gone, and her mother promised to send her back. This she did not do, but after the expiration of a week the girl was brought back by the police in a fly. The Board being of opinion that the mother encouraged her daughter in her escapades, it was resolved that her pay be stopped. MISCELLANEOUS. The Master's Journal showed that there had been 1 death in the house, 2 admitted, and 4 discharged, leaving 98 in the house, an increase of 27 on the corresponding week of last year. The medical officer had attended on four occasions. A quantity of shoes were needed for men and women, and boys and girls, and an order for them was given. BILL FOR PRINTING. The Clerk stated that he had received a bill for Y,6 5s. 6d. from Mr. John Morgan for printing. He told him he would lay it before the Board, but that he had forfeited the whole by penalties. Some dis- cussion took place as to whether it should be paid at once, or whether it should stand over for a fortnight, as a warning, but eventually it was ordered to be paid. This was all the public business before the Board, and the relief was then proceeded with.

BUILTH. THE LATE AGRARIAN OUTRAGE. This outrage is still fresh in the minds of our readers, although the excitement thereon has, per- haps, somewhat cooled down, to be revived again when the case comes on for trial at the Assizes. It may, however, interest many of our readers to know upon what the counsel for the defendant relies for the alibi, which was attempted to be proved and subjoined is the evidence of the witnesses who were called on the last examination, but whose statements we were unable at that time to give. Samuel Hayes said he was a native of Lanca- shire, and had been working for the last two months at the Dyffryn, in the parish of Llanwrthwl- the residence of the prisoner Palfrey he recollected the 10th of September, which was washing day he afterwards heard that a fire took place on that night; James Lyons and himself were engaged splitting dogwood on the Dyffryn farm; on the 10th September he and Lyons worked till it was dark they then left off, and went home to the Dyffryn; supper was prepared for them by the daughter Emma, and while at supper the other daughter, Margaret, came in; the elder Palfrey came in after- wards, at a quarter to ten o'clock, and he and Lyons went to bed he had not seen young Palfrey during the day, but when he went to bed young Palfrey, who slept in the same room, was in bed he had no conversation with him, and they got up about seven next morning he and Lyons got up together, but young Palfrey was then in bed he did not hear Palfrey move or say anything during the night; some days after P.S. Flye came to him, and they had some conversation P.S. Flye gave him a paper offering a reward of £50, and told him he might get it if he chose he tendered the paper back, saying it was no use to him P.S. Flye told him to keep it, and also said there was great suspicion of the son of the house he lodged at; he replied that could not be, as the eldest son had been in London four or five weeks the sergeant then asked him how many sons were at home, and was told that there were two the sergeant called again next day, and asked if they (Lyons and himself) bad any news for him, and was told there was none the sergeant told them he bad heard, not far off, that they had both been asked by the elder Palfrey to join in pulling the shepherd's house down, and that they had refused to go; Hayes denied that any such conversation took place, and on the Thursday aft,er P.S. Flye and another officer came to them when at work in a field John Palfrey was present, and P.S. Flye said he wanted to speak to him on the road Hayes and Lyons were asked to go along, and they did so he saw no one till they got to the road, and then a man and woman were seen coming along about fifty or sixty yards back when both came up Hayes stood one side the road, Palfrey in the middle, and Lyons on the other side P.S. Flye asked th* woman in English which was the man Hayes was i;ot sure of the exact w <rds, but he thought they were "Can you swear t, the nun ?" or "Which was the Tiian I" the other officer then said the woman could not speak English there was then a conversation in Welsh b. tween the officer and woman, and while that was going on the woman was mostly looking at Hayes; she did not look much at Palfrey she did not point to anyone Sergeant Fiye then said "John, you are the man; you must come with me he asked Palfrey if he could speak Welsh, and he said he could not, but his mother could the woman did not point to any- one during the whole conversation. In cross-examination by Mr. Jones, the witness said he could speak no Welsh except. bara caws," or something like that when P.S. Flye spoke to the woman in English she made no reply he could not swear to the exact words put by Serjeant Flye to the woman, as there were about five yards between him and Lyons, and the woman was about four yards fi-ol-ii them she spoke to the other policeman in Welsh he heard first of the fire when at the Man- trap public-house on the following Monday evening; no one told him in particular, but Mr. Thomas and the station-master and others were talking, and young Palfrey was present; Mr. Thomas was a relative of his they said when speaking about the fire that it "looked like a Cardy trick he could not say who said that he would swear that he did not tell P.S. Flye that Palfrey was not at home on the night of September 10th he did not see any- body washing the washing was done at the river saw the mistress come home wet young Palfrey was not at supper that night witness and Lyons took their supper in the first room, which they called the back kitchen the girls were about their work they bad bread and butter and tea for sup- per no cheese nor meat, neither had they any beer; they had a drup of milk in their tea Lyons went up stairs to bed, and witness followed immediately afterwards; both got into the same bed, and Henry Palfrey passed through their room to go to bed, and went to sleep pretty soon, and as he had worked hard, he slept pretty soundly. In re-examination by Mr. Cheese, he said he had no doubt young Palfrey was in bed when he and Lyons went to bed, and also when they got up. James Lyons, a native of Lancashire, gave similar evidence to that given by the other witness, Hayes. In cross-examination by Mr. Jones, he said he I first heard of the fire at the Mantrap Inn he had told P.S. Flye. on the Saturday after the fire, that he did not recollect who was in the house on the night of the fire, but had refreshed his memory afterwards. On being asked what had refreshed his memory, witness said they had been splitting wood that day they did not everyday. He remembered who was at home because of the washing, although he did not wash himself, neither did be see anyone at it, as it was done at the river. Witness and Hayes had supper in the principal room, and had the same sup- per that they generally had. He would not how- ever swear it was tea, but he could say they had some cheese; they had no beer. After going to bed he did not speak to anyone during the night. Had lived at the Dyffryn since August last. His master bought wood from Mr. Palfrey. In re- examination by Mr. Cheese, he said he had not known the Palfreys before last August. Margaret Palfrey, sister of the prisoner, stated that she was at Rhayader on the 10th September when she came home the two doggers were at their supper she went up stairs and took her things off, and returned to the kitchen; it was about nine o'clock when she came home, and she went to bed the last in the house—about half-past eleven she had to pass through the room in which her brother slept to go to bed she had a message from her sister, who lived at Rhayader, to her brother, and she told him of it on her way to bed her brother complained that he had the toothache, and she tied up his head with a handkerchief her brother was up before her in the morning; their clock was faster than the railway time they kept the usual time of the neighbourhood. In cross-examination by Mr. Jones, she said the bed in her brother's room bad curtains she did not go to Rhayader every Wednesday had a sister there, and went often to see her she remembered the night of the 10th September, because she had been at Rhayader that day. Margaret Evans said she lived at Dolivor with the prisoner John Lewis, who was her brother-in-law remembered the 10th September; all the family were at home that night Mrs. Bromage, her cousin, was also there they had supper about eight o'clock she knew the prisoner went to bed first, as she saw him go she went herself at eleven o'clock she slept in the same room as Lewis and his wife, and Mrs. Bromage slept with her; the reason why she recollected the night of the 10th September was because Mrs. Bromage looked at her watch when each one went to bed when she went to bed Lewis and his wife were in bed; saw him at six o'clock next morning.—Witness was then asked b) a magistrate if the bedroom-door made a noise when it was opened or shut, and in reply asked if she "must come up to that." This remark caused much laughter, and the witness was again asked if she slept soundly, and the reply she made was that she did not think that a right question to put her. This again drew forth considerable laughter. In cross-examination by Mr. Jones, she said she was sure Mrs. Bromage looked at her watch she did so generally when John Lewis went to bed Mrs. Bromage told him what time it was. On being asked if Mrs. Bromage did the same with the other inmates of the house, witness replied that the other inmates might answer for themselves. She always slept in the same room the night of September the 10th was brought to her memory by the sight of one of the handbills offering the reward she saw one on September 18th Margaret Lawrence, of Caeput, was the first to tell her of the fire, on the 17th; Mrs. Bromage told everyone in the house what time it was as they went to bed. This witness gave her evidence in such a flippant manner that she received a censure from the Bench. P.C. John Davies remembered being with P.S. Flye at the Dyffryn on September 17th, when they saw the two doggers and John Palfrey-, he acted as interpreter between P.S. Flye and Mrs. Lloyd when the three men were on the road P.S. Flye told him to ask Mrs. Lloyd if she had seen either of the men before he did so in Welsh, and Mrs. Lloyd replied that she had, and was asked which one, and she said the middle one be again asked her to point to him, and she pointed to John Palfrey. Cross-examined by Mr. Cheese He did not point out which was Palfrey; he said to her A welsoch chwi un o'r dynion or blaen her answer was Y dy n canol.

GrOVILON. PENNY READINGS.—The third of these readings took place in the British School on Thursday, 22nd instant. The room was crammed with a most respectable audience. The reading and singing was of a first-class character. The chair was occupied by Mr. Walter Lewis, Bryn-y-cwm, and the proceeds were devoted to the school funds. Many thanks are due to those who aid the committee in bringing these readings to such a state of perfection. Reading-" Choosing a wife" Mr. Philip Jones Song Mr. Metcalf and Miss Lewis Reading-" Alonzo the brave ..Mr. J. C. Williams, EbbwVale Trio—" A glass of water Party from Abergavenny Recitation—" Ben Battle I\ir. Field, Ebbw Vale Solo—" Fifty years ago i il&. Metcalf Reading—" Mrs. Caudle's curtain lecture" Mr. T. Phillips Glee-' I Ever green shore" Party from Abergavenny Recitation—"Lord Ullin's daughter" 31r. J. C. Williams Pianoforte duet Misses Johns Reading-From "Handy Andy" Mr. Price, Abergavenny Song Mr. Metcalf Recitation-" Nat Noggin's letter" Mr. Field Reading Mr. A. Jones Solo on pianoforte Miss E, Denner Finale—" God save the Queen."

BEAUFORT. POPULAR PIE, -A.DINGS.-We are glad to be able to state that a strong and influential committee has been formed to carry on and arrange about the readings, and the names of the hon. secretaries, Messrs, Phillips and James, is a guarantee that the readings and musical part of the entertainment will be well looked after. We also congratulate the committee on their decision to give the profits derived from the readings towards such a worthy object, viz.: the funds of the British School, which, we are sorry to learn, are so low that the committee are considerably in debt to the treasurer. We have no doubt the effort put forth by the promoters of these entertainments will meet with success. We shall, in our next, give a full report of the first I entertainment of the season.

LLANDOVERY. THE WELSH COLLEGIATE INSTITUTION.-We have much pleasure in announcing that the following pupils of this school have been successful in the competitive examinations held this term in their respective colleges Mr. William Davies, promoted to a scholarship of £ 30 a-year, Queen's College, Cambridge Messrs. T. Powell, W. Garner, and H. Reynolds, elected on their admission into the college each to an open exhibition of £4:0 a-year tenable for five years, Jesus College, Oxford. For the latter exhibitions there were between thirty and forty competitors. Mr. T. Powell also holds the school exhibition of £27 a-year, which is tenable for four years at any college or hall in Oxford.

TALYBONT. MARRIAGE OF COLONEL BRIDGWATER WITH MRS. JONES WILLIAMS.—Subjoined will be found some additional particulars respecting this fashionabla wedding, which was solemised at Llanfigan church on Thursday sennight. The church had been very prettily decorated with evergreens and flowers. A vase of choice flowers also ornamented the altar, together with several very chastely worked wreaths. Long before the arrival of the bridal party a large number of persons had congregated within the walls of the sacred edifice to witness the ceremony, and the walk leading from the entrance gate to the church door was lined by the children of the Taly- bont school. At the conclusion of the ceremony the bells rang out a merry peal, the children and those in the vicinity of the churchyard gave three hearty cheers-and three more when the gallant Colonel and his bride made their appearance. At the church door they were each presented with a very hand- some bouquet of flowers by two children of the school. After their return to Coity the wedding party sat down to a sumptuous wedding breakfast. Among those present were, besides the bride and bridegroom, the Rev. H. Bridgwater, the Rev. David Williams, Dr. Bridgwater,"Captain and Mrs'. Perring, Miss Wheeler, Miss Bridgwater, Miss E. Bridgwater, Captain Miers, Captain Jones, J. A. F. Snead, Esq., Major Bonnor and George Bonnor, Esq., Miss Allan Cooke, Miss Jones Williams, and Miss Lloyd, Miss Annie Bridgwater, and Miss Webb. The weddingpresents:were numerous, and of a costly and elegant description, including the following:—A very handsome clock from the tenantry of Coity Mawr, bearing the inscription, Presented by the tenants of Coity Mawr to Mrs. Jones Williams on her marriage with Colonel Bridgwater, October 22nd, 1868 three very elegant and costly Etruscan porcelain vases from the head gardener^ and sub-workmen; a silver chain fruit basket with an Emerald green glass bowl, from the children of the Talybont school; a painted enam- elled tiara from Mr. Webb, Brecon a fluted ailver cake basket from Mr. Benjamin; a carved ivory chess board and men from Mr. and Mrs. Duncan; a very elegant couvre-pied from Mrs. Hall; an exquisitely mounted gilt and ivory book-stand from Mrs. Morgan Jones a Russian leather etui, with fittings complete, from Mrs. Link; a very handsome statuette of a graceful female figure from Mr. and Mrs. John Williams, Wheat-street; an oval silver basket, with glass centre, for sugar, from Mrs. Jones (housekeeper); a Bohemian glass silver mounted sugar basin from the butler; a magnificent Honitonlacebridal pocket-handkerchief from Messrs. Price & Edwards; a second gilt-mounted book- stand from Miss Jones, Glasbury; four unique shell pattern chased silver salt-cellars from Cavill (ladv's maid). In addition to these were a most valuable and recherche collection of gifts from relatives and friends of both families. The school children arrived on the grounds at 3 p.m. on the day of the wedding, together with the tenants and other visitors, and were hospitably welcomed. After singing some of their favourite school songs, the children were addressed by the Rev. H. Bridgwater, who, on behalf of Mrs. Bridgwater, thanked them for their very handsome wedding present. They were then allowed to ramble in the grounds till tea time. At 4 o'clock the bride and bridegroom left for Ross en route for Cheltenham to pass the honeymoon, amidst hearty and prolonged cheering, and a shower of rice, after the Indian fashion, for good luck, and old shoes. At seven o'clock a grand dis- play of fireworks commenced, which passed off successfully, and contributed very much to the general rejoicings. Major Bonnor and his brother, together with Captain Perring, took an active part in these proceedings. Preparations were next made for the tenants and workmen's dinner. The chair was taken by Mr. Powell, Cui, and the vice-chair by Mr. Davies, Talybont. The health of Colonel and Mrs. Bridgwater, which was proposed by the chairman, was heartily responded to with three times three. Other toasts followed, some capital songs were sung, and the party did'not separate till a late hour.

TALGARTH. BURNT TO DEATH.—An inquest was held at "the Ashburnham Arms, in this town, on Saturday last, by D. W. J. Thomas, Esq., coroner, and a respect- able jury, of which Mr. George Mills was foreman, respecting the death of David Davies, maltster of this town, who died on the 23rd inst., aged 55 years. Thomas Price, of Tredustan Court, farmer's son on being sworn, stated as follows On Sunday night the 18th instant, between seven and eight o'clock as I passed by the house where deceased lived, I heard groaning I thought deceased was drunk, and lying on his face I opened the door and went in, and found the house full of smoke, and the deceased on the fire his face and one arm were on the fire a chair was in front of the fire, and he on his knees as if he had fallen off the chair I have no doubt from his appearance that he had fallen off in a fit or something of the kind he had his boots and gaiters off, and slippers on his feet; I at once lifted him off the fire, and he was then all of a name his clothes were burnt down to the waist; he was quite insen. sible a great many persons came into the house and assisted me in putting out the fire there were a number of burns upon deceased.—Mr. T. E. Wil. liams, surgeon, on being sworn, deposed On Sunday evening, the 18th instant, I was called to see the deceased he was then partly insensible his right side and right arm were burnt in a very serious manner, and I then thought he would not get over it; I did all that I could for him on Thursday delirious exhaustion came on, ending in his death my opinion is that he had a fit when he fell in the fire, as he was subject to them.—The jury gave their verdict that the deceased died from the effects of burns, caused by falling on the fire while in a fit on Sunday evening, the 18th instant. CALVINISTIC METHODIST CHAPEL, YELIXNEWTOD Services were held in this chapel on Wednesday last. In the morning Mr. Henry Davies, Llanvi- bangel Talyllyu, and Dr. J. H. Jones, classical tutor at Trevecca College, preached at 2 p.m. Mr. Rees Davies, student of Trevecca College, and Dr. Jones, preached and in the evening Mr. John Davies, student of Trevacca College, and Dr. Jones preached. The services were conducted alternately in Welsh and English. The attendance was very large, and most excellent sermons were delivered. PETTY SESSIONS, WEDNESDAY, before H. ALLEN andW. L. BANKS, Esqrs., and Revds. H 1*™™' J. MORGAN. OLD> INFRINGEMENT OF THE DOG LICENSE ACT — TNH« Jones, of Cathedine Wm. Ricketts and David Jot** Nantyfelin; David Maddocks, LlangorselS Watkms, Talgarth -,Evan Davies, Blaina William Bevan, Penrnoel; Charles Jones, Penisha Benjamin Morgan, Talgarth Thomas Jones, Pwllbrach Thos. Evans. Middle Penllanavel John Williams, Werii John Parry, Pencraig; Richard Williams, Rheiw- David Prosser, Tyrbach William Arthur, Rheoll genol; Benjamin Morris, Pentre; and Thomas Price, Llyswen, were severally summoned for keeping dogs without a license during the months of August and September last.—Mr. Charles Parkins the supervisor, appeared to prosecute.—The charges were proved by P.S. Wilson and P.C. Jones, and the defendants were each fined in the mitigated penalty of £ 1 5s. each, including costs Morgan Pritchard, of Llangorse, William Williams of Gwernwillim, and David :Morgan, of Tynew'vdd were each similarly charged, but these three cases were dismissed. HIGHWAY OFFENCE.—Joseph Williams, of TaIgarth blacksmith, was summoned by P.S. Wilson for allowing his pig to stray on the highway in Talgarth on the 16th instant.—Fined 2s. 6d. and 6s. 6d. costs. DRUNK AND RIOTOUS. -Geol-ge Whiting, of Cricka- darn, labourer, was summoned by P.S. Wilson for the above offence at Crickadarn, on the 2nd instant. P. C. Jones proved the charge, and defendant waa-, ordered to pay the costs, 6s.

we totally disagree with him as to his deduc- tions from his facts." These latter we can- not dispute, and we accept them—coming from the quarter they do—as thoroughly reliable. To our mind, however, they prove nothing except that the Infirmary had less patients during the summer of 1868 than in each of the three preceding years. It is no proof that there was less illness in the town generally; and for aught we know to the contrary there might have been more illness amongst those who did not attend the Infirmary. But allow- ing that the number of patients at the Infirmary is a true index to the health of the town, Dr. Lucas's figures and statements only prove-what we suppose no one will care to dispute-that a wet season is injurious, and that a comparatively dry one is beneficial, to health. They by no means prove that the health of the town is better when there is little or no water in the river bed, than when it is full: the real point at issue between Dr. Lucas and Mr. Walpole was not touched, and Dr. Lucas has in reality begged the question." If, during last summer, all the water that ought to had flowed down the river bed, it would have been much fuller but the sickness in the town would not thereby have been increased, simply because it was a dry, and therefore a healthy, summer. On the contrary, as we maintain, there might, and very likely would, have been still less disease, since the water would have carried away from our midst that which was left to become putrid, and to exhale pestilential odours. Upon the question of the detraction from the beauty of the town, and the injury done to the riparian owners, no difference of opinion exists, and the necessity for taking active measures to prevent the undue abstraction of water is generally felt, and will no doubt terminate in the desired object being achieved. Before concluding our remarks, we may just make reference to a matter not altogether dis- connected with the subject in hand. Some months ago we had occasion to refer to the fact that salmon was scarcely procurable in the town, and then not at anything like a reasonable price. The attention we called to the subject led to arrangements being made for salmon to be sent here, and we learn that during the past summer 100 fish, of the total weight of l,000lbs., were sent up, through the agency of the Usk and Ebbw Association, from the estuary of the Usk. These were readily disposed of at the follow- ing prices:—May, Is. 8d. per lb.; June, Is. 6d. and Is. 4d.; July, Is. 2d. and Is.; and August, Is. and Is. 2d. The opening of the railway to Newport will, next season, afford greater facilities for transit, and a much greater supply will be sent up. We may not unreasonably hope, therefore, that next year our town will be supplied almost entirely-as it should be- with salmon caught in our own river.