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

IN PARLIAMENT.-SESSION, 1869. HEREFORD, HAY, AND BRECON RAILWAY. (Conversion of Debenture and other Debts into Deben- ture Stock; Variation of Rights, Priorities and privileges of Share Stock and Debenture holders; Running powers over a portion of the Mid- Wales Railways, over the Neath and Brecon Railway, and over the Railways ot the Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil Junction Railway Company Working and Traffic Agreements with the London and North- Western, the Great Western, and the Midland Railway Companies; Proposed Railway at Here- ford; Additional Land at Hereford; Amendment of Acts, <rc.) NOTICE is hereby given that Appli- cation is intended to be made to Parliament in the ensuing Session by "The Hereford, Hay, and Brecon Railway Company," in this Notice called "the Company," for leave to bring in a Bill for all or any of the following purposes (that is to say) (1) To provide for, and require the renewal of, the Mortgages and Bonds of the Company, for a period to be fixed in the Bill, or the conversion of the Debenture debt into a fixed Debenture Stock of one or several classes, and to authorise the issue for such purpose, and for the interest due on such Debenture debt of a permanent or redeemable Debenture Stock of one or several classes, and ranking in such order as the Bill may prescribe. (2) To enable the Company to raise an additional sum of money by the issue of Debenture Stock or by Shares, and to attach to the Shares so to be I raised any preferential dividend or other advantage with or without power to redeem the same. (3) To cancel all or any shares or stock of or in the capital of the Company, whether ordinary or preferential, which may have been created but not issued or forfeited, upon which the amount thereof has not been paid. (4) To enable trustees, executors, guardians, and persons having a limited interest, to consent to any arrangements made under the powers of the Bill and to take and accept Debenture Stock of the Company in lieu of existing Mortgages and Bonds and the interest thereon. (5) To confer upon the Company or any other Company or person working or using the railways of the Company powers to use with their own engines, carriages, and servants, the portion of the Mid-Wales Railway to be defined in the. B-"il, the Neath and Brecon Railway, and the railways of the Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil Junction Railway Com- pany, and so much of the Rhymney Railway and of such other railways as the Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil Junction Railway Company have power to run over or use, together with all stations, all sidings, points, watering places, signals, booking offices, approaches, wharves, works, and conveniences upon or connected with the portions of railway to be used as aforesaid; and the Bill will vary the tolls autho- rized to be taken for the use of the said several undertakings, and will for the purposes aforesaid alter the provisions of the several Acts relating to the Companies owning the said undertakings. (6) To enable the Company to enter into agree- ments with the London and North Western Railway Company, the Great Western Railway Company, and the Midland Railway Company, or any or either of them, for, or with respect to the running over, maintenance, working, and use and management by any or either of the contracting Companies of the railway of the Company and the stations, works, and conveniences connected therewith, the supply and employment by the contracting Companies of rolling or working stock, machinery, officers and servants, for any of the purposes of any such con- tract or agreement, the interchange, accommoda- tion, conveyance, and delivery of the tramc coming from, or destined for, the respective undertakings of the contracting Companies the levying, fixing, col- lection, division, and apportionment of the tolls, rates, charges, receipts, and revenues, levied, taken, or arising from such traffic; the sums or considera- tion to be paid by either of the contracting com- panies to the other of them, or account of the matters to which the contract or agreement relates, and for determination of any disputes or differences between such contracting Companies by arbitration, and to provide for the appointment of a joint com- mittee, and to confer upon such committee all neces- sary powers to iegulate their proceedings; to sanction and confirm any contract or agreement already made, or which, prior to the passing of the Act, may be made between the Company and all or any of the other Companies before-named, with reference to the matters aforesaid, or any of them, and the Bill will incorporate parts 2 and 3 of the Companies' Clauses Act, 1863, riting respectively to additional capital and to debenture stock, and part 3 of the Railways' Clauses Act, 1863, relating to working agreements. (7) To authorise the Company to make and main- tain the following railway with all necessary works and conveniences connected therewith, viz :— A railway to be called "The Hereford Junction," commencing in the parish of Holmer, in the said city of Hereford, by a junction with the railway of the Company, at or near a point on the railway where the same crosses by a bridge the Eign brook, being a distance from the plat- form at Barton Station of 900 yards or there- abouts measured, in the direction of Brecon, and terminating in the said parish of Holmer by a junction with the Newport and Abergavenny and Hereford line of the Great Western Rail- way Company, at or near the bridge at Wide- marsh, in the said city of Hereford, which carries the turnpike road to Leominster over the said last-mentioned line, and which railway will be wholly situate in the parishes of Holmer and All Saiot's, in the said city of Hereford. (8) To authorise the Company to purchase by compulsion, or agreement, lands and houses for the purpose of such intended railway and works, or any of them, and to levy tolls, rates, and duties in respect of such railway and works, and to apply the funds of the Company, or money now authorised to be raised, or which may be authorised to be raised by the Bill, to the purposes of any such railways, works, and objects. (9) The Bill will vary or extinguish all rights and privileges which will interfere with fits objects, and will confer other rights and privileges. And it will alter, repeal, amend, and enlarge some of the powers and provisions of the following Acts (local and personal), viz The Hereford, Hay, and Brecon Railway Acts, viz., 1859, 1860 (2 Acts), 1862, and 1863 the Brecon and Merthyr Railway Act, 1867; the Brecon and Merthyr Railway Arrangement Act, 1868, and any other Acts relating to the Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil Junction Railway Company the 8th and 9th Viet., cap. 36, and any other Acts relating to the London and North Western Railway Company and 5th and 6th Wm. 4th., cap. 107, and 26th and 27th Viet., cap. 113, and any other Acts relating to the Great Western Railway Com- pady and the 7th and 8th Vict., caps. 18 and 59, and any other Acts relating to the Midland Railway Company and will alter tolls, rates and duties, and vary and extinguish exemptions from tolls, rates, and duties. On or before the 30th day of November instant a map, plan, and section, describing the direction, lines, and levels tf the intended railway and work, and the lands, rouses, and property which will or may be taken for the purposes thereof, with a book of reference thereto, containing the names of the actual or reputed owners, lessees, or occupiers of such lands, house", and property and a copy of this notice, as published in the London Gazette, will be deposited for public inspection with the Clerk of the Peace for the County of Hereford, at his office at Hereford and on or before the same day a copy of so much of the said plan, section, and book of refer- ence, as relates to each parish in or through which the intended railway and other works "aforesaid will be made, or in which any lands, houses, or other property intended to be taken are situate, and a copy of this notice will be deposited with the Parish Clerk of each such parish, at his residence, and in the case of any extra parochial place with the Parish Clerk of some parish immediately adjoining thereto, at his residence. Printed copies of the intended Bill will, on or before the 23rd day of December next, be deposited in the Private Bill Office of the House of Commons. Dated this 10th day of November, 1868. TILLEARD, SON, GODDEN, & HOLME. 34, Old Jewry, London, Solicitors for the Bill. DYSON & CO., 24, Parliament-street, Westminster, 1161] Parliamentary Agents.

NEATH AND BRECON AND SWANSEA VALE AND NEATH AND BRECON JUNCTION RAILWAY COMPANIES. Arrangements as to, and re-adjustment of, Share and Lorn Capital; Conversion of Debenture and other Debts into Stock; Definition of Rights and Priori- ties; Deferring claims of Debenture Boldei-s and other Creditors,. Provision for future management of the Undertakings; Vesting Rolling Stock, &c., in Trustees; Amalgamation of Companies and Repeal of Agreements as to Lease and Working; Extension of Time to complete Railways Traffic Arrangements; Amendment or Repeal of A cis. NOTICE is hereby given that Appli- I cation is intended to be made to Parliament in the ensuing Session, by the Neath and Brecon Railway Company (hereinafter called the Company), for leave to bring in a Bill for all or any of the following purposes (that is to say) To alter, define, consolidate, or re-adjust the several classes of mortgages, bonds, and other securities guaranteed, preferential and ordinary shares or stocks in the share and loan capital of the Company, and whether the same attach to or are charged upon the whole or some part or parts of the undertaking of the Company, and (either with or without tbe consent of mortgagees, creditors, and shareholders) to vary, define, adjust, or regulate the rights, priorities, powers, or remedies of the holders of such several securities and of such shares or stock, or to give effect to or confirm any arrangement with reference to the matters aforesaid, to which consent has been or may be given by the holders of any portion of such securities or of such shares. To require the renewal of the mortgages and bonds of the Company for a period to be fixed in the Bill, or the conversion of the debenture debt into a fixed debenture stock of one or several classes, with a permanent or variable rate of interest or dividend attached thereto, and to authorise the issue for such purpose and for the interest due or to accrue due for a specified period on such debenture debt of a permanent or redeemable debenture stock of one or several classes charged on the whole undertaking of the Company or wholly or partially on sections thereof, and to rank in such order and to be issued on such conditions as the Bill may prescribe, and to require the acceptance of such stock in discharge of debenture debts and interest. To provide for and require the conversion of the sums secured by Lloyd's bonds and other securities and the other debts and liabilities of the Company or some of them and the interest due and to accrue due thereon into a permanent or redeemable deben- ture stock or preferential stock with a fixed or variable rate of interest or dividend attached thereto and either with or without priority over all or any of the other preferential and ordinary stocks and shares in the capital of the Company or stocks and shares charged on any section of that undertaking, such last mentioned debenture stock to be issued on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Directors think fit or the Bill may prescribe, and to be accepted in payment and discharge of the sums secured by Lloyd's bonds or other securities and of the debts and liabilities of the Company and the interest thereon respectively. To enable the Company to apply to the purposes of the Bill their existing funds and any monies which they have still power to raise, and to authorise or require the merging into one or more classes of stock or capital all or any of the separate stocks or shares in the Company, whether preferential or ordinary, upon such terms as may be defined in or arranged under the powers of the Bill, and, if neces- sary, to provide for the surrender and cancellation of the existing and authorised stocks and shares, and to issue new stock and shares in lieu thereof, and to enable the Company to provide a sinking fund from such sou-ces and to be applied in such manner as the Bill may prescribe in and towards the redemption of all or any of the aforesaid debenture stocks. To define, explain, and extend or restrict the powers of the Company of raising money by pre- ferential or ordinary shares or stock and by bor- rowing on mortgage, bond, or debenture stock and to make further and other provisions with respect to the arrangement of the affairs of the Company and for facilitating the settlement of their debts and liabilities, and the raising of additional money by any of the means aforesaid for the purposes of the Company, and also for raising with or without any increase of share capital further money by borrowing, and to attach to the mortgages or debenture stock such preferential or terminable interest or dividend as may be considered expedient or by debenture stock redeemable or irredeemable with precedence over all rent charges, mortgages, and share and loan capital of the Company or having such other priority as the Bill may define, and to define and regulate the application of such further monies and of the revenues of the Company. To suspend for a period to be fixed by the Bill, and upon such conditions as the Bill may prescribe, all actions, suits, judgments, and other proceedings against the Company for the recovery of debts, including therein interest upon mortgages or other securities, and to suspend likewise for a period, so to be specified, the payment of the principal money due on any mortgage, bond, or other security. To make provision for the costs, and for the dis- charge of the order for the appointment of Receivers; and to discharge such Receivers, and authorise the application by the Directors of the net earnings of the undertaking in payment of the amounts sanctioned by the Court and also to provide for the discharge of other debts and liabilities, and for the purchase of land for and completion of railways and works, and the purchase of plant and rolling stock, and otherwise, to the extent defined in or to be authorised by the Bill; and to prescribe the application of the moneys in the hands of the Receivers and otherwise. To enable and require trustees, executors, guar- dians, and persons having a limited interest to con- sent to any arrangements made under the powers of the Bill, and to take and accept debenture and other stock and shares in lieu of existing shares, deben- tures, or securities, and the interest thereon. To authorise the holders of mortgages, bonds, and debenture stock, and of preference shares or stock, to vote at meetings of the Company, and to appoint, for such period as may be defined in the Bill, some of the Directois > f the Company, and to regulate the meetings, voting, and qualification of such holders, and to alter the mode of appointment, number, rota- tion, and qualification of the Directors, and to suspend or limit the powers of the Shareholders and Directors. To vest in the Board of Director, as Trustees for the benefit of the debenture holders and the holders of preference and ordinary stocks, according to the priorities to be defined by the Bill, the plant and rolling stock, and personal estate and effects of the Company, and all superfluous lands, and to vary or extinguish all claims or rights of creditors and others against or over the same. To alter or define the priorities of the several charges on the undertaking, or portions of the undertaking, of the Company, whether in respect of borrowed money, or shares, or stock, and to transfer charges from parts of the undertaking to the whole c 11 of the undertaking, or otherwise, and to vary or extinguish rights and privileges in respect of such charges. To repeal the Swansea Vale and Neath and Brecon Junction Railway Lease Act, 1866, and to cancel all agreements entered into between the Company and the Swansea Vale and Neath and Brecon Junction Rail- way Company (hereinafter called the Junction Com- pany), and all liabilities of either Company to the other for interest, rent, or otherwise. To authorise from and after the passing of the Bill, or such other period as the Bill may prescribe, the union and amalgamation of the undertaking, railways, works and conveniences, lands, property, rights, powers, and privileges, agreements, and benefit of agreements, and of the proprietary and stock shares, and securities of the Junction Company with those of the Company, and to confer upon the Company a new name, and to direct or provide that henceforth the mortgages bonds, Lloyds bonds, and other securities, debts, stocks, and shares of the Junction Company; and the holders thereof, and the creditors of the Junction Company shall, or may, be treated and dealt with in the same manner, and have the same priorities and privileges as like securities, debts, stocks, and shares in the Company and the holders and creditors thereof are intended to be treated and dealt with under the powers of the Bill, as before-mentioned, and the joint undertaking is thenceforth to be charged, and charge- able, with the loans made to, and debts due, by both Companies. To sanction and give effect to agreements between the Company and the Junction Company for the pur- poses, or any of the purposes of the Bill, and to provide for the dissolution of the Junction Company, and the termination of the functions of the Directors of that Company, except in so far as the same may be repealed, altered, or modified by the Bill. To authorise and require the Junction Company, their proprietors and creditors, to accept in lieu of their present mortgages, bonds, shares, stock, and securities, any shares, stocks, rent-charges, annuities, or securities of the Company, subject to such condi- tions and upon such terms as the Bill may prescribe; and (if deemed expedient) to classify, define, limit, and regulate the capital, shares, stocks, and securities, charges, rights, and privileges of the proprietors and creditors of the Company and the Junction Company. To alter the tolls, rates, and duties which the Company and the Junction Company respectively are authorised to take on their respective lines, or the lines of other companies; and to confer, vary, or extinguish exemptions from the payment of such tolls, rates, and duties respectively; and to confer, vary, or extinguish other rights and privileges. To extend che times respectively limited for the com- pletion of the railways and works authorised by the Neath and Brecon Railway Act, 1864, the Swansea Vale and Neath and Brecon Junction Railway Act, 1864, and the Swansea Vale and Neath and Brecon Junction Railway Act, 1865. To relieve the Company and sureties from penalties now attaching, or which may attach for the non-com- pletion of works, or otherwise, or to make other pro- vision in lieu thereof. To enable the Directors to compound with creditors, contractors, debtors, and other persons liable to, or having claims against the Company and the Junction Company, or either of them, and to refer disputed ques- tions to arbitration, and to grant and accept releases and discharges to such extent as the Bill may define, and to confirm compromises, awards, and settlements made, or to be made, by or on behalf of the said Com- panies, and any such person or persons. To authorize contracts and arrangements between the Company and the Mid-Wales Railway Company, with respect to the working, use, management, and maintenance of their respective railways, and the traffic passing over the same the fixing, ascertaining, and settling of the tolls and rates to be levied, and the terms and conditions to be imposed in respect of such traffic; and the apportionment between the companies of the tolls and profits arising therefrom. The Bill will incorporate and modify or vary all or some of the provisions of "The Lands' Clauses Consolidstion Act, 1845;" "The Lands' Clauses Con- solidation Acts Amendment Act, I860;" The Rail- ways' Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845 The Railways' Clauses Act, 1863;" "The Companies' Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845;" The Companies' Clauses Act, 1863," and The Railways' Regulation Act, 1868." And it is proposed by the said Bill to repeal, alter, amend, or enlarge all or some of the provisions of the several local and personal Acts following, or some of them, that is to say:—25 and 26 Victoria, cap. 193 26 and 27 Victoria, cap. 130; 27 and 28 Victoria, cap. 316; 29 and 30 Victoria, cap. 15, and 30 and 31 Victoria, cap. 122, and of any other Acts relating to the Neath and Brecon Railway Company; 27 and 28 Victoria, cap. 293; 28 and 29 Victoria, cap. 239, and 29 and 30 Victoria, cap. 212, relating to the Swansea Vale and Neath and Brecon Junction Railway Com- pany, and the Mid-Wales Railway Act, 1859, and the other Acts relating to the Mid-Wales Railway Company. Printed Copies of the said Bill will be deposited in the Private Bill Office of the House of Commons, on or before the 23rd day of December next. Dated this 12th day of November, 1868. D. HOWELL MORGAN, Secretary to the Company, 1, Westminster Chambers, 6, Victoria Street, Westminster. [1172

BRECON BOROUGH ELECTION, TO THE DISSENTING ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF BRECON. GENTLEMEN, ALLOW me to say a word to you on that lamentably disgraceful scene, which many of you were disgusted spectators of on Mon- day night, at the Town-hall, from two Baptist preachers, couched in the most low and degrading language, some of it sometimes bordering on the licentious, and at other times on the blasphemous. You, perhaps, may not know, but these two men are notorious in their neighbourhoods, as well as in the Baptist denomination in Wales, as two" politi- cal Ishmaelites," whose hands are against every man who ventures to differ from them either on religious or political subjects. Let me ask you, as reasonable men, what moral right had these two preachers to come here to inter- fere with you in the exercise of the franchise, and to vend their glaring falsehoods ? Have you not an equal right with them to form your own political opinions ? It is said these men volunteered their services to come to Brecon to teach Liberal politics to the poor benighted Baptists. Have they, I should like to know, on any previous occasion during their lives, ever made a voluntary journey of 20 or 30 miles from home to preach the Gospel to sinners but, on the contrary, have they not always looked sharp enough after the pay ? Again, when Dr. Price, of Aberdare, a thorough Dissenter, was a candidate for Brecon, where were these pigmy, violent, Chartist, motiey-loving peachers then ? Did they lend him a helping hand ? Is it not well known that one of them has been per- secuting Dr. Price for years past ? Where were the Independents, and all the Calvinistic Methodists kexcept Mr. John Prothero) on that occasion ? Ah it did not suit any of the clique to have an out- spoken, honest, conscientious Baptist to represent the borough. It suits them better to have an aristocratic church- man, of most moderate political opinions, rather than a Dissenter, or a really Liberal man like Mr. Walton, who can and does sympathise with the working man ? ONE OF YOURSELVES. Brecon, 10th November, 1868. [1173 A. GENTLEMAN can be accommodated with comfortable APARTMENTS in one of the pleasantest parts of Brecon. Terms moderate. Address (by letter only) X. Y. Z., Brecon County Times Office. [1159 WANTED, a good Plain COOK. Apply (by letter), naming references, to "D," County Times Office, Brecon. C 158

BIRTHS. PYNE.—At High-street, Brecon, November 7, the wife of Mr. Alfred Pyne, of a daughter, WILKINSON.-At High-street, Brecon, November 12, the wife of Mr. Wilkinson, gutta percha bootmaker, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. GRIFFITHS—JONES.—At the Priory Church, Brecon, November 12, by the Rev. J. Jones, Mr. John Evan Griffiths, Priory Lodge, to Miss Margaret Jones, Priory House, both of this town. OWEN-TIIOMAS,-At the Register Office, Brecon, Oct. 26th, in the presence of Mr. Wm. Evans, registrar, Mr. Thomas Owen, King's Head, to Miss Margaret Thomas, both of Llangorse. DEATHS. EDWARDS.-At Brighton, November 8, Emily Jane, second daughter of the late Mr. Robert Edwards, draper, of this town, in her 16th year.

NOTICES. The Brecon Board of Guardians (in type) and several local paragraphs are unavoidably held over till next week. -AII:.L

LOCAL TOPICS. ATTENTION has this week, to some extent, been divided between municipal and political matters. The ninth of November is always an eventful day to Corporations, On that day the authority which has been exercised during one short year by the chief magistrate is yielded up again, to be placed in other hands, and the person who has exercised it retires, compara- tively speaking, though not entirely, into pri- vate life. At the last election of a Mayor for this borough, there was a difference of opinion as to the individual upon whom should devolve the honour of filling the civic chair. What- ever diversity of opinion then existed, however, we think there can scarcely be any as to the manner in which the duties have been dis- charged by the gentleman then chosen. Those duties have been many and varied, and impor- tant; but to them all have been brought a clearness of perception and an aptitude for business matters in the highest degree credit- able to the individual concerned, and most important to the interests of the town. Looking back, too, upon the past year, we are enabled to note some progress. The three topics of water, drainage, and lighting, were fully enlarged upon at the Town Council meeting, and at the Leet dinner. The former of these is now getting stale, and pretty well exhausted but the satisfaction expressed that those works stood so well as they did the test of last summer, was but natural. The next thing is the production of detailed accounts of the expenditure connected therewith. Why there should be any unnecessary delay we can- not understand. It is quite time that the rate- payers should know how they stand in regard to this matter; and we hope that the accounts will be produced at an early day. The subject of drainage is an old one revived, the import- ance of which was felt years ago, but which has only lately been taken up in earnest, and a determination evinced to carry out a system of drainage, the want of which has been so much felt. It is satisfactory to know that the work has been commenced in real earnest, and that no further delay is likely to take place. That it must result in good to the town is undeni- able. The reception given to the statements of the ex-Mayor, at the Leet dinner, as to the arrangements which had been made for light- ing the town, evinced that the feeling of those present was in favour of the proposed measure. It is scarcely necessary to refer to the other matters mentioned by the Chairman at the gathering alluded to, for the purpose of show- ing that the year which has gone by has not been of a stand-still character, but that pro- gress and improvement has been visible. We sincerely trust that the municipal year which has just been commenced may exhibit a still more decided step to the front, and be produc- tive of greater good to the borough. The con- gratulations offered to Mr. William de Winton on his accession to office were perfectly sincere and hearty, and the gratification expressed we feel sure is universal. With the suaviter in modo which his gentlemanly conduct on all occasions leads us to feel convinced he will bring to the fulfilment of his duties, his busi- ness habits will likewise, we may well believe, cause him to be possessed of the fortiter in re, which is equally as necessary as the former in the occupant of the civic chair. The approach- ing election will soon put those qualities to the test. Anent this subject we may remark that it says a good deal, in our opinion, for both parties that on the eve of an election, which is without parallel in the history of the country, a meeting could have been held of such a thoroughly harmonious character as that of the Leet dinner of Monday. Both the candi- dates for the suffrages of the electors were pre- sent, and both parties were largely represented; but from the commencement of the proceed- ings to their close not a word was uttered, not a circumstance occurred, which in any way could tend to mar, in the slightest degree, the perfect concord of the gathering. It is one of the evils of an election contest that it stirs up and engenders bitter and hostile feelings, which enter into every department of life-not only affecting business matters, but invading even the sacredness of home, creating division, and setting members of the same family at enmity with each other. It is unfortunate that this should be so but so it oft times is. We have before now expressed our regret that so much personal feeling should be thrown into the contest, and the present seems a fitting oppor- tunity to do so again, at the same time giving utterance to the hope that the contest, which in a few days will be decided, should be made as much as possible a contest of principle, and that only. By all means, let every man record his vote according to his convictions, and although differences exist, let all agree to differ, and accord each to the other the right to act as he please. If this were done party feeling would not run so high as it appears to do at the present time. We sincerely trust, too, that this borough may not be made the scene of a disturbance at the election, which in any case must be discreditable to the indi- viduals concerned. Let all things be done decently and in order," and when the question is, decided let all feeling which has been created be allowed to subside at once, and, as far as it is likely to hinder working together for the common weal, be completely forgotten.

THE ELECTION.—The writ for the election of a member was received on Thursday last, and the nomi- nation has been fixed by W. de Winton, Esq., mayor, to take place at eleven o'clock on Wednesday morning, the 18th inst. The polling will be on the following day. THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD.-The following are the subjects (determined upon at the council meeting lately held at Shrewsbury) for competition at the next annual meeting of the Eisteddfod, which, as our readers are aware, is to be held in Brecon next autumn:— The Chair Prize, Welsh Awdl, not to exceed 1000 lines, on "Elijah." Poem (Welsh), not exceeding 1000 lines, on any sub- ject of the author's choice. Biographical History (in Welsh or English) of the eminent men of Brecknockshire. Treatise in English on the Mineral Springs of Breck- nockshire and Llandrindod, including the most accurate analysis, X25. Welsh Pastoral on any subject. The best History (in English) of Brecknockshire, its Castles, Priory, College, &c., &c. Descriptive Poem in English or Welsh-The Natural Beauties of Brecknockshire. Treatise in Welsh or English on the old habits, super- stitions, and traditions of Brecknockshire. Treatise in Welsh on the best mode of cultivating the highlands of Brecknockshire. An Essay in English on the facilities which Brecon and its rivers afford for the establishment of Woollen and other Manufactories. Elegy (in Welsh), any metre, on "Rhydderch Fon" (late secretary to the Eisteddfod). The list of subjects will be completed at the next general meeting of the council to be held at Brecon on the 26th instant, when also the adjudicators will be appointed. WELSH POLITICAL MEETING.—On Monday evening, at the Town-hall, a meeting of the Welsh Liberals was held. The chair was taken by the Rev. D. Edwards, of Watergate, and there were also on the platform Dr. Thomas, president of Pontypool College; Rev. J. Jones (Mathetes), Rhymney; Rev. J- Stephens, Brychgoed; Revs. Professors Morris and Roberts, H. Griffiths, D. W. Davies, and R- S. Williams; Messrs. G. Overton, Mordecai J Bright (ex Mayor), J. Prothero, W. Games, Tuclor, T. H. Williams, &c. The Chairman addressed the meeting briefly in Welsh, and in the course ot his remarks was interrupted by one out of a company of four persons who apparently^ had come for the purpose of interrupting the meeting. lhe offending person was, however, summarily ejected, and the remainder of the meeting, was peaceful, so far as regarded interruption of a similar character. Dr. Thomas followed the Chairman, and in compliance with a wish expressed, spoke In English. He referred particularly to the Irish Church, and in the course of his remarks stated that in Ireland there were 199 parishes in which there were no Protestants. The Rev. Rees Price, who was in the body of the hall, called out No, no," and was then invited to come on the platform amidst loud cries of prove it, prove it." The rev. gentleman accordingly went on the platform, and said he had not come to disturb the harmony of the meeting, but he questioned the accuracy of the statement of the speaker, and called on him to prove it. In the course of his remarks he made the statement that there might be that number of civil districts without Protestants, and that state- ment was met with much laughter, and cries of "Down, down," and "Out, out." It was then, stated that any person wishing to say anything in opposition to the speakers should have an oppor- tunity of doing so after they had concluded. Dr. Thomas then proceeded with his address, and went on to speak of conscientious voting. The Baptists, he continued, had always been in the van of pro- gress, but to his great grief and surprise the Baptists of Brecon were lagging behind rather than taking their proper places in front. He had been told that there were only two or three Liberals in the Welsh Baptist church; but he was glad to find that that was a mistake, and that about half of them were Liberals. He could not conceive how a Baptist could be a Tory. A Tory Baptist was a nonde- script and if he attempted to define such an anomaly it would be as an honest rogue or a sober drunkard. At the conclusion of the speaker's remarks, the Rev. Rees Price was called on the platform, and said he understood Dr. Thomas to say there were 199 parishes contain- ing no Protestants out of which ecclesiastical revenues were derived. Dr. Thomas denied that he had said so, and Mr Price appealed to the audience to see if any one else had understood him so; but he received no reply. Professor Roberts explained that the Rev. Mr. Price had misunderstood the speaker, but remarked that Mr. Price himself admitted there were 199 civil districts without a single Protestant. The Chairman observed upon the manliness shown by Mr. Price, though he laboured under a misappre- hension. They would, however, think none the worse of him, but entertain for him the same respect they always had. The Rev. R S. Williams next addressed the meeting in Welsh in a speech of much energy, taking up the subject of religious liberty and religious equality. He was followed by a gen- tleman from Neath, who spoke in a facetious manner. The Rev. J. Jones, of Rhymney, spoke in Welsh, and said every man ought to regard a vote as sacred property, in regard to which he would have to give as strict an account as of any other action of his life. He also spoke of himself as being a political preacher, and said he gloried in the title. The Rev. J. Stephens also spoke in Welsh, and at the conclu- sion of his remarks Mordecai Jones, Esq., proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, and said he had admired the combination of gentleness and firmness he had exhibited in presiding over that meeting. J. Prothero, Esq., seconded the motion in some appropriate observations, and it having been carried with acclamation, the Rev. John Morris moved, and the Rev. William Roberts seconded, a vote of thanks to the speakers, and the proceedings, which had been of a protracted but enthusiastic character, concluded.

ANNUAL MEETING OF BRECON TOWN COUNCIL. The atmual meeting of the members of the Town Council was held on Monday morning at. the Town- hall. P. Bright, Esq., Mayor, presided, and there were also present Aldermen Thomas, Williams, and Lucas Councillors W. de Winton, J. Davies, G. Cansick, H. C. Rich, T. Trew, J. R. Cobb, and J. Prothero. ELECTION OF MAYOR, Alderman Thomas said he had a very gratifying duty to perform-one which, in these times of difference of opinion, was refreshing, because it was a subject they would all be unanimous upon. He had the pleasure of nominating Wm. de Winton, Esq., as the mayor for the future year. When he mentioned his name he was quite sure that there would be no difference of opinion, but that they would all agree he would be the right man in the right place. (Hear, hear.) In every sense of the word he was a gentleman, and a person who, from his posi- tion, would be well calculated for the coming year to add a little satisfaction, and he might say a little comphment, to some of the authorities and great men who would be coming to the Eisteddfod. It was the chief magistrate of a place on such occasions who received, and possibly entertained, scientific persons but that was quite a secondary matter to the pleasure he had in proposing him. He did so because he was a gentleman of the neighbourhood, occupying a position there, and who, since he had been in the commission of the peace for the county, had always discharged his duty to the best of his ability, and to the best of his judgment, which was everything they could desire. He (Mr. Thomas) had the same anticipations that the manner in which Mr. de Winton had discharged those duties would be transferred to the office cf chief magistrate for the borough. To say anything more on such a subject was useless, and he therefore satisfied himself with proposing that Wm. de Winton, Esq., be mayor for the ensuing year. (Applause.) Mr. John Jones said, with a great deal of pleasure he begged to second the nomination of William de Winton, Esq., as mayor of the borough for the ensuing year. He did so knowing full well that he was possessed of those qualities which would enable him to fill the office of mayor with credit to himself and satisfaction to the Board and inhabit3nts of the town. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, and there was not a more gentlemanly man at that Board. Free from all assumption and egotism, he was likewise most amiable and condescending in his manners, and possessed the respect of every mem- ber of the Board. It was well known that he had not coveted the office, and that he had not, directly or indirectly, sought to force himself into it. If he had done so it would detract from the honour of the appointment. It was, however, conferred upon him without solicitation on his part, but not with cold indifference, but with the warmest feeling of appro- bation of all present. (Applause.) Mr. Rich said he had had the wind taken out of his sails, as it had fallen to him last year to propose Mr. de Winton in opposition to Mr. Bright. He could scarcely regret that he was unsuccessful upon that occasion, as the interests of the town had been very carefully attended to during the past year, and he did not think they could have had a more pains- taking and efficient chief officer for the borough. (Hear, hear.) Therefore, although then opposed to Mr. Bright,—yet not personally,-he had very great pleasure in supporting the nomination of Mr. de Winton to be mayor for the ensuing year. They all anticipated that it would be an eventful year, and he believed Mr. de Winton would be well calculated to advance the interests of the borough. (Hear, hear.) Mr. W. de Winton was then declared duly elected as Mayor, and Mr. Bright vacated his seat, and divested himself of the robe, with which Alderman Thomas, as the senior alderman, invested his suc- cessor, who then took his seat. The usual toll" was also collected to pay the bell-ringers. The Mayor said, after the kind and handsome way in which his proposer and seconder had spoken of him, it would be a great dereliction of duty did he not rise to return thanks for the comphment they had paid him. Mr. Jones, in his remarks, had said what he himself would say—that neither directly nor indirectly had he sought the honour which they had kindly conferred upon him. He looked upon it in this way—-that any man wtio filled the chair should be elected by the unanimous wish 0f every member of that Board, and that he ought to have the full confidence of the Board. Whether that individual was fitted or not would depend upon his future con- duct. He must tell them that he occupied that chair with considerable diffidence. His predecessor had possessed great ability and wonderful perseverance, and great knowledge of his duties (hear, hear), and had conducted business in a manner which he would be happy, as far as in his power, to follow. Although he had had some experience as a magistrate he must ask for the kind assistance of his brother magistrates, because he felt that the year which would shortly begin would be an eventful one. There was likely to be a contest in the borough shortly which had never been equalled. It was one concerning which there would be an enormous amount of excItement; but he trusted with the kind assistance of them all they might be able to bring it to a peaceable result. (Hear, hear.) Nothing could be more discreditable to an ancient borough like that if the election were characterised by anything like a disturbance or disgraceful row (hear, hear); but he hoped everything would be conducted properly, and be brought to a satisfactory issue. In reference to his non-residence in the borough, he would remark that if it had been put to him that his friend on his right (the ex-Mayor) should be asked. to retain his seat for another year, as being a resident in the borough, and having conducted himself so admirably, he should have had great pleasure in seconding the proposition but as it was the wish of the Board he should occupy the chair, and the resolution had been carried unani- mously, it would be discourteous in him not to express to them his unbounded thanks for the honour conferred upon him. (Applause.) Alderman Lucas congratulated the Mayor, and also the Corporation and the town, on his election to the office of chief magistrate. He had watched carefully the career of their ex-Mayor, and he had seen how much labour he had had to undergo and with what diligence and perseverancs he bad ful- filled the duties of his office (hear, hear), as well as his impartiality in his magisterial functions. It must be a great gratification to him in retiring from the municipal throne to feel that he carried the respect and esteem of everyone with him. (Hear, hear.) He congratulated the ex-Mayor on the advance which had taken place during his mayoralty, more especially in the supplying the town with water. Most important was it during last summer,