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

MARRIAGES. DA VIES-J ONES.- At Plough Chapel, Brecon, November 3, by the Rev. R. S. Williams, Mr. Thomas Davies, of Pontfane, Battle, to Miss Elizabeth Jones, of Llanthew. IIALL-POWELL.-At the Register Office, Brecon, Oct. 24, before Mr. William Evans, registrar, Mr. Thomas Hall to Mrs. Mary Powell, both of Old Brynich, near Brecon. DEATH DAVrEs.-At the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. David Sims, Windsor-road, Neath, November 1, (very suddenly,) Mr. John Davies, in his 83rd year. His ancestors lived at the Craiga Farm, Vale of Neath, for upwards of GOO years, and his father was the last manager of the ironworks at Melincourt, in the same valley, one of the oldest blast furnaces in Wales.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. MONDAY .Brecon Borough Petty Sessions. Builth Petty Sessions. TUESDAY Quarterly meetings of Brecon and Neath Town Councils. Annual Borough Leet Dinner, at the Castle Hotel, Brecon, at four o'clock.—See Advt. Sale of Stock, &c., by Lewis Brothers, at Pan- tyrhoel, Neath, at one o'clock.—See Advt. WEDNESDAY County Roads Board. THURSDAY Knighton Fair. FRIDAY .Neath Petty Sessions. Penderyn Fair. SATURDAY Brecon County 'Petty Sessions. Trecastle Fair.

NOTICES. H. H. (Neath) — Your communication, having already appeared in a contemporary, is unsuited to our columns. We do not insert second-hand news, Aberavon News arrived too late.

THE BOROUGH LEET DINNER.—This annual dinner is to take place on Tuesday next at the Castle Hotel, upon which occasion we believe there will be a large gathering. THE LATE CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE FOR THE BOROUGH.—We observe that Lord Claud John Hamilton, who contested this borough a short time since in the Conservative interest is now a candidate for the representation of Kings Lynn, for which place there is every probability of his being returned. PETTY SESSIONAL BUSINESS.—There were several cases for disposal at the County Petty Sessions, on Saturday last, but as neither of the three magistrates who were appointed to act on that day attended, and as no others could be got, the cases necessarily stood over. The parties are consequently put to the expense and inconvenience of again attending, in some instances fresh summonses having to be taken out. "Verbum sap.There was no business for transaction at the Borough Petty Sessions usually held on Monday. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.—This election passed off very quietly. It was stated last week that new candidates had been nominated in addition to the old-Messrs. George Overton, W. Games, and James Williams-the retiring members being Messrs. P. Bright, G. Cansick, A. A.Walton, and John Griffiths. On Saturday Mr. Williams issued a notice giving his reasons for retiring from the contest, and it was understood that Mr. Walton and Mr. Griffiths had also retired, although no formal notification of the fact was given. There was consequently but four candidates, Messrs. Bright and Cansick, the old members, and Messrs. Overton and Games, the new candidates. No votes being given for those who had retired, the proceedings terminated in a very short time. TREAT TO THE INMATES OF THE W ORKHOUSE.- We informed our readers last week that the Marquis and Marchioness Camden had kindly forwarded to the master of the Union a cheque for Y,5, for the purpose of giving the inmates a treat. This was enjoyed by them on Thursday last, when a bountiful repast of roast beef and plum'pudding was supplied them, to which full justice was done. As much beer as was good for them accompanied the dinner, tobacco and snuff being likewise given to the adult inmates, with abundance of fruit for the children. The beef was of the primest quality, and supplied by Mr. Jonathan Prothero, the contractor to the union. The dining-hall was decorated in a very tasteful manner for the occasion. A most pleasant evening was spent by all, and in the midst of the enjoyment the kind donors were not forgotten, hearty and pro- longed cheers being given for the Marquis and Marchioness Camden. PARISH OF SAINT DAVID.—A vestry meeting was held in the vestry-room of this parish on Thursday evening, the 28th of October, for the purpose of investigating and passing the overseers' accounts for the half-year ending the 29th day of September last, and to make a rate for the necessary relief of the poor, and other purposes. There were present the Rev. Rees Price, B.D., in the chair; Messrs. Thomas Smith, Newton; Thomas Thomas, Castle Farm; Benjamin Price, Rhydywernen; John Wil- liams, Orchard-street; William Williams, Ship- street James Roberts, Llanfaes; David Isaac and Aythan Morgan, overseers, and Thomas Maund, assistant overseer. Mr. Maund produced the half- year's accounts, as follows, which were examined and passed:—Received from poor rates, X 189 5s. 7d., and expended Y,150 16s. 10d., consisting of union calls, clerks to justices' fees (county and borough), registration expenses, and assistant overseer's salary, leaving a balance of X38 8s. 9d. in favour of the parish.—A poor rate was afterwards made at Is. in the pound, for the lower borough division of the parish, and 10d. in the pound for the county divi- sion, to meet union calls and other demands made upon the parish. The meeting then terminated. THE LATE CASE OF ALLEGED SLANDER.—At the Court of Queen's Bench on Friday last, before the Lord Chief Justice, and Justices Backburn and Mellor, the case of Davies v. Snead came on for hearing. This was an action for slander tried at the last Brecon Assizes before Mr. Baron Channell, when a verdict was entered for the plaintiff, damages Is. Mr. Giffard, Q.C., now moved for a rul J to show cause why the verdict should not be set aside, and a verdict entered for the defendant. The plaintiff is an attorney at Criclc- howell, and the defendant, a lady, residing at Pwll Court. The attorney was engaged on some execu- tive trusts, in which the lady was interested, but it would appear that Mr. Harris, a clergyman, who had the payment of the moneys in the executive trusts, was the real plaintiff. The following were the alleged words of slander, which the lady detailed in a conversation with Mr. Harris:—She said, how- ever innocent Mr. Harris might be, the matter was talked about out of doors. She said, Only the other day I was in Brecon. It is talked all over the public streets that Mr. Davies and Mr. Harris, the clergyman, are robbing the widow and orphan. Eour men, barristers, or barristers' lackeys, one with a blue bag at any rate, were discussing the matter. One said to the other, But don't you know the lawyer is going to marry his daughter P' and don't you know,' said another, that the parson is build- ing his church ?' Mr. Davies was also spoken of as .a scoundrel, who had no legal right to withhold the land for a single night. The learned judge left the question for the jury, whether it was a com- munication made with the real and sincere desire to put him on his guard, and the jury found that the communication was made bona fide, and without any malice at all. His lordship gave leave to move on the point whether it was a privileged commumca- tion.—The rule was granted. RIFLE CORPS PROMOTIONS.-—The following com- missions have been signed by the Lord Lieutenant of the county:—Lieut. James to be Captain, vice W. L. Banks, resigned; Ensigns John Morgan and Henry Jones to be Lieutenants. The vacancies caused by the two latter promotions have yet to be filled. AMATEUR DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT.—On Wed- nesday evening last the members of the 1st Brecon- shire Rifle Volunteer Corps Amateur Dramatic Society gave the first of a series of entertainments of the above character at the Town-hall. The per- formances were under the patronage of the officers of the 6th Royals, and there was a very good house. The front seats might have been better filled, but the back seats were mostly occupied, and the gallery was crammed. The programme opened with the drama entitled The Thirst for Gold, or the Three Thieves and the Denouncer," the cast being as follows:— Adolph de Briancourt .Mr C. E. W. Price Guslavus, his friend Mr G. E. Goss Larose, a merchant Mr Smyth Claude Daraaud, the denouncer .Mr W. Wallis Simon Siggle, his servant Mr W. Davies Pierre, an officer of police Mr James Williams Mynheer Hans Hoogfldt, a Dutchman Mr Goss Signor Matteo Magleo, an Italian .Mr P. Jenkins Master John Brown, an Englishman .Mr F. C Davies Victorine, Darnaud's daughter D, W. B. Price The plot in this piece is no doubt familiar to most of our readers, but we may just state that Claude Darnaud is a miser, who has had seven clerks hung on suspicion of stealing bags of gold from him. Adolph de Briancourt falls in love with Victorine, the miser's daughter, and, at her solicitation, he becomes her father's clerk, with the resolve to get at the bottom of the mystery attending the disap- pearance of the miser's gold. He keeps watch, but sleeps for some time, and in the morning a bag of gold is missing. Adolph is placed under arrest, but in consequence of the solicitations of Victorine, he is kept in the house, and she herself volunteers to watch, that she may prove her lover's innocence. Towards morning the house is broken into by three men, but Victorine being on the alert, quickly ac- quaints the police, who are guarding Adolph, of the fact, and the burglars are caught in the very act of taking the gold, and hurried off. Scarcely has this exciting episode been concluded, when the door opens, and the miser himself comes into the room fast asleep, goes to the cabinet where the gold is, takes thence a bag, and secretes it in a place where are seven other bags. He is then awoke, and on understanding the state of things begs Adolph's pardon, and gives him his daughter and his wealth. His remorse, however, at being the cause of the death of seven innocent men, is so great that he falls dead, and the curtain then falls on the tableau. Speaking generally, we may congratulate the mem- bers of the society on the improvement manifested by them. The impersonation of the miser was altogether a fine bit of acting, especially in the concluding scene; while the buffoonery of his servant Simon Siggle kept the house in continual roars of laughter. Master John Brown was a very good character, and those of the two other thieves were also creditably sustained, that of Victorine being fair, but scarcely so free from stiffness as previous efforts of the same individual. In the interval Mr. James Morgan sang a song descriptive of the results of his failing of being Ten minutes too late." He was accompanied by Mrs. Morgan, and being encored he substituted another song, which was also well received. The farce entitled "Hunting a Turtle" was next performed, the disposition of characters being as follow:— Mr. Turtle, an uxorious gentleman Mr. J. C. B. Morris The Hon. Mr. Levison, a gentleman Mr. C, E. W. Price Smatter, a gentleman's gentleman.Mr F. C. Davies Timothy Dandelion, a rustic gentleman Mr. W. Davies John, servant to the uxorious gentleman Mr. G. E. Goss Postboy Mr. G. Morgan Mrs. Turtle, the better half of the uxorious gentleman.Mr. James Williams. All the parts were sustained in a thoroughly appre- ciative manner throughout, that of Timothy Dande- lion exciting perhaps the greatest merriment of any. A stringed band was in attendance, and played in the intervals of the performances. THE MAYORALTY.—WE stated on a pre- vious occasion that in all probability Alder- man Dr. Lucas would be the Mayor of Brecon for the ensuing year. We, however, regret to hear that there is a possibility of the worthy alderman declining the honour, but on grounds which we can scarcely think necessitate such a course of conduct. Should this rumour turn out to have any foun- dation, and Dr. Lucas persist in his intention not to accept the chief magistracy of the town, we understand that there is some thought of electing Mr. George Overton to the office. That gentleman possesses many qualifications which admirably fit him to discharge the important functions devolving upon the mayor of the borough. Should the Eisteddfod, as is hoped, take place here next year, it would scarcely be possible to have in the civic chair a gentleman who could more worthily than Mr. George Overton take the position that the Mayor ought to hold upon such an occasion, while his well-known open-handed hospitality is a guarantee that the distinguished visitors who may be expected to be present will receive every kindness and attention. The only objec- tion to his appointment is the fact of his being so young a member of the Council, he having been but just elected. We think, however, that this will not affect the efficiency with which the civic chair would be filled, and that being so it is a question whether "priority" should affect the. election. Should, however, it be thought that the claims of older members of the Corporation ought not to be ignored or passed by for this year, we understand that Mr. Rich will stand the next best chance of becoming mayor, and should the lot fall upon him we have no doubt he will "pass the chair" with credit to himself and to the town. Having thus indicated which way we believe the land lies, we must leave Tuesday next to decide the matter.

DESTRUCTION OF FARM BUILDINGS. SUPPOSED INCENDIARISM. On Monday evening a fire broke out on the farm occupied by Mrs. Davies, Pytinglas, in the parish of Llandefaelog, about three miles from Brecon, by which a wheat rick, said to be of the value of Y,70 was totally destroyed. There were various rumours as to tramps having been seen about the place, but there seems to be no foundation for them. The farm itself is situated in such an out of the way place that the entrance to it cannot easily be discovered; and it seems most im- probable that a tramp was the cause of the fire. It would appear that the fire broke out about half-past seven o'clock in the evening. At that time Mrs. Davies was at a neighbouring farm house, and her son, Mr. David Davies, was also from home, the only persons on the farm being one or two female servants who were in the house, and three farm servants, who were about the premises attending to the cattle and the horses. Some little time before the fire broke out a stone was thrown at the kitchen window, breaking it, and fright- ening the inmates, who barred the doors. On one of the servants going to the house shortly afterwards he was informed of the occurrence, and went off to fetch Mrs. Davies, taking a lantern with him. He had to pass near the wheat rick, and he states that he put out the candle when near the rick, because he did not want it. On his way back from seeing his mistress he saw the rick was on fire. Information of the occurrence' was brought to Brecon by a man on horse-back shortly before nine o'clock, and the firemen were at once, assembled, and the engine got out but a delay of nearly three-quarters of an hour took place, in consequence of the difficulty of getting horses. At last two were obtained, and the engine set off, and as soon as possible after arriving at the scene of the conflagration it was got to work, water being obtained from a muddy pond near. As the top of the rick was damped by the water it was pulled off and scattered about, and by this means, after several hours of hard work, the flames were extinguished, but not before the whole of the rick of wheat was rendered valueless. There were several hay stacks, &c. near the rick, anditwas verymuchfeared that they also would catch fire, but owing to the exertions made, and the wind blowing from them, they were saved on this occasion. The Barracks engine accompanied by a large number of soldiers, was got out about 11 o'clock, and had proceeded about a mile on the way, when information came that their services were not needed, and they accordingly retraced their steps. Shortly before six o'clock on Tuesday evening another fire broke out on the same premises. It ap- pears that the two female servants had been in the cow- house milking some little time previously, and one of them returned to the house before the other. On coming to the door to call in her fellow servant to tea she observed that the barn was on fire. At this time one of the farm labourers, named John Morgan (the one who had fetched his mistress the previous evening) had gone out with the horses, and the other two labourers had also gone to the fields. Morgan had only left the place a short time, and it was said must have been in the barn before leaving. On discover- ing the fire, the girls at once set off in search of assistance, and a messenger was despatched 'to Brecon for the fire engine. When men had arrived however from the neighbouring farms, the flames had obtained a firm hold of the buildings. The farm buildings in question were in the form of the letter "L" and contained a great number of agricultural implements of various kinds, as well as a large quantity of wheat, barley, and oats, in the straw. The contents being composed of such inflammable materials, the fire spread with great rapidity, and soon the whole range of buildings was one mass of flame, burning with the greatest fierceness, giving out an in- tense heat, and casting its reflection for a great distance. Several hundred persons from the neighbourhood, and from Brecon had assembled to witness the sight, which was certainly of an awe-inspiring character, The fire engine arrived shortly after seven o'clock, and set to work, but owing to the water having to be carried some distance, and to the fact that the fire had obtained so thorough a hold of all the buildings, the utmost efforts that could be put forth were of little or no avail, and the whole of the out premises were completely destroyed. The premises belonged to the late Mr. Dickinson, and are now held in trust by Mr. Jones, solicitor, of Llandovery. We understand that neither the premises nor their contents were insured. The loss is estimated at several hundreds of pounds. It is generaly believed that both fires must be the work of an incendiary, and suspicion has fallen upon the John Morgan mentioned above. He, it seems has made one or two contradictory statements as to hearing men run down the road. He also denied that he ever carried matches about with him, but on being searched several were found in his pockets and he has been taken into custody. On Thursday morning John Morgan was brought up before Lewis Hughes, Esq., at the magistrates' office, charged with unlawfully and maliciously setting fire to a stack of corn, the property of Mrs. Jennet Davies, on the 1st instant, in the parish of Llandefae- log, and also with setting fire to a barn and other out- houses, belonging to Mrs. Davies, on the 2nd instant. Mr. B. Bishop appeared on the part of the prosecution, and stated some of the facts of the case. The following evidence was then takenSuperin- tendent Price said: From information I received on the 2nd November, I went to Pytinglas; when I got there I found the remains of a stack of wheat that had been burnt; I was told it had been done about 7.30 the night before; on the same evening I also found the barn and stables on fire; they were completely burnt, and their contents I arrived there about a quarter- past seven in the evening from information I received there, I directed P.O. Oram to take the prisoner into custody I was present at the time; he has been in custody ever since I now apply for a remand. The prisoner was then remanded till the 10th inst.

BRECON COUNTY COURT, FRIDAY, before THOMAS FALCONER, Esq., Judge. DOWER OR ANNUITY P MARY DAVIES V. DAVID PRICE MORGAN. This was an equity case. Mr. D. Thomas appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. James, of Merthyr for the defendant. Mr. Thomas stated the facts of the case, which bad been removed from the superior court. The object of the action will be seen from the evi- dence adduced. Mrs. Mary Davies, the plaintiff, said she was the widow of John Davies, and lived in the parish of Llanganten she was married to her late husband in the year 1825 he was the owner of Pwllgwillim farm, where they had lived he died in April, 1838, without making a will her son came into posses- sion, and she rented it, keeping back annually her dower, or one-third of the rent; in 1851 her son sold the farm to Mr. Theophilus Jones, ot Cefnybedd, from whom she henceforward received £10 a-year as her dower her mother had married Theophilus Jones, and at her death the plaintiff stated she received Y,3 6a. 8d., in addition to the XIO, being a third part of her mother's share Theophilus Jones subsequently sold the property to the defendant, from whom she received X15 she, however, stated that she told him there was more coming to her, and and on his offering her the second X5 she declined to receive it, and again told him she ought to have more. In cross-examination by Mr. James the witness was most unmanageable; she admitted she gave receipts, and that it was put down in a book, which she had not got there she afterwards denied she had any book, and then that she did not remem- ber what sums were down in the book she also admitted that there was no such sum as X13 6s. 8d. down in the book, as she did not put it down last time she was then shown a book in which were receipts for the money paid her, and at the top was David Morgan in account with Mary Davies one year's annuity due to me off Pwllgwillim farm, 29th September, XIO;" she was asked whether this was not there when she brought the book to David Morgan, and she replied she could not tell; on being pressed, and after several fencings, she admitted it was written by a neighbour named John Price.— Mr. James Did you not tell Mr. Morgan that you should not have thought of getting more than £10 if Mr. Jones and some others had not put it into your head ?—Witness No, I did not. Mr. James Are those entries in your book at home ?—Witness: I do not know; I shall try and be more careful for the future I do not think I have a book I did not use to keep much accounts myself. Mr. James Have you not a book at home ?—Witness I do not know I do not remember anything about it. Theophilus Jones was next called, and stated that he married the last witness's mother-in-law, and she died four years ago next February he bought Pwllgwillim farm for Y,1,100 in 1857, and at the same time mortgaged it to a Mr. Vaughan he had to pay Y,10 a-year to Mrs. Davies, and there was 210 coming to his wife; he paid Mrs. Davies the L10 a-year.—In cross-examination, he said he had told Mr. Morgan that he had been paying £10 a-year Mr. Owen, of Builth, afterwards told him the dower was more than Zlo a-year the last year he paid Y,3 6s. 8d. more, because Mr. Owen told him to do so on its being discovered that it was a dower and not an annuity to be paid, he offered to take the farm back, and to pay all the expanses Mr. Morgan did not, however, object to taking it with the dower witness also explained that it was more than £ 10.—In re-examination by 'Mr, James, witness said Mrs. Davies had two illegitimate chil- dren he did not support them did not show his book to Mr. Morgan to convince him he only paid zelo; when the deed was signed the last receipt was not in the book. Mr. Fvan Owen, of Builth, deposed: I am stamp distributor I remember, in 1866, Theophilus Jones and David Price Morgan came to me about the agreement Mr. Jones gave the instructions, and I prepared it in their presence; I think there was no discussion about the dower; Mr. Jones told me it was an annuity of 110 Mr. Llewellin afterwards told me it was subject to a dower, and not to an annuity Mr. Morgan and two friends came to the office on the day of completion; Mr. Llewellin explained to him that instead of glo a-year the widow was entitled to one-third of the rent; Mr. Morgan and his friends went out, and in the after- noon they came in again, and I believe the matter was settled I said it was a matter for compensa- tion, but I think my suggestion was not act: d upon I did not hear Jones say he would cancel the bargain, and pay the expenses I never advised Mr. Jones to pay the extra sum.. Mr. D. W. J. Thomas, solicitor, deposed I remember going to the settlement; I did not exactly know what I wi*s S0Ing for, because Mr. Llewellin was acting f°r bo^.11 Parties, but I was to go and see the settlement; I met Theophilus Jones at the station, and asked him what he wanted me for; he told me he had sold the farm, and I was to see that the conveyance was drawn subject to the dower; I think he explained that the agreement named LIO; I accompanied him to Mr. Llewellin's office, and told Mr. Llewellin I came to look over the deed for Jones Mr. Llewellin handed me the deed, and told me it was subject to dower I read it through, and told Jones it was all right; I cannot say whether there was any discussion when I was there about its being an annuity; I believe Mr. Llewellin read the deed through. Mr. James then addressed the court on behalf of the defendant. He said he felt he had been to a certain extent trapped into that business. He bought, as he conceived, clearly and unmistakeably a farm for XI,280, and the person who sold it said conclusively that it was subject to an annuity of £ 10. On the day when he was ready with the pur- chase money he was told that it was something more— £ 13 6s. 8d. The widow no doubt was originally entitled to dower, but dower, like any other claim upon land, could be commuted, and a certain sum fixed for it. The plaintiff accepted £10 a-year, and she had a right to take it in lieu of her dower, and other persons were justified in pay- ing it. He was afraid, however, that the fight was upon this point. New buildings had been erected, and it was argued plaintiff was entitled to benefit from it. That was a court of equity, and one of the first rules was that whoever came to claim equity, must do equity. He said it was most iniquitous to ask Mr. Morgan to pay zCI,280 for the farm, with a certain sum upon it, and then, because he had laid out zC200 or £300 upon it, that he should pay an increased amount. The plaintiff, however, could have no right to any increased value resulting from the defendant having laid out money upon the farm. Having quoted Coke upon the point, Mr. James said he thought, in reference to the question of annuity, that Mrs. Davies was bound by the receipts. She must have known perfectly well that the farm had been sold subject to this 210 a-year. He thought there was a clear admission that she was only entitled to an annuity. She went to Mr. Morgan with a book on which were the words, One year's annuity due to me, September 29th, XIO. The receipt for £ 13 6s. 8d. was only a blind, and had been vamped up for the purposes of that suit. It was different from all the others: Received from Mr. Theophilus Jones the sum of X13 6s. 8d., out of the rent for Pwllgwillim, being the annual sum duo to me from Pwllgwillirn farm." It must also be borne in mind that there were repairs to come out of the rent, and the dower would not be more than one-third of the clear net value. He also said that the parties had plotted together to attempt to show that they had paid X13 6s. 8d. instead of XIO, but he did not believe a single word of it. Mr. David Price Morgan, the defendant, was then called, and said I am the purchaser of this farm, and went with Jones to Mr. Owen to make an agreement; he told me the land was subject to £ 10 annuity, to be paid to the widow of John Davies, and this was put into the agreement; Jonea once showed me the book produced that I might see how much he paid the widow on the 27th of September I went to settle the matter, and took two of my friends with me; we called on Mr. Jones, and went over the farm to take possession on the way Mr. Jones told me I was to pay more than ZCIO; that was the first time I ever heard of more than EIO to pay I told him £10 was my bargain; he said, If it is EIO I cannot sell it I said the agreement was made I went down to the office of Mr. Owen, and the first thing I said was that Jones had told me it was a third of the rent that was to go to the widow, and not XIO; Mr. Owen replied that that was so; Mr. Owen or Mr. Llewellin then said, "You must keep back X30 or X40 off Jones," and I replied, "You look to that;" my two friends and myself went out, and we saw Mr. Thomas and Mr. Jones coming over the bridge we returned to the office, and Mr. Thomas wanted me to pay for some lime which Jones had put on the farm before I bought it nothing more was said about the 910 a-year the deed was drawn, and they called on me to pay the money, which I did Mrs. Davies brought the book produced to me, with the top part about the annuity of £10 written on it, and I paid her the XIO I have since paid her the money punctually to the day I have spent,£241 on the farm in erecting new out-buildings and repair- ing houses I could not even now get JE40 rent for the farm, after spending this money upon it it is at that sum higher than any in the neighbourhood, and I consider I pay one.third of the net rent.-Cross- examined The first time I heard of the dower was on the day of the purchase I do not remember Mr. Owen or Mr. Llewellin explaining it to me before then I never went to Mr. Bevan, Glanyrafin, about the matter, nor sent the agreement to him I do not remember Mr. Jones saying he would cancel the agreement, and pay all expenses I have not got 95 profit on the timber I have sold I do not know that Mr. Price, of Ystrad, has valued the farm at Y,55 a-year I could not rent it at 960. Mr. Thomas then addressed the court on behalf of the plaintiff. He said that the law of dower was viewed in the most sacred manner. His Honour It was in ancient times. Mr. Thomas And in the present day. His Honour: You can get rid of it now in the simplest possible manner. Mr. Thomas then contended that even if a town had been built on the farm, without the purchaser going through the form of going to see the party who was entitled to the dower, the latter could come in for one-third of the value. The value of the farm was zC40 many years ago. Land all over the country bad gone up, and in other instances large percentages had been added to the land. The plain- tiff was entitled to the advantage of the rise in land, and to the improvements also. His Honour said the plaintiff was entitled to her dower, but he would take time to consider the matter as to her receiving benefit from the improve- ments. THE HALLKEEPER AND THE REVISING BARRISTER. R. O. JONES V. HENRY ALLEN.—This was a claim of 10s., brought by the Town-hall keeper against the revising barrister for this county for attendance. Mr. Games appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. D. Thomas for the defendant. Mrs. Jones stated that she had been hall-keeper for 15 or 16 years, and was paid fi^e guineas a year to attend to the Council meetings; the revising barrister had been there every year, and had paid for each day he had been there Mr. Allen had also paid on two previous occasions on this occasion she told him her charge, and he offered her 2s. 6à.; she told him that was not what he had paid before, and she should not take it; he replied, "Very well; then I will put it back in my pocket.For the defence, Mr. Thomas con- tended that, as a public officer, Mr. Allen was entitled to have a place provided for him to peform his duties, and it was the plaintiff's duty to open and shut the door. He had a right to use the room. His Honour Where is it in the Act ? He could go to an hotel. Mr. Thomas then contended that there was no contract, expressed or implied. His Honour said that when persons who were entitled to payment performed duties it was under- stood that they would be paid. It could not be said that it was the duty of the plaintiff to attend on the revising barrister, and he thought she should be paid. Order made accordingly. WAGES CLAIM. WILLIAM POWELL V. EDWIN W.RIGIIT.-This was a claim by a labourer for 6s. for work done at Pen- wyllt Lime Works. On the part of the defendant, David Jones, a clerk, appeared, and said that defen- dant had left without any notice. It came out, however, that plaintiff had not been engaged for any special time, and as he had worked to the end of the week, his Honour thought there was no sufficient reason to withhold payment, and gave judgment for plaintiff. MISTAKING THE YEAR. AUGUSTA FORESTER V. THE GREAT WESTERN RAIL- WAY COMPANY. — This was a claim for 18s., for damage done to a piano belonging to the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is a widow, had resided in Brecon in 1867, and had had her piano sent her. On its arrival it was found to be injured. Plaintiff spoke to Mr. Wilson, the station-master, about the matter, and he said it had better be repaired, and the bill sent to the company; which was done.—Edward Hawkins, an inspector on the Great Western line, said the claim sent in was for 1868, and no trace could be found of the consignment of the piano to them.—As it was evident there had been a mistake in the year, the case was adjourned in order that it might be rectified. CLAIM FOR MONEY LENT. MARSDEN V. BRYAN.-This was a claim for £2 10s., for money lent and goods supplied. Mr. Thomas was for the plaintiff, and Mr. Games for the defen- dant. Both the parties are connected with the rail- way, and the defendant at one time lodged with the plaintiff, and it was during that time that the money was said to have been lent, and things bought for the defendant. No dates were attached to the bill of particulars of money lent. The defence was that the several amounts had been paid, and certain receipts from plaintiff were produced by the defen- dant.—His Honour made no order in the case. A LEGAL CASE. W. GAMES V. GORDON HENRY MILLER AND HUGH ,M,CCftEIT-H. -This was an action brought by the plaintiff, a solicitor, of this town, for 410 odd for professional assistance. Mr. Games conducted his