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FINANCIAL REFORM. )
FINANCIAL REFORM. ) (From the Times.) I Mr. M'Gregor has published his tinanml programme, ) and Mr. M'Gregor, from his previous studios as a sta- tistician, has a better right to publish such a document, than nine-tenths of the multitude with whose schemes we shall he shortlv inundated. The public will be the gainers by the discussion of these amateur budrts., V. -J ll1.c no apprehension of the adoption ot any such insane plan of financial reform as would go to shake the credit and imperil the security of the empire. The ar- gument should be met broadly and fairly, and with as little vague declamation and visionary prognostications of a dNmal futurity as may be. Even from the enemies of the British constitution, from those who would cut otf all connexion with the past, and reduce the political and social systems of this country to the level of others which exist und r totally dissimilar conditions from our- selves, useful hints may be drawn. For example, the moment is not arrived for cutting our colonies adrift, or for handing over the vast empire of British India to the jr.erey of a regiment or two of New Orleans volunteers or 'i'exian sympathizers. Ireland cannot yet be left un- garrisoned, nor London be abandoned to the drunken fury of a gall of such nameless ruffians as threatened us with conflagration and piilae during the course o( the last spring and summer. We may, however, obtain certain advantages from the labours of those who review, even in a spirit of hostility, ever y item of the public expenditure. Mr. M'Gregor sets forth fairly enough the fact that when very nearly i: 17,000,000 are expended on the pay- ment of the interest of the public debt, and upon the Army, Navy, and Ordnance, it is to this sum alone we can look with any reasonable prospect of effecting a considerable reduction in the taxation of the empire. Even so the issue must be narrowed still more. illr. 1\1'Grl'{or distinctly asserts, and his assertion is entitled to belief, that he at least has no thought of tampering with the hypothecated credit of the country. The failure of that credit would inflict a penalty upon every one of Iler Majesty's subjects far more grievous than the j-m merit even of our present heavy taxation. In Great Britain it would be ruinous to those who now employ others, and it would throw those employed out cf work. The ca1;).m¡y of a stoppage of the payment of the dividends or the interest of the National Debt would break up every monetary and commercial engage- ment in the "United Kingdom the riahts of property, whether in land s or moveables, would roo lunger be sacred liank Stock, India Stock, and all other stocks, together with private banks and private cedit, \1J1Il:l [ all he involved in the general calam'ty of a national bankruptcy." Mr. M'Gregor has a right, then, to credit for his assertion that the sacred principle of public credit, as far as he is concerned, shall be preserved in- tact. Where interests of such magnitude are at stake, we should not feel inclined to place implicit confidence in the mere assertions of any man. Were this phrasing merely ancilliary to a revolutionaiv proposition it should be discarded at once. Such is not the case of Mr. M'Gregor. In his opinion not only must the principle of the payment of the di,idends of the national debt be preserved, but with all his ingenuity lie cannot discover how it is that more than £ 5,304,000 of taxation can be taken off. For this reduction we must look to the army, navy, and ordnance for £ 4,250,000. The reductions the iuirj. member for Glasgow purposes, without im- pairing the efficiency of these branches of the public service, are- For 1S47. f. £ The Naval Expenditure, to 6,500,000 7,510,405 The Army, to 6,000,000 8,013,873 The Ordnance, to 1,750,000 2,947,869 £ 14,250,000 1:18,-50-2,IL17 I The question, then, upon which so much discussion is likely to arise can be thus narrowed to two very intelli- gible issues :—What degree of force is it necessary to maintain for the security of the country ? How can this force be maintained at the smallest possible ex- pense Upon the answers to these two questions will depend the solution of the pompous problems of the Financial Associations and financial reformers in or out of Parliament. Good will arise from this discussion in two ways. In t"e first place, we shall no doubt effect a saving of some £ 4,000.000 or £ 5,000,000 on the total sum of £70,OOO,OUO (we include county-rates, &c.) which is an- nually levied from the inhabitants of the British isles. This, as far as it goes, will be a good, and a great good. In the second place, we may at length hope to see an end of the declamatory stuff of those pothouse orators who are in the habit of presenting to an admiring audi- tory the Duke of Wellington and the Archbishop of Canterbury as drunk and bloated on the spoils of the industrious poor. We have but one wish, which is, that ail may be made so clear that every man in the three kingdoms, of sane mind may be able to understand the justification and necessity of every penny that is taken in the shape of taxation from the pockets of the people. Wp have spoken of a positive reduction, and of a positive point where the reduction can be effected. So far we heartily go with Mr. M'Gregor, if he can make out his case. This much, however, is far from giving a just idea of his entire scheme. Not only would lane- duce, but he would shift burdens. He would LI(WOby a coup de baguette, that which no thinking man would wish to see effected but by degrees, and with the most extreme circumspection. He would abolish all Customs' duties but on eight articles, and these, with the excep- tion of tea and sugar, purely articles of luxury. From this source he expects to derive £lH"jOO,OOO From the Excise, again, he would hope to receive £ lk,200,000 upon his scheme of reduction. It may not be amiss to place lr. scheme before our readers, that they may judge of its A gross expenditure, including charges of collection, and all payments now made in its progress to the Exchequer £ 53,000,000 | To meet which I propose — 1.—DUXTKS OF CUSTOMS. (A) Tobacco. 4,000,000 (H) Sugar (at present duties) 5"500.(),)!) (C) Distilled spirits, all kinds. 2.500,000 (D) Wines (at dillies adjusted fur revenue) 2,000.000 (E) Spiccs of ail kinds 100,000 (F) Fruits or all kinds 500,000 (G) Tea, at 1", per lb. 3,000,000 (H) Silk manufactures, and other articles cf luxury, fit all ad valorem duty, ex- cluding all raw materials and articles of food 900,000 2.—EXCISE, RXNUN ONE OFFICE WITH STAMPS. PphitsnndM:ut.i:?,000.000i n<?? LIcpns-s 1,20010?,,o 11?00,000 Stamps, Legacy Duty, and probates. 7,500,000 -,I.o.s 2,30 1,000 4.—Crown Lands (should give more) 500,000 Total from ordinary sources £ 11,000,000 6.-Duty of 5 per cent, upou the rents or profits of all realized property, whether funded, houses, lands, warehousos, docks, East India Stock, Bank Stocl:, ird all stocks and shares whatever, bought and sold in the market, which I estimate at 220,000,000 sterling per annnlm. 11,000,000 Total estimated revenue to meet esti- mated expenditure £):2,000,000 We are fully prepared to admit the desirability of many of the chang-es proposed. For instance, could the Exchequer bear the strain, no one could for a moment advocate the policy of maintaining the Excise duty upon bricks or upon snap. No one would deem it ex, pedient to saddle the house property and commercial transactions of the country with the stamp upon fire and marine assurances — no one but would be willing to reduce the tea tax to Is. per pound, and to abolish the assessed-tax upon windows to-morrow. Even as at present some of these changes may be politic and cx- pedient, but it would secm little short of insanity,with an untried futlire before llS, and at the vpry 11Iomllt th" commercial and agricultural interest. of the country-are just failing into the new groove rut for them in to pive up ail hold on the past, and confront a certain ex- penditure with an uncertain revenue. We dread these neat cut-and dry scheh1rs, which strike so neat a balance upon paper. Fifty-two millions, expenditure per an- tra, fifty-two miiiionf, receipts. What can be more de- lightful ? The office of the Chancellor of the Exche- quer may amongst others as well be abolished. The, machine wiil work of itsdf, Deficiencies will be 1111- heard of things upon the schenw of Mr. M'Gregor, if all goes right. It is, however, difficult not to be struck with the fact that this amateur budget mainly rests upon Customs derived from articles of luxury, and upon a property-tax which would appear to be somewhat in contradiction of the returns that have been made to Parliament hitherto upon the subject. At any rate, however, we shall be glad to see such in- quiries followed up in an honest and straightforward spirit, and met with openness by the Government. y, have not the smallest desire to pay in the shape of taxt's one shilling more than we can help.
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In the Iligh-street, Hastings, over a beer shop, is a ign hoard, with the words—" Jennv Lind's gin." DEATH OF Mit. ALDERMAN JOHNSON. — Shortly on Saturday morning Mr. Alderman Johnson expired at his residence, Millbank, after an illness of some months' duration. The deceased alder- man, W!M in conjunction with his brother (who still sunive.s) succeeded to hi^ father's business, was in eariv life extensively engaged as a paviour, and both also inherited a large fortune from their father, who mad" a most fortunate speculation in a stone-quarry in Devon- shire, since known as the Haytor Granitp,"aud also undertook the contract for the celebrated breakwater a*. Plymouth This an l other fortunate speculations ten led to place the d2CI.'a"l'd aldcrm<lll at the head of the "tOTln trade, and in rhe year 1S3'J he was cal! -d upon io fi'.i the office of Sheriff of Lond >n, and in 1830, a vacancy taking place in the ward of Dovgaie, he cliti- didate, and succeeded to the alderruanic gown for that ward. In 1845, he was elected, after a poll, :o fill the civic chair, and d'.nr,r» the year of his mayoralty main- tained thp hos;>ttfcl:fv dignity of the office of chief magistrate in a state ,,1' a.most umi ailed splendour. Among the many guests who honourprl hin: bv their T)P" at the festive civic board was Ibrahim Pa-din. During that period he presided ?.t meetings of a vast number of t?,? m@trot)()Iit;in to each of which he was a l:lPrll con' ri' utor. Of late v??a,-s he a,i -i! c (I S'reng C«nser*n'iv«> p'' inei pi e-, being a firm supporter of the navigation laws, an i a decided opponent ,f rre? trade. Ir i., umi»r«t:>r>d t!}¡1t the precept to t h; ward of Dowgnte f'>r th" ii>>» of his < or will i.-saed iiomdia'f 1 v.—
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\IV J. '1 1" \Y ""1'.)", I- A PROTEST CONCERNING BISIIOP PIIILL- POTTS, A meeting. consisting of numerous most respectable inhabitants of the populous Plymouth neighbourhood, has been held, and adopted unanimous in their ear- nestness, a resolute protest against the Tractarian superstition which, under the patronage of Bishop Phillpotts, corrupts the le'ligion of the people, paralyses the efforts of the friends of true education, and tends to make the Church an instrument of debasing and enslaving men, instead of tV> organ of public instruc- tion, which it is in theory designed to be. This meeting i ,J great importance it must be the precursor of a movement for ecclesiastical reform, now for the tlrst tune taking its definite aim and attitude, such as England has not seen for cciittiries-nor since the Reformation, which, incomplete and interrupted as it was by the retrograde influence of the Stuart dynasty, has done but half its work feaviii, tfi. i foul remnants of fraudulent abuse and mystical absurdities to be cleared away by the daylight of the nineteenth century. The protest is in the form of a rnniot-iahto the Arch- bishop of Canterbury alleging that t, tieTractariaii evil receives encouragement from the Lord Bishop and the following brief extract from the speech of Col. Dunserable the chairman, explanatory of the persecu- tion which the Rev, Mr. Shore, ;md the Rev, Mr. Gorham had reeived at the hands of the Bishop of Exeter will he read with considerable interest. "It was not very long since, that a gentleman, Mr. Shore, was holding a curacy at To Mies, where his minis- try was most acceptable ti the people, and where he was bih in the esteem of his patron, the Duke of Somerset. Through some emergency he had occasion to submit his appointment to anoUler Incumbent, he being a Curate. On that occasion, by what management, or I woulù I rather say, b- what arangement it is difficult to state, the Bishop of Exeter intimated to him that henceforth he should suspend his license. There was not the least cause of complaint there was no pretention of complaint against him under any law, civil or ecclesiastical. The mandate was issued, and L-. Shore was ordered to quit his thriving congregation, and at once abandon his charge. Mr. Shore submitted to the demand of the Bishop, and the Chapel was closed several weeks. At last, under such serious circumstances, Mr. Shore resolved to consider by which of two opposite Vows he ought to be bound. On the one hand, be had sworn to preach the Gospel; on the other, to obey the Bishop and it became a question with him whether he ought not to preach the Gospel. Mr. Shore determined, and I have no doubt whatever, his conscience supported him in it, Mr. Shore determined to violate the less, in order to observe the greater of these yo\ He accordingly left the Church, and took refuge under the Toleration Act. lie turned the building into what the Bishop would call a Conventicle (a laugh), and continued to preach there as before. Immpdialdy he dd so the Bishop commenced proceedings against him in the Ecclesiastical Courts, upon the ground of the indelibility of holy orders, and he remains at this moment under the liability of being seized, attached, and sent to jail, for having broken a law of the Church. Now, what encou- ragement I ask again, is there to the Evangelical Clergy to leave the Church, when they might be prosecuted as Mr. Shore has been ? now I apprehend the real offence of Mr. Shore, (and this was my object in stating his rase) was that he was really the Evangelical am! Pro- testant Preacher of Totnes. Leaving that ease, I will next proceed to that of another gentleman, Mr. Gorham. He is a Clergyman of the Church of England, who held an Incumbency in St. Just, Cornwall. He was during the present year-at the earlier part—appointed to a much smaller and less valuable living near the City of Exeter. Mr. Gorham hail unfortunately at this time committed two serious offences—one of these was, he had designated the Church, the National Establishment; and the other offence was, he had advertised for a Curate free from Tractarian Error (cheers). In refer- ence to the first of these complaints, the -Bishop had called him to order. The Bishop asserted that lie had used a phrase not becoming to the Church, and it was in vain that Mr. Gorham, referred to the Bishop's own pamphlets, especially, a letter to Mr. Canning, in which not only a phrase similar to this, but the identical words were discovered. In that letter the Bishop had himself designated the Church as the Xational Establishment, i When Mr. Gorham approached the Bishop for the pur- pose of procuring his institution to the living, he was informed that it .was necessary for him to be subject to an examination as to his fitness as a Clergyman. I have before me the result of that examination, it appears from Mr. Gorham's statement, that the examination to which he was subjected, was the most searching, subtle and severe, comprehending 76 questions, during 5 successive days. Mr. Gorham then left, protesting against such injustice, but he subsequently returned, and under protest submitted himself to examination again, when these extraordinary proceedings occupied 52 hours, during eight days, besides six days' full employment at his lodgings in Torquay, in examiriitilry, books and documents, in older to ell able himself to be prepared for his examination. In the course of this examination 149 questions were presented, every one of which was on the single topic of Baptismal Efficacy. The result was-that the Bishop delivered to Ir, Gorham, in due form, a document, of which the following is a copy — To the Rev. Georr/e Cornelius Gorham, Clark, Bachelor in Divinity." Whereas we have examined you as to your ability and fitness to fill the Vicaiage of Brarr.pford Speke in our Diocese, now legally void by the death of the last Incumbent thereof, and whereas we have upon the said examination found you unfit to fill the said vicarage hy reason of your holding doctrines contrary to the true christian faith (laughter) and the doctrine* contained in the articles and formularies of the United Church of England and Ireland, and especially in the Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments and other rites and ceremonies of the Church according to the use of the United Church of England and Ireland. Now, therefore, we hereby notify to you, that because of such your unfitness as aforesaid we do refuse to admit you to the said Vicarage, and you to institute, induct, and invest, with, or any of the rights and appurtenances thereof" (loud laughter). Xow who is Mr. Gorham? II" was third wrangler for his year. at the University of Cambridge, (hear, and cheers). He is advanced in years, being between 60 and 70, and lie has been 3 years a minister of the Church uf England (shame), He has laboured under six different bishops in six different dioceses, with conduct unimpeachable, and with principles never attempted to be questioned before (shame). But whilst these ptoceedings were going on, we find men of a different party, who recei ved appointments to benefices having those appointments immediately confirmed by the Bishop. I will just draw your attention for a moment to the effect of the determination of the Bishop as evinced in the case of Mr. Gorham. The Bishop having refued to institute Mr. Gorham upon the ground of his unfitness, the unsoundness of his doctrines in the subject of baptismal regeneration, it m'lst follow that it is perfectly impossible for any of the Evangelical Clergy,inasmucit as they all deny those doctrines, to obtain any appointment henceforth at the hands of the Bishop of this Diocese, if his Lordship shall carry his principles out"
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The postage of a letter from any part of Great Britain to any part of the United States of America will in future be Is. instead of :2,. Earl Diicie It-is becozii- the president of the Bristol Mesmeric Institute. His lordship says, that he should • not hesitate to express p'lbliely bis convictions of the great utility and truthfulness of mesmerism, as a cura- I li\e agent, and that from his own experience. PRIVILEGES OF A PEER.—M'Cabc v. Lord Hark; —On Saturday an application was made to Mr. Baron Piatt, at Chambers, oy Mr. Corfield, solicitor to the present Earl of Oxford, who was detained in the Queen's Prison as the Hon. A. TIarley, commonly called Lord H,rh.y. for 1,10, discharge, he having succeeded, hy the death of his father, to the title of the Earl of Oxford. The necessary docuiiiciit., were produced, and his Lordship, after considering the matter directed the attorneys of tiie several detaining creditors to show cause why the Earl of Oxford should not be discharged from custody, he being a Peer of the realm. The summonses were made returnable on Monday, and several attorneys attended on the part of creditors. In some case the parties consented, and orders were made for the discharge of the noble defendant, but in the above named cause the application was resisted by the detaining creditor's attorney. It was submitted that a Peer was not entitled to his privilege until he bad taken the oaths prescribed. Mr. Baron Phtt said he had no doubt that a Peer was privileged before he hn<i taken the oaths, and requested to be furnished with cases which would show that he was not. His Lordship adjourned tiie snn:1HOIIS for an hour, in order that counsel might a;;pear for the cred'tor. At a subsequent period of the day the matter was resumed. A barrister attended, and admitted that he could not I cite cases to the effect that a Peer was IJ-t privileged j until he had taken sea. His Lordship made the order in this as "II [1' in the several other eases for the Earl of Oxford from the Queen's j Prison. In this case a point was incidentally men* tinned of a novel anel important character — namely, whcthPf the discharge \11<1 extinguish the several debts of the detaining creditors, or w[¡e:ile the judg- ment would survive the discharge by his Lordship. It seems that there is no ease on the subject, and the qIlD:;t!O¡¡ ill decide whether an execution by operation j of law will extinguish a debt in the same manner as a j discharge by the act of a creditor. :)'U"TS in t!l,. (several eases were drawn up, and tiie Earl of Oxford discharged from the Q teen's Prison. A QUEEH Prmvosi riON —Amongst the papers dis- j tri,.ulf- on S'tturdav in the French Assembly was a proposition presented by M. Antoine, tending to abolish ■ the duty on potable liq,z,-)rs, silt, to',Ii,cco, to tote for them the following di'rect taxes: — Whoever I ivesvs e. cloth coat such as is used in full dress, and n«t a blouse like workmen, shülll,1 pay lOtH. a vea: As it was calculated that 1,000,000 persons would be fotizifl in France determined to wear a diess-coat, this tax was to tiriti, itito the Treasury 100,000,OOOf. Whoever wears a hat in place of a nasquette, or cap, like a work- man, should pay 20f. at the rate of 0,000,000 0f ba;s worn, would give 100,000,0001". more. Whoever wears a frock-coat should pay of. a-year, which, itt the rf. nf ,>,000.0!;0 of weaiers, vu.ulri «r ) ) —i;; ai:. accordin" g to >-i. Antoine, 2-: Vh/K.oof J i The puhiication of the Welshman commences on Fri- day morning in time for the Glamorganshire mail, which leaves Carmarthen iit (,ig!it u'cl,)ck.
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In consequence of an extraordinary pressure of Quar- ter Sessional Intelligence, we are unable to present our usual political article to our readers. VI e the less re- gret this, as the hazy atmosphere of politics presents no tangible topic for popular discussion.
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Our obituary this day contains a notice of the demise of Pryse Pryse, Esq., Gogerddan, member in the Com- mons House of Parliament, for the United Boroughs of Cardigan, Aberystwith, Lampeter, and Adpar. To say that the deceased gentleman was universally beloved and lamented, would be to use the tamest common-place language of the day fur if to live honestly, with strict integrity, with undeviating straight-forwardness and fearless independence,—to be at once a good father, a kind neighbour, an excellent landlord, a courteous and affable philar.truphist, and a sturdy stickler for the liberty of his fellow countrymen; could earn the love and esteem of his friends, the admiration of his neighbours and constituents, and the approbation of his God, then has the lamented Mr. Pryse Pryse wreathed for himself a coronal more lasting than any of earthly form or mould. He was for 30 years the representative of the Cardigan Boroughs, and during that period, undeviatingly advo- cated Liberal principles-the principles ol Progress. On all the great questions of Reform during the last quarter of a century, Mr. Pryse was ever found voting on the popular side, and his unswerving integrity and uprightness of principles, if it could not gain the sym- pathy and esteem of h,s political opponents, at least bespoke their earnest admiration in favour of his honesty and ardour. The void occasioned by the loss of such a man, will not speedily be filled. The social and :political circle have alike been broken. The question then protrudes itself;—How can re- paration best be effected? We reply by the appoint- ment of a fitting successor to the Parliamentary honours of Mr. Pryse. His eldest son has declined competing for the vacant post, and rumour has already become busy with the names of many probable candi- dates. Doubtless there will be several gentlemen ready to call for the most sweet voices" of the electors, and it will bespeak a nice discrimination on the part of the latter in deciding on their choice. We are given to understand that the general feeling at Aberystwyth is in favour of that true patriot Mr. William Williams, late M P. for Coventry, and we be- lieve the electors would confer more honor on them- selves than on that gentleman if they selected him as their representative. Other gentlemen, including Mr. W. H.Lewis, of Clynfiew, and Mr. Miles Harford, of Bristol, who was defeated by Mr Pryse, at the last contested election, have also been spoken of as can- didates in the Conservative interest. Time alone can banish rumour by substituting fact, and before our next impression, doubtless substantial candidates will have presented themselves.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.I
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. I CARMARTHENSHIRE. I Lady Lucy Foley has presented £3 worth of coals for I the use of the debtors in the county gaol. Mrs. Hamlyn Williams has this week, with her usual benevolence, caused warm clothing to be distributed to the poor at the Ferry Side. SEASONABLE are happy to announce that the Lord Bishop of St. David's has with his usual generosity given £20, to be distributed at this cold season among the poor of Abergwilly, in coat, blankets, &c. &c The Rev. Hugh Jones, the respected minister of Lammas Street Chapel, in this town, was on Monday last (New Year's Day), presented by his congregation with a purse containing 30 guineas, as a token of their affectionate, regard and a tribute of sincere respect for his able superintendence of their religious welfare. THE WEATHER.—From the comparative mildness of last week we have had a sudden transition to an intense and biting frost, the thermometer frequently standing as low as 20. Yesterday a sleety rain fell, which froze as soon as it reached the ground, and consequently ren- dered the surface of the a-, slippery as glass. The mails were detained several hours after the usual period of their arrival, and travelling of all kinds was rendered highly dangerous. CARMARTHEN DISTRICT or ODD FELLOWS.— On Monday last, the Annual Meeting of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for the above District, was held at the Ancient Briton Lodge, in this town upwards of 30 delegates were in attendance, besides a number of Past Officers. The following persons were elected Officers for the ensuing year without opposition :—P.G. David Lewis, Grand Master and Examining Officer P.G. John Lewis, Deputy Grand Master; William Morgan, Corresponding Secretary P.P.G.M's William Thomas and Daniel Levy, District Auditors. The following persons were also elected Officers of the Widow and Orphan's Fund :—P.P.G.M. George Lloyd, President P.G. William Williams, Vice-President P P.G.M. William Thomas, Secretary. The meeting broke up at an eariy hour in consequence of the melan- choly death of P.P.G.M. John Davies, who had been elected a delegate to represent his Lodge at that meet- ing, but before the close of its sitting, the heart- rending news was conveyed that" he was 110 more." CARMARTHEN POLICE.—On Tuesday last, before the mayor and W. G. Thomas, Esq, two lads were charged with having assaulted a private of the 14th foot, but were dismissed in consequence of the soldier not appear- ing to prefer the charge. A strong young man named Thomas Lewis was charged with having committed an aggravated assault upon P. C. Thomas Burch on the previous night. It appeared that defendant had been conveyed to his own homE: about 8 o'clock in a state of intoxication, but a few minutes after was observed fight- ing with a boon companion near Messrs. Tardrew and Smith's shop. Burch then took him into custody when he kicked the police officer in the most violent manner, and attempted seriously to injure him in a vital part. He succeeded in throwing BurcL down on his back and falling upon him. A young man in the employ of Mrs. Gleneross rescued Burch, and was immediately knocked down by defendant. Eventually however the prisoner was conveyed to the station house (endeavouring to bite Burch on the way) where he became more violent than ever. The magistrates considered this a most savage case of assault, and fined defendant the very moderate pe- nalty of 20s. In default, he was conveyed to the House of Correction for a fortnight.— Yesterday, before the Mayor, E. H. Stacey, and W. G. Thomas, Esqîs.John Virgo, of this town, carrier, was charged with having com- mitted a brutal assault oil his wife the previous night. Mr. John Woods, a neighbour, deposed that about 12 o'clock he was aroused from bed by hearing loud screams proceeding from defendant house, and he immediately rose and ran out., and on looking in at defendant's window, he saw him beating his wife with a poker in one hand, and a shovel in the other. Witness called out to him, upon which he desisted, and he returned to his house, hut he had not been there many minutes before the screaming re-commenced. He again got up and went out, and seeing a policeman they broke open defendant's door, and took him into custody. His wife was at the time lying on the floor dreadfully bruised, and covered with blood, and she was shortly after taken to the infirmary. Mr. Evans House Surgeon, gave corroboratory evidence. The com- plainant. from the severe nature of the bruises, not being able to attend to give evidence, the defendant was remanded until Monday next on bail. David Thomas, from Newcastle, aged 18, brought up charged with stealing a silver sp.>.m, the property of Mr. Philip Davies, Six Bells Inn, ot. Peter Street, was discharged with an admonition, no person appearing to sustain the charge. On Friday last, William Evans and John Eva?is, (alias Joseph Fletcher,) apprended on suspicion of being connected with the murder at Cwmgwdy, near Brecon, were committed for further examination to the 5th instant, the former on suspicion of having the mur- dered man's clothes in his possession, and the latter "jl)¡ bcin¡r the actual murderer. On Friday last, Enoch Jones, was commit ted for trial at the Quarter Sessions, by D. Prytherel', E"q., charged with having stolen a pair of shoes, the pro- perty of Thomas Jones, Penrhiw .och, Llanarthncv. THK BSODOUION" BENEFIT SOCIETY.—On New- Year's Dav, the benefit club, "Brorhrioll," held their annual festival at the Star Inn, Llangunnor. After f irming in procession, the ■members proceeded to the parish church, where a suitable sermon was preacheu hy the Yicar from the 6th ciiapter of Thessalonians, 9th verse. At the conclusion of the service, (he pro- cession headed by a bund of music and banners, pro- ceeded to the residence of Capt. Davies, Myrtle Hill, Lewis Morris, Esq., Mpunt Pleasant, and J. Aleock, Esq., Mount Hill, and received from each gentleman a guinea subscription to-vanls the support of the institu- lior, the worthy Vicar contributing the same sum. The finances of the club were stated to be in a ¡ fhu!i.bin c,¿itio:J. I t
BOROUGH QUARTER SESSIONS.I
BOROUGH QUARTER SESSIONS. I On Friday last, the January Quarter Sessions for this Borough, were held at the Guild-hall, before John Wilson, Esq., Recorder, the following magistrates being in attendance:—John Lewis, Esq., Mayor, and E. H. Stacey, Esq. John Lewis, Esq., took the usual oaths consequent upon his election as Mayor of the Borough. The f"llnwing gentlemen were sworn on the Grand Jury:—Messrs. J. J. Stacey, (Foreman); Joseph Timmins, 1). Chai les, Geo. Children, Frederick Davies, John Howell, (Upper Market Street), J. Stewart, Thos. David, John JO!lPS, (Salt Merchant), D. Nicliolls, T. W. White, Tlios. Jones, (Qqecn Street), Alfred Thomas, and John Davies, (King Street.) The Queen's usual proclamation against vice, pro- faneness and immorality, (which was first promulgated by Her Majesty's Royal grandsire on his accession to the throne) was then read. The Learned Recorder addressed the Grand Jury as follows :-Gentlemen of the Grand Jury,—I perceive by the calendar that there are only two cases which will be likely to lie brought before you, neither of which appear to me to be in any way complicated or such as to require explanation or comment from me. The first is an extremely simple case, in which a person named Mary Jones is charged with stealing a jar containing brandy from the shop of Mr. William Morgan, wine and spirit merchant, in King Street. It is for you to hear the evidence, and if in your opinion there is no reasonable probability of her guiit, you will ignore the bill. It seems, however, that she admitted that she had taken the jar of brandy, and if coupled with the other evidence you should he of opinion that a conviction will be likely to ensue, you will return a true bill against her. The other case is a charge against a man named Thomas Phillips, who is accused of having stolen a bag of rice from Messrs. Edward Burdett Warren, and William Warren, druggists and general merchants in King Street. It appears that the prisoner was a porter in Messrs. Warren's employ, and was engaged in taking goods from their warehouse to the shop. It further appears that he offered a bag of rice for sale on his own account, to a person named Treharne, whereas in point of fact the bag of rice was the property of his employers. The question for you to consider is whether he did so offer the rice for sale or not; because although it came lawfully into his custody or possession, yet if he unlaw- fully made a sale of it on his own account, he is as much guilty of a larceny as if he had stolen it in any other way. If you think he intended to put the purchase money of the rice into his own pocket, you will find a true bill against him. The Grand Jury then retired, and after a short delay, returned into court with a bill. Mary Jones, was placed at the bar charged with having on the 3rd of November last, stolen a jar con- taining brandy of the value of 5s., the property of Mr. William Morgan. She was also charged with having received the brandy knowing it to be stolen. She pleaded Not Guilty. Mr. W. Jones conducted the prosecution, and the prisoner was defended by Mr. W. Simons. Mr. W. Jones, in stating the case for the Crown, said that the prosecutor was Mr. William Morgan, wine and spirit merchant, of this town, and the prisoner was a servant living on the Castle Green. She was charged with having stolen a jar of brandy under the following circumstances. On the 3rd of November about 8 o'clock in the evening, Mr. Morgan was called up from his cellar to his shop by his daughter to draw a pint of gin and a pint of brandy for a customer. Having drawn the required liquors, he put them re- spectively into two pint stone jars and placed them on the counter, preparatory to sealing the corks. Both he and his little qirllcft the shop, and w'hen they re- turned, the bottle containing the brandy was missing. The prosecutor's servant was during this time standing in the passage, and she saw the prisoner come into the shop during her master's absence from it, having a basket with her. She turned her back to the servant, who then saw her take her hand from the basket and stretch it over the counter, after which she put her hand in the basket again, and then left the shop. When the jar was missed information was given to P.C. Frederick Iiees, who it seems had seen the prisoner lurking about King Street a short time before, and who went to a lodging-house kept by one Harriet Thomas, on the Castle Green, and found the prisoner with a jar cor- responding in size with the one missing, and with about three fourths of a pint of brandy in it. Prisoner began to cry and handed the jar over to Ilees, saying she had only taken a small drop. At the station-house she exclaimed, "011, God, why did I take the jar," and several times ejaculated, Oli, stealing, stealing." This statement was amply corroborated by the spveral witnesses who were all subjected to a rigid cross-exami- nation by Mr. Simons. An eloquent and ingenious appeal to the jury was then made on behalf of the prisoner by her advocate, Mr. Simons, who contended that there were so many improbabilities in the case that the jury could not safely convict. He then rapidly recapitulated and commented upon the evidence for the prosecution, and concluded by begging the jury, if they had the slightest doubt about her guilt, to give that doubt in favour of the prisoner. The Learned Recorder summed up, and the jury after abont half an hour's consultation, returned a ver- dict of Not Guilty. We understand that the sapient reason given by the jury for this verdict was that whereas the indictment alleged that a jar of brandy of the value of 5s. was stolen, the jar produced as the one given up by the prisoner (who had in fact confessed her crime), and identified by the prosecutor, was but a pint jar, and therefore could only contain brandy of the value of three shillings and three pence. This verdict gave the pri- soner permission to steal to the value of three shillings and three pence, but not to the value of 5s. Thomas Phillips, labourer, was charged with hav- ing on the 7th day of October last, stolen a bag of rice, the property of Messrs. Warren, King Street. Mr. P. G. Jones appeared for the prosecution, and the prisoner was undefended. Mr. P. G. Jones stated the case, which, as our readers are well aware is as a tale twice told," the prisoner having been discharged at the last Quarter Sessions in consequence of no bill being preferred him, but re-ap- prehended and indicted in consequence of the Clerk of the Peace giving notice to estreat the recognizances of the prosecutor and the witnesses unless they conducted the prosecution to an issue. This the prosecutors were therefore reluctantly compelled to do. The facts of the case were briefly that prisoner being in the employ of Messrs. Warren, offered a bag of their rice for sale to a Mr. Treharne, residing near Conwil. The question for the jury was simply one of intent- did the prisoner mean to appropriate the purchase money of the rice to his own use or not? Witnesses were called to prove the case for the pro- secution, and the Learned Recorder having summed up, the jury aequitted the prisoner. This terminated the business of the sessions.
CARMARTHEN TOWN COUNCIL.I
CARMARTHEN TOWN COUNCIL. I A meeting of the Town Council took place on Tues- day last, when there were present:—The Mayor, Alder- man W. G. Thomas, Councillors E. II. Stacey, D. Davies, G. Davids. J. Adams, V. Davies, C. Brigstocke, and Job Jones. The minutes of the previous meeting having been held, the report of the Committee appointed to estimate the amount of fixed salary to be paid in lieu of fees to the Town Clerk was presented. It recommended that an annual salary of E120 per annum should be given to the Town Clerk, for transacting the whole business of the Corporation, excepting agent's charges, fees to counsel, and parliamentary business, which latter was to he charged fur according to future agreement. E. H. Stacey, Esq., said that the Committee had fully investigated the whole business appertaining to the duties of Town Clerk, and had made their report unanimously. It remained fur the Council to adopt or reject it. Mr. Brigstocke was not present when the Committee was appointed, but being of opinion that every Coun- cillor was accountable to the ratepayers, and being one of the Council, he certainly should like to be informed what they had been in the habit of paying for some years past. He did not think that it would have been proposed that the salary should exceed £ 100, consider- ing that the agreement tvas not to include Parlia- I mntary business. The duties of Town Clerk comprised no very great extent, of business. Carmarthen was very different to many other towns. Here, there wsfs no leases to make or conveyances to draw up, as the former Corporation had almost entirely relieved them of their large estate. Here also a local Act authorised the Paving and Lighting Commissioners to transact much of the business which in other towns fell to the lot of the Council. Again, if an action were brought against the Corporation, and they gained it, the Town Clerk would pocket those costs in addition to his salary. The Town Clerk intimated that such costs would be paid ovr to the credit of the Corporation. Mr. Brigstocke enquired if the Committee had taken the Health of Towns Act into consideration. E. H. Stacey, Esq, explained that the Committee had investigated Mr. Lewis Morris's accounts for a series of years, and had struck a balance from them. They had not considered any prospective business. The Town Clerk suggested that the proposed arrange- mant should exist until any alteration became necessary. Mr. Ad;,uns \ou1:t reject the report on the ground that it would be expedient to wait until the Health of Towns Act came into operation, before finally fixing the Town Clerk's salary. Mr. Brigstocke was dpcírlrdly oppose,l to the salary of C120, but knew it was useless to divide the Council. Mr. V. Davies argued that it was impossible to include Parliamentary business in any agreement of this kind without inflicting an injustice either on the Council or the Town Clerk. They could only therefore rely upon the annual average of late years, and this Mr. William Morris, who took the Ciiair when the Committee met, was at great pains to ascertain. Mr. Adams moved that the report of lh. Cqmm:ttee be rejected on the rollnds he had previously stated. Mr. Brigstocke seconded the motion. A division followed, when there appeared 7 for the adoption of the report, and 2 against it. The report was therefoie adopted, and it was arranged that the agree- ment respecting the Town Clerk's salary should begin from the 1st of November last, being the commencement of ibe Municipal year. Mr.. Collard, having been ordered to repair the wooden railing toutid the reservoir and to pro, ide an estimate of the cspccse of making a bank and hedge to enclose it, announce d tl)iit (iii(lii)g announced, that finding the latter project to be cheaper than the reparation of the rails, he had caused the hedge to be erected, at an expense of £ 4 12s. There were some paee of grass land outside the hedge, the grazing of which he suggested should be allotted to a person residing near the reservoir, 011 condition of his keeping the hedges and waterway in good order. It was ordered that this arrangement .should be carried into effect on the party paying a nominal rent of Is. a year. Mr. W. Morris, collector, presented tlle list of parties using water pipes, and also his hill for collecting the arrears of water rents, amounting to tl 15s. 9d. He stated the number of rents collected to be about 150, yielding about 150 guineas, whereas formerly but £ 00 was received. There were s^jteral which he had discovered and respecting which he wished to obtain the directions of the Council. Amongst other defaulters, the County offices had had the use of a pipe for many years past, free of payment. Mr. Morris was ordered to present bills to the various parties for the rent for G years past. Serious complaints were made respecting the want of water at some residences on the Parade, and the waste of the same valuable fluid at the gaol condui;, whereby the inhabitants of Queen Street were prevented from i.s use. In the latter case a stop cock was or- dered to be placed opposite Mr. R. Gardnor's offices. In the former instance no order was made. Mr. Collard applied for payment of his salary as In- spector of the Markets, of which he had not received one pentiy for a year and a half past The balance dne to him as Inspector was fPO, and £ 5 as Surveyor to the Corporation. The bills were ordered to be paid. The Treasurer tendered his customary financial state- ment, from which it appeared that he had in hand of the Borough Fund JE21 14s. 4d., and on the Market Account E27 Is. 4d. He should shortly be called upon to pay the Income Tax on the Markets, amounting to £ 27. The-collector stated that he should be prepared to pay the Treasurer £ 400 or E500 on Thursday all the bills presented for payment were passed. >- The Town Clerk stated that. the tolls of the Markets had been let for the year 1849 for the sum of £ 1000, but of this £ 350 was payable to the tally-holders, while the other charges upon the markets raised that sum to about £¡;:¡;j. The Council had however agreed that the Messrs. Morris should receive one-half of the tolls in liquidation of the debt due to them. If, therefore, they received one-half of E1060, it was clear that there would remain but JE-530 to meet a charge of £ 705. Mr.V. Davies suggested that perhaps Messrs. Morris would afree to accept less than one-half of the tolls. Mr. George Davies did not know how the Council could ask such a favour. Messrs. Morris were in the first place to have received the whole of the tolls, but had agreed at the request of the Council to accept one- half only. Mr. b. Davies, moved that the Town Clerk should ask Messrs. Morris' to be kind enough to accept one- third of the tolls in lieu of one-half for the present year. The Town Clerk said that one-third would amount to about £ 353, and if this request were acceded to the taliyholders could receive their interest, and all would proceed comfortably. The Tieasurer stated in answer to a question that the debenture holders had all been paid up to March, 1847. Messrs. C. Brigstocke and J. Adams were appointed a Committee to investigate and audit Mr. Collard's account from March 1847 for miscellaneous expen- diture. Mr. V. Davies proposed that the report of the Com- mittee respecting the Town Clerk's salary which at pre- sent was inscribEd on a loose sheet of paper, should be entered on the minute book, and that the Town Clerk or the Council should be at liberty to rescind the agree- ment at pleasure. This was seconded by Alderman W. G. Thomas and agreed to nem. con. The Town Clerk mentioned that Mr. Jeffries on behalf of the late occupant of one of the houses forming Powell's Charity, had declined paying the last half year's rent, on the ground that the house was untenant- able during the tenancy. Mr. Itibbans to whom the rents were paid, was tied hand and foot in the matter, as he could only sue through the Council, and he there- fore wished to have their consent to proceed. As he (the Town Clerk) was now paid by salary the Council would not be subjected to costs, but it was an extremely hard case upon 1r. Ribbans. Ultimately it was agreed that a power of attorney should be given to Mr. Ribbins, to enable him to proceed in the name of the Council for the recovery of the rent. The Council then adjourned until the February quar- terly meeting. WATCH COMMITTEE.—A meeting of this Committee was held on Tuesday last, the Mayor in the chair, when a charge of drunkenness and refusal to obey orders when on duty, was preferred by Mr. Superin- tendent Kentish against P.C. Frederick Recs. It appeared, however, that there were several extenuating circumstances in the case, such as the character given Rees by the Superintendent, as being a most excellent officer, and the fact that the offence took place at a festive period of the year, and when some of Rees's relatives were on a visit to him. Mr. Brigstocke urged that as this was a second offence, the Committee's rule affixing instant dismissal as its penalty should be rigidly enforced. The Committee, however, considered that a severe reprimand and a fine of 10s. would have a beneficial effect, and the former was accordingly ably administered by Mr. V. Davies, -while the latter was directed to be deducted from Rees's wages. He then apologised for his offence and returned to his duty. PAYING AND LIGHTING COMMISSIONERS. I A meeting of the Commissioners for Paving and Lighting, was held in the Council Chamber on Thurs- day, the Mayor presiding. The business was of a routine character. Several accounts were passed, and an order made to advertise for contracts for materials for paving, &c., for the ensuing year. A lamp was ordered to be fixed in Union Street under the superintendence of the Surveyor. On the suggestion of the llev. D. A. "Williams, a lamp was ordered to be fixed in the road leading to St. David's Church, to be lighted only on evenings when divine service is performed, and the annual cost to the commissioners not to exceed five shillings. A rate of one shilling and sixpence was ordered to be levied, the estimates for the current year being two thousand and fifty three pounds including £ 600 due to the Trustees of the late Miss Harvey, tor money bor- rowed upwards of twenty years past, the clerk having received notice that payment was requested. A long and desultory conversation ensued upon the reading of this item in the estimate, in which it was stated, that in the event of the Ifealth of Towns Act being applied to this borough, an undue proportion would fall on the householders to the relief of landed property. Ulti- mately it was resolved that the amount be immediately paid off on receipt of funds from the new rate. The question of a. renewal of contract for gas occupied a long timp, which ended in an unanimous admission that the company were supplying the public lights at a reason- able price, and an agreement was entered into, to con- tract for the year, on the same terms as previously, the consideration of the price to be paid for two summer I months not included in the contract to be postponed to a future meeting. The meeting was adjourned until February. CARMARTHEN DISTRICT ROADS BOARD,-An ad- journed meeting of the Board was held on Wednesday, when there were present :—W. Carver, Esq., Chairman, D. Prvtherch, H. Lawrence, M.D., J. Bowen, M.D., R. G. Thomas, G. Goode, G. Davies, T. Morgan, and II. Davies, Esquires. After the minutes of the pre- vious meeting had been heard, Mr. George Davies men- tioned that it was a subject of universal complaint both by his coachmen and others, that the roads of the ) entire county were never in a worse condition than at present. Mr. Carver added his testimony that year after year since the operation of the new law the roalIs had gradually become worse and worse. Mr. Goode stated that on Saturday last he had driven up to Tra- veller's ltest from the Red Roses, and had not seen a single constant labourer at work on the entire line of road. He moved that all the labourers employed on the road should be deprived of that day's wages unless they gave a satisfactory account of their time to the surveyor. This was unanimously agreed to. Dr. Bowen observed that the last time he had passed over the same road he had not seen any labourers at work. Mr. Prytherch remarked that it was not to be surprised at that the roads were the subject of such general com- plaint when the labourers so regularly absented them- selves from their work. Mr. Goode drew attention to the fact that the Board was called upon to grant ad- vances to the amount of £1.10 for material, whereas no allotment of funds for'the use of the Board could be made until Friday the 5th instant. A brief discussion then arose as to the propriety or legality of granting cheques without having money in hand to meet them, and eventually it was ordered that the cheques should be signed at that meeting, but held over bv the clerk until the following Saturday. Messrs. T. Morgan and J. Rogers having been appointed at the last meeting to ascertain the damage done to the recently used toll house at St. Clears, Mr. Morgan reported that they had agreed to expend £ 3 10s. in making the necessary reparation. A letter was read from Mr. Spurrell, who considered £ 2 sufficient for the purpose, but Mr. Goode considered it would be paying but little respect to the gentlemen appointed as valuers if Mr. Spurrell's valuation was to supersede theirs, and as the acts of the Committees were binding, the Board it appeared, were j unable to alter it if erroneous. A memorial to t the County Board was agreed to recommending the erection of a fence behind St. Clears toll house. On the motion of Mr. Goode, Messrs. It. G. Thomas and Morgan, the two delegates from this. Board to the County Board, were desired to report the dilapidated condition of the roads since the adoption of the pre- sent. system. The Surveyor on being questioned attri- buted their had state of repair to the want of sufficient materials being laid on them. Mr. R. G. Thomas, was willing that an increased road rate should be levied in order to give a good foundation to the roads in the first instamce, as he was convinced from expe- rience that a great saving would thereby be eventually effected. Mr. Goode impressed apon the meeting the necessity that existed for having a written report from the surveyor at every rnpetill respecting the general condition of the roads in the district. Dr. Bowen moved that in future such report should be prepared, this seeni,led by Mr. It G. Thomas and unanimously adopted. The meeting then adjourned.
f CARMARTHENSHIRE QUARTER…
f CARMARTHENSHIRE QUARTER SESSIONS. The January Quarter Sessions of the Peace for this County, commenced yesterday at the Shire-Hall, in Llar.dilo-fawr. The following magistrates were present: -D. Ptigli, Esq., Chairman, It. J. It. G. Ihoruas, W. Peel, Lewis Lewis, J. Lewis, J. Lloyd Price, C. Morgan, M.D., C. Morgan, janior, D. Jones, John Jones, W. Campbell Davys, W. du Buisson, J. L. Thomas, G. B. Jones. D. Protheroe, M.D., F. Green, Esquires, and the Rev. D. H. T. G. Williams, and Rev. T. B Gwyn. The writ having been read, Ir. n. G. Thomas moved in pursuance of notice given at the last Sessions that it is expedient to appoint a Committee to treat with the justices of the County of Cardigan, respecting the joint erection of a lock-up house at Newcastle Ernlyn for the use of the two counties. This having been agreed to (and in fact having been suggested by the Chairman) Mr. Thomas moved that a Committee be appointed for the purpose specified, consisting of the following-gen- tlemen :-Capt. Lloyd, Dolhaidd, W. P. Lewes, Esq., Velindre, Rev. Aug. Brigstocke, T. D. Lloyd, Esq., Bronwydd, and R. G. Thomas, Esq. This motion was unanimously agreed to. Mr1. R G. Thomas said that lie had to present a pe- tition to the Chairman and magitrates from the inha- bitants of the parishes of Llangeler and Penboyr, situate in the petit sessional division of Newcastle Einlvn. These parishes contained a population of from 3,000 to 4,000, and were seven miles distant from any police station. Robberies were constantly occurring in that locality, and a few nights since a highly- respectable farmer was knocked off his horse and an attempt at highway robbery ensued". At Newcastle Emlyn only three policemen were stationed, while in the Llanfihangel-ar-arth district, which was not half the size of the Newcastle district, there were six police- men. The petitioners prayed that one or two policemen might be permanently situated at Llwyndafydd, and the memorial was signed by the most respectable freeholders in the two parishes. He would make no motion on the subject, but would prefer leaving it in the hands of Capt, Scott. It had been said that two policemen at Pencader were useless, and he agreed in that opinion, but upon the whole would, in accordance with the practice of the Court, allow Capt. Scott to determine the matter. Capt. Scott remarked that with the present disposable force, he could not comply with the prayer of the memorial. Mr. Nevill was of opinion that if it was left to Capt. Scott he would give the same attention to this question, that he had to others of a similar character. The Chairman observed that Mr. Johnes had made several applications for additional policemen ill his dis- trict, and Capt. Scott could consider all the cases at once. It had been suggested by several magistrates that a new distribution of the force was necessary, and many deemed it unnecessary to station more than one constable at certain posts. The question was then left for the decision of Capt. Scott. Mr. Nevill moved that a sum not exceeding £10 should be placed at the disposal of the magistrates of the Llanelly Petty Sessional Division, for the purpose of constructing drains under the Llanelly lock-up-house, and making certain repairs and improvements therein. A rrroorl tn 1}1()))) mn "c1 w 'V' The Rate of Baggage transit was approved and signed by the Chairman for transmission to the Secretary at War. The Report of the Visiting Justices (who were re- appointed) was read and filed. The Court then proceeded to consider the several bills which had been rejected by the Finance Commit- tee, which were respectively disposed of as follows: — A bill for the maintenance of prisoners in Llanelly lock- up house was ordered to be paid in so far as it is related to persons charged with felony, but the maintenance of vagrants was directed to be charged to the parishes from whence they were committed. (Mr. Nevill gave notice that at the next Sessions he will move that the question of maintenance of prisoners before conviction or commitment be brought before the notice of the Court, and considered.) A bill of £3 10s. for repairs to Llansawel Bridge was rejected because Ir. Penson certified that the work had not been properly per- formed. A bill of Mr. Williams, late bridge master, comprising three items: first JE11 5s. a quarter's salary, second, two pounds for accompanying Mr. Penson to describe and show the County Bridges, and third, £2 for making a specification and plan for alterations at Llangadock Lock-up House. The first item was al- lowed, the second at once rejected, and £ 1 allowed for the third. A bill for £98 was presented by William Edwards, a mason, for making a weir above Llandovery Suspension Bridge, who had been paid £ 50 on account, but the remainder was withheld as the surveyor was not satisfied that the work had been performed in con for- mitywith the specification. Mr. G. P. Price appeared to enforce the claim, and stated that he was instructed to say that the late Mr. David Jones Lewis, and Mr. John Jones, the two magistrates under whose superintendence the work was performed had given their opin- ion that it was executed properly. The surveyor had, however, withheld his certificate. lIlr. Jones, who shortly after entered the Court, said that he had never approved of the work in any way whatever, and that what had been said of his opinion was therefore incorrect. He had never, in any manner, or at any time given his sanction to work which had not received the approval of the County Surveyor, and as to the man Edwards, he should be inclined to look with great sus- picion upon any work executed by him. MI". Penson said the specification requircc1 the stones for the weir to be 16 inches deep, whereas many of them were not more than 3 inches deep. Mr. Price explained that the spe- cification required these large stones to be obtained from a certain quarry in which no such large stones existed. The bill was at once rejected, and the contractor ordered to finish the work properly before he sought payment. A bill for JE19 for alterations in Llangadock lock-up-house was objected to on the ground that the sum of E20 had been voted by the Court not for alterations" but for" furnishing." Mr. Lewis Lewis explained that in consequence of a dispute with Mr. Lloyd, of Llangadock, as to the ownership of the site, the magistrates had been compelled to relin- quish the idea of constructing a meeting room for the magistrates, and to build instead, apartments for a constable to superintend the lock-up-house. He moved that the bill be paid Mr. John Jones seconded the motion. Mr. Nevill moved that the consideration of the bill he adjourned, Mr. R. G. Thomas seconded the amendment. On a division there appeared :-For the amendment, 12, Messrs. Nevill, H. G. Thomas, J. Lloyd Price, W. Peel, W. du Buisson, D. Protheroe, M. D., W. Campbell Davys, J. Lewis, C. Morgan, M.D., C. Morgan, jun., J. L.Thomas, and the Rev. D. II. T. G.Williams. For the motion, 5 Messrs. Lewis Lewis. John Jones, D. Jones, G. B. Jones, and the Rev. T. B. Gwyn. The amendment was therefore carried, and the Clerk of the Peace was directed to have an interview with Mr. Lloyd of Llangadock, in order to obviate any difficulty as to the title of the county to the site. A bill for materials for the reparation of Loughor Bridge was disallowed until it had previously been submitted tu the Finance Cnmmittees of this Connty and Glamor- ganshire respectively. A bill for repairs of Rbydy- ceisiarl Bridge amounting to fG7 was disallowed, Mr. Penson having detected an error of E14 in the admeasurement. Several items of the Coroners' Bills, which had been disallowed by the Committee, were allowed by the Court. Mr. R. G. Thomas moved that the sum of £UO be appropriated for the erection of a wooden Bridge over the Tivy at Llanfihangel-ar-arth. It would be remembered that some time ago an agreement had been entered into by the counties of Carmarthen and Cardigan, to build a stone bridge over the Tivy at a cost of £ G00, half of which was to be defrayed by this County, and half by Cardiganshire. The bridge had been erected, and a flood occurring directly after, it had entirely disappeared, and although the sum of £ 450 with the exception of £ï5 had been paid, the County had nothing to show for it. When this question was before the Court at the last Sessions it was deemed desirable that notice of the motion should be given, and that Mr. Penson's report on the subject should be obtained. It was stated, and he believed the fact to be,, that a new wooden bridge could be erected at the place in question for C180 of which £ 90 would be paid by Cardiganshire, and £90 by this county. This would last probably 10 or 20 years, and after the expiration of that period the timhcl could be sold for £ 90 which being apportioned to each county would leave exactly £.t5 as the expense of the Bridge to this county for that Bridge. There was much traffic at Llanfihangel-ar-arth, and the bridge would be a great public convenience. The Court would hear from Mr. Penson that no stone bridge could be erected under ESOO, and the question was therefore whether the County should expend £ 90 or 9800. lie would move that the former sum be voted to construct a wooden bridge. Mr. John Jones enquired what had become of the contract under which the stone bridge had been erected ? The Clerk of the Peace said that the contractor and sureties had been applied to, to reinstate the bridge, and they had appeared at the last Sessions, when they in- duced the Court to believe that it was their intention to rebuild the bridge immediately. They had he be- lieved borrowed some money to purchase timber, but at present there was no apparent prospect of their ever intending to carry out their contract. Mr. Lloyd Price said that the' conduct of the con- tractors wis a trick and imposition. Mr. R. G. Thomas said that he had proposed the postponement of proceedings against the sureties to give time for Mr. Penson to make enquiries. He knew that the contract had been a great deal too low, and that it was utterly impossible the bridge could ever be finished for the sum named. Th" contractor was worth nothing, one of the sureties was in a similar condition, and the other was not much better off. Mr. Campbell Davys asked upon whose proposition the bridge had been originally agreed to be erected. Tiie, Cloi-k of the PeacL, replied that it was at Mr. Lloyd D<1\ i.es's. Mr. Campbell Davys considered it was the duty of the magistrates, in whose district tiie bridge lay, to render the County all the aid in their power in the present dilemma. Mr. Lloyd Price said that the Bridge Master had been ordered to devote three days in the week to the superin- tendence of the bridge, and if the County had had an incompetent Bridge Master, the magistrates of the dist rict could not be blamed. Mr. Penson, in answer to a query, stated that ro stoi;<» bridge could be built at the spot in question er; If there was any prospect of compelling the sureties to rebuild the bridge he should the adoption of that course, but if not, a temporary bridge had better be erected. Tne Cierk of the Peace remarked that there were sit bridges across the Tivy, within a very few miles of the place where it was proposed to erect the wooden bridge. The Court ordered proceedings to be adopted against the contractors, but the order had been held in abeyance. Mr. Penson mentioned that a wooden Bridge, if pro- perly constructed, would last from 20 to 30 years. Mr. R. G. Thomas stated that he had brought this subject forward at the request of Mr. Lloyd Davies, whose illness prevented his attendance. Dr. Morgan considered that as some of the sureties were solvent, it behoved tiie magistrates, as guardians of the public purse, to make them fulfil their contract. lie, therefore, moved that proceedings be forthwith taken- against them. Mr. Nevill wished to know whether if a wooden bridge was built it would interfere with any proceedings against the sureties. The Clerk of the Peace thought not. The County could still call on them to complete their contract. The Chairman considered that they did not require two bridges at the spot in question. Jf the county erected a wooden bridge, and then called on the con- tractor to fulfil his contract, he would very naturally say that he could not do so as a bridge already occupied- the site of his intended erection. Mr. Lewis Lewis seconded Dr. Morgan's motion. Mr. R. G. Thomas would most strenuously oppose a stone bridge, which might cost £ 1,000, when a wooden- bridge costing JL90 would answer the purpose as well. He would persist in his motion. This ii)olic)n, not being seconded, fell to the ground, and Mr. Thomas renewed his notice of motion for nex.t Sessions. The Clerk of the Peace said that an order had inad- vertently been entered on the buok that the surveyor should inspect Lampeter Bridge. As that bridge, how- ever, was not a County Bridge, it would be necessary to rescind the order. Rescinded accordingly. Mr. Lascelles observed that he had a motion to make to tiie Court in the matter of Llandilo Bridge. He had to move that a Committee be appointed to ascer- tain why Morgan Morgan, the original contractor for" the erection of Llanlhlo Bridge, should not receive suffix cieut compensation for the work and labour performed" by him at Llandilo Bridge previous to the assignment of his contract to the County. In introducing the motion he would be as brief as perspicuity would allow, as he was aware the question of Llandilo Bridge bad already on various occasions tried the patience of all who had had anything to do with it. In 1843,- public notices were issued, requiring tenders for the building of the Bridge, and many offers were ac- cordingly made. The sums specitied varied conside- rably in amount, some being upwards of twelve thousand pounds, and others less that half that, amount. Mr. Morgan Morgan was one of the parties w ho sent in a tender,.& here he would briefly refer to one or two points respecting the character of Morgan, which must have operated upon the minds of the Com- mittee at the time. lie was a man of most undoubted honesty and integrity of character, the breath of slander never having assailed him. He was also known as a good working mason, but he was extremely illiterate, being little able to do more than sign his own name. Circumstances such as these ought to have received the consideration of the parties taking the tenders. It was very apparent that :,lurgan was not a person competent to form an opinion as to the value of the work neces- sary ill the erection of the bridge. Not only was this the case, but various opinions were expressed that it was impossible that this undertaking could be com- pleted for anything like the amount of Morgan's ten- der. Amongst others the Committee had had the opinion of one who was quite competent to give his advice, and whose experience had been tested by a long series of enicd to the County, Mr. Williams, the late Bridge master, who had declared that the Bridge could not be built for twice the sum specified. It might be wondered why Morgans with all these warnings did not back out of the affair at once; but it was natural to suppose that he was actuated by an ambition which, if not laudable, was at least reasonable. He imagined the tune wouid come when he should be pointed out as the architect of this magnificent structure, and that his chil- dren would after his decease have their share of their fa- ther's honours. His tender therefore being accepted he began operations at once. It was not now necessary to remind the Court of the unexpected difficulties he met with in sinking the foundation, which were too well known, but it sufficed to say that he la- boured most assiduously, and different sums were advanced to him until in all 1;598;3 had been paid him. He then had recourse to his own slender resources, and having paid away the few hundreds of pounds that he had saved, raised a few hundreds more from the Bank at Llandilo, by means of his sureties, which were also- expended, and it was not until then that he awoke from his day dream and found that his tender was com- pletely inadequate. He would call attention to Morgan's conduct on this occasion as a proof of his honesty. When, required to surrender his contract, he had done so unhesitatingly and without even consulting a profes- sional adviser, relying on the honour of the parties he had to deal with. The mason work of the Bridge had been carefully measured for the purposes of this motion, and it was found that no less than 10,174 perches had been built. lie should be able to prove that out of that amount, Morgan had uuilt no less than 5311 perches, or considerably more than half, and that the most difficult portion. At the time of surrendering the contract, he had besides 3")fj(J ft. of stone ready dressed, the lower part of the Bridge was entirely dressed, and the centre of the arch ready for fixing. A number of cranes, crabs, sheds, &c., were also given up. The sum given him in consideration of this surrender, was £ 6500, and it would be proved that this was utterly inadequate. As Morgan had completed 5311 perches of masonry 4863 perches remained for his successor to finish, and for that, the sum of £ 3270 was paid, exclusive of the approaches, which cost 13670 more. He would remind the Court also that the subsequent contractor or supervisor of the bridge had received 1;700 as his own fee, and other gratuities had been given to his accountant and assistant. He (Mr. L,) did not mean to complain of the justness or propriety of this liberality, but he might confidently ask, if the others had been thus treated, of what crime had Morgan been accused that lie should be debarred these advantages. Of what crime had he been convicted that he should be turned out into the streets a ruined and beggared man, for debts contracted in the service of the county. He could not conceive that his motion would be rejected It was true lie might be told lie had no legal demand upon the county, but he could not suppose such a pound of flesh argument would prevail. When strangers to the neigh- bourhood had been treated with such generosity, unless Morgan had committed some crime he was deserving of the -same consideration as they were. The only crime that could be imputed to him however was an error of judgment. But if lie had erred so heavily then the second contractor was equally deserving of reprobation, because his estimate had been exceeded byupwardsotjb2000. If, also, this error in judgment was to be visited so hfavily, it should be considered whether the parties who received the tender were not also deeply implicated, by not having duly considered that Morgan was incapable of performing his under- taking. That the law was against him he was free to admit, but he appealed to the Court, upon the princi- ples of honour and justice, to reinstate Morgan in the position he occcupied before this unfortunate business. Any opposition to this motion could only be on the ground of prejudice or ignorance, and as he was aware no such feelings could actuate the Court, he considered that they would feel not only justified but bound to ap- point a Committee. They would thus not only do jus- tice to the County but would wipe away from Llandilo Bridge a foul blot which must otherwise for ever remain a stain on the page of its history. He was aware that he owed the honour of addressing their worships to the accidental absence of Mr. Hall in Glamorganshire, but he trusted no sin of omission or commission on his part would be visited upon his client. He held in his hand to support his motion a petition signed by 200 free- holders, and rate-payers of the county, and he had no doubt many more signatures would have been added if the petition had been circulated earlier. The Clerk of the Peace having read the petition, The chairman suggested that some magistrate should take up the motion; when Mr John Lewis moved the appointment of a Com- mittee to investigate Morgan Morgan's claim to further compensation. Mr. G. B. Jones seconded the motion, to which Mr. J. Lloyd Price moved a direct negative on the ground that the question had been settled already. Mr. R. G. Thomas observed that Mr. Haycock had stated that Morgan had already received E700 more than he was entitled to. The question had besides been 2 or 3 times discussed. Mr. John Lewis said that those magistrates who resided on the spot knew the immense difficulties Morgan had to contend with in laying the foundation, in consequence of the water breaking in. so that he was compelled to set 3 engines to work to pump it out. This Mr. Haycock did not take into consideration. Mr. Nevill wished to know, in the event of the Court appointing a Committee, if that would in any way in- terfere with the existing agreement with Morgan. Mr. Lascelles replied in the negative, and added that the subject could not have been discussed and settled before, as no motion had been made respecting it since the Bridge had been completed. The Chairman said that IS months ago he had been inclined to favor Morgan, not by any grant as a charity, but in order that a Committee might be appointed to see if there had been any mistake as to the calculation of the sum awarded him. But he could not forget that a difficulty had since arisen, and that as a certain respect was due to the Court, there was an awkwardness in re-opening questions after a definitive decision had been arrived at. It was difficult to see where such prece- dents would end. On two several occasions,—in June 1847, anJ January 1848, the Court had decided against a imiiar application to the present one. Another diffi- cutty was the lapse of time that had taken place, and that the rate, if retrospective for this purpose, may be tainted with illegality. He did not, however, put the affair so much on that ground as on the difficulty that presented itself in consequence of former decisions. The Court then divided, when there appeared :-For the motion, 6 ;—Messrs. J. Lewis, G. B Jones, P' Protheroe, M D., J. L. Thomas, Rev. D. H. \Villiam, and Rev. T. B. Gvvvn. Against it, 5 ;-Ipssr&. J. L. Price, C. Morgan, M.D., Lrwis Lewis, R. G. and W. P??e). Messw eiIJ and John Jone" decline voting. The notion was therefore declared earned.