The Welshman

LLANGLUDWYN CHURCH. I TO THE EDITOR OF THE WELSHMAN". STR,Lot any passer-by look into the Parish Church of Llangludwyn, see its terrible state of dilapidation, and learn that so it has been for the last seven yeilr, and he will do as I did—inquire, Is there no Arch- deacon, Rural Dean, or other Ecclesiastical functionary, who could remedy this grievance ?" I dare not give the reply. Yours, &c., I V ltTOR.

I "MERLIN." I TO THE EDITOR OF THE WELSHMAN." Sin,-The birth of Merlin, at Carmarthen, and the reputation of his having been a prophet, are spoken of by different ancient authors, vide Camden s Britt, by Dr. Gibson, vol. 2, p. 774, et. seg. There is a prophecy concerning Carmarthen, said to be uttered by Merlin, (who was also called Myrddin, and from whom the town is supposed to have taken its name,) in the Welsh tongue. This prophecy is repeated from memory by many of the Welsh inhabitants of the place, and being curious and short, it merits insertion. Original. Caerfyrddin, cei oer foreu, Daear a'th lwngc, daw dw'r yn dy le." Translation. Some dreadful morn, Carmarthen shall deface, I O'erwhelm'd in earth, floods shall supply its place. W. G. I Fisbguard, Oct. 12. W. G.

I ANOTHER RAILWAY" FOR CARMARTHEN- SHIRE. I TO THE EDITOR OF THE WELSHMAN." SIR,-The prominent, intelligent, zealous, and there- fore successful part taken by the AVELSHMAN* in all matters connected with Railways for Wales," has procured for it such a standing as induces one to look upon it as the tribunal for the reference of all motions, and motions bearing upon that most important question. It would, doubtless, be the right thing for me to insert here an array of reasons why others, and not I, are the proper people to trouble you, themselves, and the public, on the question of now railways; but rather than do that I beg to leave the thing to you. If the notion is not worth airing, pray shut it up. Now, it appears that the Llanelly Railway Company and the Vale of Towy Company have so far failed to arrange matters for the tranfer of the Vale of Towy Railway to the former Company, who are, therefore, at present doing some- thing more than talking of connecting Llandilo with Brecon by means independent of the Vale of Towy line. They, the Llandilo Company, are surveying, or have surveyed, the ground south of the Towy, and for some four or five miles parallel to the existing way, then diverging to the east, leaving Llangadock and Llan- dovery to the left, and so getting up to Devynnock. Assuming these proceedings to be bona fitk-that the Llanelly Company are determined to have a road of their own, then the important question is, the best route. The platitudes bearing upon Llandilo, its interest, public convenience, &c., need no marshalling here. Well, I believe, so far as the main course lies, the choice Iof route lies between that already indicated, and, so far, accepted by the Directors, and another line, to call atten- tion to which is the purpose of this letter. I have taken the opportunity of mentioning the matter to several persons intimately acquainted with nearly the whole of the district, and all of them think it much the better line. It would be shorter in distance, and, therefore, for that and other reasons, cheaper to make—unlikely to be successfully impeded in Parliament-have a warmer reception from the landowners—would pass close upon the northern edge of the Limestone Range, where there have been about thirty kilns at work, and so supply Breconshire with that stone and lime-become an inlet for coal to a district much needing fuel, and an outlet to a great quantity of agricultural produce. The line referred to would connect the Derwydd- road station on the Llanelly and Llandilo line with Devynnock through Cwmcenen, Gwynfe, Pontabar, I Blaenau, Usk, Hydfor, and Crau, &c. Respectfully vours. I October 11, 1864. W. SAMUEL: October 11, 1864. Nv.

THE CASE OF WILLIAM WILLIAMS, BANK- RUPT. On Saturday, the 1st instant, this bankrupt, who had been wanting for the last three or four months, was found by P.C. Colegate, of the borough police, at half- past twelve o'clock in the morning, at Twynyrodin, Merthyr Tydfil. He was arrested under a magistrate's warrant obtained upon an information laid by Mr Thos. Joshua, pursuant to an order made by the Judge of the Carmarthenshire County Court, dated the 17th day of June last, whereby the Court directed that the bankrupt should be prosecuted for acts amounting to misde- meanors. The bankrupt was found in bed. He was conveyed to Carmarthen, and taken before J. L. Phillips, Esq., for examination the same day, charged with sundry offences against the 221st section of the Bankruptcy Act, 1861. Mr Thomas Joshua, the ap- pointed prosecutor, and P.C. Colegate were then ex- amined, and the prisoner was remanded until the following Friday, but on the preceding day Mr W. Robtnson Smith, solicitor, Merthyr, whom the prisoner had engaged to defend him, had an interview with the magistrates and obtained their consent to a further remand until Monday last, when the prisoner was brought up before J. Hughes, Esq., and W. de G. Warren, Esq. The Council Chamber was crowded during the hearing of the case, which was watched with great mterest. Twelve witnesses were in attend- ance for examination against the prisoner. Mr T. Davies appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Smith for the defence. In reply to Mr Smith, Mr Davies said the prosecution was instituted by Mr Thomas Joshua, by direction of the County Court Judge. Mr Davies then proceeded to state the case to the Bench. He said the prisoner was then charged with having embezzled a part of his effects of the value of £10 and upwards, consisting principally of leather, within 60 days prior to adjudication of bankruptcy against him with having embezzled similar effects after adjudication with having omitted to discover all his personal property upon his examination; with not having delivered up to the court all his personal pro- perty in his possession with having falsified his ac- counts filed under the bankruptcy and with having attempted to account for some of his property by a fictitious expense. The prisoner carried on the business of a grocer and leather seller, at Cambrian Place, Car- marthen, in and after November last. On the 24th November last he executed a bill of sale of all the effects in his possession, purporting to secure jE80 ex- pressed to be then owing by him to one George Henry, of Llettypenhen, Llandefeilog, farmer, and £20 ex- pressed to be then lent by Henry to him, making together £100. It would be proved by Henry that he never lent the prisoner any money, and that the debt stated in the bill of sale was fictitious. On the loth February last one Mr Ridd obtained a county court judgment against the prisoner for £50 and costs. About the end of February the prosecutor, Joshua, called at the prisoner's house for money due to him. The pri- soner told him not to be uneasy, and showed him leather which the prisoner then stated was worth £250, and which Joshua, who had dealt in leather, would swear was worth from £100 to £1.50. A few days afterwards, viz., on the 1st of March, the pri- soner was adjudicated bankrupt, and the bailiffs then entered his premises and found there leather to the value of 15s, and no more, and some other furniture and stock worth about £15. While they were in po (session Joshua called at the house, and the prisoner then re- quested him to carry away from there a pair of scales in part payment of his claim. Joshua declined to do ao, and the prisoner then called one Walter Jone3, and told him" to take the scales to Joe's." Walter Jones, by mistake, carried away the weights, and Joshua then left. The scales were, however, also carried away, and were missed by the bailiffs the next morning. In about two months afterwards the bailiffs again entered the premises, and they then found the scales there, and seized and sold them. About the end of July last the bailiffs again entered the premises, and they then found leather there of the value of about £20, besides other articles worth about J66. A witness would be examined, who would state that after the adjudication and before the bailiffs entered in July last, he had bought of the prisoner's wife at the shop, and carried away, leather for which he paid her £8. The prisoner in his statement of his property filed under his bankruptcy on the 4th March last, had alleged that his household goods and furniture were worth only £10, and that his stock in trade was worth only £5. and that he had no money or other property, or effects, except the debts owing to his estate. How then could. he account for all the leather afterwards found on his premises? The falsifi- cation of accounts consisted in an entry in the list of his creditors of the name of George Henry, as a credi or for £30, the balance alleged to be due on the bill of sale. As already stated the bill of sale purported to have been given to Henry on the 24th November last, to secure .cio&, and the prisoner had filed under the Bankruptcy a statement of his receipts and payments i i the usual form, commencing prior to November last, and extending to the llth of February, 1864. There was no entry in it of a payment to Henry of or of any other sum on account, 80 as to leave the balance of JE30 above mentioned due. Nor was there any entry of the receipt by the prisoner of £20, or any sum from Henry, on the 24th November, or at any time. The prisoner subsequently filed an amended statement of receipts and payments, and in that there was an entry of the pay- ment by him to Henry of JE70 between November last and January last. This entry was false, and was the fictitious expense charged against the prisoner. The prisoner had, however, in the last account also omitted to insert an entry of the receipt by him of £20 from Honry, which was required in order to make the account con- sistent with the statements-in the bill of sale. It would, however, be proved that all the entries referred to were utterly false. Mr Walter Lloyd, Registrar of the County Court for the district of Carmarthen, said: I produce the pro- ceedings in the bankruptcy of William Williams, the prisoner. (The documents produced were the petition for adjudication, dated the 1st of March; the affidavit and adjudication, of the same date; the declaration made by the bankrupt; the statement of debts and pro- perty the amended statement of debts; and an order directing a prosecution, under the hand of the Judge of the County Court.) Mr Smith objected. Looking at that order, he sub- mitted there was no one to prosecute, and, therefore, the prosecution fell to the ground. Mr Davies said the next document produced would give the name of the prosecutor. Examination of Mr Lloyd continued: I produce a certificate of the appointment of Thomas Joshua as prosecutor. I produce the Qazette containing notice of adjudication. I also produce a copy of the bill of sale, which copy was filed with the proceedings. Mr Smith objected that an office copy of the bill of sale should be produced. It did not appear that the bill of sale had been registered, and if it had not been regis- tered it was mere waste paper. Mr Davies said a bill of sale was good for many purposes without being registered. He did not know, nor did he care, whether the bill of sale had been regis- tered or not. He would prove the service on the pri- soner, on Friday last, of a notice to produce the original bill of sale. He would also prove that it was in the prisoner's possession after he became bankrupt, and that the copy produced was a true copy. The prisoner admitted that he had received notice, and the bench held that the copy bill of sale was receivable in evidence. Examination of Mr Lloyd continued: I have not received any money from the prisoner since the adjudi- cation. I believe my clerk has received some money from him. I have not myself received goods or money from him. I have received nothing except what came to me through the hands of the High Bailiff. I produce the deposition of the prisoner taken on the 12th of March last. It is signed by the prisoner. Cross-examination: This is the original file of the Bankruptcy Court. These documents are not office copies. Mr Thomas Joshua, the prosecutor, was next exa- mined, he stated that he called at the prisoner's house for payment of a debt late in February last. The prisoner told him not to be uneasy, and showed him leather which the prisoner then said was worth £:!50. At this stage of the proceedings the Judge of the County Court entered the room, and addressing the bench said it was unncessary to take any evidence. His order, deciding that the prisoner should be prosecuted, was quite sufficient to justify the bench in committing the prisoner. The Magistrates' Clerk said the bench could not commit without taking evidenco in the usual man- ner. The Judge said that if Mr Davies had had the courtesy to inform him that morning that the pri- soner was in custody, he would have committed him. Mr Davies said that he could not conduct the prose- cution in any but the usual manner. If, however, the Judge would commit the prisoner out of hand, it would save great trouble. The Judge said that if the bench should not commit the prisoner, he would commit him, and if the bench should refuse to take bail he would hear any appli. cation by the prisoner's attorney that bail might be taken. Mr Hughes said that such a course would be very anomalous. A short conversation ensued between Mr Davies and the Magistrates' Clerk, after which Mr Davies said that the Magistrates' Clerk agreed with him in thinking that as he was acting under the order made by the Judge for the prosecution of the prisoner, he could properly defer to the expressed wish of the Judge to take the case into his own hands, and he would therefore offer to the bench no further evidence in support of the charge. The Judge theu committed the prisoner to take his trial at the next assizes; but upon what specific charges did not clearly appear. Mr Smith applied that bail might be taken for the prisoner's appearance. 0 The Judge Mr Davies what he had to say on the subject. Mr Davies said he had nothing to say about it. He declined to have anything further to do with the pro- secution. The Judge told the prosecutor, Mr Joshua, that he must find another attorney to conduct the prosecution, and added that he would accept bail if the prisoner would bind himself in CIOO, and get three substantial sureties, to be bound in £50 each tor his appearance but the prisoner was unable to find approved sureties, and he was therefore lodged in prison.

CARMARTHEN COUNTY COURT. The October sitting of this court took place on Mon- day last, before H. R. Bagshawe, Esq., Q.C. There was a large number of plaints heard, but the following was the only case of public in-erest, and a jury was sworn to try it. Ecans against The Great Western Railway Company.- The action was brought to recover Z17 Rs from the defendants, as compensation for the loss of hay which was alleged to have been damaged in its transit from Carmarthen to Aberdare, over the defendants' railway. Mr Jeffries appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Tripp, of Swansea, for the Railway Company, who pleaded not liable. Mr Jeffries, in stating the case to the jury, said the plaintiff, who was a 'hay-dealer, sought to recover £ 17 8s from the Great Western Railway Company, for da- mage done to a portion of hay sent by the plaintiff over the defendants' railway, and for partial loss consequent upon the deterioration of the remaining portion. The plaintiff delivered to the defendants 4 tons of hay and of that quantity 31 tons was entirely destroyed, and the remaining 1 ton 5 cwts. was sold at a loss. The cir- cumstances were these. On the 6th of May last Evans, who was in the habit of sending hay to Aberdare, sent a quantity of hay to the railway station under the Parade, in this town, and it was all placed in a truck by 3 o clock in the afternoon. The truck was duly de- spatched on its way to Aberdare, but before it reached the Ferryside smoke was seen to issue from it, as he should be able to show. The train did not stop at the Ferryside, but he could produce proof that smoke was seen to issue from the truck as it passed the Ferryside station, and soon afterwards the hay was seen to be blazing. Notwithstanding that, the train was not stopped until it arrived at Kidwelly. He would bring before them a person who was waiting at the Ferryside station for the passenger train when the luggage train passed, and he would tell them that he distinctly saw smoke issuing from the hay. Now, the plaintiff, although he lives in this neighbour- hood, knew nothing of the circumstance for several days afterwards; and indeed he did not hear of it through the Railway Company, but was informed of the circum- stance one day in Carmarthen by a person who had heard it spoken of somewhere. The plaintiff then wrote to Newport, to Mr Weaver, and although the Great Western was a great undertaking, yet their cor- respondence did not appear to be carried on with that regularity with which their other business was conduc- ted for the plaintiff did not get an answer for some weeks. It might be said that where there was suen large correspondence, it was hardly possible to get an answer earlier. Or perhaps it was a circumlocution office, and the answer had to go through a certain or an uncertain number of hands before it reached the plain- tiff. But be that as it might, the plaintiff did not receive an answer to his letter for three weeks. On the 2nd of July Mr Weaver wrote to the plaintiff, the pur- part of the communication being that the plaintiff must be aware that the condition on which the Company carried the hay was at a reduced rate and at the owner's risk, and that therefore the Company were not liable for the damage done to the hay in its transit over their railway. He knew of no such condition, but on the contrary he believed he should be able to show that the plaintiff could have justly claimed two or three items not included in his present claim. For instance, there was the loss of a customer. The hay was not brought to Aberdare in a saleable condition, although there was a party ready to purchase it; consequently what was not actually destroyed was sold at a considerable loss. But he happened to know that there was a great difficulty in getting from these great companies any- thing more than the mere minimum value of the goods damaged or destroyed, and he therefore advised the plaintiff to confine his claim merely to the loss of the hay itself. The Judge When was the plaint filed ? Mr Jeffries said it was filed on the Sth of July, after the receipt of Mr Weaver's letter. He had hoped that by communicating with Mr Weaver they might have got over this difficulty; but the only information he re- ceived of the ground of refusal was that the hay was carried at a reduced rate and at the owner's risk. He submitted that it was for the defendants to prove that. He should prove that the hay was delivered to the de- fendants in a safe condition, and he would bring evi- dence to show the state in which it was found at Kidwelly. It had been suggested that the damage might have been caused by persons smoking tobacco whilst loading the truck but it was not likely that the plain- tiff, who was loading the truck, along with two other men, and who had many times been similarly engagod, would himself smoke tobacco, or permit the other men to do so, whilst so employed But if the fire was caused through the plaintiff or his men smoking, why was the fire not conveyed to the hay in going from the station here to the junction P There was no smoke observed to issue from the truck at the junction. But it was sug- gested that after it left the junction there was a strong current of air in its transit, which caused combustion. But might there have been no way in which such an accident could have occurred through the negligence of the Company's servants? He knew it was difficult to detect the cause of the damage in the hands of such a company as this. They could not say whether the damage was caused by friction, or from neglecting to grease the wheels of the truck a spark of fire might have been emitted in that way and ignited the hay. Or the Company's servants might have acciden- tally sot fire to it; but he was entirely at their mercy. He had not seen the truck, which had possibly been sent over some 2,000 of their miles of railway since then, so that it was impossible for him to ascertain its state. He thought that if a truck of hay was found at Kidwelly in the s'ate he had described, and the owner living here, it was but reasonable to expect that he should be informed of it at once; but the Company did no such thing. Well, next as to the reduced rates and the absence of liability on the part of the Company. For a series of years these railway companies enjoyed an immense immunity from liability; indeed they were so free from responsibility, that even the most plain case of negligence was overlooked, and juries seemed to think they were not responsible for any goods com-¡ mitted to them. But in 1854 the Railway and Canal Act was passed, which defined the liabilities of railway companies. In that Act, however, there was a clause sanctioning the use of a condition protecting the com- panies but the condition was to be such as would be declared by the judge trying the case to be reasonable. It would, perhaps, be premature from him to allude to a leading case on this point, because he did not know the nature of the defence. Mr Tripp—What case do you allude to ? Mr Jeffries: The case is that of Peek against The North Staffordshire Railway Company," and is to be found in the reports 32 Law Journal, Queens Bench 241. The plaintiff sued thp. defendants for damage sustained through loss and deterioration of goods, and the case was tried in the Queen's Bench, when a verdict was found for the defendants (the Railway Company) a rule absolute was obtained to enter the verdict for the plaintiff (the owner); the case was next brought into the Exchequer Chamber, when the last judgment was reversed and the original verdict stood for the Company. The plaintiff then appealed to the House of Lords, where judgment was given for the plaintiff, thus reversing the decision of the Exchequer Chamber. The dispute in that case was as to whether there was a written agree- ment or not. The Judge Neglect or default of the Company must be shown. Mr Tripp: And if there is a special agreement that would override all ordinary conditions. The Judge But I presume that in order to be liable there must be neglect or default shown. Mr Jeffries: All we say is, the goods were damaged in the defendants' possession. The Judge: The hay might have been in a state to take fire. There must have been a cause for the fire. Mr Tripp: Mr Jeffries knows there was a special agreement; and therefore why talk of anything else until that has been disposed of. Mr Jeffries: No, I don't know there was a special agreement. I have heard that there was, but I don't know it. I might have thought from Mr Weaver's note that there was an agreement. The Judge: If you sent the hay at a reduced rate, it was at your own risk. Mr Jeffries I say we paid the full cost. The Judge: You must show the condition. Mr Weaver writes to say, there is a higher and a lower rate, and if you take the lower you must take the risk And if they have carried the hay npon such a consign- ment note that will not settle the matter. It will be for the court to decide whether that was a reasonable condi- tion. Where is the consignment note ? Mr. Jeffries I don't admit that there was a contract. Mr Tripp: Then you are out of court. In orde- to endeavour to stop this waste of the time of the court. I must say that Mr Jeffries must know that there was a special condition. Mr Jeffries I do not know it. Mr Tripp: Then you are out of court. Your client has misled you. The Judge I must have the contract. Mr Tripp: The defendant is a man who has not only signed this contract, but scores of similar docu- ments. He is not like a person ignorant of such matters. The Judge: It is enough for me to know that there was a contract. It is enough for me to know that the defendants are liable only upon certain conditions. When I know these facts, of course I cannot decide between you (for although a jury has been sworn, yet the judge alone has the power to decide this case) un- less the contract is produced. Mr Jeffries: I submit that it should be produced by the defendants they rely upon it. The Judge. And you rely upon it, too. This case cannot possibly be decided without it, ani therefore you should have produced it. Mr Jeffries: The plaintiff is here, and he will tell your honour that he never entered into an agreement. William Evans, the plaintiff, was then sworn, and in examination by Mr Jeffries, said: I live at Whitemill, Abergwilly, and am a dealer in hay. On the 5th of May last, I took some hay to the railway station at Kidwelly-fach. The quantity was four-and-a-half tons. I took it there myself. David Davies and John Evans were assisting me in loading the trucks I cut the hay from the rick with the assistance of another man. It was last year's hay. I asked two porters whom I saw at the station for a truck to carry hay. They at first told me I could not have one, but I had one about nine o'clock in the morning. I also saw the goods station- master in the goods department I told him that I had been waiting for the truck rather long. I had no fur- ther conversation with him. There was no bargain made, only that I signed a note. Mr Tripp That was the very thing itself. Witness The clerk kept the note. I never do ask for a copy of the notes. The Judge Mr Jeffries, you must show us that note, or a copy of it. Mr Jeffries: I contend that the company should pro- duce it. They rely upon it. The Judge And so do you rely upon it. You are contending upon what terms this hay was carried, and how can I possibly decide between you unless you show me the consignment note. Mr Jeffries I understood that the consignment note merely contained the name of the plaintiff, and the name and address of the party to whom the hay was consigned. Mr Tripp- It is a printed form, which has to be filled up by the party who sends the goods. The contracts are always open to the inspection of the public upon application; and if Mr Jeffries had applied to me or to Mr Weaver he would have been supplied with a copy of the contract in this case. Mr Jeffries If you have the contract, produce it, and let his Honor decide between us. Mr Tripp; No, I don't feel disposed to accommodate you to that extent, particularly after your remarks re- specting railway companies The Judge There are rules stuck up in all the rail- way statl on,, and if there is no special agreement the company rely upon those rules. I have evidenco before me—the only evidence, in fact-that there was an agree- ment, and I cannot give my decision untiljit is produced. When a plaintiff wants a document produced by the other party he must give five clear days' notice to pro- duce it. However, I will give yoa a non-suit, and you will have an opportunity of trying the case again. The plaintiff was then non-suited, and the defendants' costs allowed.

LLANELLY LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH. The-annual meeting of tho Board was held on Satur- day last, for the purpose of electing a chairman, and for the transaction of other business. There were present—Mr C. W. Nevill, (in the chair), Mr Ben. Jones, Mr Rees Harris, Air J. George, Mr D. Morris, Mr R. B. Jones, Mr W. Thomas, Mr D. Evans, and the Rev. D. Rees. Mr Ben. Jones, in rising to propose a chairman, sA,*Itl In tho first place I should like to bear testimony to the I efficient manner in which Mr Howell has conducted the business of this Board. I think it would be difficult to find a man more competent, or with a greater taste for the work, than him but inasmuch as he is a man concerned in a large business in the town, whose time must be of groat value, it is scarcely fair to put this work upon him again, when by law it should be shared by all the members of the Board. There are duties connected with the office of chairman which no man should refuse to perform and therefore I think that the several members of the B nd should take the office of chairman in their turn, I have a gentlemui in my eye whom I am sure you will think competent and worthy to fill the chair at this Board; I allude to Mr William Henry Nevill. I thought of him on former occasions, but there were then reasons why Mr Howell should bo continued in the office—reasons which no longer exist. Mr Nevill is eminently adapted for the performance of the duties of this Board, and, indeed, of any public duties in this town or in any p trt of the world; and I have reason to believe that if elected to the chairmanship of this Board, he will attend its meet- ings and perform its duties well. Mr Evans said he h d great pleasure in seconding the appointment of Mr Nevill. who was a very efficient mm, if he would take the office But if Mr Nevill would not act, he should like Mr Howell, who had given great satisfaction, to continue in tho chair. Tho Chairnan sttid-If you will alio w me I will ex- plain our views with reference to this office. I felt thai my brother, living at so great a distance from the place where tho business of the Board is transacted, could not pay that attention to the duties devolving upon the chairman so well as coull be desired. Not having had any communication with him before I left home a month ago, and not having seen him sinco my return, I have not had an opportunity of speaking to him on the subject; but finding that it was the wish of some members of the Board that he should take the chair, and Mr Howell having told me that he would not take it if re-elected, I wrote my brother a letter on the subject, and I had his answer last night. But I have, as I have aiready stated, had no personal communication with him on the subject. I know that ho thinks it much more desirable to see the office taken by a person resident on the spot; for the constant presence of the chairman would be an advantage to the Board. However, I feel that if he undertakes the duty of Chairman he will do as he has done in other duties and offices in the town, give himself up to it, and perform it to the best of his ability. (Hear, hear.) What he says is this, [The Chairman here read Mr William Nevill's letter, pre- viously referred to, the effect of which is that he had told the Chairman that he declined to take the chair, but if the members of the Board generally expressed a strong wish that he should t ike it, ho would reconsider his determination The Chairman continued ] 1 wish for my own part to expres my feeling of the great obli- gation under which we all lie to Mr Howell, and to ex- prass my desire, with due respect to the wishes of the Board, and his own convenience, that he should continue in the chair. We are not very old as a Board, but we have done a great deal of work, of great importance, and work that will be of great benefit to the town. I think, too, that wo might congratulate ourselves on the way in which the work has been done. We have worked mutually together in carrying through tho business we had to do. I feel that the success of the important works carried on for the last three years is due very much to the Chairman, not only because he has given so much time, or because he has brought to the work so much good sense, but because he has in an eminent degree evinced the highest public spirit in doing honestly the work that could be done, without putting forward views which he has entertained,—a course of action that would have caused a good deal of discussion, but which would not have advanced the work we were to do. (Hear, hear.) My intention and my desire was to have urged him to continue in the chair, but on talking mat- ters over I find that there is a strong desire to carry out, as far as can be carried out, the intention of the rule which states that it is desirable, as far as possible, to induce all the members to take an interest in the affairs of the Board, and to take the chair generally in turns, and thus obtain an insight into the work which it is hardly possible to obtain otherwise. That rule appears to me to be a very desirable one to carry out, but it can- not be carried out to the full extent because of the un- willingness of members to take the office of chairman. I was anxious to continue Mr Howell in office, but be- lieving as I do that my brother is extremely fit for the work, and believing that he will undertake it, and feel- ing sure if he does he will do the work well, I have no hesitation in returning thanks to the proposer and to tho Board generally for the way in which you have spoken of my brother, and for the kind feelings you have ex- pressed. Mr R. B. Jones (who had just entered the room) said —This time twelvemonths I thought that the perma- nency of the chairmanship had been carried on quite long enough. I then thought that there was no one more fitted to succeed Mr Howell, than Mr William Nevill, and it seems he has now been appointed. The motion was then agreed to. The Chairman read a letter from Mr Howell, in which that gentleman thanked the Board generally for the kind assistance rendered him in the discharge of his duties during thn past four years, and expressing a desire that the Board would relieve him of the duties of Chair- man by appointing a successor. Mr Ben. Jones proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Howell for his conduct in the chair on all occa- sions. The motion was seconded by Mr Harris and agreed to. The committees were re-elected, the newly-elected chairman being put upon all committees. Mr D. Morris and Mr Harris were chosen to re- present the Board at the meetings of the Harbour Commissioners. Mr Morris said several complaints had been made to him in consequence of the drainage of the Wern not having been carried out. People had been asking" hy the drainage had been stopped, and for his part he thought it would be but right to continue the drainage to the Wern, which much required it. Mr Bagot said it would be found that a minute was entered in the books of the Board to the effect that the owners of the land should be communicated with before proceeding with the drainage of the Wern. They had been communicated with, but no answer had been re- ceived. Mr Morris thought it very desirable that the drainage should be proceeded with before the winter, and thus prevent the inconvenience which was felt last winter from the dirty state of the streets. Tt was ordered that the owners of tho land should be agaiu communicated with. The Surveyor said that shortly a large quantity of slag would have to bo conveyed to the new market, and he thought it would be very advan- tageous if it could be carried over a railway. Therefore he thought if the old tramway could be made useful for that purpose it would be beneficial to the market Subsequently, for many things could be brought there over the railway, if it were joined to the Great Western lino. There would then be a line of railway complete from the Copper Works and the Great Western R til way to the Iron Works, and from thence past the Gas Works, near which it would cross the road on a level, and enter the market at a spot opposite the Potteries. Over such a railway the tradesmen of the town could have all their heavy goods conveyed at a price per ton very much less than was paid by them at present. The Chairman said as one of the owners of the tram- way, and as:representing them on this occasion, he would promise them :that he would be happy to consider the matter with Mr Bagot, and do everything in his power to forward it. Mr R. R. Jones'saicl -Some" 'five years ago a similar line of railway was ^suggested .because of the expense of hauling slag from the Copper AVorks. At that time Mr William IlearylNevill -went'!into figures, and at the same time the' Harbour Commissioners went to Parlia- ment for an Act to enable them t.)carry it out; but they were told fthat'r they .'could-have nothing to do with matters they wero"not' interested in as conservators of the navigation. He thought that it was a scheme for the convenience of the town generally, inasmuch as the line would Jrun-lto.<a»'central| spot :for the trade of the town. Mr) Ben Jones said he knew some gentlemen who were making good sums by a speculation of that sort (a laugh)—and he did not see why the owners of the present tramway should not make a good thing of it by constructing the line into the town, and charging a rate upon all goods conveyed over it. (Hear, hear, and renewed laughter.) The Chairman said, when he stated his approval of suóh -a" scheme/he did not think of getting anything by a. ^peculation. (Much laughter.) He had told the pro- prietors of the Potteries, and Mr Waddle, that he would extend the line for their convenience if they would pay a small rate upon goods, so as to repay him for the outlay. Of course, if it was carried out as Mr Bagot suggested, it coul I not be done without a sufficient and a considerable sum, which must be repaid in some way. Mr R. B. Jones said there must be three rails the whole distance, but the third rail would not entail a great outlay. The chief expense would be incurred in forming the junction with the Great Western Railway. It was a matter of considerable importance, and he thought it should be referred to a select committee. Mr Bagot said the Board should feel an interest in the matter, because it would eSect a considerable saving in the outlay on the roads, and the tradesmen would be greatly benefited by it, because they would save eight- pence per ton on all goods coming into the town. They at present paid nearly a shilling per ton for haulage, and the owners of the railway could carry their goods for about threepence per ton. There would, if they made the railway suggested, be a saving of some thou- sands of tons of road material every year, and for that reason he thought the matter should be referred to the Highway Committee. It was referred to the Highway Committee accord- ingly. Mr R. B. Jones said he had frequently asked that the officers of the Board should be ordered to present annually a report of what they had done during the year, but for some reason or other there had been an objection to such an order. The reports would show how far the resolutions of the Board had been carried out; and the reasons why some orders of the Board had never been executed, and why some had been executed in part only. Ho moved—" That it is ordered that reports be presented to the Board by each of the officers as to the discharge of their duties, with any suggestions for facilitating the performance of such duties, embracing an epitome of the resolutions of the Board directing any of the officers of the Board to do any act, and whether such resolutions has been carried into effect, with any reason why not." He did not give this resolu- tion as an offence to the officers. There was nothing objectionable in giviug a return of what had been done during the year ;-he had to do so every year as clerk to the Board of Guardians. The Chairman said there was a wide difference be- tween the construction of this Board and the Board of Guardians. Besides, they had the suggestions of the ollicers at every meeting. They had an important suggestion fro'n the Surveyor to-day and the Clerk also frequently gave them valuable suggestions. Mr Jones said there were many resolutions of the Board never carried out. Various matters received the attention of the Board, and resolutions were come to, but some of those resolutions were never carried out from divers reasons, and sometimes there were propor and sufficient reasons why certain works ordered to be I executed should not be performed, or should in some ctsud bo only cxccated in part. He know of many works which had not been performed, wnich should not Kava been altogether executed,but which should have been done in part. He did not offer the resolution as an objection to the officers of the Board, who performed their duties I satisfactorily so far as he knew. Mr B igot said there was a return made annually of all works done, and was forwarded to the Secretary of State. That report could first be laid before the Board if it was so desired. The Clerk said the reports Mr Jones asked for would be different to that sent to the Secretary of State, which included only works executed, while Mr Jones wished them to include in their reports works ordered and not executed, or works ordered and only partly executed, as well as works performed. Mr Jones said as no one had seconded his motion, he would give it as a notice for the next meeting, and in the meantime he would give the matter further con- sideration, believing that he should be able to give them good reasons for bringing it forward. Mr Ben Jones said he would have seconded the motion with pleasure, but he thought it was intended as a notice of motion for the next meeting. As the resolution could not be adopted unless the Board wero unauimous in its favour, it was entered as a notice, and will be discussed at the next meeting of the Board. Mr Ben. Jones said he had been asked by some young persons who were anxious to form a quadrille party in the town, if he would endeavour to obtain for them the use of a portion of this room for dancing one evening in the week. He thought the Board should grant them the outer portion of this room, and allow them to use one of the back rooms for dressing. The Chairman thought the young persons should ask the committee of the Atheiinaum for a room. Mr Ben. Jones said it was a question of expense lie did not see why they should not be allowed the use of this room. They wore willing to pay the Hall-keeper for his trouble, and they would not inconvenience Mr Brown, because they would only occupy the room from eight to ten o'clock on one evening in the week. He moved that they be allowed tho use of the room. Mr R. B. Jones said the outer portion of the room would not be sufficient. The room could not be used without removing tho whole of the furniture. He did see how they could use it. The motion* was agreed to. Mr Ben. Jones said he had observed that the gas in the town was not lit until about nine o'clock, and the absence of light in the streets for two hours was a con- siderable inconvenience. Besides, the public paid for two hours' gas which they did not receive. Ho came from Swansea the other night, and arrived at the station about a quarter past nine, tho train being late. Not one of the lamps were lit all the way into the town, and when he arrived no tr the Thomas Arms the boy was lighting the gas. He thought the gas inspector did not do his duty if he overlooked such a matter as that. Mr Bagot said it was no fault of the Gas Committee, who had ordered the gas to be lighted in proper time. lie ha i this morning put a rather heavy fino on a boy for neglecting his duty in not lighting the gaa in proper it to the Gits time. [Mr R. B Jones: That's more profit to the Gas Committee. (Laughter).] Tho boy who was fined said he was ill, and he had told him that if he was unable to perform his duty he should lot some one else do it. Mr Morris said, in London they began to light the gas while it was broad daylight, so that by dusk all London was thoroughly lighted but here they were left in darkness two hours every night, while in the morn- ings the lamps frequently continued lit two hours after d ?;li?ghtt. ntion of the Gas Inspector  bcon called The attention of the Gas Inspector having boon called to the matter, the meeting terminated.

THE ALLEGED MURDER IN A RAILWAY CARRIAGE.— On Saturday last it was currently reported that a com- mercial traveller, travelling in a first-class carriage near Llanelly, on the South Wales line, was attacked by two ruffians who were in the same compartment; that they fired a pistol at him, which fortunately missed him that they then robbed him of tl40 in cash, his gold watch, and his luggage; and that they afterwards made their escape out of the door. A Bristol paper of Monday morning even goes so far as to publish the following from a correspondent who has a reputation for general accuracy —' A report reached Cardiff on Saturday night of a gentleman (a commercial) having been mur- dered and robbed while travelling in a railway carriage near Llanelly. It is stated that he was shot, and plun- dered of £ 240. The guard of the train heard the report of the pistol, and saw two men running away." The facts of the case are simply as follow: —A young man named Davies, who is said to be a native of Cardigan, was paying his addresses to a young lady living in High- street, Swansea, who, in addition to her personal charms I was possessed of a very desirable amount of ready money The father of the young lady, having made some enqui- ries relative to the young suitor, did not look upon his claims with a favourable eye, and declined to allow him to continue paying his attentions to his daughter. On Friday evening last, while yet suffering from his disap- pointment, Mr Davies entered a first-class carriage at Llanelly station, intending to proceed to Swansea. On the arrival of the train at the next station (Loughor), the attention of the guard was called to a first-class carriage with the door open. In this carriage Mr Davies was discovered, apparently in a state of complete stupor. On being aroused, he made a statement to the effect that two men who wero in the same compartment had offered him a bottle containing liquor, of which he par- took, and which he found to burn his inside." They then (according to Davies's statement) fired a pistol at him, which missed him and having robbed him of £ 250, a gold w itch, and his luggage, thoy threw the bottle out of the window, and on approaching Loughor bridge, where the train slitelcons- its pace, they jumped out. This is Mr Davies's story, but it is not considered to be per- fectly reliable. The guard says he heard the report of a pistol, and very possibly Mr Davies fired a pistol and swallowed a small quantity of sulphuric acid, and some- how or other, in the strange way in which myths and legends do from time to time arise, imagined himself the victim of the robbery. As to his having £ 250, that is believed to be quite unhistorical." On his arrival in Swansea he was found to be suffering considerably from the sulphuric acid which he had taken, and Dr T. AVil- liams was called in. On Monday he was so far recovered as to be able to leave Swansea by train, and it is to be hoped he will lose no time in retracing his steps to his native hills in Cardiganshire.

I RHYDVENDIGAID. I TO THE EDITOR OF THE WELSHMAN." I SIR,—Allow me to suggest to your correspondent- A. J." that Strata Florida is not an English name It is nothing mora than a Latinized form of the Welsb name Ystrad Flur. It seems to me that the name Strata Fiorida is of very little value, as almost all the historialisp from the twelfth century up to the present time, bav called the place by its Welsh name, Ystrad Flur- Leland writes it Stratfleer Camden writes it Stradeflur; in an old edition of Duydale's Monastieon, printed 169?, it is written Stradflure; and Sir Samuel R. Meyrick, t1 his History of Cardiganshire, uses the Welsh name 1 its incorrupt mode, Ystrad Flur." The most auciep modo of Pont-Rhydfendigaid was RhydvorldigaId, "Pont" is a modern prefix, added to the name when stone bridge was built at the place. Y strad Flur,. Or Strata Florida, and Rhydfendigaid, are two differen places so it would be quite as reasonable to apply thØ name Abergwili to Carmarthen, as to apply the naO28 Strata Florida to Rhydfendiged. A. J." and others cherish the idea of seeing th inhabitants of Wales comiug English-speaking people, well, if that fairy reverie is to be fulfilled before tbe commencement of the year 1865, it gives no reason fQt changing the names of our everlasting hills," vale8' villages, and towns The inhabitants of the Lowlaud of Scotland are English-speaking people but still, almost all the Welsh and Celtic names remain undIS turbed. Aberdeen, Abercrombie, Abernethy, Cloch mannan, and Ecclesfechan, are as pure Welsh names fo Rhydvendigaid, Aberystwyth, Eglwysfach, and Mae° clochog. And further, the inability of our EngI? neigh bours to pronounce Welsh names is not gr, as some imagine; we have many retired Engl1s 0 merchants living amongst us, who have given p? Welsh names to their new abodes. Learning Ger? and Spanish, as well as Greek and Hebrew, which 010 English friends do with the great march of intclls? gives them more ability to pronounce the Welah guage. Therefore, Rhydfendigaid requires no ot Ð name. I am, Sir, your most humble servant, AN ANTIQUAB'' Rhos-y-Gernos. A ANTIQUA}t).

UNIVERSITY FOR WALES.—No. II. TO THE EDITOR OF THE WELSHMAN." Sm,e question of language as regards the coto01^ cial & religious wants of the principality, is very far  being limited to the English and Welsh tongues. The ports of Cardiff, Swansea, and Milford are the reade vous of all nations. Interpreters will be required, 11d must be ready to answer the case. For the 9013orsi purposes of commerce a knowledge of the French, .M) man, and Italian (the first and the last more espelill"y) will be absolutely necesary, and, in general, Dtiy sufEco. For these, professorships of modern lang"ae will be required, and, to work well, must be endOO03.' Now Lampeter presents at this moment, the very pP  tunity of so far educating the rising generatio"of W(Ishmen, as that a few months studious ro8l0? ? abroad will render them masters of the accoo3Plls" ment. But, religiously considered, the same, 0,0 equivalent demand, will, nay does, exist, and must Do provided for. The foreign maritime populatiollo.asa, mariners have a claim upon our British hospit?,? if not called upon to go abroad, and sound the ?ea trumpet of the gospel, we are most unquestionably ? ?.??t upon to provide it for those, not of our own race, øø true, but of our own Christian religion, and Of tPél Apostolic creed. Let it not be forgotten tb3? t?e Established Reformed Church of France 113stbe liturgv, one of the elements of which Lg0* Apostles' creed. This is the Church of Calvin, g? dore Bega and Jacques Saurin. Now let us ask, the University of Wales be unprepared to fulfil ? ;pt?' of training some who shall be willing and able to ollo iO' ter to the spiritual wants of those who visit the P ri001. pality. To preach to the foreigners is perhaps 0 t 11 the question, but to read to each in his own tongu0-^gy9j$I be accomplished. Thus St. David's College is, by ? # charters and endowments, prepared to enter upo section of Universe education. ?y The denominations into which the riti. s iait is divided may, and doubtless will, be prepared int respective affiliateJ colleges, to carry out each, 3fter own measure and manner, the same desired end b) tilIeit own well devised means. rOp°f So far as St. David's College is concerned, W8 P foP 000 to effect this object by the voluntary endo\v?? Preacher-Fellowships." 11° This branch of endowment should be adequ^ u" only to enable the alumni of the University to c.° their linguistic education abroad, but should a?sls fopSt through the first stages of clerical life and duties- A practical mode of carrying this out will be Suggetea in the next communication. Av I>AV I! Ar D?' t? (To be continued.) c