The Welshman

-————— CARMARTHEN BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The fortnightly general meeting of the Board was held at the Board-room, on Saturday Inst, the Chair- man, J. LHWii Philipps, Esq., presiding. There was an unusually large attendance of guardians. The Clerk read the minutes of the previous meeting, which were verified. The Master's estimate for the ensuing fortnight was seen and allowed. A notice from Mr Chas. Bishop, was laid on the table, calling upon the Board to pay, on or before the 2nd of April next, the sum of L3,3,33 17s 5^1, being the amount of this union's contribution toward s a county rate of a halfpenny, a police rate of a halfpenny, and a county roads rate of a penny and eleven-twelfths of a penny in the pound. Mr Lloyd, Abergwilly, inquired whether the parish of St. Peter contributed any portion of the money paid by this union towards the building of the Lunatic Asylum. Mr Adams said the borough of Carmarthen took no part in the building of the Asylum. The counties of Carmarthen, Pembroke, and Cardigan had joined in building the Asylum, and Haverfordwest did join, but had since backed out of the union. The county of the borough of Carmarthen, however, had never joined, but was permitted to stand aloof provided she could enter into an agreement with the Joint Committee to enable her to send her lunatics to the Asylum. Mr Lloyd-Then the lunatics belonging to the parish of St. Peter will be sent to the new Asylum ? Mr Adams-Yes, that is the arrangement Mr Lloyd—And you pay nothing towards the build- ing? Mr Adams—No, nothing. But all that has been settled by Act of Parliament, and is entirely beyond the control of the guardians. At the same time there can- not be the slightest objection to the question being asked by any guardian. Mr Butland said it had been suggested a little while ago that Mr Griffith Rowlands should no longer have the contract for supplying the coal used in the Work- house, because it could be obtained cheaper elsewhere. He might now state that several persons in his parish had tried the cheap coal, but had found it very dear in the end, having used twice or thrice the quantity they had been accustomed to use; and he therefore thought the committee had done right to continue the contract with Mr Rowlands. The Chairman said there was no other business ex- cept to dispose of the motion given by Mr Butland, with reference to the introduction of gas into the Workhouse —a question evidently of very great interest. (A laugh). Mr Butland said, some few of those present—(laugh- ter) —would recollect that at the preceding meeting of this Board a discussion took place as to the desirability of getting gas introduced into the Workhouse. They were not, however, on that occasion prepared with suffi- cient facts on which to found a decision-so it was sup- posed-and he accordingly agreed to bring the question before the Board this day in order that a decision might be arrived at. Before he proceeded with his motion they would perhaps permit him to express the pleasure he felt at seeing such a numerous at- tendance. (Hear, hear, and ironical cheers.) He was sure that the ratepayers of this union would be gratified to learn that on this occasion-this important occasion-there were no less than twenty-five guardians in attendance. (Laughter) Looking at the long array of guardians around him, it appeared as if some mon- strous affair was about to come off. This vast prepara- tion to settle so small a matter once more reminded him of the fable in which the mountain was described^ hav- ing been in labour and brought forth a mouse. (Hear, hear.) What did this large gathering mean ? Was the question of the introduction of gas into the House so momentous as to render it necessary to snmmon the guardians from every parish in the union many of whom he regretted to say he had not seen for a lengthened period. He did not complain of their presence. On the contrary, he hoped they could see their faces oftener. (Laughter.) Had they considered the expense intended to be thrown upon the twenty-nine large parishes that comprised this Union ? If they had not, he would briefly state that he proposed an outlay of from £.5 to L6, of which amount the large sum of five shillings would be borne by each parish. (Hear, hear.) Well, then, considering the largo amount involved in this question, it did appear to him that the whippers-in had done their duty very efficiently and very creditably. (Laughter.) Considering, too, the short time that had elapsed since the last meeting, they had performed their duty with alacrity, and no doubt with success. (Cheers, and laughter.) As he had at former meetings alluded to this question, he would not on this occasion make a long speech. He might, however, tell them that he did not advocate the introduc- tion of gas on the score of economy, but because it would add considerably to the comfort and cleanliness of the House. (Hear, hear.) Candles were not only dirty, but the careless use of them was often extremely dan- f;#rous. And not only so, but he considered that gas ight was a matter of necessity in some places-in the Porter's hall, for instance. Often-and oftener during that period of the year when the nights were dark-the wind was so high that it was impossible to burn a candle there while persons were being examined. For that purpose, therefore, nothing could be better than the introduction of gas. Since the previous meeting, from inquiries he had made, he had ascertained the annual cost of the consumption of gas at two of the pub- lic institutions in the town-the Infirmary and the Reading-roams-in order that they might arrive at the probable annual cost of say six lights in the Workhouse. He found that at the Infirmary there were thirteen lights, five of which were burning all night, and the annual cost of the gas was 115 13a 6d. He did not wish to have a large number of lights in the House, at present, but would prefer introducing gas as an experi- ment at first. He believed the amount of the contract for bringing six lights into the House would be from j65 to 96, and he therefore proposed to place lights in the following places :-One in the Porter's lodge, one in the hall, one in the bakehouse, one in the pantry, one in the kitchen, and one in the scullery. Taking X17 as the amount of the contract for introducing twenty lights, he was not placing the amount too low when he said that six lights could be introduced for £ 5 or L6. Considering therefore how small the amount was, he could not but feel gratified to find that the guardians were so mindful of the ratepayers' pockets, for it was an earnest that they would be found at their post when- ever this Board contemplated the expenditure of a large sum for any purpose. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) Well, in the other public building he had named there were fourteen gas-lights, and the annual cost for gas was £11. As he had already said, he did not know that they would eeonoaiiae raotfe Vy the of gas, but it would certainly add to the comfort and cleanliness of the House and as there are twenty-nine parishes, the sum of £.5 or X6 would en- tail an expense of something like five shillings upon each parish. He hoped that all those guardians present had not come there to vote a certain way, but that they would consider the question within themselves, and ar- rive at a i ust decision without prejudice. They had to consider whether under the circumstances they would be justified in laying out the large sum of five shillings on account of their pariah. [Mr Thomas, St. Clears: Why didn't you bring the question on before now ?] He should listen with very great pleasure to Mr Thomas's eloquence presently, but the rule at this Board was that one member only should speak at a time, and as he was in possession of the chair, Mr Thomas must be content to wait a moment or so. (Laughter). He would not however dotain.themany longer, but would simply move that gas be introduced into the Workhouse, and that six lights only be put in the places he had named, at pre- sent as an experiment. Mr Thomas repeated his question. He wished to know why the subject was not brought forward in Sep- | tember, so that the gas might have been of use during the winter. They were now getting into the summer again, when it would not be much required. Mr Adams said, it they agreed to the motion very likely the summer would be far advanced before the work was completed. Mr Norton said he had great pleasure in seconding Mr Butland'a motion. Mr Butland, he said, had intro- duced his motion in such eloquent and excellent terms that he should not attempt to follow him with a speech of any great length; but he would hope that because Mr Butland had shown a little asperity at seeing such a long array of guardians before him, they would not vote against him on that account, but would look at the question fairly and honestly. He thought that to light a public place like that by candles in these days was simply ridiculous. (Hoar, hear.) As Mr Butland had said, he did not think they would economise by introducing gas into the House perhaps they would find at the end of the year that they had to pay a trifle more than they had been accustomed to pay for candles, but the com- i fort, cleanliness, and safety of the House were matters that should be considered, and if they would be ensured by the outlay of a small additional sum the money would be well spent. (Hear, hear). He had not en- tered into any calculations, but he could not help think- ing that if gas could not be introduced into the House for less than J617, as was stated on a former occasion. (Mr Butland That was the amount of the contract for introducing twenty lights.] That was correct, but he was going to say that even the expenditure of 117 should not stop them from carrying out so useful a measure. He had brought them a few figures, repre- senting the quantity of gas consumed on his own premi- ses. He found that he had thirty lights, and that the cost for gas was about j616. Mr Prosser said he wished to make a personal expla- nation. Since the previous meeting he had received a communication from Mr Barker, the secretary of the Training College, in which he stated that he did not know how he (Mr Prosser) could make out that the consumption Jof gas ati the College cost at an average JE70 a-year. What he had stated at the last meeting was, that the cost of gas at the College had last year been 970; but in one of the local papers he was reported to have said that the gas cost on an average between f.70 and 180 a-year. He was sure no gwdiaa prestnt could py that he had used the word average on that occasion. He had, however, made a mistake in giving the amount of the cost or rather the information he had received was not cor- rect, and Mr Barker was anxious that it should be corrected to day. A member of the College Council had given him the figures he had made use of, but how the mistake had arisen he could not say. From the infor- mation he had since received it would appear that the average cost of gas at the College for the last nine years, was £ 47 7s Id, but that last year the cost had been between £ 50 and Y,(;O,-the exact amount being £.5.5 43 4d. The highest year was 1853, when from the new buildings in progress the expenditure for gas had been t-57 14s Id. and the lowest amount paid was in 1862, the cost that year being £ 37 18s 7d. He thought it but fair that he should make this ex- planation. (Hear, hear.) Tho Chairman said the light here would be very dif- ferent to the light required at the Training College or the Reading-rooms. A great light was necessary at those places, but here, where there were no Greek Testa- ments to read, a very small light would be sufficient. (Laughter.) Mr Norton—And for six months in the year it will not be required at all. In tact, it would not be required at any period of the year for longer than a couple of hours during the evening. 0 Mr Morris, St. Ishmael's, said the question was, which was cheapest, candles or gas. (Hear, hear.) Unless they could show that gas was cheapest, he should oppose the motion. Mr Howell, Llandowror, said he disagreed with Mr Butland's motion, for more than one reason. In the first place, he objected because of the expense of bringing the gas into the House; and in the next place he ob- jected, because the few lights they proposed to have would be insufficient for the use of the House, and they would still be called upon to pay for candles in addition to the cost of gas. They could not take either of the six lights all over the House, but would be compelled to use candles. Again, as to the Porter's lodge, he did not think that a gas light there was a matter of necessity. Could they not place an oil lamp there ? (Hear, heir.) They could surely do that at a cost of something like a shilling. In fact, he thought the guardians were per- fectly right in opposing such a useless expenditure. Mr Butland had talked of the mountain being in labour,-(Ianghter) -but it seemed to him that Mr Butland was pregnant of gas. (Much laughter). He could assure him, however, that they had not met to- day to celebrate the birth of gas at this Workhouse. (Cheers, and laughter.) He moved as an amend- ment that gas be not introduced into the Workhouse. Mr Morris, St. Ishmael's, seconded the amendment. Mr Butland said, as to the expense, he did not think any of the parishes could object to:contributetl five shil- lings towards so great an improvement. As to the number of lights, he mentioned six as the number he proposed to introduce on trial; and then if they were found to answer, others could be introduced. The Chairman (to the Master) —Have you got any- thing to say ? Can. you throw any light on the subject ? (Laughter). The Master—I believe candles are better and cheaper for the use of this House, because we have to move about with them from room to room, and into the yards. I think, however, there ought to be a light placed in the Porter's passage. Mr Howells-Would an oil lamp do there ? The Master-Yes, very well. The guardians' votes were then taken, when there ap- peared sixteen for the amendment, and three for Mr Butland 's motion. The proceedings then terminated.

CARMARTHEN COUNTY COURT. The monthly county court was held at the Shire Hall on Monday last, before H. R. Bagshawe, Esq., Q.C., judge. The following was the only case of public in- terest heard:- THOMAS v. REED.—The plaintiff, who occupied Tre- vaughan farm, near this town, sued the defendant, who is Principal of the Carmarthen Training College, for £ 9 103., balance of rent due for a portion of a field used for cricket ground by the students of the College. The plaintiff appeared in person, and Mr Jeffries for the de- fendant. From the evidence of the plaintiff it appeared that in February, last year, he let a portion of a field to the defendant, to be used for cricket playing. The de. fendant was to have the use of the ground until the following Michaelmas. He gave the defendant posses- sion in February. The defendant placed a wire fence in the field, in order to divide it; and he was to pay a rent of £14 103. There was no written agreement. There was to have been such an agreement, but plaintiff never saw it. He received two sums of the defendant- one of JE2, and another of Y,3, and that was all he had received. He was sure that he let the piece of land from February to Michaelmas for J614 JOs. In cross-examination defendant said he had not used that portion of the field after February. He never grazed it after February, except that his cows broke the wire fance on one occasion; but that was the fault of the defendant, who was to have placed a sufficient fence there. The defendant had promised to pay half the rent in March. He swore distinctly that the understanding was not that the rent was £ 14 10s for a year, and that the defendant was to pay in proportion to the time he occupied the land. Plaintiff gave up the farm at Michaelmas last, and the defendant was to have given jEl-t 10s for the occupation of the land up to that time Defendant occupied about four and a half acres, or there- abouts. He believed the defendant had paid him £ 3, about Juue fair, and £ 2 about a fortnight afterwards. Mr Reed had promised to pay him the half of the jE14 10s, and had offered him L2 5s since he received the L5, but he had refused to take it as he wanted the whole. [Plaintiff produced a letter he had received from the defendant, in which the defendant stated that he could not pay the whole of the year's ront, because the plaintiff had quitted the farm at Michaelmas, and consequently the defendant had given up possession of the piece of land to the new tenant, or rather, he had quitted it before the new tenant took possession.] In reply to the judge, the plaintiff said he had no benefit from the land in question from the time he took the farm up to the time he quitted it, so that he con- sidered the defendant had it for twelve months. He received notice to quit from his landlord, and he conse- quently never received any benefit from the land. He therefore told the defendant he must pay him the whole of the rent agreed upon. He had been a farmer, and he knew that as a rule there was no benefit received from the land between Michaelmas and the following Febru- ary. He never grazed the land, and had not the l&ast beneficial occupation. There was a pretty large quan- tity of grass on the field whea the defendant took it. The aefendant used LC ulow it occasionally, when putting it into order for cricket-playing. No doubt the grass was growing all the time from Michaelma3 1863 to Feb- ruary 1864. According to the talk between them, Mr Reed was to have paid a whole year's rent. It was understood that tho field was let for cricket purposes only. Mr Reed had no cattle or horses, but he used to mow the field occasionally, and had a rick of hay there at the present time. The Rev W. Reed said that last year being in want of a piece of ground for the recreation of the student?, he was in treaty with the plaintiff for a piece of land. He first saw the plaintiff on the subject in February 1804, and he told him he would see which portion of the field would best suit them. He subsequently saw the plain- tiff, and told him he would take two and a half acres, at X4 an acre. After a little further consideration, he came to the conclusion that that part of the field would not j suit them, because the plaintiff would have a right of way through it, which they thought would not be very pleasant or convenient. He therefore agreed to take four acres, more or less, from the plaintiff, for jEtl a-year. Plaintiff said it was £14 10s, but he would not dispute the ten shillings, but would allow that it was -014 109 a-year. He distinctly told the plaintiff that they would take the land by the year subject to all the conditions he himself was liable to as between him and the landlord. That arrangement was entered into in March last, and they were to take the land from Lady- day, 1864, to Lady-day, 1865, and to continue the occu- pation yearly if agreeable. The land was taken subject to a proportion only of the rent being paid if they were obliged to give up possession before the expiration of the year. The plaintiff agreed to that, and told the defendant that he was paid up, asking him at the same time if he woul(t advance him something. Defendant told him that the land was not taken for himself, but for the students of the College, and that part of the rent would be paid by the Council of the College, and part by the students, and that with respect to the part to bo paid by the students, he should have no difficulty in getting him an advance, and he promised to see that he had it-that he would call upon the Secretary to the College and plaintiff should have the money. The Secretary after that paid the plaintiff C,5 of what the defendant had promised him. That was for the boys' portion. Plaintiff's father-in-law came to him at Mid- summer and asked for the rent, and he told him it was not usual to pay the rent before the year had expired but paid him £ 1, the balance of the students' part. He told him he would not pay the whole. The father-in- law then threatened to pull up the wire fencing, and defendant told him to do so at his peril. He did not pay I the rent at the end of the year, because they gave up the occupation-not to the plaintiff but to the landlord. In fact, hearing that the plaintiff was to leave the farm they determined the holding and took up the the wire fence, because they had been told they would be taken up by the new tenant if not removed before. Plaintitf-I would ask you whether, when a person takes a piece of land in February, and occupies it until the following Michaelmas, it is not the rulo to pay a year's rent for it ? Defendant-Well, I have heard of such a rule cer- tainly, but I did not take the land off you according to that rule. (To the Judge): Besides, during the time we held the land the field was full of cattle. He was grazing cattle there from February up to Juno. He had twenty head of cattle there, more or less. I have a person who will prove that. Plaintiff (in reply to the Judge) -I had no cattle in the Gold before Mr Reed fenced it, because they were in the house up to that time. I had cattle there in Feb- ruary, in March, in April, and in May. I say again that Mr Reed had the benefit of the field all that time, because he had fenced it. I had no cattle grazing in the part of tho field ho took. I swear I had no cattle grazing on the part of the field he took. The cattle were in the house until the fence was put up, and after that they did on one occasion break the fence and stray on to Mr Read's land. Defendant said he believed the plaintiff had a wicked horse who used to break the top wire, thus enabling the cattle to get over. He also stated that they had been inconvenienced and put to considerable expense in having to quit the land at Michaelmas. He understood that he had taken the land by tho year, and for r,re than one year, and had gone to the expense of put] ig wire fencing there at a cost of £ 4, besides the expense of rolling tho ground to render it fit for use. His Honour give judgment for plaintif ffor £ 2 os, and ordered him to pay the defendant's costs, including ¡ his attorney's fee. I

I CARMARTHEN TOWN COUNCIL. J' ———— IN An adjourned quarterly meeting of the Town C^\ncil was held on Monday in the Shire Hall. The.{;; jre present-Mr Adams (mayor), Mr J. Lewis, Mr £ C. Morris, Mr J. Davies, Mr E. B. Jones, Mr Mostyn Davies, Mr Brodie, Mr Wm. Jones, Mr G. W. White, Mr John Thomas, Mr W. J. Morgan, Mr David 1' Mr Norton, Mr Warren, and Mr Valentine Davis. Ls The minutes of the last meeting having been read, Mr T: C. Morris said, in reference to the resolution to pay him £200 in liquidation of market debentures, that having made inquiries he found that he held debentures to the amount of £ 1000, and the bank to X400 only. Under these circcumstances he would sug- gest that the Y,200 should now be paid to the bank, in order to get rid of the small holders first. However, if the council did not agree with him, he had no objection himself to accept payment now to the amount of £ 200. The council concurred with Mr Morris, and an order was made that 1200 be paid to the bank in liquidation of market debentures. The Town Clerk read the minutes of the Public Works Committee, for the discussion of which the last meeting was adjourned. The committee mot on the 23rd of January, and resolved to "recommend that the existing charges for the supply of water be abandoned, and that in future persons supplied with water shall pay upon the net annual value of the premises as pre- scribed with respect to the Special and General District Rates, such payment to be for water for domestic use: Persons using water for manufacturing or business pur- poses to be charged by special agreement." The commit- tee met again on the 25th of January, and resolved to recommend that the following charges be made for water For domestic use, fourpence in the pound on the assessment; brewers, maltsters, and innkeepers, eight- pence wholsesale brewers to be supplied by meter only at the rate of sixpence per one thousand gallons. That the undermentioned premises be supplied on the follow- ing terms: Carmarthen Workhouse, 110 per arnum Carmarthen County Gaol, £4 per annum; Barracks, £ 4 per annum Shire Hall, X2 per annum Railway Sta- tion, 12 per annum." The Mayor said that this report having been discussed at the last meeting, and the adjournment moved for by Mr T. C. Morris, to be in strict order he would call upon Mr Morris to re-open the discussion. Mr Morris said that since the last meeting he had investigated the report, and he would at once say that he now approved of it. He had also made inquiries from which he learnt that it was favourably received by the inhabitants generally. He had also taken some pains to inquire of the publicans, upon whom he thought the double charge would fall heavily, and he found the report gave them satisfaction. He had, therefore, no further opposition to offer, and he thought they were very much indebted to the committee for the trouble they had taken in the matter. Mr Norton said that he had given notice of an amend- ment which he would now move. He was strongly of opinion that the public buildings of the town should be compelled to use metres. There was no other way in which they could make an equitable charge; for how else was it possible they could ascertain the quantity of water used in these buildings? Take the Union Work- house, for instance. Mr Brodie would tell them that in the summer there was no supply there, the level of the building being too high when the water was low in the reservoir. That was the case with his own premises, and although perfectly willing he did not think he could use a metre, as it was necessary to force from the pipes all the water he had from the public main. But he thought there was a great waste of water in public buildings, such as this hall, where there should be a metre. He would also suggest that a metre be put in the slaughter-house, that they might have some idea of the immense waste of water there. He would, however, now move, in accordance with the notice he had given, that the charge for publicans be sixpence, and not eight- pence, in the pound. He believed eightpence an exces- sive charge, and he was therefore opposed to it. In reply to Mr David Davies, Mr Norton said that he was not prepared to name the pric of water motres, but he thought they would cost from t5 to X7 each The Town Clerk, in answer to an inquiry as to whe- ther the council had power to compel consumers to use metres, said that they could attach whatever conditions they thought fit to the supply of water, and it waJ then optional with the consumers to accept these conditions or not. Mr White said the charge to publicans was really so small that it was hardly worth while to reduce it, but he must confess that on the whole it was, to his mind, a fair:and equitable charge. The committee had discussed the subject in all its bearings, and the more the report was discussed, the more equitable the rates they recom- mended would appear. Mr John Thomas proposed that maltsters be allowed to consume by metre at the same charge as wholesale brewers—sixpence per one thousand gallons. Mr Brodie suggested that it should be left optional to any one who wished to consume by metre. The Town Clerk said they could not expect small consumers to go to the expense of a metre especially as the rate was so small. Mr Brodie, in reply to the Town Clerk, said that the water metres kept a fair register, and they could at any time be easily tested. Mr John Thomas said that if metres were generally used the scale should be altered, for i distinct^" was always made between large and small consumers. The Town Clerk said that was his view, and the TOItson why he wished to adhere to the present scale of charges rather than accept the scale recommended by tho committee. He could not see how a man assessed j at E 12, consumed double the quantity of water us'd by another assessed at £ 6. A charge based on the assess- ment was clearly unjust. Mr John Thomas said he did not think so. The same argument might be used against the Special District or any other rate. That point had been fully discussed in committee. Mr Norton proposed that the Surveyor be instructed to ascertain the price of metres suitable for public buildings, and to prepare an estimate of the cost of fixing them in the Slaughter House, County Gaol, Shire Hall, Barracks, Workhouse, and the Railway Station. Mr W. J. Morgan seconded the proposal. Mr Wm Jon0s inquired whether there w?s any power in the council to punish those who waste the water. The Town Clerk replied that there was ample power. Mr Jones thought some strict and honest person should, then, be employed to detect those who regularly waste the water. The waterman who was a strict, up- right and honest man did what the could, but that was very little, because when he found persons out they were not punished. The waterman knew of many places where there was now a shameful waste, but DO- thing was done to prevent it. He had reported them but no further action was taken. Some measures should at once be taken first of all by instructing some one to look after the water, and then by punishing all who willfully or intentionally waste it. The Town Clerk explained that there was consider- ably difficulty in discovering those who waste the water, and said that no doubt the only effective remedy would be to compel the use of metres. Mr John Thomas said that the Act of Parliament directs that the charge for water for domestic purposes shall be on the assessment; they could not therefore, charge by metre. The subject had now been so thoroughly discussed that he would move the adoption of the report with the addition that maltsters be allowed to take the water by metre on the same terms as whole- sale brewers. Mr Wm. Jones seconded the proposal. Mr Norton moved, as an amendment, that the charge to publicans be reduced from eightpence to sixpence in the pound. Mr John Lewis seconded the amendment. Mr John Thomas opposed the amendment, stating that there was no reason why the reduction should be made, when they considered that in the case of X20 houses there was only an extra charge of Is 8d, and that in tho case of houses under j615 the charge would be rather less than at present. For il-5 houses the charge would be precisely the same as it was now, but the majority of public-houses in this town being below £1.5 the new scale of charges would on the whole be less. He saw no reason why in their attempt to j obtain a greater revenue from the water tho charge for public-houses should be reduced, and the extra charge put entirely on private houses. The amendment was put to the meeting, and the only persons who voted for it were Mr Norton and Mr Lewis. The report was then adopted with the addition j proposed by Mr Thomas. Mr Norton's motion respecting the metres was also adopted the Surveyor to obtain the prices and estimatep, by the next meeting. The tenders for new carriages for the guns at Picton's Monument were opened, and that of Mr Thomas Thomas, Pensarn, being the lowest, was accepted. The tender for the four carriages was £ 16. The estimate for a General District Rate, which has already appeared in the WEisasuK, was than con- sidercd. There were no alterations made in it; and a rate of two shillings in the pound was ordered, on the motion of Mr Warren, seconded by Mr Jones, who made a humorous speech in which he referred to the necessity for a rate large enough to keep the streets and pave- ments in good repair. He also referred to the improve- ment in the Five Fields, which was undertaken on a motion which he made some time since. lIe really hoped at that time that this beautiful and healthful walk would have been repaired, and the stiles made capacious enough for passengers. He was, however, grievously disappointed, the walk being still out of repair, and the stiles more inconvenient and difficult to pass through than ever. He had invited the Mayor to the Fields, that he might for himself experience the diffi- culty in getting through these stiles. And if it was difficult for gentlemen, what must it be for ladies in these days of expansive crinolines ? The way in which the repairs had bben effected deprived the inhabitants of this picturesque, and exceedingly attractive pro- menade. Mr John Thomas-It will be in the recollection of this council that when the postal arrangements were under discussion before the recent alterations, the de- sirability of asking for a day mail to Carmarthen was considered, and I believe the opinion of the council then was, that without the retardation of the evening mail, the change was scarcely worth asking for. How- ever, circumstances are now somewhat different. You are, no doubt, aware of the recent establishment of a local mail between this town and Llanelly, Swansea, Neath, Cardiff, and Newport. Letters are taken by the Express train that leaves here at twenty minutes after 10 o'clock in the morning, and it strikes me that if the London day mail was brought on to Carmarthen we might obtain answers to these letters on the same day, At present we cannot get answers on the same day from Kidwelly, Llanelly, or Swansea, but with the London day mail to Carmarthen we should not only have some London letters, but letters from all intermediate towns, at any rate from all towns on the South Wales Railway between Neath and Carmarthen. This is a matter we have only to ask for to obtain at once. I will, there- fore, move that we memorialize the Postmaster General to send on the London day mail, which at present comes no further than Llanelly, to Carmarthen. This is worth asking for. I do not attach much importance to the London letters, but I do think it important to get answers to our letters from Llanelly and Swansea with- out waiting twentyfour hours for them. Mr T. C. Morris-Business is pretty well over before the arrival of the Express, which I suppose would carry the London day mail. The Town Clerk-Nor could we have any reply by return from Newport or Cardiff. The up-train meets the down Express between Newport and Chepstow, so that there would be no time for reply. Mr Thomas-But all towns west of Neath would have amplo time to reply. Mr T. C. Alorris-I really do not see the use of a London day mail, nor can I understand what advan- tage we should gain by having our local letters replied to on the same day, especially as those replies could only reach us after business hours. Mr Brodie—We can now get a reply from Llanelly in the morning by the down London mail, to letters sent by the up Londonlmail in the evening. Mr T. C. Morris—Besides, I do not see why we should be continually asking small favours of the Postmaster- General. We should rather economise our influence for mors important occasions. If we ask frequent favours of the Postmaster-General we shall be regarded as great bores whom it is hard to satisfy and we shall get nothing. Mr Thomas —I do not think we can ask for too much, and having this concession it will give us a lever to pro- cure further concessions. I have no doubt it would help us in obtaining the retardation of the up London mail. Mr Norton—I have much pleasure in seconding Mr Thomas's proposal. I am satisfied that we cannot ex- aggerate the importance of a London day mail, carrying as well the local letters, as described by Mr Thomas, and as a merchant of the town, I say that if we could only get answers to Llanelly letters on the same day it would be great boon, and a still greater boon if we could get answers to Swansea letters. Alr T. C. Morris—I really cannot see the advantage of getting letters after business hours. It would, I think, be a great bore. Mr Thomas- W e had, then, better vote all letters a bore. Mr Warren -As a tradesman I must say that I can- not see any advantage in this mail, arriving as it would in the evening. In my own case I should receive per- haps from one to two hundred letters of an evening and have to go through the whole of them in order to select one or two that required immediate attention, I should, if possible, like to get all my letters in the morn- ing. Mr Thomas—We should not compel Mr Warren to attend to business after the arrival of the mail; but why should we deprive others of their letters because Mr Warren is indisposed to attend to business in the evening ? Mr T. C. Morris—In asking for a favour of this sort I think we should weaken our influence with the Post Office authorities. I therefore move as an amend- ment that we do not memorialise the Postmaster- General. l\lr lIostyn Davies-I beg to second the amendment, because I think wo should wait for an opportunity of asking for something of more importance. Mr Thomas—So far from agreeing with Mr Morris, that by this application we should weaken our case for a retardation of the the up London mail, I think for the reasons I have already given we should materially strengthen it. With a day mail arriving just at the time the up mail leaves, we should have a good case to go to the Postmaster- General for a retardation of the up-mail. I also think the more we ask for tho more we get, and we may depend upon it the more supine we are and content to leave things as they are the longer they will remain so. The amendment was then put to the meeting and the only persons who voted for it were Mr Morris, Mr Mos- tyn Davies, and Mr Brodie. Mr Thomas's motion was therefore carried. Mr W. Jones called attention to the state of the Mar- ket, and in the absence of the Surveyor from illness, the Town Clerk undertook that the matter should be looked into at once. The proceedings then terminated.

ST. DAVID'S COLLEGE, LAMPETER. I THE PROSPECTUS.—According to the new prospectus ust issued the course of Instruction comprises the follow- 1llg subocts--(I) Theology, including the Old Testa- ment in I-lebrow-the New Testament in Greek—the Early Fathers—Church History—the XXXIX Articles —the Evidences of Christianity-tho Pastoral Care and Composition of Sermons. (2) Classics:—The authors usually read are, in Greek Homer, Xenophon, Domos- fhoncea, Thucydides, and the Tragedians. In Latin; .y,ro'l, Horace, Cicero, Livy, Sallust and Juvenal. Lectures are also given in Greek and Latin Composition (3) Mathematics Euclid, Algebra, Trigonometry, Conic Sections, Mechanics, &c. Professor Mathews also delivers Lectures in Natural Science. (1) English The Grammar of the Language—History of the Language, and Literature—General History PrecIs writing- Essay writing. (5) German and French, including Grammar-the Study of Standard Autliors-Composi- tion and Conversation. (6) Welsh Grammar-Read- ing and Compositien. The course embraces preparation for the Civil Service, and for other Professions as well as for Holy Orders. There is a large number of Scholarships, which are given according to merit at the Examination in Febru- ary and June. On the existing Foundation, there are twenty Scholarships. Four of these are of the value of L30 two, of X25; six, of £ 24 one, of £ 20, and the re3t range from Y,20 to L16 per annum. From the new Endowment X300 per Annum will at once be available for other Scholarships and Exhibitions. The exact distribution of this Sum has not yet been made, but there will be at least one Scholarship of the value of L59 per Annum, and others of the value of X40, X3,5 &c. The collego also intends to set apart a small number of Exhibitions with a view to the aid of poor Students whose conduct is satisfactory Nearly all the Scholar- ships on the Existing Foundation, and all those recently endowed, are entirely open to all comers. Students who enter in February are at liberty to compete for the Scholarships then vacant. The Examination begins on the 2nd February, and the subjects may be ascertained on application to the Senior Tutor. In June there is an Examination of the whole College by Examiners nomi- nated by the Vice-Chancellors of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Scholarships as well as Prizes are then awarded to those Students who distinguish themselves most in the Examination, but no one can be a Candidate at this Examination who has not resided at least one Term. The Scholarships are tenable during residence in the College, but forfeited by misconduct. The College has by Charter the power of conferring the Degrees of B.A. and B.D. These are conferred after the Examination before a board of University Examiners; the former at the end of three years' residenoe; the latter five years after the Candidate has taken Priests Orders. The standard of attainments for the former will be the same as that now required for the same Degree at Oxford und Cambridge. The entire necessary ex- penses of a student, including tuition, rooms, commons in Halls &c., do not exceed £46 per Annum. There are three Terms in the year. The Lent Term begins on February 1st; The Easter Term the third Wednesday after Easter-Day the Michaelmas Term on the the 29th September. Students can matriculate at the beginning of any of these Terms. They are examined at entrance, when they must bring up one Greek and one Latin I Classical author: some knowledge of Mathematics is rklso desirable.

A requisition is abont to be presented to Mr Samuel Mor- ley (of London and Nottingham), requesting him to allow himself to be nominated for Nottingham, in opposition to Sir Robert Clifton, Rait.

BRECONSHIRE. BRE, CON-Boitouci-,[ PETTY 8£8510,3. -These sos- sions were hold on Monday last, before Geo. Causick, liJq., mayor. James Cook, labourer, was charged with being drunk and riotous. Defendant pleaded guilty to the charge, and the superintendent of police informed the Bench that the delinquent had been up before. Tho Mayor asked the offender if he was married, and he replied in the affirmative, adding that he had one child. The Mayor: Have you had any relief from the soup fund. Defendant: Yes. The Mayor Then where did you get money to become drunk with ? Defendant: My friends treated me. The B3nch having admonished the defendant as to his future conduct, they multcted him in a penalty of 5s and costs. LECTURE.—One evening last week Mr Thompson de- livered an interesting 0 lecture upon American Slavery." The lecturer is an itenerant exponent of the features of the peculiar institution," and generally succeeds in amusing his hearers, who, upon this occasion were somewhat numerous. 1 i CRICKHOWELL.—POLICE COURT.-At the Police Court on Friday, a shoemaker named Thomas Sucliffe, was charged with having two salmons and a gaff in his possession. He did not appear, and a warrant for his apprehension was issued. n_

TO THE EDITOR OF THE WELSHMAN." SIR,-As regards the proposed new road from Llan- dyssil to New Quay, it will be one of the greatest bles- sings ever bestowed on Cardiganshire, and a great boon to both towns. Great endeavours should be made by all in favour of its construction. Although much money is wanted, it would prove profitable as an investment, as thero is so much traffic between the railway and the sea, and especially New Quay, the nearest and most convenient, and the proposed road there, too, would be almost level. Such a needful and valuable improvement should without delay, be set about in earnest and laid before the public, who may then contribute to- wards it. Llandyssil, Feb. 19th. .1'0 r. n" A. H.

TO THE EDITOR OF TTIP, "I I SIR,-In your number of last week a letter appeared by Mr J. D. Thomas, in reply to the inquiries of Mr R., about the delay of proceeding with the new road between the above towns. Mr J. D. Thomas stated that the committee at Llandyssil have been waiting a long time to further hear from the proposal of another new road from Llandyssil in the direction of Alltrodyn Arms, forming a junction with the road leading from New Quay and Aberayron to Llanfihangel and Pen- cader, over which the traffic of the above places is now principal going to Pencader in want of a less hilly road from that direction to Llandyssil, and in consequence of no further communication upon the proposal the committee determined to proceed with the former scheme provided they obtain co-operation. Trusting it not to be too late I again, at the request of many of the inhabitants of the town of New Quay, the parishes of Llanarth, Llanina, Henfenyw, the town of Aberayron, and more than half of the parish of Llandyssil, beg upon the committee (if public interest they have in view in providing roads to meet the re- quirements of traffic) to look from what direction the most traffic would likely be brought to Llandyssil should better roads be leading to it, and if it not should be found that from the above places I shall at once drop my pen and shall not say a word more upon the subject but if to the contrary it shall be found, why should the proposed road in the direction of Alltrodyn Arms not be constructed to meet the old road, the most central one that can be found for the convenience of the traffic of the places above enumerated, and also by far the most direct to Llandyssil, and not 11 the most indirect" as represented by Mr J. D. Thomas. I cannot avoid stating that the intended scheme by the committee will be of no public profit except to the few inhabitants in the neighbourhoods through which it runs. The necessity of my statement will be proved when the committee calls for co-operation to carry on the work. Trusting you will insert this in your paper of this I week, I- I am, sir, your very truly, IAXTO BACH. Bank-Shon Gwilt, Llanarth, BAC!11. I February 21st, 1865.

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE PROPOSAL TO ES- TABLISH A UNIVERSITY IN WALES. The following paper by A Welshman," which is privately circulated in the University of Oxford, will be read with interest. The population of North and South Wales, exclusive of Monmouthshire, at the last census was 1,113,962 while Yorkshire and Lancashire numbered respectively 1,801,867 and 2,453,312. If a University were es- tablished in either of those counties, it would probably be a failure, (as has happened in another locality within the experience of the present generation,) and would have at no distant period to be reformed or abolished. It remains to be shewn that Wales affords a more favourable field for such a costly experiment in these days of increased facilities of communication, when tho metropolis or one of the existing Universities may be, quickly and cheaply reached from all parts of the country. The necessary cost of education at tho Universities has been of late greatly overstated. The Principal of St. Mary Hall in Oxford, in a pamphlet lately published under the titlo of "Education for Frugal Men," writes thus: The total cost of obtaining the B.A. degree need not in the case of a fairly prudent and diligent student exceed the sum of £ 300." This statement is equally true of other Colleges, and the sum named is much diminished in the case of those who enjoy the advan- tages afforded by the munificence of Founders and Benefactors. There are in the Welsh College about fifty Scholarships and Exhibitions (the former of the annual value of £60, shortly to be raised to XSO, the latter X40) reserved for natives of Wales, besides their chances in the general competition at other Colleges, and the Powis, Vaughan, Coploston, and Llandovery Exhibitions and Bishop Carey's benefaction: some of these are at the present time held by the sons of Dissen- ters. It is within the knowledge of the present writer that students thus assisted have not only passed through the University without cost to the parents, but have been able to give them pecuniary aid. It is often questioned whether any University can give such a special education as will qualify its students for entering at once upon a professional life. It would seem to be hopeless to expect this in a provincial town, where classes must needs be small, and teachers of a first-rate character hard to be secured. Such persons would not remain unless remunerated on a scale incom- mensurate with the requirements and resources of the place. s There is a report that a sum of money has been offered on the condition that a remote village be selected as the seat of the proposed institution. It is suggested that notwithstanding the apparent liberality of the offer, so grave, a matter as the education of the country should not be mixed up with pecuniary specu- lations. It is hardly to be expected that any government will in the present day consent to perpetuate the evils of provincialism in a part of the kingdom, whose best prospects, as we are continually reminded by our public men, lie in the opposite direction,—in the cherish- ing and promoting of a national rather than a provincial spirit. It is indisputable that the movement has met with but small encouragement from the Principality at large, its promoters being chiefly to be found among those who, calling themselves Welshmen, reside in other parts of the kingdom. Of those professionally quali- fied to form an opinion on educational subjects, scarcely any are to be found among its supporters. Her Majesty's Government having recently appointed a commission to enquire into the educational resources of the classes for whom the proposed institution is in- tended, the wisest course would appear to be to lay before the Commissioners the peculiar needs of the Principality, and to be prepared to make the best use of the advantages which will doubtless result from their labours. Among those advantages not the least will be one which we may confidently look forward to,-tl provision for the extension of the resources which Wales as well as England already possesses in her Free and Grammar Schools.

LEWIS v. POWELL. TO THE EDITOR OF THE "WELSHMAN;" SIR, —Having seen in your paper of last Friday, Feb. 17, the Cdse of "Lewis v. Powell," out of justice to the young lady and myself I solicit you to insert the following state- ment in your influential journal. It is with feelings of unbounded astonishment and indig- nation that I have sien my name brought into a court of justice and used to the prejudice of an innocent and un- offending lady. I lose not a moment ia giving this atrocious calumny the most unqualified and positive denial it is pos- sible for a gentleman to do. There is not the slightest sha- dow of a pretext for this cruel attack upon the honour and modesty of the lady in question, and any person who may have made any remark or statement calculated to lead Colonel Powell to make such a groundless accusation, or even entertain such an idea for one single instant, has been guilty of the most dastardly falsehood.—I have the honour to be, vour obedient serrant. W. K. FRASER, Late Captain 4th Light Dragoons. Buckland, near Dover, Feb. 20.

,£, A STRANGE BHl) IX WALES. TO THE EDITOR OF THE WELSHMAN' SIR,-A curious and evidently a strange bird, which ornithologists would classify among the Penquin Tribe appeared on Tuesday last at the mouth of the Aberayron Harbour, and having attracted the attention of one or two gentlemen, from the strangeness of its appearance, they eventually succeeded in shooting it, although it would appear as no easy matter from the fact of his in- stantly diving under water, and disappearing for some time at the sight of the gun. Of this family there are many species, but they are mostly alike in their general habits. It measures 2 feet 8 1 inches in length, from the beak to the end of the legs. They are to be found in great abundance on Macquarrie's Island in the South Pacific Ocean, and how a bird, a native of such distant Lati- tudes could have made his way to the Western Coast of Wales, would appear more or less wonderful, and might in some degree afford a subject, of speculation to orni- thologists, who may possibly give your readers some information on the subject. I remain, srentlemen. vours respectfully, _n- <or H. HARRISON.

I DAY MAIL. I TO THE EDITOR OF THE WELSHMAN." SIR,-In perusing your useful remarks on the postal arrangements in your last number, I did so with plea- sure and satisfaction until I came to nearly the end of the article, where you so modestly, so humbly, touch upon the matter of a day mail for Carmarthen-an accommodation already extended so far as Llanelly. I can scarcely imagine that the mildness (be it admitted the propriety) of your words on the point is a fair exponent of your feelings; for even I, not a Carmar- then, but a Carmarthenshire man, and not personally interested in the matter, became wrathful when I learnt that the powers that be, had done a favour so great to Llanelly, but had neglected Carmarthen, with its ten or twelve thousand inhabitants, only a short hour further west. The thing appears just so much contumely- "sheer snub." Had the mail pulled up at Swansea, one might then be silent but stop at Llanelly! 0 Carmar- then what has been thy offence, or, rather, thy short- comings ? Who are thy active enemies, or thy unfruit- ful friends ? thou ancient Maridunum, and still important Borough, once the castellated residence of Princes, the Metropolis of Demetie, and still teeming with and sur- rounded in all directions by an active, intelligent, and opulen t population, occupying the most important agri- cultural district in all -NVales,-whone this thy tribula- tion ? Who is to blame ? The Post-office is a huge well-regulated machine, and does its own work advisedly, but it is not its work to initiate proposals involving changes for the greater convenience of special localities. Such changes may appear to outsiders trifling, and of easy accomplishment, and, therefore, that they ought to be soon conceded; but in this department-this grand centre of centres of radii-a change is scarcely possible that shall not require many other changes, and therefore it is not difficult to understand that no voice, however charming, has much influence at St. Martin's- le-Grand, except the insinuating voice of the Treasury. But how is the Treasury to know, or at all events be made to care for Carmarthen and its griefs ? Well, Carmarthen is not without a political representative, who, like all representatives, has his constituents, whose interests, pro hoc vice, at all events, are identical with his own. But in a matter of this kind, between the political representative and his constituents generally lies the Town Council, and most assuredly if that body has not, does not, or will not, put forth all its vigour, to remove Carmarthen from what appears to be not an honourable position, then St. Peter's Boys have no case against their Member, against the Treasury, nor against the Post-office, but simply against themselves. Time has been, and that not much further back than the advent of the Municipal Reform Act, when an apparent contumely of this kind would have quickly roused the then occupants of the Council Chamber to indignant remonstrance, if not to a successful appeal. Now, we have to thank the Press alone, and more especially the WELSHMAN, for succour and suggestion, not only in this matter, of so much consequence to Carmarthen and the surrounding district, but for keeping us alive to the interest of the three counties, both politically and com- mercially. Respectfully yours, I Llandilo, Feb. 20,1865. C. 1 11,?,?

Lord Combermere died on Tuesday, at Clifton, in bis 96th year. Convocation is not happy in its mind about the Divorce Act. The Lower House has complained that it irritates the consciences of the clergy, and the Bishop of Oxford, besides admitting that fact, deprecated strongly the publication of reports of the Divorce Court. He proposed that the House should express formally its sympathy with the aggrieved. The Bishop of St David's, with his usual incisiveness, was inclined to move an amendment that the House lamented that there were cleigymen whose consciences were ag- grieved," there being obviously in his mind such a thing as a thin-skinned conscience. The Bishop of London doubted whether a festering sore was not the better for fresh air, and would not have their 11 Lordships asked to express an opinion on the publication of the reports, though doubt- less they did great occasional harm." As a matter of fact clergymen are not compelled to marry persons divorced under the new Act, and as to secret trials, they would quadruple the amount of adultery. The great thing most profligate men and all profligate women fear is publicity. The mere chance of being divorced strikes them as rather pleasant than otherwise, and the bare intimation th%t they had so been would in many classes not exclude them from society. The Bishop of Oxford forgets that divorce is no longer the luxury of the Upper Ten Thousand.

CARMARTHENSHIRE INFIRMARY. — House Surgeon'g report for the week ending February 22nd — om f Remaining since last Report 20) o •~2 S j ) Admitted since 0) -?) Died. 0? ?a?\ Disch?rgcdcureda.ndrdioved. 3? 3 Do. for Misconduct 0 Remaining 17 o m { Remaining ainco last Report 115 i jog q a ) Admitted since 23 | Z -2 Died 0 9n ? ? ( Discharged 20 Remaining. 118 D. LLOYD, Surgeon and Apothecary. Medical officers for the week:—Phycian, Dr. Pro- thero; surgeon, Mr Hughes. COMMITTEE.—G. W.White, chairman, Dr. Lewis, Rev Latimer M. Jones, Messrs. J. N. Roberts, G. Spurrell, | G. Harris, J. Rowlands, J. W, WHITE, Secretary.