The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality

MANCHESTER I A UNIVERSITY FOR W ALEs.-The Manchester Com- mittee are continuing their exertions in favour of this movement. At a recent meeting of the executive Com- mittee, it was arranged that a deputation, consisting of certain of their number, should wait upon several in- fluential Welsh residents—who had not up to that pe- riod identified themselves with the movement—to as- certain their views upon the subject. The result, which was communicated to the meeting of the executive com- mittee held on Tuesday last, at the Waterloo Hotel, was most satisfactory. Every gentleman who had been seen expressed his entire approval of the project, and pro- mised to give it his aid and support; and in no case where requested had a refusal to join the provisional committee been received. The number of the provi- sional committee already exceeds 50, and fresh names are being continually added. The Committee being of opinion that as this movement is one likely to take a considerable time before success can be achieved, have engaged offices at Aldine Chambers, No. 61, [Princess- street, where in future .their meetings will be held and all communications addressed. A more central situation could scarcely be desired.

A CORPORATION FOR BANGOR. To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. One of your correspondents, who has adopted a some what Yankeefied signature, "Go-a-Head, has broaehed a very important question, and one which is of vital in- terest to the town, namely, whether it is desirable or not, to obtain a Charter of Incorporation for the city of Bangor. It is quite true, as he states, that in this matter Ban- gor is most anomalously situated for I believe it is im- possible to point out another town in Wales, possessing an equal population, which does not boast a m-tyor and a corporation. There is, therefore, at once a priina facie case made out in favour of his suggestion. For myself, I must say that I do not attach much im- portance to mere dignities, whether corporate or other- wise; nor do I suppose that a town would find itself in a millenitim because it possessed a mayor, five or six al- dermen, and some dozen town councillors; but it cannot be denied that such a body would embody and represent the various interests and opinions of the place, and therefore could regulate its internal affairs in accordance with the wishes of the ratepayers. There would be a uniformity and a power in such a representative body, which it would be useless to look for or expect else- where. There may be, and I believe there are, certain dis- advantages connected with a corporation, ohiefly con- II nected with the question of expense, and particularly in a WWIt which possesses no corporate property, which most all old corporations do but still, after cart fully weighing the pros and conn of the question, I Cuiiseien- tiously believe that a charter of incorporation would be of much benefit to Bangor, and would promote its inter- ests, generally speaking. • The truth is, there are too many petty authorities in the town at present, to work harmoniously togethei-- too many doctors in the sick man's room and the con- sequeuce is, that the disease is oftcuer augmented than eradicated. Now, a town council would at least act as a unit, whatever dissensions may chance to break out in the council room itself, and so far there would be a great advantage gained. The drainage, the markets, the streets, the everything, in fact, would be under the im- mediate surveillance of a body of men, responsible to the ratepayers; and despite certain drawbacks, this would constitute one grand adifcntage. It really does seem strange, as your correspondent puts it, that Bangor alone should be without a charter of incorporation, whilst every little country town in Wales is in the possession of one. For myself, the matter is of no personal importance, for I shall reap neither profit nor honour by the ob- taining of a charter; but as an old tradesman (though now retired from business), I wish all honour and prosperity to a town to which I owe so much. Whatever may be the ultimate result, it appears to me that the subject is one which, demands some consideration, and in my opinion "Go-a-Head" is entitled to some credit for having so boldly introduced it. Of course, if the town were incorporated, it would be the duty of the llangorians to send none to the council but. practical men of sound sense, and not mere wishy- washy spouters, who care for nothing but their own per- sonal glory and aggrandisement. Yours, &c., A RETIRED TRADESMAN. April 13th, 1864.

BANGOR LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH. To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. Dear Sir,—As a wrong impression may be made on the minds of some of your readers by the report of the meeting which appeared in your last week's paper, I should feel obliged if you would allow me to make the following explanations. Port l'cnrhyn has not been "exempted" from the Health Rates, it having in fact never been rateable; and if it had been rateable, it would have been rated, and would have borne not merely its "fair share," but (as Colonel Pennant would wish it to do) its full share of the rates. The rateability of any property within the District of the Local Board is not a matter of discretion or arrange- ment. If rateaùle at alJ, it cannot be exempte, and it bears a uniform and equal share of the rates, with other property of the same nature. The account of my statement to the Board contains some matters for which you will remember that I am not accountable. I made no reference to any "dissatis- faction expressed by the inhabitants (for I know of none) except that expressed on Mr. Rammell's enquiry to the extension of the District westwaid, which I referred to in shewing that such extension was the only one his en- quiry comtemplated. And I distinctly stated that the Order and Act of Parliament which succeeded, and were intended ,to car- ry out Mr. Rainlnell's report, did not extend the District "eastward to Port Penrhyn," but westward only. Whe- ther they did or not, is, indeed, the only issue, and it is one which no impartial person investigating the subject from the beginning can fail to decide otherwise than as effectually and intentionally excluding Port Pen- rhyn. That this is a matter of some little local interest, will I believe be sufficient apology for troubling you with these explanations, and with the very short epitome of the case, which I subjoin. Yours truly, H. BARBER. Bangor, Ilth April, 1864. EPITOME. The District was constituted in 1851 by Order in Council, which did not include Port Penrhyn. In 1852, it was proposed to extend the District westward, but not in the direction of the Port. The General Board, accordingly, sent Mr. Hammell, their superintending in- spector, to hold a local enquiry, which enquiry had re-I' ference to an extension westward only, and not in the direction of the Port. He afterwards made his report, recommending an ex- tension westward only. In that report, it is erroneously stated that the Order in Council included the Port. The General Board made a Provisional Order, inten- ded to carry out Mr. Rammell's recommendation, but which Order, through mere inadvertence, contained two absolutely contradictory directions. 1. That the new District should comprise the Port. 2. That it should not comprise the Port. Of these contradictory directions, one only could take effeot. The other, of course, must be rejected. Theiirst part of the Order was based upon Mr. Ram- mell's erroneous statement, that the Order in Council included the Port, it was not in accordance with the recommendation of the Local Board, or of Mr. Rammell, and it was inconsistent with the Public Health Act of 1848, which required that before such an Order were made, certain notices should be given, which notices were not given. This part of the Order must, therefore, on every principle of construction be rejected as absolutely and entirely void. '"he second part of the Order was in exact accordance with the Order in Council—with the extension proposed by the Local Board, —with the recommendation of Mr. Rat,arnell,-and with the Public Health Act. Accordingly, this part only of the Order took effects The Order was afterwards confirmed by Parliament so far only as it was authorised by the Public Health Act." Even Parliament cannot give effect to opposite propo- sitions, so that both, in Law and common sense, and by the express saving, so far as was authorised by the Public Health Act," the confirmation of Parliament extended to the second part only of the Order. That part did not comprise the Port, which, therefore, is not, and never has bepn, within the District of the Bangor Local Board of Health. Accordingly, the Port was never rated by the Local Board, as it must otherwise have been, unless we sup- pose a succession of Boards, Clerks, and Advisers, all ab- solutely blind, or actually dishonest, and the public to have been in the profoundest of slumbers. Lastly, .there would have been no reason for including the Port in the District of the Local Board, the shipping being quite out of their control, and the Quays being almost entirely uninhabited, and of necessity, both then and, thereafter absolutely inapplicable to house-building, and being efficiently paved, drained, lighted, and cleansed, at the private expense of their owner.

Seven pergons were burned to death at a fire which broke out in a dwelling house in Limerick on Friday. Two children lost their lives from a similar cause in London on Saturday. The Army and Navj i Gazette says that in addition to the Hon. Charles Berkeley being mentioned as likely to succeed Mr. Stansfeld at the Admiralty, if his re-election can be relied on, Mr. Fenwick, M.P. for Sunderland, is also spoken of. Small-pox, of a very virulent nature, has broken out amongst the prisoners at Northallerton Gaol. The authorities are so alarmed that they have requested the magistrates of the riding to avoid committee meetings whenever practicable.

HARBOURS OF REFUGE.—OFFICIAL RE. PORTS. A voluminous Report has just been published, by order of the House of Commons, and on the motion of Sir Staf- ford Northcote, being a copy of the correspondence be- tween the Board of Trade, and any other Departments of the Government, on the subject of Harbours of Refuge, since the Report of the Select Committee of 1857. a As this Report must, at the present moment, be parti- cularly interesting to these parts of Wales, now that ef- forts are being strenuously made to obtain a Government Grant, for the purpose of erecting a Harbour of Refuse at Porthdiullaeu, we shall present our readers with a con- densed abstract of the more important facts and sugges- tions, so that they may be in a position to form an opinion as to the probability of their obtaining such grant or not. We may state that the entire subject is about to be brought before the House of Commons, for deliberate discussion and the Report was prepared for the express purpose of assisting the members of the House in their deliberations. The Report commences by observing that there is no- thing which the public of this country have at heart more than the safety and welfare of ships and sailors. The Statute Book is full of special legislation on the subject, and Committees and Commissioners numberless have in- quired, and are inquiring, into the subject of lighthouses, of harbours, of anchors, and of all means devised to pre- vent shipwreck. Considering the frightful loss of life and property which occur around these Islands every year, it is no wonder that our Legislators are most anxious about the matter. It is stated that no less than 1000 vessels are annually wrecked, within the narrow limits of the United King- dom that the estimated value of property lost to the country, is not less than 1,500,0000. and that 1000 va- luable lives are lost annually, by reason of these ship- wrecks. When it is further known to be a fact, that there ar.jhuu'lre ls of miles of our coast, and comprising some of our largest ports, totally unprovided with any shelter to which a ship cm run with safety (luringa storin, it is not very strange that inquiries should be instituted respecting Harbours of Refuge, and whether the defects of nature cannot bo repaired by art ? Within the last few years, the question has been re- duced to a practiced shape, and hits led to the appoint- ment, first, of a Select Committee, in 1857-58 and secondly, to a Royal Commission, in 1851-59; and it is with the recommendation and statements of these officially-appointed Committees which wo have n,)w to do. The Select Committee, after giving some figures to prove the impoitance of the subject, proceed to consider the wants of the several parts of the coast, and point out, meaning those Harbours of Refuge which can only be ex- ecuted as national public works and as such must be erected, under the direction and control of the Govern- ment. They then enumerate the following localities, where Harbours are imperatively 'required, but do not define the exact spot, leaving that to be decided upon by the Marine Engineers :—First, on the north-east coast of Scotland; the second, on the north-east coast of England; extension of the Harbour of St. Ives (Lancashire); the fourth, at the Mumbles the fifth, improvement of the Harbour of Carlingford ditto at Waterford; seventh, a Harbour of Refuge at the Skerries, Portrush; and lastly, a pier in the Isle of Man, at a cost of 40.000J. j The estimated total cost of these harbours is 2,000,0001.; which, if spread over a period of ten years, will involve an expense of 200,0001. annually. We need hardly state that the above-mentioned places are only the most impor- tant ones, and which it is desirable to have constructed first. They next proceed to recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission, with a view of deciding the particu- lar spots within the limits indicated above and which will be most beneficial for the public at large, that such Harbours of Refuge shall be constructed." The Committee then enter upon the vital question of the expense, and how the cost of such stupendous works fire to be paid. Its main proposal is that 2,000,0001. shall be spent by the Government in Harbours of Refuge, and that three-fourths of this, and three-fourths of the cost of maintaining these Harbours, shall be repaid by the Shipping Interest, in the shape of a passing toll. They also recommend that large sums shall be devoted to the improvement of trading harbours, through the me- dium of the Public Works Loan Commissioners and that these loans should be made at three per cent interest, and shall be repaid, by means of a sinking fund, in the space of50years. The toll on the vessels passing such har- bours, is not to exceed Id. per ton. On the recommendation of the Select Committee, which presented their Report in June, 1858, a mixed Royal Commission was appointed, and they commenced their labours in the August of that year, ostensibly to determine the specific professional questions left open by the Committee, and to decide the particular spots with- in the limits indicated by the Committee, at which it would be most beneficial for the public at large, that Harbours of Refuge should be constructed." The Commission did a great deal more than this, and, in fact, took scarcely any notice at all of the financial programme, as laid down by the Committee, but proceed- ed at once to sketch a programme of their own, not only more expensive, but in opposition to that of the Com- mitte. They are opposed to the levies of tolls on shipping, altogether, and they proceed at once to establish what they call a basis for carrying out a National Policg" on the subject. In furtherance of this National object, they lay down the following rules Where there is an entire, or (in consequence of their comparatively small amount) a vir- tual absence ot local interest, at the place which we se- lect for the site of a Harbour, and, therefore, when the benefit accruing from its construction is confined exclu- liveJy to the passing trade, we shall consider the benefit to be solely National. In all such cases, it is clear that the expense of its construction must be defrayed from the public funds; and we recommend that the cost of maintenance (that is, keeping the said Harbours in repair) should be met with a moderate due on the vessels en- gaged in any trade which may be conducted in it, in default of which, by an annual vote for the purpose. The second proposition is, when there are mixed in- terests, that is, when there is a certain amount of local trade (such as there is on the coast of Lleyn) then the benefit of such Harbour of Refuge so situate, they should consider "partly National and partly local." In SUI h cases, the Commissioners recommend "that the expeu. e of its construction shall be defrayed, partly by a grant, partly by funds raised in the locality, their respective proportions being determined by that of their respective amount of benefit conferred on the passing and local trade. The expense of maintenance in this case, to be a first charge on the Harbour dues, but not to go into the common fund, in order that each locality may have the advantage, or otherwise, accruing from its own trade." The third proposition made is, when there is scarcely any benefit conferred upon the passing trade, and where the local interests are large and greatly preponderating (Liverpool, for instance, we should say); then, in that case, the Commissioners "consider the benefit to be purely local." To such places they would offer a loan, when the wealth of such community seems to afford an undoubted security. The following is the general conclusion which they come to, and which is in direct opposition to the recom- mendation of the Commons' Select Committee "We are of opinion that the various Harbours we are about to re- commend, should be constructed in whole, or in part, at the public expense, and as they are national undertak- ings, we are, with the exception of one member of the Commission (Captain Sullivan, R.N.), who has given strong evidence before the Special Committee of the House of Commons, to the contrary effect, further of opinion, that as they are national undertakings, a Pass- ing Toll should not be levied, for their erection or main- tenance. This is decisive language, and we think the Commis- sioners have right and common sense on their side. They do not seem, however, to have paid much attention to the arguments employed by the Select Committee, but to have been led to their conclusion by finding that thJje entire shipping interest were dead against the levying of » Passing Toll. The Commissioner* then go into details for which if* have not space; the aggregate result being, that instead of an expenditure of about two millions, as proposed by the Committee, the Commissioners propose to expend upwards of four millions; that is, 2,390,0001, to be ad- vanced out of the Consolidated Fund, and 1,625,000 from local sources. The total amount proposed by the Com- mitwe, to be advanced by the Government, is only 400,0001. -a difference of no less than two millions of pounds. In addition to the above, the Commission recommend that, for the promotion of the construction of new trad- ing or fishing harbours, or the improvement of those already made, a system be adopted of lending public money through the medium of the Exchequer Loan Com- missioners, the plans and security to be approved by the Admiralty and the Board of Trade. We may here state, that on the 19th of June, I860, the following resolution was passed in the House of Commons, and which this Session, probably, something may be done to carry it into practical effect :That in the opinion of this House, it is the duty of Her Majesty's. House, to adopt at the earliest possible period, the neces- sary measures t" calTY into effect the recommendations of the Commissioners appointed in 1858, to inquire into the formation of Harbours of Refuge on the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland." The plans and estimates of the Commission are then detailed; but in these we cannot enter, as it would re- quire a page of the paper. There is one item, however, which we think will be interesting to our readers, other than nautical ones, as it relates to the world-renowned Harbour of Holyhead. The Report contains a table, in which are given the original estimates of different harbours on the seaboard, and also the sums which they have actually cost, or are likely to cost—many of the items being more than double. Holyhead far outstrips them all in this respect, as the following figures will show :—Date of commencement of Works, 1847 amount of original estimate, 808,0631. sub- sequent additions thereto -1855-56, 390,0001. 1856-57, 3oooi. 1857-58, 102.0001.; 1853-59, 415,000/ and 171,9:m, total present estimate (1850), laid before Par- sum actually expended, up to Octo- ber 31st, ISCO, 1.):,6fW{, A tolerably stiff" estimate" this for ONE harbour, when it is probable the House of Commons will grudge the same amount for twenty j others, and some of them of equal importance as mere Harbours of Refuge. We may also state, by way of contrast, that the Har- bour of Portland, with its immense breakwater, and pro- digious fortifications, and which was also commenced in 1847, cost up to the same date, the sum of 896,7571. The Harbour cf Refuge question will have to be decid- ed this Session in the House of Commons and a momen- tous question for the shipping interest of this country, it really is. In the Report before us, Wales seems to have been either forgotten or ignored altogether. Wh>t% it would be difficult to say, considering the dangerous na- j ture of its coasts, and the fact that all vessels sailing to and from Liverpool have to pass along it. If a Harbour is to be made at Porthdiullaen, there is clearly no time to be lost; and its position, state, and requirements ought at onceto be made known to the House of Commons, pre- vious to the anticipated discussion. Of course, our local members can be of material assistance in this matter, and they ought to be furnished with all necessary information in time for it to be of any practical benefit.

BETHESDA. I A WONDERFUL ESCAPE—Some days ago a water bal- last in the IVnrliyn Quarry gave way, juit as five men had got into one of the iron departments ready to des- cend, and in the other one man had entered to be raised to the surface. The machinery was suddenly set in motion with a terrible noise, and with an awful velocity one side descended and the other ascended. The hork was so great that the massive chain, weighing some tons, was snapped, and went rushing down the shaft; but, strange as it may appear, without injuring in any way the poor men who had already been hurried down the shaft, and were all safe at the bottom, though con- siderably shocked by the fall. The other side of the ballast, struck the top of the machinery, and then in- stead of falling back became entangled, and to this the quarrvman who was therein is indebted for his life. But his position was perilous in the extreme, and no one would venture to his rescue, because it was uncertain whether the cause of the suspension would be sufficiently strong to allow of more than one man's weight. At last, however, the man, with considerable presence of mind, succeeded in reaching the land. What his thoughts were when hanging over a yawning shaft of 60 yards in depth, can hardly be imagined by any but such as have been in a similar position.

DOLGELLEY. I The Wesleyan Methodists held their annual meeting at this town, on Wednesday, the 6th inst. The minis- ters in attendance were the Revds. William Davies, Car- narvon; Robert Jones, Bangor; and Owen Owen, Llan- idloes. On the following day (Thursday) a lecture was delivered by the Rev. W. Davies, Carnarvon, at the Wesleyau Chapel, in the evening, the subject being The Pentateuch, the iufidelity of the age, and Colenso in the balance." This lecture is well known, and thø lecturer is too much so to require any eulogistic and panegyric remarks, too often now-a-days heaped on un- worthy and undeserved individuals.

FLINT. I LIVERPOOL BANKRUPTCY COURT.-Friday, 8th inst.— Before Mr. Commissioner Perry.—In re Robert Wil- littras.-The last examination and discharge of this bank- rupt, a farmer and publican, at Flint, was opposed by Mr. William Jones. Mr. Evans supported the bank- rupt. The accounts, which show debts X315 against assets ;C4, were passed; but, on the question of discharge, it was urged that some of the debts had been contracted by fraudulent representations. His Honour said that the present bankruptcy act did not provide for such an offence, and therefore the bankrupt was entitled to his order of discharge.

HOLYHEAD. INQUEST.—An inquest was held on Saturday last by Wm. Jones, Esq., coroner, on the body of a sailor, 22 years old, called Bryan Haulan, from Dublin. Deceased bad shipped at the latter place sèÅne fifteen weeks ago on board the brigantine Confidence, from Barrow. On the 6th instant she sailed from that place with a cargo of pig iron, for Swansea. On the 7th, about 2 p.m., when she had sailed to within 15 miles of Holyhead, deceased had to climb up the rigging to performsome duty. Hap- pening to miss his footing, he fell headlong upon the deck; when picked up lie was quite unconscious, and bleeding from the back of the head. Owing to that ac- cident, the captain sailed directly for Holyhead New Harbour, where the vessel arrived about 6 p.m. the same day. Dr. Price was immediately sent for, and who carefully attended him until he died, which was in about an hour's time. We are sorry to say that the evidence of Doctor Price was not called for at the in- quest. It is evident that several towns in Wales are now im- proved by means of Local Boards, and among others this town must be pronounced to have made fair pro- gress and this, probably, is owing to its excellent Board of Health. This body has improved the sewer- age, lit the town with gas, and made many other valua- ble improvements. But, really, it must be confessed they are rather slow in the matter of macadamizing the roads. It is truly piteous to see the poor horses wearily dragging their heavy loads over roads covered with flint and other stones. It causes also as much, if not more, inconvenience and pain to the public as to the animals themselves. When a thin-shod man walks over them, they seem to him a down-right penance. Were there no means of obviating this nuisance, it would be useless to notice it; but a few cart loads of gravel cast over these stones would not only make the roads more easy and pleasant, but more durable. Were this done it would be highly agreeable to the public. POLICB COURT, 6th April.—Before Captain Roberts. Thomas Williams, a railway policeman, in the employ of the London and North Western Railway Company, was brought up charged with having stolen, on the night of the 18th December last, a box, containing cutlery of the value of £57, Mr. Preston, of Chester, appeared for the proieciifion on behalf of the railway company, and Mr. Powell, of Carnarvon, for the prisoner. James Thompson, being sworn, said—I am a cutler, residing in Nassau Street, Dublin. I am in the habit of transacting business with Harrison, Brothers and How- son, of Sheffield. I gave them an order about August last year for cutlery. At the same time I gave Mr. Harrison some cutlery to be dealt with as I directed part of that cutlery consisted of four daggers now pro- duced. I identify these daggers as those given to Mr. Harrison. In the month of December last, I received in due course an invoice of the goods I ordered about August, I received one box of goods to the amount of £ 26 I did not receive the larger box containing the rest of the order. I have compared the articles now produced with the invoice, and recognize them as part of those iuvoicsd. The invoice specified that my order was sent to me in two boxes. I always require the cutlers at Sheffield to stamp my name upon articles sup- plied by them to me. Thompson, Nassau, Street, Dub. lin, is stamped on all the articles now produced. There is no other Thompson in NassauStreet, but myself. The invoice stated that both boxes were sent to me by rail, via Holyhead, and at the same time. The value of the missing box and contents is about C57. Cross-examined by Mr. Powell.—I cannot say the exact value of tile articles now shewn me. It would take a long time for me to compare them with the invoice to do so. Joseph Whitley being sworn said-I am in the employ of Messrs. Harrison, Brothers and Howson, cutlers, Sheffield. I prepared an order in December last, for Mr. Thompson, Nassau Street, Dublin. It consisted of knives, scissors, and razor straps. I did not put them in paper cases, but I wrote numbers on most of the papers. I identify some of these paper parcels produced as marked by me. They contain cutlery which I directed to be packed in them for Mr. Thompson. The numbers on them agree with the numbers in the invoice. The invoice produced is the original, which would be sent to Mr. Thompson. I identify all these articles produced as those which passed through my hands for Mr. Thomp- son. After sorting and ticking them, they were sent in the usual course to Mr. Thompson. That would be on the 12th of December last. I recognize the 4 dagger knives. o Robert Mothersill, in the employ of the London and North Western Railway Company, at Manchester, prov- ed that the 2 boxes addressed to Thompson, of Dublin, were made up for the Holyhead train, which started from the Liverpool Road Station, Manchester, about half past two in the afternoon of the 14th day of Decem- ber last. George Eccles being sworn said-I am superintendent of the Detective Force, in the service of the London and North Western Railway Company. From information I received, I proceeded to Holyhead on the 29th March last. I went to the prisoner, who was on duty at the level crossing gates at the end of the passenger station. I took him into his cabin. I then told him I had in- formation that he had been dealing rather extensively in cutlery, and I took 2 knives out of my pocket and said, Those knives I believe you had been selling, I found those in London." He replied, I have sold 2 or 3." I told him the knives were stolen from the company, and part of a jf 50 or X60 robbery. Prisoner then said that he had received them from a man in the street. I asked him if lie knew his name, he replied that he did not. I then told him f should apprehend him on a charge of stealing the cutlery, and I enquired if he had any more about his person or in his cabin. He said he had not. I then searched him. I searched a coat that was hang- ing up in his cabin, and found these 8 knives in the pocket, and also 9 pairs of scissors. They bear the mark of Thompson, Nassau Street. I told him I should take him home and search his house. My assistant (Jot too was with me. Oil arriving at his house, I left the prisoner's wife with Cotton, and went upstairs with the prisoner. I found a large chest in a back bedroom. On opening the lid, prisoner rushed at me, and attempted to put his hand into the box. I pushed the prisoner back from me, who then ran down-stairs. Prisoner when he got down-stairs was very violent. I found him strug- gling with Cotton at the bottom of the stairs; he was fighting and kicking ultimately lie was handcuffed and secured I then went up-stairs and searched the box, and found in it the knives I now produce. The last witness's evidence was corroborated by Charles Cotton, a detective police officer in the employ of the railway company. On the usual charge and caution being read over to the prisoner, he replied-" I reserve my defence." Bail was accepted for his appearance at the next Quarter Sessions, himself in £100, and two sureties in £ 100 each.

MACHYNLLETH. n./ VISIT OF THE MARCHIONESS OF JIONDONDEKKY.—un Thursday afternoon week, the Dowager Marchioness of Londonderry arrived at Machyulleth, on a visit to her noble relative, the Right Hon. Earl Vane, and Countess Vane, Plas Machynlleth. The arrival of so distinguished a personage occasioned no inconsiderable degree of bustle and excitement in this usually quiet town. The bells of St. Mary's Church rang their merry peal, and flags floated from the summit of the tower, the schools, and other public buildings. On the terrace in front of the National Schools were assembled a number of ladies and gentlemen; and arranged in a conspicuous position, and bearing banners and flags inscribed with appropriate mottoes and devices, were placed the children of the schools, all dressed in their holiday attire. Similar de- monstrations were made by Miss Jones and the children of the Vane Infant School, in the front of their es- tablishment. On the arrival of the carriage bearing the illustrious stranger and the Countess Vane, they were greeted with louri and hearty cheering, which continued for some time after they had passed. These civilities were duly acknowledged with friendly bows and smiles from the Marchioness and her noble relatives. Her ladyship remains at Has Machynlleth till Thursday next, when she returns to the city for a season.

The slight shock of an earthquake was felt in Mel- bourne ou the niorniug of the 19th Jan. How TO STOP THE 1111SH EXODUS.- Vote several mil- lions of money to encourage it.—Punch. A flying machine, designed for military purposes, has been successfully tested at Washington. AWFUL EXPLOsION.-On Monday night, the 11th instant, an explosion occurred in the schoolroom below the chapel used by the Free Methodists, Park-row, Not- tingham. On the above evening, a prayer meeting was being conducted by Mr Mather, recently a prizefighter, known by the name of the Runcorn Novice," 500 or 600 people being present, The proceedings were most excited, at times rising into frenzied fanaticism. Mr. Mather entranced his audience to an extraordinary de- gree and exhibited a beautiful Bible, which had that day been presented to him, remarking that that was his boxing-glove now he had thrown aside the unsightly ap- pliances of the ring. His congregation were in raptures, and the feelings of all were in the highest state of frenzy, when suddenly a tremendous explosion was heard, which shook the entire building, and could be felt some distance away. Instantly all was confusbn; the women screamed and cried, the men laved and shouted in the most terri- ble manner, and the mass of people panic-stricken, made ble rilatiner, ,tii d the in, a simultaneous rush for the doors and windows. Hats were lost, coats were torn, and skirts were ripped into shreds and tatters. In vain one or two of the calmer spirits endeavoured, with voices pitched in highest tone, to still the tumult which prevailed. All reasons was useless. Women were pitched through the windows, frames were broken in all directions, and, as a proof of the eagerness of the crowd to escape from the place, some iron railings outside, an ineh-and-a-half square, were broken. Eventually the schoolroom was cleared, the gas meter having in the meantime been  off. An examination of the building was then made, and it was discovered that a portion of the roof of the School- room had been completely blown down. Shortly before the explosion a smell of gas was perce.ved and the chapel-keeper took a lighted candle iuto the chapl, anr1 placed it to a nick in the floor, with th.^e e b™el 'n ann d* finding out where the !g1 as escaped, wben, in a moment, the explosion occurredHe was knocked down insensi- ble, and many other persons were severely scratched tnd  of the explosion, went to the spot, and rendered all pos- Bible assistance to the sufferers. The fire brigade and engines were in immediate attendance, but their services were not much required.

[In this department as a full .and frea expression of opinion is accorded to correspondents, tho Editor wishes it to be (lis tiuctly understood, that he holds himself responsible for none* All letters should be accompanied by the name aud address of the writer, not necessarily for publication, but as ft guarantee of good faith, j

A CORPORATION FOR BANGOR. To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. SIR,-In your impression of last Saturday, a corres- pondent, calling himself Go-a-Head," writes a letter on the necessity of having a Corporation for the City of Bangor, and gives you some idea of the probable expense of attaining such an object, viz., C500 or £600. If your correspondent would apply to Beaumaris, I think he could make a bargain considerably cheaper for the lieaumaritians would be very glad to get rid of theirs for nothing, and all their liabilities, as they have been nothing but a perfect nuisance there, for some years past. I am. Sir, yours, &c., FULL SPEED. Llandegfan, April 12th, 1864. FULL SPEED.

THE AMLWCII LOCK-UP HOUSE. To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. SIR,In your report of the Anglesey Quarter sessions, the Chairman is made tosay, Lady Dinorben omitted the ifne, Mr. Dyer, in the meantime, got the property leased to him from the Bishop." This reads as if ) had taken advantage. The Chairman cannot be correctly informed; for Lady Dinorhen declined to pay the fine or renew the lease, and her ladyship sent to inform me that such was her determination. I then applied to the Bishop to become his tenant, and was informed that I had better take a lease, or some one might do so, and I should tmve to quit. I applied for terms, and had a draft of the lease sent to me. In it I found the Lock-up included. I made a purpose journey to Bangor, and ex- plained, wishing to have the Lock-up left out of the lease, and the fine reduced. In this I did not sin ceed. I should observe, that the land has been in my holding for the last 28 years. The Lock-up and land is now my freehold. Yours truly, C. B. DYER. Parys Lodge, April 11, 1864. C. B. DYER.

MENAI BRIDGE CLOCK. To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. Sin,-A few months ago, Lady Willoughby de Broke presented the people of Menai Bridge with a valuable; new clock, which has been placed on the Tower of our beautiful Church, and it has proved for a period to be a great convenience to theviilage, and to the locality, as it was a correct time-keeper. But fur solue titne now, on account of neglect and carelessness,-not having a pro- per man to look after the same, it has proved quite to the contrary,—a delusion anll a snare. We often fiud, from a quarter to half an hour's difference in its time, in the course of 24 hours, and I don't hesitate to say. that this thing ought not to be ;o,I)iit the people of Menai Bridge should respect this useful gift by keeping it in good and proper order. I may state that the building where the said dock is placed, stands as a monument amongst many, to testify to the abilities of the builder, Mr. Parry, of this village, whom f also understand, has given every satisfaction in executing and completing the new church in the to vu of Carnarvon and we have no doubt he will give the same satisfaction in his present undertaking: it being a new church for the Hon. E. G. Douglas Pennant, at Cilgeraint, near Bethesda, &c. I conclude by hoping that these few remarks will prove effectual, to induce the people of Menai Bridge to do their duty towards the Church clock. I remain, Sir, Yours obediently April 12th, 1864. FERRYMAN April 12th, 1864.

THE "MONUMENT TO THE MAYOR OF CARNARVON." To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. I Sin,-As an old inhabitant of the town of Carnarvon, I was mllcn delighted to find in the last number of the CHRONICLE, a proposal to raise up a kind of a monu- ment, or something, to our energetic and patriotic Mayor, for the great services which he has rendered to the town during the past five yeari Those services have been much greater than perhaps most people are aware of, and especially in connection with the proposed railways. It was chiefly by his means, and his enlightened and persevering opposition, that our harbour was not ruined by the Welsh Coast Company; for moat assuredly, if they had been permitted to have had their own way, our harbour would have been ruined, and the town would have been saddled, and permanent- ly, with an ugly and inconvenient eye-sore. Agiin. it was mainly through him that we have been enabled to achieve our late victory, and to successfully combat with the North Western and the Bangor and Llanberis Companies, and to obtain for ourselves a rail- way from Carnarvon to Llanberis. He was powerfully backed in this matter, I know; but he was the pilot who stood at the helm, and steered the vessel through all the dangerous breakers through which it had to pass. All honour then to our noble Pilot, who so gallantly weathered the storm! A monu merit then to his memory would be a most fitting testimonial; and I would suggest, humbly, and earnestly, that it be erected in front of the present Railway Station, so that all travellers, per rail, may have an opportunity of seeing it. Now I am on this theme (which is a most agreeable one to me), will you permit me to throw out another suggestion, which, if it be not acted upon, will, I hope, give no offence to any one. Would it not be as well to return the Mayor as a Member of Parliament for t'le Carnarvonshire Boroughs ? This, to many of your readers, may appear a startling proposition; but I see nothing unreasonable about it, and I will state the rea- sons why. Mr. Llewelyn Turner is a gentleman of education, as well as position, and to which he possesses eloquence, which places him second to none in the county—in- deed, I may say, in North Wales. He is sincerely at- tached to our glorious Constitution, and to the wise freedom which we enjoy. His are moderate principles; and if returned as their representative, I feel certain the Carnarvonshire boroughs would have reason to be proud of their member. That his sympathies belong to the whoe county, is proved by his zealous advocacy of the erection of a Harbour of Refuge at Porthdinllaen to further which object, lie, on a certain occasion, travelled 20 miles to Pwllheli, in mid-winter, to support and encourage the movement. To me, then, it appears certain, that his claims would be well supported, in Pwllheli, Criccieth, and Conway whilst in his own town of Carnarvon, nearly every elector would vote for him. Perhaps there would be serious opposition in Bangor; but means can surely be taken to neutralise that opposition to a great extent, if not to entirely do away with it. Were we to elect Mr. Turner as our representative, we should at least se- cure a good working member, and one who would at all times look zealously after our local interests. I would also propose that he be returned free of all expense,—as a recognition of the public services which he has rendered; as a gentleman, patriot though he may be, cannot be expected to give both his services and his property gratis. Thanking Eriu-go-Bragh for his happy suggestion, as it regal ds a monument, I conclude, by trusting that the saddle which I have added to it, will be deemed to have been attached to the right horse. I am, Sir, Yours truly, April 12, 1864. SEGONTIUM. April 12, 1864.

WANTED-A FIRE ENGINE IN BANGOR. To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. Sir,—It is said that fire "is a good servant, but a bad master," and I presume most Fire Insurance Companies will endorse the truth of the old saying. Bangor is undoubtedly a beautiful town, and espe- cially as regards its situation; and I believe for salu- brity and cleanliness (upon the whole, and minus some of the streets), it i? fully on a par, if it does not surpass most towns of its size in North Wales. It is well sup- plied with good water; but in case of fire it possesses no engine to make any use of it. It is surprising that something has not been done, ere this, to obtain a fire engine, and to organize a fire brigade. Now, not only has Carnarvon got both, but if I am not misinformed, there is likewise a fire engine in Port Dinorwic, which place does not contain a fourth of the po- pulation of Bangor. The people of Rhyl are also be- stirring themselves in the matter, and doubtless, in a short time, their efforts will be crowned with success. Can nothing be done then, in this vital matter, for Bangor ? I mn. aware that there is a fire engine at Penrhyn Castle; and probably its noble owner would not refuse to lend it, once and away, if the contingency were to occur; but it must be remembered that a fire engine, which is not upon the spot, can be, comparatively, of little use; and worse still, it would be of little or no use if at hand, if there are not properly trained persons to work, and superintend its working. A fire engine, then, without firemen would, in effect, be something like a gun in the hands of a man when attacked by a highway- man, and who had neither powder nor shot in his pos- session. The people of Bangor may rest assured that they are not exempt from the outburst of this destrustive ele- ment that any day or night, more property may be consumed than would pay for ten fire engines. An escape of gas, from a damaged pipe, might be the means of burning down a whole range of shops; and if such a very possible event were to oocur, what means is there, at hand, to put a stop to its ravages ? There is nothing in Bangor available to check it, whatever there may be elsewhere; and it is equally certain that there ought to be. They who live in large towns know the frequency of fires, and every precaution is taken, both to guard against, and to subdue them, when they do occur; but I ha? yet to learn that there is any more danger to any particular building from fire in a large town, than in a small one. Given a certain number of houses together in any town, annfthp otMs are, based upon established rubs, that a certain number of fires will break out in the course of twelve months. The firemcn of London calculate upon a certain number of fires every week, ftttd as a rule their calculations are verified. The paucity of fires in any town depends upon the number as well as upon the character of the buildings within it; but no towaor village, however small, is totally exempt. Fires are *re to occur everywhere, more or less, and prudent people should be prepared for them. The fire at the Bull Inn, Llangefni, ought to operate as a warning to us all. How it actually occurred re- mains yet in doubt, although it is conjectured that the heat in the top of the chimney set lire to a solid beam of wood, which penetrated nearly through the chimney wall; but anyone who had pointed out the likelihood of such an occurrence would have been set down as a mad- man, or a dreamer; and yet it is a fact, that from this occult cause, the Bull Inn was nearly burnt down to the ground. If fires can mysteriously break out in Llangefni, why may they not do so in Bangor? and if they do, to what extent are we prepared for them ? Of course, the cor- rect conclusion is, that we are not prepared at all, It is clear then, that a Fire Engine is "wanted" for the city of Bangor. Yours truly, PHCENIX. April 13th, 1864. PHŒNIL

CONCERNING EDUCATION. To the Editor of the North Wales Chronicle. yo <Ae F<!t<o)- o? t?e or<A ?afM C'/t?H!?. Dear Sir, — »\ ith your Kina permission, i suau uucr a few remarks on education If we cast a retrospective glance over the state of education in this country, we cannot fail to observe certain distinct and prominent stages, differing widely from one another, but of course connected together by links of progress less observable. The first stage extends over that long period when superstition was rampant, unchecked, and encouraged; when high and low were equally averse to literary pur- suits; when ignorance was stagnant and undisturbed, by the enlightening influence of useful knowledge; and when fiends, ghosts, sprites, hobgoblins, hags, and the retinue of Oberon's messengers, haunted the nights. Education at this stage lay dormant, and was buried like the seed destineil to bring forth fruit. The next stage we notice is, that when education was monopolized by the rich but gradually, through the benevolence of good and enlightened men, found out its uncouth ways to the haunts of ignorance, among the humbler classes. This comprises a comparatively short and recent period; and it exhibits the developement of the voluntary sys- tem, together with its astonishing, but partial success; and finally, the country's conviction of its inefficiency to satisfy the demand for education. Hence we observe another phase, particularly marked by what we may term the semi-compulsory, or the semi-voluntary system, being supported partly by the State, and partly by public charity; the ruthless derangement of which good, though imperfect system, w« have lately witnessed in the ar- bitrary introduction of the New Code I say arbitrary, for its incongruous regulations have been forced on the country in direct opposition to the wishes of the people, and in spite of their remonstrances and declamations. This, to all appearance, marks the beginning of another stage, which, unlike those we have just glanced over, will be retrograde rather than progressive. I need not qualify the dark and bright aspects of these different phases of education—they speak for themselves. The darkness, which was felt, produced by the first is sufficient to condemn it; the ever increasing dawn, one of the chief features of the other, marks it throughout with the pleasing gleams of hope of better times to come; and the broad (alas!) but cloudy day- light of the next, seemed to bespeak education's final triumph over the country. But we should pause before venturing to depict the stage on which we are just now entering, or rather driven. Human foresight, perhaps, would not be quite equal to the task. We cannot help, however, anticipating and speculating on its character. Can we hope that the clouds already hovering in the atmosphere of education, and now more ominous than ever, will be dispelled ? or do we rather look forward with trembling for an interval of unnatural gloom, so soon after the beneficial effects of day began to be en- joyed ? If so, Mr. Lowe, and his colleagues, have in- curred a fearful responsibility. They have crippled the energy of the country, that was making such wonderful strides towards the general diffusion of useful know- ledge they have sacrificed progress to false economy, and a pretended equable distribution of the public grants—to false economy for the cheapness of educa- tion cannot make up for its inferiority, more than the cheapness of bread can make up for its being less nutri- tious—to a pretended equable distribution of the public grants; for the first clamours raised against the probable workings of the lievised Code, were to the effect that poor neighbourhoods and villages, which stood mostly in need of Government aid, would be worse off than ever in that respect. I always used to look upon the state of education under the Old Code as a promising prelude to a com- plex system of education, till my delusion was so sud- denly removed by the sweeping and revolutionary pro- ceedings of the Committee of Council. Yet, notwith- standing, I was not without grave apprehensions as to the future proceedings of My Lords," for several reasons, which, for fear of taking up too much of your valuable space, I shall only just touch upon. I dare say many, as well as myself, must have suspiciously watched the continual changes effected by the Commit- tee of Council. Changeableness— I mean to be un- steady-is at variance with the dignity of a legislative body; it must inevitably tend to withdraw the respect and confidence of those whom their laws or regulations affect, aud further, show that such laws and regulations had not been duly weighed before they were enacted. I really think, sir, that the laws of the Medes and Per- sians, which could not be changed, were not very bad ones; and I must confess it, I cannot help admiring those legislators of old, simply because the fact of the immutability of their laws seems to indicate their thorough conservatism; but for all this, I would not have you to think me an advocate of a conservatism so stern; all I should like to see is deliberate and steady progress, and no sweeping, radical, and revolutionary changes, for such a principle betrays the tenacity with which even legislators cling to childish foibles—no sooner the child gets one toy, but he destroys it and cries for another. Another thing I used to think not a very good sign was, the eagerness with which the Committee of Council seemed to stimulate education by the application of such a complete system of grants. Then the indiscretion, that allowed the building of more than one school in the same village—opposition schools, as is the case throughout the principality at least, could not but create serious misgivings. This deserves unqualified condem- nation, for the most superficial observer would at once see it was no economy. And I neednot insult the reader by entering into any calculations to prove, that two- thirds of the expenditure on educational purposes, might have been sufficient to procure for any village, education to the same amount, and of the same, if not superior quality, had it not been for such indiscretion. But what is worse still, it makes the training of children cheap in the eyes of the working-class and deteriorates discip- line so as to make parents as well as children much more unmanageable than formerly. Now there may be some ready to excuse the Committee of Council on the gronnds that their Educational Codes are to be consider- ed experimental. This may appear plausible to many, who, nevertheless, would consider an artist or artisan unskilful and inexperienced if by too much s.roking, rubbing, shading or chopping, paring, chiselling, &c., they spoil what they undertook to perform. Why, but to make experiments with materials possessing like pas- sions with themselves I consider as bad and unjustifiable as vivisection I Yet, this is exactly what the Committee of Council have been doing- If we could conceive in- animate materials capable of pain when subjected to the instruments of the workman, the case of education is parallel. My Lords have been manufacturing razors to chip blocks." They thought that would not do; and the poor razors are cast away to set up business as bar- bers on their own account! I hey have been building a house for education; they don't like it; and they pull it down with their own hands. In other words, they held out inducements to the generous public to build schoolrooms and training schools, and for young persons to devote their best days to qualify themselves for the office of teachers, and when all had been accomplished, they do not respect their engagements—they break faith. And yet, I dare say they would not scruple to justify their proceedings on the plea that the potter is entitled to do with his (iiaiiimate) clay what he pleases. But will the argUlnerts made use of by the Government, in support of their late measures affecting education, stand the close test oi justice, honour, or common sense ? Do they express tne sentiments of old England ? absit! The representation of the country cannot possibly have had anything to do with them. But I beg your pardon, Sir! I forgot I was so far from freezing point, and overstep- ping the proper bounds of a letter. Yours trulv. DE VARIETATIBUS.