The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality

CARNARVON. BOROUGH PETTY SESSIOJlS. I ,1_ T'1rnr. -r?.m, D.c. 15,-iie ore — Esq., mayor, and Thomas Turner. >¡. William McWiunie and another ^aU were charKoci bv RS. Hughes with throwing down theeas iIlumiuatiou of the Guild Hall on the d»y »f the imnafuug guration of the new harbour w.rb. On the day in question there was a y. R such a etre"8    illumination, a" V.R. was put inside of the WI, but the accused came in aud threw the illumination down, so as to place the buM tbr.w the  His Worship the Mayor jTa\ ^gmade soe severe re.marks on the aggravating n? °{ the crime, the pn"onere were committed to 1, mnSh ?h, with hard labour, without the oxt?u of a fine. IMPORTANT BOARD Of TRADE INQUIRT. i • .i-. ■ L- Their Worships were assisted m una inquiry uy apu. Maundy, of the Coa.t Guard service, and Captain Harries, as nautical assessors. Mr O'Dowd, who ap- peared for the Board of Trade, said that they had to inquire into tho circumstances of the abandonment of the Margaret aud Jane, in November last, off the Scilly Islands. She was registered at Scilly, 1856, her registered tonnage being 324, and her owners were Messrs. R. Hughes, Abersoch, and Joseph Williams, Carnarvon. He was glad that the case would not appear to be taken up by persons who did Dot understand nautical matters, for he understood that his worship the Mayor was well-versed in maritime questions, and he was also very glad that his worship was assisted by two very able assessors. The Board of Trade had power to call for the inquiry, aud it rested with that board to cancel the certificate of the master, under the Merchant Shipping Aineu Jment Act. He should confine the enquiry to whether the ship was abandoned too hastily by Stephens or not. The Mar- garet and Jane left Cardiff on Wednesday, the 18th of .November last, with a cargo of 524 tons of coal, con- signed to Alicante, in Spain. Her crew consisted of eleven hands including the master, Mr John Stephens, who held a certificate of service. The condition of the sbio as regarded her seaworthiness at the time of her departure was contradictorily described. The master in a deposition which he made before the Receiver of Wrecks at Cardiff, represented her as being in good condition and well equipped, but some of the men described her as little less than unseaworthy. On Satur- day, the 21st of November, the ship was from 100 to 121) miles west by south from Scilly, the wind from the south blowing a fresh breeae. Such was the violence of the gale that the vessel strained and made a considerable quantity of water, and some five or six tons of coal were thrown overboard to lighten her. All hands went to the pumps, and continued at them until about eight a.m. on the 22m), when the water increased so rapidly as to impress the master with the conviction that they ought to take to the boats. In lowering these they were broken to pieces, and the barque Inez, of Sunder- land, being then in the vicinity they hoisted a signal of distress, upon seeing which the Inez bore dowu upon them and took them on board. Some important evi- dence would be taken as to the conversation which took place between the masters of both vessels previous to the abandonment of the ship as to the quantity of water which the Margaret and Jane was making at the time. The master and crew of the abandoned ship were lauded at Swansea on the 25tli November. It was a very remarkable circumstance of this abandonment that the ship's papers were not saved though there would have been no difficulty in transferring them to the Inez. From the 22nd to the 24th the Margaret and Jane drifted about and without making more water or sustaining more damage than might have been expected from the action of the sea and a vessel in her derelict state. On the morning of the 24th at about ten o'clock, the ship Ezra, bound from Callao to Dunkirk, came within about a hundred miles we"t by south of Scilly. The weather was then moderate, and the wind in the west blowing a light breeze. Those on board the Ezra Baw the barque bearing about E.N.E., distant about five miles. From the loose state in which her sails were seen flying about it was at once concluded that all was not right, and the master of the Ezra decided on steer- ing directly towards her. Kot seeing anyoneou deck, the dingy was got out and the mate and two of the crew went on board. The first thing they did was to sound the pump, when they found 8 feet 4 inches of water in the hold. The mate reported the fact to his master, who asked him and some of the crew to go as volunteers into the abandoned ship with the view to bring her to some port. The mate and four of the crew did to, having brought some provisions and nautical instruments with them. They then made for Scilly, which, with the aid of the pilot, far whom they signalled when within four miles of the Hock Light, they reached about 9 30 a.m. on the 25th of November. In conclu- sion, Mr O'Dowd said it now remained with that Court to say whether the master of the Margaret and Jane unjustifiably abandoned that ship, or whether he was justified in doing so. He also said that he had sent for the mate of the Ezra, who, he believed, would be there to give evidence. The Mayor advised the captain to get his certificate. The Captain said that the certificate had been lost in the ves.-el. The Mayor, after some conversation, said that they would treat it as lost. James Hughes deposed-I am an able seaman on board the Margaret and Jane, of Scilly. She had a crew of eleven, all told. I did not see her ship any cargo at Cardiff, but I believe she shipped a cargo of coals there. She left Cardiff on a Monday morning, I think the 10th of November. She was bound to Alicante, in Spain. I joined her in Cardiff Roads. I signed the articles in Cardiff. When I joined her her hatches were all off and broken, and it took the carpen- ter two days to repair. She was not able to proceed on the voyage till Wednesday morning, the 18th. We went down channel, she made water more and more all the time. Her starboard bow port was not water tight. I noticed the quarter-piece was loose. I observed a leak in the ruuover, Her spars were all good to all appear- ance, and the sails good. She wanted a lot of pump- leather aboard. We found the want of pumpleather on the voyage,—there were no scrupper nails. This was shortly before we abandoned the vessel. We were obliged to pump her when starting from Cardiff Roads every two hours, and as we went down channel we had to pump every half hour until Friday. On Friday and Friday night we got a breeze of wind and she made more water. I remember Saturday, 21st of November, the day before I abandoned her. The weather was equally; with rain, and stiff breeze. The wind was somewhere about Si, the ship's head being W.S.W. The vessel was then about 100 miles off Scilly. As far as I can judge, Scilly bore east by north from us. The vessel had made much water by this time, all hands being put to the pump, and pumping every half hour. We sucked her some times. e did so on Saturday. We commenced to discharge coal overboard on Saturday evening, from four till about seven or eight, to lighten her. We discharged somewhere about five or six tons of coal. The carpenter and the cook were pumping ship then, when the acting master, a man of the name of Hughes, acted as captain. He was a son of the owner, Stephens was not the man who picked out the crew. The owner's son picked us out at Cardiff, and we took him to be master. When I was at the wheel the vessel steered something like W.S.W. We steered that course until about twelve o'clock or after. We altered the course for Scilly about midnight on Saturday, the course being altered by direction of officers. I don't know what quantity of water there was in the ship at the time. I was at the wheel at daylight next morning, from six to eight. When I was at the wheel, the master, Mr Stephens, was below. When I was at the wheel, the exact course was E.N.E. Wilson, the man I relieved, gave me the course. The master came on deck during the time I was at the wheel. When he came on deck, he came for good. Mr Stephens gave orders "all hands make sails." John Stephens simply acted as mate. The Mayor said there was no doubt in his mind in this case that the master was engaged as nurse. Witness continued -At the time I speak of, David K. Hughes acted as master of the ship, Stephens as mate, and mate as boatswain. The mate's name .was Parry, and he took boatswain's place. I Mr O'Dowd said that Parry was not described as mate. He signed after the master, but he appeared to have no certificate. Witness said he believed he had one. Mr O'Dowd then corrected himself, and said that David Parry, 24, had a certificate and entered as mate. Witness continued—Hands were supposed to be on deck. The vessel was steering as well as she would at any time. She was not a good steering vessel. We were not in a distressed condition at that time, for the weather was riot very rough. The barque Inez came close to us. We had the ensign and union jack hoisted. The barque spoke to us. I believe tho master of the barque Inez spoke to our captain. I heard them sing- ing out the Inez, asking what was the matter with us. Mr Stephens said we made water. The captain of the Inez asked what he intended to do-whether he intend- ed to leave her, and Mr Stephens said Yes, we had better." The master of the Inez said, "I'll lay by you put out your boat." We tried to get the long boat out, and stove her. The vessel was rolling, and there was a nasty lump of a sea 011, and the boat came in. I believe Mr Parry sung out to the barque that our boat was stove, and the barque could not hear us then. She came near to us again and asked what we wanted, and we answered that our boat was stove. Our other boat was not fit to put to sea. The Inez launched their gig, and the mate and two hands came alongside and took both captains, the mate, and Mr Stephens' son into the barque. The boat came back again, and Wilson said to me, "Jim, look out and pass our clothes." Witness had not gone in the first boat. They said on board they would not take our clothes. I said Then let them go to hell." All jumped into the boat except Wilson and myself. We agreed we would not go with- out our clothes They sung out to ask if we would come, and I asked if they would take my clothes. They said they would not, and the boat went away without us, and came back again for me. Wilson sounded the pump, and to'.d me that there were 24 inches of water; then I told him we had plenty of time. We stripped, and put our clothes in our quarter boat, and we saw the boat frarn the Inez coming up to us again. We went to the boat of the Inez, and pulled away. When pulling away from the Margaret and Jane, she did not look so very deep in the water, and I remarked, "The old tub has got a pretty gcod side yet." We were brought by the Inez to Swansea. I went on board the Margaret and Jane on Monday, and left on the following Sunday. The master and myself had no quarrel. He was always kind to me. I would not wish to sail under a better man. Hughes, the owner's sen, was a mean man, but I never had a quarrel with him either. By the )Iayor-The ship's pumps were of iron. When the five or six tons of coal was lightened, the vessel did not leak so much. When pumping I did not apprehend any serious danger. I have been to sea about twelve years, in all sorts of voyages, constantly employed. The articles of agreement were here put in, signed by J ohn Stephens as master.) Charles Lewis, an able seaman on board the Margaret and Jane, deposed that they were two days at CardiS Roads repairing the hatches. On Saturday, the 21st November, the weather was blowing pretty strong. On the following morning the vessel made a great deal of water. Relieved James H ughes at the wheel, the other ship being then in sight. Was at the wheel when the signal of distress was hoisted. IV hen leaving the vessel the captaiu stated she was making from IS to 20 inches of water an hour. Captain Stephen acted as mate. Witness was glad to leave the ship, having been at the pumps night aud day. Witness thought there was good cause for leaving the vessel. Before witness saw the ensign up, he did not apprehend any serious danger. When he saw the ensign downwards, he thought the captaiu had found some danger that he was not aware of. Witness did not think his life was in danger until he saw the union jack down. .1 111. James Wilson, able seaman on ooara the oarquemar- garet and Jaue, a-iid that he was the first to see the Inez. He was at the rnizen yard, shaking off the reefs. Hughes, who acted as master, and Stephens were below. Hughes said if it would come to blow that the vessel would sink, and told witness to get the union jack ready. lie then corroborated James Hughes with regard to the clothes, &c. Witness examined the pumps, aud found :2ô inches in the hold at the time, He examined it before leaving for the Inez. David Stephens, the captain's sou, deposed to being on the watch on the night of the 21st November. The water gained, although they were pumping. The men said they found four or five feet of water. On Sunday it was not blowing hard, but it was on Saturday. They were pumpingou Sunday. On Sunday they were talk- ing about being tired, and about leaving the ship. This was w hen the Inez was in sight, and the men did not talk of leaving the ship till they saw the Inez. The inquiry was then adjourned to the following morning, at halt-past I k) o'clock. On Wednesday the court opened at half-past ten, the bench being occupied by the same gentlemen as on the previous day. Mr O Dowd said, in opening the proceedings, that he had stated that he had another witness of the name of Charles Williams, mate of the Ezra, who, he thought, would have been present that day, and whose evidence would have been important; but he was sorry to say that he had not arrived, he would therefore read a part of his evidence, which was taken on o;lth by the receiver of wrecks at Scilly, on the 26th November, and which was to the effect that on the 24th November, he and four men from the Ezra went on board the Mar- garet and Jane, which they found had been abandoned by her crew. They took some provisions from the Ezra, and steered for Scilly, and succeeded in getting her into Grimsby harbour, where she now lies. Mr J. Thomas then deposed—I am a ship-broker at Carnarvon. Have seen the policies of insurance of the barque Margaret and Jane, for the sum of X400 each, £ b00 altogether. The insurances were effected by 1 Messrs Jackson and Sheppherd, London. The owners were Mr liichard Hughes, Abersoch, and Mr Joseph Williams, Carnarvon. Captain John Stephens then handed in a written statement, which gave an account of the vessel at Car- diff, her condition there, &c., her departure for sea, up to the time of their abandoning her, The statement went on to say, that on the day they abandoned the vessel at sea, he (Stephens) sounded the pumps before they left her, and found five feet of water in the well, and that they, therefore, considered their lives in dan- ger, one pump being completely choked, the other drawing badly, and filling now and then with gravel, &c. The deposition of Mr John Stephens at Swansea, taken on the 26th day of November, by the receiver of wrecks at that place, was also read, of which the fol- lowing is an extractOn Saturday, the 21st of Nov., the weather being rough, and the wind in the south blowing a gale, the said ship being 120 miles west of Scilly, straining through the gale caused her to make much water. All hands were at the pumps until eight o'clock on Sunday morning, when we found the water gaining rapidly in. Thought it best to take to the boats as the vessel was settling down in the water. In get- ting our boats out they were both smashed, but, fortu- nately, the barque Inez, of Sunderland, being near, we hoisted a signal of distress, upon which the Inez bore down upon us, and took us off our sinking vessel in their boats. The helmsman on board the Inez after- wards reported that our vessel had foundered. The Inez landed us at Swansea. Mr O'Dowd then said that before the court adjourned he wished to observe that, if the owners of the Margaret and Jane were before the court, either iu person or professionally, the present case was one in which, as respects the public interests, he would feel it his bounden duty to ask for the costs of the inquiry against the owners. Nor was he quite satisfied that even in their absence he should not do so. He was merely con- trolled by a respect for that constitutional principle of our law, which discourages the punishment of persons not formally before the court, nor within its legal juris- diction. Had these persons appeared he very much de- ceived himself if his application for costs would not be acceded to. The Mayor said that but for the obstacle suggested, the court would deem the case one in which costs would be awarded. During all his experience he never knew of a case of a vessel having been sent in so disgraceful and scandalous a condition to sea. In conclusion, he said that he was very much pleased with the straight- forward manner in which the crew of the Margaret and Jane gave their evidence on the previous day. Their Worships, after some conversation, reserved judgment till the following day at eleven. The Court met again on Thursday at eleven o'clock, when Mr O' Dowd satd he luid one remark to make, which was that the question of the value of the ship was not a question of material importance but as it had been stated that she was of the value of £ 1,600, he thought it right to make a minute inquiry, the result of which was that he found she had been offered by her owners for £ 1.2 0, with the additional advantage of three poli- cies of insurances having been effected upon her, of the amount of t:I,IOO. This information was communicated to him by the Collector of Customs at Carnarvon, who obtained it from Mr Davies, ship broker, Portmadoc. As he (Mr O'Dowd' had al- ready observed, the point was not very material in the present inquiry. If it had been so. he was in a position to establish the fact by the evidence of the ship-broker. His Worship the Mayor then delivered the following elabor- ate judgment:—After a careful consideration of the evidence given in this case, the court is of opinion .and in that opinion the nautical assessors fully concur), that the barque Margaret and Jane was needlessly and improperly abandoned. The evi- dence given beforo the court disclosed the fact that Stephens, the master of the vessel, was a mere cypher in the ship, and was simply engaged to represent the place of captain the indi- vhhul actually discharging that duty being a person of the name of Hughes, the son of one of the owners, who, being uncertifi- cated, could not lawfully undertake the command. The vessel appears to have been sent to sea in a very shameful condition, and under circumstances which would have justified the court in awarding the costs of this enquiry against the owners, had they been before it. The owner's son, Hughes, appears to have taken upon himself, with tho acquiescence of Stephens, the nominal master, the duties appertaining to the office of master, and the nominal (but really responsible) captain, had evidently little or no voice in the important duties of litting out the ship, or in her subsequent navigation, which thus fell into the hands of an irresponsible and uncertificated person. The witnesses examin- ed gave their evidence with clearness and evident truthfulness, and it is in the favour of Stephens, the responsible master, that his son's evidence displayed no sign whatever of tutoring or pre- paration on the part of his parent The fact, however, is placed beyond doaht, that the ship was abandoned without cause that the responsible and the acting masters, and the mate, were the first to desert the vessel, which they ought, at least, to have re- mained in to the last, and that such desertion took place in the channel track of ships, and within safe distance of the Scilly Islands, which the vessel reached by the aid of others after knocking abodt for several days and nights with no one to pump, and no one to navigate her. The court under the circumstances cannot but regret that the responsible ;master, Stephens, is the only person with whom it has to deal, and cannot award to him a less punishment than that of suspension of bis certificate for twelve calendar months from this date, and it.is hereby suspend- twelve calendar ruontlis from tlii? ed from this date. Mr O'L'owd rose and said that, on behalf of the Board of Trade, he thanked the Mayor and his brother magistrates for the courtesy with which they accedeu to the request of the board to conduct the inquiry. The duty thus undertaken was in some respects honorary and altogether spontaneous, and he was confident that no one who witnessed the proceedings would hesi- tate to say that the inquiry was presided over with exemplary impartiality and .high intelligence. He therefore begged to thank the court, and he was sure that the judgment pronounced by it would meet with the approval of the general public, and that it would not be complained of as unjust towards the mas- ter whose certificate had been suspended. The Mayor said that upon any occasion the Board of Trade found it necessary to require his services in presiding over those useful investigations, he would be most happy, as he was sure his brother magistrate would be, to render them every assistance that lay in his power. The court then rose.

DENBIGH. MR BUTTERWORTH'S CHRISTIES,-This talented troupe of artixtet paid us a visit on Wednesday, the 9th inst. As usual the company amused and delighted their audi- ence by their comic and sentimental songs, and indeed their stock of repartee was more than usually entertaining, MISSIONARY MKETINO.—A meeting of the society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts was held in the Town Hall, Denbigh, on Thursday evening, the 19th instant. Rev. Lewis Lewis, Rector of Denbigh, in the chair. Impressive addresses were delivered by the Rev. Smart, Archdeacon of Henllan, and Rev. Hutchinson, Vicar of Upton. The meeting was well attended, and was opened and closed by prayer by the chairman. A collection was made at the close of the meeting when we understand a very fair sum was realised. COUNTY COURT,- This court was held at the County Hall, Denbigh, on Friday, the lltb. instant, before Vaughan Williams, Esq., judge. There were in all 80 cases entered, of which 60 were settled out of court. A number heard by the registrar, and the following trivial but disputed cases left for the judge. There were also two judgment summonses. The following was the first case disposed ef;- John Cochrane v. Elias Own.-The defendant did not put in an appearance himself, but sent his better-half in the hope that she might soften the heart of the plaiutiff. It was an action brought for arrears of rent to tbe amount of tit) 10s. The defendant, in the person of his wife, as above observed, pleaded guilty. She stated also that she was the mother of twelve children. His Honour gave judgment for the amount. The two following summonses on the judgment were then disposed of David Williams v. Henry Lloyd.—The defendant in this action did not appear. The amount claimed was 18s 7d. Through some irregularity in the wording of the summons, his Honour ordered the case to be struck off the list. The same complainant then sued, Evan Roberts for £1 5s 9d. The defendant in this case did put in an appearance, and after repeated questions said that the complainant claimed more than was legiti- mately owing to him. This was all that could be got out of him. His Honour said that the only thing he could do, if he did not pay the plaintiff, was to send him to gaol for seven days. John Battin Jones v. John Cresley.-This action was brought for 13s 4d for goods sold and delivered. The defendant did not put in an appearance, and judgment was therefore given for the complainant—the defendant to pay 4s a month. Hugh Hughes v. Edward Pughe and Mary Ann, his Wife.-Tiiis was an action brought to recover the sum of X4 1 Is 7d for goods sold and delivered. Mr Buchanan appeared for the defendant. The following appeared to be the grounds on which the plaintiff brought his action. Some two years ago the wife of the first defend- ant, who (his wife) was then a maiden about to be mar- ried, patronised Mr Hughes's shop, and according to plaintiffs account applied for credit for herself, which Mr Hughes granted on condition that her father should make himself jointly liable. The maiden forthwith promisell compliance, and said that for her part he (Mr H ughes) should receive a note from her in which her father would make himself partly responsible. This promise satisfied Mr Hughes, who allowed her to take what goods she wanted. An allowance of which she immediately took advantage, aud purchased goods—in the shape of wedding garments—to the amount of £ 4 lis 7d. A letter did come by return of post, but, alas, for the promises of the fair sex, the letter did not con- tain a word from the father, which, according to Mr Hughes's statement, might be construed into a promise of responsibility on his part. Mr Hughes produced a day-book in which the goods were entered, not to the young lady herself, but unfortunately to the father-a circumstance which Mr Hughes, in answer to the Judge, attributed to the stupidity of his shop-boy. Mr Buchanan, in defence, dwelt upon the fact of the goods being entered in the father's name, and said that the young lady was under age, and living in her father's house. His Honour—" What age was she ?" Mr Buchanan-" Oh, about 20 or 22." Mr Hughes- Yes, about that age. She was very fair, and those kind of people generally keep their age very well, His Honour gave judgment, without costs, for the de. fendant. B(inkruptcy.- Hugh Williams, Tydu, Llansannan, applied for his discharge, and there being no opposition, it was granted. This concluded the business of this court. BOROUGH SESSIONS, Friday, Dec. Ilth.-Befoie Evan Pierce, Esq., M.D. (mayor), chairman Lloyd Williams, Esq., and Dr. Tumour. Assaidt.-Mary Matthews, on behalf of Hannah Mat- thews v. Anne Owens, of the Castle.—The parties are neighbours, and the assault complained of was commit- ted on the Hh inst. The assault arose out of a quarrel between the parties' children. The evidence, as is usually the case in such complaints, was of a very contradictory character. The Bench after admonishing the defendant, (who is the mother of eight children), mulcted her in the amount of 6d and costs. Martha Evans, Henllan-street, charged Ed. Davies, rag dealer, of Henllan-street, with assaulting her on the 2nd of this month. The plaintiff stated her case as follows :-On the 2nd inst. my brother came from the house about 10 o'clock, and the prisoner at 10 minutes to 11 struck me. He came in through the door and struck me without saying a word. The door was open. He struck me under the nose. I had had a quarrel with his mother that morning. There was nobody in the house but myself and child. My husband had gone to town. Cross-examined by defendant— I persist in saying that you came to the house and struck me. By the Bench—I had a iug in my hand when he struck me. I came to the police station and showed my nose to the police officer on duty. Defendant said he did not go into the house. P.C. Evans 38 said he saw the woman on last Wed- nesday week. It was in the middle of the day. She came to the police station. It was in the daytime. She complained against defendant, and wanted a warrant. She never came to me at night and showed me blood upon her face. It was in the daytime that she came. I believe it was on a Wednesday, and I remember seeing her here for a summons, She told me, I believe, that Edward Davies had been making a riot at her door, and I told her to go down to your office. She never said anything to me about being struck. I did not notice any marks upon her. In support of her statement, the complainant called one Anne Hughes, her sister, who deposed that her sister was struck, but that she did not see it, nor did not know on what night of the week it occurred. According to her account, it was on the last, market night, about 10 or 11 o'clock. She saw blood dropping from her sister's nose on to her apron. Defendant, in answer to the Bench-I did not kick the door if I did there would have been marks on the door. I did see the complainant, but it was at 6 o'clock. I went home at 5 o'clock. I saw my mother challenged by the complainant. What is the matter ?" says I. When I said that she ran to her own house. Her two brothers and her husband came out and challenged me to fight. At ten o'clock at night I was in bed in my mother's house.—Anne Jones, for the defendant, said that she was proceeding at night to a friend's house, when she saw the complainant's, brother and husband "owe out, and they challenged the defendant to come out and fight. When defendant came out they all ran in, and that was all she saw. This might be ten o'clock. -John Roberts, for defendant, said-On last Wed- nesday week he was coming from his house with Robert Evans the butcher, and saw Edward Davies going home. The defendant's mother, Anne Davies, then preferred a charge of assault against the former complainant. The assault was alleged to have been committed on the previous Sunday.—After hearing which the Magistrates in the first case fined the defendant Is and costs, and in the second case cautioned the defendant coming before them again, as it was now the second time, and fined her Is and costs. The case of Elizabeth Roberts, of Henllan-street, v. Sarah Gittens, of Henllan-street, in which the com- plainant applied that the defendant might be bound over in sureties to keep the peace towards her. Bound over in X5, to keep the peace for six months. Several other trivial offences concluded the business of this dourt.

RUTHIN. CHRISTY MINSTRELS.—On Tuesday, the 8th instant, Mr Butterworth's troupe of accomplished artists per- formed to a numerous assembly in the Town Hall, Ruthin. The darkies were in exceedingly good humour and splendid trim, and before the audience quitted they were in good humour too. BOARD OF SOARDIANS. Monday, the 14th instant. Present-James Maurice, Esq., in the chair; Rev. David Roberts, in the vice. chair; Mr Hugh Hughes, Ystrad; Rev. E. J. Owen, Mr R. G. Johnson, and Mr R. F. Birch, ex-officios; Rev. J. C. Davies, Derwen Messrs. John Jones, Clocae- nog; Humphreys, Gyffiliog; John Jenkins, Llan- bedr John Davies,. Llanfair; Richard Hughes, Llan- fwrog; William Eyton Lloyd, Llanfair Thomas Williams, Llanganhafal Henry Grantham, Llan- rhaidar John Jones, Ruthin and Thomas Roberts, Ruthin. Coi-respondma-A letter was road from the Poor Law Board suggesting some immaterial alterations with re- gard to the treatment of vagrants, and suggesting tha relief should be placed in the hauds of some officer, sa a policeman, who, whilst he would relieve the reall destitute, would at the same time have sufficient firmne s to repel imposters. The following rules were also 8U g gested for the consideration of the guardians, viz.:— 1. The names and occupation nf the applicant with the places from which he comes and that to which he it going should be recorded in a book so as to admit of reference. 2. The applicant for relief should be searched, and if adequate means of support are found upon him he should be refused relief. 3. If relieved in the workhouse he should in every case (except when ill) be put into a bath, and 4. A certain task should be required and enforced (unless when exceptional circumstances appear to justify exemption), from all who have received a night's relief in the workhouse or in the vagrant's ward. A few other suggestions were also offered calculated to reduce the number of vagrants. Mr Adams', solicitor, clerk (Mr Davis), appeared on be- half of Mr Adams, to request payment of that gentle- man's bill, amounting to some 1:30 odd. Considerable discussion ensued )-the Rev. David Roberta oharging Mr Benjamin Davies with taking work to Mr Adams, which was his (the Clerk's) business to attend to.— The Clerk, in rebutting the charge, said that he had only acted in compliance with a resolution on the minute book-which resolution he produced.—The Vice-Chair- man then said that the resolution had been placed in the minute book without being first read to the pro- poser and seconder—which led to the following reso- lutions being passed It was proposed by Mr John Jenkin, seconded by the Rev. E. T. Owen, and carried unanimously, that Mr Adams be paid the sum of X34 16s, less R3 Os 6d, the amount of his charge for the removal of paupers up to this date." The £3 Os 6d deducted was withdrawn from the bill, by Mr Davies on behalf of Mr Adams, the amount having become due to that gentleman through some misunderstanding. Consequent upon the above discussion, the following resolutions were passed :— Proposed by the Rev. D. Roberts, and seconded by Mr E. Humphreys that the attention of the Clerk be called to sections 30 and 31 of 31 and 32 Vict., chap. 112." Proposed by the Rev. D. Reberts, and seconded by Mr Thomas Hughes, Ystrad, That no resolution be entered as such upoa the books of this union unless the sameshall have been put iu writing, with the names of the mover and seconder, and also the initials of the presiding chairman, and that such resolutions shall in every case be filed by the Clerk for reference." The relieving officers were then called in. Another applicant, who had been connected with the ladies' club, applied for relief. It appeared that they had received X4 10s on the breaking up of the ladies' club; but it further appeared that the money had been spent in a useful manner, and that the people being old, were not connected with the breaking up, and therefore the claim was allowed. Financial Statement.-The balance sheet showed the following District No. 1. Collected by Price Roberts. Arrears of Call. Llaobedr 934 0 0 Llandegla 33 0 0 Llwrhydd •• •• 23 0 0 Llanf-rras •• 45 0 0 Ruthin 87 0 0 Arrears £ 300 13 8 Amount paid up 0 0 District No. 2. Collected by Ezra Roberts. Amount of Call £ 678 Amount paid EG78 District No. 3. Collected by Richard Farr. Arrears ef Call. Aberwheeler. £ 33 0 0 Ll&ndyr&og • • 39 6 7 Llaogvpyfen 4 10 0 Llanganhafal 86 0 0 Llanrhaiadr 40 0 0 Uaoynya 63 0 0 ;C205 10 3 Amount of Call £ 910 0 0 Paid £ 704 3 5 Total Amount of Call £2254 0 0 Total Amount Paid 1747 9 9 Total Arrears L506 10 3 Out-relief for the past fortntght, Thomas Griffiths, X108 Os 6d Mr H. Jones, zC66 12s .Od. Cheques were drawn for the following sums :-Thomas Griffiths, £ 110; Wm. H. Jones, £ 65. Balance in favour of the Union in the treasurer's hands, X1150 16s lid. The Master's Report.-Number of inmates in the house, 98-againat 99 the corresponding week. Va. grants relieved, 46. Contracts for Provisions.-The following contracts for provisiuns were entered into :-)Iat, Gid per lb., John Jones, butcher; bread, 109, flour, 32s, John Price; oatmeal, 35s 6d; cheese, 5d, David Jones tea, 2s 4d, Maria Edwards butter, Is 3Jd, peas, 9s, D. G. Davies; sugar, 37s, pepper, 7Jd, treacle, 17s 9d, John Pierce coffee, Is 4d, soda, 7s, starch, 4id, mustard, lid, J. Jones and Son soap, Mr Rowe, 32s vinegar, 2s, Mr Rowe; rice, 17s 6d, Thos. Edwards; shoes, John Jones; coal, 11s 7d, Hugh Hughes. COUNTY SESSIONS. I There was a more than usually heavy sessions here on Monday last, in consequence of there having been no sessions held the previous court day, it being the declaration of the state of the poll for the county of Denbigh. Before Rev. E. J. O-en, chairman James Maurice, Esq., R. F. Birch, Esq., R. G. Johnson, Esq., and others. Malicious Injury to Property.—Wm. Roberts was summoned for the above offence by William Jones.—Mr Louis for the complainant.—The advocate stated his case as follows, and called witnesses to substantiate the facts —The defendant bad a notion that he had a right to go on Captain Cook's land, and there dig for ore. The defendant said that he had a take note," and under that take note" he went and dug daogerous holes, covered them up again, and some time afterwards he used to go and look at them again. He did not come here on behalf of Captain Cooke to prosecute vindic- tively all he wanted was to extract a promise from the defendant that he would not trespass on Capt Cooke's land and he, on Captain Cooke's part, would consent to withdraw the summons, and pay all the costs. Captain Cooke had recently purchased the right to the ore underneath, but the defendant must clearly understand that if he goes there again, he must be taught uot to do so, Will he promise the justices not to go there 1 Defendant-I have discovered ore there, Mr Louis-But you have no right to go on Captain Cooke's land if you do you must be punished. You have no right to go and dig there. Defendant-I have. The Bench-Who is the owner of the mineral ? Mr Louis-Captain Cooke has recently purchased the right from the previous possessor. The defendant has had the take note" from some one. It had doubt- less long ago expired, and Captain Cooke had now pur- chased the right. The Bench-Have you (to defendant) the "take note" with you. Defendant-I did not bring the take note." I came here to pay for the trespass. The Bench—Will you promise, as Mr Louis offers, not to go on Captain Cooke's land again. If not, we must go on with the case. Mr Louis then called Samuel Jones; but before he was examined, The Justices thought that the case should be ad. journed, in order that the defendant might bring his take note." The defendant admitted that under his take note" he was liable for trespass on the land, and that under his 11 take note" he was liabie to surface damage. Captain Cooke said the man had worked on his ground for some little time. He had frequently asked him to go away. The defendant had told him (witness) that Almighty God had told him that he was to take ore from there; that witness, could not prevent him. De- fendant had shown him the "take note," and it was not worth the paper it was written on. He had re- peatedly asked him to go away, and defendant in reply had told him that he would not until complainant sum- moned him, and in consequence this summons had been brought in order that he might be stopped. Defendant in reply to the Bench, said he got the take note" some 30 years ago. The Magistrates adjpurned the case for a fortnight, in order that defendant might produce his "take note," and the defendant promised that in the meantime he would not go to search for ora. Searching for Gaim.Thomas Davies, Maesafon, Llanberis, Denbighshire, was summoned o. the inform- ation of David Hughes fov the above offence. The defendant did not appear. The service of the summons was proved, and it was stated by the constable that when he went to serve the summons, the defendant said he had been caught on Captain Cooke's land, and that then he had had a rabbit in hia possession. He then asked him if he had a gun, and he answered that he had not. Mr Louis' f.ppeared for the prosecutor, and having opened the case, called David Hughes, who said he was a gamekeeper to Captain Cooke. He was stationed on Captain Cooke's land in the parish of Llanberis, in the couaty of Denbigh, when he found the rabbits on the dafendaotat about 11 ajo. on the 17th. The defendant said nothing to him but wanted to be pardoned. He asked witness several times to forgive him. The defendant is an old offender, and was fined for similar offences on the 9th November, 1866, and 20th May, 1868. He was now fined in the full penalty of f2 and costs. The Remnant of the Flection. -Philip Jones was sum- moned on the information of E, Evans for assaulting him on the 17th November, at Ruthin. There was a cross summons, in which Philip Jones charged E. Evans with assault, on the same day. The first case was first heard. Me Ellis Eyton, Flint, appeared for the complainant, and Mr Marcus Louis, Ruthin, for de- defendant. Mr Louis said that he must apply for an adjournment under the following circumstances, viz., the notice of the summons was too short. The reason the cross summons was delayed, was, because he was from home, and he did not therefore wish his client to begin his case at a disadvantage. The one case might be gone into certainly, but then it would not be fair for them to hear one and then postpone their judgment until they heard the cross summons. The cross summons would have been served earlier but for his being away from home. It was served as soon as possible, and for the defence there was a most important witness now at Rhyl, who had not been summoned, because the defen- dant expected him home on Saturday night. It was a most important case, and in the ab3ence of this very important witness, whose name he said it needed, he did not think it right to go on with the.case. Mr Eyton then got up, and was speaking, when Mr Louis objected, and said that he had no right to reply. Mr Eyton-But this is new matter. Mr Louis- Very well, I shall reply. Mr Eyton-Could they not serve a cross summons before ? Mr Louis-flut I was from home. Mr Eyton-You applied a minute ago for an adjourn- ment on the cross summons, and now you say you apply for it on both cases. Mr Louis-I apply for an adjournment on the sum- mons, not on the cross summons. The witness whom I should call, who is at Rhyl, would depose to facts, showing how it happened, and how it all occurred. Mr Eyton here said something which we did not hear, when Mr Louia-l made the application and I am deter- mined to have the last word, unless Mr.Eytonis entitled to it. He shall not have the last word, and I think it is wasting the time of the court. Mr Eyton-The first application was for an adjourn- ment on the cross summons. The Bench- Well: You both have had your ap- plications to the court, and the court will consider it. Mr Louis-The difficulty was that I was from home, and no communication was held with me. Mr Hugh Jones is one of my witnesses, and he is at Rhyl. The Bench decided to adjourn the case with costs. Mr Louis could not accept those terms, for his client was a poor man. The Bench—Well, the case must go on. Mr Eyton—I am in the hands of the court, whether I proceed or not, but I really think after it has been fought in this way I ought not to proceed. The Bench decided that the case should proceed, when Mr Eyton said that in this court he would waive all political sentiments, but he really hoped that if he proved his case, steps would be taken by them to put a stop to such mob law. The complainant was the tenant of the Spread Eagle, Ruthin, and was a Mr Ed. Evans. The complaiuant, according to his instructions, on the 17th day of November last, the nomination day for the boroughs, was standing in the Market-place, at Ruthin. The complainant was standing near the carriage of Mr Watkin Williams, and was talking to Mr Chas. Hughes, Wrexham. Mr E. Evans was violently assaulted by a blow on the neck. When he turned round to discover who hit him, he received a second blow on the breast from that man. If they believed the complain- ant, it was without any provocation on his part; he would call witnesses to prove what he had stated. After a few further remarks he called Edward Evans, who deposed as follows :—I keep the Spread Eagle public house at Ruthin. I remember the 17th day of November last. On the evening of that day I was standing near the Lion. I am not exactly positive as to the time, but believe it was between five and six o'clock. I had been listening to the speech of Mr Watkin Williams. There was a very large crowd around me, aud I was on the right side of it—(com- plainant here described minutely where he stood)—dur- ing the time Mr Watkin Williams was delivering his speech. After Mr Williams' speech Mr Charles Hughes got up, and he was hissed" down by those ruffians. Mr Louis—Wait until I get that down. I am afraid I am one of the ruffians you speak d. I dare say you call all who do not think with you ruffians. And Charles Hughes got down. I went up to speak to him aad put my two hauds on the side of the car- riage so. I received a blow right on the back of the neck with the clenched first—a very violent blow. I just turned round and saw Philip Jones with his fist up, and he gave me anothor blow, I fell across the shafts of a cart, and that is all I have to say. I am not a very light man. Probably I would not have gone down but for the shaft. I know Phillip Jones. Two persons picked me up. I know them. They are here now. I had not done anything to him at that time. I had never spoken to him at that time, and never touch- ed him before. The crowd was closing on them when they found something was going on. Mr Eyton-Did you see him next day. Mr Louis—I submit that is uot evidence. He must confine himself to what took place on the day he was summoned for. Mr Eyton-I maintain that anything which took place between the parties relative to that is evidence. Witness examined by Mr Eyton, continued—Next day he came up and said that I interfered with him going up to a person standing on a chest of draweis (he called it, but it was a carriage). I answered him I never had spoken to him before, and I never wanted to do. He then took hold of me and opened my coat. Mr Louis-This is not fair of my learned friend. It is simply done to prejudice the case against my client. It has no reference to the assault complained of. Mr Eyton-I never asked the witness. Mr Louis-Of course not; but you knew what was coming. Confine yourself to the assault. Mr Louis (to witness)—Had you had your tea? Witness—What has that to do with it ? Mr Louis-Had you had your tea ? Witness-Perhaps I had. Mr Louis—Was it beeween five and sii, or between eight and nine! Witness-It was between five and six. To the best of my knowledge it was between five and six. Mr Louis-Do you know the difference between five and six and eight and nine ? Witness—If I wanted particularly to do so, I should say it was five or six. The Bench-We would advise you to answer the questions that are put to you by the counsel. Witness under cross-examination continued—There was a great crowd there. But I only heard shouting on the one side. There was nothing more said. There was a good deal of pushing after I had been struck down. I heard three or four shouting, Mainwaring for ever The crowd was not pushing then. Mr Louis-What did you go to speak to Mr Charles H ughes for ? Witness—That is my business. It was a private conversation. I did not see Philip Jones before he struck me. I did not put my hands on Philip Jones. I consider myself above doing that. Mr Louis—Oh, yes; we are very fine to-day, but what did we do on the election day. (Loud laughter.) Witness—The reason I did not take the summons out before was that I went the next day for the summons and Mr Adams asked me to wait until the election was over. Mr Adams-He did come to me, and I asked him to, wait until the elections were over. Witness continued -It is not my fault. I swear most positively that I did not put my hand upon him. It does not matter. You may bring a thousand to say I did. (Laughter.) I will stiok to the truth whatever. Bring a thousand here, I am not afraid of them. I did not see Edward Jones there. Mr Louis-Was he not shouting on your side ? Witness—Shouting on my side ? What do you mean Mr Louis-I will not tell you. You are to answer my questions, not to ask. me questions. Did you see Ithel Evans there! Witness—I saw him in about half an hour afterwards. He told me that he saw me spitting in Philip Jones's face. I did not degrade myself to do it with a dog let alone a man. Mr Louis—Oh, yea; we are very fine to-day, but how about the 17th ? (Laughter.) Witness continued-I would not give a straw for any. thing he said. That man would say anything. He said to me—" I saw you spit in hia face." I did not answer him. That was the next morning. Re-examined by Mr. Eyton-I had to go about ten yards to the carriage. It was close to Mr Edward's (draper's) shop, and I went up to the carriage. I only want iustice. Mr Eyton then called, Robt. Davies-On the evening of the 17th November I was standing in front of Watkin Williaml carriage. I saw the complainant, Mr Evans, there. 1. haw him talking to the gentleman that was sitting inside the car- riage. Whilst he was talking, a man pushed his way through, the crowd and struck him on the side of the head. That man there, Philip Jones, is the man, When Mr Evans was struck he turned around to see who struck him, and be was struck again, and he fell down. Mr Evans had been speaking at the carriage perhaps two or three minutes. Cross-examined by Mr Louis—I live at Ruthin. have lived at Ruthin since June last. There was great crowd there that night. I was standing at the off side in front of the crowd. It was not between eight and nine at night, it was somewhere about six p.m. I will swear it was ahout t" t time. I was stand- ing sideways to Mr Williams, (i ij ti.iti, J. scribed the exact position in which he was standiu,) The plaintiff Evans was standing at the door. The carriage was not between me and Evans. I say he was at the outer side of the carriage. He was in front of me, I was about half a yard or less from the carriage, near the fore wheel. There was a great crowd and much shouting. Evans had his face looking towards the Lion Hotel. The crowd was not pushing at the time A uian pushed his way. Before that man pushed Iii. way there was no pushing. I know the man. Lie. was Philip Jones. When he came up to the carriage he might be a yard or less from me. There might tw sopw nfj I he i lo, but no one between me afirt hvans. i. distance between Mr Watkin Wiliiaws's fore wheel and the dtep. Mr Louis—What a wonderful carriage. It is the first time I ever knew it. I should like to see such a carriage. Witness continued—I mean to say that I saw this max go up without any provocation at all, and strike Evans. I knew him there and then. I am not a comparative stranger. I did not see Evans put his hauds on him. I cannot say what might have happened outside the crowd. The crowd was rather violent. John Hughes-I am a police officer. At about six o'clock in the evening in question I was standing at the top of the town. I saw Mr Evans have the blow. He was standing in front of the carriage. I saw Philip Jones strike him in the left breast, and that is all I saw. Mr Evans was standmg with his face towards the Lion. They were face to face. John Evans, a stone mason, took him (Evans) away. I did not attempt to appre- hend Jones. I did not see him put his hands on Jones. I did not see him take him by the neck. Ail I know is that he had the blow from Philip Jones, and I am not able to say whether he was struck by Evans. Merydith Evans-I am a warehouseman to Mr Edwards. I remember the nomination day. At about six o'clock in the evening of that day I was standing by the Lion. I saw Mr Evans, the complainant there. He was standing at the side of Mr Watkin Williallls's car- riage. I saw him struck. Philip Jones struck him at the back of the neck. I cannot say how Mr Evans fell from the blow, but I saw Philip Jones strike him. Mr Evans turned around to see who struck him, and he got another blow on the breast. Mr Evans had been struck about ten or fifteen minutes after he had been there. He had not gone out of my sight. He had remained in my sight for the ten minutes he was talking at the carriage. He htd had a conversation with Mr Evans. I had followed him round to the carriage. I was not standing half a yard from him. The crowd was pushing. I did nut see complainant put his hand on Phillip Jones. I am quite, clear on this point, viz., that nothing could have happeued between them without my seeing them. The crowd was pushing. Mr Ellis Eyton—That is my case. Mr Louis then ably addressed the bench for the de. fence and contended that it was merely au election squabble. He concluded from the fact that the prose- cutor having called all on the other side ruffijns, "-he was sorry to say he was on the other side, and must therefore come under the appelation of ruffians-that he was a warm partizan of Mr Watkin Williams in an excited state on the nomination day, and probably very indignant at Mr Charles Hughes having been hissed down, and therefore visited his wrath on the defendant, who, of course equally warm on the other side, would not stand it. He would call witnesses who would prove that complainant was the aggressor, and that it arose out of his going rushing through the crowd in a very excited state to no doubt sympathise with Mr Charlea Hughes. He would bring two men from the other side who would tell their Worships what they saw. He was under a disadvantage in not hearing Hugh Jones. He was fighting this case under a very serious disadvan- tage to his client. Mr Hugh Jones was a very res- pectable man and he would have given- Mr Ellis Eyton-Objected to Mr Louis telling their Worships what he would have said, an advocate had no right to state what a witness would say were he. present. Mr Louis continued—His friend was always so in- decent in his objection. If he had only waited to hear what he was going to say. He only said that Mr Hugh Jones would have given his version but he did not say what that version would be. If there was a mob out- side as the witness on the other side affirmed, on which side would it be? He would bring evidence to prove that the complainant took his client by the neck, and that in order to free himself he punished him. They were aware that his client's mouth was closed in this matter, but there was another matter. Now before he sat down he would ask them to be good enough to suspend their judgment until they had heard the facts in the other case and to temper justice with mercy. He then called Edward Jones, printer, Ruthin, who said-I remem- ber the 17th November. It was between six and seven I saw Evans shoving to the carriage. I saw him pushing and making way, I was in the middle of the crowd. The crowd was shouting, and I shouted as much as any- body, and I shouted in favour of Watkin Williams. I saw him push through the crowd, and Philip Jones was standing before him, and he pushed Philip Jones aside, and Philip Jones gave him a push. Evans got hold of Philip Jones's neck and pushed him one side, and that I will swear. Philip Jones got his arm and pusbed him off. I did not know whether he struck Mr Evans or not. I did not see Robert Davies, but I did see the police constable. I will swear that I saw Evans take hold of Philip by the neck and push him off. Cross-examined- Philip Jones must have pushed him before he got to the carriage. Ethel Evans-I was in the election riots, and when Mr Watkin Williams came, shouted "Williams for ever." I am a strong Watkin Williamsite. I recollect Mr Williams's carriage coming in front of the Lion. There was a considerable disturbance. I saw Philip Jones, and was on the left side of him. When I was standing on the ground Mr Evans came rushing through the crowd, and he struck Philip Jones, and he got hold of Philip's neck. Philip turned round like that, and he pushed Evans like that. I saw Evans get hold of his neck. I will swear it. Philip did not hit him but pushed him, and Evans afterwards walked to the car- riage and talked to some gentleman. Nothing happened after that. Cross-examined by Mr Eyton-I was not working that day. It was not more than a yard to the carriage. Before he spoke to the gentleman inside the carriage, I say he was pushing his way through the crowd, and he came past Philip (Jones. Philip asked him what he was pushing at, aud Evans took him by the neck. Re-examined by Mr Louis.—I was paid in the election by Mr Adams. Mr Adams—No. Witness-Well, by your Clerk then. Mr Adams (the Clerk)—No, it was for the county election. Witness-I was one of the Ruthin Lambs." (Laughter.) What I have said here to-day is true. Mr Louis—That is the defendant's case. Mr Adams—You had better call my clerk to deny his being paid. Mr Adams-It is certain that he was not paid a penny. Mr Eyton—Which election was it, the first or the last ? Witness-The last. Mr Eyton (to Mr Louis)—Sold again I The Bench then retired, and when they returned the chairman said The Bench (fine Philip Jones 10s and costs, and think that if he had not knocked him behind they would have treated it as a mere election squabble. But he struck him behind. Mr Louis—If he had not struck him behind you would have dismissed the case ? The Chairman—We did not say that; we merely said that if he had not been struck behind it would have been treated as a mere election riot. Advocate's fee of 10s 6d was allowed-and the fine and costs altogether amounted to 91 16s 6d. Assaulting the Polite in the Execution of his Duty. -John Jones and Stephen Jones, Clwyd-street, Ruthin, father and son, were charged with the above offence bv P.C. Rowland Rowlands, upon the night of the 2.7th, the polling day for the county. The evidence of the complainant, substantiated as it was by several wit- nesses, clearly proved the offence to have been a very brutal affair, and the bench committed the prisoners for one mouth, under the Common Assault Act. Mr Louis said they could not commit under that clause for assaulting the police in the execution of his. duty. The case was adjourned for a fortnight. Several other trivial cases next occupied the attention of the court, and the court rose about six, having sat. nearly five hours.

A child five years of age has been apprehended on a charge of stealing cigars at Bristol. A WOMAN SENTENCED TO DEATH.—At the last Lin- coln assizes, on Friday, before Mr Justice Byles, Pris- cilla Biggadike, 29, was. charged with the wilful murder of her husband, Richard Biggadike, at Stickney, on the 1st of October last, and being found guilty was sentenced to death. Mr Pollard, editor of the Seuthera Opinion, published at Richmond, has been assassinated. It would seem that the deceased, who always carried pistols, and had been in several shooting affrays, had grossly libelled the daughter of a tobacco merchant named Grant, and was consequently assassinated by her brother in revenge, being shot dead from an opposite house as he waa enter- ing hi& office. The mob loudly cheered you? Grant Q& hia 'ay to g*oL