Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

10 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

THE CHURCH AND REFORM.

"SWINE, PAUPERS, AND THE DEAD."

A CRUMBLING ESTABLISHMENT.

THE CLERICAL CANVASS.

--PAUPERISM IN MONTGOMERYSHIRE.

A RETROGRADE MOVEMENT. )

MONTGOMERY STANDING JOINT…

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

MONTGOMERY STANDING JOINT COMAIITTEF. A meeting of the Standing Joint Committee took place at the Town Hall, Welshpool, on Friday. Capt. D. H. Mytton presided, and theie were also present: Messrs George Morgan, Roger Edwards, W. Theodore, N. W. Fairies-Humphreys, D. Rogers, J. Marshall Dngdale, Richard Lloyd, J. Edwards, Richard Jones, and W. H. Gardiner; with Messrs R. Powell (clerk), R. W. Hughes (chief constable), and G. A. Hutchins (surveyor). CHIEF CONSTABLE'S REPORT. The CHIEF CONSTABLE reported as follows :—" I have the honour to lay before yoa the annexed return of offences for the quarter ending 30th June last. The number of indictable offences reported, as shown in the return A, was 26. The number discovered was 22; the number of persons proceeded against for the same, 21. Of these five were committed for trial, four discharged, and 12 tried summarily. The number of persons proceeded against for non- indictable offences, as shown in. return B, was 295. Of these 242 were convicted, and 53 discharged. Returns C shows the value of property stolen and recovered, viz., X13 2s 9d stolen, and X10 12s lOd recovered. During the quarter 6,656 tramps had been noted at the workhouses and lodging houses by the police, this being an increase of 1,083 as compared with the corresponding quarter last year. The increase is principally at Welshpool, Fordeo, New. town, and Llanidloes. The contract for the supply of clothing to the force (3 years), has expired, ana new arrangements will have to be made. The Hon. C. G. Legge, H.M. Inspector of Constabulary, inspected the force on the 5th and 6th of July. The force is complete, and its conduct has been satisfactory.— Report adopted. SUB-COMMITTBES. The reports of sub-committees on the sanitary condition of the police stations were taken as read. Mr G. MORGAN asked whether all the sub-com- mittees had met. The SURVEYOR: I think they have all met. Mr MORGAN You havo not called a meeting at Newtown, because the police station is in proper sauitary conditioi ? The SURVEYOR: The committees are not called together without the Chairman's authority. The CHAIRMAN Nothing wanted it at Newtown. Mr MORGAN said there was a number of sub- committees appointed about six months ago to submit reports, and he wondered what was the prac. tice of the committee. As he had not heard a single word for six months, he was wondering whether similar thiugs had occurred with others. Who was understood to be the convener of the committees whiMi appointed? Mr DUGDALE: The person chosen by the first meeting. The CHAIRMAN said there had been some little misunderstanding in calling the sub-committees together in the past. As he could not draw up some- thing in a hurry he asked them to leave it to the Chairman to frame a rule for confirmation of the next meeting of the Standing Joint Committee (hear, hear). POLICEMEN AND FIRES. The CHAIRMAN presented a circular from the Privy Council with respect to policemen attending tires, where it any policeman were injured, be should be entitled to compensation. Mr R. E. JONES asked if the circular had any bearing on the county. The CHIEF-CONSTABLE It does not bear on this county. Dr EDWARDS asked whether if a fire occurred and the policeman was assisting, was it in the execution of his duty to assist ? The CHIEF-CONSTABLE YeB. Mr GEORGE MORGAN underatood that the circular applied to the boiougns in which the police were firemen in that borough. At Newtown they had a tire brigade, and in the event of a fire occurring, would the county police assist? The CHIBF-CONSTABLE We always do. The circular has nothing to do with this county. It is where the police form the fire brigade, doing no other duty. If a man is injured by a falling bouse or wall the Bill provides that he shall have compensation. Mr R. K. JONES asked if a policeman was injured in the execution of his duty at a fire, in order to bring the constable under the Act, would the police authority have to mltke a general order ? The CHIEF-CONSTABLE No. Mr R. E. JONES T.-en how can he be acting under authority ? The CHIEF CONSTABLE: When the police go to a Are they are supposed to act. Mr DUGDALK asked if that method had been approved by the Quarter Sessions in the past or the Joint Committee now. The CHIEF-CONSTABLE Yes. A policeman is bound to protect property, and if he is injured at a fire, it is just the same as if he were hurt in attempt- ing to stop a runaway horse. Mr DUGDALE: And if a constable is injured at a fire he would get compensation? The CHIEF CONSTABLE Yes, because he would be on d'lty in protecting property. Mr LLOYD asked if the committee did not give instmctions, aud the constable rendered assistance at a fire and got killed, could the wife and family get compensation. The CHIEF-CONSTABLE Ob, yea. Me GBOKGE MORGAN suggested that each trember of the committee be furnished with a copy of the Police Act, and that the matter be deferred until the next meeting. It was ultimately resolved that the committee having had under consideration the Police Act, together with the Home Secretary's circular, authorise the police force in cue of Arm to act as firemen and assist in extinguishing fire. FIXING THE ASSIZE COURT. I The CHAIRMAN read a letter from the Privy Coun- FIXING THE ASSIZE COURT. j The CHAIRMAN read a letter from the Privy Conn-1 cil, in which it is stated that the Winter and Summer Assizes would in future be held at Newtown. Mr. DUGDALE said on behalf of the magistrates in Mr. DUGDALE said on behalf of the magistrates in FIXING THE ASSIZE COURT. j The CHAIRMAN read a letter from the Privy Conn-1 cil, in which it is stated that the Winter and Summer Assizes would in future be held at Newtown. Mr. DUGDALE said on behalf of the magistrates in his part of the country, he could say they always tried to support the High Sheriff by coming to .meet the Judge of Aseize. Tbe present arrangement cf holding the Winter Court at Welshpool, and the Summer Assizes at Newtown had worked well. It they had been unable to attend at Newtown they had made an arrangement whereby they attended the next, court at Welshpool. In the summer time the train services enabled them to get to Newtown by half-past ten, but in the winter the trains did not enable them to get to Welshpool in time, let alone Newtown, and they had driven to the former place. It the Assizes were held altogether at Newtown they would have to go the night before, and that would be a great inconvenience, not only to the magistrates, bu also to the jurors. He c.,uld see no reason « hy there should be a change. They had a good court tnd judges' logdings at Welshpool, and he failed to unierstaud the reason for departing from the old way of things, aud he was sure that the new arrangement would cause them serious trouble and inconvenience. Mr. LLOYD would like to correct Mr Dugdale in hitllltatement that it was impossible to get to New- town in the wiuter by half-past ten. Throughout the year there was a train which got to Newtown before ten, so the magistrates and jurors would be in time. Ur. EDWARDS said it wa-t not altogether the in- COli veluenc" of getting to Newtown so much as re- turning home. He strongly thought the proposed alterations were unfair to the county, and he further was of opinion that it ought not to have been mad without tiret consulting the County Council. He was certain it would cause a great inconvenience to then end of the county. The Courts should be held alter- nately, as had been thy ruie, until some good reason was forthcoming to show that it would be advan- tageous to affeoi a change (hear, bear). He thought tile Committee should pass a resolution disapproving of the change. The CHAIRMAN said he thought it advisable to make some recommendation to the Privy Council, and he had drafted a resolution which he proposed. The resolution was to the effect that the proposed alterations would cause much inconvenience to the larger portion of the county, and pointed out that at Welshpool a Court had been erected, while at New- town no special court had been put up. Mr R. E. JONES said if the words" larger portion" were adhered to it would probably excite contro- versial matter. He was quite of opinion that the present arrangement should hold good. Mr. LLOYD, referring to the pare of the resolution given above, said he bad great objections to the reso- lution. He quite agreed as to the continuance of the system of alternate courts ai at present, but he could net agree to the disparagement of one town to the elevation of another. It was qpite true We;sh- pool had a Court-house, but it was a great pity for the county that one was ever provided. It cost the county X82 per year, while they used the Court at Newtown free. He 3ertaiuly was of opinion that that part of the resolution should be struck out. Mr. GARDNER intimated that he would sooner pay a fine than go to Newtown always. The CHAIRMAN said be had no objection, if it were the wish of the Council, to leave out the words which Mr. Lloyd had taken exception to. Mr. LLOYD said that the resolution stated that the practice of holding a Court at Newtvwn was a modern arrangement. He asked if tnat were true. The CHAIRMAN (sharply): Yes, it is. Dr. EDWARDS drew the attention of the Committee to the fact that his part of the county was not so woll served with train" as the lower part of the county. He thought that was an important argu- ment for not disturbing the present arrangement. Mr J. EDWARDS: And it should be mentioned of the great expense to which jurors will be put to in getting to Newtown. In reply to a question, Mr POWBLL said the court h.d alternately been held at Newtown for about fifty years. Mr LLOYD Is that a modern arrangement? The CHAIRMAN It is hardly modern It was then decided on the motion of the CHAIR- MAN, seconded by Mr DUGDALE, "That the (Jlerk communicate with the Cl< rk of the Privy Ceuncil, poiotingout that the assizes had been held at Welxh- pool from time immemorial where commodious oouris had been erected for the purpose. That for a large portion of the county Welshpool was more convenient, and for thete and other important reasons the Standing Joint Committee were unani- mously of opinion that the present arrangement of holding the Winter or Spring Assizes at Welshpool and tUt; Summer Assizes at Newtown should be con* tinned." VZBT HARD LINES. It will be remembered that a letter from Inspector Lake, of Llanidloes, applying for an inoreaaeof salary of .£5, on the ground that he anticipated that he I w; uid be appointed Inspector of lodging houses, at a salary of w £ 5, but the appointment was held by anotLer individual, was deferred from last meeting. Mr THEODORE asked if Inspector Lake received -65 less Silaiy than when be was at Welshpool. The CHIEF CONSTABLE Yes. He gets .R95, and has been in the force 17 years. Dr. EDWARDS thought the committee could not entertain the letter as an application for an increase of salary. He did not think it was the duty of the Joint Committee to make up for a disappointment in not obtaining an appointment as iuspector of lodging houses. Mr LLOYD It is an application for increase of salary. The CHAIRMAN He gets inspector's pay, and I quite agree that it is out of our province to deal with it. Mr DUGDALE It is a case of very hard lines. The CHAIRMAN If we acoeded to his request what is there to prevent his acceptance of the post in a near future. The Committee ultimately decided to direct the Clerk to write informing the Inspector that the com- mittee was unable to ncuede to his request. DROPPED. Dr. EDWARDS had given notice of the following motion: "To rescind so muen of the resolution of 29th August, 181/2, as provides fur the allowance to Superintendent Crowden of £ 20 p r annum for rent of h >use and office; and to substitute in lieu thereof a reduced amount." He said he brought the matter forward in the first instance because he did not think that the increase of pay to Superintendent Crowden was placed on the agenda in that form. He was paid £ 20 per year for ten of house and office. If they put the rent of the office at £ 5, that left < £ 15 as an advance in salary; but he did not know what to do about moving his resolution. THE CHAIRMAN: It would be an invidious thing to pass this resolution after the Superintendent has been appointed for some time, and I think it would be advisable to continue the present arrangements as long as he is superintendent. The subject theu dropped. DRUNKENNESS AND PROFANE LANGUAGE. Councillor Ruts (Machynlleth) had given notice cf the following motions:— That in view ot the facilities offered to persons already under the influence of drink to obtain further supplies, special instructions be issued to the Police throughout the county to take the necessary steps to enforce the law against all persons guilty of supply- ing intoxicating liquors to tho-e inebriated." "That the police authority be specially instructed to take proceedings againdt all persons guilty of uring profane language." The CHAIRMAN said be had received a letter from Councillor Rees in which he stated that owing to the date of the meeting being also the day fixed for hold- ing Machynlleth annuii ithow, he regretted he could, not attend. Mr GBOBGE MORGAN raid Mr Rees had written to him asking him to support the resolutious which would bo moved by Mr Martin Woosnam. Mr Rees bad apparently forgotten the fact that Mr Woosnam was not a member of the Standing Joint Committee, and he (tbe speaker) moved the firat resolution on Mr Rees's behaif. In doing so, he should like to remind the committee of the celebrated saying of Paley, enunciating a principle which they all heaitily desired to see carried cut—"that a vigi- lant magistracy, and an undeviating impartiality in carrying the laws into execution, contribute more to the restraint and suppression of crime than any excessive severity of punishment." That principle was so thoroughly accepted by all that he felt sure that tne motion woUIa. be carried unanimously. There was an opinion abroad with respect to the liquor traffic tnat the laws were carried out with a certain amount of feebleness, and in reference to drnnk. enness, while there were a iarge number of convictions obtained session after session, they seldom found a conviction for permitting drunkenness. It would be well to know from periodical reports of the Chief Constable how many times the police bad been sent for by publicans. He thought the committee would agree that the resolution was in the interests of the publicans, and waa to protect them from rowdyism and from having their licences endorsed. He believed the larger portion of the publicans were anxious to carry out the law aid keep them free from rowdyism, knowing that they are breaking the luw by permitting such occnrence. The Chief Constable could give special instructioni. to the police with regard to this trade and the permitting of drunken- euuess on licensed premises. Mr THEODORE secoude i. He felt that there was a great deal of drunkenness abroad. On looking' the Chief Constable's report ne found 82 persons had been convicted of drunkenness, and ro one fined for: permitting drunkenness. Thf. CuisF CONSTABLE Yes, there are two cases of supplying drink. | Mr THEODORE remarked that the remaining 80 got drunk somewhere, and he thought the law in the past ^had been carried out with a great deal of laxity with f reference to supply people with drink. He thought they wanted a sober public, and the police should endeavour as far as possible to prevent people from making beasts of themselves. 1 The CHAIRMAN opposed the resolution on the J ground that it woald appear that the police were lax | I m tne discharge of their duties. With regard to special instructions, if they drew up instructions probably they would leave out some part of the law which the police at present saw was properly filled. d. As far as his experience went, the police did try to get convictions against the publicans for serving intoxicated men with drink, but the committee must recollect how exceedingly difficult it was to obtaiK evidence sufficient to secure a conviction. If that could not be done it was better to let the matter drop. He thought there was more drunkennees in the market towns than there ought to be. He had lately spent some time in London, and during his -4tay he never saw a drunken person emong five millions of people, but when he came to his own market town he-saw plenty ot cases. He thought the temperance people were pushing the matter too far by going in for conviction*. Dr. EDWARDS was sorry to differ from the Chair- man, but he thought it would be well just to tell the police to be a little sharper over the business. He agreed with the Chairman as to the drunkenness st the market towns, and he oflen wondered there were not more accidents to people d, ivir,g home. On a lair day a constab.e could obtain any amount of c ,n vict ons he was quite sure. They could see many drunken people issue from public houses The CHIEF CONSTABLE was stating that reports often reached him. but unless there v.-a8 evidence suf ticient to get a conviction they did not prosecute, when Dr. EDWARDS rose to a point of order. They were aiways glad of the Chief Constable's advice, but he objected to him taking part in the debate. Mr. G. MORGAN In matters of fact it is all right, b-at you have tri6sed the point of th resolution. ° Mr LLOYD thought by, passing the resolution in its present form they would be rather complaining of the way in which the police attended to their duties. It was very easy to see a number of people about drunk but it was very difficult to prove who had permitted the drunkenness.. Mr. DUGDALE: I agree with the resolution. In our villages and smaller towns there are people who are continually drunk, not only for a day, but from week a end to week's end. You can see them rolling I down the streets and then -go into public-houses. I am sure that the resolution would do a great deal of good. MR. MORGAN hoped that the resolution would be passed[unanimously, aud he did not think if the u nODstable sent out instructions it could make much difference. If they desired to see the law car- ried out he did not see what the magistrates had to do with it. The police had too much taken into account the magistrates. It was their duty to enforce the law, and it was the migiiitrates' duty to determine where mercy should come in. The judges must be wearied of stating that the misery, crime, and lunacy of the country was to be traced to the dr nk tramc, and to his mind that was one point the police should watch. A letter from the Chief Constable to his men wonld meet the requirements of the case. Mr. R. E. JONES suggested that the instructions to the police should be to trive special attention to cases in which occupiers of licensed premises should be snspected of supplying intoxicating liquors to per- sons in a state of drunkenness, Mr. MORGAN said the object- of the resolution was to enforce the law when broken, and they all ad- mitted it was broken constantlv. The former part of the resolution was struck out. and it was decided that the Chief Constable should give special instructions to the force. Mr MORGAN then meved the second resolution. He I believed it would be of service throughout the whole of the county. Under the Town Police Clauses Act any person who was guilty of u.-i-g obscene language could be arrested without warrant, and conveyed be- cilu a There was such an amount of filthy, obscene and vile langua?e to be heard in the streets that. even children were becoming familiar ^ikb it. He thought some steps should certainly be li the public.tron» continually hearin? such language. Of course a man could swear in his own house as much as he th--)ught proper, but the motion referred to those people who were in the habit of using it in the public streets. Similar reso. lutions had been passed in North Wales. Mr J.EDWA.RDS Tben it applies to all magistrates, constables, and the public (loud laughter). The CHAIRMAN = Yes, and councillors. Mr. LLOYD And it ought to have included judges and members ef Parliament (laughter). The CHAIRMAN said notice would have to be given as it would be rather hard to break off when a man I bad been used to swearing for years. j?" ^OE<S4N quite agreed that'notice should be called to the matter by posters in the streets. They did not wi-h to act in a tyrannical manner. The motion was then carried.

KERRY & LLANMEREWIG SUMMER…

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A DANGER REMOVED.