The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

TREOASTLE. BRITISH SCHOOL EXAMINATION AND TEA PARTY. —The above school was examined on Tuesday, the 9th instant, by Joseph Bowstead, Esq., Her Majesty's inspector, and D. J. Davies, Esq,, his assistant. They were highly pleased at the efficient state of the school, and, from all that could be gathered then and after (although the official report has not yet been received), the school is in a much higher state of proficiency this than any previous year, which is very encouraging to both master and managers. At 2.30 p.m. the children, to the number of about 140, together with the teachers and managers, met in the school-room, and having been formed into a procession, headed by the managers, under the superintendence of the master, Mr, D. S. Thomas, they marched through the town, singing several very pretty little tunes, and returned to the school-room again to be regaled with the cup that cheers, but not inebriates," which had been prepared by the ladies of the town and neighbourhood. After ample justice had been done to the tea and cake by the children, and several hundreds of apples had been dis- tributed among them, they returned home, after having thoroughly enjoyed the treat. Meanwhile the teachers, managers, and other friends had their tea together, and spent a social evening. FAIR.—The usual hiring fair was held here on Saturday and Monday last. Wages were very high. Both fairs were well stocked with cattle and pigs, which were immediately disposed of, owing to the large number of dealers present. THE BOROUGH MEMBER. Lord Hyde, M.P., accompanied by a fewfof his friends at Trecastle, visited the house of each of the Liberal voters on Saturday last, and received the most cordial reception.

TALGARTH. PETTY SESSIONS, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, before H. ALLEN, Esq., and the Revds. H. BaLD and J. MORGAN. HIGHWAY OPFExcp.-Thomas Fury, a tramping tinker, was summoned by P.S. Wilson for leaving his cart on the highway, so as to obstruct the same, in the parish of Llanfihangel Talyllyn, on the 10th of August last. Since the commission of the offence the defendant had decamped, and he did not now appear to the summons, the service of which was proved by P.C. Smart.—The Bench fined him in his absence 10s., with costs, 8s. 6d., with the alter- native of being sent to prison when discovered. HIGHWAY CASE.—Mr. Rees Davies, surveyor of highwaysvfor the Talgarth district, was summoned by Mr. Thomas Price, of Trewalkin, farmer, for refusing to repair a certain highway in the parish of Talgarth, leading to Trewalkin.-The case was adjourned until the 26th instant. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OP GAKE.-Evan Williams, of Llanddew, was summoned by P.S. Wilson for being in unlawful possession of one pheasant, one partridge, and two rabbits, which were found upon him on a certain highway in the parish of Llanvillo, on the 6th instant. The defendant did not appear. The service of the summons was therefore proved, and the case tried in his absence. He was fined £ 2, with costs, 8s. 6d. STRAY PIGS.-Thomas Powell, of Trevithe, in the parish of Llanvillo, labourer, was summoned by P.S. Wilson for allowing two pigs to stray on the high- way in the parish of Llanvillo, on the 6th instant. Defendant had been summoned on two former occa- sions for similar offences, and he was now fined 2s. 6d., with costs.

BLACKWOOD. POPULAR, RFADINGS.-The first of a series of Readings was held in the Drill-hall, Blackwood, on the evening of Thursday last, Captain Williams in the chair. The room was very fairly filled. The decorations put up for the concert given for the Pengam church organ, nearly a year since, were still upon the walls, the wreaths looking faded enough, but the illuminated scroll over the orchestra had lost none of its freshness, and seemed very appropriate o Music! Heaven descended maid, Friend of Pleasure, Wisdom's aid, Descend as in that olden time, Warm, energetic, chaste, sublime. Mr. Caird, the talented organist of St. George's Church, Tredegar, presided at the pianoforte, and his masterly playing was much admired and warmly applauded. The conduct of the "gods" wasunexcep- tionably good. The only drawback was the harp playing. A young lad, who really appeared to be able to play well, endeavoured to torture a harp, broken stringed and horribly out of tune, into producing the tune 4< The flying trapeze." We need hardly say how keenly the process was reflected upon the countenances of the audience. We append the programme Piano—"Maid of Llangollen," with variations Mr. Caird Reading—" The Visit of Napoleon to the Hotel des Invalides" Rev. Theophilus. Song (comic)—" She loved her Music Master" Mr. J. Lloyd Reading-" The husband who had to mind the house"Mr. Thomas Morgan. Song (comic)-" Grimalkin's Ghost" Mr. Perrott Reading-" Scene from the life of Dr.Leachfleld"Rev. Rhys Jones. Harp solo-" The flying trapeze" .Master John Crew Song-" Come with thy sweet voice again" Miss M. A. Thomas. Piano-" Selection of English melodies" Mr. W. Caird Reading—"Aunt Jemima's Plaister" Mr. T. Lewis Song—"Mother will comfort me" Mr. Waters Reading-" The Model Husband" Mr. G. Harris Song-" Simon the Cellarer" Mr. Webber Selection Artillery Band Song-" I really can't keep still" and (in response to encore) My Wife's a stamper"Mr. Perrott. Reading—" Sir Roger de Coverley" Mr. Park Song—" The Queen and the Navy" and Jin response to encore) "Maid of Athens" Mr. T. Lloyd. Finale—National Anthem. ACCIDENT.-On Saturday evening last two boys, named Jeremiah and John Hennessey, were returning from Risca to Blackwood, whither they had been sent to beg by their parents, in some empty trucks, when, on nearing Tir Philkin's colliery, John Hen. nessey and another boy were playing on the buffers of one of the cinder trucks, and the former fell, the wheels of the last truck passing over his leg. Mr. Rochefort, surgeon, was quickly in attendance, and at night, when the condition of the boy permitted, he was carried home, where his leg was amputated below the knee, by Mr. Rochefort and Mr. Daviess Pentre Mawr. The little sufferer is now progressing as favourably as possible.

LAND TENURE. To the Editor of the BRECON COUNTY Tnms. SIR,-I read with some interest the discussion which followed the reading of the paper by Mr. Duckham, at the Breconshire Chamber of Agriculture, on Saturday the 7th instant, upon fixity of tenure, leases, compen- sation to farmers for improvements, &c. Towards the end of Mr. Duckham's paper, that gentleman sa ys,- The incoming tenant will have to pay the money to compensate the outgoing tenant for improvements- Mr. Duckham does not, however, say whether the landlord or the tenant are to reap the benefit of the increased value of the land created by the improve- ments of the outgoing tenant. This must be clearly defined and understood before any satisfactory settle- ment of the land question can be accepted by the-tenant farmers, because the mere fact of reimbursing and giving back to the outgoing tenant what he may have put into the land in the shape of labour, manure, and capital, does not in any way recompense rum for having increased the value of the land Dy his improvements. It is merely giving him back that which he may have put into the land, by which its value becomes immensely increased. Surely the tenant has some claim to be recompensed for the increased value imparted to the land by the skill, capital, and labour which he may have employed to increase its value. If no recompense is to be made to the tenant beyond the bare return oi his capital for improvements, there would be little ot no inducement for farmers to improve or increase the value of their farms. Such an arrangement would simply amount to this, that a landlord would say to his tenant: Now, if yoll will lay out two or three hundred pounds upon mY. land, I will grant you a lease say of 14 or 21 years, at the expiration of which, if you leave, the inconling tenant will repay you, and I, as landlord, will reap the benefit of your improvements in the shape of increased rent from your successor." Assuming this principle to be generally adopted, let us see how it would work» Suppose a farmer to enter a farm on a lease of 21 years, at £100 a year, and leave it at the "expiration of his lease, or receive notice to quit, and be paid the whole of his outlay for improvements by the incoming tenant, who should have the farm valued to him at an increased rental of L125 or X150 a year, it is quite clear that the lion's share of the value of such improvements made by the tenant would go to the landlord in the shape of increased rent. Only imagine the golden harvest which a great landed proprietor would reap, with a rent-roll of £ 50,000 a year, renewing his leases of 14 or 21 years under a new valuation at the expiration of the lease. Why, in all probability, the landlord would double the amount of his rent-roll at the expiration ot two or three leases of 21 years, while "the incoming tenant would have to pay the money" to compensate the outgoing tenant for improvements. I must not, however, Mr. Editor, occupy your with any elaborate inquiry or discussion upon the lap^ question. I merely make the above observation with a view of drawing the attention of your readers to the subject, preparatory to the question being brought before Parliament, when it will be found that those who will have charge of the question there will treat it with due regard to the interests both of landlord and tenant. The Irish land question will no doubt he settled next Session, and the whole question probably taken up as a great national question the following Session-the laws of primogeniture and entail abolished —and every owner of land be permitted to sell either a square mile or a square yard of land with as much freedom as a manufacturer is permitted to sell a yard of calico or broadcloth.—Yours, &c., ALFRED A. WALTON. Brecon, November 18, 1869. Printed (by steam power) and published for the Proprie- tors by WILLIAM HENRY CLABK, at the "Brecon Comity Times" Office, High-street, in the chapelry °J St. Mary and borough of Brecon,—SATUBDAY, N0"»- 20, 1869.

FUNERAL OF MR. PEABODY IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY. [BY AN EYE-WITNESS.1 The death of Mr. Peabody was deemed by the whole of England as a national loss. Although by birth an American, two circumstances endeared him to the country in which it was destined he should jieW op his last breath. The first was a long resi- dence in England, coupled with his active mercan- tile pursuits carried on in the city of London the second—and perhaps the strongest—was the crown- ing act of his life, the magnificent gift which will hand down his name to posterity. The immediate events which occurred in connection with the latter days of Mr. Peabody are well known. Aoting under medical advice, he contemplated passing the the winter in the south of France, and with this object in view he left his native country, and arrived n London almost incognito, and chiefly with a view of consulting an eminent London physician. But fate decreed otherwise. Arriving in London in almost a dying condition, the illustrious dead was unable to fultil the expressed wish of our Queen by visiting Her Majesty at Windsor, and was under the necessity of experiencing the great honour of receiv- ing the sovereign at his own temporary residence, After remaining some days in an exhausted and almost helpless condition, he yielded up his last breath on the 4th of November, in the 75th year of his age. As soon as his demise became known the voice of England was unanimous in naming West- minster Abbey as the most fit and proper place to receive the honoured remains of the departed, and accordingly arrangements were made for the funeral to take place on Friday, the 12th inst. The morning of that day was dark and foggy, but towards the afternoon the sun appeared through the mist, and a fine day followed. The funeral cortege left Baton Square about 3.0 p.m., and was of the simplest character. The hearse was drawn by four horses, and followed immediately by five mourning coaches, and these were succeeded by a long line of carriages, including those of Her Majesty, the Prince of Wales, the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London, the American Minister, &c. Throughout the route the blinds of the houses were mostly drawn down. At the Abbey of Westminster a numerous end distinguished concourse of persons awaited the arrival of the corpse, including the Earl of Clarendon, the Hon. General Grey (representing Her Majesty), the Dean of St. Paul's, and the Rev. Thomas Binney, deputed to represent the Nonconformist body. The coffin was received at the entrance to the church by the Rev. Lord John Thynne, sub-dean, followed by the choristers, who, in their turn, were followed by the mourners. Then, as the procession moved on, was chanted that most beautiful of all the beautiful Psalmi, the 90th, accompanied by the organ, played as only Mr. Turle, the organist of West- minster Abbey, can play it. The procession was then re-formed, and joined by the Prime Ministerial and other efflbial representatives, as well as private friends of the deceased, and in this order proceeded to the grave side. Here there was a pause, occupied by requisite arrangements, and when completed, the light which presented itself was one of mournful sublimity, and as selections from the works of Croft and Purcell were admirably performed by the choir, the suppressed sobs too clearly shewed that the grandeur of the performance could not obliterate the sorrow for the dead. The finale was selected from the beautiful composition of Handel- His body was buried in peace, And his name liveth evermore. At the conclusion of which the benediction was pronounced, and the funeral proceedings brought to a close. The coffin is a very plain one (on which was a cross of camellias), with the following inscription:- George Peabody, Esq., Born 18th February, 1795, At Danvers, Massachussetts. Died in London, November 4th, 1869. It is Well known that the ashes of the deceased are not to remain in England. The Premier has already signified to the executors the wish of the Queen that a ship of war should convey to the United States the body of their most illustrious citizen, and pre- parations are now being made for that purpose. One of the last aots of Mr. Peabody's life was to give directions to his executors to pay over to the trustees of the Peabody Fund the further sum of 6110,000, thus making the whole amount given exactly half-a-million.

BRECON POLICE INTELLIGENCE. COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS, SATUBOAT, before GBOBGB OVKBTON, Esq., MOBDECAI JONES, Esq., and LBWIB HUSHES, Esq. CHABOB or TBBSPASS IN PURSUIT or GAmia.- Rets Levrii and David Joms were charged with unlawfully committing a trespass, by entering and being in the day time on a certain close of land in the possession and occupation of Joseph Price, in search of game and conies, on the 24th of October. Mr. Games appeared for the defendants.—Thomas Parks stated that he lived at Allt cottage, and was a gamekeeper in the employ of Mrs, Gwynne Holford; on Sunday, the 24th October, he was going round his beat, and heard some degs hunting he went on to the Liansaintfread field, opposite the turnpike road, and he saw DLTid Jones at a rabbit burrow, picking up a net; he then saw a ferret coming out of the burrow, and David Jones jumped at one hole and witness at another, in order to catch the ferret; seeing he could not do so, he got over the hedge, and as the ferret came out of the hole he caught it; there was someone the other side of the hedge, but he did not know who it was he asked Jones if he knew whose ferret it was, and Jones said he knew nothing about it; witness asked him why he put the net to the hole, and Jones said it was a lost ferret; witness kept the ferret did not search the defendant.—In cross-examination, the witness said it was Mrs. Gwynne Holford's land Jones was on the bank the same side as the turnpike road; did not know that Edwards, a poacher, was there; Mr. Joseph Price was the tenant of the land, and the two defendants were his servants.—Joseph Edwards, living at Talybryn with his grandfather, William Rees, said: On Sunday, the 24th of October, he saw Rees Lewis and David Jones ferreting on the side of the turnpike road on the fence of the farm belonging to Llansaintfread farm; David Jones drewSome nets from his pocket, and gave one to Rees Lewis, and David Jones laid one on the side where he (witness) was Lewis went up the road to the horses; did not see Jones do anything more than put the net to the hole. -Cross-examined I was going to Talybont about the sheep I went over the hedge for fear of meetinethe people going to church (laughter); I had my own dog with me; I was about twenty yards from the defendants, nearer Bwlch I was standing by the hedge, and the dog was near me; the dog would not run after rabbits if I told him not to do so; I had come in the company of the defendants for some little distance; I did not put any nets down; I saw the keeper catch the ferret I was then 100 yards off I have not offered to pay the costs in this matter in order to settle it Mr. Price did not give me. leave to go on the land.—James lugs, head keeper to Mrs. Gwynne Holford, said the part in question was his mistress, property; he had been keeper for 16 years, and the game and rabbits had always been reserved he and the other keepers always killed them last year Mrs. Gwynne Holford gave permission to the tenant to go with a keeper, or for the^ tenant to send a man to assist him in killing rabbits round the hedge. By Mr. Games: I was not present when Mr. Price's agreement was signed, and do not know what it was. —For the defence, Mr. Games said that the defen- dants were going with their master's horses up the road, and saw the nets on the holes, and a strange ferret there, which he (Mr. Games) alleged had been £ laced there by the witness Edwards, against whom e had asked for a summons. Mr. Games also alleged that Mr. Price had a right to kill rabbits.—Mr. Jas. Price was called, and said he was tenant of Llan- saintfread farm, and had been for four years; Mr. and and Mrs, G, Holford were his landlord or landlady there was an agreement drawn up he gave notice to leave the farm, and he had a verbal agreement two years ago Mr. Gwynne Holford made the agree- ment with him, but not a word was said about reserving the game; Mr. Gwynne Holford said the rabbits should not hurt him.—By Mr. Jones The game was reserved in the first agreement.—By Mr. Games It was agreed that I was to killItbl and last year I kept a man on purpose -d rabbits, and I gave them away Mr. GWYDD" co kill them, man, and I sent one also had F d Holfor.d sent a himself without the keeper; -ailed rabbits once threatened to split his bea" thev saw him and a remand in order to Mr Ings apphed for right to kill rabb'J aOVV Jkat tenant had no granted —Mr. GP iCS« and the application was on the next oc :me! sai5* Edwards appeared he was th# -asion he should be able to show that dant y offending party, and not the defen- hot an'* ar" ^rerton 8a'd Mr. Games must not blow u J cold in that way.—Lewis was then dis- -,ged, and the case against the other defendant jjourned for a fortnight. I RIDING WITHOUT REINS.—John Ince, farm labourer, was charged with riding without reins on the turn- pike road. He pleaded guilty, andhaving been pre- viously cautioned, he was fined Is., and 5s. 6d. costs.—James Probert, Courtcoed, was charged with riding on a threshing-machine on the turnpike road without anyone to guide the horses. He pleaded guilty, and was fined 6d and 8s. 4d. costs CHABGB or STEALING Lim-z. -John Jones, of Cwm- pistil, Merthyr Cynog, was charged with feloniously stealing a ton of lime, the property of Lewis Richards. Permission was asked for the charge to be withdrawn, and consent was given by the magis- trates. WOBRTING SHBEP.- Wm. Jones, Blaencwm. shep- herd to Howel Powell, Cui, and John Lewis, Tyrhri, shepherd to Richard White, Tregare, Llanfigan, were charged with wilfully and maliciously commit- ing damage and injury to certain sheep, the pro- perty of Howel Davies, by chasing and worrying them with dogs on the 26th October. The case was adjourned for a fortnight. BOROUGH PETTY SESSIONS, MONDAY, before W. Dz WINTON, Esq. (Mayor), JOSEPH JOSEPH, ESQ., and JOHN DAVIES, ESQ. STEALING CLOTHES, &C.—Joseph Williams was charged with stealing a flannel shirt, watch, boots, and hat, the property of Richard Walker and also two coats, trousers, and other articles, the property of William Williams, on thel4tbinst. Richard Albert Walker deposed I am an engine driver on the Mid- land railway, living in the Watton I first saw the prisoner on Friday night, at the Prince of Wales, with his brother, William Williams, who lodges with me; prisoner slept at my house on Friday and Saturday night; between six and seven o'clock on Sunday morning I heard William Williams calling my name, and I immediately went down stairs William Williams said to me Dick, there's some- thing funny happened here; Joe has gone away with a lot of my things have you lost anything ?" I went into the kitchen, and found my hat gone, as well as an old fashioned watch that hung over the mantelpiece, a pair of new boots, which I had had only a fortnight, and a blue flannel shirt; the hat, watch, boots, and shirt, produced are my property; Williams and I then went to the police station and saw Superintendent Lee the boots are worth 17s. 6d., the hat 5s., the watch 10s., the shirt 2s. 6d.; I did not know prisoner had left the house until the brother called me he had not said anything to me about leaving I believe prisoner slept with his brother.—P.C. W. Davies (No. 2) stated Yesterday morning, in consequence of in- formation received, about eight o'clock, I went down to the house of the prosecutor and ascertained what goods had been stolen I then got a horse and trap, and followed the prisoner to Crickhowell, and in company with Superintenednt Evans, I apprehended him in the Bush public-house prisoner had a bundle with him, some things tied up in the shirt being identified by the prosecutor; the prisoner was wearing the hat, and the watch he had in his pocket; the pair of boots were given me by Superintendent Evass; I do not know where he had them from I charged the prisoner with stealing the things, and he admitted having stolen them I then brought him to Brecon about nine o'clock prisoner had on him a pair of black trousers, produced, sup- posed to be stolen from Williams Walker and prisoner's brother went with me to Crickhowell, and came back with me and the prisoner prisoner was in drink at the time he was taken.—William Williams, the brother of the prisoner, was then called. He was not sworn, but he stated in reply to the Bench that he saw his brother for the first time for six years on Thursday, and being in bad circum- stances he treated him as kindly as he could; he intended to get work for his brother, who was a smith when he went to bed he left him down stairs by the fire on Saturday night, thinking he would follow him; he was "a little fresh" at the time. The second case was then about to be gone into, but the witness expressed his wish not to press the charge. It came out however that, although some of the things belonging to William Williams had been recovered, Superintendent Evans, of Crickhowell, had detained and refused to give up to P.C. Davies two coats and a valuable meerschaum pipe belonging to him. The magistrates expressed their great sur- prise that Superintendent Evans should have de- tained the articles, which he bad no right to do, and first of all recommended Williams to demand the things from him, and if not given up to sue him in the county court. It was afterwards, however, thought best to go into the second case. William Williams then stated that his brother lodged with him on Saturday night, and left before witness got up next morning he missed the trousers, shawl, and boots produced, and also two coats and meer- schaum pipe, which he saw at Crickhowell, in the possession of Superintendent Evans.—P.C. Davies (No. 2) deposed to apprehending the prisoner with the shawl and trousers in his possession the boots had been sold to a man named Prosser, for 4s.; the two coats were either pawned or sold at the Bush Inn, and Superintendent Evans got them from the landlord; Superintendent Evans also had possession of a meerschaum pipe.—The magistrates sentenced the prisoner to five months' hard labour upon the first charge, and one month upon the second. COUNTY MAGISTRATES' CLERK'S OFFICE, TUESDAY, before JAMES WILLIAMS, Esq., and LEWIS HUGHBS, Esq. AN EXPENSIVE SPBEE.Rees Lewis and Henry James Pugh were charged with being drunk and riotous, and assaulting P.C. Morgan Jones in the execution of his duty. Lewis was also charged with damaging the constable's coat.—P.C. Morgan Jones deposed: About quarter-past twelve o'clock this morning I saw the two prisoners, Rees Lewis and Henry James Pugh, drunk and fighting in Trecastle; I went and stopped them, and Rees Lewis turned round and hit me two or three times with his fist, and then caught hold of my coat, and tore it; I now produce the coat; when Lewis tore the coat the other prisoner was not there I then took Rees Lewis into custody, and while I was handcuffing him the other prisoner, Henry James Pugh, came on, and commenced kicking me, and endeavoured to free his companion; I then called upon the parish constable, by whose house I was, to assist me in taking them to Defynock; when we were about half way to Defynock the prisoner Pugh wanted me to take off the handcuffs and fight a couple of rounds with them; the prisoners were both very drunk, and made a considerable disturbance in Trecastle afterwards Pugh wanted me to take the handcuffs off, and struck me in the road, in the presence of the constable; prisoner Pugh also kicked at the constable when I got to Defynock I charged him with being drunk and riotous and an assault, and Rees Lewis with the same, and with tearing my coat; the damage done to my coat is 10s.—Henry Evans, parish constable of Llywel, deposed About twenty minutes to one last night I heard Jones calling me, and went down to him, and be asked me to assist him in taking the prisoners to Defynock on the road I saw Pugh striking at Jones, and he also tried to kick me; it was fair day at Trecastle yesterday; the two pri- soners were nearly drunk.—Each of the prisoners was fined Is. and 9s. costs for being drunk, and Al 11s and 9s. costs each for the assault; the defen- dant Lewis also to pay 10s. for the damage done to the policeman's coat.

T- ow gt itRtv fetfte. 'SS^3STW-a=r. THE NEW W EIGH-BBIDGE.- This great conveni- ence has at length been completed, a very neat little weighing office being erected inside the market- place. The works' committee inspected the contract on Monday, and were gratified at the admirable manner in which the work had been performed by Mr Cribb, THE ToWN Corxom.-We are authorised to state that Mr. G. May has abandoned his intention of resigning his seat in the Town Council. CRYNANT NATIONAL SCHOOL.—We had the gratifi- cation last Christmas of recording the success of Mrs. Corker in the Government examination for certificates, and we have now the pleasure of stating that Her Majesty's inspector, the Rev. J. B. Binns, recently inspected and examined the scholars attend- ing the above school. The results must have been highly gratifying to the managers, a very high meed of praise having been communicated to the Rev. D. Hanmer Griffith, who is at present in Lon- don, by the inspector, at the conclusion of his report, on the commendable state of the school generally. THE STATTTTB FAin.-The November hiring fair was held on Wednesday, when a very large number of servants, male and female stood the statutes." Men servants were especially numerous. There were, however, fewer females present than usual. Wages asked were higher than last year. Very few cases of drunkenness were observable. The most noticeable was a ragged dissipated blackguard who attempted to create a disturbance in the lobby of Alderman Davies' schools. The threat of sending for a police constable however, soon made the scamp vanish. The horse fair was very poorly attended, buyers and sellers being alike scarce. HANDSOME PRESENT TO THE MECHANICS' INSTI- TUTE.—Mr. T. Barry, watchmaker and jeweller, of Green-street, has. presented to the Mechanics' In- stitute a handsome eight-day clock. The offer was made, unsolicited and unexpected, and as it will supply a want, which has long been felt as an inconvenience at the reading room, the members will doubtless appreciate the liberality of the donor as it deserves.

THE MAYOR'S SUNDAY. Our columns last week recorded the fact that Howel Cuthbertson, Esq., had by a majority been elected to the civic chair of this rapidly improving and important borough, and on Sunday last, with the view of keeping up the good old custom of inaugurating the year of mayoralty by attending Divine service on the Sunday next following the election, his worship issued invitations to the princi- pal inhabitants, requesting them to join in the pro- cession to St. David's church on that day. The weather was exceedingly unpropitious for the occa- sion, nevertheless upwards of 120 gentlemen responded to the invitation, and accompanied the Mayor as requested, the procession taking the fol- lowing order from the Town-hall Chief Constable Phillips, The Borough Police, The Burgesses, The Crier, with the Borough Maces, Corporation Officers, The Town Councillors, The Aldermen, The Clergy, The Mayor, Supported by the Rector of Neath and the Vicar of Ponty- pool. On reaching the church gates the procession faced inwards, and the Mayor proceeded up the avenue formed by the processionists. The procession entered the church by the large west door, the Mayor and Corporation being con- ducted by the officials to the reserved space, the noble organ pealing forth a selection of appropriate music from Elijah." The appearance of the congre- gation at this time was most impressive, nearly 1,000 children being present in the transepts and aisles, in addition to the closely seated number in other parts of the building. Prayers were read by the rector, the Rev. J. Griffiths, and the senior ourate, the Rev. D. R. Jones, B.A. The sermon, specially on behalf of the Church of England Schools in the town, was preached by the Rev. J. C. Llewellin, vicar of Pontypool, from Proverbs xxii, 6. The anthem selected for the occasion was Sir F. Ousley's BleBsed is the man." It was admirably performed by the usually highly trained and efficient choir, numbering over 50 voices, the double fugue in the concluding chorus being faultless as to time and precision of execution. At the conclusion of the service a collection was made on behalf of the schools, after which the pro- cession re-formed, and returned to the Town-hall, where an unlimited table (if cake and wine had been laid by order of his worship the children attend- ing the service remaining behind while a distribu- tion of buns, given by the Mayor, took place in the church grounds. The after proceedings at the Town-hall com- menced by his worship remarking that in compliance with ancient custom, and one that he hoped would always exist, they had attended the parish church that morning. He trusted the day would never dawn when so excellent a custom would fall into disuse. He would not refer to the duties of the high office to which he had been elected, but only say he hoped to carry out the responsibilities of the same with strict justice, and without fear, favour, or affection. The Rector then announced that the collection of the morning amounted to upwards of .£18 3s. 6d. The Mayor replied that he was happy to hear so gratifying a statement, and he trusted that the entire collection of the day would be worthy of the cause which had been so ably advocated. Mr. Alderman Gwyn rose to propose the usual compliment to the new Mayor, and in a short but highly complimentary speech, in which he referred to his acquaintance with the late Mr. Alexander Cuthbertson, he expressed his gratification at the proceedings of the day in connection with the inau- guration of his Worship. Mr. Gardner followed with the compliment to the Ex-Mayor. The Ex-Mayor, in replying, said that he did not always go to St. David's church, but when he did attend that place of, worship he was always exceed- ingly gratified. He had been much pleased with the discourse of the gentleman who had so eloquently officiated that morning, and he added that the subject matter was of that kind from which all might learn a profitable lesson. The Rev. J. C. Llewellyn, in acknowledging the compliment paid to his efforts, said that he was always happy to be amongst the people of Neath, for he was no stranger to the neighbourhood, having lived for eight years in-the district. It gave him great pleasure to find that his discourse had gratified them, but he would remind them that it was a pay- ment" as well as a pleasure to him for the rector never allowed any clergyman to be in his debt for services rendered by himself elsewhere. The visitors then left the hall, and the police officers were kindly invited to partake of another display of his Worship's liberality, wine and cake, with other refreshments, being supplied to the entire force. The evening service at the church was very much crowded, the rev. gentleman taking his text from 2 Kings, chap. v, iii. The total amount of the collection was zE17 13s. Id.

THE LATE EXTRAORDINARY DEATH AT THE SKEWEN. On Saturday last, and on Tuesday by adjournment, an inquest was held before Howel Cuthbertson, Esq., on the body of Mrs. Hannah Rees, who died under circumstances which will best be gathered from the evidence, and which, in consequence of the numerous unfounded rumours so extensively circu- culated in reference to the occurrence, we give in extenso. Margaret Clarke deposed I am the wife of Henry Clarke, coal miner; I knew the deceased I saw her last Thursday, in the morning, in bed, but she did not take any notice of anyone; she could not speak; I was present when she died, at a quarter to three o'clock on Friday morning; I did not see any doctor with her. John Bevan was then called. He deposed I live at the Skewen, and am a shoemaker; the deceased was my mother; she was taken ill on Sunday, the 7th instant, while coming from church, about eight o'clock in the evening; she complained of looseness in the bowels, and griping but I did not send for a doctor on that day on Monday she was very ill, with looseness and shivering, and I went to Dr. Ryding on Tuesday morning, between nine and ten o'clock I saw him, and asked him to come up and see my mother, *« Hannah Bevan her name was Hannah Rees j" she was the widow of William Rees I did not see Dr. Ryding at my mother's house on Tuesday morning, so I sent to him again on Tuesday night, about eight o'clock, and the messenger said the deceased's name was Hannah Rees;" he saw her that night, about nine o'clock she was then in bed I went after the doctor to Neath, and he gave me a bottle of medicine, with directions to give two table- spoonfuls every four hours, and the first dose directly I reached home; I received no other directions I returned the bottle to him on Thursday morning; she took the first dose about half-past ten, the next at twenty minutes past two on Wednesday morning, the next between six and seven o'clock, the next at 10.30, and the next at 2.30; the medicine eased the gripings, and stopped the looseness of the bowels I did not see her have any sickness before she took the medicine she slept on the Tuesday night very well; she vomited when I went to give her the second dose, and I gave her a little drop of milk and gruel that night; about six o'clock in the evening I again gave her a dose she got up about three o'clock in the afternoon of Wednesday, and afterwards about five o'clock she vomited then I tried to give her some tea about 5.30, but she vomited it back; Dr. Ryding saw the deceased on Wednesday, about noon I did not speak to him the next dose I gave her was at 10.30, and another at 2.30; I tried to give her another at six o'clock Thursday morning, but I could not wake her; I had great work to get her to take the dose at 2.30, because she was so sleepy on Thursday morning she was sleeping quietly, but taking long breaths her eyes were turned up; her body was motionless at that time; I went to Dr. Ryding at nine o'clock on Thursday morning, with the bottle; I asked him to come up and see my mother, as she was much worse; he gave me a bottle of medicine, and told me that he had changed it, and that he would be there bye-and-bye; Dr. Thomas called between eleven and twelve o'clock she was fast sleeping then; if I asked her anything she would say "What?" that was all; I sent the wife of Evan Jones, tailor, to Swansea, for Dr. Griffiths, by the twelve o'clock train; Dr. Griffiths came at half-past five, and saw the deceased; I heard him tell the woman to give her coffee; he told us to rouse her if we could we tried to do so, but all we could get her to say was What ?" he said nothing to me as to the state of my mother; she died about a quarter to three on Friday morning we had been calling to her, but could get nothing from her. By the Jury: I gave her a teaspoonful of the second medicine when I went home, and one of the women gave her some afterwards. By the Coroner On Wednesday evening, at 6.30, she got senseless up to that time she was talking rationally she did not vomit after the dose at 2.30 on Thursday morning the deceased had no other medicine than what Dr. Ryding gave her. Dr. Ryding was next examined. He depose d I am a physician and surgeon practising at Neath I saw the last witness on Tuesday morning at my surgery, and he asked me to come and see Hannah Bevan;" I went to the Skewen, and made enquiries for a person of that name, but could not find her a messenger came to me the same evening, about eight o'clock, and told me the woman's name was "Rees," and not Bevan," and asked me to come and see her I went at once, and found her in bed she com- plained of intense pain in the bowels; I was shown what was passed," and in fact she had all the symptom of choleraic diarrhoea; the last witness came in after me to Neath, and I put up a bottle of medicine for her myself; I produce a list of the ingredients which the medicine contained (the list was here read to the jnry); there was opium in it, and the dose was ordered every four hours; the estimated quantity of opium in each dose was one quarter of a grain; this would give two grains in the eight doses I saw her again on Wednesday between eleven and twelve o'clock I found her sitting up in bed very much better; she told me that her bowels had moved several times since she first took the medicine she said she felt herself better I told her to continue the medicine; there was not the slightest symptom of coma at that time I told her to send to me on Thursday morning for some more medicine the last witness came down and told me that morning that she was not so well; I asked him if she had looseness of the bowels, and he said "No he said that her bowels had not been moved for some time I gave him a preparation of rhubarb and soda, without opium I saw her again on Thurs- day, between seven and eight o'clock, and found her insensible, and labouring under pressure on the brain; the case was hopeless I did not try to rouse her the last witness told me she became insensible at 5.30 that morning her breathing was slow, but not stertorous the pupils of the eye were contracted, but not to a pin's point; the pulse was full- moderately slow I did not time it the skin was warm and moist; the quantity of opium used was a small dose for an adult; in my opinion death resulted from serous apoplexy; she was rather a short woman I don't think the opium was the cause of the serous apoplexy; Dr. Thomas did not say anything to me of the condition he found the deceased in when he saw her on the morning of Thursday. The evidence of Dr. Griffiths was next taken. He deposed: I am a physician and surgeon practising at Swansea; I visited the deceased on Thursday last; she then lay on her back in bed, breathing very slowly and irregularly-about eight or nine times in the minute mouth half open; tongue dry the breathing noisy, but not amounting to a snore eyes closed as in sleep; perspiration on the forehead; colour of the face natural; so far as I could judge by candle light both pupils of the eyes were con- tracted to a point; temperature of the body generally normal, as far as I could judge by the hand; the skin moist; I exposed the patient her eyes opened when spoken to very loudly; she also moved her head when her arm was beaten sharply with the hand she did not seem to take any notice when pinched; she did not move her arm when pinched in several places between the elbow and the wrist, although the parts pinched bled; she was in a comatose state; from these observations, together with the history of the case from the deceased's friends, I formed an opinion that the deceased was suffering from an over dose of opium; I was told that Dr. Thomas had been attending her last, and I wrote to him informing him of my opinion of the case. The medical gentleman who made the post mortem examination, Mr. James Rogers, was next examined. He deposed I am a surgeon practising at Swan- sea on Saturday morning last I made a post mortem examination of the body of the deceased, about four p.m., being about 38 hours after death; the body was that of a healthy, strong, well conditioned female, apparently from 45 to 48 years of age Externally Slight decomposition in the front part of the throat, back of the neck and shoulders, partly on the arms limbs straight and rigid hands semi- closed belly distended with gas; on laying open the cavity I found the intestines very much distended with gas also small intestines perfectly empty, quite healthy, stomach distended with gas it con- tained a small quantity of perfectly digested food, mucus, without smell, slightly reddish in colour, almost the consistency of gruel; the intestine next the stomach contained a small quantity of the same liquid there was no disease in any portion of the intestines until I came to the right portion of the transverse colon, which, with the remaining portion and the rectum, were very much discoloured and gorged with blood; a small quantity of liquid fcecal matter mixed with mucus was in the lower portion of the colon and rectum; the surface of the rectum was coated wtih mucus, and upon scraping it off I found it studded with bright points of inflammatory action; the same, but in a less degree, was the case with the colon, diminishing gradually up to the transverse colon; the liver healthy; gall bladder full of liquid bile; spleen brittle from decomposition, and very much gorged with blood; kidneys slightly decom- posed, and congested with venous blood, but con- tained no urine; the bladder empty the womb and appendages healthy; the cavity of the belly contained about a pint and a half of bloody serum; the face had a calm and placid expression, slightly flushed eyelids closed, pupils half dilated on cutting open the scalp, I found it firmly attached to the skull, and a good deal of blood oozed during the process; the outward membrane healthy the vessels of the inner membrane very much gorged with blood, very black, especially on the right side the brain was moderately firm, and in cutting it horizontally shewed a great many blood spots; the right choroid plexus was gorged with blood, the left very nearly of its natural colour; the lateral ventricles contained a good deal of serum tinged with blood, and the same condition existed between the membranes; the chest was well developed, lungs healthy heart-right side contained clots of black blood, the left empty and slightly en- larged pericardium healthy, and no effusion there was no effusion in the chest; in my opinion the immediate cause of death was congestive apoplexy or serous apoplexy; it would have rendered her insen- sible for several hours before death; it is usual to give opium in oases of this kind the dose given was a very small one, and the congestive apoplexy was not. caused by the opium. The Coroner having directed the attention of the jury to the principal points in the evidence, and the lucid report of the gentleman who performed the post mortem examination, they returned a verdict of "Death from congestive, or serous, apoplexy." The importance of the above enquiry may be gathered from the fact that the following medical gentlemen were in attendance to give evidence in the case, if required :—Dr. Griffiths, Swansea; Dr. Rogers, Swansea; Dr. Ryding, Neath; Dr. Grif- fiths, Neath; Dr. Russell, Neath; Dr. Evans, Briton Ferry; Dr. Thomas, Neath. It was inci- dentally stated that so far from the doses administered being excessive, there were gentlemen present who would at any time take ten times the quantity con- tained in the mixture, without feeling the slightest ill effects from it I

ABERAVON. ANOTHER ELECTION.—We are again in the midst of another contest for a seat in the Town Council. The seat now contested is the one vacated by Mr. John David at the meeting on the 9th inst., and curiously enough Mr. David is himself in the field seeking re-election. The other candidate is Mr. Thomas E. Jones, who was one of the alleged un- successful candidates at the recent election. Mr. David we understand relies on his own inherent strength, baoked by the Copper Lads," to secure his return to the Town Council. We believe the contest will be the most severe ever fought in this borough, as Mr. Jones is supported by all the trades- men and respectable burgesses in the town, and we cannot believe that Mr. David will secure the seat this time even by the skin of his teeth." PETTY SESSIONS, THURSDAY, before the MA YOB (Daniel Smith, Esq.), and EDWARD JONES and DAVID JENKINS, Esqrs. AFFILIATION.— William Davies was summoned to show cause why he should not contribute towards the maintenance of the illegitimate child of Mary Ann James, of Blackwelly. The complainant was represented by Mr. David Blellock, of Cardiff/and the defendant by Mr. Plews, of Merthyr. The case occupied the court for several hours, there being no less than nine witnesses examined, and at the con- clusion of the evidence the Bench dismissed the summons for want of corroborative evidence. THE NEW MAYOR—Mr. Smith sat on Thursday as chief magistrate, and we have every reason to believe that he will prove a valuable addition to the Bench. We may venture to echo the words of a contemporary, that he will discharge the duties of the office without that pomp and self-conceit which are so offensive.

PENGAM. FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Tuesday afternoon a young lad, named David Jones, aged about 13 years, lost his life, under the very eyes of his poor father. It appears that the lad assists his father, who is em- ployed in hauling the trucks, when shunted from the main line on to the siding, and in taking them to their respective collieries. At the time of the acci- dent the boy was unhitching a set of trucks, when his head was caught between the buffers, and instantly crushed. The poor boy fell dead without a groan. The cries of the father, who but a short time since buried his wife, were heartrending but so long as boys and men will adhere to the rash and totally unnecessary practice of unhitching trucks and trams in motion, so long will accidents occur. This makes the fourth boy who has been killed here whilst doing the same thing, and almost on the same spot.

BUILTH. POPULAR READINGS AT THE CON GREGATIONAL CHuiacir.-On the evening of Friday last a meeting was held in the spacious schoolroom of this church to inaugurate a series of readings, interspersed with music, for the winter evenings. Subjoined is the programme of the evening:—" The House upon a Rock "—Opening address by the Rev. D. P. Davies. —"The Golden Shore A Friend that is ever ne- "-Address by Rev. W. Thomas—"Grand Millenium Song"—Address by Rev. D. P. Davies— The Water of life"—Address by Rev. M. Shrimp- ton—"Beautiful Land on High"—The Pastor, the Rev. D. P. Davies, explained in his opening address the nature and object of the series, and appealed for help to carry out efficiently the object contemplated, and he also gave some suggestions as to the different ways this may be done. The address was appro- priate and telling, and the remarks contained in it were seconded bv the Rev. M. Thomas, (C. Iif ) and the Rev. M. Shrimpton (W.M.), who were present to express their sympathy with the movement. The pieces sung were all taken from the American Songster," the parts being well sustained through. out and thoroughly appreciated, as was indicated by the hearty applause which greeted the performers. Praise is due to the leader, Mr. D. Davies, and the harmonist, Mrs. George, for their efficient services on the occasion. After a few closing remarks by the chairman, the choir sang, Oh, we are Volunteers," and the company separated ihighly pleased with the proceedings.