The Aberdare Times

THE REV. JOHN GRIFFITH, M. A., lifft c* of Merthyr Tydfil, and Rural Bean, WILL PREACH a SPECIAL SEHUON in Aid of the Llandnff Chnrch Extension Society, at ST. FAGAN'S CHURCH, on Sunday morning, February 18 lb.

MARRIAGE. On iJie 11th instant, at St, Elvan's Church, Afierdare (by license), Mr. John Rohertson. puperintendeut of the Dare Junction, V.N.R., to A!wi. eldest daughter of the Jatp Mr. Henry levies; cashier At Melin Griffith Works.

GOVERNMENT AND THE CATTLE PL ATJG W. The cattle plague has now become a great f; ct, and a most distressing one. The reported c^s s from the commencement of the disease show that 132,183 animals have been attack- ed: that of these 17.368 have been killed: that 81,386 have died, and that only 16,055 have recovered. But this is unhappily under the truth. These returns are only derived from the information received at the Veterin- ary Department of the Privy Council office many returns ought to have been added to these, but for the neglect of some of the in- 1:1 spectors; while there have doubtless been several cases of disease and death of which the inspectors throughout the country have not been informed. But this result in itself is sufficiently startling. Nor can we see any reason to believe that the disease is on the decrease; for though the number of animals attacked in the week ending February 3rd was ouly 9,153, as compared with 11,745 in the previous week, if we compared that week with the one still preceding-i.e., ending January 27th—we find that the number attacked was 10,041 so that it would seem that the next return is just as likely to show an increase as a decrease. There has been a great deal of animadver- sion on the conduct of the Government general- ly, and the Privy Council especially, in refer- ence to the steps they have taken to reduce the disease or endeavour to eradicate it. But without looking at the matter in a party light we are convinced that the public have been rather unreasonable in the matter. Govern- ment is but a collection of individual persons with no more knowledge than falls to the lot of other well-educated and highly cultivated men of the world. To speak the plain truth, they have not known what to do any more than any one else. The members of -the Gov- ernment must have had their individual opinion, like other persons, and one of them at least, Lord Granville, has been so large a suf-, ferer by the cattle plague that it is only re- sonable to suppose that there has actually been a pleasure from within as well as a pressure from "without If we look at the report of any "raeefciag or conference en the subject we shall see ho* variousare the suggestions offered, and how-powerless private individuals have been to propose any specific or mode of treatment that should commend itself to the judgment of the agricultural community. We think, there- fore, that we ought not to be too hasty in condemning the Government; but if there have been any short-comings on their part, we cannot but think they have amply atoned for it by the admirable bill which the Home Sec- retary has brought in, and which is now under consideration in the House of Commons. Tfye main features of Sir George Grey's bill are that diseased cattle are to be immediately slaughtered; that compensation is to be given to the owners: that local authorities through- out the country are to have the execution of the measure that there are to'be restrictions on the carnage and removal of cattle; that infected districts are to be isolated and pro- claimed and that in certain cases fairs and markets are to be prohibited. There are nu- merous details on which we need not enter, and in fact the bill is necessarily full of detail; but the main provisions to which we have re- ferred will, we doubt not, be acceptable to the country generally and it need not be added how sincerely we hope that its working may be powerful to the decrease and the ultimate eradication of this terrible disease. The question of compensation is a most dif- ficult one. Every one reading of the loss of this or that farmer, or of wholesale deaths among the herds in any district whatever, must naturally feel deep sorrow, and this ca- lamity .has been so vast that the idea of com- pensation has been a natural sequel to pity atad sympathy. But national compensation for a mere trade loss is a principle which it would be very unsafe to introduce. When the pota- toe crop in Ireland failed and other causes combined to produce a famine, we did not pro- pose a national compensation help came in the shape of voluntary subscriptions. Nor do the agricultural community ask for compensa- tion for bad harvests, or Lancashire look to the Consolidated Fund when her cotton fails her. It is still to voluntary aid that distressed interest must appeal. The case of the owners of stock, however, is wholly different to this. The farmer says, my cattle are dis- eased, but let me treat them for the disease and they may recover but Government reply, no, they must be killed and their carcases buried for the national good. Here, then, is a legitimate ground for demanding compen- sation, and the only question that arises is in what way shall this fund be raised. The Gov- erafnent proposal is that the County Rate shall furnish part of the fund, and the Borough rate another portion of it, and the cattle own- ers the remainder. The principle of compen- sation for animals slaughtered will apply whether they are infected or not; in the case of diseased animals the compensation will not ex- ceeds two-thirds of the value; in the case of healthy animals it is not to exceed three- fourths. It is highly probable that some of the details of a measure which is necessarily complicated will be modified in committee, but we believe that on the whole it will be found, if not ade- quate to meet all the emergencies of this dis- astrous calamity, at least very powerful for good; and when it is in operation it will still be competent for Parliament to make further modifications if the necessity for them should arise.

ggral jfntelligeiuc. FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Tuesday lust two colliers named David Hughes and Richard Lewis, were killed by an explosion of fire-damp, in the Cwmneol Colliery. Both men leave a widow and a family to lament their lass. They were buried in the Aber- dare Cemetery, on Thursday, and the funerals were largely Rnd respectably attended. THE REV. JOHN GRIFFITH, M.A., Reetor of Merthyr Tydfil, as will be seen from an advertise- ment in our paper of to-day, will preach a speial sermon at St. Fagan's Church, on Sunday next. Many of our reallers will, no doubt, be glad of an opportunity of listening to this eloquent and learned divine. 1 DR. PRICE IN THE NORTH.—ANOTHER PRE- 8ENTATION. The members of the Cadwgan Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, M.U., Rhosllanerchrugog, being anxi<>u3 to show their respect. to the Rev. Dr. Price of Aberdare, on his accession to the highest 'office of the Order—Grandmaster of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, M.U.—decided upon inviting him < to deliver a lecture and to present his daughter Miss Emily Price, with a handson^ testimonial 1 in honour of her father. The testimonial con- 1 sisted of a splendid dressing case, value jEtO, which is in richly polished wood and silver ] mounted, bearing the following inscription: — Pr< sentt d to Miss Emily Price, of Rose Cottage, Aberdare, by the Cadwgan Lodge I.O.O.M.U., Rhosllanerchrugog, as a token of respect to her esteemed lather, the Rev. T. Price, M.A., Ph.D., as (i.U of the Older, Feb. 8th, I8G6. For the Eurpose of performing the presentation, and also earing a lecture from Dr. Price on Odd-Fel- 'I lowship," a public meeting was held in the In- dependent chapel of the place. which was kindly lent for the occasion. Mr Morris,of Ruahon, presided, and in »p-ning the meeting, said that no chairman could have an easier duty to perform than he had that evening. He had very gre>t pleasure in introducing to the meeting an able leeturer and a well'tried friend of Gdd-fellowship. The subject was important and interesting to all. He had had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Price some years ago, and he was glad to say h" had heard him with profit. The meeting that evening had a diversity 01 objects in view. Their attention was to be called to a society by which they could assist each other, a presentation was to be made, and the proceeds of that meeting were to be devoted for the benefit of the British School at the Rho*—Dr. Price then delivered a powerful and instructive lecture on Odd-Fellow- ship, in the course of which he observed, that in the parish of Aberdare, which according to the last census, has a population of 32 000, there were twenty-seven independent societies, not connect- ed with any order, having 2,770 members, there were twenty-three female societies,with 2,660 members; two lodges of Druids with 204 members; six of Foresters, having 700 members nineteen of Alrredites, with- 960 members; the Ivorite (which Order originated in Wrexham) had thirty- two lodges with 2,400 members and there were forty-two lodges of Odd-Fellows with 3,080 members, unitedly contributing upwards of JE9,600 per annum. Similar societies existing throughout the principality must be a rnafter of no small congratulation to the ratepayers.—In the absence of Miss Morris, of Ruabon, (who had been deputed to make the presentation,) the Rev. W. Roberts, on behalf of the Cadwgan Lodge, in a humorous speech, handed the dressing case to Dr. Price, who received it for his daughter, who was not able to be present on account of the dis- tance and the discomfort of travelling at this time of the year. Dr. Price tha nked the lodge for having thought of his daughter, and present- ed her with the handsome and acceptable token of respect for him, as he himself was loaded with presents. There were about 600 present, and the proceeds were for the fuuds of the Rhos British School the members of the Cadwgan Lodge hav- ing voluntarily subscribed for the purchase of the dressing case. The proceedings were altogether very pleasant and highly complimentary to Dr. Price. FAT AX ACCrDENT UNDERGROUND. — Oil Thurs- day sen'night a collierinamed James Evans, aged 52 years, was accidentally killed in the Goitre Colliery, belonging to the Flirwain Cod and Iron Works Company (limited.) in the following somewhat strange manner —Ha was engaged in driving a "hard heading," in the four feet vein, at the colliery named; and was standing on an elevation forcing in a wedge, when he acciden- tally fell backwards,aud, his head coming in con- tact with a tram. ho sustained such a severe fracture of the skull that death immediately en- sued. Poor Evans, we regret to learn, has left a wife and five small children totally unprovided for. Deceased was a steady, respectable work- man, and his death has occasioned much regret. With reference to the many cases of this kind that occur annually in the mining districts a cor- > respondent says :—It is a lamentable fact that in almost all of the many cases of fatal accident which occur to oolliers, where the victim happens to be a married man with a family, there is no- thing left for the bereaved but what the poor- law guardians like to dole out to them. When the expense of rearing a large family is taken into consideration, it can hardly be expected I that a workman out off when that family is still a heavy burden to him should leave much of this world's goods behind him. A provision might be made for the widows and orphans of colliers by the colliars themselves. A trifling oontribution from every collier would soon establish such a fund as, if properly taken charge of, would soon seoure every collier's widow and children against want. If the various agitators who have been stirring up so much feeling in the breasts of the colliers as to the necessity of having a defence fund, or a workmen's unioj, were to turn their attention to something like this, they would ensure to them- selves the countenance of all benevolent men, and would perform a blessed piece of work for the colliers. ANCIENT BRITON'S FRIENDLY SOCIETV.—The quarterly meeting of the Aberdare District of Ancient Britons took place at the White Hart Inn, Aberdare, on Saturday last. The delegates from the various lodges assembled precisely at 11 o'clock, a.m., and the business of the day was at once proceeded with. The names of the lodges in the District, together with their repre- sentatives, were called over by the Secretary and the quarterly dues were then discharged. The returns were most satisfactory, showing an in- ceise in the number of members as well as in' the amount of the funds. At this stage of the proceedings an adjournment took place to par- take of an excellent spread provided by the wor thy host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Williams, to which ample justice was done. After the re- moval of the cloth the District Officers again took their respective seats. The meeting was then addressed by the District President, Mr. John Barclay, and the Vice-President, Mr. Rees Davies, on the benetits of the order. The next speaker was Mr. Walter Watkins, Past Unity President, who represented the Order to be in a prosperous condition and stated that during the last ten years no less than 1500 members had been added to their ranks. He was frequently applauded during the delivery of his remarks. The President then called upon Mr. J. T. Jones, ABEKDABE TIME* Office, who delivered a suitable address. The following members also addressed the meeting: Messrs. John Davies, Dtiffryn Powell Lodge, Mountain Ash John Williams, White Hart Inn; William LI >yd, Ha Gadarn Lodge; and Thomas Lewis, Mountain Ash. Before separating voles of thanks were given to the District Officers for their attendance, and also to the host aud hostess for their attention to the comforts of the visitors. LLWYDCOED PENNY READINGS.—The fourth of these popular entertainments came off with more than usual success, on Wednesday last week. The room was filled in every pnrt. numbers being unable to obtain admission. The chair was very ably filled by Mr W. Williams, ^Gwilym Medi,) who opened the proceedings with a brief speech which tended to point out the advantages derived from such meetings. The programme was as follows: Duett—Mr and Miss George recitation—Mr Jones; glee — British School Junior party; Welsh song Dyffrun Clwyd, Miss E. Rees reading—Squire Bull and brother Jonathan, Mr David Jones lecture on lecturing —Mr William Jonea reading—Mr D. Lewis; song—A little Jmore cider, Mr E. Jones; read- ing— Jeakin Penhydd, Mr George Morris; song —TyrM yn ol fy ngeneth lan, Mr T. Williams reading—Mr Jeremiah Williams song — Hen wialen fy mam, Mr Owen Ellis; reading—A forty-mile Ride, Mr W. Richards; song- Alabama Sam, Mr W. Thomas; reading by Oynonfrjn j.song—Caru Lluad, Mr L. Williams (encored;) d uett Mr and Miss George; englyn- ion by Rhosvn and Gwdym DJu; song—Sandy Pomt, Mr W. Thomas song—Mr L. Williams song—The Men of Hirlech, Mr T. Williams; finale Hen wlad fy nhadau. The usnal votes of thanks to the chairman and singers were then heartily given and responded to, and the audience separated highly pleased |with the evening's entertainment. The room in which these enter- tainments are given is kindly lent gratuitously every week, by Mr John Ho wells, and the pro- ceeds are wholly devoted to the support of the Llwydcoed British School.

ABERDARE BOARD OF HEALTH. IMPORTANT CORRESPONDENCE. The usual bi-monthly meeting of the Board was held yesterday (Thursday) and the following members were present: Messrs. R. II, Rhys (in the chair) D. Davis, M. Edwards, J. Williams, and Rees Will ams. The minutes of the last meeting having been disposed of, the balance at the bank was announc- ed as £ 406 0 7.. The following cheques were then signed: hmes Lewis £3 19s. 3d. James Hek, £ 67. 0s. OL. W.Griffiths £ 2. 19s. 4d. George Robinson, £ 10; Simon Richards, £ 3. 12s 7. and general expenses of Committee, £12. 12s. 6d. The chairman said that since that day fortnight the report of the Committee appointed to watch the interests of the Board in the matter of the Mountain Ash separation had appeared in the local papers, and amongst others in the ABER- »AHE TIMES, which he believed to be a faithful report. In consequence of this he had received a letter from Mr. Uruce to which he replied on Tuesday last. Mr. Bruce expressed awibh in his letter that the same publicity should be given to it as had been given to the Committee's Report. lIe hoped, therefore, the correspondence would i be published in extenso, • -r. v I. Mr. Geary then read the following letters:- 1, Queen's Gate, London, February 10th, 1366. Dear Sir,—I have read in the Aberdare limes of th8 day a report of the'Committee appointed to watch the interests of the Board in the matter of the Mountain Ash separation, signed by yourself, Mr. David Davies, and Mr. John Williams, and re- gret to find that a large portion of it is devoted to an attack upon me. Had the facts upon which that attack is founded been correct, I should have sub- mitted in silence to the expression of your dissatis- faction at the course which I felt bound to pursue but containing, as it does, statements opposed to the fact and injurious to my character, I cannot lose a moment in protesting both against the accu- racy of the report and against the justice of the many insinuations which it conveys. The first statementtovvhich I object is that, while at our interview at Duffryn I led you to believe that I "would concur in a fair and equitable division of the district for the purpose of arranging an ami- cable settlement of the boundaries of the proposed district," at the inquiry at Mountain Ash I deelined to entertain any negotiation on the subject. Not only do I deny the accuracy or this statement, but I ven- ture to think that I can convince you that an im- perfect recollection of what took place at our in- terview at Duffryn has misled you into making this injurious charge. You asked me at that interview if the matter could not be amicably arranged my answer was, that as far as I myself was concerned I had no doubt that such an arrangement could be made, 1 went further, and said that I, person- al ty, had no objection whatever to the junction of the Llanwonno part of theo district of St. Margaret to the district under the jurisdiction of the Aberdare Board of Health. But I found that local feeling was strong and determined aeainst such a junction—that those companies which represented more than twenty times my interest in the district were opposed to it—that' therefore, nothing remained but to create a sepa- rate district, and that some portion of Aberdare must necessarily go with the Llanwonno portion. I added that the views which had been put forward by tiie Aberdare Board as to the basis of an ar- rangement were so widely different from those en- tertained at Mountain Ash that I thought it far better to leave the discussion of that question to the Government Inspector, who was unbiassed by interest or local feeling. At the same time, I said that although the inhabitants of Mountain Ash had petitioned in favour of adopting the limits of the district of St. Margaret,—I thought that that divi- sion was fairly open to objection, and I promised to take an early opportunity of stating publicly to the Inspector that in my opinion the main sub- ject for his decision was how much of Abeidare ought to go with the proposed new district, and I undertook to support any reasonable suggestion made to the Inspector In furtherance of such an arrangement. It is, therefore, wholly inaccurate to say that while I was in fnvor of a (private) amicable arrangement at Duffryn, I declined to accede to it when you proposed it at Mountain Ash. Your proposals were on both accasions the same, and so were my answers- I was ready to promote an amicable arrangement in the presence of the Inspector: but I declined private ne- gotiations as I knew tint they would only cause a waste of time and temper. How d d I redeem my promise to promote the only amicable ariangemeot to which! had ever assented? Mr. Linton was directed to state in his opening speech, and he did state, that the fair principle of division was to apportion to Mouutain Ash so much of Aberdare as was occupied and worked by the residents at Mountain Ash. By the announcement of that principle we prac- tically surrendered all claim to the lands and mines oecup-ed by the Cwmb ich, Upper Duffryn, and Lletty Shenkin Collieries, and by a portion of lie Middle Duffryn Colliery. I myself ventured to interrupt Mr. Michael during his speech, in order to express my e- tire concurrence with the position thus laid down by Mr Linton. The only point, therefore, th -it remained was the division of Middle Duffryn Colliery. On that point we not only accepted the proposition put forward by you on behalf of the Committee, but when, next day, you found that the terms of your proposal gave you about twenty acres less than you intended to claim, we acceded without difficulty to this concession. I am conscious that I labour under the difficulty of opposing my single word to the joint assertion of the committee. But Mr Williams was not present at our interview. Mr. Hollier was and to him I confidently appeal to confirm the snbstantial ac- curacy of any statement as to what occurred at that interview. I do this without any communica- tion with him. But, indeed, I think I need appeal to no one but yourself, so confident am 1 of your desire not to misrepresent me, and that my state- ment will reca;1 to your recollection facts which had slipped your memory. You say thHt throughout I acted in a partisan spirit; and that the fear of being defeated in the pre- liminary objections induced me to listen to terms of accommodation. Nothing can be further from the truth than the latter assertion. As to the former, the pr"posal made by you that only 81) much of Aberdare should be given to Mountain Ash as would produce £7000 a year, that all on the north side of the river, including all the collieries, our church, our cemetery, and many of the residences of those without whom a competent Board could hardly be constituted, should remain under the Aberdare Board :—this proposal, I say, was so inadequute and unreasonable, that I felt bound to oppose it with all the vigour I possessed. The moment you made a reasonable proposition, I did my be*t to get it accepted by men, whose views were not quite so moderate as my own. Connected, as I am, with Mountain Ash by ties of property and neighbourhood knowing, as I did, that a fearful mortality, no le'45 than 42 in 1000, or 1 in 25, prevailed amongst its inhabitants for want of sani- tary laws and arrangements, 1 felt it to he my duty to do all in my power to place the district onder Local Government—I repeat that had the ratepayers been willing to have placed themselves under the Aberdare B >ard, I should hove preferred such a solution. But finding them resolutely opposed to this arrangement, no course remained to me but to effect a separation on equitable terms. This has been done and it was done, as I have every reason to believe—you certhinlv gave me no reason to doubt—to the satisfaction of all parties, without leaving behind it a trace of anger or a lingering sense of wrong". I do not think th-It r stand alone in espreSsina: my regret that the Report of the proceedings of yonr Com- mittee shOlliJ lie made the vebicle fIr conveying im- putations upon me as gratuitous as they are unjust. I must req-iest you to communicate this letter to the Baar.l, and to give it the same publicity as the Report. I am, dear Sir, yours faithfully, H. A. Bauc E. Plas Newydd, Aberdare, Feb. 13th, 1866. To the Right Hon. II. A. Bruce, M.P., &c., &c. Dear Sir,—I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 10th instant, upon the subject of the report of the committee of the Aberdare Local Board of Health upon the Mountain Ash separa- tion. I am extremely sorry that that report should have given, you pain, and that you should believe that the committee had any intention of misre- presenting the part you took in the matter. Since receiving your letter I have read and re-read most carefully the report as it appears in the ABER- DARE TIMES, and I feel bound to say that I cannot find anything in it to justify the remarks contained in your letter. In the first place, with regard to our interview at.Duffryn, there is really co difference between your statement of what took place and that con tained in the report and Mr J. Williams, Mr Hollier, and I left you on that occasion under the impression that you were disposed to act as a moderator, and would advise the Mountain Ash people to agree to a fair division of the Aberdare portion of the district of St. Margaret. You are quite correct in your representation of what took place during the few minutes' conver- sation I had with you at the Bruce Arms, before the Inspector opened the proceedings, but I must tell you candidly that we were all taken by sur- prise when, after the business of the day commen- ced, you proceeded to instruct Mr Linton on be- haifof the Petitioners. From that moment it was quite evident that you were the adversary against whom we had to contend, and in making our reo port to the Board, I think we were fully justified in expressing the disappointment we naturally felt that the pleasing anticipations we had indulged in, after our interview with you at the Duffryn, were not to he realised. You complain that we say you acted in a "par- tisan spirit, but under the circumstances I do not know what other term to^pply to the line of conduct you pursued. You further say that no- thing can b^ further from the truth than that tha objections to the petitioners' preliminary proceed- ings taken by Mr Michael were the cause of their conceding the line of boundary agreed upon." This may be so, but all our party were fully impressed with the contrary idea, and the committee were therefore justified in expressing that conviction in their report to the Board. 0 Twice in your letter you use the expression (private) amicable arrangement." Why you should do so I cannot understand, as the term does not appear in the report. On each occasion when I spoke to you of an amicable arrangement, I meant that you oil behalf of the petitioners, and the committee on behalf of the Aberdare Local Board, should agree upon a boundary line dividing the district, to be afterwards submitted to the In- spector for approval and confirmation. My motive in making this proposal was to save time and ex- pense, and I am quite sure waste of time and .1. F.' temper" might have been avoided had this sug- gestion been adopted. A seperation of the Moun- tain Ash District from the jurisdiction of the Aberdare Local Board having been arranged, I think you will admit the perfect right of the Aber- dare ratepayers to express through their local representatives their opinion of the equity of the arrangement, and the means by which it has been effected. You do me but justice when you ex- press your conviction thnt I would not wilfully misrepresent you; and I certainly would not have signed the report, had I not conscientiously be- lived it to be an unvarnished statement of the facts as they occurred. Personally I much regret that you should have thought proper to open this correspondence as I cinnot conceive that any good will result from it. Your letter and this reply shall be laid before the Board next Thursday, and I have no doubt they will obtain the publicity yon desire. I remain, dear Sir, your very faithful and obedient servant, R. H. HuYS. Mr. Rhys To-day I received a reply from Mr. Bruce, whioh is as follows 1, Queen's Gate, L'mdon, Feb. 14, 1866. Dear Sir.—I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th instant, which is so far aatisfactory that it explains to me the nature of the misunderstanding which induced the Commit- tee to make a public charge of ill-faith against me. You say that our conversation at Duffrvn led the Committee to suppose that I was disposed to act as "moderator" between the two parties, and that you were all taken by surprise when at the meeting at Mountain AshI proceededto insruct Mr. Linton. Of course I do not for one moment question the sincerity of this operation. But I confess it is not easy to reconcile it with my repeated state, ment, that:1 thought the better course would be that both parties should lay their case before the Inspector, and let him settle the point of difference. I did not attempt to conceal: from the commit ee that, as public feeling at Mountain Ash was hope- lessly opposed to a junction with Aberdare, I should support the separation What I under- took to do was to promote an equitable scheme of division, and to this undertaking I honestly ad- hered. To this extent I was a "partisan," but this does not justify the language which the committee have thought proper to apply to mv conduct. One word as to my instructing Mr. Linton. Un- til the Committee informed me at Duffryn that you intended to employ Mr. Tripp on behalf of Aberdare, we at Mountain Ash never proposed to engage the services of a lawyer. Our purpose was to have presented a few witnesses for eJt- amination, and, when you had done the same, to have left the matter to the Inspector. But when you made your appearance at Moun- tain Ash with a Barrister of great ability and special knowledge of sanitary law, nothing was left to us but to defend our position with earnest- ness and vigor. I can assure you that I more than share your disinclination to public correspondence and contro- versy. But I could not consent to remain silent and apparently acqaiescentlwhen I was publicly charged with breach of good faith, and with being the cause of needless disunion. I must trouble you to communicate this letter to the Board. I am, dear sir, faithfully yours, R. H. Rhys, Esq. H. A. BRueR. Mr. Rhys I replied to Mr. Bruce this morn- ing, and perhaps it will be as well for the whole of the correspondene to appear together. Don't you think so, gentlemen ? The Board agreed with the Chairman, and the following was then read by Mr. Geary Plas Newydd, Aberdare, Feb. 15, 18G6. The Right Hon. H. A. Brucc, M.P., &c., Sec., &c. Dear Sir,—I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 14th inst, and am sorry that you still entertain the opinion that the committee intention- ally misrepresented the part you took in effecting the Separation, and more especially that they did so with the view of prejudicing you in public es- timation. I assure you that nothing was further from their intention but they considered it but right to lay before the Board a full and tr'tfc statement of all that occurred in the discharge of the duties which had been entrusted to them, and this they did to the best of their ability, without fear, favour, or affection. It is now quite evident that both parties should have been more explicit during the interview at Duffryn, and thereby have avoided the misunder- standing that has arisen. It being clear that while you thought you had given us distinctly to under- stand that the matter should be entirely left to the inspector, we believe that you would he prepared on the 3rd of January, to recommend a line of boundary which might be discussed, and probably agreed upon without going into evidence at all. You most certainly said nothing on that occasion which could lead us to believe that you were the principal promoter of the separation, but on the contrary appeared to be yielding to a pressure put upon you by the inhabitants of Mountain Ash, and that all you deserved was that a fair and reason- able division of the Aberdare portion of Saint Margaret should be made. The report fully explains how Mr Michael was retained. Had you been on our side we should have needed no other advocate. I will say no more, and venture to hope that this correspondence may now be terminated. I will merely add that I trust nothing that I have said in either of my letters will cause you to think that my personal esteem and consideration for you are in any way diminished by what has taken place. I am, dear sir. Your very faithful and obedient servant, R. H. RHYS. Mr. John Williams remarked that Mr. Bruce was wrong in stating that he was not present at the interview referred to, and Mr. David Davis thought Mr. Bruce had sim ply made a mistake in the name. A letter was read from the occupiers of houses in Bethuel-row, Cwmhach, with reference to a nuisance arising from the bad condition of the conveniences at the back thereof, and the Board thought the occupiers should either remedy the matter themselves or leave the houses. The Surveyor's Report was then read. After referring to two or three minor matters, Mr. Hall says he has examined Roberts' Town, and found the following streets to he in a bad sanitary con- dition Bridge-street, Thomas-street, Welling- ton-street, and Phillip-street, and recommends that the usual notice should be given the occupiers and owners* He produced a reduced estimate of the probable cost of the improvement of the Cefn- pennar Road between the Werfa Incline and Paat- y-Gerdinen Gate, which amounted to £122 6s. 4d. The building plans of the following were stated to be in conformity with law: James Rosser, William Moses, John R. Morgan, David Davies (Blaenant-y-Groes), John Mergan, and Howel Williams. The plans of John Lloyd and Mrs. Mary Morgan were objectionable. A committee was appointed to decide upon the best steps to take in the matter of an offer made by Joseph Edwards to do the improvements in Cefnpennar Road. An order was made for the preparation of plans, &c., for the necessary repairs in Roberts' Town, and a complaint having been read from Mrs. Mary Harris as to the condition of the street leading from Commercial-street to the Crown, an Order was made that the principal streets in Maesydre should be put into something like a decent condition. After a few other matters were touched upon, for which we cannot find space, the Board sepa- rated.

ABERDARE POLICE COURT. TUESDAY.—(Before J. C. Fowler and R. T. Roberts, Esqrs. ATTEMPTED BREACH OF TUB PKACE.—Griffith Watkins, of the Earl of Windsor, Trecynon, was charged by P.S. Thorney with an attempt at committing a breach of thl) peace. From the Sergeant's evidence it appeared that a fight for £1 a side had been arranged to come off on Mon- day last between defendant and a man named Henry Thomas. Witness, however, arrested the defendant at 1 o'clock on Monday morning in bpcl at the Railway Inn, Cemetery-road. Defendant admitted that they intended to fight, but refused to state where the other man was—Dofendant was bound over to keep the peace for three months. SOLICITING ALMS.—Sarah Brooks was charged with begging from door to door at Cwmbach. The charge was proved, but in consideration of her having been locked up for s one time the Bench would not inflict further punishment. If she required relief she must go before the Board of Guardians and, if a proper object, they would no doubt assist her, but she must not beg from door to door or she would be punished. DISOBEYING BASTARDY ORDER.—Jerry Thomas was charged as above, on the application of Ellen Morris, who stated that there was 23s. owing to her. Defendant admitted the order and stated that there was only a month's payment due. He was ordered to pay the i mo ant due and 8s. costs. < -f DaUSK AND RIOTOUS.— John Rees, Charles Williams, and David Jenkins, were charged with the above offence, and they were severally fined 5s. and the costs. AFFILIATION.—Gwenllian Williams v. David Jones. Paternity admitted. Ordered to pay 2s. per week from the birth and costs. IMPUDHNT THEFT.—William Rees was charged with stealing a quantity of wearing apparel, viz., a cloth cap and coat and waistcoat, duck trow- sers, and neckerchief, the property of John Jackson, puddler, who stated that they lodged together, and he gave defendant permission on the 30th ult. to wear the neck tie only to go the p'tty sessions as a witness. Defendant used to take the clothes without permission when he was out.—P.C. Stephens received prisoner in custody at Merthyr. He was dressed in the clothes at the time. On being told the charge prisoner said he did not steal them that they were lent him to attend as a witness at the petty sessions at Aberdare. Defendant said prosecutor had threat- ened him if he did not attend as a witness for his sweetheart he wonld give him ad. good hiding. This was denied by proseoutor. The Bench thought it a most impertinent statement if not true. Prisoner then pleaded guilty to the charge and ho was committed to prison for twj calendar months with hard labour, at Swansea. A DESI;BTER.—Joseph Hart was charged with deserting in May last from the Glamorganshire Light Infantry Militia. The Sergeant-major proved that defendant deserted in the middle of the last training. Fined 40s. and costs, or 14 days' imprisonment with hard labour in default. ASSAULT.—Margaiet Baker v. William Harries. Mr. Simons for defendant. Complainant said that on the 27th January last she and defendant's wife had some words, and defendant ran on and struck her a blow on the face till she was down. She did not say a word to defendant. Several witnesses were called who gave corroborative evidence. There were cross-summonses in this case—defendant's wife, Jennet Harris, v. Mar- garet Baker. Jennet Harris said there .waa a row on the road, about 12 o'clock on Saturday night, and, hearing her brother'd voice, she went out and received a blow on the side of the face, but she could not say who struck her. Jane Davies, servant at tho General,.Picton, said she saw Mrs. Baker strike Mrs. Harris, but she could not say whether the blow was meant for her or not. Defendant denied havine struck complain- ant. In the first case a fine of 40s. and costs was inflicted, the other being dismissed. FUHrous DKJVING AGAIN.—Elias Davies was charged with furiously driving a horse and phea. ton through Commercial-street, Aberdare, on the 1st inst. Sergt. Mathews proved the offence and he was fined 40s. and costs. ILLEGAL HOURS. Richard Thomas, of the Red Lion, was fined 10s. and 8s. 9d. costs, on the information of Sergt. Mathews, for selling beer at an illegal hour on Sunday last.—Watkin Thomas, New Inn, was summoned for a like offence. Ad. journed for further evidence.

LETTER FROM AMERICA. Janiwary the 6, 1866. Dier wife and Shiliren, i send you this Feaw Linds to you in hop they find you All in good heilth as it Leve me at present. 26 of Desember we Start from Pontypool Rod to Bickinhed All the way with out* shange the Cirage. we got to woke about 40 yards to the packet—it was Dark yNow we meet John Lewis And Noah Jones By the Pack et. 27 Start out Hafe pas three in Noon 28 Reach Queen Stoun Hafe pas ten in the morning very Stormy and windy the men nier All Bad Ad my Self to. 29 tok Basingers to the Boord A bout a Hundred of Mary is Children All in at wance we are A bout 3 or fore Hundred men on Boord Start out at Haf pas three in the Noon 30 very Rufe wether 31 All the sam wether 1 New iers Day Ruff wether Nock the Bell in the morning and the wind blowin the vesel up and downe And we was thinking that we shood he All in the Botom Evry minet 2 the same wther 3 the same 4 the same the 5 Leetle Betcr All ont on the Boord enjoy your self 6 Now we are on smooth sea R yne Day up and the Deck All Day 7 Sunday Church to Day the Bell Ring i and another went to the Door But it was to Let on us we forse to turn Back to your House the same as the Church of England it is, we Enjoy your Self ther until Diner, we are 7 Welch men in the seme House We have very Stormy Sunday and Sunday Night the water was over the vesle no posible to stand up nor downe she was back and fore on her side i was thinking we Shood be all in the botom of the sea But thank be to God he keep u. this Night agaiue 8 to Day Not very stormy the wind is Against us, we Lost your Figer Hed Sunday the 7 i forget to tel you befor the figer is the Pietier is on the Fore end of the vesel 9th the wind Blow on with us and very could 10 Fine wether and the wind with us the vesel is going About 200 an fifty miles in Twenty Fore ouers in this cuple of Days 11 Reyny Day the wind Blow stuntime with us the wind Against us All Night but very fine wther, the men Singing an wemen to sum Play Flut and sum Play the Consitina other Playing Cards other Dancing 12 Fine Wether, sound go out that thy see a vesul cuming to meet us out we gose to see the vesel in Hu ldreds we see 4 or 5 to Day fishing About the Banks of the Newfoundland 13 Fine wether the wiud Against us the Sea nise and smooth 14 Sunday the men Rise very Erley to Day they think to see Land up and Down deek And About 9 of Clock the Laud Come site nier Hundred Miles from New york All in good Health to day we com in to New york River Sunday Night About ten o Clock in the Night 15 We come to Land Day All safe; THOMAS HUIIGES.

MOUNTAIN ASH. THE LATE MURDEU.—Ever after the recovering of the remains of the unfortunate youth John Davies, the sister to whom, it will be remembered, Davies was in the habit of giving his money, &c, exhibited a feeling of despondency, and, a few days ago, notwithstanding that every effort was made to rally her. she died of broken heart.

DISTRICT NEWS. WILSH CORN TKADJ?. —There is but little change to note in the corn trade. At most of the markets throughout the district the supply of home-grown wheat has been moderate superior dry samples met with aqukksale, and last week's rurrencies were fuUy maintained. The demand for inferior qualities and foreign was limited, and sales were only effected at less money than was obtained last week. The following are the aver- age quotations Wheat, re 1, 5s. 3d. to 5s. 6d. per bushel; inferior, 4s. 6d. to 4s. 9d. white ditto, 5s. 91. to 6s. milting barley, 3^>g 'to 36s per qr.; grinding ditto, 2is. to 29. beans, 448.; white oats, 24s. to 26s. black ditto, 23s. to 24s. HEALTH OF MERTHYR.—The following is the weekly return of the Merthyr Officer of Health Population, 53,783; births, 55; deaths, 18; ,-4 ■ thermometer, mean, 46; barometer, mean, 28.98; excess of births, 37 average annual death rate per 1,000 of population, 17 J. We are indebted to Mr. Dyke, the officer of health, for the very interesting statistics given. Merthyr may be said to have secured, by the appointment of Mr. Dyke, as great an immunity from the ravage of epidemic as profound ability, keen perception, and shrewd observation will afford. We know that there are cases where the first men of sci- ence are baffled. Disease, mysterious, stalks in when least espected, and before the armour can be put on, his shafts are flying in all directions with cruel rapidity and skill. But we know that if science sometiti-es errs and sometimes fails, it is only an exceptional case. As a rule, if we fol- low her directions, greater freedom from disease and longer preservation from decay may be fully anticipated. Mr. Dyke purposes to issue a week- ly table as above, so that the contest between health and disease will be keenly maintained and watched. Formerly an epidemic suoh as typhus fever would be allowed to run some timd ere any special measures of prevention were taken, but now it will be the fault of the Board of Health if any lives be lost. We congratulate the board on the officer, the town on the board, and hope that Merthyr, instead of being the most un- healthy, will be amongst the healthiest in the county. TUADE OF THE DjMmcT.—The works in this district have not been exhibiting their usual briskness for some weeks past. During the past nine or ten days, however, a partial revival seems to have taken place, but matters are not yet in anything like the satisfactory state they were a short a time ago. The stormy weather continues to operate projudicially, not only as regards all kinds of out-door work, but on the coal trade as well. A Swansea correspondent writes thus cheer- fully The trade of this district continues in a a satisfactory state, the various mills and forges working with their accustomed regularity, and the yield being about the average. No very im- portant orders, however, have lately been received, in fact operations are somewhat more limited during the past week or ten days, but there are still some good orders yet unexecuted in the hands of the makers and as really good* iron, of Welsh manufacture, is becoming more and more appreciated, both in the home and foreign mar- kets, it is not likely that any abatement will be made from present prices. On the contrary, should any large orders from foreign countries be received within the next fortnight, makers could safely demand a slight advance. In the coal trade there is a brisk business doing, the docks being well filled with vessels awaiting cargoes, the Aberdare and Merthyr steam qualities being mostly sought after. The continued boisterous weather, however, materiallv interferes with the shipping trade, and probably the exports of coal from this port for the past month will be some- what less than the average. SUDDEN DEATH AT MEETHYK,—ON Sunday last, Mr Thomas Loveridge, the well-known wine and spirit merchant, was suddenly attacked with apoplexy, and though he rallied for a time, he never recovered and expired in the course of the day. Mr. Loveridge's sudden death has occa- sioned muoh regret.

(r"bitarial TO THE EUITOR. 3F THE "ABERDARE TIMES." SIR.-In reply to your correspondent, Con- sumer." in last week's paper, I wish to state that the Directors of the Abordare Gas Company re- gret very much the short snpply of gas which they have been able to give their customers this winter. Towards the close of last summer they ordered a number of new retorts to be put up which the Contractor has failed to get completed, and this is the cause of the short supply. I would further beg to state that the Company have now engaged the services of a first class gas engineer, who is expected shortly to take the entire management of the works, so that we hope soon to be in a position to supply the people of Aberdare with gas, both in quantity and quality, equal to any town in the principality. I am, Sir, yours truly, Feb. 14, 1866. A DIRECTOR.

HAVERFORDWEST BAPTIST COLLEGE- The undersigned gentlemen have requested us to publish the following letter rejected by the Editor of the Freeman :— To THE EDITOR OF THE FREFMAN." SIR, -We, the undersigned Baptist Ministers, who were present at the meeting held in connec- tion with the Haverfordwest Baptist College last December, believe that your report of that meet- ing in the Freeman of December 13, 1865, though true as far as it goes, does not convey to the public a just idea of the real character of the meeting in question. The meeting had to do chiefly with the resignation of Mr. Burditt, tho classical tutor, and the way in which it w is ac- cepted by a small sub-committee. That the readers of the Freeman may have the ohance of forming a correct opinion of this subject by knowing the real facts of the case, we give a short history of all the cironmstances as known to us. Mr. Burditt was classical tutor when the first president, the late and much esteemed David Davies was alive and at his death, when the present President, the Rev. Thos. Davies was engaged, the engagement was entered into with the express condition and understanding that the president and the classical tutor were to be on terms of equality with regard to salary, status, and everything else. Of late—said Mr. Burditt at the recent committee meeting—equal- ity of status seemed not to please the president and his circle of friends. Mr Burditt was not treated in a way .at his position and worth de- manded; he was snubbed," and ignored, and of late not consulted as a committee man, so that-as Mr. Burditt himself stated ta the meet- in -there remained but one of three things to do; to sink down gradually and quietly into the position of an underling, or to fight every day and at every step, or to resign; the last alterna- tive seemed to him the best, and so he adopted it. The resignation of Mr. Burditt was hastily ac- cepted by a small sub committee, without his being given a chance to reconsider and withdraw it, and even without his being asked to state his reasons for giving up an office he had filled so admirably for such a long time. There was a feeling of indignation through the whole of Wales at what had been done by this small sub-com- mittee and so a protest-the one that a short time since appeared in the Freeman—was signed by thirty ministers, includi' g such names as Dr. Price, of Aberdare; Dr. Emlyn Jones, of Mer- thyr; Dr. Davies, of Aberavon Dr. Morgan, of Holyhead; Itev. C. Short, M.A., Swansea; D. M. Evans and J. R. Morgan, of Llanelly; N. Thomas, of Cardiff; B. Evans, of Neath; Evan Thomas, of Newport, &c., &c. A general meeting was called. The followinz abstract from a re- port that appeared in the Welsh daily paper will, we believe, give a more correct idea if the real nature of the meeting than the account which has already appeared in your columns. "HAVERFORDWEST BAPTIST COLLEGE." A meeting in connection with the above in- stitution was held at the Baptist chapel, Haver- fordwest, on Tuesday, the 5th inst., at tweve o'clock. There was a very large attendance, from fifty to sixty ministers, as well as many lay- men, being present. The chair was occupied by Mr. Evans, of Brecon. The secretary (the Rev. T. E. Thomas, of Trehale) stated that he had received letters from gentlemen who could not attend, but he thought it would be wasting time to read those letters.-Dr. Price, of Aber- dare, here expressed a wish that the letters should be read and the majority of the meeting agreeing with him, the letters were read, some of which, especially the one from the Rev. J. Jones (Mathetes), of Rhymney, strongly con- demned the sub-committee for accepting in the way it did Mr. Burditt's resignation. Some one asked the secretary to read to the meeting the protest against the doings of the sub-committee, which was signed by thirty members. This, how- ever, was not done.-The Rev. Mr. Edwards, of Brecon, wished to know if all present were to take part in the business of the meeting, or was it merely a meeting of the committee. Upon its 0 bemg decided that it was only a meeting of the committee, and not a public meeting, many min- isters complained that they had come from a long distance, at a considerable expense, to attend a meeting in which it now appeared that they had no right to take part. Some one asked them who had invited them to come to this meeting, when it was stated that printed circulars had been sent to many not on the committee, and that a notice appeared in the Seren Cymru, inviting all the ministers and friends of the college to attend the meeting.—Mr. Rees, the treasurer, asked what they had to do with the Seren Cymru, or what- ever the paper in question was called P Dr. Price (the editor of the Seren) handed to the chairman the manuscript of the article in his .4 paper, and it appeared that the article inviting 1 all the friends of the college to attend the meeting was written and sent by the President of the college himself.—Dr. Davies then stated that he had exceeded his power in inviting any but those who were members of the committee.—The Rev. John Williams, of Ponthir, Rev. D. Jones, of Shrewsbury, and others who had travelled long distances, said they had come to Haverfordwest upon the invitation of the President, but after all they had, it seemed, taken the journey in vain«| — It was remarked by the secretary that theyl had nothing to do with that, and so ended that ] part of the business.- The Rev T. Dalies, of Maindy, asked the following questions 1st. Whether all the mem- bers of the sub-committee bad been summoned to the meeting to consider Mr Burditt's resignation? 2nd. What notice had been given ? 3rd. When, and by whom, was John Williams, of Salem, elected a member of the sub committee ? In reply it was stated (1) that all the members of the sub- committee were not summoned (2) that three or four day's notiee had been given; (here the Rev W. Owen, of Middlemill, stated that he did not get his notice till the very day on which the com- mittee met, and was then about twelve miles from Haverfordwest;) (3) that -though John Williatos of Salem, was on the sub-committee he was not legally elected.—Mr Davies, of Maindy, stated that ho did not deem the answers satis- factory, and that also seemed to be the general opinion of the meeting. It was then proposed by Mr. Davies, seconded by the Rev B. Thomas, of Neath, and supported by the Rev Dr Price, of Aberdare, and the Rev N. Thomas, of Cardiff, that the resolution of the snb-committee, which accepted Mr Burditt's resignation, should be rescinded by the general committee.—Mr Wil- liam Davies, solicitor, then rose, and in a long speech proposed as an amendment, that lie reso- lution of the sub-committee be adopted by the general committee. M r Davies was not content that the questions, whether a small sub-committee could accept a tutor's resignation or not, and whether it was not unseemly to accept the resig- nation of so able a man as Mr Burditt, in such » hasty way, should be put to the meeting, and voted upon on their own merits; but he told the gentlemen present that if they voted against his amendment the officers of the college would re- sign their posts, and the college would be an- nihilated. He referred to the long services of Mr Rees and others, and reminded the meeting that those gentlemen were now aged, and in the period of the sear and yellow leaf." He also spoke in severe terms of several young ministers, whom he singled out by name. Mr Davies went on to say that the sub-committee had nothing to do but accept Mr Burditt's resignation, for if one of his (Mr Davies's) clerks gave him notice that he was going to leave, he wonld simply tell him to go. (Mr White, of Merthyr, hele reminded Mr. Davies that Mr Burditt was not his olerk.) Mr Daries then spoke with great vehemence, and called those ministers who had protested against the sub-committee a mere lot of boys," who^ wished to see their names in print." After making other remarks of the same kind he at length sat down by moving his amendment. Mr Burditt, the late classical tutor, who was present at the request of the meeting, rose to state why he had resigned his office. It seemed to him that equality of status (the condition upon which he and Mr Davies were engaged) was entirely ignored. Mr Burditt mentioned several circum- stances to prove this, such as erasing his name from a circular when in the proof sheet, and act consulting him about the new college buildings, and other things of the same kind, which went to prove that equality of status did not please Dr Davies and his oircle of friends. There was, said Mr Burditt, only one of thrse things left for him to do, either to quietly sink down into the posi- tion of an inferior, or to fight every day and at every step, or to resign. The last alternative ap- peared to him to be the best course, and he there- fore adopted it. He thought it was the haste with which his resignation had been accepted by the sub-committee had caused the disturbance through the chantry. After other short speeches had been made by various gentlemen, Mr Thomas Joseph seoonded the amendment of Mr Davies, and oa its being put to the vote the amendment was carried by 38 votes against 14. "When it was declared that the amendment was carried, Dr Price, of Aberdare, and the Rev. N. Thomas, of Cardiff, said that if a sub-committee could do what had been done, the general eom- mittee was a nonentity, and their namos had bet- ter he struck off the list. Rnt we believe those gentlemen and others who feel equally strong on the snbject have resolved that at the annual meeting in next May they will make one more effort to reduce the powers now exercised by small sub committees. Shortly after the adoption of the amendment, this very stormy meeting was brought to a close. Yllilr readers will see from this, Mr Editor, that Mr Burditt, though such an able tutor, has not yet been requested to withdraw his resig- nation. He has been, we believe, sacrificed to party spirit and personal ambition. But we hope and believe that the approaching annual meeting will do justice to him by refusing to adopt and sanction the doings of the committee. The sub-committee gained a victory, but by such means as make it more undesirable and ignoble that any imaginable defeat, because, 1. Ministers who travelled long distances at a considerable expense, to endeavour to rescind the unjust resolution of the small sub-com- mittee, were not allowed to vote at all, though invited to the meeting by the Pre- sident of the College. 2. The members of the sab-committee who ought to have been at the bar of the general one, were allowed to vote for themselves. 3. The protest against the unseemly doings of the small sub-committee signed by the most influential ministers in Wales was not read though twice called for. 4. Threats and promises were used in a case where logic would do nothing. 5. Lachrymose epaeohea were indulged in ad nauseam when reasonable arguments alone ought to have been used 6. A solicitor (not himself a member of the Baptist Denomination) made a long speech in the forensic style to defend in toto the sub committee, and to insult by name minis- ters who naturally i.nagined they were not summoned to Haverfordwest to be abused in a public meeting. 7. The officers of the College threatened that they would resign their office (and so of course the college would bo ruined) unless their doings were adopted by the general committeo." We think that it is due to Mr Burditt as well as to the majoiity of the Baptist Ministers in Walps, that these facts should be made known, and we trust that the Freeman will allow us to speak through it at this time. We have in con- clusion to express our deep regret that the man- agers of the Haverfordwest College were pursuing a suicidal policy, by causing the students and young ministers to feel indifferent, and in many cases even bitter, towards the Institution in which they have been educated. We also express & strong wish that the whole constitution and management of the college may undergo athoiough reformation at the annual meeting in next May. N.B. We, whose signatures are attached to this paper, were students at Haverfordwest when Mr Burditt was tutor of the college and as we always esteemed him for his goodness and abili- ties, we are anxious that justice should bo done to him. Rev. Cl arles White Merthyr. „ J, hn Williams Pontheer, Mon „ T. L. Dalies Maindee, Mon „ Daniel Joues Shrewsbury. „ T. A. Pryce Aberdare. „ Thomas John „ „ William Harries.Millst., David Davies. Hirwain. „ B. D. Thomas Neath. January 13th, 1866.

TO THE POWERS THAT BE. (By our own Nuisance Inspector.) Subject to your orders I have examined into a few of the many public nuisances which abound in the parish. I am not a man of words, so my reports will be brief and I trust to the purpose. Maesydre is very badly drained, and the chief streets are a disgrace to the Dean and Chapter of Glo'ster as well as to the town of which I have the honour to be an inhabitant. It is also badly lighted. By-the-bye, the light is by no means dazzling in any part of the town just now. The river Dare, from the point where it first' washes the town to its confluence with the Cynon, is a stinking, seething filth-bed. I recommend that it be covered over before July next. There are several old houses near the lamb-like place, "The Lamb," which require the attention of a few masons, labourers and their crowbars and picks. In other words, I recommend they be taken down. I give the same advice in the matter of a few old old houses which abut upon the parish churchyard, in High Street. I am disgusted with the state of things in Mar- ket-street, especially on Saturday eveninsrs. Noi*v showman, and bilious-looking quacks take possession of this street every Saturday. Gin- gerbread and nut-shooting stalls are also there in abundance, and the hangers-on connected with these itinerant establishments do many little things which I can only venture to whisper, and as I have not yet learnt how to whisper on paper, I must reserve this part of my information until a personal interview will be convenient. A de. putation of respectable ratepayers residing in and about this street waited upon me the other day, and their grievances were veay numerous, and their faces very long. I told them I would take an early opportunity of bringing the matter under your notice. I now done so, and therefore wash my hands.