The Aberystwith Observer

BARMOUTH AND PORTMADOC NEW LIFE- BOATS. The National Lifeboat Institution has just re- placed its boats at Barmouth and Portmadoc by two fine new lifeboats, each being thirty-four feet long, eight feet four inches wide, and rowing ten oars double banked. The following are some of the qua- lities of the boats ;—1. Great lateral stability or re- sistance to upsetting 2. Speed against a heavy sea. 3. Facility for launching and taking the shore. 4. Immediate self-discharge of any water breaking into her. 5. The immediate advantage of self-righting, if upset. 6. Strength. 7. Stowage room for a large number of passengers. The harbour tria's of the boats took place in the Regent's Canal Dock, Lon- don, a few days since, and was satisfactory in every way. The expense of the Barmouth new lifeboat is the gift to the society of a benevolent lady under the initials" E. P. S." The cost of the Portmadoc new lifeboat has been presented to the institution by James Ash bury, Esq of London and Manchester, and is named the" John Ashbury," after his late father. A free conveyance was readily granted to the boats to their destinations by the Great Western and Cambrian Railway Companies, via Shrewsbury. 1 he boats will long remain monuments of the philan- thropy of the benevolent donors. The institution is also much indebted to its local committees and the hon. secretaries at Barmouth and Portmadoc, for their valuable and zealous co-operation in the management of the lifeboat stations. As about £50 a-year are required to keep each lifeboat always ready for instantaneous service, it is earnestly to be hoped that- the principality will continue to come forward and aid by annual subscriptions so benevo- lent an undertaking. It is evident also that a large sum is required by the institution to enable it to maintiin in a state of efficiency its numerous lifeboat establishments on the WTelsh coast, and that the good and sacred work in which it is so actively en- gaged can only be perpetuated by legacies and the continued support of the public at large. It may be added that the National Lifeboat Institution has now 172 lifeboats under its charge, and tht twenty-two of these boats are stationed on the Welsh coast. We may state that contributions for the institution will be thankfully received by all London and Welsh bankers, by the several honorary secretaries of its different branches in Wales, and by the secretary of the institution, John-street, Adelphi, London.—

THE SEVERN.—COMMENCEMENT OF THE SALMON FISHERY SEASON. (From the Field.) To-day (Saturday) the season for 1867 commences under circumstances which have never before attended the event, and with prospects of the most cheering kind. The Severn Fishery District was not formerly constituted early enough in the last fishing season to permit of the new Act (1865) being brought into full operation. This, therefore, is the first season in which licences have been issued. Up to Thursday the number of licences issued was not large in fact, for the first few weeks of the season, the salmon fishing in the Severn is for the most part practically confined to the nets in the fresh water portion of t.he river from Tewkesbury upwards. Such of the putts and put- chers used in the estuary as the Special Commis- sioners have not abolished will take some time to fix in their rank and the lower fishing is not entered upon generally until a month later, when new fish begin to run up the rivers. At present, for every straggling new fish taken by the fresh-water fisher- men, there were several old ones and, although there have been seen many old fish that have depo- sited their spawn dropping down the river, it is a fact, also, that there are still unspent fish migrating upwards. The spawning season, on the Severn and its tributaries spreads over at least four months, and this fact calls for an extension of the fence time, by carrying it over the month of February, and also stopping angling on Oct. 1 instead of Nov. 16, when a fresh run fish is as scarce as at Christmas. The graduated scale of licences resolved upon by the Severn Board was objected to by the Gloucester shire proprietors, who memorialised the Home Secretary against it; but that official confirmed the scale as recommended by the Board. The licence for draft or hang-nets graduates from £4 to £5 below Gloucester to £ 1, £ 2, and £ 3 between that city and the heads of the stream. Putts are charged 2s. 6d. each, and putchers jEl for fifty. The rod licence is 10s., and it is expected that by fixing it at so low a figure a great number will be taken by trout-anglers, who will adopt that means of helping the funds of the Board. But for the disinterested con- duct of a number of noblemen and gentlemen of the counties of Worcester, Salop and Montgomery (with the noble chairman of the Board at their head), who have raised a voluntary fund of over £300 these funds would have been totally inade- quate to the carrying out of an efficient system of protection at present. The revenue from licences was only beginning to drop in within the last three or four days, and it is well known to the readers of the Field what the Board has already done towards the opening up of the river from the Bristol Channel to Plinlimmon, and the protection of such breeding fish as have been enabled to reach the spawning beds. The exceptional state of the river, which has been subject to frequent heavy freshes, but to no actual flood until the present month (January), was highly favourable to the breeding fish, which were seen higher up the river than they had ever been observed before, while the quantity of fish was beyond all precedent. The number of breeding salmon that have been noticed in the Severn and its numerous valuable tributaries this winter is a feature which has given the greatest gratification to those ardent workers in the good cause located in the district, and who, by their disinterested efforts for a long series of years, have materially contribu- ted to that amendment of the fishery laws which has been so long wanted and which they so long asked for in vain.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions and sentiments of our Correspondents.

NORTH MONTGOMERY HARRIERS WILL MEET Monday, Feb. 11th Dolver, Newtown Wednesday.Feb 13th, Church House, Lmnllwuhaiarn Friday, Ieb. loth "litord, Newtown EACH DAY AT ELEVEN.

ILocal information. PETTY SESSIONS, ABERYSTWYTH. Saturday, 2nd February, 1867. POACHING OUTRAGE CASE. Before Thomas Jones, rsq. The four prisoners, John Evans, David Jones, Morgan Jones, and John Jones, were brought up on remand, charged with firing at and wounding two keepers of Sir Pryse Pryse, Bart. John Clarke, sworn Witness lives at Old Cwm house. Is game-keeper to Sir Pryse Pryse. Re- members the morning of the 17th of January. Nothing happened until 2 o'clock on that morning. Witness was out with his son, Thomas, another keeper. On that morning witness heard a shot from a cover belonging to Mr. George G. W illiams, of Cwm, adjoining Rho^ceilan. Witness was out at that time. On hearing the firing witness and his son went to the cover from which the sound of the shuts proceeded. It was a very light morning, there being nearly a full moon, and the ground being covered with snow. Witness went through the cover, and his son under it. Saw nothing in the cover, and then returned. Then went to another cover, attracted there by hearing five shots They were fired in quick succession. The first cover was the Cribin cover, and the second the Porthangel cover. Met the men coming out of the latter cover. driven out by witness' son. They were four in number. Saw them get over the rails from the cover to the field. They were then from 90 to 100 yards off. Three of them carried guns, and one a stick. Witness heard them say to his son, Stand back." Witness went into the field to meet them. One of them could not get on very well, and the others called him a fool. One man fired at witness when from 80 to 90 yards off. That shot struck witness, but did not take effect. They then went up the hill about 10C yards before witness. They then stopped, and the man who had fired already reloaded his gun, and when about 35 yards off one of them, the same who had fired before fired again, and wounded witness and his son. Witness was wounded in the body, thigh, and hand. He received thirty-five grains of shot altogether. The man who fired was a short stout man. If witness had not turned his side to the gun he would have been shot in the ab- domen and stomach and killed. Witness then called for other keepers, and blew his whistle, and they all made away. Thomas Clarke, sworn: Witness is a game-keeper to Sir Prvse, and son of the former witness. On the said morning witness went to the cover belonging to Mr. Williams. When he got to the bottom witness saw the four men crossing a turnip field from the cover. Witness made a detour, so as to meet them; but he lost them, and then returned to the top of the field, and again went back to Ty'nyrabbey. Then heard some shots fired. When he got near the cover two shots were fired. On going into the cover another shot was fired about him in the drive through the cover. Did not see the men until they came into the road going up the cover. Witness was then about fifty or sixty yards behind them. There were four men armed with some guns. Half-way on the road they fired a shot at a rabbit. They then went to a field adjoining the cover, where they met witness' father.. Witness saw them then fire on his father. One of them told witness to stand back." That was when the four men were in the field. They had their guns with them then. After that night witness heard the voice of the man who called out stand back," again at Bryncader the same morning, miles away. (Witness identified the man John Evans as the man whose voice he heard.) Heard the voice in his house as witness was outside. He recognized the voice before he saw the man, and told Mr°Inspector Lloyd and P. C. Evans that that was the voice of the man who spoke to him the nicht before. The stature of John Evans agrees with that of the man whom he saw poaching. Wit- ness has no doubt on his mind but that that is the voice of the man who addressed witness in the fat-Id is the same as that of the prisoner John Evans Witness was close to his father when he was shot at the second time. Witness cannot identify the other men. One seemed to be taller than the others thpn. P. C. David Thomas, sworn: Witness could iden- tify John Evans and John Jones. Saw them in Aberystwyth late on the night of the 16th ult., about midnight. They were in front of the c. Shropshire Arms Witness and another constable spoke to them. Another person came from the St. George's," and wanted them to go back there. The third party was drunk, and they did go with him but the two prisoners went into the Shropshire Arms." That was all witness saw of them that night. William Morgans, sworn Witness is the master of the prisoner John Jones. The prisoner was not in witness' bouse on the night of the 16th ult. He had supper on the previous evening, and did not re- turn until eight o'clock the next morning. He then appeared to have been drinking. P. C. Evans, sworn Witness apprehended David Jones. When he asserted the prisoner he said he had not been out all the ni^ht in question but wit- ness discovered that that was not the case. The prisoners were further remanded to Thurs- day following at Tre'rddol. Tuesday, 5th February, 1867. Before Richard Roberts, Esq., mayor, and Thomas Jones, Esq. TRANSFER OF LICENSE. The license of Mr. Beyston's public-house in Mill Street was transferred from the name of Mrs. Tol- free to that of Eleanor Herbert. POOR RATE. Richard Samuel, the poor-rate collector proved having demanded payment of £15 15s. rates from the Cambrian Railway, which was not yet paid. Mr Thomas said there was no doubt but there would be a cheque received for the amount either to-day or to-morrow. In the meantime the usual Order made for payment. 4

TOWN COMMISSIONERS, ABERYSTWYTH. Tuesday, 5th February, 1867. A general monthly meeting was held at the Town Hall on Tuesday, Richard Roberts, Esq. (mayor), in the chair. The other commissioners present were Messrs. Thomas Jones, J. J. Atwood, Charles Hackney, Thomas Hugh Jones, John Hughes (Prince Albert), William Julian, David Williams, E W Jones John Williams (Terrace), Jonathan Pell Philip Williams, Benjamin Hughes, Edward Rowland, G. T. Smith, and Rowland Evans. Mr Jesse Morgan, the "Engineer" of the town, was also in attendance. Several bills were examined and ordered to be paid. in one of the bills was a charge for extra cart and horse for carting stones. Mr. Atwood asked whether it would not be better to keep another cart and horse ? Mr. Jones thought an arrangement might be come to with the harbour trustees for their horse, which was only employed by them on seldom occa- sions In fact, the horse was eating his head off; and if that horse was employed the same as the other horse, it would be ft saving of public money to the t0 This view was universally approved by the meet- ing, and ordered to be adopted. Mr. Vaughan was instructed to give employment to such cart, horse, and man. j „ Several complaints were made of ashes and offal being thrown by occupants of houses in the street. Mr. Vaughan was instructed to have bills printed, stating the days on which each part of the town would be visited by the town cart, and desiring the occupants of houses to have their ashes or manure ready in baskets to be carted. Any such thrown upon the street would be left there, and the house- holder throwing it there summoned for creating a nuisance. Mr. D. Williams asked how much money was in the bank. Mr. Lloyd replied there was about £160. Mr. D. Williams complained of the interest so long due not yet being paid. It was too bad that those to whom it was due were losing interest upon interest. RATIXG THE PIER. Mr. Pell said the commissioners had no right to rate the pier. The case was tried at Blackpool, and it was there decided they had no power to rate it. Mr. Thomas corrected Mr. Pell. It wa& decided that they could rate only a portion of it. Mr. Atwood said it could not be denied that the pier here was a great failure. Would not £50 be enough. Agreed to. Mr. Pell observed that the toll-houses were washed by the tide. Mr. Thomas Yes and some of your pier house's here are sometimes washed away by the tide. (Laughter.) A pressing letter was read to the meeting from the English0 house which supplied the railings for the new sea wall. .„ Mr. Thomas said there was a bill due by the town to the Gas Company, of about £ 300, up to last November and there were dozens of letteis received every week from Gas Company share- holders asking for their dividend. It was impossible to pay the dividend, because the Gas Company depended chiefly on the town. Mr. Hackney said there was another thing he had to-coroplain of. When Cheap Jack was opposite his house the street was cut up, and it has been left in that state. Mr. Pell said it was Siviter who did it. Mr. Atwood said that Siviter had no right to do it without the permission of Mr. Vaughan. (Hear, Mr! Lloyd remarked that there was an order on the book to the effect that such permission was not reqnired in every case. Mr. Atwood Yes but he ought to have repaired the street again.. Mr. Pell again reverted to the all-important topic of procuring funds for the sewage and other im- provements of the town. He thought it was a temporary difficulty which might be got over in a legitimate way. Could they not procure a loan from their bank on the rates which must come m ? The bank ought to advance such a loan without hesitation, as they were sure of the rates. Mr. Thomas thought that the bank had already refuged. Mr. Pell in that case thought that the account ought to be removed. He was certain that the National Provincial Bank would deal more liberally with them. He begged to move that the bank be asked to advance a loan upon the faith of the rates and if they refused to do so, that the account of the town be removed to the other bank. Mr. Thomas: In the first place the bank would ask for personal security for such a loan. Mr. J. Jones and himself were in as such personal security for some time, and it was not likely they would be caught at the same game agiin. (Laughter.) Be- sides, they would have to pay interest for the loan, and that would be an illegal proceeding on their part. Mr. Smith thought it better to pay for the loan of the money when they were hard pressed, and let those people be piid to whom interest was due. Mr. Thomas repeated that the commissioners had not the power to borrow. Mr. Pell: Other towns can borrow on the sucurity of a rate when made. Mr. Thomas again repeated that they had no power to borrow except on mortgage. Mr. Pell Of course we have no right to get into debt at all but we do so (Laughter.) Mr. Atwood It is clear you have no right to borrow, as Mr. Thomas says, because if the bank advanced a loan, you would have to pay interest for the money, and that would be illegal. Mr. B. Hughes remarked that they must get money somewhere. He applied to have a drain made in Little Dark-gate-street some time ago, and an order was made. The houses in that street were in a dreadful state. The ''Hope & Anchor" and the "Victoria" were in a very bad state. And if the work was to be done at all, let it be done before the summer. Mr. Pell thought that SUJà an order ought to ex- tend to the houses at the Welsh church, for which they were receiving rates. Mr. Atwood thought that old streets like Little Dark-gate-street ought to be done first. Mr. J. Hughes said that in some of the houses there were 18 inches of water. Mr. Atwood stated that he had in his possession a copy of a document sent by Mr. Crealock to the Secretary of State as to the state of the town. There might be some exaggeration in the statements it contained but no doubt there was also a great deal of truth. Mr. Smith did not see what the effect of sending sanitary committees round the town some weeks ago was, unless to give members which formed it three or four days trouble. Mr. Pell could not agree with Mr. Smith. He thought that the committees had done a gr.eat deal of perceptible good. The cart, for instance, had been employed daily since, removing the manure. He, however, should oppose making drains in Little Dark-gate-street unless it was done in other streets as well. A long discussion, in the form of the usual con- fused. rough-and-tumble conversation of this august body, ensued. The propriety of applying to Parlia- ment for permission to borrow was discussed to the satisfaction of each speaker. As to the new drains, Mr. Smith stated that Mr Henry Davis told him he would make the necessary drains in Powell-street himself, if the commissioners would engage to repay him the outlay when they had money. Mr. Atwood thought that a very generous offer, and that it ought to be accepted. Of course Mr. B. Hughes would imitate that good example. Mr. Hnghea was understood to be of another opinion. He then called attention to the rain pipes which were ordered to be carried into the sewers, instead of being allowed to empty themselves on the surface of the streets. QUEEN'S HOTEL LAMPS. Mr. Pell then read the following letter, which he had received from Mr. Barlcombe :— Victoria Hotel, Euston, January 31st, 1867. My DEAR SIR,—As I see your name injthe discussion on my letter to the commissioners on the subject of the public lights, I think it right to point out to you the inconsistency of the decision into which you were led, "that the lighting committee should see me as to the cost of the lamps." If you will read mv letter again (OBSERVER, 19th) you will notice that' I provided for the usual pro- crastination by saying that if they (the commis- sioners) would allow me the price they pay for their ordinary gas standards, I would have two specially cast to fit and fix on the standards of the railings fronting the hotel at my own cost. I will not pay any further instalment of the improvement rate until we have public lights, for although a given distance is mentioned in the Local Act, such can only be read as a provision to prevent claims arising from occupiers of small places outside the town, not to such an erection as ours, erected at a sum equivalent to 10 15 ordinary houses. Besides, I believe part of our property is without the distance. I am, my dear Sir, Yours truly, Jonathan Pell, Esq. J. B. BALCOMBE A discussion took place on the reading of this let- ter and it was finally determined that Mr. Bal- combe be offered £3 for the erection of two lamps, and that the same be understood to be the property of the town when erected.

PENNY READINGS, ABERYSTWYTH. The last of these entertainments for the season was given in the Temperance Hall on Friday se'en- night. The chair was occupied on the occasion by John M. Davies, Esq., of Anttron. The knowledge that this was intended as the last of the Penny Readings," although not officially announced, had got wind through the town, and gave to the meeting a more than ordinary interest. The consequence was that the hall was densely crowded in every part. The readings and singing were of, perhaps, more than the average merit; in the former accom- plishment Miss Mary Anne Jones carrying off the palm. After the last selected reading, Mr. M'c Ilquham rose and announced that as Mr. Lewis Davies, who had been justly described as the heart and soul of the "Penny Readings" in this town, was about to leave them, the committee had determined to present him with a testimonial in acknowledgment of his very great services. Mr. M'cllquham ex- patiated upon Mr. Davies' merits in a somewhat lengthy and touching oration, and then presented that gentleman with two splendidly bound volumes of Chambers' Encyclopedia of English Literature. This, no doubt, was a graceful and duly deserved tribute to Mr. Davies, whose efforts to benefit and entertain this town and neighbourhood have been untiring. Mr. Lewis Davies, in a characteristically modest speech, acknowledged the compliment which had been paid him. In the course of his remarks he referred in terms of high approval to the new Read- ing Room announced to be opened on the following Monday. A vote of thanks to the chairman was proposed by Mr. Davies, and seconded by Mr. O'Halloran, and the meeting terminated with the National Anthem. We are glad to understand since writing the above, that the committee of the above society have complied with the numerous requests sent to them, not to close their entertainments until later in the season and we are happy to inform the public that they intend giving another series, the proceeds of which will be devoted to the different public institu- tions of the town. We believe that the first meet- ing will"be held next week, and the proceeds pre- sented to the new Literary Institute and Working Men's Reading Room." b

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN COUNCIL. Wednesday, 5tlt February. A quarterly meeting of the Town Council was held at the Town Hall on Wednesday last. The numer of the Council present were Alderman Jones, in the chair Councillors John Rees, Philip Wil- liams, John Matthews, Richard Morris, Thomas O. Morgan. Mr. Szlumper was also in attendance. A discussion took place as to the proper formation and cost of the new slaughter-house, &c. The clerk (Mr. Parry) suggested that £ 1,000 would at the outside be sufficient; and that applica- tion be made to the Treasury for permission to borrow that sum. Mr. Matthews did not see why they should confine themselves to that sum. If they got permission to borrow any sum they need not borrow it unless they required it. Mr. Parry said that .01,500 in addition to the £200 which was to be given them by the*Wesleyan chapel in the Queen's Road would he sufficient for the work. Mr. Szlumper was of the same opinion. Mr. Morris' estimate for the filling up was ac- cepted. Mr. Parry thjgj read t^e "agreement drawn up be- tween Thomas Mm-gaq, carrier, and the Corpora- tion of Aberystwytb^foj the filling-up for the sum of £ 165. The same was duly executed. Mr. Isaac Morgan, who entered the room, said he came there at^the invitation of the Council, to know what their decision was as to the 30s. per cent. on the outlay. He might save the time of the Council by stating at once that he did not intend to pay the 30s. unless he was compelled to do so. Mr. Parry said it was notoriously known in the town that the 30s. was to be paid to the architect, and Mr. Atwood had informed the Council that both Thomas Davies and him (Mr. Morgan) tbat they must build according to the terms of the specifica- tion and that they must pay the architect. Mr. Morgan said that Mr. Atwood never men- tioned such a thing to him, and also that Mr. Davies informed him after the last meeting that it was not fair to ask him tu pay if he had not been informed of it. He did not want a lease now; indeed, he would not accept it until the two years given him to build were up. Unless he was compelled he would not pay the 30s. Mr. Morgan then left the room. John Jones, of North Parade, applied for an ex- tension of lease of ground at the corner of Mary Street. Lease of building ground was executed by the Corporation to Thomas Davies.

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH- "VVe never remember a session which has been looked forward to with such anxiety as the one which was on Tuesday inaugurated by Her Majesty in person. Various causes have combined to induce the public to regard the present session as especially important, but there is one cause above all others, which every reader will in a moment anticipate—Reform. The acknowledged difficulty of a Conservative Government steering between the Scylla of such a bill as would be inevitably rejected, and the Charybdis of such a measure as would ul- timately prove a heavy blow and sore dis- couragement to Conservatism itself, gave rise to innumerable rumours, to which it is not now worth while to further to allude. Suffice it is to say, that the most contrary courses have been at one time or other confidently predicted for Ministers, and that the session opened with everything rumoured, nothing known, and with Cabinet secrets well kept. The speech, which we give in another co- lumn, will have been, or will be, eagerly read by all who take the slightest interest in public affairs. Our own country is so much governed by public opinion, and so little by Royalty, that the Queen's Speech, as an indication of policy, is always far less definite and decisive than an Imperial speech, we will say, in France or Austria; but still, even amongst ourselves, coming events cast their shadows before; nor, indeed, do we altogether regret that our royal speeches are rather vague, for after all this is a homage paid to Parliament, the people, and the press. After the usual Royal amenities on once more meeting Parliament, her Majesty nomi- nally, and her Majesty's Ministers virtually, inform us that our relations with foreign powers are satisfactory, and hopes are expressed that the termination of the war in Germany may lead to h e establishment of a durable peace in Europe allusion is then made to the Alabama claims in a hopeful spirit; and hopes are ex- pressed that the war between Spain and Chili and Peru may be settled by mediation. After alluding to Greece and Turkey we have fore- shadowed a bill for the Confederation of the North American provinces. Having briefly alluded to the famine in India, reference is made to Fenianism, and. though not in so many words, we are led to hope for the re-es- tablishment of the Habeas Corpus Act. The decrease of the cattle plague and the cholera both afford cause for congratuletion, and, ap- propriately enough, this is followed by the promise of a measure to improve the water supply to the metropolis and the other princi- pal towns. We have then the stock paragraph about the estimates, ominously followed by a hint that we must prepare for further army ex- penditure. The allusion to Reform is so im- portant that we extract the exact words: "Your attention will again be Called to the I state of the representation of the people in Par- liament. and I trust that your deliberations, conducted in a spirit of moderation and mutual forbearance, may lead to the adoption of mea- sures which, without unduly disturbing the balance of political power, shall freely extend the elective franchise." What more, or what less, Ministers could say, we are at a loss to perceive. The whole question is thus left open to the deliberation of Parliament to be called forth by a measure which Ministers will doubt- less bring forwar.d The remainder of the Speech is fertile in promises. We are to have measures relating to strikes between employer and employed; for the extension of the Fac- tory Acts to other trades; for improving the condition of the mercantile marine for amend- ing the Navigation Laws so far as concerns British shipping in foreign ports; for enabling railway companies who cannot meet their en- gagements to arrange their affairs; for the amendment of the Poor Law for the amend- ment of the Bankruptcy Law for the Consoli- dation of the laws of Probate and Divorce, and for improving the relations of landlord and tenant in Ireland. What we might perhaps have expected in addition to all this would have been a promise relative to amendments in the law of joint-stock companies, and a reference to the alteration of the law of capital punishment; but these per- haps are included in the" other measures" which are to be brought before Parliament, and the latter has indeed been definitely pro- mised by Mr. Walpole. On the whole we consider the speech an ad- mirable one. No one important topic that has lately engaged public attention has been omit- ted, and there is in the inaugural speech pro- mise enough for a whole session. In fact, it would evince a very poor knowledge of the course of public business to have faith in all these promises being realised; but that will depend more on Parliament than on the Ministry. Looking at the entire document, apart from party politics, we consider it one of the best speeches that have inaugurated Par- liament for years. It will be for Parliament and the country to translate that speech into action.

PETTY SESSIONS, TRE'RDDOL. Thursday, 7th Feb., 1867. Before Col. Pryse, M.P., Lewis Pugh, Esq., Thomas Jones, Esq., and John M. Davies, Esq. POACHING OUTRAGE. The four prisoners, John Evans, David Jones, Morgan Jones, and John Jones, were brought up on remand, charged with the late poaching outrage committed at Llangorwen, on the morning of the 17th January last. The prisoners were defended by Mr. Charles Bishop, solicitor, of Llandovery. The room was cleared for a consultation of the magistrates. On the doors being thrown open Col. Pryse asked Mr. Bishop whether he appeared in this case for the prisoners. Mr. Bishop replied that he did. Col. Pryse: Then I may inform you that the bench have decided that as these are merely pre- liminary proceedings they have no objection to your remaining and watching the case for your clients, but they cannot allow you to interfere, or take any further part in the proceedings. Mr. Bishop: I should like to hear the evidence already given. Col. Pryse The case will be fully gone into now, and you will hear all. You fully understand, Mr. Bishop, the position in which you stand. And now as I am an interested party, I shall leave the case, in the hands of my brother magistrates. Col. Pryse then quitted the room. John Clarke sworn, gave evidence similar to that received before Thomas Jones, Esq., at the Town Hall, Aberystwyth, on Saturday last, and reported above. Got 35 shots in his arm, hand, and thigh, and 125 shots in his clothes, which ditl not enter his body. Thomas Clarke sworn, repeated in spirit his evidence given in Aberystwyth on Saturday last, in corroboration of his father's evidence. Mr. Bishop, before the evidence of the last wit- ness was taken, asked permission to address the bench. Permission having been accorded, Mr. Bishop expressed himself to the effect that he thought the case .might resolve" itself into another offence than that now charged against the prisoners. In such a case he should be entitled to cross-examine the witnesses. If it was proved to be another offence the case should not be sent to the assizes, but might be dealt with by a summary conviction. Mr. Thomas Depend upon it, Mr. Bishop, there will be no summary conviction. Mr. Bishop: Unless I am allowed to probe tbe case to-day, I am of no use here. Mr. Thomas: Except to watch the case for your clients. It has been decided by the magistrates that you are not to cross-examine the witnesses to-day; and I don't think that the magistrates present will, in the absence of the chairman, alter their decision. Mr. Bishop; Well, but if this is a different offence there may be a summary conviction. Mr. Thomas: It cannot resolve itself into a summary conviction, or summary jurisdiction. The charge is more than that of mere poaching; it is that of firing at a man with intent to wound or kill. Mr. Bishop Yes, hut only two of them may have been armed. Mr. Pugh But it has come out in evidence that three of the parties were armed, and besides it has been decided that there is to be no cross-exami- nation. When the evidence of the second witness was being taken, Mr. Bishop interrupted. He said that as the evidence was being taken in English, and as he was tongue-tied, it was only fair to his clients that the evidence should be translated into Welsh, to give them their unquestionable right of cross- examining. Mr. Thomas promised that as soon as the evidence was concluded it should be read over to the prisoners in Welsh. Mr. Bishop Here is the clerk taking down the evidence in English, and my clients not under- standing a word. Mr. Thomas: Really, these interruptions of Mr. Bishop's are most irregular. It is merely captious of him. Mr. Bishop: But the prisoners ought to hear the evidence through a proper interpreter. Mr. Thomas: So they shall in good Welsh as soon as the evidence of the English witnesses is finished. Mr. Bishop: But they ought to hear now in order to allow them an opportunity of cross-exa- mining. Mr. Thomas; Suppose you were not here at all, still the evidence should be made known to them. Really, these interruptions are most informal and irregular, and only tend to take up the time of the court. Mr. Bishop I should be sorry to take up the time of the court, but I think that the men ought to be made acquainted with the evidence as it proceeds. Mr. Thomas: The magistrates have decided in the matter that you have not permission to cross- examine, and it is no use your, recurring to this again and again. Mr. Bishop: That may be a custom in this county. (The learned advocate here turned his back on the bench.) Mr. Thomas It is not a custom it is a decision of Ihe bench which, I suppose, you won't question. Mr. Bishop: I only speak in the interest of justice. Mr. Thomas: I will read the evidence to the prisoners in Welsh, and they can then put any ques- tions they please. The witness stated that some of the scattered shot with which his father was wounded struck him. Mr. Thomas read over in Welsh the evidenee given by the foregoing two witnesses to the prisoners. P.C. David Thomas sworn, repeated his evidence of last Saturday. Evan Roberts sworn, examined in corroboration of the above evidence: Witness keeps the Crugie Arms, at Rhydyfelin, which is about one mile and a half from Aberystwyth, on the south road. Wit- ness is a blacksmith, and his smithy adjoins his dwelling-house. Mr. Thomas stated that this was an adverse witness. Witness: About three weeks ago witness heard a knock ai the door, and the voices of persons calling out. Got up and partly dresssd, came down stairs and opened the front door. John Evans, John Jones, David Jones, and another were there. There were three guns with them but can't name any one of the three who carried the guns. Could not venture to say that any one of the three who had the guns carried a gun. They took some beer. It was between 6 and 7 o'clock in the morning when they left his house. They left the guns in witness's house till the accused, John Jones. called about noon the same uayforthpn). Witness does not remember that eithet of the accused called afterwards to ask him to state a different hour from that at which they had come to bis house. Does not recollect the hour at which they bad come to his house. (To nearly all the questions of the magistrates' clerk this witness gave auswers nega- tive or evasive). Sold the accused two quarts aud a pint of beer, and some spirits. Mr. Bishop thought that every question had come from the bench, and that every question was irrevalent. (sic.) The accused declined to ask the witness any questions. William Morgans sworn Witness lives at Llan- yehaiarn. Remembers the Thursday in question about three weeks ago, about 8 o'clock in the morning the accused, John Jones, came to witness. He appeared to be much influenced by drink. The public house kept Evan Roberts is about three miles from witness' house. When my servant (John Jones) came home I asked him where he had been the previous night. He replied he had been with his father David Jones, at the request of the wife of the accused, John Evans, who had gone with his father for Ointment for his child and instead of returning hometheyhadgoneto drink. Witness did not so miss him in the morning before since he had been in his service. Thomas Evans sworn Witness lives at Bryn- cwm, Llanychaiarn, is a butcher by trade. On this morning three weeks witness was coming to town to meet the 8 o'clock train at Aberystwyth. Left Aberystwyth by the 8 o'clock train that morning. It took him an hour and a quarter to walk from his home to the station. Came through Pengraig. Met John Evans, John Jones, aud Da- vid Jones on the turnpike road two miles and a quarter from Aberystwyth. That was about half- past seven o'clock. The distance between the place where witness met the accused and the public house of Evan Roberts was from half a mile to three-quarters of a mile. John Evans appeared to be very drunk, and David Jones looked as if he had been drinking. Evan Roberts recalled, (to the Bench): Could not say from the appearance of the. accused whether they had the appearance of having been out poaching. There was snow on the ground that morning. Witness himself put the guns by. Mr. Davies: Then he must remember out of whose hands he took them. Wime-s swore positively he did not know any one of the prisoners from whom he had taken the guns. James James sworn Witness is well acquainted with the accused, David Jone-, who is his tenant. John Evans is a near neighbour to witness. Had a conversation with John Evans. Told him it was reported in the country that he was one of the parties engaged in this outrage. He replied that he had gone to Aberystwyth for ointment for his child. Mrs. Roberts was sworn, but she knew nothing about the case, and her examination was not pro- ceeded with. Mr. Bishop objected to a witness being called, sworn, and examinod, and the evidenee not taken down. Mr. Thomas retorted that as the evidence was negative there was nothing to be taken down. The Judge and everyone would laugh at them if they were to takedown such evidence. Mr. Thomas Jones said that their desire was to carry on the investigation with perfect fairness and decorum. Mr. J. M. Davies observed that they were only too anxious to get the witnesses to speak. Mr. Bishop said there were certain rules which must be complied with. Mr. Thomas replied that the rules were complied with. Mr. Bishop: This shall be made a subject of com- ment elsewhere. Mr. Thomas: You may comment where you please. You are only captious; and thIs ruunlug fire of commentaries are an obstruction to the business. David Jones sworn Witness is a lead-ore carrier in the employ of Jenkin Evans, father of the accused, John Evans. Witness tIives with the said Jenkin Evans. This witness went on to corrobo- rate the evidence of P.C. Dftvid Thomas, as to two of the accused having been in town late on the night of the 16th January. Witness did not see the accused David Jones that nighty nor did he hear that he had been there. P.C. Evan Evans was examined, and cross- examined by John Evans (one of the accused). Henry C. Fryer sworn Witness went up through the zig-zag drive through the corn and met the Clarke's, who pointed out the foot-prints of the four men. Followed the tracks up and down the field where the poachers returned to shoot at the keepers. Wetraced them to the Clarach road, and to Glan- mor house. They must have been going south. Followed the tracks from first to last, and came upon the same four tracks in the opposite direction, as being those by which the persons came and returned. This closed the evidence for the prosecution. Mr. Bishop having expressed a desire to address the meeting the bench accorded him permission to do so. The learned advocate made a rather lengthy and very ingenious defence for the prisoners. In the course of his remarks he observed that the pre- sent case had occupied a very long time to those gentlemen who so kindly gave their gratuitous ser- vices to the public. He should in those observa- tions endeavour to be as brief as he possibly could. He thought that the bench would come to the con- clusion with him that no case had been made out againsttbeaccusednowincustody. Thatagrave offence had been committed could not be denied; but he asked their worships to look round the room, and say upon the evidence given which of the men present was one of the culprits. He further asked their worships whether there was anything in the evidence whicn they had heard that made out a prima facia case which would justify them in now sending the accused prisoners for trial to the assizes? Mr. Davips: You must confine youiself to the evidence, Mr. Bishop. We will hear anything you have to say on the evidence. Mr. Jones: Certainly, Mr. Bishop, if you have anything to say, pray say it,Cand the.court will pay every attention to you but you must confine your- self to the evidence. Mr. Bishop proceeded to say that an offenee had been committed there was no doubt, nor any desire on his part to deny but that the offence had been committed by all or any of the four prisoners pre- sent, there was not a tittle of evidence to show. He deplored the increase of such crimes in this county, and the state of the law on this subject, which led to night poaching, that grew into strife, and ended in crime. He wished that more of the people were allowed to be present that they might learn his opinions upon this point. But he be- lieved the recent increase of crime was to be attri- buted to other causes than those which the pre- sent charge would be instrumental in ascribing to the inhabitants of this county. The fact was, that there had been importations of English into this county, and as the place where this crime was committed was:in the vicinity of mines — :Mr. Thomas here interrupted. He begged to in- form Mr. Bishop that his supposition was falsely founded. Perhaps there was no place more remoie from mines than that in which the crime charged against the prisoners were committed. Mr. Bishop would then waive that argument; but the place was in the vicinity of railway works. and every one knew that the navvies employed on such works were the most lawless of men, and they were the sort of parties who almost invariably com- mitted crimes of this sort. There was no evidence to show that two of those men went north beyond Aberystwyth on that night, although they were seen in Aberystwyth was not denied; but they were there on a spree." The learned advocate then reviewed the evidence at considerable length, and laid great stress on the fact that the poacher who spoke to the keeper cried out in English Stand back," although the prisoners were all Welshmen, and understood scarcely a word of English. He also dwelt at some length on the seemingly prevaricating evidence of Evan Roberts. After a final appeal to the good feelings and good sense of the magistrates, Mr. Bishop resumed his seat. The ordinary questions were then put to the prisoners. John Evans, in reply to the usual enquiry of the magistrates' clerk, as to his guiltier innocence, stated that he had only to say that he was in two public-houses in Aberystwyth that evening. The other prisoners pleaded Not Guilty. After a consultation of the magistrates the bench decided that John Evans, David Jones, and John Jones, he committed to take their trial at the assizes in Car- digan. There being no evidence in the minds of the magistrates against Morgan Jones he was ordered to be discharged. Bail was refused for the prisoners committed. A rather extraordinary circumstance occurred in the course of the investigation. The brother of Morgan Jones came to the court possibly to be a spectator of the proceedings but unfortanately for himself he was destined to playa more prominent part, for he was arrested by Sergeant, Thomas on making his appearance, and obliged to take the place of his brother, who was liberated. This new-made prisoner was remanded to Friday next at the Town Hall, Aberystwyth. TRANSFER OF LICENSE. Permission was given to transfer the license of a public-house at Borth from the name of John Mel- lings to that of Miss Susan Firmstone, of Oswestry. FERRETTING. Thomas Owens, of Talybont, appeared to answer the summons of Griffith Morgan, of Penbrynpele, charging him with trespasa^g on the 6eid of the complainant's fat^&r with ferrets and nets, which were set for catching rabbits. Complainant having proved his case, The defendant said that the complainant had given him permission to go on the land, and assisted him in the ferretting. Defendant admitted having received a prohibitory notice from Col. Pryse in March last. As it was a first offence, the bench would deal leniently with the defendant but if he came up again he would be dealt more severely with. Fined £1 and costs. POACHING. Lewis Richards, of Llanfihangel Genau'r-glyn, was charged by John Rabey, of Ty'nyffynon, with setting wires for snaring hares in December last on a field belonging to Mr. David Gilbertson. TRESPASSING IN SEARCH OF GAME. John Jones, of Staylittle, was ordered to be ap- prehended, he not having appeared to a summons served upon him charging him with the above offence. NON-PAYMENT OF POOR RATE. Order made against Lewis James for payment of £10 2s. 2d. poor rates due by him.

VOLURTARY RELIEF TO THE POOR. A meeting of the Relief Committee wes held on Friday (yesterday) at the Temperance Hall, in this town, C. Rice Wrilliams, Esq., M.D., secretary to the Committee, in the chair. A general distribution of relief tickets took place to the amount of £40, which was the amount of funds in hand. No further distribution can consequently take place until those who have up to the present post- poned their contributions, forward the same to the Rev. E. Owen Phillips, Vicar; Richard ^Roberts, Esq., Mayor; C. Rice Williams, Esq., M.D., hon. sec., or to any other member of the Committee. Such subscriptions, which are most urgently needed under the present fearful circumstances of the poor, will be ihaukfully received, and duly acknowledged in these columns. -c-

TREGARON. PETTY SESSIONS were held on the 29th ult., at the Talbot Hotel, Tregaron, before Inglis Jones, Esq., J, E. Rogers, Esq., and the Rev. J. Hughes. P. C. David Davies charged Richard Humphreys, Cwmcou, Caron, with having been drunk and disor- derly on the 9th ult., at the railway station, Trega- ron and also, at the same time, with leaving his horse and cart on the highway, near the railway level crossing, Tregaron. Defendant acknowledg- ing all the charges against him, was fined 6d., and 9s. 6d. costs in each case. John Evans, William Lewis, and Peter Jones were charged by William Chambers, Esq., Hafod, with having on the 24th ult., at 'Refelfach, Caron, trespassed over lands in search of game. Fined £1, and 9s. costs each. The defendant John Evans was fined 5s. for swearing in court during the hear- ing of his case. David Morgans, Cae'rcoed, Bettws-Leiky, and Daniel Jones, Hafodfaeh, Nantcwnlle, were charged by J. E. Rogers, Esq., Abermeurig, upon the infor- mation of John Davies, of Caergammawr, Nant- cwnlle, with having on the 21st ult., at Caergam- mawr, trespassed over lands in search of game with guns. Fined £1 ]0s. and 9s. costs each. David Morgans was also charged by the same complainant with having ou the 9th instant, at Bwlchygraig, Bettws-Leiky, trespassed over lands in search of game with a gun. Fined 10s. and 9s. costs. Mr. Rogers withdrew from court during tbe hearing of this case. Charles Davies, of Llanddewi-Brefi Village, was charged by Inglis Jones, Esq., Derry Ormond, upon the information of Thomas Davies, Gamekeeper, with having on the night of the 16th inst.. at Nant- doleisin, Llanddewi-Brefi, trespassed over lands in search of game with a gun. Defendant was let off upon payment of 4s. costs. Thomas Phillips, of Lluestwen, Llnnbadarn-Odyn, charged John Thomas, of Cilolwg, with having on the night of the 12th ult., at Huestwen, miliciously thrown stones at and damaging his harn door. Mr. Jones, of Llandovery, appeared for Ihe defendant. Complainant applied for an adjournment to the next petty sessions, to enable him to procure fur- ther evidence. This was opposed by the defence, unless upon the condition of complainant paying all costs: which he refused to consent to. Phillips subsequently abandoned the cuse, and agreed to its dismissal. Dismissed accordingly. David Evans, a railway ganger, was taken before the bench hy Sergeant Lyons, charged with drunk- enness in the court, and persisting in creating dis- turbances in and about the cOlort. He was ordered to be summoned for the offence to the next petty sessions. Later in the day he was served with a summons. There were six affiliation cases brought on for hearing, the greater number of which were aban- doned by the parties settling or withdrawing the same. Mr. Jones, of Pontrhydfendigaid, applied through Mr. Miller, Solicitor, for a warrant of ejectment against Ann Rowlands, of Penycefn, Caron, in order to get her from a house belonging to appli- cant, which she then occupied. The application was granted. +

SHRIEVALTY. James Loxdale, Esq., of Castle Hill, has been appointed High Sheriff for the County of Cardigan for the year 1867 and F. R. Roberts, Esq., Solici- tor, of this town, to be Under-Sheriff during the term of his office. The High Sheriff's chaplain is to be the Venerable Archdeacon Jones, of York.

LLANFYLLIN. ASSOCIATION IOB THE PROSECUTION OF FELONS. —The anniversary of this association was held at the Eagles Inn, on Friday, when a splendid dinner was provided by Mr. Morgan, and presided over by Mr. O. V. Pugh, the Epictetus of the Principality, who after the cloth was removed and the accounts for the year had been gone through, gave the usual toasts.

COAL TRADE, CARDIFF.—In consequence of the late severe weather, the quantity of steam coal ex- ported for the foreign markets shows a slight falling off. There is, however, a good demand. Shippers complain of the scarcity oftonnage on offer, although the docks are well filled with vessels, lhis arises in consequence of the lowness of freights and until they become more remunerative, such a want will continue to be very much felt. House coal meet with an average inquiry, and a good business is being transacted on coasting account. In the iron trade there has been no change for the better, and many makers find it difficult to keep their mills and furnaces going with any degree of regularity. The leading houses manage, however, to do this, but the smaller makers feel the present depression most severely. Scarcely an order worthy of notice hss been placed on home account since last repoitj but now, the question of prices has been settled, it is hoped that new life will be infused into transactions. HOLLOWAY'S PILLS -Health to the many.-The universality harmless composition, and cheapness of these inestimable Pills have won for them their present fame, lliey cannot injure the system- no mercurial, mineral, or other poisonous% £ ent. enters into their composition. Their components are the finest balsams, extracted with the greatest care, and mixed together with the nicest accuracy. Holloway's l'Ills are unrivalled for curing headache, loss 01 appd1te, indigestion, flatulency, consti- pation, and other disorders of the stomach and bowels. They stimulate, or otherwise regulate the liver. They so thoroughly purify the blood, that. in its circuit through its vessels amI: capillaries i1; diffuses fresh life and vigour throughout the whole frame, and gives tone to body and mind.

"PURITY & EXCELLENCE OF QUALITY. C) JA 6NILY IF C) R A'ED,44 A\N '4 D TRADE MARK | BULL'S H EAD ) GREA E 186-2. AL THEIR GENUINE AND DOUBLE SUPERFINE ARE THE QUALITIES PARTICULARLY RECOMMENSED FOR FAMILY USE RETAILED IN EVERY TOWN THROUGHOUT THE UNITED KINGDOM.

ANNE OWENS' CASE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ABEll rSTWYTH OBSERVER. SIK,—-From the report of this in your last, a. gross miscarriage of justice apparently has taken place. Istly, The magistrates had no jurisdiction to sentence their simple duty was to commit the parties accused for trial at the assizes. The sentence is so much below the proper punish- ment for such a crime, a few years ago of a capital nature, that I trust the Secretary of State will be made acquainted with the facts. 2ndly, The conduct of one of the magistrates in attempting to effect a compromise after his decision, is open to grave censure, and is most extraor- dinary. Another instance is afforded of the necessity of having stipendiary magistrates appointed throughout the country. So horrible and fearful a crime should be dealt with according to law. Unless the matter is taken up by the County of Cardigan, it will suffer in the justly good name it has hitherto borne. Yours faithfully, A LAWYER. London, 11, Grays Inn Square. 6th Feb., 1867. I enclose my card.

$oetrg. On Calvary, the place of skulls, 'Mid shouts of wrath and groans of woe, Loud rave the maddened "Bashan bulls," Both Jew and Gentile, high and low ;— The Jew derides with scornful laugh, The Gentile knocks the piercing nail, The high-priest, bending on his staff, Joins with the publicans to rail, While Jesus prays for Gentile and for haughty Jew, "Forgive them, Father,^for they know not what they do." The "Children of the Covenant," Who have forgotten Sinai's awe, And make traditions to supplant The teachings of Jehovah's Law,— Those chosen Sons of Abraham," That know not now their Father's God, Reject Messiah, Shiloh's Lamb, Yet bend beneath a Gentile rod; For them His fond request goes up through Heaven's blue, Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do." Lo that high-priest that prophesied, One man must for the people die," The Pharisees, whose actions hide Their thickly veiled hypocrisy, And Sadducees that disbelieve The Resurrection and the Life. For such, a ransom doth He give Himself, atonement for their strife, And dying prays for them,-indeed 'tis not their due,— I "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do." Those Roman men, that led Him down To the Prsetoriurn's judgment hall, And stripped Him, and with scarlet gown Enrobed Him in a purple pall,- Those heathen men, who wove that wreath, And put that crown ef cursed thorn Upon His brow, whose frequent teeth Have stsiin'd with gore His face forlorn,- For such He prays, His love still in His bosom true, "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do. Just now those men put in His hand A reed from Jordan's marshy banks, And knelt befora His royal wand, To mock him with irreverent thanks; They took the sceptre then, and smote His head, and spat upon His face, And clothed Him in His seamless coat That type of His pure righteousness; But still He prays for them, what to His worth is due, "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do." Oh f did the high ones of the earth But know the glory of the Lord, And understand His heavenly birth, They dared not utter hateful word But 'tis their blending ignorance, Hiding His glory from their eyes, That turns His sympathizing glance Upon their doings mercy wise, And draws from Him this interceding prayer anew, "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do." Why do the founts swell up within ? My soul, why weepest thou so sore? Dost in the nails perceive each sin That for thy sake thy Saviour bore ? Oh may'st thou feel that thorny crown Ought to have sat upon thy head, And that the doom that weigh'd Him down By thee had been inherited, Had He not cried, 'mid crucifixion's deadly woes, "Forgive him," Father, for he knows not what he does." Be not cast down, do not despair, For God is merciful, and slow To anger, and is ready e'er To hearken and forgive below I God knows thy piteous ignorance A That needs so many lessons stern, And wakes thee from thy sinful trance His words of lasting love to learn, And makes thee to look to Him, with Jesus' prayer in view, Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do." PHITJELPIS.

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. THE GOGERDDAN FOXHOUNDS WILL MEET Tuesday, Feb. 12th Three Horse-shoe Friday, Feb. 15th Penwern Hill EACH DAY AT TEN

THE VALE OF AYRON FOXHOUNDS (Capt. Vaughan's). WILL MEET Monday, 4th ^Feb Qae Friday, 8th leb Monachty EACH DAY AT TEI?

Utrttt. On the 7th instant, the wife of Mr. John Edwards, Draper, Pier-street, m this town, of a son. fflarriagf. On the 4th instant, at Llanychaiarn Pai^H Church, by the Rev. J. Davies, M.A., Incumbent, i-'if Smith, Chancery, to Jane, daugh- ter or Mr. Joel Rowlands, Auciioneer, of the t>ame place. Heatti. On the 2nd instant, aged 77 years. Mrs. Catherine Morris, of No. 11, Baker-street, in this town. She had been a consistent member of the Established Church for many years. MONUMENTS for Churches, Churchyards, and Cemeteries, executed in Stone, Marble, and Granite, may be inspected in the Show Rooms, at R. DODSON'S Marble Works, Swan-hill, Shrewsbury. Printed and Published by the Proprietor, DAV1.D JENKINS, at his General Printing-Office, Pier. street, Aberystwyth. Saturday, February 9th, 1867,