County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

PETTY SESSIONS.—THURSDAY. Before JonN JAMES, Esq., (chairman), F. MOGGRIDGE, Esq., and the Rev W. POWELL. EXCISE PROSECUTION.—John Thorn was charged with keeping a dog on the 19th of May without being in pos- session of the necessary license. It was stated that the defendant had taken out a license on the 27th June but the Chairman explained that there was no question but that the offence had been committed he knew the facts of the case, which wer:3 that the dog was not of age last year at the time of taking out licenses the defendant took out a license iu July last, and, being unable to read or write, he fancied that the license lasted till July next. fie knew the people to be very respectable indeed. -A line of 25s was inflicted. and a recommendation given that it should be further reduced by the Inland Revenue authorities to- 10s. TRESPASS.— Two men namnd Smith and Stafford pleaded guilty to the trespass committed upon the pre- mises of David Rogers, farmer of the neighbourhood.— Mr. Rogers was agreeable to withdraw the charge on defendants' paying the costs, 6s each. ° DRUNK.—Two respectable looking working-men were charged with being drunk at Llantarnam on the 20th June.—They both pleaded guilty.-Fined 15s including costs, or seven days' hard labour, the chairman ad- minstering a caution as to their future conduct. DASTRRDLY ASSAULT UPON A FEMALE. -Robert Warren, a labourer' was charged with having assaulted Eliza Oakley, a married woman, in whose house he lodged.—Mrs Oakley said that defendant and her had a quarrel because she would not let him strike a little boy, and words ensued she told him if her husband had been present he dared not speak to her in such away he then struck her twice, and dragged her down by the hair of her head. He had insulted her before on another occa- sion.—The chairman said she ought not to keep such a lodger.—John How, another lodgei in complainant's house, said that he was present at the time, and Warren hit the woman twice she did not strike him first he (witness) prevented her falling Oil the grate, when defendant struck her.—Mrs Evans, another person who was in the room at the time, said she saw Warren strike the woman Oakley.—Prisoner wished to call a witness to disprove the charge, but he was told he wa,s only adding to the expense; he however, persisted, and called a man named Cavies, but he knew nothing of what took place indoors he merely saw defandant put out of the house. —The Chairman said it was a most wicked thing to strike a woman.—Fined X-1, including costs, or 14 days' hard labour. A SKRIOUS OFFENCE.-J oscph Williams was charged on the information of William Edwards, with being drunk on the highway while in charge of an entire horse. —Defendant did not appear, but was represented by his father, who pleaded guilty for him. The person who laid the information was not present to state the nature of the facts, and as the Bench thought it a very serious offence they ordered a summons to be issued for the at- tendance of the witness alluded to, and the case was adjourned for a fortnight. LOCAL BOARD PROSECUTIONS.—William Whalley was charged at the instance of the Caerleon Local Board, with obstructing the highway by not providing a boarding before a certain scaffold that; he had caused to be erected before a house in Caerleon. The charge was preferred- by the Surveyor to the Board who produced the Act under which the summons had been taken out. He said he had spoken to defendant on the subject on Friday, as well on a previous occasion, but the scaffold was still up without the protection of a boarding,-As this was the first case of the kind brought before the notice of the Bench, the Chairman said he thought the payment of the costs and a warning would meet the case. fhe Surveyor said he had no orders to press the charge.—The case was dismissed on payment of the costs, 6s.-De- fendant asked if he might keep the scaffold up till he had finished the work, but he was reminded by the Surveyor .that he was liable to a penalty for each day that it was kept up in its present state. DAMAGING THE TOWN PUMP.-An old woman, named Catherine Callaghan, was summoned by the Local Board Authorities, through their Surveyor for a trespass and malicious damage, committed on the 21st ult.-It appeared that in consequence of the recent dry weather the town pump was locked up by order of the authorities, being opened at stated times. Defendant, as she herself put it 'did not get to the pump for water at the same time as her neighbours, being always too late or too soon, so she broke the lock on two occasions doing damage to the two locks to the amount of Is 9d., in her attempts to get. water from the pump.—The Bench ordered her to pay the costs, 6s. and the damage Is 9d., aud cautioned her not to commit such an act again. OBSTRUCTING A FOOTPATH.—II. B. Sketch was charged by William Rogers with stopping up a public footpath. from the Newbridge Inn to Upper Cwmbran, on the canal bank, by erecting a gate with two front rails on the top of it and which he considered a public nuisance. Defendant had cut, one rail off once, but he had put it back again.—From a conversation that ensned, it ap- peared that the matter had been before the Highway Board and Mr. Sketch now alleged that he had only done what was ordered by the board.—The Chairman said that Mr. Sketch had been before them previously about the matter, he ought to have done what was right.- Ordered to put the footpath in proper condition to the satisfaction of the surveyor, and to pay costs, 6s.— Mr. Sketch thought this a verv hard way of dealing with the affair; but he was reminded that the bench could scud the matter to quarter sessions.

USK. RIFLE CORPs.-The annual meeting of this corps was held at the Town-hall on Monday evening, after parade, Capt. Gething presiding. The attendance was not large. The principal business was the ac- counts, by which it appeared that upwards ef X142 had been expended during the year 1873; and the balance in hand was something like £250. The ques- tion of great coats for the corps was spoken of, several members taking part in the discussion, and it was decided that those men who made themselves efficient should be supplied with them, which gave the men much satisfaction. A member expressed his opinion that boots would be very acceptable as part of the accoutrements, no dis- cussion, however, was raised on the subject, and there being no other business to transact, the meeting separated. HIGHWAY BOARD.-The monthly meeting of Mon- day last displayed a repetition of those discordant elements for which these meetings have become pro- verbial, and was characterised by an extra amount of asperity and iuvactives, so often indulged in by their late Chairman.—Among those present were Mr. James Powell (chairman), Mr. Greenhow-Relph, Mr. Byrde, (ex-officio), and Messrs. Gething, Parker, Evans, Pritchard, Thomas, Williams, Lewis, Jenkins, Turner, Reece, James, and Prewett.-The Clerk read a letter from the Caerleon Highway Board, stating that the cost of the bridge between Llanbadoc and Llangibby would be £25, and asking whether the Pontypool and Usk Board would pay half. It was agreed to pay X12 10s., provided that was the moiety of the cost, and to leave it to Capt. Gething to see the work properly carried out.-Before pro- ceeding with other business, Capt. Gething wished to put the resolution of which he had given notice at the last meeting before the members. He would make no comment on it; but merely say that he brought it on to put them in the position they were at the commencement of tli3 present year. At the first meeting he was elected chairman by a large majority, but he mistook the day, and was absent, and the vice-chairman was elected in his place. He had obtained counsel's opinion on the subject, and he was satisfied he had been duly elected. He begged to move—" That the appointment of Mr. Powell as chairman be rescinded, and that his name be put in nomination." Major Relph said he wished some elected waywarden had to speak instead of himself. He had seen a passage in the Usk paper stating, without qualification, that he had said at the last meeting, that counsels' opinions were not worth the paper they were written on. What he said was that the opinions were not worth more that the paper they were written on, so far as the board was con- cerned. Opinions depended on the way cases were laid before counsel, and one could get almost any opinion one liked. Captain Gething had accepted the act of the board in appointing Mr. Powell, and he now came to ask it to be rescinded. They sub- stituted the name of Powell instead of Gething, and the resolution was read at the next meeting and confirmed. Nothing could shake that, whether it was done with a wrong or right motive. He was very sorry to be hostile to Captain Gething, but he must say that he considered Mr. Powell far the more experienced of the two. He did not think Captain Gething had acted altogether in a gentlemanly manner, and he begged to move a direct negative to his resolution, and if the members wished to show any respect for the gentleman they had appointed, they would support the amendment. On its being put to the meeting, ten voted for Major Relph's amendment, and three for Captain Gething's resolu- tion, which was therefore lost. Captain Gething said what he had done had been in deference to the wishes of the board. He did not think Major Relph ought to have used such harsh expressions, and he hoped he would withdraw them. Major Relph said if he said anything without sufficient cause, he apologised, and withdrew it. Captain Gething had been vice-chairman during the five years he had been chairman, and he ought to have told him it was the intention to propose him in his place. He had re- posed the fullest confidence in Captain Gething, and had always consulted him on anything that was to be done. There were certain usages amongst gen- tlemen, but perhaps Captain Gething was ignorant of them; any gentleman in his place would have come and told him that it was intended to supersede him as chairman. The matter then dropped.-The surveyor's report was read, and estimates and plans put in for the improvement of the Coed-y-cox-road, and one in the hamlet of Gwehelog.—Bills were ordered to be paid to the amount of X84 9s. 6d., and cheques were drawn as follows < £ 75 for surveyor's current expenses, X25 for surveyor's salary, ZCIO for clerk's salary, and a cheque for the bills. Calls were made on the various parishes, amounting in the aggregate to £373. PUIZE SHOOTING 8TII MOST. VOLUNTEERS.—Winners of prizes: I.- Private Creese. 10 6 2.-Lieut. Hambly (prize noL taken) 3.—Qr.-Mr.-Sorg-t. Thomas 7 6 4.—Soigt. Day 5 0 5.-Sergt. Honney. 4 0 6,-Corpoml Stockham. 3 0 MARRIAGE.—We are pleased to notice that the marriage of Miss A. Paine, the youngest daughter of Mr. James Paine, who is so well known in the neigh- bourhood, to Mr. J. H. White, sub-editor of the Northampton Herald, was solemnized on Tuesday last at Usk Church. Flowers were strewn on the streets and several arches and flags were displayed. After breakfast, the happy couple drove off, amidst hearty congratulations and good wishes for their future happiness, to the station, en route for Birmingham, where they intend to spend their honeymoon. THE MONTHLY MARKET on Monday last was but thinly attended, probably on account of Pontypool fair being held the same day. There were a few pens of useful sheep. Mutton averaged about Sd. per lb. THE SALMON FISHERY.—Netting in the tidal por- tion of the river was again carried on on Monday and Tuesday last, resulting in some good-seasoned fish being taken, very different to what had been captured the previous week higher up the river. The fish wero not very heavy, the largest not exceeding 191bs. About 38 fish were taken. Nothing can be done with the rod at the present low state of the river. THE ANNUAL SOIREE, in connexion with the Reading Room, took place at Usk Castle on Thursday last. The weather was all that could be desired, and about 250 of the young people of the town and neighhourhood as- sembled. About four o'clock dancing commenced, and was continued until the shades of evening put a stop to the proceedings. The band of the 3rd Monmouthshire Rifle Volunteers was engaged for the occasion. The company was highly respectable, and apparently enioyed the gathering. LOCAL BOARD ACCOUNTS.—Mr. Roberts, the auditor, attended on Friday morning (this day), and went through the accounts for the past year, which he pronounced sa. tisfactory and correct. His report will be read at the next meeting. A RUNAWAY HopsE.-On Thursday evening, about eight o clock, the inhabitants of the principal streets in town were much excited and alarmed at seeing a horse rushing at a furious rate through the Castle-parade turn- pike gate and down Bridge-street, with a phaeton at- tached, in which was a young man and two females, from Newport. The horse continued his mad career until he arrived opposite the Post-office, where one of the wheels coming in contact with a lamp-post, he sus- tained a slight check, and the driver jumped out and got to his head. It appeared that the harness had been improperly put on the horse at Raglan, and on descend- ing the steep hill about two miles from Usk, the front part of the carriage came in contact with the horse's hocks, which caused him to gallop down the hill and along the streets until he appeared quite exhausted. One well-known gentleman from Newport, who was in the bind seat, got safely out when the horse commenced kicking, and we are glad that the remainder were more frightened than hurt. TT THE CONFIRMATION by the Bishop in Usk Church took place on Friday morning, when there was upwards of 200 candidates from Usk and the surrounding parishes. Lady Ollivant was present. A further re- I port will appear in our neNt issue.

CHEPSTOW. BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The usual weekly meet- ing was held on Saturday, Mr. W. M. Seys in the chair. There were also present—Mr. J. Taylor, Revs. J. Price and J. R. Jones, and Mr. H. Clay, ex- officio; Messrs. E. Woodruffe, H. S. Williams, W. Williams, J. Burridge, T. Perkins, G. Smedley, C. T. Chandler, A. Miller, J. Holder, J. Holehouse, A. Cadle, F. Bullock, T. Griffiths, J. Till, C. Rymer, and G. Roberts. The statistics, as presented in the master's report, were as follow .-—Inmates, 133, against 129 last week, and 114 in the corresponding week of last year, showing an increase of 19 during the year; vagrants relieved, 13.—A letter was read from Mr. John Church, Caerwent, naming his sure- ties (Mr. J. Till, Caerwent, and Mr. Keen, Llan- vaches) for the completion of the new wing to be added to the workhouse, which were accepted.—The contract is to be completed within four months.—The out-door relief for the past week amounted to £ 68 lls. 7d. A TRAMPING CLOCK-CLEANER.—James Stewart, tramp, who described himself as above, was charged at the police-court, on Saturday (before Mr. W. M. Seys), with stealing 3s., the money of Ann Jones. He was remanded until Thursday.

THE NEW BISHOP OF ST. DAVID'S. The successor to the late Bishop of St. David's (Dr. Thirlwell), is the Venerable W. Basil Tickwell Jones, Archdeacon of York. The new bishop is the eldest sou of the late Mr. Tilsey Jones, of Gwynfryn, Cardigan- shire. He was educated at Shrewsbury School, and elected to a scholarship at Trinity College, Oxford, where he won the Ireland Scholarship in 1842, and graduated in high classical honours. He was Michael Fellow of Queen's College, and was elected in 1851 to a Fellowship at University College. In 1854 Archdeacon Jones became tutor of his college and as the rewards of un- tiring ecclesiastical labours and merit of a high order, he subsequently obtained several marks of distinction. Amongst the appointments he has held may be men- tioned the following, viz., Vicar of Bishopthorpe with Middlethorpe, in the diocese of York; Prebendary of Grindall in York Minster; Examining Chaplain to the Archbishop of York; Rural Dean of Bishopthorpe; Cursal Prebendary of St. David's; Select Preacher, 1860-66; Incumbent of Haxby and Chancellor of the Diocese of York. The venerable archdeacon is said to unacquainted with the vernacular Welsh, although he has studied the grammatical construction of the language. He is the author of a great many books displaying very considerable literary merit, and is eminently known in Wales by the able work which, in conjunction with Mr. Freeman, the popular historian and archaeologist, he has published on the history and antiquities of St, David's.

POETRY. ON THE DEATH OF WILLIAM WILLIAMS. A faithful Servant during thirty-five years of Mrs. Wheeley, the Pentre House, 'Twas on a quiet Sabbath morn, When all around was calm and clear, Such as might make him wish to say Oh! let me linger longer here. On such a morn poor William died, The sun then shone upon his bed, But ere his course he'd half-way run The dim eye closed-the spark had fled. Death came not unawares to him, His mind was pure the path he trod Would lead us to believe and trust That he would reach the Throne of God. He knew there was another world, His sunny days were gone and sped, And silvery honours claimed a place Upon his faithful hoary head. Faithful in his earthly duties, Faithful to his Church and God, Friends soothed the old man's dying pillow And mourned him to the sacred sod. Llanvetherine. A. M. S. C 0 R D A L E. Midst scenes like these,—how sinks the human mind, When man and all his deeds we contemplate Dwarf'd by the giant force around displayed We shrink into ourselves, and own that all Which we had thought worthy of our boast was nought Compared with Nature's powers, when thus set free. Here, far from earthly things, and busy scenes Of toil, and bustling, anxious, worldly care, We see ourselves more as we are, and own That, trusting in our strength, we are,but weak And feeble mortals, void of all the fond And proud pretence of power, which some have claim d, Yet claiming-show in that their folly too. 'Tis in his strength alone that we are great: His strength who form'd the world-the sun, the moon, And myriad stars, which gem th' ethereal sky Each one the centre of a system—each Itself a sun to other worlds like ours— Yet though His might (all-powerful to control The universe itself,—did first create, And now sustains, upholds, and govern all.) sees nought beneath his care the smallest germ Of vegetation springs, grows, and ripens, still Is At His command: the meanest worm that crawls, Shares the same providence, which feeds the great And noble animals, which shakes the ground When their huges figures tread the forest path. The smallest particle of moss, which here With lovely green relieves the solitude, Is known to Him; for He directs its growth. And shall we then, the noblest of His works, Forget that He hath made us, and that He Hath promised by Himself,—the greatest, best Security that we can wish to have; He will be ours-our GOD, if we but serve Him with our whole hearts perfectly, and strive His will to do, and His commands perform F Oh! may we then, with soul-felt gratitude For His great goodness, give to Him ourselves, All that we have, and are, and live to Him, So long as our earth's pilgrimage endures. That when the end shall come—the end of all Life's troubles, griefs, and cares-death may but be The portal to that blest inheritance Which he hath promised-in the realms above-- He will prepare for his own chosen ones. —J. R. ROBINSON.

CRICKET. PONTYPOOL v. CKUMLIN.—This match was played at Pontypool on the the 2nd inst., but rain prevented it being brought to a conclusion, and the game was therefore a drawn one. CEUMLIN. A. Atkinson, b C. Davis J- It. Court, run out T. Dodd, b Watkins. 4 Jones, c Toye, b Watkins Gould, b C. Davies j J. H. Young, b C. Davis Jordan, c Jones, b Watkins Lewis, run out « Haines, b C. Davies i"r"'„V' ,n R. S. Pugh, 1 b w, b J. D. Lewis 10 T. L. Jones, not out Extras 22 Total. 89 PONTYPOOL. J. T. Thomas, ht wkt, b Haines. 9 A. 0. Conway, not out 28 C. Conway, b Haines Q Rev. J. D. Lewis, b Atkinson 12 T. Watkins, b Court g J. Richards, b Court -■ C. Davis, 1 b w, b Atkinson 5 J. R. Essex, not out n J. Phillips ) 0 T. Mitchell | to bat C. Toye ( Extras. 17 Total 75

THE LICENSING BILL The following are the chief points of the Bill for amend- ing the Licensing Act of 1872, as the Bill has been amended in Committee of the House of Commons, and as now before the House of Lords:- The Act is to come into operation, as to the provisions relating to the hours of closing (not being provisions relating to the grant of early-closing licenses), on the 10th of October, 1872 and, as to the remainder, imme- diately on the passing of the Act. The hours for licensed premises are as follows:- Open on Close on Open on Week-days. I Week-days. Sunday. In Metro, district. At 5 a.m. 12.30 a.m I to 3 p.m, (midnight on 6 to U p.m. j Saturday.) In towns or populous 12 intern places G a.m, l.p.m. i/.30to 2.30 6 to 10 p.m. Elsewhere. C a.m. 10 p.m. 12.30 to 2.30 6 to 10 p.m. The definitions of the above terms are as follow:— Town', means an urban sanitary district (which must however, contain 1000 inhabitants) as described for the purposes of the Public Health Act: and a collection of houses adjoining a town is to be deemed part of such town, after it has been declared to be so by an order of the county licensing committee. "Populous places" means any area, the population of which is not less than 1000, which the county licensing committee determine to be a populous place. Licensed premises are to be closed on Christmas-day and Good Friday as on Sunday, and on the days before Christmas-day and Good Friday as on Saturday. No exemption from the hours of closing can now be made in respect of premises in the neighbourhood of a threatre. Persons licensed under the Beerhouse Acts to sell beer for consumption on the premises, may, as well as licensed victuallers, take out occasional licenses, and ohtain exemptions from the closing hours and an order of exemption may be granted for the accommodation of any persons engaged in fishing and harvesting operations, so as to permit premises to be opened at an earlier hour, but not before five o'clock. Licensing justices may order premises beyond the me. tropolitan district to be closed until 1 p. m.on Sunday, Good Friday, and Chistmas-day and then such pre- mises are to be closed from 3 to 6 p.m., instead of from 2.30 to 6. An applicant for or holder of a license may apply on licensing or renewal days to be allowed to close his pre- mises an hour earlier at night than the closing hour would otherwise be, and the justices shall insert such condition in the license, and the holder of such license is to pay six-sevenths of the duty. A person who takes out a license for six days, or well as for early closing will be entitled to a remission of two-sevenths of the duty and a person holding a six-day license may sell on Sunday to persons lodging in his house. The penalty for selling, or exposing for sale, in contra- vention of the Act (though the liquor may have been purchased before the hours of closing) is, for the first offence, not to exceed jElO, and, for a subsequent offence, not to exceed JB20. Bona fide travellers or lodgers may be supplied with liquor at any time and travellers by train may be sup- plied at any hour at a railway station. If a person sup- plied as a bona fide traveller is not so, but the justices are satisfied the defendant believed the person was so, and took all reasonable precautions to ascertain whether he was or not, the justices may dismiss the case against the defendant, and direct proceedings to be instituted against the purchaser. A person will not be deemed to be a bona fide traveller unless the place where he lodged during the preceding night is at least three miles distant from the place where he demands to be supplied with liquor, such distance to be calculated by the nearest public thoroughfare. Refreshment-houses are to be closed at the same hours as licensed houses. Whereas, by the Act of 1872, justices had no power to reduce the penalty, in any case, below 20s. that Act is amended, so that now justices are not to have power to reduce the penalty below 20s., if the offences be a second or any subsequent offence. The endorsement of a conviction on a license is now to be optional with the justices, who shall decide, after in- specting the register of licenses in which the license of the offender is entered. The endorsement of a license is part of the conviction or order of the court, and subject accordingly to the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal. A conviction for adulteration of drink is to be entered in the register of license, and may be directed to be recorded on the license as for an offence under this Act. Constables may enter licensed premises, or premises under an occasional iicense and the penalty for refusing or failing to admit them is to be, for the first offence Y,5, and for the second and any subsequent offence dBlO. A Justice may grant a search warrant, and liquor and vessels seized on unlawful premises are to be forfeited, and any person found on the premises will be liable to a penalty not exceeding 40s. Occasional licenses may be had, the hours to be from sunrise till ]0p.m.; and intoxicating liquor must not be sold at fairs or races without an occasional license by other than licensed persons whose premises are within the limits of such fair or race. If a license is forfeited by conviction, without the dis- qualification of premises, the owner may apply to the con- victing justices, and they may endorse the license with an authority to some other person than the one convicted to carry on the business till special sessions, and may then grant a license in respect of such premises and at the general annual licensing meeting following such con- vicion an application may be made for a renewal of the license, A licensed person may ent.irtain private friends at his own expence after closing hours without being liable to any penalty. SHOCKING SUICIDE NEAR CARDIFF. DESPERATE ENCOUNTER WITH A MANIAC. On Monday night a man named Henry Edwards, a blacksmith, living at Ely, near Cardiff, committed suicide by drowning himself in the river Ely. About a week ago the deceased had been suffering fron brain fever and inflammation of the lungs. On Monday night, about twelve o'clock, the deceased was taken much worse, and assistance was sen 01, A man named Eli Clark wont to the house, and tound the deceased in a fit. He became very restless, and Clark, after being overpowered by Edwards, sent for assistance,, but before anyone came the man had gone into another room, ls r-Vii 1 rlnm nut At this point Claik found himself to S w h hit SJU «" him. This bom-- done the deceased jumped through the win- How0 Afte'rwards a search was made for him, both 11 oar the house, and Ely pape mills, where he worked, but he was subsequently found drowned m the river. At the inquest, held at the Eiy police station, on Tuesday, the coroner, in summing up, said there was no evidence to show how or where he got into tho river, and it clear he need not have drowned him- self unless he like, but it was at the same time clear that he was afflicted at the time he placed himself in the water. Upon this, the jury returned a verdict of "Drowned whilst in an unsound state of mind." THE ST. MELLON'S MUllDER. FURTHER EVIDENCE AGAINST THE ACCUSED. Triille llave ^en, since the committal of Henry ^bbs, for the murder of Susan Ann Gibbs, bringing to light further details con- iccted with this dreadful case. At the trial several new witnesses will be called, and among them one to show that Gibbs must have left the Hall and returned through a window on the ground-floor on the morning of the supposed murder. A day or two since one of the female domestics at the Hall, in removing some books in the library, and which has been for some time under the prisoner's charge, removed from behind them a steel chain, and the steel top of a bag, from which the leather part of the bag had been cut. The chain and top have since been identified as the chain and top of the bag that the deceased took with her when she left Cardiff. The young woman nearly fainted when she found the chain, as she knew it. It is also said that the iron Leel tip of a ladies' boot has been found in the ash-pit; but this, it has been since said, has no reference to the case. Some very important discoveries have been made by the police, and Inspector Sheppard is indefatigable in getting up evidence to complete his case.

Foresters' Arms, was charged by Mary Edmunds with in- decently assaulting her.—Mr. Gardner and Mr. Thomas for defendant.—Mary Edmunds deposed she was a married woman, and lived at Brierly-hill. She was collecting to- wards the chapel at Penycae. She saw defendant on the day in question. She called at his house, and met him in the passage, when he began larking with her. (Complain- ant, in a thorough Welsh accent, here described how she was taken into parlour, where the defendant indecently conducted himself.-In cross-examination, Mr. Gardner elicited from her that she had been living with two different men, and had been in prison twice, once for stealing coal, when she had six months, and another time for stealing apples, for which she had fourteen day, so she thought. Her answers provoked much laughter.—Mr. Gardner said said he had a dozen witnesses. who could prove that com- plainant was not out of the passage, several of whom had their eyes on her all the time. She was a most vile charac- ter, and had been about the town all day collecting money, upon the pretence that it was towards the repairs of a chapel, which to some she said was at Blacnavon, to others at Gilwern, and now it was at Penycae, whereas it was all a fallacy. He therefore wished to show what a gross and outrageous attempt had been made to injure his client's character, no doubt for the purpose of extorting money. -Upon these remarks, and complainant's confession of having been twice convicted, the bench dismissed the case, strongly remarking on her actions, and that defendant was leaving the court without a stain on his charaeter.-Later in the day, Mr. Thomas made an application for a warrant for the apprehension of the woman, upon a charge of per- jury, but the bench thought it was unnecessary, as they were perfectly satisfied that Denner left the court without the slightest^slur on his character, and they thought she would be punished in another way.-We are informed it is determined to prosecute her for obtaining money by false pretences.—The complainant then left the court, and was hooted out of the town. CIWELTY TO A IIORSE.—W. Rose, farmer, Llanvihan- gel Crucorncy, was charged by P.C. Dowding with this offence.—Mr. Gardner for defendant.—From the evidence, it appeared that the constable saw the horse driven by a man named Johnson, and on examination found a large wound on the neck, in consequence of which the inspector said it was not in a fit state for work.—Mr. Gardner, for the defence, admitted that the horse was unfit for work, but stated that Mr. Rose was from home at the time, and had given express orders to Johnson not to work it, there- fore Johnson did it contrary to his master's will, and the servant, not the master became liable.—The Bench con- curred with Mr. Gardner, dismissed the case, and ordered the servant to be summoned. f RAGLAN. THE annual dinner of the Loyal Iiaglan Lodge, 118, of the Philanthropic Institution, was held at Crown Inn, on Wednesday last. The members as- sembled about eleven o'clock, and thence, preceded by the Pontymister brass band and the banner and other insignia of the Order, they marched to the parish church, where they listened to an able and instructive sermon, preached by the Rev. Mr. Davies, from James 1, 37, which was much approved of. They then returned to the club-room, where a bountiful and varied supply of good things was well served by Mr. and Mrs. Summers. The usual loyal and social toasts were given, and a vote of thanks passed to the Rev. Mr. Davies. The affairs of the Order, including the U sk and Raglan district and the Loyal Raglan Lodge, were reported to be in a healthy and flourish- ing condition. The band ably contributed to be en- joyment of the evening, the Starboard Watch," a vocal duet, being especially well rendered. PONTYPOOL. DRUNK.—At the police-court on Wednesday, be- fore the Rev. J. C. Llewellin, John Knowles and Isaac Gibbs were charged with being- drunk and riotous on the previous day. Knowles was lined zEl, and Hibbs 10s.—Wm, Turzel and Selina Wilsher were charged with like offences. P.S. Young said that Selina, who had just come out of prison, was.a prostitute, and that the male defendant lived on her earnings. They were fined 10s. each, and in default wore sent to prison for seven days. THE FORTHCOMING FLOWER SHOW.—In addition to the special prizes, a cup will be presented for the best collection, not less than six, of foliaged plants. This will be given to Mr. Fullwood, successor to Mr. t Latch, jeweller, Newport. F SCHOOL BOAUO.—A meeting of the Trcvethin J school board was held on Wednesday. In conse- quence of representations made by Mr. Conway as to Mr. W. II. Greene having used insulting terms with reference to the board (though these were stoutly denied by Mr. Groene as having reference to the board), it was resolved to admit other reporters, but not Mr. Greene (to whom it is a matter of per- sonal indifference whether he be admitted or not- had his report of the election anything to do with this r) JULY PLEASURE FAIR, held on Monday, was at- tended by many thousands of persons, and it is some 'time since the town has been so full. Market-street was filled with the usual quantity of shows, merry- go-rounds, shooting galleries, &c., and the ingenuity of the different inventions for turning a penny were to be admired. The dense crowd, through which it was with difficulty that one could force his way, fa- voured the proceedings of pickpockets, who made two or three very good hauls. Crowe-street and Sowhill were, as usual, used as a cattle-market. The quality of the animals exhibited was not of a very high order, and sales were very dull, at reduced prices. Of course, everybody bought cherries, which fetched from 4d. to 7d. per lb. At night the public- houses did a roaring trade.