The Merthyr Telegraph and General Advertiser for the Iron Districts of South Wales

LOCAL NOTES. WAIFS AND STRAYS. A MOVEMENT has begun at Cardiff which deserves the emulation of this and all other communities. We refer to the sweeping of the poor little waifs and strays of the streets into some warm and well-lighted building, and then by kind words and treatment planting within them seedlings of future hope and aspiration. We have done a great deal of this sort of thing at Merthyr, and therefore, providing we do not become too lax in the good work, our Cardiff friends cannot put us to the blush. THE PROPOSED NEW WATER RATE. BY almost a miracle the Merthyr public, especially that portion of the public who have the misfortune of being cottage proprietors, have been spared a most egregious piece of one-sided and unjust legislation in the suggested new water rate for the parish. We must refer our readers for what we mean to that portion of our news columns containing the report of the Board of Health proceedings. THE STREETS. OUT of the animated discussions upon matters affecting the condition of our streets which have of late made our fortnightly meetings of the Local Board of Health somewhat interesting, there pro- mises to come one or two good things for which wo have cause to be thankful. The wretched con- dition of the Merthyr thoroughfares has long been a disgrace to the town, and at any time it only re- quires an hour or two of good smart rain to show the capability of our unkept roads to make the lives of unfortunate poesQUgeKi mMeraMe. It iseems at first sight extraordinary that there should be any discussion, or indeed that any hesitation whatever should arise, as to the ordering of a work of this kind. The necessity of it is patent to the veriest stranger who may pass through the town, and that there has been gross neglect 011 somebody's part no- body can doubt, in fact this was strictly admitted by the Board at a recent meeting. We here have a theorem of surpassing simplicity, with a two-fold proposition—acknowledged neglect, and the ne- cessity for immediate reform admitted, and what can be the enunciation? Set to work as early as possible, and do the work as quickly as possible, Q. E.D. But it might be urged there are obstacles in our way as a Local Board of Health. We owe a great deal of money, and we have succeeded in placing our work in such a manner that we have a great many things to do, and hardly know where to begin. But on the other hand the preponderating importance of this task of putting our streets in travelling order should give it paramount interest, and a kind of first claim to which the Board should not be able to closo its eyes. When this is considered it must be admitted, as a remarkable fact, that the matter should have been left to arise from the complaint of a private member, who first opened the ball with regard to one or two streets, and then pushed the business till it engrossed the attention of all the members, and even called forth a special paragraph in the Surveyor's report. If Dr. James had been lacking in public spirit, or common courage, the question would probably have been shelved, and we should have gone on in that delightfully happy-go-lucky manner which has already given our town not the most enviable of all reputations. We, as towns- people, owe Dr James our heartiest thanks for the manner in which he has acted during the past meeting or two, and it gives us greater pleasure to add that this is only characteristic of the faithful member, who cares not for opposition, or the onus of an unwelcome question, so long as he may think the cause he advocates to be just and right. But what has the Board resolved to do after all ? The Surveyor estimated that with certain necessary con- tingencies the whole of the work required to be dore could be completed at an outlay of £3,500 per annum in five years. He is now proceeding at the rate of jE2,300, which is at a more rapid rate than hitherto. Now the Board has ever its debts before its eyes, and we are very glad of this, but for all this, considering the character of the work to be done, and the obvious results of delay, we think in the pre- sent instance they have erred through want of courage. The case lies thus: The whole of the street work may be completed in five years, at an annual cost of JE3,500, or in say eight years, at an outlay of £ 2,300, and the Board hai resolved for the sake of £1,200 per annum to take the longer term. We are sorry for this, because the state of our streets really will not brook a delay of three years. But what about the rating ? Would you burthen the ratepayers still more heavily ? This has been the favourite war-cry of a. section of the Board, but we should like to ask these gentlemen how perceptible would have been the difference caused by the ZI.200 a year, when spread over the whole of the parish ? The money would have to be borrowed, and we admit this to be an expensive process, but we should only lose the interest eventually, for all cash laid out in private improvements is recoverable from the owners of the property abutting thereon, and surely the more rapid completion of the work is worth this. We are now to wait another three years, or almost double time, while we only save one- third of the outlay, which would have been required for the shorter period. Again, by the time the eight years are exhausted, some of the work will want doing over again, and we shall at this rate never be in that generally comfortable condition which would have been assured to us in a shorter term. This is the policy of a party which has of late had so much of its own way in our local administration. It may now be urged that th6se remarks are unj ust, and mis- applied for two reasons: first, because Dr. James himself moved the resolution for the long term, and secondly because the matter has yet to go through committee. With regard to the first point we know very well that Dr. James's original programme in- cluded the short term, and that he only obtained the beat terms he could and as to the second, there is an evident settlement of the question 'already, and not much need be hoped for now. We suppose that some time our town will be made inhabitable, and that at some future date our rulers will learn, as a body, not to be" penny wise and pound foolish," but we trust that in their endeavours to hold the reins they may not pitch themselves and the parish conveyance over the precipice altogether. There are many reforms we should like to rccommend to their attention, while they are in the spirit of im provement, but we suppose it will not do to press the willing (!) horse too hard. While our attention is directed to the street question we cannot help but express a regret that Dr. James is not officially in a position to influence the police authorities of the town to clear the pavements, or rather to maintain better order therein on a Saturday and Sunday evening-when the nuisance of "corner men," and bellicose and impudent roughs, and shop-boys, almost rival the bad paving and the filth, in proving a positive annoyance to all foot passengers. In other towns of far less importance than Merthyr people are not permitted to monopolise the pave- ments by standing in groups thereon, and compelling' all others to walk in the road, nor are they allowed to take which side of the pavements they may please, but must confonn to a rule of general public convenience which allows them to walk on the inner side of the pavement only when their right side is next the wall. To some these may appear trifling matters, but if the rule we refer to were enforced in Merthyr as in other places we are persuaded that it would add much to the convenience and pleasure of all who use our foot-ways. At present it is more difficult to walk on the pavements of our High-street of a Saturday or Sunday evening than it is in the most crowded thoroughfares of London, whilst by a simple and effective method, and the display of a little mutual courtesy, all the difficulties would be removed. We would commend this matter to the notice of the Board of Health, and would suggest that in addition to obtaining the assistance of the police in carrying out the rule referred to, and in summoning all who wilfully obstruct the pavements, they should, as in other towns, upon street corners and on the public lamps, give instructions how the pavements were to be used, and it would not be long ere all would conform to the regulation, and appre- ciate its advantage. All such matters of public in- terest we hope will come directly under public governance some day, and we do not care how soon

EXTRAORDINARY CURE OF A COUGH.—" Her Ma- jesty's Gun Boat, Nettey,' Wick, North East Coast of Scotland.—Dear Sir,—Having had a most distressing Cough, which caused me many sleepless nights and restless days, I was recommended, by His Lordship the Earl of Caithness, to try your most invaluable Balsam of Aniseed, and I can assure you, with the first dose I found immediate relief even without having to suspend my various duties and the first small Bottle completely cured me, therefore I have the greatest confidence in fully recommending it to the million. Most respectfuliy yours, W. Linzell, H.M.G.B. Netley,' -To Mr Powell." Powell's Balsam of Aniseed can be had of all Chemists. In Bottles at Is lid and 2s 3d. Warehoues Blackfriars Road, London. Ask for Powell's Balsam of Ani-seed." 73,2

LOOAL INTELLIGENCE. OUR CATHOLIC NEIGHBOURS are announcing an en- tertainment at the Temperance Hall on Thursday evening next. As the object is to raise funds to clear a debt on their schools, we hope they will receive the encouragement they deserve as freely and as generously from their Protestant as their Catholic fellow-towns- men. THE REV. DR. DONALD FRASER is announced to appear at the Temperance Hall on Wednesday evening next. This rev. gentleman is the moderator of the English Presbyterian Church for the present year-a sufficient guarantee of his intellectual and oratorical power. The subject of his lecture is "Baxter and his Times," and we doubt not his remarks on the greatest of the old Puritan divines, and the revolutionary period in which he lived, will be both instructive and interesting. CURIOUS CAUSE OF FIRE.The Wrexham branch of the Alliance Assurance Company hpve recently had before them a claim for damage to a church at Ystrad- gynlais, in Breconshire, caused by a little bird building its nest in the roof, in too close a proximity to the flue of the heating apparatus, a spark from which first of all set fire to the nest, and then to the timber and rafters of the building. If it had not been for the timely assistance rendered by the parishioners, who were 011 their way to morning service, the edifice would most probably have been burnt to the ground. Since fires occur through such unexpected and unforeseen causes, it behoves every one to protect his property against the risk of a conflagration, especially as the cost of doing so is so trifling. DEATH OF THE RET. W. MORGAN, OF TROEDYRHIW.— With regret we have to announce the death of the Hev. W. Morgan, the much-esteemed minister of the Saron (Welsh) Congregational Chapel, Troedyrhiw, which ap- pointment he held for 32 years. The rev. gentleman had been ailing from a pulmonary affection for some time, but was finally confined to his bed the latter part of last week. On Sunday evening he was in a very weak condition, and at two o'clock on Monday morning expired. Greater respect could not be shown than has been exhibited for the deceased in the windows of every business establishment in Troedyrhiw. We understand that the funeral of the deceased minister takes place this afternoon (Friday), and that permission has been obtained from the Home Office that his body be interred I in a vault in the interior of the chapel. I GREAT PUBLISHING UNDERTAKING. — The most superbly illustrated work ever yet produced on so com- prehensive a scale is announced for immediate publica- tion, under the title of Picturesque Europe." It has been for several years in preparation, and will present a complete descriptive and elaborate pictorial illustration of the greater part of the European continent, by bringing together, in a form never yet attempted, re- presentations of the numberless objects of Nature and of Art which makes Great Britain and the Continent so pre-eminently picturesque. The illustrations will consist of expuisitely engraved steel plates, and of en- gravings on wood rivalling the productions on steel. All these will be absolutely new and original drawings, exe- cuted from recent sketches taken on the spot by eminent artists who have visited the various parts of Europe for the purpose. Picturesque Europe will be published in monthly parts by Messrs. Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, and the first part will be published the 1st of March. BOARD OF GUARDIANS.-The weekly meeting of this Board was held on Saturday at the Workhouse. Mr. R. H.Rhya presided, and there were also present the Kev. W. Davies, Messrs. T. Lloyd, T. Jenkins. G. Martin, T. Hosgood, W. Watkins, D. Davies, T. P. Davies, H Thomas, J. Snelling, and J. W. James. The Rev. W. Davies vicar of Penydarren, explained the reason why the Registrar.General had addressed the letter wmch was read at the last meeting of the Board of Guardians. He said the communications from the Registrar-General had gone to some other place in Wales of a similar name, and had not reached him Directly hi was aware of the desire of the Registrar- General, he forwarded the required certificates.—In accordance with the desire of the Master of the work- house, he was authorised to engage an able-bodied pauper to assist the old women in the cleaning of the house.A letter was read from the matron requesting that she might have some women to assist her in the sewing. The application was granted.—The tenders for the building of the boys' day room were opened and that of Mr. John Gabe, builder, Thomastown being the lowest, was accepted. The accepted tender was .MIO. The Master of the house reported that the number of paupers at present in the house was 299, as compared with 299 in the corresponding week of the previous year. This concluded the public business. THE TITLE OF REVEREND. "—The importance given to this case by the indiscreet action of the Bishop of Lincoln has resulted in the final settlement of a very old though very paltry dispute. If it is somewhat hard to understand why men care to be described by this epithet, it is much harder to understand what satisfac- tion can be derived from refusing it. The Bishop of Lincoln seems to have thought that it involved a. claim to the possession of that mysterious grace derived from ordination by himself or one of his brethren. But whatever mystery may attach to Holy Orders, Mr. Keet, as the Lord Chancellor pointed out, did not claim to have received it. He described himself, in a full line under his n'tme, as Wesleyan Minister, and merely at- tached to his name the word which is the customary designation of all persons who make preaching a pro- fession. It is just one of those matters of usage, like the word Esquire, which it is a mere piece of bad manners to omit. It is, in fact, rot a title, but an epithet indicating a certain profession, and its use involves no claim. Nobody has a right to it except the right of courtesy by which a man is entitled to be called Mr. or Esquire, instead of being addressed by plain John Smith. This legal decision ought to remove even the objections which the Bishop of Lincoln urges. No question has arisen as to the value of the orders of non-episcopal churches, nor as to the distinction, or quality, or anything which a Bishop's ordi- nation confers. All such claims and counter-claims arc passed by, and the matter is put on the sole ground of considerate usage. The word Reverend is, in fact, outside the law, and its use can neither be enforced nor prevented by law. Mr. Keet's right to use it on the tombstone of his child is one which he holds in just the same way as he holds the right to put any innocent in- scription, like the legend, Safe sheltered from the storms of life," on the stone. The decision given merely signifies that there is no such property in the word Reverend as to enable an objection tc it on a tombstone to be sustained. It applies, therefore, not merely to this particular case, but to the whole of the petty disputes over this subject. The right of ministers of all churches to be styled Reverend is exactly equal in the eyes of the law; and as none who claim it have any legal or exclusive property in it, to refuse it to them will henceforth be not a matter of principle, but an act of rudeness. VOLUNTEER RIFLE SOTREE PARTY.-No doubt the most successful of the many winter public parties held this year took place on Thursday evening last at the Drill Hall, when, at the tea tables and at the subse- quent concert and dancing, there could not have been present less than about 500 ladies and gentlemen. The usually dismal and unattractive Drill-hall was metamor- phosed into a scene of beauty surpassing anything that could have been anticipated. The decorations, kindly prepared by Mrs. D. Williams, Mrs. T. L. White Misses M. and G. Davies, Miss Goodfellow, and the sub-com- mittee, consisting of Lieut. F. Davies (hon. secretary) Quartermaster-Sergeant Meredith, Corporal D C Thomas, Priva'e Siedle, and Messrs. H. L. White J M. Seddou, and Richard D.ivies, were magnificent, and reflected as much credit upon their good taste as their trouble and ingenuity in placing them where they would be most effective. All present must have felt much indebted to these ladies and gentlemen for the great zeal they manifested, first in securing a good at- tendance, and next in ensuring the delight of all who were present. The stage and various parts of the hall were decorated by a large variety of exotic plants kindly supplied by Mr. Meredith (Union), whose de- light it seems to be to lend them to all public gatherings having laudable objects. The front of the stage was handsomely adorned by Mrs. D. Williams, whilst a. very pretty motto Success over the cloak room was sent by Miss Siedle. At five o'clock tea was prepared, when the various tables were presided over by Mrs. Russell Misses Lewis, Mrs. F. Davies, Mrs. T. White, Mrs. W. James, Mrs. J. L. Ward, Mrs. Seddon, Mrs. C. Henry James, Mrs W. Jones (Cefn), Mrs. David Williams, Mrs. Samuel Thomas, Mrs. J. Shapton, Mrs. Gunson, Miss Mary Davis, Miss G. Davis, Miss Goodfellow, Miss Davies (Castle Hotel), and Miss Daniel. At eight o'clock the concert commenced, and was opened by a selection from Mozart, given very effectively by the 12th G. R. V. band, under the leadership of Bandmast" Chirm. This was succeeded by various songs, «• 1 *L glee, "Couirdes in arms," sung in capital?' 'U A party of the 12th Rifle Volunteers, led b-, T, ? Williams (Regent House), and the 'J™ R with a selection from "Martha." V U ? nine o'clock the dancing com-JHN„ ? band. At until two o'clock, and tb<- I.,R ^N<1 WAS continued presented such a SCE>^E j A .URLN&'bis period in this district ThE1ZT^ TU 6QNALLED Messrs. SE^DON ™D P P N ceremony were TNRIW ,1-* 1 N A"A K- Davies, and very satisfac- lar.-fa' I .rf-v°y 'rh 1°* Ulelr oneruUS duties among so Ovf-rtl F 16 FU<;E MUSIC was performed by the RNTE Aw "NL1? .BAND- BY MR- BAWDEN- OF WHOSE I V E NEEDLTJSS to write one word. The F department was efficiently managed, and RXRM &ENERA,L satisfaction. The new cloak INTIT TR"LAI!~ Y Proved a great convenience, R N 'I texpressed opinion that the ar- futorv TH ^°UT WFRE MOST complete and saiis- The profits resulting to the corps, we under- stand, amouut to nearly £ 40, and it is to be honed that inasmuch as this soiree party was so successful, we may be favoured with another at no distant period. 1_-

of Hun Tmf T, nd f1 S 0ftfTed BY MESSRS- EECKITT AND Sons, eonv Ptinn fLoudoil> for information that shall lead to the „ lryT,"erS0° ?lh',18 mi tations of their Paris HI,IP Q\^RES' ?S EASY TO detect the cheat, as the Paris wc T, •" he i riH,'K of Wale*' Laundry," is only genuine «f|Ua.reS wr;We" UP « Pink paper, bearing !■ Keckitt and &ons name and trade mark. 7377

MERTHYR POLICE COURT. SATURDAY. (Before A. De Rutzen, and J. Probert, Esqs.) DRUNKARDS. — Denis Sullivan and Patick Neil, labourers, summoned at the instance of P.C Lidenton for drunkenness and rioting at High-street, Penydarren on the 22nd inst., wure each fined 5s. and the costs James Moore, puddler, summoned by the same con- stable for similar behaviour at New Inn-court Penv darren, on the same night, was similarly dealt with OUTRAGE BY A TRAMP. -J ohn Smith, described as a drover, an elderly individual, was brought up charged with having wilfully damaged three panes of glass the property of Mr. J. S. vVeir, chemist, Market-square. Prosecutor stuted that on the previous Wednesday night he heard three successive blows given to his window and upon rushing out he saw the prisoner in the custody of a policeman. P.C. James stated that on the night referred to prisoner came to the station and applied for a lodging ticket. In consequence of his inebriated state, and the unsatisfactory nature of his replies this was refused him immediately whereupon he went' and broke Mr. Weirs windows with a stick. -Their Wor ships thought his conduct to have been outrageous, and sentenced him to six weeks' imprisonment with hard labour, without the option of a. fine. K °; ^KUV'UVI'- ELIZABETH Rees, 19, single, was brought up charged with stealing two nightdresses two pairs of drawers, and one pair of stays, the pro. perty of Mr. T. A. Pryce, draper, Aberdare, her master. It appeared from the evidence that the girl A FORTN'^HT in the prosecutor's employ, and that the articles in question were missed from the S ow-room on the 21st inst. A few days afterwards a Mrg bnthths. a custoiner, and Miss Picton, an assis ant at the shop, noticed that the prisoner was wearing one of the articles named in the charge, and Mr. Prycc was at once communicated with. Prisoner, when taxed with the fact, at first denied, but ultimately admitted it. P.C. Mapps, who took her into custody, found the night dresses, a pair of drawers, and pair of stays stuffed between the mattresses in the girl's bed. She now pleaded guilty to the charge. In consequence of the recommendation of the prosecutor, the Bench passed a more lenient sentence than they otherwise would It was ordered that the young woman be imprisoned Swansea House of Correction for six weeks U,' labour. 8 *UB -1A PROSECUTOR WANTED.—Ann Price MAW.; a ,• reputable character, was brought un' nh i & -H" stealing £ 18 from the person of ThZ-i, Wl peiiter, Biaenllechau. Prosecutor was non S ser-t" Jennings having given evidence arrest, and the fact of her having K prosecutor with the robbery to ,xe? y replied that she would stTud ,7 \v D^ly remanded the accused iu cus ol f !\orshlP* that a summons should issue^V" dttwtod attendance. S*Ue t0 cuu^,el her accuser's COLL^S IVeorki ALP;!FED'MARY J OUES V~ SAMIIEL JOUES I+i i r' us WAS a charge of assault preferred against the defendant, who had been BROUGHT U^ under arrant by the complainant, who is his wife. On the IH > 10 "VED'together at complainant'! mother S at Cwmbach, and defendant was ALLEGE^ l ;o have, while at breakfast, given his better half a cuff he "RPNOVI RI* ^ER E KAVIN £ any witnesses, Bench adjourned the case until Tuesdav at Aberl lare, but they strongly advised defendant in the mean- appearanee 6 BAII WAS TAKEN GELLLGAEil SCHOOL BOARD PROSECGTIONS, "WiUiam Williami, Deri Thomas Jenkins, Newtown; Patrick Uifford, Pontloctyn; Thomas Davies, Blaencarno ■ POSHITFVN°UG Pontlottyn, and James Driscoll, Pontiottyn, were summoned for neglecting to send their children to school, and thereby contravening one of the bye-laws of the Gelligaer School Board. Attendance- officer Jones prosecuted. The whole of the defendants pleaded poverty, with the exception of Davies, whose wife made a charge against the mistress of the Panty- W^RT. ,,°F,N<;GL!;CT of duty. Mrs. Davies con- tended that she had often taken her children to school RJ °NLY ?° ?ILE THERE TO RCceive them, BUT the THAT TH?QUENF+ Y U £ UP ALT°GETHER. and she thought should be looked into every bit as much as the non-attendance of the children. Their Worships IS^TIPR T0 WU QUFTIO,N entirely for the School I I ENCH thought that in future a summons had better issue for every child absent, and for every day of its absence, a proceeding which would render parents liable to much heavier penalties than under the present system of cramming ever so many children and ever so many days' absence into one summons. Had this been done with respect to some of the defendants, a penalty of between £3 and t4 would have been In- curred, instead of the one which they (the Bench) would now inQtct—as., inclusive of costs. MONDAY .—(Before A. De Rutzen, Esq.) FIGHTING FOR A PRINCIPLE.-John Francis Davies, landlord of the Hibernia beerhouse, Bethesda-street, was summoned for non-payment of the August general RA,TE' C According to Mr. T. W. Goodfellow, a p ON only of the rate was claimed, the other portion TD ?AID BY THE OUTS°IAG tenant. Defendant, 2 AU A"REEMENT which he had made with RENIW HNEW0SSOR'RUON.TE.NDED TTAT THE LATTER WAS the party THE ST pendiary adjourned the case until T n R CONSIL'ERAtion of a technical point, VR L -Catherine Murray and Martha Maher, aged 13 and 14 respectively, were charged by F J VIE^ with stealing 401bs. of coal, the property ot the Dowlais Iron Co., on the 29th inst. Defendants were fined 10s. each,_ costs included, and in default of payment were committed to gaol for seven days. ALLEGED THEFT FROM A BROTHEL. -William Woods, labourer, was brought up on remand charged with stealing a clock, horse-hair guard, and pair of stockings, the property of a hobbler, named Wm. Sherwood, on the 6th of November last. fhe prisoner was now defended by Mr. Simons, who cross-examined each of the witnesses, particulars of whose evidence we gave in our last issue. A Mrs. Coleman, who was to-day called for the first time, distinctly swore that on the day in question she had seen the accused, whom she had no difficulty in identifying, coming from the direction of the prosecutor's house with a timepiece under his arm. After hearing Mr. Simons, who contended that there was no case for a jury, the Stipendiary (holding a dif. ferent view) committed the accused for trial at the ad- journed sessions. SPLITTING A STRAW.-Da.vid Wm. Evans, wheel- wright, was summoned for non-payment of the Novem- ber poor-rate, amounting to 6S. 3d. Defendant con- tended that no "demand note had been served upon: him. Mr. W. J. Jones, the assistant-overseer, stated that the note had been left by his collector at defen- dant's workshop in Pontmorlais, and that he (Mr. Jones) had subsequently sent the defendant another demand note in the shape of a circular, which inti- mated that unless payment was made within a certain stated time proceedings would be taken. -Stipendiary Defendant admits that the rate has been made, that he has received a circular, and that he has not paid his. portion of it. I don't see what more is necessary.- Clerk: I suppose, sir, he stands upon his rights the non-service of a demand note. — Mr. Jones I shall be able to prove that he has admitted receiving the demand note.-His Worship was heard in reply to say that defendant relied on a something which he took to be "a quibble." Eventually, upon payment of the rate, the costs of the summons, which was then dis- missed, were remitted. DRUNKARDS—John Russell, puddler, and John Murphy, labourer, found by P.S. Jennings at Picton- street, on the previous night, drunk and fighting with each other, were fined 5s. each and the costs. ALLEGED SHIRT STEALING. — John Evans, collier, Vochrhiw, was charged with stealing a flannel shirt, the property of Francis Israel, a collier, residing at the same place. Mr. Simons defended. It appeared that the shirt had been missed from the prosecutor's house, where the prisoner had lodged for about three months. It was afterwards found by Mrs. Israel at the house of a Mrs. James, where the prisoner was at present domiciled. Strange to say prisoner took a policeman with him and demanded the restoration of the article when he was given into custody. The charge was- dismissed WEDNESDAY.—(Before A. Dc Rutzen, Esq.) A RATING QUESTION DECIDED. Board of Health V, John Francis Daviea, reported in our police column of Monday last. The Stipendiary now ga ve j udgnJent against defendant for the sum claimed, with costs. It was clear, said his Worship, that sub-section 3 of section 211 of the new Public Health Act rendered an in-coming occupier liable for his proportion of the current rate, and had defendant taken the pains to acquaint himself of the provisions of that portion of the Act, be would have saved himself, the court, and the rate collector, a deal of useless trouble. The order would be that the po e of enabling the prosecutor, who was unavoidably absent, to attend the Court. The Stipendiary, after hearing some formal evidence from P.C. Jenkins, granted the application. PAY YOUR RATES.—Mr. W. J. Jones, assistant over- seer, applied for a distress warrant against Dr. W. A. Byrne, Dowlais, for the recovery of a sum of 4s. 9d., due under a poor-rate made Nov. 6th. Personal service of the summons having been proved, the Stipendiary directed that notification be given the defendant that unless the rate be paid by Monday next the warrant would issue on that day. HER DAUGHTER-IN-LAW.—Hannah Brown, married, was summoned for damaging four panes of glass and F two show glasses, the property of her mother-in-law, Mary Parry, landlady of the Pelican beerhouse, High-street, Dowlais. Mr. Plews, who appeared for the defendant, stated that the latter lived apart from her husband, and that arrangements were being made for her being properly supported, and until these were completed, defendant, who had undertaken to make good the damage, would not be in a position to do so. After some little discussion, his Worship ordered the summons to stand adjourned until Wednesday next. MERTHYR BOARD OF HEALTH. The fortnightly meeting of this Board was held on Wednesday morning last, at the Offices, High-street. Mr. G. Martin presided, and there were also present Messrs. B. Kirkhouse, J. Jones, T. H. Hosgood, J. Probert, W. L. Daniel, T. Lloyd, W. Harris, and JL W. James. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the following business was tran- sacted THE STEAM ROAD ROLLER. The question of pur ;hasing a steam road roller was considered by the Boari in Committee at the last meet- ing, when a committee was appointed to visit Swansea and examine the roller employed there. The following reporJB was now read from that com- mittee To tho Merthyr Tydfil Local Board of Health. GENTLEMEN,—The members of the committee ap- pointed at the last meeting of your Board to visit Swansea for the purpose of seeing at work the steam road-roller in use, proceeded to that town on the 27th 1 inst., accompauied by your Surveyor. Every opportunity was afforded the committee of in- specting and examining thp machine, and of seeing it in practical use, and all information as to the mode°of its 4 working and the results of its work was cheerfully given by Mr. T. Martin, the road surveyor. I The weight of the machine is 15 tons, and was made I and supplied by Messtte. Aveliug and Porter, of Roches- I ter. It is constructed on the principle of a traction engine, the wheels forming the rollers. The committee saw, in one of the streets, from 500 to 600 superficial yards! of new metal rolled and finished by the machine in about an hour and a half, and they inspected roads which have 'been made by the machine at different periods witihin the last four months. TtM machine is driven by one man, whose wages are 5s. 6d. per day, and is conducted by another man, whose wages are 4s. 2d. per d4y. To these sums there is to be added the value of 3 cwt. of coke, i cwt. of coal, and a little oil, together about 3s., the daily cost is there- fore about 12s. 8d The machine has been in use in Swansea since August last. This is not long enough to test the durability of the roads made by the) machine, but a member of the Corporation, whom thp committee saw, and the road surveyor are of opinionjthat such roads will LAST twice as long, and will only I^AKE half the dirt and dust made by roads formed under ihe old system. The committee had m t an opportunity of seeing the machine tried upon a rioad with a steep gradient, but they refer you to two letters received by your surveyor from disinterested persons who have had experience in THE^ use of the machine ipon such gradients. The committee have formed a very favourable opinion of the machine, and th|nk it well adapted for making and repairing the roads ^.F your district, with materials to be obtained in the neignhbourhood, and they believe that by its application, White the inconvenience and dis- comfort of the present system would be avoided, a con- siderable saving in the cjost of the maintenance of the roads would be effected, they therefore recoaimeud the purchase of a 15 ton machine, with a few slight im- provements which they are prepared to suggest. We are, Gentlemen, yours faithfully, GEO. MARTIN. JOHN JONES. THOMAS H. HOSGOOD. Letters were read f^om the borough surveyors of Swansea, Brighton, and Tunbridge Wells, all of whom spoke most favourably!of the excellent work doao by the utetuu roller. J spoke most favourably!of the excellent workdoao by the utetuu roller. J