The Illustrated Usk Observer and Raglan Herald

CAERLEON. PETTY SESSIONS, TUESDAY, before the Rev. WM POWELL, J. JAMES, and C. NICHOLSON, Esqrs. A CHANGE OF NAME QUESTION.—Henry Harris, jun. Llanvrechva Upper, was charged, at the instance of John Bailey, officer of inland revenue, with selling beer without a license. The charge appeared to be founded on the fact, sworn to by the officer, that the name over the door of the house had been changed from "Henry Harris, junior" to "Henry Harris." Defendant disclaimed all knowledge of the change of name, and the evidence proving insufficient to support the charge, the case was dismissed. CHARGE OF STEALING A GoosE-Joseph Jenkins was charged with stealing a goose, the property of Thos. Wat. kins, farmer, Llanthewy Yach. Prosecutor lost the bird in the early part of last month, but could not identify the one produced, and the case therefore fell to the ground.

RAGLAN. CROSS BUCHAN PETTY SESSIONS, FRIDAT, OCT. 31, before S. R. BOSANQUET, Esq. ASSAULT.—Isaac James, miller, Raglan, was charged at the instance of William Hewlett, laborer, Llangoven, for an offence of this kind. Ordered to pay 13s, 6d. including costs, or 14 days hard labor. CHARGE OF ENCROACHING ON THE HIGHWAY.— Wm. Davies, carpenter, Monmouth, appeared to answer an information and complaint laid against him by William Harris, surveyor of the Chepstow district of turnpike roads, for having erected a certain fence encroaching on the said turnpike road, at Raglan. Mr. Evans, of Chep- stow, appeared 011 behalf of the turnpike trust, and Mr. W. C. A.Williams, of Monmouth, for the defendant. The particulars of this case appeared in our columns some time since, in a report of a former hearing. It appears the fence was put up by defendant, under the instructions of the Duke of Beaufort's agent, to enclose a piece of ground on the roadside, for the purpose of attaching it to the gar- den belonging to the National Schools, at Raglan. After a lengthened investigation, the summons was dismissed with costs. On the decision being announced, it was in. timated on behalf of complainant that further proceedings would be taken in the matter.

CORRESPOND EN C E. [Under this head, our columns are open to all who do not violate the rules of propriety, and who send us their names, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. It must be distinctly understood that we do not hold ourselves responsible for opinions expressed by corres- pondents, under this head.—ED. U. 0.] ) To the Editor of the USK OBSERVER. SIR,—May I beg you through the medium of your va- luable paper to call the public attention to the shameful ill-conditioned state of the roads in Usk. You, yourself, must have observed that there is just cause of complaint, and that it is high time something was done to remedy the evil. I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, AN INHABITANT. [This is a complaint which is annually made at this sea- son of the year, and one to which we have been many times called upon to direct attention. It seems to us, that if the more modern street brush were substituted for the ancient scraper," and a little more liberally applied, an improvement would be effected, whilst the additional cost of labor would, we fancy, be more than saved by the decrease in the quantity ot stones required. The Surveyors may take this suggestion for what it is worth, but certainly it is most discreditable to the town that the streets should remain in their present filthy condition.-E. U. 0.1 Printed and publishedby the Proprietor William Henry Clark, at his Offices, Bridge Street, Usk,in the County 0 Monmoutb, November 8, 1862.—SECOND EDITION*

appointments. Tuesday 11—Pontypool County Court. Trelleck petty sessions, highway purposes. "Wednesday—Newcastle petty sessions, highway purposes. Sale of Cows, at the Westgate hotel, New- port, by Mr. H. M. Partridge. Thursday—Sale of Farming Stock at Graigwith, Llan- gibby, by Mr. William Davis. Friday—Sale of Coppice Woods, at the Three Salmons, Usk by Mr. William Davis. Saturday-Pontypool petty sessions. 8th Mon. Rifle Volunteers. Monday 10-Prize Firing.—See particulars at head qrs. Wednesday and Friday-Company drill and manual and platoon. Tuesday and Thursday—Recruit drill. At 7 30 each evening.

iStrtfjs. At Llanishen cross, Oct. 25, the wife of Mr. William Cobner, shoemaker, of a son, still-born. At the same place, Nov. 2, the wife of Mr. Thomas Cobner, of a daughter. iJt¿Uf)fS.. At the Kingeoed, Llandenny, October 28, Mr. Thomas Jenkins, aged 59 years. At Llanbaddock, November 3, Mr. Jacob Parker, aged 64 years. At Penyelawdd, recently, of paralysis, George, son of Cradock Williams, aged 7 years. At Rhewlace, near Raglan, recently, William Lloyd, Young, aged 14 months. At Llandenny Walks, October 31, James Prosser, aged 74 years. At Trelleck, November 1, the infant son of Thos. Adams. At Raglan, October 31, after a long and severe illness, Mary Morgan, aged 78 years. At Usk, Nov. 6, Mary, relict of the late Mr. Wm. Jen- nings, carrier, aged 48 years. At Llangwender farm, Llanishen, Nov. 3, Mr. Francis Evans, after a long and painful illness, borne with chris- tian resignation, aged 34 years. Deceased was much respected by numerous relatives and friends. At the residence of his father, at Llanvibangel Tory. mynydd, Oct. 27, Mr. Nehemiah Phillips, aged 29 years.

USK. USK ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. The formation of schools for the education of the male and female children of the labouring classes of this town, has for some time engrossed the attention of several of the inhabitants, who formed themselves into a committee, and have, from time to time, met to devise the best plan of establishing such schools as the exigencies of the town seemed to require. The transactions of the Committee Meetings were not re- ported at the time of their transpiring, as no definite conclusions were arrived at, and may therefore be considered preliminary meetings, but on Friday last, (October 31), the Committee called the subscribers together, for the purpose of laying before them the plan which had been devised for the government of the schools, and receiving their sanction thereto and we now give the proceedings of the respective meet- ings. OCTOBER 1,1862.—At a meeting of the Provisional Com- mittee, appointed on Saturday, the 27th September last, present Rev. Jas. Cadwallader, Mr. Chas. Stockham, Rev. G. Cosens, Mr. J. H. Clark, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Falconer, Rev. George Thomas, Mr. Henry Dowell, and Mr. Greenhow-Relph. Mr. Greenhow-Relph having been voted to the chair, a letter was read from the Rev. S. C. Baker, regretting that he was unable to attend, having a fixed parochial duty, and stating that he would willingly aid in the collection of subscriptions. Mr. Baker after- wards joined the meeting. A letter was read, which Mr. Baker had received from the Charity Commission, dated 27th September, 1862, in reply to letters from Mr. Baker, dated the 18th and 19th September. Resolved-That the Revs. Mr. Baker, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Cosens; and Mr. Dunn, Mr. Dowell, Mr. Clark, and the Chairman, be a sub-committee, to canvass the town for subscriptions. That this meeting be adjourned to Friday, the 10th inst, at 8.0 p.m. at the Town Hall. G. R. GREENHOW-RELPH, Chairman. OCTOBER 10, 1862-At the Adjourned Meeting held this day—present: the Revs. Mr. Cosens, Mr. Baker, Mr. Wrenford, and Mr. Cadwallader, and M ssrs. Bromfield, John Edwards, Dunn, C. Stockham, J. H. Clark, and the Chairman- The minutes of the last meeting were read. The Sub-Committee made a return of their canvass, and the subscriptions were entered in the general list. Mr. G. R. Greenhow-Relph was appointed treasurer, pro. tem. After a long discussion on the subject, and on sugges- tions made by Mr. Baker thereon, it was resolved the proposed schools be called The Usk Elementary Schools," and that they shall comprise a boys' and girls' school. That the Chairman ask the Committee of Council on Education, if under the above, the managers will be in a position to apply to the Committee for pecuniary aid granted to schools through them, they being schools in which, besides secularlDstructlon, the scriptures are read daily in the authorised version. That the meeting stand adjourned to the same place on Saturday, the 18th October,, at 6.0 p.m. G. R. GREENHOW-RELPH, Chairman. OCTOBER 18, 1862—At the adjourned meeting held this day-present; Mr. Clark, Mr. Bromfield, the Revs Mr. Wrenford, Cosens, and Thomas, and Messrs, Dunn" Stockham, and Greenhow-Relph— I The minutes of the last meeting were read and signed. The Chairman read a letter addressed by him to the Secretary of the Committee of Council on Education, as requested at the previous meeting, and the Secretary's reply thereto, which was perfectly satisfactory to the Pro- visional Committee, Mr, Bromfield read the following calculation, shewing how the proposed schools would, after the first year, be. come self-supporting, viz. £ s. d. From Roger Edwards' Charity, 30 0 0 „ Weekly pence (say 140 scholars, 4s. per an.)28 0 0 „ Extra payments made by Tradesmen and 7 on r> n Farmers' Children J „ Government Aid 48 0 0 £ s. d. 126 0 0 I Teacher for boys'school.70 0 0 for girls' school.35 0 0 < Stationery, &c 15 0 0- 120 0 0 Leaving for sundries, a balance of 6 0 O Resolved—That the Teachers be members of the Church of England. Mr. Cadwallader read a portion of a letter from Mr. Baker, and also brought forward the suggestions made by Mr. Baker, at the meeting on the 3rd inst. It was con- sidered that the designation of the schools had been settled at that meeting—subject to the reply to the question which the Cuairman was to ask the Committee of Council on Education; and that, in Mr. Baker's absence, the other suggestions had better not be gone into. The meeting was then adjourned to the same place, on Friday, the 24th of October, at 7.0 p.m. G. R. GREENHOW-RELPH, Chairman. OCTOBER 24, 1862.-At the adjourned meeting held this day, at the Town Hall, at 7.0 p.m., present—Mr. Bromfield, Revs. Wrenford and Cadwallader, Messrs. Dunn and Clark, Revs. Mr. Baker, Cosens, and Thomas, and Mr. Greenhow-Relph. The minutes of the last meeting were read and signed. Considerable discussion as to the propriety of calling the proposed schools, Church of England Schools," in accordance with the suggestions of Mr. Baker, took place, but nothing transpired to induce the Provisional Com- mittee to alter the decision already arrived at as to the designation of the schools, and it was definitely resolved that the schools for boys and girls, shall be called The Usk Elementary Schools," subject to article 8 B, of the Revised Code of Regulations, 1862, viz.: Schools in which, besides secular instruction, the scriptures are read daily from the authorised version." p Resolved—That the schools be under the management of nine subscribers, elected annually, by subscribers of 5s. and upwards per annum, to be called "The Managers;" and that to the girls' school, a Committee of Lady Visitors shall be appointed by the Managers. That in case of no annual meeting of subscribers being held, the Managers for the time being, shall continue in office, and shall have the power of filling up vacancies that may have occurred during the year, ten days notice having been given to each Manager of the intention to appoint. That the Managers shall annually, in the month of October, call a public meeting of the subscribers and resi- dents of the town and neighbourhood, and lay before it a financial statement, and give a general report of the state, progress, and prospects of the schools. That the Master and Mistress be appointed by the Managers, and that they be members of the Church of England. That a public meeting of the subscribers, and others, be held in the Town Hall, on Friday, the 31st Oct., at 2.0 p.m., for the purpose of submitting the resolutions and views of the Committee to the subscribers, for the adoption or alteration of the same, and for electing the Managers for the year ending October, 1863. This Committee would strongly recommend to the Managers, who may be appointed, that no time be lost in advertising for teachers. They would also strongly recommend that the Managers allow the use of the school rooms, on Saturday mornings or afternoons, in each week, to the Ministers of Religion, at such hours as they may arrange between themselves, who wish to assemble therein the children of their res- pective congregations, who attend the schools, for the pur- pose of imparting to them religious instruction but the attendance of the children for this purpose, on Saturdays, shall be perfectly voluntary, as far as the Managers are concerned, and shall be no part of the conditions on which the children are admitted to the schools. That this meeting be adjourned to the same place, on Friday, October 31, at 1.30 p.m. The Committee have to report that subscriptions and donations to the amount of 962 have been obtained; and that after ample discussion and consideration, they have come to the foregoing resolutions and recornmenda- tions, which they beg to submit for the approval or other- wise of the subscribers assembled. OCTOBER 31, 1862.—At a meeting of the Committee and subscribers, held this day, His Honor Judge Falconer was voted to the chair, when the foregoing resolutions and suggestions of the Provisional Committee were read to the meeting, and after altering the day for the ministers of religion to attend, from Saturday to Wednesday after- noons, they were sanctioned by the subscribers. It was resolved-That T. Falconer, Esq., G.R. Green- how-Relph, Esq., Mr. Dunn, Mr. J. H. Clark, Mr. James Williams, Rev. W.' H. Wrenford, Rev. G. Thomas, Rev. S. C. Baker, and Rev. G. Cosens, be appointed Managers for the year ending October, 1863. Resolved—That the Chairman of the Managers shall be a layman. Resolved-That Mr. Dunn be appointed Treasurer.

OPENING OF THE NEW CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. -On Wednesday last, the above place of worship was solemnly dedicated to the service of God, on which occasion two very lucid and powerful discourses were delivered by the Rev G. Smith, of London, Secretary of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, in the morning from the 6th Isaiah, verses I to 8, and in the evening from the 1st of Hebrews, verse 3. The congregations comprised representatives of all classes, and of almost all protestant denominations, and at each service, the building was filled to its ut- most capacity. Several ministers, amongst whom were the Revs. D. Thomas, Thomas Rees, F. Pollard, W. Campbell, M-A., and G. Cosens, took part in the services. The collections amounted to d621 14s. 7id., viz.: in the morning, £14 6s.8d., and in the evening, Z7 7s. Hid. At two o'clock, the ministers and friends, to the number of between 40 and 50, partook of a very sumptuous and richly furnished dinner, at the Three Salmons hotel, of. which, as well as the marked attention and general courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Dowell, all spoke in the highest terms. The weather was most propitious, which, added to the popularity of the pastor of the Church, the Rev. Geo. Thomas, doubtless, was a great inducement to the number of friends who were present from adjacent towns, and the more immediate neighbourhood, to give their attendance and, all things considered, the proceedings of the day were of a most interesting and satisfactory character. The building, which is in the Gothic style of architecture, is spoken of by competent judges, as being a model of its kind, and certainly, as far as external appearance goes, it is quite an orna- ment to the part of the town in which it is situated. The design was furnished by Messrs. Habershon and Pite, of Newport and elsewhere, and the erection was entrusted to Mr. Edwin Stride, of Cardiff The total cost is about £ 1000, towards which, not quite £200 has been collected there is, therefore, a large sum yet to be raised still, we have little hesitation in saying, from having noticed the indefatigable efforts of the pastor, nobly seconded by his flock, that the Church will speedily be placed in a satisfactory posi- tion as regards financial matters.

ABERGA VENÑY. WEATHER AT ABERGAVENNY DURING OCTOBER.— The Weather was unusually stormy and unsettled during this month, but in the earlier part, a few splendidly fine days were experienced, when the tem- perature was remarkably high, as on the 4th, the maximum in sun and shade were respectively attained, namely, 134° and 77°; whilst, on the other hand, the latter part of the month was cold and foggy, the self-registering thermometer recording 29°, as its minimum treading, giving a monthly raage of 48°. Greatest daily range,^25°. Thunder and lightning were observed on more than one occasion, and a hailstorm took place on the 20th. A great depth of rain fell during the month, which caused the Usk to overflow its bank on some occasions. Extremely high winds prevailed for many days. Only 14 days were registered as fine (without rain). The barometer was extraordinarily low on the 19th and 20th, and its variations most frequent. It reached its highest point, 30.500 in. on the 5th lowest, 29.400 in., or a monthly range of 1.100 in greatest range in 24 hours, 404 in. The wind, as before stated, was very boisterous, its direction was as follows: w. on 6 days; s. W. 4 N. 1 N. w. 9 W. N. w. 1; w. s. w. 2; s. 1; s. E. 1 N. E. 2; N. 2 uncertain 2. HOME MISSIONs.-The second of a series of special services, in connection with the above society, waa held at St. Mary's Church, on the 31st ultimo, on which occasion, the Rev. R. Waters, of Gloucester, delivered a stirring and eloquent sermon, from the 37th Ezekiel, 3rd verse: "Can these bones live." There was a very large congregation present. TUESDAY'S MARKET, as far as business was con- cerned, was of a limited character, although stock and vegetables were pretty plentiful; but buyers were scarce, a fact attributable, in some measure, to the un- propitious state of the weather. Prices averaged as follow: Fat beats 5^d. to 6d., and sheep 6îd. to 7d. per lb. (sink the offal); store pigs experienced a con- siderable reduction from former prices; porkers, 10s. 6d., and bacon pigs, 9s. 6d. to 10s. per score. Geese 7d. and butter 14d. per lb.; ducks 4s.6d. to 5s., and fowls 2s.3d. to 3s.3d. per couple; eggs 7 for 6d. Beef, mutton, and veal, 7d., and pork, 8d per lb. Potatoes 8s. to 9s., and apples and pears 7s. to 10s. per sack. Flour 8s. per bushel of 56 lbs.; 4 lb. loaf, o|d. Wheat was quoted at 483.10d., and barley 33s.5d. per imperial quarter. PETTY SESSIONS, WEDNESDAY, before the Hon. W. P. RODNEY, and W. W. MANNING, Esq. It is a matter for congratulation that the cases brought before this court, for investigation, have been of late much less numerous than formerly, which circum- stance may be taken as an indication of an improvement in the morals of the lower classes of the district. The only charge brought forward this day, was the following ADJOURNED CAsE.-Ellen Morgan appeared to a sum- mons charging her with having assaulted Mary Ann Stretton. The complainant was called several times, but she was not forthcoming, although it was said she had been seen in the precincts of the Court a short time pre- viously, and the defendant was therefore told she may go; an intimation which seemed particularly acceptable to her. A few minutes afterwards, complainant made her appear- ance, and explained that her temporary absence had been caused by her having been paying a visit to the doctor's, She was told she was to late. A girl named Lewis, whose manner justified the concla- sion that her intellect was weak, macle an application to the bench, the object of which appeared to be to induce the Chairman to obtain a situation for her; and to attain this, she said she had been told she must kiss the Chair- man, a proceeding she seemed desirous to carry into effect. After some conversation, it was arranged that her case should be laid before the Board of Guardians, with a view of getting her admitted to the workhouse. A SAD CAsE.-An application was made by a poor woman named Howells, that her husband (who was com- mitted to prison from this Court about a month since under a sentence of 3 months imprisonment, and at the expiration of that term, to find sureties for his good be- haviour, for having brutally assaulted her,) should be released from prison, on his own recognizances aluue, an she had failed to find anyone who would become surety for him, and she had no means of gaining a livelihood for herself and children during his absence. The Chairman said it was very natural that she should wish to screen her hus- band, as she endeavoured to do at the time the case was brought before the Court, and the bench deeply sym- pathised with her, but she must be protected from such outrageous violence as she bad been subject to and they had now no power to make the order she wished, however they may desire to aid her. Mr. Batt, magistrates' clerk, thought the application was rather premature, seeing that the husband had two months more to serve in prison. and he therefore recommended the applicant to endeavour to find a surety in the meantime, and to apply to the bench again when her husband's time was near up.

PONTYPOOL. THE LIBERATION SOCIETY.-A meeting to promote the operations of the Society, formed for the libera- tion of religion from State patronage and control," was held in the Crane Street Baptist Chapel, on the evening of Wednesday last. Mr. Wm. Conway was. voted to the chair, and having addressee the meeting, was followed by the Rev. Dr. Thomas, the Rev. G. Thomas, the Rev. Daniel Morgan, the Rev. Stephen Price, and Mr. J. E.Williams, deputed by the Society, and Mr. Reece, the Society's Agent. Several resolu- tions embodying the views and objects of the Society, Were unanimously carried by the meeting, in propo- sing and supporting of which, some stirring addresses were delivered. LECTURE.—On the evening of Monday last. the Rev. Daniel Davies, D.D., or "the blind doctor," as he is generally known, late of Swansea, delivered a lecture, entitled, "The American War the effect of Negro Slavery," in the Zion Chapel, Trosnant, in which place of worship, the rev. gentleman preached the anniversary sermons on the previous day. In the absence of Dr. Thomas, the Rev. George Thomas was voted to the chair, and in a few pertinent remarks introduced the lecturer to the meeting who, having depicted the horrors of war at some length, passed on to the subject of his discourse, which he treated in a masterly manner, and was frequently applauded during its delivery. At the conclusion, the usual complimentary votes of thanks were passed, and the assemblage separated. THE HANBURY VOLUNTEERS.—On the evening of Tuesday last, the Hanbury Corps of Volunteers, was inspected in the Town School, by Lieut.-CoI. Bird, who, having put them through a variety of evolutions, expressed himself well pleased with their steadiness, -■Soldier-like appearance, and general efficiency. He urged them to be punctual at drill, and not to neglect any opportunity of perfecting themselves in that prac- tice, which can alone make their body formidable. Captain-Commandant Steel also addressed the mem- bers of the Corps in similar terms, after which they marched to the armoury, and were dismissed. CREMONA MUSICAL UNION.—To meet with eight brothers and sisters, who can form a string band, and give a public entertainment, may alone be deemed a marvel in the musical world, but the wonder becomes considerably heightened when it is stated that the entertainment itself is of a very superior character, as was proved in our Town Hall, on the evenings of Wednesday and Thursday last. These talented musicians have received well merited enconiums from some of (he best judges of music in this county, and are, in every respect, well worthy of patronage. THE LATE CARRIAGE ACCIDENT.—We are glad to be able to report that Mrs. Howells, of Trostrey Common, near TJsk, who met with a serious acci- dent on the 29th ultimo, by being knocked down and run over by a phaeton (the particulars of which we reported last week), has so far recovered from her in- I juries, under the able treatment of Mr. D. Lawrence, surgeon, as to be able to be removed from the Clarence Hotel to her home, and well grounded hopes are en- tertained of her permanent recovery. ACCIDENT FROM FIRE.On Saturday last, a girl' 10 years of age, named Margaret Edmonds, residing in Allcock's Lane, on the Sowhill, in this town, was very severely burnt from her frock igniting, whilst she was engaged in lighting a fire. The occurrence, { unfortunately, proved of that serious nature, that but faint hopes are entertained of the girl's recovery, although Mr. Essex, surgeon, and his assistant are very assiduous in their attentions to the sufferer. MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENTS.—The Clarence Hotel Assembly Room is now open gratis to the public, on the evenings of Saturday and Monday, and it is scarcely necessary to state that the musical entertain- ments there given are well worthy of the patronage of the public. The proceedings are conducted in a most systematic manner, and the large attendance, so far, would seem to augur well for the success of the undertaking. THE LIGHTING COMMISSIONERS.—On Monday last, a meeting of the above was held in the Town Hall there were present, Messrs. E. B. Edwards (chairman), J. F. Williams, A. Bevan, R. Greenway, Blaydon, and John Davies. It was proposed, and carried unanimously, that Mr. E. B. Edwards be ap- pointed Chairman for the ensuing year. Bills amount- ing to the sum ofjEl 7s. 9d. were ordered to be paid, after which it was ordered that the Overseers be re- quested to pay over to the Commissioners, the sum of £280, for the lighting purposes of the township. As several applications were made for new lamps, a conversation arose as to the desirability of erecting new ones, and altering the positions of some of the old ones, when it was resolved that a lamp be placed in Park Terrace, and the other applications be left to the consideration of a Committee of the whole Board. It was agreed that a Committee of the members should inspect the lamps by night, and report progress at a future meeting. It was resolved that the lamps be lighted as heretofore, at d63 per lamp, per annum. omitting the three months from the 7th of May to 7th of August, instead of the 24th of May to the 24th of August, and ordered that the lamps in future are to be kept clean. It was further resolved 'that notice be given to the Chief Constable, Major Her- bert, that unless the rent be paid for the lock-up," at Abersychan, a distress would be levied for the recovery of the same, which was ordered to be done. This being all the business before the Board, the meeting separated. PETTY SESSIONS, SATURDAY, before CHARLES H. WILLIAMS, Esq., and Lieut.-Colonel BIRD. AN OLD GRUDGE.—WiUiam Morgan was charged with having used threats to an old man, named Job Her. bert, at Averdyrynys, near Crumlin, on Saturday night last, which consisted of his saying he would pull com- plainant's inside out. The same conduct was also repeated on the Monday following. In disposing of the case, the Chairman remarked that there evidently had been a bad feeling existing between the parties for some time, and the best thing they could do, was to go home, and en- deavour to live on more friendly terms for the future. They were ordered to pay the costs, amounting to 7s., between them. ASSAULT WITH INTENT.—James Donovan was charged with having assaulted Mary Macarthy, at Sowhill, Ponty- pool, on the 25th ult. Mr. Greenway appeared for the defendant. Complainant deposed that about half-past 12 o'clock on the night in question, as she was looking for I' her brother, defendant seized her by the neck, threw her down, and attempted to take indecent liberties with her. For the defence it was urged that defendant was so drunk that he did not know what he was doing. Defendant was ordered to pay 40s., or be imprisoned for 21 days in default. STEALING CoAL.—HeweUIn Jones was brought up under a warrant, charged with having stolen 501bs. of coal, the property of Wm. Richards, White Hart, Abersychan, John Williams deposed that he saw the prisoner take, and carry away, a piece of coal, about 6.30 p.m., on Tuesday, the 14th ult., from a pit at Golynos, which was the pro. perty of prosecutor. The prisoner said the coal he took did not belong to Richards, but was the property of the Abersychan Iron Company. The evidence, however, shewed to the contrary, and he was committed to prison for 7 days. DISORDERLY.-Daniel Price appeared at the instance of P.S. Powell, for having been drunk and riotous, on the AGAINST THE COMPANY'S SERVANTS.—Thomas Mog. ford, engine-driver, and Richard Williams, guard, in the employ of the West Midland Railway Company, were charged with neglect of duty, by which human life was endangered. Mogford pleaded not guilty, and Williams admitted the offence laid to his charge, but added that he thought it was his duty. Mr. Lanwarne, from the office of Messrs. James and Bodenham, of Hereford, appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Company, and having stated the case, called the following witnesses. John Griffin said I am a pointsman on the West Midland Railway. Be- tween 7 and 8 a.m. on the 27th October, I was shunting at Crumlin Junction. I was engaged with a down train when defendants' engine and tender passed up on the wrong line. It was, my duty to turn the pcJiuts to let them pass and they ought to have waited until I had done so. They went over the viaduct on the wrong line; I called out to them to look out for the excursion train, but believe they did not hear me. By the Bench The guard was not out of his duty when he turned the points. I could not do it all. Tney could have shunted with- out going as far as they did. They have run over the line before, in cases of emergency; but had no right to do so without consulting me. They ran every Monday morning. It Was near the station were the accident occurred. excursion train ran into defendants' engine, which was standing. They ought to have stopped on the double road. By Mogford: It was my duty to tell you that the excursion train had not gone; but you ought to have waited for we to come to you. Mogiord said that their going over the line, as they had done, was a common oc- currence, it was done on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th ultimo. Witness said it was done in cases of emergency, and that they had no right to do so without his orders. The defen- dant Williams asked why the witness did not tell him that the excursion train had not passed. Reuben Peulse said: I am a signal man on the West Midland Railway, and was on duty at the Crumlin station on Monday last. I did not see the defendants with their engine. I had the distance signal and the danger signal up. The excursion train telegraphed to know if the line was clear, and I telegraphed back to say the line was clear. It was the duty of the engine-man, on feeing my signal, to have shunted into a siding. I had the signal up for him not to come, because I knew that the excursion train had to pass, and 1 had telegraphed to them that the line was clear. Defendants ought to have stopped or run into a siding; instead ot which, they came several hundred yards further towards the station than they need to have done. By Mogtord: It was your duty to draw the train within the signal. It was not a practice for you to pass the line as you then did every morning. It might have been done twice a week, but it never was done when the signal was up, By the Bench' The engine-man ought to have stopped near my signal. Benjamin Horner, driver of the Excur- sion train, said: I left Merthyr at 7.5. The line was signalled at Quakers' Yard, and said to be clear. On ar- riving at Crumlin, I saw an engine on the down line. I was not running faster than from four to five miles an hour; but having a long train on, I could not pull up before I ran into the other engine, by which one passen- ger was injured, and the engine buffers were broken. If we had been going at any great speed, the accident would have been more serious. Defendants ought to have gone back until we had patsed. Reference was here made to a bye-law bearing on the point (122, page 26). In answer to the Bench, witness said the duty of the guard was to have called the engine-man's attention to the signal. Mr. Griffiths, district superintendent of the West Midland Railway Company, said the Camp .ny looked to the guard tor the sate conduct of the train, and he ought not to have allowed the engine to pass the signals. Mr. Griffiths here pointed out to the Bench the position of the signals on the lille. By Mr. Lanwarne: Knew the rules. Was aware that they should stop 200 yards clear of the station. They stopped about 50 yards from the station. Had received instructions to notice the rules. Should have stopped at the first" shunt." The guard did not call attention to the signal because it was a common occurrence to pass it. The Chairman observed that: the charges had been proved, and after commenting on the serious consequences likely to arise to the public from such negligence, added that the bench convicted Mogford in the penalty of £ 5, or one month's imprisonment; and Williams in 40s. or 14 days im- prisonment in default of payment. On Mogford reiterating his former statement that the case was one of frequent occurrence, the Chairman said the bench desired that the Company might be informed that it deemed the practice a very dangerous one, and hoped they would look to its discontinuation. On the defendants being asked what they had to say to the charge, Mogford said that they found it such a common occurrence, that they thought no harm in going over the line. Mr. Lanwarne observed that that was what the Company wanted to put a stop to. Defendant said they would have "shunted" back, if it had not been a common occurrence to disregard the signal. The Chairman remarked that it ought not to be a common occurrence. Mr. Griffiths said that it had been done without the knowledge of the Company, and they wished to put a stop to it. George Evans, fire-man, on being called by one of defendants, said they went over the line, under the control of the guard. They saw the dis- tance signal up, and stopped within the danger signal. They had been accustomed to do so, and considered them selves protected by the station. They ran over the line to get to the other train. But the bench again observed that it was done without the knowledge of the Company, and all the drivers had been cautioned. Mr. Lanwarne said he would see that the request of the bench was attended to. STONE-THROWING.-Emma Watkins, a mere child, was charged with having struck a woman, named Emma Wea- ver, with a stone, on the morning of Sunday last. The parties reside at Blaenafon, and complainant thought that defendant was throwing the stone at her little girl. Defen- dant's father appeared, and said he had questioned her, as to her having thrown stones, and she Said she had not done so. Defendant was ordered to pay 6s.6d. costs. WAGES.—Samuel Pickford, Pontypool, appeared at the instance of John Barnes, for the non-payment of a balance of 17s. for masonry work. Defendant was ordered to pay lls.6d., and 5s. costs. ROBBING LODGINGS.—Emily Wbarfingfon, of Blaen- dare, was charged with having stolen a waistcoat, the pro- perty of Thomas Blount, Trosnant, on Sunday last. It appeared the prisoner had been lodging at the house of the mother of prosecutor, and the latter having missed the property, communicated the fact to P.S. Brooks, when the officer found that it had been pledged by the prisoner at Solomon Bloom's, pawn-broker, Pontypool. It was elicited that the prisoner was in the habit of leaving her father's house for weeks together, and in answer to the bench, he said that he could not keep her at home. P.S. Powell said that prisoner came to the police station, and on her saying that her father had turned her out, he gave her a ticket for a bed at the house where she stole the waistcoat. The Chairman told prisoner if she took things that belonged to other people, she must be punished for it, and the bench committed her to prison for 7 days. CRUELTY.—Joseph Bryant and Martha Bryant, Aber- sychan, were charged with ill-treating and assaulting their daughter, Eliza Bryant. Eliza Rapps said: I live next door to the prisoners, and have frequently heard them beating the child. I remonstrated with the female pri- soner, who is step-mother to the child, for doing so, when she told me to go into my house. I have seen the child black and blue from having been beaten. I saw her beaten a fortnight agone," and have seen her put out of doors in the rain. Have seen the female beat the oldest girl shamefully; and when her father came home at night, he beat her with a rope. I told the mother that if the neighbours would help me, I would put her into the river. The children werestarved to death. One of them came to me and said that her mother wanted her to go and steal coal. On defendants being asked if they had any ques- tions to ask the witness, the female said: Since I have been married to Joseph Bryant, I never raised my hand to Joseph Bryant's child; and Joseph Bryant did not leave his children to me. Having proceeded in this strain for some time, the Chairman told defendant that she bad made a long speech, she must ask questions. Ann Paul deposed that she bad seen the child beaten by the female very severely, with a stick, about two months sgo, when she (witness) said, Martha, what are you going to do with the child r" Witness had also seen the father beating the child, and turn her out of doors. Martha Greaves said she had seen the child picking crumbs out of the pig's dung, and had seen her beaten by her step- mother, the female defendant. Mr. Wainwright spoke to the emaciated condition of the child, as exhibited before the Board of Guardians. Mary Underwood said that she never saw children treated in such a bad way in her life. She had heard them screaming for the last two months. On one occasion, her lodger was attracted to the house by the cries of the eldest girl, and on going in, be saw the father beating her with the strap from his waist. P.C. Brown said On Wednesday last, Mr. Tucker, surgeon, called on me, and said that there was a child in Valentine Row, that was suffering from an insufficiency of food, ancl never observed such an object in my life before. A woman brought it a basin of broth, and-it eat it quite ravenously, and asked for more. The father of the child earns from 12s. to 13s. out of which he gets a 10s. weekly draw, his son earns 12s., and other money was made in the house by selling sand. It was also stated that the female defendant pampered a child that.she had bad in her widow-hood, whilst she starved and neglected those to whom she was step-mother. After a long incoherent statement, from the female defendant, that had very little to do with the case, the Chairman told defendants that the bench thought they had been guilty of grossly ill-treating the child, for which the female would be committed for 6 months, and the man.for 4 months to the house of correction. AN IRISH QUARREL.—John Crawley was charged with having assaulted Daniel Taylor, at Abersychan, on Mon- day last. Complainant said that whilst he was at supper defendant came into the house, and struck him three blows with his fisht." They had not had any quarrel or anything, and the only reason that he could give for defendant's conduct, was, that he found fault with him for' having obtained a gallon of beer in his name. Defen- dant was convicted in the penalty of 16s, expenses, or 7 days imprisonment in default. He said, I'll take seven days."