The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette

Glamorganshire Quarter Sessions. The Epiphany Quarter Sessions for this county were held in this town, commencing on Monday last, before the following very numerous and influen- tial bench of magistrates The Right Honorable JOHN NICHOLL, D.C.L., M.P., Chairman. Henry Thomas, Esq., De- T. W. Hill, Esq. puty-Chairman i R. F. Jenner, Esq. The Lord James Stuart, Rev. Robert Knight M.P. J. D. Llewelyn, Esq. The Viscount Adare, M.P. William Llewellyn, Esq. Sir J. J. Guest, Bart., M.P. Griffith Llewellyn, Esq. Sir George Tyler, K.C.B. E. H. Lee, Esq. Richard Basset, Esq., of Rev. H. T. Lee Beaupre Lewis Morgan, Esq. Richard Bassett, Esq., of Ii William Meyrick, Esq. Bonvilston T. D. Place, Esq. Captain Boteler Rev. Windsor Richards R. C. Nicholl Carne, Esq. Rev. Thomas Stacey Walter Coffin, Esq. Colonel Smith Rev. James Evans I Rev. George Thomas Frederick Fredricks, Esq. E. M. Williams, Esq. Richard Franklen, Esq. Evan Williams, Esq. Captain Hewitt Richard Turbervill, Esq. John Homfray, Esq. After the Court had been formally opened in the large Hall, the Magistrates adjourned to the Grand Jury Room for the transaction of THE COUNTY BUSINESS. A letter from her Majesty's Secretary of State, on the subject of the management of fraudulent debtors confined n our county gaols, was referred to the Visiting Justices. REMOVAL OF IRISH POOR.-A. letter from the Secre- tary of State, having reference to the removal of Irish poor, was read. The regulations contained in it vary very little from those now followed, referring principally to matters of detail rather than to any principle and con- sequently it was referred to the Chairman and Vice- Chairman, who were requested to render the existing rules conformable to the rules recommended for adoption by the Secretary of State. The new rules will, it is believed, have the effect of saving the county some ex- pense, which it now necessarily incurs, so that their operation, as far as the county is concerned, will be more beneficial than otherwise at the same time they will cause some items of expenditure now borne by the county to be thrown upon the several Boards of Guar- dians of the county REMOVAL OF CONVICTs.-The Chairman read a letter received from the Secretary of State, which had reference to the expenses incurred in the removal of convicts. As stated by us in our last number, it was to the effect that in future the allowance for the removal of convicts to the dep6ts established for their reception, in cases where the prisoners are in charge of officers belonging to prisons, and who receive fixed salaries, that no expenses whatever will be allowed, but such as have been actually and fairly ncurred and paid, it being part of the officers' duty to accompany prisoners to the places appointed to receive them in this country." Having read the letter, the Chairman entered upon a rigid examination of charges made for the conveyance of convicts and the governors of Cardiff and Swansea prisons had their attention drawn to the remarks contained in the Secretary of State's letter. The various journals of Cardiff gaol and Swansea house of correction were handed to the -Chairman and signed by him. SWANSEA HOUSE OF CORRECTION. The Chairman rose and said it became his painful duty to mention a circumstance which had been communicated to him, and which required some explanation on the part of the Governor of the Swansea House of Correction. It was reported that Mr. Cox, at a late Quarter Sessions in this county, had taken from a prisoner, who was out under bail previous to his trial, and who surrendered himself to take his trial, the sum of twenty-eight shil- lings. The man pleaded guilty, or was convicted; and he (the man) supposed that that sum of twenty-eight shillings had never been accounted for. The Chairman said the sum mentioned might have been accounted for by Mr. Cox—might have been by him paid over to the Under-Sheriff-and therefore, probably, he would have no difficulty of explaining to the magistrates how or what became of the money if the man's statement was correct, namely-that a sum of money had been taken from him by Mr. Cox. Mr. Cox said that at the last Quarter Sessions he had taken a sum of money from a prisoner named Griffiths, to whom he (Mr. Cox) had also returned the same when lie was discharged. It was taken from that man in the usual way-under the ordinary circumstances and was eturned to him immediately upon his being discharged. Mr. Henry Thomas Is Mr. Cox referring to the same case 1 This is a case in which the person from whom the money was taken was found guilty. Mr. Walter Coffin said the man who made the com- plaint was named Dew, and who resided at Llandaff. The complaint was made to him (Mr. Coffin) and he conceived it to be of such a serious nature that he deter- mined to mention it to the Chairman of the Sessions. Mr. Cox Do you refer to a very late case, Sir 1 Mr. Coffin Yes, I do. Mr. Cox Very likely, sir, what the man says may be partly true. Money taken from prisoners by me in pur- suance of an order of court which authorises me to detain property taken from prisoners till the end of the year, will be accounted for bj me in the usual way. I am compelled to act in the way I have acted by the order of rourt, although I have no distinct recollection of the case to which you refer. The Chairman thought the better way would be to re- fer the matter to a committee and that Mr. Cox should offer vo such committee any explanation he might deem necess&rv. Mr. Cox I shall have very great pleasure, sir, in meeting the committee. I never heard of the affair till this moment; but I shall be most ready to give all the information, or to make any explanation that may be required of me. The Chairman Having heard the matter mentioned by Mr. Coffin, I thought it was his duty to ascertain whe- ther the charge was ill-founded or not. Mr. Cox Whatever has been done by me, sir, was done by the special order, in writing, of Mr. Dalton, [the Deputy Clerk of the Peace, who was then present.] There are articles of property found upon almost every prisoner, an account of which, when taken from them, js entered by me in a book. The Chairman I am not making any charge against you, Mr. Cox. I believe you to be an honest man. Mr. Meyrick Is it usual to take money from pri- soners Mr. Dalton Yes, it is; and the Governor of the Gaol must account for it to me. The Lord James Stuart, Rev. Thomas Stacey, and Rev. George Thomas, were then appointed a committee to enquire into the matter brought before the magistrates, and to report to the court on Wednesday morning; and Mr. Coffin and Mr. Cox were requested to attend the committee—Mr. Cox to offer any explanation in his power, and Mr. Coffin to see that the statement of the man who complained was properly placed before the magistrates. Mr. Coffin said the practice at the gaol in Cardiff was that when a prisoner went out of gaol, all that he had in his pocket when he entered was returned to him and if his money was not sufficient to enable him to return to the end of his journey, a humane Act of Parliament per- mitted the governor of the gaol to give him something in addition. [To Mr. Woods.] Am I to understand that you give them their things back ? Mr. Woods I always do so. L Mr. Dalton said the governors of the county prisons are required to make a quarterly return to him of all pro- perty found upon convicted persons and he (Mr. Dalton) was in like manner required to make returns of the same to the Treasury and to the Sheriff. Mr. Woods I do not believe I have received ten shillings from a convicted felon these many years. Mr. Henry Thomas asked was it the practice when prisoners who were&out under bail surrendered to take their trial to search them. Mr. Woods If discharged forthwith I would not; but if he were taken to gaol I certainly would search him. Supposing him to be convicted and previously out under bail, I would search him immediately after the trial. The Chairman to Mr. Cox: You have been in the habit hitherto of paying those sums over to the Sheriff1 Mr. Cox I have, sir, at the expiration of the year. I made a communication to Mr. Dalton, stating the hard- ship of the case as far as the prisoners were concerned and he (Mr. Dalton) replied that if prisoners wanted any assistance when discharged from prison, I must give it out of the county stock. As I said before, all I have done is to act strictly in conformity with my instruc- tions, and 1 am sure that all will be found upon enquiry to have been regular. The Chairman I have no doubt of it. [On Wednesday, Lord James Stuart, Rev. Thomas Stacey, and Rev. George Thomas, entered the large hall during the sitting of the Court, and stated to the Chair- man and Magistrates that they had discharged the duty which the magistrates on Monday had requested them to perform—namely, to enquire into the matter brought before the Court by Mr. Coffin. In handing in the com- mittee's report, Lord James Stuart said he thought it right to state publicly that it was the opinion of the gen- tlemen of the committee that Mr. Cox was altogether and wholly free from any charge of fraud or corruption. His conduct had been perfectly lawful and strict in the execution of his duty. He was, in the opinion of the committee, as free from blame as he was before this mat- ter was brought against him. Mr. Dalton then read the following REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. Sir, We beg to state to you that we have made enquiry into the complaint brought against Mr. Cox, governor of the House of Correction at Swansea, by a person of the name of William Dew, convicted of felony at the October Quarter Sessions, 1845, at Swansea, the charge being that the said Governor of the House of Correction had taken from him jpl 16s. 7d., and had refused to return the same on his discharge from prison. We find that Mr. Cox was only fulfilling his duty in so doing, he having received instructions from the Clerk of the Peace to de- tain all monies and goods found in the possession of convicted felons the same to be handed over to the Sheriff as forfeited to the Crown. Mr. Cox produced his » Receiving ;Book" before us; and we found the above sum regularly entered in the column under the prisoner's name. We are, Sir, Your most obedient servants, (Signed) JAMBS STUART, T. STACEY, Cardiff, 7th January, 1846. GEORGE THOMAS. To the Right Honourable John Nicholl, M.P., Chairman. The Chairman rose, and addressing Mr. Cox, said I totally concur in the opinion advanced by the com- mittee, namely, that you are entirely free from blame. t The Court entertains the same high opinion of you now, as it ever entertained and its confidence was not at all shaken by any thing that occurred on the contrary, it appears that you only discharged your duty. We thought it right, although we did not believe that there was any truth in the man's charge, that it should be investigated." The Chairman made some other general observations and after again expressing a very high opinion of Mr. Cox's respectability and efficiency, resumed his seat.— Mr. Cox briefly thanked the Court for the opinion which it entertained of him and so this painful matter termi- nated, as we felt confident, from Mr. Cox's hitherto unimpeached and spotless character, it would, in his entire and honourable exculpation.] An entry of the surgeon of the House of Correction in hisj ournal was then read by the Chairman, and which was to the effect that the Inspector of Prisons had ex- pressed an opinion that the dietary of the prison was insufficient. REPORT OP THE FINANCE COMMITTBE. The following report was read by Mr. Dalton At a meeting of the Finance Committee, held at Pyle Inn, on Thursday, the 1st day of January, 1846. HENRY THOMAS, Esq., in the Chair. The accounts of the expenditure of the several prisons in the county were laid before your committee. Those relating to the County Gaol being in the ordinary course of expenditure, your cemmittee have no remark to make thereon but they wouhl draw the attention of the court to a charge in the accounts sent from the House of Correction at Swansea for £8 15s. 4d., for the rent of a field said to have been kept unoccupied, as the same was expected to be taken for the purposes of improving such prison, but your committee find that the portion required and purchased for such improvements is 2B. 20P. only, for which the sum charged 3.S rent appears very high. Your committee also find an increase in the number of offi- cers employed at the House of Correction, and the sum of £7 14s. charged for a quarter's salary but it does not appear that any order of Sessions was t'ver made authorising such appointment, of which, if a permanent increase on the county expenditure, the rules of practice governing the general county expenditure, require notice to have been given. A bill, amounting to j65, delivered by Mr. John Davies (of the Castle Hotel, Swansea,) for the maintenance of John Jont's described as an informer, during the Rebecca riots, frolD July 22nd to September 21st, 1843, stated to have been incurred under the sanction of the mayor of Swansea (Dr. Bird), and the magistrates of the districts of Swansea and Llangefelach has also been laid before your committee; but they are not aware of any power they have to deal with it, Subject to the foregoing remarks, your committee find the prison accounts to be correct. The various bills relating to the County Expenditure, amount- ing to £ 897 3s. 9d., have also been produced and examined; and your committee request the attention of the court to one delivered by Nicholas Rimron, amounting to £ 38 Os, 4d., for materials and labour found and bestowed on the repairs of roads at the ends of county bridges, in the late Cardiff Turnpike District, for which no vouchers have been produced, nor had they any evidence before them of the work charged for having been done. Your committee would suggest that measures should be taken for entering into arrangements with the County Roads' Board for the future repairs of the roads at the ends of all county bridges by the respective District Boards, and that no other expenditure for such purpose be in future allowed. Subject to this remark, they recommend the various bills to be paid, and also the sum of £18 17s, 7d. to be allowed for the repairs of several county bridges as reported by Mr. Whittiogton. Your committee having estimated the expense of the ensuing Quarter, and taken into consideration the balance now in the treasurer's hands, find a rate of ill. will be required to be raised. The report of the Police Committee, with the several accounts relating thereto, have also been laid before the committee, who have no remark to make thereon; but having again had their attention drawn to the want of some certain mode of paying constables employed in serving process in cases of Bastardy, where the parties applying for such are poor, your committee suggest that the several members of the county and boroughs be requested to bring the same under the notice of the proper authorities, that the same may be provided for by statute. The Police Committee have reported several rates necessary to be raised in the respective districts, which your committee find will not be too large for the purposes required. Your committee find the room for the Stipendiary Justice's Court is nearly ready; and on the report of the county surveyor recommend a further advance of £100 to the contractor for building the same. They would also suggest that arrangements be made for the immediate fitting of such room. The demands for the last Quarter, in addition to such £100, are JE40 13s., which they recommend to be paid, and a rate of one farthing in the pound producing about £ 110, to be granted. (Signed) HENRY THOMAS, Chairman. The various points contained in the report were then considered singly. First—The appointment of an addi- tional turnkey for the Swansea House of Correction, who was to act in the capacity of porter, was considered. It was stated that during the last quarter a man had been employed with the sanction of the visiting magistrates, who deemed such extra assistance to the officers of the prison necessary. Sir Jno. Guest, after having been told that Cardiff Gaol had only three turnkeys, thought the man's services were not required and he should be inclined to disallow the amount charged for his services. The Chairman said there would be some difficulty in disallowing it on the present occasion, as the visiting magistrates had allowed it: the court might refuse to allow it at the next Quarter Sessions, should the man be continued in his situation. Mr. Fredricks thought the House of Correction was not so securely built as the County Gaol, and, conse- quently, offered greater facilities for the escape of prison- ers, one or two of whom (men charged with highway robbery) had very nearly effected their escape. The magistrates, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, thought it necessary to order an additional turnkey. He thought notice had been given at the last sessions that the subject should be brought forward at these sessions. Mr. Dalton said no notice had been given. Mr. Coffin thought the visiting justices were better judges of the expediency of making such an appointment than the magistrates then assembled in court. To main- tain the orders of the court inviolable was a very desira- ble thing; and therefore, as the usual notice had not been given, he would suggest that the question of appointing an additional turnkey for Swansea House of Correction should stand over for further consideration by the visiting justices if they should think the appointment one ne- cessary to be made, it ought to be allowed by the next sessions. It was then, after a short conversation, formally moved that the allowance for the third turnkey at the House of Correction be continued, in order to enable the court fully to consider of the matter. The Rev. George Thomas was averse to the motion. It was decidedly a bad precedent, as notice had not been given of it. The amount was comparatively trifling, but the principle involved in the motion was important, as rules which had been established after due deliberation ought not lightly to be infracted. Mr. Fredricks thought notice had been given as did also Mr. Cox, but Mr. Dalton again said no notice had been given. A conversation had taken place on the subject—nothing further. The Chairman, after observing that it would be more regular if notice had been given, put the motion from the chair, which was carried. THE REBECCA RIOTS. The bill sent in by Mr. John Davies, of the Castle Hotel, Swansea, for the maintenance of John Jones—a man who gave information against certain Rebeccaites— was disallowed, the chairman not being aware that the court had any power to pay such a sum it was rather a matter for private collection." The Rev. Robert Kniffht thought it ought to be sent to Carmarthenshire. (Laughter.) [This John Jones gave information against several respectable parties, who were, consequently, taken into custody-committed for trial — liberated under bail- attended at Cardiff during the special commission, but were not prosecuted. During the period which inter- vened between their commitment & the special commis- sion, John Jones, the informer, was maintained at the station-house, Swansea, as it was alleged that if he re- turned to his home, his life would be in danger from the infuriated Rebeccaites; and for his maintenance during that period Mr. Davies now sent in his bill, which, as we have just stated, was disallowed. Mr. Davies will, therefore, have to apply to Dr. Bird (the mayor of Swan, sea for the time) and the magistrates of the districts of Swansea and Llangevelach. COUNTY ROADS AT THE ENDS OF BRIDGES.—The Chairman gave notice that he should move at the next sessions that contracts should be entered into with this board for the repairs of roads at the ends of county bridges." It was resolved "that in the mean time the County Roads Board be requested to keep in repair the roads at the ends of bridges." CounTY RATE.—After the Treasurer's accounts had been read, a county rate of three farthings in the pound was ordered. JUSTICE'S ROOM AT MERTHYR TYDVIL. Mr. T. W. Hill (in a very low tone) requested that a private entrance should be formed for the magistrates into their room at Merthyr Tydvil. We understood him to say that by the present arrangement of the new building, a private entrance for justices would not be provided, and that they would be obliged to force their way into court through the public passage, which generally, at police courts, was crowded. Why should the magistrates at Merthyr be deprived of a convenience which was most necessary, and which was provided in other towns 1 He did not wish to make any remark that would bear the ap- pearance of a threat, but he would say that if the ma- gistrates in Quarter Sessions would not let the Merthyr magistrates have a private entrance to their room, they (the Merthyr magistrates) would petition the Secretary of State on the subject. The Chairman said the magistrates could decide on the matter independent of the Secretary of State. He trusted they could decide the question without reference to that observation. Mr. Meyrick had seen the room, and had observed that there was a place where a private entrance for the ma- gistrates might be made from the police station. Sir John Guest thought that as the expense of erecting the room fell upon Merthyr, there was no reason why the convenience of the Merthyr magistrates should not be consulted. The Chairman suggested that it should be referred to the police committee. MI. T. W. Hill said there was not a single magistrate of the Merthyr district a member of the police committee —not one. He had no objection to the matter being decided by that committee, if they would first see the room. A door might be made for the sum of £3 from the police station, which would give the magistrates a private entrance but the objection to that plan was, that the magistrates would enter through the police station house. After some observations by Sir John Guest, Mr. Coffin, and Mr. Thomas, The Chairman said the question for decision was could the door be formed with advantage to the public; and be did not know any tribunal which could decide more im partially upon the matter than the police committee. He therefore begged leave to propose that it should be referred to that committee, who should decide whether such an entrance could be made without disadvantage to the public. Mr. T. W. Hill: There cannot be an objection to that course, provided the police committee look at the place. Sir John Guest: I beg leave to move, as an amend- ment, that a private door be made. Lord James Stuart wished to know whether any com- munication had been received from the Secretary of State upon the subject. We understood Mr. Dalton to say in reply to his Lord- ship, that by an order from the Secretary of State, police station houses should not communicate with any other building. Ultimately Sir John Guest's amendment was carried; the numbers being-for the amendment, 14 for the Chairman's motion, 11 majority, 8. .COUNTY CORONERS. The following amounts were ordered to be paid, being due to the several under-named coroners of the county £ s. d. Mr. Davies, Merthyr 43 11 11 Reece, Cardiff 39 19 10 Collins, Swansea 24 7 6 CAPTAIN NAPIER'S REPORT. Bridgend, 29th December, 1845. My Lordø and Gentlemen,-l have the honour to submit for your consideration my usual returns for the quarter ending 15th December, 1845. The number of persons summoned and apprehended during the quarter amounted to 528, of which 471 are males and 52 females. The sums received under 10th section amount to j625 8s. 5Jd.; under 17th section JE94 2s. 4d. » < It becomes necessary in my general report of the county to remark upon the vast increase of population within a period of twelve months. In the district of MERTHYR the population has increased up- wards of 7800 since the census of 1841 and the mortality proving equal to the births since that period. Such increase can only be attributed to the influx of strangers. At Rhymney, on the Glamorgan side, there is little, or no, observable altera- tion; but on that of Monmouthshire it amounts to 1000 persons. There are 21,880 hands employed at the various works in this district. Ten new pits have been sunk since 1844, one new furnace erected, and the foundation cut at Aberaman for the erection of four new furnaces. In the NEWBRIDGE DISTRICT the increase since the last census is computed at five per cent. upon the whole district. The number of persons employed at the various works in the district amount to 2543. In OGMOKB DISTRICT, the proportion of births to deaths is as If to 1. The number of hands at present employed exceed 3600 estimated increase in the population since 1841, 3800. The increased traffic at Port Talbot, together with its vicinity to Margam Copper Works, call for additional protection. At Llynvi Iron Works a new pit is being sunk; a new furnace, rolling mill, and forge erected-the whole of which is intended to be completed by Midsummer next. At Coed-y-Garth three new furnaces are in progress of erec- tion and some small cupolas at the Spelter Works. Additions are likewise making at the Maesteg Works. Two years ago half the houses in Llangonoyd district which were unoccupied are all now inhabited, and new ones building. Tondu, Cefn Cwsc and Bryndu are also extending their works which are situated in the line of railway leading from the Llynvi Valley to Porth Cawl, where, and on the railway upwards of 300 hands are at present employed. These circumstances, combined with the daily increase of traffic of Porth Cawl Harbour, demand more ample protection than the small force now allotted to the district can possibly afford. In the district of SWANSEA, the births have exceeded the deaths by nearly two to one. Here, also, houses that were vacant twelve months ago are now in full occupation, and 700 new buildings have been erected. At one place above 590 have started up within the last six months. The population at pre- sent employed in collieries and iron works, independent of the borough of Swansea, amounts to nearly 10,000, with every certainty of increase within six months. With such an increase of population, together with every prospect of the introduction of a large body of men for the construction of railways, the present limiced police force would prove wholly insufficient to afford the necessary protection required by the county. It is true, with the completion of the railways, such influx might, in a great measure, ceve; yet frequent experience will fully bear out the fact that the introduction of a railway invariably leaves in its train a scum demanding instant vigilance and increasing activity on the part of the police. I have the honour to be, my Lords and Gentlemen, your obedient servant, (signed) C. F. NAPIBR, Chief Constable. The Treasurer's Accounts, having previously been 11 examined and found correct, were read by the Chairman. POLICE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. At Pyle Inn, on Thursday, 1st January, 1816 present- Henry Thomas. Esq., J. D. Llewelyn, Esq., Griffith Llewellyn, Esq., and M. P. Traherne, Esq. Henry Thomas, Esq., in the Chair. The accounts of expenditure in the several police districts were produced and examined. The Committee find the expenses of the last quarter to have been as follows MERTHYR DISTRICT. 9. S. d. Ordinary Contingencies 3 14 104 Extraordinary Repairs of Cell 0 11 6 Allowance of Shoes 4 18 6 Sum 99 4 104 NEWBRIDGB DISTRICT. Ordinary Contingencies. 91 4 11 Extraordinary Repairs of Station-house. 18 11 2 Allowance of Shoes 2 15 0 SUM 1 OGMORE DISTRICT. Ordinary Contingencies. £0 17 6 Allowance of Shoe* 2 12 0 Sum. 93 9 6 SWANSEA DISTRICT. Ordinary Contingencies. El 5 2 Allowance of Shoes 2 18 6 Sum. £4 3 8 We have also the report of Mr. Whittington, the County Surveyor, laid before us, as to the state of the several station- houses, and find the sum of £ 11 10s. Cd. will be required for fittings at the Merthyr station; and also X9 for the like pur- poses, and for completing the drains, in the Ogmore district. We also find the sum of JE40 due to Mr. Richards, as trea- surer, to Easter last; and £7 3s. due to Mr. Dalton, as by his bill laid before us. All which sums are recommended to be paid and we find the following rates will be required:- Merthyr District £ 332 711 Newbridge 243 6 5* Ogmore „ 221 9 I Swansea 179 9 6$ Your Committee would draw the attention of the Justices in Sessions to the report made by Captain Napier, as chief consta- ble of the police in this county; from which it appears that in the several districts a great increase has taken place, not only in the number of inhabitants, but in the erection and formation of works and having considered of the notice for the increase of the force in the Merthyr district, your committee recommend that two additional police officers be appointed in such district. (Signed) HENRY THOMAS. The Chairman moved that the report just read be adopted, reserving the latter portion of it—the recom- mendation that the police force in the Merthyr district be increased—till a specific motion on the subject be brought forward. Carried unanimously. The several rates recommended in the reports were then ordered to be raised in the usual manner. LUNATIC ASYLUM. Mr. Henry Thomas then rose, and, in a very low tone of voice, proceeded to address the magistrates. He drew their attention to the necessity which existed for making a provision for the lunatic poor-to the Acts of Parliament relating to the subject, namely-the S and 9 Vict. c. 126, and to another (subsequent) Act which merely related to the regulation of licensed houses. [Full abstracts of these acts were published in our columns some months ago.] Mr. Thomas referred to the steps which had been already taken at previous Quarter Sessions -adverted to the advantages which would neces- sarily attend the establishment of a County Asylum- stated that the Act of Parliament rendered it imperative on them to proceed-and then read a proposition which he had prepared, which was to the effect, that a Com- mittee of Justices should be elected to carry the inten- tions of the court into effect, either by uniting with other counties, or by proceeding on behalf of Glamorganshire alone. The Act stated that if the committee was ap- pointed to act for one county, it should consist of seven members but if authorised to treat with other counties, it should consist of fifteen members. As it was deemed expedient to endeavour to unite with other counties in carrying this object into effect, he should move that the committee be made to consist of fifteen members, namely, Lord James Stuart, M,P., Vice-Lieutenant. The Viscount Adare, M.P. Henry Thomas, Esq. The Rt. Hon. J. Nicholl, M.P. J. D. Llewelyn, Esq. Sir John Guest, Bart., M.P. R. O. Jones, Esq. C. R. M. Talbot, Esq., M.P. Howell Gwyn, Esq. Sir John Guest, Bart., M.P. R. 0, Jones, Esq. C. R. M. Talbot, Esq., M.P. Howell Gwyn, Esq. J. II. Vivian, Esq., M.P. I R. C. Nicholl Carne, Esq. Sir George Tyler, K.C.B. Rev. Robert Knight, and J. B. 1'ryce, Esq. Walter Coffin, Esq. Mr. Thomas then proceeded to refer to certain provisions ) of Lord Ashley's Act, which empowered magistrates or guardians to contract with the proprietors of private Lunatic Asylums for the maintenance of pauper lunatics for the term of the years; but observed, that as the agreement would be but for a limited period, the charge made for their maintenance would not be so low as if the paupers were to remain in the Asylum permanently, or the Asylum to be the permanent one for the county. Sir John Guest said the magistrates should be cautious what powers they gave to the committee if they were to hare the power of incurring large expenses, say £10,000, in the erection of buildings without any appeal to the Court of Quarter Sessions. He was not disposed to give the committee that power. He mentioned it officially as member for Merthyr—as the representative of the inte- rests of a place which paid the largest share of the county rates. He objected to saddling the rate-payers with the payment of such a large sum as he anticipated the com- mittee would lay out. There was at present in the neigh- bourhood of Swansea (Briton Ferry) a most efficient and well-conducted Lunatic Asylum and he would prefer to try that rather than to go to an immense expense in building a County Asylum. He was strongly opposed to investing a committee wjth power to expend such a large sum of money as the erection of an Asylum would take without reference to the Court of Quarter Sessions. The Chairman We cannot help ourselves; the Act is imperative. We must appoint a committee either to erect an asylum for this county alone, or to proceed and unite with other counties; and having so appointed a com- mittee, the Act tells us what powers belong to that com mittee. The Act is imperative. We are bound to do it. As soon as the committee are appointed, they take the powers invested in them by this Act of Parliament. The real question for us to determine i4—Who shall constitute this committee 1 I Sir John Guest wished to guard against unnecessary expenditure. Before this committee was appointed, would it not be well to try the asylum at Briton Ferry 1 M r. Henry Thomas said it was true the Act gave the magistrates the power to contract with persons who had licensed houses, but it stated that "nothing herein con- tained shall extricate them from the duty which devolved upon them." The Chairman wished the magistrates really to under- stand that the Act required that they should appoint a committee. The committee then appointed should pro- ceed to consider of the measure-to report to the Quarter Sessions-and the Court of Quarter Sessions was to receive the report. The whole power was delegated by the Act of Parliament to the committee. Mr. Meyrick said that he was a member of a similar committee for the county of Brecon and that the ma- gistrates of that county were very anxious to proceed in the matter—either alone or in conjunction with the county of Glamorgan. A desultory conversation then ensued between Lord James Stuart, Sir John Guest, Mr. Henry Thomas, Rev. George Thomas, Mr. Meyrick, Sir George Tyler, Mr. Coffin, and others. Sir John Guest observed that, with the exception of himself, no magistrate from Merthyr and its neighbourhood was in the list moved by Mr. Thomas. He contended that as Merthyr contributed so largely to the county rate, its interests should be protected by the appointment of magistrates locally interested. He com- plained that certain portions of the county were unduly favoured. On the other hand, Mr. Thomas defended his list at great length, disclaiming any motive to neglect the interests of any part of the [county. The Chairman ob- served that it was the common interest of all to protect the rate-payers of the county. Sir John Guest had not the slightest personal objections to any one in Mr. Tho- mas's list, but he felt that magistrates from the Merthyr District ought to have been selected, as well as magis- trates from the centre of the county. Mr. Thomas said that very few magistrates resided in the neighbourhood of Merthyr, and consequently he was, in a manner, com- pelled to make his selection from gentlemen who resided in the centre of the county. Ultimately, after a very protracted and, indeed, tedious conversation, Mr. Thomas's motion (including the'committee) was carried. He then moved the next resolution—" That the inter- mediate' management of lunatics be referred to the said committee," which motion was also carried. THE COUNTY POLICE. The next matter for consideration was—" To increase the police force in the Swansea and Merthyr Districts." Sir John Guest wished to know whether Mr. T. W. Hill found the police force of the Merthyr District inade- quate-was it necessary to increase the number in the force ? Mr. T. W. Hill (having been informed that the addi- tion to the force was intended for Aberdare) said—" I must say that in the whole district of Merthyr I do not know any places so well-conducted or so free from crime as Aberdare and Hirwain." He then strongly urged the necessity for erecting a station-house at Aberdare. If a man were taken into custody at Aberdare, the policeman had no strong or secure room to place him in. He would be obliged to cross the hills with him, in order to take him to Merthyr. It was absolutely necessary to have a station-house at Aberdare. Mr. Meyrick called the attention of the magistrates to the present number of policemen in Merthyr, from which number he conceived the chief constable might spare a man for Aberdare. Mr. Coffin and some other magistrates seemed to en- tertain the same opinion. • Mr. T. W. Hill said that, according to his experience, he was of opinion that as the population had increased crime had decreased. He refened to the period of his residence at Merthyr—the last two years and a half. Captain Napier, on being referred to, said, that there was now only one policeman at Aberdare, and that it was certainly extremely necessary that he should have assistance. He was not at present capable of taking any person into custody in cases of fights. Mr. T. W. Hill: And if taken he has no station-house to put him in when taken. Captain Napier proceeded to show that the policemen in the Merthyr District were very hardly worked, and could not be more advantageously stationed than they were at present'. Mr. Henry Thomas reminded Mr. Hill that at the Neath Quarter Sessions, he (Mr. Hill) seemed very strongly of opinion that additional policemen were re- quired for Aderdare. The Chairman then formally put the question, that two additional policemen be appointed for the Merthvr district, (who it was understood, were to be stationed at Aberdare); to which Mr. Meyrick moved an amendment—" That one or two policemen from Merthyr should be removed to Aberdare." He said it was a well-known fact, that the rates were too heavy even at present. He knew there were many persons contributing towards the police rate who were nearly on the borders of pauperism. Lord James Stuart referred to the recommendation made by the police committee. His Lordship thought that recommendations made by a committee, who had most probably, fully considered the subject, should have due weight with the magistrates. M r. Dillwyn Llewelyn said the question had been fully entered upon and examined by the committee. Sir John Guest thought the committee were influenced by the representations of Captain Napier. Mr. T. W. Hill reminded the magistrates that no magistrate from the Merthyr district was a member of the police committee. The Chairman informed Mr. Meyrick that it was the invariable rule with the magistrates, never to interfere in the slightest degree with Captain Napier's disposal of his men upon which that gentleman withdrew his amendment. After the conversation had been carried on for some time longer, Sir John Guest said-I object to increasing the police force in the Merthyr District. We pay twelve hundred pounds a year for police, and if that force is to be in- creased, I will give notice this day that the police force be abolished. The Rev. George Thomas, Mr. Coffin, Rev. Robert Knight, and other gentlemen, then spoke in succession; after which, Sir John Guest moved as an amendment- That this question be deferred to next sessions for further consideration." For the amendment 9 » original motion 9 The Chairman then gave his casting vote in favour of the amendment. Sir John Guest: I beg leave to give notice that I shall move at the next sessions, that the police force of this county be abolished altogether. Mr. T. W. Hill gave notice that he should move at the next sessions, that the practice of the policemen in Mer- thyr, of imprisoning persons found in a state of intoxica- tion until such time as they were brought before the magistrates, be abolished; such imprisonment being an improper restraint of the liberty of the subject, and not being sanctioned by the laws of this country. Lord James Stuart thought the practice was illegal. He did not think persons could be taken into custody on Saturdays and then imprisoned till Monday morning. After some other magistrates had spoken, the court I rose at half-past four. TUESDAY. We observed the following magistrates upon the bench this morning: J The Right Hon. J. Nicholl, D.C.L., M.P., Chairman Lord James Stuart, M.P.; Nicholl Carne, Esq. J GervasTurbervill, Esq.; Robert Botelgfr Esq.; T. W. Hill, Esq.; William Meyrick, Esq.; RoiflBeorge Thomas; Henry Thomas, Esq. Whitlock NinK, Esq. Richard ( Bassett, Esq.; Rev. James Coles; Rev. Thomas Stacey. 1 Gervas Turbervill, Esq., qualified as a magistrate for c this county. THE GRAND JURY. Mr. John Grierson, Foreman. s Mr. Robert Ainsley I Mr. James Hemmingway I — John Batchelor — R. H. Hamlen — George Burnett — Benjamin Jones s — Wm. Catleugh — William Jones s — Richard Evans — R. W. Parry j — John Evans — William Richards — John Edmonds — John Spiekett — Thomas Goddard — William Vaehell j: — J. B. Hopkins —• Phillip Woolcott — Thomas Heme — J. B. Hopkins — Phillip Woolcott Thomas Heme The Grand Jury having been sworn, and the usual t preliminaries discharged, the Right Honorable Chair- r man delivered the following charge e Gentlemen of the Grand Jury,—-1 am happy to inform you that • on the present occasion, the number of cases which will be 1 submitted to you is very small—there are only sixteen prisoners altogether; which considering the length of time that has elapsed since the gaols have been delivered-since the last Quarter Sessions were held; and considering the large popula- tion of this county, is, I must say, a very creditable feature in its history. None of these cases will, I think, to you as gen- tlemen of great practical experience, present any peculiar fea- ture of difficulty. They are all simple, ordinary cases, and seem to require no comment from me I leave them, therefore, in your hands. There are some cases of appeal to be heard which may take up some little time; but you will have the a goodness to proceed first with the more distant cases, and a bring them into court as soon as you have found the bills, in order that the court may proceed without delay with the con- I sideration of those cases. > The Grand Jury then retired. t Mr. Grove, barrister-at-law, rose (without the profes- a sional costume of wig and gown) and, addressing the e bench of magistrates, said he had the misfortune to lose j his portmanteau, which contained among other things his wig and gown; and he therefore hoped the magistrates < would allow him to appear in court without these pro- j. fessional appendages. The Chairman, amidst much laughter, said under the peculiar circumstances of Mr. Grove's case, the magis- r trates acceded to his request. PROCESS OF OUTLAWRY.—Proclamation was made • upon outlawry process against William Robards Steel, at 1 the suit of William Williams, in an action of debt. CASES OF APPEAL. v Dulais Lower, Appellants, v. Rhyndwyclydach, Re- o spondents.—This was an appeal against an order for the removal of the widow and children of a man now deceased, p Order of justices confirmed, with forty shillings costs, n Mr. Wilson appeared for the Appellants, and Mr. Grove c ror the Respondents. o St- Just, in Cornwall, v. The Parish of Swansea, a Glamorganshire.—This was an appeal against an order made by J. D. Llewelyn, Esq., a^d C. H. Smith, Esq., si two magistrates acting in the district of Swansea, for the b removal of one James Hall the Younger, from Swansea p to the parish of St. Just." Mr. Lloyd Hall appeared on S4 behalf of the parishioners of Swansea; and Mr. Wilson S For the parish of St. Just. This was a very long, tedious, tl uid uninteresting case, as most cases of appeal generally S) ne, It appeared that many years ago a youth named 11 James Hall, described in the proceedings this day as James Hall, the Younger," arrived in Swansea from St. Just, in Cornwall, He was then unmarried. He resided at Swansea, or, at all events, made Swansea his principal home for some years. In the course of some time, he visited Scotland, and contracted an intimacy with a young woman named Agnes Smith, we believe, which intimacy soon ripened into a mutual attachment, and the young people were married. They removed to Swansea—lived there as man and wife until he died, a few months ago. His widow and two infant children were removed by the parish of Swansea to the parish of St. Just. This parish appealed against the removal upon no less than seventeen distinct grounds, but which were chiefly of a technical nature the most important, however, being—first—that Hall had no legal settlement in Saint Just secondly—that he never was married to the young woman named Agnes and thirdly—that there beinir in Cornwall two parishes named Saint Just, the parish of Swansea had not stated in their order of removal the distinguishing additional name of the Saint Just in question—namely—Saint Just in Penrith. Hall's father, James Hall the elder, proved that he possessed a settle- ment in the parish of Saint Just in Penrith. Hall's (reputed) wife, a young woman who gave her evidence in a very artless manner, proved that she had been mar- ried to her late husband in "an office in Glasgow, by a magistrate," and gave a brief description of the ceremony. Mr. Browne, public reporter, (a native of Scotland), having heard Agnes's evidence said, he had seen many marriages solemnised in Scotland in the manner described by her; and added in confirmation of her story that marriages are generally solemnised in the evening; and another witness and Hall the elder, proved that the parish to which his son s widow and children had been removed was usually known as "Saint Just" and nothing more. The court confirmed the removal made by the parish of Swansea,—thus establishing the validity of the marriage. Mr. Wilson, on behalf of the parish of Saint Just, applied for a case" in order that the opinion of the Court of Queen's Bench might be taken upon the subject, which he characterized truly as one of great public importance, namely, the validity or invalidity of the marriage which was solemnised in the manner de- scribed by Agnes, whose testimony was not materially supported. Case granted immediately. Mr. Benson applied to the court for permission to erect upon Cromlyn Burrows, near Swansea, a powder maga- zine. The parties upon whose behalf he now appeared and made the application had erected a very commodious magazine upon Crornlyn Burrows a few years ago, having received permission to do so by the court of quarter ses- sions but since its erection the sea had made such inroads upon that part of the coast (above 100 yards) that the building was in danger, and a new one would have to be provided. Mr. Benson then proceeded to call witnesses to prove that the usual public notices had been given of the intention to apply to the court, when it appeared that no notices had beeu affixed to the doors of the new church at Whiterock. Notices had been placed upon the parish church of Llansamlet; but the churchTlately erected at Whiterock had not been thought of. The application therefore could not be granted. Previous to the trials of prisoners, no other business of the slightest public interest was heard. TRIALS OF PRISONERS. At half-past four, the Court proceeded with the crimi- nal cases. CARDIFF.—Dennis O'Brien, aged 10 years, (a boy who appeared to have been sadly neglected by his parents), pleaded guilty to the charge of having stolen, on the loth of November last, five pounds of mutton suet, of the property of Mr. John Gay, butcher, and was sentenced to three days imprisonment in Cardiff gaol. In passing sentence the chairman said he trusted the boy's parents would take care of him." ROBBING THE TOWN-HALL.— John Abraham pleaded guilty to the charge of having stolen, on the 29th of November last, one pair of moreen curtains, three car- pets, one piece of canvass cloth, and one key, of the goods and chattels of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of Cardiff; and was sentenced to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour in Cardiff gaol for the term of four calendar months. We noticed this man's case fully at the time of his committal. He was found by Superintendent Stock- dale, in the Town-hall, late at night, with various articles packed up ready for removal; and on being asked what he wanted there—what he was going to do with the things—he replied that he was going to carry them away. DOWLAIS.—William Davies pleaded guilty to the charge of having, on the 8th day of December, feloniously stolen one great coat, of the property of Mr. William Mason of Dowlais and was sentenced to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for the term of two months in Cardiff gaol. LLANGEVELACH.—Jane Philips, single woman, who appeared to be a stupid, heavy looking creature, pleaded guilty to the charge of having stolen 5s. 8d. and a hand- kerchief, of the property of Mr. William Griffiths, of Llangevelach, near Swansea, joiner and was sentenced to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour in Swansea House of Correction for one calendar month. The grand jury found No True Bills" in the follow- ing cases:—John Davies, of Aberdare, charged with having stolen a stone jar, of the property of Mr. Kvan Evans; and Anne Green, of Merthyr Tydvil, charged with having stolen nine shillings from the person of John Williams—and the prisoners were discharged. The court refused to allow the personal expenses of John Williams. MERTHYR TYDVIL.—In the case of Mary Jones, who was charged with having stolen a loaf of bread, an earthen pot, and a quantity of butter from Mr. William Jones, it was stated that a very material witness was too ill to attend and give evidence. The trial was, therefore, put off, and will be heard at the next General Quarter Ses- sions for this county, at Cowbridge. In the meantime the prisoner was liberated on entering into her own per- sonal recognizances to appear at Cowbridge and take her trial. SWANSEA.— William Thomas was charged with having robbed his employer, Mr. Moses Moses, Pawnbroker, of Swansea, on December 7th last, of several watches, articles of wearing apparel, a gold seal, a ring, pencil cases, &c., being articles which Mr. Moses had received in pledge. Mr. Moses examined He said that on the day men- tioned in the indictment, the prisoner, who was his apprentice, v#is out as usual, but he did not return towards night he (Mr. M.) became suspicious that all was uot right, and therefore proceeded forthwith to examine his stock. The result of his examination was, the disco- very that several articles had been taken away from his shop. Many of those articles he enumerated. P.C. J. Evans, 190 of the II division of the metropo- litan police, said that he apprehended the prisoner at Deptford. Prisoner then said his name was Henry Williams—that he was a pawnbroker, and resided in Swansea. Witness produced various articles which he took from prisoner, and which Mr. Moses positively swore were his property. Some of the articles having been pledged at Gloucester, Mr. Jacob Moses, the pawnbroker, was examined to prove that prisoner had pledged them, and had given his name as Henry Freeman, a travelling hawker. Verdict—Guilty. Sentence—Eight months' imprison- ment, with hard labour—part to be spent in solitude. Mr. Benson conducted the prosecution. MERTHYR TYDVIL.—Elizabeth Bevan was charged with having stolen two shawls and three handkerchiefs, )f the property of Mr. Jeffrey Evan Price, of Merthyr I'ydvil, draper. By the evidence adduced on the part of he prosecution, it appeared that on the evening of Sa- urday, the 20th of December last, the prisoner entered Mr. Price's shop, being a most extensive and well-stocked me-the floor being piled with goods. Prisoner com- nenced inspecting some of the articles before her, but :onducted herself in such a manner as to excite the jarticular attention, and even suspicions, of one of the issistants, who actually at length saw prisoner secrete a ihawl under some portion of her dress. He instantly nentioned the circumstance to Mr. Price, who thereupon idvanced—called to the prisoner as she was leaving the iliop, and taxed her with having committed the robbery ibove described. She gave a confused reply and made m effort to get away, but Mr. Price detained her. She vas ultimately taken into custody by a policeman. The nisoner then offered to pay for the ;!m\vl but on being earched another shawl and three naudkerchiefs were ound upon her person, which articles Mr. Price posi- ively swore were his property. Several highly respectable )ersons gave prisoner an excellent character for honesty. Verdict—Guilty, with a recommendation to mercy. ientence—Two months' imprisonment, with hard labour n Cardiff gaol. Mr. Richards conducted the prosecution; and Mr. Idoyd Hall defended the prisoner. The court rose at six o'clock. WEDNESDAY. The Court sat at ten o'clock. The Rev. E. P. Thomas, of Llandaff and Whitchurch, [ualified this morning. DOWLAIS.—Margaret Harries, the wife of John Harries vas charged with having at Merthyr Tydvil, feloniously tolen one flannel apron, a flannel petticoat, and other irticles of clothing, of the property of Margaret Thomas. Margaret Thomas examined: I am a single woman, iving at Dowlais, in this county. In December last, I odged at the house of David Williams and on Saturday he 13th, I slept in the same room as the prisoner. I had irticles of clothing on a line in the room. [Articles numerated.] I missed the articles on the Sunday even- ng. P.C. John Phillips, of Merthyr, said he apprehended he prisoner on Sunday last in Merthyr, and took from ter a flannel petticoat, a flannel apron, and a pair of stock- ngs, which articles haying been shown to the prosecutrix, he immediately identified them as the ones lost by her rom her lodgings. Verdict—Guilty. Sentence—Six weeks' imprisonment n Cardiff Gaol, there to be kept to hard labour. Mr. Morgan conducted the prosecution. NEATH.—Margaret Rees, aged 58, widow, was charged pith stealing 251bs. of copper, value 10s., of the property f Mrs. Rebecca Gibbins. Mr. Wilson briefly opened the case to the jury as the prisoner was defended, and then called the following wit- lesses. In the course of his speech he stated that the < opper alleged to have been stolen by the prisoner 1 riginally formed part of the Reyal George ship, which ceidentally went down at S pithead many years ago. Edward Shirley Banister examined: I am a copper- mith in the parish of Neath. On the 17th of Decem- « er, the prisoner came to my house having with her a iece of copper bolt. She offered it for sale, and as she ( ;emed in distress 1 bought it of her at 7d. a pound, t he said she had a few pieces more. In the coarse of J le day she brought some bolt copper and some pieces or )ike nails, leaving the whole of the copper behind her. • a her absence I examined the pieces of copper so left, t s and found the Queen's mark, the broad arrow, upon them I consequently sent for Rees, the policeman, and delivered to him all the copper left with me by the prisoner. It weighed 241bs. Prisoner came back the third time to me, and I then sent for the policeman, who appre- hended her. The copper seemed to have been exposed to the action of sea water, as it was corroded with ver- digris. Thomas Bowen examined: I live near Neath, and am an under agent of the Melin Cryddan Chemical Works, of which Mrs. Gibbins is the proprietor. Some time ago we bought some copper which had formerly belonged to a man-of-war. It seemed to be composed of bolts and nails, and had been exposed to the action of sea water. I have known the prisoner for 21 years, and have often seen her in the neighbourhood of Mrs. Gibbins's works picking up some pieces of wood from the banks of the river and canal. I have often warned her off, but she continued coming on the premises, although not within the works. P.C. William Rees examined On the lith December last, I took the prisoner into custody. Mr. Banister handed me a quantity of copper which prisoner told m" the men at the works had given to her—"she had not stolen it, but Little Zac had given it to her." Witness produced the copper, which was identified by Mr. Banister but Bowen could only say—" This looks very much like the copper Mrs. Gibbins bought. Zechariah Williams (the Little Zac"—a full grown man) examined: Perhaps I am called Little Z ic. I do not know what people call me exactly. I was not bap- tised by the name of Zac Bach. (Laughter.) I am called Zac by some, in order to cut the word short. No other Zac orZachariah works at Mrs. Gibbins' works. I never gave the prisoner any copper. I was employed lately in splitting some wood, from which I took some copper bolts and nails; and while so engaged, I have frequently seen the prisoner upon the premises. I only saw a few small pieces of copper, which I threw on one side on the quay. I saw no copper at all there a foot long, nor anything like it. Mr. Richards submitted that there was no evidence that Mrs. Gibbins had lost any copper at all, as Bowen could not identify the copper produced. The presump- tion was, as the broad arrow was -found upon it, that it belonged to the crown. He cited various cases in sup- port of this and several other objections which he made, but which were over-ruled by the court. He then very ably addressed the jury, contending that there was no proof adduced that the property said to have been stolen ever did belong to Mrs. Gibbins. He confidently anti- cipated a verdict of acquittal, inasmuch as the evidence was scarcely sufficient to constitute a case upon which they could safely act. The jury immediately acquitted the prisoner. DOWLAIS.—Mary Trehurne, the wife of John Tre- harne (who appeared in a very advanced state of preg- nancy) was charged with having, on the 11th DecemJ>er last, feloniously stolen one flannel apron, of the property of Mr. James Davies. Anne Davies examined: I am the wife of James Davies, and we live at Dowlais. On Thursday three weeks I put some clothes to dry on a line at the back of our house, and among other things a cotton-and-yam apron. The clothes were fastened to the line by wooden pins. I missed them at about six o'clock the same evening, having put them out at half-past three. Catherine Hughes proved that on the day named she saw prisoner in the prosecutor's house. Her attention having been called to the circumstance, she went to the house—accosted prisoner, who was a stranger to her— asked her what she wanted there, and was informed by her that she (prisoner) was unwell. Prisoner left the house shortly afterwards, and, in going, passed near the clothes line. In a short time the first witness came and complained that she had lost the clothes from the line. P.C. William Parry said, that on the 11th day of De. cember he took from the prisoner the apron which he now produced which apron was identified by the first witness as being her husband's property. Prisoner said-" I have nothing to say further than that I took the apron from the ground." Verdict—Guilty. Sentence—One month's imprison- ment in Cardiff Gaol. Mr. Morgan conducted the prosecution. CARDIFF. James Jones, aged 20, a member of the swell-mob, but described as a hawker, was charged with having, on the 20th of December, stolen one leather pocket book and 17s. 6d., of the monies, goods, and chattels of Mr. Evan Powell, of Pentyrch. Mary, the wife of Evan Powell, examined: On the 20th of last month I came to Cardiff, and had with me in my pocket, a pocket-book containing 17s. 6d. in half- crowns, shillings, and sixpences. It also contained two tea-party cards. I had occasion, whilst in the market- house, to take out my pocket-book; and I put it back, as I thought, in my pockets when I had done with it. I then engaged in conversation with another woman, and whilst so engaged Henry Thomas asked me if I had lost any thing. I said No." Put your hand in your pocket," said he. I did; and found my pocket-book and money were gone. I have not seen them since. Henry Thomas examined I am a carpenter, residing in Cardiff. On the 20th of December last, I saw Mary Powell in the market-place; and I also saw the prisoner in company with three others close to her. He was leaning over her right shoulder—looking and fingering her gown. I had been sent to the market to watch. I saw prisoner rise Mrs. Powell's gown—put his hand into her pocket-draw it out again quickly—put it into his own pocket, and then run away —two of the men going one way and two another. [Witness then corroborated certain portions of Mrs. Powell's evidence, which it is unnecessary to repeat.] Verdict-Guilty. Sentence-To be transported beyond the seas for ten years. Mr. Wilson conducted the prose- cution. CARDIFF.—•William Rees, aged 20, boatman, was charged with stealing one cork fender, and one ship's fender, of the property of Mr. William Stapleton, of Appledore. Richard Hawkins examined I am the master of the William and Jane, of Bideford, which vessel belongs to Mr. Stapleton, of Appledore. On the 16th December last, the vessel was in the Bute Docks; and on that fore- noon a cork fender was missing, which I had seen on deck the night previous. I went on board a barge in the docks, accompanied by John Sanders. Prisoner had charge of that barge; and when on board of it I found in the fore cabin the cork fender which I had missed from the William and Jane. John Sanders examined: At five o'clock in the morn- ing of the 16th of December, I saw the cork fender on the deck. At about seven the same morning, I saw prisoner in his barge alongside. He shoved off as I came on deck. He had been near the place where the fender was hung, and might easily have reached it. In the course of the day I saw the last witness take the fender out of the fore cabin of the barge, which prisoner was master of. Verdict—Guilty. Sentence—One calendar month's imprisonment, with hard labour, in Cardiff Gaol. Mr. Richards conducted the prosecution. LLANDAFF.—John Jones, aged 50, labourer, was charged with having stolen a shovel, value Is., of the property of Richard Keley, of Llandaff, policeman on the Taff Vale Railway. Richard Keley examined On the 6th of last Novem- ber I lent this shovel, which I now have in my hand, to George Redman. George Redman examined On the 6th of November I borrowed this shovel from the prosecutor. I left it, after using it some days, on a Sunday morning, near the Llandaff station, under a truss of hay. On Monday morning it was gone. In a few days afterwards I found George Shapland in possession of the shovel. ^.eor?e Shapland examined: 1 am a policeman on the laft Vale Railway. On Sunday morning, 9th November, I saw the prisoner near the Llandaff station. When first I saw him he had nothing with him but when I saw him a second time, in ten minutes afterwards, he had a shovel under his left arm. In a few days afterwards found this shovel under some pit-wood, and took pos- session of it, as I knew to whom it belonged. It was 1 claimed by William Tagwell. William Tagwell examined I bought a shovel of the prisoner at the bar about a week before I went to the station house to claim it. I paid him a shilling for it, j and a share of a quart of beer. It was bought by me at ( the Black Bear, in this town. This is the shovel now ( produced. < Verdict-Guilty, with a recommendation to mercy. ] Sentence—Three weeks's imprisonment, with hard labour, l- in Cardiff Gaol. Mr. Lloyd Hall conducted the prosecution. ) 1 This concluded the business of the sessions.