Potter's Electric News

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. ELECTION OF COUNCILMEN. The annual election of members of the Haver- fordwest Town Council took place on Monday, and was attended with a repetition of the scenes of riot and drunkenness which have characterised those events of late years. There were five candi- dates for the four vacancies caused by the expiration of the period of office of Mr Whit tow, Mr Summers Harford, Mt Edward Thomas, and Mr Warren Carter. The two first named gentlemen offered themselves fcr re-election, and the other candidates were Mr J. D. Brown, Mr Madocks, and Mr Thomas Whicher Davies. The candidature of Mr Davies evoked the most violent opposition from the reign- ingclique in the Town Council, and during the past fortnight every means at their disposal,—some of them of the most unfair and tyrannical nature,- were used to procure that gentleman's defeat. Mr Brown, and Mr Madocks—(gentlemen of re- spectability and position in the town, and certainly not in need of the efforts of an unscrupulous party to enforce their candidature on the Burgesses)- made no personal canvass but the 'clique,' seeing an opportunity of profiting by an alliance with those gentlemen, undertook the management of their election, and conducted it in a manner which we are convinced neither Mr Brown or Mr Madocks could possibly have sanctioned. Mr Harford and Mr Whittow worked energetically on their own behalf, and were also under the especial protection of the political party, who after hard fighting managed to drag them into the Council on the voting papers of Mr Brown and Mr Madocks. Mr Davies came forward independently, and, with characteristic courage, faced single-handed the combined op- position of the all-powerful party. He displayed the greatest activity in the contest, and notwith. standing the most dishonourable tactics that were secretly followed by certain parties, his success ap- peared certain up to within a short time of the closing of the poll. During his canvass he received promises of support sufficient to have placed him at the head of the poll: but owing to the oppres- sive measures which were enacted by his oppo- nents, or rather in their names, a large number of burgesses-principally of the poorer class-were not only prevented carrying their promises into Z, effect, but compelled to vote directly against him. Mr Davies, we are informed, received upwards of 600 promises of votes, and when we state that only 387 actually polled in his favour, our readers will be in a position to judge to what a great extent the coercive system was resorted to. The polling commenced at nine o'clock, and was continued with varying success till two, at which hour the election of Mr Brown, Mr Madocks, and Mr W.hittovv was considered certain, and the contest was virtually between Mr Davies and Mr Harford. Eticb candi- date was allowed a check clerk, and the state of the poll was by this arrangement made known at intervals during the day. The announcement in the afternoon brought tidings of the alternate suc- cess of Mr Davies and Mr Harford, and the greatest excitement prevailed among the crowd which occupied the Hall and congregated around the entrances to the building. Both sides strove their utmost to return their candidate. Mr Harford had the assistance of the intimidating engines of the Five per cent. clique,' and these were worked with all the energy of despair. The probability of Mr Davies's election occasioned the greatest dismay in their ranks, and they 'screwed' and threatened as if their very lives depended on the issue of the con- test. As an instance of the extraordinary mea- sures which they were compelled to adopt, we may mention that one Burgess, a leading member of a dissenting body in the toyn, who was suffering from a severe illness and labouring, too, under the infirmities of old age, was roused from his comfortable couch, and marched to the pull amid the ram and storm that raged with great violence. The poor man was too ill on the preceding evening to attend at the Communion administered at the .Chapel where he worshipped, bat news of the doubtful success of his party in the battle that was waging out of doors reached his ear, and with a political zeal far in excess of his sense of the observance of a religious rite, he presented his colossal but tottering frame at the scene of strife. A pitiful object was he, girt in all the supernu- merary habiliments of a sick man, gazing with glassy eye at the tumult of the enfuriated mob. Like the expiring war horse, sniffing the breeze of battle from a-far, he exhibited symptoms of satis- faction at the roar of the conflict before him, and like a true confederate and with a devoted- ness worthy of a better cause, he bad risked his life, resolved, if need be, to die in harness in the service of his friends. A cheer from his party re- warded this almost pious sacrifice on his part, and with a blush of pride so deep as to be visible even on hit countenance, he hobbled out of Court, and hastened back to his domicile. It is hoped, in charity to the poor man, that his exposure to a cold November hurricane may induce no fatal result, but ratber be attended by a wholesome series of wise reflections. Other cases of a similar character, though not equal in degree, may be mentioned, but we deem it unnecessary to do so. As the contest drew to a close, Mr Harford crept gradually in advance of Mr Davies and at four o'clock when the polling terminated, it was ascer- tained that the former gentleman had been elected by a majority of 19. This majority, it is asserted, was brought about by a process most unfair to Mr Brown and Mr Madocks; for the party, driven to their last resource, did all they could to obtain the exclusion of the names of those gentlemen from the voting papers, in order thereby to ensure the success of Mr Harford. If the charge be well founded, Mi- Brown and Mr Madocks have not been rightly dealt with and it is but fair to conclude that if there had not been an active interference with the rights of the electors, the number of votes in favour of the two gentlemen highest on the poll would have been much greater. With a view to avoid the occurrence of fights and disturbances, which on former occasions took place in the Hall on the declaration of the poll, the Mayor closed the Court, stating that he would announce the names of the elected candidates by means of printed placards posted throughout the town. Before the Court was cleared, however, Mr Davies delivered a brief address to the electors, which, owing to the uproar that pre- vailed, was only audible to a few persons in his immediate vicinity. He was understood to say that according to the computation of the numbers, he was the defeated candidate, but he believed that a scrutiny would show a very different lesult. He thanked his friends for the warm support he had received from them, and expressed his intention of having an inquiry into the manner in which the election had been conducted. Unfair means had been used to prevent the working men voting according to their own inclinations, and if the Burgesses had been permitted to record their votes in accordance with their own free will, he would have been returned by a triumphant majority. There were several pugilistic encounters during the day between individuals who had partaken too freely of the good cheer supplied by their friends. There were also numerous instances of personation of voters, and several dirty dodges were employed to get votes, leflecting the greatest discredit upon those who were concerned in their perpetration. On Tuesday morning the Mayor published the following list of the names of the persons elected Councillors of the Borough James David Brown. 471 John Madocks. 460 Mathew Whittow 427 Summers Harford. 407 FIREWORKS.—New licences are now being granted by justices in petty sessions for the sale of fireworks, and the parties applying are required to enter into regulations for tbe safe keeping of such dangerous commodities. By the recent act persons letting off fireworks in the streets are liable to penalties. BENEVOLENCE.- We have much pleasure in acknow- ledging the receipt of X5 from A. B.' by the Rev. J. H. A. Pbilipps, Vicar of St. Mary's, in aid of the funds of the Pembrokeshire and B averfordwest Infirmary, and we desire also to convey the thanks of the rev. gentleman, on behalf of the Committee, to the donor for his munifi- cent gift. SERIOUS ACCIDENT.-A severe accident befel Mr W. Davies, butcher, of Prendergast, on Wednesday after- noon, near St. David's. Mr Davies was in the act of leaping from a fence to the ground, when some loose stones of which the hedge was built, gave way beneath him, and he fell to the ground, the violence of the fall causing a fracture of the right thigh. Mr Davies was removed to St. David's, where the broken limb was set, and subsequently to his home and we are glad to learn that he is progressing favourably. ACCIDENT.-On Wednesday evening, Sarah Lewis, of Quay-street, sustained severe injuries by being run over by a waggon, on the Old Bridge. The unfortunate woman, who was intoxicated at the time, left the Fishguard Arms Inn, where she had been refused beer, and fell down in the highway opposite that house. A heavily laden waggon which was being driven by at the time passed over one of her thumbs, completely smahing it, and injuring her severely about her arms and head. She was at once conveyed to the Infirmary where her thumb was amputated and her wounds dressed. THE GROWTH OF LoNDON. —The most comprehensive delineation of the metropolis ever attempted is appearing ia. I The Immense Map of Loudon' now is3uing, in weekly sheets with Cassell's Family Paper. The scale is nine inches to tLe mile. This wonderful map is rendered doubly valuable by the addition of supplemental mape of the most populous of the metropolitan suburbs. They are published at 2d. each to purchasers of Cassell's Paper, instead of 6d., the price at which they are published separately. CONCERT.—A vocal and instrumental concert, at which a number of celebrated artistes will assist, will be given at the Shire Hall on the 18th of November next, by Mr W. L. Harding, bandmaster of the Haverfordwess Rifle Corps. Through Mr Harding's enterprise on pre- vious occasions the Haverfordwest public have bad opportunities of hearing the performances of some of the most distinguished musicians of the day; and we trust that his endeavours on this occasion will be liberally supported by the publie. A DESERTED SHip.—On Friday evening, a floe ship, named the G. Walker,' was driven on shore In St. Bride's Bay, about four miles frota Little Haven. She was laden with ballast, and from papers on board it was ascertained that she had recently left Prince Edward Island. There was no one on board. The whole furni- ture of tbe ship was safe, and in some female's wearing apparel, there was a needle with thread, from which it is inferred that the ship was hastily deserted. The light in the binnacle and a lamp in the cabin were burning when the vessel reached the shore. The ship has sustained a litttle damage to her keel, but in all other respects is perfectly sound. CHARGE OF BURGLARY.-On Saturday evening last, Thomas Evans, Henry Hirt, and Arthur Warren, all of Barn Street, were apprehended by the Police on a charge of entering, on the right of Friday, the premises of Mr Richard Francis, of Barn Street, and stealing therefrom four cushions, of the value of X2 10s. Thomas Evans, after being taken into custody, made his escape, but sur- rendered himself on Sunday morning. During the search for the four missing cushions, four others were discovered. The prisoners were detained in tha Police Cell till Mon- day evening, when they were brought before the Deputy Mayor, W. Davies, Esq., and the charge not being pressed against thar«, they were liberated from custody. TR3N SHIPBUILDING AT THE SOUTH WALES PORTS.— Efforts are being made at the principal ports of South Wales, including Newport, Cardiff, Llanelly, and Milford Haven, to establish iron ship-building yurds, in order that the district may not, as has hitherto been the case, depend for their iron shifts on the Tyne and Clyde ship- builders. The rising port of Llanelly has taken the lead in the matter, for there is an iron ship already on the stocks there, the plates bfiing manufactured by Messrs Nevill and Co., Marshfield works. Messrs Batchelor Brothers are ahout to commence building an iron vessel at their Cardiff dry dock, and Mr Scott Russell has fixed upon the site of a shipbuilding yard at Cardiff, and has accepted contracts for the construction of several iron ships. The Newport Wood and Iron Shipbuilding Com- pany have purchased an old-established business at Newport with a similar object in view, and efforts are being made at Milford Haven to establish an iron ship- building yard. These facts show that the South Wales ports are determined to compete with the Tyne and Clyde ports in iron shipbuilding.-Times. MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.-On Saturday morning last a boat belonging to H. M. Revenu'e cruiser Skylark, left the vessel (which was lying in Milford Haven) with a crew of five men, for the purpose of getting some pro- visions, &c., from shore. It was at the time blowing a most furious gtle when they were off the reef of rocks known as Newton Noyes, the boat upset, and, melancholy to relate, four of the poor fellows were drowned, one only escaping. The survivor, by the name of Sherlock, was blown on shore on the bottom of the boat, and when picked up was in a very exhausted state. We may observe that the boat was not fit to be out in such weather, a very heavy sea being on. In short, such was the fury of the gale that the Malakoff, the mail steamer between New Milford and Waterford, was un- able to proceed to sea, Captain Ayling very prudently remaining snugly moored at the ponto 'n. Several small craft and a great many boats broke adrift. One of the poor fellows who thus met a watery grave, was James Rees, who our readers will probably remember resided at the Plough Inn in Hill-street some years ago, and was at one time an assistant in the grocery business of Mr J. B. Henley, of Quay-street. PEMBROKKSHIRE AND HAVERFORDWEST INFIRMARY. —We would remind our readers that the Bazaar in aid of the funds of this valuable institution will be held on Thursday and Friday next at the Market Hall. The institution has incurred a heavy expense during the last twelve months in consequence of the increasing demand that has been made upon it; and we hope that this praise- worthy effort to raise funds to extend its usefulness will meet with that tarse amount of support which it so richly deserves. Contributions have been received by the Honorary Secretaries, from the following ladies and gentlemenMrs Philipps, Picton Castle; Mrs Massy, Cottesmore; Mrs Barham, Trecwn Mrs Brehaat, Mrs Fincham, Miss Longcroft, Llaniria; Rev. Canon Richardson, H. Ince, Esq Mrs Admiral Lloyd, Mrs Peniston, The Misses Peniston, Mrs James Bowen, James Bowen, Esq., Hugh Owen, Esq, Goodwick; Mrs Skone, Bethany; Mrs Williams, Spring Gardens; Miss Dehaney, Mrs Dyster, Tenby; Mrs Hird, Pembroke; Mr Hird, Pembroke; Mrs Robert Locke, Pembroke; Mrs Douglas Reid, Pembroke; Miss Lowes, Victoria-place; Mrs T. John, Prendergast; Mrs Martin, Prendergast; Miss Bowen, Dew-street; Miss Brehaat, Mrs T. J. White, Mrs Charles Saies, Miss Annie Evana, Miss Evans, Goat-street; Mrs Lloyd, Brunant; Mrs W. Davies, Spring Gardens; Mrs W. Rees, Spring Gardens; Mrs Saunders, St. lshmaels Mrs David Phillips, Hollo- way Mrs Howells, Blaendyffryn; Miss Powell, Dark- street Yarmouth; W. George, Esq, Dan Miss Rosa Williams, Miss Thomas, Castle-terrace; Mr Hodge, High-street; Miss Lewis, Hill-street; Messrs. Barrett, Pembroke-dock. NAVAL COURT-MARTIAL.-A court-martial assembled on board the Royal Adelaide, guard ship, at Devonport on Thursday afternoon, to try John Nicholls, an A.B., serving on board the Blenheim, at Milford, coast-guard service, for absenting himself without leave, and assaulting the naval police belonging to that ship. The circumstances took place at Pembroke Dock. The master at arms and a ship's corporal of the Blenheim deposed, they went ashore there on October 14, in the evening, to bring on board absentees, of whom the pri- soner was one. He would not come on board, and inter- fered to prevent other absentees going with the witnesses. He also subsequently assaulted witnesses and used threatening language to them. The court was adjourned to Friday, when, on its re-assembling, the prisoner said in his defence that he only asked one of the absentees to take another wet' before be went on bo&rd, when the naval police made a violent attack on him, knocking him down and cutting his head severely with their walking- sticks. John Woods, a first-class boy, the absentee the prisoner referred to, was examined, and confirmed the prisoner's statement as to his only asking him to have some more beer and as to his being severely beaten by the policemen. He, however, said they did not knock the prisoner down at first, but that on their taking hold of him he fell down, and would not get up when they ordered him to do so. The court considered the charges proved, and adjudged the prisoner to receive 48 lashes on board the Blenheim, to be imprisoned for twelve months at hard labour, and then to be dismissed her Majesty's service. MANCHESTER AND MILFORD RAILWAY. We are happy to announce that that portion of the line between Llanidloes and Llangurig is now complete, the inhabitans of which latter place were, on Wednesday last, startled, but we hope pleased, by hearing for the first time, the shrill whistle of a locomotive. Mr F. Beesson, the contractor, Mr Szlumper, the resident en- gineer, our Station-Master, and a few others connected with the management of the line, made the first trial trip to Llangurig, on the 4 Llaneroh-y-Dol,' carefully piloted by Mr Fairbanks, the superintendent of the locomotive department in this town, and we must say, never was department in this town, and we must say, never was there a more successful journey accomplished for the first time. We Ora all so well acquainted with the many difficulties the contractor has had to coateud with, and which would have daunted a less determined man, but which he has been able to, so far, surmount: and we only hope that the line will at once be carried out to completion under his able superintendence. The Man- chester and Milford Railway runs from Llanidloes together with the Mid Wales as far as Penybontbren, when the former branches off to the west, over a very heavy em- bankment and culvert over sixty feet high across the Dulas river, and through an eqully heavy cutting, till it reaches Cwmbelan, where, we think, it will be necessary to have a good station. The bridges alorg the line are perfect models, and we are sure they will take the first I position in Wales for quality of material and workman- ship. On leaving the bridge across the turnpike road at Ystradolwyn, the line runs through a dense bog upwards of twenty feet deep. This, owing to skilful drainage and preparation, is a most successful piece of work, and see- ing the difficulties of the same kind the Welsh Coast Railway have not been able to surmount, too much praise cannot be awarded for the able manner in which this portion of the line has been carried out. Visitors will now be able to see the beautiful scenery along the valley of the Wye, (or which the.country surrounding Llan* gurig is so celebrated, and we have no doubt many will avail themselves of this opportunity.—Newtown Telegraph. ROOSI5 PETTY SESSIONS. These sessions were held at the Shire HaU on Saturday, before the Rev. Thoiu&s Watts, Rev. P, Phelps, A. B. Starbuck, Esq., J. P. Jones, Esq., and 0. E. Davies, Esq. DESERTING A FAMILY. Thomas James, ferryman, of Neyland, was charged by the Overseers of the parish of Llanstadwell with deserting his family, whereby they had become chargeable to that parish. The defendant expressed his willingnes-i to receive Irs wife and family into his house, and their Worships ad- journed the case for a fortnight. OBTAINING MONEY UNDER FALSE PRETENCES. Thomas Jenkins, a labourer, residing at Frogshole, was charged with obtaining, by false pretences, the sum of ten shillings from Celia Howells, of Robeston Cross. The Prosecutrix deposed I live with my brother Wil- liam Howells at Robeston Cross. On the 21st of October the prisoner came to me, and gave me a letter. He said my brother Benjamin Howells, who lives at Stainton, had sent him with the note to my other brother, William Howells. I told him William Howells was not at home, and he asked if I would not do as well as my brother, as he was in a great hurry, and my brother Benjamin was in want of money to get coals from Neyland. I said 'No, as my brother was gone to the fair;' but I called him back and gave him ten shillings in silver. Benjamin Howells: I am a blacksmith, living at Stain- ton. I have a brother living at Robeston Cross. Celia Howells is sister. I did not write the letter produced, nor authorise any one to do so for me. I did not re- quire any money from my brother. This concluded the evidence on this charge. The prisoner was then charged with outlining, by false pretences, the sum of seven shillings, from James Millar, of Neyland. The prosecutor deposed that the prisoner came to him on the 17th instant, with a note purporting to come from Celia Howells, and asking for the loan of seven shillings. He asked the prisoner if he was a servant with Miss Howells, and he replied that he was in service at the adjoining farm. He gave him two half crowns and two shillings. He asked him to write his name on the back of the note, when he said lie could not write. He wrote his name himself, and the prisoner put a mark to it. Celia Howells deposed that she never sent the prisoner to the prosecutor for any money, nor authorised any one else to do so on her behalf. The prisoner was committed for trial oa both charges. NON-PAYMENT OF RATES. John Richards, Marianne Davies, William Palmer, Francit Weeks Szlumper, Thomas James, Joseph Bower- man, Thomas Richards, George Greenish, and Thomas Merritt were summoned, at the instance of the Milford Improvement Commissioners, for non-payment of Paving and Sewerage Ratts. The cases against Palmer, Bowerman, Thomas Richards, and Georga Greenish were settled out of Court. A distress was ordered to issue in the cases of John Richards, Mari~ anne Daviet, and Thomas James. James Merritt stated that he was quite unable to pay the rate; and in reply to the Bench said he was willing to pay one shilling a month till the debt was defrayed. Their Worships ordered a distress to issue, but to be suspended, to give the defen- dant an opportunity of paying. In the case of Francis Weeks Szlumper, the Clerk asked what the Commissioners expecteu to gain by summoning him for non-payment of rates. Francis Davies, collector to the Commissioners, said he had received orders to taka out a summons against him, and he bad simply obeyed them. The Clerk: By his conviction his property was for- feited to the Crown, subject to the rights of parties pre- vious to that conviction, that is where there is a valuable consideration. It appears to me to be throwing good money after bad. The Collector asked to have the case adjourned that he might bring it before the; Commissioners for re-con- sideration, which was granted.