The Carmarthen Weekly Reporter

CARMARTHEN UNDER THE SEARCH-LIGHT. Come, come, and sit you down you shall not buuge You shall aofc go, till I set you up a glass Where you may see the inmost part of you." SHAKESPEARE. An old salt, who has sailed.many seas, looked admiringly at the frail coracles of the Carmarthen men breastillg, the angry waves at Ferryside on Friday. "That's giand," he exclaimed, a reminiscent light stealing into his eyes. It just reminds me of the war-canoes in the South Seas." I retail the remark as I heard i-t where the resemblance came in I don't know. The ugliest animal seen at the Carmar- Show was the ferocious beast whose likeness adorned the poster. But there is nothing like sending out the strongest as a sample, whether k be in dogs or in wines. The fair on Friday was worse even than the asual run of such institutions celebrated in Carmarthen. The morning was frightfully hot; the smells were frightfully vile the language was frightfully lurid and the com binatioll of all three suggested a certain locality which used to form the staple of old-fashioned sermons. We are going to have a aew fair- ground, of course. But that is only for cattle. We are having that because the Board of Agriculture compelled our reactionary rulers under the direst com- pulsion to provide it. But the horses can go ahead, paancing in solid pkalanxes to the imminent danger of the lives of the lieges. If you are on business you will have to wait for half-an-hour to get over a crossing, and even then the task is fraught with as grave risk as it was to take part in the charge of the Six Hundred. But this periodical exhibition of a degrading savagery is defended on the ground that it is good fer trade." By being good for trade in this connection, people mean good for the trade." If these disgraceful scenes were only good for the Church, or good for the Press, or good for the Democracy, th-sy wottld have been swept away years ago. In this enlightened age, we are not to be dictated to by the Church, the Press, or even the Democracy. But the interests of the trade are not to be lightly tampered with. I once hoped that somebody would got killed at a fair so that a change would be made. But I was green then, and did not know how easy-going Carmarthen juries were. I know better now. When some- body does get killed, I know very well that a Carmarthen jury will make no recommendation—except that people had better not get in the way of the horses. Bless you; a Carmarthen jury won't even advocate changes it takes everything as a matter of course. We bungle in the Ancient Borough; we murder people by the absence of proper regulations and then wo have the audacity to blame Providence for our crimes. Some people think this pious. I regard it as blasphemous. « I understand that the Sabbatarians are going to walk to Carmarthen Junction in future. They cannot make it fit in with their principles to open the new line on Sunday—as was actnally done by the impious G.W.R. If I ever see any of them- patronising this line, I shall know how much their conscientious objections are worth. X Last week I drew attention to the dis- graceful condition of the trees in Richmond- terrace. Since then it has been pointed out to me that Wellfield-road is in a much worse eondition. Dozens of trees overhang the way there and in one case the spread- ing branches aetmally overhang the opposite side of the read. This is distinctly illegal; it is the duty of the Highway Authority to insist on t'he trees being properly trimmed. In consequence of the flagrant neglect of that duty, Wellfiekl-road is full ef puddles and mud-pies even in dry weather-as the evaporation is, of oourse, greatly retarded. There seem to be a large numbei^of high- class houses in Wellfield-iioad and I should not be surprised if the inhabitants there pajd as much in rates as do those who live on the Terrace. The only difference I oan find in tke twe localities is that there are no Town Councillors living in Wellfield- road. I do not say that this is a case of cause and effect; but the coincidence is somewhat Bemarkable. Of A Government inspector reviewed our Police Force last week. The Home Office does not know its business. It would te much better to inspect the Watch Com- mittee and the Magistrates. They are the people who are really responsible for maintaining law and order in this town. The police are only servants. If the masters became a little more wide-awake and vigilant, the police would have to follow suit. If an engine runs slowly, you don't swear at the machine. If you swear at all, it is the engineer against whom you direct yoiw profanity. Soime years ago when an agitation was on foot to provide a new water supply, the Some years ago when an agitation was on foot to provide a new water supply, the precious fluid was only turned on for a few hours every day. Now that we have decided to ge in for a new supply, Cwmoernant is in a position to supply us for 24 hours a day, although we have a largo number of new houses which we did not have formerly. I have no explanation to effer. Anybody who remembers Carmar- then history for five years knows that I am retailing facts. 0*e of the signs of the times is the manner in which the pleasure fair is losino- its attraction for the rustics as well as the townspeople. The day was when country people would come to see peep-shows, coooa-nut shies, and a living skeleton! Now even the immensely improved attractions of the modern showman fails to tickle their jaded intellectual appetites. People irom the most outlandish parts of the cewatry HOW tarn up their noses ajiperciliously and barely tolerate a Carmar- then fair. This is afi due to the 7s id excuriilon. Fifty years ago less rustics visited the metropolis than visit Russia now. Excur- sions rapid and cheap were impossible ita stage coaches. Now, anybody who can get a couple ef days "off," and can find a sovereign or two to spend, can run up to the Metropolis and see the Crystal Palace and Madame Tussaud's, and half-a-dozen exhibitions of one kind and another. Tho country people take full advantage of all these facilities and Carmarthen fair begins by comparison to pale its ineffectual fires. 410 This same fact explains many things. It explains why the county families don't come to Carmarthen and have a high old time of it during race week. They go to the Derby now. This reminds me that I have not of late heard any of this balderdash about Carmar- then becoming a residential centre. In spite of all the buildings which have been I erected, the "residential" character of the town seems as far off as ever. The only change which I can see brought about is that Carmarthen people "go up higher," and that their rents do ditto. This is a splendid thing, of course for those who have speculated in house property. The Corporation officials appear to be adopting my suggestion. At the end of last week a plumber was told to come at once," because two neighbours could neither of them get a drop of water from their taps. The plumber went to the 11 stop-tap between the two houses, and found the pipe blocked by an animal as thick as his finger, and having iour legs. Where else but in Carmarthen could such things be encountered ? The sweet innocence of the Borough J.P. is very charming. Fancy a fine of £ I and costs for a breach of the Sunday Closing Act! No wonder law-breaking is rife, and the police discouraged when the magistrates take such a very lenient view of the pre- valent vice of the town. The time was, in Carmarthen, when fines amounting to £5 were inflicted for sueh an offence. At the present rate, five years hence defendants will be dismissed with a caution and tln years hence it will be the policemen who will be severely reprimanded for being too officious. The booking accommodation at Carmar- then Station is nothing short of a scandal. Why any corporation as wealthy as the G.W.R. can tolerate the sight of a row of fifty or sixty people each waiting their turn —just as at the gallery entrance of a theatre-is more than I can imagine. On a busy day the spectacle is something painful to contemplate and the amount of moral and intellectual damage which must be sustained by the unfortunato solitary booking clerk is incalculable. The booking arrangements at Carmarthen would do very very well for Llaapumpsaint or Dryslwyn but in their piesent position they are a disgrace. Bishop Jayne, of Chester, was at Carmar- then Station on Saturday evening looking none the worse of his recent accident. If he only tarried in this town a few months, he would probably modify his views as to the advisability of allowing the liquor traffic to be run by the local authority for the public benefit. < I received a cordial invitation to attend Llanelly Flower Show-an invitation which was declined on account of circumstances ovo-r which I had no control. But I daresay it was a success everything which the Llanelly people undertake is a success In Phe tin-plate town they pull together they have esprit de corps; the only spirit we have in this town is that of the alcoholic variety. In Llanelly they help one another to make everything and anything successful for the good of the town in Carmarthen, Harry and Tom try to spoil everything Dick gets up because they had not a finger in the pie themselves. Dick, of course, waits his chance and spoils Tom and Harry's pie. The jealousy in regard to music is not that of Carmarthen v. the rest of the world. Two or three choirs are started; and what do you find ? If you talk to a member of Carmarthen Choir A, you will probably find him anxious, if his own choir does not win, that the prize should go to Neath, or Llan- fairfechan—anywhere except to Carmarthen Choir B. In other towns, people are quite as religious as in Carmarthen, and they are not sectarian; they are also aristocratic and stili they won't refuse to join in something organised by another set. It is not sectarianism, nor is it snobbishness, which is art the root of our lack of cohesiveness; it is that sheer cussedness," that small mindedness which impels a man to tread on his neighbour's corns rather than do any- thing for the good of the town at large. At the meeting of the Town Council on Tuesday a discussion took place over a tender fer "iron cradles." What species of athletic infants require to be nursed in such receptacles ? The next thing will be armour-plated perambulators. ■¥r *jf The mushroom season is on us they come not now in single spies, but in whole battalions. The shop windows are filled with them the air is redolent of them and the market lessee and his assistant have their eagle eyes open after the country folks who vend them. So far as I can see, the market officers are quite able to ketch-up with the mushroom merchants. >Yo Mr Colby Evans does not know it but he is actually a revolutionist. That is a nice thing to say of a man who is a Tory, ,-and, if I mistake not, an ex-churchwarden. But great as is my respect for this worthy Councillor, I must reiterate it; he is a red-hot revolutionist. Any man who can stand up in the Council Chamber on behalf of Mill-street is a bit too* advanced. Such a thing was never heard of before. Who ever imagined that the Corporation had anything to do with Mill-street—except to collect the rates for the property there ? A burgess who has been out inspecting says that there was not a single drop of water running down the dingle at the Hock and Fountain last week. So the storage reservoir will not be by any means an un- necessary precaution. The rock is always there but the fountain is sometimes absent. I hope nothing which I have said recently has been construed into a reflection oa the sobriety of Priory-street. As a matter of fact, Priory-street is admittedly the most sober part of the town a drunken man there attracts attention in some other parts he is taken as a matter of course. %■ One of the mains was found leaking in Dark Grate on Sunday; and the Corporation men had to work to an unholy hour to repair it. In such circumstances Sabbat- arianism is thrown to the winds. The light that failed "was to bo seen in Priory-street during the week. It oonsists of the remains of a lamp, elevated on a post opposite the Priory Chapel. Such things naturally commend themselves to lovers of ruins. ALETIIEIA.

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The Fire near the Brewery. lro the Editor of the Carmarthen Weekly Reporter. SIR,Allow me to correct an error in your last week's report on hay on fire by the Brewery, and the fire engine. You should have stated plenty of water and no fire engine, as that ornament only reached as far as the Rev Cadvan Jones' house. Well, possibly, tho engiue thought wisely not to perspire and undertake the task of going up the hill; for no one would think that any of the men-especially those that wore the uniform—would shrink from doing their duty; or what are they paid foi ? No doubt the management of the fire engine requires looking into, as there never was more negligence on the part of officials as were in this disgraceful affair; to give ehapter and verse would take too large a space of your paper. I also take this opportunity of thanking those in authority at the Brewery for their kindness, as Mr Hadley's words wore:- Everything we have is at your seiviee." Yours, &c., E. JENKIXS. Boro' Stores, Carmarthen, August 15th, 1898.

Carmarthen County Petty Sessions. SATURDAY.—Before Mr C. W. Jones, Car- marthen (in the chair) Mr R. E. Jennings, Gellideg; and Mrl). L. Jones, Derlwyn. STRAYING PIGS. Thomas Bowen, Tan-Alltygog, Newchurch, was charged with allowing his pigs to stray on the highway. —P.C. Harries proved the ease.-Fined 8s. NO LIGHTS. Mr C. O. Collard, of the Queen's Hotel, Carmarthen, was charged on the complaint of P.C. Lewis, Abergwili, with driving without lights. Defendant was represented by Mr H. Brunei White, solicitor.—Fined 8s. P.S. Thomas charged John Morgan, of the Castle Inn, Priory-street, with a similar otFence.-Defetidant was fined I Is 6d. CHARGE AGAINST A PUBLICAN. John Thomas, White Lion Inn, Conwil, was charged with allowing drunkenness on his premises. Mr James John defended. P.C. William Harries said On Monday, the 25th ult., at 10 p.m., I saw a man in the White Lion Inn very drunk. He was coming out of a passage leading from the side. He fell by the front door. I assisted him to rise he was almost helplessly drunk. I went into the public-house, and asked the publican what business he had to let the man get drunk on his premises. I told him he had no business to keep a drunken man there, as I knew he had been there an hour. He said that he had been giving the man soda water to sober him. Cross-examined I do not know when he went in. I did not see him going in. I was just outside the house, and heard his voice. I knew it, as he is noisy in drunk. I first heard him at 9.15 or 9.20 p.m. It was 10 p.m. when he came out. Miss Mary Ann Thomas, the sister of the defendant, said her brother had kept the house for twenty years. Previous to that, her father kept it for more than thirty years. As far as she remembered, no summons had been taken out during that time against the house. The Clerk You are not fifty years old, Miss Thomas ? (laughter). The witness, being young, took the question as devoid of offence. She did not remember fifty years but so far as she did roaiember no proceedings had been taken against him. Evan James had no drink in the house that evening. A few minutes after he entered, Mr Maynard Howell came iH, and witness asked Mr Howell to take James home. Mr Howell was quite willing to do so but James refused, as he said he wanted to see his young lady. It was a quarter to ten when he went out. Cross examined Evan James could walk and speak. He wanted beer, lint I said he could have soda water. (To constable.) It was you saw him coming in; you should have gone in, and taken him out. It is all your fault. Exa-mined by Mr James John The police- man has many times had a drink from Evan James at my house. P.C. Harries said that he had often been offered drinks there by different, people and the drinks were there yet. He had not taken them. The defendant gave evidence corroborative of that of his sister. He had tried to get James out about ten minutes before he went. Cross-examined by the Policeman It is not the case that Evan James had been drinking at my house all that day. Maynard Howell, Brynchwith, gave similar evidence. He was asked by Miss Thomas to take Evan James home but James would not come. Whilst witness was there, defendant had a couple of bottles of soda. The Chairman Was James drunk or sober 1 Witness I have seen worse many times. Mr James John said that it had been said that it was necessary to prove that the defendant had knowingly" permitted drunkenness. The Bench had to consider whether the defendant, who had for so many years respectably conducted the house, suddenly commenced in this to permit drunkenness in the manner required by the statute. There was no evidence to show that the defendant knew that James was drunk they must draw the line between having had enough" and "being drunk." The evidence showed that on his condition being noticed, the defendant made every effort to get James out. The Chaiwnan said that the Bench con- sidered that the evidence was not sufficiently strong to warrant a conviction and the case was, therefore, dismissed. But in cases when publicans found people coming in even slightly intoxicated and inclined to be noisy, they should use every effort to get them to go out.

Sudden Death near Whitland. An inquest was held at Trevaughan, Ciffig. near Whitland on Monday, touching the death of John Jenkins, miller. Mr H. B. White, Carmarthen, deputy coroner, presided. Anna Jenkins, widow of the deceased, said I last saw deceased alive about 7 p.m. on Thursday. He had his tea thex. He went out with his gun but did not tell me where he was going. I was told that something had happened to him in the Bower fi§.ld. I went and saw him he was dead. When he walked a distance he used to complain of shortness of breath. His life was not insured. He was about 47 years of age. Evan Thomas, Bower farm, Lampeter- Velfry, said On Thursday evening, in consequenc of what I was told, I went to one of my fields. I saw the deceased there lying face downwards. His gun was lying under him. He was dead. There was no mark on the body. I have known him for many years. He was a sober, respectable man. There was no mark of blood about the body. His face was dark. Dr Rowland L Thomas, said I have known the deceased for many years. He was a highly-respectable sober man. I have seen the body. In my opinion death was due to heart disease. The jury returned a verdict accordingly.

LLANGENDEIRNE. MINKE QUARTERLY MEETINGS. The quarterly meetings of the Carmarthenshire Baptist denomination were held last Monday and Tuesday at the above place. The following ministers officiated :—Revs W. Thomas, Elioi; Evans, Llandovery; Jones, Llanelly; Evans, Lhvynhendy Job Herbert, Penygroes; Evans, Llangennech Morgans, Cross Hands Humphreys, Calvaria, Llanelly; and Reynolds, Kidwelly. The arrangement of the public services was entrusted to the Rev Mr Watkins, Pembrey. The weather being very fine, a large concourse of people attended. The preaching was powerful and acceptable. CALVINISTKJ METHODIST MOXTIILY MEET- ING —We are informed that the Caivinistic Methodists of Carmarthenshire wiil hold their quarterly-monthly meeting at Salem, Llangendeirne, on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 20th and 21st. As some important business will be transacted, it is likely that a large number of ministers will be present.

LLANGATHEN. PARISH COUNCIL. A meeting of the Parish Council of the above parish was held on Friday, August 3rd, in the Llangathen School-room, at 7.30 p.m. The members present were Messrs Ebenezer Griffiths (chairman), David Davies, John Jones, Thomas Bowen Davies, Thomas Jones, David Richards, and David Barnett, together with the clerk (Mr Thomas Evans). iz The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr David Barnett accepted and signed his declaration of office as a member of the Parish Council. Mr Thomas Jones proposed, Mr John Jones seconded, and it was resolved that swinging gates be placed near Bird's Hill, another near Parkllwyn, and one by Penybank, on the footpath lead- ing to Llandilo; and it was further resolved, on the motion of Mr John Jones, and seconded by Mr David Davies, that the Clerk be instructed to write to Lord Dynevor asking his Lordship permission to place swinging gates at the above places, and if his Lordship would be unwilling to place swinging gates there, that the Council ask permission to place them there. DEAFNESS AND NOISES IN THE HEAD. cured at the patient's home. This Illustrated Edition also treats on the cure of Catarrh, Bronchitis, Asthma Extreme Stoutnehs. Indigestion, Dyspepsia, Rbeuma tism by 1\1 3dico.-Electrtmty.-4d O. D. BHIGHI Publisher, 8, Tavistocke Place, London, W.C. Foil THE BLOOD IS THE LIFIC. "-Clarke's world- famed Blood Mixture is warranted to cleanse the blood from all impurities, from whatever cause arising For scrofula, scurvy, eczema, skin and blood diseases, pimples, and sores of all kinds, its effects are mar- vellous. Thousandsof testimonials. In bottles, 2s 9d aij eac^' chemists. Proprietors, Lincoln and Midland Counties Drug Company Lincoln. Ask for Clarke's Blood Mixture, and do not be persuaded to take an imitation.

CROSS HANDS. COLLIERY CLOSED.-The Cross Hands Colliery has been closed, aud the pumps, &c are being brought to the surface- Ihe closing of this colliery will be a serious loss to this reigliboiirhocd, as the Great Mountain Colliery 13 r;ot working owing to the strike.

LLANDOVERY. BrSHOP OF CHESTER AT LLANI)OI-I-:RY.-On Sunday morning, at Llaodingat Parish Church, Llandovery, Bishop Jayne, of Cheater, preached to a large eongregaeion. His lordship is at present at Llandovery College, the ?ebidence of tha Rev liwen Evans, the papular warden of that institution and in which school the bishop takes a keen interest.

TO THE DEAF. A rich lady having been cured X of her Deafness and Noises in the Head by Dr. Nicholson's Artificial Ear Drums has sent £ 1,000 to his Institute, so that Deaf persons unable to procure the Ear Drums may do so free. Apply i y letter to B. L. Z. lIale, beeretary to the Institute, 20, St Bride street, London, E.C. CARHAKTHEN Printed and Published by the Proprietuess, M. LAWRENCE, at her Offioet 3 Blue-street, FBIDAY, August 19th, 1894,