Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills

POLICE COURT. MONDAY.—(Before the Rev. J. C. LLEWELLIN), COAL STEALING.—Jane Watkins, a married woman, from Blaenavon, was charged in custody with stealing a quantity of coal, the property of the Blaenavon Coal Company. The case was treated as one of trespass, and the defendant was fined 5s.

THE ADVANCE COMMENCED. From Fort Pearson the Times correspondent tele- graphs on June 14:—"The long-expected move of Crealock's Division has at length commenced. Yes- terday the first portion of the Division, consisting of the Buffs, C Troop of Lonsdale's Horse, and two guns of the 8th Battery, 4th Brigade R.A., under Ellaby, started, escorting a convoy of about seventy wagons. John Dunn, with some of his scouts, left to-day accompanied by Maguenda and five followers. The second column—namely, the 88th, the Navil Brigade with three Gatlings, one nine-pounder, and two rocket tubes, and one troop of cavalry, leave, also escorting a convoy. The 3rd section, consisting of the 99th, M Battery, 6th Brigade R.A., Nettlet ri's Native Contingent, and all drafts, will leave al mb the 19th. There is a complete field hospital with each column. Fort Crealock will be garrisoned by 99th, two guns of the 8th Battery, 7th Brigade, Royal Artillery, and a troop of Lonsdale's Horse. Forts Pearson and Tenedos will be held by about :100 men, forming a convalescent depot, and a detachment of naval blue-jackets is to man the guns and defences of both. The forts have been strengthened to render them secure for a smaller force. A redoubt is being erected for the protection of the hospital recently established, and named Victoria Hospital. Colonel Walker is entrusted with the command of the Lower Tugela, including Forts Pearson and Tenedos. A small but very strong fort has been erected on the border, twelve miles up the river, at the head- quarters of Captain Luca's Border Guardsmen. A brigade over the Tugela has been completed this week. The original pontoon bridge has been removed, and a portion of it taken up country to bridge the Umlalosi river." Writing from the Upoko River Camp June 10th, the Daily News correspondent says:—" The cavalry horses are rapidly deteriorating under the reduced rations of eight pounds of bad oates and no hay. I fear lest the horses will become so weak as to be unserviceable, and it will be better economy to keep them lit for service on adequate rations for the present and when it becomes impossible to feed them longer, send them back, for horses unable to perform cavalry work are an encumbrance rather than an advantage. We here, after eight days in Zuluknd, and four marches from the front, near Koppie Allein, now still within twenty-eight miles ci tho frontier at Rorke's >ri £ fc. In other words, our present distance from iUaritJiburg by the road we have travelled, and alo- which our communications are maintained, j, than two hundred miles, whereas via Rorko Lhe distance is only one hundred and ten mile. aifference represents simply so much marehin haulage of supplies thrown away and that the: be no difficulty about the roac' between hero Rorke's Drift is proved by the fact that i-hc wagons taken by the Zulus from Isandula, of course with inferior appliances, have been found here. Strong representations have been made to Lord Chelmsford, even now, to utilise Rorke's Drift for communica- tions with the colony, but they have hitherto been unsuccessful. No further communication has been read from Cetewayo to this column. Spies state that Cetewayo maintains a defiant tone regarding us to his own people, declaring bus intention to fight the quarrel out; but this is believed to be only dust thrown in their eyes to avert the loss of his supre- macy." Two days later the same correspondent says: "A practicable rod has been found between here and Rorke's Drift, which, if adopted, shortens the line of communication one-half. Io-day expires tho week named to Cetewayo for the sending in of the sevo. pounders. They have not yet arrived." SIR GARNET WOLSE LEY'S INSTRUCTIONS. From Cape Town the Times correspondent writes, on the 17th:—"Sir Bartle Frere has received the official intimation of Sir Garnet Wolseley's appoint- ment as Governor of Natal and the Transvaal and as High Commissioner for native and foreign affairs in territories north and east thereof, including the seat ot war, with supreme military command. The Sec- retary of State explains that at the present juncture the system under which authority is distributod among four persons is inadequate, and occasions differences such as lately occurred between Lord Chelmsford and Sir II. Bulwer as to the disposalof native levies. The Government considers Sir Bartle's duties at present require his presence at Cape town. It acknowledges the labours in which he has recently been engaged to have been performed with singular zeal and energy and desires him to direct his attention to the union of Griqualand, the financial question, and, above all, to confederation. Sir G. Wolseley is for the time to perform that portion of his Excellency's functions as High Commissioner which it would be impossible for him at a distance of a thousand miles to attend to liko one on the spot. The appointment is regarded as acceptable on military grounds but in respect to civil matters the colonists fear that danger would arise from a less firm policy than that of Sir Bartle Frere, andfthat the terms of peace dictated from homo willleaye native troubles unsettled. For the present the question of .confederation, which the Cape min- isters were prepared to forward on the meeting of Parliament, will be suspended. The Standard and Mail says :—" Notwithstanding many difficulties and many misunderstandings, British South Africa was in a fair way of becoming a self-defending and self- governing dominion, for which England would be in. hardly any way responsible. Sir Garnet Wolseley's appointment, curtailing as it does Sir Bartle Frere's power and the influence of the Cape Parliament, is exactly calculated to take away all hopes that within a reasonable time a really satisfactory settlement of South African affairs will be arrived at." On tho best authority I may state that Sir B. Frere will cordially welcome his of friend Sir Garnet, to assist in settling the Zulu troubles."

ON Dry. BY AN ABERSYCHAN CONTRIBUTOR. As congratulations upon literary enterprise ap- pear to be the rule in our district lately, allow me to congratulate you upon the first number of the FREE PRESS, at ONE penny, and printed altogether in Pontypool. The first issue is very good, contains a much larger amount of local intelligence, and is, I consider, a very cheap and readable journal. Your offei of cheap advertising also comes in most opportunely to meet the de- pressed times and I trust your venture will prove a remunerative one. I cannot allow one statement that has been polished to pass un- noticed—i.e., that the reduction in the price of the paper is due to the advent of a contemporary, as within a few weeks after Jon became proprietor of the FREE PRESS this mtter was the subject of a conversation between fou and myself, when you distinctly stated that jOll pui-posed printing the whole of the paper you'self, and also selling it at one penny. This, it appears, has taken time to do; but the idea is your own, and as such you should have credit for it. As all the water we get from our Water Works Company is filtered, I should be glad if some of your readers could enlighten me as to the nature of the sediment that ha.s discoloured the water this last week or more. My water bottle at the bot- tom appears to have been painted with iodine, and the liquid itself has been more suggestive of a light dry sherry than Adam's ale," but I re- eret. to sar without th* ihevgy !iu-- ——k. I A M to see that the1$ is a prospect of the establishment of a Literary Itldtítnte here. and 1 trust the matter will be tafcon up with spirit, to mept a neod that is sadly felt in this locality. I Our leading men should lend this affair willing and libprai aid. and no doub' if a Society be ùs- tubii.-hcd, the books, &e., of ateoiu lieading-room will be cheerfully granted for the use of the mem- hers. As a very old member of such institutions, allow me to suggest the establishment of a few night classes, such as writing, arithmetic, compo- sition, &c. I believe such classes, if established, will not only be largely attended, but will mate- rially add to the success of the Society. IT is to be hoped that the reference made at the last Board meeting with respect to the price charged for gas by the Pontypool Gas Company, —as being much in excess of that charged by the Abersychan Gas Company—will not be allowed to die a natural death, but will be taken up with zeal by some of our legislators. On the face of it, the town should be in a position to offer cheaper, if not better, gas than the village, but in this case both conditions are reversed. I AM glad to hear that the Golynos Chemical Company have commenced, operations necessary for carrying on their manufactures at the Golynos Foundry, and Mr Lavender, their manager, is pushing on the necessary work with vigour. Although, we believe this Company will not em- ploy a large staff, still in times like the present every new undertaking is a godsend; and the spirited proprietors (all of whom, I believe, are connected with this district) will, I trust, meet with undoubtedly deserved success. A REFERENCE was made a week or so ago, in your columns, with respect to the condition of the Old Waterloo lload. Our Local Board have given us such capital highways and byeways, that it is to be hoped they will expend a few pounds and put this time-honored road into cre- ditable condition, as a large number of pedestri- ans use it in preference to the longer and more tedious new road to Talywain. IN the face of adverse times, and all extremely limited demand for coal, it does seem astonishing that so many colliers in this county and Glamor- ganshire continue idle rather than accept a pain- fully necessary reduction in wages. The evil of Strikes in years by has been so palpably manifest to all workmen that one would have given them credit, now, for a little foresight and consideration, but our own district, to wit, shows that some men will rather play," as they term it, than work, although they must know that this play leads to the loss of trade, pinching in the household, serious damage to the collieries, and after all, "work at the reduced wage."

IT is said that on Monday last, 348 cases of drunkenness on Saturday night and Sunday came before the Dublin magistrates. PITCH-AND-TOSS ON SUNDAY.—Nine boys were fined 4s 6d each at Brecon, on Monday, for playing pitch-and-toss on Sunday. MR W. PHILLIPS, fitting shop manager at Ebbw Vale, died very suddenly in his bed on Friday night. He had been playing with his youngest child, and retired about 11 o'clock, but had not been in bed more than a few minutes before Mrs Phillips heard him groan, and on going to him, found him dying. He expired before the arrival of the doctor, who had been immediately sent for. Mr Phillips was highly respected, and much sym- pathy is felt for his widow and her children. A CATHOLIC PRIEST ON INTEMPERANCE.—At St. Luke's Roman Catholic Church, Cardiff, on Sunday evening, the Rev Father Richardson alluded to the evils of intemperance, and to the Roman Catholic Holy War against it. The temptations to drink were so great that if public houses were closed for only one day, much good must result, and it would be well if many were closed altogether. Near to that Church there lived 500 Roman Catholics who were absent from Mass because they had no clothes to come in. It was far too common to see women drunk and their children in rags. It reflected upon them as a body, for Protestants called upon the priests to do something to stop drunkenness among their people. Drink stopped children from being sent to school, and stopped parents from at- tending Church. Their great enemy was drunken- ness.

PONTYPOOL PETTY SESSIONS. SATURDAY.—Before Colonel BYRDE (chairman), E. J. PHILLIPS, Esq., and C. J. PARKES, Esq. A BAD BEGINNING. Matilda Richards, a young girl, was charged, in cus- tody, with having stolen a gold "keeper" ring, the property of William Henry Wood, of Griffithstown. Prisoner pleaded guilty. From the depositions of Mrs Wood, it appeared that the girl had been occa- sionally employed at her house, and one morning after she had been there the ring was missed from a drawer in an upstairs room. It was subsequently dis- covered that the prisoner had sold it to a girl named Gough for the sum of twopence, and she had made a present of it to a cousin in Newport with whom she was temporarily staying. As soon as the father of the girl Gough knew that the ring was stolen he went to Newport and recovered it, handing back the ring to the prosecutrix.—Supt. Mcintosh stated that in recovering the ring Gough had acted very honestly and done all that lay in his power.—The magistrates agreed, and spoke favourably of his conduct in the matter.—Supt. Mcintosh said that from enquiries he had made he found that both the father and mother of the prisoner were addicted to drinking.—The Bench treated the case as one of unlawful possession, and fined the prisoner 20s, or 14 days hard labour, expressing a hope that it would lead her parents to look better after her in the future, and not compel her to earn an existence in any way she could.

THE VOLUNTEERS AT TREVETHIN CHURCH. George Wheeler, landlord of the Masons' Arms, near Trevethin Church, was summoned for keeping his house open for the sale of intoxicating drink during prohibited hours. He pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr Watkins.—Sergt. Lewis stated that on Sunday, the 22nd of June, there was a church parade of the Volunteers, who marched to Trevethin Church. In company with P.c. Davies, he was on duty in that locality. Between 11 and 12 o'clock in the morning they visited defendant's house. He en- tered by the back way, and saw a great many people in an out-building attached to the premises. Be- fore he got to the house he saw two men enter whom he believed to be in civilian's clothes. He then made a rush to the house, and- saw defendant in the act of taking two pint, jugs into the house from the Qutibuilding. He seized one of the pints, which con- tained a quantity of cider. Went upstairs and found a volunteer in uniform.—Cross-examined by Mr Wat- kins When he was watching the house he was not in Mr Llewellin's shrubbery. He was about 150 yards away from the house when he saw the two men enter. There were about 100 men on the road near the house, most of them in uniform. Mrs Wheeler's brother was not one of the men he saw enter the house. The majority of those who came out of the building were Artillerymen. There were fences be- tween the position he and the constable were in when they were watching the house. They did not run until they were within 50 yards of the house, and then they made a dash. The landlord at once told them he had not sold any drink, but had given some men two or three pints of cider. Witness would swear that the landlord was carrying two pint mugs in his hand when he first saw him.—P.c. Davies gave cor- roborative evidence, stating that he went to the front door for admittance.—In cross-examination he stated that there were two or three fences between the house and the place from where they were watching it.— For the defence, Mr Watkins contended that .there had been no offence within the section of the Act under which defendant was charged. From the posi- tion in which the policemen were situated they could not possibly discern who the two persons were who entered the house. The constable had given his evi- dence with a little more candour than his superior, and at once admitted that several fences were between him and the house. He (Mr Watkins) would show that the two men were the landlord and his brother- in-law, and that no other persons were in the house that morning. No money whatever was taken, and he should submit that no violation of the Act had taken place.—Defendant was then sworn, and he stated that on the morning in question a great num- ber of the Volunteers went to his house and demand- ed to be supplied with beer, stating that they had come from Griffithstown, and were therefore entitled to be supplied. He refused to supply them with any- thing, but did give one or two of his friends some cider, for which he took no payment. There were Volunteers present from Abersychan and Giiffiths- town. The only person in his house that morning was his brother-indaw. When Sergt. Lewis rushed up there was but one pint mug in his hand, and the door had to be unlocked from the inside before he could get in himself.—By Supt. Mcintosh His bro- ther-in-law lived in Trosnant. The men he gave the cider to were not friends of his but customers.—Mr Mcintosh: Then you can afford to give cider away to your customers on Sundays ?—Defendant: No, not always. Did not know whether the Artillerymen wore red or dark clothes, or to which corps his bro- tlier-in-law belonged.—Mrs Wheeler affirmed that one but her hiV-hcr was :ln the house that -norn. t ing, and he was asked to have a glass of cider. p Thomas Williams deposed that the defendant was his f brother-in-law. f/8 was a member of the Pontymoil 1 corps otifo lunteers. and attended church parade on ) the 22nd June. He did not go to church, but went, to see his sister at the public-house. He was asked to have something, and said he should like ginger beer, but was recommended to take cider,—By Supt. Mcintosh He was iu an upstairs room wheu fou.id by the sergeant. Had forgotten to take his hat with him when he rushed upstairs (laughter). That was rather an unfortunate thing (increased laughter). There was no other volunteer in the house. The rea- son why he went upstairs when the sergeant came to the house was that he was afraid his presence might do the landlord some harm.—The Chairman remark- ed that it was a pity, in the first place, that volunteers did not go to church when they paraded for that pur- pose. They pretended to go to a place of worship, but sought to get into a public-house. The Bench wondered that the attention of the commanding offi- cer had not been drawn to the matter, as it was very disturbing to the congregation. The doubt which crept into this case would be extended to the defend- ant, and the case would be dismissed. CROSS -SUMMONSES. Benjamin Jenkins, Cwmbran, and David Roderick, a boy, summoned each other—one for trespassing on his property, and the other for assault. —Mr Watkins appeared for Jenkins, who keeps the Bush Inn.—On the Tuesday night previous a meeting of colliers was held at the Bush Inn, and the lad Roderick entered the room. He misbehaved himself, and was ulti- mately ordered out. Having been once ejected he again entered, and was a second time turned out. He then assembled a number of lads outside the inn, and created such a disturbance that the business of the meeting could not be conducted, and the chairman represented to the landlord that unless he could en- force quietude the meeting would have to come to a summary termination, & another day's work lost to all the men. The landlord went outside and seized hold of the boy Roderick, who had a lump of turf in his hand. He ordered him to go either one way or the other, but he refused, and threatened to throw the mould at Jenkins. The latter kicked him with the idea of helping him to start on his homeward jour- ney. This was the assault complained of, and the defence to it was that the lad had committed a trespass, and that Jenkins was justified in sending him away. A window of the inn had been broken by the lads throwing stones, and as Roderick was caught with some turf in his hand, the landlord concluded that he was one of those who assisted in committing the damage.—Mr Watkins pointed out that there was some animus between the parties. The lad Roderick had been summoned a fortnight before by a relative of Jenkins for a similar thing, but the matter was compromised. He (Mr Watkins) did not deny that his clieut had kicked the boy, but it was nothing more than he deserved. The kick had not hurt him, for directly after he had received it he remarked to a Companion, He took me to Pontypool last Saturday 6s I'll take him there next Satur- day, and nrake him part."—Witnesses were called to prove that the distUrbartce created by Roderick was loud enough to interrupt the meeting, and that a re- quest was made to the landlord to put a stop to it- After hearing all the evidence, the Chairman said the Bench could not resist the fact that an assault had been committed upon the boy, although there were extenuating features. Jenkins would be fined 16s, including costs, and Roderick would be fined lis. A WARNING TO BAKERS. John Far low, baker, of George-street, Pontypool, was summoned by Supt. Mcintosh for causing bread to be delivered without the boy in charge having proper weights and scales, as required by the Act. At the previous Sessions the boy was summoned, but the Bench dismissed the case on the ground that he was an apprentice, and that his master was the person legally responsible.—Defendant pleaded not guilty, and contended that as he was not the party who deli- vered the bread he was not liable. P.c. Tratt deposed that on the 24th of June he saw an apprentice of the defendant's delivering bread at Abersychan. He asked him if he had any scales, and he stated that he had, and that they were at the bottom of the cart. Wit- ness followed him to the next house,where he stopped and delivered two more loaves. He then asked the boy to produced the sca:es or weights, and he admit- ted that he had none.—Defendant called the boy,who produced an instrument which he stated was used by bakers in delivering bread,and which he (the boy) had with him at the time.—Supt. Mcintosh pointed out that this was not a proper balance as required by the Act, and that when appealed to the lad did not pro- duce the instrument to the constable at the time*— [Some amusenjent was caused by the defendant at- tempting to explain how the scales could be used for weighing bread. Two or three times they were afixed to a loaf which defendant had brought, but each time the bread separated and fell to the ground. The in- strament was examined by the magistrates, who de- clared that they could not tell to an ounce what bread would weigh by the steelyards.] Supt. M'Intosh submitted that the steelyards were not weights" or "balance" withia the meaning of the Act, and said he should hardly think people would care to have the bread they were going to eat mauled about in the way which they had just had an example of. In the instrument produced there were really neither weights nor balance, and it was not a legal scale.— Defendant said he was not liable for the conduct of the boy, but the magistrates' clerk pointed out that he was legally responsible for the actions of his ap- prentice, which amounted to the same thing.—Supt. Mcintosh informed the Bench that defendant had been previously convicted of a similar offence.—Defend- ant said there were other bakers who followed the same custom of using steelyards as himself, and asked why, if he was stopped, others should not be. The magistrates convicted the defendant, and fined him 10s, inclusive of costs, and advised him for the future to procure a proper balance for weighing the bread.—Defendant: Is not this legal (producing the steelyards) ?—Mr Edwards No, it is not. THE FRENCH BAGATELLE TABLE. William Burland, landlord of the Railway Inn, Pontnewynydd, was summoned for permitting gaming on his licensed premises.—P.c, Davies stated that on the 17th of June he visited the defendant's house and saw a French Bagatelle table. Two or three men were around it, and one of them said. I have lost, and there is another pint to come in." The landlord was" keep- ing scores," but on his (the constable's) entrance the landlady took the table away.—Defendant denied that any game was played for beer, and said that the table was a new introduction which one or two of his friends had come to see. From the bottom of Pontypool to the top of Abersychan there were fifty such tables, and no one but him had been interfered with.—-The constable stated that a man named West afterwards spoke to him about the matter; he said they had played for beer, but hoped he would say nothing about it.—West was call- ed, and he stated that he was an innkeeper. He beard that his neighbour had got one of those tables, and went to see it. There were one or two men there whom he knew, and they kicked him for a quart. It was a common thing for customers to make a landlord from home" stand treat, and that was what he meant when he said they kicked" him for a quart. He played on the bagatelle table, but no game was organized or took place. He paid for all the beer that came in, and did not pay for it because he lost, as no account was taken of the scores made.-Other witnesses were called to bear out this statement, and all positively denied that any game was played for beer.—The Bench considered that they should not be doing their duty if they did not con- vict.—Defendant: You won't be doing your duty if you do that's truth.—The Chairman You will be fined 10s, but your license will not be endorsed. SELLING BEER WITHOUT A LICENSE—THE POLICEMAN AND THE LODGER. Samuel Hill was summoned for selling beer without having a license. Defendant formerly kept the Travel- lers' itest, on the hills above the Abersychan works, but the license was discontinued nine years ago through the influence of the then manager of the works.—P.c. James stated that on the 19th of June he followed a man into defendant's house and heard him call for a glass of ale, for which ho put down twopence, and re- ceived a halfpenny in change, together with the beer. Witness said he was in plain clothes, and called for a pint of beer, for which he tendered sixpence and re- ceived threepence in change. Another person came in, and he (the constable) called for a quart of ale, paying for it with a shilling and receiving sixpence in return. Shortly afterwards P.c. Sanders came in in uniform. Mrs Hill whispered to him (witness), Don't you tell the policeman that you paid for the beer. Swear you didn't, and I shall get out of it." p.c. Sanders asked Mrs Hill who he (witness) was, and what he was doing there with a quart of beer, Mrs Hill replied, Oh, he's a lodger of ours, and a particular friend of Hill's." The constable then asked how long he had been lodging there, and Mrs Hill replied, "That's no odds to you; he's a lodger." Witness then acquainted her with the fact that he was a policeman and not her lodger.—P.c. Sanders corroborated the latter part of the evidence of P.c. James. He examined the house and found one 18- gallon cask of ale on tap, one 18-gallon cask not tapped, and two empty 18-gallon casks which had recently con- tained beer. The barrels were marked Davies, Ajjer- sychan." There were a number of quart jugs and other measures in the house.—Defendant did not deny the evidence, but said her husband was away from home at the time and knew nothing about it.—Supt. Mcintosh stated that it was at the request of the manager of the Abersychan works that the license of the Travellers' Rest was discontinued, and not through any misconduct of the landlord. He had, however, strong reasons for believing ikt defendant had carried on this practice during the whole or the nine years.-—The Chairman ob- served that publicans had to otnnio. proper licenses, and were subjected to divers regulations, rules, and orders which at times pressed very heavily upon them, and it was only right that their interests should be protected. The defendant was liable to a fine of £00, and although the Bench did not propose to inflict the full penalty, they were not sure that they were not acting with undue leniency in the fine which they were about to impose. He was responsible for the acts of his wife, and he must have known what was going on. If the exiÍse authorities had undertaken the prosecution, they would have made mince meat of him in no time. Such practices as he had been guilty of must be put a stop to, both injustice to the public and the publicans. The magistrates had hesitaicd as to whether they ought not to inflict a heavier penalty, but, the decision at whi«h they bad armed was that the defendant pay a fine of n 10s.—Defiyidant at once paid the money, and seemed to think that he had been lightly dealt with. DRUNKENNESS. William Parry, Rhoda Williams, and Henry Milli- ard, were summoned for being drunk, and were severally fioed 10s. A COMMON NUISANCE. William J. Williams was charged with obstructing the highway, on the 29th June —P.c. Tratt stated that the defendant, together with a number of other men, assembled outside the blacksmith's shop near the White Hart Inn, Abersychan. He requested them to go away, and all except the defendant did, but he remained.—P.s. Lewis stated that complaints had frequently been made of the nuisance created by such men loitering round the corner; and Supt. Maclutosh stated that females could not pass by them on their way to a place of worship without being insulted. The week before he had re- ceived a letter from the Clerk to the Abersychan Local Board complaining of the conduct of these idlers.—The Bench said such conduct could not be tolerated, and in- flicted a fine of 10s. PHIZE FIGHTERS. Thomas Hannen, Henry Dance, and William Dacey, were summoned for committing a breach of the peace by fighting on the public highway near Cwmbran Gar- dens.—Dance did not appear.—P.c. Ford deposed to having seen the defendants fighting with each other, but said he believed it was occasioned by the aggravation of Dance.—Haunen and Dacey said they only stood up in their own defence, as Dance first struck them and said he would serre all such Irish —— the same.— Dance was fined 10." and the case against the two men who answered to the summons was dismissed. DRUNK. Thos. William* was fined 10s for being drunk at Pontypool, the charge being proved by P.c. Adams.

TUESDAY.—(Before the Rev J. C. LLEWELLIN and C. J. PARKES, Esq.) A LUCKY ESCAPE.— John Morgan, a labourer, was charged, in custody, with stealing some charcoal, the property of the Poutypool Tin-plate Company.—Pri- soner pleaded guilty, and Mr Jones, the manager oftbe works, stated that he should not press the charge.— Prisoner said he had got it for his father-in-law.—Mr Parkes told him it would have been better if he had asked for a small quantity rather than steal it.—Cau- tioned and discharged. THE HAT STEALING CASE.— Walter Rees was charged with being concerned in stealing a hat. Last week a man was brought before the Bench oa the same charge, and then, as in the present instance, no prosecutor ap- peared. Rees was apprehended at Tredegar, and was proved to have been with the other defendant when the hat was stolen.—He was discharged for want of evidence.

AT Brecon, on Monday, Will. Manley, private, 24th Regiment, was sentenced to seven days hard labour for fraudulently enlisting into the 25th Brigade. MR F. HILTON, C.E., who was designing engi- neer for the Ebbw. Vale Company, has just been appointed mechanical engineer to the Rhymney Company. A BOY of 12 years of age has just been killed at Wolverhampton by a companion of about the same age, while playing with a gun which happened to be loaded. The charge entered the poor boy's head. ON Saturday, a Neath publican was fined 10s. and costs for being drunk in his own house. Mr Leyshon defended him, and called a witness who said defendant was not in any way the worse for drink. AN American vermin killer, sold at sixpence, and warranted not to contain poison, is found when the package is opened, to be nothing more than two pieces of wood, between which the buyer is lll., structed to press the insect firmly." A Cardiff butcher was fined .£4 and costs, on Monday, for having in his possession the carcase of a sheep which was unfit for food, but which was dressed for sale, He had been previously fined £2 for a similar offence. The Bench now informed him that if he was again convicted upon a charge j of this kind, he would be sent to pnson without the option of a fine.

THE ZULU WAR. CETEWAYO'S PEACE MESSENGEES. A telegram from which we take the following ex- trauls, has been received at the War Ollico,from Gene- ral Clifford, Pietermaritzburg, dated Maderia, July û: —"„On June 10, Crealoek, Fort Pearson, advanced Luii3 and one company of railway engineeers. Strickland reports from Durban:—"Six weeks' supplies at Fort Chelmsford. Eight wagons with supplies on the road from Durban to Fort Pearson 201) more will follow during next fortnight. The transport Roman-Dutch law enforced, but no wagons or oxen bought by compulsory power yet, as commissariat get average of twenty-five wagonr. with oxen a day on hire at £80. a month each. On baturday, June 14, resident magistrate Fynn Urn- sengwa, forwarded to Lieutenant-Governor state- ments made at interview by headman Unfauri, sent by Cotewayo, to ask for time to arrange for peace negotiations. He was only a messenger, with no authority from the King to treat for peace. He wanted to see the great chief, as the King ordered him to do. Two other messengers, one of whom was Sintwanga, has been sent by the King to the lower column. They were sent to ask for time to get out by the door. The King did not know the name of the big chief. The present messengers were the same the King had sent to Fort Buckingham with the same message. The chief was at Ekowe fight- ing and the answer did not come for two months, when the great chief was surprised the messengers had not gone back long ago. After the messengers had returned and reported to the King he consulted hw great chiefs, and sent them on the present mission. It was the custom of the country for the King to send his messengers first, and not to send a great chief till the meeting-place was arranged. Fynn assured the messengers they might go at once to Lord Chelmsford with a letter. They assented, and will start at 9.30 a.m. to-morrow. In a .later despatch Crealoek (first division) states he is to move along the coast road. Much sickness among the troops. Convoy of 700 wagons reached Fort Newdigate or Junelï. The Standard correspondent says:—"There is little belief here, except at headquarters, of any intention on the part of Cetewayo to make peacc. He is trying to gain time while he gets together his regiments, and obtain aid from tribes outside hie rule. The Zulus still believe they can beat us in the open, and it would be very unfortunate for the future of the colony were peace made before they are dis- abused of that notion. When they have suffered one crushing defeat in the open, peace may be made with a hope of its being permanent. Everything has been quiet here since the departure of the last mail, and we have been simply waiting for Wood's column to return. The health of the troops is good, and all we want is the order to advance.

A telegram from Lloyd's agent at Lisbon states that the captain and crew of the British brigantine Albert, official number 66,330, from St. Ubes to Swansea, have arrived at Lisbon, and report that on the ofch, at 9 p.m., their vessel sprung a leak, and foundered on the following day, at 8 p.m. off Cezimbra. An unknown disease has appeared in Greek vine- ya-ds, and the Patras Chamber of Commerce hae begged the Government to send for a French expert to investigate it. It is proposed to erect a national monument tc John Knox, in Edinburgh. The Fan full" learns from Spezia that the Italian Government has ordered from the firm of Armstrong twelve rifled ateel guns for the newly-built despatch vessels. ine Kussian Academy of Sciences proposes to establish a hydrographio institute for the empire, at St. Petersburg. From the 1st January till the 30th June 171,252 head of cattle have passed through the Belgian rail- way station of Erquelinnes, on their way from Ger- many to France. The new Belgian Royal Observatory is to be con strncted at Laeken, on one of the most elevated points in the neighbourhood of Brussels. The cost of construction is estimated at l,600,000f. It is stated that the heart of Deligeorgis is to be placed in the mausoleum at Missolonghi, where the heart of Lord Byron rests. Deligeorgis was a native of Missolonghi. :;) In consequence of depression in trade the London and North-Western Railway Company have dispensed with the services of a number of junior clerks on their system. There has been no reduction of salaries those retained.

To the Editor of the Free Press. Sir,—I find that the champion of the Roman Church in this locality is again in print. He views with such compiucency his first performance that be has been en- couraged to greater exertions, arduous though the work may be. If his first letter created quite a commotion (why not say a panic) in Protestant circles," what won- der that he should thus magnify his own importance. He complains bitterly of the severity of treatment meted out to him. Opprobrious titles have been given to the Holy Church, and "insults" ntri "calumnies" have been employed as weapons against him. Poor man! he pretends to be much annoyed by the "mote" which he sees in my eve, but suffers no inconvenience from the "beam" which is in his own. I say he "pretends to be much annoyed," because I believe his real object in complaining is to beg for sympathy, and he thinks he can best secure this by enlarging upon his ill-treatment. To this he adds another method. He lauds, with how much sinceiity let others guess, the" intelligence and respectability" of some Protestants, and says that they are able to distinguish between the solid and all-con- vincing arguments of such learned writers as himself and the windy and inflated arguments of Protestant writers. These they will burst like-bubbles the others, I suppose, they will transcribe into their note books. These, I presume, are those Protestants whose minds" he succeeded in disabusing of the false, childish, and silly ideas" they held of the doctrines of the Church of Rome." It seems strange, too, that Protestants of such intelligence and respectability" should be capable of holding notions about anything which may be termed "false," "childish," and even **silly." But, gently, he devoutly thanks God that Protestants of intelligence and respectability "are neither few nor far between." He does well in thank- h T°r this' for there can be no thanks to h's f -UI"iC 4-i not God in a very signal manner scat- tered the thick darkness which it was the aim of the tUurcn ot Kome to perpetuate, the crass ignorance of the iWidc e Ages would have continued to this day. But this writer seems to fancy that by patting kind and r) generous Protestant-s on the back and lavishing upon them his Jesuitical blandishments, he can hoodwink and cajole them as he pleases. Protestants, when you hear any of this man's class praise your intelligence and respectability, be sure that he is only attempting to throw dust into your ej es that he may the more easily accomplish his own insidious ends, whilst you are in a state of temporary blindness. Coming to his last performance, his self-complacency aad ignorant conceit are really amusing. He tran- ti scribes half-a-dozen brief quotations from a tenpenny little book by Dr Milner, and be fancies-he has over- thrown all I have said, and with the confident airs of a victor he calls upon me to make good my assertion by establishing all I advanced. Now, sir, as writers of this class are liable to think that their farragoes are unanswerable unless they be taken notice of by the first post, permit to say that when I have done with what I have proposed doing, I shall, with your permission, make short work of this writer's airy pretensions. In the meantime I shall take good care that he have enough to do. ? Yours, &c., VERITAS.

STOCK AND SHARE LIST. Supplied by Messrs. THACKERAY & SAYCE, Stock and Share Brokers, 1, Pearson-place, Cardiff. RAILWAYS. Paid Prices Stock Great Western £ 100 96 97 London and North Western 100 .143 144 Monmouthshire. 100 .150 151 „ Taff Vale 100 .213 215 PREFERENTIAL. Stock Monmouthshire 5 per cent. 100 119 121 12 Do. New. convertible 6. 11 1 If Stock Taff Vale No 1 100 .213 214 Do. 4V per cent iuo .ios 109 xd Do. 5 per cent 100 .119 120 xd GUARANTEED AND LEASED 50 Aberdare, 10 per cent 50 118 120 20 Coleford Mon., & Lsk, 5 p.c. 20 23 232L Stock Great Western 5 p. c. (guar) 100 .127 128 Hereford, Hay, & Brecon 100 92 93 xd Do. do. Pref. 100 92| 931 xd 2 DEBENTURE STOCKS. Stock Hereford, Hay, and Brecon 5 per cent 100 .122 124 xd „ Great Western 5 per cent. 100 .1^7 129 xd Taff Vale 4 per cent 100 .101 103 xd BANKS. 20 BristolWestof England,Lim. 7 b. n 72 100 Glamorganshire Banking Co. 100 .140 145 10 Glamorganshire 10 14 14| 10 London & Provincial, Lim. 5 11J 12 50 National Provincial 21 68 71 20 NationalProvincial. 12 39 41 10 North and South Wales 10 2H 28t 20 Swansea (Limited) 7 8J 85 GAS. 10 Abcrdare 10 10 lOt Stock Bristol. 100 .172 174 Cardiff A 10 per cent. 100 .175 180 „ Do. B 8 per cent 100 .140 145 25 Do. Shares 7 per cent. 25 30 33 10 Llynvi Valley 10 KH 11| Stock Newport A 100 .175 180 Do. B 100 .130 135 20 Do. C. 17.. 19 20 25 Swansea 10 per cent 25 — — 25 Swansea 7\ per cent 25 — — GAS AND WATER. 10 Bridgend 10. 9 10 Stock Do. D-b. Stock 100 100 101 „ Pontypool (Max 10 p. c.) 100 .140 150 12 Do. ( do. ). 12 16 18 10 Do. (Max. 7 p. c.) 10 10 12 10 Ystrad 10 20 21 WATER WORKS. 25 Bristol 25 63 63.1 Stock Cardiff 100 ..270 290" Do. 1860 100 .170 180 10 New 6 10 12 Stock Neath 10 p. c. Guaranteed 100 .190 195 10 Do. 5 per ct. Preference 10 9t lOt 10 Newport 10 16 18 10 Do. New 7. 12 14 Stock Pontypricld 5p.c. Preference 100 105 109 MISCELLANEOUS. Stock Alexandra Dock, 6 p. c. Prof. 100 110 120 M Ditto 8 p. c, Pref. 100 ..120 130 10 Bristol and South Wales Wagon Co., Limited 4. 6'E 6, 23 Ebbw Vale 20. 1 3 100 Nantyglo and Bla,ina, Iron Works, Preference 100 16 18 10 Newport Abercarn Colliery 10 41 4! 5 Do. Tramways. 3 ••• 3 4 20 Patent Nut and Bolt, Lim. 14 18J 19! 50 Rhymney Iron, Limited 50 8 10 15 Do. New. 15 2 3 25 South Wales Colliery. 24 ti 2i 50 Tredegar Iron&Coal, ALim. 24 11 13 25 Do. 11 do. B Lim. 25 ..16 18 Bank Kate 2 per cent. (since Lijull i). BUYERS:— Rhymney Railway Ordinary, at 149 Aberdare Gas Shares Bridgend Gas and Water Shares, at 19 Ystrad Gas and Water Shares, at :f:;2ù Cardiff, also Newport, Gas Stocks and Shares Taff Yale Railway Stocks and Preferences South Wales Colliery Shares, &c., &c. THACKERAY & SAYCE, CARDIFF, July 9, 1879.

43ittbs, Jilflniages, t-iiizl IDeatijs. BIRTH. July 7th, at the Bryn, near Abergavenny, the wife of Mr William Haines, of a daughter. DEATHS. July 3, at Maund's Row, Upper Race, aged 35 years, Mr Frederick Thompson, labourer. July 7, at Waiufelin, Pontnewynydd, aged 17 months, Eveline, the youngest daughter of W. A. and E. Jutsum. July 7, at G irnditfdUii, aged fil years, jlary, wife of Mr John Jones, coal miner. July 8, at tht f'France. ??ed 34 yreii*s. Mr M»red'tl> W atkiiiti, coal miner. July 8. at Victoria Village. harndifÙith, aged do years. Mary, wife of Mz Charlea Tolling, stone laaaon.

NEW SCALE OF CHARGES FOR PREPAID ADVERTISEMENTS. ONE THREE i INSERTION" INSKHTIONB' 20 Words 6d. 1/3 n o <> ¡ 28 Words gel 1i9 36 Words 1. 213 44 Words. 1/3 219 52 Words 1/3 3/6 The above charges apply only to the following classes of small advertisements, and must be PF II AID, or former rates will be charged. Situations WANTED. SITUATIONS VACANT. APARTMENTS TO LET. APARTMENTS WANTED. HOUSES TO LET. EXCHANGES. ARTICLES FOR PRIVATE SALE. ■MACHINERY AND TOOLS FOR SALE. BUSINESSES FOR SALE. LOST OR ForD. MISCELLANEOUS WANTS. TRADE SPECIALITIES. One Penny per Line charged for each insertion under this heading, PREPAID for not less than 13 weeks. STEEL PENS—Sample box, 1 !d., post free, 21d. 9 different sorts. Prices from 8d. per gross, HUGHES, Stationer, Pontypool. COPYING PRESSES-21s. all iron, japanned and marbled. HUGHES, Pontypool. CHEAP PRINTING, without delay.—Bill Heads' cream laid paper, 10,000 for 298.; Memo forms, 5,000 for 21s. HUGIIES, Pontypool PARTjSTERSHIP. H. HTJGHES, PRINTER, BOOKSELLER, STATIONER, &c., Commercial-St., Pontypool, DESIRES to return his warm thanks for the JL/ kind patronage received by him during the r• ■ ny years (upwards of 36) he has been in busi- r.■ s in Pontypool; and begs to announce that he 1. this day taken into Partnership his youngest 5-u, DAVID WILLIAM HUGHES, who has for many '•rars taken an active part in the Business, which 11 in future be carried on under the name of FGHES & SON. July 1st, 1879. HUGHES & SON spectfully solicit a continuation of the support :ong bestowed, and assure their Customers that ry effort will be made to secure punctuality, 'spatch, and attention in the execution of orders t>. L- Printing, Stationery, &c., with which they may o • favored. S. VINER, DRESS AND MANTLE MAKER, 4, Park Terrace, Pontypool, to inform the Ladies of Pontypool and its 1) vicinity that she has just COMMENCED BUS! ESS as above, and hopes by strict attention and fluctuality, combined with MODERATE CHARGES, to merit a share of their support. The Pontypool Local Board {'- VITETENDERS for HAULING CINDERS from ^6 Race to the following districts: No. 1—Crane U"re,e "dee. Club House, George Street, Town Bridge, S',gfsue«,"aVar.Tn° '•»* *->»•, «,p of ;urited for ODD WORK lth Hone and Cart. Sealed Tenders to be sent to E. ii. Esq., George Streer, Pontypool, not later than 17th. E. STEPHENS, Surveyor, 'kc. The Pontypool Local Board NTITE TEDEH.3 fur Dieasing acd Laying Kerb- L ing, acd Channelling, at par iiaeal yard. Also for Dressing aod Laying New Paving, at per pt-rSewl yard. A'so for Re-laying Old raving. The Stcnes will be supplied by the Board, delivered here required. Further particulars may be obtained of the Surveyor. Scaled Tenders to be sent to E. H. D WIES, Esq., Street, Potrypool, sot iatfr ihau Jaiy 17th. E. STEPHENS, Surveyor, &c. House and Shop to Let. THIRST-CLASS POSITION' near Club Building i1 Pontypool. LAB»E SHOP, 20 feet by 20 feet, double front, plate glass, with store room of same size beneath. HOUSE contains eight good rooms, china pantry, outhouses, and usual offices. Private entrance from new road.—Apply to Mr HASKINS, Music Warehouse Pontypool. 3mpl Building Land, Pontypool. ELIGIBLE SITES for BUILDING, situate near iJ the British School, to be Let on Lease for 99 years. -Apply to Mr W. H. EOSSDR, Albiou Road, or to Mr DAVID DAVIES, Civil and Mining Engineer, Park Ter- race. To Drapers and Others. TO LET, a commodious SHOP & PREMISES, J. situated in the Market Place, Pontypool, admirably adapted for business.—Apply to Mr DAVID DAVIES, Civil and Mining Engineer, Park Terrace, Pontypool. FOR SALE. a splendid Geo. Wood's AMERICAN ORGAN, 6 stops, and knee swell; a Bargain. Or would Exchange for a tborough-good Cottage Piano- forte.—Address, F.G.U. Free Press Office, WANTED, a good GENERAL SERVANT (not VV under 20), able to do Plain Cooking.—Apply to Mrs J. F. WILLIAMS, High-street, Pontypool. WANTED, a good, strong girl as SERVANT; must yy be an early riser, able to milk, and have good character for honesty and cleanliness.—Apply BALL, High-street, Pontypool. ANTED, a GOOD GENEftAL SERVANT; TV must be fond of children, and have a good cha- racter.—Apply to Mrs BIRRELL, the Wern, Pontypool TO BE LET, SHOP, DWELLING HOUSE, and JL PREMISES, in Crane-street, Pontypool, lately in the occupation of Mr T. PRcssER. Grocer.—For particulars and to view apply to Mr E. H. DAVIES, Ironmonger, Pontypool. A FIRST-CLASS HOUSE AND BUTCHER'S SHOP to Let, at Griffithstown. Business already established. Rent low.-For terms, &c., apply W. H. BROWN, Griffithstown. TO BE LET or SOLD, GLANAVON HOUSE, ± Abersvchan, the residence of the late Rev. Stephen Price.—For particulars, ayply to the Rev Richd. Jones, on the premises, or to Mr Wainwright, Auctioneer, Club Chambers, Pontypool. 3mp2 TO BE LET, with immediate possession. CORNER JL HOUSE and SHOP in Trosnant, late in the occu- pation of Mr THOMAS, Tailor. Eight rooms rent moderate.—Apply to Mr T. PRICE, Grofield, Aberga- venny. Ipl APARTMENTS (furnished).—^ Lady would receive A a Boarder or Looger In part of her house, in healthy locality near Chain Bridge.—Address, B.B. Free Press Office, Pontypool. Ipl To LET, the CAMBRIAN lNN, double-licensed JL public-house, situate in Trosnant, POntypool; in- going by valuation.—Apply to Mr WM. WEBB) Aber- beeg, Newport, Mon. 3p2 TO LET, the FOUNTAIN INN, situate in George Street, Pontypool; in-going by valuation.—Apply to Mr WM. WEBB, Aberbeeg, Newport, Mon. 3p2 TO BE LET, THE SWAN (Aberychan) Free Beerhouse. Immediate possession; rent low.— Apply on the premises to WM. CRANE. 3mpl rPO BE LET, a GROCER'S SHOP, with Dwelling X House and Warehouse situate at Cwmfrwdoer.— For particulars, apply to THOMAS JONES, Oakland Cottage, Henllis, near Cwmbran or to Messrs PHILPOT and WINGFIELD, House Agents and Auctioneers, Ponty- pool. FOR SALE, a few (B) SHARES in the Pontypool -L Gas and Water Company.—Apply «A.B.C FREE PRESS Office, Pontypool. MONEY ADVANCES, from £10 to £1000 can now 1' be obtained at a few hours' notice. No law costs strictest secrecy. For particulars, apply to Mr. A' BLOOM, Pawnbroker, Jeweller, &c., George-street Pontypool Sales bU ltditnt WAITE & SON JJAVE for SALE, BY PRIVATE CONTRACT Valuable Piece of Land or Orchard, Planted with Young and Choice Fruit Trees, Situate in the parish of Llangcview, near Usk, and on the side of a good road. For further particulars, apply to WAITE & Sos, Clarence Street, Pontypool. ABERSYCHAN, NR. PONTYPOOL. Messrs. Moses Smith & Son WILL SELL BY AUCTION, at the WHITE IIART HOTEL, ABERSYCHAN, on MONDAY, 21st JULY, 1879, at one o'clock in the Afternoon, a capital BEER-HOUSE or PUBLIO HOUSE Called 11 The Full Moon," Situate in High Street, Abersychan, and for about twenty years past in the successive occupations of the late Mr Thatcher, & of his widow Mrs Sarah Thatcher, the present, tenant, under a yearly tenancy. The house contains a tap-room, bar, small parlour, large smoking- room, kitchen, 4 bedrooms, cellar, small brewhouse, outbuildings and yard, with a side entrance under part of the adjoining dwelling-house and being near to the British Iron Works is favourably situated for business purposes. The property is copyhold of inheritance under the manor of Wentsland and Bryngwin. For further particulars apply to Messrs. RAY & BUSH, Solicitors, 9, Bridge Street, Bristol. No. 1, GREGORY'S ROW, Nr. GwmtlrlCdoer Inn, nr. Pontypool. WAIT E & SON ARE instructed by Mr GREGORY to SELL BY AUCTION on the premises as above, on THURSDAY, the 17th day of JULY, 1879, all the neat and well-preserved Household FURNITURE & EFFECTS, COMPRISING- Mahogany loo table, hair-seated and other sofag, mahogany easy, cane-seated, and other chairs, pier glasses, pictures, engravings, rosewood writing desk, dining, square, round, and other tables, per- ambulator, table lamps, eight-day timepiece, cruet stands, antimacassars and mats, half tester, iron, and other bedsteads, mahogany night commode, straw palliasses, millpuff and other beds, wash stands and dressing tables, mahogany toilet glasses, towel rails, carpets, cocoa-nut matting and hearthrugs, trunks and linen chests, cradle, clothes horse, ornaments, tea trays, books, baskets, knives and forks, fenders and fire irons, crockery, glass, ware, tubs, benches, steel hanger, brushes, flatirons, wall paper, pots, pans, tea kettles, garden tools, &c., &e. Goods on view morning of Sale. SALE TO COMMENCE AT 1 O'CLOCK. No. 2, GREGORY'S ROW, Nr. Cicmffricdocr Inn, nr. Pontypool. WA1TK~& SON HAVE received instructions from MR GEORGE -LJ- CYRTIS (who is leaving the neighbourhood for America), to SELL by AUCTION on the premises as above, on THURSDAY, 24th day of JULY, 1879, THE WHOLE OF THE HOUSEHOLD FURHITUBE AND EFFECTS, COXPR-? Sofa, cane-seated arm, rocking, and other chairs' clocks and timepiece, pictures and engravings, fenders and fire irons, perambulator, copper kettle, pier glasses, carpets, table lamp, cruet stands, chimney ornaments, tea trays, books, dinner and other mats, iron and wood bedsteads, palliasses, wash stands and dressing tables, toilet glasses, watch stand, under glass shade Salter's spring balanco, kitchen and other tables, brushes, +irc guard, baskets, boiler, flatirons, bellows, i crockery, j, wuv, pots, vans, pigs' troughs, garden t.1 other tools, &c., &e.. Golds on vif!1n the Morning qf Sale. Sale to commence at 2 o'clock- No Reserve. T-ros-nant St., Pontypool. MESSRS. CTEORGE & SCOTT Successors to u e Mr. James Graham HA VE received instructions to SELL by PuBLiC AUCTION, on MONDAY, the 14th day of JULY, 1879 (under a distress for rent and other authorities), the STOCK-IN-TRADE OF Household Furniture & Effects, The Property of Mr. CHAS. MINOR, Grocer and Furniture Dealer, Comprising round and square deal tables, mahogany and painted chestj with drawers, deal boxes, washing boards, writing cases, children's chairs, painted towel rails, French iron bedsteads, wooden ditto, mahogany couches, Windsor chairs, painted washstands and dress- ing tables, straw palliasses, work tables, cane-seated chairs, easy chairs, window poles, night commodes, toilet glasses, millpuff beds, cupboards, benches, scales and weights, washing machine, pictures, brown ware pans, oval boilers, cast iron fenders, blacklcad brushes, sweeping brushes, quantity of various tools, &c. A CAPITAL COB HORSE, Spring trap and set of brass-mounted harness, and numerous other effects. Sale punctually at Eleven o'clock. There will be no Reserve. Dated, Auctioneers' Offices, 67, High-st., Newport, July 9th, 1879.

CORRESPONDENCE. The Proprietor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions of his Correspjnderits. The columns of this paper are at all times open to the ex- pression of opinions on subjects of a public character. Correspondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only, and to avoid personalities; and must enclose with the letter their OWN names and postal addresses, nor, necessarily for publication (unless intended by theai), but for the satis- faction of the Editor.

WHENEVER the General Election of Members of Parliament takes place—and no one kuows how soon it may—there is every probability of this county being the scene of an exciting contest. As a necessary preparation for such an event, it be- hoves all voters to make sure that their names will appear on the register, as it is believed that the contest will be t5 an exceedingly close one. Should this prove correct, it is evident that to either party, Conservative or Liberal, each indi- vidual vote will be of great importance, inasmuch as it may possibly be the one which will decide the fortune of the day, and convert seeming de- feat into glorious victory. Ihere are many per- sons who pooh pooh the importance of voting, saying, My vote cannot make any difference;" while there are others to whose shame it may be said that they look upon their vote as worth so many pounds, shillings, or pence to them, and who are prepared to sell it to the highest bidder, like an auctioneer might sell an old couch, which is neither valuable nor handsome, but will just do for lying" upon. In these enlightened days we need hardly repeat what has been so frequently urged, that both these classes of voters are wrong. t3 The man who thinks his vote of no importance should remember that by it he takes a direct and active part in the government of his country and although it may be a humble one when com- pared with that of the Prime Minister, still it is the part which it is his duty to play. Even in our boyish games of horses, we could not always be coachman, but must sometimes submit our- selves to the humbler but equally necessary part of horse. Horses will not go in the right direc- tion without the coachman, neither could the driver drag the coach without the horses. Each is valuable in his own place, but to be so, each must do the work allotted to him. Seriously speaking, how can the Prime Minister know whether he is guiding the Royal Mail Coach" along the road desired by its passengers, unless they tell him which way they want to go The British citizen does this when he records his vote, and thus we see that not only is the exercise of the right a positive duty, but it is at the same time a highly important one, involving the gravest issues, and having a positive influence upon the national wel- fare. As for the man who sells such a. sacred trust for filthy lucre," which Othello so aptly terms trash," he must be devoid of conscience, and it is waste of time to speak to him-he is quite unfit to possess that of which he cannot make a right use. Whatever a man's political conviction may be, it is clear that he should be both ready and willing, not only to exercise his right, but to try and form an honest and inde- pendent opinion as to his manner of doing so. A CASE possessed of novel features was adjudi- cated upon by the magistrates in petty sessions on Saturday last. A man was convicted of sell- ing beer without having a license to do so, and the circumstances under which proof of the offence were afforded, displayed, at least, the ready speech and quickness of mind for which the feminine portion of Albion's daughters are re- markable. According to the statement of the Superintendent of Police, it would appear that the defendant had for no less a period than nine years carried on this illicit traffic. The house was situated on the mountain, and the approach of a police officer could bo observed in the far, far, distance," and as a look out was kept it was somewhat difficult to obtain the necessary evi- dence to justify a conviction. The police, how- ever, managed it well at last. One of the force, who is blessed with a continual smile on his features, and when not in uniform bears but little resemblance to a grim policeman, paid an unos- tentatious visit to the house, dressed in the garb }f an ordinary labourer. He saw men supplied with beer, and ordered some for himself, with which he was supplied and he duly paid for. By preconcerted arrangement, a constable in uniform mtered whilst his brother in disguise was enjoy- ng his refreshment. On enquiring how it was hat persons were being supplied with beer on inlicensed premises, the lady in attendance at mco told him that he, the disguised policeman, vas a lodger, and a particular friend" of her husband's. She had whispered to the smiling customer whom she thus described as a lodger" that he was to "swear he had not paid for any- thing," but her consternation may be guessed when he quietly informed her that he was him- self a constable of the law. The evidence was irresistible, and a conviction of course ensued. As pointed out by the Bench, licensed victuallers are subjected to severe restrictions, which some- times press heavily upon them, and in justice to them, as well as to the general morality of trading, their interests must be protected. If one man can for nine years pursue an illegal course in the selling of intoxicating liquors, freed from all the penalties and responsibilities which attach them- selves to those who honestly pay for the privilege, the least that can be said is that an injustice has been done to publicans, an offence has been com- mitted against the statute law of the country, and facilities afforded for increasing the very vice which the licensing laws were framed to prevent. A NUISANCE far too common and sadly too long neglected has at last been brought before magisterial notice. At the Petty Sessions, on Saturday, a lounger was convicted of standing, with others, at the corner of a street, and in- sulting ladies as they passed on their way to Divine worship. The Superintendent of Police stated that frequent complaints had been made of the interruption which females met with on their way to church, and we can fully bear out the statement he made to the Bench. But it is not at Abersychan alone the nuisance exists. In the more immediate neighbourhood of Ponty- pool, parties of idlers can be found on the Sab- bath day who seem to take a coarse delight in criticising people on their way to the several places of worship but this is not the worst of it. Their criticism is loud, acccompanied with vulgar language, and purposely expressed so that the parties themselves cannot help but hear it. Such conduct is too bad to be toler- ated. If the Laureate's pastoral village is be- coming a thing of the past, and the calmness of our rural retreats intruded upon by modern in- novations, there is yet left to us the peace of the Sabbath day, when the business of life is suspended, the plough lies in the furrow, and the asperities of life are temporarily checked. But it is a pity that the piously inclined cannot peacefully wend their Way to the village church without their ears being assailed by the ill- timed and blasphemous shouts of a sot of vul- gar and uncouth roughs, who have no thoughts but those of the tap. room rowdy. We com- mend the action of the police in their endea- vour to put a stop to such a wretched interfer- ence with the comfort of worshippers, and the peace of holy Sunday nights, and hope they will continue their efforts until the nuisance is swept away.