The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

r- NOTICE TO ADVERHSERS AND CORRESPONDENTS. All Correspondence and Advertisements to be ad- dressed to the Editor, "Reporter" Office, Bulwark, Brecon, on or before Friday morning. The Editor will not undertake to return- rejected communications, and wishes his correspondents to understand that whatever is intended jor in- sertion, must be verified, by the name and address of the writer.

LORD ST. LEONARD'S introduced into the House of Lords, a few days since, a bill for the better security of railway passengers, which consisted Simply of the following words :—" From and after the 18th of July next, it shall not be lawful to lock both the doors of any railway carriage while any passenger is within it." Never was a bill to remedy a public grievance drawn up in fewer words. It required no preamble to urge its neces- sity upon the attention of the Legislature that had already been sufficiently proved by the events of the day. In a recent collision on the Great Western Railway, near Bristol, the lives of several passengers had been saved through the accidental possession of a key by one of their unmber. It might have been though that this one instance of the danger arising to passengers from the locking-in system, apart from the many which had preceded it, would be sufficient to ensure the passing of Lord St. Leonard's Bill. It was, however, destined to meet a different fate. On Monday night the bill was presented to the House for a second reading. The opposition to the measure proceeded from the Government in the person of Lord Granville. The objec- tions advanced were of that plausible and hack- neyed nature which is the general characteristic of reasons brought forward to check useful legis- lation. "The provisions of the bill were good— the Government were fully alive to the importance of the subject —it had, in fact, through the Board of Trade, urged the railway companies to alter their practice. But it was undesirable that the bill should pass." Such was the tenor of Earl Granville's speech, and his words were echoed by his supporters. The reader will naturally ask, if the bill was admittedly good and would have remedied an evil confessed on all sides-if it would have effected an object which the strong representations of the Government were unable to secure-why was it not allowed to pass ? The answer is to be found in one of those set phrases with which the readers of Parliamentary proceedings and Minis- terial explanations are perfectly familiar. "The whole subject" of the better security of railway » passengers "was under the consideration of a committee. It was not worth while to legislate then on a single point." Lord St Leonard's saw that it was useless to press the measure, and rather than take a division the result of which might have been misconstrued, he consented to withdraw the bill. The public are thus left, when railway traffic is at its height, without one long-desired safeguard against danger and annoyance. The committee can scarcely present its lengthy and elaborate report before the close of the session—too late for the Government to introduce any measure founded upon its researches. The whole matter is thus virtually left over for another Parliament, and possibly another. Government, to deal with. Meanwhile, that very large number of her Maiesty's subjects who travel in railway carriages unprovided with keys, are privileged to avoid as best they may the risk of being smashed in what is not an unfrequent occurrence on our railway lines—a break down, followed by a colli- sion. We say nothing of the additional danger of travelling in a locked carriage with a passenger who may be either a madman or a Miiller. It is satisfactory to note that the committee, the existence of which has been made a reason for throwing out Lord St. Leonard's Bill, has one special object of inquiry before it, in which its labours may produce a satisfactory result. It is charged with the duty of ascertaining what ap- pear to be the best means of communication be- tween railway passengers and guards, and has taken a good deal of evidence, from inventors and others, upon the point. This subject, too, has recently given rise to a correspondence between the Board of Trade and the Railway Clearing- house. It is admitted that some method of com- munication is absolutely necessary; the question is, how to provide a plan at once simple and efficient. It is not a difficult matter to enable any passenger to draw the guard's attention but the guard can at present be of no assistance unless he stop the train and how is he to know that the warning may not have proceeded from a mis- chievous or frivolous motive? Some means of enabling a guard to visit any carriage to which his attention may be called, is therefore the de- sideratum. In no way can this be done in England so well as by,attaching a secure footboard to the side of the carriages, to run from end to end of the train. We cannot in this country adopt the system which prevails on the American and some of the continental lines, and have sufficient space in the interior of the carriages for a„ passage right through the train. Our lines tire so narrow, and the land adjoining them so valuable, that this is a conve- nience which we can never hope to realise at home. But the space which would be required for a practicable footboard on one side only of the carriages, is surely not a quantity which it woryd be impossible to provide. On piany of our lines there is already sufficient room for this between the rails and the platforms, &c.; and on others it might be provided by an alteration in the position of a few pillars or buttresses, the expense of which would be trifling compared with the lasting ad- vantage to the public. No doubt there is a relutance on the part of railway directors to take t steps necessary to effect such a change. to find that in certain powerful quarters the do-nothing policy of railway boards meets with tacit approval, and that futile objections are urged against plans which appear to have in them all that is really necessary to meet the wants of the case. With regard to the construction of footboards, for ex- ample, it as been urged that they would be no real security for life, because there' is reason to belive" that the murderer of a gentleman,, who I t, ■teasTecently killed on a French railway gained access to his victim by this means! Thus one single and coojecfctwal instance of dauger arising indirectly from the footboard plan, is urged as a set-off against the general security which it would 1 obviously afford to all railway passengers. We 1 hope no better reason than this can be advanced against the introduction of the system, for in that case we feel assured that the railway boards will either adopt the plan of their own free will, in the desire to secure the public safety, or that they will be compelled by legislative interference to introduce it, or something very much like it. A case of some importance to inkeepers was decided on Wednesday last by Mr. Dayman, the Wands worth police magistrate. A publican was summoned for allowing four men to play at cards in his house, and he pleaded guilty. The police, however, could not prove that the men were play- ing either for drink or for money, and the magistrate said he did not see that any offence had been committed, because after all did not matter what- the game was, provided the parties did not play for money or money's worth. The Act stated that there must be gaming. Persons might play at games of skill, and whilst one of the most skilful games that could be played. It did not require stakes to raise an interest in the game. Unless the parties were playing for a stake, the case did not come within the meaning of the Act of Par- liament. The summons was dismissed.

CHRI&T COLLEGE, BRECON. The examination of the students of the above college, having been held on Saturday and Monday last, by the Rev. Charles Williams, D.D., Principal of Jesus College, Oxford, the prizes were distri- buted on Tuesday, as follows, Col. Pearce, K.H., presiding. LIST OF PRIZES.-Bishop of St. David's Classical prize of three guineas, T. B. Jones Bishop of LlandafFs Divinity prize of three guineas, R. Bowcott; sixth form, second prize, W. Cobley Upper School, French and German, A. J. Williams; fifth form, general prize, A. S. Currey fourth form, general prize, T. Williams; fourth form, second prize, W. N. Dunn; third form, general prize, A. Maybery third form, general prize, H. Bryant; second form, general prize, Joseph Williams first form, general prize, W. Seddon juniors', general prize, S. Rich; Lower School, drawing prize, W. Bell; Lower School, French and German, R. S. Yorke. The names of A. S. Currey and + Williams, were also added to the list of Foundation Schola rs. Dr. Prestwood Lucas has been nominated in place of the late John Powell, Esq., to act on behalf of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in the body of Governors.

BOUGHROOD FETE. On Wednesday last a grand fete took place in a field at Boughrood, near the banks of the beautiful river Wye, where there were some hundreds of visitors. The preparations were good, there being a bountiful supply for the inner man at the booth erected by Mrs. Turner, of the Swan Hotel, Brecon, at moderate charges. The fete was in connection with and for the benefit of the Brecon Reading Room and Literary Institution. The Band of the 1st Brecknockshire Volunteers was present, playing at intervals, which added much to the sports of the day. We annex the programme and the names of the successful competitors, viz.:— 1st. 2nd. 3rd. £ s. d. £ s. d. s. d. 1. A Flat Race of 100 yards 0 10 0026 00 Faber First, Goodwin Second. 2. Ditto 200 yards 0 15 0 0 5 0 Morgan First, Davies Second. 3. High Jump 0 7 6 02 6 Skea and Liddell divided the prizes, and Liddell handed the whole over to Skea. 4. Long Jump o 7 6 0 2 6 Cheese First, Goodwin Second. S. Hop, Step, and Jump 0 7 6 0 2 6 Martin First, Evans Second. 6. Throwing the Hammer 0 7 6 0 2 6 Morgans First, Shaw Second. Mr. Morgans'style of throwing the hammer was beautiful, he "yas the only ligitimate thrower on the ground. 7. Putting the Ball 0 7 6 02 6 Morgans First, Shaw Second. 8. Race, 300 yards, over 6 flights of Hurdles 1 0 0 0 10 0 Morgans First, Davies Second, Goodwin 3rd. Mr. Morgans was disqualified, in consequence of hot leaping over the six flights of hurdles, through some misunderstanding, or he would have won. 9. The mile Steeple Chase did not come off. 10. Pipe Race O 7 6 0 2 6 Goodwin First, Thomas Second. This race caused some excitement, as they had to start from one field, cross two hedges and a road, ind arrive at the winning post in another field, with the pipes, about half-a-yard long, unbroken, to commence smoking before they started, and arrive with a light in their pipes. 11. Welsh Jig or "Step," to the tune of Sailor's Hornpipe" 0 15 0 0 5 0 Lloyd First, Skea Second. 12. Sack Race, with two Jumps 10 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 Thomas First, Faber Second, Jones 3rd. 13. Throwing a Cricket Ball o 7 6 0' 2 6 Davies First, Thomas Second. 14. The Consolation Race of 300 yards did not come off. 15. A Couple Dance, Polka; for the best Couple, endurance and style 1 0 0 0 0 v Thomas First, Lewis Second. This concluded the day's recreation, and all who were present appeared to be highly delighted, everything1 passing off remarkably well under the stewardship of Captain Conway Lloyd, assisted by Doctor James Williams and Mr. Je'bb. The cricket match was brought to a close with one innings, in favoi; of the Wye-side club, and the bat was awarded to Mr. Faber, who made the 4iow score.

TO SUPERINTENDENT OR SERGANT LEE, A BOROUGH POLICE, BRECON. MR. EDITOR,—As the above gentleman is making most anxious enquiries concerning me, and not ap- pearing to gain much knowledge, I will endeavour to enlighten him on the subject, his enquiries runs thus: "Who I am i" "What I am staying in Brecon for?" "If I pay my way V "Where I get the money from?" "Where I belong?" "And what position, and in what circumstances myself and re- lations are, in regard to monetary views and re- spectability i" These are the questions, and now for the answers. Firstly, I am a man, and one who endeavours to do unto others as I wish them to do unto me," and it would be well for Mr. Lee to do the same. Secondly, appreciating the place, I think proper to stay here. Thirdly, I have paid my way, and shall always endeavour to do so. Fourthly, the money is honestly got, which, if Mr. Lee can endorse, with regard to himself, he has much to be thankful for. Fifthly; though not from ERIN'S ISLE, I am not ashamed to own Scotland as my home, and Lastly, with regard to the money matter alluded to by Mr. Lee, I can only say, that I have, as well as my family, invariably paid 20s. for a £1., and with re- gard to respectability, were the investigation made on both side, I have no doubt Mr. Lee would find that my family respectability "might" prove equally as respectable as his. To conclude, I trust Mr. Lee will attend more to his official duty and less to my business for the future. The insertion of the above will greatly oblige, Yours obediently, JAMES SKEA, Castle Street, Brecon.

BUILTH PETTY SESSIONS. These Sessions were held on Monday, before G. Greenwood, H. G. Howell, Thos. Williams, and O. M. Bligh, Esqrs. Wi-a. Jones, Thos. Jones, David Jones, Josiah Jones, and John Jones, severally of Gwcllddwr, and brothers, appeared to summonses, charged with neglecting and refusing to support their mother, they being of sufficient ability to do so. Mr. Howells, solicitor, Builth, was in attendance for defendants. Mr. Weole, overseer of the parish, gave evidence to their ability to support their mother, who was at present receiving relief from the parish.—Order made for them to contribute 3s. 6d. per week be- tween them. Charles Johnson, a navvy, brought up in custody, charged with drunkenness, in Builth, on Saturday night.—Fined 5s. and costs, allowed a fortnight to pay. John Davies, labourer, Builth, brought up in custody, charged on a warrant, with stealing a dog, the property of one Wm. Beddoes, the, evidence not being satisfactory, prisoner was discharged, complainant having to pay the costs. John Lewis Jones, a tramping tailor from Abery- daron, was brought up in custody, charged with maliciously breaking a window at the Drover's Arms, on Sunday night, when he was locked up by P.S. Flye. It appeared from the evidence of the servant girl, that at 11 o'clock on Sunday night, prisoner came into the house drunk, and began to sing and dance. He was turned out, when he im- mediately broke the window.—Committed for 21 days hard labour. Before G. Greenwood and Thos. Williams, Esqrs. George Laine, earthenware dealer, Builth, ap- peared on bail, charged with being drunk and fighting in Broad Street, Builth, on the 14th inst., when he was locked up by P.C. J ones.-Fined 5s. and costs. Evan, Bees was summoned, but did not appear, charged with being drunk and riotous in High Street, Builth, on the night of the 12th inst.—Fined 10s. and costs, to pay in a fortnight, or in default, 14 days imprisonment. John Evans, carpenter, Builth, was summoned but did not appear, charged with a similar offence. —Fined 5s. and costs, or 7 days imprisonment.

IShrtlj. June 2Ut, the wife of Mr. Rees Mornw, school- master, Lion Street, Brecon, of a son. JHeattys. June 22nd, the wife of Mr. John Protkeri* Timber Merchant, Watton, Brecon, aged 46. June 20th, Samuel Powell, haulier, > Street, Brecon, formerly a policeman of tir Printed and Published by I)AVH> his residence 6n the Bulwark.' of Saint Mary, in the Paris' Evangelist, in the Oou&ty Jtjsg 941- 18&,

BOROUGH PETTY SESSIONS. These Sessions were held on Monday last, at the Town Hall, before George Cansick, Esq., mayor, and Joseph Joseph, Esq. The Board of Health was summoned by Mr. James Hall, for non-repairs of Highway. The case was adjourned for a week. William Thomas, bill poster, was summoned, but did not appear, charged with continually post- ing bills over auction and other bills of Mr. James Halt's auctioneer, through spite from his not em- ploying him. Lewis Morgan deposed that he posted some bills for Mr. Hall on last Wednesday week, an- nouncing an auction of letting of land at Vunglais, near Brecon, for which he was paid 10s. directly he had posted them the defendant posted some other bills over those he had put up, and he at once informed Mr. Hall of the circumstance. Mr. Hall said he had no wish to severely punish the defendant, if he would promise not to repeat the offence. The Mayor said that as the defendant did not think proper to attend to the summons, he should fine him in the sum of 2s. 6d. and costs, and allow the witness his expenses, or in default 7 days. Emma Mathews, a child of very diminutive size, and about 9 years of age, was brought up in custody, charged with pocket picking, on Saturday last, in the public stieets. Ann Jones, a little girl, deposed that she lived at Llanwern; the prisoner on Saturday last put her hand in her (prosecutor's) pocket, and took out her purse, which contained 10s. 9!d. she mhsed her purse on going into the shop of Mr. Williams, grocer, Ship Street; she informed Mr. Williams of her loss he thought she may have left it at the o y last place where she had sold butter, and accom- panied her there; on the way they met a little girl named Ball, who told her that she had seen the prisoner take her purse-; they went in search of the prisoner and found her, and after taking her to Mr. Williams's shop, they found all the money on her, but the purse was gone she said her brother had thrown it away the money found on her was exactly the amount and description of money she had lost. P.C. Thomas Williams deposed, that on Saturday last the prosecutor informed him that she had lost a purse containing money, and from information he received he went in search of the prisoner, and met her mother, who informed him that the little girl was up at her grandmother's house and the money was all right; he took the girl into custody and told her she was charged with stealing a purse and money she said that her mother had the money, and that her brother had taken the money from her and hid it in the yard and thrown the purse away. The Mayor said he thought it 4as the boy they wanted, it appeared that he must have incited her to the act. Officer, yes sir, the prisoner said that her brother had told her to do so before he then took the child into custody. The Mayor asked the mother how long it was since the prisoner was charged with a like offence. The Mother About six or seven weeks since. The Mayor: You promised then that you would take care of her. Mr. Joseph said that it was a most painul circum- stance, and strange to say all her children were the same way inclined; they sent one of her children to a reformatory before, and you were the first to wish her out, they really did not know whether they had not better send her also to a reformatory. After some consultation between the magistrates the Mayor asked the mother if they would be once more lenient, would she satisfy them that she would for the future keep her from again appearino- before them, the promise was given, when the Mayor, in a most exemplary manner, in which the other magistrate joined, informed the mother that in consequence of her age they would give her one more chance, and strongly advised that she should at once receive a severe correction for the present offence, and when the boy, who, no doubt put his sister to commit the offence, returned, (he having absconded when he heard of ber apprehension) he should also have a sound correction. The prisoner was then discharged. Several parties were summoned by Mr. Hall for non-payment of poor rates, some of which were settled and others adjourned for a week.

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING. The members of the above Board met at the Beard-room, on Tuesday last, when the following gentlemen were present: George Cansick, Esq., mayor. Aldermen- Col. Pearce, K.H., and David Thomas, Esq. Councillors-John Prothero, Thos. Williams, John Griffiths, John Davies, Phillip Bright, Lewis Hughes, and Thomas Trew. S. B. Evans, Esq., town clerk. The Town Clerk informed the Board that they had met for the purpose of opening the tenders for the construction of the New Waterworks, and that he had received several. The Mayor asked the Board to wait awhile for Mr. Alderman Thomas, that the Governors of Christ College had a meeting at the same time and he had gone there, after waiting for some time- Mr. Bright said with all due deference to the gentleman who had asked the members to wait for him, he would ask the Town Clerk if he was in possession of an estimate of the cost of the works from the Engineer, if not, he would ask Mr. Davies, who was present, to produce the same at once, be- fore any of the tenders should be opened. They had powers of borrowing a sum of money, and unless they knew partly what they wanted from the esti- mate of th.e Engineer, they would not know how much to borrow. Mr. Davies said that the Board had powers to borrow J^QOO^and tho construction of the works .2h should not exceed that. A detail estimate could be got, there had been some little deviation from the original plans of the works. Mr. Bright said he wished to have the matter clear, he had heard, but he was not present, that Mr. Davies should say that S6000 would be re- quired he had a public duty to perform and to fulfil the trust reposed in him by the Burgesses, again he would ask Mr. Davies to place his estimate in the hands of the Town Clerk. Alderman Col. Pearce said that he did not see what necessity there was for having the Engineer's estimate before the tenders were opened, and pro- posed that the tenders should be opened first, which was seconded by Mr. Lewis Hughes and agreed upon. The Town Clerk proceeded to open the tenders, which were as follows, viz.:— Contract No. 2, Messrs. Guest and Crymes, of Rotherham, S161 Is. 6d. Mr. Spittle, of Newport, sent in for the three contracts, but not any sum total, only according to the quantities as supplied by the Engineer. Mr. John Coker, St. Albans, Hants, for Contract No. 3, X5219 Is. lOd. Messrs. Griffiths and Thomas, of Newport, for the three Contracts, Sc)092 Is. 4d. Mr. John Milns, Gloucester, Contract No. 3, S4988 4s. 6d. Thomas Williams, of Swansea, £7970. Messrs. Rixen and Davies, of Neath, for the whole ot the work, sent according to the specifica- tions supplied, but no sum total. Mr. Charles Jordan, Contract No. 1, X2315 Is. 8d. Mr. Esau Hargest, Brecon, Contract No. 3, X3497. Mr. John Green, Abergwily, Carmarthenshire, Contract No. 3, X5346 18s. 6d. Mr. Bright said that he would ask Mr. Davies then for his estimate of costs and quantities, otherwise he might very easily make an estimate from the tenders, after hearing them all read. There were three separate parties who had sent in for each separate contract, and addingthem together, the lowest were Hargest for No. 3, Jordan for No. 1, and Guest and Crymes for No. 2. There was so much complication, he thought, in the estimate of prices, which, if they were not careful, would prove to them a sort of quick sand, into which they would soon sink, and would be no very easy matter to get extricated. He would therefore move that Mr. Davies should at once produce his estimate of costs. Col. Pearce said that he would second the pro- position, but tllat he had no doubt Mr. Davies was fullv prepared. Mr. Davies said that he had for some time made a detail estimate, which couid be supplied. At this stage of the proceedings Mr. Alderman Thomas said that he did not think it right that Mr. Davies should produce his estimate while the members of the press were in attendance, it was not a fair thing that Mr. Davies' estimate should go before the public until they had made their selection from the various tenders, and moved that the members of the press should retire, and the Board at ence to form a committee to go earnestly into the matter. Mr. Lewis Hughes seconded the proposition, and the worshipful the Mayor politely requested us to retire, which of course we did, therefore what af- terwards transpired we are unable to inform our readers, but we are given to understand that the meeting was adjourned until next Monday.