The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

NOTICE TO ADYBRUSERS AND CORRESPONDENTS. A llCorrespondence and Advertisements to be ad- dressed to the Editor, "Reporter" Office, Bulwark, Brecon, on or before Friday mornitllJ. 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.

THE announcement of the extensive ravages of a cattle plague in this country has taken the public by surprise, and has become so thoroughly supported from day to day by fresh evidences of its existence and diffusion, as to create pos- itive alarm. In no country is the supply of good, wholesome meat considered of such paramount importance as in England, and when this is threatened, the impending visitation affects the whole community. There is good reason why the existence of the murrain should only have been made generally known within the last few days, although it made its appear- ance full two or three months ago. Cattle dealers and cattle owners at first conjectured that the disease was peculiar to certain unfortunate purchasers in their own stock, and made up their minds to say nothing about it, but-as is usual in such cases—to dispose of the bad bargains as best they could. Many unwit- tingly introduced infected animals into their sheds, and thus prepared the way for a wide- spread prevalence of the disease. To Professor Gamgee, Principal of the Albert Veterinary Surgeon to the National Association for the Prevention of Cattle Diseases is due the credit of having first drawn atten- tion to the murrain, and placed both the public and the majority of cattle owners on their guard. Had it not been for the Marylebone meeting, at which the professor announced the results of his investigations, and his valuable letters to the press on the subject, we might still have remained in ignorance of the exis- tence of the disease, and only discovered it when it had affected half the cattle of the country. Even now it has obtained such a deep hold as to justify serious uneasiness, more especially in the counties nearest to the metro- polis; and its ravages go on from week to week in increased ratio. So rapidly has it spread that each week the cattle of a fresh county have been contaminated; and as, in many cases, infected animals are hurried off for sale to adjacent districts as soon as the disease appears, it is impossible at present to estimate the extent of the evil. With regard to the rapidity with which it extends after it once breaks out, we are informed that in a dairy farm in Surrey it appeared on a Saturday and by the Monday following eleven cows were affected out of a herd of between thirty and forty. Again at Essex marshes, a herd of between seventy and eighty was reduced to half that number in ten days. At a rough estimate, Professor Gamgee calculated that during one month no less than 2,000 beasts had become affected. Within seven weeks from ten to twenty per cent. of the animals of the metroplis have been destroyed. The disease, it appears, is no new thing, but is believed to be the same that destroyed a great number of cattle more than a century ago. It has since made its appearence though with less violence from time to -time and was known to have raged recently among the cattle of the Russian and Austrian Steppes. Strange to say, although we constantly import large num- bers of beasts from those quarters, no measures were taken to guard against the introduction of the murrain; and in this, as in so many other cases, the sarcasm of the old adage about the horse and the stable door has been fully jus- tified Professor Gamgee has traced the sale of infected stock from abroad to the 19th of June; but Mr. John Whitmore, medical officer of health for Marylebone, asserts that the intro- duction of the disease maybe dated form May, when a large importation of Russian and Hungarian cows took place, and the animals, which were sold in the market at 2id. per pound, were mostly infected. The disease; in its nature, is a typhoid fever, I and its symptoms are described by one authority as chiefly the existence of diarrhoea, of air in the tissues beneath the skin, dis- charges from the eyes and nostrils, and a fall- ing in the hind quarters. Professor Gamgee enumerates, as the. first syptoms a sudden suppression of the milk secretion, loss of appetite, shivering, extended head and drooping ears, husky cough, discharges from eyes and nose, and either costivcness- or diarhoea. It is important that cattle keepers should bear these symptoms distinctly' in mind and at once remove from the rest of their stock any beast in which they may appear. At the early stages the malady is not nearly so infec- tious as in its later development, and by timely watchfulness and prompt removal any serious ravages may be averted, even in a herd where infected cattle may have found their way. Where the existence of the disease may be suspected, it is necessary to take the greatest precautions to secure through cleanliness and ventilation in the sheds, &c., and disinfectants should be freely used. To guard against the spread of,the disease, it is strongly recommen- ded that the cattle should be kept as much as possible in small lots, so that an infected animal may be the more readily discovered and separated from the rest before they can suffer from contagion. For animals actually diseased, the advice of an experienced surgeon should be had recourse to, but the general treatment recom- mended is careful nursing, a diet of meal and water, moderate use of tonics and stimulants, and, in some cases, hot water applications. The National Association for the Prevention of cattle Diseases has, through Professor Gamgee, expressed its readiness to give special instructions in cases which may demand them. For the benefit of our readers, whom it may especially ooncern, we will add that the offices of this most usefull association are at 48, Pall- mall, London. We must caution all persons whose cattle are at present free from infection, against the purchase, while the disease in raging, of animals from any market into which foreign beasts largely find their way. Mr. Whitmore's observation is very instructive on this point. He remarks, "In no single instance have I found the disease to exist in those cow-houses, the proprietors of which have carefully avoided replenishing their stocks from the London markets." Professor Gamgee recommends that all dealings should be effected with per- sons of undoubted respectability, and that a special warranty should be obtained with the animals bought. All newly-bought cattle should be kept separate for no less than ten days, that the disease may have time to show itself, if it exist among them. It is sufficiently proved by the introduction of this plague amoug our cattle, and the extent to which it has spread so rapidly, that there is p a lamentable deficiency in the precaution and supervision that should be exercised in the cattle improtation. The way in which beasts are herded together on the decks, and in the holds of our sea-going steamers, is a disgrace to the authorities by whose suffrance it exists, and is itself often sufficient to cause disease where it may not previously exist. But there is, besides, no careful inspection of im- ported animals to prevent the landing of the disease refuse of other nations; veterinary officers stationed at some of our ports are, as Professor Gamgee remarks, constantly in the habit of passing a ship load of cattle in the most hasty manner, in order "not to lose the market." We regret to find that the Govern- ment through the officers of the Privy Council have expressed their reluctance to take the necessary steps to prevent a continuance of the evil, or to check it now that it exists, by en- forcing the destruction of animals past cure. It will strike the uninitiated as being some- what absurd that in a case of this kind the authorities should plead that they "have not sufficient power to act" for the obvious benefit of the nation. If that be the case we may be pardoned for the conclusion that a little whole- some despotism is at times a very useful thing

IT WOULD INDEED BE A HARD CASE if all men were alike, and generally of a body -of men, who- ever or wherever they may be, it is rare to find not one dissentient voice. Our own. opinion for in- stance may be highly obnoxious to some people, but the real question in all cases ultimately is, What is the opinion of the majority? Consequent- ly, in nearly every case, the minority share the praise or blame of the majority, in so far as they form part of the same body. And it is only when a distinction is drawn between the one party and the other, that the action of the minority, if wrong, ..I! (as the wrong side will always eventually be in the minority,) shows the folly of contending against .1 what is right and proper, whilst on the other hand, if right reflects honor on them, that they have had the courage in some cases to detect and show up specious statements, in others to resist overpower- ing odds, and in all cases to act as men who feel that onwards should be the watchword of every mal1..and every town that is not desirous of being left behind in the race of life. We intend these few observations to be taken as a rider to a com- munication which appeared in our impression of last week. We did not at all mean to convey that the promoters of stagnation or retrogression in this town were having it all their own way, they have certainly made some (we hope temporary) converts, but there is a remnant still left of good men and true promoters of the real interests of this Borough, which might, from the situation which nature has endowed it, be one of the health- iest in Great Britain, and as the capital of the richest agricultural and pastoral district in Wales, be the centre of trade and commerce, especially if one or two good companies (limited) could be started,-limited also we mean to making profit by their shares only. We remember reading in a volume of Kingsley's a very amusing account of a race of people called the "Know I Nothings," in whose land there grew a species of tree called the "flapdoodle," the people used to lie under these trees and the wind use to shake down the fruit into their mouths; the pigs, too, there ran about ready roasted with a carving knife and fork stuck into them, but of course, from being roasted, they never grew, nor ever had any progeny to succeed them, as also the flapdoodle" trees for want of culture they fell off, and finally after a time disappeared. The story, which is in itself highly instructive, then proceeds to narrate how they degenerated from one thing to another, until the last we hear of them is, that there was only one representative of the race left, who fell before the bullet of a mighty hunter, with these his last words in his mouth-a babababoo-Am I a man and a brother? Let us take warning from this, and tender our heartfelt thanks to those who would not admit that this Borough is crippled by debt, but contend rather that its resources are elastic, that a brilliant futnre is opening before it, that it is only necessary to be up and doing-to stretch forth one's hand and grasp the reality-to make it our own. —Communicated.

BOROUGH PETTY SESSIONS. These Sessions were held on Monday last, at the Town Hall, before George Cansick, Esq., Mayor, and John Williams, Esq. William Gabriel, Henry Thomas, and Thomas Jones, three lads, were summoned charged with gambling, by playing at pitch and toss, on Sunday, the 30th July last, in the parish of saint John the Evangelist. All three admitted the charge, but stated they did not know they were doing wrong. The bench said they were very sorry to see three boys of their age brought there with such a charge against them, that if their parents could not afford to send them to a week day school they may easily send them to the Sunday school, where they would learn the difference between good and evil without much expense. Their worships hoped that would be a caution to others to prevent their children to do such works on the sabbath, and dismissed them on payment of 5s each costs. James Kays, woodman, was brought up in cus- tody, charged by the Board of Guardians with de- serting his wife and children, and allowing them to become chargeable to the parish of saint David's. Mr. D. W. J. Thomas appeared on behalf of the Guardians, Richard Williams, relieving officer, deposed that he had relieved prisoner's wife since April last, she applied for relief because her husband was away, and her parents could not keep her, she had been relieved by the parish to the amount of £316s. Superintendent Lee, deposed that the prisoner had been handed over to him at Mitcheldean, on the Saturday previous. The prisoner informed the bench that his wife had left him to come to Brecon for change of air in consequence of ill health, and he himself had been ill, and had only worked about three weeks. Their worships said they thought the ends of justice would be met if the man would take his wife and family with him, that if they sent him to prison, it would only be adding more expense to the parish, and as the case did not appear to them to be a very bad. one, they -would, dismiss the pri- soner if he promised to support his family in future. The prisoner promised to do so. George Jones, was summoned by Mary Talking- ton, charged with assaulting her on Saturday night, 2.9th, July last, but did not appear. Their wor- ships, after hearing the evidence, fined him £2 in- cluding costs.

BRECONSHIRE VOLUNTEER RIFLE COMPETITION. v This annual competition took place at Llangorse, in this county, commencing on Tuesday and closed on Thursbay evening last. The shooting range is most beautifully situated on the common at the upper end of the lake, the targets having at their back a sheet of water about two miles in length, and in their front an excellent flat open space, second to none, we believe, for single target firing either at long or short ranges, which reflects credit on those who had the management of selecting the ground. The weather proved remarkably favorable for the two first days, which, no doubt, caused the attendance to be so great. On the grounds we noticed Sir J. R. Bailey. Bart., Lady Bailey, and party, Capt. Hotchkis, and Mrs. Hotchkis, Major Gwynne, and Mrs, Gwynne, Crickhowell, Doctor Lucas, and party, Crickhowell, Capt. Seymour, and Mrs. Seymour, Crickhowell, Col. Lindsay, Adju- tant Hughes, Ensign D. Evans, Capt. Lloyd, and a large number of other ladies and gentlemen who were invited by Sir Joseph and Lady Bailey, to partake of a most sumptuous luncheon, spread out in an unique tent in the rear of the firing par- ties. J. Maund, Esq., umpire. We are unable to publish the scoring of each competitor, but intend doing so next week if we can get a, copy from the scorer's book. The prizes shot for were as follows:— First day-County prize and medal; £30, 600 and 700 yards, five rounds at each range. Open to winners and first class men only. The ifrst prize and medal was taken to Brynmawr. The Ladies' prize, £ 25, 200 and 400 yards, five rounds at each range. The first prize was taken to Talgarth. Second day—The Battalion Cup, value £22, given by the officers. 200 and 500 yards. To be competed for, by 10 men from each company, and 5 men from each sub-division. Prize to be adjudg- ed according to the aggregate number 'of points and hits made. 5 rounds at each range. This prize was taken to Crickhowell.. The Umpire's prize of £5.. was next shot for by two of each company that made the highest score in the last competition, five rounds each at 200 yards, which terminated in favor of the Bryn- mawr men. The drill-instructors competed next and the prize was taken by the instructor at Brynmawr. 3rd day—The Railway Stakes, open to all-comers in uniform. Entrance 10s each with X- 10 added. The first prize was taken to Presteign, the second to Dowlais, and the third and fourth to Brecon, this closed the third and last day's shooting, which was anything but pleasant, the rain at times falling in torrents.

:.M, Carriage* ;> j fcvO'' Philpotts Homfray. At Llansaintfrend church, Brecon, August 8th, by the Rev. Thomas Watkins, M.A., Rector, A.lr. J. R. Philpotts, of Newnham, Glo'ster, to Elleanor Mira, second daughter of Harry Homfray, Esq., of Scethrog House, Brecon- shire, and niece of William Crawshay, Esq., Caves- ham Park, Berks.

THE WELSH MEMORIAL TO THE LATE PRINCE CONSORT. The statue raised by the people of Wales in memory of Albert the Good" is now unveiled, and stands a prominent object on the coast of South Wales. The proceedings of the ceremony went off without disappointment or obstruction, and the weather, which was threatening in the morning, afterwards cleared up. Thousands of people flocked to the town, and arrivals by steamer and train continued to pour in even after the ceremony had been concluded. In the course of the morn- ing a detachment of the 62nd Regiment arrived from Milford, and there were also Volunteer Corps from Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock, besides the Castle Martin Yeomanry. These were dis- posed around the Castle-hill and at the foot of the monument. Opposite the monument was erected a gallery for ladies and subscribers to the memorial, and adjoining it was a raised dais for the reception of Prince Arthur and his suite. Here seats were placed for the Prince and his attendants. A pro- cession was formed at the Gatehouse Hotel, in which the mayors of Neath, Denbigh. Brecon, Newport, Carmarthen, Swansea, Haverfordwest, &c., magistrates, clergy, sheriffs, lord-lieutenants, and the corporation of Tenby took part. The Prince walked in the procession. He was attired in a Highland dress, and looked re- markably well. The procession first wound round the hill and the monument, and then the principal personages entered the raised dais. The Mayor of Tenby (Mr. G. White), as chairman of the Memorial Committee, then advanced to his Royal Highness, and read the following address from the people of Wales:- May it please your Royal Highness,—We, the contributors to the erection in Tenby of a memo- rial statue of his Royal Highness the Prince Con- sort, approach your Royal Highness with senti- ments of loyal and dutiful attachment to the person of our gracious Sovereign the Queen and to her Royal House. It is with feelings of the liveliest pleasure that we see among us a son of the illustrious Prince whose memory the statue to be now inaugurated is designed to honour. And we desire humbly to express our grateful sense of deep obligation to Her Majesty for the twofold favour she has conferred upon us-first, in having been graciously pleased to give the sanction of her approbation to the erection of the memorial now, to be unveiled to public view; and, next, for allowing your Royal Highness to act as her re- presentative on this occasion. By the liberality of an individual contributor we have been enabled to erect this memorial on a site possessing in an eminent degree the advantage of being at once singularly conspicious and of perfectly easy ac- cess. As a work of art we trust that it may be found not unworthy of the favorable judgment of Her Majesty, and, however unequal every such monument must be to the dignity of the subject, it will, at least, as we hope, be for generations to come a witness to the affectionate loyalty of the Welsh people, to their respectful sympathy with the private sorrow of their Queen, and to their just appreciation of the noble qualities and the great public services by which your Royal Highness's illustrious father won the admiration and gratitude of the country." To this his Royal Highness made the following gracious reply "Mr. Mayor and gentlemen,—I hardly know how to thank you as I could wish for your kind address. How deeply it would have touched and pleased my dear mother, could she have been here herself, to witness, in the reception which I, as her son, have this day met with, the proof of the unshaken loyalty and affection of her Welsh sub- jects and, above all, to trace in the noble work of art to be now uncovered such gratifying evidence of their reverence for the great and noble qualities of my beloved father and appreciation of his great. public services I shall never forget this day, nor your kind welcome; and I shall ever think with pride and pleasure of having been allowed, young as I am, to represent my dear mother on this most interesting occasion." (Great Applause.] At a signal from the Mayor the statue was un- covered, and a burst of admiration rose from the assembled crowd as the bands played and the guns from the battery on the opposite hill fired a Royal salute. The procession then re-formed, walked round the monument, and conducted the Prince back to the town. Between 2 and 3 o'clock a sumptuous luncheon was laid out in the assembly-room, at the Gate- house Hotel, which was tastefully ornamented for the occasion with flags, &c., the Red Dragon of Wales, the national crest, being conspicuous. Per- haps the greatest oraments which graced the room, however, were to be found in the three galleries, which were fully occupied by the fair ladies of Wales. A raised table at the head of the room was occupied by the principal guests. The Mayor of Tenby, by virtue of his office, presided, and on his right and left side were his Royal Highness Prince Arthur and Prince Leiningen. There was also among the company the Bishop of St. David's, Lord Llanover, Sir James Hamilton, Major Elphin- stone, Sir Charles Phipps, Sir W. Owen, Mr. Lort Phillips, M.P., the high sheriffs of Carmarthenshire* Pembrokeshire, and Montgomeryshire, the mayors of Carmarthen, Haverfordwest, Pembroke, Gardin, Newport, Brecon, Swansea, Neath, Cardigan, Denbigh, and the High Bailiff of Merthyr, Major- General Murray, Lieutenant-Colonel Mann, Colonel Stepney, Captain Mason, Archdeacon Allen, and others of the clergy. Griffiths, harper to Lord Llanover, played pieces between the toasts. At the conclusion of the repast, the Mayor having given "the Health of Her Majesty the Queen," The Bishop of St. Davids rose to propose the principal toast of the day, "the Memory of His Royal Highness the Prince Consort." ) The Mayor then gave the toast of "their Royal Highnesses thePrmce and Princess of Wales," afterwards the health of Prince Arthur." His Royal Highness rose, and in a clear and distinct voice spoke as follows :— "Ladies and Gentlemen,—I thank you most heartily for the kind manner in which you have received these toasts, and I am much obliged for the kind attention which has everywhere been shown to me in South Wales. The Queen has directed me to propose the health of her loyal Welsh people." (Prolonged cheering.) The toast having been duly honoured, Lord Llanover responded as follows :— May it please your Royal Highness, my Lord Bishop, Ladies, and Gentlemen,—In compliance with the request of the Mayor, I rise to respond to the toast which your Royal Highness has just given-a toast which, I can venture to say, not merely touches the heart of every Welshman here present, but which will be treasured in the memory of thousands of "Her Majesty's loyal Welsh per pIe," and be recorded from generation'-to gener- ation. (Cheers.) I should, indeed, be insensible, if I did not greatly prize the privilege I now enjoy of endeavouring to express the gratitude of my countrymen now present, as well as those not in the room, for this proof of the Queen's remem- brance of us in the toast which, by Her Majesty's gracious command, your Royal Highness has just given. (Cheers.) But I also feel deeply the im- possibility of finding words of sufficient power to express the feelings of the Welsh people, whose unvarying loyalty affords the best proof of their devoted attachment to Her who is not merely their hereditary ruler, but who is the sovereign of their affections. (Cheers.) The Cymry not only res- pect and obey, but they love, their Queen; and in the inauguration of the memorial which has taken place this day we are especially remided of that illustrious and ever-to-be-lamented Prince whom she selected as her Consort, by which act she conferred a real blessing upon her subjects, which the Welsh have to acknowledge in common with the other races that people Her Majesty's dominions. (" Hear, hear," and cheers.) The in- fluence of the Prince Consort was naturally felt throughout the whole length and breadth of those vast dominions it was an influence so good, so mild, so just, so wise, that when it ceased to exist the loss was universally deplored, and a blank was created which can never ba supplied. (Hear, hear.) BefDre I conclude I beg to b,, permitted to notice some remarkable circumstances and coincidences connected with this occasion. It the first place the propitious circumstances of the presence of a Prince who bears the name of Arthur -that name so dear to Welshmen. Next, it is a Remarkable coincidence that it was on this very shore, 384 years ago, that Henry of Richmond landed ih this month of August, within four days of the,prespnt date, soon after which the battle of Bosworth was fought, when the banner of the Red Dragon of Wales, ever foremost in the fight led on the Welsh to victory. (" Hear, hear," and cheers.) I see that that noble Dragon has not been forgotten in the decorations of this room. It has been the em- blem of stanch support of the Throne, and is still the crest and the banner of the principality. I must also add that the worthy Mayor who now presides at this banquet is the lineal descendant of the White, in this town of Tenby, who rendered most important services to that same Henry of Richmond who was afterwards one of the greatest Sovereigns of the Tudor dynasty. (Loud cheers.) I could cite many instances to show that Tenby and the county of Pembroke are most particularly associated with the historical annals of Wales, and its selection for the solemn ceremony of this day is^ rendered still more appropriate by its being within the diocess of St. David's and not far from the cathedral of the titular saint of the principality. (Hear, hear.) Once more, in the name of my coun- trymen, I beg to thank your Royal Highness for the toast thus graciously given, and I beg also to offer our humble duty to the Queen, with the as- surance of the devoted attachment of Her Majes- ty's Loyal People of Wales." (Loud and long- continued cheering.) Lord Llanover, having given the last toast of the evening, "the health of the Chairman of the Memorial Committe." The Mayor (Mr. White) responded in a few happy sentences, and the party rose. His Royal Highness and suite returned to his apartments at. the Gatehouse Hotel, and shortly afterwards left in a carriage for the railway station, and proceeded by train to Pembroke dock, a salute of 21 guns honouring his departure. His Royal Highness went on board the Victoria and Albert yacht the same evening, and returned by sea to Osborne. As the day was a general holiday throughout the district, the streets of Tenby were thronged until night. Some of the steamers were late in departing, and their twinkling lights were visible far at sea long after sunset.