The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS 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.

t1 BOROUGH PETTY SESSIONS. These Sessions were held on Monday last, before George Cansick, Esq., mayor, and Joseph Joseph, Esq. Morgan Davies, sawyer, was summoned,, charged by P.C. Williams, with being drunk and riotous. Defendant admitted the charge.—Fined Is. and costs. George Wall was summoned, charged by P.C. Williams, with being drunk and indecent. De- fendant denied .the charge of indecency, but ad- mitted that he was drunk,. The Mayor said that the summons did not include the charge of indecency. The Clerk said that it was an omission, and he should have the benefit of it.—Fined Is. and costs. David Lewis, King's Head, Kensington, was summoned, Charged by P.C. Williams, with keep- ing his house open at illegal hours. The bench asked him if he did not know better, particularly as there was a chapel open opposite the house.— Fined £1 including costs. James Edwards, river watcher, was brought up in custody, charged by Jane Williams, with an indecent assault. Mr. Thomas, junr., appeared for the prosecutor, and Mr. T. B. Bishop for the defendant. Mr. Thomas explained the matter to the bench, relating to what is unfit for publication, and called the following evidence. Jane Williams, deposed that she lived at the Tithe Barn with her grandfather Job Price, and her father and mother; on Friday last she was going for water between 11 and 12 o'clock, the prisoner met her, and asked her where her father was she told him that he was at work he then asked her where her mother was she said in the house; he said how beautiful the fish look in the river; she said that she did not know anything about fish; he said that, it was very cold upon the Beacons she said she had never been there he then threw her down and rose up her clothes she hollowed,; he pulled down his clothes, and put his hand on her mouth to stop her from hollowing; she endeavoured to pull his hand off, and pulled it off again he then went away and let her go; she then'went home with the tin of water there was nobody at home but her two sisters, biit she told him that her mother was, to frighten him. Cross examined by Mr. Bishop r fihe knew the defendant before saw him almost every day; knew he was a river watcher; he often passed the field where he attempted the offence C she was fetching water, and he was coming on the path from the town there were generally people pass- ing that way; after he threw her down he sat by her; there was people fishing opposite, and navvies working at the railway; he always be- haved civil to her before this occasion she had a conversation with the prisoner for some time she had been out of the house about a quarter of an hour before this took place; when he threw her down, he had his hand upon her mouth, and she then told him that her mother was at home and that she would tell her, but when she got home there were only her two sisters there when her mother came home she told her all about it he did not hurt her much, but he could have prevent- ed her from calling out if he had a mind her mother m-azat work up at the fields she did not go up to tell her then, but when her father came home to dinner he asked her what that man had been trying to do to her; she said he had not done much harm to her; he did not fetch a doctor nor a policeman my mother came home she did not tell her anything about it, but her father did she went out that evening for water as usual; she was not afraid it was about 7 or 8 o'clock when she came home; she was not afraid that she would meet Edwards when she went for the water she never spoke to any of the navvies she intended telling her mother, but her father did so; she came and told the whole matter to the mayor she always took the prisoner as a friend the nav- vies may have heard her call out. Samuel Williams, laborer, deposed that he was at work on the railway near Newton pool, on Fri- day last; he noticed a man and a female in the next field to where they were working; it was about 11 or 12 o'clock they were looking into the river, and suddenly he saw the woman fall down and raise her hands. In answer to the mayor this witness said that he thought she was struggling she did not fall down of her own accord saw her struggle twice he saw the prisoner pass that way a short time before. Cross examined: When he saw her struggling he was about a distance of 10 yards off; prisoner could see him as well as he could see prisoner; he and his other butties employed were bound to time on the railway, and Consequently they did not interfere, but they made observations on the matter, and a man, but he did not know his name, who is present, was on the platform of the work, and saw all that he had stated.; he informed the father of all that had taken place, because he knew the child the father enquired of him if it was true, he said,it was. Henry Reed deposed that on Friday last, he witnessed an indecent attempt by the defendant on the prosecutor, for some 20 minutes, and he ultimately threw her down he then lost sight of them; he heard no screams. Cross examined: It was between 11 and 12 o'clock; there i were many people passing; he could not say that the prosecutor was the party that he saw struggling if he thought it was, he should hav# gone to her rescue he had seen girls and b%s playing.in3like manner. Moses. Russel deposed that he was employed on the railway above Newton pool on the day in ques- tion he noticed between ll and 12 o'clock, a man and woman, they appeared to be examining the river in a short time he noticed the parties on the ground, and the woman attempting to strug- gle he heard two cries, as of a person in distress he was so near, that; he could not mistake in a short time he saw a second struggle, and he went to see what was the matter, but meeting the par- ties together returning, he went back to his work; he only knew the prisoner by slight acquaint- ance; he knew the prosecutor by merely seeing her occasionally, and told her father what he had seen. Cross examined: He knew the prisoner he brought a charge against him and four others for illegally fishing, but he thought under a false charge the charge was not brought before the magistrates for some tinje afterwards ■*» he really had no ill will towards the prisoner he did not know a man named Morgan Powell who was work- ing on the line with him. Mr. Thomas addressed the bench for the prose- cution, remarking, that he was surprised at the defence set up, and having analyzed the whole of the evidence, in a most impressive speech pointed out the enormity of the offence comniitted upon so young a female, adverting to facts proved in evidence and which is unfit for publication. Mr. Bishop, under the new act, replied in de- fence of the prisoner, at great length. Their worships, after a short consultation, said that their best, mode would be, according; to the evidence, to commit the prisoner for trial. After the usual caution, the prisoner said that all he had to say was, that he was not guilty. Bail was tendered and accepted, himself in £20, and two sureties in £ 10 each,^

-1 WANTED. A PRACTICAL GA2DENERwha unae«toi'f gardening in all its branches, wishes an gagement for two or three days a week.' Apply at the Office oj this Paper. Printed and Published by DAVID his residence on the Bulwark, m the Chap^ of Saint Mary, in the Parish of SamtJ Evangelist, in the County of Brecon.. SEPTEMBER 9, 1865. ".j'

THE history of the cattle plague in this country has recently exhibited a new phase, somewhat remarkable in its character. Usually, as we become familiar with visitations of this kind, we obtain some certain knowledge of their origin, and although we may not be able to explain their development, can clearly trace it. We may yet, it is true, be enabled to do so with respect to the cattle murrain, but at present this is certainly not the case. We have proceeded from light-or what seemed light—to darkness; from certainty to uncer- tainty. At first there appeared no doubt that the disease was a foreign importation, and that it was, in fact, the disorder familiarly known in Russia and Germany as the steppe murrain. Its introduction was attributed distinctly to a cargo of beasts received at Hull from Revel, and afterwards sold in Manchester and London. This seemed sufficient, a few weeks ago, to account for its appearance, and for its preval- ence in certain districts. Now, however, the phenomena of the disease have caused great doubts to b6 entertained as to, the accuracy of this theory, even on the part of many who had at first warmly supported it. It is not suprising that there should be an absence of unanimity among the scientific authorities on the subject; but we could scarcely have expected so many opinions and such adverse views as have been recently placed before the public. There are, in fact, parties and sections of parties in favour of particular theories, and particular modifications of tvem. Some assert that it is epidemic, others that it is endemic; some maintain positively that it is contagious; while others deny this with equal confidence; some hold that it has its origin in the ground, while others are of opinion that it is derived more immediately and directly from the atmosphere. All find themselves able to bring forward particular facts, which taken by themselves, seem to sup- port their views. "Who shall decide when doctors disagree?" And certainly, when cattle doctors differ, newspaper writers can scarcely be expected to settle the points in dispute. It is, however, their proper province to point out, as they arise, the most prominent facts respecting the subject under discussion, and the consideration of which will probably result eventually in more harmony of opinion among our scientific men. Two or three facts of considerable importance have been an- nounced within the last few days. First, as to the importation of the disease. The asser- tion that it came in the first instance, from Revel has, as might have been expected, been taken up by the dealers of that district with some warmth; and a certificate has been for- warded from the It first veterinarian" of the province of Esthonia, to the effect that when the particular cargo of beasts which- is said to have introduced the murrain into this country was dispatched, a perfectly sound state of health prevailed among the cattle, and in no part of the province had a cattle plague, or any other contagious diwaso 'ade its appearance, mach less had the slightest trace of murrain existed." This docum. might scarcely have been credited a few day# |jack; or it would have been thought that if th» disease had not a appeared at the tiflie stated, the animals at least brought the seeds of it over with them. But the gravest doubts now arise as to whether it be of foreign importation at all. It is observed making its appearance in the most abrupt and remarkable manner in various parts of the country, among herds into which no foreign beast has ever been intro- duced, and which have been careMly secluded from even the possibility of contagion. One of the most striking instances of this kind has been mentioned within the last few days, and occurred among a herd of cattle kept by Mies Bnrdett Coutts, at Holly-lodge, near Highgatfe.- These animals, we are told, comprised twenty cows of the Ayshire breed, and an Aldemey bull. They had been some time at Holly-lodge, and, until within the last week, were in excel- lent health. As may he supposed, they were kept under the most favourable circumstances as to cleanliness, &e, All at once the disease appeared, and one after another the cows sank beneath it, until 'nineteen out of the twenty were carried off. The surviving twentieth, strange to say, was the cow in which the die-1 order first appeared, and which seemed at one time to be in the worst condition. The bull was never attacked by the disease, Here, at least, is an instance on which we may rely. When professional dealers proclaim that no foreign cattle have introduced the murrain into their herds, but that its appear- ance has been spontaneous, we may be inclined to attribute the announcement to the desire to discountenance a belief which might restrict their operations. But when the disease is found to break out in a secluded herd in the possession of a private lady, and keep with the greatest possible care, the importation theory appears divested of the high degree of proba- bility by which it was at first surrounded. The fact is, that we need not look abroad for causes sufficient to account for the disease, whatever may be its precise nature and development Granted that it is owing to an atmospheric influence, and the phenomena of it appearance are, of course, explained at once. But we need not necessarily adopt this con- clusion. We may find sufficient to account for both its existence and its spread in this country in the. conditions under which large numbers of our cattle habitually exist. If close, unhealthy dwellings, reeking with filth and poisonous exhalations, be sufficient, as we know, to cause the appearance of an epidemic among human beings, can we feel surprised if the same condition of things pro- duces a similar effect uqon cattle ? What are the noisome dens, which from the cattle sheds" of the metropolis and other large towns, but fit nurseries of pestilence and disease ? It is surprising that we do not have an annual cattle plague, or at least' a murrain, every hot summer, like the present. As it is, although we rarely witness the breaking out of a pestilence, we may attribute the compara- tive immunity to the superior natural constitu- tion of our beasts, which are, in fact, the best, and among the hardiest, in the world. But the vile conditions in which our cattle are placed, if they do not often cause a murrain like that now raging, have always a very serious influence in depreciating the quality of the meat and the milk, which form such staple ingredienta in the food of the population. more careful inspection and supervision of the cattle sheds in our large towns, and, indeed, all over the kingdom, is urgently required; and until this be established we may occasion ally look to Marylebone or Bermondsey for the origin of disease, without going so far as to Revel, on the Austrian and Russian steppes. Already on the Continent the imputation of originating the present plague is casti in. return upon the English cattle; although, as our business is almost exclusively in importation, our neighbours can have little to fear on that head. But we very much question whether the carelessness and ignorance of stockkeepers and dealers at home have not had something more to do with the outbreak and spread of the present murrain than was at first supposed. ,C' II II

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING. The above Board assembled at their rooms, in the Guild Hall, on Monday last, when the follow- ing gentlemen were present George Cansick. Efeq., in the chair. Aldermen—David Thomas, Esq., and Col. Pearce, K.H. Councillors—Messrs. John Morris, Thomas Williams, John Davies, Lewis Hughes, and Thomas Trew. S. B. Evans, Esq., Town Clerk. The Town Clerk read the minutes of the last meeting, and informed the Board that he had not received any reply from the Secretary of State to his application for powers to borrow X2000 in ad- dition to the £5000, for the construction of the new Waterworks. The Town Clerk in reply to the Board said that his first duty was to attend to the money question, and then the land, that he anticipated no difficulty in either after they had obtained the necessary powers. Alderman Col. Pearce said he agreed with their Clerk, that they should not proceed until the money was obtained. { j Mr. Jordan informed the Board, by letter, that unless his contract was at once accepted, he would be no further responsible for the same price, for the piping. The Town Clerk read the resignation of Mr. B. Farmer as Borough officer. Mr. Morris said that he did not see how they could accept his resignation until his books had been examined. The Town Clerk, in reply to the Board, said that Farmer had always collected his rates in a manner that required no comment or bad opinion. Mr. Bright said he thought Mr. Farmer would expect liis salary, and at the same time, the Board should receive a settlement of accounts. Mr. Davies said he was of the same opinion, and thought that the whole of the rate should be col- lected first. The matter was left to stand over until a future Meeting. The Town Clerk called the attention of the Board to the Pennant Road question. Mr. Alderman Thomas said that be was quite willing to have the road repaired as a private, but not as a public one, and would take the necessary steps to do so, provided he got a guarantee that it should be used as a private road. The Town Clerk said that if Mr. Thomas thought that it was a private road, he should take the ne- cessary proceedings at Quarter Sessions, and if right, close it at once, if not, submit to have it repaired but would the footpath as well be shut up from the public 1 Mr. Alderman Thomas said no, the path should be left open and the road only should be made a private one. V; Mr. Griffiths asked if the road was to be private to Lord Tredegar's property only.—Yes. The Town Clerk informed the Board that it was all a matter of consideration for them whether the road should be made private or would they defend it at Quarter Sessions. Mr. Davies said that he did not think the pub- lic cared much about the road whether it was pub- lic or private. After a long discussion it was agreed that some arrangement should be made with Mr. Hall, the auctioneer, previous to the next meeting. The Gas account was next introduced, and after some discussion, it was agreed that the accounts should be paid more punctually in future. The Mayor informed the Board that he had paid particular attention to the sanitary state of the town, and had accompanied the Inspector to the different parts of the town, he found every district in a better state than he expected, which was very satisfactory. He found a part of the Maddrel brook stopped up, and had given orders for it to be repaired. A general discussion ensued on this subject, and it was unanimously agreed that the Board should spare no expense in preserving and improv- ing the present sanitary condition of the town. The Mayor said that from the past arrangements which he had made, and the future measures he intended to adopt, he thought everything would be done to the full satisfaction of the Board. The Town Hall was granted to Mr. Ince, a gen- tleman artist, for one week, for the purpose of ex- hibiting his pictures for sale. The meeting was afterwards adjourned until that day week.

=• .s.. ODDFELLOWSHIP The Dowlais District of the Ancient Order of Oddfellows visited this town on Monday last with an excursion train from Pant, and in consequence of the day being remarkably fine a large number of, friends accompanied them. On their arrival, The members of SAINT JOHN'S LODGE, BRECON, who had assembled at their lodge room at nine o'Clock a.m., headed by a brass band, met them opposite the Barracks, and marched them back to the New Lion Inn, where they re-assembled about eleven o'Clock, paraded through the streets of the town, and proceeded to the cricket field, which had been engaged for the occasion, where there were all kinds of rural sports enjoyed by hundreds of people, such as dancing, cricketing, flat-racing, throwing at the three cups, quoits, old aunt Sally, &c., which continued with good spirit np to four o'clock, when the procession re-formed and return- ed to the lodge room, where upwards of 80 of the members partook of an excellent dinner provided by the host, Mr. John Brace. P. P. G. M. Wood, occupied the chair, and the members enjoyed them- selves until a late hour. II" :&- THE LOfSILURIAN LODGE Held their Anniversary on the same day, and at the hour of twelve at noon, the members, about 80 in number, assembled at their lodge room, at the Angel Inn, from whence they proceeded in good order, several of the brotherhood being dressed in full regalia, headed by a brass band, and a most magnificent seamless silk banner, with the emblem of the order on it, to Llanfaes church, where the Rev. R. Price, Vicar, prelilleed a most appropriate attid impressive sermon:, after ■which they paraded the streets, and returned to their lodge room, where they partook of a most excel- lent dinner, provided by their host, Mr. Thomas Jehkins. The chair was accupied by the Rev. R. Price, and the vice by Mr. W. Williams, Gwilym ap Rhys, corresponding secretary. After the cloth was removed, the members enjoyed themselves until a late hour with toast, song, and glass.

BRECONSHIRE CHARITIES. From the Commissioners' Report of 1836. GENERAL CHARITY, EVANS'S CHARITY. William Evans, by will, dated 3rd of August, 1581, gave and devised to Evan Jones, alias John Jones, all his messuages, lands, tenements, rents, reversions, and services, with their appUJ" JUes within the realm of England, and to the 3rs oJ his body lawfully begotten, upon the li ^>n and proviso (among others) that he and the T, yearly for ever divide, according to his o :E¡h discretion, amongst his (the testator's) poor (s- men and kinswomen, and their offspring, dwei/jcr within the county of Brecknock, the sum of £ It appears from the office copy of a decree whu was produced upon this inquiry, and which wi: be more particularly referred to hereafter, that thi annuity had been regularly paid down to the yea 1791, at which period, and for many years prioi Richard Price, Esq., of Knighton, in the county c Radnor, was the owner of the rectories and tithe of Builth and Landewy Cwm, in the county o Brecon, out of which the said annuity is payable The payment of this charge having been discon 11 9 tinued, an information was filed by the Attorney general on the relation of the poor relations ( the testator, in the year 1807, against Chark Humphreys Price, Richard Price, and Vanna Pococke, the then proprietors of the rectories ai tithes above mentioned. Under this suit the following scheme for t: regulation of the charity was framed by the M ai"(uu°^rmed by the Court> hy their deer dated 9th March, 1822. That the charity should U, carried into efiV under the management of six trustees, to whe the said annuity of £ 20 should be paid as it 1 came due by the respective owners ot propriett of the rectories and tithes of Builth and Lande^ Cwm, and that the receipt of the said truste or any two of them, should be a good discha1 for the same. That Walter Wilkins the elder, Thomas Wot Penry Williams, Walter Wilkins the younc Henry Alleh/Esqrs., and Richard Davies cle archdeacon of Brecon, should be trustees of said charity; and that, when reduced to two act trustees the survivors or continuers should ei others to make up the number of six. That the trustees should meet once every y to trnasact the business of the charity, of which days' previous notice should be given three t, tees to be necessary to form a meeting, and opinion of the majority at any meeting bind whole body the chairman of each meeting to h a casting vote, and minutes of such proceedings be regularly entered in a book to be kept for t purpose, and signed by the chairman of the nH ing and such other of the trustees present as mi think proper so to do. That the said annuity of X20 should be dtvif among the several persons, and in the proporti following, that is to say :— Magdalen Jones, the wife of William Jones, the parish of Crickadarn, laborrzr, S2 John Jor of the parish of Llanelly, laborer, lot Williams, wife of David Williams; of Ll ( laborer, XI Is.Mary Williams, of the parish Llanthew, spinster, eldest child of Ishmael I Kams, deceased, XI 10s.; John Williams of parish of Llandefalley, £ l Is.; Margaret Kinf- the wife of Mathew KinSey, of the parish of Cr1 • adarn, laborer, Xi William Bevan, of the par of Crickadarn, labourer, £1 Is. Mary Mors the wife of Richard Morgan, of the parish of Michael Cwmdu, shoemaker, £1 Juan Jones, wife of David Jones, of the parish of Crielkald laborer, XI William Woodford, of the parish Talgarth, laborer, Xl 10s.; Charles Davies, of parish of Llanelly, laborer, Xi David Probei the parish of Llanvihangel Fechari, labourer son of Joan Probert, widow, £ l lg. Mary 'j kins, the wife of John Jenkins, of the parish Llanelly, laborer, £ l 10s.; Ann Willianw, wife of J ohn Williams, of the parish of Llane) iron founder, XI Is.; Elizabeth Jenkins, the w of Thomas Jenkins, of the parish of Glasbu yeomsSh, £ l 5s. \Ir: That when any of the above-named pers< should die, his or her share should be paid to t eldest person in the next degree of kindred, cl: dren and brothers and sisters being first preferr and the share of such as should die without is to be divided amou g survivors, ,a nd be adr in augmentation of the smaller portions, so as reduce them nearer to an equality to each ot) That persons claiming to be entitled to the sh. of those so dying should, within one year af such decease, produce such evidence in support their claim as the trustees should think necessa the majority of whom at their first meeting ai such claim should decide thereon, and make st orders concerning the same as they should thi fit and accordant with the directions above nit tioned. Thomas Wood, Penry Williams, Henry Alle and the Rev. Richard Davies, are the present si viving trustees of those appointed by the aboi abstracted decree. Sarah Price, relict of Robert Bell Price, EJ deceased, and Vannam Pococke, Esq., are present proprietors of the rectories and tit' charged, by whom the annuity is regularly paid The present recipients are the same as th named in the Master's report, with the follow exceptions, viz.: An" Meredith, of Llaadefall in the place of John Williams Mary Williams Gwenddwr, in the place of Mary Morgan Eli beth Morgan, of ^landefalley, in the place of Ju Jones; and Mary Williams, of Talgarth, in t place of William Woodford. Messrs. Jones and Powell, of Brecon, solicit are the present receivers of this charity, who d tribute the amount in strict conformity with t directions of the scheme above abstracted, and ceive as a remuneration for their trouble, the s of il per annum, being a deduction of £5 1 cent. from the sum paid to each annuitant.

PURE TEA.—The Importations this season Messrs. Johnson, Johnson, & Co., London, 11; admitted to be the Purest- Strongest and Besti- they are now sold Eight-pence per lb. cheaper all in packets only to prevent disappointment sf that the name is on each packet—it is sold b Agents in every Town. For Agents in this neig' bourhood see advertisement in our columns.

_«rr;agt. Davies, Homfray.—At Llansaintfread churc' Breconshire, by the Rev. T. Watkins, M.A., recto Mr. David Rhys Davies, 'master of the Talybo school, to Frances Charlotte, youngest daughter l Harry Homfray, Esq., Scethrog House, and «'ef of W. Crawshay, Esq., of Cavesham Park, Berks-