The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS AND CORRESPONDENTS. All Cortespondenceand 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 ) or in- sertion, must be verified by the nante and address of the writer. ST. MARY'S BIG BELL.-The reply will be given next week, several of our readers have asJced the same questions, but too late for this week.

A QUESTION deeply affecting the welfare of the people has recently received some discussion, and has now been brought officially before the notice of the Government. It is that of the establishment of additional hospital accommo- dation for the poor, both in the large towns and in country districts. The increased ac- commodation more particularly desired is for persons afflicted with such diseases as fever and small-pox, the provision for whom in ex- isting hospitals is extremely limited. In the metropolis especially, the want of an adequate number of places of reception for this class of disease has pressed itself upon the attention of all who have to deal with the poor. The in- numerable railway extensions and improvement projects lately carried out, or still in progress, in the heart of London, have had a consider- able effect in adding to the crowded condition of districts already too thickly populated; and this circumstance, taken in conjunction with the not unfrequent appearance of these diseases during the present winter months, has led to the gravest anticipations as to what may occur in the case of the outbreak of an epidemic when the warmer weather shall again return. A few days ago, a deputation from the parish authorities of St. Pancras waited on Mr. C. P. Villiers, President of the Poor- law Board, to urge this matter upon his consideration, and to represent the facts which had come within their own knowledge. They explained that it was repeatedly found to be the case in the workhouse of the parish, that wards which should properly be devoted to the use of the ordinary inmates had to be fitted up as hospitals, and devoted to the use of poor persons afflictcd with contagious disease, for whom no other accommodation existed else- where. This was done at the imminent risk of the general inmates of the house, and but recently the life of Mr. Roberta, the resident medical man, had been sacrificed in his unre- mitting attention to this class of cases. The experience of St. Pancraa, it was represented, was no more than that of the metropolis gene- rally. The same emergency continually arose in other districts, and the same measures had to be taken to meet it. It may surprise many to learn that, notwith- standing the large number of hospitals of va- rious kinds which do honour to the metropolis and elicit the admiration ot foreigners, there is in London only one hospital devoted to cases of fever, and one to the treatment of small pox. The great body of the hospitals are chiefly for the reception of cases of accidental injury, or for persons afflicted with chronic diseases. The consequence is that from all parts of London fever cases are sent to the hospital at Islington, which at any time finds its resources barely sufficient to meet the demands upon it, and in an unusually unhealthy period cannot supply the wants of its own district, still less those of the whole of London, The same is the case with the hospital for small-pox. During an outbreak of this disease in 1863, the single workhouse of St. Pancras had to receive 225 cases between the months of April and Novem- ber, because there was no room in the hospital. Fifteen of the inmates were also attacked, making a total large enough to transform the parish poor-house into a hospital to all intents And purposes. It was suggested by the St. Pancras deputa- tion that each of the principal districts of Lon- don ought to have its own hospital for cases of this kind, and that, therefore, there should be at least four-north, south, east, and west-in-, stead of one in the north only. The desirability of this arrangement everybody would admit. The only question is, how could the object be achieved, and at least three more hospitals es- tablished? The view of the deputation was evidently that the end could be best secured by a county or other rate; and Mr. Villiers was asked whether the Poor-law Board had power in this way to make the provision de- sired, or if they would be willing to apply to Parliament for such powers. In reply, the President fully acknowledged the strength of the case made out, but questioned whether, if such a measure as that pointed out by the deputation were adopted, all parishes and districts in the metropolis would be equally willing to pay their share of the burden. The county would say that the city should provide for its own sick poor; the wealthy parishes would object to be called upon to pay their shsre of the expense equally with the poorer districts, for whose benefit it was particularly designed. Then it was a question whether any such measure would not operate in some degree as a check upon benevolence, and tend to deprive existing hospitals of their funds. He expressed no decided opinion, however, upon the subject, but undertook, on the part of the Board, to give it the fullest considera- tion. Any measure that might be adopted must be one for the entire metropolis. Here the matter was left, so far as the deputation was concerned. It is no new thing for a project of the kind alluded to to come before our legislators, but the House of Commons has always shown itself averse from attempting to establish by law institutions which the practice has been to support entirely by private benevolence. But is it right that all classes of sickness and disease should be left to the relief of private charity only ? Is it well, especially, that in the case of contagious disease they should be allowed to form head, and gather strength and force, to the hazard of the entire community, through want of power in the hands of the local authorities to adopt such measures as would tend to check their ravages at an early stage ? In a case of this kind, it is not one district or locality only that is endangered by an outbreak. Cholera or fever first showing itself in a poor parish, does not stop at that parish, boundary, but will find its victims in Belgravia as well as in St. Giles's. All parishes should there- fore feel an equal interest in a matter of precau- tion as well as of benevolence, and be equally ready to share the burden it might involve. Besides, the existence of one injustice in the present inequality of the poor rates, by which a burden is thrown most heavily where it is least able to be borne, is no argument in favour of an extension of the same vicious principle. The wealthy parishes to which Mr. Villiers alluded have too long escaped from their fair share of the general burden of the poor. Hence the anomaly that one parish may be paying as much as five or six shillings in the pound as a poor-rate, while another, perhaps immediately adjoining, pays simply so many pence. The entire question is one that concerns Man- chester, Birmingham, and Glasgow, no less than the metropolis. Whatever the decision of the Poor-law Board may be, its principle will be equally applicable to the large provincial towns, and even country districts should be provided with far greater hospital accommodation, either by the exercise of private benevolence, or, if that be found insufficient, by the action of local authority. How easily it may be done has been proved by experi- ments lately made in Surry and elsewhere, in fitting up labourers' cottages with some six or eight beds, which have proved of the greatest service to the people of the surrounding districts at an expense comparatively trifling.

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS. SHIRE HALL, Saturday, 13th January, 1866- before John Lloyd, Esq., and John James Wil- liams, Esq. TRESPASSING IN PURSUIT OF GAME.-Recs Mor- gan, of Mill Street, Brecon, was summoned, charged with trespassing in pursuit of game on the Crug, the property of Col. Charles Wood, Arthur Harris, Esq., and others. William Williams proved the case, and stated that he was game-keeper on the Penndyre lauds, and that on the day named he saw Rees Morgan on the Crug, ferretting rabbits, but that he had no gun with him.—Fined 20s. including costs. ANOTHER CASF--Michael Fury and Philip IPlc Donoghue were charged before Mr. Williams (Mr. Lloyd having retired) with the same offence, com- .mitfced on Sunday, the 31st day of December, on lands the property of John Lloyd, Esq.—Fined 30s. each. TRESPASS.-Th.om,is Davies, of Cilyrheol, and Daniel Davies, of Aberdare, were charged, for that they on the 2nd day of January instant, did unlaw- fully trespass on certain lands in the possession and occupation of James Probert and Rees Williams, over which Colonel Pearce, K.H., had the right of shooting. Mr. Phillips, of the firm of Messrs. Evans and Phillips, appeared for the complainant, and Mr. T. B. Bishop for the defendants. Mr. Probert, of Ysgibornewydd, proved the charge, and the defendants were convicted in the sum of 30s. each including costs. UNLAWFULLY W OUNDlNG, &c.-Thomas Tierney, a ganger, working on the Neath and Brecon Rail- way, a man of respectable appearance, was brought up on remand, charged with having on Saturday night, the 6th instant, at Senny Bridge, unlawfully and maliciously wounded one James Smith with a certain poker, with intent to do him some grievous bodily harm. Mr. T. B. Bishop appeared for the prosecution, the prisoner being undefended. The first witness called was James Smith, an Irishman, the person wounded, who was most anxious not to proceed against the prisoner. After a great deal of reluctance, he gave the following evidence: -I am a navvy, working on the Neath and Brecon Railway; on Saturday night last I was in a public-house at Senny Bridge with several others, and the prisoner, who was quarrelling with a person called Tom Councillor;" after being there some time the prisoner went out, and shortly afterwards Richard Power and I went out; imme- diately I got outside the door I received a blow on my head until I fell to the ground insensible; I do noc know who gave me the blow; some time after Richard Power took me to Mr. Williams, the surgeon, at Senny Bridge, to get the wound dressed, but he refused to do so, and told me to go some- where else, that he would not do it; we then went to the police station and charged Thomas Tierney with the offence, and went to Mr. Lewis, the sur- geon at Devynnock, who dressed the wound, which is now getting almost well. Richard Power deposed-I am a miner working on the Neath and Brecon Railway; when Smith and I came out of the public-house at Senny Bridge last Saturday night, Thomas Tierney struck Smith on his head with the poker now produced, until he fell to the ground, and threatened to kill him. T. B. Lewis, Esq., the surgeon, deposed that it was a scalp wound about two inches long, and that Smith was now out of danger.—The prisoner was then committed for trial at the next Assizes, bail being accepted for his appearance.

BAND OF HOPE CONCERT. The above Concert came off on Tuesday night last at the Town Hall, in this town, and, as usual with the3e concerts, the hall, long before the time appointed for commencing, was actually crowded to excess. We have not for a long time seen our old hall so full and so cheerful. On the platform were the members of the Band of Hope, about one hundred in number, with their happy countenances beaming with delight. The room had been taste- fully decorated with evergreens and flags, bearing mottoes well adapted for the occasion. Amongst those present we noticed -Earl Brecknock, the Rev. T. B. Hosken, Captain Brereton and family, Mrs. De Winton and Miss Elmslie, the Misses Powell, the Misses Bishop, Miss Hughes, Thomas Frater, Esq., and family, Mordecai Jones, Esq., &c. The programme was well selected, and consisted of some popular pieces, which reflected much credit on the arrangements of the Rev. H. Griffiths. The Prince of Wales' Cantata called forth well merited applause from the audience, who appeared delighted with the members', &c., singing. The Fire Brigade" was admirably sung by the children; indeed, if we had not been there and heard them, we would have doubted children so young being able to attain such proficiency. (We were also greatly pleased with the string band, under the able management of our fellow- townsman, Mr. Bell, of whose musical talents and abilities we have reason to be proud. The great attractions of the evening were Miss Evans, of Llandovery, and the Rev. T. Lodwick, of Haverfordwest, of whom we cannot speak too highly. Miss Evans has never before favoured a Brecon audience with her melodious singing, and we care not how soon we shall again have the pleasure of seeing her amongst us. She was several times en- cored, and again favoured the audience with some- Welsh airs, which she sang with great effect. Hqjt voice surpasses many we have heard in our hall for omo time. The Rev. Henry Griffiths, at the close, thanked the audience for their attendance there that even- ing, and also thanked those young ladies and gen- tlemen who had so kindly come forward to assist himself and the children in getting up that concert, especially Mr. Bell and his staff for the great assist- ance they rendered. For the trouble Mr. Griffiths has taken with the children, he deserves our best thanks. Those that know anything of children must confess that he has had a deal of tedious labour, and must have sacrificed much of his valuable time in teaching them the Prince of Wales' Cantata and the other different pieces sung by them that night. Although there was- no- vote of thanks proposed, it must be very gratifying for him to see, by the attendance there that evening, that the public fully appreciated his endeavours to do good; and we should have only been too glad to be able to state that other ministers, &c., gave him a helping hand. "Unity is strength."

A PUBLIC MEETING was held at the Town Hall in the evening, which was filled with a respectable audience. The Mayor of Brecon (John Prothero, Esq.) occupied the chair. The meeting commenced with the singing of a hymn of praise, after which, President Howells offered prayer. The CHAIRMAN said that the object of the pro- ceedings of this day had been a matter of great interest to him, and to the Calvinistic Methodists for many years. He referred to the year 1780 as the date of the origin of that body. In that year the Rev. George Whitfield and Howell Harris ad- dressed an audience on the Bulwark, Brecon, on which occasion they met with a great deal of op- position from one Lefraux and also from theatricals. Mr. Whitfield first spoke, but was so much daunted that he was compelled to desist. Mr. Harris then got up, and was the means, through Divine Provi- dence, no doubt, of silencing them. A very strange occurrence took place, and that was, one of the theatricals fell down as if dead. This had a good effect on the audience, and from that time I believe the cause was sustained by students who were then studying at Trefecca College. They kept up a supply until that college was given up. Subse- quently the church divided, and they were unable. to hold out until they were assisted by the Rev. Evan Harris, Mr. Watkins, surveyor, and others —names which we shall always revere—came to their assistance. Under the leadership of these people, the cause has been fostered until now, though there were many difficulties to contend with, and the greatest of these was the difficulty they had to meet the growing demand and require- ments of the English language. The Chairman then called upon MORDECAI JONES, ESQ., who entered into a de- tail of the movements of the body since their com- mencement. He referred to the rapid progress of the English language in North and South Wales, and said that it was our duty to provide for the requirement caused thereby, and that the mainte- nance of the Gospel in whatever language it may be spoken should be attended to. We know that the Welsh language is far superior to the English, and we claim for it as a language the first place- the power of its melody is known to evervbody. We are called upon to provide proper places of worship for the rising generation. The introduction of railways and the establishment of British and National Schools had been the means of introducing the English language into our country, and will continue to do so; and the power and light in con- nexion with that language it would be impossible 1. 1 po to resist. In the spring of 1864 the subject of a place of worship for the English was brought before the Welsh congregation at Bethel, and it was unan-; imously agreed that a deputation should wait on the next monthly meeting. The deputation con- sisted of the late Mr. Thomas Williams (to whom Mr. Jones paid a high compliment) and himself. The matter was arranged, and the first English meeting was held in this room on the 14th August, 1864, when the Rev. Mr. Lumley preached twice. The hall was full; and there was also a Sunday school consisting of 30 children. The average attendance now he stated to be about 90, the num- ber on the books being 120. In the congregation the attendance varies from 80 to 110. The num- ber of full church members who left the Welsh was 11, and the number now is 24. The cause is supported by free will offerings entirely, which have been quite sufficient to meet all expenses. In con- clusion, Mr. Jones stated that these facts were very gratifying to him, inasmuch as they evinced the readiness of the friends of the cause to go heartily into it. The CHAIRMAN—Some of you know partly the feeling caused by a son or a daughter leaving a parent's home from marriage or otherwise. That is just the feeling that we experienced when our English friends left us; but we were perfectly unanimous. Our young people were talking the English language and studying it, and we had no alternative but to meet them in that language, though we were anxious to cling to the Welsh lan- guage, because we loved it. The Chairman an- nounced as the next speaker- PROFESSOR MORRIS, who said-I must confess that I had intended slipping through with very few remarks. It was my intention simply to rise to express my friendliness in the new cause which to- day has obtained a local habitation and name-not to make a speech, as I find that too many cooks spoil the broth," and it is just possible that too many divines might spoil this meeting. But I find that some who were expected to be present have not come, and I regret that one very important gap has taken place. I refer to the absence of Dr. Jones, who was to have occupied a very prominent position and our time upon a very important sub- ject. I profess to be a Catholic—not a, Roman Catholic, but a Christian. In doing so I adopt a middle position. I endeavour to steer clear of Latitodinarianism on the one hand and bigotry on the other. I have no sympathy with Latitudina- riism. There are some people who are ready to embrace every sect, provided they are distinguished by what they call sincerity and ear- nestness. I have no sympathy with that class of people. I believe the question implies certain great truths, and it behoves us as Christians to hold those truths very firmly. There are men who hold things with a loose and feeble grasp-who don't profess more than an opinion on any subject, and that not very strongly. They are uncertain about every- thing. I have no sympathy with such people. Whilst on the one hand I have no sympathy with Latitudinarianism, on the other I have no sympa- thy with bigots. We may have our peculiarities; but we ought to look upon vital Christianity as the great thing. I think Christians will sometimes learn a lesson even from Pagans. Professor Morris then related a legend which he had read of three ch parties, who believed that there was an island for the blest far away in the sea; but disagreed in the shape of it. One said it was round, another square, and the third maintained that it was triangular. The discussion waxed so warm as to cause a great deal of unpleasant and painful feeling in the land, and at length the King interfered and told them that they must have done with this squabbling, and go and find the island to determine the ques- tion. They instantly went in search of it, and by great looking found it out; but they were so^ much occupied in contemplating its glories and felicities, that they returned without having gone round it to see its shape. On their return they presented themselves to the King, who inquired what was its shape, when they informed him that they forgot all rm about that, and he said that inasmuch as the shape of it was so small a matter they must all agree on the point. And so long as we agree in the great points of religion, we should not trouble ourselves in the minor things. However, the subject assigned to me Nvag 11 Co-operation," and I must candidly confess I have not prepared a sermon on it.. I hope that our acting here with one another will be a beautiful illustration and enforcement of that text; but if I were to preach on the subject, I should say that co-operation impli(s that we have one ob- ject -that we are all animated and inspired by one common aim. What is that aim 1 Is it to make Methodists ? No. To make Independents ? No. Methodists ? No. To make Independents ? No. To make Baptists ? No. To make Episcopalians ? No. What then? It is to make Christians. It is to make men believe in the Lord Jesus Christy and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of sin and Satan to God. I also think co-operation implies that we should carefully refrain from anything like clashing or coming into collision, and we should look upon each other as competing for public favour and support. If that be the case, we shall be in danger of intercepting each other's orbit at different points, and thus hindering each other. I think that it implies that we should have now and then opportunities of united action. There is one way in which we may act very well together. I refer to the circulation of the Scrip- tures. I should like very much if all the congre- gations in the town were to act together at the annual meetings of the Bible Society. This would cause a good impression, and promote the interests of that great and glorioup institution. I think too that if the ministers of the various denominations in the town were to come together for Christian intercourse once a month or two months, and the congregations were to join in one service occasion- ally, we might expect in such case to reap the effectual blessing of God. I hope at any rate, Mr. Chairman and Christian friends, we shall look upon one another with a great deal of love, and that we may be prepared to work together in such a way as circumstances may point out to us. (To be continued in our next.)

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING. The following notice was posted on the door of the Town Hall;- To the Members of the Council of the said Board- In pursuance of the Act of Parliament in that behalf made and provided, I hereby give notice that I, John Prothero, Esq., as mayor of the said borough, do hereby call a special meeting of the members of the Council of the said borough, acting as and constituting the Local Board of Health, of the same Borough, which will be held at the Guild Hall, on Thursday, the 16th January, at 12 o'clock enrl at noon, for the purpose of considering, agreeing on, and completing such further measures and pro- ceedings as may be necessary or advisable for op- posing the proposed Bill for Brecon Waterworks and Drainage, and for other purposes connected therewith.—Dated 13th day of January, 1866. J. PROTHERO, Mayor. A great many of the members assembled at the time specified, and we have been informed that the contract with Mr. Jordan, of Newport for supply- ing the pipes for the New Waterworks was closed, and also that the borough seal was attached to the memorial for opposing Mr. Cobb's bill for the Brecon New Waterworks and drainage of the town. What are the facts we cannot say, for when the reporters made their appearance, they Were not allowed admittance. If this is representing the, public of the borough of Brecon, upholding its an- cient rights and customs, fearlessly and indepen- dently, why are the public not made acquainted with their own affairs 1 And why should the members of the corporation hold their Meetings privately I If this is the way the members of the corporation view the representation of the rate-payers of this borough, it is something new to us.

TO THE RATEPAYERS OF THE BOROUGH OF BRECON, Fellow Ratepayers,—You are aware that for about two years or more the Corporation of Brecon have, with a quite wonderful confusion of thought and purpose, been talking about procuring a sup- ply of water for the town. They have at last a plan but I do not believe that they would have even now arrived at a decision, but for a proposal from another quarter of a far more desirable character. The Corporation estimate for their plan is £1000. This, as you may see from their advertisements, they propose to borrow at 5 per cent. per annum. This, with an additional £100 a year towards pay- ing off the principal, will leave upon us a burden of S450 a year to be paid somehow or other for the next thirty years. The other proposal offers to supply the town with water for X3500. "I Now, ratepayers, just consider. This Corpora- tion of ours, which is so burdened with debt that it ought scarcely to call its corporate soul its own; the extent of whose debt we cannot estimate be- cause the Corporation has not dared to produce a true statement of its accounts for more years than I can tell you of—this impoverished Corporation chooses to pay £7000 for our water supply when we are offered it for £3500. The statement seems so incredible that I hesitate whilst I write it; but I am assured by good authority that it is true. I put it to you, as men of sense, whether this is to be borne. It,, may be easy enough for a Corpora- tion to sanction such reckless expenditure of our money; but to us ratepayers, who, sooner or later, will have to pay the cost, the subject is one for serious consideration. But this is not all. At a special meeting of the Town Council this morning, a memorial, against which I felt it my duty most earnestly to protest, was read and laid upon the table for the Mayor's signature-a memorial from the Corporation of Brecon to the House of Commons against the other proposed water-works to which I have referred, and which may involve the ratepayers in frightful parliamentary expenses. I had only one iiiembet of the council who rose to support me, and he-was so rudely interrupted in his remarks as to be unable to proceed, so he and I left the room. When I asked for the grounds on which their memorial could be sustained—what they would declare that they had done in furtherance of their own schemg, A, I found, first that the contract for the works haa not been signed; and in the next place, that they had not raised a shilling of the required £ 7000- The only actual fact which they seemed to have accomplished in regard to their own scheme of water supply was that they had turned the First Sod Ratepayers—Unless you are willing to allow yourselves to be needlessly burdened with a heavy addition to your rates, to last for the next thirty years, making the present generation pay for the convenience of those who are to come after us, I call upon you to get up a town meeting, in order, if you should deem it right, to send a counter- memorial to the House of Commons, and to declare plainly that the memorial of the Corporation does not express the wishes of the ratepayers—that it has been greatly influenced by unworthy personhl animosities, and that it is equally opposed to the honor and interests of the town of Brecon. You will then perhaps have the two schemes brought fairly before you, which is all I desire, and be able to judge of their comparative merits. I am, yours faithfully, The Bulwark, T. PRESTWOOD LUCAs. January 18, 1866.

SiltE Died on the 12th January, at Veytaux, Canton de Vaud-Alexander John Scott, Professor of Moral and Mental Philosophy, and of English Literature'at Owens' College, Manchester. Printed and Published by DATVID WILLIAMS, at his residence on the Bulwark, in the Chapelry of Saint Mary, in the Parish of Saint John the Evangelist,in the County of Brecon —SAIURD JANUARY 20, 1866.