The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS AND CORRESPONDENTS. A411 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.

THERE is such a thing as novelty even in rail- way accidents, and that which occurred a few days back on the Great Northern Railway, in the Welwyn Tunnel, may fairly be described as astounding. We occasionally hear of one train running into another, and the catastrophe is heightened when such a collision takes place in a tunnel. But to hear of a second collision of precisely similar nature following the first, reducing three long trains to a chaotic heap, is something for which we were certainly not prepared. Even this, bad as it may seem, is not all, nor near all. In the case at Welwyn the pile of broken carriages with their contents were set on fire and burnt furiously-and all this in the middle of a tunnel three-quarters of a mile long! Imagination had never ventured to depict such a scene, which would, indeed, be appalling, if it were not for the fact that, the trains in question being merely goods and luggage trains, the entire series of accidents was almost unattended by loss of life. We need give but a brief outline of an affair which has elsewhere been described at length, and will refer only to those incidents to which the catastrophe was due. Late on Saturday night a train of coal wagons was dispatched to Hitchin from King's-cross, and proceeded in safety as far as the middle of the Welwyn Tunnel, when a tube of the engine burst and it was brought to a stand-still. Shortly after the departure of this train from King's-cross, a goods train was started on the same line of rails, and, no signal of danger having been given, ran into that which had broken down in the tunnei, killing the guard and fatally injuring his companion. By this collision the engine of the second train and some of its car- riages were thrown upon the other or up-line. Almost immediately afterwards a third train entered the tunnel from the other end, and, the line upon which it was travelling being now completely blocked, a second collision took place, and the debris of three trains was mingled together. Now came the most sin- gular part of the incident-for, unfortunately, with trains merely running into each other we are made but to familiar. The engine and tender of the up train being overturned, the fire was communicated to the heap of broken carriages among which they fell, and some of which contained, it appears, some very com- bustible goods. In a very short time the pile was alight, and the wind, of course, making its way into the tunnel from the ends and through a shaft near the spot, the whole heap burnt as in a furnace. The providential circumstance that passen- gers were not in either of these trains will strike every one as matter of deep congratula- tion, for the calamity in such a case would have been truly horrifying. As it is, two per- sons have lost their lives, and a third has been severely injured. The first person whose death was occasioned, the guard of the Hitchin train, was clearly himself responsible in great measure for all that occurred. It is the duty of the guard, on the breakdown of an engine from any cause, to make his way back on the line, to give signals of danger to an advancing train, or the nearest signal station. The per- formance of this duty is double necessary when a mishap occurs in a tunnel. In the present case the guard appears never to have left his break, although a quarter of an hour elapsed before the second train arrived, The neglect caused his own death, for he was killed by the collision, and a friend whom he was taking home with him, against the rules of the line, was so severely hurt that his death followed shortly after. But, of course, the blame of this catastrophe does not rest solely or even chiefly upon the guard. There were the usual signal stations at either end of the tunnel, and servants of the company posted at each, to telegraph the arrival and departure of trains in the usual way. When a train entered at one end, it was the duty of the man at that post to give the signal, train in," to his fellow at the other extremity; after acknowledging this signal, the latter was then bound to notify the de- parture of the train from the tunnel by the telegram, train out." In the absence of the latter signal in such a case, it is obvious that some cause of danger has arisen, and it is the duty of the first signalman to prevent any other train entering the tunnel until it is made known to him that the line is again clear. The two signalmen who were examined at the inquest in the present case contradicted each other flatly as to the signal that had been given. Z, b The first stated that, not having received the signal" train out," he telegraphed to his com- panion to know if the line was clear, and re- ceived in answer" Yes." The second asserted that the answer was actually 11 No," and, of course, to this misunderstanding or whatever it may be the catastrophe is actually due. The jury, in the absence of any other evidence than that of the men themselves, felt themselves unable to fix the blame upon either, and sim- ply returned a verdict, Accidental Death; but another inquiry will doubtless be instituted by the Board of Trade, and the matter will be thoroughly sifted. This is but one more illustration added to many that have gone before, of the heavy re- sponsibility that rests upon the signalmen of our railway companies, the necessity that they should be selected with the greatest care in the first instance, and the unwearying vigilance with which it is necessary that they should perform their duties. We say nothing, pending the further inquiry that must take place, that can cast the blame upon either side but we may remark that it is notoriously the fact that the signalmen upon all our lines are but a poorly paid class of officials-that they are, indeed, underpaid for the important trust re- posed in them, and therefore that their positions are too often filled by men of inferior stamp. A little more liberality in this direction on the part of the railway companies would have pre- vented many an accident which has cost them a small revenue, and perhaps have prevented that which has now occurred in the Welwyn Tunnel.

BOROUGH PETTY SESSIONS. The Sessions were held on Monday last, at the Guild Hall, before John Prothero, Esq., Mayor, George Cansick, Esq., Joseph Joseph, Esq., and James Williams, Esq. David Jones, was summoned by his wife, for as- sault and battery. William Jones, their son, was summoned for assaulting his mother. The both cases were allowed to be settled out of court on payment of costs. Their worships strongly cau- tioned both the men to be careful in future, and not appear there again with a similar charge against them, or they would not be so lightly dealt with. Bernard Burns was summoned by Superinten- dant Lee, inspector of nuisances, charged with having a quantity of bones in an old coach-house, in mount street, in a decomposed state. Mr. Burns did not answer to his name. Mr. Lee proved the charge, and called upon Doctor Talfourd Jones, who stated that he went in company with Mr. Lee to mount street, and in an old coach-house there he saw a quantity of bones deposited which were in a decomposed state, with a quantityof animal matter on them, it was very injurious to the health of the inhabitants residing in that locality. Fined 10s and costs. Thomas Pritchard, and David Thomas, were charged with fighting in the streets. The charge was admitted. Fined 10s. each and costs. Henry Cooper, was charged with inciting the above two men to fight. dismissed.

FREEMASONRY. Thursday last was a grand day with the Freema- sons at Brecon, being the day appointed for the dedication of the new Masonic Hall, at the Castle Hotel, to the purpose of theCraft. The interesting ceremony was ably performed by the Right Wor- shipful Provincial Grand Master, T. Mansel Talbot, Esq., of Margam Park, assisted by the deputy Provincial Grand Master, and the officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge. After which about 90 of the members enjoyed an excellent Banquet pre- sided over by the Worshipful master of the Breck- nock Lodge, which gave the greatest satisfaction to all present, and was served up in a first class style, which did great credit to Mr. and Mrs. Bates, who are managing the Hotel.

RIFLE COMPETITION. On Monday last a rather exciting match came off at the Crickhowell range, between 20 of the Herefordshire, and 20 of the Breconshire Volun- teers, on which accasion they fired 5 rounds at 200, 500, and 600 yards, Brecon beating Hereford by 1 point only, the totals of the scoring respectively were-at the three distances—Breconshire 647, and Herefordshire 646. We are unable to give the particulars of each individual's scoring, in con- sequence of the registering sheets being lent to somebody to copy at the close of the shooting, and that person thought proper to make his exit, why such conduct should be allowed ought to be en- quired into by both officers and men.

STANDARD LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY. A General Meeting of this Company was held at Edinburgh, on Tuesday last, to receive a Report on the Investigation of the Company's Affairs and Division of Profits, as at 15th November, 1865. On the motion of Sir James Y. Simpson, Bart., W. Stuart Walker, Esq., of Bowland was called to the Chair. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the meeting, said-- We are assembled to-day in a special general meet- ing of this company, to consider a report upon the progress of the Company's business during the five years immediately preceding the 15th Novem- ber, 1865, and upon the statutory investigation of our affairs, and division of profits, which takes place at the conclusion of each quinqennial period of our existence. I shall presently request those gentlemen who have presided over the several de- partments of inquiry to lay before you the results of the investigation but it is proper that I should explain briefly the nature of the procedure by which these results were ascertained. Two com- mittees were appointed by the directors—one to examine the investment accounts and to scrutinise our securities—the other to investigate those ac- counts which represent the company's liabilities. Each account was thus examined by its appropri- ate committee with the utmost care, independently and separately, and the conclusions to which this searching investigation has enabled us to come, are, I am happy to say, highly satisfactory. These committees were composed of professional gentle- men, thoroughly conversant with business transac- tions and matters of account and legal practice. The labour devolved on these committees, you will readily believe, has been very considerable, and our best thanks are due to the members of the Board who acted on them for having given their valuable time and attention to the work for a pe- riod extending over some months. Passing from the machinery of the investigation to its results, it is my pleasing duty to congratulate you and our policyholders on the remarkable progress which the company has made during the past five years, as well as upon its extremely favorable—indeed, I may say, almost unrivalled-position at the pre- sent time. The amount of new assurances effected has risen from S503,854 in 1861, to XI,374,450 in 1865 and while the amount of annual premiums which the new business of 1861 yielded was X16,082, that produced by the new business of 1865 was £ 45,337. These results have been at- tained by a steady perseverance in the liberal but cautious policy which has always guided the Stan- dard Company. A similar advance in prosperity is observable in the amount of surplus profit which this investigation enables the directors to recom- mend for allocation. You are aware, gentlemen, that during the last two years, the directors have incorporated with the business of the Standard, the business of the Minerva, the Victoria, and the Colonial Companies. These amalgamations, you have on former occasions been informed, were ef- fected on terms beneficial to this Company and it will therefore be gratifying to you to learn that the amalgamated companies are working in the most satisfactory manner. The increase in the business of the current year down to the present time amounts to about X80,000, exclusive of Colonial business. But while the directors have every rea- son to congratulate the company upon the acquisi- tion of the business and connection of the institu- tions named, the question arises whether we have not now sufficiently extended ourselves in that way. It would certainly be unwise to bind our- selves by absolute pledges in the event of future contingencies which cannot be foreseen; but it may be assumed that this Institution requires no such further extension, and that the directors will now best promote its interests by striving to deve- lop the company's own resources, and rendering these as profitable as they can for the benefit of all concerned. In these important items of sums assured, annual revenue, and realised funds, the Standard Company holds the following position:— The total sum assured is £ 15,710,982 the annual revenue is S661,195 the accumulated and vested fund is £ 3,661,683. With these facts before us, I venture to think that you will not accuse me of having used terms of extravagant euology in the observations which I have made. JAMES HAY, Esq., merchant, Leith.—I have much pleasure, as chairman of the investigation committee, in bringing before you a favourable report of the company's operations during the five years ended 15th November, 1865, and I beg to congratulate you on the satisfactory result of the quinqennial investigation of its affairs. The chair- man of the committee to which was entrusted the examination of the company's securities will satisfy you that the utmost care has been taken to invest the funds of the company in the most exception- able manner. Higher rates of interest might have been obtained, had the company extended their transactions beyond the most select class of invest- ments but the Board had deemed it wiser to run no risks of any kind to attain a large return. Still as our calculations are based on a very low rate of interest, a large margin of profit has arisen upon the investments during the five years, and has added materially to your divisible surplus. The mortality, although considerably less than that which was provided for by the tables on which the company's calculations are founded, has been greater during the last five years than during the five years ended 15th November, 1860, and more especially during the years 1864 and 1865 but I believe the regis- trar-general's returns exhibit an increased death- rate during these years throughout the country at large. The report itself is so exhaustive that I need not detain you with any further remarks, but it is right I should state that the manager has sub- mitted his calculations in such a clear and distinct form, and explained them so thoroughly, notwith- standing the immense amount of detail which was necessary to bring out the results, that the labours of the committee and of the Board were greatly lightened. T. GRAHAM MURRAY, Esq., W.S.—It is now my duty as chairman of the committee appointed to examine the securities on which your funds are in- vested, to lay the report before you, and it affords me much pleasure to be able to bring up so satis- factory a statement. The duty of the securities investigation committee was two-fold,—to revise, if I may use the expression, each particular invest- ment, and to see that in aggregate amount, and in the details of the various classes of investments, the whole tallied with the balance-sheet of the company. This duty, as the report will tell you, we have been able most satisfactorily to accomplish. The great bulk of your securities are mortgages on, Land, or, as we term them in Scotland, herita- ble bonds, and I do not know any sounder security. Such securities appear now-a-days to be better than even Government securities, because, while yield- ing a steady return, they are not liable te fluctua- tion. Some may perhaps think us square-toed and behind the age that we do not extend our securi- ties more into other kinds of investments, but the money of such an institution as this is intrusted to us not for speculative purposes, but for steady accumulation and I think you will agree we can- not do better than keep as much as possible within the safe limits of landed securities—securities on good broad acres. In these days of speculative investments I believe many companies and more individuals would wish they had followed our example. CHARLES PEARSON, Esq., C.A. Having once more the privilege of being present at a quinquen- nial meeting for the declaration of a bonus, and this being the sixth similar occasion since I became connected with the company as a shareholder, be- sides being one of the assured since 1828, I may be allowed to congratulate both the assured and the proprietors on the very satisfactory progress made by the Standard Life Assurance Company during the last thirty years of its existence. I need scarcely say that we are indebted to the great ability and unwearied zeal and activity of the ma- nagement for the unexampled success and prosperity of the company, which is now one of the largest in the kingdom. As auditor of the company I have had every opportunity of observing its satisfactory progress, and I may be permitted to bear my tes- timony to the continued accuracy of all the books and transactions, of which a thorough and detailed examination is made by me every year. As a member of the investigation committee at this quinquennial period, I can also vouch for the care- ful manner in which the valuations and calculations necessary to ascertain the profits have been made; and, in particular, I may mention that in ascertain- ing the obligations of the company, under the nu- merous policies of assurance, the whole loading, or addition to the pure premiums, has been thrown off, and the net future premiums alone have been valued. The source of a very large amount of funds has thus been left in the concern untouched to meet future expenses, and to add to the profits to be declared five years hence. There is every reason to expect that the prosperity of the company will continue and increase as it has done in times past, and that the profits to be divided at next quinquennial period will at least equal, if they do not exceed, those declared this day. W. T. THOMSON, Esq., the manager of the com- pany, stated that the voluminous nature of the investigation statements prevented his doing more than refer to them, but the meeting had the results fully before them, as certified by him, and corrobo- rated by the investigation committee and, how- ever unsatisfactory it might be for an actuary to find, a" demonstrative of the skill and labour em- ployed, that after months of labour a small slip of paper contained the final result, still the process was one of great satisfaction, for at each quinquen- nial period there was a new beginning, a fresh account, and there was the satisfaction of knowing that the company's affairs had again been proved to be sound and prosperous. The manager further explained that a special investigation had been made into the company's mortality experience, and he referred to various statements and diagrams on the table, but which time would not admit of his then explaining. These statements were—compa- rative tables of the actual and calculated n.ortality in Scotland, in England, and in Ireland respec- tively, among assured lives similar tables under the classes with and without profits distinctively similar tables under lives assured more than five years as compared with lives assured less than five years also, a special investigation of the mortality results among the company's annuitants. He fur- ther explained that these tables referred to the last ten years only, but that an investigation was now in progress which would enable him to report at next general meeting the results of the company's experience for the last forty years. The results so ascertained being to be afterwards combined with those of the other leading Scotch offices and ulti- mately with the results in various leading English offices, as the groundwork of an inquiry into the mortality among assured lives generally. The MANAGER then drew particular attention to another most important department of observation, in connection with which the company had for many years enjoyed the valued aid of their eminent physician, Professor Christison. Dr. CHRISTISON'S report on the mortality expe- rienced by the company for ten years, ended No- vember 15 1865, was then read. LAURENCE ROBERTSON, Esq., cashier of the Royal Bank of Scotland, stated he had been connected with the Standard Company from its commence- ment in 1825, and had enjoyed ample opportunities of studying the very remarkable progress it had made, and also the special care and attention with which the business had been conducted. He moved the adoption of the very able and satisfac- tory report which had been read." GEORGE A. ESSON, .Esq., accountant in bank- ruptcy for Scotland, seconded the motion for the approval of the report and in doing so, after re- viewing the progress of the company and its pre- sent position, drew attention to the beneficial action of the Standard in liberalising the conditions of the policies of insurance. It is, I believe, he stated, a matter of fact, that this company introduced the more liberal conditions of insurance which now prevail very generally to the great advantage of the assured. In 1851 the directors originated the system of select insurances. According to this system policies, after being in existence five years, became unchallengable and undefeasible, save only in case of non-payment of premiums. The holders of such policies, moreover, were allowed per mission, after compliance with certain forms, to travel or reside in any part of the world without license and without extra premium. In 1856 the directors extended the period for the revival of policies which might become void by reason of non-payment of. premiums. They opened a forfeited-policy ac- count to which the value of abandoned policies of more-than five years standing is carried, to await the claims of those interested-the directors having powers to revive these policies on fair and reason- able conditions. In 1861 they still further libera- lised the conditions of the policies by providing that when they were satisfied, from the occupation and other circumstances of the person proposed for assurance, that he had no intention of proceeding beyond the limits of Europe-he being at the time not under 25 years of age—they should be entitled to grant at .once an unrestricted policy, without waiting as before for the period of five years. The directors seem now to have practically attained the highest degree of liberality which can with safety be adopted in dealing with the assured as regards the terms and conditions of insurance. The motion for approval of the report was una- nimously approved of. H. MAXWELL INGLIS, Esq., P.C.S., moved a vote of thanks to the London directors, and to Mr. Williams, the general secretary for England. W. MONCREIFF, Esq., accountant of the court of session, moved a vote to the Dublin Board, and to the resident secretary for Ireland, Mr. Bentham. W. CASTLE SMITH, Esq., of London, proposed a vote of thanks to the Local Boards of this company at home and abroad, and mentioned particularly the London West-End Board in Pall Mall, and the resident secretary, Mr. Fergusson. C. CRANBY BURKE, Esq., master of the common pleas in Ireland, requested a vote of thanks to the agents of the company in Great Britain, Ireland, and the Colonies, which was unanimously agreed to. The CHAIRMAN expressed the acknowledgments of the company to Mr. Thomson, the manager and actuary, for his services. THOMAS PATTON, Esq., of Glenalmond, moved a vote of thanks to the chairman; and the meeting separated.

BRECON NEW WATERWORKS. Loans on Mortgage Debentures. THE LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH of the Borough of Brecon, hereby give NOTICE, that they are prepared to receive proposals for Loans bearing interest at £5 per cent. per annum, payable half-yearly, on the security of Mortgages of the General District Rates of the said Borough, granted under the sanction and authority of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Home Depart- ment. Communications to be addressed to the under- signed, at the office of the Board, Struet, Brecon. By order, STEPHEN BOWEN EVANS, Clerk to the Board, Brecon, 22nd Nov., 1865. KAYE'S WORSDELL'S PILLS. THE BEST FAMILY MEDICINE. Sold by all Chemists, &c., at Is. lid., 2s. 9d., and 4s. 6d., per Box. KAYE'S WORSDELL'S PILLS. THE BEST REMEDY FOR INDIGESTION. Sold by all Chemists, &c., at Is. lid., 2s. 9d., and 4s. 6d., per Box. KAYE'S WORSDELL'S PILLS. THE BEST REMEDY FOR ASTHMA. Sold by all Chemists, &c., at Is. lid., 2s. 9d., and 4s. 6d., per Box. KAYE'S WORSDELL'S PILLS. THE BEST REMEDY FOR COUGHS & COLDS Sold by all Chemists, &c., at Is. lid., 2s. 9d., and 4s. 6d., per Box. KAYE'S WORSDELL'S PILLS THE BEST REMEDY FOR BILIOUS DISORDERS. Sold by all Chemists, &c., at Is. lid., 2s. 9d., and 4s. 6d., per Box. KAYE'S WORSDELL'S PILLS. THE BEST REMEDY FOR DISEASES OF THE SKIN. Sold by all Chemists, &c., at Is. lid., 2s. 9d., and 4s. 6d., per Box. ]KAYE'S WORSDELL,s RILLS. THE BEST REMEDY FOR GOUT AND RHEUMATISM. Sold by all Chemists, &c., at Is. 11d., 2s. 9d., and 4s. 6d., per Box. I KAYE'S WORSDELL'S PILLS. THE BEST REMEDY FOR FEMALE COMPLAINTS. Sold by all Chemists, &c., at Is. lid., 2s. 9d., and 4s. 6d., per Box. KAYE'S WORSDELL'S PILLS. THE BEST REMEDY FOR NERVOUS AFFECTIONS. Sold by all Chemists, &c., at Is. 1 d., 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d., per Box. KAYE'S WORSDELL'S PILLS. Have been in constant use for nearly Half a Century, and have met with UNIVERSAL SUCCESS. Sold by all Chemists, &c., at Is. ild., 2- 9d., and 4s. 6d., per Box. faF THOUSANDS NOW USE "l&S Johnson, Johnson&Cos | PUR E TEA. ) It is The Tea for the MILLION,—on account of its great strength and uniform excellence. OBS,ERVE all are 8d.perlb.CHEAPER I In Packets only, from 2-ozs. to lib., & 3-lb. & 6-lb. Tin Canisters— At 2/8,-3/-& 3/4 per lb. Choice Qualities, 3/8 & 41 par lb. llMfK"* Johnson, Johnson & Co. TEA MERCHANTS, LONDON. See that the name is on tach Packet, See that the name is on t'ach, Packet, Sold by Chemists, Confectioners, &c., in every Town. LOCAL AGENTS. Brecon—Hall, Chemist, High Street. Aberdare—Thomas, Chemist. Aberavon—Jones, Printer. j Abersychan-Martin, Post Office. Bridgend—Jones, Chemist. Brynmawr—Jones, Stationer. Cardi-Dran, 11 Bute Street. 1'1 I)owlais-Lewis, Chemist. Eardisley—Harper, Post Office. Hay—Watkins, Post Office. Llanelly—Morgan Griffiths. Merthyr—Lewis, Chemist, George Town. j Mountain Ash—Thomas, Chemist. Mountain Ash-Thomas, Chemist. Newport—Thomas, 170 and 129 Commercial Street. Nantyglo—Allen, Post Office. Pontypool—Edwards, Printer. Pontardawe—Evans, Post Office. Porthcawle—Jones, Chemist. Porthcawle-J ones, Chemist. Swansea-Andrew, 14 Castle Square. „ Thomas 65 Oxford Square. Ystalyfera—Davies, Bookseller. JOHNSON, JOHNSON, & Co., TEA MERCHANTS, 17, BLOMFIELD ST., CITY, LONDON. "joansonJohnson&Co's'J PURE UNCOLOURED TEA Is now preferred to all others. Stld in Patkets by Agtnti ÍII treu Tstn* ( SOLE AGENT IN BRECON HALL, CHEMIST, HIGH STREET. General PRINTING & STATIONERY "REPORTER OFFICE," BULWARK, BRECON. Printed and Published by DAVID 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 Brecoi),-SATURD&T, JUNE 16, 1866.