The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

CHOLERA has at length broken out in the me- tropolis with a severity that has attracted the attention of all classes, including the Sovereign and Parliament. The locality in which the disease has alighted was precisely that marked out, by its overcrowded population and defec- tive sanitary regulations, as the most likely spot round London for the visitation. Bethnal- green and the adjacent districts are normally in such a condition as to render the approach of hot weather a season of gathering epidemic; and although it was known, from the path of cholera last year, that the present summer was likely to be an unusually unhealthy one, it does not appear that any extraordinary steps of '}re- eaution have been taken there by the local authorities. It is not in the nature of any constituted authory or corporation in this coun- try to move until it is absolutely compelled; but in apathy to the public interest and tardi- ness of motion a metropolitan vestry stands unrivalled. The kind and sympathetic letter addressed by command of her Majesty to the Bishop of London will gratify all, but surprise no one. It is but another indication of a thoughtful in- j. z, terest in all sections of the people, especially those who are called upon to suffer in any form, which has often been manifested before. In the donation for the relief of the sufferers by which it is accompanied, it sets a fitting and timely example, which will, no doubt, be widely followed; and as usual with the Queen on such occasions, the manner of the act is as kind as its spirit. It is indeed the case, to quote the words of the letter, that the sufferers are mostly in such a position of life as to be totally unable to provide themselves with the necessary means either to ward off the disease, or to support themselves under its influence." But, unfortunately, there are many thousands in the country to whom the character of such places as Bethnal-green, and similar spots in our large towns and cities, is almost entirely unknown, and who require the prominence given to the subject by the Queen's message to awaken them to a sense of duty to their indi- gent and suffering fellow-subjects. Little has come, at present, of the intro- duction of the subject in the House of Commons by Mr. J. A. Smith, whose question addressed to the Government on Monday night pointed to the necessity of interfering summarily where the vestries were neglecting their duty. Sev- eral instances of such neglect were brought by the hon. member before the House. Among them he stated that the parish authorites of Bethnal-green had not made the slightest pro- vision by special arrangement for the burial of the dead, and that he had ascertained when visiting the district that in many cases the bodies of persons who had died by cholera were consequently left for at least three or four days unburied, to the great distress and danger of b the survivors. No hospital had been opened for the reception of cholera patients, and the removal of nuisances in the neighbourhood was entirely neglected. The President of the Poor- law Board, in reply, expressed the disinclination of the Government to interfere at present with the vestries, which were under the supervision of the Privy Council Office, but intimated that those bodies were on their trial, and might expect to be summarily treated, if they should be found to fail. A conviction is rapidly extending in the public mind, that the sooner and the more summarily they are dealt with the better. But there are duties of individuals as well as of public bodies in cases of this kind, as it is the duty of all persons at the present time, not only to exercise every precaution them- selves to guard against a spread of the epidemic, but also to impress the necessity of similar pre- caution upon their neighbours. No filth or refuse should anywhere be allowed to exist or accumulate in the neighbourhood of dwellings, Where its presence is to some degree unavoid- able, disinfectants should be actively emploved. As recommended by Professor Miller, in the -circular issued by the Privy Council last year, the best disinfecting agents are chloride of lime, quicklime, and the preparation known as Con- dy's Fluid or carbolic acid. Lime-washing should be used at once for outhouses, and the interior of all premises in which infection has arisen or is likely to break out. It may be useful to quote here from the same authority the fact, that an apartment no longer occupied may be readily disinfected by burning in the room, in a pipkin, an ounce or two of flowers of sulpher. It is necessary to the process that the doors, windows, and chimney of the apart- ment should be kept carefully closed. Facts such as these should be made widely known the less intelligent and less well-in- formed of the people. But another duty is to guard against the alarm which is always a most powerful agent in the spread of an epi- demic. An old Eastern allegory runs to the effect, that Pestilence was once allowed by the Angel of Death to enter a city to destroy ten thousand of its inhabitants. On leaving the gates, the Destroyer was met by the Angel, who demanded to know why ten times the number had fallen. "I slew but ten thousand," replied Plague "Fear killed the rest." This aphorism conveys a lesson by which many amongst us may profit. In the present state of science, we may not know much about the laws of epidemics, but the laws of health are sufficiently ascertained, and a compliance with those laws by communities and by individuals will always deprive a pestilence of more than half its power.

BRECON. BOROUGH PETTY SESSIONS. These Sessions were held on Monday last, at the Town Hall, before John Prothero, Esq., George Cansick, James Williams, and Joseph Joseph, Esps. John Morgan was brought up in custody, charged with being drunk, and incapable, and con- cealing himself under a bed in the Black Lion Iun, in this town. Supt. Lee informed the bench that the prisoner was found very drunk under one of the beds at the Black Lion Inn, but that Mr. White, the landlord, did not wish to press the charge against him. Pined Is. and costs. John Hopkins and James Hopkins, two bro- ther, were summoned by P.C. Williams, charged with being drunk and disorderly, on the night of the 28th ult. John-Hopkins denied the charge. P.C. Williams deposed that he was on duty on the 28th ult., he saw the two defendants making a noise, he requested them to go home quietly, they said they would, he went towards the town on his duty, from information which he received shortly afterwards he went back to the struet, and there he found the two prisoners disturbing the whole of the neighbourhood, they were also throwing stones opposite the brewery, which made it very danger- to people passing that way. John was fined I 10s and costs, and James 2s 6d and costs. Jane Driscol, was summoned by P.C. Williams, charged with keeping a lodging house without its being properly licensed. P.C. Williams deposed that he received infor- mation on the night of the 26th ult. that the de- fendant kept a very bad lodging house, and it was not licenced, he went to the house about twelve to one o'clock at night and knocked at the door. he heard parties moving from one room to the other when he was waiting at the door, after he got ad- mission he went up stairs and found a man named George, who was hauling coal about the town, with a girl named Morris, and a little girl about fifteen years of age, with another man, and another couple in another bed, and a woman and her son together, the house was a regular brothel. The case was dismissed with a caution not to repeat the offence. William Harris and John Field were charged with being drunk and incapable. Fined Is each and costs.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS. A meeting of the above Board was held on Mon- day last, to consider the orders issued by the Privy Council, on the 20th July last, to exercise powers given them by the diseases prevention Act, 1855, and the amended Act, 23 & 24 Vict. c. 77.-Pre- sent, W. Powell, Esq., in the Chair, L, Hughes, Esq., J. Williams, Esq., Messrs. T. Evans, Freder- ick Watkins, Morgan, Maesgwyn, Smith, Newton, Abel Powell, David Price, Phillip Edwards, Wm. Edwards, Wm. Probert, J. Prothero, Esq., mayor, with a number of other Guardians, and D. W. J. Thomas, Esq., Clerk The Clerk having read the minutes of the meet- ing held on Saturday, and the orders issued by the Privy Council, it was unanimously agreed that the town guardians should form a committee, and the names of Messrs. Smith, P. Edwards, W. Edwards, and Cornish, be added, that Defynock, Senny, and Talybbont, be requested to form into districts and form committees, and that they be assisted by the medical officers; and that some place be securod to remove any person that may be attacked with the cholera, and two rooms in the union workhouse should be fitted up for the reception of those who recovered. The meeting was then adjourned for the purpose of the mayor to request the- members of the Board of Health to attend and co-operate with them.

BRECONSHIRE ADJOURNED QUARTER SESSIONS. These Sessions were held at the Shbe Hall, on luesday last. Present—Penry Williams, Esq., chairman John Lloyd, Esq. George Overton, T ITT' ^rice; Bsq.; John Lloyd, Junr., Esq; J. W. Morgan, Esq. and Rev. Chas. Griffith. A report of the County Surveyor as to the defec- tive state of the Sirhowy bridge and stating the repairs which were required was read, and the surveyor instructed to have such repairs effected at a cost not excGcdmg S14 10s. The Clerk of the Peace was directed to apply to the Merthyr, Tre- degar, and Abergavenny Railway Company, to request that they would contribute towards such expense, as the bridge was chiefly used as an ap- proach to their station at Nantybwch. On the motion of Mr. Lloyd, the surveyor was requested to supply the committe appointed to enquire into the county expenditure, with a return shewing the amount expended by the county in repairing the roadways over and approaches to county bridges during the last three years, and setting forth the amount so expended on the bridges situated in each of the five highway districts, in order that the court may be better able to form a basis for any terms to be agreed upon with the several Highway Boards for the repairs to be carv ried out by them instead of by the county, under the direction of their surveyor. Mr. Lloyd said he intended moving that appli- cation be made to the Government for the same privilege of holding cattle? 'fairs in this county as had been granted to the, counties of Carmarthen, Cardigan, and Pembroke he should do so on the group'd that he considered it necessary as this was a grazmg county, the autumn season was approach- ing amtthe hardship was now coming pressing. The Chairman When you move, the first ques- tion for the consideration of the court will be. whether it is at present safe to make such applica- tion. Mr. Lloyd The weekly number of cases was now only 200, whereas it had been so many as 1300. Mr. Overton The last week there was however a slight increase, and the disease had in some places broken out among sheep. Mr. Lloyd: Sheep are not included in the orders issued affecting this county, we hold sheep markets and fairs at present. The Chairman If you think it safe to make ap- plication, the next question is as to fhe form of the resolution to be adopted, so as to be successful. An application made by the authorities of Radnor- shire for a relaxation in that county of some of the Cattle Plauge Orders had been refused, I suppose by reason of their contiguity to Herefordshire, u 1. which had been an infected district. Mr. Lloyd The disease is not at present in Herefordshire, the restriction will then last for ever on that ground. The Chairman suggested that the application should be certified to cattle coming from any part of South Wales only. The Clerk of the Peace said-be believed that the order in Council prohibiting the bringing of cattle into South Wales from any part of England would not be affected by an order of Council issued in compliance with the present application. Mr. Overton ssaid that looking at the present appearance of the disease, he considered it hardly safe to hold fairs at present. The disease had last week rather increased, and had appeared among sheep in some places. Hitherto they had been very fortunate, and he thought it hardly prudent to apply at present. He found that last week some parties from Defynnock had been round the coun- try with a memorial for signature applying to the Quarter Sessions to open the cattle fairs, such me- morial had been signed, but by very few. The matter had also been brought the previous week before the Board of Guardians, were a good many agriculturists had assembled, and their general opinion was that it was better to wait and see the result of this month, and they might then be able to form a better opinion on the subject. Mr. Lloyd The regular way would be for some one to propose a resolution, and then after the same has been seconded, to proceed. I came here intending to propose that we should adopt the same as the counties of Carmarthen, Cardigan, and Pembroke. We stand exactly in the same position. If it is right and just that stock should be driven from fairs in these counties through Breconshire into England, surely there is no reason why we should not be allowed to hold fairs in this county, especially as the disease has been so reduced. I think it prudent if we obtain the necessary autho- rity, to direct that the usual September cattle fair be held. If we postpone our application until the end of this month, we shall be late for the Brecon September fair, and must then probably wait until November. We see droves of black cattle driven through Breconshire from fairs in those three conu- ties, but none are held here. It is very well for some of us with large herds, but the small moun- tain farmers suffer considerably, and this county is comprised mainly of small farmes. I have been told, by a gentleman that it is intended to hold extra fairs at Llandovery because none are held at Defynnock. It can make no difference, except that the cattle are taken backwards instead of forward. After some few more obsevations, M^r. Llovd moved the following resolution :— yumovea That application be made by this court ,to the Lords of Her Majesty's most Hon. Privy Council, for power to grant licenses for the holding of fairs for the sale of cattle in this county, in the same way as has been permitted in the counties of Car- marthen, Cardigan and Pembroke." Mr. Price stated that after the matter had been so forcibly and clearly put by Mr. Lloyd, he had but few observations to make. He seconded the resolution, and added that he could bear witness to the extreme inconvenience suffered by the moun- tain farmers, who-e stock was not of the quality to tempt the dealers to visit their homesteads, aud as there was at present no disease near this neigh- bourhood, he did not see any reason why fairs should not be held. Mr. Griffith and Mr. Morgan stated that they were in favor of the application. Mr. Overton said that he still thought it most prudent that the application should not be made at present. There was a material difference be- tween this county and the three counties mentioned. Those counties were protected on all sides by coun- ties in which the disease had not appeared, and in which a strict surveillance had been kept. It was not so with Breconshire, it adjoined the county of Hereford, which the disease had visited. Brecon- shire bad not therefore the protection enjoyed by Carmarthen, Cardigan, and Pembroke. With re- gard to fairs it was not cattle alone that commu- nicated the disease. They were told by most of the scientific men of the day, that even individuals might convey the disease. One scientfic man said that even a stick was sufficient to convey" the disease. He therefore considered that if fairs wê now opened, they were just as liable to have the' disease brought into the county as if cattle were brought from some of the infected districts, and they would also be subject to have cattle from time to time smuggled over the border. It would be a sad misfortune if the cattle plague came amongst them. He thought they had better defer their application until the end of the month. In Sep- tember it would be very important and no doubt they should apply. Th urse he would suggest was that they should aiflourn until the last week in August, and if the disease was then reduced, they might consider ain whether it would be ad- visable to apply. The Chairman But you don't move an amend- ment. Mr. Overton: No, I shall not move an amendnent. The proposition of Mr. Lloyd was then put by the chairman, and agreed to. The court then adjourned until Tuesday the 28th instant.

BRECONSHIRE RIFLE COMPETITION. The above Competition came off on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday last, at the Llangorse Rifle Range. -This range is beautifully situated on the Langorse common, with the beautiful Langorse lake, about two miles in length, in the back ground, and trains running to within one mile of the ground. We are informed that the Hereford, Hay, and Bre- con Railway, and the Brecon and Merthyr Railway Companies ran trains at single fares for the double journey, for volunteers in uniform. The attendance of visitors on the ground was very meagre, no doubt in consequence of the weather, which was very unfavorable during the three days. A good supply of provisions was on the ground for the ac- commodation of the public, in an excellent marquee, belonging to Mr. Pitt, of Llangrwyney, near Crick- howell. The following is a <?opy of the rules under which the proceedings were conducted 1.—The Llangorse Range being provided at great trouble and expense by the officers of the battalion, so as to place all the corps on an equality 1 at their annual meeting, it is distinctly to be con- sidered a neutral range, and any member of the Brecknockshire Volunteers practising on the range either before or after the competition, will be dis- qualified from shooting at the competition. 2.—The competition to be open to effective members of all ranks of the volunteer force belong- ing to the county of Brecon. 3.—Each company may send 10 competitors, and each sub-division may send 5. 4.—The competitors to be confined to that num- ber, except when expressly stated to the contrary. 5. Every competitor must produce a certificate from the officer commanding the company or sub- division to which he belongs, stating that he has been duly selected, and also that he has passed through the preliminary course of musketry instruc- tion laid down in the War Office Circular, dated 1st September, 1859. The long or short Enfield Government Rifle, with a minimum pull of 6lbs only allowed. Whichever weapon is selected must be used throughout the meeting. 6. -No winner of a prize above the value of £5, to contend again unless so expressly stated. 7.—The ammunition used to be supplied by Go- vernment, and to be provided by the competitor. Members using any other will be disqualified. 10. -All Volunteers competing to be in uniform. 11.—No magnifying sights allowed. The pull of the trigger to be tested before and after firing, and the ammunition to be examined before, firing. & 12.-Firilig to commence at nine a.m. 13.—There will be five ranges, 200, 400, 500, 600, and 700 yards. 14.—The order of firing to be altered for each prize. 15.—No practising allowed on the ground on the days of the rifle competition, any one doing so will be disqualified. 16.—The Battalion Cup to be competed for by 10 men from each company, and 5 men from Tal- garth sub-division. 17.—In the first range for each prize, a score of five points at 200 yards, to qualify for shooting at the long ranges. 18.—No appeals against points scored, or signals from butts be allowed, unless made previous to the firing of the next shot. 19.—No talking will be permitted either in the sections or among the bystanders which will at all interfere with the shooting. Bystanders to keep ten yards in the rear of the firing parties. 20.—Ties to be decided by the greatest number of hits at the longest range. 21.—Any marker leaving the butt previous to showing the danger flag will be fined 2s. 6d. The following is the scoring :— LADIES' PRIZE BRECON. 209 400 Total Capt. Lloyd 16 12 28 Ensign Evans 13 14 27 Sergeant Williams, 12 10 22 „ Trew. 11 14 25 Corporal Morgan 11 10 21 Private Brace. 9 11 20 „ Brown 13 14 27 Bennett. 11 15 26 Matthews. 10 15 25 BRYNMAWR. Sergeant Hore 13 8 21 Corporal Davies 10 10 20 Lieut. Jones 13 7 20 Sergeant Griffiths 11 6 17 Private Ford 9 7 16 „ Williams 9 12 21 CorporalCouins. 11 15 26 » Webb 13 5 18 Private Bush 11 9 20 HAY. Ensign Llewelin. 11 3 14 C.SergeantPrice. 12 5 17 Corporal T-lope l2 9 21 Baker 15 5 20 „ Brentnell 2 0 2 Private Denby 8 9 17 „ Webb 12 8 20 17 Price. 13 12 25 „ Brentnell. 6 11 17 Lewis 4 0 4 TALGARTH. .Ensign Perrott. 13 14 27 Sergeant Jones 9 12 21 „ Martin 4 0 4 Corporal West 8 13 21 Private Harper 12 4 16 BUILTH. V Lieut. Howell 14 14 28 Col. Sergt. Powell 10 10 20 Sergeant Powell 13 8 21 Price. 6 0 6 Private Pritchard 10 9 19 „ Jones. 4 R 4 „ Stanton. 5 10 15 Evans 6 15 21 5) Jones 5 0 5 Williams 9 6 15 BRECON Sub-division. Q. M. S., Morgan 4 R 4 ,.Private Griffiths .I. 12 8 20 „ Wood 7 13 20 „ Adams 8 5 13 „ Gabriel. 11 5 16 CRIOKIIOWELL. Capt. Hotchkis 13 R 13 Ensign Parry 9 13 22 Col. Sergt. Ward 7 12 19 Sergeant Morris. 15 15 ••• 30 Private Probert 13 12 Evans 13 14 ••• j' Corporal Evans 14 3 17 Private Bright 13 ••• ^2 Corporal West 14 1* 25 Private Lewis 11 11 CRICKHOWELL Sub-division. Private Taylor 8 1:3 21 „ Harris 10 15 25 Corporal Dendy 8 f 12 20 Sergeant Prosser 9 10 1,9 Private Windoss 5 8 13 Winners—1st prize £ 8, Sergeant Morris, Crick- howell 2nd £ 5, Private Roberts, Brynmawr 3rd £ 4, Lieut Howell, Builth 4th < £ '3, Capt. Lloyd, Brecon 5th £ 2, Private Evans, Crickhowell; 6th £ 1, Lieut. Evans, Brecon 7th £ 1, Private Bi •own Brecon 8th £1, Ensign Perrott, Talga,rth.

COUNTY PRIZE AND MEDAL, £28. ORICKHÜWELL. 600 700 Total. Ensign Parry. 5 9 14 Col. Sergeant Ward. 2 R 2 Sergeant Morris 6 R 6 PrivateProbert. 5 8 13 „ Evans 6 8 14 Corporal Evans 9 R 9 Private Bright 5 7 12 Corporal Herbert 6 R 6 PrivateLewis. 4 R 4 „ Sharpe. 4 R 4 BRECON Sub-division. Q. M. S. Morgan 0 R 0 Private Griffiths 8 3 11 Wood. 8 R 8 „ Adams 5 4 9 „ Gabriel 0 R 0 BRECON. Capt. Lloyd 4 R 4 Lieut. Evans 5 R 5 Sergeant Williams 4 2 6 „ Trew. 6 6 12 Corporal Morgan 5 2 7 PrivateBrace. 2 14 16 „ Brown. 9 8 17 „ Bennett. 4 R 4 „ Powell. 9 6 15 „ Matthews 5 R 5 BRYNMAWR. Sergeant Here. 7 3 10 Corporal Davies 3 R 3 Lieut. Jones. 0 R 0 Sergeant Griffiths 4 R 4 Private Ford 0 R 0 „ Roberts 5 11 16 „ Williams. 9 10 19 CorporalCollins. 5 R 5 „ Webb 8 7 15 Private Bush 2 8. 10 HAY. Ensign Llewellyn 0 0 Col. Sergeant Price. 0 0 Corporal Hope. 4 4 j „ Baker. 3 3 Brentnell. 2 g 2 Private Denby. 0 '-g 0 j, „ Webb 0 P3 0 „ Price 0 0 „ Brentnell. 2 2 „ Lewis 0 0 h TALGARTH Sub-division. Ensign Perrott 5 R 5 Sergeant Jones 9 3 12 < „ Martin 0 R 0 Private Harper 0 R 0 Corporal West. 0 7 7 BUILTH. Lieut Howells 13 6 19 Col. Sergt Powell 3 8 11 Sergeant Powell 5 5 j „ Price 0 0 Private Pritchard. 3 6 3 „ Jones 0 2 0 | „ Stanton 3 '-g 3 I Evans 3 P3 3 Jones 0 0 „ Williams 0 0 CRICKHOWELL Sub-division. Sergeant Taylor 7 3 10 Private Harris 5 R 5 Corporal Dendy 4 R 4 Corporal Dendy 4 R 4 Sergeant Prosser 0 R 0 „ Windoss. 2 R 2 I Winners—1st prize £10, Private Willianisi I Brynmawr 2nd i'6, Lieut Howell, Builth ;3rd £ 4, Private Brown, Brecon 4th £ 3, Pt. Brace. Brecon 5th £ 2, Private Roberts, Brynmawr; 6tk £ l, Private Wood, Brecon 7th £ l, Corp. Webb? Brynmawr 8th £ 1, Private Powell. Brecon.

BATTALION CUP. TALGARTH Sub-division 200 500 Ensign Perrott 10 13 23 j Sergeant Jones 13 9 22 \)' „ Martin 4 7 11 Corporal West 10 0 10 Private Harper. 11 0 11 BRYNMAwR. Sergeant Hore 11 7 IS j Corporal Davies II 10 21 Lieut. Jones 11 6 17 Sergeant Griffiths 11 12 23 Private Ford '10 9 19 „ Roberts. 12 12 24 Williams. 14 12 26 j Corporal Webb II- 13 24 Private Bush 11 14 25 Corporal Collins. 14 10 24 BBECON. Sergeant Williams. 10 11 21 j Corporal Morgan 12 5 17 Private Brown 12 13 25 f „ Bennett 11 9 20 ) Capt. Lloyd 11 6. 17 Lieut.Evans. 13 11' 24 Private Matthews 9 12 21 11 Powell 11 12 23 Sergeant Trew 13 17 :30 t Private Brace 9 6 BUILTH. Lieut. Howell. 11 0 11 | Cold. Sergeant Powell 11 8 19 Sergeant Powell. 13 9 22 )' Price. 2 0 2 Private Pritchard 10 8 18 Jones 5 5 10 Stanton. 2 2 4 „ Evans 6 6 l2 J. Jones 4 0 4 ] „ Williams. 7 10 17 | CRICKHOWELL. Capt. Hotchkis 11 13 24 Ensign Parry 10 7 17 Sergeant Ward 9 9 18 Morris. 14 9 23 h PrivateProbert. 14 7 21 Evans 13 10 23 CorporaL Evans 13 g 21 privateBright. 15 13 28 Corporal Herbert 11 9 20 Private Lewis 12 11 23 HAT. Ensign Llewelin. M. 12 11 23 j! Corporal Price .S., 12 2 14 » Hope 10 8 18 » Baker 3V,». 13 2 15 „ Brentnell 4 0 4 Private Price 12 0 12 Webb 7 11 18 „ Denby. 12 2 14 „ Brentnell 12 2 14 „ Lewis 10 0 10 The Cup was won by the Brynmawr company* J and Sergeant Trew, Brecon, won the Adjutant'S t Cup.

To the Editor of the" Brecon Reporter." Sir,—I understand that the Privy Council has I issued a mandate to Boards of Guardians to take immediate steps for the prevention of cholera, 1 and the Brecknock Guardians being desirous of co-operating with the Board of Health, procured the worthy mayor to summon a special meeting of their body, to be held at tha Town Hall, 011 Thurs- j day evening last, at 6 o'clock, to meet the com- mittee of Guardians, when lo, and behold only four Councillors out of fifteen attended. BAD HEALTH.

mtat1!j. On the 7th inst, at his residence, Slwch Villa, of appoplexy, in his 55th year, Joseph Bass, Esq., formerly draper of this town, greatly regretted by a numerous circle of relatives and friends. 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 Brecon --SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1866. J