The Aberystwyth Times Cardiganshire Chronicle and Merionethshire News

INTRODUCTORY. Few of out readers In Aberystwith, we fancy, will need to ask the reasons why a fresh paper is started in their important and thriving town. They have felt the want of a good local journal with space enough at its command to report as folly as the particular im- portance of each case, or the public interest, demands, all the events of the week in the town and neighbour- hood, and with fidelity enough to the principles which it professes to support to mBfce it a ii uStetT Organ Of the great Liberal party, in whose ranks the bulk of tho people of Aberystwith are included. Such a want the conductors of the Aberystwith Times hope to supply. Their first object will be, to report fully and accur- ately the public meetings and events of interest in the locality and with this department, it ought to be un- necessary to say, no party questions will be allowed to interfere. The conductors, having all the appliances of a first class provincial paper at their command, hope to make the Times a full and faithful record of the political, ecclesiastical, magisterial, and other news of the week, not only for the immediate neigh- bourhood of Aberystwith, but for a wide district around. At the present moment, of course, prominence will be given to political intelligence, especially the electoral proceedings and prospects of the Principality. The principles of Liberalism wltl be earnestly and frankly, and, it is hoped, courteously supported and while public proceeedings, and the conduct of public men, are fearlessly criticized, the conductors trust that fairness, as well as an honest outspokenness, will always characterize their paper. They do not mean that public men will never be told what the public think about them, but that the conductors will en. deavour to discharge the unpleasant, though necessary and useful, function of criticism in a spirit, if some- times of severity, yet always of fair play. While Liberal principles will be the principles of the paper, full liberty will be given in the columns devoted to correspondence to the expression and discussion of all opinions, the only conditions being that they are ex- pressed and discussed with ability and good temper. With this brief introduction the conductors commend their paper to the people of Aberystwith, to the pro- motion of whose interests the Times will ever be devoted.

THE REVISION COURT A ABERYSTWITH. Last week will be memorable in the political annals of Aberystwith. Never has there been a registration contest so long in duration, so bitterly fought, or so conspicuously one-sided in the results. Several cir- cumstances had contributed to increase the bitterness of the Conservatives and the irritation of the Liberals. The acceptance by all the Liberal lawyers of retainers from the Conservatives had raised, inordinately, the expectation of the Conservatives, and caused the Liberals to anticipate the revision with an anxiety almost amounting to dread. In previous contests they had been taught to lean on the professional staff, who had monopolized all the credit of the victory, and now they could not conceive it possible to win without them. The Liberal lawyers had also done between t iem all the professional work of the Gogerddan and other Liberal estates, and it was therefore felt that t leir loss would thus be doubly felt. The objections, moreover, had been served in such a wholesale way- iu some parishes to every voter on the register-and the business of the courts at Lampeter was commenced by Mr Atwood in such a spirit, that everything showed they meant war to the knife. The Barrister had extended the time usually given to Aberystwith (one day) to three days, little thinking he would have to extend it to six, as he was compelled to do, the Court sitting daily from ten on Monday morning to ten on Saturday night, and leaving then some work to be done at Aberaeron. When the Court opened there appeared for the Con- ssrvatives Mr F. R. Roberts, the Clerk of the Peace, Mr Atwood, Mr Hugh Hughes, and Mr Thomas, and for the Liberals, Mr Robinson Smith and Dr Daviee, assisted by Mr John Matthews, of Aberystwith, and Mr J. H. Davies, the agent of the South Wales Electoral Association. The Conservative advocate, Mr Atwood, assumed at the outset a tone of defiance, and almost of contempt, and it was amusing to watch the alteration in his tone, first of all to the irritation of a baffled man, then t. violence, and lastly to utter despondency and despair It was quite clear that in Mr Smith, who did the whole of the public advocacy on Monday and Tuesday, the Conservative quartett had met more than their match. In law, in argument, in special pleading, and in tact, they were oufuone, and as point after point was discussed, a crowded court closely followed the result, and the decision was given is Mr Smith's favour, the excitement and enthusiasm broke out in irrepressible bursts of applause. On the departure of Mr Smith on Wednesday to attend the Glamorganshire courts, the Conservatives recommenced the supercilious tone towards Dr Davies, who now represented the Liberals, which they had been glad to change towards Mr Smith but it soon appeared that they were not going to fare any better with Dr Divies than they had fared with his colleague Mr Smith. The remainder of Wednesday, after Mr Smith's departure, passed quietly enough, but on Thursday morning, at the borough registration, they received a taste of the quality of their new opponent- He quietly took an objection to the notices served by Mr Atwood upon the overseers. The Barrister, in spite of the angry remonstrances of the four Conser- vative agents, pronounced the irregularity fatal, and dismissed every objection made by them, amidst the uncontrollable laughter of the spectators. On Friday, after a long discussion, Dr Davies ob- jected to the whole of the notices served upon Pareel- canol, Cwmrheidol, Gwnnwn, and Idanbadarn Croydin —in number about 100-as the addition of the parish to the address given in the register rendered service incomplete wherever it could be shown that the parish or township used more than one post office. There was a long and angry argument on this point, but the Barrister gave a positive decision, which set all the notices aside. It would be impossible to give, even in a report, all the exciting episodes in the contest, but what roused public indignation very much was the difficulty of extracting any information from the Con- servative agents that could substantiate any Liberaf claim. On one or two occasions Mr Smith gave utterance to remonstrances that were scathing, and the report was circulated far and wide that poor Mr Hugh Hughes was affected by them to tears. It is now no secret that the Conservatives had hoped to settle the election at the Aberystwith Court and that they have signally failed. By serving 450 notices of objections they knew many votes must go from the impossibility at any reasonable cost of supplying proof, but through their blundering upwards of 200 0 were disposed of on technical grounds, and a full half of the others were proved on their merits, the Liberal committee, through Mr Matthews, having collected nearly 200 conveyances. Upon the whole nothing could have happened so opportunely to the Liberal cause. The conduct of the Conservatives has kindled the zeal of the most lukewarm, ani the Liberals feel now more than ever confident of success, as their position is considerably improved by the registration. It now only remains for those who have promised to fulfil their pledges, and resist manfally the blandish- ments and pressure which trill henceforth b3 used without stint as the only possible means of securing success.

BANKRUPTS.—The following announcements appear in the Gazette :-William Lemin Royston, Buckley Flintshire, chemist, Oct. 7, at 12: sol. Mr Allen, Mold, off. assig. the Registrar. Seymour Saffery Sayer Brecon, brewer, Oct. 5, at 11: sol. Mr Miller, Bristol; off. assig. Mr Accraman. Thomas Kirtlan, Bridgnorth, draper, Oct. 14, at 12: sol. Mr Backhouse, Bridg- north off. assig. Mr Kinnear.—The following appears amongst the "Bankruptcies annulled:"—William Christopher Harris, Oaken Gates, Salop, licensed victualler, Sept. 16.-Among the "Compositions," &o., we find the following:—Charles Roberts, carrying on business at Greenfields, Oswestry, limestone and iron merchant, composition of Is. 6d. in the pound, within one month of registration of deed. John Jamblin, Penmaenmawr, Carnarvonshire, photographic artist, composition of 5s. in the pound, within seven days after registration of deed. Ed. Richard Thomas, formerly of Coedpoeth, near Wrexham, druggist and grocer, but now of Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, dispenser, assignment. Powis EXHIBITION.—One exhibition, of the value of £60 a year, tenable at any College or Hall at either of the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge, has been obtained by Mr Richard Hughes Pritchard, of Bangor, scholar of Jesus College, Oxford. The examination of the candidates, seven in number, was held at King Edward's School, Birmingham, on Tues- day, the 22nd of September, and the following days, before the Rev. R. W. Mason, M.A., Jesus College, Oxford, and the Rev. E. W. Bowling, M.A., Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge. The candidates were examined in Welsh reading, composition, and speak- ing the Gospel aocording to St. Matthew, in Greek; the nrst and second books of the Iliad, the fifth book of Thucydides, Zenophon's, Anabasis, Cicero de Officiis, the fifth book of the Æneid, and Latin prose composition. Honourable mention is made by the examiners of Mr Richard Bowcott, of Jesus College, Oxford, as haying passed a very creditable examina- tion.

ABERYSTWITH. UNITED HARVEST THANKSGIVING.—Last week an interesting series of English services were held in this town, at St. Michael's Church, at eleven a.m., at L3wis Terrace Church, at two p.m., at St. Mary's Church, at six p.m., at Portland street Church, at hilf-past seven p.m. The successive services were conducted by the Rev W. Jones, Rev. Davi-I Thomas, Rev. E. Owen Phillips, M.A., and Rev. Arthur W. K. Griffith, LL.B. The general attendance on such an important^occasion, it must be confessed, was by no means satisfactory. At the same time it is matter for congratulation to find a disposition on the part of the several denominations of Christians in the town to unite together in presenting their thanksgivings to Almighty God for the excellent harvest. There is no doubt as to the pressing desirability of promoting by every means possible the spirit of Christian union ino our midst. The friends connected with the several Welsh Churches in the town met very numerously in their own respective places of worship the week previously for similar purposes. Tho harvest-song would we repeat: Thou givest us the finest wheat The joys of harvest we have known; The praise, 0 Lord, is all Thine own. Another harvest comes apace: Ripen our spirits by Thy grace, That we may calmly meet the blow The sickle gives to lay us low. That so, when angel-reapers come To gather sheaves to Thy blest home, Our spirits may be borne on high, To Thy safe garner in the sky. -Communicated. PETTY SF.SSIONs.-These sessions were held on Wednesday last, before Rd. Roberts, Esq. (mayor), and the jury list for the town, borough, and liberties of Aberystwith, for the ensuing year, was duly veri- fied and allowed. IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS AND LOCAL BOARD, TUESDAY.-C. Rice Williams, Esq., M.D., in the chair. General District Rate.-The clerk produced the new general district rate, which had been prepared at Is. 4d. in the pound, when it was decided that the same should be signed by the Commissioners present, and that in cases of £10 and under, where th a owners of property are rated instead of the occupiers such owner should be assessed upon two-thirds of the annual value of such property; and also that the new collector, Mr D. Davies, be directed to collect the new rate without delay. Arrears of Commissioners' Rate.-Several ratepayers appeared before the Board with the object of being excused from paying the improvement rate, pleading as a reason their extreme poverty. A special com- mittee of the commissioners was appointed to enquire into the circumstances of all persons now in arrears, and report thereon at the next meeting of the com- missioners, the object being to dispose of the out- standing rate, either to remit the arrears, and carry them to the irrecoverable column, or to get them paid by distress and sale of the goods of the defaulters that the new rate may be free of old arrears. Street Sign.-An order was given to procure a street label or sign for Union-street.

MALLWYD. THANKSGIVING SERVICE.—On Wednesday, the 23rd, services were held in the parish church at this place, to thank the Giver of all Good for the late abundant harvest. The Rev. Wm. Williams, of Aberdovey, Rev. Mr Griffiths, Machynlleth, and other clergymen, took part in the service, and the sermons, morning, afternoon, and evening, were very impressive, and listened to by a most numerous congregation with profound attention. A collection was made at the close of the evening service, towards the additional Curates' Aid Society. The choir sang well under the leadership of Mr Edward Hughes, national school- master, of Dinas Mawddwy.

TOWYN. FIRE.-Oll Wednesday, the 23rd, a large quantity of oats in the straw, that were stacked in a barn, were set fire to, it is supposed, by some children, at Aber- gynolwyn, near Towyn, and in an incredibly short space of time the whole was destroyed, and nothing but the bare walls of the barn and smouldering ruins were to be seen. The oats belonged to T. H. M'Con- nell, Esq. It is surmised, says. correspondent," that the same incorrigible who set fire to the gorse mountain about a month ago did this deed. EARLY WOODCOCK.-One of these birds was seen near Towyn on Thursday last, within gun shot. For- tunately for the bird, the gentleman who saw it had not his fowling piece with him.

LLANBRYNMATR. THE FAIR.—At the September fair, on Wednesday, there was but a small show of stock of any kind, a few of which found purchasers at low rates, but much went home unsold. The attendance of buyers was very small, doubtless owing to the fair at Newtown having been held on the previous day, and most of the dealers having gone home with their purchases.

PENNAL, PETTY SESSIONS. September 25th.—Before Earl Vane, W. W. E. Wynne, Esq., and John Pughej, Esq. Keeping Dogs without Licences.—The following persons were summoned by Mr Randle, supervisor of Inland Revenue, for keeping dogs without having a licence, and each fined 25s.:—William Edwards, Ellis Jones, Evan Jones (joiner), David Thomas, Evan Jones, William Davies (Tal-y-llyn), Edward Jones, Elizabeth Williams, and Richard Tudor (Pennal). Highway Offence.Owen Edwards, Abergynol- wyn, was summoned by P.C. Williams, for allowing his pig to be straying on the highway, and fined 5s. and costs. Assaulting the Police.-David Jones, Plas Edwards, Towyn, was charged by P.C. Metcalfe with assaulting him in the execution of his duty.—The prisoner was seen by the officer in a drunken state, and indecently behaving himself, on the 23rd instant. Metcalfe spoke to him, and thereupon the prisoner got up, and threat- ened to shoot both him and Sergeant Roberts, at the earliest opportunity. He kicked the officer, and tried to bite him, and with some difficulty be was removed to the lock-up, where he remained all night, being bailed out next morning.-He had been before con- victed of drunkenness, and was fined £ 5, and costs, 12s., and in default committed for two months' hard labour.—The prisoner was removed in custody, and the fine was paid at Towyn, by his wife, on hi, way to gaol. Robbery by a Tramp.—George Ward, a tramp, was charged with stealing a watch, at Towyn, on the 17th September. On the night of the 16th ultimo, the prisoner applied for relief to P.C. Metcalfe, and next morning he picked up the watch on the road- side, on bis way to Dolgelley. The watch belonged to Mr Hugh Jones, of Towyn, who had lost it on his way to work that morning. The prisoner tramped as far as Carnarvon, where he applied at the police-station for relief, and, on being searched by Sergeant Hughes, the watch was found upon him. He accounted for his possession of it by saying that it was his father's, and that he had had it for nine years. Evidence was given of its being lost and of its identity, and the pri- soner, who asked to be summarily dealt with, was committed for a month, with hard labour. Trespassing in Search of Gante.-Nathan Morris, Towyn, was summoned by John Roberts for trespassing in pursuit of game.—Defendant was found on Morfa Farm with a lurcher dog, and beating for game.— Fined 21, and 14s. costs.

RUABON. FATAL ACCIDENT AT A COAL PIT. ELEVEN MEN KILLED AND FOURTEEN INJURED. On Wednesday morning last an accident of a most serious character and attended with fatal results occurred at the Green Pit, Ruabon. The pit belongs to the New British Iron Company, and is one of the largest and most extensive workings in the neighbour- hood. The works adjoin the Great Western Railway from Shrewsbury to Chester, and the estimated quantity of coal daily produced from the pit is about 800 tons, the number of men and boys employed in the pit being 500. On Wednesday morning the men proceeded with their work as usual, till about eleven o'clock, when the pit was found to be on fire from the damp. The news soon spread and hundreds of anxious parents and wives were quickly on the spot to know who was hurt. The men were got out of the pit as quickly a3 possible, and on Wednesday the number kiHed and hurt was not exactly known, but on Thursday it was found that out of the 500 in the workings eleven were dead and fourteen very much burnt and injured. Four horses were also burnt. Mr Evans, the manager, and the men who escaped the accident were most energetic in their efforts to rescue their fellows from this peril- ous position, and in attending to the wants of the suffering. Lady Wynn and several ladies in the neighbourhood, with their usual kindness and gool feeling towards the poor sufferers, rendered timely assistance by despatching flannel, wines, and other articles of comfort. On Thursday the Government Inspectors, Mr Hickinson, and Mr Dickenson, with Mr Evans, man- ager of the works, and the two Messrs Darlington, underground managers, went down to inspect the WOlks.

CORWEN. DENBIGHSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.—The first prize for main ploughing at Wrexham, last week, was awarded to William Jones, servant at Irs Jones's of Hafod, near this town. The plough was of the making of Mr John Owen, smith, Llandri -o.twho has on a great many occasions been successful at the ploughing matches. In these facts we have o-oof of the utility of our local ploughing matches, and they reflect credit on Merionethshire. CRICKET MATCH.—On Monday, the 21st ultimo the return match between the North andsoa-th Side of the Dee was played on the ground of the South, and resulted in favour of the Southerners by nine runs, their score being 63, and that of the Northerners 59. Probably this is the last match that will be played this season. We should intimate that, considering that all the members of the Corwen club are novicas, during all the matches they have played this season their fielding and.batting have been creditable, and this club promises in due course to rear capital cricketers. STEALING A GOLD "WATCH.—Our station being a junction for the Denbigh, Ruthin, an Corsren Rail- way and the Great Western, it was on the 25th ult., the occasion of Lord Napier's visit to Ruthin. thronged with excursionists from different parts and sharpers were not backwards in their usual sleight of hand tricks, for we learn that a gentleman from Bala had to proceed to Ruthin minus his gold watch, which had evidently been cut from the chain. Information was given to the police, who are vigilant in the matter, but we are afraid that faint hopes prevail of bringing the offenders to justice.

THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF WALES. Considerable interestis being manifested in reference to this movement throughout the Principality, and beyond the border, and this feeling is, happily, found to be daily on the increase. On Thursday evening, the 24th September, a special meeting was held in the spacious hall on the college premises, for the purpose of explaining the nature, progress, and prospects of this institution, to a large company of the members of the different lodges of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows in the Aberystwitb. district. The chair was occupied by C. R. Williams, Esq., M.D. The Rev. D. Charles, B.A., secretary, in addressing the audience, entered fully into the subject in its mul- tifarious aspects. He eaid it was very desirable the meeting should partake as much of the conversational as possible, and therefore urged upon he friends to throw off all re-erve, and to put to him any questions they thought proper in reference to the whole move- ment. At the- close of his address, this piece of advice was acted upon in a very agreeable form, and explanations the most satisfactory were given by the secretary (Rev. D. Charles). He, moreover, said he was greatly en- couraged in finding that the members of the several lodges in the town were alive to the great importance of this enterprise. That education in Wales had been greatly neglected, he said, they could not be of two opinions, while, at the same time, its knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, by reason of the prevalence of Sunday Schools and the help afforded by the Bible Society, &c., was very remarkable. But the educational advantages of the country were yet exceedingly deficient. It was true, much good had been effected by means of the British and National Schools. The University College of Wales, however, once established, would be the means of improving and multiplying schools; and, by the superior class of instruction that would be imparted at this college, the young men of Wales would be enabled to vie with the English, Scotch, and other nations. The privileges of the Scotch were very great. They had four universities, with many thousand students, and numerous good schools scattered all over the country. Hence their occupation of so many posts of trust in every direction. The young men of Wales only required similar advantages in order to distinguish themselves in the various spheres of life. In 1854, a given number of friends met together in London, for the purpose of considering and maturing plans for the educational progress of the people of the Principality, by the establishment of an institution of this kind amongst us. No active measures, however, were taken until a patriotic Welshman (the late W. Williams, Esq., M.P.) made the munificent contribution of £ 1,000 towards carrying out the prospect, after which Dr. Nicholas, the late secretary, took the matter up, and brought it before the notice of the country. On Dr. Nicholas's retirement last Christmas, the Committee in London urged upon Mr Charles to take charge thereof, consequently, he went up to London for further information as to the prospects of the movement, and the probability of its being brought to a successful issue. The result of his consultation with the Com- mittee in London was, that he felt the work was prac- ticable, though arduous and, from his thorough con- fidence in his countrymen, who would know what was for their own good, and would, consequently, promote it, he undertook the labour of bringing the proposed institution to completion. He was earnest ia his work, and was determined, should life and health be extended to him, to spare no pains or exertions to accomplish what had been taken in hand. He was very happy to find the confidence of the country was being revived, and that he met encouragement from all quarters. The intention was to raise the sum of £30,000, which amount was deemed amply sufficient for all purposes. Dr. Nicholas had succeeded in obtaining promises of subscriptions to the amount of some £ 12,000, and he (Mr Charles) bad also been successful, tioce taking office, in receiving promises of some £ 2,000 in addition. The committee were anxious to complete the purchase of the splendid premises in which they were assembled, in the first place, and then to proceed with the least possible delay to finish the building, aiming at the opening of the college for the admission of students in October, 1869 that he (the secretary) might state he had already received seveial applications. With regard to the future support of the institution, they had very good grounds to expect an annual grant from Government. In conclusion, he observed that the opening of this institution would not only be an un- speakable advantage to Aberystwith, in a"pecuniary sense, but would likewise enable t'le artisans, trades- men, and others of the place, to secure for their children a first-class education, on terms the most eco- nomical, not exceeding, and probably less than £10 a year. Dr. C. Rice Williams and Mr Pell also addressed the meeting, which was altogether of a most interesting character. In proof of appreciation of what had been said, a cordial vote of thanks was proposed to the Rev. D. Charles, coupled with the names of Dr. Wiliiams aud Mr PelJ, the members all standing with right hand up- lifted in carrying it. Dr. Williams, Mr Pell, and Rev. D. Charles responded to the same with appropriate and encouraging remarks. It is proposed, in accordance with an urgent request, to hold another meeting, upon a larger scale, of the members of the several lodges of the district, on or about the 15th of October.

DINAS MAWDDWY. HARVEST THANKSGIVING. — On Wednesday, the 16th inst., a general thanksgiving was held at this place. Prayer meetings were held during the whole day in the various chapels, crowds cf people congre- gated from the villages around, and the day was kept j sacred. DRAINING THE TOWN.—We are pleased to notice that the drainage works here have commenced; not before they were wanted, for during the hot weather fever has raged to a very great extent, doubtless in consequence of the state of the streets and cesspools. We know of no place so cipable of being made clean and healthy as Dinas, the fall being so good to the river Dovey. Mr William Scott, drainage engineer, of Towyn, has the management of the works, and we are confilent that with his efficient staff they will be carred out in a manner that will give satisfaction. We trust, now the work has begun, it will be carried out in earnest, and no expense spared to make it eflectual.

MACHYNLLETH. CONCERT.—On Monday evening, the 28th ult., a grand miscellaneous concert was given ia the Vane Hall, by Mr Inglis Bervon, the organist of St. Michael's Church, Aberystwith. The concert, which was under the patronage of Earl and Lady Vane, was largely and fashionably attended. Mr Bervon, who presided at the pianoforte, and in the course of the performance sang several good basso songs, was abJy assisted in the execution of a choice and varied pro- gramme by Miss Wight, Mrs Hayward, and Mr Geo. Casewell, solo violinist. PETTY SESSIONS, WEDNESDAY, Before Earl Vane and C. F. Thruston, Esq. Dog Cases.-Huclh Williims, Doldwynin, and John Babb, Coedcae, were summoned by Thom i Randle, supervisor of Inland Revenue, for keeping dogs without having taken out the necessary licence, and each fined in the mitigated penalty of 25s. In both cases the defendants professed ignorance of the law. Jury Lists.-The following jury lists were sub- mitted and passed,-Macbynlleth, Darowen, Penegoes, Isygarreg, Uchygarreg, Llanbrynmair, and Llanwrin. The overseers of Cemmes neglecting to produce their lists, a summons was issued for their appearance a the adjourned Petty Sessions.