The Aberystwyth Times Cardiganshire Chronicle and Merionethshire News

DEATH TO THE RABBITS. The discussion in the Shropshire Chamberof Agriculture- fcilly reported in our columns last week and this—adds con- siderable weight to the overwhelming expression of opinion by the farmers of England against the preser- vation of Ground Game. An unwise attempt was made \0 confine the results of the discussion within the strict fetms of the subject announced—the over-preservation of itaine-but, as might have been expected, the feelings of the farmers were too strong to allow such an attempt to Succeed, and it was eventually declared, "that in the opinion of this meeting all tenant farmers should have the l'ight of killing hares and rabbits, all special reservations to the contrary notwithstanding." The farmers who "poke were-singularly unanimous in their condemnation of the present system and their demand for a remedy, and Nobody was bold enough to dispute, what may almost be Called the agricultural axiom, that rabbits are vermin, Against which all the powers of destruction ought to be ayed. In referring again to the report, we find that must qualify our assertion, for the Rev. GARNETT ^OTpiBiiE, whose speech disappointed us, though he Said his tenants might kill -the rabbits. as much as they Pleased, declared that he did not like them to use guns in the process, because, for one reason, rabbits could not be kept down by shooting, and, for another, difficulties might arise between the keepers and the^farmers' sons. There Mr BoTTiEiiD touched upon a sore point, as the "hisses" which greeted the remark were sufficient to show. The deeper is rapidly becoming the grand aversion of the farmer—a .sort of impersonation of the plague of rabbits- and the way in which every hit at him was applauded Was significant. Mr BOTFIELD, we are perfectly sure, did not mean to say anything offensive, but words like those to which we have referred seem to the farmers harshly and unjustly to bring the demands of mere sport Into competition with those of agriculture; or, in other Words, the amusement of the landlord into conflict with the livelihood of the tenant. The farmers cannot be brought to see that anything will justify the landlord in Seriously interfering with the cultivation of the soil, and all their bitterest feelings are aroused' when it is suggested to them that any consideration about the keeper should Weigh for one moment against their efforts to make the land yield its richest and fullest produce. The tenants are more than willing to help their landlords in obtaining fair amount of legitimate sport, as the speakers last Week were careful to explain but when the sport of the ()ne is almost the ruin of the other, as it really is in Some cases, gamekeepers become an abomination, and the Whole system is in danger of extinction. If the land- lords wish to avoid that result of the present agitation, they will do well at once to listen to the demands of the farmers, and assist them in obtaining redress; for the Country is on their side, and will see that their just re- quirements are granted. The country is finding out that present system interferes with more than the farmer's I)rofits-with the proper production of food and the Prosperity of the country-and the days have gone by When anything of that sort would be permitted for the ke of amusing one class of the community. Of course it is very easy to talk and write about game preserving in II. loose and violent way although everybody has given Up the typical, virtuous poacher of former days. What- ever he may have been in times past, he k a worthless bellow enough now, and often deserves what he gets. the law as it stands encourages crime. Poaching is hardly regarded as any breach of the moral law, and many man who has begun by snaring rabbits, with little thought of wrong doing, has ended in something agrea.tdeal Worse. Froiy beginning to end the game laws help to foster Crime and to increase the burdens of the ratepayers, and We can scarcely wonder that a great deal of indignation is expended upon a system which does all this, and, in Edition lessens the food of the people and interferes with the success of agricultural pursuits. On the other hand, 1:1.0 moderate man wants to abolish the game laws without Providing some efficient substitute for the protection of the ndlord's legitimate property, and for the preservation of ^hat is now to some extent, and might be in a larger clegree, used as food. Few people dispute the desirability preserving salmon, and the same principle should be ^tended to land game. In the case of hares and rabbits, a disturbing element comes in, and destroys the llel, because salmon do not poison the farmers' lands, ike the latter, or nibble away his produce. As for the f^bits, argument seems to be unnecessary, because every- body recognizes the immense evil they do—of which fresh 411(1 striking evidence was furnished by the speech of Mr oWLER-and there are few who now refuse to ac- knowledge that war to the death is the only just and aSOnàble policy in the treatment of what Mr ORMSBY ORE calls "the most destructive of all vermin." How fenerally this opinion has been accepted may be gathered torn an article in the Field Magazine-of which perhaps may have more to say another week—where the writer, r A. T. J EBB, although, to say the least, he writes quite q much as an advocate of the landlord's view of the QUESTION as of the farmer's, "is free to confess that &U ^inks would be better to give up rabbits together." About hares the feeling is not jpite so unanimous, but, as it is now becoming the custom th* <?'lam^,ers Agriculture to class all ground game toge- 0r> may presume that in the opinion of the fanners L er, we may presume that in the opinion of the farmers L they are only second to the more obnoxious rabbit in the havoc which they create amongst the crops. The evil being allowed, the real difficulty presents itself-the remedy to be provided. Mr ORMSBY GORE and Col. CORBETT both suggest that game should be placed in the same category as ordinary property, but that would hardly meet all objections, or put the matter on a perfectly satisfac- I tory footing. It would then, we presume, be possible for the landlord still to reserve the right to the game-an ob- jection which applies even to the stringent resolution passed by the Chamber. That resolution, it is true, affirms that tenants should have the right of killing hares and rabbits, all special reservations to the contrary not- withstanding but, as Mr EVAN DAVIES asked, what about notices to quit? That is the great engine which the land- lords possess of over-riding all laws about game; and Mr DAVIES really hit the mark when he said that supple- mentary legislation was absolutely required. The tenant must be protected, not only against rabbits, but also against arbitrary eviction and if the landlords want to avoid a Land Bill for England, they should take warning in time, and throw hares and rabbits overboard. A great deal is said about setting class against class, but this is too often a device for preventing free discussion. It is simply absurd to accuse speakers and writers of any such intention, and the truest kindness to all classes is to speak plainly. Mr BATHER, himself a land- lord, and somewhat disposed, it seems to us, to adopt the role of standing critic to the Chamber, says "it is contemptible that tenants should take land in Shropshire upon a miserable year-to-year system, with liability to be turned out in six months;" but Mr BATHER seems to think the remedy for all the evils complained of is in the hands of the tenants. So it is, in a sense, because, of course, if the tenants could or would act in a body, the landlords must yield; but this is much about the same as saying that if everybody would only be good we should live in a happy world. Practically, as Mr BATHER surely knows, the competition for land is so great, that farmers have to yield to the demands of the owner, and nothing but legislation can remedy the evil. There are, we are glad to say, an immense number of good landlords, as there are an immense number of honest people; but there are some bad landlords, as there are some rogues, and laws are necessary for the latter, though not for the former. There is a good deal more to be said on the sub- ject, but our space is exhausted. To sum up, rabbits, if not hares and rabbits, must be struck out of the category of game, and handed over to the farmer, and eventually the tenant must be protected by additional legislation on the subject of tenure. It will be seen that Mr WYKE- HAM MARTIN'S Bill was withdrawn last week, on a promise from the Government to deal with the subject, and it is satisfactory to know that in dealing with it they will have the hearty support of the farmers of England and Wales. -Osivesti-y Advertizer.

MACHYNLLETH. COUNTY COURT, March 17 and 18.-Before A. J. Johnes, Esq., Judge. There were entered on the cause list three adjourned hearings, sixty-one original plaints, two adjourned com- mitment hearings, twelve judgment summonses, and one application in bankruptcy. Jones v. Thomas.-Thomas Jones, Glandovey, labourer, sued Mr Thomas, of Oswestry, to recover JE3 15s., wages due to him for working at Tynygarth Quarry, near Glandovey. Mr Richard Williams, Newtown, was for the plaintiff; Mr E. M. Jones, Welshpool, for the de- fendant.—Mr Richard Williams having briefly sketched the outline of his case, called the plaintiff and two wit- nesses, and from their evidence it appeared that the quarry had been worked by a company, which entered into negotiations with the defendant for the sale thereof. Defendant advised them to clear and open the quarry, so that its capabilities might be better seen by the person who was to inspect it for the intending purchasers. The men were accordingly set to work, and a sum of £ 10 was paid by the defendant, as the plaintiff stated, on account of the wages thus due. For the defence, it was contended that this payment was only made in the nature of a loan, which was to be deducted out of the purchase money.— Mr E. M. Jones having addressed the court, called the defendant, who denied having given the order for the work being performed, and stated that the sum of 210 was merely a loan to assist the original company in carrying on the quarry.—Judgment was for the defendant. North and South Wales Coal and Lime Company.- The North and South Wales Coal and Lime Company (Limited), for whom Mr Richard Williams appeared, had a number of cases, chiefly from the neighbourhood of Cemmaes. Jones v. Adams and Scott.-This was a claim for wages brought by the plaintiff against the defendants, who are the owner and occupier of a farm known as Morfa, near Towyn. The defendant Scott conducted his own case; Mr Richard Williams appeared for the plaintiff. Judg- ment was given for the plaintiff, and the case having, chiefly through a long harangue of Scott, been prolonged until after the departure of the last train to Towyn, plaintiff and witnesses applied for the costs, including the expense attendant upon their remaining. in town all night. These were allowed, his Honour remarking that it was only right that the defendant should pay sjmething for the outburst of eloquence with which he had unnecessarily favoured the Court. The Foxhounds Caee.-Some cases were set down for hearing in which the question of the ownership of a number of foxhounds, said to belong to the Penmaen Dovey pack, but now in the ownership of private individuals, was in- volved. Much interest wag attached to the cases, but owing to the absence of Mr Griffith Jones Williams, the attorney for the plaintiff, who was detained at Bala assizes, the cases had to be withdrawn. Mr Richard Williams, who was for the defendants, applied for costs, but his Honour declined to decide the question until the next court, as the cases will then be re-entered. In re t)wen HugheR, a Bankrupt. -In the case of this bankrupt, a slate agent living at Eglwys-fach, Cardigan- shire, the proceedings were further adjourned, owing to the absence of Mr David Pugh, solicitor for the bank- rupt. BOARD OF GUARDIANS, MARCH 16.-Present: The Rev. W. G. Davies (chairman), the Rev. T. Davies and Mr E. Davies, Bolcaradog{deputy-chairmen), Messrs R. Gillart, John Owen, Robert Roberts, G. Griffiths, Wm. Bebb, John Davies, Evan Jones, W. Ryder, and J. Jones; Mr David Howell (clerk), Mr David Evans (assistant clerk), and Mr Thomas Thomas (master of the house). The Case of Mary Ann Evans.-In the case of Mary Ann Evans, a child who had been abandoned by her mother at Llanwrin, and who was chargeable to the Dolgelley Union, the Clerk said that he had received a communication from Mr Griffith Williams, clerk to the Dolgelley Board of Guardians, consenting to receive the pauper without an order of removal. The Fever at Towyn.-The following letter was read:— Medical Department of the Privy Council, March 11th, 1870.— Sir,-The Lords of her Majesty's Privy Council have been in- formed that several deaths from fever have ocenrred during the lrfst three months in the parish of Towyn, in your union. I am therefore directed to request that your Board of Guardians will transmit to me for their Lordships' information a statement of the number of cases of fever which have occurred there during the last half of the year 1869, and daring the present year, to- gether with any report on the sanitary state of Towyn which may have been made under 14th Vict 23 and 24, c. 27, or other- wise, to your Board by one of the medical officers, and any other information your Board may be able to furnish on the same subject. Signed) JOHN SIMON. It was resolved that a copy of the note be transmitted to Dr Pughe, to report upon the matter. The Sanitary Condition of Machynlleth.—The report of Mr Luinley Edwards, inspector of nuisances, was read, and mentioned a number of houses in Maengwyn-street, Wesley-street, Penrallt-street, Graigfach, and Pentre-' hedyn-street, wholly destitute of privy accommodation. He considered it necessary that a slaughter-house should be provided in a convenient place outside the town, and that a cart should be obtained for clearing away the excrements, &c., as private parties refused to lend their carts on any consideration.—The Clerk said that the local committee which had been appointed for general sanitary purposes were holding a meeting that afternoon, and suggested that the report should be brought under their notice.—This was agreed to. A Pleasant Neighbour. -The following letter was read :— To the Guardians of the Machynlleth Union.—Gentlemen, I have inspected the house of Jane Rowlands at Cominiuscoch, on the 10th instant. It is situated in the middle of a long row of cot- tages, and consists of a kitchen, and two rooms upstairs. The scene, as well as the stench, on entering the house, is most dis- agreeable. Nearly every part of the kitchen is crowded with an endless'variety of things, such as are usually destroyed or thrown away. The furniture consists of two large cupboards, a dresser with shelves, a clock, two tables, two chairs, a bench, and a stool, all being dirty. There are also pieces of broken furniture, old dairy utensils, broken kettles, lids, tea kettles, saucepans, tins, a large assortment of old iron, such as nails, hooks, rings, chains, screwpins, nuts, washers, horseshoes, spades; shovels, dung forks, scrapers, turf-irons, mattocks, hoes, broken earthenware, teapots, basins filled with old tea leaves, bottles cups, jars, jugs, niugs, pots, smoking pipes, match-boxes, bones! rams'-horns, about sixteen pair of left-oflf shoes, baskets, &c., &c., and all in a dirty state. Years ago she kept geese, those hatched under the stairs, and the accumulation of dirt in this place, which is now used as a roosting place for a hen, is, on a small scale, like the deposits on the Guano Islnnds. The stench in her bedroom is, if possible, worse than in the kitchen. The bed-clothing is ragged and filthy, and the room is well filled with chests, boxes, hatboxes. bundles of bed-feathers, heaps of rags and left-off clothing. These have apparently not been moved for many years. The next room I was not able to enter into, as it was filled up to the top of the doorframe with pieces of wood, planks, bundles of rags and old clothing, old saddles and pack- saddles, straw, and numerous other things. I beg to state that I have several times before mentioned to the Board the miser- able condition of this house during the last seven years, but no steps were ordered to be taken for cleansing it, further than admonishing and threatening the occupier. This has been of no avail, and the place is always kept in a similar state to what it now is, and is to all appearance very unfit for human habitation.-(Signed) DANIEL HOWELL, Inspector of Nuisances. -irth March, 1870. Mr Edward Davies (Dolcaradog): 1 think Charles Dickins ought to get hold of that, and write a new Curiosity Shop." (Laughter.) The woman is very dirty, is a pauper in receipt of relief, and the people in her neigh- bourhood can do nothing with her.—Mr Gillart said that the matter had been brought before the Board at their last meeting by Mr Ryder, and, at the request of their Board, Mr Howell, the inspector of nuisances for that district, had reported upon the house inhabited by the woman. This report having been made, immediate action should be taken upon the matter.—A Guardian said that the woman had been offered £ 4 for the heterogeneous collection within the house, but she declined to sell them. She was quite imbecile.—Mr David Howell (clerk): There can be no doubt that these nuisances are injurious to health.-Mr Edward Davies: No doubt whatever. Mr David Howell (clerk) said that he would proceed against the pauper for allowing a nuisance to exist upon her premises. The Sunday Closing of Public Houses. — A letter was read from Mr Thomas B. Jones, district agent to the Central Associatien for the closing of Public Houses on Sunday, asking that the Board would sign the petition of the association.—Without discussion, the request was agreed to. The Vaccination Lists.—The lists of children not vacci- nated were laid before the Board by the relieving officers of the several districts. It appearing that the lists in- cluded the names of several children who had been vacci- nated since the preparation of the lists, the relieving officers were directed to prepare amended lists, and lay them before the Board at their next meeting. Another' Nuisance at Comminscoch. Attention was called to a second nuisance at Comminscoch, caused by a lunatic of the name of Ann Jones. Instructions were given to Dr Griffiths, the district medical officer, to report upon the case at the next Board. The Equalization of Poor Rates.-Mr Edward Davies (Dolcaradog), in bringing forward the motion relating to the equalization of poor rates, said that he considered they were competent to speak with authority upon the subject, with which he was thoroughly conversant and well acquainted, having for the last thirty-five years care- fully studied the working of the Poor-law. His expe- rience as an elected guardian of about twenty-five years' standing had given him some insight into the working of the present system of levying poor rates, and had made him conversant with the internal working and operations of the Poor-law Acts. He had carefully perused almost every pamphlet which had been issued, had read almost every speech which had been made upon the subject, and the only conclusion at which he could arrive was that the present system of rating was completely and wholly wrong in principle. To the Chairman of the Board, as well as to Mr Howell, their clerk, he had already presented a sketch of his scheme, by which property should be equally and fairly rated to the relief of the poor, and at the request of several of his brother guardians, who were also acquainted with his sketch or scheme, he now brought forward the matter. The equalization of poor rates was, in the opinion of some people, understood in two or three different ways, and was looked upon in various lights. One person under- stood it to be the taking of the whole or of a greater portion of the rate out of the Consolidated Fund of the country, while in the opinion of another it meant a national 'rate extended over the whole of the kingdom. The Board knew that their rate in the Machynlleth Union averaged 3s 3s. 4d., and 3s. 6d. in the pound, and in his present remarks he would take it at the average of 3s. 4d. in the pound but if Parliament would take the matter up, and if there was an equalization of the rates in the light of a national rate, instead of a rate of 3s. 4d. in the pound, they would be called upon to pay only 2s. 2d. in the pound. Out of the rate, as at present col- lected, only one shilling and fivepence and nine parts of a penny, or, in round numbers, eighteen pence, went to support the poor. About thirty-five years ago there had been a similar agitation to the present on the matter of the equalization of the poor rates, for a change in the law affecting and relating to the rating of property, and in again introducing the subject he was much fortified by what had recently taken place in the House of Commons, where a select committee had been appointed to consider the question. In moving for the appointment of such committee, the President of the Poor-law Board, Mr Goschen, had stated that he moved the appointment of a select committee to enquire whether it be expedient that the charges now imposed on the occupiers of ratable pro- perty for various local purposes should be divided between the owners and occupiers, and what changes in the con- stitution of the local bodies now administering the rates should follow such division;" Sir Massey Lopes, a conservative, moved as an amendment "that the appoint- ment of a select committee should not be made until the Government had announced their promised measure for dealing with the whole of the incidents of rating." The amendment, however, was withdrawn, and the appoint- ment of the committee agreed to. He thought that the Board should consider whether they should not agitate upon the question, throw in their mite, a.nd see if they could not add some little suggestion for the consideration and guidance of the select committee which had been appointed. He contended that the Board, which was composed of gentlemen representing the church, the land- owners, of land agents, tenant farmers, and the mining interest, were as fully competent as any member of Par- liament to pass some judgment upon the matter. The law, as it at present existed, was ruinous, matters were going on worse year after year, and the poor rate was increasing at the rate of about half a million annually. Taking the rate at periods of ten years he found that in 1837 its lowest point was, in round numbers, about four millions, in 1847 five or six millions, in 1857 and '58 six millions and more, and in 1868 it had reached a no less sum than 27,498,000, being an increase of nearly 80 per cent. during 30 years, the whole amount collected in the shape of Poor Rates being upwards of £ 11,000,000. Of the total amount so collected nearly one-third was expended in a manner foreign to the relief of the poor, the purpose for which it was originally in- tended, going in the payment of the county rates, in the expenditure of which the guardians as a body had no voice, and in other similar ways. With the rates increas- ing annually he thought it high time that the guardians of the poor should be up and stirring in the matter. The union was dissatisfied, the ratepayers were dissatisfied and complaining, and he was much struck with a remark which had been made by one of the parish officials, who stated, "I am paying the rates in aid of the Machynlleth Union into the bank to the account of the union, but I cannot tell where the money goes to." Such was the sentiment throughout the country. People say, "We are paying rates, rates are continually rising, but, where the money goes no one can say." The Machynlleth Board of Guardians could account for every sixpence they spent, and not a sixpence had gone out of their funds without the Board fighting and trying to reduce it to four- pence; but, in spite of all their economy the rates had ad- vanced. During the year 1868, the rate had been 3s. 4d. in the pound, and the Board could well account for the way in which the whole of the rate had been expended. For in-door maintenance the cost had been £318, or about three half-pence in the pound of the rate; in out-door relief they had expended £ 4,299 or Is. Hid. in the pound of the rate, for lunatics about £146, and salaries 2436 or 2id. of the rate, Workhouse loan 2185, or Id. in the pound, the whole cost reaching, with various other expenses necsssarily borne by the union, 25,673, taking out of the rate 2s. 61d., which was the poor rate proper. The tenants had to pay these advances in the rates from the commencement, for the Parliament of England had hitherto been the Parliament of the landlords, sent there by tenants at the will of the landowners, or by the landlords themselves, and so the whole of the rates, or the greater bulk, were thrown upon the tenantry of the country. That was manifestly wrong ,and unjust, and referring to this subject Mr Gladstone, in his recent speech on Emigration, said that it was not the wealthy men of the country who paid the taxes; that if millions were wanted, the millions had to be taxed. You tax those who are really in want themselves to support others. He was ac. quainted with the union he had gone into the houses of the ratepayers, and had learned from their mode of living that a better dinner was placed on the table of the Mach- ynlleth Workhouse than was provided for eight out of every ten ratepayers in the union; and that in the same proportion the paupers were better fed, better clothed, and better bedded than were those who were compelled to con- tribute to their maintenance through the poor rate. He did not say that the tenant farmers were worse off than they were some thirty-five years ago, when the landowners had to return five, ten, fifteen, and twenty per cent, on their rental, and when the farmers were compelled, as he had seen at a fair at Dinas Mawddwy, in consequence of the bad times, to sell bullocks at 24 per head, when they were now worth from 212 to Clb each. Still he contended that the tenant farmer had not bettered himself in the same degree as the landowners, who, according to the official returns, were in receipt of a much larger income in 1868 than in 1840. In 1840 and 1841 the gross estimated rental was £ 70,000,000, but he did think that was a true market value. In consequence of the badness of the times he would put it down at 260,000,000. That had been advanced in 1868 to £ 118,300,000. In other words, the landlords had been able during the last thirty years to advance their rents by over 250,000,000 a year, which, at only twenty years' purchase, was equal to a market value of above one thousand million pounds. The time had now arrived whefc, the rich landowner ought to be called upon to bear some portion of the burden of taxation which now lay upon the shoulders of the tenant farmers and occupiers of property. He proposed that one-third of the rate should be paid by the landlords, one-third by the tenants, and another third from the Consolidated Fund. He had been told by his friend, Mr Howell, that throwing the rates on the Consolidated Fund was called milking the cow." Well, he would have no objection to this, for he would like to have that cow milked as much as possible. To follow up the figure of speech, he must compare the tenant farmer to the folded sheep, who were not only shorn but afterwards milked clean. In Welsh they were called and known by the name of Defaid Corlan." There was another animal which he also wished to get hold of, and that was the escaped goat," the landlords of the country, so that the burden might be equally laid upon the three, and so he asked the Board to petition Parlia- ment to change the existing principle of charging poor rates, and proposed the following resolutions :— 1st, That it is the opinion of this Board that the present sys- tem of imposing the payment of the bulk of all local rates, chiefly upon the occupiers of ratable property is wrong in principle, and unjust towards the ratepayers. 2ndlv, That in lieu thereof this Board recommends the passing of a law enact. ing that in future the payment of all rates for the support of the poor, and all county rates shall be divided equally between the owners of property, the occupiers of property, aod the State; the landlord to pay one-third, the tenant one-third, and the State, through its Poor-law Board, to pay one-third. Srdly, That all metallic mines be, in future, subject to payment of poor rates, and that the assessment be made on the royalty paid to the lord, which is only another name for rent. The proportion of the payment to be the same as for all other ratable property. 4thly, That a petition bo drawn up by the clerk embodying the above principles, to be signed by the chairman on behalf of the Board, and forwarded to the county and borough members for the Machynlleth Union, which consists of parts of Montgomery- shire, Cardiganshire, and Merionethshire, for presentation, re- questing them to support the prayer thereof. It might be thought that he was speaking against the landlords as a class. Nothing was further from his mind. He was a small landlord himself, and farmed a portion of his own land. He was, as they knew, also connected with mines. He was quite sure that all landlords were willing to take some portion of these charges upon themselves. Now, if the law of rating was extended to metallic mines, there would be an additional assessment in their union to the amount of about 24,000, which at 3s. 4d. in the pound. would give them an annual sum of about R700 a year: The State sent them a small portion-a very small portion of the Treasury money—only the salaries of the medical officers, he believed, and other small items, amounting in the whole to some 2120 a year. His reason for wanting a third of the rates from the State was this. All our judges and recorders repeatedly told their juries that the chief cause of poverty and crime in this country was its drunkenness. The Government of this country derived a revenue of upwards of 218,000,000 a year from the drink traffic, from its malt duties, wine and spirit duties, &c.; and therefore, as the judges of the land had officially told them that the greater part of vice and poverty was caused by drink, he thought that the drink tax should be made to bear a portion of what it caused. If this scheme were adopted their rate of 3s. 4d. in the pound would be divided into three parts of Is. ld. in the pound each—the land- lords paying one part, the tenants a second, and the State a third. If a national rate, then the propor- tions would be about 8d. in the pound each. He had requested no one to second these resolutions, and he now asked the Guardians to consider the facts which he had laid before them, and to defer the discussion until the next meeting of the Board. -Mr Gillart thought that too great stress had been laid by Mr Davies upon the landowners, and complained that his facts had been based upon statistics which were not to be accepted as infallible, especially during the earlier periods to which reference had been made, when the Government had no facilities for ob- taining authentic statements of incomes. He thought that Boards of Guardians should have a voice in the distribution of the rates. —Mr David Howell asked from what means Mr Davies proposed to raise the moiety of the rate, which he suggested should come out of the Consolidated Fund.—Mr Davies said that the order of the day was "economy, retrenchment, reform." The Government were making considerable reductions in the army and navy estimates, and instead of applying such reductions in the abolition of the malt tax, a benefit which would not be felt by a single farmer in the district, he thought its better application would be in the equaliza- tion of poor rates. The subject then dropped. Miscellanea.—The master reported the number of in- mates in the House at the end of the previous week was 31-9 males, 9 females, and 13 children, being a decrease of 8 upon the corresponding week of 1869; 14 vagrants had been relieved during the fortnight. Balance in treasurer's hands, 2425 8s. 9d.; out-relief for the fortnight ended this day; Mr Lewis Williams, Machynlleth district, 263 lls. 2d.; Mr Daniel Howell, Darowen, 948 18s. 9d.; Mr Edwd. Bell, Pennal, £ 67 18s. 3d.; total, 2180 8s. 2dL

DOLGELLEY. THE ARTHOG STATION.—The new station at Arthog, on the Dolgelley branch of the Cambrian Railway, will be opened on Monday, the 28th inst.. THE MERIONETHSHIRE VOLUNTEERS.—We understand that Lieut. Griffith Williams has resigned the commission wnich he has held in the Merionethshire Rifle Volunteers since their formation. It is proposed to ask Mr Hugh John Ellis Nanney, of Hengwrt-uchaf, to accept a com- mission in the corps. THE GREEN.—At the conclusion of the vestry, held last week, a meeting of the trustees of the Green was held in the Grand Jury-room. The attendance comprised Mr Richard Meredyth Richards, Colonel Bunbury, C.B.,Mr John Vaughan, Mr Edward Walker, the Rev. Evan Lewis, and Mr Tyler, clerk to the trustees. At the re- quest of several of the ratepayers, our representative applied for admission. The question whether the meet- ings of the trustees should be open to the press was put, and it being concluded that the meeting was private, the result was a negative. It was stated that the receipts and expenditure would be published. "i COUNTY COURT, SATURDAY.-Before A. J. Jdfcnes, Esq., Judge. There were entered for hearing three adjourned hear- ings, ten adjourned summonses, and fifty-two original hearings. Jones v. Williams.—In the case of David and Edward Jones v. Lewis Williams, Mr Griffith Jones Williams, on behalf of the plaintiffs, applied for the costs, as the case had been withdrawn. Costs were allowed. Mr W. R. Davies was for the claimant. Manorial Bightg.-Roberts v. Ellis.-John Ellis, head gamekeeper to Sir Edmund Buckley, was sued by John Roberts, Llanymawddwy, to recover 14s., the value of a ferret detained by the defendant. Mr John Jones, who appeared for the defendant, put in the deputation granted by Sir Edmund Buckley, the lord of the manor of Mawddwy, to the defendant, and contended that the defendant, as a servant of the lord of the manor, had a right to appropriate the ferret to the use of the lord of the manor. Judgment was given for the defendant. Hughes v. Jones.-Richard Hughes, tailor and draper, Cemmaes, sued John Jones, Babylon, Corris, for 24 12s., for goods sold and delivered to his son. Mr W. R. Davies appeared for the defendant.—The plaintiff said that the goods were supplied to an adopted son of the defendant, who had been a stoker on the Mawddwy line. The de- fendant having been killed, plaintiff now brought the claim against the defendant, as administrator de son tort. —I'or the defence, it was shewn that the defendant had p.ul more money than he had received as administrator dc sou tort to the deceased, the assets amounting to £8 17s., and the debts which had been discharged to 212.-De- fendant denied having made any promise of payment to plaintiff.—Judgment for defendant. Lloyd and Humphreys v. Poeltin.-This was an action for the recovery of 212 3s. for carriage of certain ore and timber by the plaintiffs, Wm. Lloyd and Wm. Humphreys, from a mine belonging to Mr Wm. Henry Pocbin, Man- chester, to the Great Western railway station at Bont- newydd. The case was adjourned from the previous court.—Mr John Humphrey Jones, who appeared for the plaintiffs, said that the defendant had that morning paid the money into court. He now applied for costs.—Mr Griffith Jones Williams, who appeared for the defendant, objected to the allowance of costs. The plaintiffs had come into court without a tittle of evidence, and he con- nt tended that they were responsible for the adjournment which had necessarily taken place.—His Honour said that the defendant had admitted the claim by the payment of the amount into court, whioh proved that the defence to the action was vexatious. —Costs therefore allowed. Davies v. Davks.-This was an action for £20, for dam- age caused by trespass by sheep, the plaintiff, Robert Davies, being a small farmer near Barmouth, and the de- fendant, Mr J. R. Davies, Corsygedol Hotel, Barmouth. Mr Griffith Jones Williams was for the plaintiff; Mr John Humphrey Jones for the defendant.—It appeared that the defendant bought a number of sheep from the plaintiff, and that these sheep continually strayed back to their old pasture.—Mr J. R. Davies and his shepherd were called for the defence, and denied that any trespass had taken place.—Judgment was given for the defendant.—Mr J. H. Jones asked for the costs, which were allowed. Jones v. Robert&-Mr Griffith Jones Williams called attention to a judgment which had been signed at the last court, in a case in which Mr John Jones, builder, Plas Uchaf, Dolgelley, was the plaintiff, and Miss Jane Hughes Roberts, Golden Lion Hotel, Dolgelley, defend- ant. The action was brought to recover P,41 8s. Id., for certain work done by the plaintiff at the Lion Hotel. The case was referred to Mr Humphrey Jones, Tanybryn, and Mr Roberts, Barmouth, and these gentlemen not being able to agree as to the prices of the materials, called in an umpire. The umpire appeared to have gone into the accounts in a very extraordinary manner, and the whole party had made a regular jumble of the affair. The umpire gave in an award considerably in excess of the original claim for which the action had been brought, viz., 279 12s. 8id. This amount, however, was considerably pared down by various payments on account made from time to time by Miss Roberts, and these having been al- lowed, judgment was given by the deputy judge for 230 7s. 5. When the award had been given, it appeared that by some means one portion of the accounts had not been gone into by the arbitrators, that a bill óf 210 14s. 4d. for day work had been entirely excluded from the award, and at the last court, at the request of Mr John Humphrey Jones, judgment was entered for P,30 7s. 5J. He now applied to the judge to allow this sum of 210 14s. 4d. for day work, or to send the case back to the arbitrators.—On behalf of Miss Roberts, the application was opposed by Mr John Humphrey Jones, on the ground that all matters in dispute had been referred to the arbitrators, and that the account should have been sent in when the arbitration took place.—Mr Griffith Jones Williams said that this particular account, which was for day work, loss of time in making journeys on be- half of the defendant, was not in dispute, the only dis- puted portion of the account being as to the measurement. If the application was disallowed, his client must lose the money. His client could not afford to be at such a loss, the debt was clearly due, and Miss Roberts was plainly trying to wriggle, out of the liability if possible.—His Honour declined to grant the application.—Mr John Humphrey Jones applied for costs, which were granted.— The result appeared to excite great surprise, and we under- stand that a writ of certiorari will be applied for its being re-heard before one of the superior courts. Three cases in bankruptcy were adjourned until the next court, which will be held on May 25th. IMPORTANT VESTRY MEETING.-THE REC rOR AND HIS CHURCHWARDENS. A vestry, convened for the purpose of nominating parish con- stable-, overseers, and the transaction of other business apper- taining to the parish of Dolgelley, was held in the County Hall on Friday week. The rector, the R :v. Evan Lewis, M.A., was in the chair, and the attendance comprised Messrs Lewis Williams (Vronwnion), E.I. Walker (Brynbyffryd), Wm. Williams (Ivy House), E. Jones (Ship Hotel), R. Williams, merchant, D. (tanner), John Meyrick Jones, Dr E. Jones, Griffith Ellis, Jones, Edwar-I Griffiths,. Richard Williams (chemist), Hugh Griffith, Griffith Pugh (Arran View), David Jones (bookbinder), David Hughes (draper), Thomas M. Jones (Ivy Cottage), Owen Owen (Victoria Buildings), Humphrey Jones (Tanybryn), Thomas Richards (butcher), Robert Williams (butcher), W. Hughes (printer), William Jones (Queen-square), Robert Roberts; Mr Tyler, acting vestry clerk. The RECTOR, having read the notice convening the vestry, the vestry clerk was proceeding to read the list of parish constables for approval by the vestry, when Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS, rising, said—I should very much like to know for what purpose these parish constables are appointed ? I am told that they are of no use, that they are never called upon to act, and that their appointment is only attended with ex- pense to'ths ratepayers. (Hear, hear.; The RECToR-What is the expense upon these appointments ? Mr TILER— £ S. Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS—I WAS told that it was zelo, and some of the parishioners have asked me whether this sum-whether it bd £ 5 or £lO-should be thrown away, when these constables are really of no value. I questioned Mr Richards upon the matter of these appointments, and he said that we were bound to return a -list of parish constables. That may be so, but then aain, how is it that other parishes have discontinued these appointments for many years, and why should we be called upon 0 to elect them, when they are clearly of no use. Mr TYLER—The overseers are called upon to make out and return a list to the magistrates, and if they do not comply, they ar liable to a penalty of X5. Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS—But the magistrates may not sanction the appointments. Mr TYLER-The magistrates have issued their precept, calling upon the overseers to return a list. Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS-But they evade it in other parishes, and why need we select them here ? That is what I wish to know be- fore the list is sanctioned by the parishioners in this vestry. (Hear, hear.) Mr TYLER-They never act in Dolgelley. Mr DAVID JONES (tanner)—I suppose that is in the hands of the overseers. Mr TYLER—The magistrates have issued a precept to the overseers to furnish the list. Dr E. JONES -A would propose that we undertake to indemnify the overseers if the penalty of £5 should be imposed, and that no list of parish constables be sent in to the magistrates. Mr E. WALKER-It is quite clear that they are not wanted. Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS—Exactly. I have sat on the bench for many years, and I have never yet heard of a parish constable being called upon to assist the police. Suppose that we meet the case by preparing a list, but reserve it, representing to the magistrates at their next petty sessions what are the wishes and opinions of the parishioners, through this vestry, upon the subject. Mr E. WALKER—I think that the list should be prepared and submitted for the approval of the vestry, but that its pre- sentation to the magistrates should stand over for the present. The RIECTOR-WC can make out the list as required by the precept, but we need not make use of it until it is absolutely necessary, and until we have made the magistrates acquainted with the wishes of the parishioners assembled in vestry. The list having been read by the vestry clerk, Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS proposed that the list be adopted, but reserved until the decision of the magistrates be known. Mr Jom, MEYRICK JONES seconded the proposition, which was adopted unanimously. APPOINTMENT OF OVERSEERS. The VESTRY CLERK asked for the names of six persons to be nominated as overseers. Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS said that for many years they had not been able to get more than three or four parishioners together at these vestries. Then, the burden of nominating overseers had usually fallen upon his shoulders, and not knowing a man better qualified for the office than Mr Robert Roberts (Lombard-street), he had always put him down at the head of the list. Not being able to think of a better or more able man he had much plea- sure in proposing that Mr Robert Roberts be re-elected overseer. Mr E. WALKER-I have much pleasure in seconding Mr Roberts's appointment. Mr RoBERT ROBERTS-No, thank you I won't indeed! No! No I I had much rather not; thank you. On the motion of Mr DAVID JONES (tanner), the following nominations were then agreed to:—Messrs Griffith Pagh (Arran View), Griffith Elli^, Robert Willi-ims (Brynmawr), "William Jones (Islaw'r Iref), Rees Pagh, and P t"r Pryce (Vronoleu). THE ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION ACT. The VESTRY CLERK called attention to certain provisions in the Assessment and Collection Act, which would affect the parish of Dolgelley. The RECTOR suggested the desirability of nominating a small committee of the parishioners to report upon the Act at a future vestry, and ultimately the consideration of the matter was deferred. THE NOMINATION OF GUARDIANS. Mr LEWIS WTLLIAMS suggested the desirability of nominating the guardians to represent the town and parish of Dolgelley, and moved the re-election of the present guardians, the Rev. Evan Lewis, M.A., Mr David Jones (tanner), Mr E. Jones (Ship Hotel), and Mr Hugh Roberts (Gwanas.) Mr DAVID JONES (tanner)-I think it would be much better for us to have some new blood. The RECTOR-I am sure that I am quite willing and ready to retire. Mr EDWD. JONES (Ship Hotel)-And so am I. Mr E. W ALKER-I don't thiuk we can well have four better re- presentatives, so I will second their re-election as guardians. • Mr WILLIAMS (Ivy House) urged the necessity of having the representation at the Board of Guardiansdividedequallybetween the country and town. At present but one guardian was nominated from the country (Mr Hugh Roberts), and he held that it was hardly fair to the country that the number of town guardians should preponderate. Mr JOHN MEYRICK JOKES held a similar opinion, and thought that the proportion should be equally balanced, by the nomin- ation of two from both town and country. He proposed that the Messrs Jones be requested to continue in office, and be nomin- ated by this vestry, and that two guardians be nominated on behalf of the country. Mr DAVID JONES (tanner)--I think that the Rector ought cer- tainly to be nominated again, for I can say that there is not a poor or sick man in the parish, whether a dissenter or a church- man, whom the Rector does not know and visit. Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS also thought that the Rector should be re-elected; as a man of practical experience. The RECTOR-I am sure I am quite willing to retire if the vestry wish it. I have no great inclination for office. Mr WH. WILLIAMS (Ivy House) thought that the town and country should be equally represented, and moved the nomina- tion of Mr David Evans, Caereinion, Islaw'rdref, farmer. Mr JOHN MEYRICK JONES seconded the nomination. Mr EDWARD JONES (Ship Hotel) called the attention of the vestry to the ratable value of the town, which claimed three guardians, if the proper proportion was allowed in consideration of ratable value, and also of population. The rates of the Union came chiefly from the town of Dolgelley, and he thought, there- fore, that the town was entitled to have a fair and equitable pro- portion of representation as compared with the country. Mr RICHARD WILLIAMS (merbhant)—If that be so, then justice calls for three guardians from the town and one from the country. The RECTOR said that according to the last census there were, out of 3,200 ratepayers in the parish, about 2,090 living in the town, and paying rates accordingly. Mr DAVID JONES (tanner) thought it desirable that three guardians should be nominated by the town, in order to allow the interests of the town to be fairly represented at the Assess- ment Committee. Mr EDWARD JONES said that it was highly necessary that the ratepayers in the town should be adequately represented at the Assessment Committee. At present they were outvoted by the farmers, who were always in the habit of rating the town as high as possible, while in the country they reduced the rates some 15 or 20 per cent. He held that, in the interests of the town, it was necessary that the town should have two guardians, instead of one, sitting upon the Assessment Committee. Mr EDWARD GRIFFITHS thought that the matter should be left in the hands of the ratepayers for decision. The RECTOR aid that this would involve a contest, and an ex- penditure of £20 or £3í3. He thought that a contest should be avoided, if possible. After some further discussion, the amendment for the nomina- tion of Mr Edward Jones, Mr David Jones, Mr Hugh Roberts, and Mr Evans was put, and four hands held up in its favour. The original resolution, for the re-election of the present guardians-Mr E. Jones, Mr D. Jones, Mr Hugh Roberts, and the Rev. Evan Lewis-was then put, and carried by a large majority. Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS-1 think that the guardians who have just been nominated for re-election are certainly entitled to our best thanks for the manner in which they have discharged their duties in the past. They have proved themselves good men, capital workers, and have most carefully studied the in- terests of the parish. (Hear, hear.) Mr WILLIAM WILLIAMS (Ivy House) seconded this, and it was carried with acclamation. Mr EDWARD JONES (Ship) briefly thanked the parishioners for the unexpected compliment which they had been pleased to pay pay his colleagues and himself, and assured them that they at all times had the interests of the parish of Dolgelley at heart. THE ELECTION OF CHURCHWARDENS.-THE BATTLE OF THE GREEN RE-OPENED. VOTE OF CENSURE UPON THE TRUSTEES. Mr WILLIAMS (Ivy House)-It may seem strange that 1. a dissenter, should rise to propose what I am now about to do, but I have been pressed to do it by several parishioners, and that is, to propose that Mr Griffith Williams, solicitor, be re- elected churchwarden. The RECTOR said that he was going to ask Mr Griffith Williams and Mr Reveley. Mr LEWIS WILLIAus-rr Reveley has withdrawn. The RECTOR continued that he was going to ask both these gentlemen to contiuue in office, but he would remind the vestry that in some cases the election of churchwardens rested entirely with the parishioners, in other cases with the incumbent solely, while in other cases it was jointly decided by the parishioners and the incumbent. The law, however, held that if the custom existed in a parish that the churchwardens had alwa s been ap- pointed by the rector, such custom continued. In Dolgelley he had made careful enquiry, had searched the minutes of previous vestries, and found that the rector always appointed the church- wardens of the parish, and at whatever decision this vestry might arrive, he should appoiut the churchwardens until it could be shewn that such custom had not been the rule of his predecessors. Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS-I certainly never understood that such was the custom. I must say that I never heard of it before this. The RECTOR-l assure you that I have made a most careful enquiry, and if you can make out that such is not the custom, then I shall be glad to accept one churchwarden from the parish. Mr WILLIAMS (Ivy House)—Surely it is fair that the rector of the parish should choose one, but the parishioners should choose the other churchwarden. (Hear, hear.) The HECTOR—I had the custom from my predecessors. I found that such was the custom when I came into this parish, and, if you can show me the contrary, by the minutes of previous vestries, well and good. Dr E. JORES said that the real grievance at issue in the ap- pointment of churchwardens, and the great reason why the parish wished to have the nomination of one churchwarden, was on account of the recent appointment 01 trustees of the Green which had been made by the Charity Commissioners-a decision which was simply an insult to the parishioners at large. (Applause.) By the decision of the Charity Commissioners the two churchwardens were nominated trustees of the Green, and as dissenters they regarded this as a great grievance and an insult. In the Green they all felt an interest, and he thought that the wishes of the town should have been better consulted and attended to by the Charity Commissioners. (Hear, hear.) Mr WILLIAM WILLIAMS (Ivy House)-Can you show us that the custom has been for t'ie rector to elect both church- wardens ? It seems a very strange proceeding. The RECTOR-The onus probandi rests with you. I am simply carrying on a practice which was adopted by my predecessors. The minute books containing the -proceedings of previous ves- tries are here, and if you wish it you can look through them; they are quite at your disposal. If you can shew me that such was notthe custom, then I will give up with pleasure. Mr WM. WILLIAMS (Ivy House)-Is there any note of such pro- ceedings upon the minutes ? Mr TYLER-I can find none. There is simply an account of expenditure and receipts. Dr E. JONES contended that by the Canon, in the event of dis- agreement between the rector and parishioners, the latter body could elect one churchwarden. The RECTOR said that this Act referred exclusively to new parishes, and- that he wag practically acquainted with the prac- tice in other parishes. Dr E. JONES-SO long as there appears to be some disagree- ment between us upon the matter, I will move that this subject be adjourned until a future vestry. Mr HUMPHRE-Y JONES-I second the motion. The RECTOR-Now that the question of The Green has been introduced shall I tell you why the churchwardens were nominated? Mr LEWIS WiLLIAMS-If you please I wish you would, for the ratepayers and the town generally feel very warmly upon the subject. (Hear, hear.) Why were not ratepayers nominated ? There is Mr Jones, The Ship, for* instance, who pays more rates than any one of you trustees; and why was not he or some one else, a ratepayer interested in the town, nominated instead of persons who pay hardly a farthing towards the town's rates ? (Hear, hear.) Dr E. JONEs-Yes, and there is Mr Lewis Williams, of Vron wnion, too. It was most insulting that his name should have been pushed out. (Hear, hear.) The RECTOR-But pray let us consider the subject calmly. Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS-Consider the subject calmly when we find ourselvesso much insulted 1 It is shameful! most abomin- able, the way in which we have been treated in this matter! The RECTOR said that he would be only too happy to explain all matters connected with the appointment of the new trustees, and that he had neither desire nor inclination to shirk any ex- planation. Under a recent Act the churchwardens were held to be proper persons to act in such a trust, and they were therefore selected by the Charity Commissioners. Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS-But at whose recommendation? That is what we wish to know. (Hear, hear.) The REcroB-I had no wish to enter upon this question at this meeting. It is certainly not before the vestry.. Mr JOHN MEYRICK JONES-You know that the nomination was made by your party, and that the parishioners were never once consulted upon the subject. The RECTOR-My party I I have no party. Dr E. Joxies- But, apart from that, you surely must see how very unfair it is that you, a trustee already, should have the power of nominating two other trustees in the person of church- wardens appointed by yourself. I would ask you, sir, is that right or fair? Why should you have three votes at the Board of Trustees ? (Hear, hear.) The RECTOR-Surely you do not think that I should expect any person to vote with me, because he was my churchwarden, were he not of similar opinions with myself? Mr DAVID JONES—-Of course you will vote for your friends, and your friends will vote for yon. The RECTOB-l am sure that I shonld never think of asking my churchwardens to vote for me, unless they were on the same side as myself. Do you think that as men of principle and honour they would do so ? There is Mr Walker, for instance; he has been a churchwarden, and can you think that I should ask him to vote in accordance with mv views, and not his own; and do you, as reasonable men, think that he would do so ? Mr DAVID JONES (tanner)-But the grievance is that you are elected a trustee, and have the power, as you say, of appointing tw.) other trustees. The RECTOR-I beg your pardon; I am not an elected trustee. Mr DAVID JONES (tanner)- W ell, if you are not elected yourself you want to elect two others. The UECTOR-I am sure you will give me credit that whoever j have been elected churchwardens I have always allowed them to act as they thought best; and why should I interfere with them in another capacity ? (Hear, hear.) Mr DAVID JONES (tanner;-But is it not most unfair that the ratepayers should not have a voice in the matter? (Hear, hear.) The RECTOR—I really must protest against entering upon any defence of The Green question here. I will enter into everything that is brought properly before the vestry, but I must decline to enter up m this question, especially when I see so much ex- citement. QilrJoHN MErRICK JONEs-The town feels most strongly upon the matter, and altogether averse to the appointments which have been made. (Hear, hear, and applause.) Mr WM. WILLIAMS—We have not had parish vestries for very many years, so that it is difficult to find out what are the real particulars of the case. The RECTOR-It is a great pity that vestries have not been regularly held. The motion for the adjournment of the matter was then put and carried, and the further consideration of the question was deferred until that day week, to be held at the same hour and place. Dr E. JONFS-I have much pleasure in proposing a vote of thanks to the Vicar for presiding. The motion having been carried by acclamation, Mr RICHARD WILLIAMS (merchant), said that he could not help expressing the great regret felt by the townspeople that one of the oldest gentlemen in the parish, one who was revered and esteemed by his neighbours for his many pood qualities, a gentleman whose family had long been connected with Dol- gelley, should have been cast aside in this matter, and that his name should have been altogether passed over by the trustees. The impression in the town was that the case was owing to a display of personal feeling against Mr Lewis Williams—(hear, hear)—and it was a matter of deep regret that such an instance of neglect should have occurred. Dolgelley people felt a strong attachment to the Green, and they very properly considered that as ratepayers they should have some voice in deciding the persons in whom this trust should be vested. (Applause.) Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS—Feeling that the general sentiments of the town upon the subject are such as have been named by the last and by previous speakers, it makes me naturally feel very much hurt that my name should have been passed over, that I was never asked whether I would become a trustee of the Green. Had I been asked, I should have declined, as I feel that I am getting advanced in years, and that my time is already fully occupied with other business. Although I may not be the senior magistrate of this neighbourhood—Mr R. M. Richards is per- haps older in the commission of the peace than I am—still I am at a loss to know, connected as I am by family ties, by business, and other close relations extending over a long period of years, with Dolgelley and its people-I cannot understand why my name should have been passed over in this unaccountable man- ner. I regard it in the light of a direct insult, especially in the face of such appointments as have been made by the Rector, and by his colleague, Mr R. M. Richards. (Applause.) The RECTOR said that he deeply regretted the tone which the discussion had taken, and more especially the sentiments which had fallen from Mr Williams, which by him were wholly unex- pected. Certain of the appointments, such as that of Mr Vaughan, of Nannau, were hereditary, but in the case of the new trustees the appointment was for life only. When he and his colleagues were called upon to nominate new trustees, the name of Mr Lewis Williams was one of the first named, but then it was remarked that Mr Williams had attained to a great age, and that as the demise of a trustee always occasioned expense it was desirable to appoint younger gentlemen. Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS-But you might have made the offer to Mr Lewis Williams. (Hear, hear.) The RECTOR-I did not know at that time that you were anxious or desirous-of becoming a trustee. Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS-I can perfectly understand it; there was a little jealousy in the matter, that was all. The RECTOR said that when it was known that Mr Williams was desirous of acting as a trustee, his name was at once sent up to their man of business in London, with the request that it be inserted in the list of trustees, but the trustees were advised not to make any alteration in the paper originally forwarded. He strongly deprecated, on his own part, any personal feeling in the matter, and concluded by remarking that there was no person whom he would be better pleased to see as a trustee than Mr Williams, a gentleman to whom he would be only too happy to do honour. (Applause.) He had no idea that Mr Williams had any feeling in the matter and he deeply regretted the course which the proceedings had now taken.- Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS-BUT I might, as a matter of mere courtesy, have been asked. You know very well that there is no one who has taken more interest in the Green than I have. Not that the trust is very desirable, for the state of the Green is a great disgrace to any place, and to any body of trustees. (Hear, hear.) The RECTOR said that he acted conjointly with Mr R. M. Richards, and that Mr Williams was omitted from the list solely on account of age. It had, he admitted, been an error of judg- ment on his part, and he deeply regretted that it had occurred. Mr R WILLIAMS (merchant)—It is reported very commonly in the town that he was objected to on account of personal feeling, and I simply mention this to afford you an opportunity for ex- planation. The RECTOR—No, really, it was not so, I assure you. As I have told you before, the only reason why he was omitted in the first instance was on account of his age. Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS-Wha.t could the Charity Commissioners know about a man's age ? Trustees have been appointed who have nothing to do with the town. Dr E. JoNFs-After the observation of Mr Lewis as to the reason why the name of Mr Lewis Williams was omitted from the list of Green trustees, viz., on account of his age, a reason which I think is most unsatisfactory, because that, I think, should be a greater recommendation, as age brings experience I propose that as ratepayers we express our deepest regret that the name should have been passed over. The RECTOR-I assure you that the name was finally sent up to the Charity Commissioners, and that we were advised to let things remain as they were. Mr LEWIS WILUÙIS-I hope that some statement of receipts and expenditure of the Green will be made public. It would be most satisfactory to the parish. Mr EDWARD GRIFFITHS seconded the motion. Dr EDWARD JONES (to the Rector)—Perhaps, sir, it is not fair to ask you to put such a motion-reflecting upon yourself and* your co-trustee, to the meeting The RECTOR—Oh, yes, I will put it. two hours. The motion was then put by the Rector and carried unani- mously. The proceedings then terminated, having lasted nearly two hours.

MR WHALLEY'S PANACEA FOR IRELAND'S WOES, The following amusing speech was. delivered by Mr Whalley, in the debate on the Bill for the Preservation of Peace in Ireland :— Mr Whalley could not vote against this measure, be- cause he concurred with what had fallen from all the speakers on both sides of the House—(a laugh)—that the responsibility attending the present position of affairs rested with her Majesty's Government but he could not vote for the measure, as he was indisposed to intrust any Executive Government in Ireland with the extraordinary and unconstitutional powers contained in the Bill, more particularly with those that related to the freedom of the Press. Before offering a remedy for the present state of things he would remark that he could not remember dur- ing the last ten years hazarding a prophecy which had not been justified by the event—indeed he wished he did—(a laugh)—and he would now venture to prophecy that this measure would be found ineffectual for the purposes de- signed. The Church of England and Ireland was estab- lished for the purpose of resisting the aggressions of Popery, and of exposing, he would not say the fallacies of that Church, because such an expression might not be ac- ceptable to hon. members who believed in those fallacies -(laughter) -but the principles of that Church, which were and ever had been antagonistic to the principles of civil and religious liberty. (Hear, hear.) Never, however, had he given a vote more heartily than the one he did last year in favour of the abolition of the Established Church in Ireland—(laughter)—indeed, he only lived for the purpose of doing what he could to secure the same result for Eng- land—(renewed laughter)—because he believed that pro- tection to religion was as fatal as it had been when applied to other objects, commercial or otherwise. ("Hear, hear," and laughter.) In confirmation of what he had said he might remark that it was provided by the rubric of the Church of England that her ministers should preach four times a year—(laughter)—at the least against Popery! (Renewed laughter.) Inasmuch as we had now abolished the Established Church in Ireland, he desired to ask the right hon. gentleman at the head of her Majesty's Govern- ment what substitute he had provided for that preaching against Popery. (Much laughter.) TheKMitbreak of out- rage and crime had undoubtedly followed", life abolition of the Established Church in Ireland-not that- he believed those four sermons against Popery were invariably preached. (Laughter.) That renewal he viewed only as a coincidence, but-(the hon. member paused and was then cheered)—he was forced to balance his words, for the safety of the empire depended- (much laughter)—not upon any particular measure of repression- Melius est petere fontes. (Cheers and laughter.) Really they were only wasting time—(loud cheers)—in following the little strearol'ete g? outrage and difficultjRia Ireland unless they went to the source, and that sourc from the fact that they would not recognize the that the Roman Catholic hierarchy were dutjr Md by their oaths to promote, and, indee^wjS#the pretenee of re- ligion did their best to promote, the power and authority of their own body to the destruction of peace and order throughout the country. (Interruption.) He had" on more than one occasion been prevented from speaking; but what was it that he had done when he had been silenced, and when he had not been supported—through what,he must term the want of judgment on the part of hon. a members opposite ? (Laughter.) He had sent forth Afr: Murphy. (Much laughter.) What was the result ? Mr Murphy might have been unworthy, but he was the best man he could get. (Great laughter and cheers,) That man, holding, as it were, his life in his hand—(laughter)— and the doctrines and machinery of the Roman Catholic Church in the other, visited different places in the country. And what was the result ? (Several hon. Members: "What is the remedy?") He was showing them what would have been the remedy if the Home Secretary had not dug up an old Act relating to sedition or something of that kind. The Weekly Register said:—This man Murphy must be put down, for wherever he goes a Roman Catholic priest cannot once show his face. (Laughter and inter- ruptions. ) He was afraid some hon. gentlemen were in the same position as the opponents of Murphy being un- able to answer the facts brought forward, they endeavoured to drown his voice. The instructions which Murphy re- ceived were not to go one iota beyond the actual teaching and preaching of the Roman Catholic priests from day to day and from Sabbath to Sabbath. And now he came to the remedy. (General cheering.) And it was not a new one. It was the remedy adopted in the time of Queen Elizabeth, it was the remedy adopted in the time of Oliver Cromwell, and in the time of William III., and it consisted in organizing a staff of men who, being protected in difl- charging the duty intrusted to them by the Government, were to make known to those who were under the control and domination of the Roman Catholic priests what were the nds aimed at by that great foreign Power, and what was the machinery by which it organized its influence in this country. Having disestablished the Church in Ire- land, it was especially incumbent upon them to carry out this mission of protesting against Popery. He believed that 99 out of every 100 Roman Catholics had no real notion of the system under which they lived. Mr Whalley has written a letter to the Times, to correct the impression, that he said Mr Murphy was unworthy of the duties undertaken by him. The hon. gentleman wanted to point out that the disturbances accompanying Mr Murphy's lectures shewed the extent of Romish disaffection," and the inability to refute his arguments; and also, that it was the duty of Government to secure for him and others the protection requisite for freedom of discus- sion. In conclusion Mr Whalley says-" Mr Murphy possesses, and, as I believe, fully deserves the confidence and respect of all who have been connected with him in his perilous labours."