The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

BRECON POLICE INTELLIGENCE. COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS, SATURDAY, before the Her. C. GRIFFITH and LEWIS HUGHES, Esq. RENEWAL OF LICENSES.—There were a number of licenses renewed, the only one to which any exception was taken being that of the Tair Dairwen" Inn, kept by David Theophilus, who was convicted for keeping bis house open for the sale of beer on Good Friday last. The offence, however, was a very slight one, and after having cautioned the applicant, the Bench granted a renewal of the license. APPLICATION FOR A SPIRIT LICENSE. Samuel Lewis, of the Black Horse, Llanfihangel Nantbran, applied for a spirit license for the above house. Superinten- dent Price, in reply to the Bench, said the next spirit licensed house was only about 150 yards distant from the Black Horse, which was kept by two very old maiden ladies, who were sisters. The place did not require another spirit licence, as the consumption of liquors was very limited, the place being not at all a populous OHO. He thought also that if the applicant gave up the keeping a public-house altogether he would be doing a great kindness both to himself and the two sisters, and he had only just passed through the Bankruptcy Court. Their Worships thought there could be no necessity for another spirit license in the neighbourhood in question, aad therefore declined granting one. ALLOWING ANIMALS TO STRAY ON THE HIGHWAY.— Thomas Lewis, of Pontyrystwith, farmer, was sum- moned for the above offence. Mr. Superintendent Price stated that on the 16th he was on duty in a place called Pontyrystwith, when his attention was called to a cow which was straying on the highway. He made inquiries of some persons in the neighbourhood, and found that the cow belonged to the defendant. He then went to the defendant, and asked him if it was his cow, and he said it was. He then told him that the cow was continually upon the road, and he was bound to summon him. The defendant contended that there were other cattle on the road as well as his, but the witness said he saw no cattle on the road but the defendant's. He was fined Is. and the costs. B PETTY SESSIONS, MONDAY, before J. DAVIES, Esq. (Mayor), J. PROTHERO, Esq. (Ex- Mayor), and JAMES WILLIAMS, Esq. POLLUTING A WFLL.- Caroline, Johnson, a married woman, was summoned for polluting a public well. The defendant admitted the offence, and expressed her regret for having done so. She said she merely tried to prevent her husband from striking her sister, and he struck her down, the fall causing the blood to flow, and she ran to the well to wash the blood away. Their worships were inclined to deal leniently with defen- dant, and dismissed the case on payment of the costs. IRIPIRWAL OF LICENSES.—Among the large number of licenses which were renewed, the following pre- sented cause for objection, viz.:—"The Cricketers' Arms," by Wiiiiam Price; "Flag and Castle," by John Lewis:" Square and Compass," by Ann Pritchard; « Ship Inn," by « Bull Inn," by John Owen; "Fo* and Hounds bv Thomas Daviesj and the Crown Inn, by^^s Powles. None of the above named persons appeared personally, and the Bench said it was very desirable that the applicants should attend, as they thought it was very necessary that some remarks should be made respecting the objections raised against the granting a renewal of the different licenses therefore they adjourned the appli- cations for a week, in order that all the applicants might be in attendance to hear such observations as their Worships might then think proper to make, and those who did not attend would not be granted a re- newal of their licenses. i

,f, CLYRO. PETTY SESSIONS, MONDAY, before HENRY ALLEK and W. DE WINTON, Esqrs., the Rev. HUGH BOLD and the Rev. W. JONBS THOMAS. ILLEGAL FisniNG.- Waltei. Ifynors Baskerville, Esq., of Clyro Court, was summoned by Mr. Owen, water bailiff in the employ of the Wye Board of Conservators for fishing after proper hours on Saturday, and also with not having a proper license. On the case being called on, Mr. Cheese, the magistrates' clerk, said he had an application to make on behalf of both parties, that the case might be adjourned.—Rev. W. J. Thomas: But it has been adjourned once already.—The Chair- man: To what case do your refer?—Mr. Cheese: To the case of Owen v. Baskerville.-The Chairman: If both parties wish it, there can be no objeclion.-The Rev. W. J. Thomas asked if any reason for this course was given. It was only courteous to the Bench if a reason were given?—Mr. Cheese: It is withdrawn I believe. The Rev. Hugh Bold thought it would be better to hear the case then, and there would be an end to it.—Mr. Cheese explained that Mr. Owen was clerk to the magistrates at Builih. and the magistrates met there that morning. Had it not been for that circumstance Mr. Owen would have been there to have asked for an adjournment, but it would have greatly inconvenienced him to do so, and he had that morning T\ ■vL^l'ni ask for an adjournment.—Mr. De Wiaton said he had received a letter from Sir Velters Cornwall, the President of the Association, in which he said he had written to Mr. Baskerville.- The Rev. Hugh Bold: If they wish it adjourned, well and good; but I think it would have been better to have heard it.—The case was then adjourned. We believe, however, that it will not come before the magistrates again, but be settled." DRUNKENNESS, — William Jones, of the Masons' Arms, Bronllys, was charged with being drunk and disorderly on the 4th July, at Boughrood. P.C. Jones proved seeing the defendant drunk and offering tofigbt aaotber mau.-A man named. James Howard, I of Llow^s, was called for the defence, who said Jones was sober at the time stat. d.-The magistrates, bow- ever, fined defendant Xi and 15s. 6d. costs, or, in default, seven riays's imprisonment.- Thomas Jones and William James, labourers, and John Davies, farmer, of Llandilo Graban, pleaded guilty to being drunk on the 4th August, and were each fined 5s., and costs 6s. 4.1. STRAY ,wiNE.-David Davies, shoemaker, of Glas- bur." was summoned for allowing his pig to stray on the highway at Glasbury, on the 12th August. P.C. Thomas proved the offence, and that he had previously cautioned the defeiidant.-The case was dismissed on payment of costs.- Thomas Hughes, mason, of Glas- bury, was summoned for a similar offence, and was dismissed on payment of costs. GAME CA."E.-Lewis James was charged with billing eame without a license, on the 21st of August, on lands in the occupation of El;zabeth Jones. The defendant pleaded guilty to the oflvnee, and Mr. Bellamy's keeper stated that the defendant, was em- ployed in cu, ting barley on his master's lands; a rabbit started out of the standing corn, and the defendant took a dog of his mistress's, which gave chase and killed it.—Defendant was fined 21, and 8s. costs, or in default, fourteen days' imprisonment.

.— ▼— CRICKHOWELL, PETTY SESSIONS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 23RD, before M. J. ROBERTS, Esq., J. MAUND, Esq., and R. RAIKES, Esq. AN INCORRIGIBLE.—John Baynham, a tramp, was brought up in custody on two charges,—the first with having on the 19th instant attempted to obtain alms by feigning deformity, the second with begging and using threatening language on the 20th instant.—Mr. Maund (reading from an information): Why you have been convicted ten times from Blaina !—Prisoner I don't know how many times, sir.—Mr. Maund Why, ten times and once in Tredegar.—Prisoner I never done any crime, sir.—Mr. Maund You did not steal forks?—Prisoner No, they were put in my pocket when I was drunk I hadn't a chance to take them back the constable followed me before I could get back with them I knew nothing of them; that is the only thing I took-that was found on me.—Mr. Raikes: Were you ever sentenced to six months for stealing a shovel. Was that found in your pocket? (Laughter.) —Prisoner No, sir. I never stole a shovel.-The evidence in the first charge was not gone into, but with reference to the second offence, Evan Evans deposed I am a collector at Dan-y-parc turnpike gate, and am a shoemaker by trade this man (the prisoner) came to my house on Tuesday morning, and asked me if the "missus" was in; I told him my missus did not live there reularly she was at Crickhowell; he wanted some boiling water to make tea I told him he could not have any, and that a turnpike gate was not a place for such things he then bezan u,ing bad language, and after a little more talk said he would smash my head he had a long stick in his hand; to the best of my belief the one produced is the same.- Prisoner I never made use of such language. No, indeed, sir I never opened my mouth. (Laughter.) — Complainant: This is the second time he has been to my house and threatened me; he was there in the beginning of this summer before on this occasion, I told him if he would not go about his business I would get the police to him, and he then called me all the rogues, vagabonds, and thieves, he could lay his tongue to I went into the house and left him — Prisoner He struck me four times on the head. The mark is here now.—The Bench We send you for hard labour for three months.—Prisoner (tugging his forelock): Good morning, gentlemen, and tbankyou kindly. BRYNMA WR BEERHOUSE OFFENCE -John Meredith, of the Royal Arms, Dukestown, was charged with keeping his house open during prohibited hours on the night of the 19tb instant. P.C Evans and P.C. Oram proved the offence, and defendant was fined Is. and 8s. costs. THE" BELLE VUE" INN.—Catherine Jenkins was charged with having refused to admit the police, on the night of the 19th.—P.C. Evans stated that he and two more policemen visited the house at five minutes past twelve, and a girl came to the door and asked who was there; he answered, The police," and the girl went away there was a light in the house they knocked again, and this time some one came to the upstairs window and asked who was there and he said, A policeman she made answer We are not going to open the door at this time for you, nor anybody else.—The defendant stated that she came down stairs to open the door after she had dressed herself, but that then the policemen were gone. —The Bench considered that the policemen ought to have s'ayed at the door longer to see if they » ould open it. They did not think the charge of sufficient weight to justify a convictioa, and therefore dismissed it. THE 11 QUEEN VICTORIIA. "Edwin Ballinger, land- lord of this public house, was charged with having on the 19th kept his house open during illegal hours. The wife of defendant appeared and stated that there had been a pic-nic that day, and she had a stall there; two or three of her neighbours assisted her to remove her goods from the field in the evening, and she asked them to take some supper with her they bad a pint of beer on the table, but no one paid for it -The Bench considered the tale a plausible one, and the police-officer (P.C. Evans) preferring the charge not being in a position to show that the statement thus made was false, the case was dismissed. BREWSTER SESSIONS. (Before the same magistrates.) This being the day for granting the renewal of victuallers' licenses, there was a pretty full attendance of innkeepers. The licenses were in every case renewed where application was made. Those who had been convicted during the year were censured and cautioned.

APPLICATIONS. BRYNMAWR.—THE BRITANNIA."—Mr. G. S. Davies applied, on behalf of the landlord of this house, for a spirit license. He thought the Bench recognized the free-trade principle in considering the claims of these houses for licenses, as well as the requirements of the neighbourhood and the character of the applicant. Respecting the last point he would present to their Worships a numerously and respectably signed testi- monial. The house was situated on the main road in King-street, Brynmawr, and was kept by a man named William Jayne, who had occupied it for a loag time.— The Clerk here remarked that the house was at one time licensed, and that for some considerable time there had been no complaints.—Mr. G. S. Davies continued that there were present two or three people who would speak to the applicant's respectability. These parties were actually keeping houses in proxi- mity to the applicant's,—an additional argument in favour of the desirability of its being licensed. The house possessed good accommodation and plenty of Etabling. It was also situated near the entrance to the coal yard, Brynmawr, and numbers of carts very frequently stood there. In the winter time a great want would be felt for spirits.—The application was granted, no one appearing to oppose. LLANGYNIDER- fC BEA.uFORT WELLs.Mr. G. S. Davies applied for a license for the house which was kept by Thomas Davies. It had been kept as a beer- house for some considerable time, and was situated near the Treyil machine. The landlord was a man of very good character, and he presented a testimonial in his favour respectably and iufluentially signed. There was nil public-house within a considerable distance, and the house was/so situated that it com- manded the trdffic on two roads. There was a public- house called the Castle on one of the branches, and about 400 yards from this place.—Mr. Roberts, col- lector of rates, was here called, and interrogated on the subject.—Mr. M. J. Roberts: Do you know this place?—Yes, sir.—Q. Do you know a beer-house known as the "Beaufort Wells? -A. Yes.-Q. How far is it from the Castle?-A. I dare say it is between 400 or 500 yards.-Q. How is it conducted?—A. They are very good ones to pay their taxes, sir; you can judge a little by that. (Laughter). The landlord of the Castle here stepped forward to oppose the grant- ing of the license. He said he did not think the distance between his house and the applicant's house was so much as had been stated. He should take it to be a little over 200 yards. Mr. Roberts: Is yours a large house?-A. Not a very large one, sir; but quite large enough to do the business there.—Mr. Davies: I should tell you that this was a licensed house long before the Castle was licensed.—The Bench refused the license. DUKESTOWN.— THE "GROUSE INN." Mr. G. S. Davies applied for a license for this house, kept by Evan Jenkins. The usual testimonial as to character accompanied the application, and there being no oppo- sition, the application was granted. BRYNMAWR —Mr. G. S. Davies applied for a license on behalf of Windsor Morgan, Brynmawr, for a new house which he had built on the road leading from Brynmawr to Beautort. He said Mr. Morgau was a man of irreproachable character, and had been re- quested by a number of commercial travellers, who felt the necessity of a house in that place, to get a license and open it. The building, as well as a quantity of property adjoining, belonged to him, and the house itself was built in a very superior style. Mr. Benjamin Thomas, of the New Inn, opposed the application. This house was within fifty yards of his, and there were three houses within 200 yards. There was no accommodation provided, and it had not been a beer-house; besides all this, the proper notice had not been given. Mr. Davies: His house is a very poor one, and not to be compared with the accommo- dation this one has. Mr. Thomas: I have plenty of stabling for sixteen horses and two coaches, while he has not even a pig-stye. Mr. Morgan: I can build stables but I waited to get a license before I got the staples. The Bench: When you get your stables we will consider your application upon its merits. BEAUFORT.—THE "PRINCE OF WALES." Joseph Price, landlord of this house, applied for a license. Mr. David Edmunds, of the Rising Sun, opposed, in the first place because the applicant had not stabling accommodation. Applicant: I have stabling within sixty yards of the house on rent; I acknowledge I have not any on the same property, but that makes no difference. Mr. Edmunds: My house is near to it, and Mr. Sergeant's is within 100 yards. A vcice: There are four houses within 100 yards of it. Mr. Roberts: How far is your house from his?—Mr. Edmunds: About sixty yards, and another man has one within five yards Mr. Roberts: There are plenty in the same place we refuse the license.

BRYNMAWR. THE EHTMNEY TRAGEDY. At a Special Sessions, held at Brynmawr on Wednesday, the prisoner in this extraordinary case, William Protheroe, was brought up on remand, charged with the murder of Martha Thomas. We observed no alteration in the prisoner's appear- ance from that noted at his last examination. Throughout the whole of the hearing he seemed calm and collected. Mr. Simons was for the prosecution, and Mr. Smith for the prisoner. The following witnesses were examined:—■ David Davies, collier, Old Furnace, Rhymney, sworn, and deposed (in Welsh, interpreted by Mr. Robert Williams) I remember the 18th of June last; I went out of my house that night between ten and eleven o'clock to look at m): land, as is my custom; I had my dog with me; I know it was the 18th as I went up the next morning to see the show on the mountain; on the following Saturday I heard of Martha Thomas being in the pit, and referred to the almanac to see what day of the month it was, and found it was the 18th; I saw a man and woman out together that night (the 18th) it was on the left hand side going from the Rhymney Inn; they were down in a deep dingle, and I was on the hill; they were coming up to a footpath crossing the dingle; they walked towards a tramroad that leads to Rhymney; when I last saw them they were going in the direction of Rhymney; the man had on a long coat, which I saw flying against his legs; his hat was low and flat-topped he was a tall man, and looked old; I can't say I had ever seen him before that; I can't say for certain who the man was; it was very like prisoner; I am not sure of it, but I believe it was prisoner; it was not a clear night, and I had not a chance to know them the hat the man had on was like the one produced in shape; I believe the woman was Martha Thomas, but I am not sure; there is a sort of footpath by the mouth of the clay level leading by Thomas Williams's house; I heard the man's voice, but could not understand what he said; I have not heard Protheroe's voice since. By the Bench There was nothing peculiar about the voice, only it was very strong. By Mr. Smith: I don't know what material the hat was com- posed of; it might have been a black hat it was too dark for me to see its colour. By the Bench: I was from 15 to 20 yards off; it was a moon- light night, but very cloudy. The Clerk, referring to an almanac The moon rose that night at a few minutes to 9 o'clock. By Air. Smith: It is not usual to see people go that way at night, but I occasionally see a young couple go that way; I do not know Win. Williams, of Pontlottyn, cinder-filler (William Williams here stepped forward); he is not the same shape of the man 1 saw that night; his shoulders are more square; I I can't swear he is not the man, but I don't think it is the man; the land that I occupy is called Cwm-nant-melin; the old parish road passes my house. Thomas Williams, engine-driver, Pontlottyn, sworn: I am employed at Rhymney works; I had gone home from my work on the Tuesday night before the show came to Rhymney; I got home about a quarter to 11 o'clock I went out through a gate from my house, fronting the tramroad at that time; I saw a woman and man pass over the tip and pass by my gate; that would be in the direction for the Clay Level, about 20 yards from my house the lower side there is a bridge across the river, and you can go across the bridge to Barrack-road; the woman wore a dark dress and bonnet; the jacket appeared to me to be of a circular shape; the man had on a long coat which reached down to his knees I don't know whether it was grey or black; his hat was low in the crown, and might have been something of the sort of the one produced; I can't tell the colour; the one I saw was a tallish woman, walking smart; the man might have been from 45 to 50 years of age; I should think it must have been Protheroe, according to the description of the man they passed within Ave yards of where I was standing; they went along the tramroad; I did not hear any one shouting to a dog up above; I don't think I have been talking to Pro- theroe before; I did not say at the inquest I had been after talking to Protheroe j Ilr. Markham, of the Glamorgan police, was with me on the Sunday after I gave my evidence. Mr. Simons: Had he any conversation with you about the evidence you gave at the inquest. Mr. Smith objected to witness's answering the question, and the Bench ruled in favour of the objection. Examination continued: I thought before I was examined that the woman was Martha (deceased); I could not take my oath to the man, because I was not talking to him; I believed that night it was Protheroe, or something like him. By the Bench: I went straight to bed, but I remembered in the house that I saw a very smart woman going by, and one of them I thought was the policeman, perhaps, in disguise. By Mr. Smith: I did not think it was Protheroe that night; I have never said to anyone since that night I thought it was a policeman. (In further questioning witness admitted that he had said he thought the man was a policeman to several people.) I say now it must have been a policeman; had never, to my knowledge, spoken to Protheroe; I can't say whether I said to the coroner I have been talking to Protheroe several times; he worked on the castings; I have not known Protheroe long; I may have known him two years: I did not say at the coroner's jury I knew Wm. Protheroe to speak to for a couple of years I have not known him a couple of years; I did not know him well by sight; I said at the inquest I had seen him cleaning castings; I had not known him before; I heard the woman in the brickyard speaking of him as Protheroe in the brickyard a long time before he came to the castings; there was a deal of talking about him at that time; I heard no talk of any one of him before I saw him at work at the castings; I won't swear that I believed it was Protheroe that night; what I told the coroner was sure to be right; it was a cloudy night; it was light coroner was sure to be right; it was a cloudy night; it was light enouo-h for me to see it was a Jacket; I did not say it was a shawl or "turnover;" they passed within five yards of me; so close that I was able to tell he was from 45 to 50 years of age; I did not see his face, he turned it off; I judged his age by the back of him; I could tell partly by the man's back that was his age; Sergeant Markham said to me, after the inquest, that all made sport of me and laughed at me in the room; and that I was saucy; he also asked me if Morgan, the curate, had been with me that week; that was all he said to me; the coroner charged me to speak the whole truth, and lastly, he said the jury thought I was keeping something behind j I never said to anyone I did not know who the man was, except the policeman; I have never told people the policeman was there for a certain purpose with the woman; I can't remember that I have been talking to anybody about the concern; I won't swear I have not told anybody so; I don't know William Williams, cinder-filler, Pontlottyn. Re-examined by Mr. Simons: Markham told me that I must have made a mistake about Protheroe, that it could not have been him he told me to take care what I was about; he did not say there were people who would contradict me; he asked me if I had made a mistake on the jury, and I said no;" I have not been speaking to him since about my evidence; he was in my house about ten minutes. By the Bench: I did not hear Markham tell my wife I had been telling lies. David Davies, recalled, and re-examined by Mr. Smith: I did not see the man's face; he kept it turned to her. Joseph Raycock was then called, and observed that he would prefer giving his evidence without taking an oath, having a conscientious objection. The witness then deposed that he was a labourer, and worked under the Rhymney Iron Company; he worked at the brick-yard remembered the day when the shows came to Rhymney; he had been working on the night before, and being out of tobacco, he went to look over the wall to see if he could discover any person about; it was about two in the morning of Wednesday he saw on looking around a man near the pit where the body of Martha Thomas was found; he was standing still for about four or 1lve minutes; there was a whistle given for an engine, and the man thereupon disappeared from my sight; he went away from behind the pit, and some time after that the clock struck three the lights from the furnaces were behind the man down below the pit is on a rising ground from the road; the man appeared rather a tallish person. William Thomas, haulier: I remember coming home from Abergavenny market on Tuesday, before the show came to Rhymney; I saw a man walking back and before past Walter Thomas's house; it was from six to a quarter past six o'clock in the evening; he was passing by at the time; the man had a staff in his hand; he looked at the house two or three times; in consequence of that I took particular notice of the man; rrotheroe is the man I saw; my wife observed that he was an ugly man to be a sweetheart of Martha Thomas prisoner heard her'say so; prisoner was walking by our side; he looked at us, and I saw him distinctly; because of my wife's remark, and because I had been the person, I mentioned the fact to Mrs. Williams, the policeman's wife, that I thought I had seen Protheroe by Walter Thomas's house that evening; prisoner is the man I saw there that night; I am quite sure it was; I was examined the sixth day of the inquest; I live exactly opposite the place where the inquest was held; I saw Williams the police- man on the week before that; I did not know Protheroe until that day; I had no conversation with anybody between the time I spoke to Williams's wife and the time I saw him in custody; the place I saw this man walking back and forward looking at the house was on the highroad, and there are many houses there. Evan Probert sworn: I live at Rhymney, and am a puddler; I have known the prisoner about two and a-half years, perhaps more; I was in the class he was teaching in the Sunday-school at Rhymney; I recollect the 18 th of June last; I was working at the works; I live next door but one to the "Wellington," about a mile down the valley to this pit; I was standing outside my door about a quarter before eight o'clock, and was in my working clothes; I saw Protheroe come out of the Wellington and walk up the road that leads towards Merthyr; another man named William Wilson was with me; I made an observation to Wilson about the prisoner; after prisoner had gone I went into the house, breakfasted, washed, and changed my clothes; I then went out to meet the shows coming in; I did not go to work that night; I mentioned these things to one and the other, because I had heard the prisoner had been denying that he was in the place. Mr. Smith objected to the last item of evidence being received, and after a protracted discussion the Bench ruled that it was not admissible. Cross-examined by Mr. Smith: I am sure of the time I got UP; I left my work at half-past six o'clock; it would be about seven o'clock when I got home; I did not see the shows go off the next morning; I am quite certain of the day, although the shows' arrival arc the only things I have to make me sure. Nathaniel Davies sworn, and deposed in Welsh: I am a miner, and live at Dowlais; I know the prisoner I recollect the Tues- day the shows were at Dowlais; on that Tuesday I was returning from my work about a quarter to half-past seven o'clock; I was somewhat later than usual; Mesliach Evans was with me; I met the prisoner between the top of Dowlais and the tramroad just crossingthere; prisoner was going in the direction of Rhymney; he had something like the shape of a book under his right arm; after passing prisoner I went home, and went by the shows; Meshach Evans parted with me before I came to the shows; I met Mr. Jones, of the Greyhound, and had a conversation with him about the shows. Cross-examined by Mr. Smith: I am quite certain about the time, and am quite certain about its being Tuesday night; I have known prisoner a number of years, and had seen him at the new works cleaning castings; I have also seen him at prayer- meetings. Meshach Evans, miner, Dowlais, said: I wore in the next stall to the last witness; I know the prisoner, and recollect meeting him when Nathaniel Davies was with me; I met him about forty yards above the houses, at the top of Dowlais j he was going in the direction of Rhymney; I can't take my oath as to the night, but it was the same night that I was with Nathaniel; we were later than usual coming from work I made an obser- vation to Nathaniel about Protheroe I was going to attend a meeting of the Band of Hope that night; they met on the Tues- day night, and I went there. Cross-examined by Mr. Smith: The Band of Hope never is held on any other night than Tuesday; 1 will not take my oath it was Tuesday night; I won't swear it was not Wednesday; prisoner had something like a book under his arm; it was about forty yards above the houses at Dowlais. Margaret Davies sworn: I am the wife of Thomas Davies, founder I know the prisoner, and have known him about seven years; I recollect when the shows were at Dowlais; it was on the Tuesday; I saw him on that evening between seven and eight o'clock; he was going up the road towards Rhymney; I was sitting at my door, and Mrs. Truran was standing at hers Mrs. Truran made an observation about prisoner; I have six children, and they had gone to see the shows. Nathaniel Davies recalled: Prisoner had on a straw hat, one [ wkisli wfe fldt; Ms- coat was what tfaey U5CQ. to cail a fowtos coat; his hat was spotted black and white; the one produced was very much like the one. Cross-examined We have had a conversation about the day we met prisoner we walked over together, but did not talk of the evidence we were going to give I had a talk with him about the affair on the Monday after finding the body; have had no conversation relative to the matter since; I never thought there would be any call for it; I did not know Meshach; would not swear Tuesday was the day they saw prisoner. Meshach Evans recalled: Prisoner wore a straw hat when we met him it was a speckled hat. Cross-examined by Mr. Smith: Have had no conversation about the evidence we were going to give. John Rees sworn I live at Rhymney, and am foreman of the pit carpenters at Rhymney Iron Works: the pit where the body was found is 16 ft. by 14 ft.; I examined the bottom of the pit after the finding of the body; there were about 3 ft. of rubbish and some stones at the bottom it was damp; there was a little coal at the bottom; I examined carefully and found no blood; I brought specimens of the rubbish at the bottom up; the depth of the pit is 40 yards. Cross-examined by Mr. Simonds The rubbish at the bottom of the pit was soft; the part of the wall broken had not been recently done. Prisoner was remanded until Thursday. On THURSDAY He was again brought up before JDr. Bevan, and the following evidence was received:— Mary Rosser, wife of William Rosser, collier, of Tavanabach' and keeper of the" Nag's Head," said: The Wednesday before the day Martha Thomas's body was found in the pit prisoner came to my-house at about half-past ten o'clock at night he said to me, Did you see anything of Martha. Mrs. Rosser I said, "No, I had not seen anything of her since Friday;" he then asked me if I would go to Walter Thomas's house to enquire for her; I went off at once, and asked Rosanna if she knew anything of Martha; before I went prisoner told me that Mrs. Evans, the shoemaker's wife, had told him that Martha had gone off since half-past ten o'clock on Tuesday night; prisoner said he was on the Cefn sleeping last night, and I had been to the Temperance Hall; he also said he had been to Morgan Rees's house; he repeated a second time that he had been sleeping on the Cefn I had seen prisoner the Friday before this in our house; I sent for Martha, and she said she wanted W. Protheroe to come down to Merthyr at ten o'clock on Satur- day I heard him say, We can settle without going to Merthvr very well." Cross-examined by Mr. Smith I did not see much out of the way in their conduct; when he came on the Wednesday night I did not observe any difference in him to what he had usuallv been, but I did not take particular notice; we had some tali about money some weeks before; she then said she was going to America out of sight of every one; she did not say why- she said many had looked little on her because she had gone that way, but it was no consequence to anyone as she had plenty of money to go out of their sight. Re-examined by Mr. Simons I believe it was five jE5 notes; I am not sure, but I am sure of four; she showed me two sove- reigns and a half and three half-crowns. VJ^n0T GTriffiths, wife of David Griffiths, collier, Newtown, Rhymney: I saw the prisoner on the Wednesdav before the body was found; I noticed the clock when I left the house it was 12 when I got to Thomas Prices; I saw prisoner on the road; I was then sitting down watching the shows go towards Rhymney; Ann Morgan was with me prisoner was walking towards Dowlais. b fa?7 Dr" Bevan He did not look 35 if he had been walking Examination continued I said to him, I heard you abused the girl very much, and he replied It it was not likely I should, as I had too much looks upon her to abuse her-" pri- soner then left us I mentioned I met the prisoner on that dav and Walter Thomas came to me about the matter. Ann Morgan, wife of David Morgan, Newtown, Rhymney, gave similar evidence. John Thomas, Rhymney, locomotive engine-driver, sworn: I work the locomotive along the limestone railway; I recollect picking up an Irishwoman and two policemen in June; the woman was in the custody of the police that was before the body of Martha Thomas was found, but I cannot tell the day; I saw prisoner that morning dear the Carno pond; I can't swear to his hat; I had known him before that day. r Cross-examined by Mr. Simons; Prisoner had on a grey coat and light trousers he had the same clothes he had on at the inquest; I thought then it was a black box hat he had on, but I don't think so now; I won't say what I think he he had on; I will swear to the colour of the coat, but I won't swear to the hat; this was on the Wednesday. Re-examined by Mr. Simons I know prisoner perfectly well whatever clothes he wore. William Evans, of Pontlotty, quarryman, sworn I recollect the day the shows came to Rhymney; I believe it was Wednes- day I know prisoner; I saw him once before that time; I saw him that day at Pontlotty below the bridge; it was from twenty minutes to half-past nine o'clock in the morning, in the direction of Pontlottyn village that would take him into the lime-stone railway, turning on the right by the Nelson; Morgan Jones was with me. Mary Williams, wife of Thomas Williams, collier, Pantvbain sworn: I recollect the day the shows came to Pontlottyn I saw prisoner that day on the railway near Colt-cae-du, going in the direction of Dowlais between nine and ten o'clock in the morning. Mary Thomas, wife of Thomas Thomas, mason, Rhymney, sworn: I remember the day the shows came to Pontlottrn I saw prisoner going over Pontlottyn bridge, towards the lime- stone bridge this was on the Wednesday. The Rev. William Evans, of Rhymney, sworn: I recollect Tuesday-, the 18th of June I did not see the deceased that day, or the night of that day I saw prisoner the following day by the door of my house it was about ten o'clock in the forenoon'- he spoke to me about Martha Thomas; he mentioned her having sworn a child to him on the previous Saturday; I saw him the week before, and he had an affiliation summons in his pocket, which he showed me; he spoke with considerable bitterness of the family, and said they had refused to make up with him be- fore going before the magistrates; he used a similar tone towards deceased, but more especially towards the brother. Cross-examined by Mr. Smith: My observation before the coroner was that he was neither very angry nor very pleased that is what 1 say now; his dessre to settle the matter without going to the magistrates had reference to the assault. Jemima Williams, wife of Evan Williams, collier. Rhvmnev sworn 1 remember seeing deceased on the Monday before she was missing; we had a talk about Protheroe; 1 saw prisoner on the Thursday; he said he was very sorrv he could not have his wish accomplished for her to have the child he told her by the Bryn-rhydd pond he was willing to stand to his former agree- ment, but she had gone very stupid this good bit, and that she had become very proud since she had been in the family way. Cross-examined by Mr. Smith 1 saw her twice on the Mon- day, on the first time at 4 o'clock: she told me she had seen prisoner then; she came again at hall-past 8 o'clock; she said she was going to the post, and from there to Pontlottvn it was the second time she talked to me about the child; the conver- sation 1 had with Prothero on the Thursday was the same con- versation he told you be had with Martha on the Mondav at Bryn Boyd pond. • T; Cwm-rhyd-y-bedd, contractor, sworn 1 recoliect the day the large show was in Dowlais it was on the Wednesday; 1 went into the Grey Hound, and prisoner came in while 1 was there 1 asked him where he was sleeping, and lie said m Rhymney. b' ttue The prisoner was remanded until Saturday, when th ehearing of the case will be resumed.

HAY POST-OFFICE. To the Editor of the BRECOX COUNTY TIMES SIB,—Our .Post-Office, for 30 or 40 years, was in the centre of the town, but about 20 years ago, it was removed to the parish opposite the Blue Boar. Now, I see in other places there are receiving-houses, pillar letter-boxes, &c., for public conve- nience, and I think if there was a pillar letter-box, or receivine- house, between Bridge-street and the pump, it would be a verv great public convenience. The Clyro postman could clear it on his return at 3.30 p.m. with very little trouble. Yours, respectfullv, H»y,A»s. 10,1867. BROAD-STREET.

THE REGATTA. To the Editor of the BRECOX COUNTY TIMES ^R'~J Jy-'Pe thcre is no truth in the statement that the Com- mittee of the Regatta are going to alter the day from Wednesdav to Tuesday for holding the above fete, Wednesdav is a half- holiday in Brecon, and I am told that the Hereford Review is postponed sine die; these are strong grounds for sticking to Wednesday. As a Brecoman I thank the Committee from the very bottom of my heart for their efforts, for I have not for! gotten last year's gathering, which was one of the most profitable to the town during my life-time, and I cut my ■wisdom' teeth 44 years ago. T PATERFAMILIAS Brecon, Aug. 28, 1867.

To the Editor of the BRECON COCXTY TIMES. SiR'—1Permit a stranger and visitor to ask whose province it is, to protect, m broad day-light, the moral influences of th* rising generation ? Why are the visiting public to be dailv an- noyed with the obscene exhibitions on the banks of the T^V ■> If the mhabrtants of Brecon, or those living in its immediate neighbourhood, really want a swim and an exhibition, get mission for them to visit Pennoyre or Llangorse Lakf or the deep waters meandering through our woodland groves. It seems an insult to common decency, to allow the scenes daily enacted on the south side of Llanfaes Bridge. The authorities ought to protect the town, even if they are unable to protect the surrounding neighbourhood. The card-playimr ™ days, is most abominable, and a lady stranger is not alittio startled, on passing through the convenient gates liberaHv ™-r> vided by worthy landlords, to find, on entering the next field herself surrounded by a dozen, or upwards, of ragged-clad ill' mannered, and insulting community. clad'111 'PRO BONO BUBLICO.

THE RIVER USK AND THE CANAL. To the Editor of the BREcoN COUNTY TIMES. SIR,-During the last month a large number of your readers must have noticed how very low the river has been at Llanfaes bridge. Looking from the Castle gardens, or from the bridge itself you see a deadly still pool, with a feeble stream issuinl from it and barely sufficient water running to carry awav the filth7w the Honddu brings down-in fact under the arches of T thidHondduVCT COnSiStS °f °nly the tW° brooks> Taralfaud If you ascend the Usk to Aberbran or Pennonf. von nntw far gi-eater hfe and vigour in the river-it there flows, low as th^ atei may be, with a busk movement, and with a volume of water suited to its narrow Led and it is not until you come tn Newton eir that you perceive the change. Here at the present time, virtually, the whole river is intercepted and carried into the canal—and for what purpose 1 Ostensibly to supply the canal, and to enable its extensive trade of two boats a day to be maintained. y The question I wish to raise is, whether the legitimate navi- gation of the canal requires this very large supply of Ns-ater, varying from 13,000,000 to 14,000,000 gallons a day. It is full time for the Brecon people, if they value their river —which should add so much to the beauty of their town —11 enquire, by what right, and for what purpose this verv low— quantity of water is taken from the Usk. Ur £ e 4- SUUM CINQUE.

THE REGATTA To the Editor of the BRECON CorNTY TIMRs., SIR,-I notice m your paper of last week » letter signed J. Morgan," complaining that the public were not satisfied whether the Regatta held last year was a benefit or a loss to the Literary Institution in the Bulwark. I wish to say that a full and detailed statement of the aeeounts was made out and audited, printed, and sent to every subscriber to, the Regatta Fund, and also otherwise widely distributed. With reference to the latter part of your correspondent's letter, complaining that the host who provided the luncheon had not been naid hi-* demand of £ 34 odd, I beg to say that the correct amount due to him, under his stamped agreement with the committer was only £ 18 7s. 6d., not and against this sum of £ ig 7< m the committee had a set-off of E14 13s. Id. far winelS supplied to him, and £ 2 2s., being his subscription to the fund. The srnsll balance was duly tendered, out was refused, the host beins- of opinion that as ae liau provided luncheon for 150 more Dersons than actually partook of it, the committee ought to have oaid him for the whole number he had provided for This the com- ^dtoS V0 "> Theeyo;Sy tit0 P-ay forihe numbc-of lunch tickets they sold, i'ndly, The heist di&posed verj reauily of the surplus provisions to the general public. If he lost anything it was his own fault. The committee were not bound to pav him more than be- had agreed to acoept. I ttLink Mr. Morgan should have taken the trouble to ascertain the facts before "rushing into print." I apprehend however, that his letter will not in any way f as he seems to desire it should) detract from the success which it is tolerably certain will attend the event of the 11th proximo, and as to his insinuations that justice should precede generosity, I think the names of the gentlemen forming the committee a sufficient guarantee to the public that all matters connected with the forthcoming Regatta will, as in the past, be conducted in a "iust" as well as a "generous" maimer, Brecon, Aug. 28, 1567. J. A. J £ £ B..

of the defendant, who had paid JE2 10s. and 4s. costs into court, and pleaded bankruptcy.—Mr. Bishop said if there were any special plea of bankruptcy he objected to it until it was proved when the plea was first made.-A discussion then took place as to the practice of allowing such pleas, which bis Honour said he bad always admitted.—Mr Bishop then contended that the bill had been a running account before and after the bankruptcy. The defendant had yearly had the bill given him, and had promised to pay it. When- ever the bill had been presented defendant had paid money on account, and they had a perfect right to apply that money to any portion of the debt.—His Honour held that the plaintiff could not receive more than that paid into court. Lewis Lewis v. Margaret Williams.—Mr. Bishop appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Price for the defendant.—The claim was for £10 15s. for damage, and work done.—Mr. Bishop stated that the p'aintiff had been a farmer, but was now reduced in circum- stances, and was a farm- bailiff to Mr. Morgan, of Bolgoed. The defendant was a lady living at Devy- Dock, and at that time she was the landlady of the plaintiff, who lived at a farm at Llanfihangel Nantbrane. Before she came into possession the plaintiff paid JE40 per annum, but Mrs. Williams raised it to L46, which was regularly paid. In '63 Mrs. Williams sold two plots of land, one of which was not productive, though the other was the best on the farm. Plaintiff continued to occupy the farm for three or four years longer. He must mention, however, that one piece of land was taken before the other, the ground being taken for building purposes. The whole of the land was thus left open for a considerable period, and a good deal of damage was done to a field of clover. Plaintiff charged £ 1 10s. for the loss and inconve- nience.—His Honour asked how many acres there were.—Mr. Bishop replied there were nearly 100. He then went on to state that he believed Mrs. Williams had never disputed her liability with regard to that bill. The next item was tl for the second piece of land taken away. The third item was for hauling two tons of coal. It was the custom in some parts when a farmer lived near to a gentleman's house to make an agreement for the tenant to carry coal for the landlord free of expense. When, however, they were some six or seven miles distant they were not expected to do this. The plaintiff lived five or six miles from the defendant's house, RLd he had carried two tons of coal, one at the instance of Mrs. Williams, and the other by direction of her son. He charged £1 16s. for that. He (Mr. B.) did not think there was any agreement to do this. If there were they would hear, but if there was not special agreement to do so, the inference would be that he was not to do it. He also charged for hauling three cart loads of timber, &c. At the time the plaintiff was a tenant Mrs. Williams was building a barn, and the whole of the things were taken there. Unless there was a contract so to do the tenant was not bound to carry anything to such buildings, but if a tenant had been on the farm a long time, and received the benefit of them, then they would not charge. In this case as soon as the building was completed the plaiBtiff had to leave. At the end cf '65 plaintiff was not in a very flourishing condition, and as he was in arrears he was told if he did not pay up he must leave. Plaintiff came to Mr. Price, and Mrs. Williams asked him to make over an assign- ment of his goods for paying the rent. Mr. Price said the sum being so small, and as there was stock on the premises, he would not put in a distress. Tne plaintiff then went to another farmer in the neigh- bourhood, who became responsible for all his debts, including bis rent, and all plaintiff's property was transferred to this farmer in April, 1865. There was another item for food and lodging, given to two men who were engaged in building a baro. The plaintiff and bis wife were then called, and gave evidence corroborative of the opening of Mr. Bishop. In cross-examination, the wife stated that when they last settled with the defendant they did not say anything about the hauling, because they were so much behind hand with their rent. In reply to the case, Mr. Price urged that the claim was a stale one, and that the land was taken, with the cognizance of the plaintiff, by John Davies, and by Philip Williams. The value of the land was 6d. per year. Mrs. Williams never requested plaintiff to give up the land, but the arrange- ment was for them to make their own terms with the occupier. As to the hauling it was an arrangement with all the tenants that they were to haul a ton of coal. The two tons of coal were not hauled in 1864, as had been stated, but one in 1863 and the other in 1864. As to the hauling of the timber for the repairs of the roof, it was done in accordance with the custom of the country. This, however, was in August, 1863, and not in 1865, as was stated in the bill. No claim had been made for these things when a settlement took place, and in regard to the food he should prove that no victuals at all was given to the men employed on the barn. Mr. Price then called Mrs. Margaret Williams, the defendant, who confirmed the remarks of her solicitor. His Honour summed up the eri deuce, and in giving judgment for the defendant, said he did not remember ever meeting with a case more unfounded than that seemed to be. Mr. Bishop said the case had been adjourned on the last occasion, and asked for the costs of that adjournment. His Honour said there ought to be no mention of costs in a case like that, and refused the application. In re Samuel Lewis, beerhouse keeper, Llanfihangel Nantbran, and Thomas Price, painter, Pendre. These bankrupts came up for their last examination, sup- ported by Mr. T. Bishop, No opposition was offered, and the bankrupts passed their last examinations and received their final orders. Davies v. Wooding.-At the close of the court, Mr. Games, addressing His Honour, thanked him on the part of Messrs. Bodenham and James, of Hereford, and himself, for having consented to take the case of Davies v. Wooding, but stated that the parties had come to an amicable settlement. This case was with respect to some land, and His Honour bad consented to try it, we believe, without fee, in consequence of the expense of taking it to the Assizes.