Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register

I RIFLE CONTEST OF THE GWER3YLLT RIFLE VOLUNTEERS. The annual contest of the Gwersyllt (5th) Riflf Volunteers, took place at their range, at the Wilder- ness, and resulted in a great success. The corps has lately undergone a change in its officers, and without disparagement to their predecessors, who took the greatest interest in the company, the effect of the new blood infused into the movement, has, as usual, had a good effect. This was manifested in the liberal programme of the annual rifle contest, the prizes and competitors being so numerous that the proceedings could not be com- pleted during the day. The shooting was upon land belonging to Mr Allmand and Mr Jones, on the banks of the Alyn, the shots crossing water in their course. The company mustered in full force, and during the day the officers provided the mem- bers of the corps, between 80 and 90 of whom were present, with a capital repast, which was served in the open air. The catering was entrusted to Mr Peate, of Overton Arcade, Wrexham, who as usual gave the highest satisfaction to both officers aud men. The foll.)wing is the programme so far as it completed during the day:- Lieut.-Col. Sir W. W. Wynn's Prize, to be competed for bv aU efficient Members 1st, ?3 2nù, ?1 5s; 3rd, lbs: 4th. 5s. 200 500 KIM) Tl. Sergeant Joseph Jones 11. 17. 15 4:3 Quarter-master Sergeant McPherson. 15. 14. 12.41 Sergeant John John Jones 14. 15. !) Corporal Davie" 15. 11. ll.57 17 Shaw. 14. 12. 10.38' Private Absalom Davies 13. 14. 8. 35 Color-sergeant Harrop 11— 10 ..30 Corporal Morris 10." 14. 5.W '£>0.,1. J The shooting ior tuis prise wao "whcui, umi the score of the winner was one of which any volunteer might be proud. And if the marksman had figured so well at the short range as he did at the longer ones, he would stdl have made an extra- ordinary score. As will be seen, he made the highest figures of all at the 500 and 600 yards range, but did not stiuw to advantage it 200 yards. The veteran Mr M'Pherson was close upon his heels with the respectable score of 41 points and the third in honours with 38. Company's Prize, to be competed for hy all efficient members. Five rounilstt 200 anil ¡jl):¡ yards. -pts. -C S. (I. Sergeant John Jones iti 2 (I 0 Ct)lor-surgeajit Harrol) 15 1 5 0 Corporal Roberts 14 0 15 0 „ Davies -]4 0 10 0 shaw *14 0 10 0 Griffiths 7]; 0 7 ti Morns l:{ Quarter-master Sergeant McPlierson. 12 Sergeant Br:ubhaw n Joseph Jones. 11 Private lanueL. II Edwards. II The winner of the tirt prize at 200 yards made a good average score-a little over a ecatre a shot. Singularly there were three ties for the third pria1, lint there was not time to decide them that day. There was also a tie for the sixtli prize- 500 Yards. Quarter-master Sergeant McPherson. 15 2 0 0 Private Absalom Davies 14 1 5 0 Sergeant Joseph Jones. 13 0 15 0 Color-sergeant Harrop. 12 0 10 0 Corporal Morris 12 0 10 0 Sergeant Bradshaw 11 0 7 6 At the 500 yards, we were glad to find that onr old friend Mr M' Pherson, who has so frequently secured honours for the corps, in the front with 15 points-an average centre. The score was not so good as this marksman has often succeeded in mak- ing, and it was beaten at the same r inge in the iirst pr.ze, and also, camparatively speaking, in the ull-comers. The second place was taken by Private Absalom Davies, who is generally a dangerous op- ponent at this range. Sergeant Joseph Jones, who made 17 at the same range in the first competition had third place with 13 paints. The recruits priza was competed for with five rounds at 150 yards, and the t es for the first and .second will be shot off to-day (Saturday). All Comers Prize—Silver Cup, value £ 5, or £ 5 in money Entrance -2s (id; seven rounds at 5UU yards. Enfield rities onlv. Points. Tot!. Ensign J. Oswell Bury 4 4 4 3 244 25 Drill-Instructor Probert 3 2 4 3 4 3 3 22 Mr Watkin Williams 2 3 3 4 4 4 0 20 Sergeant Lees (1st) 4 3333 4 0 20 Sergeant Heatli (4th) 0 4 3 2 3 4 3 19 Sergeant Joseph Jones 2 2 3 3 4 2 2 18 Mr Crockett (4th) 2 4 2 2 2 3 3 18 Corporal Davies 0 4 2 3 2 3 4 18 Sergeant John Jones (1st). 3242240 17 Harrop 0 4 4 3 3 2 0 16 John Jones (5th). 0 3 3 3 3 2 2 16 Bandmaster Rogers 2230342 16 Drill-instructor Jones (1st).. 0240333 15 Private C. Jones 4 3 0 2 0 3 3 15 Ensign Price(4th) 3 0 0 4 2 3 3 15 Drill-instruct. Ph<jeiiix(2nd). 2 2 0 3 3 4 0 14 Corporal Shaw 0 0 2 4 2 2 3 13 Sergeant Woodville (1st) 0 2 3 3 0 2 2 12 Robert Roberts 2 0 0 3 3 3 0 11 Sergeant Roberts 0 3 2 0 0 3 3 11 Corporal Smith 0023320 10 Atton 0 3 02200 7 Private Vaughan 0 2 0 3 0 0 0 5 H. lietliell (1st) 0040000 4 „ Richards 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 *4 Lieut. Bury 4 4 3 2 retired Private -I)riggim-3 0 4 3 2 3 0 retired Quarter-masterMcPherson.. 3 0 3 0 3 4 retired Mr Hills 0 0 0 retired Private J. Davies 0 0 0 3 0 retired Mr J. W. Clark 0 3 0 retired Corporal Morris 0 0 0 retired Sergeant Thomas 0 0 0 retired Mr John Lewis 0 0 0 0 0 0 retired Bandsman Davies 0 4 4 0 3 0 retired The great event of the day was the All Comers priz. and iu addition to the cracks" of the com- pany, the list included some of the best men from other companies, putting the Gwersyllt in a critical position. The company, however, came off victori- ous, the prize being cariied off by its Ensign (Mr J. Oswell Bury), with the splendid score of 25 points, )tll of a possible 28. Aithough this was the first competition in which he was ever engaged, he shot vvith a steadiness of an old practised marksman and he succeeded in beating competitors who have often distinguished themselves in contests of this nature. Scores made at practices are very decep- tive when a person comes to the actual test for honours but in this case the capital figures scored hy Ensign Bury previously, were equalled when rhe proper time arrived for the display of skill. He surprised older hands, and his success was ex- tremely gratifying to the corps, who cannot help being pleastd to have officers who can represent them on such an occasion so weH as their present stiff. Aitiiongb Drill-inspector Probert, who is an excellent marksman, secured the second place with a good score, just before the last shot was fired, Sergeant Lees, one of the most regular shots in the Wrexham, and Watkin Williams, an old soldier not attached to any corps, both of whom had scored 20 points each, were looked upon as the most danger- ons to Ensiijn Bury, who had then 21 points. However, Williams missed with his last shot, and Lees followed his example; but the Ensign's steadi- ness did not fail him, for he made a bull's eye with his last shot, thus scoring 25 points, composed of live bull's eyes, one centre, and an outer. The shooting was in any position, and Ensign Bury and Drill-instructor Probert shot from the ground, Lees kneeling, and Williams sitting with a back support. The competition would have been much shortened if those whe clearly had no chance had had the good sense to have retired. Ensign Bury was enthusiastically congratulated on his success, and chaired. At the conclusion of this competition, the band, which is now well conducted by Mr Alfred Rogers, struck ap, and dancing commenced in Mr Allmand's field, the use of which was kindly allowed for the occasion. There were two refreshment tents on the ground belonging to Mr Dodd, Wheatsheaf, and Mr Hill. O.ving to the number of competitors for the vari- ous prizes it was decided to adjourn the shooting for the ofifcers' prize, and the ties for the company's prize until to-day at three o'clock, after which there will be pool target shooting for the remainder of the evening. HOLT. I UARXDOX AXD HOLT BKIDGE.—At one o'clock on Friday (yesterday) week, the following magis- trates met for the purpose of inspecting the bridge, ,m I to arrive at some definite decision as to whe- ther it was advisable to build a new one or to keep • ■a repairing the old one. There were present for Cheshire—J. H. Leche, Esq., P. S. Humberston, E-q,, R. Barbour, Eq and the Hon. E. Kenyon. F r Deabiglisliii-e-Col. Tottenham, and J. H. FùuJkes, Esq.; also the surveyors for the two counties. The river being very low the magis- trates were enabled to go underneath the structure and thoroughly examine the state of the arches and buttress to the foundations, the surveyors explain- ing what was necessary to be done. After a minute inspection the magistrates formed a joint committee, the chairman for Cheshire being J. H. Leche, Esq., and for Denbi-hshire,.Col. Tot- tenham. Nearly all those present were in favour of a new bridge, more especially the Cheshire magistrates bar, owing to the repairs having gone so far on the Denbigh side the following resolutions were unanimoasly agreed to:—" As the foundation oF one of the piers on the Denbighshire side have i,een already put into a state of thorough repair and as the foundations of the second arch are in course of rep ir, it is not advisable (at the present time) to build a new bridge It was further con- recommended by the committee that the arches and parapets on both the Cheshire and Denbighshire side be put into a thorough state of repair also that ,he toll house and gate be removed at the Denbigh- shire end the approaches to the bridge be widened and the bridge throughout be properly paved with setts. Resolved that the two surveyors prepare 1 "lans and estimates, so that all the matters may be brought before next Q iarter Sessions. HOLYWELL. THE TINPLATE CourAriy.-An important cage under the new Bankruptcy Law was decided in Chester County Court, on Tuesday, before J. W. Harden, Esq., judge, and a jury specially em. panelled. The Holywell Tinplate Company, con- sisting of three persona Lloyd, Hughes, and Pirker—were adjudicated bankrupts in February last. Previossly to the bankruptcy, Parker, the managing partner. sold to the defendants, Mesars Marsden and Saffl 'y, bolt and screw rivet manu- facturers, Liverpool, tinplates to the value of £ 1250, for which he received a bill of exchange at four months, and gave a receipt. This bill, in- stead of being handed over to the company, Parker appropriated to his own use on account of EIOOO, alleged to have been advanced or lent by him to the company, ana zzou alleged to he due on sicconnt of wages. On the 20th of June, Mr V. Williams sat as deputy county court judge at Chester, and Mr Cartwright, solicitor, of that city, made an application on behalf of the bankrupts' trustee that a question of fact should be referred f.,r trial by a jury. Mr Ashton, solicitor, of Wigan, then appeared and opposed the application on defendants' behalf, and after a hearing ex- tending over four hours, Mr Williams directed the question to be tried by jury. The case came on for hearin g on Tuesday, when Mr Torr, barrister, Manchester, instructed by Mr Cartwright, appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Maciutyre, of the North Wales circuit, instructed by Mr Ashton, Wigan, appeared for the defendants. It seemed that after t'le oankruptcy had been officially announced a Mr iiatcliffe was appoiuted trustee of the estate. The action was now brought by him. and the question at issue was whether the B1250, the amount of the bill of exchange paid to Parker hy the defendants, should be repaid by them to The compmy's estate, they havntg, fourteen days be- fore the same became due, in April last, dis- counted ths same and paid the amount in favour of the endorsee. The evidence on both aides was one into ut considerable length, and the hearing of the case occupied the whole of the day. It was nrgell on behalf of the defendants that they never received any notice, written or verbal, not to pay the bill; and on the other hand it was contended that Mr Marsden (one of the defendants) could not liMve failed to hear the matter disoussed at tht, first meeting of creditors, and that Mr Cartwright verbally warned him that an injunction would be issued against them. After cart-fully summing up the whole of ihe evidence, his Honour left the following questions to be decided by the ju-y ;— First, when the defendants discounted tile-ir own bill, did they in fact know that Henry Pty* Ker was seeking to use partnership property for private purposes? and second, ought the circumstances under which they were asked to anticipate the pay- ment of their own bill to have awakened the suspicion of commercial men that all was not as it should be as a commercial transaction, so as to make it imprudent to pay it without making in- quiry?—The jury replied in the affirmative to both questions, and the judge gave a verdict for the plaintiff witk costs. I RHYL. y I m TV T I JVlrSTERIOUS JJEATH OP A YOUNG IJADY. UD Saturday morning, an inquest was held at the Queen's Hotel, Rhyl, befcre Mr Parry, deputy coroner, on the body of Alice Francis, found on the Rhyl sands early on Friday morning. Mr Absolom Francis identified deceased as his step- sister, who was about 24 years of age. She had previously resided with her brother and sisters near Holywell, and during the past week had been visiting at his house, in Water-street, Rhyl. He last saw her alive at a quarter-past twelve o'clock on Thursday night, when the family retired to rest, and she appeared in excellent spirits. She had previously been listening to the music on the pier, and walking with her friends on the parade, and before retiring to rest it was arranged that she should accompany his nieces the following morning to the water to bathe. He did not know what time she left the house on Friday morning, but at ten o'clock he became alarmed at her absence, and instituted inquiries, which led to the discovery of her death. Five years ago she had an attack of rheumatic fever, and she had since occasionally been strange in her manner—sometime depressed, at other times cheerful. She had a very happy home at Holywell.—Mr Eyton, who attended to watch the proceedings on behalf of the relatives, said a statement had appeared in a Rhyl news- paper to the effect that the deceased was pregnant. an assertion he was prepared to refute. He called Mr E. Jones, surgeon, who swore that, having examined the body, he was quite positive deceased was not pregnant.— A juror asked if some articles of clothing had not been found upon the pier, and was answered in the affirmative by the police-officer. A jury suggested that the clothes produced ought to be identified. The Coroner put it to the jury whether that was a point material to the inquiry. Another juror thought that Mr Francis's nieces might be able to aff.,rd information. Mr Francis, on being in- terrogated upon the point by the coroner, said be could not tell whether the articles produced be. longed to the deceased, but added that the cloak seemed to be like one she had been in the habit of wearing.— No further evidence was taken, and the jury returned a verdict of Found dead." RUABON. I RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—A serious accident oc- curred to Mr Meyrick Cox, guard on the Ruabon and Dolgelley Railway, about one o'clock on Tues- day morning. He was promptly attended to by Dr. Jones, and is progressing as favourable as possible. IHB LATE FATAL COLLIERY ACCIDENT.—Dear Sir,—May we trouble you to correct an error in your last week's journal. You state that the man, Jesse Edwards, was killed in one of the pits be- longing to this company (the Gardden Lodge), which is incorrect, as the unfortunate man met met with his death in a pit belonging to the Ruabon Coal Company. Yours truly, THOS. OWEN. ACCIDENT AT THE CHURCH.-On Thursday morning last, an accident occurred to three of the workmen engaged in restoring the church. It ap- pears that they had just arrived at their work, and were proceeding up a plank to the scaffold, when it broke, causing them to fail upon a number of stones. They were of course unable to proceed with their work, though none of them were serious injured.

THE HILLS ON FIRE! I About noon on Saturday, the keeper who resides upon the mountain lying above Llaner- chrugog and Penycae, discovered the hills in the distance, near a farm called The Clock," in a flame, and apparently rapidly spreading. Upon approaching it he could at once see that unless some attempt was made to baffle it there could be no telling what mischief would be done and to what extent it would spread. Calling the assis- tance of the neighbouring men, they commenced fighting the scorching element, which, with tem- preature at 120 degrees in the sun, was almost too much for the brawny farmers and their workmen to stand. Working, however, very vigorously with poles and sticks, they so far prevented it descending the hills and devouring the crops and trees adjoining the range. During the afternoon there were over a hundred men endeavouring to stamp it out, but their efforts were attended with but little success. The wind, fortunately veered round, and the flames drifted swiftly from the cultivated ground, making its way in the direction of the Eglwyseg Rocks. The crackling of the ffre could be heard from far, whilst the smoke rolled in volumes, and was almost suffocating. The appearance of the flames on Sunday night re- sembled the blaze of a huge bonfire, and was seen many miles off, ezciting the interest of many who here and there congregated to take a view of so unusual a scene. On Monday it was thought that it would be extinguished, but that hope was not realised on the contrary, the wind changed and brought down the smoke as a dense fog upon Ruabon and its vicinity, which was all but stifling. Sir Watkin and persons on the estate have visited the spot, and every endeavour has been made to put an end to it. It will be in the recollection of our readers that a fire of a like nature occurred two years ago at VronJeg, which burnt for many days. It has not been discovtred yet how the fire originated. There are different rumours floating about as to men and boys being seen in the neigh- bourhood who were very likely to cause it. Others again say it was caused by the intense heat, and the latter is not at all an improbable solution of the matter. On Tuesday the wind turned a little, and the smoke, hourly increasing in volume, was driven into the vale of Llangollen, completely obscuring the whole district, and not only that, but also almost stifling the population, and doing much harm to the crops. One of the spots ibat has succumbed to the de- vouring element is a small plantation belonging to Mr Ormnby Gore, wbich i3 totally destroyed. Of course there is an end to all sport on the hill, as the grcuse cannot exist under the present state of the ground. It is said that several portions of the cultivated ground have been destroyed, and that the sheep have also been burnt wholesale. On Thursday and yesterday, although the fire did not rage as it did in the early part of the week, still it was not extinguished. The smoking embers in various parts suddenly ignite, and for a time burn. It is ascertained that several sheep have fallen victims to the heat, four being found dead in one spot. Not a few grouse also were seen to fall iato the midst of it, and shoals of fish have been picked up dead in the river, alleged to have met their death through the suffocating &moke, which is anything bnt pleasant. One old woman seriously told us that her geese had been unable to partake of their usual food, and one of the flock was seriously ill! The report of the destruction of an tenormous plantation is greatly exaggerated, it being but a young one, the pro- perty of Mr O. Gore, M.P., upon the same spot as that destroyed about seventeen yeaLTs ago. RUTHIN. I BOARST OF GUARDIANS.—The asnal routine busi- ness was conducted at this board an Monday, there being nothing of public interea4 under considera- tion. CEORAL FESTIEVAL.-The annual gathering of the North Wales United chairs, as will be seen from our advertising columns, will take place on Monday next, W. Cornwal!ia West, Esq. haviBg kindly placed the beautiful, and romantic grounds of the castle at the service of the promoters. The gathering this year will have the attraction of the presence of the Rev. J. Surwen, who has devoted his time and talent for the improvement of congre- gational music, and who is also the origina'or of the tonic sol-fa system. Most Welsh dissenting congregations unquestionably need to be stimub.teM to improve their singing, and it is ,o be hoped that the present effort got up expressly for that purpose will be the means of stirring them up to an advancement in the noble and soul stirring att of sacred music. Railway tickets can be obtained at a singlp, fare for the double journey from Wrexham, Llangollen, Mold, Rhyl, &c., and intermediate sta- tion?, and a large meeting is expected. A CHURCH CHOIR EXTF-RTIINED.-On Wednes- dg.y, the newly formed choir connected with the parish church of Llaufair, D.C., were treated to a sumptious repast at Plas newydd, by Colonel and Mrs Jones. All classes freely mingled together in happy union around the festive board, and after being refreshed with the good things provided for their enjoyment, and having amongst several toasts heartily drank the healths of Colonel and Mrs Jones, the company, numbering about 40, retired to the park to enjoy themselves in a number of athletic games; and later on in the evening, they went to the national school-room for practice. As Colonel and Mrs Jones, the vicar of the parish (the Rev. Basil M. Jones), together with several other ladies and gentlemen resident in the parish take a lively interest in the matter, the choir bids fair to be successful. There were present on this festive occasion—Colonel and Mrs Jones, Rev. B. M. Jones, vicar Rev. Lewis E. Williams, curate Mrs Adams and party. Tyraawr; Miss Preston, Llwynynn; Miss Davies, Llainwen; and the gratitude of the company was due to Mrs Adams and Miss Preston for kindly assisting at the table. We should not forget to mention that the local poets indulged themselves and the company in reciting a nasober of appropriate and impromptu verses at the festival, the following verse being a specimen:— Wele wlelld o bassedipion, Llawn i'n lloni fel cantorion Rhown o galon gyda'n gilydd, Am ein plesio yn Plas-newydd, Floedd o lwyddiant ddyrcliafedig, I Colonel Jones a'i wraig fonneddig APPOINTMENT OF A NUISANCE INSPECTOR. — At a special meeting of the local board held on Tuesday, the Miyor presiding, P.C Rowland Rowlands was appointed inspector of nuisances at a salary of 2s. 6d. per week. A BEGGAR AND HIS GOLD. At amp, named William Lloyd, hron^M h fore Gabriel Roberts, Esq., charged by P.C. George Hughes with begging at Penybont and other farm houses in Llaufair, which Lloyd denied. Complainant, however, called witnesses to prove the charge; and it appeared that when Lloyd was searched several sums of money, amounting altogether to 95 lis. 8Jd. were found upon him. In his right waistcoat pocket li(- had 2s. in copper; in a bag in his right trousers pocket, 2 £ d.; in the other pocket of his trousers there was a bag containing three half-crowns and a florin and in another pock t he had two sovs. and six half sovs. His worship committed him t) fourteen days' imprisonment with hard labour, ordering that he pay for his maintenance in prison, and the costs of witnesses out of the money found upon him. THE WARDEN, THE SMITH, AND THS BAKER.— At the last meeting ff the Town Council, which, we believe, was held on Friday week, the members of the corporation had before them a complaint from the rev. the warden of a nuisance caused to him by the smoke issuing from the chimneys of the smithy and bakehouse, at the top of Prior- street. The council recommended an amicaM arrangement between the warden and Mr Bealey, the owner of the smithy. IMPORTANT ARBITUVTION CASK.—Robert Everett Lewi s v. William Llovd, solicitor, Ruthin Thi" was an action by the plaintiff against the defendant, as trustee of the Llanbedr Hall estate, to recovt r E700 damages alleged to have been sustained by the plaintiff in consequence of distraint made upon his effects to recover arrears of rent due from him as tenant of Bathafarn farm, on the Llinbedr estate. The action.was ready for trial at the last assizes at Ratbin, but it was arranged between the solicitors that it should be referred to Mr Horatio Lloyd, the recorder ef Chester, and a member of the North Wales and Chester circuit. The re- ference was proceeded with in due course and after three sittings at the Queen Hotel, Chester, the Arbitrator has published his award as follows —" I awaid, adjudge, and direct that a verdict be entered for the defendant on all the issues; and with respect to the matters in difftJrence between the parties, other than those in the said cause, I award and adjudge that the plaintiff has no claim or demand against the defendant in respect of any such matters in difference, but that the defendant has a claim in respect of the same against the plaintiff; and I award, adjudge, and direct that the plaintiff do pay to the defendant the sum of £ 291 3s., in full satisfaction and discharge of all claims and demands by the defendant against the plaintiff in respect of the same." Further, the plaintiff, Lewis, has to pay all the costs of the action on both sides, and to pay £ 38, the costs of the award. Attorneys for the plaintiff, Messrs Jones, Patterson, and Jones, Liverpool. Attorney for, the defendant, Mr Marcus Louis, Ruthin. PETTY SESSIONS, MONDAY—Before R. G. Johnson, Esq., R F. Birch, Esq., and the Rev. D. Roberts. Assaulting a Bailiff.—William Parry, of Llan- ynys, was chargd by Robert Jones, of Mwrog- street, with assaulting him, on the 15th inst. It appeared that complainant in this case was a county court bailiff, and defendant assaulted him whilst in the execution of his duty.—Fined j61 and costs, in default, he was sent to gaol for fourteen days. Returning Kindness.-Samuel Tadge, a bailiff at Rhydycilgwyn, charged Joseph Evans with an assault. Complainant was riding on a horse on the road, and overtaking defendant he allowed him to ride alternately on the horse. When they got to the Drover's Arms, at Rhewl, however, they disagreed, and defendant, in return for the com- plainant's kindness, assaulted him, for which their worships inflicted a fine of 5s. and costs. Deserting Service.-Robert Williams, a servant in husbandry, was charged by Mr Edward Roberts, of Llettv, Llacganhafal, with leaving his service without just cause or lawful expense."—Ordered to return and complete the contract, or in default, two months' imprisonment with nurd labour. Local J2ates.^Several summonses for the non- payment of borough rates had been issued, which were settled out of court, excepting one against Margaret Roberts, of St. Asaph, owner of cottage property in the borough, in which Mr E. Roberts appeared and took exception to the summons, because the collector had not given the defendant the required notice before issuing the summons.- The bench, therefore, dismissed the case.

— MERIONETHSHIRE ASSIZES. The commission of oyer and terminer for the autumn assizes in this county was opened at the County Hall, Dolgelley, on Saturday, the 23rd inst., before Sir James Edmund Cockburn, her Majesty's Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench. His lordship arrived by the Cambrian Railway from Newtown, dne here at three o'clock, and was met at the station by the high sheriff for the counby, C. A. Thruston, Esq., the under-sheriff, William Griffith, Esq., and the other officials. His lordship was escorted to the County Hall by the above and a posse of the county constabulary, and opened the commission, and afterwards went to his lodgings at Brynhyfryd, and returned to Peniarth, where he was over San- day the guest of W. W. E. Wynne, Esq. j I MONDAY. His lordship arrived from Peniarth by the train due at 10.5. and p?oceeded to church, accompanied by the High Sheriff, with his chaplain, the Rev, S-. Price, rector of Pennal, the Under-Sheriff, a-ad oiffcers, where choral service was proceeded with by the Rev. Evan Lewis, rector, and Rev. D. L. Lloyd, carate.. Owing to his lordship's request the aBsiz3 sermon was not preached, and his '(M d- ship proceeded wiih the business. I I GEANI> JURY I The Hon. Charles Henry Wynn, Rhug, foreman Charles John Tottenham, Plas Berwyn Richard Jcihn Lloyd Price. Rhiwlas; Hngh John Re-eley, Brynygwin William Oakley, Tanybwlch Henry I Robertson, Pile; John Vaughan, Nannau Bewis j Williams, Vronwnion; Thomas Humphrey V/illiams, Llwvn John Jones. Frondderw John Edward Parry, Glyn Hall Charles Jones, Coosff.lii Owen Kichards, Bala; John Pughe, Aberdovey Rice Owen Anwyl, Brv nygroes Robert Willi £ .ta Romer, Bryncemlyn; Lewi3 Ho land Thomas, Cae'rffjuon John Jones, Tremynfa; John Edmond, Bttcbwen David Edward Kirkby, Hanfendigatd. Her Majesty's proclamation against viae and immorality haviag been read, hi6 Lordship, in the course of his brijf charge to the grand jury, said that ha was glad of meeting them, and congratulated them on the lightness of the calendar,, wbich called for ne remarks from him. The whole of Monday was occupied in hearing the case of Jenkins v. Walker.-This was an action for the recovery of monies for goods sold and delivered, work performed, &e. Mr Coxon, instructed by Messrs Bryett and Hare, Totuess, appeared for the plaint.iff, Mr S.imnel Jenkms, a mining a^ent, resident in Devonshire and Mr Macintvre and Mr j Morgan Lloyd, instructed by Mr Griffith Jones Williams, appeared for ths defendant, Dr. Walker, Y nysfaig.-The plaintiff said that in October, 1861, he was staying at Friog, near Barmouth Junction, and he there met Dr. Walker. There were two other gentlemen with him; Mr Hidtson and Mr Dickson. Tha conversation turned upon mining and slate quarsying, and Dr. Walker asked him to go and see the Hendc101 qnarry in his company. He did so, and on the following Mon- day at Dr. Walker's request he inspected a quarry known as Nantoynfawr. Dr. Walke". asked his charge, and plaintiff replied that his regular charge was ten guineas per (iiern., P,-)d expenses. Dr. Walker replied that he must do it for him as cheaply as possible, as he would have other work for him. Plaintiff thereupon agreed to do the work for £ 5 5s. He inspected the quarry, and re- ceived a cheque for j65 5s. Subsequently he had a great deal of correspondence with Dr. Wulker, and in March, 1865, plaintiff went to Panteinion, where Dr. Walker was staying. He said that he was about forming a company for the HecJdpi quarry, &nd that he would want the assistance of the plaintiff in ??In? a report, and in the pre-  tlnd showed P,awl1ff para t ion of the pro?ctua;?d showed p_?ntiif correspondence from John Dales, and told the plaintiff that he would require his services in look- ing out for other quarries. Plaintiff again in- spected the Henddol quarry, and his report was incorporated in the prospectus. Dr. Walker pro- mised him that if he succeeded m forming the company he would give him a handsumu honorarium in addition to his usual ciatgt.. Plaintiff was engaged at Henddol, chiefly, for nearly six week, and for this lie charged L -J. About March 18th, in the same year, plaintiff, at the request of Dr. Walker, inspected the L anbedr quarry, for which he charged f5. and 2s b 1. for expenses. Sume time after he was bent to inspect the Llanfair and Bethesda quarries, for which he charged £5 5s. each, and E2 2s. expenses. He was afterwards sent to the Moelgwerthyr quarry, and made a charge of EG 5; and £ 1 10s. expenses to Garth, for which he made a similar cllarge; to Tynygarth, where he bought twenty- six 30- shares by the authority of Dr. Walker, and charged £ 10 10s. for inspection and his usual expenses. Dr. Walker had not repaid the amount ptid by the plaintiff for these shares; nor the sum of £ 96 paid for call-i upon such shares, excf-pt JE:10 i on aeconnt. In November, 18^55, Dr. Walker in- I ri;< t d him to inspect the Crittis mine, in Corn- wall, and for the report he £2 10s. expenses. In January, 18C6, he sent in an account for £19!.J 501. on account of these in- spections, and for the recovery of this sum the present action was brought.—In cross-examiuation by Mr NlaciDtyre, tke plaintiff admitted that he was jetting together materials for a work upon the "letalg and Mineral* of Wales, and upon Slate -t,l be,-n ma d ( Quarrying." None of the reports bad been made in writing, but they would not have been made had it iiot" been for the instructions which he re! ceived from Dr. Walker. With respect to the shares in the Tynygarth quarry, pliintiff said that he was the secretary of the company, and that he had voted in respect of the shares which he held in the company. His name was also inserted in the take note aa a lesee of the mine, and the pur- chased shures were aiso ill his name.—Thomas Jenkins, plaintiff's brother, gave evidence as to the pUintiff having received instructions from Dr. Walker to report upon the LLmfair and Bethesda quarries.—For the defence Mr Morgan Lloyd examined George Alfred Wulker, who said that he was the defendant in the aciion, and re- sided at Ynysfaig. 10 October, 18G4, the plaintiff came to him at Panteinion, with a roll of pap'r under his arm, and a geological map, and repre- sented himself as a mining agent and qu-tyry in- spector. He stated that he was battling with the world, was not rich, but poor, and that if he could help him, he should be happv to do so, until he could get employment, He (Dr. Walker) saict that he might stay with him for a week or two, and he remained for several weeks. He bad nothing to do with the Nant quarry, or any intention of j acquiring any intere^ in-it. He agreed to report upon Henddol free of charge, there being a specific bargain that while the plaintiff stayed with him, he should work free of charge. He gave him no instructions to report upon Lianfair, Bethesda, or any other quarry. With respect to Tynygarth, Jenkins was to buy shares for him, but certain circumstances coining under his notice, he re- pudiated all connection with the qnarry.—Owen Hughes, agent of Tynvgr.rth, gave evidence as to the plaintiff purchasin g the shares in his own name.-Steplien Stephens, the treasurer at Tyny- garth, was called. A receipt was put in, bearing hia signature, for JE25, of which no account appeared in the cost boc-i of the company. He denied its authenticity; and after being re- peatedly cautioned, his lordship called the plaintiff, who said that the receipt was drawn up by the witness and signed in his presence.—His lordship then ordered Stephens to be taken into custody for pernry, and be was taken out of court in charge of a police-officer.—Howell Meredith Joces, the late manager at Henddol, said that the plaintiff had ahown him the cheque for £:> 5s., stating that he had received it as a present from Dr. Walker.- The plaintiff was recalled; and denied having shown the cheque to witness—The jury found for the plaintiff for the full amount, and a verdict was tukeu for the same, less the amount paid for the shares and the calls thereon.-Wtuesses were hound over to prosecute Stephens for perjury at the next assizes. Tha-court adjourned at seven o'clock. TUESDAY. His lordship took his seat soon after nine o'clock, and proceeded to try the following cases :— Housebreaking.—Robert Roberts was indicted for stealing J616 from the house of Mr Robert Jones, Llanuwchllyn, Bala. Mr Coxon appeared for the prosecution. It appeared that prosecutor and his wife had left home one day and fastened the dcor, and when they returned they misled the moneys Prisoner had formerly worked for prose- cutor, and after the robbery seemed to be very flush of money. Moreover, he was seen in the neighbourhood on the day of the robbery. There were some peculiar circumstances connected with the robbery. Prosecutor and-his wife had shot the holt of the back door from the ourside with a fork, through a ciack in the doer, when they left the house, and when they returned the bolt was all right, but when Mrs Jones went upstairs she found the box where the money had been placed broken open. Evidence was given to show that prisoner, when he worked for proseaator, was in the hub t of going through the back door. W-idict, guilty. A previous conviction was ai9o pit in. Sentence, seven years' penal servitude. .larceny.—Ellis Evans, 47, plasterer, pleaded gulilty to stealing, at Barmouth, on the 23rd day of June, one rocking chair, one cane-bottomed cl-air, three iron fenders, one set of tire irons, and trto coal boxes, the proporty of Hugh Richards, and was sentenced to four months' imprisonment. SPECIAL JOBY CASE. I GRIFFITH WILLIAMS T. THE GREAT WESTERX I RAILWA? COMPANY. In this case the plaintiff brought an action i against the Great Western Railway Company for compensation for an avident, of which the details are given below. Ths company had agreed as to the amount of compensation (£50), but displitet-I the liability. The following gentlemen composed the special jury Mr Lewis Williams, VrcnwnioD, Dolgellev, 'I foreman; Mr Thstnas Ellis, Henblas Pla.e, Llanycil; Mr David Griffith, Frotifair, Lliiifit;r, Mr Robert Griffith, Melbourne House, FestinioV õ Mr Edward Griffith, Dolgelley Mr Charles .Tolles, Coesfaen, Liana be: Mr John Jones, Frondderw,' Llanycil; MrWiMiam Owen, Bah; :\Ir W :i¡l!l Frederick Padwick, Tyncha, Blaenau; Mr Jehu 11 Ohidlaw Roberts, Dolgelley Mr Lewis Holland Thomas, Cae'rffyncn, U:mtihangel-y-tra<'tha:l Mr John Vaughan, '?a?c&n. Ll?nf?cbr?th. I lVIr  Llovd and ,\11' COXO.1, instrn.'ted hv Mr Morgan Unyd and Mr Coxoa. iQstrn.'tpd by Messrs Joues and.Davie3, of Dolgelley, a?->eared i for the plaintifS; and tlifl railway company were represented by Mr Swetenham and Mr H.«ratio > Lloyd, instructed by Messrs Young, Mapks, and Company, of Paddington. Mr Coxon !mviag briefly opened the mqe., Mr Morgan Lloyd said the piuiutiff was a I?cm-p)- r.- siding in Dolgelley. Oa the 5th of November, 1869, he became a passenger by the Grl't Western Railway from Wrexham to Dolgelley, taldng a third class ticket for the whole distance. The train arrived at Boutnewydd station, three miles from Doluelky, at nine o'clock at night. It was a dark night, and had been raining for a considerable time. Laaving Bontiiewydd, the train came on towards Dolgelley, and had not proceeded far be- fore it came to a stop in consequouce of gravel on the liae, and the engine was turned on one side, some of the carriages also getting ciff thc) line. Oue carriage was broken to pieces, and that was the one in which the plaintiff rode. The defendants ad- mitted the occurrence, and tho only question was whether it was caused by the negligence of the de- fendants. Of this, there appeared prima facie evidence that such was the cas". He should lay before the court the entire circumstances of the ease. The accident took place on the level cross- ing to Dolseran, wnero the Esgerwen stream crossed the railway under a culvert, as marked on the plans (produced). The stream was a common mountain stream, and liable to great changes, sometimes there being very little waL-r in, while at other times it was flooded, on an average once or twice every winter. Before the railway was made the stream c,me down through a culvert under the turnpike road, and went straight down what is now the level crossing at Llawr Dolserau, and when tho railway was made it was It was well known that the stream every now and then had broken out ovei the turnpike road near the spot; and it was well known that the culvert was too saaall for large floods, and would ttn b ■ choked u.p by the gravel and stones. These fucLs were known by the constructors of the lbe, and they actually made that stream more liable to over- flow than before. The stream formerly had free course after passing under the turupiko road, but when the railway ve-s opened the &>nsti-iU-t.rs altered the course and gave it a sudden turn. It, however, had been considerably improved since the ardent. The Yiiln^fjses would be aWe to prove I that not only was it the duty of the co" exercise proper judgment in constructing a OJ} 1.1} o t do t 't b 0 rill Wh in a mountainous IS nc su ]ect to nooda hatt? p)HC? ought to have been periodic?Uv viaitcd d p!nced nnder inspection. He would prove tijt tbt company had been warned by several p"rROn th i the C??Vt'?t? were insufficient, bat they did n(¡tShthadt "I th .d ee the warnings until the acci dent occurred, ifi*1 the accident they widened the course, and d'pE:: t?R stream, and also raised the !eveli 01 the M? This was done on the very next (hy. He tit.ju'?* t ut amounted to an admission on their part the state of tbing was not what it ou?ht to h. been. The railway had only been -?,n ? 5hflV time, and there was no record of a similar flood on the line before. But the officials knew it ha 1 been raining, they knew the stream was liable to over How the line; and, notwithstanding all til-it, ih,y rushed headlong through the d< hris. not ^toppin until t ie engine was overturned. He w;)3 happy to stiite that the amount of damaWii hxd been agreed to, the only question was whether the acci- dent occurred by any default on the par: of the defendants, and he hoped to prove that such vras the case. He first called Griffith Williams (examined by Mr Coxr,n) He sai l that on the night in question he trav.-ll d from Wrex am to Dolgell y. On starting fr im Djnt- newJJd station he felt the iraiti trembling, and soon after the carriage in which he was seated was smashed. He found himself in the watLr. It was v, 1'1' dark, and raining fast. Edward Edwards, labourer, examined hy Hr Lluyd, said He was employed by the Great Western Railway. On the night of tup accident he went to ttie place, and then be;k to Dolgelley for rails and s leepers, which he took to the Dolserau crossing. He saw the engine Iving on its side, and noticed tha carriage that was smashed. After during the line, he assisted ia raising the wail > n the river side, and diverting V<:e stream. He had seen many floods, but had not. seen any at that point. There was a large quantity of gravel Used. By Mr Swetenlaim He did not notice that the turnpike road was broken uo by the flood Tiiere was no more d:rt than usual. By Mr Morgan Lloyd They used pieka^pa and 1 J >. ¡ crowbars to tike off the stones under the By His Lordship: They made the culvert deeper so that more water could run through. William Richards, mason, Dolgelley, said He vreiit to work at the place af:er the accident. The bridge was raised higher. He did not see the flood. By Mr S w. toiihaui There wai a 1idl.t iloca ntar Llunelltyd the same night. His Lordship thought Mr Swetenham was in a (lilt wina. It w;ts only csnsisiei.t with due care that tht-y should have foreseen and prevented the ftjodi.ig of the railway, or if not, why did they work a triin tviten the line was in such a state ? Mr Sivetenham said he wished to show that the flood was very sudden. Only a short time before a t: aiu had gone over quite ssfe. William D.ivies, said He resided near the level crossing, and was employed in making the altera- tiull. He corroborated the last witness, and said iie had seen the .vater in the lake where the stream had its source rise very suddenly. He had lived at the lake thirty-six years. He remembered one flood after the dam at the luke had been built. By Mr Swetenham He had never seen the water rise sc suddenly as on the might, in question. His a'-tention had been drawn to it. His Lordship here adjournei the conrt for fifteen I minutes. On resuming, the nest witness called was Robert Pol), rt^, farmer, who said he resided be- tween the lake and the railway, The str. am ran through his land. He had occasionally sc-en very high floods. He remembered the making of the railway in 1863. The stream before went straight down, but when the railway was made it was diveil3d, aud there was now not sufficient room for toe water to pilss. By Mr Swttenham He did aot think it was an extraordinary flood. Margaret Roberts, wife of last witness, corrobora- ted his st a^eruents. Laura Williams, Pwllsellbach farm, said the stream ran through her husban 1 s land. She had seen several high floods. Cross-examined by Mr Swetenham She never heard of the flood washing the turnpike road away. GriSth Roberts, TyullJn, gav similar evidence. Richard Jones, Surveyor of the Turnpike Trust of the Dolgelley and Towyn district for nineteen years, said he had charge of the road from Dolgelley to Drwsynaut, including the spot in question. He had been high floods and bad cleared the culverts many tiuias. The Railway Company had not made sufficient accommodation for the water way. The culverts were divided by ooulde;- stones. Lewis Roberts said he worked for last witness, and several times had repaired the road after a flood. Mr Robert Williams, said He was a civil engineer residing in Dolgelley. He had been em- ployed as Parliament iry Surveyor of the railway between Dolgelley and Bala, of the Wtst Midland -ehema, which he believed to be identical with the present railway. He knew the old culverts, and since they had been diverted, -here was a great tendency to overflow. He believed it could have been been prevented b'- ordinary precautions made when the line was constructed. The ballas-t on the line was such that a flood would have a tendency to carry it away. By Mr Swetenham: The new course included the old water course, but onlv a; the exit. This was the case for the plaintiff. Mr Swetenham, for the defence, said doubtless his clients would think it would, be far cheaper and easier to have settled the case without couiiug th-e, but they had a three-fod duty to perforin. They had to put themselves right with tln-ir share- holders, to vindicate the ahar.icter of their engineer and surveyorp, aud to show the public that they were not guilty of such negligence as was alleged. It would not be ju.ct to themselves to go ar.a pay damages without tirst sifting the case, and he hal been instructed to meet the case honestly a::d fairly. They did not wish to escape paving the damages if it was found that they had been guilty of negligence, but he would show tlnre had been nOlle. They had employed the best talent to make the surveys, employed gentlemen of great skill and experience, and done all they could to ensure the safety of the line, and lie would meet the case boldly. Thoy su-ely were not bound to provide a linst a furious storm coming upon them in an instant. They had done all which it was their bouuden duty to do, and he would show thr,t there had not been, as was imputed, neglect of cou- 0 stroption and neglect of service. He then very lengthily reviewed the evidence given fe' the plaintiff, pointing out th» inconsistences, and ex- plaining that the alterations in the course of the stream was more than compensated for by the fr&er water way. He then called Henry Wilson, ganger, who sail that he noticed nothing extraordinary in the ap-aaranee of the stream between four and five o'clock. By Mr Morgan Lloyd There was a tii-tititY Of gravel on the metals. The stream was clieked op below the crossing, By Mr Sôvetenbm: He noticed on the north side of the culvert that a part had boeu washed away. John Let.tsome said he was engine-dri ver of the I' 0 passenger train leaving Dolgeliey ?.t G.3.J F'?' They reached the Dolserau crossing at 6.15, all saw nothing ucusml. It was not f.uite dark. If he had noticed anything extraordinary, he should have mentioned it to the stationmaster at Bout- newydd. Rowland Jones, coalmerchant, 3aid he weut to Boatnewydd from Dolgelley by the 6.35 train. In walking to his house from the station he had te pass the level crossing. There was no water then. At ten o'clock the road in front of his house was covered wi^h water up to his kr.ees. By Mr Morgan Lloyd I have seen wat2 crossing the road, but. nut from ti e E.»;;irwen stream. I have soon gravol and smail stoues washed about. The flood carried away part d tho) permansnt way, about, half a yard deep, between the metals. Rowland Williams, stationma^ter at Bontn^wydi'i gave evidence that the -,iain left his station all right, and that he knew notaiug of the S:J.J of the crossing. Thomas Howard, driver of the train to which the accident occurred, said they were going doivU I at the rate of thirty miles an hour. Wbun they ireached the Dolserau crossing the engine over, turned. There wn no time to do anything* He fell off the engine, and into tbo water. By Mr Lloyd: The gradient is one in The engine whan it fell hung over the stream. Mr John Warl Armstrong, s'lid liti divisional engineer of the Hereford section of the Great Western Railway, which iu'.duded the Bn111 .,Uti lJulge'ley sedion. He \'iitai L the plafo after the accident aud measured oho culverts. In bis opinion it wjuld be betler if ? tWJ cuhd ts thrown into on". He we:? ,p to tha lake a? found that the water had red through the paia- p-t wall. After Mr Armstrong aur v Mr Wilson, the chie f I I' J tl \I" t Jll- engineers of the l ine, the 'OUlt ad- journed to