The Cardiff Times

OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. The second Court which her Majesty held on Monday at Buckingham Palace cannot but be re- garded as another indication-slight in itself, but fery encouraging in connection with other events- of the Queen's willingness, ere long, to assume that public position from which she has been so long voluntary estranged. The Hag floating over the well- known palace looked cheering, and the carriages of the nobility reminded us of former times, when crowds used to gather in St. James's Park and about the Palace to see some of the Upper Ten pay their respects to the Queen at a levee or a drawing-room. I had not the pleasure of seeing Her Majesty on her arrival, but I am told by friends v/ho saw her that she looks in good health. Your lady readers also Twill doubtless draw their conclusions from the fact that Her Majesty wore a black silk dress, her cap being ornamented with large pearls, and that the Queen moreover" wore four rows of large pearls round the neck, and pearl brooches, the ribband and the star of the Order of the Garter, the Victoria and Albert order, and the order of Louise of Prussia." The ice may thus be said to have been broken, and it is now perhaps not too much to express the hope that her Majesty may soon see fit to take that promi- nent public position which will so much gratify her loyal subjects. There is nothing like a public scandal-or a semi- public, semi-private scanda!-to get up a scene in the House," or excitement out of it. The Edmunds scandal becomes more and more interesting and piquant. As the whole affair is now to be sifted by a committee, I will not further comment on it; but I must take exception in one respect to the constitu- tion of the committee. Among small committee surely it is scarcely fair to have four members of the Cabinet on it, considering that virtually the Cabinet have already sanctioned Lord Westbury's proceedings. Another marriage scandal in high life! This -ime it i? a contrast to the Yelverton case. The honourable Major repudiated an alleged Scotch mar. riage, which would have invalidated his subsequent I regular English marriage. Lord Huntingtower, on the contrary, who was supposed to be duly wedded to a lady by whom he has a family, adduces, as a defence to an action for arrears of annuity settled on another lady, that the plaintiff is his wife by a Scotch marriage. The [complication which this curious plea introduced into the proceedings on the suit would be very amusing, if it were not for the serious consequsnces to be apprehended to some of the parties concerned. The learoed gentlemen of the long robe were fairly puzzled for ooce, professing themselves unable to decide for their respective -lient On the part of the plaintiff, it would scarcely have been politic to have attempted the disproval of a marriage the establishment of which ought to be of more consequence to the hJy than the recovery of £ 15, one quarter's arrear of her annuity. On the other hand the nobleman, by making good his plea, would be setting up an ugly fact against himse:f. It would he rather an inconve- j nient thing," as the L)rd Chief Baron remarked, for a nobleman to be charged with bigamy." Any- how, sufficient, prima. facie evidence of the Scotch marriage was given to obtain a verdict for the noble defendant on that pica, subject to further considera- tion of the point of law by the learned Judge. The scandal of this case is certainly increased by the fact that the defendant represents himself as having separated from the plaintitf in iviS, shortly before his (second ?) marriage, whereas the lady swears that Lord Huntingtower is the father of the youngest child, born in ls«3. Coupling this with the belief expressed by the plaintiff's counsel, that the defen- dant would be very glad to find that the plaintiff was his real wife, in order that he might get rid of some one else," we may expect some curiously com- plicated litigation to spring from the matter, afford- ing a fresh example of the unsatisfactory state of oar marriage laws, and also of the loose morality of -too many of our aristocracy. The rage for company making has found a vent in a new direction. We shall now have probably a number of newspaper companies, limited. One of them was started last week in South London, which has already some eight or nine local organs." The new journal is to be under the patronage of Captain Hodges, the fussy private fireman the King of Mar- gate; the salamander; the haughty distiller of strong waters. Of course a newspaper starting under such powerful auspices as these must succeed Nevertheless, joint-stock company newspapers rarely pay. There was the Dial; of which we have heard nothing since it was so ignominiously incorporated w-Ttii the Star. There was the' joint-stock news- vendors'paper; and there have been many others. All failures. Somehow or other the joint-stock principle does not appear at all to barmonise with newspaper management. Despotism—constitutional despotism, if you will, but still despotism-is the oniy regime that suits a newspaper. It is probable that a bill will be introduced into Parliament this season for the compulsory establish- ment of workmen's trains on all railways entering the metropolis. Several vestries of the metropolis have already petitioned in favour of such a bill, and a hope has been expressed that the example of the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway in the matter will be followed. Consequent on this wish has come the rumour, that the London and North Western Railway intend to reduce their fares for goods. I hope the rumour may prove true; but why not -cheaper rates for passengers also. The fares on railways generally are too high, especially for the poorer cla-s of passengers and for goods. The in- tention of the Legislature from the very first was that there should be a cheap train at least to and from each place twice a day, and the workman's train is "bat a development of this idea. Why should not every line have its workman's train ? That on the London, Chatham, and Dover line is now proving itself a great boon. Some rather influential commmercial men here are talking over a project for establishing a London Chamber of Commerce. They have not yet made their views public but, entre eux, they urge the importance of such a step. They lay great stress, <Md it appears to me justly, on the fact of many pro. vincial towns having their Chamber of Commerce, and the metropolis having none, and point to the continental chambers as further illustrations of the value of the principle. There can be no doubt that these views are correct. There never was a more thoroughly commercially-minded Chancellor of the Exchequer than Mr. Gladstone, and no man of busi- ness can say where he will next lay his grasping and powerful band. With such a man governing the commercial destinies of the country, it behoves the mercantile and financial community to have a com- mon bond of union and to this end nothing could be better, so far as the metropolis is concerned, than a Chamber of Commerce which could make itself heard and felt in the Legislature as other Chambers of Commerce do. Mr. Spurgeon's Tabernacle has not long been li- censed for marriages, but the good folk who listen to his earnest, dogmatic, and somewhat erratic minis- trations are apparantly making up for lost time. There is quite a rage now, among a certain class, to be" married by Mr. Spurgeon." I have not had the honour of assisting at any of these ceremonies, which in truth are somewhat too popular for me, for the crowds which attend these hymeneal sacrifices are something alarming. What special attraction there can be in a Tabernacle marriage more than any other, I am at a loss to conceive, unless it be that the officiating high priest is on such occasions char- acteristically jocular. The position of clubs in London is gradually shifting. I believe I told you last week that Mr. Alfred Smee had been literally turned out of the Re- form, because he ventured to talk Conservative Liberalism to the borough of Rochester. The Old Garrick Club is, however, undergoing a total change. It was once the especial resort of men of letters and celebrated actors. Now this glory has departed. Several instances of blackballing have occurred lately, and have caused great irritation amongst a large class of literati. As I predicted somewhile since, Mr. Hannay has come from Edinburgh to take the control of the Pall Mall Gazette—now both a morning and evening publication. The famed Jacob Omnium is also placed upon the staff; but it is said that he also writes for the London Journal. Ex- tremes meet,and the extreme seems to suitthe public taste.

CANTON LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD. The monthly meeting was held at the Board- room on Monday, Mr. Geake presiding, the other members present being Messrs. Glaves, Toms, French, Francis, Jones, and Yorath. After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed, the Clerk stated that he had written to Mr. Waring, in accordance with the resolution of the last meeting, inquiring upon what terms he would undertake to prepare plans and su- perintendent the private improvements throughout the district. Mr. Waring bad replied, offering his services to the Board at five per cent. upon the cut- lay, and had also attended the meeting, to ofler any explanation which might be required upon the plans be had prepared. The Clerk also stated that he had caused the proper notices to be served upon the owners or occupiers of houses in Wellington- street, for the execution of the drainage, pitching, and paving works, according to Act of Parliament. Mr. GLAVES stated that from his own knowledge there were a great many of the ratepayers felt aggrieved at the resolution of the Board to carry out these private improvements at the present time. It was then announced that a deputation wished to wait upon the Board in reference to the subject. The CHAIRMAN suggested that as Mr. Waring was present, they had better decide whether or not they accepted his offer to superintend the works at the rate of five per cent. Mr. To-As thought it would be premature to decide the question of remuneration, until they heard what the objections were against the proposed improve- ments. The deputation were then admitted, consisting of about a dozen owners of property in Wellington- street. Mr. West, confectioner, and two or three other gentlemen, were the principal spokesmen. They urged that in their opinion the proposed pri- vate improvements were premature and uncalled for. For the last four or five years property had been ruinous to the owners, and now that things were getting a little better, and they were enabled to let their prosily at a slight advantage, the Board sought tu throw upon them the additional expense of pitching and pavi' g. They argued that so far as Wellington street is concerned, there was no urgency for these works. It was unusual in Cardiff to order such works until the street was finished, and as the street referred to was not yet finished, and would not be for some time to come, it was inju- dicious to put owners to the expense. Besides, the street, with the exception of that portion belonging to Captain Morgan, was in a very good state of repair, and no complaints were made by the tenants. They (the deputation) did not wish to be understood as being opposed to improvements; on the contrary, when things improved and the street was finished, they would cheerfully pay their respective propor- tions. Another objection was, that many of the landlords were not in a position to pny for these work*, and if executed the consequences would be ruinous. Mr. TOMS replied generally to the observations of the deputation. He said that when he made the motion he did it with the object of benefitting the landlords themselves, as individually he bad no in- terest in the matter. He did not, however, agree with the views of the deputation, for he believed the reason why low rents had so long prevailed in the hamlet of Canton was in consequence of the wretched sanatory condition of the roads and houses. So far from the improvements ruining the owners, he be- lieved they would be the means of increasing the value ot the property, and securing a far more res- pectable class of tenants. By offering objections of this kind they were retarding the prosperity of the district, and at the same time injuring their own property. In answer to a question, the Clerk read a section of the Act, from which it appeared that the Board had the power to borrow money for private improve- ments, and lend it to the owners for a certain num- ber of years at a reasonable interest. After a very long and somewhat irregular discus. [name] between individual members of the Board and the deputation, the latter retired. Mr. TOMS propose that those owners who desired time to pay for their proportion of private improve- ments be allowed three years, to be paid by instal- ments, together with a legal rate of interest. Mr. FUENCH seconded the motion. Mr. YORATH did not like the idea of carrying out these works against the evident wish of the owners. He believed, with them, that it was premature, and that it would be desirable to postpone the question for twelve months. He, therefore, moved as an amendment, that the question of private improve- ments in Wellington-street be deferred for twelve months. It was stated that the resolution to carry out the works had been passed, and therefore Mr. Yoratb could only give notice of motion to rescind it at the next meeting. The amendment was then put in the form of a notice of motion, for which Messrs. Yorath, Jones, and Francis voted; for the original motion, Me-srs. Toms and French. The question will therefore come on at the next meeting for final settlement. A letter was read from Mr. Henry Jones, of Clarendon Villa, complaining of the smell arising from Mr. Whiffen's candle works. He had written to Mr. Whiffen, who bad replied, and Mr. Jones sent the two letters to the Board along with a medical certificate, to the effect that the works were injurious to health, and asked that the nuisance should be abated. The members thought that Mr. Jones bad the remedy in his own hands, as the Act gave him the power to indict the owner if be fslt so disposed. At the same time the members expressed a hope that Mr. Whiffen would do everything in his power to abate the nuisance, which indeed be promised to do in the letter he sent to Mr. Jones. Mr. Henry Francis waited upon the Board to complain of a nuisance in the sewer in Wyndham- terrace. It appeared from what he stated that some of the occupiers were allowing sewage of a most offensive kind to go into an old drain, the outlet of which was closed up, so that at spring tides the effluvia was unbearable. The standing committee and the surveyor were requested to examine the sewer. Mr. YORATH complained of the practice of unau- tborised persons putting horses and other animals into pound. The other day a horse was pounded by some one, and before it could be got out 18s. had to be paid. He thought this a great hardship, as the horse had strayed out of a field. The Clerk said the Act gave the power to any person. Mr. Miller said that the horse referred to bad been pounded by his direction. The expenses were mainly incurred in its keep. Mr. TOMS was very glad to find that it was in the power of any individual to seize straying animals, for donkeys, ponies, etc., had become a perfect nui- sance, and caused much damage to gardens and other property in the neighbourhood. Several cheques were signed, and the meeting separated. ————

CANTON. PENNY READINGS—The usual fortnightly meet- ing took place at the National Schoolroom on Tues- day night last, with the following programme:— Chairman, Rev. V. Saulez. Musical introduction on the piano, Mr. Richards. Hecitation," The Quad- roon Girl," Mr. Hurman. Part song, Toll the Bell," glee party. Reading, essay, The cause of England's greatness," Mr. Farrell. Reading, "The Wanderer," Rev. V. Saulez. Song, "Know Thy- self," Mr. W. H. Thomas. Reading, "The Jew outwitted," Mr. W. Yorath. Mr. W. H. Thomas again kindly sung" The Sexton," with his usual taste. Mr. Hurman, by desire, recited Karl the martyr." The chairman then passed remarks upon the evening's entertainment, and promised a good bill of fare for the next reading. The evening was concluded by the national anthem.

FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1865. GOVERNMENT ANNUITIES FOR THE PEOPLE. THERE are not wanting men of tolerably decent standing who look with distrust on this and other progressive measures. They say: "See! our representative system is falling into despotism. Power that used to be extended over a large sur- face, and in a vast number of hands, is gradually becoming concentrated. What for instance," say they, is the likeliest mode to begin a despotic rule, but by first getting hold of the people's money ? and this has been done by the Savings' Bank system." The nearest approach to despotism," they say, "is indicated in the Post Office system but gradually other departments will begin working 11 11 in unison gradually the web will be drawn more closely until things will arrive at such a pass that the next monarch will rule as despotically as the Russian Czar." We can all afford to laugh at these whims and crudities of men who look at the wrong end of a question, and invariably see it in its worst light. England will no more become despotic than she will become Roman Catholic. Civil and religious liberty, the institution of the press—the great exposer and corrector of abuses, stand gaunt breakwaters by the shore, and high as the angry waves may be lashed by the storm of ignorance and passion, these breakwaters loom out through the storm, and defy the violence of every wave. Man's destiny is onward-not backward. Just as it is the destiny of the oak to soar above and broaden out into strength and beauty, so it is man's destiny to tread onward—gleaning virtue and wisdom by the way, and at each step be- coming more impressed than ever with the power and majesty of the Supreme. Side by side with these indications, not of des- potism but of the growing liberality of a paternal government, freedom also grows, bigotries flee, 1 11 science levels distinctions, and the rule of phy- sical force is exchanged—slowly—for the rule of moral force and affection. Government annuities may be termed the ex- pression of this growing regard of the Govern- ment for the interests and for the welfare of the people, and it is coming into force just at the time when most needed. The working man is evidently becoming more convinced of the good of saving than in former years. A few years ago there were but few who saved. The old savings' banks of the country did but little business, and the mass of men lived in ignorant disregard of the morrow's requirements. Any observant mind can now see that a great change has taken place in the social arrangement and condition of things. Men are beginning to be more fully impressed with the necessity of saving for age, for the hour when the clear mind or the strong muscles fail, and bread winning becomes a toilsome if not im- possible task. So savings' banks and Govern- ment annuities sprung up, fulfilling the old axiom —where there is a demand there will also be a supply. Government annuities are specially in- tended for the working man. He must be a very poor man who cannot put by a shilling a week, yet this shilling secures his old age from poverty 0 0 or the workhouse. There is also another class who will be largely benefited,-servants, espe- cially servants in respectable families. When the employer dies the well conducted servant is generally remembered in the will, and as gene- rally the little legacy is soon misapplied or lost. C, By the Government system this little sum in- vested secures a pension for life after a certain age. The practice with Insurance offices generally is to direct payment of premiums by annual or half-yearly remittances. Working men would probably disperse their little hoard before they had saved sufficiently. Government steps in and says we take monthly payments. Looking at the question from whatever point C, of view we may, the conclusion derived is that it is eminently an institution for the people, for a class who lack the prudence which other classes have, and are more exposed than others to the attacks of swindlers and the seductions of rogues. And a class, too, who long ago deserved a greater C, regard and consideration than they have had. Our poor workers and diggers are the rank and file of our victorious army of commerce. They wither up before the puddlers fire; they are whirled away like straws before the demon of the mine. They are crushed under mighty monu- ments; are torn asunder, suffocated, and in a thousand ways meet death bravely like men. But the many keep on the steady tramp, and heights are won to which those of Alma pales, and deeds of labour and mind achieved that justly rise in glory and renown over those of any blood sprinkled field. It is for these-these hardy workers, that Government at length begins to exhibit a paternal feeling, and we should justly hail the scheme with gratitude and delight, as it promises not only to do so much good, but to bring about a gentler, more kindly, and more affectionate relation between the powers that are governed and those who rule.

[ GRANGE TOWN. A SCHOOLMASTER ABROAD.—From some unex- plained reason the schoolmaster has not been teach. ing in the day-school here for some time past, on account of which a great many of the children have been sent to other schools, a circumstance much to he regretted by the parents of the children in the neighbourhood. The brickyards here are beginning to assume an animated appearance. The hand-making is com- menced in earnest, while Knight and Stubbs' patent machinery is turning out a large quantity every day. The hopes of a new dock being made in Cardiff seems to be the stimulating motive.

PEXARTH. AT THE P~NNY READINGS, on Monday, there was an unusually large and respectable audience present, while those who conducted the entertainment its- eluded Mr. Iiighton and a select party of well trained vocalists from Cardiff. Miss Gedrich and Messrs. laylor and Davies sang several duetts and trios with excellent taste and eiicct, securing for them numer- ous encores and much applause, while Mr. Righton rendered effective assistance at the pianoforte. Alto- gether the meeting was one of the most successful which has been held, and the audience were much delighted with the treat.

CARDIFF POLICE INTELLIGENCE. t MONDAY. (Before R. O. JONES, E-q.) A DRUNKEN P.dR -Thomas Roberts and his wife Mary were charged with being drunk in the street. The husband admitted that he was drunk-said he had not drank anything since Christmas, until Saturday, and it took advantage of him, and put him almost out of his mind. The woman said she was a little drunk, having had a drop too much.—The Superintendent said the couple lived at Penarth, and came in on Saturday, to market. They were found rolling over each other in the gutter.-Fined 5s. DISORDERLY. — Mary Rollins, a prostitute, was charged by P.C. 10 with being noisy in Bute-street. There were thirty or forty sailors around her, the con- stable said.—Cautioned and discharged. A DRUNKEN LMIGRANT.—Mary Brown was charged with being drunk in Charlotte-street. She said that she had been a pauper in the Workhouse, and now her pas- sage had been paid to America, and her friends treated her to two pints of beer yesterday, by way of farewell, which made her drunk. The magistrate told her he had a great mind to send her to prison, by which she would forfeit her passage to America. She was dismissed with a caution. WERR. TIIOY PROSTITUTES?—Thomas Roddy was charged by P.C. Pepper with being disorderly in the street, and striking him. Defendant said that the two women, with whom he was in company on Wednesday night, or rather on Thursday morning, were his wife and another respectable woman. Pepper said they were all three drunk, and the women were both prostitutes. De- fendant produced the women in question, and tendered them as witnesses. The wife could not be called, but the other woman was sworn. She admitted that the defen- dant was vpry drunk, on which the Benclf-fined him 5s. UNSAFE CAB.—William Annear was summoned for having a cab on the stand which was in an unsafe condi- tion to be used. He was fined Is. and 7s. tJd. costs. SEAMEN'S WAGES DODGES OF FEDERAL SHIP- MASTERS TO AVOID CAPTURE.-Amos Rogers was summoned by Thomas Thompson for non-payment of wages. Defendant is :he captain of the Marmion, and the complainant shipped as mate. He signed no articles, but alleged that he had earned £ 14, at ±'8 a month, and had been paid only £ 3 14s. The captain denied that lie had employed him as mate at any price, but produced a written contract between them, by which complainant was to be engaged as second mate at £4 and that as to this he had been paid in full. After hearing the evi deuce on both sides, the Bench gave judgment for wages at the rate of kti a month, amounting to L-2 14s. 6d. Mr. Stephens, who appeared for the captain, asked for a case for appeal. The Bench refused to allow an appeal as to the flets, but granted a case on the question of jurisdiction.—In the course of the case, Mr. Robins, a licensed shipbroker, gave evidence to the effect that it was quite customary for the real captains and mates ef Federal American ships, which had been nominatlv sold to Englishmen, in order to escape capture by the Confe- derate cruisers, by sailing under the British flag, to ship an Englishman on board as the nominal captain or mate, but with the understanding that he was to act as second mate so that when they were at sea the real American skipper would command, but if intercepted by a Confe- derate cruiser, the sham British officer was to take com- mand.—The Bench regarded this practice as a fraud on the Custom house, to which no shipping agent who had received a license from the Board of Trade ought to be a party, or ought to allow to exist without exposing it. DEPOSITING MORTAR -Thomas Howells was sum- moned for leaving stones, mortar, and rubble in the public street leading from John-street to the back of the Hastings H otel.- Defendant alleged that the place was not a street, but was land leased by him, and, for which be paid ground rent—that the so called street led only to his premises and that he kept it clean, and exercised control over it, and that the Board of Health had never done so.—Mr. Surveyor Waring, on the contrary, deposed that the street Hd been public, the property of the Board of Health, anti cleaned by them, for ten years pasTl— I Defendant also u: that the stones, &c., were no detri- ment to the street or to the adjoining property.—P.S. Hibbs deposed that they caused the surface water to flow into the cellar of the printing office opposite.—The Bench imposed a small fine besides the costs, and defendant stoutly persisting that he would never pay it, ordered a distress warrant to issue. A JUVENILE OFFENDER.—Jeremiah Driscoll was brought up by the Bute Dock police for stealing a coil of rope.-The defendant's father was a hard working but pugnacious Irishman, who in one of the faction fights which so often occur among the population of Newtown, broke the head of a similarly pugnacious fellow named Nagle, and is now serving out a term of imprisonment for it. The wife had fallen ill, and the boy, deprived of the care of both parents, had fallen into evil habits.—A female relative appeared, and begged the magistrates to discharge him and they consented to do so on her pro- mise to keep him out of mischief for the future. A DANGEROUS GRATING.—Mr. Dawis was summoned for the non-repair of a dangerous grating, in High-street. -He said that several other gentlemrn had stumbled over it since the magistrate (Mr. Jones) had tripped up there, and that he had employed a man to repair it.—The case was adjourned to give time for the repair. AFFtHATto-K—Ebenezer Rees was summoned by Elizabeth Coles to show cause why he should not contri- bute to the support of her illegitimate child. Mr. Raby appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Simons (of Mer- thyr) for the defendant.—The complainant was, last spring, in the employ of a respectable ship-broker, as a domestic servant, and defendant, who was a smith in the employ of the Taff Vale Railway Company, made her acquaintance with a view to marriage, as she thought, and after conversing with her several times, visited her at her master's house in the absence of the family, and se- duced her. Besides the complainant's evidence, two other women deposed to the fact of the defendant's visits to the house, and his being left alone with her for hours at a time in the kitchen. The complainant and her wit- nesses were very lengthily and ably cross-examined by Mr. Simons, who set up the theory, in defence, that the person who had seduced the complainant was Lewis Wil- liams, a cousin of the defendant, who had afterwards ar- ranged with the complainant a plot against the defen- dant, to introduce him to the girl, leave him alone with her, and then father upon him the child of herself and Williams. He called the defendant as a witness, who positively denied ever having gone further in his atten- tions to the complainant than to kiss her. Two fellow, workmen of the defendant were also called, who deposed to having seen the complainant in company with Wil- liams at times when, according to her statement, she was not with him.—Much amusement was caused by the cross-examination of one of complainant's witnesses, who swore to the exact date of one ot defendant's visits to the complainant, but could not tell how she fixed the date, and in trying to get out of the dilemna fenced with the advocate's questions in an amusing and thoroughly feminine manner. Another peculiar feature of the case was that the complainant asserted that she had written a detailed memorandum of the circumstances of her seduc- tion, a few days afterwards, in a copy-book, which she had kept in her trunk ever since, but had not shown to any one.—The Bench, after a prolonged investigation, considered the case proved, and made an order on the defendant for the payment of 2s. 6d. a week, besides the costs of the birth, trial, &c. SLAPPING A TALEBEARER'S FACE.—A respectable- looking young man, named John Charley, a painter em- g ployed by the Taff Vale railway company, was sum- moned for an assault by a young woman named Mary Ann Baber. Mr. Stephens appeared for the defendant. The parties both lived in the house of a Mrs. Mees, in Sanden-place, and the complainant had informed the other inmates of the house and neghbourhood that late one night she had heard a female footstep in the house with that of the defendant, and a rustling of apparel, which led her to believe that the defendant had brought a woman into the house for an improper purpose and next morning, searching for evidence to verify this sur- mise, she found a woman's veil in the back yard. The defendant, irritated at this statement, had slapped the complainant's face, as she said, very severely. The Bench fined him 15s. and costs. ASSAULT—William Bedell was summoned forassa"'1* mg Henry Knowles, on the 10th inst., and was fined 1U and costs. '11 BEERHOUSE C A SE.-Patrick Flinn, of the publio Arms beerhouse, came up on an adjourned sumW"" j answer the charge of selling beer at illegal hours, a°. after hearing the witnesses for the defence, the Bel>CD dismissed the defendant with a caution. AFFILIATION.—Isaac Gaye, policeman, came up an adjourned summons to answer the charge of being father of the illegitimate child of Kezia Pitten. Mr. ft* called witnesses for the defendant, who deposed to co»* plainant's familiarity with other men, and also to reb"» statements which she had made respecting Gave. Bench, after hearing them, dismissed the case. TUESDAY. (Before the MAYOR (J. Pride, Esq.,) and GRIFFitB PHILLIPS, Esq.) AN OLD OFFENDER.—Daniel Ryan was brought TTJJ by the police, with no clothes on but an old coat trowsers, and those torn so that large patches of his sk1? di, were visible. He is one of the old offenders who period.1* cally come before the magistrates. The present was hIS fifteenth recorded apoearance before the Court, and be had spent over a y .eir in prison, on sentences varying from a week to two months.—P.C. Jones deposed that yesterday, shortly before midnight, he saw the prisoner in the Hayes, knocking and kicking against the door ol Mr. Nolan's public-house, from which he had been out, being drunk. He refused to keep quiet, or to go, away, and was consequectly taken into custody, when he struggled and tore his clothes. He had taken h'is shirt oil and left it in the station-house, a trick he had often prac- tised before. The odour arising from the fellow's filthy half-naked body was overpowering. He was sent to prison for six weeks. AN AGED DRUNKARD—A feeble old woman named Jane Williams, aged 87, was charged with being drunk- in the street. She said she was 87 years old, and Hall been in the workhouse two months, very ill. Yesterday she came out, and feeling weak, took a drop of beer, which overcame her.—The Mayor said it was a sad thing to see a woman drunk, particularly one of such advanced age. He dismissed her with the hope that she would not transgress again. DRUNK.—John Gardener was fined five shillings for being drunk in the street. WEDNESDAY. (Before the EX-MAYOR, R. O. JONES, W. ALEXANDER and G. PHILLIPS, Esqrs.) DISORDERLY.—James McGlyn was fined 5s. and costs or seven days for disorderly conduct in Bute-street, oil Tuesday night.-Mary Mullins, for the same offence, was sent to prison for fourteen days. SHOPLIFTING.—Mary Kinnersley and Margaret JoneS < were charged on remand with stealing a cloak, and they were now further charged with stealing a pair of lady's boots from the shop of Mr. Pearce, shoemaker, High- street.—Mr. Pearce stated that he gave information to the police of having lost three pairs of boots on the 1st of i March, and he identified the pair produced as one of them.—Mr. Solomon Blaiberg, pawnbroker, proved that the boots were pledged at his shop by the prisoner Jones on the 2nd March.-Mr. Stockdale applied for a further j remand, as he had received information from Bristol i respecting the prisoners.—They were accordingly re- X manded for a week. j A BRUTAL HUSBAND.—William Davies, an elderly carpenter, who was stated to own six house. at Whit- church, was charged with neglecting to maintain his wife and with allowing her to become chargeable to St. Mary's parish since the 2nd March.—Mr. Wride proved the ne- cessary facts of relief having been given the defendant's wife.—John Davies, the son (who is about 25 years of age), said he went to his mother's by her desire, and took her away. She complained of having been illused by the defendant, and he (the son) saw blood, which his mother said had been caused by the defendant striking her on the head with an iron br.r. This was the third occasion on which the defendant had greatly illused his wife, who was now afraid to live with him.-After some time, the BeDch said that the case would have to bedis- missed, as the Judges had laid down that previous cruelty to a wife was no excuse for a wife refusing to go back to her husband after he had asked her. At the same time the wife was open to summons her husband for an assault. THURSDAY. < (Befoie GRIFFITH PHILLIPS, Esq.) STEALING A SHOVEL.—Mary Ryan, an old Irish woman, was charged with stealing an iron shovel from the shop door of Mr. John Jacobs, ironmonger, Bute-, street, on Wednesday afternoon.—A pawnbroker proved that the shovel was pawned at his shop by the prisoner, whose defence was that she was drunk. The prisoner, who is a very old ofiender, was then committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions. DISORDERLY.—Mary Holland and Margaret Jones were charged with soliciting, and were fined 10s. each or seven days.

U arliamnxt argjS itmmar b MONDAY. In the House of Lords, the Government Bill for the better management of the Public Schools of the Kingdom was brought in and read a first time. The t other business was of a formal nature. t lathe House of Commons, Mr. Gladstone stated that he should make his financial statement on, pro- bably, the 27th of April. Mr- S. Fitzgerald called tention to the defence of Canada, on which, contended, tbe Government bad shown crimioft^ indifference. He stated that the United States G&" vernment was making immense preparations for the defence of its coasting towns, New York being already as strong as Sebastopol. The Federals bad also or- dered forty light gun-boats in this country for wax- like purposes on the lakes, some of which bad been already sent out, and unless something was done oil our part, Canada would soon be engaged in a hope- less struggle, and this country would encounter in- evitable disgrace and disaster. Mr. Cardwell said the friendly relations ef the two countries in no way warranted the conclusions of Mr. Fitzgerald, but reasonable precautions were being taken. Mr. Dis- raeli considered the people of the United States were too sagacious to seize a period of exhaustion for quarrel with England, and he regarded the violence of language occasionally exhibited as mere expres- sions of rowdyism. He believed if the North subdued the South, it would have to deal with a discontented and sullen population, and would, therefore, have enough to do without provoking foreign wars. He was, however, glad that the Government had at last come to the opinion that the integrity of the British empire was worth maintaining, and that steps were being taken to place Canada in a proper state of de- fence. A long debate ensued, in which Lord Robert Cecil, Mr. Bright, Lord Palmerston, and ethers took part, and the subject was then allowed to drop. TUESDAY. In the House of Lords the Marquis of Westmeath dr6w attention to the abduction of Mary Ryan from this country, and said that he was in a position to prove that the abduction was the result of a con- spiracy got up by the so-called Vicar-General of Westminster." Earl Russell said the Government had ascertained that the woman was suffering front acute madness, and as she was in an institution where she was well cared for, and her parents being dead, it was not considered advisable to take steps to remove her. Lord Malmesbury condemned the Home Secretary for the indifference with which he had treated the case, and the matter then dropped. In the House of Commons the Great Eastern Railway Company's Bill for a coal line from tha northern counties was again thrown out on the same ground as that taken last year, viz., that it would come into competition with the Great Northern Company.-The Maranis of Hartington stated that a proposal for releasing Volunteer officers from serving on juries was under the consideration of tha Government.-Sir F. Kelly moved for a select com. j mittee to inquire into the claims of a certain Indian prince to the title of Nabob of the Carnatic. The motion was opposed by the Solicitor-General, who said that the present claimant, if farmer treaties were to be observed, was not the rightful heir. No good, be urged, could result from the appointment of a committee, and its only effect would be to over- whelm the Government with claims from other mock sovereigns in India. A long debate ensued, and the motion was negatived by a majority of fifteen.—Mr. Berkeley gave notice, on the Army Estimates, that he intended to call the attention of the House of Commons to the possibility of war with America, and to the absence of guns capable of protecting ouC coast from the aggression of a maritime power. WEDNESDAY. In the House of Commons Sir C. O'Loghlen moved the second reading of the Juries in Criminal Cased Bill, the object of which was to mitigate the suffer. ings of juries who cannot agree upon a verdict, bf allowing them refreshments and other indulgences* The motion was opposed by the Solicitor-General and after some discussion the Bill was withdrawn* This was the only business of interest, and the House adjourned after an hour's sitting.

FALL OF A PAPEE MILL AT (iBEENOCK.—On Tues- day afternoon the interior of a large three storf building connected with the paper mill of Messrs* Brown, Stewarts, and Co., fell in, occasioning the losS of one life, besides considerable damage to propertf* Fortunately, the giving way of the upper storey Vi" preceded by certain premonitory indications, and 110" cordingly a number of young women employed 00 the second floor found time to make their escape with the exception of two, who were enclosed in ruins, one of whom escaped with slight injuries, hot the other, named Janet Adams, was found ta quite dead when extricated from the ruins, The workmen engaged on the ground flour, happening to l be on another part of the premises at the time of accident, fortunately escaped. r

MERTHYR LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. LOCAL GOVERNMENT.-Notice has been issued of the approaching election of guardians, to we shall have the election of the guardians and of the Board of Health pretty close to one another. It is confi- dently expected that several tradesmen will be elected to the Board of Health in the place of retiring members. PEACE AND WAR.—Cardiff mounted her Russian gun and placed it in the thoroughfare, Merthyr put her two guns in a garden, and for the greater part of the year they were concealed from view by cabbages. This garden has now been rented by an indefatigable townsman, Mr. W.J. Jones, and this year we believe it is his intention to plant choice flowers around the cannon, a fit and beautiful illustration of Peace and War. ROWTON, THE INIMITABLE.—If ever a man con. trived to bit the happy mean, and give the broadest humour and brightest wit, redeemed from every taint of vulgarity, it is Mr. RowtoR. Of all the great array of lecturers who while away care and sorrow, and enlighten the dark evenings of winter, none are more popular than he is, and hence we believe the announcement of his second and last visit to Mer- thyr for this season will be read with unqualified delight. POPULAR ERRORS.—A common error exists amongst the lower orders of the working classes, to the effect that Workhouse Infirmaries are places where poor people are legally murdered so as to save the parish expenses. When the Merthyr workhouse was build- ing, an old man pointed to the Union, the Infirmary, and the Cemetery, as necessary, the three natural steps a poor man or woman would have to take. This week another believer in legal murdering ob- served to a friend respecting a pauper, "He is very ill there. My mother was there also some time ago, but they didn't take long in finishing her-only four days." BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—We have much pleasure in recording the liberality of our guardians towards their deserving officials. On Saturday last the allow- ance of £35 per annum to the medical officer was raised to £ '50, Mr. W. J. Jones's salary from £ 112 to X" 20, Mr. Price £90 to £100, Mr. Daniel X90 to £100, and the officer at Gellygaer £ 70 to £ 80. This is as it should be, and coming after the recent great exertions of the staff, it very properly takes the form of a substantial reward.

ABERDARE. Tr.ADE.- The coal trade continues as brisk as ever, and the masters are making extraordinary exertions to make the get" keep pace with the demand. The c olliers work with much steadiness, and the difficul- ties of management which existed last year in con- sequence ef the evil operations of the union, have almost ceased to give trouble. The iron works are progressing with their wonted regularity, the great "lock-out" in the English districts having had no effect, as yet, in this district. The statement that the Welsh masters have pledged themselves to I. lock- out" their men simultaneous with the movement of that kind in the North of England, seems utterly unfounded. Should the WeWh masters find that the English workmen on strike are receiving support from their fellow-workmen in Wales, it is just possi- ble that something like a "lock-out" might happen here. THE PENNY READINGS continue to flourish, and the last meeting (that of Thursday se'nnight,) was, perhaps, the best ever yet held here. The dmir was most ably filled by Mr. Titus Lewis, whose happy wit and fluent talk, kept the meeting pleasantly aiive during the intervals between the pieces of which the programme was composed. The proceedings were throughout very pleasant, and were brought to a close in the usual manner.

TONGWYNLAIS. On Wednesday evening the second series of penny readings took place in the school-room, presided over by Henry Lewis, Esq., Greenmeadow. The chair- man opened the meeting in an eulogistic address. The programme consisted of well selected pieces in music, readings, and recitations; every part being successfully managed by those who took part in the entertainment. A vote of thanks to the chairman for his courtesy in presiding closed the proceedings, everybody leaving highly delighted with the inno- cent and in-tructive recreation. It is to be regretted that the conduct of an individual well known in the neighbourhood should continue to be a source of annoyance to the frequenters of these social ga- therings.

POUTH. The second of a series of Penny Readings took place at the British School-room, on Saturday even- ing last, the 11th ult., under the presidency of Idris Williams, Esq. The programme consisted of the following pieces:—Song, Miss Williams English reading, Mr. J. E. Jones; duett (violin and piano- forte), Messrs. Barker and Howard; Welsh recita- tion, Mr. W. Thomas; song and chorus, Miss H. Morris and choir; English reading, Mr. Pope; song, Mr. Morgan. Second part:—Solo (pianoforte), Mr. Howard; English reading, Mr. Alexander; song, Mr. James; Welsh reading, Mr. Clark; duett, Misses Williams and Thomas solo (concertina), Mr. T. Davies; finale, "God save the Queen." It is with pleasure we announce that the Penny Readings at Porth have proved quite a success, and that the proceeds (after the strenuous efforts that have been made to overthrow the movement) have exceeded the most sanguine expectations. It is to be regretted that those persons who have offered so much oppo- sition cannot be convinced that the inhabitants of Porth and the neighbourhood require recreation and amusement as well as religious instruction.

TREHERBERT. FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Tuesday, a man named John Jones was killed in Ynysyfio Pit, by a stone falling upon him. He leaves a wife and child behind him. SMALL Pox.—The small pox is raging in this neighbourhood, but happily at present has not caused any deaths. The houses are over-crowded on account of the increase of the population, and it is therefore desirable that more dwellings should be immediately built to accommodate the inhabitants. CONCERT.-On Monday evening, a concert was given in the Independent Chapel, by Mr. W. Miles, conductor of the Carmel choir, when E. C. Caird, Esq., of Tredegar, presided at the piano-forte. The programme was as follows Piano-forte overture— Mr. Caird chorus, "March of the Men of Harlech song, Fwyalchen "—Mr. E.Lewis; chorus, "Hail to the Chief;" song, "Desdyl y Don"—Mr. E. Woozley chorus, Where art tbou, Beam of Light;" duett, "Y ddau hen Lane"—Messrs. Woozley and Meweflyn; chorus, Awake ^Eolian Lyre;" song, Man the Life Boat "—Mr. W. Miles pait song, "The Hoarfrost Fell;" chorus, "Behold the Lamb of God piano-forte fantasia, Home, Sweet Home —Mr. Caird song, Hai ho! Gweno Fwyn gu"— Mr. E. W. Jones; chorus," Now is the Month of Maying;" song, Nedi Jones"—Mr. H. Llewellyn; chorus, "Up, up, ye Dames;" song, "The Slave Ship"—Mr. M. O. Jones; part song, "Dawn of Day chorus, "Cadwch oddiwrtbi, Onide song, The Wolf"—Mr. W. Miles chorus, Away, away, the morning freshly breaking Grand Hallelujah Chorus; finale, God Save the Queen."—The chapel was well filled, and the concert gave general satisfac- tion. The choruses and part songs were skilfully performed, particularly, Where art thou, Beam of Light," and Up, up, ye Dames." The fantasia, Home, Sweet Home," was excellently played by the pianist, and highly appreciated by the audience. The amusing duett, Y ddau hen Lane," drew great ap- plause, and was heartily encored. Miss Foreywith her rich and powerful voice greatly improved the programme by singing & song, and also a duett with Mr. Miles in each part. She called forth an encore on each occasion, and was greatly applauded. A vote of thanks was given to her and Mr. Caird for their valuable assistance during the evening.

FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1865. NOT known at Newbridge, try Pontypridd," is often the notice inscribed by the Post-office au- thorities on the envelopes of letters sent to this town. Seldom does a week pass without some mistake, and a deal of inconvenience occurs through hampers and parcels being directed to Newbridge. It has been suggested by several of the tradespeople of the town, that a petition snould be sent to the Board of Directors of the Taff Vale Railway, petitioning them to alter the name of the station from Newbridge to Ponty- pridd. The latter is the name used by the Go- vernment in the Post-office returns; it is also used by the Poor-law Board, therefore, it appears but right that travellers should be able to fix upon their destination, by a reference to a rail- way guide, without mistakes being so frequently made. ——— THE GUARDIANS.—A vestry meeting was held last week at the Bush Inn, Treforest, at which several of the most important ratepayers were present. The subject of the coming election was discussed, and one or two names were mentioned as likely candi- dates. One very highly intelligent gentleman re- commended himself as a fit and proper person. Nothing definite was settled. The Church-rate question was also spoken of. The Rev. H. Thomas was chairman of the meeting. THE NEW BANK.—The Provincial Banking Corpo- ration, better known as the Bank of Wales, opened a branch in this town on Tuesday last, under the management of our esteemed townsman, Mr. C. Bassett. Mr. Tulloch, the general manager from London, was present, and expressed his satisfaction at the compactness of the arrangements made for carrying on the business. The new establishment keeps the same hours as the West of England Bank, excepting on Saturdays, when it extends the time for two hours. FORESTER'S CLUB.—A very interesting and instruc- tive lecture was delivered by the Rev. H. Oliver, B.A., at the Oddfellows Hall, Treforest, on Tuesday even- ing last. The chair was occupied by the Rev. Mr. Griffiths, Independent minister at Glyntaff. There was a good attendance of the youthful Foresters, for whose benefit the lecture was given, who enjoyed a lecture so ably delivered. The hall was comfortably filled. Eos RHONDDA.—Our resident talented vocal musi- cian is to conduct a concert at the Assembly Room, on the last Wednesday in this month, and is to be as- sisted by Mr. Caird, of Tredegar, and other local talent. The interest of Eos Rhondda in the cultiva- tion of Welsh music of a superior kind, is such to en- sure for him a good attendance on the above occasion.