Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1867-03-23 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

THE TRIAL POE MVEDER AT SWANSEA.—We Observe that a notice has been issued stating that persons desiruus of petitioning for a commutation of the senteneeof death upon Benjamin Jones may sign a memolial at the office of Messrs Simons and Morris, at Swansea. The following expression of opinion on the above case was given , to Mr Bulges, in writing, by Mr J. C. Fowler, the pre- ' siding magistrate at the Aberdare Pollee-curt on Tuesday "I think the case of Jones is a fair one for an applicetion to the Secretary of State for a commutation of the sentence. I have not seen the memorial, lnot the grounds which occur to me for resting such an application upon are two. 1. It is by no means ceitaiii that tie convict contemplated and intended the death of Watkins at the time he struck the blow. 2. It is consistrnt with the facts proved that the beat and irritation of mind had not subsided when the act was done. The celculation of time is so liable to err .r that it is quite pessible that very few minutes really elapsed between the prisoner's departure and the crime. I am tunisfted that the stme was used and that a great orime was committed, and that the Jury were justified is regarding it as murder. But it seems to me that there is just enough obscurity and uncertainty about the case to justify the application in favour of life." COPPER Semite —Our readers are probably aware that the deleterious effect of copper smoke upon vegeta• tion and agriculture generally has been the cause of various actions at the assize and other law courts. We , understand that a similar action had been entered for ' hearing at the recent Glamoreanshire Assize between ! N. Edwards Vaughan, Esq., a large landed proprietor, of Rheola, Neath, and the Cwm Avon Copper Works; but we are glad to be able to say that the matter has been brought to a satisfaidory conclusion by the fol owing terms (dated February, 1867) having been agreed to: " That the company shall at once use all reasonable means, consiatent with the smelting proceemo of copper, to !theta and du away with any deleterious effects which may arise from their works; and that if, at the expiration of two years from this date, Mr Vaughan or his tenants should be of opinion that all necessary steps have not been taken to effect the abeve object, then, that the question, whether they have used all such reasonable nooses or not, shall be referred to a person to be named by the Board of Trade, whose decision on the questioe in dispute shall be final. 2. That in the event of his deciding that sufficient steps have not been taken, a verdict to be entered in the action for ten pounds darunge, each party paying his own costs." The foregoing has been signed by N. Edwarle Vaughan god Wm. P. Struve, for the Governor and Company of Copper Miners in England. MORRTSTON Poeuxen Rg erne/Cie.—The nineteenth of this season's entertainments took place on Wednesday evening, at the Market Hall, Morriston. The chair was occupied by Dr Douglas, Northampton-place, Swansea. The following programme was gone through in a superior style :—Glee, by the Cambrian glee party; readine, by Mr T. L. Richards; solo and chorus, Mary James's intended,' by Messrs Edwards and friends, loudly encored ; song, by Ply John George, loudly onemel , reading from Pickwick, by the Chairman, which was well rendered; glee, by the Cambrian glee party, encored; reading, by Mr Morris; song, Mr Samuel Jones, encored; address, 'Every one mind his business,' by Mr Robert John, which elicited great applause; solo and chorus, ' lam going home to Dixey,' by Messrs Francis and friends, loudly encored; song, by Mr William Morgan, (mewed, and responded tom the usual way; reading, • Bedd Gelart,' by the Chairman, great ap; lause ; song, Mr John George, loudly encored; solo and chorus, by the Cambrian glee party : we must say that great credit is due to the leader, Mr Thomas Price, for the able manner in which be condinned his party. The Chairman moved a vote of thanks to the performers, and also to the audience for their attendance. Mr John Evans, hon. sec., moved a vote of thanks to the Chacruien, and said that he felt sure the audience would join with himself in giving a hearty vote to the Chairman, not only for the admirable way in which he had conducted the proceeding, but for the entertainment which be had afforded in giving his Welsh and English readings.