The salmon, from its value as a delicious article of food, its beauty, and great abundance,
takes precedence of all our fresh-water fish.
1841: "The British Angler's Manual" by Thomas Christopher Hofland, London
The Wye Salmon
The salmon, from its value as a delicious article of food, its beauty, and great abundance,
takes precedence of all our fresh-water fish.
1841: "The British Angler's Manual" by Thomas Christopher Hofland, London
COUNTY OF RADNOR
A RETURN of FINES, FORFEITURES, and PENALITIES, paid or payable to the Treasurer of the said County, from Michaelmas Quarter Sessions, 1847, to and including Epiphany Quarter Sessions, 1850 (Sums paid less Clerk's Commission):-
| Hundred of Rhayader | |
|
Samuel OWENS: George MORGANS: Charlotte PRICE: William LLOYD: Edward JAMES: |
£. s. d.
0 10 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 |
RHAYADER - "REBECCA AND HER DAUGHTERS" DESTROYING SALMON.
On Saturday night last, the town of Rhayader and its neighbourhood were thrown into a state of great excitement, in consequence of a report being circulated that "Rebecca" and her children were once more going to make their appearance, and parade the streets of Rhayader, before the shops closed. Nearly all the townspeople, young and old, were standing in groups from the close of the evening until half-past nine, when suddenly the sound of a horn was heard from a distance, and in a few minutes was answered from an opposite quarter; the boys and girls running from all directions towards Cwmtoyddwr and returning with the news that they (meaning the Rebeccaites) were blackening their faces, and would be up immediately to parade the streets before they went to kill the salmon. At about a quarter before ten p.m., "Rebecca" made her appearance in Cwmtoyddwr, and from there paraded over the bridge to Rhayader, accompanied by about 80 of her "daughters," forming a procession of four abreast. First went "Rebecca," carrying a gun, supported by two sword-bearers, right and left, with their faces blacked and their shirts worn over their clothes after the fashion of smockfrocks, with a handkerchief tied around their heads. These were followed by five ranks, four abreast, each outside men carrying a cutlass or sword, and the inside men spears and poles. Then followed four men, carrying a carriage (similar to a stretcher) with a large quantity of straw tied up in bundles. These were succeeded by a long train, four abreast, carrying guns, spears, pitchforks, and other weapons. They proceeded to approach the Lion Hotel, where they fired the guns, and from thence marched round the Market-place where they fired again; thence they proceeded to Cwmtoyddwr bridge, where they were joined by a reserve army of about 20 to 30 more, all with their faces blackened, and in the same kind of dress. They arrived at the Grove, the first ford, and bedding place of the salmon, the horn blew, and a gun was fired, which was the signal for commencing the attack: but the depredators did not succeed according to their expectations, as only three fish upon the first ford fell into their hands. The whole party then proceeded to a second ford, where the same signal was given - five of them entered the water with their spears and lights, and commenced the same destruction. There must here have been a great slaughter, had it not been for the conservator of the river, Samuel OWENS (an old salmon fisher on the river Wye for upwards of 40 years). He, anticipating the visitors, with the assistance of Police-superintendant JONES, and his two sons, well disturbed the fords a few minutes before the enemy appeared. Had not that plan been adopted, there must have been a great destruction of fish; but we hear that instead of "Rebecca" having 20 salmon from that ford, which was contemplated, they killed only six small ones. During the time they were in the act of killing the fish, Mr. TALOE, steward of T. PRICKARD, Esq., of Darw,advanced nearer than was considered desirable, and a gun was fired at him; but, fortunately, only one shot reached him, and which entered his elbow. David PRICE, a sawyer of the town, when out of curiosity went towards the river, had three spears placed at his breast, and was ordered to retreat. The marauders then proceeded to different fords on the Wye an Ellan, but did not succeed in killing as many fish as they expected; the whole number was supposed not to exceed thirty. It is rumoured that the gang intend to renew their appearance some night this week. We hope the police will be on the look out for them.
PETTY SESSIONS - DECEMBER 4.
(Before T. Lewis LLOYD, D. OLIVER, T. PRICKARD, Henry LINGEN, E. N. EVANS, and J. JONES, Esqrs.)
OFFERING UNSEASONABLE SALMON FOR SALE.
Edw. DAVIES, of the parish of Cwmloyddw, labourer, was charged by Samuel OWENS, conservator of the river Wye &c., with having exposed for sale unseasonable salmon, commonly called "old salmon," on Thursday night the 3rd inst. - Thomas BLACKMOR, bugler in the Radnorshire Militia, was on duty at Rhayader on the 3rd inst.; defendant was with him during the day, and promised him a salmon if he could get one; defendant went out of the Swan Inn for a few minutes, and came back with the salmon now produced; witness asked him what he would have? and he said a glass of brandy and water; defendant gave witness the salmon, and the latter paid for the brandy and water; DAVIES told witness he brought the salmon from home, and that it was in salt. - Samuel OWENS, conservator, &c., of the river Wye, residing at Rhayader, said he was accustomed to fishing from his infancy; and he was of opinion that the salmon now produced had not been killed a week, and that it was an unseasonable salmon. - Defendant DAVIES stated that he had the salmon produced from the house of William WATKINS. The latter is summoned for Wednesday next (to-morrow) to which day further proceedings were adjourned.
RAHAYDER - ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF SALMON.
Edward DAVIES, one of Crispin's gentle craft, appeared on Friday se'nnight, to answer the complaint of Mr. Samuel OWENS, the celebrated fisherman and vigilant guardian of salmon and salmon-fry in the river Wye. The Court was crowded, the case exciting very great interest. - William BLACKMORE, bugler in the Royal Radnor Rifles, deposed that he met the defendant at a public house in Rhayader, on Thursday, the 3rd day of December, and that the delinquent then and there promised to give him (the said bugler) a fresh aslmon, for supper, for himself and comrades, and that the said Edward DAVIES went out and returned in a short time with the salmon now produced, and gave it him according to his promis. Now, as the Statute in that case, made and provided, enacts "That it is unlawful to take, kill, or destroy, or have possession of unseasonable salmon," witness gave information of the offence to one of her Majesty's Justices of the peace, who forthwith issued his mandate for the bodily appearance of the said Edward DAVIES before Her Majesty's Justices of the peace for the County of Radnor. When asked what he had to say to the charge, DAVIES burst into a flood of tears, and said: I never kilt a salmon in all my life, nor did I ever look after them when they was in season. Didn'tnt I say to you, Mr. BLACKMORE (addressing the witness) that it was a great pity that them as kilt the salmon made so much bother, and aggravate the gentlemen, by hanging the dead fish on the gentlemen's gate and about their houses and their buildings, and that they ought to take the fish home to their families if they had any, and cook them and eat them, and say nothing about it? - The Magistrates smiled at the simplicity of the defence, and the audience burst into boisterous laughter. - The prisoner continued: I will tell you (addressing the Magistrates familiarly by name) all I know about the fish, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me ———; I will tell the truth, I had it from my cousin Tom and I gave it to the soldier, who has told the truth about it; but if I had known that there would be so much said about it I never would have had anyuthing to do with it." - The senior Magistrate thought that the unlucky defendant was the innocent dupe of other parties. The case was therefore adjourned to Wednesday the 9th inst. From subsequent information the Magistrates were induced to grant a search warrant and also to accompany the police-officers to the house of Mr. William WATKINS, where they found the remains of another salmon. WATKINS was therefore summoned to appear at the adjourned hearing, when the followint Magistrates took their seats on the Bench - David OLIVER, Thos. Lewis LLOYD, Thos. PRICKAR, Edward Middleton EVANS, and John JONES, Esqrs. - Edward DAVIES was now admitted to give evidence, and proved that he had received the fish in WATKINS's house. The latter denied all knowledge of any fish being on his premises, but the Magistrates heard his statement with incredulity; ordered the room to be cleared, and ultimately inflicted a penalty of five pounds on WATKINS for having salmon in his possession during the fence months. - It appears to be common practice at Petty Sessions to "clear the room" prior to giving judgment. In the Superior Courts the decision, and the reasons that influence it are invariably given in open court. (Correpsondent)
ANGLING PROSPECTS ON THE WYE.
A correspondent writing from Rhayader, Radnorshire, informs us that a fresh salmon in splendid condition, weighing 13lb. was taken there on Saturday last, by old Samuel OWEN the fisherman; and the writer says that, from the strict manner in which the river Wye has of late been preserved, as well as from the favourable appearance of the weather, he has every reason to expect very superior sport this season. (Field)
RHAYADER - PETTY SESSION - ANOTHER SALMON KILLING CASE.
Before Thomas Lewis LLOYD, Thomas PRICKARD, John JONES, Esqrs.
William POWLES, a blacksmith and shopkeeper, was on Wednesday last, on the information of Samuel OWENS, the Wye conservator, summoned for spearing a salmon on the Sunday, - Samuel OWENS, jun., deposed: I am one of the conservators employed by the Wye Preservation Society to watch the river Wye and its tributaries in this district; on Sunday, the 17th of February, I was watching the river Wye from the turnpike road near to the Dyffryn; I saw a person come up to Rhyd-William; he then went down a little lower on the river side; he had a long stick in his hand; I proceeded stealthily through the field towards the ford: when I got to the second field from the river I knew the person to be the defendant; he was at the time looking up at a man in a tree on the opposite side of the river; I proceeded to the same field as defendant was in, and when I got within about thirty yeards of him he came up from the river side; I got to within twelve yards of him, and close to the riverside; I then went to the spot where defendant had come from, and found the fish I now produce hid in the hollow of an old birch tree with a spear in it, and the fish was alive; before I took the fish out, the defendant had made off out of my sight; I found a long stick close to where I found the fish, and it was quite wet, and when I met the defendant he had no stick in his hand; when I first got to the river i observed Edward BENNETT up in a tree commanding a view of the river; a person named Thomas EVANS stood at the butt of the tree; on my going towards them they went away. - Edw. BENNETT deposed: Thomas EVANS and myself were comig up the Wye on Sunday, the 17th of February; saw the defendant on the opposite side, and John PRICE; shortly afterwards I went up into a tree and saw POWLES strike into the river and hold down about five minutes, when he pushed the spear towards the root of a tree; the last witness then cam up, and he went away. - Edward HUGHES, deputy clerk to the Justices, proved the fence days fixed by the Justices for the county of Radnor. - The defendant, who is a notorious individual, was severely admonished by the chairman for his lawless practices, and muleted in £7 and £1 costs, but allowed a week to find the money. It would seem that Sundays are the appointed days for the meeting of river poachers. On those days groups are seen strolling along the banks of the rivers; and so daring are some of them that when the keeper of a larged landed proprietor warned them off as trespassers, he was told that the land was the tenant's, and not the landlord's. Their implements are carried in their pockets, the shafts of the spears being cut when wanted. The evidence against POWLES, who is said to be the leader of a gang, was that he was seen by OWENS going to a ford with a stick under his arm, and immediately afterwards met by him coming away without one; within twelve yards where they met OWENS found a live salmon under the root of a birch tree, with a spear in it; two men were on the opposite bank, one in a tree on the look out. He honestly admitted that he saw POWLES spear the fish and thrust it under the root of the tree, where OWENS found it. The salmon weighed 18lbs., and was alive when taken to a gentleman's house hard by. OWENS is entitled to great credit, as he has underaken a very necessary duty, and does it faithfully and fearlessly. His pluck is a family inheritance.
THE SALMON FISHERIES IN THE WYE.
[Meeting of the Royal Commissioners appointed to enquire into the state of the fisheries and operation of existing laws relating to fishing in England and Wales.] ... [County of Radnor ... the Wye above Builth.]
... Mr. Commissioner RICHARDS then produced a copy of the Hereford Journal of December 3, 1856, from which he read the following report:- "Rebecca and Her Daughters" Destroying Salmon [see above].
Mr. LLOYD [Lewis LLOYD Esq., of Rhayader] was asked by the Commissioners if this was a correct account of what took place, and he and other gentlemen answered in the affirmative. These people also met in the spawning time a year or two afterwards, but did not do any acts of violence, though they threatened some persons. He had two or three times got some of them committed, but the witnesses were intimidated, and when the trial took place they feigned to have forgotten all about the evidence they had given before the Magistrates. "Rebecca and her Daughters" as they were called, were men, but generally dressed in the garb of women, or with their shirts over their coats, their faces blackened, and their general appearance disguised. These persons, however, now paid much more respect to the police than they did in years past. ...
Samuel OWEN, a fisherman by profession, was next examined, and deposed to the scarcity of fish now as compared to 35 or 40 years ago, and gave evidence which in general was confirmatory of that already advanced, including an explanation of the system of grabbing as performed at the corner of the weir above Rhayader, at the rate of 2s. a head per day. Nothing would oppose the Rebeccaites when they went out in a body; and the account read from the Journal [above] was no doubt a very true one.
Mr. GREENWOOD [Magistrate, Radnorshire] said the witnesses would swear anything when they went before the Magistrates, but nothing upon the trial. It was therefore no use to take means to prevent the destruction of fish. OWEN said he remembered the Rebeccaites taking up the turnpike gates, and he believed these fishing rebels were the same persons - at all events they were of the same class. He would rather have the fishing without a license, but if he could get £5 of fish where he got 10s. now, he should not object to paying a fine. ...
The Commissioners failed to get any information from OWEN as to the killing of old fish by himself, until Mr. FENNELL with much humour exclaimed "well, I know you never did kill an old fish, though you may know some fellows who have." The imputation was too much for the witness, and he at once persisted in contradicting the Commissioner, by averring he had often done so. He explained the different methods adopted for taking fish with nets, &c., but he had never fished with salmon roe paste. They had plenty of greyling but few pike in the river. ....
RHAYADER - PETTY SESSIONS.
Before John JONES Esq.
James HUGHES, of Rhayader, was summoned to answer a charge preferred against him by Samuel OWENS (one of the conservators employed by the society for the preservation of salmon in the upper part of the Wye and its tributaries) for unlawfully killing a salmon during the fence days, vis., on the 2nd November last, in the river Wye, in the parish of Llansaintfread Cwmtoyddwr. The defendant did not appear, but the service of the summons was satisfactorily proved, and the case was proceeded with ex-parte.
Samuel OWENS deposed: I am one of the conservators employed by the Wye Preservation Society, to protect the river in this district during the fence days. I know the defendant James HUGHES, and on the 2nd November I was coming up the river Wye, and near to the Glynn saw one Rees PRICE throwing a stone into the river. I also saw William MARSTON in a tree and William POWLES and James HUGHES were also watching the fish going down the ford. I heard Wm. MARSTON call out that there was a large salmon going down the river. Rees PRICE then called out to James HUGHES and Wm. MARSTON to go down. Wm. MARSTON then espied a small fish under a root and called to James HUGHES to go up to him (MARSTON). James HUGHES then went up, but by the time he arrived the fish had made its escape. The several parties then went down to the next pool, called Llynvelin. James HUGHES threw a few stones in the top of the pool, and they all proceeded together to the bottom of the pool, where I saw James HUGHES kill a salmon with an instrument resembling a spear. He rose the fish clean out of the water and over the bank, and afterwards through some bushes. James HUGHES and another person then went down to the fish and both of them got out of my sight. I crossed the ford, but before I arrived at the place they had all gone. I am certain I saw James HUGHES kill the salmon and landing it in the manner I have already stated.
Edward HUGHES, managing clerk to Mr. WOOD, the clerk to the Justices, proved the fence days as fixed by the Court of Quarter Sessions, which commence on the 16th October and end on the 12th March, inclusive, in each year. The defendant was then fined £5, and in default of payment, to be imprisoned in the House of Correction for two calendar months.
RHAYADER. Petty Sessions, Feb. 27.
(Before T. Lewis Lloyd, Thomas Pritchard, and John Jones, Esqrs.)
"OLD REBECCA," OR THE CHIEF OF THE RHAYADER SALMON POACHERS, CAUGHT AT LAST.
William POWLES, a bell-smith of this town, and who by the way, calls himself the "Chief," or "General," of the lawless individuals who destroy the salmon in this neighbourhood during the fence days, appeared to answer a summons issued against him at the instance of the Wye Preservation Society, for having killed a salmon on Sunday, the 17th February last. - Samuel OWENS deposed: I am one of the conservators employed by the Preservation Society of the river Wye, and its tributary streams in their district; on Sunday, the 17th Feb., I went down the Wye-side, near to the Dyffryn; whilst standing in the turnpike-road I saw a person coming up Rhyd-William's ford; saw the same person going down the river side with a stick in his hand; I went down through the fields for the ford, keeping by the side of the hedge, until I reached the same field as defendant was in; when within about 30 yards of him, I observed him coming up from the river; I then proceeded to meet him, and got to within twelve yards of him, close to the river side; went down to that part of the river from which POWLES came, and found the fish produced hid under the hollow of an old birch tree; it was then alive, and had a spear in it; during this time the defendant had made off; when I found the fish, I also found a long stick close by which was wet; when I first saw defendant he had a stick in his hand; I then went across the river, and on reaching the opposite side saw Edward BENNETT up in a tree, a little below where I found the fish, and commanding a good view of the river; another man named Thomas EVANS, stood at the butt of the same tree, and upon going up towards them they both made off. - Edward BENNETT depoed: Thomas EVANS and myself were coming up the river Wye on Sunday week, when I saw John PRICE and William POWLES on the opposite side; shortly afterwards I went up into a tree and EVANS stood at the bottom of it; saw defendant striking into the river, and he held down for about five minutes, when he pushed the spear up towards the root of an old tree; the last witness, Samuel OWENS, then came up, and I went away. - Edward HUGHES, deputy-clerk to the Justices, proved the fence-days as fixed by the Court of Quarter Sessions, and the Bench, without any hesitation, inflicted a penalty of £7 and costs.
DISTRICT NEWS - RHAYADER - PETTY SESSIONS
Before Thomas Lewis LLOYD, Thos. PRICKARD, E. M. EVANS, and John JONES, Esqrs.
Wm. WEBB, jun., Evan LEWIS, James HUGHES, Edwd. MORSTON, sen., and Samuel WEBB, were charged with a breach of the Fisheries Law. David JONES deposed: I am employed to watch the rivers Wye and Elan; on Sunday the 15th ult. I saw on Glanelan farm, near the river, the above named persons; the first sight I had of them was when they got to the Ford, when they all climbed up trees near the Ford watching the salmon; they spaw on that Ford near a space of fity yards; after they had climbed several trees E. LEWIS came down from the tree and fetched a spear from the fence close by and handed it up to Wm. WEBB in the tree, the other persons were then near the tree; Edward MARSTON was walking on the bank of the river watching when anybody was coming in sight; then William WEBB with a spear from the tree, made a blow, but he then missed it, in a short time after he made a second blow, when it appeared to me that the fish was then struck; I was about fifty or eighty yards distance off then; the other four ran forward to land the fish, they then landed the salmon and I saw the fish beating in the spear; James HUGHES, after it was taken off the spear took the salmon to a hedge and hid it there; a man came down the field when they drew off from the river, and as they passed by me I jumped from behind the hedge where I was concealed; Evan LEWIS took the spear at that time and was hiding it in the sam hedge as he brought it from; I took the fish out of the hedge and said to Wm. WEBB "you are in for it," and I then walked away towards Rhayader; the fish was a salmon from 17lb. to 20lbs weight; after I cam about a quarter of a mile from the river, I saw Wm. WEBB, E. MARSTON, James HUGHES, and Samuel WEBB running after me; W. WEBB passed me, and said "I will have my fish as you say I killed it;" I said, "You shall not have it;" he, Wm. WEBB, then replied, "I will have it," and rushed against me; a scuffle then took place, and Wm. WEBB ripped the fish out of my hold; I then walked away towards Rhayader. Cross-examined by James HUGHES: I saw you landing the fish, and hiding it under the hedge. By Edward MARSTON: When the fish was appeared you were about 20 yards off; when Wm. WEBB cam up to me you, MARSTON, was within ten yards of me. Samuel OWEN, of Rhayader, deposed: I am a conservator of the Wye; on Sunday 15th inst. I was down the river when I saw EL LEWIS talking to defendant JONES (the last witness); I saw E. MARSTON, Wm. WEBB, James HUGHES, and Samuel WEBB, going in the direction of Glonclan; in five minutes afterwards defedant JONES came up to me and I told him that they were gone up the river. - Wm. WEBB and E. LEWIS were then fined £1 each and costs. James HUGHES, Samuel WEBB and Edward MARSTON, fined 10s. each and costs, to be paid on Monday next, and in default of payment 14 days imprisonment each. Evan LEWIS and William WEBB paid each fine and costs; MARSTON and Samuel WEBB are gone to prison, HUGHES absconded, but a warrant of committal is out against him.
RHAYADER - PETTY SESSIONS - KILLING SALMON.
Before Thomas Lewis LLOYD, Esq.; Thomas PRICKARD, Esq.; John JONES, Esq.; and E. M. EVANS, Esq.
John PRICE, of Park Style, was charged with killing salmon and having the same in his possession, contrary to law. - Samuel OWENS, river watcher, deposed: On Monday morning the 17th of November instant, between 3 and 4 o'clock, I saw a light in a lanthorn on Rhydfelen ford (on the river Wye); I went up and stopped near the river side, near Rhydfelen, and in about 8 or ten minutes John PRICE came past me with a bag and three salmons in it, and one tied by a string outside the bag; when he had passed about a yard or two I went on and laid my hand on the bag, and I said "Three hast done it this morning, Jack; thee must give up these fish to me;" when he said, "I dare say Iannot;" [sic] I believe that he helped me to heave them off his back; two of the fish were alive then and for an hour afterwards; John PRICE had a spear and a lanthorn when he came up to me; every one of the fish I took was speared; the four fish and bag now produced are the same fish that I took from John PRICE. - David EVANS deposed: I was in company with Samuel OWENS and John LLOYD Monday morning, the 16th instant, and I was with them when the light of the lanthorn was first seen; I hastened on with OWEN up to the place above mentioned when John PRICE passed; I expected a party; I never thought of one man being alone; I can corroborate all that Samuel OWENS has stated; in a few days afterwards John PRICE told me that he had killed the fish on Rhydfelen ford; I saw the fish as Samuel OWENS the last witness stated. - Fined £2, being 10s. for each fish, and 10s. costs, to be paid within one week, and in default of payment to be imprisoned for six weeks.
Samuel OWEN(S) snr. d. August 1863.
THE WYE PRESERVATION SOCIETY - MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21ST, 1865.
Extract from the Report by Superintendent Mr. Alexander MILLER.
That the defects in the Fishery Act of 1861 are yearly becoming more and more apparent. The first defect that I would mention, and in my opinion the greatest, is the want of authority to watchers to traverse the banks of the breeding streams, to protect fish while spawning. It is like having a house in the middle of a field and no road to go into it. To walk over the land we dare not, and if it were possible to fly in a balloon to the breeding streams, all that could be done would be to look over the balloon, like a bird over its nest, to see if all was right; and if a poacher showed himself to be doing what was wrong in the eyes of the law, there is no authority to alight and step out on the banks of the river, or even set a foot on the bed of a stream, to ascertain facts to lead to a conviction, without being as liable to be prosecuted for trespass as the poacher for killing fish. All this seems strange, but still true, for along the best spawning grounds we are strictly prohibited from walking on the banks of the several streams by farmers who encourage poachers in their lawless pursuits. There were two men detected poaching in the Rhayader district. The Court of Queen's Bench have decided that no Magistrate interested in the protection of fish can sit in judgment where fish poachers are being tried. Nearly all the Magistrates at Rhayader were subscribers to the funds of this Association, and therefore disqualified to act in such cases in their district, and had it not been for the kindness of two justices acting in the adjoining division, who attended specially to hear the cases at Newbridge-on-Wye, these persons would not have been brought to justice. A clause should be inserted in the proposed Bill to be brought before Parliament the ensuing session to meet this defect in the law. In Ireland, Magistrates are not disqualified from adjudicating on fishery cases, even although they are elected Conservators of Fisheries. ... The police force, as usual, have rendered valuable assistance this season, and are entitled to the thanks of the Association.
PENYBONT - FISHERY RIOTS.
Petty Sessions, Thursday. - Before J. P. SEVERN and E. M. EVANS, Esqrs. - SERIOUS CHARGE OF RIOTING.
John HAMER, Edward HAMER, and Price ARTHUR, of Coch-y-ddross, and Richard OWEN, of Glan-ithon, were charged with maliciously wounding with intent to disfigure, and with intent to resist being lawfully apprehended by the bailiffs in the employment of the Wye Conservators. - Mr. LLEWELLYN, of Builth, appeared on behalf of the Wye Board of conservators; Mr. GAMES, of Brecon, defended the prisoners.
[The Water-bailiffs: Matthew BURTON, sen. & Jonathan BURTON, jun., of Penybont; John WILLEY, of Newbridge; John HARRIS of Nantmel; Francis ADAMS, of Llanbadarn; Edward WILLIAMS, of Nantmel; Richard WILLIAMS, of Llanbister; plus John LLOYD (badly injured and remained seated during the hearing), gamekeeper (to Mr. BROADWOOD), of Newbridge.]
[The Water-bailiffs and Superintendent, gave evidence as to events on the evening of 22nd December (1866). None of them carried a stave, or presented their warrant, or announced who they were, before returning blows and apprehending some of the "rioters". Their accounts were very similar; they estimated the number of rioters to be above twelve, and perhaps thirty.]
Supt. CONSTANCE produced the spears, pickles sticks and dresses [the rioters were dressed "Rebecca" style] delivered to him by the water bailiff: "the men were all disguised and their faces black; one had a hump back made of straw and was otherwise disguised".
Samuel OWEN deposed: I am superintendent of water bailiffs for this district, and they [I?] reside at Rhayader; I produce my warrant; I remember the night of the 22nd of December; I had appointed to meet a number of water bailiffs upon the Ithon; we saw some lights on the river; we went below toward a good bedding ford and concealed ourselves in a small copse adjoining; we soon saw a fire and went towards it; there were a number of people following the light upon the opposite side of the river; when they saw us they "yelled" and made a great noise; we then called out and leapt into the river? [sic] they went over some railings into a meadow on the opposite side; we followed them; after there went a few yards they formed a line, turned round, and presented their spears; John HAMER was the right hand man of that line; I asked them if they knew what they were about? And what they were going to do? then was a call from some one of fight! Edward WILLIAMS then jumped forward and seized HAMER's spear, which was directly towards me; I seized HAMER and took the mask off his face; WILLIAMS had hold of him, too, but receiving some blows from behind he turned round and left him to me; John HAMER then tried to "gouge" my eye out; we were both upon the ground; I was undermost most of the time; I struggled with him from the commencement to the end of the fray; I held to him until the fight was over and assistance came; he was secured and taken to the lock-up; the men were all disguised and their faces were blackened; I cannot say what number they were; I was much exhausted when my party came to my assistance.
Cross examined: I am superintendent of water bailiffs; we went together towards the lights; we were concealed before we went towards the river side; I saw the light and the person in the river; I do not know how many persons there were upon the opposite side of the river; they went over the railings and we followed them; I do not think the right hand man was 20 yards from the railings; I went up to them; I had no time to produce my warrant; I and WILLIAMS laid hold of John HAMER and his spear; the spear was directed and appeared coming towards me, but WILLIAMS stopped it, he held the spear up in the attitude of striking; before I approached them I stuck my walking stick in the ground; I may have drawn out my life-preserver before I laid hold of HAMER; I did not use it until I was on the ground! I heard that two of the four prisoners were HAMER's farmers in the neighbourhood; I gave no particular orders, but all of us went into the river and the fight about the same time.
[Mr. LOMAX, for the defence, listed the injuries received by some of the rioters.]
Upon Mr. LLEWELLIN proceeding to a statement of the case for the prosecution, Mr. SEVERN raised the point of law that it appeared by the latter part of sec. 30 of 28 and 29 Vict., c. 121 (The Salmon Fisheries Amendment Act), to be enacted that "the production with respect to a conservator of a certificate of his being a conservator under the common seal of the Board of which he is a member, and with respect to a water-bailiff the production of the instrument of his apointment, executed in the manner directed by this Act, shall be sufficient warrant for any conservator or water-bailiff exercising the authorities given by thes Act." Now it appeared that not one of the water-bailiffs had so produced his appointment, and the case consequently fell to the ground.
Mr. LLEWELLIN submitted that such production of the warrant was not necessary where the authority of the waterbailiff was not called in question. He was, however, if such a view was not correct, fully prepared with cases which would entirely put it out of the power of the solicitor for the defence to raise an objection on that head. [Then followed a recital of such cases, with references.]
Mr. SEVERN replied that he considered himself, from his profession as a barrister, generally well acquainted with law, but he had taken the greatest possible care in going through the law connected with the case then being discussed. It was a most important case, and one which caused great feeling and excitement throughout the country. He was of opinion that magistrates were certainly proper persons to deal with such a question. In looking into "Burn's Justice," he found it stated that where from certain circumstances (such as the production of a staff) the offender must be aware that the person who accosts him or takes him in charge is a constable, it is no plea for the defence that a warrant was not produced. Now in this case nothing was produced to show what authority they (the water-bailiffs) had. They did not even say who they were. The defendants might have thought them, perhaps; a pack of robbers rushing upon them.
Mr. LLEWELLIN said that all the circumstances of the case tended to show who they were. In the first place, the 12 water-bailiffs and keepers come down to the ford where the defendants, with a large body of men, all in disguise and blackened faces, are spearing fish. They are at once recognised, and the poachers, having given a yell of defiance, retire over the rails into the field. The keepers plunge into and wade the river. On reaching the opposite side the keepers find the poachers drawn up in a square, some with levelled spears and a hay pike, and others with uplifted clubs. The keepers form into a body and march up to them. OWEN, the superintendent, then says, halloa! boys, what is this, or what is the meaning of this? to which the answer given is the word "fight." Again, the last witness distinctly swears that he heard the question asked among the poachers of "How many of them are there?" This in itself would be conclusive, and he (Mr. LLEWELLIN) appealed to the Bench if it could be possible for them to have for one instant a shadow of a doubt on their minds as to the poachers not knowing thoroughly well who the water bailiffs were.
Mr. SEVERN said it was entirely a matter of inference. He was decided in his own mind, and should decline to hear the case any further.
The worthy magistrate, who appeared much excited, then rose amidst great confusion.
Mr. LLEWELLIN hoped that Mr. SEVERN would allow the legal view he (Mr. SEVERN) had taken of the question to be written down for him.
Mr. SEVERN refused. He had said it two or three times, and that was he considered sufficient.
Mr. Middleton EVANS said: It is always with great diffidence that I differ from my friend Mr. SEVERN upon a point of law, as it generally turns out that he is right and I am wrong. Nevertheless, in the present instance, I cannot help saying that I entirely disagree with him, and as entirely concur in the legal view taken of this matter by the counsel for the prosecution. I think that, although no badge of office and no warrant were produced by the watchers, and although they did not intimate who they were - a thing which the circumstances hardly admitted of - the evidence renders it abundantly clear that the poachers were fully aware who the watchers were, and in what capacity they were acting. As regards the facts of this case, I have given them all the consideration I can; and, looking at all the surrounding circumstance, I am quite prepared to take a lenient view of the matter. Taking into consideration the fact of this important affair having occurred upon land which the defendants were in occupation of, the further fact of their having got in the way of blows, although probably accidentally - a great many more than they had given - the still further circumstance that no strictly speaking deadly weapon - i.e. a fire-arm - had been used by them; and, as I don't believe this affray would ever have happened at all if Mr. SEVERN's notice - at that time being printed, and which has since been published - had then been in circulation in this neighbourhood. Taking all these things into account, I think the case would be sufficiently met by finding the defendants guilty of a common assault, and fining them in a nominal sum. On one account I am not sorry that this disturbance should have taken place. It has served to dispel the delusion that only farm servants are guilty of these outrages. It is now clear that some large and respectable farmers themselves take part in them. The persons present are aware that before this case was entered upon yesterday a tenant of my own was informed against on a charge of salmon poaching; although in his case there was no attempt made to resist the watchers, I understand he expects to be turned out of his farm. If I could make up my mind to deal with him in this fashion I should probably get 50 per cent. of additional rent from a fresh tenant, as the present tenant has, by good and industrious farming, made his farm worth half as much again as it was worth when he took it; I don't think, however, this is the proper way to deal with tenants at will. If they don't cultivate their land well, that is a good reason for turning them out; but if they violate this or that particular law their punishment is not a notice to quit their farms, but the infliction of the specific penalty provided by the law for its infraction. In the case now before the Court, it has been attempted to prove that the watchers acted with unneccessary violence and even with great brutality. I have followed the evidence very carefully, but I really cannot satisfy myself that there are any just grounds for such an insinuation. There appears to be little doubt that the pachers were at least twice as numerous as the watchers, and, in an affray of this description on a dark night, who could venture to say that there had been any unfair fighting? If anybody in this room, and now in my hearing, had been engaged in this conflict - however disposed for fair play he may be - can he undertake to say that the result would have been materially different from what we are now witnessing? One damaging piece of evidence came out against the watcher HARRIS in reference to the defendant BROWN, but, upon reflection, I hardly think it fair that the whole body of watchers should be held responsible for what a single member of their body may have said or done, when finding himself suddenly and unexpectedly confronted with an old personal enemy. Looking at all that has transpired, I do hope that all persons who are owners of property on the banks of the rivers in this neighbourhood will assemble their tenants, and come to a clear understanding with them in reference to this fishing question. There is no doubt that the inhabitants of those salmon districts occupy a peculiar position. Most of those persons I see before me have almost from their cradles been in the habit of killing unseasonable salmon. The habit until comparatively recently has, if not actually been permitted, at least been connived at. You are therefore very much in the position of one of your own wild Radnorshire ponies, which has, from the hour it was foaled, been allowed to run unrestrained over its native hills. After it is well advanced in years, it is suddenly caught, a bridle is put upon its head, a bit in its mouth, and a saddle on its back. What is the consequence? Why it instantly kicks. Now, what I want you to understand is this: It is not an half-dozen or dozen Radnorshire magistrates who saddle and bridle you. It is the legislature which does so. A few years ago, a notion became general that salmon were frightfully diminishing in numbers. Thereupon a resolution was come to to take steps to preserve them. In England, Ireland, Scotland - everywhere, Acts of Parliament, having this end in view, were passed, and it is those Acts of Parliament which we, the magistrates and watchers, have to see the provisions of enforced. It is useless for you to feel exasperated towards us. You may, if you will, kill us. You will find us a hydra-headed monster. Fresh authoirities will spring up in our places and slip into our shoes. You cannot kill the law. I do implore you, therefore, before there is bloodshed - and bloodshed there will be, if things are to go on as they do now, - I implore all I see before me, especially the large and respectable farmers, to use their influence among their children, servants and dependants, to put down the present state of things, and don't oblige the magistrates to subject the ratepayers to the expense, and the country to the disgrace, of applying for a large police force to maintain the supremacy of the law.
The charge was then dismissed.
KILLING SALMON DURING CLOSE SEASON.
William ROBERTS, labourer, of Llyadinaur, was charged by Supt. Samuel OWEN with taking salmon by means of a snare (the same used for snaring hares), in the river Wye, on the 5th inst. - Defendant admitted the offence. - The Bench fined him £2 and 9s. costs, or 21 days' imprisonment. - The money was paid.
SPORTING INTELLIGENCE - THE WYE.
On the upper part of this river Rhayader to Builth, there have been a few good days' fishing between the successive floods, and some very large fish were taken with the rod; in fact, larger fish than I ever remember to have been caught so early in the year and so high up the river. On Thursday, the 25th, a clean fish 24lb. was killed near Rhayader by Mr. S. OWENS, who also killed one of 211b. on Friday. Mr. Charles THOMAS killed a fish of 21¼lb., on the 26th, on the Llysymam water. Protection of the spawning fish, and the sparing the kelts in past years, are doubtless working this good result, and year by year we shall find the salmon run heavier as well as more numerous. All the anglers on the upper water are looking forward to a good season. From Builth downwards very few fish have been caught, the water not being thoroughly fit any one day. As soon as the river became somewhat settled down came anothe fresh, and so on day by day for the last fortnight, in the most provoking manner. On the Erwood water, the best on the Wye I believe, hardly a single fish has been taken from this cause. To-day (Thursday) the water is one foot too high, but the weather now promises to become more settled and fine, and then in a few days, probably by Saturday, most of the best catches will be in order. I shall hope then to chronicle the capture of a 30lb. fish. The draft-nets at Hereford, Holme Lacy, Fewnhope, and Ross, have done better the last fortnight, but the majority of the fish have escaped them this spring; the stopping nets at the "cribs" in the Crown fishery at New Weir, and also those at Monmouth, have done fairly, but at Cheptstow very few fish have yet been brought in, the fishermen not having begun regularly to take their stations on the river. The Messrs. MILLER are about voluntarily this season to carry out the recommendation of the Board, and have the owner's name and number painted on all their fishing boats, about fifty in number; this custom, now long obsolete, appears to have been general throughout the river in 1791 ! We may learn something from our ancestors, and would venture to recommend, for very many reasons, the adoption of this most useful regulation by boards in other rivers, wherever practicable. - W.Y.E.
WYE BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.
The monthly meeting of this Board was held at the Shirehall, Hereford, on Wednesday last, when the following members were present:- Sir Velters CORNEWALL, Bart., chairman; His Grace the Duke of Beaufort, K.G., Rev. H. BLISSET, Tomkyns DEW, Esq., Lieut.-Colonel ROOKE, J. LLOYD, jun., Esq., Commander CREWE-READ, R.N. (LLandinam, Montgomeryshire), A. THOMSON, Esq. (Breconshire), O. A. WYATT, Esq., Mr. A. MILLER, Mr. D. MILLER, and Mr. Thomas MILLER.
The Unequal Distribution of Fish in the Wye.
The Chairman said he wished to call the attention of the Board to the very unequal distribution of fish in the Wye, and that unless some alteration in the netting were made, it would be useless for the upper proprietors who now preserve the river, to continue its preservation. There was no possible doubt that the past season had been a very good one for the lower proprietors, who had had a great increase of fish, whilst the rod and lines had had a very bad season. Except on two occasions, the upper proprietors had had no fish at all, and there was no doubt that the nets on the river from the sea to Hereford bridge could catch every fish. Next year, too, there would be more nets in use, and as the men would be more expert in their use, if there was no alteration in the system of netting the upper proprietors would be worse off than ever. [There followed a discussion of the causes, and reality or not, of the uneven distribution of fish, particularly salmon, between the lower and upper reaches, proprietors, of the river Wye. No particularly useful conclusion was reached, between modifying the Act of Parliament, or an agreed compromise between proprietors to changes in hours and methods of fishing. As regards the problems of the water-bailiffs who had no rights of patrol close to the river, being private land, the Duke of Beaufort suggested that local magistrates might make orders allowing them to go upon the river banks without trespass.] ...
The Chairman also read the report of Samuel OWENS, who stated that a good many salmon were in the upper waters, and that he hoped the next would be a good season. There wanted more water and the nets taken down below. OWENS likewise reported that the district around Rhayader was quieter, but that people with blackened faces and fine arms were out a fortnight ago.
THE REBECCAITES AT WORK. - A Welsh correspondent of the "Pall Mall Gazette" writes:
As winter comes on, the Rebecca marauders are again at their pranks. A few nights ago, between 12 and 1 o'clock, the attention of the water bailiffs at Rhayader, the place noted for these gangs of fish-poachers, was called to flickering lights on the Wye. Superintendent OWENS and MARSTON, a bailiff, went towards the lights, and saw a gang of upwards of 20 men. They were disguised in various ways, and were destroying the salmon at Rydgwaer Ford, and close to the town. The two men knew that their lives would not be safe in the hands of such a gang, and concealed themselves in some brambles. After a time they separated, and as MARSTON was walking along the road of Rhayader he met three men, one carrying a spear. They instantly set upon him, and he was stabbed in the thigh with the spear. He got away from them, but they again caught him, and insulted and kicked him in a brutal manner.
REBECCA AND HER CHILDREN.
Late on Wednesday night a strong force of about 100 Rebeccaites again visited the waters of the Wye near Rhayader, and in defiance of river watchers and police succeeded in spearing a number of salmon. The watchers did not interfere, and the police, having no definite orders, were quiet spectators of the scene. A man who gave his opinion as to the proceedings was severely treated by the mob, his ribs being broken. He had to be removed to the hospital.
THE REBECCAITES. (pub. London, Friday.)
Two men, named Pryle THOMAS and William DAVIES, have been arrested at Newbridge-on-Wye, charged with belonging to a gang of Rebeccaites who were out last night. They will be brought up at the Rhayader petty sessions.
THE REBECCAITES - THE OUTRAGE ON A POLICEMAN.
A farmer named DAVIES is custody charged with the outrage on Police-constable CAIRNS, at Llanbadarn, on Monday night, when CAIRNS was stabbed with a salmon spear, his arm broken, and other injuries inflicted.
THE REBECCAITES.
A private meeting of Radnorshire magistrates was held at Presteign yesterday to consider the steps to be taken respecting the riots. The police and water bailiffs are insufficient to prevent depredations being committed. Two thirds of the constabulary are now withdrawn.
THE REBECCA RIOTS AT RHAYADER.
At Radnorshire Petty Sessions yesterday a number of persons were charged with aiding and abetting in salmon poaching. The charges arose out of a recent Rebecca riot at Rhayader. - Mr. J. Gwynne JAMES, Hereford, appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Wye Board of Conservators, and Mr. CORNER, Hereford, was for the defence.
The defendants were: - Henry LEWIS, farm servant, John OWEN, shepherd, T. LAWRENCE, farm servant; T. EVANS, J. WORTHING, N. Philip JONES, shoemaker; Chas. JONES, shoemaker; Edward EVANS, railway labourer; Pryce LEWIS, railway labourer; Thomas POWELL, farmer's son; Henry POWELL, farmer's son; Samuel WEBB, gamekeeper; Edward PRICE, innkeeper; Evan PRICE, farmer's son; Reese JONES, grocer's assistant; Edward POWELL, railway ganger.
Wm. IRELAND said he was a watchman. On the 22nd November he and a number of other watchers were attracted to the Abercethon Ford by observing lights on the river Wye. On going towards the place where the lights were, two loud whistles were given, and the lights were put out. He proceeded partly through the crowd, and he heard someone cry, "Here are the old watchers." The crowd then began to throw stones at witness and the watchers under his command. It was dark, and he ordered one of his men to strike an "identifier," which gave a sudden light. By this light he identified Philip JONES. There was a crowd before and behind the watchers and on the railway above them. Witness and the watchers were struck many times by the stones. The watchers were surrounded by a crowd. Witness ordered the watchers to draw their staves and keep together, and he recognised Reece JONES, who threw a stone at witness. The defendant POWELL, who was a ganger on the railway, ordered the watchers off the railway. The people were shouting "Rebecca! Hurrah! Throw the watchers over the bridge into the river." The crowd stopped the watchers from getting hold of the disguised men. Witness was knocked down and kicked severely. A great many people in the crowd were disguised. The identifiers would illuminate a radius of fifty yards. The disturbance took place about nine at night, and continued several hours.
Cross-examined: A great portion of the respectable inhabitants of Rhayader were present. The watchers marched through the crowd, and were immediately stoned.
Re-examined: If it had ot been for the obstruction of the crowd the watchers would have made an attempt to identify all the disguised men. If it had not been for one man crying out, "You are men, and no cowards," the watchers would have been stoned to death.
Francis POULTON, watcher, gave corroborative evidence, and identified several of the defendants, one of whom he knocked down with his staff.
In cross-examination witness said the most respectable inhabitants of Rhayader were amongst the crowd, and in his opinion were as bad as the Rebeccaites, who were disguised. The crowd numbered from 200 to 300 people. They prevented the watchers from getting at the Rebeccaites. Witness was struck by a score of stones.
Edward DAVIES, a watcher, confirmed the statement of previous witnesses, and identified other defendants. Witness was severely injured by the stones. The Rebeccaites were armed with spears or pikes. A man in the crowd appealed to the watchers, saying, "For heaven's sake, come away, or they will murder you."
The case was adjourned to Friday. A memorial is being signed in favour of calling the military into the district.
Twenty-three Rebeccaites were summoned before the magistrates at Rhayder on Tuesday, charged with salmon poaching. The cases were adjourned until Friday. Great excitement prevails. The police continue to patrol the district.
THE REBECCAITES. (Anglesey, Friday.)
The Rhayader magistrates to-day dismissed the charge against sixteen men aiding and abetting the illegal proceedings of the Rebeccaite salmon poachers.
Samuel OWEN(S) jnr. d. 3Q 1881.
pg. 37.
The dramatic change came in the winter of 1866, and the most famous clash, on 22 December. On that evening Samuel OWEN, and nine other water-bailiffs tracked a party of some 20-30 Rebeccaites and finally confronted them at a ford on the river Ithon. [see magistrate's summing-up above]
pg. 47
According to Samuel OWEN, superintendent of the Wye water-bailiffs during the first major Rebecca outbreaks, he had 23 'policemen' under his direction on one occasion. In the winter of 1879 six extra men were stationed at Rhayader.
pg. 52.
When asked in 1860 about the composition of the Rebeccaites, Samuel OWEN had singled out 'farmers, and farmers' sons, and servants', and drawn obvious parallels with the earlier Rebecca movement.
pg. 79
The Wye Fishery Board ... water bailiffs ....
John WILKINS and Samuel OWEN of Rhayader avoided armed conflict if possible, and regularly gave young first offenders the benefit of the doubt.
The author refers to "WILKINS's memoirs".
CHARGE OF SALMON POACHING IN WALES.
At Rhyader (Radnorshire) Police Court yesterday, sixteen defendants were charged on remand from 21st December with aiding and abetting in salmon poaching. Mr. CONNER, for the defence, said the prosecution was impotent, unjust, and oppressive, and the prosecutors (the Conservatory Board) were interested parties, inasmuch as they would obtain the whole of the penalties. John PRYCE, draper, and Evan William HUGHES, post office official, said the man in charge of the watchers on the night in question was drunk, and that the watchers commenced the disturbance which occurred while the Rebeccaites were poaching. The Magistrates eventually dismissed the case.
OUTRAGE BY REBECCA RIOTERS
Two of the witnesses who gave veidence at Knighton yesterday which led to the conviction of the two Rebeccaites, STEPHENS and WILLIAMS, were fired at in Llanbiste parish after they had left the court. Ten shots were discharged, one of the witnesses named ADAMS being hit in the thigh, but not seriously injured.
Professor HUXLEY, the newly-appointed Inspector of Fisheries, commenced an inquiry yesterday at Penybont respecting the amendment of the Salmon Laws and the grievances of the Rebeccaites in the upper waters of the Wye. The Duke of Beaufort gave evidence. The inquiry continues at Builth and Pesavader.
ANNIHILATION OF SALMON. - In the Times Thursday we read the following:-
A telegram from Llanidloes says the Rebeccaites in Radnorshire declare their intention of killing all the spawning salmon in the rivers of the county. The fish are being sold at 3d. per lb. The Rebeccaites claim that they have the sympathy of the upper proprietors and the magistrates in killing the fish.
This certainly reveals a very deplorable state of things in South Wales. Unhappily that portion of the kingdom has long had an unenviable notoriety in regard to salmon fisheries. Ever since 1861, when the remodelled salmon laws were first introduced in South Wales, poachers of Radnorshire and Brecknockshire more or less aided and abetted, or at any rate countenanced by South Wales magistrates, have again and again persistently done very much as they pleased with the fish in spite of the law. Whenever any faint resistence to this condition of lawlessness was made, the advocates of salmon preservation were very quickly made to feel themselves in [an] all but powerless minority. We have frequently called attention to these facts before. government inquiries have been held, witnesses have been officially examined, and official reports have been written, printed and duly presented to Parliament, and there the matter we must assume has rested, for apparently all this official machinery - Salmon Acts, Government Inspectors of Fisheries, annual and special reports to Parliament - have done just nothing at all to ameliorate the condition or assist salmon cultivation in Radnorshire. In fine the Salmon Acts have still to remain a closed letter as regards this portion of the kingdom. It is against the law of the land that any English or Welsh salmon should be sold or exposed for sale in the month of December, yet salmon openly poached from the Welsh rivers are now being sold in Radnor at 3d. per pound. The Times further tells us that the poachers declare their intention of killing all the spawning salmon in the rivers of the county, and that in doing this the poachers claim to have the sympathy of the magistrates and upper proprietors of the rivers. How is it that things have been allowed to come to this pass? We may well ask whose duty it is to see that a stop should be put to these lawless proceedings. (Land and Water)
THE RADNORSHIRE RIOTERS - Mr. R. D. GREEN PRICE, of Dorstone, writes to a London journal:
The report that the Radnorshire Rebecca rioters have been killing salmon of late systematically, and that they boast of having the sympathy of the upper proprietors of the river, is, I am glad to say entirely unfounded. The fact is that during the last few months a settlement has been made of the disputes which have divided the Board of Conservators of the Wye district for the last ten years, and which have unhappily given some colour to the assertion that the upper proprietors were dissatisfied with the state of things, and countenanced the Rebeccaites. A new set of byelaws has been passed by the board, and received the sanction of the Government, by which great concessions have been made to the rod fisheries. One half the season for night netting has been abolished. the close season for rod fishing has been extended, and the scale of licenses has been reduced for the upper portions of the river and its tributaries. Under these circumstances, the upper proprietors have pledged themselves to use their influence for the preservation of the river, and to give a fair trial to the new legislation. I have not heard of a single Rebecca demonstration during the present winter, and of very little poaching of any kind. This is especially true of the river Ithon, formerly the worst district. I have made it my business to inquire into the subject, being an ex-officio conservator for the county of Radnor. Llanidloes, I should mention, from whence your news emanates, is in the Severn district; and although there may be many salmon poachers there, they have nothing to do with Radnorshire or Rebeccaism, of which, I trust, we shall now hear no more.
