The Abergavenny Mail

SATURDAY, MAY 16. 1914. J Topical Tattle. The discussion at the Board of Guardians meeting on the Agricultural Rates Relief Act and the Budget shows that the agricul- turists, who naturally predominate on the Board, are very much alive to their interests as regards rating. The contention of farmers that their position to-day in regard to the rates is worse than it was 20 years ago is only too true, despite the relief granted to the agriculturist under the Agricultural Rates Relief Act. Personally, I am not one of those who is afraid that the tenant agri- culturist is going to suffer under the new proposals. No Government or Cabinet Minister dare propose to make the burdens on agricultural land any heavier, and if there is to be a shifting of burdens it is not the farmer who is going to feel it heavier- the Farmers' Union is too strong for that. But there is no doubt that agriculturists are very keenly alive to any proposals of change in the method of rating, and to my mind the great bugbear of both Unionist and Liberal Governments in the past has been that in granting relief to local rates or allocating taxes collected in a county to that county, there has been a fixed sum. No provision has been made for the growth of rates, with the result that in time the sup- posed relief has disappeared altogether. We have had instances of that in the Agri- cultural Rates Relief Act and local taxation revenue, and what farmers should keep their eye on is that in the forthcoming changes that are to be made due regard should be paid to the future as well as the, present. Writing about rates reminds me that the judgment in the case of the Ledbury Rural District Council v. Lady Henry Somerset will probably mean an addition to the rates, as the costs are sure to be pretty high. There is still, of course, the question of appeal, but if that goes forward and the Counoil again lose in will mean a further increase to the rates. Anyhow, it looks as if there is the material for a right glorious growl on the part of the ratepayers. But these things will happen, and what is won over one extraordinary traffic case seems to be gobbled up quickly by the next. The gathering at Ledbury Kennels on Wednesday on the occasion of the Ledbury Hunt Puppy Show was an extremely interesting one and not less interesting were the speeches at the luncheon afterwards. There is no doubt the prestige of the Led- bury country has improved wonderfully since Sir George Bullough took over the Mastership and everything is carried on in the most thorough manner, from the smallest detail upwards, the result being that the Ledbury has improved out of all recognition during the past few years, both from a hunting and country point of view. In these days of revolutionary changes and a cry in certain quarters against the sport- happily not to be found in this district-it is worth while rejecting 08 the capital out- lay annually on a pack such as the Ledbury Is. Both from a sportiiag and a country point of view the Ledbury Hunt is a necessity to the well-being of the town itself. Resignations continue in regard to teachers at the Ledbury elementary schools, and there have been another couple such recently, though happily neither is con- nected with the recent strike. The scarcity of teachers becomes more pronounced as time goes on, and at Ledbury, following on the recent batch of resignations, temporary appointments have had to be made-certain of them at half as much again as the usual salaries. If money ever was wasted on education since elementary schools were formed, then it has been in Herefordshire this year. The day of reckoning will surely come, and it will not be a pleasant one for the education authorities of the county. How much are they likely to get out of the proposed grant for education under the new Budget ? The recent train alterations are not even known to some of the railway officials, or at least to one of that ilk, who last week bad an experience which has been the talk of the countryside. He is the head-sa-rag of one of those small stations between Led- bury and Hereford, and as it was his turn to be early off-duty last week, he took a trip up to Hereford May Fair on Thursday. He sauntered from the resort of pleasure in time to catch the last train, so he thought, but to his dismay be discovered that the last train for this direction now departs at 8-10 and not 8-25, and that it had departed, leaving him stranded. So there was nothing for it but a taxi. But fancy a railway official forgetting the alteration in the time table Ye gods! f Four cronies had been to a certain recent function which shall be nameless, and wending their way homewards one of the party startled his friends by asking What are more policemen about here for ? One of the party quickly replied, There are not more; it's yc. who are seeing double." f TATTLER. j

I LEDBURY COUNCIL SCHOOLS. I The monthly meeting of the Ledbnry Council Schools managers was held at the Barrett-Brown- ing Institute on Wednesday afternoon, when there were present:—Messrs Spencer H Bickham (chairman) presiding, the Rector (the Rev F W Carnegy), the Rev Father Lynch, and R Law- rence, together with the Correspondent (Mr H Vernon Smith),and the School Attendance Officer (Mr S W Mills). Mr Lawrence gave the school attendance retarns for the past month, as follows :—Boys' school, average percentage 86, girls' school 80, infants, whole school 79, over five years of age 80. It was reporsed that there had been a good lot of sickness about. No list of absentees from the girls' school had been submitted for some tim-G. r RESIGNATIONS. I Letters were read from Mr F M Draper, un- certificated assistant at the boys' school, resigning his position, and also from Miss E F Ballinger, uncertificated assistant at girls' school, resigning her appointment. There was also a letter from Dr. Harrison stating that Miss K Underwood, uncertificated assistant at the infamts' school, was suffering from anemia, and he had ordered her away for a fortnight's change of air. The managers then went in Committee.

COLWALL NEWS. I COLWALL RACES. I For tke steeplechases and hurdle races at Colwall Park on Monday next, capital entries have been received. They are as follow: Stewards' Handicap Hurdle, 16 Ledbury Sel- ling Handicap Hurdle, 15; Colwall Park Selling Hurdle, 14 Barton Steeplechase, 15 British Camp Steeplechase, 14 and the 44 Page Cup (an open hunters' handicap steeplechase, a cup value 225 with an added 225 for the winner) 20. The arrangements are always admirable, and there should be a suacessful and enjoyable meeting. ODDFELLOWS' BALL. I An annual event which is looked forward to with pleasure is the festival and ball of the Loyal Bright Female Lodge of Oddfellows. The Committee, consisting of Miss Freeman, P G, Mrs C Pedlingham, P G, Mrs Kite, PG, Mrs Houldridge, P G, Miss Bourton, Mrs Hyde, N G, and the obliging Permanent Secretary, Miss Corfield, worked with a will, and the affair was quite a success, about 70 being present. The proceedings commenced with a high tea. At the conclusion. Deputy Provincial Grand Master (Malvern District) Bro Staples, congratulated the Lodge on its success and progress. Dancing followed, the M C's being P P G M B Marshall and P D G M T Staplesi(Overbury). Miss C King was the pianist, and gave every satisfaction.

OUR WEEKLY CALENDAR. Events advertised in these columns or for which we have received printing orders. TO-DAY (FRIDAY)— Picture Palace, Royal Hall, Ledbury, 8 p.m. TO-MORROW (SATURDAY)- Cricket Matches (see fixtures). Pictn Palace, Royal Hall, Ledbury, 2-30, (i W and 8.45 p.m. SUNDAV— Church Services. Ledbury Brotherhood, Town Hall, Ledbury, 3 p.m. MONDAY- Colwall Races. Picture Palace, Royal Hall, Ledbury, 8 p.m. TUESDAY- Ledbury Stock Market. Picture Palace, Royal Hall, Ledbhry, 8 p.m. WEDNESDAY- Ledbury Police Court, 11 a.m. Picture Palace, Royal Hall, Ledbury, 8 p.m. THURSDAY— Sale of Household Furniture and Out-door Effects, and 40 acres of Grass Keep at Coddington Court, for the Executors of the late Major Martindale-Vale, by Messrs. Pope and Smith, at 1 p.m. Picture Palace, Royal Hall, Ledbury, 8 p.m. FRIDAY— Annual Dinner, Ledbury and District Air- Rifle League, New Inn Hotel, Ledbury. 7.30 p.m. Picture Palace, Royal Hall, Ledbury, 8 p.m. SATURDAY- Prize Sale of Horses at Hereford Market,. by Messrs Jackson and McCartney. Cricket MaN-hes (see Fixtures). Picture Pal tee, Royal Hall, Ledbury, 2.30, 6.30, 8.45 p.m. FORTHCOMING EVENTS. May 28—Visit of Captain Clive to Ledbury and District L),dge National Conservative League, New Inn Hotel, Ledbury, 8 p.m. June 25—Garden Fete at Canon-Ffronie Court. July 30-Hartpury and District Horse Show, Flower Show and Sports. August 3-Redmarley and District Flower Sltow.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. LEDBURY NURSING ASSOCIATION. To the Editor. Sir,—Your readers may like to be informed of the fact that a district nurse has been engaged, and will start work in Ledbury this week. The following are the Committee elected by the retiring Committee of the late Sick Nurse Fund :—President, Lady Biddulph of Ledbury Chairman, Mrs Martin (the Upper Hall) Committee, Hon. Violet Biddulph, Mrs Maddison Green, Rev F W Carnegy, Dr Miles Wood Hon Secretary and Hon. Treasurer, Miss K H Martin, Linden House. The Ledbury Nursing Association is affiliated with the Herefordshire County Nursing Associa- tion. The following is a short extract of the rules :-Only those persons eligible to receive the services of the parish doctor are nursed free of charge. In all other cases a small fee is charged for the services of the nurse, to be fixed by the Committee, taking wages and cir- cumstances into consideration. Tickets to be obtained from Miss Martin, Linden House, New-street. On payment of 2s a year, any family receiving 20s or under a week or 2s 6d a year for 20a to 30s, may have the services of the nurse during the year free. Maternity cases are nursed at a fee of 10s. Nurse Bowen is the name of the new nurse. Yours truly, I K. H. MARTIN, Hon. Sec. and Hon. Treas. Linden House, Ledbury. May 11, 1914.

ALLEGED DAMAGE TO PIANOS. Important Action at Hereford County Court. A case of considerable importance to piano dealers was heard at Hereford County Court on Wednesday, before his Honour Judge Harris Lea. Messrs Heins and Co., Hereford, music dealers, claimed from the Great Western Rail- way Company B2 10s for damage alleged to have been caused to three pianos in transit from Stroud to Hereford. Despite the fact that the instruments were conveyed in strong wooden cases and in a box van, the plaintiffs contended that the damage must, have been done by steam, the polish having been changed to a milky appearance, while the wires and action required attention. Numerous railway officials proved that the van was dry, and said it was impossible for any steam to come in contact with the pianos. Mr Tudsbery (for defendants) "said this was an important case from the railway company's point of view, as they had countless claims. William Rowland Bird, chief chemist to the defendant company, said he had investigated a large number of cases of this character during the past seven years and he had come to the conclusion that the primary cause of the whiteness was condensation of moisture from the air inside the packing cases through 1 variation of temperature. Even an air dried packing-case contained 15 per cent. to 20 per. cent. of moisture. If packing-cases had ven- tilation he did not think these instances of damage would occur. During an experiment he had obtained three gallons of water from a packing-case. He was sure that condensation in a changing atmosphere would cause the damage described, and damage would be greater on a newly-polished piano. Mr Todsbery said where goods were carried at the company's risk the liability of the company was very great, but they were only open to pro- vide reasonable facilities, and if anything occur- ed over which they had obviously no control they could not be held liable. Judgement was recorded for the defendants, but the Judge said he could allow only the or- dinary costs of the action. He could not penal- ise Messrs Heins by allowing the costs of a large number of witnesses.

LOCAL NEWS. I LEDBURY PARISH CHURCH. I RECTOR: REV. F. W. CARNEGY, M.A., R.D. CURATE KBV. 0. F. R. STRICKLAND, B.A. ORGANIST MR. F. A. HOBRO. LESSONS FOR SUNDAY, MAY 17th. 5th Sunday after Easter MORNING. I EVENING. Dent. 6. Dent 9. John 5, 24. 1 Tim. 6. S a.m.—Holy Communion. 11 a.m.—Matins Hymns 209, 143, 322. 12 (noon) Holy Commuuion. 6.30 p,m.-Evensong and Sermon. Hymns 270, 166, 247, 24. Collections—Church Expenses. Thursday—Ascension Day. 8 and 11-15, Holy Communion. 11, Matins. 5-30, Children's Service. 8, Evensong. Church Army (Captain Nash)—Church Room, Sunday evenings, 6-30 p.m. Daily Matins 10 a.m., except on Wednesdays Fridays and Holy Days, when it is at 11 a.m. Daily Evensong at 5-30 p.m. CATHOLIC CHURCH, Southend Street. RECTOR-REV. F. C. LYNCH. Morning—Masses 9.0 and 11.0. Sunday School held at 3-30. Evening Service and Benediction 6.30. Mass daily at 8. Catechism each morning at 9. Benediction and Sermon on Thursdays, 8 p.m. CONGREQATIONAL CHURCH, High Street. PASTOR-REV. H. A. BARNES. Morning 11. Evening 6.30. Sunday School, 3 p.m. WESLEYAN CHAPEL, Homend Street. SUPT. MINISTER-REV. GEORGE DYER. Sunday—10-30 a.m. and 6-30 p.m., Mr Hart. Collections—Education Funds. Wednesday, 7 30 p.m.—Mr W J Bray. SUNDAYS. Newent-11 If.m. and 6-30 p.m., Mr A Warren. Staun ton- I i a. i) i. and 6-30 p.m., Mr T Bray. Pendock- I I tt. iii. and 6 p.m., Mr Bullock. Redmarley—3 p.m. and 6-30 p.m., Mr Pen warden. Birtsmorton—11 a.m. and 6-30 p.m., Mr H Bray. Colwall—11 a.m. and 6-30 p.m., Mr Horn. Much Marcle—3 p.m., Mr Norman. Bosbury-6 p.m., Mr Swift. BAPTIST CHAPEL, Homend Street. Sunday—11 a.m. and 6-31) p.m. Preacher- Rev Stanley Cox, of Gorsley. Sunday School—10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday-Praise and Prayer Meeting, 7-30 Friday-Christian Endeavoui. 7-30 Chas. Hodges' Bread, Standard or White, purity and quality guaranteed. Daily deliveries.-42, Bye Stieet, Ledbury. The G. W.R. announce special excursion facilities for Whitsuntide (see advert). The Ledbury Gas Company announce that their show room in New-street, Ledbury, will in the summer months be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7.30 to 9 p.m. HUGHES' TOBACCO STORES. The largest stock and variety in the town. See the windows. High class Hair cutting and Shaving Saloon. Raeors ground ane, set. Umbrellas re-covered and repaired on the premises at the shortest notice. Second-hand bookseller. A large selection of second-hand books on all subjects. Any quantity second-hand books bought for cash. -76, Homend St., Ledbury. John Haines and Sons, Practical Chimney Sweeps, Homend Street, Ledbury. All Orders Promptly attended to. Distance no object. Established 1830. Mr E H Hopkins, C.C., underwent another operation for appendicitis at Ledbury Cottage Hospital on Monday last, and stood the opera- tion well. We learn upon enquiry this (Friday) morning that his condition shows improvement. A WBLSH ROMANCE.—Lovers of the Allan Raine style of novel should read the thrilling romance, Miss Phillips of Llan-Eithin, by Ellen Richards, now appearing in the 44 Mont- gomery County Times. Copies may be ob- tained at the Reporter Office. Carpenter's. Ltd. Ales and Stout are always reliable. Brewed for family con- sumption only.-Ledbury AgentW H Alleyne, New-street. Spectacles and Eyeglasses. We test the sight scientifically without any charge and supply the exact glasses necessary in well- fitting frames at very moderate prices. Spectacles from 2/6 per pair. Satisfaction guaranteed.— MINCHIN, Chemist and Optician, 15, Westgate, Gloucester. George Lloyd (late James Lloyd), Chimney Sweep, Church Lane, Ledbury. Distance no object. Prompt and personal attention to all orders. REWARDS FOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.—At a meeting of the Ledbury Rural District School Attendance Committee, held at the Barrett- Browning on Tuesday last, it was announced that the Rankin silver medal had been awarded to Wilfred Pedlingham, son of Mr Chas Ped- lingham, of Wellington Heath, for five years' complete attendance at the schools there. At the same meeting the chairman, Rev A N Cope, on behalf of eighteen members of the committee, presented two volumes of the Children's Encyclopedia" to Gertrude Hardwick, of Mathon (who attended with her mother), in appreciation of eight years' complete attendance at West Malvern Schools.—In making the presentation, the Chairman explained that owing to the girl attending a Worcestershire school, the Rankin medal was not available, but the Committee felt that a Herefordshire child living in their district with such a splen- did record should not go unrewarded. Their Clerk had therefore collected subscriptions from members, and they had bought the two volumes, which he hoped she would use, and that her regularity and punctuality, without which none can succeed, would characterise her ilfe. Regular attendance was good for the rates and for the efficient education of the children, but above all it instilled habits of discipline and order, which were most important to them in after life.-The vice-chairmon (Rev B Hallowes) and Mr H J Betteridge endorsed the Chairman's remarks, the latter facetiously suggesting that he doubted if the Chairman himself could boast of such a record as eight years' complete attendance.-The. books, which were hand- somely bound in half-leather, were subscribed by the following Revs A N Cope, B Hal- lowes, C Money-Kyrle, F S Stooke- Vaughan, Canon Bulkeley, Dr Harris, W P P Matthews, L G Hunt, A Jones, Messrs W S and E Lane, W H Brookes, H J Betteridge, W L Pritchett, T A Pedlingham, E H Hopkins, J A Thompson, Miss Holland, and the Clerk, H W Hayter. Useful and Decorative Antiques in Furniture, China, Silver, etc., at reasonable price*. Prompt attention and cash to disposers of above.—W. A. Pennington, College Court, Gloucester.

THE BUDGET AND TARIFF REFORM. To the Editor. Sir,—The latest Budget of Mr Lloyd George irust bring home to every business man the acute necessity for a complete revision of our fiscal system. Income-tax, which both Mr Asquith and Mr Lloyd George have in the past condemned because it was maintained at Is in the pound, has now reached Is 4d. In addition there is the supertax ranging up to an additional Is 4d on large incomes, whilst death duties are increased until in the case of large estates one fifth of the property is confiscated at death. The net result of these fresh impositions is that the stream of fluid wealth which circulates through all classes of the community is turned away from national industry, that existing industries will have to bear a very considerable fresh burden on top of all the extra charges of recent years, and that capital will become scarcer for all industrial development. The Budget provides that £10,000,000 this year and Y,16,000,000 next year shall be added to the taxation of this country, which is already the most highly taxed in the world, and the bulk of these taxes will eventually fall on the shoulders of the wage-earners for whom capital finds employment. A reasonable tariff upon foreign manufactures and luxuries would raise a similar sum and at the same time have the effect of giving more employment, relieving rates by the establishment of additional industries, increasing the flow of fluid wealth through all sections of the community and increasing the productive capacity of the country. In view of these facts, and of the complete abandonment of Free Trade tradition by the present Government, it should now be easier for Free Traders to support the policy of Tariff Reform, and once more we invite them to choose between the policy of Mr Lloyd George and that of Mr Chamberlain. Yours faithfully, H. PAGE CROFT. House of Commons, S. PAGE CROFT. 12th May, 1914.