The Aberystwith Observer

Dolby's Disillusionment. A LOCAL STORY BY A LOCAL WRITER. "I'U tell yer wot it ia," said old Dolby, with R ponderous air of finality, it's all darned •laoaafcina." Tbm faithful participants in the nightly tap- ?^pai talk at the Airl and Mallet" were silent. «i*t way safety lay. For thing, the argu- ment had become more than usually tense, even lor baff Ser'day" night. The quarrymen 5? Crogan were apt to be cursed with a. grumpy on "buff Ser-days* which, alternat- ing with the welcome fortnightly pay days, fofand the greater portion of them often too de- ficient for contentment's sake of the base where- withal to command a satisfying quantum of <t8leevers." For another thing, old Dolby was fiot to be frivolously gainsaid. The one and cobbler in Little Crogan was something of 1\n oracle, and had all the parochial oracle's aanuoer of expressing his opinions. Even if one were tiure of his ground, it wiae not always a Peasant or a safe thing to utter contradiction °f lus peculiar philosophy. There was an almost certain prospect of retaliation, either directly- Vateh at the "Awl end Mallet" waa much too fa-equenta happening for the landlord's liking— or indirectly by the indifferent manner in which one g footwear was "tapped" when it was next sent to Dolby's for needful repair. Dolby was gifted with a long memory and an insatiate de- glra for revenge. So when the cobbler uttered his sweeping condemnation most of his friends fiodded approval. A few were obviously unim- pressed, but they were silent. Only Bumphrey, the little sexton, who was the cause of it all, had the temerity to take up the challenge— after a little while. Aye, all's moonshine wot don't go down with you," he retorted, and called for another aleever of home-brewed to fortify his. ebbing courage. Dolby was no mean antagonist, ana was wor- thy of the beet weapons. And the company looked to Bumphrey, as the initiator of the de- bate, to defend his position. He had made an stilus ion to the newspaper reports of alleged giios-tly visitations in the South Wales mining dist.rict, and had provoked heated discussion by valiantly expressing his undying belief in the.se and any other authenticated evidences of the supernatural. Now if there was anything Dol- by professed to hold in more contempt than Anything else it was a ghost story, and if there r, Y, lHUt any man he secretly despised more than anybody else that man was Bumphrey. His at- titude in these matters was quite consistent with the views he held. To his materialistic tnind belief in the supernatural was an unmis- takeable si-gn of mental weakness. His griev- ance against the sex-ton was based on the tVS- sumption that he possessed a, superior claim to the dignity and honour of the ecclesiastical office which that self-conscious little man occu- pied. So when Bumphrey aired his convictions stnont ghosts, Dolby poured out his wrath. It was all "darned moonshine." It's all very well to shout darned moon- shine," Bumphrey continued, u but wot ctbaht Tom Grosley when he found th' gold in th' old tree holler. Warn't it a ghost what sort o' fig- gured in th' cross-roads and pinted out th' say- cret fur him? An' wot abaht. them there sceencee wot that Mister Sted had? Ain't it a sperrit of th' other wurrld wot says them tilings.?" .• Bumphrey glowered at the assembled cronies and taking off his hat, attempted to cool the in- ner rim with the aid of his coat clceve. But Dolby was blessed with a tenacious disposition as well as ift long memory. With him the prime motto in life -was to "stick to yer last." Yah, yoti've bin .sloshing th' drink till ycr fancies tilings," he snapped out in reply to the fieston's interrogations. He spoke with an arrogant superiority borne of life-long observ- r, ance of the golden rule that "fowr sleeves a night ai-e enough for any man." After a pause to light his blackened clay he proceeded, "I'll lick my knee stone if there be a pair of bigger Annamases than yer Tom Grosley an' yer Sted. Their fairy tales, I tell yer, are a deloosion. They're tW 'maginations of them there jerryanl- ist blokes. You've never seed 'em only when Parlleymint ctint croaking. When there's no noos, these 'ere blokes come along wid their sperrit rappin'e and eea sarpints. In my young days," glancing condescendingly at the young members of the group, "things w'r di{Trent. But now Yah and he spat on the sawdust besprinkled floor with great vehemence. Bumphrey had concentrated all his forces for one more assault, and was on the point of mak- ing reply when Briggs, the landlord, ,appeared in the doorway and dangled a huge bunch of keys above his head in token of the fact that "stop-tap time" had arrived. Outside the i stolid representative of law and order in Little Grogan was pacing watchfully up and down, and the croniea had to separate just when they were minded to forma group on iili. ecfable- etones and continue the discussion. At the Sunday morning service in the quaint little Parish Church, Bumphrey went about his multifarious duties with a facial expression that denoted mood of deep and gloomy abstraction. It was evident to the meet superficial observer that the sexton wae not a little troubled. The fact was he could not dismiss from his mind the painful reflection that the part he bore in the previous evening's debate had been entirely unworthy of his oratorical powers. His most cherished predilections had been openly flouted, and his replies had been weak and inconclusive. Metaphorically Dolby had wiped the floor" with him, and his self-esteem had sustained a severe blow: Had his rival been Hurdy or Miggs or IBig Willie, it would not have mattered greatly. On another occasion he could hare had his own back, ass he expressively phrased it. But Dolby! It was a most vile out. How to get even with Dolby was the question— for get even he must. iSo busily was he engag- ed in revolving this pressing problem in his mind that for once in a way he forgot to make a mental note of the Vicar's text or to count in* 0 N. _u • 11- VIIT. 1- = 1.1: numoer or wotmuppens in 1,ne ituliu uiuiumg. And after dinner, instead of settling dowa at ease for the customary napj, the picked up his hat and went for a stroll. He must have time to think. Down by the old coach bridge ho met. Miggs, who languidly amusing him- self by disturbing the serene surface of the deep pool below by moans of small stones which he had collected in a neat methodical pile on the parapet. This was one of his peculiar whims. Tom Migga was a settsman at Great Crogan quarry and one of pet particular friends. Altio keen antipathy to Dolby, and everything that was Dolby's. He gavo the sexton a cheery greeting, but noticing his moody abstraction, went on* casting his aimless miesles and watching the eddying Tip- ples in the wat-er until the pile was exhausted. What's troubling yer; Jimmy?" he queried at Jut. Bumphrey made a gesture expressive ef the deepest despair." It's that crusted old Dolby," he replied, fiercely. If them Socialist idees of hissen don't bring harm to th' place my name ain't Bumphrey. lie gets hold of tIt- young fellers and turns their brains. Now he says there ain't sperrits and next he'll swear there a'int any God. He's double-dyed infidel, that's what he ii and I should like to give him a clip under th' earhole." Tut, tut, 'taint any horgymint ter do it, even if yer could," Miggs remonstrated. The previous evening five had been acutely conscious of the disadvantage under which the little sex- ton laboured in his collfliet with the cobbler, and had silently symptathised with him. But the idea of Bumphrey administering corporal retali- aition tickled his sense of humour, and he laugh- ed. fk/Rnf, /-vm,r> T rln T,?" CiJJA",tinJ]prl 1)15 'IV ,a. ""1"1' friend in perplexity. 'The problem that had been troubling him all day was a long way from solution. Miggs scratched his. ear. If I cucldent do s he replied, I'd eat my hat. Let me jest think." Bumphrey watched the interesting process in suspense. Very deliberately the settsanan cut a few slices of his bacoa. slab, and filled his big "Sunday best" cherry pipe. Smokin5," he explained sen tentiou sly, helpo ter clear yer thoughts." After puffing in furious fughion for some minutes, he startled his careworn com- panion by giving him a resounding thwack on the back. I'll tell yer what we'll do," he cried exult- antly, we'll frit old Dolby until he'll never be able to hear tn' word ghost without a, shudder- ing fit. Ay, wot?" and lie commenced to dance about on one leg to the unspeakable horror of passing chapel goers. Bumphrey appeared incredulous. But when Miggi elaborated his idea he suddenly became quite cheerful, and entered with avidity upon a discussion of details. It was not long before the plot was carried unanimously, and the con- spirators separated. Bumphrey's step as lie walked to the Parish Church that evening was springy and elated. Sweet is the prospect of revenge! Midnight had just struck when the sexton left his little cottage in the Church lane, and crossing the intervening garden plot cautiously knocked at Miggs' back door. He was at once admitted by the settsman himself, who in a. tense whisper warned him against making tha slightest noise, fer fear o' waking th' missus an' th' kiddies." Bumphrey nodded an emphatic acquiescence, but as he stepped into the kitchen his foot caught the draught-ledge in the door- way, and he went sprawling on the floor up- setting a cane-bottomed chair and creating a great rattle in the process. Miggs rapped out a comprehensive oath, and glowered fiercely at his prostrate companion. You—you blithering idiot," he gasped, "d'ye want to spile it all?" His indignation almost clioken him. Bumphrey thought it prudent to abstain from replying, and for some minutes a, chilling silence prevailed. Luckily the sexton's mishap did not seem to have been heard. With a sigh of re- lief he picked himself up and sat on a chair. It was a position more in keeping with his dignity. Miggs assumed the air of a man who is willing to let bygones be bygones. After all, he re- flected, he had as much at stake in the matter on hand as had the sexton. The possible humi- liation of Dolby wa.s a consummation to be wished and worked for. So he quietly opened a dresser-drawer and brought out a bail of thick black cord and a couple of strong big-jawed letter clips. Them's the Iwrigines of war," he facetiously explained as he placed the articles on the table. Bamphrey's drooping spirits revived at sight of these wavlike preparations, and eagerly agreed to the final details of the plot. First lliggs ascended the stairs in his stockinged feet and having fastened one of the clips to the cord dropped it from the window of the spare bed- room which adjoined Dolby's house. Then he fixed the spare end of the twine to the bed-post, blew out the candle, and waited rlevelonments. Presently Bumphrey emerged round the cornel: I from the backway and grasping the dangling clip after a weary search in the dark cautioneiy affixed its jaws to the brass knoeko-i- on Dolby'e front door. Then lie gave a low whistle as IiJJ.g- nal to Miggs that all was really and that schem- ing gentleman immediately I)eyaii operations. He gave the communication cord a judicious tug, and had the satisfaction of hearing a dis- tinct" rap on the cobbler's door. There fol- lowed a succession of tugs. i Rat—tat—tat—tat—tat—-tat. Rat-tat- i tat-tat--tat--tftt.. Rat—tat—tat—tat j t.at-iat. < Suddenly the casement of a bedroom window i creaked, and a head was thrust out into the ] chill night air. 1 "Who's there?" queried a voice. It was Dol- i by's. 1 The only reply was a perfect volume of rap- ] tappings. I "Wot d'ye want?" the cobbler shouted angri- < iy. < Rat-tat-tat-tat-ta t-tat. ] "If yer don't go awa', I'll come doon and i snap every darned bone in yer dirty body." < Rat—tat—tat—tat—tat—tat.. t Miggs, the arch-plotter, chuckled delightedly, t He waa careful not to over-pull the cord, and t the scheme waa working admirably. Bumphrey i who had rejoined his companion rubbed his < hands with glowing satisfaction. I "Rat—tat—tat—tat—tat—tat" went tha ] knocker again. < Dolby's aggressive mood gave way to A oondi- t tion of palpable nervousness'. Wud yer mind 1 ans'ring, sir," he meekly supplicated. i tRat-tat-tat-tat-ta,t-tet. Rat-tat- I tat—tat—tat—tat. Rat—tat—tat—tat ( tat-tat. J A fearsome doubt seized the shivering cob- 1 bler. As he peered through the heavy darkness he fancied he could see something white. He suddenly remembered the Saturday night con- vers-ation. Could it be a ghost? Gould it be that the unseen epirits had been offended by his bold declaration of unbelief and were now seeking to wreak their vengeance upon him? He slammed the window to at the thought and completely buried himself in the bedclothes. But the mysterious calling became increasingly insistent. Rat —t at—t at—tat—tat—t a t. Dolby shuddered. He could not get rid of the awful idea that had jumped into his mind. He wondered whether Miggs, his only next-door neighbour, had heard the rappings. Evidently not. What a. pity it was that he had allowed his daughter Maggie to spend the week-end with lier cousins. He devoutly wished he were not alone. Rat—tat—tat—tat—tat—tat. Sleep was a. physical impossibility. Even though he had completely muffled his head in the patchwork quilt, he could hear the sounds rum- bling through the house. Besides, the thought* which coursed through his mind were not con- ducive to repose. Suddenly the knock- er stopped. He got up and once more opened the casement. "Who's there?" he questioned. No .answer. What d'ye want?" No answer, not even a single rat-tat. Whatever it was it must have gone a way, he thought. He summoned up sufficient courage to go downstairs. In the passage he stopped and listened. Everything was deadly quiet. He placed 'his hand on the door and withdrew the bolt, Meanwhile :I\1iggs had been intently watchful He heard the creak of the bolt as it was with- drawn, and at once gave the communication cord an extra strong pull. It released the paper clip, and the knocker fell back again with a re- sounding thiul. The cobbler was in the act of opening the door. Right. in front of him wias a 9, white, immovable, deathly face. He collapsed. Before dawn broke Bumphrey noiselessly rc- moved the white-enamelled draper's dummy which Miggs had borrowed from Hurdy, tha universal provider of Little Crogan, who com- bined the businesses of grocer, draper,, provi- sion dealer, and oil merchant under the same roof. Dolby was strangely quiet at the next Awl and iMallet" session. His friends could not help noticing his gloomy melancholy. He did not dominate the debate as was his usual wont. He was content to gaze mournfully at his com- panions. To their polite enquiries about the state of his health he. testily replied that he was "orl right." But his dishevelled appearance belied his words. Miggs and Bumphrey sue cess'fully concealed all symptoms of delight. At last the sexton, with a cunning which the arch- plotter would never have given him credit for, started reading out the lastest in the Daily Wobbler" anent the South Wales spiritual visi- tation. The helpless cobbler fled. B.

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Mr David Davies's Foxhounds. On Saturday the meet was at Llandinam Bridge when the field included the following Z, -The Master, Dr Stevenson, Messrs W. E Pryce-Jones, Hilary Evan-Jones (Gro, New- ,town), Edwards (Talprth), Savage (Glanvein- on), Williams (Bwlchllyn), H. E. Reese (Lion Hotel), Savage (Emporium), George (.painter), and several footmen. A move was made to Pwllan Hill, but it proved blank, as also did Penrhyllan Hill. Voel Hill was next tried and immediately the hounds entered the Rock a fox was put up. He made over the top as if for the Borth Farm, whore he turned right-handed badk to Lleast, then over to Glyn Hill, Rhoe- go-varnog and Cwm, by Hafod-fraith where he turned back across the bottom of the hill to the Glyn. Here Reynard sought refuge in an earth but Little Spot soon bolted him. He then made down through the Sack, up the Voel Rocks to the Havod, then back into the Rooka again j crossed over into the Sack, then round for Rhos-go-vamog House. The hounds were now pressing very hard, and Reynard again made for the Rocks, but his race had come to an end. and the whole field had the pleasure of viewing the hounds run into their quarry near the Glyn House. Mrs Williams and the other members of the household were also witnesses of the death. Wednesday saw the hounds at Mochdre when the following were present: The Master. MoeMB W. E. Pryce-Jones, H. Evan-Jones (Newtown). E. W. Savage, J. Pugh (Havod), Price Pngk (Havod), Ernest Bowen (Dygwm), D." E. Tik- ley, J. Evans (Wainhir), T. Morgan, and T. Reese iStcpaside, and secretary of fche Hunt).— The field trotted off up to Havod Plantation where the hounds epoke to a line, but failed te do anything with it. They then tried Cwm Rocks, but it proved blank." Dygwm Hill was next drawn, when a fox was found in a brake of gorse. He quickly made tracks back for Cwm Rocks, broke out at the bottom, crossed close to the Dygwm House, and into Dygwm Rocks. Thinking to deceive the hounds, he pretended to scale the Rocks, causing two hounds and a terrier to fall several yards dows the rocks, but they were luckily none the worse for their tumble. The hounds getting on to his line again made a,good ring round the turbarr. then cros-sed over to Havod Hill and Penthryn. Thence they went down the dingle to the Havod where he turned back up the Havod Wood t. Pent.hryn Dingle, where he hid himself in some brambles. The hounds nearly got on to him, but he managed to save his brush this time. After running him down the dingle a little way they ran into him in the open a very fine dog fox. The Master and Tilsley were first in. The run lasted I hour 25 minutes. The brush was presented to Mr H. Evan-Jones, and the mask to Mr D. Hughes, Tynywern. ONB IN THE HUNT.

Montgomeryshire Education Committee. Reappointment of Chairman. NO HOPE OF LOWER RATE: HEAVY BUILDING EXPENDITURE. The Police Court at New-town could hardly ac- commodate the large number of members of the Education Committee who met on Tuesday. There were present Mrs Davies, Mrs Humph- reys-Owen, Mrs Hugh Lewis, Mrs Willans, Col E. Pryoe-Jones-, Messrs R. Lloyd, A. W. Wil- liams-Wynn, R. Jones, Hugh Lewis, Richard Rees, J. Marshall Dugdale, W. Soott Owen, W. Humphreys, John Pugh, F. Langford, E. S. Perrott, Charles Shuker, Rev T. E. Williams, Rev D. H. Hughes, Messrs Richard Phillips, David Pi-yce, J. W. Poundley, W. P. Jones, W. George, J. D.&vies, E. Breese, Edward Hamer, D Rees, Edward Jones, F. G. Ho worth, E. R. Owen, G Owen, John Rees, David Hamer, Evan Lewis, J. Godfrey Bowen, William Ash- ton, C. J. Newell, J Hamer Jones, David Jones, Evan Roberts, J. Lloyd Peate, W. Jones, L. D. Humphreys, John Edwards, E. M. Jones, E. H. Roberts, and David Jones, together with the clerk (Mr Llewelyn Phillips), Mr MiJsom (from the clerk's office), and Mr Hutching (county sur- veyor). ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN. Mr Richard Lloyd said he bad great pleasure in moving that Mr Richard Jones be the chair- man for the ensuing year. He did so, not be- cause Mr Jones was a personal friend—(laugh- ter)—nor because he was very- agreeable in his manner—(laughter)—and made sometimes some very pleasing little speeches there. He propos- ed him to the chair because he knew—not what he thought or heard—that Mr Jones was a gen- tleman who would well attend to the work. He had done it, ,in the past, and he understood it, and spared no labour nor time. He devoted the whole of his time pretty nearly and his great brain power—(laughter)—to this important work. It did require some brain power to un- derstand how they were to get the whole of the children who were of school age into the school, and how they were to give them the best pos- sible education. Mr Jones was an expert oil all those matters. Colonel Pryce-Jonee seconded. He said he knew it was the wish of the majority that one of them should be the c-hairrnan of that import- ant committee. He seconded the motion with additional pleasure because his friend Mr Lloyd proposed it. A vote of thanks to Mr Jones for his services during the past year was coupled with the ap- pointment, and the motion was carried mtani-. mousey, Mr Jones assumed the chair amid the ap' plause of the members. He said lie counted it a I very great lionour to be asked to continue in the chair of the Education Committee for another year. That showed that he had generally given satisfaction to the committee by his conduct in the chair, and it showed also that the commit- tee were s-atLefled on the whole with the way in which the Act had been administered. There was no disguising the fact that there was a very real line of demarcation between the parties on 'hat committee, but. still underlying all their dif- ferences he believed there was a real spirit of 2omradeship among them, and that helped to modify their differences as far as possible. Un- .ess they approached the work in that spirit, he ivas sure that they were not likely to accomplish for- much, nor were, they likely to satisfy the Board of Education. He should like to be in a position to say something promising to the over- burdened ratepayer, but when they considered iiat the number of children in attendance was lecreasing and that consequently they could not ook for an increase of grant in the future and when they considered also the ever-increasing lemands of the Board of Education in the mat- €r of school buildings ,staffing, medical inspec- ion, and other matters, he was afraid it was lseless holding out much hope for a decrease in jhe education rate. It was true that an educa- .ion rate of Std. for all purposes was high, es- x-eiially when they reflected that before the Education Act of 1902 many parishes in the )ounty had no education rate at all, but when they compared themselves with say a county ike Monmouthshire, he thought that their lot ras a very fortunate one. The county of Mon- iiouth went on cheerfully adding to its financial obligations, although it had an education rate of l6. 6d. in the £ for all purposes and a county rate of Is. in the C. Nevertheless they should is far as possible keep a tight hand on the ex- penditure as far as that was consistent with edu- cational efficiency. Mr A. E. Humphreys-Owen was re-appointed rice-chairman on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr J. Hamer Jones. THE LATE CAPTAIN MYTTON. The Chairman said that before they went on with the business of the meeting allusion should be made to the loss the Education Committee had suffered in the death of the late Captain Mytton. The deceased gentleman was a great as-set to this county. He was one of those de- voted to public service. He spent a life of un- remitting toil for the welfare of the county. He not only attended constantly the meetings, but he was in every,sen,se one of the best friends of education. He was a pioneer of education. When educational facilities were not so plentiful as they were now, he established and maintain- ed at his own cost an elementary school in his own neighbourhood. From his (the speaker's) personal knowledge he had assisted poor lads to get education in order to fit them for a posi- tion in life. He knew that Captain Mytton helped a poor lad to get into a Nonconformist pulpit, which showed that he had not only kind- liness of heart, but that he was also free from bigotry. On the perplexing question of religious education, he always sought peace, and he quite recognised that the Church must sacrifice some- thing if peace was brought about. He (the speaker), as a member of the Executive, should 1 greatly miss the genial presence, the wise coun- sel, and the practical advice of the late Captain ¡ Mytton, and he was sure they all very much de- plored his loss, and that they would join cordi- ally in paying a small tribute to his memory. He moved "That this meeting of the authority deeply regrets the loss caused to education in the county by the death of Captain Mytton. and desires to record the valuable services -rendered by him in that field of public work for a num- ber of years, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mrs Mytton." Mr Shuker seconded. He said he felt it a great honour to be allowed to say just one word or two in respect of the resolution which had been put before them. The late Captain Myt- ton was indeed a type of that class of good, country gentleman, willing to give up his time and his life for the service of those living in his neighbourhood and in his county—a type which he was sure was not. extending in numbers in England at the present time. But he trusted that there might be many in the county of Mont- gomery still who were training themselves to carry out in the same way as he did, some of the many means of benefiting their fellow men. The late Captain Mytton was indeed an upright, conscientious, and honourable man. In debate he expressed the opinions he held cogently and ably, and when sometimes they had had to go against him he at once gave up to the views of the majority. He had known Captain My .'ton personally perhaps better than many others, and he knew how aimable he was when they knew him thoroughly. He was real to the core. He hoped that some of the ideals he wished to carry out in this country—one that religious education .should be given to every child in the county—he hoped that they should all unite in giving in the different schools a certain amount of religious education which would help to form the greater and truer character. The Rev T. E. Williams said they were doing the right thing in recording their "appreciation of the very excellent services Captain Mytton rendered to this county. He was deeply con- cerned in its affairs. He interested himself very much in all that related to the county, and j their loss had been great in very deed by the de.ath which they so much lamented. He was always tenacieus, but at the same time extreme- ly respectful to the convictions entertained by others. A fairer chairman it was impotssible to get, and he rejoiced in being permitted to add his tribute to the tributes already placed to his I memory, so as to show that when a good man did his work so thoroughly as the late Captain Mytton did, he was appreciated by all, deeply miseed by all, and liia death regretted by all concerned. The motion was agreed to by all the members standing. TEMPERANCE TEACHING. The British W omen's Temperance Association wrote stating that the Beard of Education last year issued a. syllabus for lessons on temperance, and asking what the committee were doing in the matter.—The Chairman said that temper- ance and hygiene were taught in the schools. In addition to this they sent 15 teachers to Rhyl Last year, and as a result they found that some of the teachers were taking up this sub- je-c-t of temperance teaching. He moved that the clerk send a letter saying what they had do-ne to promote temperance teaching in the schools.—Mr Hugh Lewis sesconded, and the motion was carried. N.U.T. CONFERENCE. On the suggestion of the Chairman, Mr Clem- ent, schoolmaster, Trefeglwys, was appointed to attend the annual conference of the National Union of Teachers at Plymouth in Easter week, and also the Publishers' Exhibition held at the conference. SUMMER SCHOOLS. Letters were read calling the committee's at- tention to the summer school on temperance and hygiene to be held at Colwyn Bay, to the sum- mer cour&e at Aberystwyth College, and also to the summer sanool at. Llandrindod Wells in connection with the Welsh Language Society.— The Chairman said that last year they allocated £ 25 to enable teachers to attend the summer school at Aberystwyth and £ 15 to attend a sum- mer school .at Rhyl. This was supplemented by a grant of £ 7 10s. by Mr Edward Jones. He suggested that they should allocate a similar grant this year which should be apportioned by the Executive between the three schools, ac- cording as they thought best. There wa.s no doubt there was a great cry for having a more elastic curriculum in our schools to introduce practical subjects. They felt. that the teachers were in many eases not qualifi-ed to teach these practical subjects, and in the summer schools they got opportunities of obtaining the neces- sary knowledge, so that they deserved to be sup- ported. Mr R. WtW-a seconded. Mr R. Phillips DL-,k--cl if the teacLers did not make Uifl a 'holiday? The Chairman said that the committee would get a report of the work done.—In reply to a member, Mr Jones said that the number who at- tended last year was 23 at Aberystwyth, and 13 at Shyl.—The motion was carried, APPRECIATION Of I?AS! £ & £ &vic £ g. Colonel Pryce-Jones a«ked permission to bring f01 ward a resolution to the effect that they miss- ed Mr R. E. Jones, the oldest magistrate in the county, who had retired, and was no longer on the County Council. Mr Jones was one of the very best on the committee, and used to take the greatest, pains in the Work. He knew that a communication containing their appreciation n would be very pleasing to him. The Chairman supported the proposal, which was carried. It was also decided to send a similar communi cation to Mr Daniel Howell. RELIEF FOR THE OVER-WORKED EXECUTIVE. Mr R. Lloyd referred to the great strain on the members of the Executive Committee owing to the work imposed on them. There were 15 on the committee, 'but it was impossible that they could attend—especially thcfe coming from the lower or upper parts of the county. He had been thinking of a way to make the work more effectual, and he moved that there be a sub- committee of five of those 15 to be called the Correspondence Committee. Those five would deal with all correspondence ex-cept such as was of a contentious nature, which should be re- ferred tf) the Executive Committee. The cor- respondence was very considerable, and it took up a part of a day before they could get through it. Colonel Pryce-Jones seconded. Mr Shuker asked that Welshpool should have greater consideration in the matter of meetings than hitherto. On the motion being put.. it was carried, and the chairman and vice-chairman, Colonel Pryce-Jones, Mr Lloyd, and Mr Shuker were appointed. PROPOSAL TO MULTIPLY ATTENDANCE COMMITTEES. Mr R. Lloyd raised the question of appoint.- ing Attendance. Committees at each of the towns. The committees now only sat at New- town and Welshpool, and there was very little interest taken in them by the members. in the lower or upper parts of the county. Very rarely they found one person attending from Llanidloes or Machynlleth, so that there was a lack of interest, andn they knew that the im- portant work of the committees was to get the children into the schools. They would not lose anything by getting committees at each of the towns except Montgomery, which could be worked from Welshpool. They would gain a great deal. Colonel Pryce-Jones: No, no. Mr Lloyd:' Pardon me. Every month you bring the attendance officers from Llanidloes and Machynlleth to Newtown—one 14 miles and the other 28 miles—and from Llanfair and Llanfyllin and Montgomery to Welshpool. He suggested that, the matter be referred to the Executive Committee. A clerk could go and attend at each place. It would only be three or four hours. They should have better at- tendance. He did not see that the attendance had improved at all. It was really against all reason to expect the thing to work in this way, when people had no voice in tdie matter. Mr J. Rees seconded. When the committee met at Llanfyllin, the members attended very well. Mr William Humphreys moved that the com- mittees be as previously, and Mr Richard Phil- lips seconded. In reply to Mr William Humphreys, the Chairman said that when the committees were disbanded the average attendance for the coun- ty was 82. It was now 87. That was an in- crease of five, which represented a sum of over £ 700. They would have to bear that in mind. His opinion was that the further they took the Attendance Committee from the school the bet- ter (hear, hear). They wanted to take it from all local influence or sympathy. He was a very strong advocate for centralisation. Mr Hugh Lewis supported the present plan, the object of which was to secure uniformity. It was 110 use to have local men to decide these things. — A vote was taken when the meeting decided to adhere to the present plan of having two committees, end it was understood that the whole matter of the attendance would be dis- cussed by the Executive. HEAVY BUILDING AND REPAIRING EXPENDITURE. Mr R. Lloyd presented a return showing the work done in the cdection of new Council schools and in the repair of others. Six new schools had been erected and they had three others in hand. Extensive alterations had been compJeted at 12 Council schools, whilst repairs at four others were now being carried out. He and other members of the committee had visited some of the schools, and it was agreed that the expense on the schools had been greater than it should be. The reason for this was that. they had taken too much on at once, and the work could not be properly supervised. He proposed that they should not proceed with any new schools or repairs after completing the work in hand until after the expiration of the present year. The Chairman said that if 'Mr Lloyd's motion was agreed to he was afraid that they would get into difficulties with the Board,of Education. So far as the Board would permit them he was prepared io spread the repairs on the Council schools over as long a period ae possible. lie asked Mr Lloyd to refer the matter to the Executive.—This was agreed to. THE SALARIES QUESTION. The Executive Committee reported that » .arge number of applications for increases of salaries had been received and considered.— Several of the applications were recommended for advances, and the Executive also recom- mended increases in the salaries of a number of caretakers. The Chairman moved the adoption of this re- port. He said that the salaries had been fixed according to the stiate of the present market for teachers' services. In consequence of the pass- ing of the Education Act there was a tremen- dous demand for teachers, and then salaries went up. Since then there had been a re- action, and the market had been overstocked. He did not think in all cases it was best to go in for cheap labour, but still they had to bear in mind the fact that whereas there was a diffi- culty in getting applications formerly, the com- mittee were now inundated when they had vacancies. Mr R. Phillips moved the reconsideration of the application of Mr J. E. Roberts, headmas- ter of the Newtown Council school, which had been declined. His present salary, compared with that given to some other teachers in the town, was unfair. Mr Shuker said that the head teachers in Newtown had the largest salaries in the county. They had the largest boys' school in the county at Welshpool. The recommendations were adopted, and Mr Phillips' motion was lost. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. Committees were appointed, the following be- ing the most important: — Intermediate and Iligner Education Committees: Mrs Edward Davies, Mrs A. C. Humphreys-Owen, Mrs Hugh Lewis, Mrs Willans, Messrs W. Forrester Ad- die. William Ashton, Gwilym Edmunds, Arthur E. O. Humphreys-Owen, C. W. Humphreys, Edward Jones, William Jones, Richard Jonee. F. Langford, Hugh Lewis, Richard Lloyd, Miss F. E. Howell. Colonel E. Pnoe-J ones, Messrs R. Phillips, Richard Rees, Charles Shuker, J. B. Willans, J. E. Lane Griffiths, H. H. Meyler and J. M, Dugdale. Executive. Committee Messrs Hugh Lewis, Edward Powell, J. B. Wil- lans, P. Hurlbutt, William Ashton, A. E. O. Humphreys-Owen, Edward Jones, Richard Jones, R. E. Jones, Richard Lloyd, Colonel E. Pryce-Jones, Messrs Richard Rees. Charles. Shuker, J. Pugh, E. S. Perrott, and F. G. Howorth. Attendance Committees: Newtown Committee—Messrs Richard Jones, W. Ashton, David ilamer, E. M. Jones, J, Hamer Jones, Richard Phillips, J, B, Willans^ L, D. Humph- reys. J, W. Poundky, Revs T. E. Williams and D. H. Hughes. Welshpool Committee—Mrs A. C. Humphreys-Owen, Messrs John Pugh. W. Forrester Addie, Maurice Evans, Robert Grif- fiths, William Humphreys, W, P. Jonee, E. R. Otfen, E. 6. Perrott, David Pryce, and Charlet Shuker. SHORTAGE OF FtNDS. A ISpUrig of tlie Coiinty Council was after- wards held vviiert the application of the Educa- tion Committee to transfer £ 8,117 14s. 8d. to the committee's account to meet claims and salaries was considered.—Mr G. R. D. Harri- son (the deputy clerk) said that they had £3,659 in the bank to the committee's credit, and he understood a further sum of £ 836 would be re- ceived mat day, making £ 4,495. There was therefore not sufficient to meet the demand. Mr R. Jones said that they must ov-erdrnw if neces- sary to meet the teachers' salaries. The reMon of the shortage was that Easter came earlier, and they had not yet received the Government grant.

A Variable Gear for Tandems. Tandem riders who have experienced difficulty in finding a. suitable three-speed gear, will be interested in a letter from Mr C. S. Martin, of Preston. Writing to the Sturmey Archer Gear. Ltd., Nottingham, he says 1 have used vour gear on my special R.R. Tandem and it ha.1J run through the season with greatest credit, and I think it is impossible to find a gear for tandem work to come within 50 per cent of yours." The fact that the Sturmey Archer Gear is constructed of tandem strength throughout, should be, borne in mind by tand;em riderw vie-* ordering their mounts this season.

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