The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

AGRICULTURE. (No. 5.) STOCK REARING AND WHEAT GROWING. UNSATISFACTORY as the conditions may be under which hill farmers pursue their business, and that they are unsatisfactory nobody will deny, yet hill farmers have certainly less reason to com- plain than the cultivators of side land farms. Never perhaps since Hu the Mighty first showed the method of ploughing to the nation of the Cymry when they were in the country of the summer before their coming into the Isle of Britain," was the ordinary farmer so hardly pressed on every hand as now. The sheep breeder on the hills is sure of ready markets and high prices for his mutton but the grower of wheat and the rearer of cattle finds himself face to lace with foreign competitors, who have made wheat growing a losing business, and sent beef across the Atlantic to markets once thought -safe from this kind of intrusion. The cultiva- tion of wheat is still pursued in many parts of the Principality, and, when the seasons are ex- ceptionally favourable, the crop may not result in actual loss. There can be no doubt, how- ever, that wheat crops should be abandoned for oats, barley, turnips, mangolds, and other feeding stuffs. This is the opinion of the test judges, who at every agricultural Ineeting speak of the uselessness of growing wheat and the folly of neglecting root crops. Unfor- tunately there are two erroneous notions that cannot'be got rid of except very slowly. The first is that farmers ought, as far as possible, to grow on their own land articles required for home consumption, although they may be able to obtain some of them at much less cost and of better quality in the nearest market town. The second is that cattle cannot be fattened on ordinary Welsh farms, except at great loss, and that, therefore, it is necessary to sell store stock, and to purchase fat cattle in England. In many Parts of Wales, even twenty years ago, it was in- convenient, if not impossible, forfarmers to obtain many commodities required in their own households ,except by growing them. In those days wheat Was grown net only for home consumption, but for sale. The crop, it is true, failed now and then, but the demand for home-grown wheat was constant, owing to the cost of transit, and the great uncertainty of foreign supplies. Unfor- tunately for the home wheat grower, there is now not only no uncertainty as to foreign supplies, but the construction of railways, the introduction -of steamers, and the improvement of roads, have placed the Principality more nearly on an equality with the rest of the United Kingdom than ever before in her history. The only possible ey-cuses for growing wheat in Wales now depend on covenants, and on the mistaken notion that good farmers should grow wheat Vhether the land and climate are adapted for it or not. The climate in Wales is far too moist for eat, which only makes a good crop when the seasons are so dry that neady everything else fails. In what are known as the grain-growing districts of England the breadth of land devcted In to wheat has been considerably narrowed, but in Wales not only do farmers still grow this crop as heretofore, but they follow with great fidelity the antiquated methods of harvesting it which prevailed in the times of their grandfathers. Great as .the loss undoubtedly,is of growing wheat on side-land farmR in Wales, there is some shew of reason for the custom in a country where money is scarce it is not surprising that the in habitants should hesitate to part with it to pur- chase foreadstuffs which their fathers certainly' grew si ,a profit. The reluctance to fatten stock, for whh -there was no boffie market, was intelli- gible eugh;hefore railways were made, and when stores h&d to be driven long distances but there is no further resson for that reluctance. There is "bow no difficulty in disposing of fat stock, which •Ought to be more profitable to farmers ■than stores. The notion thai animals an never be fattened on Welsh farms, it ill be seen on examination, founda- tion more Kttbstarrfial than imagination and ex- U>Q-ience based on .unfair trials. U To start with, the average tenant farmer is so badly off for buildings and otber .shelter that he is .ot in a position to undertake the fattening of the stock he rears with any reasonable chaaee of eeccess. Professor TANNEB, in his First Principles of AgrieilKure, says" Rome few years sinee it was veay common for the stock kept through the C> winter months to lose nearly all the fiesh t!wy bad gain-ed in the preceding summer, simply be- cause sufficient food was not supplied to prevent the waste ef the body. It is now known to be liot only anel but unprofitable, and such had Management is, in consequence, rarely seen at the present day," except,^ the PROFESSOR might have added, in Wales. Without convenient farm Gildings and shelter it is impossible to fatten cattle in Wales or elsewhere in the United King- dom. In Scot hind and England nutritious Masses ;ire carefully grown root crops are ex- pensively («']ltivated, and cattle feeds are studied and used. If these aid are necessary in Scot- land RIlll Jviu-lfj-d; it is out of all reason to expect that in Wales cattle can grow fat on moss, rushes, and east winds. The hay grown in Wales is not as a rule overpoweringly rich, but no pains are spared to remove from it in the course of harvest- ing any nourishing qualities it might at one time have possessed. In addition to defective build- ings, impoverished pastures, poor hay, and other drawbacks, the Welsh tenant farmer is not pro- vided with the necessary machinery and power to enable him to cut up food for fattening stock. When buildings are large and comfortable, and when the farmer avails himself of the means used over the border for fattening stock he suc- ceeds in utilizing the frames he rears, and of course secures the profit which is often lost, be- cause Welsh land is considered to be incapable of feeding cattle Notwithstanding the importation of American beef, the rearing and fattening of stock will undoubtedly be the most profitable part of a farmer's business for many years to come. The rearing of frames is a most unprofitable and thankless labour, and yet this is the work that Wales does for 'English farmers, who, of course, are perfectly willing to encourage the idea that time spent in feeding cattle in the Principality would be lost. With warmth and plenty of suitable food cattle will make fiesh in Wales as well as in Scotland. Of this there can be no doubt. If Scotland can supply London and other centres with fat beasts, surely Wales, with a better climate, could do so too, if Welshmen paid that attention to breed and feed which is paid to them in the north. Put nothing in the laud, and you cannot expect to get much out; but the land is faithful, and if much is put into It. nothing will be kept back. It would not be difficult to mention farms in every part of Wales where the tenants or owners fatten stock but the rule is to sell stores for other people to fatten. There is a sufficient sprinkling of good farms and intelligent farmers in the Principality to prove that the country only requires men of capital and enterprize, possessed of secure tenure, and free from the liability of increased rents, to in- crease its productiveness far beyond anything of which there is any promise at present. The landlord looks at his thriftless tenant, and, naturally enough, hesitates to force upon him a lease he does not want. The tenant knows his landlord is too good natured to turn him out, and yet has not sufficiently con- fidence in him to manifest signs of great improve- ment lest he should be asked for increased rent. The cause of bad farming in Wples is not so much dread of eviction as the fear of increased rent. If landlords made long leases the rule, they would soon find their farms assuming a more prosperous appearance. Tenants that are not deserving of leases are clearly not deserving of farms. The decay of buildings, and the general ruinous appearance of so many holdings is due to yea.rly tenancies, which in the long run, are far more injurious to the landlord than the tenant. The tenant may, at any rate, send his children into business, but the landlord must retain his exhausted land and expend capital in rebuilding ruined houses.

IRREGULAR TRADERS. JUST at present there is a disposition among the tradesmen of Dolgelley to kick against the com- petition to which they are subjected by irregular traders in the shape of cheap Johns, and other vendors of goods at "alarming sacrifices." The public, or rather a certain section of the public, tempted by low prices, purchase things from these occasional visitors, and in time discover that what they gained in price they more than lost in quality. Tradesmen who sell good arti- cles at prices allowing a reasonable profit have nothing to fear from the occasional visitor, who seldom fails, notwithstanding his alarming sacri- fices, to teach his customers that the sacrifices are not all on his side. He has only the same markets open to him that are open to re- gular tradesmen, and although he does not pay rent and taxes" in every town where he pitches bis van .or stand, he pays railway fares, heavy carriage of goods, and is taxed far from lightly by breakages and deteriora- tion of stock. The irregukr trader is compelled to obtain and does obtain profits as large as those charged by ordinary shopkeepers. He may advertise his business by selling at cost price and under for a short time, but it is only butchers who can live and grow rich on their losses. Butchers, we all know, lose on every pound of meat they sell, and do not even pre- tend it is the quantity 'that pays;" but dealers in hardware live on profits, and it is for profit they attend fairs and markets. The shopkeeper probably sells only first and second class goods. He- knows that to sell electro-plate that loses the electro plate" the first time it comes in contact with hot water,would ruin his business. When the van comes into the market place and "silver" articles, daintily wrapped in tissue paper, are offered, the public, who believe firmly in the awful" profits of shopkeepers, part with their silver for that of cheap John, and as a rule get the worse part of the bargain. Watch and clock makers know where to buy clocks that never ware I intended to go, and gold" watches that could be sold for a sovereign but these are articles that shopkeeepers dare not sell. The same is true of clothing and other things. The lowest priced goods are not worth -the money they cost. They are prepared specially for the market, and by the glare of gas or at a safe distance are attractive enough. Nothing need be feared by regular tradesmen from the wendors of cheap goods. The only way oiae trader can afford to sell wares cheaper than another is by buying better or selling more. If ,the travelling tradesman's business was as lucrative as is some- times imagined, be would soon have more compe- tition. Now and then a new district may be opened out, and for a time he may do well, but :he soon teaches his customers that the regular shopkeeper is the only safe man to do business ■with. If he discovers an opening tin a town he :takes a shop and makes an eSkjrtto settle down. As soon as he becomes a regular shopkeeper be is I subject to all the risks and liabilities of other men engaged in the saaae trade, and will have to com- pete with them fox a share of custom. If the business of travelling tradesmen was so much better than har- <vests would be made in large towo.fi, :and thickly populated districts, where rents are high and the people tare keen to scent a good ibargaiE. Per- haps it is a spirit Ok philanthropy that sends so many men to Dolgelli and other places iia this district determined to -sell goods at fifty per cent, below cosi price. Or is it that Wales untH re- cently was inaccessible, and the dodges of the trade are aot as yet wlEll understood liyijhe in- habitants of rural districts who tfcmng our towns on market and fair days. The inhabltent&of towns are learning the lesson, as was discovered at Aberystwyth the other day by one of these traders who r&ade his audience laugh, butcolJid not make them buy. Shop- keepers who are satisfied with reasonable profits need not. fear the competition they are subjected to by occasional Dutch auctioneers. Professed benefactors of the feuman race who are anxious to part with their wates for merely nominal sums teach the bargain lovwg public useful lessons, and do a good deal towards making disagreeable customers easier to serve. Of course if ordinary shopkeepers are determined in these days of advertising to conduct business after the Sleepy Hollow fashion,they will soon find that they have no business to conduct, but if they bestir selves they have nothing whatever to fear.

TOWYN COMMON. J TnAT Towyn is one of the most successful summer resorts on the coast will be admitted by those who would strongly combat its claims to rival some other places in natural beauty. Towyn has obtained, and deserves, credit for cheapness. This, coupled with more than average advantages as a centre, and considerable repu- tation for its beach, accounts for the prosperity it enjoys. It must not be forgotten that for many years Towyn has been prominently kept before the public by two or three of its inhabitants whose services have not been recognized as they deserve. One of the most valuable, but sadly neglected, possessions of Towyn is about five acres of common land near the seashore. This land was apportioned to the town many years ago under an enclosure award, but has been sadly neglected, and it appears is now in a dangerous state owing to irregularities on the surface. Five acres—or to be strictly accurate, four acres and three quarters of playground on the margin of the sea at a place like Towyn is a property that ought not to be under-valued or neglected, and we are much mistaken in the inhabitants if they do not support their representatives in carrying out any well-considered scheme for protecting and orna- menting the common, which, by the way, might aasily have a more attractive name bestowed upon it. A correspondent last week called attention to the neglected state of this playground, which two years ago formed the subject of numerous speeches unfortunately allowed to die without practical result. There can be little doubt that the Local Board have power out of the rates to protect and improve this land, but if there is any difficulty in obtaining the necessary funds in this way, it would not be impossible to secure private sub- scriptions sufficient to prevent the sea making inroads upon the common. Aberdovey, again, has comlnon land which requires attention. Per- haps the Board will take an interest in this matter and see if something cannot be done to render the land in possession of the public of permanent use to the ratepayers and visitors. A committee would be able to ascertain the exact condition of the common, the best means of recovering what has been swept away by the sea, the cost of protecting it from further damage by storms, and how to make it more attractive and useful to the public. The members of the Local Board could not possibly be more usefully employed than in protect- ing and beautifying public property, the value of which to a watering place cannot well be over- estimated. Twenty years hence these five acres of neglected land may be worth thousands of pounds. Now is the time to be wise and not when the common has ceased to exist or has become private property. Our correspondent, already referred to, is right; the inhabitants of Towj-n have never realized what a boon they are throwing away in neglecting the common.

LOCAL AND DISTRICT NOTES. There is no dispute life a dispute respecting the clerning of hucksters and dealers from the streets for raising ill- feeling in a town. Dolgelley tradesmen are beginning to kick against the invasion of itinerant tradesmen, and on Saturday tsome crockery was broken in an altercation, which will be further argued by the lawyers, who, of course, will disagree. The end of the dispute will be to leave things as they are. The Medical Officer of Towyn Local Board presented an interesting report at the last meeting. A house unfit for human habitation was described. It is difficult to know why the Board did not at once make an order for the house to be closed. Of course landlords cannot be compelled to provide good cottages, but local authorities can close those unfit for human habitation. At the end of the Marine Parade, Aberystwyth, on the piece of beach leading towards Craiglais Point, there is a heap of rubbish caiaaposed of garden refuse, mud, old tin cans. and other things. This unsightly and unsavoury accumulation of < £ irt is matched on the øeaeh to the south of the castle grounds. Visitors come to Aberystwyth for the sea, and, perhaps, the [Town Council will see the wisdom of at once putting an end to this nuisance, which creates a most unfavourable impression upon visitors, who on walking by the margin of the sea neither expect nor desire to be met by those accumulations of rubbish. +;- On Tuesday last Mr. B. T. WILLIAMS, the new member for the Carmarthen Boroughs, was lectured by a South Wales Tory paper on gentlemanly behaviour This is edifying. The article concluded as follows:—"Dr. JOHNSON affirmed that he who feeds fat oxen should himself be we maintain at he who publicly seeks to teach men social morality, end decency, and good behaviour should himself set the example." True, 0, latest physician. Heal thyself. The work of providing Borth with pure water is pro- gressing. In another part of the paper there is an adver- tisement asking for tenders for making the service reser- voir, &c. The Borth water supply will be the first works constructed in the Aberystwyth Rural Sanitary district since the formation of the Board. When the Parochial committee has completed this labour it is to be hoped something else for the improvement of the place will be undertaken. Borth will improve a.s the land is brought into better cultivation. The appointment of medical officers for the rural dis- tricts under the Public Health Acts, has, among other things, revealed the curious fact that towns are often healthier than country districts. Aberystwyth for in- stance, is much healthier than the country places in the neighbourhood. Mr. MORRIS JONES, in his report as medical officer for the Aberystwyth Rural Sanitary Au- thority, attributes the prevalence of consumption and the high rate of mortality from that dieease in the mining districts, to working ,in the mines and to living in badly constructed houses. He reports the closing of one house unfit for habitation, and admits the necessity for extended action in this direction, but anticipates the evils that accompany ove-scrowding if the wretched cottages now inhabited are closed. Mr. FUYER said the Board would have to exercise constant pressure upon owners in order to get rid of dilapidated dwellings. It is very remarkable that landowners are not more alive to the necessity of pro- viding decent houses for workmen. At any rate the Board could compel owners to put into cottages windows that will open. The worst houses might safely be closed. As soon as there is a. pressing demand /for cottages they will be provided, .and it rests with the Board to create that demand. It was decided at Monday's meeting to give the occupaiat of the Black Li, Llanbadarn, notice to vacate that place witliia seven days. This will remote a. great nuisance from Llan- badarn. Another fortunate thing for that village is the drying up of a spring, which it appease, has been af- fected by the drainage of some land owned by Mr. HUGHES. If even Aberystwyth is supplied with water as it ought to be, the Rnra.1 Sanitary Authority may get rid of several difficult questions by purchasing water from the town. The rate of progress in sanitary im provements is slow, but in a short time the opposition that has now to be contended with wall be much weaker than at pre- sent. The generation of youths row in schoolre at any rate taught the importance of puie air and miter sulli- ciently not to prefer them .impure. There are ihundreds of people In every district who think dislikes to dirty water and impure air only a- prejudice that oilit to be discountenanced, and there Are thousands who dQ; .not be- lieve in the spread of disease by infection and contagion. ¡,. The number of mining and quarry accidents in this district is so great that the subject certainly deserves more attention, than it receives. Workmen are caneJess and run risks tihey ought not to run, hat owners managers are iwot blameless. When workmen brk cule framed for their protection, summonses ought to be issued and when accident$happen they ought to he reported and carefully investigated, It is doubtful whether imne and enarry inspectors ever 1*2ar, except through newspapers, of many accidents, and it is still more doubtful whether all the accidents are recorded in newspapers. # We this week publish two letters in reference to the place for holding the sessions for the Llanbadarn Petty Sessional Division. Tynllidiart is mentioned, and there can be no doubt the request for the removal of the ses- sions to a more central place is very reasonable. The village of Llanbadarn is at the edge of the district, a.nd as a change of some sort will have to be trust the convenience of the public wilj be considered. The speeches delivered by Mr. DAVID DAVIES, M.P., on two or three recent occasions cannot fail to have im- proved his position in the minds of the very large circle of those who know him. A sound sense andJpractical wisdom selcfcom met with in more pretentious and polished orations, runs through and illumine his utterances. There is a dash of sadness, too, in the boisterous fun of the simple speech which all his hearers may not catch- By occasional remarks he reveals that he has measured very accurately the people he loves to help.He sees their littleness, rightly estimates their adulation, but credits them with all their virtues. He makes no pretence what- ever to polite phraseology—nay, rather, he pretends if nythin to despise it. There is something very pleasant in the direct words of the successful business man, con- fessing that for a long time he felt very uncomfortable when he lived in a better house than the place he wor- shipedf in, and was not satisfied until he got a betterplace of worship." It is a pity these words cannot be put up in LIandinam Chapel to explain the existence of that very handsome place of worship, so largely due to him. The motive was true, aud right nobly has it been carried out. We trust he may long .enjoy the privilege of making large gifts for the erection of chapels. Many, as he says, may not agree with him, but we may say^the University College of Wales is a very conspicuous proof that his liberality is not confined to one direction. Some of Mr. DAVIES'S adverse critics would be none the worse for a liberal measure of his spirit. On Wednesday Lord LISBUBNE was married to Miss ALICE DALTOX PROBYN, of Huntley Manor, near Gloucester. The Aberystwyth branch cf the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, of which Sir PRYSE PRYSE is president, and Mr. MORRIS DAVIES secretary, is very carefully managed. (Last years' expenses were 18s. The subscriptions amounted to £21, a sum that could easily be increased. Colonel POWELL, Nanteos, is dead. His death did not come suddenly, but was anticipated for some time. A more kindly country gentleman never lived, nor one who more perfectly succeeded in winning the affection of all classes. Old people will miss him, and the children who in the country ran after his carriage for the sweets he scattered among them will learn they have lost a friend. Our columns have never been long without some record of Colonel POWELL'S generous deeds. In another column we publish some particulars of his life. Some fuller details of the Kaffir war which have been received confirm the report of the defeat of the Griquas. On Wednesday, an influential deputation from the North of England waited upon the Duke of Richmond and Sir Stafford Northcote to support a number of me- morials asking that if a new University be created its principle may be that of a federation of colleges, and that its name may not be merely a local one. The deputa- tion was introduced by the Marquis of Ripon. The speakers repudiated all feeling of jealousy towards Owen's College. The Ministers promised that full consideration should be given by the Government to the views of the Deputation. Viscount Lewisham, eldest son of the Earl of Dart- mouth, has been returned unopposed for Mr. Talbot's seat in West Kent. Father Curci is to be nominated Cardinal a latere in the next Consistory. The Japanese Minister of the Interior has been assassi- nated. The murderer has been arrested. An earthquake which caused the deaths of 600 persons is said to have happened at Cua in Venezuela. The Times correspondent at Madras reports the famine in India to be everywhere dying out. On Wednesday, Her Majesty the Queen telegraphed to Rochdale expressing her deep sympathy with Mr. John Bright in the bereavement he has sustained by the death of his wife. At a meeting of the employes of Messrs. Bright, to the number of about a thousand, it was unanimously resolved to present a letter of condolence to Mr. Bright. The Birmingham Town Council and the Executive of the Anti-War Vigilance Committee have also passed resolu- tions of regret and sympathy. The funeral of the de- ceased lady took place yesterday (Thursday).

LOCAL AND DISTRICT. -A.r.r-r. ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENT. — The Rev. Hugh Jones, B.A., senior curate of Lampeter, has just been appointed to a minor canonry &nd curacy combined at St. David's. The appointment is worth £250 a year. LORD AND LADY HARLECH.—Lord and Lady Harlech havs returned to Grosvenor Crescent, London, from Brogyntyn. SURROGATE.—The Chancellor of the Diocese has ap- pointed the Rev. T. Jeffrey Jones, M.A., vicar of Llan- fair-Caereinion a surrogate in that district. PARLIAMENTARY PETITIONS.—For the total closing of public-houses on Sunday, by Mr. David Davies. from Cardigan (2), Llechryd, and other places by Mr. Walsh, from Bryngwyn, by Mr. Hanbury Tracy, from Trefeglwys, by Mr. Osborne Morgan, from Llansilin, by Mr. Stanley Leighton, from Whitchurch, by Mr. David Davies, from Blaenauarch, Mount, and Aberystwyth; by Mr. C.W.W. Wynn, in Savour of the Ecclesiastical Buildings Fire Insurance Bill. from the clergy of the Rural Deaneries of Llanidloes, Welshpool, and Llanfyllin, by Mr. W. F. Maitland, from Brynmawr, by Mr. O. Morgan, from Rhos and Llairflhangel, by Mr. R. Davies, from Bardsey Island, by Kir. R. Hughes, from Pwllheli, by Mr. C. W. W. Wynn, from Llanwyddelan, by Mr. D. Davies, from Aberarth and Aberaeron. PETITIONS FOR LIQUIDATION.—Morris Williams, Tyny- coed, Denbigh, farmer and sheep dealer; John Waddell, Knutsford, farmer and brewer's agent; Edward Lloyd, Montgomery, innkeeper and farmer; Nicholas S. Scotcher, Wrexham, jeweller; Owen Parry, Wrexham, grocer and'machine fitter. PROPOSED CONFERENCES OF SANITARY INSPECTORS.— It is proposed to hold annual conferences of urban and rural sanitary inspectors of nuisances in Wales and on the borders, and with this object circulars have been sent to all inspectors between Northwich, in Cheshire, and Pwllheli, in Carnarvonshire, and between Holyhead and Newtown, Montgomeryshire. THE PARIS EXHIBITION.—We have received tnecatalogue of the British Section of the Paris Exhibition. The catalogue is contained in two volumes, which are illus trated°with a coloured plan, &c. We find the following amonc the exhibitors :—Wm. Brunton and Co., Cambrian Safety Fuse Works, Wrexham Coalbrookdale Co., Coal- brookdale, Shropshire; Corbett and Peele, Perseverance Iron Works, Shrewsbury; Cwmorthin Slate Co., Limited, Portmadac, North Wales; Richard Evans and Co., Wrexham Pryce Jones, Newtown, North Wales; Lilies- hall Co., Priors Lee Hall, near ShifnaL, Shropshire-; Marquess of Londonderry, Seaham, Durham Lowcock and Barr, 'Coleham Foundry, Shrewsbury; Marshall and Co., and Shrewsbury; Maw and Co., Benthal Works, Broseley, Shropshire; Pen yr Orsedd Slate Quarry Ce., Carnarvon; William Henry Shepperd, St. Mary's Place, Shrewsbury Snedshill Iron Co., Snedshill Iron Works, near Shifnal, Shropshire H. and M, South- well, BsriSgnorth; Thomas Stevens, -16, Hope-street, Wrexham Welsh Woollen Manufacturing Co., Limited, Newtown, Montgomeryshire. MR. DAlVoiD DAVIES, M.P., ON LI MITE?) LIABILITY COMPANIES.—In the debate in the House Commons, on Friday evening, May 10, on the Joint Stock Com- panies Acts, Mr. David Davies condemned the whole sys- tem of limited liability companies. There was no wonder that people who invested in them lost their iaoney. He did not refer to banks or railway companies, but in iron mines, collieries, and manufactories of all descriptions, nothing was easier than to get up a limited liability com- pany. People were anxious to get It) per certt. for their money, and they put it into a limited liability company. The concern gat.on very well for a year or two, but the directors were not always the best principled men they did not look to the proper working of the busiaess, but to jobbing in the shares. No dividend was paid after the first year or two the concern came to grief; the shares fell from £100, perhaps, to £3; the directors then bought them up, and tihea-esult was that people who had invested their all' lost everything they had and died of broken heart. (Hear, hear.) No Act of Parliament, he feared, could prevent iSiis. Lord Sandon, in reply, 6ai that he very much appreciated the spirit in which the boo mem- ber for Cardigan had treated the matter, and it would be well that people flhould take his remarks to heart. LANCASHIRE, CHESHIRE, DENBIGHSHIRE AND FLINT- SHIRE PRESBYTEEar.—The quarterly meeting <-tf this Presbytery was held at Chester on Wednesday, > £ e»y 8th. The Rev. John Thomas, B.A., of Liverpool, was moderator. Amongst the applications one frocn Bangor Isycoed far a grant of £50 was favourably received on condition that the place be joined with Bowlingbank, and the services of a pastor secured. A short <fe.sctis.sion arose on the question of the meeting place of the Presbytery in fature. It was ultimately agreed that it c-ocitinue as at present: and a committee was appointed, thrte from each district, to deliberate on the best method of conducting the meet- ings of Presbytery, and to report at the next meeting, As the i-oxt Quarterly Association of Sforth Wales is to be held at Wrexham, wbiieh is within. the bounds of the Presbytety, it was resohvid that the retary. Rev. E. Jerman, present to it & report of tfce spiritual and financial (state of the English churches The Rev..L Roberts retried on the Bala College Fsmd. Attention was called tw the English Caases Fund, and the churches II were urged to make the collection forthwith. Rev. E. Williams, Rwiicom, gave notice of motion which he would bring forward at the next Presbytery, viz., That we form ourselves in this Presbytery into a Total Abstinence Societv." The subject for discussion The Church Meet- ing" was opened by the Rev. J. Foulkes, Liverpool.—The Rev. J. Small wood was the preacher in the evening. The next Presbytery will he held at Runcorn, September 11th. Subject for discussion :— The Sacraments." WELSH LIVINGS.—A meeting of the Church Association forthedeaneries of St. Asnph, Denbigh, andDyffi vn Clwyd was held on Friday, May 10th, at Denbigh. The Com- mittee previously appointed presented a report upoii the transfer of patronage from the northern Welsh seel to the southern. It was shown that twenty-four livings in St. i Asaph dioeess, many cf th?ai the very best,, were in the I gift of the Bishop of Llandaff, and six excellent ones in the gift oi the Bishop of St. David s. This, it was argued, was a great injustice to the diocesan clergy, who were shut out from the chances of the livings and it was a grave injustice to the people, as the South Wales bishops have no means of knowing the requirements of the parishes besides, the V> elsh spoken by the clergv sent to North Wales is, in many cases, not sufficiently understood by the I'T,'16" I £ e ot.her. hand' if t!ie South Wales bishops followed out the principle of sending their best men to St. Asaph diocese when these valuable livings were vacant they would damage their own diocese. The committee amongst other remedies, urged the patronage being vested in the Lord Chancellor, by which means the St. Asaph clergy would have a chance of these livings now given to strangers. In the discussion that followed, instances were cited where the system worked badly, valuable livings be- ing conferred on men of advanced years and almost unfit for work.. the report, with a list of the livings, and their value thus alienated, was adopted, ordered to be printed, and sent to the whole of the Welsh bishops, rural deans and other officers, and their co-operation, and that of other Church associatiations, were to be sought towards effecting some change for the better.-The Dean of St. Asaph brough forward a motion that the Association should re- commend an organised system for obtaining pecuniary support for the diocesan societies, some of which were lan- guishing through lack of funds. A committee was ap- pointed to carry out the object. THE DENBIGH, RUTHIN, AND CORWEN R\TT.WVY —\t a special general meeting of the London and North-West- em Railway Company, on Wednesday. May 15, an agree- «'3Dr»S f h ,r'al"fc?nan^ and working by the Comply of and approved Corwen Railway was submitted THE AFFAIRS OF THE NORTHERN- BANK.—At the Man- chester Bankruptcy Court, on Thurs lav. May J, Mr W Corbett, one of the solicitors to the trustee of the estate of the late Northern Bank, Manchester and Wrexham, ap- peared with Ir. J. Best, before Mr. Registrar Lister, and stated thai, there was now no necessity to proceed with the apphcatmn under the adjourned summons against Ir. Best that gentleman having undertaken to handover to him (Mr. Corbett) the draft bills relating to the trans- actions between himself and the bankrupt, and to give him access to any other of his papers which concerned the bankruptcy. Mr. Best: That is without prejudice to anv hen I have on the papers.—Mr. Corbett Quite so. I dont wish to interfere with any lien you may have —The registrar consented to this arrangement. The case was again before the Court on Monday, when Mr Butcher said he had been instructed by Mr. Cobbett, to examine the statement of affairs filed by the bankrupt, and as he had to examine fifteen or sixteen ledgers it would take him another fortnight to complete the work. The pro- ceedings were adjourned to June 3, when a day for the bankrupt's final examination will be fixed. Mr. Connor complained that he was only allowed 10s. a week, but the Registrar decided that he could not interfere. 1\IR. DAVID DAnEs M.P. ON LAND REGISTRATION.—In the debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday on the subject of Land Registration, Mr. David Davies. said he had purchased large quantities under compulsion for rail- way companies, and he was consequently acquainted with the difficulties of gettipg up titles. He had, he might add, bought several lots of land over fourteen or fifteen years ago which had never yet been conveyed. He had also purchased more than once about half an acre of land for B50 or BGO the expenses of conveying which had been over £150. In these cases some five or six lawyers were generally engaged—he had no fault to find with the law- yers, they were on the whole.3. very respectable body of men (a laugh) and the result was that the cost was swelled up to the amount which he had mentioned. There was, he might add, no comparison to be drawn, as to the conveyance of land, between this country and America. America was a new country, and there was no difficulty about titles, but even here when a railway company had made out a title land could be conveyed as cheaply as in America. He might further state that having bought several properties he could convey half an acre of land to a working man for building purposes for a sum of 10s. The great difficulty in the matter seemed to him to be the making out the first title. He concurred in the view that something was required to be done to make the transfer of land more cheap, especially in the case of small lots, but the question was surrounded by difficulties. Any sys- tem of registration unless made compulsory would be in- operative, and yet a compulsory system would inflict on many persons considerable hardship.

:prath of (Colrmrl$otDrll. The news of the death of Colonel Powell in London, on Monday evening, reached Aberystwyth on the following day. He left Nanteos for Nice towards the end of last November, and was on his return journey when he was taken ill and died. Colonel Powell was in his 64th year. He had been an invalid for many years, and the news of his decease was not surprising. His remains were brought into Aberystwyth from London on Thursday evening, and will be interred in the family vault on Saturday. The funeral, it is believed, will be strictly private, as far as the family is concerned, but it is expected that a large number of the deceased gentleman's tenants, and many others from Aberystwyth will follow him to the grave. The news was sorrowfully received at Tregaron and Aberystwyth. where Colonel Powell held extensive property. At the latter place shutters were put up, and flags at the pier head, and on the ships in the harbour, hoisted half-mast high. His loss will be deeply felt at Tregaron, where he was always ready to aid the people in every improvement, whether it concerned their private or public life. Colonel Powell for six years represented the county of Cardigan in Parliament. He was first elected M.P. for his native county in 1859, but retired at the General Elec- tion of 1865. Colonel Powell was a J.P. and D.L..for the county of Cardigan Captain inthe 37th Regimennd Lieutenant- Colonel in the Cardigan Militia. He was eldest son of the late William Edward Powell, Esq., of Nan- teos, M.P. for the county of Cardigan from 1816 to 1854, and for many years Lord Lieutenant, by Laura Edwina, daughter of James Sackville T. Phelp, Esq., of Coston House, Leicestershire. He wa% horn at Swansea, 4th August, 1815 educated at Westminster School; married 1839, Rosa Edwyna, daughter of George Cherry, Esq., of Buckland, Herefordshire, and has surviving issue one son, George Ernest J. Powell. He succeeded on the death of his father, 1854. Nicholas's County Families says:—It is recorded in the D&h Castle MS. (following the Book of Fn/rdvcf) that this ancient family is of the line of Edward ap Gronw of legeingl in North Wales, one of the founders of the fif- teen noble tribes. His son Owain's daughter Anfharad, was the wife of Gruffydd ap Cynan, King of North Wales (died A.D. 1137). Llewelyn Caplan, Lord of Aberaeron (end of thir- teenth century) was sixth in descent from Edwin, through his other son, Ychtryd. Llewelyn Llwyd, whom Burke makes a son, was a grandson of Llewelyn Caplan, and son of Llewelyn Goch (the red-hairerl); and his sister Gwerfyl married Adda ap Meredydd, third possessor of Trawscoed of the line of Fychan (Vaughan, now represented by the Earl of Lis- burne,—see Trawscoed, Gruffydd, the son of Llewelyn, had two sons, Dafydd Gwyn (the light complexioned), ancestor of the old Gwyns of Monachdy, and Jeuan, whose son Hywel married i Elen, daughter and heiress of Rhys Dafydd Meredydd of Llan-y-gorwyddon and his grandson,— Dafydd ap Philip ap Hywel, was the first mentioned as of Llechwedd-dyrus, the first-seat of thePowels of Nanteos. With this Hywel began the name, for after him was his son Philip called Ap Hywel— Powel; and the surname became fixed with the next representative,— John Powel, Esq., of Llechwedd-dyrus, who was father of the celebrated— Sir Thomas Powel, Kt., Serjeant-at-law (1688), and one of the Barons of the Exchequer," temp. James II. He married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of David Lloyd, Esq., of Aber-brwynen, and had issue— William Powel, Esq., nrho by his wife Avarina, daughter of Cornelius Le Brun, Esq., a German, or so reputed" (Dale Castle MS.), and his wife Ann, daughter and co-j 1 heiress of John Jones, Esq., of Nanteos (this is the first connection of the Poweis with Nanteos), had with other issue a son,— The Rev. William Powell, LL.D., whose wife was daughter and co-heiress of Athelstan Owen, Esq., of Rhiwsaeson, Mont. Dr. Powell daughter married W. Lewis, Esq. (see Uanatron, lineage); and his son and heir,— Thomas Powel, Esq., married Eleanor Corbet, of Ynys- y-Maengwyn, Merioneth, and had with other issue a son,— William Edward Powel, Esq., for many years Iord. lieuteuant of Cardiganshire. and representative of that county in Parliament. He married, first, in 1810, Laura, Edwina Phelp, (see above). He married a second time, but had no issue. By hit first wife he had two sons,— 1.—William Thomas Ro .viand, of Nanteos, and— 2.—Cornelius Le Brun. NOTE.—The mansion of Xant-eos was built 1739. On tb estate, are various antiquities, the most interesting beisng the remains of Strata Florida Abbey. It is said by Meyrick (note 011 Dwnn, i.. 7) that "a pedigree of the Powell family, of Naut-eoe," written on parchment by the celebrated genealogist, Thomas Sion, alias Twm Shon' Catti, is still among the archives of that place." We have not seen it.

The Home Secretary, oil the.application of the justices, has issued an order, under the Wildfowl Protection Act, varying the close time for wildfowl in the county of Anglesey, so as to be from March 1 to July 24 in each year. On Thursday, May 9, aa inquest was held at Wrock- wardint Wood on the body of a little boy named George Downi. The child, who was six years old, was playing on the si\ £ e of the canal with another boy, and while push- ing a boat away for the side he fell in and was drowned -before assistance could be obtained. The body of a man named William Vaughan, a Labourer, ajed sixty-<eight years, who resided at Yocklefcsrn, was found in the weir on the river Severn xt Shrawardine, on Tuesday morning, May 7th. The deceased had been in a low desponding way for about three or four months, and had been under medical advice for sosie time. At an inquest held on Wednesday, the jury returned an open verdict. A quarryman named Thomas, a married man with seven children, was killed at ilie Penrhyn slate quarries, on Wednesday morning, May 8, by a piece of rock falling on hi* chest. Death was almost instantaneous. At an inquest held at Bethesda, on Thursday, before Mr..J, H. Roberts, the district coroner for Carnarvonshire, a verdict of accidental death was returned. The nojinji-ation^of candidates for the representation of County Down took place o;i Tuesday, at Down Patrick. Viscount Castlereugh, Conservative, wius proposed by Colonel iorde, and Mr. Ano.rew.?, Q.C.. Liber; by Mr. ■ Crawford. jr-lling co-day (Friday.) I

— ■—' CORRESPONDENCE. TWO PITBLIC QUESTIONS. SIR, About six weeks since I called attention, through your columns, to the dangerous slate of the footbridge* over the Rheidol, known as the Parson's Bridge. From that day to this no step has been taken to reoair the damage, and the ratepayers are becoming very dissatisfied at this delay in so necessary a matter. Perhaps when some life has been sacrificed the attention of the proper authorities will be given to this subject. In the neighbouring village of Ystumtuen the master of tne Board ochool has been allowed to leave without a successor having been appointed, and for the last two or three weeks the children of the district have been without instruction at the most favourable time of the year for their availing themselves of it. These things reflect un- favourably upon the administration of public business in this county.—I am, &c., 15th May, 1878. C. LLANBADARN PETTY SESSIONS. Sir,—Permit me to troubleyoll for a small space in vour interesting paper to give publicity to a few remarks I overheard yesterday in this district, upon the fate of the Old House, at Llanbadarn, the Lion Public House, which they say is to come down (after standing the wear and tear of a thousand years, and its thousand storms, both inside, with the chimney corner tables of our forefathers vvith the justices of peace in the parlour, deciding be- tween man and his fellow-man or woma.n; or of rhe howling storms through the trees of the old churchyard that stood a thousand years ago, for all we know,"and will yet stand after many of us are gone to our long resting-place. The question asked on all sides is, where will the sessions of the country be held for the future ? Oh! there is no better place than is the answer given by all and everyone. There is the Church school large enough to hold a troop. There is the quiet village public house for refreshments there is the vicarage, the church, and the valley. This is a place the poor can reach easily, and return without undue fatigue to their mountain homes again. People coming from the different districts would find eight miles cut off from Steddfa, from Goginan, Pontcnvryd, CwmrheUol, Cwmsymlog, Pontrhydybeddan, Penrhyncoch, in fact, everybody having occasion to appear before the magis- trates would find this mmrh nearer and far more com- fortable than Llanbadarn, except Clarach, and the difference of the journey would be but small. And as to the accommodation, I do not know of any place that would be so convenient both to the bench, bar, witnesses, police, and the public generally, as the dis- trict. I hope the magistrates will consider the matter. It will be but a very little further off for them, and it would be a beautiful country drive for the lawyers and the representatives of the press, for it is a place that is charming to the eye of the occasional visitor, who will find here everything necessary for his entertainment and welfare.—I am, &c. Penllwyn, May 15th. 1878. T.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES. & DEATHS. BIRTHle. DAVIES—May 12th, at 4, Berriew-street, Welshpool, the wife Samuel Davies, prematurely, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. JONES—OITTINS—May 10th, at Zion Calvinistie Methodist Chapel, Llansaintffraid, 0swe4ry,. by the Revs. Richd..J^nes, Llanymynech, and Edwd. Griffiths, Meifod, Mr. Simon Jones, Rhiwargor, XJanwddyn, to Miss Gittins, Evnant, eldest daughter of Mr. John Gittins, Cynon-isaf, XJanwddyn. JONES—JAMES—May 14th, by licence, at St. Mary's Church Cardigan, by the Vicar, the Rev. Wm. Cynog Davies, assisted by the curate, the Rev. David Richards, the Rev. Thomas Jones, B.A., curate in charge of Newcastle-Emlyn, to 71ary Anna, the eldest daughter of Levi James, Esq., St. Mary-street, Cardigan. PEAKE—HARLOW—May 12th, at Wesley Chapel, Aberystwyth, by the Rev. J. S. Tickers, Robert Peake, accountant, Terrace- road, to Caroline Elizabeth Harlow, NTewfoniidland-stieet, Aberystwyth. D E H S BREESE—May 10th. aged 26, Thomas, son of the late Mr. John Breese, currier, Mount-street, Llanidloes. BREESE—May 6th, aged 25, Thomas W. Breese, draper, China- street, Llanidloes. DAVIES—May 6th, aged 78, Mr. Edward Davies, Brook-street, Llanfyllin. DAVIES—May 12th. aged 65, Mr. Maurice Davies, Fronfra.ith Mills, Llandyssil, Mont. DAVIES—April 28th. aged 16, Jane Gwendoline Bebb Davies, of 7. Cobden-street, Welshpool. DAYJES-May 7th, at Pentrebont. Llanbadarn Croyddin Lower, Elizabeth Davies, ùanghter of the late Isaac Davies. labourer. EDWARDS—May 9th, aged 61. at Penparke, Aberystwyth, Mary Edwards, widow of Thos. Edward", tailor. EVAXS—May 10th. aged 28, )1r. David Evans, of Cae'n Y-coed, near Llanidloes, farmer. E\As-April 26th, ;1ged 24, William Rees, eldest son of Adam and Margaret Evans, Machynlleth- GRIFFITH— May 12th, aged 29, Anye, wife of Mr. R. Griffith, Crown Hotel, Pwllheli. GRIFFITHS—May 7th, aged 23. at Victoria-terrace, A)>ery>-tTryib, Thos. Iorgan Griffiths, grocer. HOTCIIKINS—May 1st, aged 6, at Llay, Edward, son of John and Jane Hotchkins, of Bangor. HOWARTH—May 6th, aged 31, Henry Howarth. of Penygloudfa, ¡. ewtown, late of Greenfield, Sadclleworth. Yorkshire. HUMPHREYS—May 7th, Margarette, wife of Eùwd. Humphreys, Royal Hotel, Carnarvon, and third daughter of the la,e William Williams, solicitor, Carnanon, anù Margarette, his wife. JENKINS—May 10th, aged 54, at the Infirmary, Aberystwyth, Richd. Jenkins, mariner. JONES—May 12th, aged 2, at Prospect-street, Aberystwyth, Catherine Ann, datighterof Ebenezer Jones, ship carpenter. MADOG—May 5th, aged 65, at Portmadoc, loan Madog. the talented Welsh chaired bard. MORRIS—May 10th. aged S3, at Alltglas, Vaynor Lower, Jane )forris, widow of Morris Morris, 1ahoure.. MORRIS—May 11th, aged 70, at Severn Villa, Mary, widow of John Morris, of the Foundry, Welshpool. RALPH—April 21st, aged 2. at 1, Nelson-terrace. Rhosddu, An lary. daughter of Thomas and Annie Ralph. REES—May ith, aged 66, Mrs. Elizabeth Rees, grocer, of Long Bridge-street, Llanidloes. RICH.uws-)lay 13th, aged 35, at Prospect-street, Aberystwyth. Catherine Richards, wife of Thomas Richards, ship car- penter. RICHARDS — May 11th. aged 14 months, at Bridge-street, Abery«twyth, Iary Eli7.aheth, daughter of OWEN Richards, chemist. ROBERTS—April 19th, aged 47, Mr. R. Roberts, Bryn-y-groes, Garth, Ruabon. ROGERS-April 24th, aged 21, at Felinpuleston, Wrexham, Wm. Rogers. STEPHENS—April 29th, aged 81. at Bryncoch, Llandinam, Mr. John Stephens, formerly of Brvnpostig, near Llani(Uoes. WATKINS—May 10th, aged 48, Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Thomas Watkins, Brynmair House (and formerly of tbe Foxe" Hotel). Llanfair-Caerei n ¡on. WILLIAMS—May úth. aged SS. Mr. Samuel Williams, Penrhyn Coch, near Aberystwyth, and late of Llangollen.

By Press Association Telegram. BRISTOL CATTLE MARKET.—THUBSJAV. A moderate supply of beef, but quite enough for the demand at 80s. to 84s. per cwt. for best, and 70s. to 7:)". inferior. Large supply of sheep, and a slow sale at 8id. fcr choice wethers, and Sd. for ewes; lamb, lOJ. t, lid. Store cattle plentiful, aad selling at an advance. Fi's short, and a quiet sale at 10s. Gd. for bacon and I 0 ;kers.

BRISTOL CORN MARKET, THURSDAY. English wheat was in small supply, but the demand being limited, prices were unaltered. Foreign in fair sup- ply, and rates 6d. to Is. lower. With more enaui:y barley was Is. cheaper. Maize and oats 6d. lower.

BIRMINGHAM CORN MARKET, THCSSLAY. At this day's market there was a good supply of Eng- lish wheat, which sold at Is. Gd. per quarter below the prices of last week. In foreign there was little done at last Thursday's prices.

RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS. A Lloyd's telegram states that it was reported in Phila- delphia that Russian agents were in treaty for the pur- chase of the new steamer, State of California, to be launched from Crump's Yard, Philadelphia.

THE BLACKBURN RIOTS. A Blackburn telegram states on Wednesday night an attack was made on the mansion of Mr. Dugdale. a large mill owner, but was repressed by the police. The force now in Blackburn numbers 500, which, with the police and special constables, is sufficient to ensure tranquility. «.

EARL RUSSELL AND THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY. A distinguished party assembled on Thursday at the British and Foreign School Society's House, Borough- road, te witness the presentation to the Society of a por- trait of Earl Russell, who for fifty years has been pre- sident of the Society. Dean Stanley presided. A letter was read from Countess Russell stating that there was a great improvement in Lord Russell's condition, and approving the proposal to found a Russell scholarship in connection with the Society.

THE MARRIAGE^OF EARL OF ROSEBERRY. In the Lower House of Convocation, on Thursday, a. petition was readj from the Rev. Charles Gutch, incum- bent of St. Cyprians, Marylebone, complaining of the marriage of Lord Roseberry to Miss Rothschild, inas- much as the use of the Church service in theca.se of an unbeliever in the Christian religion was a manifest profa- nation of hlYI things, and that the licence which styled the parties the Bishop's well-beloved in Christ, might have been withheld at the Bishop's discretion. C

THE LLA>W)LLEN LOCAL BOARD CLERKSHIP. In the Queen s Bench Division at Westminster on Thursday, before the l ord Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Mellor, Mr. Evens Mclntyre, Q.C., appeared to show cawse against a rule calling upon Mr. Parry Jones to show by what authority he acted as clerk to the Llangollen Local Board. This rule had been obtained on the affi- davits of Major Tottenham and Mr. Charles Richards, the late clerk to the Board, who defined, that owing; to a dispute which occurred, the Chairman and other members of the Board determined to get rid of Mr. Richards. When the rule was moved, Mr. Turner urged that Mr. Richards had been illegally dismissed, inasmuch he had not been given sufficient notice and again that a by-law of the Board made it necessary that any determination of his appointment must be made by a number of members of the Board equal to that by which he v»as appointed. Mr. Mclntyre now arg-ued that the by-law would not bear that construction, and 1I. Turner having been heard in reply, the Lord Chief Justice held that the anrnnents in support of the rule were not sufficient to prove the co- stmction of the law relied upon by Mr. Turner, but apart from that the court felt itself called I upon to exercise i s discretion as to the grant- Íl; nf it CFlo) warranto. In the present case a quo 1 warranto would have no good purpose, inasmuch as. though it might displace Mr. Jones, it could not reinstate Mr. Richards. Mr. Justice Mr-llor concurred, and Che rule 1 was tueri-f }::e discharged with costs.