The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

LIVING ON SIXPENCE A DAY. -Sip--As considerable enquiry has lately arisen on this siroedt, and as the food question forces itself more into 3f. prominence, you will, I trust, permit me to mention that the Vegetarian Society offers to supply freely information concerning the dietetic practices of its members, and that I shall have pleasure in forwarding papers on the subject to any reader who may favor me with his address by post card or otherwise.—I am, &c., R. BAILEY WALKER, F.S.S. Cheadle, Cheshire. EDUCATION AT ABERYSTWYTH. Siit,-Some time ago I addressed to you a letter respect- ing the way children are detained in some of the Aber- ystwyth Schools after school hours. I find that the lettc-r has had no effect, although it has been seen and read by the persons concerned. Perhaps a complaint to the Edu- cation Department would be more effectual.-I am, &c., DYSG. DOWNIE'S BEQUEST. SIR,—Allow me, if you please, to write again on this subject. In the first place, I desire to know why the Chairman of the Visiting Committee waited upon the young lady Nonconformists to ask them if they were willing to act as lady visitors ? I should have thought that it would have been more regular if they were in- formed of their appointment by the Clerk of the Commit- tee, and asked by him in his letter if they would accept the office. In the next place, I want to know by whose di- rection were the cheques distributed, and why they were sent to the Church ladies exclusively? The next question refers to the lady visitors themselves. The work of distribution has been in operation scarcely a. fortnight, and already there are complaints as to the way it is done. Is it true that a sum of 2s. 6d. has been given to an owner of property at Trefechan, and that another half-a-crown has been given to a person who has P,60 in the bank ? If so, I hope that the ledy visitors will learn by experience, or that some such institution as the Charity Organization Society will be established.—I am, &c., XXX. RELIGION IN WALES. SIR,-I have read your articles with much interest on this important subject, and beg to express the hope that you will reprint them all in a pamphlet form, for reference an l careful study, as they convey, in my opinion, so much valuable information, and the views expressed are so sound and moderate, and the subject is so very important to all, Churchmen and Dissenters, that these articles are worth preserving. I often see churches decayed, dilapidated, and neglected, externally and internally need- ing some renovation, to say the least, if not a thorough restoration. Venerable piles groaning under a weight of ivy, the whole appearance often speaking of ruin and decay. Yet we remember the ivy is outside, Creeping where no life is seen, A rare old plant is the ivy green. I know one ancient village church at least which would employ Mr. Gladstone nicely for a while in pruning the ivy with his beautiful new axe, presented to him recently; the best use for this axe, as the ivy is fast creeping into the church, and we don't want it there. Still we admire it; some would fight for it. I wish M t. Gladstone would come to our "good old town," exhibit his axe, try it on our ivy-mantled tower," and give us a lecture on "Church Architecture and Church Building," the pro- ceeds to go to form the nucleus of a fund for the object before suggested—the beautifying and adorning or partly restoring any church in our vicinity which needs it most; we could soon decide that point. It astonishes me to see per contra every where what handsome chapels, some of them in really good Gothic style, are every where to be seen solid, neat, and substantial structures, suitable ap- parently for the purposes for which they are designed. At Barmouth it is the same, too, yet the churches are going to ruin fast. If the material structures are neglected, how will the spiritual temple be built up? The articles referred to will probably elucidate the rise and progress of Dissent in Wales. I hope so; and if some of the reasons are given why the Church is not progressing so very muchin Wales, and why Dissenting places of worship are increasing in cr numbers, it would be interesting. You observe in one of the articles that the Dissenting gentry do not train their sons to the ministry, but it must be remembered that there are very few prizes for them, and the fact of a man having two or three thousands to spare will not secure him one of the best chapels and the snuggest of residences.—I am, &c., Dolgelley. G.G.W. THE SLATE TRADE IN NORTH WALES. SIR, -We shall be glad, if you can, through the medium of your columns, throw any light upon the depression from which the slate trade in North Wales is generally supposed to be suffering at present, a state of things al- leged to be unparalleled in the history of the trade. We are led to make this enquiry from having made an appli- cation to the Penrhyn Quarries for a considerable quan- tity of sla.tes, and having in reply been informed that they cannot be supplied. If the wise policy so recently adopted has had the magic power of restoring the trade to its normal healthy condition, it certainly makes amends for the impolitic and injudicious line of action formerly pursued, and which in no slight degree has con- tributed to that stagnation which has lately been subject for lament.-We are, &c., ASHTON AND GREEN (LIMITED). T. E. Ashton, Chairman. 11, 12, 14, and 15, Bury-street, St. Mary Axe, London, E.C., 27th January, 1879. THE DOLGELLEY INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES AND MR. REVELEY. Saul-I shall feel greatly obliged if you will allow me a brief space for a reply to a letter that appeared in your columns last week from the pen of Mr. Reveley. 1 o enter into a controversy of this kind, which must from its very nature be a personal one, is most painful to me. But I feel that if I were to let Mr. Reveley's letter pass unnoticed I should do myself very great injustice, for it contains most serious accusations, such as might, coming as they do from a gentleman of a high standing like Mr. Reveley, prove injurions to my reputation as a public officer. Now to be brief. In that letter four, at least, distinct charges are brought against me, viz. lstly- That at one time in my official capacity I en- tered, "most unwarrantably and impertinently. Mr. Reveley's house. „ 2ndly—That I brought the case of Cefnrowen Farm before the Sanitary Board that I might vent my spleen upon Mr. Reveley, because he was justly incensed for my having entered his house as above." 3rdly—That I attacked him by name, and that without he being aware of the facts of the case beyond what I had stated myself." 4th ly—That I brought this case before the Board while the cause of complaint was being rapidly removed. The first charge implies that in entering Mr. Reveley s house I exceeded my duty, else where is the unwarrant- ableness of my visit ? And that I did that in a highly improper manner, else where is the impertinence of my visit ? The best and I think the only way to answer this doubie charge is—to refer Mr. Reveley to Clause y, Sec. 3, of The General Order of the Local Government Board as to Inspectors of Nuisances. There Mr. Reveley will find that before I can carry out my duties as defined in that clause, I am bound to make a thorough inspection of every place where an epidemic or a contagious disease has broken out within my district. The clause makes no distinction between the gentleman s palace and the peasant's cot. Therefore on being informed of such a case having broken out at Brynygwin, no alternative was left me but to visit the place at once. So much for the unwarrantableness of my visit. And this, as far as my memory serves me, is the simple story of my visit. In the forenoon of one day, some three or four years ago, after hearing rumours of the existence of scarlet fever at Brynygwin I went there, and after knocking at the door I was invited in by one of .the ser- c vants, to whom I made my mission known, and who told me that I could see the room where the patient was, if I wished, as it was close by, just above tht- entrance at the backdoor. I went upstairs, and found everything in a most satisfactory state and came away. So much again for the impertinence of my visit. When at Brynygwin I did not see Mr. Reveley (as I believe, from enquiries I made, that none of the family came to that part of the house where the patient lay while the fever was in the house). Nor had I then, nor at any other time, until I saw his letter in the Cambrian News, any occasion to think that he knew I had been there. Therefore I knew as much as the man in the moon of Mr. Reveley being incensed by my visit. This again brings down charge number two. In the third place, Mr. Reveley complains of having been attacked by name. If he will condescend to read my report, as published in the Cambrian News he will find that no mention whatever of his name, nor of even the name of the farm house in question was made; ai. d only in answer to questions put by some members of the Board did I mention 'his name at all. Again, that he was so attacked without knowing anything of the facts of the case beyond what I myself had stated. Now whose fault was that ? Surely not mine. Is not Mr. Reveley the owner of the place, and as such had every right to make himself acquainted with the wants of the place in- dependent of anyone ? If he did not care to believe me, surely he did not expect me to get some one else who, in his estimation, would have been a higher authority. it is now more than eighteen months since I served Mr. Reveley with a notice concerning this place. If he had then, or at any other time the least doubt of the accuracy of my report, might he not have satis- fied himself by sending his own agent to inspect the place ? Or he might have brought the matter before the Sanitary .doard, who had the right to send the Medical Officer of Health either to corroborate or disprove what I had reported. But it is quite evident that he did not trouble himself in the least to know any- thing of the matter, and after treating it with this in- difference, comes forward to complain of having been at- tacked without knowing the facts of the case, and openly tells the world that to report things, rightly or wrongly, is indifferent tome." Really, if this had not come from a gentleman like Mr. Reveley, and did it not contain a covert insinuation, I should have deemed it so childish as not to deserve notice. Again, that I brought the case before the Board while the cause of complaint was being rapidly removed. This, I presume, is what Mr. Reveley would have your readers believe, when he states that he some years spent the whole rent, and generally a good part of it, in mending the roofs of the buildings. Now, I have made a thorough inspection of the place, and for the life of me can I find that anything more than about £ 5 has been expended in improving the house for the last dozen years (I mentioned nothing about other buildings in my report), and if more has been spent it must have been spent extremely uuwisely, and in a manner altogether unaccountable to me, and at this present moment I have no hesitation in saying that the house is unfit for human habitation. I brought the case before the Board in as mild a form as my duty would per- mit me. If a detailed description of the place had been given, it would have been a very dark picture indeed. Again, Mr." Reveley tells us in his letter that the place is let under a lease, and that therefore the tenant is bound to repair. Quite so; he would be bound to repair if such was the case but I have strong reasons for doubting that men document ,as ever in existence. Now I have done, and will leave it to the public to judge whether myself or Mr. llcveley is uu>»oiy actuated by i., spleen," but before I close permit me to express my regret that I should, in performing my duties to the best of my abilities, incur the displeasure of a gentleman of Mr. Reveley's positioll_a j jistice of the peace, and a member of the very Board to which I am responsible also, that what is sin on my part against Mr. Reveley should be visited upon the head of his poor tenant, who is a most steady, punctual, and industrious man, but whom Mr. Reveley calls a lazy and an unprofitable tenant," and to whom, as Mr. Reveley states, an ejectment from his farm is the only likely effect of my interference.—I am, &c., I WILLIAM JONES, Sanitary Inspector. Camlyn House, Dolgelley, Jan. 28, 1879. THE SUNDAY CLOSING MOVEMENT. A public meeting on behalf of the movement for stopping the sale of intoxicating liquors on Sunday was held in the Public Hall, Oswestry, on Monday evening, January 27". The chair was taken by the Rev. Canon Howell Evans, ricar of Oswestry. There was a large at- tendance, and a very considerable proportion of those present were working men. Mr. Edward Whitwell, of Kendal, and Mr. Samuel Knell, of Birmingham, attended as a deputation from the Central Association for stopping the sale of intoxicating liquors on Sunday. The CHAIBJIAN, in opening the proceedings, said-I am sorry to have to announce that indisposition has pre- vented Mr. Cashel from being present here this evening. Mr. Wynne Thomas, of Hafodwyn, ateo writes to express much regret at his inability to attend the meeting. He cordially sympathizes with its objects, and trusts that there will be a large attendance, and that it will- be fol- lowed by satisfactory results. Now I feel perfectly sure of this, that there is no object which will eommand more cordial support, and, I trust, hearty sympathy, than that which has brought us together this evening. I do not know anything upon which there is such thorough agreement throughout the whole country as there is upon the object we have at heart, namely, that of stopping the sale of intoxicating liquors upon the Lord's Day. When one looks around one and sees per- sons assembled here differing from one another upon so many subjects; differing in politics, differing on various questions of religion, ditferiug even as to the best mode of promoting temperance in the country, and yet when we see that they are all unanimous in giving their sup- port to this movement for closing public houses on tiie Lord's Day, I feel myself perfectly certain that sooner or later that measure will be carried. (Cheers.) Now do not let us make a mistake in this matter. Some people there are who say to us, The object you have in view is to try and make people sober by Act of Parliament." 1 deny that altogether. If we could make people sober by Act of Parliament, I should be only too glad to try my very utmost to promote that object, but what we feel is this, that it is altogether wrong that people should be made drunk by Act of Parliament. \Hear, hear.) That is the true aspect of the matter. I think that if there is one thing which we all have at heart, and which we can all try to help forward, it is this, that the Lord's Day in our country of England should be a day of rest, a day kept for the glory of God, and in which no business transactions should be allowed. (Hear, hear.) Well, we are all agreed upon that, and the thing we have to consider is this, that there is only one business on behalf of which a special exception is made in favour of its being carried on on Sundays, and that is, the business of the sale of intoxicating liquors. Why is it so? Is it because it is especially beneficial to the interests of the country at large ? Is it because it has some special claim upon us ? Far from it. There is not a single person throughout the whole country but must acknowledge that the one fruitful source of pauper- ism and of crime, the one fruitful source of all our diffi- culties, social and moral, is to be found in the excessive use of stimulants. Yet the sale of intoxicating liquors is the one business, which special legislation allows, to be engaged in, the one calling it allows to be exercised on the Lord's Day. (Hear, hear.) What I mantain is this, that we have to try and put an end to this state of things, which, instead of being beneficial, is most injurious-in its effects, most injurious to those who are concerned in it-to the retail dealeis in this thing themselves-and most in- jurious to the young, for whom there are only open on the Lord's Day, if they do not eare to enter God's House, the doors of these houses, where they are too often led on to excess. Well then, ladies and gentlemen, I say that we are determined by Uod's help that we will do our utmost to put an end to this evil. We are glad to know that in Ireland the thin end of the wedge has been in- serted. I can quite understand that there are matters in which there must be some special legislation for Ireland different from that for England; but 1 cannot understand that there is any argument which for one moment could be regarded as valid, in favour of prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors on Sunday in Ireland, but not in England. None of us would for a moment say that the enormous amount of money which is spent on this one thing alone, is spent in Ireland. None of us would say that homes are made miserable and men are brutalized and rendered incapable through drunkenness only in Ireland. Unhappily we find these things existing amongst ourselves, and, therefore, if Ireland is ripe for this legislation 1 say the whole kingdom is ripe for it. (Cheers.) I trust we shall do our utmost by our hearty support and co-operation to carry this great measure of relorm-the prohibition of the sale of intoxicating liquors on the Lord's Day—and thus put an end to exceptional legislation which is most unjustifiable and most injurious, and at the same time give back to those who are engaged in the trade-to them and to their families—that rest and quiet en the Lord's Day which is their right, just as much as it is the right of the rest of the people of England. (Cheers.) Mr. E. WHITWELL then moved the following resolution That this meeting is of opinion that the sale of Intoxicating liquors on the Lord's Day is productive ot a large amount 01 drunkenness, pauperism, and crime among the people and in- asmuch as it is enacted that other trades shall not be ptirsued on that day, it is both impolitic and unfair that such sale should be sanctioned, as at present, by the laws of the realm. In the first part of his speech Mr. Whitwell gave a sketch of the history of legislation and attempted legislation upon the subject of the Sunday liquor traffic. He showed that it was no question of party politics, but that both Liberals and Conservatives had endeavoured to place restrictions upon that traffic. He afterwards argued that Sunday e. closing was desirable in the interests of the publicans themselves. It was hardly fair that working men should expect the publicans to serve them for so many more hours than they themselves were willing to work. It was stated that the proportion of deaths amongst publicans compared with those amongst the ordinary population was 150 to 100. It might be said that this excessive mortality arose from the unhealthines of their occupation. If so, there was all the more reason why they should have one day in the week of freedom from it. Mr. Whitwell adduced several instances of publicans themselves being in favour of Sunday closing. Of 300 publicans in Cheltenham, 205 were found to be in favour of Sunday closing, and only fifty-five against. He had been told that in Oswestry two clergymen went round two years ago and canvassed the publicans, and they found that out of 86 publicans 76 were in favour of closing the whole of Sunday if th. rest would do it. Taking the country throughout it would be found that three publicans out of four were in favour ot Sunday closing. Six days' licences were not taken out, because in the first place publicans were afraid thai, the custom neighbouring inn- keepers received on the Sunday they would keep on the Monday, and another reason was that some brewers, who were the owners of public-houses, insisted on their houses being open on Sunday. Then they had to consider not only the publicans, but the barmen and barmaids. The Bishop of London had stated in the House of Lords that he had it upon most trustworthy authority that the health of people engaged in that trade was often completely broken down owing to the long hours of work and the absence of a Sunday respite. in England and Ireland there were up- wards of 340,000 persons employed in public houses. A young barmaid, in writing to a Birmingham paper upon the subject of the long hours of work, said she thought the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ought to interfere in their behalf. Mr. Whitwell afterwards argued that it was unjust to other tradesmen that the publican should have a monopoly of Sunday trading. The great mass of tha working classes received their wages on Friday or Saturday. Men who got drunk on Saturday evening were often in a worse state on Sunday evening, and the result was a lazy Monday, Black Monday" as it was called, which meant a blacK Thursday or Friday for their wives and children. It had been given in evidence that in some of the coal pits in the county of Durham there were more accidents on Monday morning than on any other day of the week. The youths of our land were gathered in Sunday schools on Sunday morning, but how was it on Sunday evening ? He found from a personal visit to a number of gin shops in London that one-third of the frequenters were youths, one-third women and girls, and the remaining third men. He was glad to find that the great mass of the people of this country were anxious for the proposed change, In answer- ing objections to it, Mr. Whitwell said that if the working man had his Sunday's beer bottled on Saturday night, it would suffer no deterioration, and with regard to the opening of clubs on Sundays, as a matter oi fact many of them were closed on that day, and as soon as they found that these clubs were beginning to fill the gaols with criminals and the workhouses with paupers, then they would agitate for their being closed on Sundays. In up- wards of 300 towns a house-to-house canvass had been made, and the result was a vast preponderance of public opinion in favour of Sunday closing. The voting papers contained three questions-" Are you in favour of Sunday closing ?" Are you opposed to it ?" and' 'Are you neutral ?" At Crewe 2,036 persons voted in its favour; 357 against, and 163 were neutral. It was proposed to ascertain in the same way the opinions of the householders of Oswestry. At a canvass in Liverpool, 44,000 persons voted in the affirmative and only 8,500 in the negative while at a great meeting held in St. George's Hall, con- sisting largely of working men, only one hand was held up against Sunday closing. Public meetings had also been held in Manchester and other large towns with similar results. At Preston, in Lancashire, a few years ago, 5,695 working men voted in favour of closing the whole of Sunday, 245 against, and 265 in favour of the public houses being open for two hours on Sundays. The fact was that the working men were more in favour of Sunday closing than any other class of the community. Mr. Whitwell afterwards spoke at length of the operation of the Forbes Mackenzie Act, under which the public houses of Scotland hud been closed for upwards of 24 years past, and gave statistics to show the remarkable dimiuation in drunkenness and crime which had resulted from it. Before the Act came into force the gaol at Edinburgh was so crowded that a sum of money was voted for the purpose of enlarging it, but this was found to be quite unnecessary, and while Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham had to enlarge thair gaols or to build new ones, the gaol at Edinburgh was one-third empty. There had been a great decrease in the consumption of whiskey in Scotland since the passing of the Act, although it had increased in England. Mr. E. EVANS seconded the resolution, which was put by the Chairman and carried unanimously. Mr. S. KNELL then proposed the second resolution :— That this meeting expresses its thankfulness to Almighty God that the Bill for Stopping the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors on Sun- day in Ireland has become law, and that now the whole of that country, with the exception of five towns, will enjoy the legisla- tion which has been benefitting Scotland for upwards of twenty- four years. That this meeting earnestly requests the members of Parliament for this county to give their persistent support to a measure which will bestow a similar boon on the whole of England and Wales." Mr. Knell, in the course of his speech, gave the history of the Sunday Closing Movement in Ireland. He said that in some parts of the country there had been voluntary closing of public houses on Sunday with the best results prior to the passing of the Irish Sunday Closing Act, and that that Act was passed as a concession to the demands of the vast majority of the people of Ireland. He afterwards quoted reports to show how well the Act had been received by the whole population, and how excellent had been its moral effects. Recorders at Quarter Sessions, and other judicial authorities, had referred to the remarkable diminution of drunkenness and crime which had followed the passing of the Act. The Rev. E. D. WILKS, in seconding the resolution, remarked that he thought their great difficulty would be to convince their representatives in Parliament that the country really wanted the measure. From a kind and generous sympathy with the people they would hesitate to support a prohibitive measure of this kind. There was no doubt that when their repre- sentatives saw that they wished this measure to become law they would slote for it. • The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. The Rev. J. S. MITCHELL moved the third resolution. That the following petition be signed by the chairman on behalf of this meeting, and forwarded to Viscount Newport, M.P., to be presented to Parliament, and that copies of these resolutions be sent to the Members for the County To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and In land in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the under- signed shew-eth-That your petitioners believe that the sale uf intoxicating liquors on Sunday is a special source of intemper- ance, immorality, and crime. Your petitioners therefore pray your honourable house to pass a Bill stopping such sale in England and Wales during the whole of that day. And your petitioners will ever pray." The resolution was seconded by Mr. EVANS, of Salop School, and, like the others, was carried unanimously. Mr. THOMAS MINSHALL, in moving the next resolution, said ha had travelled with the Mayor (Mr. John Thomas) that even- ing, and he said he was very sorry he wag unable to be present at that meeting, and that he quite approved of its ob- ject, and wished it success. In the course of his speech M r. Minshall said he believed from his heart that huadredaanll I thousands of publicaus would be glad to have a law pawed for the closing of their hortses on Stmdays and tliat both for them- selves and their wives and families it would be a vertgreat boon. It would certainly also be a Very good thing for the working men of Ungl.iml, many of whdin want&l to be protected against themselves. Mr. Minshall afterwards referred to the passing of the Irish Sunday Closing Act. He quoted some i-e- marks made by Chairmen of Quarter Sessions in Ireland, testi- fying to the remarkable fact that whereas before the passing of the Act there were a large number of crimes and offences result- ing from intemperance, there had been since its passing no cases before them traceable to drink. A Chairman of Quarter Sessions said that if this state of things had nothing to do with the Sunday Closing Act, it was certainly a most remarkable coinci- dence. He would appeal to their common sense whether a law of that kind which was good for Scotland and good for Ireland would not be also good for England. (Cheers.) Mr. Minshall then moved the following resolution That an auxiliary to the Central Association for stopping the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors on Sunday be now formed, and that the following gentlemen be the committee and officers for the ensnini; year, with power to add to their number The Rev. Canon Howell Evans, the Rev. F. Cashel, Mr. T. L Longueville, Mr. Turner (Beatrice-street), Mr. J. C. Bull. Mr. W. H. Spauil, h. Hignett, Mr. Nield, Belgrave-place, Mr. Edward Evans, Mr. Perks, Mr. Joseph Evans, the Rev. T. Thomas, the Rev E. D. Wilks, the Rev. J. Mitchell, and Mr. Thonms Minshall." Mr. PERKS seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. .Mr. WHITWELL proposed and Mr. KNELL seconded a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried by acclamation, and the Chairman having briefly acknowledged it the meeting separated.

THE SHROPSHIRE AND WEST MIDLAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. The fourth annual general meeting of the members of this society was held at the Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury, at noon on Saturday. Jan. 25. Mr. J. E. Severne, M.P., president of the Society for the year, was in the chair, and amongst those who were present were :—Messrs. J. Bather, Day House, Shrewsbury, G. G. Blantern, Haston, W. Blakeway, Wooton, Sir C. R. Bonghton, Bart., Downton, Messrs. A. Burd, Burcote, T. Corbett, Shrewsbury, C. W. Calcott, Sutton, Jno. Crane, Bent- hall, Jos. Crane, Shrewsbury, T. W. Da vies, Sugden, E. H. Davies, Patton, B. Deakin, Crnck Meole, W. Fowler, Acton Reynald, W. Hughes, Meole, Jno. Humphreys, Hanley Hall, J. Bowen Jones, Ensdon House, R. Jasper More, Linley, T. Man- sell, Harrington, Shifnal, C. Mort, Burlton, Baschurcb, A. Mansell, auctioneer, W. Newell, Yorton, R. B. Oswell, Shelvock, Jeffrey Pool, Chilton, H. Robertson, M.P., T. Southam, Shrewsbury, J. Parson Smith, W. Sheraton, Broom House, R. T. Smith, Whitchurch, Jno. Smith, woolatapler, E. Bremner Smith, Oswestry, R.Taylor, Shrewsbury, Warren Thompson, Shrewsbury, E. Wright Halston, M. Williams, The Mount, C. Wad- low, Stone Acton, W. Wilkinson, Wolverley, Wem, S. Woodcock, Churton, Jno. Whitaker, Winsley, &c. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said that at the close of their fourth year he was glad to be able to congratulate them on the success which their society had attained. Their last meeting had been a very good one and thanks to the efforts of those who received them at Ludlow, and to those who had the conduct of the show, the stewards and council, it had been a most successful one, not only in a pecuniary point of view, but they had succeeded in getting together a large number of very fine animals, and what was better, in attracting a very large number of people, who it might be hoped might from seeing the excellence of the animals exhibited, be induced to take an interest in improving the breeding of stock. (Hear, hear.) As far as the show had gone at present it had from year to year increased in the goodness of the stock exhibited, and he hoped that although that was its fourth year it would go on and prosper as it had hitherto done. He would now ask them to listen to the report of the council. (Applause.) Mr. W. L. BROWNE, the secretary, then read the report as follows The Council in presenting their fourth report are pleased to be able to congratulate the Society upon the success which con- tinues to attend their annual exhibitions The last one which was held at Ludlow, on July 21th, 25th, and 26th, 1878, was suc- cessful beyond expectation. That success was, to a consider- able extent, attributable to the unceasing endeavours of the Local Committee, the Mayor, and Corporation, and the inhabitants of Ludlow, generally; all of whom worked as one man to add to the importance of that meeting, and to meet in the most agreeable and courteous manner the demands m'1(le upon their resources and accommodation. The Ludlow Agricultural Society postponed their annual exhibition of stock for 1878, is consequence of this Society's visit, and, in addition thereto liberally contributed to the guarantee fund. The thanks of this Society are due to them for that friendly action. The thanks of the Society are also due to the inhabitants of Ludlow and other subscribers, for the generous contributions made by them to its funds and for the gratifying reception given to its members on their first visit to that district. The quality of the stock exhibited, taken as a whole, was perhaps never surpassed by the show of any County Society. The Hereford Cattle and Shropshire Sheep particularly were largely represented, and in the opinion of the judges possessed very considerable merit. Horses were not so full an entry as might have been expected, and the handsome special prizes given by several noblemen and gentlemen, who are anxious to encourage an improvement in the breed of horses, did not attract so much competition in the Entire Horse Classes as the Council would have liked to have seen. The other special prizes kindly offered to the Society proved a very satisfactory feature in the show. and contributed in no small degree to its success. The thanks of the Society are due to those who gave them, who may be glad to know that their donations produced a considerable amount of compe- tition. The number of entries in the several classes, including extra stock. was:— 150 Horses against 147 in 1877 116 Cattle 92 109 Sheep "57,, 29 Pigs -54 „ 38 Butter and Cheese 63 27 Wool 17 56 Stands of Implements 35 465 1878 in excess of 1877 60 525 525 it will be seen upon comparison tnat tne entries for the exhi- bition of 1878 exceeded those of the previous meeting by 60, and those of the Oswestry Show in 1876 by 191. A sum equal to Z873 (including the special prizes) was awarded by this Society. To this the Ludlow Local Committee added Z55, and the Ludlow Agricultural Society, £15. The exhibition of implements and miscellaneous articles was much more extensive than that at any of this Society's previous meetings, and the Council were pleased to know that the enterprising men of business, who, at considerable expense to themselves, furnished the show yard with specimen s of mechanical ingenuity, met with considerable genuine business, and were highly satisfied with the result of the exhibition. Twenty-six medals and zell in prizes were awarded in this department eight medals going to miscellaneous articles not strictly agri- cultural in their use. That the unfortunate circumstance of the holding of the Worcestershire Society's Show at Bromsgrove on the dates of this Society's Meeting at Ludlow (although twelve months notice of the dates selected by this Society had been given) was happily unattended by loss to this Society or by inconvenience to visitors, is clearly shown by fact that upwards of 22,000 persons passed the entrance gates during the three days, and that the sum of 41,00139. was taken by the collectors. The Council deeming the early fixture of the date of the next show of great importance to the Society, enabling thereby other local societies to fix their meeting on other days, de- cided on the 25th of July last (and gave due publicity to their decision at the time) that the exhibition of 1879, should be held at Shrewsbury, on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of July. The coming exhibition is looked forward to with much inte- rest, and the promises of support already made by great exhi- bitors, lead the Council to think that the county town, which so liberally supported their first efforts, will in no way be dis- appointed with the results of a second visit. A statement of receipts and expenditure for the past year, audited by Mr. Wm. Edwards. Shrewsbury, and a general ac- count of thelfinancial position of the Society, is attached to this report. The appointment of President and Vice-President for the ensuing year is to be made at the general meeting, to be held at the Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury, at twelve o'clock, on Jan. -5th, 1879, at which meeting the secretary, honorary secretary, and honorary treasurer will seek re-election. The number of members of the Society is now 474. # One-third of the Council retires by rotation, but is eligible far re-election. The thanks of the Society are due to the President, Mr. J. E. Severne, M.P., for the great interest he has taken in its wel- fare since its formation, and more particularly for the pains- taking attention he has given to its business during his term of office. The Council also desire to express their thanks to Mr. T. S, Eyton, the honorary treasurer, to Mr. T. Corbett, the honorary secretary, and to Mr. Wm. Edwards, the honorary auditor, for the continuation of their services. The attached statement of accounts shewed that the receipts included 21, 00t 5s. 5d. taken at the gate during the Show, £504 18s. 10d., donations and subscriptions, and £459 9s. lid., balance in hand at last audit, and amounted to 23,009 6s. 2d. The payments left a balance in hand of 2891 16s. 9d., and there were subscriptions in arrear to the amount of £64. The gain to the Society by the Ludlow Show was stated to be B502 Is. lOd. Mr. WARREN THOMPSON, in moving the adoption of the report, said he wished to endorse the remarks made by the Chairman as to the satisfactory nature of the report. They had every reason to hope that the Show would be as successful in the future, for he believed that the Shrewsbury people were taking up the question as warmly as when the Show had first come to Shrewsbury. (Hear, hear.) He was very pleased to find that the Quarry would be likely to be the site, as the Guarantee Committee had come to the conclusion that it would be the best, and as far as he knew there was not the slightest disposition to prevent the Show's being held in the Quarry, and as one of the Committee he believed that there was a strong feel- ing in its favour. (Cheers.) Mr. E. H. DAVIES, Patton, seconded the resolution, and it was carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN said he was sorry to state that there was one little hitch in their proceedings, and one which had been entirely unexpected by him that morning. At pre- sent they had not succeeded in securing the services of any gentleman to act as president, and he hoped they would allow the meeting to be adjourned for a fortnight for the purpose of electing a president. Mr. JASPER MORE proposed that Mr. Edmund Wright be elected vice-president. (Cheers.) He was a gentleman greatly interested in agricultural societies, and no doubt he would take as much interest in that Society in the future as they were much obliged to him for doing in the past. (Applause.) Mr. R. TAYLOR, Shrewsbury, had much pleasure in seconding the proposition. Mr. E. WRIGHT expressed his willingness to accept the honour conferred upon him. He knew that that Society had done a great deal of good in the past, and he had faith in its living to do a great deal more in the future. Having the prosperity of the Society cordially at heart he had much pleasure in accepting the office. He had been asked to propose a resolution, and he was quite sure there would not be two opinions on that question. He moved that Mr. W. L. Browne be re-elected secretary for the ensuing year. (Applause.) Mr. Browne had brought a good deal to earnestness and zeal to bear in promoting the interests of the Society. (Hear, hear.) Mr. W. SHERATON, Broom House, seconded the propo- sition, which was carried unanimously. Mr. BLAKEWAY proposed, and Mr. W. NEVFTT seconded, the re-election of Mr. T. S. Eyton as hon. treasurer, Mr. T. Corbett as hon. secretary, and Mr. W. Edwards, as hon. auditor, and it was agreed to nem. con. Mr. DAVIES proposed, and Mr. T. MANSELL seconded, that Mr. C. C. Cotes, M.P., Sir V. R. Corbett, Bart., Major Cust, M.P., Mr. W. O. Foster, Mr. John Hill, Mr. C. Donaldson Hudson, Mr. Thomas Instone, Mr. Stanley Leighton, M.P., Sir Baldwyn Leighton, M.P., the Earl of Powis, Sir F. Smythe, Bart., and Mr. Edm. Wright, who retire by rotation, be re-elected members of the Council, and that Mr. Thomas Hugh Sandford, Mr. James Watson, Mr. A. P. Heywood Lonsdale, and Mr. Hulton Harrop, be placed on the Council in the place of Col. Corbett. Mr. R. Groves, and Mr. J. Harding. Sir CHARLES ROUSE BOUGHTON, Bart., in proposing a vote of thanks to the retiring president, Mr. Severne, said that in the remarks which the Chairman had just made he had very modestly put down the great success of last year's show to a variety of causes, not one of which had been connected with his own name—(hear, hear)—but all who had been at the show and had seen the great trouble Mr. Severne had taken in the park, would say that he had been by no means a merely ornamental Chairman, but a most useful one. (Cheers.) In the future a great deal of the success of that Society would depend upon the Presidents working as hard as Mr. Severne had done, and he (the speaker) felt sure that they would feel it to be the Chairman's due, and a debt they would have the greatest pleas use in paying him if he asked them to express their warnxitt thanks to Mr. Severne for his services. (Cheers.) Mr. FOWLER seconded the proposition, which was carried by acclamation. The CHAIRMAN briefly thanked them. Anything he Alight have done for the Society had been a labour of love. and most decidedly any trouble he might have gone to had been well repaid when lie thought of the success the Society had achieved. (Applause.) He then proposed that the meeting be adjourned to that day fortnight for the election of a president. Mr. E. WRIGHT seconded the motion, which was carried, and the meeting broke up.

LAMPETER. PEEAR?LFAC F' ;TICA r,. -Among those who have recently passed the preliminary examination of the Pharmaceuti- cal Society is Mr. Robert Williams, of Derigaron, Tre- garon, and apprentice to Mr. J. W. Evans, Medical Hall. BOARD OF GUARDIANS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 24.-Prosent: Mr. W. Jones, Llwynygroes, in the chair, the Rev. R. Jenkins and Mr. Lewis Davies. vice-chairmen, the Rev. James Jones, Cellan, Messrs. Joseph Morgan. Lampeter, Evan Jones, Llan- fairclydogau, William Jones, IJangybi, Thomas Jones and Davill Davies, Llanwenog, Stephen Jenkins and David Davies, Llanybvther, and D. Uoyd, clerk. Statistics.—Out-relief administered during the past fortnight, Lampeter district, per Mr. D. Parry, Z43 to 18" paupere; Llanybyther district, per Mr. John Jones, £ 4710s. to 191 paupers. Number in the house, 21. LOCAL BOARD, MONDAY, JANUARY 27.—Present: Mr. Price, in the chair, Mr. Jenkin W. Evans, Mr. Rees Davies, Mr. T. 1. Edmunds, Mr. D. Lloyd, clerk, and Mr. W. Rees, Rural Inspector. Medical Officer's Report.—Mr. A. Evans, medical officer, re- ported as follows I beg to present my annual report on the sanitary condition of the district under my charge. The report is for the year ended 31st December, 1878. The population of the district at the time of census in 1871 was 1,225. The place has increased since that time, and I think I can estimate the population now as 1,325. The number of living children born during the year 1875 was 27; in 1877, 36. The number of deaths in 18/8 was 29; in 1877, 20; so you will find that the number of births is low, and the number of deaths is rather high. The former is 20 per 1,000, and the letter 21 per 1,000. A tabular statement of the mortality within the district, with the diseases classified as required by the Act of Parliament, you will find enclosed with the report. Deaths from contagious diseases are not very numerous four from diphtneria and one from whooping cough. The latter has been very prevalent all through the district. There has not been a single case of scarlet fever, with the exception of one. brought into the workhouse from the parish of Llanfair. On* case oi fever of a doubtful character occurred at the workhouse. It proved fatal. Diphtheria broke out twice in the workhouse. One, a child nine months old, died, and the other recovered. I am glad to state that the disease did not spread. lbelievothe workhouse has not been built on one of the best sites. I have not been able to ascertain the cause of the outbreak. The water has been analyzed, and found to be pure and wholesome. Two died of consumption. Six died of diseases of the respiratory organs and eight, under five years old, of different diseases. 1 have visited and inspected all the district. At Giandulas I find that the privies have not been removed to longer distance from the dwelling-houses. Maesfelin is in the same state The water, I am afraid, is not fit to be used for domestic purposes. The Pound is also the same: in want of water. All the in- habitants get water from a pump, which is private property, and the supply can be stopped at any moment. Further, I do not think the water is pure and wholesome. Some time ago I called your attention to the absence of trougiiing to houses, so that i w,'aAer\mi°ht be prevented from going on to the Common. 1 find that no notice has been taken oi it; at least nothing ha« been done. I think it is hardly necessary for me to refer to the question of the town water supply. You are all aware how scarce it was last summer. Several private pumps have been put down during the year. In case a lire breaks pin 1 do not know what is to be done. The in- habitants of the town are mostly now accommodated with privies, Out most of the cottages outside the town are still with- out them. There are a few cottages outside the town with win- dows too small, and bad ventilation. Ffynonlas, which I re- ported last year as unfit for habitation, has been re-built.The inspector was directed to see that the privies were removed at Uiaudulas, and also to enquire into the purity of the water at M.iesfelin. —Mr. Edmunds proposed, and Mr. J. W. Evans seconded, that an Abyssinian pump should be purchased for the P-uliki, alia that the members of the Board then present should visit the place, and decide upon the site.—The Inspector was uirecteu to serve notices upon the owners of houses on the Com- mon, requiring them to provide troughing to their houses.-The Inspector was also ordered to get to know from the medical orticer what houses he referred to in his report as reauirine ciosec.s and ventilation. & Inspectors Report. Mr. W. Rees, inspector of nuisances, re- pori.ed as iollows:—" The town is free from all sorts of levers, and is in a healthy state. The water spouts near the Castle Hotel is out of repair, and a very large quantity of waier is daily wasting, and, as it is a case of emergency, I ordered Air. Thomas Roberts to have a new one, as the other is worn out. The pump in the siaugiiser house is out of repair, and is useless, and Roberts tells ine that nothing less than a new one wiJi do. The butchers complain bitterly about it, and threaten to strike and go to Cwinanue Co slaughter. I have had eleven cesspools erected in Bridge-street, so that no refuse water now flows into the streets. They have been made to my satisfaction. Several hints have been thrown out at me and the Board, concerning the dangerous cuiiuitiou of .Uilitield gate toil house, and of the dangerous state in which the chimneys are erected. Unless soiaethine oe uon« to them quickly, a serious accident will perhaps hannen. Ihe chimneys are far frombeingperpendicular."—The Inspector added that the house was like a riddle*; but he underateod that it would be repaired as soon as the weather permitted.- Mr. Evans, Mr. Rees Davies, and Mr. Edmunds were appointed a committee to enquire into the butchers' complaint respecting the slaughter-house pump.—Mr. Jenkin Evans, referring to the cesspools which had been made in Bridge-street, thought it would be unfair to make owners of property construct cess- pools now, and afterwards to connect their houses with the main sewers, should they be made in the future. If cesspools ware generally provided in the town, he thought it would satisfy tne Local Government Board that no drainage scheme was necessary. The Board had been discussing the questions of the drainage and water supply together. If drainage was unneces- sary the town could do with the present supply of water. Mr Rees Davies remarked that the present supply was insufficient for domestic purposes.—Mr. Evans replied that it could be improved by enlarging the reservoir. —Mr. Edmunds remarked that that was a view of the question which could be considered at a futiim time but, at any rate, a new water supply and drainage scheme wouid not be perfected until a.t least two years to come, and there must be something by way of cesspools in the meantime — Tne Clerk stated that the Local Government Board required under present circumstances, a sewerage scheme carried out at Lampeter but if the Board could show that there was a suffi- cient number of cesspools to meet the requirements of the town, there was no doubt the Central Board would take it into consideration.—Mr. Jenkin Evans said he should certainly try to get the diainzige scheme abandoned when the question came un.

LLANGEDWYN. A CHILD FOUND IN THE TANAT.-This quiet neigh- bourhood was thrown into a state of excitement on Sun- day evening, January 26, owing to the discovery by two men-John Jones and Edward inforris-of the body of a child, about twelve months old, in the river above the mill dam, in a very advanced state of decomposition. The police were informed of the matter, and P.C. Row- lands, accompanied by P.C. Jjues, Llanrhaiadr, were soon on the spot. The child was taken into the Bridge Inn, and it was found that bandages were fastened to the neck and lower part of the stomach, with a large ring attached to the same, such as is used in fastening cows in buildings at night. The coroner was at once com- municated with. Owing to the decomposed state of the body, it is feared that no post mortem examination will be practicable. No doubt the body had been in the water for some months, and might have come down with the flood for many miles. The police are actively eDgaged in investigating the affair. 1

NEWTOWN. TITHE AUDIT.—The tithe audit of the Vicar of Llan" llwchaiarn (the Rev. Llewelyn Wynne-Jones) was held on Tuesday, January 21, by Mr. B. Woosnam (Messrs. Talbot and Woosnam), at the Bear's Head Hotel. After the audit a very excellent dinner was provided by the hostess (Mrs. I -angworthy). The chair was occupied by Mr. B. Woosnam, and Mr. Richard Benbow was in the vice-chair. THE RECTOR'S ANNUAL TREAT.—The annual treat to the members of the Newtown Church choir and Sunday school teachers, by the Rev. J. Williams, came off on Thursday evening, Jan. 23rd. About fifty of the guests sat down to an excellent tea, at which Mrs. Tyson (the Rectory) presided. The party were then entertained dur- ing the evening with the usual games—charades, &c. There was some good singing by members of the choir and also a few part songs by the members of Mr. Kempe's class. The whole of the party entered heartily into the entertainments of the evening. There was an excellent supper later in the evening, at which the Rector presided. The cloth having been removed several toasts were given, and the Rector was warmly thanked for his hospitality. TEMPERANCE LECTURES.—Two lectures were given last week, under the auspices of the Good Templars, by Mr. Gregson, of Bolton (agent to the British Temperance League). The first was given on Wednesday, January 22, in the Wesleyan Schoolroom, when Mr. W. Cooke pre- sided. The secend lecture was given on Thursday even- ing in the Primitive Methodist Chapel, when there was a good attendance. Mr. C. J. Newell presided. The Lecturer was frequently applauded during the course of each lecture. The proceedings on each occasion were brought to a conclusion with the usual votes of thanks. RESCUE FUOM DROWNING.—On Friday afternoon, Jan. 24, at a quarter past two o'clock, some boys were sliding on the Severn, which was partially frozen near the Skin Pool. Mr. Harry Woosnam (Mr. Carnegie's vaults) and Mr. Venables, Weston, Kerry, were standing on the Short Bridge, in conversation, when they happened to look over the wall, and saw two boys—Thomas Pilot and Owen Owen-both about twelve years of age, sliding. All at once the ice gave way, and the boys sank. Woos- nam ran for a pole, and Venables made round to the edge of the Severn. Two poles were fiung over the bridge wall. Woosnam was back instantly from the shooting gallery with a pole, and reached it out to the lad Owen, who had his head above water. Meanwhile Venables reached another pole out to Pilot, who sank once and was getting very nearly under the ice, when he must have been lost. A third lad was standing crying on the ice as if he expected every minute it would give way. By this time Messrs. John Roberts (Severn-square), T. Owen (Brickfield), and George Barrett (pumpmaker), were able to render assist- ance, and the lads clutched the end of the poles as well as they could, though Owen, the lesser boy, seemed very exhauated, as if going fast. Venables then got into the water, as Pilat seemed to be going under the ice, and got him out. Woosnam pulled Owen out, and the lad on the ice got safely off. This is a very dangerous place, several lives having been lost there, and the water runs deep. Great credit is due to all who assisted in saving the lads. BOARD OF GUARDIANS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22.—Pre- sent Messrs. J. P. Davies (chairman), R. Lloyd (ex-officio), J. Hall (vice-chairman), J. Francis, D. Lloyd, T. Francis, K. Morgan, R. Davies, T. Pryce, J. R. Pryca, J. Pryce, K. Morris, C. Morgan, J. Hall, E. Lloyd, ni. W. Savage, J. Saiout, li. Jones, and R. Williams (clerk). Finanee.-Arrears, X910 lis. 8d. balance in the hands of the treasurer, 41,298 Is. Id.; total, £ 2,20812s. 4d. Tenders for Bells at the Workhouse.—Tenders were submitted from Mr. Clarke and Mr. David Edwards, Newtown, for bells. The former was £ 15 10s. for a certain number of bells, and the latter oti a valuation. Mr. Lewis, Welshpool, sent a circular as to the advantages accruing from the use of electric bells. The matter, after some conversation, was left in the hands of the Committee till the next Board meeting. Medical Officer.-The Local Government Board approved of the re-appointment of Mr. Isaac Rowland as medical officer for Tregynon district, for one year, at 440 a year. The Mismanagement at tha Work,touse.-The Local Govern- ment Board sent a communication, dated Jan. 8, askingforacopy of the Committee's report in the case of the pscuper Grice, who died at the workhouse without any attendance.—The Clerk stated that he had sent a copy of the report before receiving the communication. A Guarantee. -The London Guarantee and Aocident Company handed in a policy for Mr. R. Lewis, rate collector for Llan- llwchaiarn, which was accepted. P=ragoe.-Mr. John Hall, as one of the Committee ap- pointed to obtain pasturage for cattle, stated that they were m treaty for a field near the railway, belonging to Captain Kinsey, for £ 25.—It was decided to leave it in the hands of the Com- mittee till the next meeting of the Board. LOCAL BOARD (SPECIAL MEETING), FRIDAY, JANUARY 24. Present: Mr. E. R. Morris, chairman, Messrs. J. Hall, T. Turner, Edward Davies, T. E: lssard, C. Morgan, J. Davies, George Morgan, T. Parry Jones, and Pryce Jones, Mr. Wln. Cooke, clerk. Resolved that the Board meet in committee. The Chairman stated the object of the meeting. Messrs. Piekthall's Tender.-The Clerk read a letter from Messrs. Jehn Pickthall and Sons, acknowledging the receipt of the Board's resolution of January 15, in regard to their tender and stating that their tender was not high enough to entitle it to the terms fair and reasonable," and that their position was not such as to necessitate their going on begging for contracts. Sewage and Land.-The Clerk read the following letter from the Local Government Board "February, 1879. Sir,—I am directed by the Local Government Board to ac- knowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th ultimo, and state that they are willing to sanction the borrowing of 415,406 by the Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Local Board for the purpose of carrying out their scheme for the sewerage of the district, and to recommend the Public Works Loan Commissioners to advance the money. The Board will allow thirty years for the re-payment of Zg,406 for the works, and if the Local Board desire it, fifty years for the re-payment of 46,000 for the purchase of the land required for the disposal of the sewage. I am directed to add that the Public Works Loan Commissioners would charge interest at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum for so much of the loan as was advanced by them for fifty years, and 3! per cent. for that por- tion of the loan which was advanced for thirty years. The Board wish to be informed whether, having regard to this consideration the Local Board would desire that fifty or thirty years should be allowed for the re-payment of the £6,000 needed for the land. —I am, sir, your obedient servant, WALTER J. SENDALL, Assistant Secretary." On the motieiuof Mr. C. Morgan, seconded by Mr. Issard, it was unanimously resolved that the Clerk be hereby instructed to write to the Local Government Board and inform them that the Board prefer repaying tha money advanced for the cost of the land in fifty years, and for the cost of the sewage werks in thirty years. Appointment of Inspector.-The Clerk read the following letter Local Government Board, Whitehall, 18th Jan., 1879. Sir,—I am directed by the Local Government Board to ac- knowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, inform- ing them of the resignation of Mr. John C. Fillingham, the inspector of nuisances for the Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Urban Sanitary District, and of the temporary arrangement made by the Sanitary Authority for the discharge of the duties of the office. With reference to the representations contained in the concluding paragraph of your letter, I am directed to state that the Board are not aware of any objection to the tem- porary arrangement made by the Authority, but that as the office of inspector of nuisances is vacant, the Authority should forth- with proceed to fill up the vacancy. The Board request that the particulars of the new appointment when it has been duly made after notice given by advertisement as required by Sec- tion 1, Article 8, of the General Order of the Ilth November, 1872, may be reported to them.in the enclosed form of queries.— I am, Sir, your obedient servant, ED. SUTTON, Assistant Secretary." Mr. C. Morgan proposed, and Mr. <Hall seconded that the salary of the person to be appointed as inspector be £ 100 per annum. -Mr. Issard proposed, and Mr. Turner seconded, that the salary be Z160 per annum.—On being put to the vote the amendment was carried.-It was then resolved that the Clerk advertise for an inspector of nuisances. Mr. Elwell and the Board.—Mr. Ed. Powell, solicitor to the Board, waited on the Board, and stated that Mr. Elwell had appointed Mr. Evan Powell arbitrator on his behalf in the "latter pertaining to the land which the Board had noticed they would take under the Land Clauses Acts.—Mr. C. Morgan pro- posed, and Mr. Issard seconded, and it was unanimously carried, That Mr. Graham Bell, of London, be appointed arbitrator on behalf of the Local Board."—The seal of the Board was affixed to the document. Tenders. -rho Clerk reW a report from Mr. Dudley upon the tenders and schedules of Metz Brothers, John Mackay, Swansea, and George Green, Swansea.—The Board examined their respec- tive tenders and schedules.—Mr. John Hall proposed, and Mr. Thomas Turner seconded, "That the tenders of Metz Brothers for the sewerage works be accepted, subject to a correction of the schedule to the satisfaction of the Board's engineer, that their securities be appointed, and that they engage to complete the work from the day of contract."—Agreed to.

LLAMFAIR. PETTY SESSIONS, SATURDAY, JANUARY 25.-Before E. Hilton, R. D. Gough. and J. C. Bayard, Esqs. Drunk and Disorderly.—William Goodwin, Llwyn 0oppa, for this offence was fined 15s. 6d., including costs. P.C. Jones, Llanerfyl, proved the case. Drunk in Charge of a Ilorse.-P.C. Breeze charged Joseph Evans with being drunk while in charge of two horses at Llan- fair. Fined 20s., including costs. Assault.-Gwen Hnltholme, Llanerfyl, charged Jane Nightin- gale with assaulting her on Saturday, December 21. Fined 10s., including costs. There was another case of assault, viz., Margaret Jones v. John Evans, but the parties compromised it before it .was brought before the magistrates. Trespassing in Pursuit of Game,-David Hughes, gamekeeper, to Sir W. W. Wynn, charged Ebenezer Thomas (an old man), Llidiart-yr-ergyd, with this offence.—David Hughes said I am Sir Watkin's keeper, and was oil duty on December 19 on the Pencoed Common. The common is nn un- enclosed land, part of the manor, and Sir Watkin is the landlord of the manor. No one has a right to shoot over it besides Sir Watkin and Mr. Jones, Gwynyndy. Ebenezer Thomas did not receive permission to shoot over it either from Sir Watkin or his agent (Mr. Pugh). On December 19, I saw defendant tracking a hare, shoot at it, and pick it up. He then turned to go home, and before I could get at him he had gone over a bank. By the time I went up to him he had taken off his smock-frock, lapped it up and put it under his arm. I asked him for the hare. He said he had not got it. I then went twenty yards back, ahd found the hare in the gorse with defen- dant s dog standing by it. The hare was warm and bleeding. I asked him for the Run, which he gave me. The'defendant said the hare was continually coming to the garden to eat his cabbage, and that he had intended making a present of it to his landlord s son.—Fined 15s. 611, including costs. Street Obstrizetion.-The attention of the magistrates having been called to the obstruction in the streets (for instance, timber carnages, being left in the street over night) they observed that the streets should not be made use of by persons who had no other accommodation, that measures should be adopted to pre- vertt such occurrences, and that in their opinion it was tho duty of the road surveyors to prosecute for any such offence.

ABERMULE. THE DOLFORWYN CHOIR.-The Rev. J. Jenkins, who is in charge of the chapel of ease at Dolforwyn invited his choir and a few friends to an excellent dinner on Wednesday evening, January 22nd. About 30 assembled in the Dolforwyn School room. The chair was occupied by the Rev. J. Jenkins,and tho vice-chairs by Mr. Hounsford (Dol- forgan Hall), and Mr. Miller (The Court). Amongst those present were—The Misses Moore (Brynderwen), Miss Williams (Abermule), Rev. T. H. Daries, Mr. R, E. G. I. Lloyd (Dolforwyn Hall), Mr. Richard Pryce (High- gate), Mr. Evans (Abermule Mill), Mr. Nixon (Bryn), &c. After dinner, the Chairman proposed the healths of the Queen, the Princ", and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family. A glee, God bless the Prince of Wales," was sung exceedingly well by members of the choir.—Mr. Samuel Miller (The Court), proposed the health of the Bishop, Clergy, and Ministers of all Deno- minations. He was sure that, as a body, no men worked harder. 'He was sorry to see in the newspapers that too frequent opportunities were tik-en to magnify faults, whilst virtues were ignored. If they went to the suburbs of large towns there would he found hard working curates receiving but a small pittance. The clergy, however, were not now looked upon as a kind of tax collec- tors looking after their tithes, as had been at one time the case. They were now seen in their midst, and endeavoured to do everything that was for the good of their people. With this toast he coupled the name of the Rev. T. H. Davies. (Applause.)—Mr. Davies said it was very gratifying to hear such expressions from Mr. Miller with regard to the clergy. He thought the clergy of the present day weie fully alive to the work they were called upon to do, and were willing to join in the recreations and pleasures as well as sympathize I with. the sorrows oftheirparishi^ners.—Glee, "Our fathers were high-minded men. —Mr. Pryce proposed "The Lord Lieutenant and County Magistrates." The former he thought the best in the country, and the magistrates fearlessly carried out their duties.—Mr. Nixon proposed The County and Borough Members."—Song, Mr. Edward Evans, The wave that bore us home."—Mr., Ifoun sfield proposed the "DolforwynChurch School Choir." He did not know how they would get on, be the clergy- man ever so eloquent, without a choir composed of good voices, who gave their services. With the toast he coupled the name of Miss Powell.—Mr. Miller returned thanks on behalf of the lady and the choir. He after- wards proposed the health of Mr. Hounsfield, who had lately come amongst them.—Mr. Hounsfield returned thanks, and proposed the health of the Rev. J. Jenkins. He said that the more the clergy came amongst the people the better they would be liked, and it was very impor- tant that the laity should be invited to take part in the services of the Church. It was because they did so amongst the Dissenters that the Dissenters and their ministers had greater sympathy with each other.—The Chairman respoaded. Other toasts followed.

WELSHPOOL. FUNERAL OF MR. JR. JONES, RELIEVING OFFICER.—On Saturday, January 25th, the remains of the late Mr. R. Jones, Relieving Officer of this town, were interred in Christ Church Churchyard. The funeral was attended by some of the guardians and a great number of Mr. Jones's friends and acquaintances. The deceased was an efficient officer, ever ready to give relief to the poor in cases of necessity. He at the same time gave judiciously and gained the good esteem of the Board of Guardians. TEA AND ENTERTAINMENT.—On Wednesday, Jan. 22, a tea and entertainment was given in a large room kindly lent by Mrs. Rider, to the collectors of the Juvenile Branch of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, in connection with the Welsh pool Sunday School, by the Rev. D. L. Boyes, curate of Welshpool. After tea the children were addressed by the Vicar, the Rev. J. E. Hill, who gave them full details of the interesting work in which they were en- gaged. After the address a series of very interesting views were exhibited, by the aid of the magic lantern, by Mr. W. M. Howell, who explained the views to the chil- dren. The following ladies and gentlemen kindly assisted :—Mrs. Hill and the Misses Hill, the Vicarage, the Rev. J. D. Jones, Mrs. Roper, Mrs. Morris, Spring Bank, the Misses Sayce, the Misses Scholfield, Miss Trow, Miss Andrew, Miss Janet Williams, Mr. R. L. Gwilt, &c. CRICKET ON THE ICE.-A novel and amusing match was played on the Dairy Pool, in Powis Castle-park, on Thursday, January 23, between Mr. Harry Baines's team and Mr. H. A. Harper's team, and resulted in a victory for the former by three runs on the first innings. Score MR. BAINES'S TEAM. Baines, not out 34 run out 19 Barrett, b Mallinson 3 run out 17 Phillips, b Mallinson 0 b Harper 1 Harper, b MaUinson 4 b Harper. 0 Brakell, lbw, b Mallinson 2 absent Rowlands, b Harper 6 b Harper 2 Agnew, lbw, b Mallinson 1 b Harper 20 Blair, absent. 0 b Phillips 4 Eddowes, b Harper 0 b Harper 4 50 67 MR. HARPER'S TEAM. Mallinson, not out 29 Harper, b Barrett 5 run out 11 Pryce, b Barrett 0 Porteous, b Barrett 2 Phillips, c Baines 7 Wilkinson, b Baines 1 Reese, b Barrett 2 Salter, absent 0 Ibw 7 Jones, b Barrett. 1 47 21 THE LATE FATAL ICE ACCIDENT.—INQUEST.—An inquest was held on the 15th January at Sarnybryn Cottage, Welshpool, before W. A. Pughe, Esq., Llanfyllin, coroner, and a jury of whom Mr. George hc- queen was foreman, on the bodies of David and Ev,tn Roberts, children of Evan Roberts, Sarnybryn Cottage.—Evan Roberts deposed: I live at Sarnybryn Caled Cottage, Welshpool. I am father of the two de- ceased boys. David was fourteen years old and Evan seven. They were in the habit of going to Belan School, kept by Mrs. Jones.—Jane Jones deposed: The deceased attended my school on Tuesday last. They left at about ten minutes past three o'clock in company with three other children. One way they might go home would be along the side of the Shropshire Union Canal. Thomas Davies deposed I left school with the two boys on Tuesday last. We came towards home along the path by the canal. David Roberts, one of the boys, went on the middle of the canal close to the bridge, near Belan School. There was ice on the canal. The ice broke and he fell in. Evan Roberts went to him to try to pull him out. He fell in also. They both sank. They disappeared under the ice. I then went towards home. Thomas Humphreys, Lime Burner, said he and two other men got a ladder and put it across the ice, and brought the two bodies out. The last witness pointed out the place where the boys fell in. The Coroner summed up the evidence, and the jury after a short consultation, brought in a verdict of Accidentally Drowned." THE CHARGE OF STEALING A Cow.—On Tuesday, January 21, John Harper, horse dealer, Shrewsbury, was brought up on remand, before W. T. Parker, Esq. (Mayer), at the Town Clerk's Office, charged by Sergeant Breeze with stealing a cow, the property of Mr. Richard Jones, farmer, Heldre, near Buttington, on the 6th January. It appeared that the prosecutor purchased a cow at Welsh- pool fair on the 6th January, and was taking her home, when he was overtaken by the prisoner and another man not in custody. They asked prosecutor to swap his cow for the old mare belonging to "the other man," and wanted prosecutor to give 22 and the cow for the mare. Prosecutor declined, when they asked him for 21 and the cow, but still prosecutor refused, as he said that he wanted the cow, and he did not want an old mare. The person not in custody said they would swap" whether or not, and took possession of prosecutor's cow and drove her off, leaving the old mare in the possession of prosecutor. The cow was afterwards sold in Shrewsbury fair to Mr. San- key, of The Moat, Dorrington, and this fact coming to the knowledge of Sergeant Breeze he went over to Dor- rington, and recovered possession of the animal. Harper was apprehended in Shrewsbury, and charged at Welsh- pool on the 10th of January, and examined before the magistrates on the following day, when he was remanded until Tuesday, Jan. 21st. upt. Ellis now said that they had not been able to find The other man," and asked the Mayor for a further remand of eight days, to enable him to complete his enquiries. His Worship granted the appli- cation.—John Harper was again brought up Tuesday, Jan. 28, before W. T. Parker, Esq., Mayor, and D. P. Owen, Esq. Further evidence was given by Francis Griffiths, Westfelton, who proved selling the cow for Harper in Shrewsbury fair upon Jan. 7. Mr. Humphrey Sankey, of The Moat, near Dorringt«n, proved purchasing the eow from last witness. P.S. Breeze, on receiving; the warrant, went to Dorrington and gained possession of the cow from last witness, and apprehended prisoner at Shrewsbury. He was then committed for trial at the next quarter sessions. POLICE COURT, SATURDAY, JAN. 25, 1879.-Before W. T. Parker, Esq., Mayor. Vagrancy.-Mary Roberts, late of Powell's Row, was brought up in custody of P.S. Breeze, and charged with being found in an outbuilding the previous night at 12 o'clock. She begged of the magistrates not to send her to prison, and promised to go to Forden Union. Case adjourned to see if she would fulfil her promise, if not, to be apprehended again. TOWN COUNCIL, TUESDAY, JAN. 28.—Present: The Mayor (Mr. W. T. Parker), Aid. Jehu, J. Jones, Councillors S. Davies (ex-Mayor), W. Beattie, G. D. Harrison, T. Morris, J. Sayce, and W. Withy; 3fr. E. Jones, town clerk; and Mr. R. Hurst, surveyor. THE REGISTRATION OF CANAL BOATS. An application was read from John Henry Ward, applying for the appointment of inspector to the Board, for the carrying out of the provisions of the Act relating to the registration of canal boat-s. 10 was thought that the work could be done by the Board's present Inspector. THE CONTAGIOUS DISEASES (ANIMALS) ACT. The TOWN CLERK read a communication from the Veterinary Department of the Privy Council, in which it was staterl that it beca-.ne necessary for the Council to select some qualified person to as an intnector. It v -t"; iimously agreed tllat Mr. Whisken, veterinary surgeon, W A ;pool, should be appointed to the office. THE CORPORATION RENTS. It was decided that a demand should be made for these rents, and if they were not paid at once the Town Clerk was instructed to take the necessary proceedings for their recovery. BY LAWS. The TOWN CLERK thought that the Council ought to consider the question of the by-laws. Those they now used were very old ones, and the Local Government Board were frequently writing to know what action was being taken in the matter. The subject was referred for the consideration of the By-law Committee. MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT. The report of Mr. Barrett, the medical officer of health, was read as follows :— "Welshpool Urban Sanitary District. Mortality in quarter ending December 31,1878 October, 4 November, 17; December, 18 total, 39. Six of these were above one and under five years of age. Twelve, or nearly two- thirds, were aged persons, who averaged seventy-four years and four months at the time of their decease, and whose united ages amounted to 892 years. Two children died from fever, one aged seven, and the other nine years, and both in New-street, at adjoinina; houses. One aged twenty-nine years died of diphtheria at the Moors. Two children, aged four years and two years respectively, died 'from diphtheria in the village of Guilsfield, One child, aged five years, also died in Guilsfield from diphtheria croup. The births in the quarter were—males, twenty-six females, fifteen total, forty-one. The mortality in the quarter is much larger than it has been in this district for a considerable period, and may chiefly be attributed to the long continuance of severe weather ex- perienced in the latter half of the quarter, and which has carried off so many aged persons. The death-rate in the quarter gives a mean average in the year of 22.2 per thousand. It may be observed that the death-rate has been larcely in- creased in the same period throughout the kingdom. The two roup cases of fever referred to occurred in a part of the town where the outfall for drainage is not as good as it should be. The case of diphtherIa. at the Moors was an isolated ease. The two fatal* cases of diphtheria at Guils- field occurred in one house which was sadly overcrowded, eight persons sleeping in one room which was barely sufficient for half the number. The school at Guilsfield was ordered to be closed for several weeks. The whole village of Guilsfield re- quires efficient main drainage. It is also deficient of a proper supply of water. Two public pumps at least are wanted in the village. The same remarks may also be made as to water supply anddrainasrein the villageof Castle Caereinion.-T. B. BARRETT, Medical Officer of Health." In reply to a question from the Mayor, Mr. HURST stated that he had presented a report respecting the condition of the villages some three or four months ago. Mr. S. DAVIES thought it was their duty to see to the matter. Mr. G. D. HARRISON said they ought to take immediate action in order to prevent what might otherwise be an out- break attended by serious consequences. He proposed that representations should be made to the inhabitants of Guilsfield and Castle Caereinion so that they might hold vestry Meetings at which the matter could be discussed, and appoint a committee to make any suggestions to the Board that may be considered to he desirable. The motion was seconded by the Ex-MAYOR. and unanimously agreed to. There was no other business.

LLANDYSSUL A PLANTATION ON FiitE.-Early on Sunday morning, Jan 26 a fir plantation,of two years'growth, some seven acres in extent' on Rhiwlug Farm, near Tregroes, in Llandyssul parish, was dis- covered to be on fire. The farm is in the occupancy of Mr. David Evans, and the property of Mr. John Jones, solicitor of Gellifaharen. Fortunately, the fire was discovered in about half-an-hour after it had begun, as it is supposed the people of a little farm close by called Baili being awakened by the glare of the conflagration. A few neighbours soon came together, and vigorously assisted with shovels and other means to ex- ting-dish the flames. The damage is considerable, the worst being that it cannot be found out how many young trees have perished until too late to be replaced this year but there is no doubt several hundreds are quite destroyed. An adioinin? wood, much larger in extent, of tirs of twelve years' growth. would have shared the same fate had it not been for the timel* and vigorous action of the neighbours. No clue has been ob- tained to the origin of the fire, Mr. Jones, the landowner is deservedly popular in the neighbourhood.

TRAWSFYNYDD. THB LATE MR. JONES, THE BEEHIVE.—A committee has been formed here for the erection of a monument mor the tomb of the late Mr. John Jones, The Beehive The committee met for the first time on Tuesday evenin'sr 21st Jan., at the British School, when Mr. G. J. Robert!'Fes- tiiiiog, was elected chairman, Mr. E. Pugh, Brvaewva' treasurer, and Mr. W. W. Owen, British School, secre- tary. The subscriptions in the committee amounted to about £ 15, and the movement is very warmly taken up throughout the parish. The departed gentleman's memory certainly deserves this tribute of respect; for, for upwards of a quarter of a century, he served his native parish with efficiency and faithfulness in many ways well Known to the parishioners. LITERARY MEETING.-Tiie literary meeting of the Cal- vimstic Methodists Sunday schools at Caeadda, Aber and Eden was held at the latter place on Saturday evening Jan. 25, under the lively presidency of the iiev. W. Jones' Fron. There were many juvenile competitions in recital tion and in singing. The prizejfor the best essay on "The ineans of Grace," was won by Mr. R. Powell, and the first on "Study," by Mr. John Owen, Ynystomas. Mr. R. Powell was also- the best on a poem on "Paul in Athens," and stanzas on The Saviour's tears John Williams and party, Hendrefawr, carried the chief prizes in singing. Alaw Mannod, Pestinioe was adjudicator of the music, and|Polo Meirion, Portmadoc of the prose and poetry. Other things were adjudicated by the Rev. W Jones. Mr W. Evans, Tollgate, and Mr. W. W. Owen, British School. I

DOLGELLEY. BOARD OF GUARDIANS, SATURDAY, JANUARY 25-Pre sent: Mr. Edward Griffith, in the chair, Mr. John Jones Talyllyn, vice-chairman, Mr. S. Holland, I. P., ex-officio' Messrs. J. Scott, Evan Jones, E. D. Evans, Peter Price John Humphreys, Hugh Davies, John Jones, Llanelltyd W Wil liams, R. Williams, John Evans, Lloyd Williams n'minl vvn lfams, and W. R. Davies, clerk. S' ,lUieI Wl1" Statisties.—Out-relief administered durum- the Dast fnrt.mVhf -Barmouth district, per Mr. John Jones", Sffln paupers and lalyllyn district, per Mr. Morris Jones, £ 54 16s 6d. to 2ii paupers. Number in the house 39, last year 26 Vazl rants relieved during the past fortnight, 17; last year, 27. B,tlauce in the bank, £ 861 17s. lid. Arrears of calls on Jan. 25, £1,045 188.. The Llanaber Collector.-The Clerk reported that the Llan- aber collector and his sureties had executed a bond; and there was no further communication on the subject from the Local Government Board. The collector had stated that he would forward all his accounts and statements in a few days. Borrowed Money.—'The Clerk stated that there were two bills at the banks one drawn in Jan., 1878, for £ 902, and another in July, 187S, for £ 613. The present balance in the bank was about £ 834. He understood that the Finance Committee had recom- mended the signature of a cheque for the smaller sum and he proposed that he should draw a cheque for the larger amount as soon as there was sufficient money in the hands of the Trea- surer, so as to save the payment of interest.-The Board signed the cheque for the £ 600 odd bill, and adontpd gestion of the Clerk as to the larger sum. The Register Office-On the motion of Dr. Llovd Willi-,™* seconded by Mr. John Scott, it was agreed to Dav Is. fnr of the Register Office at Dolgelley. pay for repa,rs SL-: te of Calls.-The Clerk stated that there was a balance of Zgo due from Llanaber on the December call and the whole of the January call. The only parishes who had paid were Llan- gelyuin and Dolgelley, the collectors of which were really good officers. Those two parishes were always in the front. He sug- gested that, although the calls were only recently due, he should send a circular to the overseers, for he was of opinion' that the overseers should look upon the calls in the same way as they would look upon a bill of exchange to be honoured directly. The Sanitary Inspector.-The Clerk reported to the Board the recommendation of the Sanitary Committee to pay Mr. W. Jones, his out-of-pocket expenses. He added that he had sent to Mr. Murray Browne, who, in reply, had stated that the salary paid to the Inspector was very low and that his work was very satisfactorily done. —Mr Jones, Talyllyn, remarked that .at the present time salaries were going down.—Mr. Evan Jones said that it was the Inspector's own fault if he got a low salary. He took the office. Mr. R. Williams proposed, and Mr. Scott seconded, that the Inspector's out-of-pocket expenses should be allowed.—Mr. E. D. Evans remarked that if the Board wanted the work done efficiently they must pay the Inspector.- The Clerk, in reply to a question, said the allowance would not pledge the Board in any way to grant a similar sum in the future, only, of course, it would be taken as a precedent, -.Ifr. Holland thought the expenses ought to be allowed. The Inspector would not take the trouble to visit pLices unless he was paid his ex- penses. -Air* E. D. Evans remarked that the Inspector did his work very well. -The proposal was then put to the meeting, and was agreed to unanimously. School Attendance.—At a meeting of the School Attendance Committee, it was proposed bv Mr. E. D. Evans, seconded by Mr. D. Williams, and agreed to, that 250 copies of the Mallwyd By-laws should be printed in Welsh. The parishes of Llan- ddwywe-uwch-Graig and Llanelltyd have adopted the same laws. The Relieving Officers having stated that they could not act as enquiry officers in consequence of the pressure of their other duties, it was resolved to continue them in office until » March, when it is proposed to appoint a competent officer.-Mr. Lewis Evans, Dinas Mawddwy was appointed assistant enquiry officer for Mallwyd.—Mr. E. D. Evans stated that a census had been taken of the children of Mallwyd There were 500 children in the parish, and out of that number only 100 attended school. At one farmhouse, he added, there were soven children who had never attended day or Sunday school. Both parents were illiterate.

BARMOUTH. SCHOOL TKEAT.—On January 25th the members of St. David's Church Sunday School were entertained to tea by the Rector, the Rev. J. Edwards, curate, and several of the teachers, when the following ladies assisted-Mrs. Jones. Rectory, Mrs. Dr. Hughes, Mrs. Rogers, Hendol Mrs. Jones. Meirion House, Mrs. Gilbertson, Mount Pleasant, the Misses Roberts, Borthwen, Miss Rogers, Hendol, &c. Tea was provided by Mrs. Edwards, con- fectioner, and after full justice had been done to the good things, the Rev. James Edwards proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies who had assisted. This was seconded by Mr. G. Edwards, aurtioneer, and the children dispersed, giving hearty cheers.

LLANEGRYN. SEASONABLE CHARITY.—The poor of this parish have been well cared for this severe winter. The week before Christmas about forty tons of coal and a large quantity of warm clothing were distributed in connection with the Coal and Clothing Clubs, which are supported entirely by Mr. W. W.E. Wynne, of Peniarth. In addition to this about forty poor people were invited to Peniarth, and presented with blankets or warm flannel by Mr. Wynne and his son. A soup kitchen has also been opened at Peniarth, and is greatly appreciated. We are glad to be able to add that, notwithstanding the very severe weather, there is scarcely more privation here than usual.