The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

A PAPER FAMINE, There are to be drastic restric- tions on the import of paper and a famine in paper may arise. Never, since I have written in this corner, have I given a warning which was not needed. If you want to be able to supply your customers next summer you must buy all your paper stocks now. R. READ, Managing-Editor.

TEttflEftI CARDIGANSHIRE CONSTABULARY. POLICE CLOTHING. THE Standing Joint Committee of the County of Cardigan invite Tenders for POLICE CLOTHING. Forms of tender with full particulars of the terms of contract may be had from the under- signed, to whom tenders should be delivered Sot later thftn the 28th inst. E. WILLIAMS, Chief Constable. Chief Constable's Office, Aberystwyth, 14(1/18. a923 TO OPERATIVE .BAKERS, CONFECTIONERS AND DELIVERY-MEN. A MEETING will be held on Wednesday Evening Next, JANUARY 23rd, at the Progress Hall, to com- mence at < p.m. Mr-tant. pl247 PUBLIC NOTICES. NOTICE OF AUDIT. ABERYSTWYTH RURAL DISTRICT AND ABERYSTWYTH UNION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Audit of the Accounts for the half-year ended on the 30th September, 1917, of the Council of the above-mentioned Rural District and of the Guardians of the above-mentioned Union and the Overseers of the Poor of the Parishes therein, will commence at the Board Room of the Guardians at the Union Workhouse, Aber- ystwyth., on Thursday, the 7th day of Febru- ary, 1918, at 9.30 a.m. Dated this 12th dav of January, 1918. J. E. PUGHE JONES, a929 District Auditor, COMMITTEE. WANTED.—Certificated Head Teaclieis «t the undermentioned Schools :— Llanddewi Aberarth Council SchooL Llandyssul Church of England School. Penuwch Council School. Salary in each case:- Man E95 to Ello with a minimum war bonus -cf £1 Woman. S85 to £100 with a minimum war bonus of £10. The question of salaries is under cansidera- tion, and an improved scale will come into operation as from the 1st April next. Applications, on forms to be obtained from the undet-signed, on receipt of a stamped addressed foolscap envelope, should be accom- panied by three recent testimonials, and should reach me on or before Wednesday, the 30th Januarv, 1918. JENKIN JAMES, M.A., Director of Education, Aberystwyth. January 11th, 1918. M A C H YNLLETHA NET LLANBRYNMAIIt WAR AGRICULTURAL SUB-COMMITTEES. APPLICATIONS are invited for the post of Inspector to supervise ploughing for the above districts; term of engagement about 12 weeks; salary, C2 per week. Applications to be in hand by Tuesday, 22nd January. Parti- culars to be obtained from the undersigned :— W. P. ROWLANDS. Bank Place, Machynlleth, January 16th, 1918. n943 MERIONETHSHIRE WAR 'AGRICULTURAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE invite applications from competent farmers to undertake the duties of Assistant Cultivation Officer for each of the following districts:— 1, Corwen. 2, Bala. 3, Do'gelley. 4, Towyn 5. Penrhyndeudraeth and Festiniog. Salary, £2 per week and expenses. Tb- appointment will be for three months certain. Applications will h considered only from practical farmers, and should reach me not l Qr than by first post on Friday mornine, the 25th rnst. R. ROBERTS JONES. St. Ann's Chambers, n937 Barmouth. In ths High Court of Justice. 1917. J. No. 6. King's Bench Division. Aberystwyth District Registry. Bofcween Daniel Lewis Jones Plaintiff, and Isaac J ons Defendant. I THE UNDERSIGNED hereby apologise tc you for having published certain state- ments concerning your character which I find are quite unfounded, and I hereby express my desire to withdraw the said statements and re- gret that the same had caused you any iniury or pain. I agree to pay to you the sum of One Hundred Pounds (£100) for damages and the sum of Fifteen Pounds (£15) for costs of your Solicitor and hereby further agree to pay the costs of publishing this apology in the News- papers if you deem it necessary to do so. Dated this 24th day of December, 1917. Witness to the signature of the Defendant, Isaac Jones of Cefn- lIwynpiod. Llanilar, ISAAC JONES. HUGH HUGHES, Solicitor, Aberystwyth. s941 TOWYN TRB AK MALLWYD UREA N, MACHYNLLETH URBAN, and MACHYN- LLETH RURAL DISTRICT LOCAL FOOD CONTROL COMMITTEES. fpHE above-named Committees invite appli- cations for the appointment of an EHforce- ment and Prosecutions Officer for the respec- tive Districts of the above Committees. The person appointed shall devote the whole of his time to the duties and shall (among other duties) be responsible for the inspection of each District with a view to ascertaining | that th various Orders-the power or dutv of enforcing which is (or shall be) conferred- on the Committees—are properiv observed; and shall make such visits and reports as may be directed by the respective Committees from time to time, and he will be designated and appointed to prosecute any offence against the Defence of the Realm Regulations occa.-ionrd' by any breach of any such Order as aforesaid. The joint salary shall be at the rate of Elm! per annum, together with such reasonable tra- velling and out-of-pocket expenses as may be approved by the Committee concerned and the Divisional Food Commissioner. Knowledge of Welsh essential. Canvassing directly or indirectly will be deemed a disqualiifcation. "Apphcat ons in candidates' own handwriting (aocomp«»nied by not less than two testimonials) to b, in the hands of the undersigned on or before Tuesday next. the 22nd January, 1918. W. P. ROWLANDS, Executive Officer. Machvn'leth Rural District. B.?.nk PJaoce, ATachvnlleth, January 16th, 1918. n942 Foo-n- CONTfNL-COMÜTTERS for the com- bired Areas of DOLGELLEY (Rural), DOL<?ELLEY (Urban), and BARMOUTH (Urban). APPOINTMENT OF FOOD INSPECTOR. A PPLICATIONS are invited for. the a- .xjL pointment of Food Inspector for the com- bined a:-ea-, of the above-named Food Control Committees. Salary £100 (minimum), together with tra- vellinj expenses. Th3 person appointed will be required to r- port to, and attend all meetings of the severs] Committees and to take proéeeding-s for offences against all Orders of the Food Controller, or the Focd Control Committees, and to comply with all directions of each Committee. Candi- dates must be ab!e to speak and write Welsh. Applications in candidates own handwriting, accompanied by not more than three recent testimonials, with particulars of the present or past occupation of the Candidate to reach me I not later than MONDAY, the 28th instant. I RICHARD BARNETT. I, Food Office, II Qu«en Square, J DolgeUey. ^933 11 CARDIGANSHIRE AGRICULTURAL I EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. ASSISTANT CULTIVATION OFFICERS. I APPLICATIONS are immediately invited for j the poet of Assistant Cultivation Officer 1 one in each Union for a period of two to thr«. > months at & salary of C2 per week together with travelling expenses. Applicants for each respective Union to apply to the following -Secretaries:- Aberystwyth.—Mr. E. R. Davies, Auctioneer. Tregaron.—Mr. E. C. Evans. Lampeter.—Mr. Harry Rees, Argoed. Aberaeron.—Mr T. E. Jones, Bontfaen, Ciliau Aeron. Llandyssul.—Mr. D. P. Jones, Penalltygwin, Beulah, Newcastle Emlvn. Cardigan.—Mr. Rd. Evans, Cringa, Blaen- anerch, Cardigan. DUTIES.—To report progress of ploughing and cases of defaulters. s936 TOWYN. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Grading Committee, under the Meat Supplies Order will hold a Market in the STATION YARD, TOWYN, ON TUESDAY NEXT, JANUARY 22nd, at 11.30 o'clock prompt. Farmers in the Towyn district who have Cattle or Sheep fit for slaughter are requested to bring them, and acquaint one of the follow- ing at once:— J. STANLEY MORRIS, G. DALE WILLIAMS, JOHN MORRIS, a940. Grading Committee. FESTINIOG AND DEUDRAETH FOOD COMMITTEES. FOOD INSPECTOR. APPLICATIONS are invited for the post of Food Inspector for the combined Area under the control of the above-named Com- mittees. Applicants must be over military age or ineli- gible for the Army, to devote whole time to the duties, and must be energetic, trustworthy, and capable of dealing with all orders issued by the Ministry. Canvassing of members will be a disqualifica- tion. Applications, together with 3 recent Testi- monials, to be sent to one of the undersigned on or before Thursday morning, the 24th January next. Dated this 14th January, 1918 W. L. EVANS, Executive Officer, Trawsfynydd; EDWARD JONES, n989. Executive Officer, Blaenau Festiniog. I GILLART AND SONS, AUCTIONEERS, HOUSE AND ESTATE AGENTS, VALUERS AND SURVEYORS MACHYNLLETH. AUCTION SALES of Freehold and Leasehold Properties, Ground Rents, Furniture, Farming Stock, and Timber, etc. undertaken on moderatc. terms. VALUATIONS made for Estate Duty, Trans- fer, Mortgage and other purposes. SURVEYS made and Plans prepared. ESTATES managed and Rents Collected. Property owners advised in regard to the Pro- visional Valuations of their properties under tht Finance (1909-10) Act, 1910. Register of houses and lands to let for Sale by Private Treaty. i960 IT Has Gone! Nineteen Hundred and Seventeen, "with all its pleasures and pains, has joined its nineteen hundred and sixteen brothers. Some will have regretted the pas- sing of the old year others will be glad to see the back of it. All join in welcoming the youthful 1918-may it bring victory and peace. Whatever else 1918 has in store for you, you can rest assured you will have BREAD, CAKES, and TEA DAINTIES f- of excellent qualitv. If vour supplies are purchased from ML E) WEN High-class Bakers, (D. W. TEVIOTDALE) Caterers & Confectioners, 19—21, NORTH PARADE, ABERYSTWYTH. HOW TO SAVE COAL. .Now T Have your grate fitted with a perfect Up-to-date SLOW-BURNING BARLESS FITMENT, As per illustration, New large Stock just in. It will only cost you 5/6 W. H. JONES, General Ironmonger, 36, Great, Darkgate Street. Aberystwyth. I AUTUMN and WINTER | War Time Economy Ho ever keen to economise you may be, you must buy Boots. a But you can exercise your patriotism here as in other directions. Don't be extravagant. Consider carefully both the Article and its price before you buy. —— The Truest Economy is to buy at DICKS. By this means you will be sure of getting the best Value I Z5 B obtainable, and your satisfaction with the Style and wearing quality guaranteed by more than 50 years' reputation. DIOKS for BOOTS. The three things Men and Women look for when choosing their Boots are a Excellence of Design and Fitting Good Wearing Quality, and Reasonableness in Price. DICKS meeb these demand? so completely and effectually that it will pay every man and woaitn to visit their ESTABLISHMENTS AT 12, Great Darkgate St (N,It om™f,Pose ABERYSTWYTH, ABERYSTWYTH, I High Street, Pwllheli. High Street, Barmouth, High Street, Lampeter, L, High Street, Cardigan, King Street, Carmarthen, Seymour Street. Npwetatio Emlyn Lester House, Llandyssul, I Penrallt Street, Machynlleth, I Victoria Dolgelley, I Bank Piace, Portmadoe, I I High Streat, Festiniog. I So No COOKE Ltd. I S. N. COOKE Ltd. • ,lf. '> Special Designs ill J,- CORSETS. Corsets with Elastic Busts, Spot Oorsets, Low Waisted Corsets, Hip Contour Oorsets, Nursing Corsets, :} t Ckildre n's Corset Bodices. Large Size Corsets kept in Stock. Pier St., Aberystwyth. Also at Irelands Mansions, Shrewsbury, And 20, New Street, Birmingham. NEXT SATURDAY, '¿4.. ROWLANDS 6 .J 'A ,f. PIONEER, A NORTH PARADE, ABERYSTWYTH. H027 Aberystwyth Steam Laundry Flannels, Woollens, and Blankets carefully washed to prevent shrinkage. Carpet beating and cleaning. ;h+ G. H. LIPTROT, Proprietor.

TIDE TABLE (ABERYSTWYTH) For January, 1918. f denotes, full moon, and an asterisk the highest rises of spring tides. 1.— 9.56 16. 5 16.— 9.52 18.11 2.—10.29 15. 7 17.-10.36 18. 3 3.-11. 3 14.10 18.-11.20 17. 4 4.-11.40 14. 1 19.-12. 7 16. 0 5.—12.19 13. 1 20.-12.59 14. 3 6.— 1. 9 12. 0 21.— 2. 6 13. 0 7.— 2.10 11. 5 22- 3.28 12. 9 8.— 3.24 11. 8 25.— 4.52 13. 3 9.— 4.38 12. 9 24.— 5.58 14. 7 10.- 5.40 14. 2 25.— 6.47 15. 7 11.— 6.32 15.11 26.— 7.30 16. 7 12.- 7.17 17. 6 27.— 8.10f 17. 5 13.- 8. 3 19. 0 28.— 8.30 17. 5 14.— 8.30 19. 0 Z 9. 2 17. 6 15.— 9.11 19. 2 30.— 9.33 17. 4 31.-10. 3 16. 9

On Other Pages. Y Golofn Amaethyddol 2 Poultry [ 2 Aberystwyth War Committee 2 Comforts for Fighters 7 Photos j Aberystwyth Education Committee 3 Lampeter County Court 3 Aberystwyth Rural Food Committee 6 Ein Bara Beunyddiol g Y Golofn Gymraeg 6

CARDIGANSHIRE MINES. The impoi tance of the position which the. mines of Cardiganshire might occupy is sufficient excuse for return- ing to the subject which was touched on a few weeks ago. The suggestions then put forward by a correspondent have been freely discussed in several quarters, and it is admitted that they are sound and workable. The majority of the mines are held up for lack of capital That fact, and that fact alone, is the chief reason for the diminished output and the proposed closing down. A gentleman closely interested stated recently that the mine owner was being squeezed out between the demand of the men for higher wages, and the low figurt, paid by the smelter for the raw material. Whilst the smelter sells to the Government at top figures the mine owner has to produce and sell at a price so low as to make any increase in wages or standing charges, a deciding factor for continu- ance or closure. If such is the case— and the speaker is one who is actively engaged in the trade—then it calls for some action. The costs of production are very high Pi Cardiganshire and there are many reasons for this. One of the chief is that the mines have not been worked on a scale large enough to make the amount produced cover adequately all the costs of working-- including in such costs a fair return on the capital involved. To put in new machinery, and plant, which will do more than mere surface-scratching," requires capitals which probably lor the first twelve or eighteen months will have a very small return. There is capital available, but there are more attractive propositions, and it flows 1. into other channels. To obtain the money necessary to re-equip the mines is one problem—another is to secure the men (like Mr. Hodgkinson Carring- ton) who are not company promoters but skilled mining engineers who can bring to bear on Cardiganshire methods which have wrung the precious metals from the most remote corners of the globe. A correspondent urged a Govern- ment subsidy, and argued that the authorities of the county should take the matter up. Then it was ques- tioned whether a continual subsidy was required. Other views have tended to show that if the capital were forth- coming to start the mines on a proper basis they would soon be in a position rendering a subsidy unnecessary. These views assume that there is plenty of ore yet to be worked, and base that assumption on expert opinion. It means, therefore, that capital at a low rate of interest would enable many of the mines, now floundering along in distress, to take a new lease of life, strike deeper, develop more power, secure a bigger output, and make the industry self-supporting. There can be but small objection to such a pro- posal when the results of its adoption are visualised. The Government could render this aid if they desired but financial assistance must come coucurrelll iy with firat-ra e management and methods. No reflection can be cast on those who have laboured in the mines for many years. They have done all possible under the circum- stances, but a broader outlook is opened up immediately the Govern- ment accede to any request on the lines suggested. Given Government backing and skilled management, does anything stand in the way of develop- ment? Only railway service. The Great Western Company have such a large system that the old M. and M. line is probably not worth a great deal of attentio If mineral traffic developed, th Company would probably wake up to the fact that Aber- ystwyth is of importance. To the Cambrian Railways Company the development of industry would be just what is required to assist them in many improvements contemplated. The popularity of the line for tourist pur- poses is admitted but the lack of miineral traffic has always been felt, and those responsible for increasing export from the mines would find at the head of that Company gentlemen who would spare neither time nor effort to do all that was possible to render first-class service. The rail- way difficulty would be overcome im- mediately the need for more traffic was made apparent. This subject is worthy of the best brains that the county possesses. The history of the mines is soon told. They fell because they failed to keep pace with the times. The same fate still overtakes both men and industries; but the difference is that industries can be revived, and the mines of Cardiganshire can yet bring prosperity, in the way of steady trade, to a county that is badly in need of industry. The county leaders have a duty here equally as great as that of the Government. As the county stirs itself and demands, so far will the Government meet the call. Just now is a golden opportunity be- cause of the demand for munitions. Is it to pass by because of the inertia of those who can do much if they will ? Time will tell, either of opportunity seized or of opportunity lost.

LAND RECLAMATION. In addition to increased means of food production by the conversion of pastures into arabie lands, the need is iiow urgent for the reclamation of waste lands. No one with the smallest powers of observation and a rudi- mentary knowledge of land cultivation can travel through West Wales with- out being convinced that there are thousands of acres oi land now produc- ing nothing which can be brought into tilth and thousands of acres of water- logged land which by wise drainage schemes might be made to produce additional food for the nation and, in times of peace, render unnecessary the importation of 400 million pounds worth of food from countries overseas. Why these unproductive lands have not hitherto been improved and waste lands reclaimed is due in the main to the state of the law relating to land tenure which enables the landlord to increase rents on tenants' improve- ments, as well as to the impoverished condition of entailed estates by post- obits and excessive settlements. Speaking generally and without refer- ence to any particular estate or district, at the present time when landowners are receiving enormous sums for timber, there need be no reluctance in calling upon owners to contribute liberally to schemes for the reclamation of waste lands. In Cardiganshire, Montgomeryshire, and Merioneth there are great possi- bilities in this direction. In Merioneth the Agricultural Executive has several schemes under consideration and is actively engaged in bringing into culti- vation a large tract of waste land in the neighbourhood of Llanfrothen. In Cardiganshire, though there is talk of a reclamation scheme, nothing is known about it publicly as the Execu- tive meets with closed doors but there can be no doubt there are hundreds of acres in the county which might be remuneratively improved and reclaimed. In Montgomeryshire it is only necessary to travel by the Cam-

EDITORIAL NOTES. Licensing Authority ha& decided to again impose the maximum levy for the compensation of redundant licensed houses. The county is to be congratulated on its record, in this respect, it is a record that neighbour- ing counties might follow with moral arid materia] advantage. » The Government bids fair to rank as the most prodigal on record in con- ferring honours. If the process con- tinues much longer at the present rate it will be diHicult to find a man or woman who is not entitled to wear some decoration or other- Then the person who has not been honoured1 will be justified in regarding that fact as the greater distinction. Honours too lavishly bestowed ceased to answer their purpose. Cardiganshire Main Roads Committee decided" to refer the question of an increase in the wages of roadmen to the Finance Committee with a. recommendation to increase to thirty shillings weekly. Having regard to the present pur- chasing power of the sovereign, it does not appear that the Committee will experience much difficulty in deciding whether the men's services are worth that amount. The greater difficulty will be for the men and their families to live and keep fit for work on the wages. paid. 6 The first announcement of the year showed the following resultsNational war bonds (bank issue), week ending January 5th, £ 23,881,809; national war bonds (Post Office), week ending December 29th, £ 519,000; war savings certificates (week ending December 29th), £ 931,188. These figures give an aggregate of over C25,000,000, and one is tempted to re- joice. It is a good result. But to be decisive it is necessary to keep it up until the end of the war. The same money cannot be invested twice. Recruits are needed by the War Sav- ings Army. Those who each week waste shil- lings or pounds must be brought to the colours. Let every war saver go out into the highways- and compel them to come in. The enemy will derive encouragement from any falling off that occurs. Therefore if you believe in war saving, as at once a good thing for your own future, and for the national cause, bring in your friends. Get them to buy one of the new 25 bonds, or at least one war savings certificate. Once they begin they will continue. But it is the beginning that seems so difficulk to those- who have not yet joined. It is an old saying that no Act of Parlia- ment was ever put on the Statute Book that could not be ridden through by a coach and six horses. If statements made up and down the country be founded on facts, a whole herd of cattle can be driven through food orders, and it would seem as if evasion of the orders has been reduced to a science. Only a short time ago it was publicly stated at a North Wales Council that the fixed wholesale price of butter was evaded by buying butter at the holesale price and practically buying at a higher price by giving a shilling each for eggs to the- butter seller. Cattle are now being graded: but though cattle of the lower grade are cheaper to the butcher is it not for Food Control Committees to see that the retail price of meat is also graded? But though cattle are graded, grading has not yet been applied to sheep and it is said that, fearing a grading order for sheep, sheep are now being sold off by the hundreds and that an eventual shortage of mutton will inevitably occur. Food c ntrol committees should be on the alert, for appeals torpatriotism or even to humanity have no more effect than water on a duck's back, and where- convictions are secured the offenders should be be dealt with with the utmost rigour of the law-

brian from Machynlleth to Moat Lane to observe fields easily drained now growing little but rushes and rank un-, nutritive grasses, and between Machyn- lleth and the boundary of the county at Glandyfi there is an extensive tract of land which only requires drainage to be made productive of food crops instead of as at present nothing but myrtje graSS' rushes> £ orse> and bo £ Perhaps the most feasible scheme of land reclamation in Merioneth is that affecting the wide valley of the Dysynni which runs up to the foot of Cader Idris, a distance of -five or six- miles. For many years a Drainage- Board has been in existence and certain works have been carried out but in. recent years, for reasons not publicly known, the works have either not beet). extended or not maintained, and gradu- ally land on the extremities, which was. formerly highly productive, is becom- ing waterlogged and in other way$ going out of cultivation. The matter, it is understood, has now been taken up by Merioneth Executive and the Drainage Commissioners have been given the option of carrying out a drainage scheme themselves or allow- ing the Executive to carry it out and charging them with a contribution. A scheme has been devised and the Com. missioners have been given a limited period to make up their minds to con- tribute between ^"3,000 and ^"4,000, the Government supplying German prisoner labour worth about £ *7,000' free of charge. Failing to take advan- tage of this option the Executive will carry out the work and charge the owners and the Commissioners with the whole cost. For the sake of the- health of Towyn, as well as the in- creased production of food, it is hoped that the present resolute action will result in the immediate future in bring- ing into cultivation from 2,000 to 3,000' acres of waterlogged land and that no question of clash of authority or want of jurisdiction will be allowed to prevent what is so desirable to the nation and to the locality.