The Carmarthen Weekly Reporter

WMllaiid I? ami District Council. ANNUAL MEETING AT THE PARK HOTEL. ) THE CHAIRMAN RE-ELECTED. THE NEW RATING BILL. Tae annual meeting of the Whitlaud Rural District Council was held at the Park Hotel, V/hiiland, on Friday. There were p>rc$ent :—Rev Daniel Jones, Whitland Mr John Williams, Egremont Mr T. Evans, Llanfaliteg; G. 0. Lewis, Eglwys- cyuunyn Mr John Williams, Henllan- amgoed; Mr William Thomas, Cilmaen- liwyd Mr T. Davies, Llangiydwen Rev 0. J Thomas, Marros; Mr James Davics, Llanboidy: Mr Benjamin Thomas, Pendine; Mr Levi Davics, Llanhoidy; Rev W. Thnm-e-, Whitland and Mr John Davies, Castlcdwyran together with the Clerk (Mr John Thomas) the Surveyor (Mr Rees Davi.-s); and tho Inspector of Nuisances (Mr j. M. Thomas). 1. LECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Mr G. 0. Lewis proposed that Mr James Davh :i should occupy the chair pro. tem. Mr Thomas Evans seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr James Davies then took the chair. Mr Thomas Davies proposed that Mr Edward James should be re-elected chair- man for the ensuing year. Mr John Williams, Egrcmont, seconded the motion. Tho Chairman asked if there was any amendment to the motion. Mr G. 0. Lewis I do not think there is any amendment if Mr James does not refuse. Mr Thomas Davies said that they were all very sorry to hear the intimations which T Mr James had made at the last meoting- that ho did net intend to accept the chair for another year. Ho (Mr Thomas Davies) hopd that they would bling their influence to bear on Mr E. James, so that he would continue to act as their chairman as long as he lived. Mr James had for over fifty years discharged the various duties connected with public bodies and had more experience than any one of those present. It was to be hoped that he would remain chairman of the Council as long as he lived. There was not ono present—with due respect to them all—who was as well qualified to occupy the chair as Mr James he had a knowledge of Local Government, which none of the other members of the Council possessed. Rev Daniel Jones said he should also like to bear testimony to the great services rendered by Mr James as chairman of the Council, and as a public man in the neigh- bourhood for a considerable time. He hoped that they would be able to.' ptirsuade Mr James to fill the chair for the coming t< rm. Ho would be a great assistance to tho Council, and would enable them to clear up some matters relating to their financial arrangements which still wantedclearing un. Mr .Iam?\s understood that the Council were unanimous in re-electiDg him to the chair, no doubt, lie would re-consider the intimation that he had made at the last meeting, and they would have again the pleasure of sitting under him as chairman. The motion was then put to the meeting, 01 and carried nem. con. ELECTION OE VICE-CHAIRMAN. The Clerk said that the next business to be transacted as the election of vice-chair- man fur the ensuing- year. Mr William Thomas, Cilmaenliwyd, pro- posed that Mr John Williams, Egremont, should be elected vice-chairman of the Council for the ensuing year. Sir Levi Davies seconded. Mr John Williams, Egremont: I am much obliged to you, but I cannot accept it. ZD Mr T. Davies said he hoped the vice- chairman would also re consider his decision. Mr John Williams, Egremont, however, intimated that he had fully considered the matter, and was not prepared to occupy the vice-chair for another yaar. Mr Williams, IIenlln, moved that iale G. 0. Lewis be appointed vice-chairman for the ensuing year. Mr Thomas Davies seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr G. 0. Lewis, in taking the chair, said he had no idea that he would be elected but if everyone refused, they would neither have chairman nor vice-chairman. If-as they hoped—Mr James accepted the chair- in a n> hip of the Council, there would be very little work for the vice-chairman to do. With Mr John Thomas as clerk, and Mr Edward James as chairman, they would not go very far astray. There was not a better clerk than Mr Thomas in South Wales and Mr James attended the meetings so regularly that the vice-chairman would not be called upon to do much work. He concluded by thanking them one and all for the honour they had conferred upon him. A DEPUTATION. Mr Thomas Davies proposed, and Mr Benjamin Thomas seconded, that a deputa- tion should wait upon Mr James, asking him to re-consider his decision in regard to the non-acceptance of the chairmanship of the Council, and to press upon him to accede to the wishes of the whole Council by taking the chair. The following were proposed as the deputation Mr Thomas Davies, Mr William Thomas (Cilmaenliwyd), Mr Benjamin John, and Mr James Davies. Mr John Davies moved, and Mr Benjamin Thomas seconded, a similar motion, but with the amendment that the following should constitute the deputation :—Mr Wru. Thomas (Cilmaenliwyd), Rev 0. J. Thomas, Mr John Williams (Henllan), Mr Thomas Davie?, Mr James Davies, and Mr Thomas Evans. On being put to the meeting, the amend- ment was carried by 9 votes against 2 for the original motion. THE WAGES OF THE ROAD LABOURERS. Tho Chairman said that the next business was to consider the question of the road labourers' wages. The Surveyor—according to instructions received at the last meeting—presented a detailed report dealing with the road labourers in the district. Full particulars were given with regard to each of the 29 labourers in the district. The time during which the men had been in the services of the Board varidd from 1 to 33 years their wages varied from Is 8d to 2s 6d per day. Hev Daniel Jones said he had gone over the list, and ho moved that the wages of the road labourer for Ciffig should be advanced at least threepence per day. The man at present received 2s per day; he was tho oldest in the service of the Board, having been in their employment for 33 years. A letter was then read from the Clerk of the Ciffig Parish Council, stating that that body had passed a motion asking the District ZD Council to raise the road labourer'n wages.— A letter of a subsequent date was read from the same quarter, stating that the motion of Z7) the Parish Covncil was irregular, as proper zn notice h id not been given before it was moved. Mr T. Davies drew attention to what he considered the inconsistency of the rate at which the men were paid. Some of the men were paid 2s 6d a day, whilst others equally good only had 2s 2d, 2s Id, 2s, and even IslCd. Ho was speaking of able-bodied men he did Dot refer to those who had only I Is 8d—some of whom were not able-bodied. Rev Daniel Jones said that they had to consider not only the abilities of the men, but also the district in which they lived. A man might only have 2s a day in a certain district; and have a better chance of living than another who earned 2s 6d a day in a pi .ce like Whitland where he had to pay a considerable amount of rent. Mr James Evans: They are not bound to live in Whitland. Rev Daniel Jones If the Surveyor can 1 find labourers who will live outside on a 't small rental well and good but I say that we should consider this. Mr James Davies drew attention to the fact that an advance had taken place in the wages paid to road labourers he had not lidard cf the advance being made. Tho Surveyor said he could not get tho laboiuers for less than he paid them. Mr James Davies drew attention to the fact that some men were paid a good deal more than others. The Surveyor said that the particular part of the locality in which the man lived would have to be taken into account. Mr T. Evans said he did not think they ought to consider the locality at all. What they ought to consider was the amount of work which each man was able to d). Mr John Williams, Henllan, said that there was a lot of ill-feeling caused by the fact that tivo of the men in Llangan received 2s 6d a day. He did not say that the men were getting too much; what he did say was that if they were entitled to so much, the other men were getting too little. Rev Daniel Jones said that the matter could be easily settled. If Mr Davies or Mr Williams could find men in Llangan parish to work for less than 2s Gel a day, the Surveyor would be very glad to hear of them. If any councillor could find such men let him bring them forward by all means and assist the Surveyor. The list was then gone into piecemeal. Any alteration, however, proposed for any particular parish seemed to be opposed by the bulk of the Council. Some discussion was aroused by the fact that the occasional labourers were paid less than the constant labourers. Mr Benjamin Thomas thought that the occasional labourers ought to be paid more than those who were working both wet days and fine. That was what the farmers had to do; they might have a man all the year round for 12s a week; but if they only required him for a few days to help they had to pay 2s 6d a day. Rev Daniel Jones thought it was the constant road-labourers who ought to get the better pay. They had to do all the year round with what they earned in the service of the Board but the occasional men had a chance in busy seasons of earning a good deal more than 2s or 2s 6d a day. Mr T. Evans said that they appeared unable to como to any satisfactory conclusion in the matter. lie moved that the wages of the men remain the same as before.—Mr T. Davies seconded. Rev Daniel Jones moved as an amend- ment that tho wages of William Thomas, the labourer for Ciffig, should be increased to 2s 2d per day. Rev 0. J. Thomas said ho had seen the labourer in question some three times a week for years—oftener a good deal than any other member of the Council; and ho did not consider him entitled to an increase except there was to be an advance all round. Rev Daniel Jones said he had taken the opinion of the Parish Councillors—who, he took it, were the leading men in the parish C5 —and they were of opinion that the wages of the man ought to be increased. He was very sorry to find a clergyman opposing the granting of an increase to the man. Rev 0. J. Thomas said he did not oppose the granting of an increase to the man but he objected to his getting an increase if the other labourer did not get the same. If there was to be an increase, he thought, it ought to be an increase all round. The Chairman seconded the amendment moved by the Rev Daniel Jones.—On being put to the meeting, however, there were only two votes for the amendment against nine for the motion. THE SUPERANUATION OF THE HIGHWAY CLERK. The application of Mr E. H. James—late clerk to the Highway Board—for a quarter's salary, etc., then came on for consideration. The Clerk said that Mr E. H. James left the service of the Board on the 7th February, 1896. Rev W. Thomas moved that a chequo be drawn in favour of Mr James for a quarter's salary. The Clerk said he did not think they had the power to pay Mr James further than the date to which he had served. They would have to leave the amount unpaid until the books were audited. With regard to super- anuation, Mr James would have to send in a claim for the amount, to which he con- sidered he was entitled. The matter was allowed to stand over in the meantime. MORE LIGHT ON MEDICAL ETIQUETTE. A letter was read from Dr Jones, Glany- rafon, Llanboidy, with regard to the allega- tion made by Dr Creswick Williams that he had neglected to report a case of scarlet fever which had occurred at the Stag, Llan- boidy. Dr Jones averred that the little girl had never had scarlet fever because (1) her temperature had never exceeded 100 deg. (2) there had been no tenderness of tho skin k3) there had been no strawberry tongue (4) there had been no albumen in the urine, and (5) there had been no desquamation or peeling off of the skin. So far from their being anything serious the matter with the little girl, she had been during the time of the progress of the alleged scarlet fever playing as usual with p r, her young- companions—not one of whom tr had shown any symptoms of this highly infectious disease. What she had really suffered from was febricula." Dr Jones said he had no hesitation whatever in endorsing what Mr Thomas Jones, the father, had said as to the medical officer's statement that it was a deliberate lie." He further said that when he sent notifica- tions to the medical officer, ho always registered them and kept the post office ;n receipts for them well knowing the character of the official The letter con- cluded with some references to a meddle- some official and to badly-cooked state- ments.—Mr Thomas Jones, the father of the little girl, wrote to pretry much the same effect. Mr T. Davies I beg to propose that the Medical Officer of Health attend at the next meeting of the Board and give his version of the affair—and not go by correspondence altogether. Mr T. Evans seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. A POLITICAL MOTION. Mr T. Davies then begged leave to briug forward a motion approving of the course, which the Government had adopted in introducing the Rating of Land Amend- ment Act. The Bill was an attempt to grapple with the question of local taxation. The farmers had been grievously burdened with taxation for the last few years. Any attempt in the direction proposed ought therefore to receive every support. The ¡ last Liberal Government had appointed a Commission to enquire into the agricultural distress which then prevailed. One of the recommendations of the Commissicn was that one quarter oi the rates were to be allowed that recommendation had not been carried out to the letter in the present bill. It was proposed by this Bill that one half of rates from next March were to be allowed. That was a question of £ s d to them all. In a small parish like Llanglydwen with a population of 200 it would be a question of some X45. A farmer who formerly had to pay £ 18 or C26 would only have to pay £ 9 or £ ly in future. Whitland was a purely agricultural district, as much so as any in South Wales. Of course, the urban authorities would be against them on this matter, but urban authorities got direct benefit from the taxes whereas rural tax- payers—although they contributed heavier to the Imperial Exchequer than the urban ratepayers—got no direct benefit. He thought the present Bill would be a great boon to th9 agricultural interests. He moved that the resolution proposed should be sent to Mr Chaplin, tho president of the Board of Agriculture, and Mr John Lloyd Morgan, tho member for West Carmarthen- shire. Rev Daniel Jones said he would move that no resolution to that effect should be passed that day. He would ask that the matter be postponed and notice of motion given. He was not quite ceitain whether that biil was going to create an universal panacea for the depression in agricultural districts. It required a good deal of study to find out whether the Bill would be for tho benefit of the farmers or the landlords. Mr James Davies It is the tenant farmers who have to pay the rates. Mr John Davies: I hope it will come at: yway. Mr T. Davies said ho did not norve tho resolution itS a political partisan. He did not, care which party introduced such a Bill, he thought it ought to be supported. The remedy contained on the Bill had been first proposed by a Liberal administration. He thought something was wanted soon before the poor farmer had gone to the" cats and dogs." Rev W. Thomas thought the motion was not urgent; and no harm could be done by postponing tho consideration of it until next meeting. Rev Daniel Jones said there was no doubt a gloss on the surface of the Bill; but the farmers would find that when the Bill was passed they would not get the abatements which they got now. Mr T. Davies: That is a question of honour altogether. Rev AV. Thomas: I think we will gain by leaving it over for a bit. The matter then dropped. FORTNIGHTLY PAYMENTS. Mr John Williams, IIenllan, moved that the road labourers should be paid fortnightly instead of monthly as at present. Tho Surveyor said that there were 14 parishes in the district; and it took him 10 days to go round the district. He would— it' the motion were carried—have to devise some method of paying the men in batches or divisions. The Clerk said that the women could call at the Surveyor's house on Friday when they came to Whitland market. No doubt tho Surveyor could find some way of getting over the difficulty. Mr T. Evans seconded the motion. He did not think they could do better than leave it in the Surveyor's hands. The motion was then unanimously adopted. PETROLEUM LICENSES. A petroleum license was granted to Mr Thomas Jones, the Stag, Llanboidy. The application of Mr Thomas Davies, Llanboidy, was refused. This was all the business of importanco.

—— <, LLANBOIDY. LLANBOIDY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.—A meet- ing of the Llanboidy Agricultural Society was held at the hesgwynne Arms, on Thursday, the lGth of April last, for the purpose of appointing Honorary Secretary, a vacancy having occurred through the sudden and lamented death of Miss Powoll who for years had undertaken the duties of the offico, and to whom credit is due for its present flourishing condition, The following were present :—-Mr J. B. B. Protheroe (chairman). Mr G P. Roch, Mr Frank Protheroe, Mr J. Phillips, J P., Caerl:eon Mr J. Williams, C.C., Penlan Mr D. Thomas, Casteildrainog Mr L Davie3, Wernolefawr Mr B. Morris, Wern Mr J. Thomas, Llwjnijwydd Mr R. Griffiths, Rest Mr J. H. Thomas, Firowel Mr J. L. Walters, Llanboidy Mr J. Davits, Brons- cawen Mr R. Thomas. Baily Dr B. Adams Le wis, Mydrim; Mr G. Rees, V.S., The Lamb; and Mr J. T. Griffiths, assistant secretary. Before tho business was proceeded with a vote of condo- lenca was passed with the family of Maesgwynne in their present affliction, and that the chairman con- vey the same to Mrs Powell. The only business on the agenda—the appointing of a hon. sec.—was then brought forward. After a little consideration, Mr Williams, PCIJLm. proposed Mr Rocli, of Macs- gwynne, to the office. Mr Phillips, Caerlleon, seconded, and it was carried unanimously. Mr Roch, having consented to act, proved vrry gratify- ing to all present. MR. RocE's CmIING OF AGE.—Tho 18th Of April was a day that was eagerly looked forward to by the neighbourhood, being the day Mr Roch, of Maesgwynne, attained his majority. Owing to the death of Miss Powell, his aunt, there were no re- joicings. The tenants of the Maesgwynne Estate agreed to present him en the occasion with two silver fruit dishes, bearing the following inscrip- tion —" Presertcd to Mr G. P. Roch, by the Tenants of Maesgwynne, on the attainment of his majority, as a token of affection and esteem. April 18th, 1896." They were privately presented on the 18th, on behalf of the tenants, by Mr D. Thomas, Castell, the oldest tenant, and Mr J. D. Morse, C.C.. Llandawke. THE ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING was held at the Board School Llanboidy, on the 16th April. 1 he Rev W. Thomas tk the chair pro tern. All members present signed the declaration of office. It was agreed that Mr E. Phillips and Mr Ben I Davies, who were not present, should be allowed to sign at the next meeting. The first business on the agenda was to appoint a chairman for the ensiling year. The Rev D. S. Davies, Llanboidy, was re- appointed. The following were appointed overseers — Messrs E Phillips, Pencnwck, and D. Evans, Dyffryn.—The Clerk read a letter from the Rev W. Rees, vicar of Llanboidy, refusing to part with the parish map. The matter was referred to the County Council, in whose pcwer it is to decide as to its custody. DEATH OF MR GEORGE REES, M.R.C.V.S.— Ic is is with deep regret that we have to announce the death of Mr George Rees, MR C.V.S eldest son of the late Mr John Rees, Llanboidy, who died on Saturday night, at the age of 42 years. The deceased gentleman had only lately, a week or so after his father's death, given up a large and iueiative practice in Staines on account of i'l- heaith and had returned home to live with his I sisters. Last Wednesday he journeyed to Carmar- then to wi:ness with joy the marriage of his brother, the popular Carmarthen vet., to Miss Olive, and wo offer our sincerest sympathy to them in having their honeymoon terminated so suddenly and so sadiy. The deceased gentleman will be Igreatly missed, as a man of his large experience was a boon rarely obtained in the country, beiag ever ready to advise. And now he is dead a great admiration fills us for the man who hid beneath a cheerful countenance and a merry laugh the knowledge that he lived under the bane of numbered days. He is the third that Llanboidy hua to mourn for this year. The funeral, which was a public one, took place at 1.30 o'clock on Thursday.

BRYNA M MAN. TESTIMONIAL.—A pleasing presentation took place cn Tue d^y (April 21st), when Mr F. Gilbertson was presented with a handsome marble clock (made by Mr J. W. Bsnson, of Ludgate Hill, London), on the occati m of his marriage. The c:cck tears the fallowing inscription Presented to F. Gilbertson, Esq., on the occasion of his raemage, by the Brynamman Shareholders of the Ulynbendy Tin Plate Co. Apiil 1896." PASTRY AND SNVEETS.The New and Enlarged Edition of this valuable little work, containing Practical Hints and Original Recipes for Tasty Dishe for the Dinner and Supper Table, will be sent Post Free on receipt of Address by ALFRED BIRD & SONS, Birmingham. -N.B. -Grocers can have Copies for Distributing among their Customers on Applicatiou.

CARMARTHEN I WEEK BY WEEK. The Mayor said at the Volunteer dinner that the distribution of prizes for shooting, etc., in the Assembly-rooms used to be looked upon as a red-letter day. As a matter of fact, it could not look anything else-if the volunteers came in their uniforms. The act of robbery on the river committed by the two old hands of the Militia shows up the true state of the strained relations existing between the Quay men and the up- the-hills" garbage. If the captain of the Dorothea"—instead of taking tho trouble to go to Guildhall-square for the police-had called out the Quay men there would have been a battle-royal, and the Shonis would have had a very rough time of it. Of course, with their usual lamb-like innocence, the militiamen would have turned round and told a long story—as they did last year— I about the manner in which they had been unjustly attacked. But the coolness of the captain showed up the utter lawlessness of the gang in all its native hideonsness. Captain Roberts said that lie had been coming for fifteen years to Carmarthen, and had always received the best of treatment from the Carmarthen people. And so he will for other fifty years, if he lives. The Car- marthen working-man knows how to behave himself and the Carmarthen bench knows how to infuse a little respect for law and order into the imported bullies. The clergy of tbo Archdeaconry of Car- marthen had an interesting discussion at the Priory-street National School last week as to the best method in which the Church could keep hold of the young people. This solicitude for tho young people may be-I do not say is—carried a little too far. It might be well at times to excuse the young people from interminable sermons and brow- belltings. It is about time that the middle- aged and the old realised that a certain tale of years does not grant an exemption from the ton commandments. The young people are not just as black as they are painted. It is not the young people who have figured in the most disgraceful sensational trials of the century, or who give the President of the Divorce Court such long- sittings. The sowing of wild oats is a branch of agriculture which scorns to require an apprenticeship of nearly half a century. The Rev D. Pugh Evans, of Lampeter Velfrey-a former vicar of St. Peters—at this meettng urged upon the clergy the desirability of impressing upon their flocks that the keeping of the Ten Commandments was a duty which thoy owed to themselves as well as to God. It w ould be well at times if the Churches gave a little more attention to the Ten Commandments, and a little less to theological bickerings. It would do harm to strive less after purity of doctrine and more after purity of morals-to be less severe on luke-warm supporters of the cause, and more severe upon bad members of Society. Tho burial service of the Church oi England illustrates this principle very well. It is not to be read over the body of an un- baptised child; but it may be read over the bodies of the most abominable scoundrels who over lived. There will be less difficulty in dealing with tho young people-and with the old, too, for that matter—when tho front seats in the synagogues are given to the men and women of the most exemplary lives, and not to those who own the longest purse, or who have tho greatest amount of patronage at their disposal. How is it that with so many cyclists in Carmarthen we never see one out on his mount on a Sunday? It is strange that cycling on Sunday- should be viewed with a certain amount of horror-whilst a drive out in a pony-trap is regarded as quite the correct thing. There is nothing unorthodox in making your coachman work seven days a week; but it is the height of impiety to go out on a machine, which entails no labour on anyone but yourself-just as if you were taking a walk. Before everything else, the Sabbath means a day's rest for the toiler. Then to begin with, people who hold strict Sabbatarian views should give their servants every Sunday off,, and attend to themselves. That being done, it will then be time enough to discuss whether it is a sin to go to a concert, to read a newspaper, or to ride a bicycle. But good folks generally take good care that even the strictest of Sabbatarian views causes discomfort to somebody olso- never to themselves. The gay and festivo burglar in this neighbourhood has developed tastes of a pronouncedly horticultural charreter. A garden, within three minutes walk of the Guildhall, was entered last week, and a con- siderable quantity of the plants therein abstracted. If this sort of thing goes on, C, neither Land Commission nor Tory legisla- tion will be able to grapple with the agricultural depression which will ensue. The Militia band was temporarily deprived of its most skilfully manipulated musical instrument—the big drum—last week. The top succumbed either to old age, or to the fine athletic powers of the drummer. No wonder the Income Tax is so high! If miiitary gymnastics have any tendency to further develop the biceps, it would be well for the authorities at the Horse Guards to either grant an exemption to drummers, or else to increase the Army Estimates. A Carmarthen man who at times takes excursions into the country has a fine story to tell of a country dog, which lias as great an animosity against the force" as the veriest Carmarthen l.jafe:\ A couple of officers of the law were called the other day from an adjacent country station to pursuo a thief—just as they were sitting to a roast leg of mutton. Whon they returned to their abode in an hour or so, thev found tlio now historic dog finishing up the joint. When last socii the senior officer of the force was searching Stone," in order to find under what head the dog can be indicted Captain Buckley Roderick referred at the Volunteer dinner to the fact that some time ago no epithet was too strong for the Car- marthen press to apply to the Corporation. Now that that had come to an end, he took it that things had improved. Nothing of the kind. But the fact is that since the new blood has had a try the old article looks comparatively well beside it. Besides it is useless to kick against the goad when it is recognised that a case is hopeless criticism always ceases. The Corporation patient has been "given up" by the journalistic doctor. Militiameu do not appreciate long sermons. The fighting Bishop of St. Asaph" does not always possess the military virtue of brevity. After the service on Sunday morning one militiaman called the attention of his Ii butty to the medals, which some of the volunteers displayed on their manly bosoms. What is that on their jackets," he asked. Long service medals," answered the butty. Long service medal! exclaimed the irate warrior, it is the Bishop of St. Asaph who ought to have the long-service medal." Mr W. Morgan Griffiths remarked at the Hall" on Monday that tho I'unch wcro determined to put down the practice which the cattle-dealers had acquired of striking and bvating animals when they wsre view- ing. If the Borough Bench compels the scum of tho fairs to observe any law, it will create a revolution. At tho present moment the liangors-on connected with the cattle trade show a lofty contempt for all law— both human aud divine. A girl, eleven years of ago, informed the justices on Monday that one of the parties threw a jug of water over me and hit me j r, a good smack." The smack was evidently caught in a squall on this occasion. But it would be iiiterestin-, to ascertain what—in the opinion of an eleven-year-old girl con- I stitutes a good smack." Smacks-as they are administered at that age— are scarcely likely to be described by the rcoipi'nts as good." In later years of course the smack assumes aii, her character—especially in the Spring mou: lis in Carmarthen when the dainty crafts are all tSiken in tow by men-of-war. .ft A butcher's labourer has boon lined Is for getting drunk on a Sunday. If even this small sum were paid fur every breach of the Sunday Closing Act which takes place 1\ in Carmarthen, wo should soon have money enough to pay for the fire-engine, tho steam roller, and the new Municipal Buildings, I without bothering tho Local Government 0 Board about a loan. St. Peter's new organ is a thing of beauty —and, consequently, a joy for ever. It is somewhat of a startler to thoso unacquainted with such matters to be told that it contains 1,500 pipes. It is a much more agreeable sight than the old box of tricks and the volume of sound is much larger—although Z3 n there is littlo perceptible improvement iu the tone. Not oven the most rabid Libera- tionists will be able to lay their fingers on any organic defects in the Church of England, if many instruments like this are to bo found. The idea which was mooted of having the organ blown by hydraulic pressure has been abandoned owing to the great difficulty which would probably be experienced in getting a proper supply of water. It would be a nice state of matters on a Sunday morning to lind 1 hat there was no water; and to have to hunt up the Borough Surveyor iu order to got it turned on. High- and-dry-draulic pressure would be the ofteuest available. At the same timo the amount of physical exertion now entailed upon the blower is apt to knock all the sentiment out of the music. The members of the Carmarthen United Choir are again turning their attention to the re-formation of the choir—although under whoso leadership this time is a iiiii-ti or of conjecture. With such men in towa as Mr Conwil Evans, Mr Dunn Williams, G.T.S.C., the choir need not have any fear of the rosult and it would be well it they at once set to work practising. I understand that at the forthcoming eisteddfod to be held in August at Newcastle Emlyn, there are two test pieces to be competed for which, with a good training, the choir ought to n ZD io have no difficulty in carrying off the prizes. A rumour has been persistently spread to the effect that tho Militia are to be trained at Ferryside some people have also evolved out of their inner consciousness the intelli- gence that the training will take place at Carmarthen. The only training which will take place at Carmarthen will bo the conveyance of the men by special train on Monday to Fort Popton. I i Capt. Turner says that the ladies are inclined to think the Army somewhat of a nuisance; and that they are willing to > sacrifico auybodj's son but their own and anybody's brother but their own. As a matter of fact, the ladies arc often more unpatriotic still. Many of them would have a decided objection to the sacrifice of even other people's brothers. # A tremendous amount of excitement was aroused in Lammas-street on Monday after- noon and an immense concourse of people gathered to the spot to find out what was the matter. The matter was—a dog-fight. Business was suspended for nearly haif-an- hour over this epoch-making event, before which the complications in the Transvaal and the siege of Buiuwayo sink into insignificance. Whilst we have such excite- ments at our very doors it is idle to ask whether life is worth living in Carmarthen or not. Both trout and salmon fishing appoar to be In a very bad way. The coraclo men declare that their industry has gone to the dogs whilst all that the anglers can take in a day would not make a meal for a healthy cat. Last week there was not enough water now there is plenty of water; bat it is said to be too cold. Let tho cau.c.e be what it i-nay, the quantity of fish in the river appears to bo g. tting small by degrees and beautifully less. < The Fishery Board lias under considera- tion the advisability of stocking the river with young trout. People seem slew to recognise the fact; but it is undoubtedly tho case that the cultivation of trout and salmon can bo reduced to theory quite as much as horse-breeding and the growing of orchids. It is no good for the Fishery Board to sit down with its hands iu its empty pockets and to wonder what is becoming of the river. It is a farce for the Board to spend so much in "protecting" a barren river. Neither the poachers-nor anybody else— can take fish out of tho river if there are none there. I always thought that with the advent of School Board education, our maidens would become wiser in their generation. But in love matters the same old order of things prevaileth. T have heard of a few young ladies who at the mystic hour of midnight burn dragon's blood and love powder," and repeat a long rliymo ot wishes tor their lovers' return. In some instances I know they have done so; but whether it was through the burning of the above composition or of their own free will, I know not. But would it not have been better for these damsels to keep their lovers when they had J inan and not tritle with their affections. I here's as good fish in the sea as has ever been caught" is an old and true saying. It would not be bad if they were to take this advice to heart. It would be a loss to the chemist, but a gain to them—both as regards their night's rest and their pockets. What could have been the matter with those two cyclists who started from here Sunday afternoon for a spin" down towards Pembrokeshire. On the return journey they had passed through a village not five miles off and were approaching a farm when suddenly they met two damsels of colossal proportions. Would you like a ride ? demanded they in a cheery tone. Would'nt mind," responded the damsels. WTiether the Carmarthen boys were suddenly stricken by the effects of alcohol or a strong amorous propensity, I know not but no sooner were those words uttered than they put down their machines and gave chase; but after a run of 200 yards they were out- paced by the farm ladies." This occurred at 8.45 in the evening. These young men do not now entertain particularly high opinions of tho value of "sprinting" as a j feminine accomplishment. i Whatever the terrible results of small P051 are, there is one which is certainly I)eieficicl- The other evening, at a local "pub, a,I)0^i| closing time too, a strange gentlf man entered and called for a drink. Of course, a conversation ensued, and it was immediately discovered that he came from Gloucester- There was no need to call out Time, gentSi please," that night The Carmarthen Football Team had their photographs taken on Thursday week by Mr Henry Howell. The photograph is about the best part of the for its record during the past season—of matches won and lost-" had better not be stated. It is very one- sided altogether. *$.< 01 A meeting of the Cycling Club will be held at headquarters, the "Old Plough," this (Friday) evening, at 8.30 o'clock. .¡(- The cold spoil has caught some of us very badly and men uf other v. iso robust constitu- tion now testify by their suitfiing an Imskhiess that they are sufl-aing frort combinations of intluenza, pneumonia, an glandei's. Quite a large r uaibtr of the most influential men of the day have b :eu droppi'^I off late ly so don't be surprised if a good mauy friends realise their high cst wish and have the pleasure of attending the funeral of tho undersigned. ''evlia; however tliry consider the news too good to be true. :OHJ.\ TWISTED.

.u .4; 1 t Carmarthen County Police oil SATURDAY. ■ Before Mr C W. Jo- os. CarmnrtbeiJ (in the cLair); Mr John Litml Tir:ir:w, Gilfacb i; Mr D. L. Joaes. niia \f Parkinson, Custlc Pkyu.

P ill..> KS. P C. Prolh. roo eharsre-i Erin ilavri-.s. Cir.cog)D» l.langcndeirup. with bc:io,T i'Tauk ia tbarge of horse —Fined 2s and 8s ccvrs. ANOTHER ATTEMPTED EVICTION. Margaret Evars. Cwmdwjfrnn, Ne-vcbarcb' opi>]i :•! for pos^ssion of a entire i. against Ann Willifuas. —Wr D E Stephens appeared for applicant, and Mr James John ?'»r defendant. 1 John Evans, eon of M-ir^aret Evsvis, said jjenorally act for tjiy mother I recollect, la5" September. I savi Mr Stephens ahoub a lJOUo then I look it. I guve it to my mother. My mother looked ufc theni we thought the? wanted sig-nir.-j but I saw mother's signntaf3 there, and thought, no more was wanted. Johff Williams died eome time about last May; he wøS our tenant. A<m Williams, Lis eiattr, hsH bee# living there since She was thrro some teo o{ twelve yep.rfi before that she wr.s with her fatber at first Since her brother died ehe paid us tb?j rent. She paid in August the sum of -CI 10J. received the money from the blru-k.smith who ca'fl3, from hev I ;so r^oeived iu £ 1 10s in Decemb6* j from tho hlackercith. } The Clefk (Vlr W Morgnr; Griffiths) hrld that ti" notice to quit was bad, as ii vit; o. r^ed upon AIJIII Williams in vibom no tenancy had b en c -.J. | The application was, therefore, refused. 'CIL

11 an egwad Parish Council ZD The annual meeting of the above Council wa-s lIdd at Velingwm School-room oll Tuesday, the 21st, of April. Tbc following newly elected members wef^J present :—Mr Thomas Davies,. Ll\vyngw}'Jh| the retiring Vice-chairman (who presided)!! Uev Evan Thomas Dolegwad Mr Henry Davies, Typu-ea; ML- William Evan^I Monachty Mr Benjamin Evans, Tynevydd Mr William Williams, Tyrdail Mr Job'1 Evans, Cwmcothy Mr Thomas ThoU)»s> Glandwr Mr Thomas Rogers, Penrhiwan > Mr Richard (Jritliths, Gianyrynv.s Mr Esse* Morris, Hendre, Mr John Rees, Llwynfortune; and Mr Charles Davies Glancapel. DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE.. ) The declaration was signed hy all present and it was unanimously agreed that Mr Joh11 Harris Blaennantymab, and Mr David Jones i Harries, Pen 11 wynne, owing to their absence ¡ he permitted to sign the declaration at a subsequent meeting. t APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AN# VICE-CHAIRMAN. j It was unanimously agreed that Messt's 1 John 8impson, Cwm, and Thomas Davie»i Llwyngwyn, be re-ected chairman and vice- i chairman respectively for the ensuing ye^ The minutes of last meeting were read an^ confirmed. THE LLANEGWAD AND LLAINWEN HOADS. It was proposed by Mr Henry Davies Typicca, seconded by Mr Benjamin Evans; Tynewydd, and agreed to, that the District Council be asked to take over the ro»d leading through Llanegwad Village. It was also proposed by Mr John Evans Cwmcothy, seconded by Mr Charles Davie1' GLtncapd, and carried unanimously, that the attention of the District Council be called to the unsatisfactory State of Llain wen-road, and that it is absolutely necessary to make I some repairs to the same, as it is considered almost impassable at present. It wns also resolved that the Clerk be instructed to write to the three Rural District Councillors, to ask them to be present at the next meeting of the Council, when the fore- going resolutions, would come on for consideration and to ask them to support the same. APPOINTMENT OF OVERSEERS. It was unanimously agreed that Irs Elizabeth Davies, Cencoed Mr David Evans, i nyswen and Mr Thomas James, Byrgwm be appointed Overseers of the poor for the ensuing year.

NEXT MEETING. It was resolved that the date of next meeting be left to the option of the Clerk when in a position to make the rate for the relief of the poor, and for other purposes for the current half-year, according to Law. -+--

The Great Need of the Age t5 Is some scientifically arranged preparation which will cope effectually with the prevalent diseases of this country, which will be certain to do good when fairly tried, which will be equally adapted to the needs of tho merchant and workman, the professional man, and he who wins his piead by the sweat of his brow, the student, the clerk, the factory hand, the miner, and the roadside labourer. It should be, to^, such a pre- paration as contains no injurious ingredients, and | which may be taken with impunity by the weakly f child or the delicate lady, as we;l as by the stronger ( constituted man. Sach a discovery would deserve to be called the Perfection of Medicinal Preparations, and would be, indeed, an Invaluable Boon to Suffering Humanity. This much-needed has been found, tried, and proved to be satisfactory. It is Gwiiym Evans' Quinine Bitters, the vegetable tonic. This world- renowned medicine is strurp-ly recommended for affections of tho chest, Debility in any form, Depression of Spirits, f:t. It is sold in bottles, 2s Id and Is fid each. See the name I '.VII.V.U on Stamp, Label, and Bottle, as there are numerous imitations. PROPRIETORS QUININE BITTERS MANUFACTURING Co., Li.i i-ri:L), LLANELLY, SOUTH WALES..