The Carmarthen Weekly Reporter

BRIDGES. f The Local Governmen| Boari £ the £ 7,900 out of the <rf the borrowed for t bridges, buv o.f f' vSl hot bear traction engines.

COUNTY GIRL'S SCHOOL, CARMARTHEN.—Miss M. Alexander, B.A. (Honours let. Div., Lordon), has been appointed an assistant-mistiesB at the atJove school. A CHILD named David Alun Davies, EOn of a marine engineer, was accidentally drowned in the river Tivy, at St. Dogmell's, Caidigan, on Saturday. MR THOMAS THOMAS, J.P., of Webfield, attended thirty-three meetings of the House CeiEOsittee of the Infirmary latt year, and not 3 orl Y, as stated through an error in our report in a recent issue. IIJAJOR and Hon Lieutenant-coionel W. E. "I A I Roberts, of MiHord Havan, ha been appointed lieutenant-colonel, to oommand the 1st (Pem rekej V.B the Welsh Regiment, in the place of C donel Picton Evans. retired. COST OF WAR.—Mr Brodrick, replying to Mr. Dillon, in the Louse of Commons, on Monday, eaid t! e average weekly cost oi war in South Africa lor the last- ten weiks mi!! ht be ttken approximately as about a millio- and a half a veek. (Irish cheers.) Mr Macnntill And they said the war was o"er. NEW DIES FOlt STAMPS—The Commissioners of Inland Revenue give notice in the London Gazette that the use of all the existing dies for postage ad revenue covers, envelopes, and stamps has been discontinued, and that new dies will be used on and alter the 1st of June next. GAZETTEE NEWS.—-Tuesday night's Gazette contained the following .—Bankruptcy Acts, 1883 and 181)0 — Receiving orders Isaac Phillips, lately of Tyrfrau, Llanelly, now of Carmarthen, ictired surveyor. JLOUD ROBERTS TO VISIT SOUTH WALES.-Lord Roberts, eatly in May, is to be a visitor to bis old friend and comrade-in-arms, General Sir James Hills- Johnes, at Dolaucotbi, Carmarthenshire, Bobs purposes to spend a quiet holiday at the latter place. AT a sitting of Aberystwilth Police-court on luesday Rufns Williams, landlord of the Lion Hotel, was fiued 5s for permitting gambling on his licensed premises. The evidence was that a party of commercials stayed up playing cards, but the landlord was not i-ognisant of it. The magistrates, nevertheless, said he Avas responsible. His MAJESTY KING EDWARD VII., who as Prince ct II ales has been Patron of Miss Weston's Royal Sailors' Rests at Portsmouth and Devonport, has graciously consented to continue that patronage. The title of Royal," granted to these institutions by Her lute Majesty Queen Victoria, has also been confirmed. CARMARTHENSHIRE INFIRMARY.—The Secretary begs r. -epectfuih to acknowledge the receipt of the following :— £ 50. Mr C. S. Morris, Radnor House, Penllwyn Pak; i 1 strafed papers, Mr John Miller, Para e, and Miss Hughes, 6. East Parade periodi- cal., Mr R. J»nu8, Bridge-street, and Mr D. J. Evans, Kicg-stieet. THE NEW YEOMANRY SQUADRON.—Captain Grisnaonii Philippe, of (jwmgwili, has resigned his coma ission in the Militia in order to accept a commission as captain in the new Yeomanry squadron, which is being raised with its head- quarters at Carmarthen. No doubt Capt. Philipps's personal influence will go a long way towards the successful surting ot the squadron. ATTENDANTS' BALL AT THE JOINT COUNTIES ASYLUM —The annual attendance dance was held at the Joint Counties Asylum Oil Monday evening. There were over 200 people pret-ent. Dancing c, mmfocttd at 7 p.m., and lasted until 1 e.m. Light refreshments were provided. The accompaniment was provided by Mr Puddieombe (pianist), Mr Vict.or Jones (violinist), as well as the Asylum band. A moHt enjoyable evening was spent. NATIONAL CYCLIST UNION-SOUTH WALES CENTItE.-A'lr J, Young presided at a meeting of the South Wales centre of the N.C U,, held at the Black Lion Hotel, Cardiff, on Tuesday, Permits were granted for the Pontypridd H, orts on May 4th and tor the Cardiff University Sports on May 18th. The quarter, half, and one mile champion- ships were sold to Newport for eight guineas each, and the fi ve, 1G and 25 mile championships to the Cardiff Athletic Club for four guineas each. A large number ol licences were granted, SUMMER AfSIZEs.-The following are the circuits I chosen by the J noges. fot the coming summer assizes -.— Midland, Justices Wright and Phillimore Oxford' Justices Day and Bigham North-Eastern, the Lord Chief Justice and Mr Justice Bruce South-Eastern, Justices Mathew and Lawrence Western, Justices Will, (ind Kennedy North Wale* Justice Grantham South Wales, Justice Channell ■ Noithen, Justue Ridley and BUcknill Both civil ar.d criminal business will be taken, THIS OLD COLLEGE SCHOOL. —On Friday evening lMst the Rr-v T. W. Morgan, ot Philadelphia and Crwbin, delivered 1\ lecture on "HappneEs and how to secure it "to the students of the Old College School. The Rev Joseph Harry pres:dtd. The lecturer treated his subject in n masterly style. the whole discourse bristling wi,h points of interest and picturcque thoughts and phrases The customary votes were proposed and seconded by Mr John Griffiths, R oukey Mr W. R Lloyd, New Tredegar Mr J. hn Griffiths, Velindre and Mr W. Ro: erts. one ot the Principals of the Old Colle ge School. DEATH IF Mas DAYlEliI, NFA.H LHNLiwcH.R-We reg-et to)ccf,rd the death cf IVIrs Anne Davies, which look place at her residence in the cottage near Llanllwch on Saturday The deceased, who was 48 years of age, leans seven children 'o [icurn her loss, inlis Dalies, who had been a widew for many years, wus held in the greatest nsptc*; by her "neighbours as a hard-working, respectable woman. She hf.d for many years been a faithful member of Lammas-street Independent Church. The funeral took place on Monday at Kidwelly, where t' e husband of the deceased is buried. UNION-STREET CHAPEL. CARMARTHEN.—The above church held its arnuzt! prse.chi,g fe<-rvices last Sunday eLd Monday (2lfct and 22nd inst), when the I) Bowen, llermcn Llangadock, «p.d tb« I'.ev W.Tones, Penuel (B). Carnr artheu, pificiatfU, ihe pitacmra weie as us-uul delivering the me ffge with sublime sincerity, and with transparent earnestness and simplicity. The dew of Hermon was felt, and obvious t-igns of effect were evident throughout the meetings. The weather teing favourable, the congregations were large right through the meetings, and the collections wpre beyond the limits of expectation. A SWANSEA SOLDIER at the front senda home a copy of the "Bicemfonten Post," contairing a cricket account of the war down to November last Tt runs as follows :— JJOEBS v. GREAT BRITAIN AND HER COLONIES. BOERS.—First innirigs. Prei-orius 1 b w, b Buller 0 J ubert, retired hurt 0 Ctronje, c Frerc'n, b Roberts. 0 Steyn (vice-captain), run out 0 Yillebois (pro ), b Mt-thuen 0 Elofi, c Hore, b Baden-Powell 0 Bnyman, run out 0 JJryger (capinjn), run 0Uv,0 Botha and De Wet to bat. r" 0.- SACRED CüNCEBT AT THE UTITLDTIALL -Un ouu- day evening a S-acred concert was given at the. Guildhall by the Carmarthen United Choir. The chair was occupied by ohlT Mayor (Ma E Colby Evans", Mr Jam's Morgan, conducted, und Mr I S Puddicombe acted as accompanied. The concert opened with the singing of Aberystwyth by the clioir and the audience The choir also rendered he tet pcce, Then round about the 9arry Throne," with > xcllent tff-ct. Mr lIfury Evans sarg the sol "Tie Holy City Mr T O mwil ETCUS, u The Good Shepherd Mr D. Jeremy Rees, Lead I £ indly Light (Pugh Evans) and Jlr James Morgan, If with all your hearts, fhere was a good attendance. At the close A vote of thui ks was awarded to the Mayor on the motion ef Mr T, Conwil Evans, seconded by Mr Jamts Morgan, DEATH OF MUS FOOTMAN — We regret to announco the death of Mrs Ann Footnran, wife of Mr Robert Footman, ILdcdwen Farm, Carmarthen, which took place on Friday evening. Mrs Footman who was 60 years of agp, was a daughter of the late Mr Rees Penlnn. and was a sister to Nlre Jores, ■Alltofoe Mrs Rees, Llanaithney and Mrs .James Rees,°Trev»iighan She was, therefore, a m, ™^er 6f a family which is well-known and h ghly respected iu the coui ty. She leaves five children Jo Lumber loss ihe Rev W Thomas ^naan. ho has rseentiy obtninad sin important appoint mer, at Lampeter College School; Mr Hobert Footman, who is now studying at Oxford Mr John footman, who is thing at lioiae with his father Mra Griffiths, Li-ytiroid cr,d Mrs Columbus Jones, Ponicarreg. IVith them and with the bereave husband the greatest sympathy is felt in their great pfflintion. The funeral took place on Tuesday at churchyard, OUR BOHOUOII AS OTHERS SEE HIM.— Mr Alfred D^i*38 i3 described by the' Yorkshire Pout is the ercbodiiv;ent of the religious Radical— and a Welsh religious Radical, too. H6 i8 unctuous, he has a lar°e, round, serene face, he has evidently I r/ftiorv at chapel reunions, he has an studied oratory at ]{0 itritated eftusive court Rgked R queBtion acd fel"e rli J-Ma lU'd read bis reply startled M^hjn Mr Chapj r Chamberlain, by the iiouse., tnd c1e,b?iu y ,e;V kind if he didn't asking if he would .l0'ain. because he had mind to please read l ov snapped that if not heavti hiir Mr ^hiajnbei • was not heard it wh?a i v- that flfrod cWfcod Mr N would please read 1m r u.s evebrw r-hambfrlaip dug his »Ilfle j1' J and8omfwhat sullenly .e-read tbt-■ rep.y. taly Davies rose p.o-,in Wou d the < '< lon^ »e.c e ke so <*«*Vy gj to re,!)- «. ar.fl"! wo'ald i8teem it i-ji honour if he kindly speak up," he added, The House «■ » Biid the liitrraior iberuyht he saw Cham^-r lips get a little thin ev. He put his nose closei to the paper und n ri(i in a lower toue than usual, aLd ttere on the oilier side of the lious" sat Mr L)avi(s, his hend to his ear, crying out patheticallyp "But I c'n't. iiear," The llouse ct joyed the sport,

Carmarthenshire County Council. QUARTERLY MEETING AT CAR- MARTHEN. The quarterly meeting of the Carmarthen- shire County Council was held at the Shire Hall, Carmarthen, on Wednesday, at 12.SO p.m. Mr Joseph Joseph, Llangennech, pre- sided. There wore also present Mr J. S. Tregoning, Llanelly Mr R. W. Stephens, Coodybrain Mr D. Thomas, Castelldrainog, Mr H. Jones Davies, Glyneiddan (Vice-chair- man) Mr William Jones, Lla idilo Mr James John, Carmarthen Mr Alfr'd Stephens, Kidwelly Mr T. Jenos, Llanelly; M rC. E. Morris, Carmarthen Mr Owen Bonville, Llanelly Mr David D.,ivies, Cen- arth Mr D. C. Parry, Llanelly Mr Joseph Mayberry, Llanelly -tr Morse, Laugharne; Mr Augustus Brigstocke, Blaenpaiit Sir Lewis Morris, Penbryn Mr Morgan Jones, Llanon Mr J. Ll. Thomas, Pontardulais Mr James Rees, Talgarth Rev T. Johns, Capel -Us Mr Gwilym Evans, Llanelly Rev W. Davies, Llandilo Mr John Beavan, Llansadwrn Mr W. N. Jones, Tirydail Sir James Drummond, Bart., Edwinsford Dr Howell Rees, Glangarnant Rev J. H. Rees, Burry Port Mr John, Felinfoel Pro- fessor Jones, Carmarthen Mr John Lewis, Meiros Hall Mr David, Llanelly Rev A. Fuller Mills, Carmarthen Mr David Davies, Myddfai Mr Barrett, Llanpumpsaint Mr Ben Evans, Rhydycymerrau Mr Wilkins, Burry Port together with the Clerk (Mr T. Jones), the deputy-clerk (Mr Douglas Jones), the treasurer (Mr R. Peer Plice), and the Surveyors (Mr Daniel Phillips and Mr Bowen Davies).

THE BUDGE T. Mr H. Jones-Davies, chairman of the Finance Committee, in presenting the esti- mates for the year said In introducing this my fourth budget I am disposed to think by this time and, borne now of some suffering, that you look forward to my appearance on the scene as being signifi- cant of ill-omen, having invariably asked you every succeeding year for an advanced rate, the inevitable result of the progressive ten- dencies with which the Council has been inoculated during the past three or four years. I take this opportunity of announcing the exceptional interest that has been obtain- ing in regard to our t udget this year. I have been literally besieged by members and others long ago to what extent our rates would be increased. According to the estimates already placed in your hands and, I hope, you have thoroughly digested, you will note that it is my intention to ask you to-day for another advance of ld in the rates to meet, our de- mands, making an aggregate of8ld in the L. I confess that I had looked forward to a full Id advance, and it is a source of gratication to me that it does not exceed d. Anyone who takes but a mild interest in our proceed- ings in the past, could see at a glance, surely it did not require a prophetic eye that. our rates could be advanced, but what strikes me very forcibly indeed with regard to our in creased expenditure is that here we are back again fresh from being before the electorate, with only some six contests out of 51 divi- sions in the county and very few alterations in the personel of the council itself, with the mandate approving of our actions in the past hence our increased expenditure and progressive propensities must have been pro- #'> perly directed and applied from the public point of view. Now I ask your attention. to the estimates of receipts and expenditure. Comparing the two there is nothing that draws very special attention to the revenue. It is the expenditure that is the most serious item. Last year I thought myself justified in calculating upin-a surplus of some £ 5,606 4s 7d. N%,I-ereas th- actual surplus has reached the almost irreducible minimum of R915 5s lid. That must convey to you that a gross misrfpreentatiol1 or miscalculation was com- mitted last year-the whole argues neg'ect and incompetency—there ought to be some more solid thinking. Allow me to explain myself You will observe in the first column there are some ten bridges and public build- ings watiing, for the final blessing of the Local Government Board. In the days of my fast forgotten boyhood I well remember read- ing in the Book of all books how the wise man in a fit of blank despair declared there were several things under heaven which he could either g»uge nor understand. I re- spectfully beg leave to doubt if Solomon in all his wisdom could either understand the tedious and devious ways of the Local Govern ment Board in the sanctioning and negotia- I ting of loans. Had these loans been sanc- tioned during the past financial year and had been counted upon, and was justified in doing so. suffice me to say our balance would be bordering on our estimated one of last year. We received during the past year from the local taxation account, licenses and estate duty the unprecedented sum of £20,509 2s lid an increase from the previous year of practi- cally £1,000, and this source of revenue is in- creasing year after year. From the state- ment of the Chancellor of the Exchequer last Thursday there must have been a falling off in the amount received from the Estate Duty consequently there must have been a very 1 r 1 appreciable increase in the licenses. in rela- tion to this ittm, there is this-it is to a great extent an indication of prosperity and volume of trade in the county, and I have every reason to believe that is the case in every branch of industry in the county ex- cept, I am grieved to own, its premier indus- trv Aericulture. The customs and evcise or the "Goschen Fund" as it is 80 fumiliarily known to Educationists, for the first time shows, a decrease of t97 Is 5d. Before dis- missing the revenue account T cannot pass by without speaking in commendable terms ot the promptitude of the various Boards of Guardians in the county in paying their con- tributions. It. is to Be hoped thpy Wtll dis- play the same promptitude during the ensu- ing year. Another matter that bpars on the revenue and almost escaped wy observation. lolls The Rating Basis Co. received instructions ffom the Council to inquire iuto our present basis and report some 15 or 18 months ago. .L "1'10,.1 Somehow it does noL seem vu l1Vt:: at any great length. I venture to think it is high time they should take acioii especially in view that our basis has not been re-adjusted since 1895. I have been given to understand from more than one quarter not to be too sanguine as to the result of our increased valuation. Is that the crucial poiut. The ru of the whole question is, resuming there is an increase or a decrease. Some unions may have developed, others to the contrary, the onus should be placed on the shoulders best able to bear it. More than that we ought to take stock of our rating capabilities every five years at least. So much for tU rv>;e«ue and we come to the'serious part of it—the expenditure. Technical Education Rate amounts to xloJJ 2s 9d. Last year the Technical Committee, be it to their credit, the Chairman in parti- cular, spent 91,258 8s 4d, the largest amount t;vet: distributed under t-he direct supervision of that Committee for Technical Instruction. c e 0 Elections It is the cheapest dissolution on record. Public vacpimvtctf'5 £ 226 14s It 18 otice# ev^ry ti^r^ W9 eucounter these accounts. flont^gious Diseases Animals Act has cost US £887 Is 9d. This item has been creeping up for the past three years, but during the past year its uninterrupted progress has been It is less by £52 4s lid. Main Roads, £ 12,242 118 6d. This is the appalling figure that stalks before us. It is more appalling being, if I may put it so, TrtUpVrro"' prnwh In 1899 tbp sum expended tinder this head was £ 8,850 5s, ud stu iucreaso Sti £$..Ü #S'$Ut( duriug the brief term of two years. Some members whose memory is more elastic than mine, maintain that within their recollection ,iis item has doubled. The reason for this huge increase is explained away by our surveyors through the advance in wages and materials. Instalments of loans and interest, £ 931 12s 3d. If you follow the line to the end the estimate is £1,800 in order to meet the re- quirements of the loans in view. It is said that it can be easily ascertained whether a own be cncrtetic or not by the gramit ur o! the display of its advertisements on its hoard- ings. I submit it is equally applicable to a public authority by having a glance at its in- stalments of loans and interest. Establishment Charges, X192 Is 9d, princi- pally printing. I am glad to find that during the past two years this item is considerably reduced. I believe it is full time for me to wind up with the surplus. We estimate a surplus of t6,111 15s 8d and in arriving at that figure I have borne in mind the scriptural precept not to extort more money than is require Truth to tell it seems a big sum but in the face of the dilatoriness of the Local Govern- ment Board in sanctioning loans, should any unforeseen contingencies arise, our turnover having advanced from R40,000 in 1895 to about £ 50,000 now, and aways hoping for the best and preparing for the worst, I strongly adhere to the opinion I have formerly ex- pressed that this county, the largest in area in Wales and second in point of turnover, should have a substantial balance to its credit I thank you for your indulgent hearing to such a dry statement, as figures always en- tail, which I have endeavoured to the best of my humble abilities to place before you and the ratepayers of this county in general and you were fully entitled to, in as clear and simple a manner as I possibly could. Mr Gwilym Evans moved an amendment to the proposals of the chairman. He had been told that this was the first occasion that an amendment was made to the estimates proposed. When the late Mr John Burne was chairman of the Finance Committee a pro- posal was made that the rate should be raised form 3jd to 6d in order that they might have plenty of money in hand. The amendment was moved that the rate should be only 4d: and the amendment was carried. He moved now that the rate should only be 8d instead of 8d is propost d At preeenfc there "e" great claims on everybody with the increase of taxation all round. A good deal of the deficit -had been caused by the delay of the Local Government Board in paying money which was due. He thought that they should overdraw the Banking Account if a man of business had more capital to put into his enterprises he would probably not press those who were owing him money as closely as if he had less capital. Mr Ben Evans, in seconding, said that the estimate for the coming year was less than the estimate for the last year, and the amount raised last year was sufficient to meet the claims, and if they went on this estimate as it was before them, they would have some- thing like £1,200 of a balance. After a discussion in which several mem- bers took part, Mr H. Jones Davies replied. He said that in the days of Mr John Bourne they had not paid large sums -for bridges out of revenue. If they overdrew the account", the Local Government Board auditor might surcharge them with the amount of the over- draft. Dr Thomas And quite right too. Mr H. Jones Davies, in the course of fur- ther remarks, said that it was not the fault of the Finance Committee that the expendi- ture was increased. They had to face me facts, and to find the money required. Mr Tregoning asked how much the half- penny rate would produce. The Treasurer £ 1,116. The members voted as fullowg :— For adopting the estimates Rev W. Davies, Mr Augustus Brigstocke, Mr Joseph Joseph, Mr David Thomas, feir Lewis MOI'I' Mr David Thomas, Mr Wilkins, Mr H. J. Thomas, Dr Rees, Mr T. Watkins, Mr Scour- field, Mr D. C. Parry, Mr Bonville, Mr W. I David, Mr J. Lloyd Thomas, Mr D. Davies (Llandebie), Mr David Davies (Myddfai), Mr John Llyod, Mr W. N. Jones, Mr H. Jones- Davies, Mr T. E. Brigstocke, Mr James John Professor Jones, Mr Morgan Jones, Mr O. E. Morris, Mr T. Jones (Conwil), Mr W. Jones CLJaDdllo), and Mr J. D. Mo-so—29. For the amendment Sir James Hills- Johnes, Mr John Lewis, Mr Tregoning, Mr J. Beavan, Mr Mayberry, Mr Daniel Stephens Dr Thomas, Mr David Davies (Cenarth), Mr Alfred Stephens, Sir James Drummond, Mr Ben Evans Mr Gwilym Evans, Col. Gwynne Hughes, Rev T. Johns, Mr John (felinfoel), Rev A. Fuller Mills, and Mr D. C. Parry-17. The Budget was, therefore, adopted.

AN ELECTION IRREGULARITY. The Llanstephan Parish Council reported an irregularity which had occufreti in the election of a pistrict Councillor at the parish meeting. One of the persons -esent in the room has einoe been discovered not to hsve been a parochial elector. No fault was found with the election, but the Parish Council asked the County Council to appro the election so as to get over the irregularity. It WM decided to approve of the election.

THE PURCHASE OF JUDGE'S LODGINGS. j A letter was read from Mr Dudley Williams Drummond stating that the sub-committee appointed by the Standing Joint Committee had agreed to purchase Bank House, Carmar- then, including the lower starev (at present used of Inland Revenue off|pes) for jjJv^OQ. Mr J; Si, 'IH'e^oniug Does that mean the whole building r The answer was in the affirmative. ) Professor Jones rose to protest against the action of the Standing Joint ComnutVvv in this matter. He had nt like slighest objec- tion to thw thi'ue gentlemen who had acted in this matter, and whom he regarded as three of the beet that could have been selected for the the beet that could have been selected for the purpose. But he did protest against tho Committee usurping powers w1:\id btdougwt righti- to the Council, l-h^y had had coun- sel's opinion t»n a similar point and thy opinion was in their favour. He moved the following resolution That this County Council declares the recent action of the Standing Joint Committee in purchasing a house for judge's lodgings to be ultra vires, that we repudiate all liability and protest against this new attempt to usurp the powtyrs [ ot the County Council, (hoar. çel!-¡¡; wit tflvwch, cWweb); I really think." said Professor J-uues ''that it is time for this Council to put up its back." The Chairman That means that we dis- approve of it. Professor Jones said that he d'd ,iyt oujeei to the purchase tut to t:,e proceedings If they were going to purchase any property, the County Council ought to have a word in it. He had nothing to say against the three gentlemen (Mr Dudley Williams Drummond, Mr C. W. Jones, and Sir Lewis Morris/. £ hey were the best thai could have been had tn the County but the County Council OUÜ\t to have the right to appoint the-n. tili. council ought w know FiOtri¿lhlug about the property which was to be purchased. At pre- sent, they did not know whether the property was worth C3,000 or LI,000 (hear, hear). At present, the vendor of the house could only come on these three gentlemen it. was they only who were liable and not the Council. The Council was not in any way liable except they made the purchase themselves. About four years ago, they had the ame dispute, and they went to the trouble and expense of getting the opinion of Mr (now Justice; l Channel. His opinion U'i quite clear and distinct úll the matter. The members of the Joiiit,(,ollliiiit.teo were merely from one dis- trict. He did not know' whether this would be charged by a special rate or a general rate (laughter). The County Treasurer said that it would be a special purpose charge. Mr James John said that if this were so, neither he nor Professor Jones had a right to speak. Professor Jones said that he had certainly a right to speak and to move the motion which he proposed. Mr John Lloyd, in seconding, said that the action of the Standing Joint Committee was a gross indignity on the Council. The Com- mittee had thrown out the Council's propo- sals regarding a Central Office, and had maae a great fuss about the rates. At the same time they sent in a bill for £2,700, so as to enable them to return the compliment. He did'not object to the bargain; but he thought that the Council should be treated in the same way as the Standing Joint Committee t vw.cii the > 1,0 ix Council. ■i.i Sir James Drummond thought that the matter was one entirely for the Standing Joint Committee and he took great excep- tion to what Professor Jones and Mr Lloyd had said. As long as the Committee had power-which he understood they had—to na.e charge ot the county buildings und to provide lodgings for the judge's conven- ience, he thought they were perfectly within their rights to do so. The matter was one for the Standing Joint Committee, and not for the County Council. The resolution on the subject at the last meeting was carried by a large majority and he thought that there the matter ended. He did not think it the duty of the Committee to submit the matter of the purchase to this Council for their approval. The Chairman The Clerk says that it should be approved of by the County Council. Mr John Johns asked the Clerk vrnat was the law on the point. The Clerk said that of course they were bound by the opinion of Mr Justice Channel, with which he was bound to say he had never agreed. According to that the Council must confirm the contract before it was carried out The conveyance must be in the name of the CO\lfC Gwilvm Evans as.ked that they should not mix up this question with that of the Central Office. They should not cut off their nose to spite their face. Col Lewes said that- he understood that tne County would save £ 50 or £ G0 a year by tne purchase of this house. The Chairman said that was not the ques- tion the question was whether the ^matter came within the province of the Standing Joint Committee or of the County Council. Mr W. N. Jones said that there was not a single member of the Standing Joint Com- mittee who thought they were casting any slight on the County Council far from it. That had never entered their heads. It was eve,, to d.,y F. p if,t as to wich anth r:ty had to deal with the matter. If he reinem- bered aright the opinion of Mr Channel left them in a fog. Mr C. E. Morris: Ko, no. Mr W. N. Jones said that he had no desire to mislead the Council. What he said was by way of explanation. Mr J. S. Tregoning said that there was not any elisht east <>u Caimarthen. On tl.f contrary, he thought that a great compliment had been paid to Carmarthen in deciding puJchS fudge's lodging,, here There was a verv strong feeling in tne other the County that the assizes should l at Llanelly. There was no purchasing judges lodgings at the Committee were placing LlaneJ? in a very difficult position as regarded any change. The Chairman said that this was not a question between Carmarthen and Llanellj • It was a question as to whether the CountA Council ought to have been consulted regarum^ thMrUC?hE Morris said that they ought not to be misled in any way in this matter. There was no question whatever as to the legal posi- tion They were all perfectly aware of that point. They had to choose between the opin- ion of Mr Justice Channel and that of another legal luminary, and for his part he Preferred the opinion of Mr Justice Cnannel. That opinion gave it distinctly that the County Council was the authority concerned in any question of buying or selling, fie opposed any attempts to impugn the claims of the Council by a side wind in this way. Mr David said that the motion was one of .1. rer.pt-c«fui protest: and > t«v»ugnt » be passed with unanimity. Professor Jones said he was much ojhg. to Mr Tregoning for his kind feelings- towards Carmarthen, But the question was vvliotlu-r they had any right to make this purchase without consulting the County Council. On a division 20 voted for the motion of Professor Jones and 12 voted against. Mr Gwilym Evans moved that whilst t'iev protested against the attempt of tLe Stauding Joint Committee that they approve of the arrangement come to by the sub-coin- imTheC Chairman That is not an amendment Mr H. J. Thomas "Who is to provide «.he l°dgiiigs in the meantime. d.)nhtt;v,t, 5t Ts.e (Jh-irmau l""11 i!* ,l is the business ci the Standing mittee to provide judges lodging* althoi^- not to purchase.. Mr H. J. Thomas I think that we arc the authority to provide judge s lodgings. The Chairman But not to purchase. Mr H. J. Thomas We had no idea of slighting the Council. Mr Gwilym Evans W* nave judges lodgings ready at Llanelly. RAY A. Fuller Mills said that K large amount of money to spend, and tne ought too consider the matter carefuHy brf-.n,- I committing themselves to it. After some further vhsvUS-lu.H Mr John Lioyd hio.ed that they _suspC:1Hl the Standing Orde.8 in orutr to author.■ purchase, now that they ha ,c made their pro- Dr Thomas :I second for the same vea»Qn that I seconded Mr Gwilym ^vans—oeoau^ we don't- kno w\vhero we are. It wa* suggested that- the Council appoint three members (Mr Gwilym Evans Professor Tmies and Mr John Lloyd) to act on benalf of the' Council in the purchase of the ^0USt;- Mr John John- Can yon command tne three members of tho Standi^ Joint. Com- mittee to meet our three ? Dr Thomas I propose that our three act on their own account. Mr W. N. Jones P;ufoi^ ùe get this re- nort the Judge will he here for the June Assizes. We must make the arrangement and get the rooms in order. Mr Gwilym Evans thougH Ù. w a-s ridieuioa?; to agree at th. "arc tn rpoocv.Ue the- k !e and MOW w proper a commit tee to approve of the whole thiug.. The following three were appointed to act for the County Council in the matter Mr Gwilvm Evans, Professor Jones, and Mr .I.}.1J, Lloyd.

THE APPOINTMENT OF MAGISTRATES. SLASHING ATTACK BY MR DAVID. The Council proceeded quietly +a humdrum business, until Mr David mse to object to a little item of £ 1, due to the ClerK of the Wace and Clerk of the County Council being the amount paidjiim for inserting the nau.c^ of iustiees in the commlSp,1-0n of vnt- peace. Mr David did nuv ;ù why the Council should (I .( 1- -L- 1 ir the honour conferred on these gentle- men. There would be some reason in it. were the magistrates a—ointed by the Council. or if the Council had any voice in their al) i ment. There seemed to he «o system what- ever in the appointments they were drawn invariably from one side in politics to the exclusion of the other. Sir James Hills Johnes I rise to a I, o I i,. of order. Is this within the province or tne Council to discuss. The Cl.iinnn We cannot come to any resolution but he can enter his 1!nlt. I believe we are under a, }vg«l obligation to pay the amount■, ir Thomas Then we are simply wasting time. Mr David is a very eloquent gentle- man whom I like to hear but I would ratu hear him when he is in order The air of the Council was now electrical and the members were calliug encouragingly Mr David, and exhibiting scant courtesy t0 or'^n^' ts. Mr David said that the members would eon snV tVu {'n:=T,icq'e v »i'owir*g If, prcoeed. He knew it was f^tifce to stand up there, and make ull objection, but at the vnne he thought it ought to be made by somebody (henr, hear). The administration of justice as they could see by reacting any of the new syiapers was becoming a great can- dal. They would find that a. poor starving outcast was sent to gaol for stretching his weary limbs beneath a hedge, or being fount, in the neighbourhood of a hare or a rabbit. But the man who beat his wife and starved his children was let off with a small fine. Sir James Hills-Johnes rose to his feet and with some indignation in his tones demanded of the chairman if this were in order. Mr Alfred Stephens also rose and made the same demand. The Chairman I rule you out of order, Mr David. Mr David however undauntedly said that he thought the Council should not pay this. The Chairman We are bound to pay it. Mr David said that if that were so let the authority whose duty it was take legal pro- ceedings against the Council for the recovery of the amount and the grievance of the Council would be ventilated throughout the length and breadth of the land (applause). Mr John Johns said there was no reason why the ratepayers should pay for this honour to these gentlemen who had got on I the Commission by hook or by crook. He knew many who were working hard to get on now. It was scandalous that the Clerk should be asked to pay this. The Clerk said that he was asked by the Home Office to send up the Commission. He sent it up. and it came back with the fresh names inscribed on it. Then he had a bill for £ 1. which he -^aid. The ratepayers were legally bound to pay the money. Mr David I want to be compelled to pay. Mr Gwilym Evans attempted to throw oil on troubled waters with the remark that what ever their views might be. they were bound to pay the money. The bill ought to be paid but Mr David could if he liked give notice to discuss the question at any time. Mr H. Jones-Davies said that he w ould be happy to enter his protest but he did not think it would be any good. Mr David again rose with much politeness to explain that he intended no peronal dis- courtesy to the Lord Lieutenant (Sir James Drummond). His remarks were entirely directed against the system. Sir James Drummond said he was much obliged to Mr David for his intimation. He could only say that he had recommended the gentlemen impartially, and to the best of his ability. If the Council or any gentle- men .iud any objection to make to any of the appointments, he had only to refer them to the Lord Chancellor.—The sarcasm of the latter remark was evidently not apparent to many of the members

MR BUCKLEY RODERICK AND THE COUNCIL—IRISH MEMBERS TO BE INVOKED. The Council had reported to the Lord Chan- cellor that Mr Buckley Roderick would not give his reasons for holding some of the in- quests by deputy. The Lord Chancellor in a long correspondence appeared to dodge the point, and asked for specific charges of mis- conduct. Lord Cawdor wrote spying that lie had written to Mr Roderick about it. Mr 11. Jones Davies suggested that they ask one of the local members to ventilate the question in the house and if they would not take it up. perhaps the Irhh members would (laughterh

THE CENTRAL OFFICE—A HOT TIME ROUND THE TABLE. It was when it came to discussing the re- port of the Standing Joint Committee that the trouble really commenced. Mr Gwilym Evans moved That the Council regretted that the Standing Joint Committee had not adopted the proposal of the County Council to have a Central Office at Carmar- t,hen. He was sorry that such ill feeling should exist between two public bodies, as led one to undo what the other did. He was astonished at the importance attached by some members to £100 a year considering the way in which these gentlemen usually sanc- tioned the expenditure of much larger sums. There must he something more behind this than- the great anxiety to save £ 100 a year. He thought that a matter of such importance which had been before the Council for 12 years and which had been adopted unani- mously by the 68 members should ¡F)t be upset bv 12 members of the Standing "luÜÜ Committee. Mr John Lloyvi, in seconding, pointed out that the Committee had sanctioned the Cen- tral Office scheme in the year 1893. He knew that by Act of Parliament they in an t anomalous position, because although they were entrusted with all the finances of the Council, they had not the power to appoint their <3wn clerk nor t-a increase his salary (hear, hear), tie hoped the day would not be far distant when this anomaly would be re- mo ved and when they would be able to appoint their own Clerk. There was another matter to which he wished to call attention; and that was the conduct of some of their re- presentatives in voting against the unanimous recommendation of the Council (hear. hear). had read in the newspapers the speech of Mr W. N. Jones, one of the members who had voted against the resolution. Mr Jones had I -Itc I not represented the Council he had repre- sented his own personal feeling*. There was not a single solid argument- in Mr Jones's speech hut simpjy evidence of the dog-in-the m-ijger policy. Mr Lloyd then proceeded in I a most amusing way to traverse Mr Jones's speech line by line. Mr Jones had tried to f flatter Llanelly that their grand Town Hall had a good claim for a Central O&c-e and also that Llandilo had a -.(I claim. Was he thinking of tins when he voted for that enormous "um ior the repair of the Town- hall at Llandilo. He had also spoken of the ¡ claims cf Cwinantman. Mr W. N. Jones Ammanford (laughter'}. Mr Lloyd continuing said that this C'nn- ainnian was a. place almost outside the pale of humanity as far as the rest of the county w as concerned. Mr W. N. Jones begged Mr Lloyd re- member it was Ammanford. Mr Lloyd all through lus speech went oil calliug the plaCt\ t:1nlH.tlllrndl (probably of malice a.fore rbought !i His references to thi» ptfvce were greeted with laughter and applause. The man who had discovered this C'n"l1I::Jmmall and its claims (inl1(Thtf"r) was a credit to his country (laughter).-—Mr Lloyd I concluded by mentioning the fact that the auditor had rt-terred to the importance of a Central Office. Mr H. Jones Davies said that Mr W. N. Jones in his speech had not .exhibited that spirit of compromise which he usually dis- played at their meetings. Mr Jones had op.p«..>Hcl the Central Office because of the b r den it would be on the poor farmer. He had never known Mr Jones to come out in that role befor". He thought the agriculturists of t/ifc* co no ty were to be congratulated on the latest; recruit to the ranks o their defen- Why had the pcor farmer been d;»wn I into the arena for the sake of a little cbeap j popularity ? (applause). Mr Davies then proceeded to deal with t-ht-* opponents of the scheme one Vy u.te. Fail Cawdor had not seen thfe need of the Central Office. This Mr Davids quite believed and he produvvl figures showing that the noble ears- -lttenticd verv few indeed of their w^et-rHgs, (In one period he had only .attended 14 meetings out I of a possibly Q\11, He had been taught to admire the courage of Sir James HilV I dohnes on the battlefield hut h« did not admire the gallant gentleman's courage and valour on the floor of the County Council. He had not a ward against the Central Offi,c, <.1 The Council but had attacked it <i.. the Standing Joint Committee (laughter). Mr Tregoning. lie was glad to say, stiti retained some affection for his yld love. Sir Jaine? Hills-Johnes rose at this point and asKed ■ Moy I ask whether we arc to fiufsb the buync^s this afternoon (JaughtcyV Mr W. N. Jones Let him alone Sir James He is only hanging himself. Mr Jones Davies proceeded witn the "hang- ing with keen, relish, and to the evident appreciation' of the Council. Continuing, he 1 said, that Mr Tregoning had better be oft with the old love before he was on with the j new. He conlcuded an v-\n\mioly incisive 1 speech by remarking that the- Standing Joint j Commit»-ee had by their action out back the I hands of the clock in the county. Mr John 8aid he was very much aston ished four members of the Council should at the Committee have voted against th, re- commendation of the Council. He knew who the four members were but ho- was sorry he did not have l, u^uie.s taken down. It lyas a shae;<e that the Council should return to the.. Committee mm to upset its own de- c'lsi-ons. Mr W. N. Jones rose to reply. The Chrirman warned him 1. hac. crJy thvcr> minutes. Mr W. N. Jonc.-j srtKi that he conld f.vr as much in mmut-es as most- of them couht j- H\o. It- would have been ranch h-etter he thoughts for Mr Gwilym Evans TO c«rao t:> the Committee and face the music than to stav away, nnrt then to hm3- fault. Nothing Vets said about a Central Office at Cnrmnr- ihrn nt. thft Committee. The prono-al was frl;1t r- Cleric should be bent at CarmaHbcn. Mr T-T. T. Thomas: You are onlv quibbling. Mr W. N. Jones There was not ""one word I there about a Central Office. Mr H. J. Thomas You knew very well it was a Central Office. Mr W. N. Jones said that he knew nothing of the kind. It only showed that members knew that he was right that they could not listen to what was fair and square. They would be keeping a clerk at the Shire Hall, Carmarthen to pare his nails there. The work would still be done at Llandovery. Mr John Johns I rise to a point of order. This was passed unanimously at the County Council last time. You have no right to dis- cuss it. Mr W. 2C. Jones :I have as much right as you have. It is ail nonsense to come here and raise a fuss about nothing. Be honest. Mr John Johns Is this in order ? Mr W. N. Jones: My dear fellow, what do you know about order ? By this time. the Council was in an uproar of laughter. It was nearly 4.30 p.m., and the business of the Council was not half finished, several items on the agenda being not touched. Dr Thomas moved the adjournment of the debate until the next meeting (applause). This was agreed to. and the next meeting was fixed for Wednesday next.

Exhibition of Gas Stoves at Carmarthen. Un icr the i uspiccs of the Carmarthen Gas C,1., th," Messrs Eiihffiond 1 ad a special display of gas- ,toves at the Assembly Rooms beginning on Tuesday tnd e- ding on Friday. It shews that those concerned at any rate, have an abiding faith in the future of that they arranged such a display coincident with the announcement that owin.: to the continued high pace of coal, the price of gas is to be raise-! to 4s 4u per 1,000 cubic feet tor oocluDg, and 4s 11>d for illuinnsting purposes. The exhibition was opened s, t 3 p rn. Mr C. W. Jones, the chairman of the Gas Company, proposed hat the Mavor F. Coloy Evans) should take the chair hurl this being carried, the Mayor, in a neat speech, humorously '.efer.-pd to the importance of the culinary ert, and the improvement effected therein ty the use of g"s stoves. Mr W. I. t-ckard, i,e of the directJ-S of the company, said that a -f,s-sto-e was like a Li,-yele-a very fine thing when ) au knew how to use it but you must Know how to use it first. It was no good cooking your (Luner and then letting the gas blaze for a couple of hours afterwards and then saying that it was too cleir. It h,d been the fashion even twelve rears ego to abuse the Gas Company, and the then airman had his attention called to the bad light in the bar. Now that could not have been the fault <if the for there was a good light in the coffee- ;com, and the s ure main could not supply good and bad gas (laughter). The fault lay in the burner in the bar. It was no good blaming the gas, when yru had not a good burner. The Gas Company were prepared to cupp-.v the consumers ..dth B ave's "Special burners free of charge-a burner which gave en excellent light with a small consumption of Gas C-iokecy lectures aé delivered in the afteraoon and everings by acomretent lady and demonstra- tions given of the use cf the stoves. The -No. 60 cooker which is eugbiently lary" for a medium s z d ho'.iS'htijd requires about }:! feet of gas per hour—which even at the pries of Carmarthen gas is only an iefinitesma- Junction ever a halipenny p r hi ur. This stove c an be hired from the Gas L rcpany for Is 6d a quarter. About a hundred such C.:GH'í! are in use in Carmarthen at the present time.

L li AN D I L 0. DEATH OF ta. W. BEES, BI:YNTIRION\—A few houts after the death of Mr James, Tregib Arms, on Monday (repotted in another part- of the paper) occurred that of Mr. \V. Rees, Bryntirion, after a loi-g peiind of the most intense suffering, and death must have come as a happy release. He leaves H widow and niece to mourn h;s loss. Mr Rees, until his death failed hini, had been foreman of the masons on the local lines of the G.W.R. He, too, was a member of the Tabernacle and of the choir, and in both respects had been must zealous. TH^ MOST NUTRITIOUS. S P P S' s GRATEFUL-COMFORTING. A COCOA BREAKFAST-SUPPER. LLliN I) EFE I LOG. Ax INTERESTING- LKCTUUE was delivered at Ebenezer Baptibt Chapel, Coadybr.dn, Llandeieilog, on the 10th inst., the lecturer being ihe noted bard r.d preacher, Gwil¡," of Ammanford, on the subject G d a'r NV f,.r The chair was to be fnt':l by Alder-.nan D Stephens, the Arlais, Kidweliy, but as he could not attend, he kindly .sc'nt up a cheque to make up for his absence. In bis absence Alderman R. \V. Stephens, of Coedy- !~rain, presided in his usual humorous manner. the lecture was a great success. The procseds were to support, the young tulented card and prpncher, !r Tom Williams (Dewi G IHudraeth), lvidivellv, who is studying for the pulpi. LLANDEI-EILOG AGRICJI-TOKAL SOCIETY. A meeting of the above committee was held at the Red Licln Hotel on Wednesday evening, the 17th There were present Mr E. W. Stephens (chair.n n}, Mr William Thomas (vice-chairman), Mr J. Jones, secretary, end a large number of members. Mr Dudley W. Drummond, J.P., of F-irryside, who is the president for the ensuing year, kindly Stnt up Mr Evans, his representative The list cf prizes was adopU-d much the same as inst year, with soma improvements, including an • pen trotting r:.hzch added to it, The date of the -how is fixed fcr :ho 9th of August. The following hiss been received by 'he cef-retary of the Agricultural Society :—" Home Office, White Ilali, 27th March, 19U1. Sir,—I em roaimanded by the King to convey tc you .hereby His Majesty's thanks for th loyal filid dutiful message of the members of (he Llsiidefeilog Agricultural and Horticultural Society, expiesting their sympathy with Hi3 Majesty and the Royal Family on the occasion of ■he lamented death ce" hsr lata Majesty Queen Victoria I am. Sir, your obedient Servant, C. S. UlTCHIE. 3. Jones, Esq., Secretary of Llau- defeiV g Agricultural and Horticultural Society) Cwmbury, PLriys 'de. FoR THE BLooD is THE LTFS.—Clarke's world famed Blood Mixture ia warranted to cleanse the blood from all impurities, from whatever cause arising For scrofula. eczema, skin and blood diseases, l'ituphjR. aad sores of all kinds, its effects are mak vi llous Ttiousandsof testimonials. In bottles, 2<; 9d and lis each, of all oh-_mists. Proprietors, Lincoln and Midland Counties Drug Company Lincoln. Ask for Clarke's Blood Mixture and do not be persuaded to take aD imitation. F E R R Y S I P) F PAKISH COUNCIL.—The animal meeting of the St Ishmael's Parish Council was held on Monday night, CnpÜÙn Gower, was appointed chairman, and Mr R Jones, Tresilwood, vice- chairman. Messrs Thos Thomas, of Cwm, and (John Williams, Tyrbach, were appointed overseers. The Council has requested the (J.W.Ii Company to convey the water by the cuhert as far as the bed of the river, which I will Jo with the dangerous pill that the bathing fatalies last season. The t Council trust that the company will hurry the work forward ivi view of the approaching 10 1 summer. The Oount-y Council has sanctioned a series of lectures on hygiene to be delivered at perry side, i

Serious Gup Accident at Carmar- then. About mid-day ou Thursday (yesterday) Thomas f Jo-hua, a child" of 6 years, son of Mr William Jo.-hua, Quay-street, mot with an alarming gun nccident. It would e.r.pear that tLe gun, which was to lie repair;-] in the house, contained a charge of powder. The weapon was afterwards giver, to the chi-d. and the charge exploded, the contents i lodging in the child's f-jce, causing serious injuries. The child is under medical treatment, and is in a I orere.ro-is condition.

MARRIAGES. -JAMFS.-April 17th, at Padding-ton Chapel, London, by the liev .1. O.vsian Davies, William Griffiths. Esq., rp., Ciicennen, Llandilo, tc Alis James, Dyftryn House, Llandilo. JONES—JONES.— April at Penygraig Congre- pfitioual C"" by the li-V T. W. Morgan, Philadelphia, Johnv th son cf Mr David Jones, Court Cotfge, Vmmdeime. to Sarah, daughter of Mr. Thomas Jo«e=«. llr, h House* O'roefcveeilosf. Linndeft ildp. Hres—IIO^C.LS —April r i-it'o, Sc-,rern-rosd Welsh Congrega*Church, Cardiff, Mr David llhvs Rees, re^'rsir&r of births and deaths, M est Cardiff :di8trict, to Miss Annie Hodges, l'f-iiiiiy charge-nurse the J. C. Asylum, Car- ( i:jurthen. and ebiest daughter of ;Jr Thomas { llfidges encine-du'et. G.W .H., c>f Lard-ff. Arrit 23r J, at St. Peter's Church, C"r'\]!>rt"n. :,r;e It' D. T. Aiban, senior o'-traie, V.'iliiam Rogers, pointer (son of lplr. Thomas Ilo.-orr., Stfg and Pheasant, Spilman- reet. to Miss Sophia n. e. daughter c.! the late Mri. K?es, La'tsmas-street. C iimartheH, 13EAT US, Eowex. —April (S.CHHNJY), Mr. W. T. Do-wrnt buleher, LATNM&s.-street, Caima,t"IEn. in hit3 33rd Oth, at Llanllwch, rear CA-mir- tr en, Mr; Anne Davies. aged 48 years. 'FO.IJ.IAX. — AV vi iOth. at llavodwen, near Carmtir* in the w fe of Mr Robert Foitmu^ ) t»ted 00 yes re.