The County Echo

FISHGUARD. Cattle Show.—Tbe schedules of prizes offered at the annual Cattle Show, to be held on August 4th, are now ready and may be had of the secretary, Mr W R Carver, Park House. Sale of Furniture.—To-day (Thursday) at 12 neon, Air W. R Carver will conduct a sale of li furniture (the property of Mr3 Acrauian, PenslvJe) Oil the Market Square, removed for convenience of s-tle.—Advt. Regatta Committee. Members of the It -gt, ta Co nmittee are earnestly requested to meet th-i (Thursday) evening at the Com- mercial Hotel, at 8.30, to transact important business. Picture Post CdfJS. A supply of hitherto unpublished views of local places of interest now on sale see our stock -1 Echo Offices. Hermon.—On Sunday morning the ordi- nance of baptism took place at Glanainon, the respected Pastor of Ilermon officiating —In the afternoon the rev gentleman conducted an open-air meeting at Lower Town, which was very numerously attended. Death.—It is our painful duty this week to record the death, after a long illness, of Miss Elizabeth Thomas, daughter of Mr and Mrs William Thomas, of Plasyfron —The deep- eat sympathy is felt for the b3reaved parents and fanti y. Otter Hounds.—We learn from good authority that the Milton Otter Hounds are likely to draw the Pembrokeshire rivers nt-xt vie-k, and that on Tuesday next they will meet at Solva Thursday at Pontfeliuforris and Saturday at Lower Town Bridge (for the Gwaun). Pembrokeshire Standing Jo:nt Committee —A meeting of this committee was held av the Shire Hall, Hivet ford west, on Tuesday last.—Mr Worthington (Glyn-y-mel), wrote that he desired to resign his position on the committee, and recommending that Mr J C Yorkc should be appointed in his place.-Thb Chairman said that as Mr Worthington was apt oit, ted by qurr er sessions his resignation must go before that body and his successor appointed by them. Ciicket Club.-The following hive been selected to play against Haverfordwest this (Thursday) afternoon at Cefnydre Field, game to cornmence at 2 p.m. prompt :—W L Williams. J J Morris, W J Morris, Rev W Evans, A 0 Robins, J R Richards, F Richard- son, A B Williams, Dr Morgan, Dr O'Donnell, and T H Narbett. Reserves—H Owen, G BBI nett, R W Trowsdale, and J Evans.- Tle following is a further list of subscriptions received :-J C Yorke 10s W 0 Harries Is A J Hodges 2s 6d L Evans, Echo 2s 6d R Howarth 2s Gd J M Guild 2s Gd W Jones, Shop-y-bobl 2s Gd T Williams, High- street 2-i Gd J Evans, Jordanston 2s Gd W Williams Is Harry Williams Is concert pro- fits, A:2 3s 9d. The s.s. Lillian Ashore —The names of Mess s Harries, Bros, of Swansea, always arouses icq iiry at Fisbguard,the birthplace of the successful brothers. On Welnesday of last week on-- of their steamers, the s.s. "Lillian," 1,100 tons, from Tunis with cargo, while making Swansea Bay, ran aground near Bob's cave on the Mumbles Head owing to a break down of her steering gear. It is feared that some of her bottom plates have sustained ingury. C4pt P. Jenkins, a Pembrokeshire man—it is known that Messrs Harries Bros, usually employ Pembrokeshire seamen-in an interview, said the weather was favourable as the steamer came up channel. There was a moderate wind blowing, and all went well until they got well inside the Mixen Buoy, when they put to starboard so as to avoid a little ketch which was in the way. Immedi- ately after passing the ketch they put head to port, when a pin in the steering gear dropped out, and the gear becoming disconnected, the Lillian was left at the mercy of the wind and current. All hands were called on deck, but in spite of all endeavours she went on the rocks, where she stranded. A hole was knock in hr bows under the water-line, and during the afternoon the engines were kept at full steam pumping water out of her. At that particular time th i propeller was out of the water, the vessel itself being only in a few feet of water. On Thursday the work of lightening the Lillian by unshipping her cargo of 1 4GG tons of calmine and silver, lead and other ores proc eded apase and on Satur- day morning she was successfully iloated off the Mumbles rocks. She has sustained sevete damage to her keel and lower plate3 and will enter dry dock to undergo extensive repairs. Lifeboat. The annual meeting of the subscribers to the Fishguard branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution was held at the Market Hall, Fishguard, on Thursday afternoon last. Present :—Col. Porter (in the chair), Rev W Evans, Capts. T Evans. W Buan, and D M Symmons, Mr Ll Y Williams, and the honorary secretary, Mr W J V aughan.-I was proposed by Col Porter, and seconded by the Rev W Evans, that Eirl Cawdor anl Lord Kensington ba re- appointed patrons, and carried.—Pioposel by Capt Buan, and seconded by Cipt D M Symmons, that Dr J Morgan Owen be re- appointed chairman, and CAlli.-d.-PL-oposed by the Rev W Evans, and seconded by Mr Ll Y illiams, that Col Porter be re appointed vice-chairman, and carried.—Proposed bv the Rev W E alJ, and seconded by Mr Ll Y Williams, that all the old committee who are eligible according to the regulations of the Institution be re-appointed.—Proposed by the Rev W Evans, and seconded by Capt D M Symmons, that the following be added to the Committee :—Messrs \V L Williams, E H Sansome, W T Walters, T II Evans, F Salmon, Vincent Johns, E D Jones, Dr O Donnell, and Capt Ivor Acraman and carried,—Proposed by the Rev W Evans, and seconded by Capt Titus Evans, that Mr W J Vaughan be reappointed honorary secretary for the present year, and carried.— Proposed by Capt D M Symmons, and seconded by Capt Buan, that the secretary write to the various Clergymen and Ministers in the district asking them to kindly give a collection once a year for the J uBtitutio?,-A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting. Connecting Liuk. -We received the follow- ing unsolicited testimonial from Liverpool House, Aberoarn, on Saturday I-Ast: -11 Dear Sir,—Enclosed is 63 6d for the Echo. Old associations and connections are broken with my native place.—The land of my happy childhood and youth has become almost, so far as the inhabitants are concerned, a strange land; how valuable, then, is your paper, sent here so faithfully evjry Friday t, L morning. It is the one connecting link with the dear old place, and, as such, highly trea- sured. Accept my best thanks and best wishes.The above are little tokens of ap- preciation which prove that the "Echo" is fulfilling its mission. Illness.—Everyone of our readers will re- gret to learn that the able and diligent post- master of Fishguard has been laid up for nearly a fortnight with a very painful and somewhat serious illness. We are also pleas- ed to say that he was able to venture out for the first time yesterday, and on Saturday be, with Mrs Davies and Master Cyril, proceed for the annual vacation, and we sincerely hope the much needed rest and change will fully restore Mr Davies to his former health and vigour. Duriug his illness, Miss Morgan, Br^aog, has,with her usual kindness, render- ed much valued and efficient assistance in the routine of postal work at the office-work which month by month increases with the growth of trade, through the works and other causes, in the district. In spite of this there are few, if any, offices in the Principal- ity so admir ably conducted as Fishguard post office, and there is no Postmaster and staff more reiiible, proficient, readv, court- eous and obliging. rhis is irrefutable. Sanitation. — 0 1 Friday afternoon last several members of the Parochial Committee visited the ground at the back of West-street, whereon it is intended to build a number of workmen's cottages. They were unanimously of opinion that, to provide adequate drainage for the proposed new buildings, a main drain should be constructed along the road to Goodwick with its outflow into a septic tank erected in the vicinity of Goohvick bridge. The question will be considered at the next monthly meeting. Drainage Committee.—Haytime and other hindrances are accountable for the sparse atten- dance at the Schoolroom on Mondav evening last of the drainage committee, only Messrs W. J. Vaughan, D. Rees, E. J. Radford, Capt Howells, and W. Cuthbert Thomas putting in an appearance. The first to arrive was Dr J. M. Owen, who had been especially requested to attend, and to do so cancelled an engagement on board the "Ibex" to dine with the officials and directors of the G.W.R. Company. Entrance Examinations. About seventeen elementary pupils from the various schools in the district sat for entrance scholarship examin- ations at the Intermediate school on Saturday last. As there were only eight last N-Var who tried for the entrance scholarship it will be seen that more interest is manifested in secondary education. G.F.S. Favoured with brilliant weather the local branch of the Girls' Friendly Society, so well conducted by Mrs Evans, the industrious wife of the Vicar, to the number of about 80 journeyed to Newport on Friday afternoon last in brakes, under the guidance of the Vicar and Mrs Evans, and partook of tea on the Warren in that pleasant seaside town. At Newport several of the church ladies there very kindly assisted in the dispensing of the tea and edibles which were as usual of tip-top quality. Before going to the Warren service was conducted in the Parish Church by the Rev W. Evans, and a short but able sermon was preached by the Rev J. James, assistant missioner of the Diocese. After tea Newport Castle was inspected by the party through the kind permission of the present occupants. During the afternoon bonuses were distributed to those girls who had retained their situations for two years. Of past annual outings of this very worthy institution that of Friday last will be remembered as one of the most en- joyable on record, thanks to the forethought and care of Mrs Evans and the Vicar.

JABES, CWMGWAUN. At a meeting of the deaconate of Jabes Church, Gwaun Valley, attention Wen drawn by the Pastor to a suggestion in the County Echo" that ventilators should be fixed in the roof of the new building now in course of erection and it was unanimously decided to have ventilators of the most approved and effective kind. When completed the new Jabes will be one of the most comfortable, convenient, shapely, as well as substantial of the many chapels in the county, while the grandeur of its surroundings are incomparable in every sense of the word. Pastor and the numerous members are worthy of all praise in their successful endeavour to provide an edifice in accord with the strength of the cause and its bright traditions. Soon the interior portion of the work will be in a fair way of completion as the roof is already well- nigh finished, the splendid weather of the last few months enabling the contractor to push on the outer pfrt with some speed. One might dilate at length on the advantages of such a site as a place to foregather in public worship, but as the opening ceremony will give that opportunity, a few months' will en- hance the description. Meanwhile its progress will be chronicled.

G REAT WESTERN J> AILWAY Visit of their Majesties the King & Queen to SWANSEA, Wednesday, July 20 DAY EXCDRSION to Swansea from Fishguard & Goodwick, 5 45 am., Letterston, 6 5 a.m. Maenclochog, 6.40 a.m. For details, see bills or send postcard to any of the Company s stations or offices. J. C. INGLIS, General Manager WANTED, at once, strong and respect- able LAD as apprentice to the Car- peutenng trade. Aoply James Thomas, West-street, Fishguard. I RP° ^eX~DWELLTNG HOUSE on Pen- 1 u F^'guard, containing 13 rooms, also bathroom and w.c.; hot and cold through- out; early possession.— Apply, D. Morgan, Brodog, Fishguard. t o PONY ani CART FOR SALE; to be seen at Tygwyn.—Apply, Mrs Greener, 0 Dmas Cross, Pem. DRESSMAKERS. — W;7NT^I, at once Experienced Hand also Improver and At)prentice.-Ftill pirtioulu's of Philippe and Co., Mathry. I R N C MUE MAENCLOCHOG TEMPERANCE -1. BRASS BAND, of 22 performers, are open to receive Engagements, Terms, mod- n erat,e.-Apply, BANDMASTER, Maenclochog. r pO LET, about 12 Acres of good Pasture JL and Arable LAND, rich Meadow, Cottage and Garden, suid out-houscs complete. Possession next Michaelmas.-Apply, Mrs Wood Brynhenllan, Dinas Cross. OUSE TO LET, Nol*th End Villa, Trevine nine loams and large garden; possession now or Michaelmas.—Apply, J. Jenkins, Mathry School,

We wish it to be clearly understood that we do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents, not identify ourselves with their views.

Sunday Sacred Concerts. Sir,-Knowiii- your columns are open, im- partially, to the expression of opinions on public questions, I feel proud that Fishguard is blessed with a newspaper so conducted, I might venture to say on the lines of Pope's "Essay on Criticism Uilbiass'd, or by favour, or by spite, &c." You invariably givo to each deserving object its duo merit, and I crave a little space to express my indignation at the laxity displayed by the members of the Parish Council in granting the unconditional use of Penslade to a party of minstrels who, but for the timely intervention of our worthy keepers of the pure, simple religion upon which the honourable forefathers and mothers of our splendid Welsh race built their lives and ingrafted into their children. I shudder to think of what the introduction of Sunday I open-air concerts might have led to. Listen to the voice of the Master, "Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy." From the pulpit and platform I beseech our clergy and ministers to nip in the bud the pernicious, Pagan influence that threatens to weaken the birthright we inherited with the land of our fathers. Pass resolutions, they can never be too sweeping—none but the interloping" Sa-is" would have dared call a chapel resolution li sweepin.- "-where they seek to promote Sunday observance and prevent desecration. I. doubt not that in some respects new comers are beneficial to us, but if our Puritan Sunday is to be converted into a day of secularism then better far had we never seen them. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" we read in the second verse of the twenty-third chapter of Exodus. In this world we are placed as companions and assist- ants to one another; depending for most of the comforts of life on mutual intercourse and aid, and it is necessary that we should desire the company of our fellows of whatever nationality they may belong. But this sociability, like many other good principles, defeats its original purpose, causing much evil which, like other sinful liberties, spreads and grows, and the example thus set leads to iniquity. 1 cannot help seeing that the very lirst so-called "sacred" concert held at Fishguard a few Sundays ago was calculated to lead the in- habitants into the wrong path. That secular performance—I can term it nothing better- ought never to have been permitted because it was practically opening the door to the multitude to do evil in the sense, I mean, of diverting the people from public worship. We cannot expect the inhabitants of Fishguard to possess more firmness of mind than is ex- pected of others, yet no virtue is more neces- sary to the God-fearing Christian at the same time more difficult to put into practice. It is here the good example plays the essential part. If it were possible I would make Sunday cycling, for the mere pleasure of that exercise, punishable by law. I am aware that the use of the bicycle, by those who formerly had recourse to the horse-drawn vehicle, tends to diminish Sunday labour of subordinates. To the doctor on his round of succour to the Clergyman and minister, whose duties necessi- tate long journeys, the cycle is an indispens- able vehicle of usefulness that ought to be used whenever possible in the place of the convey- ances which entail Sunday labour, but for the gratification of our inclinations I say it is an example to the multitude to do evil. Too prone are we in these days to find apologies for indulging our waywardness. What would our Puritan parents have said to any company of strolling players who stuck up a bill an- nouncing the programme of a concert on the Blessed Day ? The very thought of it is enough to awaken horror in their pulseless breasts. The rich heritage they have handed down to us through centuries we must, as is our Christian duty, hand on unimpaired, en- hanced in power and influence, to generations that may yet come. We must throw our strength upon the side of its maintenance, band ourselves together and stand firm in the support of the Welsh Sunday as kept by those worthies who have gone before, combating those bad influences that are all too numerous in the manufacturing towns of the United Kingdom where the encroachments of enter- tainments, yea, even of sports, ar e wrecking lives by the thousand through the agency of Sunday being kept on the lines that are ob- served on the Continent. Had our Parish Council not been reminded by too timely resolutions passed at the chapels and the sensible letter of the Vicar, the "Pierrots" would have been given the unwise mandate to do just as they thought fit either during the week or on Sundays and, for the first time in the sacred and religious annals of Fishguard, Penslade would be the scene of gaiety and frivolity on the Sunday eve similar to the seaside of a Lancashire resort. I know of some in our midst full of complaint that our Sundays are dull and lifeless. This is the growth of a careless, selfish spirit which if not chocked, will spread more and more widely until our inestimable privilege is destroyed. So-called socialism" which, unhappily is endeavouring to And root, like tares of un- godliness among the wheat of religion and So&c!aZf-CSS' milch to answer for this, faith in ,,ls^°^ler name for unsettlement of ut nnn 1,/ii. adhercnts seek to set i, oil Divine command to "keep holy Sabbath." These arc they who, in the words of Canon Williams, at the church choral tt? .a^ Published in your columns, "wound Him in the house of His friends." Were they to set the example of attending church and chapel regularly they would find the habit grow upon them, inspiring them with lofty thoughts and imbuing them with the feeling that there is something more in life worth living for than pandering to self-gratification and worldly amusement. The knowledge that they have consecrated one day in seven to God would bring contentment throughout the six days of toil. Teach children, by example, not only to keep the Sabbath, but to love it as a day of devotion, of rest and of religion as our Welsh parents before us have kept it. Let us try to diminish the household work as far as possible so that our families may attend public worship. I know of several homes to day in which the routine work is reduced to the merest limits by the preparation of the food on Saturday. These are the homes wherein the true happiness of Christianity manifests itself; these are the homes of God- fearing parents and children who ever find solace in religion and the true observation of Sunday. There is no room here for the devilish tenets of socialism, of discontent, of deviation from the path of virtue, and the desire of out- door secular concerts under the name of "sacred. These are they who follow the path their forefathers trod, and who lind consolation in that grand old faith founded on the teaching of the Bible-book Divine. I congratulate the Parish Council in passing the resolution against Sunday meetings of any kind on I enslade, and I earnestly pray that any attempt, on the part of outsiders or new comers, be they Welsh or English, to hold such meetings will be put down with a firm hand. 'Tig region that can give Solid comfort while we live, lis religion must supply Solid comfort when we die After death its joys shall be Lastiug of eternity. Yours, &e., Fl D ELIS.

To the Editor of the c, County Echo." Sir,-The refusal to permit Sunday concerts hy the Fishguard Parish Council brings with it the reflections that intolerance still thrives in Pembrokeshire, and the principle of the Brotherhood of Man still remains a negligable quantity by teachers of religion. I regret to find from last week's issue of the County Echo that at the last monthly meeting of the Fishguard Parish Council the spirit and practico of intolerenee was conspicuously in evidence, and that Sunday Concerts are to be entirely disallowed. Thus another opportunity of affecting mutual betterment is thrown over- board. The aim and object of these concerts are the elevation of the people, and there are few if any other means better calculated to bring this about than good music, it being an instrument for good that readily appeals to ".H sections of the people. It rouses theemo+.; s..», it cultivates the better part and ar. downward grade and darker side (;;0 hums", nature. It is best fitted to inspire ircin ftll- higher aspirations that travel in the direct-ion of good resolutions. It is a powerful medium for good. In consideration of these facts feel impelled to enter my protest again-.c the shortsighted decision of the Fishguard F r ¡,.i1 Council which depreciates the real val, j of Sunday. They evidently ignore the bel fits derived from Sunday music in the parks of many towns in England and Wales, and are oblivious of the fact that a good band plays to the King and Queen and ISoyal Family on Sundays—that the Museums of Science and Art in pious Edinburgh and other large cities are open on Sundays. There can be no ques- tion of the propriety of providing the people with these means of uplifting themselves. The listening to good music (and often better music than is given in chapels and churches) and the examination of Art treasures are quite consistent with the idealist view of Sunday. It is possible Fishguard may be exceptional in church and chapel attendance, but according to Archdeacon Sinclair, only about 18 per cent of the people attend places of worship on Sunday in London, and the saffiG remark holds good of other large towns. Now it would be well if some portion of the 82 per cent could be induced to take an interest in Sunday concerts, or in the Art galleries of our museums-and even chapel-goers might do worse with their Sunday than listen to vocal or instrumental music or inspect beautiful pictures and instructive art collections in the many public institutions. Church and chapel going is sometimes followed by conversions, and it is interesting to note in "Phycliology of Religion" by Dr Starbuck, an American professor, that conversion is a distinctly adolescent (youthful) phenomenon, and its irruption occurs at a season when the organise is peculiarly liable to become deranged, and that the motives leading to conversion are various—fears are a large factor-only five per cent are altruistic and two per cent arc found to be leading to a higher life. ove writer in the Church Gazette" once said that what we want is the religion of common sense and brightness on Sunday, but it seems the Fishguard Parish Council want Sunday to be of the opposite description. No wonder places of worship arc losing hold of the people, not only here but throughout the Continent and America. Wbile the exigencies of life require that popular education shall be pro' gressive, the keepers of religion go on stultify ing their minds with antiquated formula"' The edifices should be utilized in the interests of the people, and the pulpits in them should be made instruments for the diffusion of useful knowledge carefully and fully presenting both sides of all religious and political questions, inculcation of brotherly kindness, consideration for the weak, sympathy for the oppressed, temperance, the highest standard of virtue without goodygoodism," strict honesty ill our daily business, in brief, moral, physical' and intellectual education. Secular agencie3 are supplanting alleged spiritual means. F?t instance, it is often advertised that certain good choirs will render special music at chutcb services. This provides a better draw tbM) ancient dogmas. The Roman Catholics halo always made a feature of them with profitably results, and in Oxford and Cambridge musicians appear daily in the churches, even General Booth's brass bands, when they happen to play in tune and not like a circuit saw, tend to make religion lively on Sunday in our public streets and why allow thoSÐ 'lø bands to play in the streets, on Sunday wilile sacred concerts are prohibited. There is ø consistency in allowing one without the otb It will, therefore, have to be acknowledge from what I have said that it is mostly e secular elements in places of worship that I adherents, not altogether the theologiell doctrines. The main object of our loistlfo time on Sundays and every other day of the week should be to combine to bring abou'a better condition of things socially, by ing for the masses and the unemployed, thus reduce the enormous evils resulting frolo poverty, drink and suffering. What kind 01 rest is it that can be gained by the clerk, agricultural labourer, the collier, the artisa or shopman, who spends his only day of leis°j^ in his conventicle, often poorly ventilated' listening to long harangues on subjects tba have not any connection with his every (lal life. Use only miy accustom him to the saJJle repetition of subject. A man who spends Ot seventh of his life in the open air, an gallery, cr in listening to good music, or the company of a good book will return his labours with a clearer and saner mind tbll will bring with it a larger outlook upon a deeper appreciation of human nature, a broader sympathies with his" fellow-men their toils, and struggles for existence. those who are enable to appreciate all treasures of art and literature and science not care to attend Sunday concerts, let tbe"^ stay away. If these paragons do not care good music, or a rational entertainment ly free from impropriety, let them also ren# at home or go to church or chapel, but should this be the pretext for preventing those who can appreciate theso things enjoyinf them ? These men not only say we do want these things, such as Sunday concerts' they say also because we do not want these things you shall not have them either. 1b persecuting spirit of religionists will defeg its own purpose. I hope you will insert tbJ t letter in your ably edited paper, and accep my apology for its lougth. Yours faithful' HOB ACE.

NEVERN. Rural Rasclity.In some of the rural p9 1 of every county there are rascals who flud Pleasure in victimising their neighbours J the most villainous manner possible, prob»b% ignorant of the fact that the perpetrators 0 mischief of the kind prevailing are liable i0 severe punishment by law. Last week a P er, son, or persons, concocted a letter, purport to come from a respectable well-to do duly signed, and forwarded the docurnentt the Office of the Echo for insertion in the advertisement columns. The letter contain particulars of a sale supposed to take place Nautsue Farm, Nevern parish, to be insert6" in the current issue of the Echo." Whoev'er the sender may be he was aware of the usageS of auctioneers and of which he took adva0' I tage. The announcement, of course, as VVAS intended, has o-iused Mr Howells, of NantsOC, as well as ourselves, considerable annoyan; I and the Proprietor of the" Echo," and Idt llowell, respectively offer rewards of £ 0 t4 anyone giving information that will Jead to the prosecution of the mischievous persua o I persons. It is well to inform the law ^bidi^ inhabitants of a few of the cowardiv perpetrated by some of the villains' of locality. Not long ago a donkey cut ¡ deprived of one wheel which wa. repla another belonging to a muoh heavier vehicle a new plough was caftfif ;• vy untj },ag been found oUe a iltler of aud geldings— were exchanged for the s*0*6 number of boars of a like age, and other sc^' < aious practices have been carried on in district unchecked and hitherto unpunisb6. But the day of reckoning is within measurah^ distance and the ignoraut, irresponsible guilty of such uuchtiifian-Uke conduct^ sure to be brought to justice. The step I conifoi table firesides to the felon's cell has bee, I [ roved to be a short and quick oue. No e* pense will be spared in this instance. t

Finest Sowing li^r~«eecr^-Fisbgutl Supp'y Stores, i i

Havarfordwdst Rural District Councl. Business of interest to Fishguard and Goodwick at the District Council meeting, yesterday was a letter from the Llanwnda Parish Council asking that a portion of Manorowen Parish be included in the pro- posad s i*rjitari arei". With a view of this being done the committee will again survey the ground and report at the next meeting. —The question of a grant towards the Dolwen bridge was again adjourned for particulars of the cost. -.Nir W George James' motion respecting relieving officers was adj turned to the next meeting. According to Mr Bircham's report the. annual payment of relief has been reduced X2,000 within the past ten years. Rate- payers may breathe more freely henceforth. Fishguatd drainage scheme has had another month's respite. Councillors may keep on their thatches. Plans were passed of a new house in the new street to the right of the cycle shop at the end of West-street. The plans of a lodge at Mr Beamish's maision at Drim were also passed.