The Tenby Observer Weekly List of Visitors and Directory

COMING OF AGE. CELEBRATIONS AT LYDSTEP. PRESENTATIONS FROM TENANTRY. GREAT GATHERING OF COUNTY PEOPLE. PUBLIC LUNCHEON. [BY OUR OWN REPORTER.] The coming of age of the Hon. Colwyn Erasmus Arnold Philipps, the eldest son of Lord and Lady St. Davids, of Lydstep Haven, which happy event fell on Saturday last (De- cember 11th), has been marked by nearly a WEEK OF CELEBRATION and festivity, which commenced on Saturday, the natal day, with presentations from the tenantry and others, a public luncheon which was attended by several hundred guests, a supper to the employees, and other functions. In spite of the wretched climatic conditions, which might have been expected to put a damper on the SUCCESS OF THE AUSPICIOUS EVENT, everything connected with Saturday's pro- ceedings passed off with the utmost eclat. From a comparatively early hour on Saturday visitors began to arrive at the picturesquely- situated Pembrokeshire seat of Lord and Lady St. Davids, which stands only a few yards from the waters of the Haven itself in fact, only a narrow roadway separates the garden wall from the pebble ridge, and when storms rage the front windows of the house are wet with spume-drift. Lydstep House occupies A POSITION OF SPLENDID ISOLATION, being to all intents and purposes the only dwelling in the rock guarded bay, all the land abutting on which practically belongs to Lord St. Davids. The visitors who made their way to Lydstep on Saturday were representative of of every class, and they came in larger numbers than the peaceful little Haven has ever wit- nessed in its history before. In motor cars, in vehicles of all kinds, on horseback, and on foot they came streaming down by the two roads which lead to the house, one on the Pembroke and the other on the Tenby side of the grounds. At the main entrance the guests were CORDIALLY RECEIVED BY LORD ST. DAVIDS, and further on within the charming house Lady St. Davids bid them welcome. County people, farmers, tradesmen in fact, all classes of the community mingled together in the corridors and rooms of Lydstep House, and all were given a welcome which was at once hearty and spontaneous. The first event on the programme of the day's proceedings was the presentation of tributes from tenants to the heir, which in- teresting function took place shortly before noon IN THE BILLIARD ROOM, where were assembled the members of the family and the various deputations. At the head of the room stood Lord and Lady St. Davids, while the Hon. Colwyn Philipps, the central figure of the day's events, stood to the right of his mother, while to the left were Sir THE HON. COLWYN ERASMUS ARNOLD PHILIPPS, Lieutenant Royal Horse Guards. Photo-Lafayette. ] James Erasmus Philipps and the Hon. Lady Philipps, the father and mother of Lord St. Davids. In the open space in the centre were the tables on which artistically arranged were the collection of CHOICE AND BEAUTIFUL PRESENTS. The first deputation to present their tribute of esteem and respect was that representing the tenants of'Lord St. Davids' Ty'r Abbot Estate, which includes fifteen farms situated near Llan- wrtyd Wells. This deputation consisted of twenty-eight tenants half of them were men and half women, who had travelled down the day previously and spent the night at Manor- bier. With them they brought a SILVER MOUNTED HUNTING CUP AND WHIP, together with a pair of silver spurs. Their spokesman was Mr William Evans, of Caerau, who, in a few felicitous words, duly made the presentation. He was followed by Mr William Price, of Glandulais, who on behalf of a num- ber of friends at Llanwrtyd Wells, presented a pair of coursing slips. Acknowledging these gifts, the Hon. Colwyn Philipps expressed his keen appreciation of their kindness, and spoke of the warm hospitality he had received at the hands of the inhabitants of Ty'r Abbot when coming there some weeks ago. A DEPUTATION FROM PENALLY followed. They were representative of the in- habitants of this little village, and consisted of Messrs. J. W. Griffiths, Thomas Beynon, J. J. Cadwallader, and J. Pierce Griffiths. They presented an illuminated album and cirgarette casket. Mr Cadwallader acted as spokesman, and in making the presentation expressed the I pride which the people of the district felt in having Lord and Lady St. David's living in their midst they were pioneers of everything in the direction of reform, not only socially, but MORALLY AND INTELLECTUALLY. Mr Tollow, the butler at Lydstep, then made the presentation on behalf of the Lydstep indoor servants, which consisted of a silver inkstand. The heir acknowledged the gift in a humorous speech, saying, amid laughter, that if he were a servant he would dislike most of all people in the world the man who rang the bell. On be- half of the Lydstep tenants and outside servants, Mr Isaac Davies made a presentation of a hand- some silver cup, in acknowledgment of which the Hon. Colwyn Philipps said NOTHING HAD GRATIFIED HIM MORE than this presentation, because it was those who lived on the spot and saw people under all con- ditions who knew the worst as well as the best side of them. Yet another presentation was from the inhabitants of Manorbier, which was headed by Mr J. W. John, of Sunny Hill, and Mr Thomas Davies, of Manorbier, the presents consisting of a silver clock, silver mounted racing whip, and a pair of silver spurs. The presents given by the MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY included from Lord St. Davids, a four-year-old thoroughbred horse, "Lacken," a beautiful animal. Lady St. Davids gave a tie pin of tor- quoise set in diamonds, together with several books, which included the works of John Stuart Mill, "Pilgrim's Progress," Shelley's poems, and "Sartor Resartus." The Rev. James Philipps gave an antique silver inkstand, while Lady Philipps presented her grandson with a WATER-COLOUR PAINTING DONE BY HERSELF during the present year. Sir Owen and Lady Philipps's present consisted of a set of waist- coat buttons, while a gold watch came from Colonel and Mrs Ivor Philipps. The presenta- tions.beiilg over, the party adjourned to lun- cheon, which was served to several hundred guests in a large and spacious hall specially BUILT FOR THE OCCASION. This building was qnite a model of its kind, being erected at and attached to the pine-end of the new wing of Lydstep House. The floor was boarded throughout, the outside walls were of wood, and the roof of canvas, but so artisti- cally were the interior decorations carried out that the structure had the appearance of being of more substantial fabric, for no rain pene- trated. Illumination was provided from a series of artistic candelabra fitted with long wax can- dles, which shed a SOFT TINTED LIGHT over flower decked tables. The dominating tone of colour was pale green, subdued yellow, and white. The size of this banqueting hall may be appreciated when it is stated that it provided ample accommodation for between 500 and 600 guests. There were four long, narrow tables, over which Lord St. Davids, Lady St. Davids, Sir Erasmus Philipps, Bart., and Sir Owen Philipps, K.C.M.G., M.P., presided re- spectively. During the luncheon, which had been catered for by Messrs. Georges, Limited, of Cheltenham. MR. RICHARD WILLIAMS, L.R.A.M., of Tenby, and his party of singers rendered a number of tuneful glees, which were much appreciated by the delighted guests. Natu- rally, the after-lunch speeches were of a con- gratulatory character, but they were thoroughly representative of the sentiments of the county of Pembroke, from all parts of which the visitors had foregathered. The luncheon pro- ceedings commenced shortly after o'clock, and were carried on UNTIL WELL INTO THE AFTERNOON. A capital lunch having been done every justice to, Lord St. Davids, whose rising was the signal for an outburst of enthusiastic cheering, proposed the toast of His Majesty the King." In Wales, said his Lordship, they all agreed to differ about almost everything, but they all agreed that at the head of this country there was a great Sovereign, one of whom they were proud of, and in whose judgment they had the utmost confidence. The toast having been patriotically received, SIR OWEN SCOURFIELD, BART., gave the toast of the day, "The health of the Hon. Colwyn Philipps." In a happy speech, Sir Owen said that the word "Philipps" was derived from two Greek words which meant a lover of horses. Mr Colwyn Philipps had always been a good performer on a horse, and now he had devoted his riding abilities to the service of his country by joining the Horse Guards Blue. If this regiment should ever be called upon to serve, the speaker felt sure that Mr Philipps would prove A CREDIT TO HIS COUNTRY, his regiment and his family, a statement which was received with enthusiastic cheers by the company present. Even the elements, con- tinued the worthy baronet, seemed to have conspired in favour of Mr Philipps, because they had been so unpleasant lately that it seemed to have driven them all into the Blues, a sally which aroused great laughter and cheers. The toast was ably spoken to by Mr Seymour Allen, the popular Master of Hounds, who said he had had the pleasure of knowing Mr Colwyn Philipps since he was a child. It took many things to- ensure good sport in hunting, good foxes, good scent, a good pack of hounds, and good country. It also. took many things to ensure FINE CHARACTER IN A MAN, and pluck was one of these characteristics. He had seen Mr Philipps riding with plenty of pluck and he had seen him have an awkward fall, but he showed more pluck by getting up again and going hard at it in the saddle after- wards. Lady Lloyd, continued the popular Master of Hounds, had told him that the first regiment as regards fashion was the Blues. It had been said that they were ALL DUKES IN THAT REGIMENT, but all those the speaker had seen had looked just like princes. Lord and Lady St. Davids mights-well feel gratified by the number of good wishes which had been expressed on behalf of the young heir that day. Some young men seemed to forget their old friends, but that was not the case with Mr Philipps, and he hoped he would never forget that the OLD ROOT-TREE OF HIS RACE was in Pembrokeshire. Colonel A. W. Massy, of Cuffern, also added a few congratulatory words, and was followed by the Rev. D. M. Morris, M.A., vicar of Penally, who said he had watched the Hon. Colwyn Philipps's career with affectionate interest, and that day to him (the speaker) had been one of great joy and intense gratification. He felt sure that in the days to come Mr Philipps would prove himself a GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT TO HIS COUNTRY. The Rev. E. Kinloch Jones, M.A., formerly Vicar of Manorbier, also spoke to the toast, alluding in eulogistic terms to the sglendid gift which Mr Philipps possessed of making friends. The Rev. James Erasmus Philipps, Bart., expressed the great pleasure which it gave him to come amongst them that day on the occasion of his grandson's coming of age, because although he (the speaker) had never lived in Wales he was of very Welsh descent. He was especially glad to meet Pembrokeshire people. Pembroke was sometimes CALLED THE PREMIER COUNTY, and his family had very much to do with it in former days. Now he had three sons who had come to reside in the county, a fact which he ventured to think showed their very good taste, and he congratulated them upon having done so, because he knew they had been ex- tremely well received by the people of South Wales. He had been thinking the best wish he could wish his grandson on that day, and had come to the conclusion that he should call to mind a text from Scripture of which he was very fond. It was by St. Paul, and WAS SAID OF DAVID, the sweet Psalmist, and the words were "David, having served his generation, fell on sleep." That was the best wish that he could wish his grandson, to serve his generation, that was to do all he possibly could to serve the men and women amongst whom he was known. There were works of charity and many other ways, for happily Christianity taught them not to think of themselves so much as others. The toast was then drunk and "FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW" sang with much heartiness. Rising to respond, the Hon. Colwyn Philipps was accorded an en- thusiastic ovation. He expressed his deep gratitude for the manner in which his health had been proposed and honoured. He was in the fortunate position that day of having been praised for doing what he liked doing best, as his favourite occupation far and away was riding. He did not feel that he had come of age, but at the same time he was very glad he had. He was beginning to think that it was a VERY CREDITABLE PERFORMANCE on his part, but it had cost him no effort what- ever. It seemed to him a week ago that there was nothing in this world that he wanted he had, he thought, everything that he desired, yet during the last week he had had a hundred and fifty things given him, and he now felt he could not do without one of them. It wa. not his fault that he had come of age, but he was beginning to realize the fact that it was a very nice and pleasaut event in life. The Rev. Kinloch Jones had spoken of him as a man yesterday he was boy to-day he was a man, rather funny, wasn't it? Yet he felt exactly the same. He felt very grateful to that LARGE AND REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING for their kindness, and he only wished that it was possible to come of age every year. The massive birthday cake was then cut and handed round. During the evening the em- ployes of the Lydstep Estate were entertained to a supper and excellent concert, the talent for which was provided from Lord and Lady St. Davids' house party, which consisted of Sir James and the Hon. Lady Philipps, Miss Mirehouse, Mr Walter Roch, MEMBER FOR PEMBROKESHIRE, Major Simpson, Miss Marshall, Captain and Miss Best, Captain and Mrs Hunter, Mr and Mra Roch (Maesgwynne), Captain Veal, Mrs Burnett, Mrs and Miss Smallpiece, Mr Blood, Mrs Wright, Miss Murdoch, Miss Whitmore- Smith, Mr Arthur Penlly, Mr Gerald Grove, Mr Charles Lascelles, Mr Burroughs, Mr Charles Lewis, Mr and Mrs Austin, and Mr Barrett. A private dinner party was given on Saturday night by Lord and Lady St. Davids, but the chief event from the point of view of the tenantry was the great BONFIRE ON LYDSTEP HEAD. For weeks past loads of wood had been col- lected there and piled around a huge tar barrel, and at a given hour the villagers of Manorbier and Penally climbed the headland and applied the match which caused it to leap into flame. The lurid glare of the mammoth pile spread over land and sea, illuminating the rocky crannies with weird effects and driving the mist into magnificent auroral tints. The festi- vities were continued on Monday, the pro- gramme included an excellent concert by Miss Dilys Jones and party, and a GRAND BALL IN THE EVENING. Dancing commenced at half-past ten the music was provided by Mr Robert's orchestra from Cardiff, the musicians being accommodated in the large music gallery of the library. Ani- mated and beautiful in the extreme was the scene when the dancing was in progress, the dainty toilettes of the ladies harmonising most effectively with the artistic decorations which had been carried out in the library and billiard room by Mr Jensen, the head gardener. The GENERAL SCHEME OF DECORATION was of yellow chrysanthemums and ferns with occasional touches of white in the form of Roman hyacinths, etc. The guests present at the ball were :—Lady Scourfield, Mrs Herbert Lewis, Hean Castle Mr H. Seymour Allen, M.F.H., Cresselly Mr and Mrs Massy, Cuffern Mr Hugh Allen, Cresselly Mr and F. Summers, Colonel Ivor Philipps, D.S.O, M.P., Sir James and the Hon. Lady Philipps, General and Mrs Curteis, Tenby Mrs and Miss Mirehouse, Angle THE HON. COLWYN PHILIPPS, Mrs and Miss Philipps, Cosheston the Hon. Roland Philipps, Colonel and Mrs Laurie, Colonel and Mrs Taylor, Colonel and Mrs Trower, Tenby Colonel and Mrs Frank Allen, Colonel and Mrs Harries, Colonel and Mrs Voyle, Tenby Mrs and Miss Denne, Tenby Colonel Lloyd Lindsay, Major Simpson, D.S.O., MAYOR OF BATH Major Cass, Miss Marshall, Major Glascott, Saunderefoot; Major and Mrs Corbett, Captain and Mrs Henderson, Tenby Captain and Mrs Kent, Tenby Captain and Mrs Jordan, Tenby Captain and Mrs Mundy, Mr P. Mundy, Cap- tain and Mrs Hunter, Captain Veal, Captain Forster, Captain Mathias, Mr and Mrs T. D. S. Cuninghame and Miss Cuninghame, Penally Abbey Mr, Mrs and Miss Bowen Summers, Mrs W. F. Roch, Bridell; Mr Lewis Bowen, the Rev. N. Chetwode Ram, M.A,, RECTOR OF TENBY Mr, Mrs and Miss Gilbert Harries, Mr, Mrs and the Misses Harvey, Saundersfoot; Mr and Mrs Deline-Davies-Evans, Mr and Mrs Harries,- Mrs Wright, Mrs and Miss Smallpiece, Mrs Burnett, Mr and Miss Godsal, Mr Barrett, Mr Arthur Pelly, Mr Gerald Grove, Mr Charles Lascelles, Mr C. Lewis, Stradey Castle Mr Burroughs, Lieutenant Vaughan, R.N. the Rev. D. M. Morris, M.A., vicar of Penally, and Miss Clifcon, the Rev. W. Heaver, M.A., Rector of Manorbier, and Mrs Heaver, the Rev. G. C. Rowe, M.A., St. Andrews, Tenby, and Miss Rowe, MR. CLEMENT J. WILLIAMS, Mr and Mrs Austin, Mr and Mrs Summers, Mrs Mathias, Penally Mrs and Miss Rayner Wood, Tenby Dr., and Mrs C. Mathias, Tenby; Mrs Stokes, the Misses Mathias, Mr and Mrs M. Mathias-Thomas, Tenby Mr Loftus Adams, Miss Allen, Miss Choate, Mr W. Eaton Evans, Haverfordwest Mr and Mss F. Gillett, Mrs and the Misses Gower, Mr J. Harries, Mrs and Miss Leader, Tenby Mr F. E. L. Mathias-Thomas, Tenby; Mr Hugh Thomas, MAYOR OF HAVERFORDWEST, Mrs Hugh Thomas, Captain Leader, Tenby Mr and Mrs Robert Lock, Tenby Mrs and Miss Massy, Tenby Mr, Mrs and the Misses Penn, Camrose Mr Griffith Lock and Miss Lock, Tenby; Mr and Mrs George Roch, Mr J. Penn, Camrose Miss Philipps, Mr and Mrs Yorke, Mr H. M. Harries, Mr Kelly, Mr C. Barclay, Manorbier Mr and Mrs David Harrisun, Tenby; Dr., and Mrs J. B. Hamil- ton, Tenby Mr and Mrs W. H. O. M. Bryant, Manorbier Dr., Mrs and Miss Knowling, Tenby Dr., Mrs and Miss Saunders, Penally Miss Milward, Tenby; Mrs and Miss Jones, Dr. and Mrs Williams, Pembroke. Dancing was kept up with spirit until the EARLY HOURS OF TUESDAY MORNING. The celebrations were continued on Tuesday, when the weather changed for the better, blue sky and golden sunshine being strikingly in evidence. The chief events in the programme were the presentation of an illuminated address from the tradesmen of Tenby, and a luncheon in the large dining hall, which considerably over two hundred guests attended. The Tenby presentation was made in the library by the Mayor, and the Hon. Colwyn Philipps in accepting it said that it would be one of HIS MOST VALUED POSSESSIONS. A presentation from the inhabitants of St. Florence followed, and consisted of a silver cigar case. At the luncheon, to which Lady St. Davids was taken in by the Mayor of Tenby in the absence of the Mayor of Pembroke, the tables were presided over by Lord St. Davids, Lady St. Davids, the Rev. James Erasmus Philipps, the Hon. Lady Philipps, and the Hon. Roland Philipps. Among the Tenby visitors present were Colonel and Mrs Laurie, Mr and Mrs J. Brychan Rees, Mr and Mrs Arthur Squibbs, Mr and Mrs F. Billing, Mr and Mrs E. Palmer, Mr and Mrs T. P. Hugbes, Mrs Atkins, Mr and Mrs Edwin Lloyd, Miss Tucker, Mr and Mrs J. B. Francis, Mr F. B. Mason, Miss Gwenfra Mason, Mr and Mrs H. Mortimer Allen, Mrs Parrott, Mr Alfred Live- sey, Mr E. J. Head, PRINCIPAL TENBY ART CLASS, Mr and Mrs George Lord, Mr and Mrs J. P. Raynes, Mr and Mrs J. <Truscott, Mr and Miss Hodges, Mr and Mrs W. H. Philipps, Mr and Mrs Wilfred Rees, Mr and Mrs George Davies (Pembroke Villas), Mr and Mrs Albert Peer- less, Mr and Mrs Hermann Thomas, Mr and Mrs G. Ace. Mr and Mrs J. James, Mr and Mrs W. Morris, Mr and Mrs C. S. Smith, Mr and Mrs J. E. Arnett, Mrs Lloyd Williams, the Revs. Benjamin Lewis, G. C. Clarke, and T. L. Evans, Mr J. D. Gwyther, the Misses May, Mr and Mrs B. Beynon, the Misses Evans, etc. After lunch some time was devoted to speech- making. Lord St. Davids, in submitting the toast of "The King," opid it seemed to embody the whole history of the nation and the UNITY OF THE EMPIRE, a sentiment which was received with ringing cheers. The young heir's health was proposed by Mr William Davies, of Pembroke, who referred in eulogistic terms to the many charac- teristics of Lord St. Davids and the members of the family. The toast was supported by Mr Edwin Lloyd, of Tenby, who hoped that it would be many long years before the Hon. Colwyn Philipps was called upon to take up the headship of the family but when the time did arrive the speaker had no doubt, however, that the heir would profit by the noble example set by his parents and continue the good work in which through their lives they had been engaged, THE SERVICE OF HUMANITY. Mr Beynon, Holloway Farm; the Rev. W. Jenkins, Manorbier; the Rev. J. Harrington, Manorbeir; and Mr F. W. Merriman, of Pem- broke-Dock, having also added their congratu- lations, the Rev. T. Lodwig Evans, of Tenby, said that in the history of the Philipps' family they found in the direct line of descent, as well as in collateral lines, a goodly number of illustrious names. The Rev. Benjamin Lewis, of Tenby, referred to the great esteem in which Lord St. Davids was held at Tenby and said it was the earnest wish of them all that the Hon. Colwyn Philipps might be WORTHY OF THE NOBLE NAME he bore, and that the memories of his great ancesters would prove an inspiration to him. Mr F. B. Mason, in adding his congratulations, humorously abserved that he felt it was a bit rough on a young fellow of twenty-one to expect him to do so many great things, and he felt like offering some words of sympathy. The Mayor hoped Mr Philipps would have a great career as a soldier and finish up with a field marshal's baton. The health of the Hon. Colwyn Philipps and his brother, Mr Roland Philipps was enthusiastically drunk. In res- ponding, the young heir said it seemed to him very nice of them all and he felt very grateful for their kind words. The trouble was that he seemed to be expected to do so much, and in this particular he much appreciated Mr Mason's kind words of sympathy. He had got to make roads and decorate Tenby, to be a politician, to become a field marshal, and a few other little things, and it would be a great pleasure to him to try and accomplish a few of them IN HIS SPARE TIME. He had been talking about himself for the past three days, and he now felt it was time his brother should have a go. Mr Roland Philipps humorously observed that it bad been his good fortune to know his brother as long, or longer, than anybody else present, and he could assure them that at the age of two he was wonderful to behold. He started hunting at the age of four. He knew this to be the case, because when he was three he had a large elephant given him, but he could never play with it because his brother COLWYN WAS ALWAYS RIDING IT. The singing of the National Authem closed the proceedings, after which the visitors adjourued to the library, where a reception and concert were given to the members of the Village So- cieties of Manorbier, Penally, and St. Florence.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS. The usual weekly meeting of the Tenby Cor- poration Committees was held in the Council Chamber on Monday afternoon, when, after the reading of the minutes of the Estates Committee, it was announced that the 5s. per annum paid by the executors of the late Mr Mannix was in re- turn for a lease of 99 years, expiring in 1922, for the use of the town walls and ground at present partly covered by the Bush Inn. The report was ordered to be entered on the minutes.—Miss Griffiths, of Pembroke, a tenant of the Tenby Corporation, wrote that a tree had blown down, and asking if she might remove it. The Mayor, the next time he was at Pembroke, was requested to look at the tree, and if he thought it fair, to give it to the tenant.—Mr George Fordham wrote withdrawing his application for a lease of cottage and garden on The Green, but requesting that certain alterations should be made to the dwelling- house. The Surveyor was instructed to see Mr Fordham and report on the matter.—The Borough Accountant produced a list of arrears of rent due to the Corporation at Lady-day last. Each item was separately discussed, and the Town Clerk in- structed to take legal proceedings in a number of cases to recover the amounts due, whilst others were allowed to stand over a little longer to see if the Accountant himself could not deal with them. —The Town Clerk reported that he had written to the Great Western Railway Company about the nuisance caused by the leakage through the arches of the viaduct in The Green, and also about the laying of a gas-pipe underneath the sidings in the slaughter-house road. The Company wrote acknowledging receipt of the letter about the gas-pipe, but said nothing whatever about the arches. It was agreed to wait a little longer in the hope of getting a reply from them.—The tenant of St. Julian House and the garden in front had been written to, it was reported, and asked to clear away the refuse complained of at the last meeting.—The Surveyor reported that some time ago he had seen Mr Edward Laws about the small plantation at the end of Saltern, which was in a very disgraceful condition, but Mr Laws felt that it would be a waste of money to repair the boundary walls, as he had offered to give the land for the purpose of making the new motor road from Saltern alongside the rail- way to Penally. It was agreed to let the matter stand over for a month or two in the hope that something further would be done towards settling the construction of this road.—It was decided that the Surveyor should remove a few shrubs from the shrubbery near the Cemetery to the plantation on The Green, which he had levelled and improved during the last summer and that a letter of thanks be sent to Captain Henderson, R.N., for the gift of a quantity of bulbs and spare shrubs.—Lieutenant Warburgh, of Fair View, Church Park, wrote complaining that the gas- lamps near his house were put out at midnight, with the result that his guests sometimes fell over buckets of house refuse. The letter was referred to the Lighting Committee.—The Surveyor was instructed to send a scavenger to remove fallen leaves and refuse in the gutters of the lane leading to the Jubilee Cottages, and also to fill in a large depression near the iron gate on the Jubilee Walk. —Plans of proposed alterations to the Cobourg Hotel were produced by the Borough Surveyor, who had no objection to offer to them, but the consent of the Council was necessary to the con- struction of an iron staircase as a fire escape, and also to the use of town water for the purpose of an hydraulic lift. The plans were passed, the question of the use of town water being deferred until a formal application for same was made.— The Borough Surveyor reported that some neces- sary repairs had been done to the front of the house occupied by Mrs Browne, fruiterer, but he had not gone inside the premises to make an examination. He was now requested to do so, as some members of the Council were of opinion that the wall was in an unsafe condition.—The question of the Market roof was next discussed as it was reported to be in a bad state, also that the iron rafters would require renewal at an early date. It was agreed by a majority that Mr Newton Dunn, architect of the Market, be written to on the subject.—Mrs Wells, through her solici- tors, wrote requesting that the Corporation would remove the Pier Head gas meter at present in the old packet stores, which were her property. It was agreed to construct a box hut at the back of the Pier to contain the meter. The Town Clerk was directed to ascertain from the Harbour Master how many loads of black sand had been carted away since the Town Council had agreed to allow sixpence per load for its removal.—A letter was read from Messrs. E. H. Leach and R. L. C. Morrison stating that they would be pleased to prepare the manuscript of an official guide to Tenby for a fee of twelve guineas, which, by a majority of six to five, it was agred to pay.—It was stated that no committee meetings would be held next week.

POLITICAL AMENITIES. SIR G. ARMSTRONG'S GRACEFUL TRIBUTE TO SIR OWEN PHILIPPS. Sir George Armstrong, the Unionist candidate for Pembroke Boroughs, spoke at Pembroke last Thursday evening. He expressed not only for himself but for the Conservative Party of Pembroke Boroughs their pleasure at the' honour which his Majesty had conferred on Sir Owen Philipps. They hoped Sir Owen and Lady Philipps would be spared many years to enjoy the honour so deservedly conferred. Sir George said the condition of Pembroke Dock-yard so far as the present Government was concerned was exemplified in a very re- markable degree by the answer given to a ques- tion in the House of Commons last week. Mr McKenna was asked whether in preparing the programme of work for next year in allotting new ships to be built at the Welsh dock-yard he would, in view of the congestion that exists in the larger Royal Dock-yards in the matter of repairs, make provision for more repair work at Pembroke. Mr McKenna had precious cold comfort for Pembroke Dock-yard men, for all he said was that it was not possible to say what ar- rangement could be made for work to be allotted next year, and that the capacity of the yard for undertaking repair work would be duly taken into consideration with that of other yards in settling the programme for the ensuing year. In other words, Mr McKenna told them nothing at all, but he did even worse than that, for he showed no realisation on the part of himself or the Government of the imperative necessity of increasing the capacity of Pembroke Dock-yard. That attitude was set forth by Earl Cawdor in a letter published a few weeks ago. He (Sir George) pointed out to Lord Cawdor that what- ever the prospective naval requirements of this country might have been in 1905, the position and prospects of Pembroke yard, both from a constructive and strategical point of view, had materially altered since then. To that Earl Cawdor replied, I entirely concur in what you say." That was distinct proof that the late Conservative First Lord of the Admiralty realised the altered condition of affairs contin- gent on the increase in the German Fleet. That had materially altered the position of Pembroke. In consequence he had noticed with pleasure that the Admiralty had shown a tardy appreciation of the altered condition of affairs from the strategical point of view, in so far as they had ordered a flotilla of destroyers and torpedo boats to be stationed between Bantry Bay and Milford Haven. That was good as far as it went, but it was merely niggling with the question. It meant the virtual acceptance by the Admiralty of the strategical situation without providing for the situation in a proper manner.

LECTURE BY THE REV. D. F. RITTENHOUSE. "IN ANGEL MEADOWS." For an hour and a half the Rev. D. F. Ritten- house, M.A.. B.D., of San Francisco, the young orator, whose sermons and lectures have created quite a sensation in the town and neighbourhood during the past few weeks, held a crowded AUDIENCE SPELL-BOUND at the Royal Gate House Assembly Rooms, Tenby, on Monday night, when he delivered a remarkable lecture on the Drink Traffic with the title of In Angel Meadows." The chair was occupied by the Rev. Benjamin Lewis, pastor of the Pres- byterian Church, who briefly introduced the lecturer. Mr Rittenhouse is quite a young man, but he possesses the GIFT OF ELOQUENCE in a marked degree, and wields a power over his hearers which is both subtle and irresistible. His style is clear and lucid; he speaks out what he thinks, and his directness of speech is apt sometimes to be just a trifle embarrassing, par- ticularly when he deals with THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION, as he did on Monday night. There is no chopping or mincing of words everything comes out straight from the heart—and the shoulder. He clothes his thoughts in crisp, crackling Anglo- Saxon, though every now and again there creeps into his delivery THE AMERICAN ACCENT, but it is not objectionable, rather does it add a flavour to his utterances. Mr Rittenhouse, by the way, is a relation of Mr John P. Raynes, of St, George Street, Tenby, and has had a considerable experience in the mission field on behalf of the Baptist Union. The lecturer, who was given a very hearty reception, in his introductory remarks said he was delivering the present lecture because OF A DEMAND AND A REQUEST which had been made to him instead of three others which might have been selected. He warned his audience that he was going to maks some strong statements that night, and he was there to prove everything he said. Mr Ritten- house then gave a brief but interesting description of a trip he took with others in California two years ago when they climbed through THICKLY TIMBERED LAND to a beautiful piece of treeless ground which was known as the Angel Meadows," four hundred acres in extent, and admirably adapted for cattle pasturage; but this was rendered impracticable because of the fact that cattle on their way up would become the prey of wild beasts. This was the origin of the title of his lecture and he pro- ceeded to draw an allegory of how one of the most HIDEOUS OF WILD BEASTS to humanity was the Drink Traffic. Humanity, he said, was for ever trying to reach something which was not within her grasp, but to reach these Angel Meadows, as it were, they were en- dangered by the evil animals that were lurking about them. The most hideous of these beasts was THE DRINK CRIME. He was referring to the beast which in the last twelve months had swallowed down 65,000 of Britain's sons and daughters. He was speaking of the hideous old wretch which made it possible for him to take train at Fishguard to London, then to Aberdeen, then to Glasgow and back again to Londun, and throw a human skull out of the window at every telegraph post which he passed. He could take these same skulls and build a monument with THEM ONE MILK HIGH which would stand as a testimony to this great demon's work. Again, he would lay the coffins of these victims end to end, and they would reach from Fishguard to Dover. Yet, again he would put the same coffins in hearses and they would form a funeral procession from Plymouth to Aberdeen. These were some of the results of this horrible monster that was lurking at the foot of every SON AND DAUGHTER OF BRITAIN. That beast was in their midst, yet many stood idly by and never lifted a finger against it. But he would go still further. He was ready te say to them that at the centre of every moral, every political, every social question the greatest evil in the world was King Alcohol. It was the most colossal evil in Great Britain. ALCOHOL PRODUCED WEAKNESS, never strength death, never life it made mothers widows, and children orphans; it covered the land in idleness, in misery, in crime it crowded their goals and furnished victims for the scaffold it was humanity's worst enemy and the devil's best friend. Proceeding, the lecturer said that the Liquor Trade in this country was ABSOLUTELY ILLEGAL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL. He would prove what he said, and he did not care what they or anyone else said, it was true. He wanted them to understand that no Govern- ment had a right to act just as it pleased. Mr Rittenhouse then went on to show that no Government could by enactment, by putting a law on the statute-book, make an evil thing like the Drink Traffic a legal thing. He would ask the people of this country whether they were DOING THEIR LEVEL BEST to ensure to the people of Great Britain the right to live and pursue happiness ? He was not finding fault with the Government, it wanted to do good to the people, but it had a wrong con- ception as to what the good was. Another ques- tion he would ask. Did Great Britain have a Government of the people, by the people and for the people ? No A Bill is brought in having as its object the highest welfare of the people, and is passed in the HOUSE OF COMMONS by a majority, but when it went to the House of Lords, they looked at it and asked Is this Bill directed to the best interests of the House of Lords ? No, what they had got in this country was a Government of the people, by the people for the landlord. They had now come to the GREATEST CRISIS IN BRITISH HISTORY, and if they did not hang together then they deserved to hang separately, and they ought never to stop until they got the veto taken from the House of Lords. The lecturer then pro- ceeded to deal with various other aspects of the temperance question, referring to the Prohibition Laws of the United States, and instancing the > City of Kansas as a remarkable example of bene- ficient results accruing from total prohibition In Great Britain, he said £162,000,000 WAS SPENT ANNUALLY on drink. What could he do with that money? We had in this country about 3,000,000 paupers, and he could with the money of the annual drink bill pay each of them JE54. Again, he could use the money in building 167,000 houses, each house to cost £500, and then he would have enough money left over to put JE200 WORTH OF FURNITURE into each, and over and above this he would have sufficient left to give every man, woman and child in Great Britain a golden sovereign. Other points which Mr Rittenhouse made were that the Liquor Traffic was a crime and those who engaged in it criminals; a GALLON OF ALCOHOL COST TENPENCE and was sold over the counter for sixteen shillings; licensing was an immoral way of dealing with the Liquor Trade; in this country we had got doctors who had just sense enough to collect their bills and prescribe liquor; seventy medical men in North Wales had recently pledged themselves not to prescribe alcohol except in dire cases; there was no such thing as teetotal drinks made by brewing firms so-called teetotal drinks were only A TRAP TO CATCH THE UNWABY. In conclusion, he referred to the cigarette smoking htibit, and asserted that outside alcohol this was the most dangerous thing they had to deal with. At the close a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Rittenhouse for his able lecture.

RALLY AT HAVERFORDWEST. CONFIDENCE IN MR. W. ROCH, M.P. SPEECH BY LORD ST. DAVIDS. One of the largest attended and most entbu. siastic meetings of the Pembrokeshire Liberal Three Hundred ever held was that which met at Haverfordwest yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, when rousing speeches were delivered by Mr Walter F. Roch, M.P., and Lord St. Davids. In the cheers which acclaimed the speakers one read certain victory in the fight which is about to begin in Pembrokeshire. Several veteran Liberals de- clared that they never remember such a meeting of the Three Hundred. Dr. George Griffith, who has waged many con- tests with the Liberal party in the county, pre- sided, and on the motion of Mr H. M. Evans, Solva, seconded by Mr Isaiah Reynolds, Haver- fordwest, and supported by Alderman Jonah Evans, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Roch for his services in Parliament. Mr Walter Roch, who was received with enthu- siasm, said it was only 18 months since they had a hard fight in Pembrokeshire. Since then much bad happened, and he did not think it was too much too say that since the days of Oliver Crom- well the people of this country had such a fight as now lay before them. He believed there were with the people to-day as strong a hand and as firm a grip as Oliver Cromwell had, and if Crom- well saved England from the Stuarts the people could save the country from an hereditary chamber. (Cheers.) It was only four years since the Liberal Government had been in power, and they had been four years of steady progress; no shot had been fired over the British Empire. There had not only been peace abroad, but out of the wreck and ruin of South Africa there had been built up a great federated province of the British Empire. Debt accumulated by their pre- decessors had teen paid off; taxation had been re- mitted—taxation paid by the very poorest to the extent of six millions. That was a kind of Liberal Tariff Reform—(laughter and applause)—the kind of Tariff Reform that they wanted to extend. In legislation, although they had not been able to reap a good and full havest, there had been a good harvest all the same. The Trade Unionists had received their charter, the Workmen's Com- pensation Act had been passed—and this was the most perfect Act any country possessed they had seen that in industrial districts hungry children were fed. The House of Lords was imperially minded that it cut out Scotland from the benefits of the Bill. That was one of the side results of thinking so imperially. (Laughter.) The Housing Bill had been passed they had done the best they could, with the House of Lords in the way, to give the farmer fixity of tenure; they had done some- thing in providing small holdings. (Cheers.) Lord St. Davids, who received a great ovation, also addressed the gathering. Speaking as an old electioneerer in Pembrokeshire, Lord St. Davids said he had never seen in the old days a meeting so numerously attended as that. (Cheers.) He did not know what would be the result of the General Election, and he did not prophesy unless he was sure. The English elector was slow, and he was timid, and could be frightened by a bogey. But he could not be frightened for very long. But he did claim to have some knowledge of Pembroke County and Pembroke Boroughs, and the result of his experience was that the Liberals need not have the least fear of the result. (Loud cheers.) There was one pleasure which he was afraid he was going to miss. He had been looking forward to having the opportunity next Whitsuntide of speaking in the House of Lords on the Welsh Church. (Cheers.) But it was not to be. Not yet. Welsh Disestablishment was to have been the first measure in the next Session had not the present crisis arisen. But he was quite sure it would not have made the least difference in the House of Lords if every Welsh member was m favour of Disestablishment; not the least diffe- rence if there was a great majority in the House of Lords pledged to it. It was for them, said his Lordship, to insist that when the question of Welsh Disestablishment came up it should be dealt with by the House of Commons and by the King. (Loud cheers.) The House of Lords had rejected the Education and Licensing Bills, they had cut many of the best clauses out of the Agri- cultural Holdings Bill. He believed that more was left of the Agricultural Holdings Bill than some Peers intended. (Laughter.) It was still possible in this country for a landlord to turn out a tenant who did not agree with him in politics or any- thing else. (Shame.) It was possible, but the pro- ceedings under the new Agricultural Holding Act was so expensive that no one was going to be fool enough to try. (Cheers.) Then the House of Lords passed the Old Age Pensions Bill—even- tually. They only finally passed it when the House of Commons advised that the Lords amendments were breaches of the privileges of the Commons. Dealing with the Development Bill his Lordship pointed out how much could be done for the great industry of agriculture by com- paratively small grants. He alluded to horse breeding in particular. The improvement of transit in country districts by light railways and better roads would do much. Since 1885, when Mr Gladstone gave household suffrage, the work- ing men of the country had had power in their own hands. They had been slow to appreciate it. Reforms could have been carried in one year which had taken 24 years to bring about. Tories tried to persuade the people to look abroad, and they had often succeeded in this. But their real interests were at home. (Cheers.)

G. W.R. AND CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. At Christmas, when the thoughts of so many turn on family re-unions, the outstanding feature of the season, the question of facilities afforded for travel naturally arises, and the difficulty is solved by the excellent arrangements made by the Great Western Railway Company of express, ordinary, and excursion trains to all pares of their great system. This enterprising Company, whose well earned soubriquet of "The Holiday Line" has become so familiar, has issued a programme of excursions at cheap fares to London and many of the chief towns and holiday resorts in the country. In addition to the cheap trains to the towns for the convenience of persons going home for the holidays," excursions have, of course, been arranged for those by whom the season is hailed as enabling them to take a seaside or country holiday away from business cares and worries. The cheap week-end, Saturday to Monday, and tourist tickets available by ordinary trains should be extremely popular, as they cover the period of this holiday. The Company has issued a small brochure, entitled Winter Holi days," dealing with the attractions of certain places as Winter Holiday Resorts, and this book- let, together with other programmes can be obtained at any of the Company's stations or offices, or will be sent post free from the Enquiry Office, Paddington Station, London, W.

SIR OWEN PHILIPPS HOPEFUL. TORPEDO BOATS FOR PEMBROKE- DOCK. Mr F. W. Merriman, solicitor, secretary of the Pembroke-Dock and Milford Haven Chamber -of Commerce, has received the fol- lowing letter from Sir Owen Philipps, K.C.M.G., M.P..— 76, Eaton Square, London, S.W., 6th December, 1909. DEAR Mn MERRIMAN,—In view of the active part you have always taken in connection with the Chamber of Commerce and other public bodies in supporting me in my efforts to get a Naval base established at Pembroke, I have much pleasure in informing you that I have just heard from the First Lord of the Admiralty that arrangements are being made to station four torpedo boats at Pembroke. Now that a commencement has been made I hope that it will not be long before we have a large Naval base in Miiford Haven. Believe me, yours faithfully, (Signed) OWEN PHILIPPS,

MASON'S STREET MAP OF TENBY, showing all the streets and public buildings in the town, North and South Sands, etc., should be in the I hands of every visitor. Price 2d. To be ob- tained from all local newsagents or at the I Obset ver Office.