The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

[ SUCCESSFUL COKSEaVATIV! I MEETINGS. Mr T. Hemsley, of the Unionist Central Association—an ablo and forcible speaker—has addressed a scries of very successful open-air meetings in the industrial districts of Breconshire. He made a good beginning at Clydach, had a big attendance at Cefn Coed the next night, and there were excellent gatherings at PonsticiU, Abercrave, and Cwmtwreh. The closing meeting at Ysfradgyniais, where Mr B. L. Thomas presided, was a triumph. There was a very large audience, and Mr Hemsley had a patient hearing and made a most favourable impression. A person who was given credit for being a Conchy arranged to question the speaker, fitit was reminded that as a political nonentity he had no right to put questions. He was hooted and hissed by the Bit Badge" men and others, and had to subside." We understand that a. counterblast I.L.P. meeting subsequently held also received the attention of the Bit Badge men, and was a failure. Mr Hemsley's meetings were arranged by Mr T. Maund, secretary of the Breconshire and Radnorshire Conserva- tive and Unionist Association.

HAY RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL. Mr J. W. Jones (chairman) presided over the monthly meeting of the Hay Rural District Council held on Thursday last. ROADMEN'S HOURS. The Surveyor (Mr W. L. Powell) re- ported on the question of the hours to be worked by roadmen, the arrangement suggested making an average for the year of 52 hours per week.—This sug- gestion was adopted. MEDICAL OFFICER'S SALARY. The Council received an application from Dr. Jayne (medical officer of health for the district) for an increase of salary. In support of his application the medical officer gave figures as to population and acreage of other district and the salaries paid. The Council decided to postpone con- sideration of the matter until the next meeting, with the approval of the medical officer. TALGARTH FAIRS AND MARKETS DATES. The Secretary of the Talgarth Branch of the Brecon and Radnor Farmers' Union wrote asking the Council to alter the dates of the monthly fairs and also to provide a smithfield for the town of Talgarth. Mr C. Butcher said the difficulty was to know whether altered dates would suit the dealers. Mr D. P. Hopkins was of opinion that if they altered the dates of the fairs to suit the district the dealers would come, providing the stock was available. The Clerk (Mr J. Gunter) considered that this was a question requiring careful consideration. Some thirty years ago the dates of the Talgarth fairs were altered, and the alterations militated against the success of the markets for many years. Mr Butcher thought the tradespeople of Talgarth should have a say in the matter. Mr Hopkins said the question of altering the fairs was discussed at a public meeting, and he thought the tradespeople would not mind so long as the fairs were improved. The Chairman was rather doubtful as to any alteration proving beneficial to the fairs. Mr J. R. Griffiths argued that some- thing should be done to sustain interest in the horse fair. The Chairman concurred. Mr Butcher was in favour of the Council holding a public meeting of the Talgarth ratepayers and acting on the decision of that meeting. It was agreed to adopt this course. REQUEST FOR A SMITHFIELD FOR TALi • Al'TH. The Clerk read another letter from the Talgarth branch of the Brecon and Radnor Farmers' Union asking the Council to provide a Smithfield there. Mr Hopkins, in supporting the appli- cation. remarked that to meet the present requirements of Talgarth a public smith- field should be constructed. The place now used for the fairs and marts was very unsuitable in wet weather. What they required was a public place where all the stock brought into the town could be put, and a toll charged to defray the expenses. The Clerk observed that if a proper market place was provided, toll would have to be collected. Mr Butcher said that if a smithfield was constructed probably they would have a great deal of difficulty to per- suade people to take their stock to it. An example of that could be seen at Builth Wells, where a large quantity of stock was sold outside the smithfield. The Medical Officer pointed out the necessity of an improvement in the sanitary condition of the present mart. It was decided to give notice to those connected with the existing mart to have the sanitary conditions of the same improved within 21 days, or the same Would have to be closed. No action was taken on the application for the provision of a public smithfield.

Wedding of Miss Jones, bolderwydd. The wedding of Miss Mary Ann Jones, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Jones, Dolderwydd, and Mr Evan Thomas, son of the late Mr Tom Thomas, Neuadd Wen, Bargoed, and grandson of the late Mr John Thomas, Hendre Einon, Builth Wells, took place very quietly at Troedrhiwdalar Chapel on Tuesday, the 3rd inst. The Rev. D. A. Griffith per- formed the ceremony. There were no bridesmaids, but the bride was attended by Mrs Barratt (sister of the bride- groom), and Miss Gladys J. Griffiths, Glandulas. She was given away by her father, and looked charming in a fawn gabardine costume trimmed with rose and gold silk, with fawn and rose hat to match. The going away costume was of tweed with dark hat, having effective gold crown. An ostrich strand collar, with flowers, was also worn. The bride and bridegroom left Garth by the 11-12 a.m. train en route for Llandudno, where the honeymoon is being spent. On their return Mr and Mrs Evan Thomas will settle at Pengoyffordd, Llanvillo, near Talgarth. Mr and Mrs Jones, Dolder- wydd, entertained immediate relatives and a few friends after the ceremony. The presents were numerous and costly, as both the young people are extremely I popular. Flags and arches were erected all along the road to the chapel, and the I firing of guns was constant.

THREE COCKS, EVERY branch of Dentistry at Henderson's Dental Surgery, Brook House, Hay, daily, all hours. The Theft by a Servant.—At Talgarth Petty Sessions, on Friday before Messrs. E. Butler (chairman), J. Mills, J. T. Boucher, D. P. Hopkins, and Dr. Jayne—Violet Jones, 15, of Tynewydd Cottage, Penkelly, was charged on remand with stealing a ring and a gold chain and pendant, value £ 7 10s., the property of Mrs Reading, of the Three Cocks Hotel, Glasbury, whilst in that lady's service. The case was heard at the April Court, when the prosecutrix stated that she did not wish to press it, and was adjourned for the girl to be medically examined. A report was now received from Dr. Colston Wiliams, county medical officer of health, to the effect that the girl knew right from wrong, but that her upbringing must be taken into account. The Bench decided to place defendant under the supervision of thfi Prnhntirm Offinpr fnv f vonrs

HAY SUARDIANS. Thursday.—Present the Rev. W. E. T. Morgan (chairman), the Hon. Mabel Bailey, Mrs Jno. Parry, the Revs. H. Griffith, David Morgan, and W. L. Crichton, Messrs Enoch George, T. J. Stokoe, J. W. Jones, D. P. Hopkins. J. R. Griffiths, P. D. Weaver, Charles Butcher, John Jones, H. Yorath, D. F. Powell, R. T. Breese, D. Wall, J. Gittoes, John Davies, Hugh Price. J. P. Bishop and the clerk (Mr R. T. Griffiths). TIME FOR THE ILUES TO COME 1. The Chairman said that cheques had been signed that day for £ 2.000 and the balance in the bank only amounted to 1 17s. UN K)X LAN D FOR MUILMNG SITES. The Local Government Board ack- nowledged the communication re disposal of land belonging to the Board for building sites. The Chairman observed that great carS should be exercised in planning the land in question for houses. Mr Butcher said that arrangements should be made to erect the houses in such a way their backs should not be towards the workhouse and it was agreed that this matter should receive full con- sideration between the Guardians and the local authority concerned. NOTHING DOXK. A letter was received from Holbeck Union, asking the Guardians to pass a resolution in favour of Board of Guardians being placed in a position to grant relief if necessary to Old Age Pensioners. The Board took no steps in the matter. IXDOOR STAFF APPLY FOR WAR BONUSES. An application was received from the indoor staff for war bonuses. The Clerk, who had gone into figures pointed out that if the Board adopted a general scale of increase of salaries in accordance with the allowances which the Local Government Board was pre- pared to agree to, the additions would amount to £ 364. It was agreed that the application should be referred to the Finance Com- mittee and that their report should be presented at the next meeting. The Clerk was also asked to supply every member of the Board with a copy of the particulars he had read. HAY RELIEVING OFFICEI{' SALARY. In accordance with his notice, the Chairman moved that the salary of Mr Batts, one of the relieving officers, be increased by 918. He pointed out that the increase was to make up for the loss Mr, Batts had sustained through the reduction in the amount of money received for the collection of certain payments. Instead of receiving 924 per year for collections he only received JE4 therefore to bring up his salary to its normal amount ther Board should grant an increase of X18. Mr John Davies said that men were allowed to go out of the district owing the Board money and that was one reason why the payment for collections had gone down so much. The Clerk pointed out that the reduc- tion was due to a great extent to the Old Age Pension. People who once depended on parish relief now lived on the Old Age Pension. Mr George seconded the Chairman's motion and an increase of £ 18 was granted.

I For Cakes, Pastry, Puddings & Pies I BORWIGK'S I BAKING POWDER. I

6th Battalion South Wales Borderers (Pioneers). PRESENTATION AND CONSECRA- TION OF THE COLOURS. The 6th Battalion South Wales Bor- derers (Pioneers) were presented with the King's Colours at Ecault, Boulogne, on Monday, the 2nd inst., bv Major- General G. D. Jeffreys, C.B., C.M.G., G.O.C. 30th Division. The Battalion paraded at full strength, under the command of Lieut.-Col. H. W. Dakeyne, D.S.O. 'After the consecration ceremony, which was conducted by the Senior Chaplain of the division, the General gave an address, 11 and in the course of his remarks said he was pleased to say that the appearance, bearing, aDd movements of the battalion were all that any general could possibly desire, and he felt sure from the Com- manding Officer's reports that all "ranks would continue to uphold the -traditions of the battalion and of the regiment. There was a large gathering of visitors and the occasion was royally feted. The 6th Battalion was formed at Brecon on the 19th September, 1914, and sailed for France in September, 1915. They are now the only unit of the regiment at full strength still serving in France. f

— UVER "TROUBLES

i TOPICS OF THE HOUR. —— I Lord and Lady Inchiquin and the Hon. I Katherine O'Brien are arrived in London for the season. Lady Inchiquin was Miss } E'.In-! Jehus tone-Foster, a greet heiress, II the owner c.f Mcor Park, in Shrop- shire. Her only sister is Lady Normanby, I and her marriage took place in 1886. Lady Inchiquin leads a quiet life, says the Gen- tl'vimnv, does much good work on her b estate, and is devoted to her gr.rd.-as and her home in Ireland. Lord Inchiquin is a tall, good-looking Uliln, \\110 likes shooting and fishing, and who resides for most of the year on his own estates. He comes of an areient race, for a Mur rough O'Brien of old days was brother to the then Kin? of Thomond. The family one hold the Esrhlem cf Inchiqu: and the Marquisate of Thomond, but both of these are now extinct. The Chair of Physics at Manchester, re- I cently vacated by Sir Ernest Rutherford 011 his appointment to the Cavendish Pro- fessorship at Cambridge, has been filled by the election of Mr. W. L. Bragg. Mr. Bragg, who is twenty-nine years of age, I has had a sensational career, says Land and Water, for he was famous five years ago. His scientific ability is inherited, for his father, Professor W. H. Bragg, who has just delivered the Tynchill lec- tures at the Royal Institution, is Professor of Physics at University College, London, and first made his name by his studies in radio-activity some years ago. Shortly before the war, when the study of X-rays had received a new impetus from the work of Lane and his collabora- tors, W. L. Bragg1 hit on a brilliant but simple idea of reflecting the rays from the faces of crystals, and so investigating both the nature of X-rays and the structure of crystals. In collaboration with his father he carried out an important series of re- searches on this subject, which led to father and son receiving jointly the Kobel prize in 1015. During the war Mr. Bragg was on active service in France from 1915 onwards, and rendered important services .in connection with the locating of hostile guns by sound. A demobilised officer who, besides con- siderable adventures in the Yukon and the Far West of Canada, has served both in the South African and the recent war, and stands 6ft. 2in. in his socks, applied for a job at one of the offices of tlw. Ministry of Labour. He was interviewed, says the Daily Sketch, by a juvenile gentleman, whose first question was: Have you tra- velled? The officer replying Yes," the official referred to a portentous volume and said I think we have a job that will suit you. How would you like to be a tra- veller in ladies' underwear? The London Society of Women's Ser- vice, which did so much during the war for the employment of women, is concentrat- ing its efforts on securing economic equali-ty for them, and therefore it is vigor- ously fighting the Restoration of Pre-war Practices Bill, writes a London corre- spondent. They argue that this bill gives legal force to what was only trade custom, and thereby handicaps women more than ever before. If it becomes law as it stands it will be illegal to employ women upon any form of work in any of the engineering or allied trades. They will be turned out wholesale from glass work, light chemical work, and aircraft work, though they have been one of the chief factors in building up these industries in this country. The women say that they were prepared to give place to returned soldiers, and they are pre- pared to wait until, with the revival of trade, employment becomes plentiful, but after that they do want fair and free com- petition. At this moment arrangements are going on for the decentralisation of the Ministry of Pensions. Work which has been done in London alone is to be transferred to various provincial centres. The women clerks who have been serving for a miser- able wage in a time of national emergency are suffering deep anxiety as to what is to become of them, says the Common Cause. Are they to be dismissed to live on any savings which they may have made oat of thirty-seven shillings and sixpence a week? Or are they to be transferred to provincial centres, where most of them wi'll have no friends, and where conditions may be even more difficult? A great deal of anxiety (some of which is perhaps needless) is felt. If the Ministry would only declare a policy about the women clerks it would at least end the suspense. There is plenty of work for the League of Red Cross Societies still on the battle- fields, writes "Figaro" from Par-is. In some places skeletons are still lying on the ground, in others skulls or limbs can be seen protruding. This means that burial in those places has been very perfunctory, and the ills which may come from this can be guessed. Apart from the in&anitauy conditions, however, sooh a state of affairs is deeply e hooking. In some places great carelessness haa been shown in burying the French. TSke Matin cites an instance in which the cross over a wayside grnil, bearing the words Unknown French- man, had the de«d man's identity disq hung on itj

I THE RECHABITES. Brecknockshire District I Meeting at Talgarth. The annual Council Meeting of the Brecknockshire District of the Inde- endent Order of Ilechabiie.3 was held at the Ennig Temperance- Hotel, Tal- garth. on Saturday last. There were I present the following district officers :— Chief Ruler, Bro. W. J. Jones, Talgarth (who took the chair); Deputy Ruler, Bro. D. E. Richard- Llanwrtyd Wells j Past Chief Ruler, Bro. W. Lewis, Hay Superintenaent of Juvenile Tents, Bro. W. O. Watkins. Builth Wells Assistant Superintendent of Juvenile Tents, Bro. J. J. Pugh, Talgarth Treasurer, Bro. Francis Taylor, Brecon Trustees. Bro. J. R. [Morgan, Brecon, and Rev. W. Llewelyn, Llangynidr District Secre- tary, Bro. Robert Lewis, Brecon District Levite. Bro. Thos. Pugh. Llan- gynidr. Also the following representa- tives of tents—Bros. Evan Evans. Brecon, James Evans, Hay, Howell Price, Sennybridge, and F. H. Morgan, Llangynidr. The report of the District Secretar3- showed all increase in membership in both the adult and juvenile sections for the year 1918. During the year the district lost 7 adult members by death (two of this number having paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of their country) and one juvenile member. Despite the heavy claims caused by the influenza epidemic, the funds of the district showed a substantial increase. The Council were of opinion that the balance sheet presented was most satis- factory. The membership statistics showed that 350 members in Order and State sections were serving with the Colours at the end of the year. The contributions of all members serving with the Colours had been paid out of the Navy and Army Fund, organized by the Board of Directors. The Order, as a whole raised 160,000 men for the Colours, of which number 9,000 were killed or died of wounds. The report of the District Secretary was adopted, on the proposition of Rev. W. Llewellyn, seconded by Bro. F. Taylor. Bro. W. O. Watkins gave a report of the work done in the juvenile section, and expressed regret that owing to the war he had been unable to pay the customary visits to the various Tents of the district. The Report showed an increase in membership, and during the present year it was hoped to open additional juvenile tents. The District Secretary was elected to represent the district at the High Movable Conference, which is to be held at Aberystwyth in August. Bro. J. J. Pugh, Talgarth, was elected as representative to the Welsh Provincial Council, which is to be held at Ponty- pool. The following, were elected as officers for the ensuing year :—Chief Ruler, Bro. D. E. Richards, Llanwrtyd Wells Deputy Ruler, Bro. Llewelyn Davies, Llanfihangel-Talyllyn Past Chief Ruler, Bro. W. J. Jones, Talgarth; Super- intendent of Juvenile Tents, Bro. W. O. Watkins, Builth Wells; Assistant Superintendent of Juvenile Tents, Bro. J. J. Pugh, Talgarth Treasurer, Bro. F. Taylor, Brecon Secretary, Bro. Robert Lewis, Brecon Trustees, Bro. J. R. Morgan, Brecon Bro. Evan Davies, Sennybridge and Bro. W. Llewelyn, Llangynidr; District Auditors, Bro. Howard H. Lewis. Builth Wells, and Bro. John Evans, B.A., Brecon. It was resolved that the next meeting of the Council be held at Brecon.

On the Allotment. CURRENT WORK. Where the surface soil has been regu- larly worked with the hoe during the dry weather sufficient moisture was con- served usually in the ground to enable seasonable seed sowing and planting to proceed despite the drought. On heavy soils, however, where hoeing had been neglected, surface conditions have been most unfavourable for seed sowing or planting. When the surface of clayey ground cakes into a haid pen and cracks badly the evaporation of moisture under the influence of the sun is very rapid and may prove disastrous. The best means for arresting the further drying out of the land is to break the surface with a pick or prong hoe and apply a thin mulch of some light material, such as short grass clippings, decayed leaves, or littery manure. If no mulching material is available it is sound practice to crumble the lumpy soil with a fork or hoe. In properly prepared beds on well- cultivated soil sowings of garden swede for winter use can now be made. Allow 18in. between the drills and cover the seed with an inch to 1 Hn. of soil. Sow also dwarf beans for late picking and for winter use as haricots, and peas for late crop. Parsley for autumn and winter use should likewise be sown now as well as seeds of lettuce and raddish for suc- cession. Plant out Brussels sprouts, celery, and winter greens generally as weather con- ditions become favourable. Avoid earth- ing up early potatoes with dry soil, but keep the hoe as constantly at work as possible amongst potatoes and other growing crops.

I TALGARTH PETTY SESSIONS. Friday. Before Mr E. Butler (chair- man). Dr. Jayne and Messrs. J. Mills, J. T. Boucher and D. P. Hopkins. I A CASE. j Rose Prosser and Sidney Jones. ?,•••h i of Talgarth, were parties to an affiliation case, which ended in an order being made on Jones to pay G/- per week until the child attains the age of lf> years. CATTLE STRAYr\ Lewis Price, farmer, of Tredustan. Talgarth, and Rees Powell. farmer, op Erwood, were each fined JOj- for allow- ing cattle to stray on the highway. cw:\n>r HARD CASE. Jno. Jones and David Davies. farmers, of Cwmdu, were each charged with moving a dog out of a scheduled arei without a permit from the Board cf Agriculture. The former did not appear, but wrote stating that he had been to Bnilth to fetch some sheep. Mr Davies said he used his dog to take some sheep out of the rcheduled area where he was living to fields outside the area. I The Chairman announced that Mr Jones would be fiued 12/- including costs, 'I' but the Bench thought Mr Davies's was a very hard case and he would only have I to pay the costs, 7/ I COLLARS LEFT AT HOME. Mrs Reading, Three Cocks Hotel. I Wm. Evans, Erwood, David Thomas, Charles Jones and Thomas Arthur, Pengojfford, Price Evans, Llandefalle, Wm. Jones, Llangorse, and Mrs. Eliza- beth Martin, Talgarth, were summoned I for allowing dogs to be on the highway 9 z, without named collars. Mrs Martin stated that the dog in question was the property of her son and produced the license in his name, and the summons against her was dismissed. The other defendants were variously fined from 5<- to 15/ APPLICATION FOR EJECTMENT. Mr Minshall (Oswestry) appeared on behalf of the Cambrian Railways Co., for an ejectment order against Richard Harper, of Talgarth. He explained that Harper had been in the employ of the company and occupied a house in con- nection with his work. He had now left on his own notice and they required the cottage for a signalman. Harper told the Court he could not get another house. The Bench adjourned the case for a month to give defendant a further opportunity of finding fresh accommoda- tion, intimating that an order would be made at the next sessions if necessary.

BUILTH GUARDIANS. Mr Thomas Davies (chairman) presided over the monthly meeting of the Builth Board of Guardians, held on Monday last, and others present were Miss Turner, Col. Venables Llewelyn, the Rev. Lewis James, Messrs. C. W. Woosnam, Rees Powell, David Davies (Bryn-yr-haul), Roger Powell, Thomas Jones, James Jones, John Jones Hope, Rees Davies, David Davies, J. P. Williams, Thomas Pugh, Isaac Davies, J. L. Davies, Edwin Probert, James Jones, Isaac Davies, William Prothero, and Roger Williams, with Mr R. J. Owen (clerk) and other officials. Two tenders were received for sup- plying the Institution with meat, and the tender of Mr J. B. Willis, Market Street, Builth Wells, was accepted being the lower. Messrs. W. Price, and Co.. The Stores, Builth Wells, sent the only tender received for the supply of groceries, and it was accepted. RED TAPE. The Clerk read a letter from the Board of Control re a certain case, saying that as long as the child in question was in receipt of the poor law relief, the Brecon County Council had no duties under section 30 of the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913, in regard to it. Even if they were willing to exercise their permissive powers, they would have no power to pay for maintenance in Lithnal, which was a certified house. The Board could only suggest that the Gnardians should adopt the child, and themselves place it in Lithnal. under the provisions of section 3 of the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913. The clerk pointed out that the County Council had power to provide a home in the county, and said Mr Roger Williams had interested himself in the case since the last Board. Mr Williams said he had discussed the case with certain members of the County Council, and they were prepared to render any assistance they could. It was quite evident that the Guardians were responsible for the child, and in his opinion it should be sent to a home where it could be trained. Mr Woosnam agreed that it would be better to send the child to a home. Mr Prothero concurred and it was unanimously agreed to send the child to a certified house.

No More Rheumatism. Budden's Rheumatic Blood Salts, the certain remedy for Gout. Rheumatism, Gouty Eczema, Lumbago, and Kidney Diseases, caused by the presence of uric acid in the sj-stemv This salt purifies the blood and drives out of the si sterrt- the uric acid. For constipation and its attendant evils it's an excellent remedy. Bottle Is. 3d. Prepared only by Budden and Co.. Limited, Chemists. Liverpool, and sold by Mr Tudor, Chemist. Brecon, and Mr Lloyd, Chemist, Carmarthen.

n_- COLWYii DISTRICT COUNCIL. I Mr H. -Thomas presided over j the monthly meeting of the Colwyn Rural District Councu held on Monday and others present were Miss Tnn:?r, 1.,T: "T'h'Î-1S J) t\ "G 1".i1 Probert, J. L. Davits. "Waa. Prothero, and James Jones, with Mr R. J. Owen 'clerk), and c, -ie- officials. j ::R. HOUSING QUESTION. j Willi regard to the housing question, Mr Edwin Probert said there was a justed deraan 1 for ne.; h-uses at Howev. .T. L. Davies considered that to build houses at Howey would to some extent reduce the demand for houses in the Llandrindod area. and the same could be said of Llanelwedd. which would save Builth Wells. He moved that six houses would be erected in Llanelwedd instead of eight and that two be built at Hundred House, Mr Thomas Davies observed that it would not be fair to build àJlt houses iu the parish of Llanelwedd, and to abandon the idea of building in other parts of the district. Mr Probert slid the parish councils had not taken up this matter. The Clerk said that the different parisli councils and parish meetings had reported that no new houses were re- quired in their district. Mr Edwin Probert was quite sure that if six houses were erected on the land mentioned for that purpose on Lhvyn- braiu, near Howey, they would all be occupied. Owing to the high price of material he did not anticipate much building at Llandrindod Wells for some time. At present they required two more roadmen in the district-one for the County Council and one for the local roads. I It was agreed to adjourn the question for a fortnight for a further report. ABER3-:mv ',L\TER SUPPLY. A letter was read from the Local Government Board rc Aberedw Water Supply. The Medical Officer (Dr. W. Black Jones) suggested that a small committee should be appointed to visit Aberedw and inspect possible sites of supply. Mr Thos. Davies said a better water supply was undoubtedly required at Aberedw he did not believe the school had a proper supply. A committee, consisting of Mr Thos. Davies, Mr James Jones, Mr Thomas Heighway, and the Medical Officer, was appointed to visit the village, with a view to the provision of a proper supply of water.

Happiness. Born in the days when the world was young, Happiness like a flower up-sprung, Fair as the lily, sweet as the rose. With a power magnetic she onward goes And every mortal that sees her pass Like Flora's self o'er the dewy grass, Youth and Manhood and wrinkled Age, After her posts in pilgrimage. She beams one moment, a vision rare, With a golden glory of wind-blown hair, A radiant smile on her coral lips. And then—she is lost in blank eclipse But her eager worshippers follow fast, Like the boy when the butterfly flits past, Was ever a faith or hope forlorner- That Happiness waits just round the corner ? Ever the pilgrims onward trudge, Through heat and dust, and rain and sludge Weary and worn and woe-begone, They journey painfully on and on. While the sprite who beckoned them- What is she ? On one thing only they all agree. With peerless beauty they all adorn her- Happiness waiting just round the corner. The miser says she is rich with gold, Wears sparkling jewels snd gems untold The lover laughs at this dream of pelf, And sighing swears she is love herself The artist paints her a wayward maid The toiler calls her a heartless jade Yet all who love or affect to scorn her Believe she's waiting just round the corner. Is it so certainly trite and true That happiness never will wait for you ? Memory says she lived in the Past, Hope that Heaven's her home at last But rarely does anyone dare to say- Here is Happiness, here, to-daj-! Like all life's greatest boons unbought, She sojourns where she least is sought She has many times supped with you and me. But her beauty we hadn't the eyes to see. T. R. PHILLIPS. May, 1919. •

Painscastle Rural District Council. Mr John Davies (chairman) presided over the monthly meeting of the Painscastle Rural District Council, held at Hay, on Thursday in last week, when a communication was read from the Local Government Board re increase in the salaries of officials, and the question was postponed.