The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

A DI) REUSES. 4*, FIRE .i Wti> SO INSUKANCEO PJTICE 4i/fr; 0 F- D ————— f SUM INSURED IN 1894- £ 393,622,400. all particulars npply to the following Agents— ve'shp3ol—Mr. DAVID WALL. Ve^'town—Mr. W. F. THOMAS, High street. ewtown and Llanidloes—Mr. BENNETT ROWLANDS, 'a«f.yllin—Mr. W. A. PUGHE. W. A. PCGHE. MR. KERSHAW, SURGEON DENTIST, NEWTOWN, A TTENDS Mi-. COWAN'S, Chemist, 18, Broad g Street, Welshpool, every Monday from 11 to Patients attended at their own residences aPpointmenc. < ^^Ridloes—Every Saturduv, at Lousr Bridsre sc., 12.30 to 7.15. Llanfair—Miss Jon«g, Bridire street, first Friday 11 the month. Pa.tients attended Daily at his Residence, Croesawdy New Road, Newtown. -p- NOTICE. AI. WILLIAMS & SON I TOBACCONISTS, I Have the FINEST STOCK in the County of I PIPES, POJCHES, CIGARS, I CIGARETTES, And every requisite for the Smoker. I 4-LL THE LEADING BRANDS IN STOCK. NOTE THE ADDRESS 3 & 4, CHURCH STREET, (Opposite the Bull Hotel,) I WELSHPOOL. Sol X ^°le Agents for the Celebrated L N PIPE, and T KIRK & SONS' TOBACCO'S. KIRK & SONS' TOBACCO'S. F. C. PREECE, ^etical Hairdresser, Perfumer, AND Ornamental Hairworker, OSWALD ROAD, OSWESTRY I CUPISS' CONSTITUTION BALLS ^re an unfailing remedy (Write for pamphlet). I For Horses for Grease, Testimonial. Swelled Legs, Cracked Cftunock A.gr. CO., Ltd. Heels, Coughs, Colds, Star- Dea"8,11-"00'Apl' ,890- ing Coat, Influenza, giving 'k&suj-B If,8;-? ^ye fm? £ h tone an^ vigour, and keep- *i»iwjreil> testifying to the i • i_ n.n TT • County of your Horse mg high-fed Horces m KJV(.TL'R'JTION BALLS. We Health, &c. 10 v°8ed them for the last i « £ ?*and ,fil:d NOTHING For Cattle & Sheep "*11 e<5aal them. ou TT r I •* wtiat use you like m cases oi Hove or Blown, jiithfn ial.—Yours Hide bound,loss of Appetite I Qaging Director." HAKT' Distemper, Epidemic, &c. | For Scouring in Calves they are almost infallible. I prepared upwards of 50 VEARFC oy the late FBAWCIS CTTPISB, »ji* c-8. Sold in Packets I s 9il aid 3s 6tl each, 7 small 10s6d,or 6j?r8e 21 s, bv Chemists 1i d Medidue V endors, or from Pro- ^tor. The Wilderness, D: ss. Norfolk, on receipt of amount PÕ-OL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. TENDERS are requested on OR before JUNK 10th < for t'n" privilege of having a LUNCHEON .^TKA TKXTS A: T his Fete on August 6th. I the, r particulars can be obtained from J. LAMBERT, Assistant Secretary. J, NOTICE. I flill rl%oters of meetings, concerts, &c., are respect- to teqnested to send early notice of their fixtures W6 °ffice of this paper, when, if possible, a repre- PoiJtive will be sent to report same. We would frecej 0llt that events advertised in our columns f>. v° preference to others. ,E County TIMES may be obtained every Satur- I p the following Agents in South Wales I TfiiXTVPRiDD-Mrs. Ewan Jenkins, Taff street. HIJ5Barris—Mr. James Junes, Thomas street. I B,H.RTHyr VALE—Mrs Powell, Post Office. | &Ndale—Mr. W. Davies, 21, Oakland s. | CONTENTS OF INNER PAGES. | PAGE 2. |^l( erystwyth, Aberdovey, Machynlleth, Llanidloes t ore, Llanfyllin, and district news. ) PAGE 3. Aleif I.1dIds' A.M.D. at Newtown; Oswestrv, and I 0(i news. I « Crj PAGE b. te8DoC and Chess news Cycling Notes; Cor- I 41Id. oence; The Failure of a Welsh Farmer; 4110 13ther general news. Patl- PAGE 7. I Item 'arnentary news, Agricultural Notes, Markets. Ladies.

*WH,rsuvj'IDls is the season of the year tlle e the Friendly Societies' Parliaments °U anc^ *n various parts of Great Britain W<*]tinday' ^ie °Pe>t^11o sessions of these Wljj^^cn's congresses were held, at p^t work accomplished during thd P0HitiWelve months was reviewed and the s°cw-)n prospects of the different 'SeCUt'leS Wei'e discussed, with the view of I>i?(w ? even greater progress and more I the r .y^in the time to come. Among ,^c.leties that held their annual ineet- Wh0 i !s week was the Order of Druids. £ fe f Annual Movable Delegation '>een ONVni to hear reports of what had ^nd °Ue consolidate their organisation G Srengtheu t]ie r financial position, isoN, of Newtown, the Grand the past jear, presided at gratif^D^S 8're&t eclat, and it must ^'as him to know that not once ^Peakg j^nf? called into question, and this Pr' ^°r ac^ministrative abilities. flllesti0lrieiJJH^ snb.iect for discussion was the ^assvrp1 Pensions, the Grimd ^eiltativei SKlHAM) introducing a Mane 'SC^eille as adopted by the Hoard t in which he proposed a e hasi° j subscriptions, which, on •>l°vided tb Wee^ from the age of lo. 'llvested + > accumulated funds were w6ek uU 8aiU Per cen^-i should yield ">s ° Per cenT^ageancl a returu 6VeHt 0f i subscriptions paid in the 5fachinp> x? death of a member before 1 pgr. a a»e' He proposed to obtain sooiet^81^' nieans of a co-operative SlJiall »r members only, and to raise or lntfl ^v;orki«g it by means of a ^^lise fmrv,'6^' w^i°^ he calculated should ^pect to7i ,00° to ^3,000. With all ^st ? Pr°tn.oters of this scheme, we ^east ac ifln a system of State-aid is than °Pe^ul asi and much less peril- \r^Uciples' a mf C^eine uPon suc^ novel ^geme f scheme of the Board of met withsome severe criticism, I and. in the result, a resolution affirming that no scheme woald be satisfactory which did not embody principle of State-aid and also provide for existing members of friendly societies, was unanimously agreed to by the dehv and quite rightly too. Mr WALK KB conclusively showed how un- unworkable was the scheme, and the best thing to have done would have been to ask the Board of Management to invent one that shall be workable. Some of the advocates of old-age pensions assume too readily that the question of Old- age Pensions is on all fours with that of national education in respect of suscepti- bility to tentative treatment. We can pro- ceed tentatively in education because one step can be taken at a time, and our liabili- ties in respect- of it are calculable and delini. o. But a gigantic system of State insurance, tentatively started upon an un- .sourfd basis, involves incalculable liabili- ties. which are discovered only after retreat is impossible. There are very great diffi- culties' to be encountered in the habits of our people themselves, and in the agencies alrcally existing. There are financial diffi- culties which the most superficial actuarial examination shows to be enormous while the magnitude of the operations necessary to make the scheme a success itself intro- duces new and incalculable factors. Finally there are social and political objections of a very grave character, which have never yet been adequately discussed, but yet are capable of wrecking the whole scheme and much besides, long before the date at which it wiU come into operation. The Grand Treasurer disagreed with Major PRYCF-JONES'S opinion that owing to the good work which Friendly Societies did in this country, in encouraging thrift and thoughtfulness,- they had a claim on the State, and that therefore Parliament and the country should give them some subvention in return for the great saving they caused the ratepayers. Sir. HIGHAM deprecated State aid without risk of accom- panying State interference. The utter fallacy of this was conclusively proved when Mi. WALKER showed that various friendly societies in the land were not solvent because of the drain upon their funds by members who had passed the age for sixty-five, and when he read to the meeting Mr. CHAMBERLAIN'S last scheme of Old-age Pensions, which was as followsMy proposal is that in return for the cordial assistance of those societies in the great national work of providing for old age, and in recognition of the services which they have already rendered to the people of this country, the Govern- ment should enter into partnership with them in regard to this subject, and that it should offer to halve the expense with them of carrying* this movement to a successful conclusion, and that when they are willing and able to secure to their members a small pension of s 6d a week in their old age, the Government should step in and should meet their efforts by an equal contribution, which would make the pension up to 5s a week." -+- W rrh the near approach of the holiday season the Cambrian Railways Company are again trying to attract visitors to the remote country districts which-have for too long remained unknown save to the adven- turous few. In the old coaching days every traveller had an opportunity of seeing rural Wales, but since the introduction of railways, most of those who are not cyclists have been content to be whirled from point to point without bestowing more than a glance on the passing landscape. To -ex- plore the intervening country or the dis- tricts that are served by mere branch lines has been too difficult, or even impossible for .the ordinary holiday maker. The problem of choosing one out of the many popular resorts," the coast or watering places, and of finding lodgings there, is in itself sufficiently complex, even with the help of excursion trains, guide-books, and obliging friends who have visited the place before. But those who want to spend their holidays in a quiet farmhouse have hitherto had none of these aids. Even if one knew of a pleasant village, the difficulty of getting there, combined with the doubt as to whether it would be possible to stay there, has deterred almost everyone from making the attempt. Onrenterprising Railway Com- pany. which perceived this a year or two is trying to enlighten a public which is pardonably ignorant of its own country. Its excellent officials have prepared lists of the lodgings which may be procured in the districts through which their lines pass, indicating in each case the nature of the surrounding country and the distance of the place from the nearest station, so that the would-be visitor will not be plunging into the unknown. There are many delightful villages in the six counties covered by the Cambrian Railways of which the ordinary tourist would never hear but for these use- ful books. It would be invidious to par- ticulate, but those who wish to explore any special portions of North and Mid Wales will find that their task is now rendered much easier. As the Cambrian Railways Company now extending are their guide, it may be fairly assumed that the idea has found favour with the public. Those who originated it fully deserve their reward. -+- THE agricultural returns for last year have now been published in full by the Board of Agriculture, and they present some interesting features. The shrinkage of cultivated land still continues, there be- ing a net loss in Great Britain of fifty-two thousand acres in the cultivated area. More than five hundred and ten thousand acres less wheat were grown in 1895, though, on the other hand, one-fifth part of the sur- face withdrawn from wheat, rye, pease, and beans re-appears in an extension of the acreage under barley and oats. The actual loss of arable area- in the interval covered by the last two decades, which may be said to cover the agricultural depression, is two million one hundred and thirty-seven thousand acres. This is a stupendous change in the agriculture of the country, and is. in itself, a sufficient answer to the allegations of Sir \V. HAKCOURT that the depression has been exaggerated. When we add that more than one-third of the decline is in the arable area, and more than half of this reduction in the wheat acreage has occurred in the last five years, the case for the Land Hating Bill becomes stronger and stronger. Low and declining values and changed economic conditions fully ex- plain the greater part of the withdrawal of land from the growth of cereals in the last twenty years. It remains to be seen if by co-operation and experiment it will be possible for the British farmer to meet foreign competition in the other branches of agricultural produce. The cattle stocks of Great Britain are slightly more numer- ous than 1894, but the head of sheep is less by a half of one per cent. Pigs show an increase of 21 per cent. During the year ,1895 the price of British wheat per quarter, viz.. Id. was only 3d higher than the and with the e-:c--pliou or quotation which has been reached during the !-•> years for which the annual aver- ages are officially quoted. This all goe> to 1 f' I prove 1 hat a radical change in our fiscal policy is absolutely necessary and that soon ait corn raising in this country will be doomed. Protection will not be listened to we know, but it remains for some remedy to be found for the loss this country sus- tains through the continual decrease in its cereal products. -+-

NOTES BY THE WAY. The Summer Assizes open at Newtown to-day before Mr. Justice Yaughan-Williams. There are only two cases on the calendar. Yarious questions relating to intermediate educa- tion were under discusfion on Saturday at a meeting of the Montgomery County Governing Body. Mr A. C. Humphreys-Owen, M.P., presided. In response to a request made by Sir Pryce- Jones, the Prince cf Wales and the manager of the Cambrian Railways Company have agreed to allow the" Royal train" to slew down while it passes through Newtown on its way to Machynlleth on the 25th pros. The vacancy in the pastorate of the Congrega- tional Churches at Dinas Mawddwy, Llanvmawddvvy and nethsaida, Merionethshire, caused by the removal of Rev John Hughes to Festiniog, is about to he filled. Mr R. E. Davies, one of the senicr stud ,-nts of the Brecon Memorial College, has accepted an invitation to undertake the pastorate. Whit-Monday in this district was spent much in the usual way. The weather fortunately was fine, and the better known pleasure resorts on the Welsh coast were thronged with visitors. Athletic sports were held at Ellesmere and Oswestry. No fatalities are reported, but two accidents occurred which mighb have been attended by serious results. During the morning three waggons of a Cambrian goods train left the metals near Harlech, and caused a temporary block. The quarterly meeting of the Montgomery Standing Joint Committee was held at Newtown yesterday, when the usual reports of the Chief Constable and County Surveyor were submitted and considered. The Welshpool. Philharmonic Society, who acquitted themselves at the Eisteddfod so well last year, are busily rehearsing the test piece for com- petition at the Powis Provincial Eisteddfod to be held at Oswestry next month. They have made great progress, and we wish them success. It is generally hoped the townspeople will have an opportunity of hearing them before the date of competition. Mr C. H. Jones, the librarian, is the conductor. # The Montgomeryshire Yeomanry Cavalry brought to a conclusion yesterday a successful ten days' training, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Sir W. Williams Wynn. The men were inspected in review order in the morning by General Gough, Wiexham, who was pleased with the excellent manner in which the various squadrons acquitted themselves. The Yeomanry are to form an escort to the Prince and Princess of Wales when their Royal Highnesses visit the Principality next month. The Welshpool Corporation have lost their watering cart, and anyone finding the same and returning it to the Borough Surveyor will be hand- somely rewarded. In the meantime the Councillors are going to take turns in agitating the handle of the Cross pump, and a few dozen new buckets for throwing water over -our dusty streets are to be tendered for. If the pump gives out, a line of buckett is to be formed from the Black Pool down to the town. Offers of help from sympathising ratepayers will be appreciated by the Council. Mr R. C. Anwyl presided over a meeting of the Machynlleth Executive Committee held yesterday in the Vane Hall. It was decided to prepare an address of welcome in English and Welsh for pre- sentation to the Prince of Wales on the occasion of his visit to the town. In a letter to Lady London- derry Sir Francis Knollys stated that his Royal Highness would on this occasion depart from his practice and instead of simply handing his reply to the Chairman of the Reception Committee he would read it himself. This mark of distinction was keenly appreciated by the members of the committee, who cheered the reading of the letter. The committee appointed to undertake the prepar- ations of the decoration of the town have moved but slowly. The time now at the disposal of the committee is short, and unless they get to work without delay they will find themselves in a difficulty. # # On Wednesday evening a successful public meet- ing was held in the Town Hall, Aberystwyth, presided over by the Mayor (Councillor T. Griffiths), and called for the purpose of taking the necessary steps towards the formation of a Volunteer corps. The Artillery Volunteers along our coasts are the first line of home defence, and whenever there is an opportunity of forming a new corps, where there is a probability of a corps being maintained, every assistance should be rendered to those who are the prime movers in the matter. The lovely weather which prevailed during Bank Holiday induced many hundreds of people to leave their inland homes and seek the pleasant nooks and sandy beaches of the sea-side. Aber- ystwyth appeared to be the general rendezvous and at some portions of the town the Castle and Parade presented as busy a scene as could be found on an August morning. The coming of the summer and the consequent visit of pleasure-seekers to the coast brings with it attendant evils. In Terrace-road the breakes plying for hire crowded the roadway, and upon all sides pedestrians were being urged to pay a visit to the famous bridge, named after his Satanic majesty. This kind of touting is inconveni- ent to the visitors and other pedestrians who com- plain of it. The sooLer the Corporation puts into force the new proposals with respect to tho regula- tion of the summer traffic the better will it be for all concerned. "ill: The members of the Aberystwyth Board of Guardians must needs blush for their reputation as a public body when in calmer moments they read an account of the proceedings at the last Board meeting. Previous meetings have never been wanting in amusement—to put it mildly—but last Monday morning the scenes that occurred were simply disgraceful, and, with few exceptions, the members have adopted the idea that they have been elected to the Board to look after their own affairs and personal animus, rather than attend to the interests of the ratepayers. Different to Boards in other parts of the country, the Chairman is treated in an off-hand manner, which is neither discreet or politic, and on Monday he would have been justi- fied in declaring the meeting at an end and vaeat- the chair. We wish to call attention to the advertisement of the conference in connection with the British Dairy Farmers' Association which appears in another column. Wo are also asked to state that the secretary, Mr W. C. Young, 12, Hanover Square, London, W., will be glad to give all information to those who intend joining the Conference party. At Overton Petty Sessions on Saturday last, the Hon. George Kenvon, the presiding magi-trrnte. before com in dicing the business of TIIE Conrr, said he wished to express his deep regret, and that of his "brother magistrates, at the recent death of the Rev. Sir Theophilus Grosley Henry I'uleston, who was the oldest magistrate for that, division of Flintshire with the exception of Mr Peel, who qualified on the same day forty years ago. Sir Gresley Puleston's gracious presence, sound common-sense, and courtesy will long be missed in that Court. Mr Kenyon, who spoke with deep feeling, said that the place on the Bench which the death had left vacant would be very difficult to fill, and he was sure all those who had been brought into contact with the deceased would long cherish his memory, and would join with him in an expression of sympathy with the friends of their late colleague. Mr W. H. Bott, Oswestry, on behalf of himself and his brother advocates, endorsed what had been said by the Chairman, and said it would ill-become him to attempt to add anything to the graceful tribute paid by the Chairman to the late Sir Gresley Puleston. The Clerk, Mr Wm. Jones, of Wrexham, also concurred, and said that during the forty years that Sir Gresley Puleston had sat on the Bench he had been most courteous to everyone who came before him. The dispute between the rival Irish parties has again become interesting. During the past few years hostilities have raged between them, princi- pally upon matters of Hiberian intrigue, which were almost unintelligible to the ordinary English politician. But he who rUllS may read the mean- ing of current controvercieg between Dillonite and Parnellite. Mr Dillon is alarmed at the threatened loss of the English Nonconformist alliance. On tho one hand he has made AN almust despairing en- deavour to patch up a truce between the Irish parties. On the other hand he has thrown himself into the Parliamentary struggle over the Rating Bill with fervour, reviving old methods of opposi- tion, as though to placate the Libarals and to prove the value of his auxiliary forces. Mr Redmond, on his part, scornfully rejects the olive branch, taunts the party who deposed Mr Parnell with the loss of the Nonconformist allies, for whom they threw over their great leader, and denounces Mr Dillon with Parliamentary obstruction, which will imperil the passing of the Irish Land Bill. Upon the whole, it seems more likely that Mr Dillon will be able to patch up his quarrel with the friends of Mr Hugh Price Hughes than "With the friends of Mr Redmond. It is satisfactory to know that the severity of the sentences upon the Ratld prisoners is exciting the almost universal reprobation of the Afrikander element in the population of South Africa. Presi- dent Kriiger cannot be long oblivious to the fact that he is preparing the WAY for a great re-action in favour of the Ultlanders. Imprisonment in Pretoria must involve much physical suffering and inj ury. Suicide and serious illness have already ensued amongst the Rand prisoners. So abominably insanitary are the prison arrangements, so incap- able are the Boers of IMPROVING them, even if they I desired to, that disease and death are almost cer- tainly the portion of the unhappy prisoners, who have, for the most part, been habitual to luxurious living. Mr Kriiger and his followers might just as well massacre their enemies at once as shut them up until further notice in their pestilential dungeon. Unhappily, we have been put in the wrong, and we have to stand by and treat the covetous Boers as though they were a civilised I nation. It IS a hard punishment for Great Britain as well as for the Uitlander Englishmen to have to knuckle under to the preposterous Kriiger. The Duke of DEVONSHIRE in speaking on the Education Bill, pointed OUT how completely the Opposition are at sixes AND sevens on the meaning and drift of this Bill, ho'.v they ooafouod School Boards with Board Schools, and how it is the Opposition, not the Government, who, by making it impossible to get a single shiliING out of the rates for any school which is not more or less controlled by the ratepayers, compel the Government to give the support which the voluntary schools need, if they are not to be extinGUISHED) out of the Imperial taxes. He also POINTED out that the present Bill gives no power at all to suppress a single school, though it gives the people of any locality the right to choose WHETFCER its schools shall be managed by a School Board or by an authority appointed by the County Council. The Duke expressed his sincere conviction that A responsible and economical management by such a body as the County Council would greatly improve, instead of "degrading," the character of the education give n. -Spectato1., May 23rd. The display of oratorical FIREWORKS which marked the latest all-night sitting of the House of Commons has greatly amused the country, whilst the determined progress made with the Agricultural Rating Bill must be considered as decidedly satis- factory. Welsh crackers and Irish squibs, of course, played a prominent part in the proceedings, until the cold water of suspension somewhat damped the display. The five members WHO were suspended from service in the House of Commons suffered no inconvenience from their eclusion. The punish- ment dated from Thursday in last week, FOR THE sitting was technically that of Thursday. The suspension was for one week, and expired after but Wednesday. Mr Lloyd-George, Mr Dillon, Dr. Donal Sullivan, and Mr Herbert Lewis will there- fore, be able to resume their ParliAMENtary duties when the House re-assembles on Monday. Such a scene, if we omit the famous GGHT on the Home Rule Bill, has not been witnessed at Westminster since 1881. In that year Mr. W. E. Forster introduced his Crimes Bill. THE debate went on interruptedly all Monday night, all the day on Tuesday, all Tuesday night, and until nine o'clock on Wednesday morning, when it was brought to a close by the decisive and unprecedented action of the Speaker and the withdrawal of the Irish mem- bers in a body. On the Thursday following 29 Irish members, including Mr Parnell, were ex. pelled from the House. Lasu night the plans of the obstructives were carefully PREPARED. Sir William Harcourt let it become known that he desired his supporters to remain. His strength was not, how- ever, sufficient to allow of relay, and it needed all the encouragement afforded by HIS presence to induce many of the Radicals to stay. -11: Lady Frances Balfour, wife of THE Irish Secretary, was the only lady who satthrougb the scenes in the House of Commons. She did not leave until after one o'clock on Friday afternoon. Lady Harcourt re- mained until nine o'clock in the morning, while Lady Finlay, wife of the Solicitor General, and Lady Pearson did not depart until between six and seven. Among tho members who stuck loyally to their posts d iring the night was Major Pryce-Jones. We cannot omit mentioning one of the amusing incidents of this scene. One of the Irish members who was ejected early in the lllorning refused to quit the precincts of the House. lIe was discovered in the smoking-room calmly drinking a cup of coffee, when it was intimated to him that he was once more disobeying the rules, by which a sus- pended member is not permitted to enjoy any of the amenities reserved for members. He declined absolutely to move, and for a time was left in possession of the smoking room. Other represen- tations were made, but were MET with the same firmness, modified, however, by the condition that his cab fare should be paid as rain was falling. Report has it that at a later hour the hon. member was politely informed that the busses were then running to Brixton.

WELSHPOOL. (Continued 'I'u;;¡ j-'ljC 5.) D. JOXES & Sox's Indian and Ceyiun IYn. a.L 2". per lb. is absolutely pure, therefore best.—Noted Home Cured Ham and Bacon Stores, High Street. — [Advt.] THE CHCRCH SCXDAV SCHOOLS.-TLe ANNUAL festival in connection with the Church Sunday School- is fixed for Sunday, July 12th, and the nsua" summer outing will take place on the Thurs- day following, when Aberystwyth will again be visited. It was hoped that Barmouth would be the locale this year, but as the accommodation for the tea is insufficient it was found impossible to accept the suggestion. A PROBLEM.—The feature of the second day's proceedings at the Porth Eisteddfod on Tuesday was the adjudication-a kind of Solomon's judg- ment—upon the solo competition between men over 60 years of age in rendering "Crugybar." The adjudicator in this competition was our towns- man Mr T. Maldwyn Price, R.A.M., who declared that the prize must be divided equally between the three competitors, s. declaration which, it is reported, was received with hearty cheers, which were, however, changed into loud laughter, when the conductor announced that the prize was a pair of trousers.—Answers invited. BoKont POLICE COL-RT, Saturday: Before Mr M. Jehu.—Alfred Owen was charged with being an accessory before and after the fact, of stealing a fowl, on the 27th April, the property of Mr D. A. Breeze. Belan School House. Prosecutor stated that he saw another man, not yet in custody, taking a hen off a nest in a hedge where she was sitting, and the prisoner was in his company. The prisoner was remanded for eight days to give the police an opportunity of arresting the other man, who has left the neighbourhood. FREENOLD PROPERTY SALE.—Mr Thomas Morris offered for sale yesterday week, at the Royal Oak Hotel, several valuable lots of freehold property. Lot 1 consisted of the Upper Pheasant, a fully- licensed inn and premises in High-street for some years occupied by the late Mr Thomas Parry. The lot was withdrawn at zCI,190, but £ 1,205 was subsequently bid privately, though not accepted. Lot 2 consisted of Tae Dingrle," a farm at Trewern Buttington, containing 20a lr 38p, in the occupation of Mr John Jones, and was purchased by Mrs Jones, late of Garbett's Hall, and now of Guilsfield, for £ 950. Lot 3 being another farm called Tynllan," Llanwyddelan, containing 35a Or 26p, in the occupation of Mr John Davies, was purchased by Mr Martin Woosnam, solicitor, New- town, for £ 1,010. Another lot, consisting of 11 cottages, at Salop-row, Welshpool, was put up, but withdrawn. TEMPLAR HALL.—On Thursday evening the anniversary of the Rising Templar Juvenile Hall was held, when a miscellaneous entertainment took place, under the presidency of Brother Edward Jones, G.M. There was a good attendance, and the following was the programme :—Opening ode, "Come friends and brethren"; address Chair- man song, "Manners," Rising Templars; recit-i- tion, Brother E. A. Owen; medal competition song, Sister Mrs Challoner; flute solo, Percv Davies; humorous song, Brother J. R. Thomas medal competition song, Sister May Humphreys duet, George and Percy Davies; violin solo, Brother Wendal Jones song (in character), Six Little Nursemaids medal competition; song, Sister Beatrice Jones; sleight of hand tricks, Brother Sergeant W. H. Gregory; song, Sister Maggie Owen song and chorus. "Holidays," Rising Templars humorous song, Brother J. R. Thomas God Save the Queen." SCHOOL TEACHERS AND THE EDUCATION RILL.- A deputation from the Welshpool and District Teachers' Association, consisting of Mr Pugh, president, Mr Stourton, vice-president, Mr Copnall, Mr Lewis, and Mr J. G. James, hon. sec., had an interview with Mr A. C. Humphreys-Owen, M.P., on Thursday, and Major Pryce-Jones, M.P., on Friday, at'the Royal Oak Hotel, Welshpool, with reference to the Education Bill and the superannua- tion of teachers. Both strongly pledged themselves to support a Bill for the superannuation of teachers. Thøy also were in sympathy with the majority of the suggestions which had been drafted by the National Union of Teachers on the Education Bill, such suggestions being for and against it. They were in favour of "better payment to teachers, less work, and protection from wrongful dismissals." Votes of thanks were passed to both members for their kindness and interest taken by them in educational matters. The association publicly beg to thank both for their warm and sympathetic support. PROPOSED VISIT OF THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES TO ABERTSTWYTH.—A public meeting, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr W. Forrester Addie) was held in the Council Chamber on Satnrday evening, to consider the advisability of forming a choir to sing selections at the Railway Station on the passing through of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales on the occasion of their visit to Aberystwyth. The notice convening the meeting having been read by the Town Clerk, His Worship said the reason he had called them together on what was, he feared, rather an inconvenient night, was that on the previous Wednesday he received a letter from Mr Denniss, the general manager of the Cambrian Railways Company, stating that the train in which their Royal Highnesses would travel would probably have to wait a period of four or five minutes at Welshpool station, and it seemed to Mr Denniss that that was a long time to be at a Railway Station, and it would, he thought, be rather a cold reception for their Royal Highnesses unless something were done to pass the time agreeably. In consequence of this a suggestion was thrown out that probably there might be some singing. Sir Francis Knollys had been communicated with upon the matter, and he was glad to inform them that Sir Francis thought it would be very agreeable to the Prince and Princess of Wales. Seeing that was so, and that there was very little time to be lost, he thought the only means by which a choir might be got together was to call a public meeting. He did not know what number of voices guch choir should consist of, nor did he know what number the Directors and Managers of the Cambrian Rail- way Company would allow on the platform. He had, however, written to Mr Denniss as to the latter, but up to then he had had no communica- tion from him owing to his absence from home. His own idea was that a committee should be appointed whose duty it should be to take into consideration the number required. Mr T. M. Price aereed that a committee should be appointed and proposed that Mr C. H. Jones, himself, and other gentlemen present who would have some idea as to those who could sing in the choir, should be appointed uron it and that such committee should meet at once to consider who should be asked to join, and the question uf number could, he thought, stand over until they heard from Mr Denniss.—Mr C. H. Jones agreed with Mr Price's remarks and thought a committee should be appointed.—Mr John Evans proposed that the gentlemen then present be a committee.—Mr H. Lloyd seconded, and it was agreed to, the names of Air C. E. Howell (ex-mayor), and Mr J. A. Downes being added.—Mr T. M. Price was, upon the motion of Mr C. Shuker, seconded by Mr J. G. James, appointed conductor of such choir.—It was agreed, on the motion of Mr T. M, Price, that one of the pieces to be sung should be God bless the Prince of Wales."—Mr D. Row. lands proposed that they have one National Welsh song in addition, the words to be sung in English.— Mr Robert Owen seconded, and it was eventually agreed that the March of the men of Harlech be the additional song.-The Mayor (Mr W. Forrester Addie) was appointed chairman of the committee, and Mr Robert Owen hon. sec.—The first meeting of the committee was held on Wednesday evening, and the first practice is to take place in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening next. ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS. The Anniversary and Sports of the above society took place on Thursday afternoon. The members met at their club-room at the Gullet Inn at 1.30, formed in procession, and headed by the band of the 4th Batt. S.W.B., conducted by Bandmaster Fred Owen, proceeded up High street, and via Brook street to the Parish Church where an excel- lent sermon was preached by the Vicar, Rev D. Grimaldi Davis. Service being concluded the pro- cession was re-formed and proceeded up Broad street to the Gullet Inn where a capital dinner was partaken of. Dinner being over, the President, Mr W. Forrester Addie (mayor), proposed the toasts of "The Queen," "The Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest' of the Royal Family," which were duly honoured.—The Vice-President (Mr Galloway) said the toast he had the honour to propose was one that would always be well received in such an assembly as that, viz., The Army, Navy and Reserve Forces." They all knew the gallant feats our soldiers and sailors had accomplished in the past and he felt sure that when the necessity arose they would give a good account of themselves. Lord Wolsley had said that at the present time our forces were in a very satisfactory condition. As regarded the Navy both sides of the Houses of Parliament would be of one mind as to the necessity of keeping up the high standard of our Navy so that they should reign supreme on the sea. As to the Auxiliary Forces they would have to rely upon them should danger and trouble arise. He thought they in Welshpool were particularly well off at the present time in that respect. He had much plea- sure in coupliasr with the toast the name <•! 0::artei-niaster IRICRTII.er Julie-, IN responding, said tjf was very proud to be there on that occasion, and to RESPOND to that toast. He begged to thank t-hem very MUCH for the way IN which they had received the to«.st.—Mr Thotna.- Morris said he had the very great pleasure of pro- posing a toast which he had had the honour of proposing for many years, viz., The Bishop and Clergy and Ministers of all denominations." As thev knew, they were doing a good work, especially in this parish (hear. hear). Some years ago people were talking of pulling down the galleries in the Parish Church, but when their present Vicar came they found that the church would liard ly hold the people. He had, therefore, great pleasure is asking them to drink the toast. and coupled with it the name of the Rev. D. Grimaldi Davics.-The Vicar, in responding, thanked them very much for the remarks and the way in which they had received the toast. It was most pleasing to the clergy to be seeking the happiness of their fellow-men, not merely in a religious sense but in A temporal and religious seuse.—Mr W. Humphreys submitted The Mayor and Corporation," coupling with it the name of the Mayor, whom he thought- was the right man in the right place (hear, heart.— Mr W Forrester Addie, in response, said that each member of the Corpor- tion was, he believed, sincerely desirous to promote the welfare of the town. The town had conferred a very high honour upon him in electing him as their Mayor, and he was glad to say that up to the present the office bad been a very agreeable one to him. He imagined that these days everyone's thoughts were directed, to the question of light railways. They in Welshpool viewed with favour the idea of a railway to Llanfair. He might sav that it had been discussed by the Corporation, and they had appointed a committee to deal with it. That committee met tha' day, and he might say a very important resolution had been passed, which, he thought, w..nld be highly beneficial to the town.— Song, White wings," Mr W. Humphreys.—Mr n. Smith, in submitting The Hon. Members oi Court Powis," said he was glad to see so many of them present. He was sorry, however, to see that since their last anniversary they had missed Ol1 from their midst, but he saw many others there. lie coupled with the toast the name of Mr Yearsley.- Mr Yearsley, in response, said it was undoubtedly a source of great resret to many that their old friend Colonel Huddleston was no longer with them.-Dr Ward, in proposing The Town and Trade," said Welshpool had been called by some rather "a dead alive place, but he did not think that was the case. He believed what Mr Addie had said, that the railway to Llanfair wo.iid make a great deal of difference, and he hoped it would. He thought it would improve the trade of Welshpool considerably and make it a more important place than it was He believed it could be made so, and that it would become so in time. He had much pleasure in coupling with the toast the name of Mr Robert Jones.—Mr Robert Jones remarked that he had been connected with the trade of the town for a good many years, in fact, soon after the Queen's coronation. He thought the want of manufactories in the town was one of its greatest drawbacks. There was no employment for labour. He thought, however, that if they had more manufactories trade would be more brisk, and the town would, in con- sequence, be benefitted.-Song, See that my grave's kept green," Mr Walter Evans.—Mr John Quinn, in submitting The Surgeons," said he could not find words to give expression to his feelings and good wishes towards their Club Doctors. All he could say was that there could not be found two more attentive gentlemen from sea to sea than the two doctors who attended to their club. They had a distance of four miles to go to attend the sick members, and there were members, he had no doubt, present who could bear him out when he stated that they were equally attentive to those members as they could be to those from whom they received a much higher fee. He hoped they would long continue to be surgeons to their club, and he had much pleasure in propos- ing the toast.—Dr. Ward, in response, said, on behalf of Dr. Hawksworth and himself he begged to tender them their very best thanks. Unfortun- ately Dr. Hawksworth was away, and therefore unable to be present. He might say, that they had always done their best for every member of the club. Pesonally he knew a good many of them when they were invalided, and he was pleased to see them that day in health and he hoped that they might long continue so. It was a great regret to him that this perhaps was the last club meeting he should attend, but he would always carry away with him kindly feelings of Welshpool, and of how well he had been treated by the members of the club.—Mr. Lewis Davies said the toast that had fallen into his hands to propose was that of their solicitor—Mr. Yearsley-whom, he stated, had acted with the greatest kindness on their committees during the past 12 months, and had rendered them very great assistance.—-Mr. Yearsley, respond- ing, said he was ready at all times to undertake anything which fell within the scope of his profession. He might say that so far there had not been very much occasion for the services of a solicitor, and he hoped the time would be far off when they would be called into requisition.—The President, in proposing the toast of Success to Court Powis and Kindred Societies," said he was afraid he should not be able to do justice to such an important toast. He noticed on their private forms that they called the name of their society The Ancient Order of Foresters." He supposed there could be no gentleman present that afternoon, or indeed anyone outside, who could question for one moment, the antiquity of their Order. In the old days the Order of Foresters was entrusted with very great power. They were not only entrusted with the keeping of the game for the King, but they were also entrusted with the preserves of very large tracts of country, which then consisted of forests. Now, however, the old order of things had changed. Still, he thought they had greater powers entrusted to them than what they had many years ago. A good deal had been talked and written about State aid pensions. His opinion on the matter was that anything which would take away from their Friendly Societies that quality of independence, that quality of manliness which was so characteristic in their society would do a great deal of harm. Touching for one moment their Court he was glad to eee it in such an eminently satisfactory condition. He was also very pleased to see that they had a juvenile branch connected with their lodge. This would, he be- lieved, be the main strength and support of their parent society in the future. It was with the greatest sincerity that he proposed Success to that Society," and he coupled with the toast the names of Mr John Beedles and Mr Lewis Davies. Mr John Beedles, in responding, said they had seen Court Powis in a better condition than it was at the present time. He might say, however, that there had taken place recently different arrange- ments in the working of the society. There had been during the last few years a cloud over them but he was very pleased to say that there was a silver lining to that cloud, and in a few years that clould would roll away. Song, Cheer boys cheer," Mr Galloway.-Air Yearsley rose to pro- pose the toast of their worthy President Mr W. Forrester Addie. Mr Addie was well known to all, and it needed no words of his to commend the toast. Mr Addie, as they knew, did a great deal of work in public generally he was an active member of the County Council and Town Council, and this year he had been elected Mayor.—This toast was received with enthusiasm, the song For he's a jolly good fellow being sung meantime.— Mr Addie briefly returned thanks. Mr Beedles gave the health of the Vice-President, Mr Golloway. He was sure they would receive the toast with particular enthusiasm.—Mr Galloway briefly re- sponded.—" The Press was then proposed by Mr Galloway, and acknowledged by the representative of the COUNTY TIMES.—" The Host and Hostess," proposed by the President, and responded to by Mrs Gittins.-The sports took place in the Recrea- tion field and were well patronised. The following were the officials: Judges, Messrs J Pugh (Pool Quay), C P Yearsley, H D Barrett, and John Elton starter, Mr H Smith handicapper, Mr E Lewis chairman of committee, Mr S Manford; Court secretary, Mr J Beadles; sports secretary, Mr E Lewis. Foot races 100 yards Foresters' juvenile race (under 14 years of age), 1 J H Evans, 2 A Lewis, 3 Austin Pozzi. Foresters' juvenile race (14 to 18), 1 H G Foulkes, 2 E Powell. Half- mile race handicap, 1 G Roberts, 2 T Austin. Quoiting, 1 R Jones (Forden), 2 Walter Davies. Shooting at goal, 1 WalLer Davies, 2 T Davies. Tug of War: Powis Castle Estate beat Galloway's Rovers; Town Team beat M. Y. C.; Powis Castle Estate beat Town Team, and won.—Bicycle Race 1 Pryce Baines, 2 A Evaiis.Greasy Pole (prize given by Mr S Manford) All the competitors failed to reach the top, but Mr Manford kindly gave a sum of money to the two highest climbers, T Thomas and R Thomas, for their plucky at- tempts.—The Band, during the evening, played several dancing selections, and dancing was largely kept up until dusk.—Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the Sport's Secretary, Mr E Lewis, the Court Secretary, Mr J Beedles, and the Com- mittee for the way in which they carried out the various arrangements. Mr Manford acted as Chairman of the Committee, and it would have been difficult to find one more adapted for the position.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. MACHYNLLETH PARISH VESTRY. o;I-NT)- -,Illd I"OST. v Ih, .iy tat! e: i! ion has been drawii toyour report OI UIE :<LK,VO vo.-try and your comments thereon. Allow T>;O to correct some misapprehensions there: 1. In the first place the adjourned vestry NN-AR coii- vened by me in pursuance of a requisition of ra*e- pavers. inlliw tialiv signed, and on the identic:: I words of their petition, viz. "to ekct n church- warden for r e ensuing year. and to consider other matters relating to the parish." The latter words were not then-fore added bv me. as stated. 2. In 'he next, place it is ?.<>r the Hector's busines's or duty to present the parochial accounts to the esrry. H, is no): an officer of the ratepayers. It t u' ,of the outsr(,Ii, present them, and the in-coming wardens, though of course they are not liable for the obligations of their predecessors in office, are entitled to have from them a statement- of such accounts up to date. 3. By custom hpre, the Rector nominates one churchwarden and the ratepayers the other. The Rector having declared his liorylill",iop. ought, I think, to leave the ratepayers to choose their own wis hour any interference ou his part. Holding these Views, and my presence not l-eing necrssarv, I have abstained from a'i interference in the matter. But in delauit of appointment h," the vestry it will devolve upon the -for to appoint both wardens, just in the same way as when the Rector neglects to exercise his right of nomination, the Vestry wiii nominate and appoint both officers. There is one other observa- tion I would make. A. Parish Vestry" and a Church meetinjr" are two x-ei-, different things. There appears to be tn idea in the minds of some of the ratepayers that they can turn a Parish Vestry" into a "Church meeting," to discuss subjects which do not concern the ratepayers, and exclude Nonconformi-ts from the disi-Ussion. This impression is not only incorrect in theory, but is most pernicious in its effect upon the orderly administration of parochial busine-s.—1 have the honour to be. Sir, Your obedient servant, THOMAS WARRFN TREVOR. 28th May, 1896. Rector of Machynlleth. — .-+--

WELSHPOOL AN i) TITE UNIVERSITY OFFICES To the Editor of the COUNTY TIJIKS AND POSX. SrR, If Welshpool is to advance in material prosperity and educational advantages its in- habitants outrht to consider the question of the location of the Welsh University Offices as of the first importance to the town. Strange to sav. how- ever, many well-meaning individuals to whom 1 have spoken on this subject have shewn complete indifference in the matter. "What,"theva-!k,"do you exactly mean by the University Offices ?" Then, What would be the advantages accruing to the town from the location of the same hei,e And thirdly, "Is there any chance of securing them ? In this article I shall endeavour to the best of my ability to answer these questions. The University Offices-What are they t-The registrar of the young University of Wales resides at present at, Newport, Mom, and has his staff and offices there. Tbs, however, is onlv a temporary arrangement. The University Court will shortly —in their June meeting at Aberystwyth, I belit-N-e- pro eed to the selection of the town where the registrar ana his staff shall permanently reside. The buildings for the use of these officials of the University will constitute the material part of the offiees. Adva-itages fr, m their location I here T iesewill be numerous and important. I will mention only a few :—(a) The pecuniary advantage of having the Registrar and his staff resident in the town. (b) The University Court will be continually held here. Such meetings must entail upon the members a considerable expenditure of money in the town. (c) The town will probably be made a centre for the University Examinations. This again will be a pecuniary advantage to the town. (d) It will give a greater intellectual air to the neighbourhood. A feeling of a direct connection with the University will stimulate our young men and women to a new and more ambitious life. It will give them new aspirations and new ideas. To me it is a well attested fact that there are many young people in our town who are allowing their excellent abilities to lie dormant and unused because they have never been brought to realise the great possibilities of their lives. They are not half conscious enough of their own powers. It will be the dawn of a new era, the start of a new life and the beginning of a great material prosperity to this town and neigh- bourhood when the sons and daughters of Welsh- pool begin to play the part cut out for them in the life of the nation to which they belong. Of course we have noble exceptions already, but they are not half as numerous as they should be. This is an end devoutly to be wished and the establishment of the new offices in our midst will be a great power towards its consummation. Now when these possibilities are realised bv the people of Welshpool, Ifeel confident they will strain every nerve to secure the offices for our town. But are we likely to succeed? We have, by far, the best case of any town in Wales (a) Our Town Council has wisely and generously voted the free use of temporary premises and a site for the per- manent building. Without this the authorities, I feel confident, would not listen to our claim. But it is not enough, for most of the other towns that compete against us, make the same offer. (b) Ours is the most accessible town in Wales. Welshpool is more easily reached from north and south than any other town in the Principality this is an important consideration, for it is the very question of centrality that now drives the University Authori- ties to Shrewsbury to hold their meetings. In this, like many other respects, our claim is far superior to those of a town like Machynlleth. (c) We are pretty equally distant from Aberystwvth, Bangor and Cardiff, and are, therefore, less likely than any other town in Wales to fall under the influence of any one college. It is the danger of this excessive influence of any one college that has induced the above three towns, I believe, to relinquish their claim to the offices. Now Machynlleth, e.g., ie virtually a mere suburb of Aberystwyth, and would, therefore, on this score, be a highly undesirable locale for the offices. (d) The last, and perhaps most forcible argument of all, is the fact that it would be to the interest of the colleges to establish here a tangible form of the Welsh Universitv. We are the centre of a large district in Wales which is, so to speak, uneared for by the colleges. We seem to lie outside the sphere of their operations, and the inspiration to be derived from contact with the colleges has not reached this district to raise it to high educational aspirations. For that reason we have supplied but few students for Aberystwyth, Bangor and Cardiff. If we had here a palpable material form of the University to rouse our in- terest and inspire us with zeal for a college educa- tion, I can assure the authorities that we would swell the ranks of their students by as promising young men and women as ever did honour to their institutions.—I am, Sir, &c., County School. SAMUEL J. EVANS.