The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

MACHYNLLETH. FISHING.—The Association net has been mahing big hauls of salmon and sea trout in the river Dovey. The river has been rather low, and the rain of Wednesday arrived at an opportune time. POLICE COURT.—At the Police Court on Tuesday, before Major Bonsall, and Joseph Evans, Esq. David Hughes, a widower, was charged with refus- ing to contribute towards the maintenance of his child, which had become chargeable to the Union.—- The defendant was discharged upon payment of 308 towards the expenses already incurred, and promising to contribute regularly in the future.— The publicans of the town applied to the court for the extension of time by two hours on the nights of Thursday, Friday and Saturday, of next week. Mr. Edward Jones of the Lion Hotel, applied for an occasional license for the sale of intoxicating drinks in the Market Hall, during the same period, it being his intention to provide refreshments for the public. u -The Bench decided to adjourn the applications until to-liay (Saturday. ABSCONDING FROM THE WORKHOUSE.—John Holland was charged before Major Bonsall and Joseph Evans, Esq., on Tuesday, with absconding from the potatoo field at the Workhouse without having finished his task. The man was working in the field with the porter and when the latter left him for a few moments he took to his heels and made a bee line for Penegoes. Information was given to the police and P.C. Jones followed the man on his bicycle, capturing him before he reached Ccmmaes Road and bringing him back to town.— The Bench discharged the prisoner upon his prom- ising to leave the town at once. This he promised to do and at once left, the court. RURAL COUNCIL.—Mr Edward Hughes presided over a meeting: of the Council held on Wednesday. There were also present Messrs. Edward Pritchard vice-chairman, Ellis Hughes, J. Jones, 1). Lewis, John Davies, R. Hughes, Rowland Hughes, E. M. Jones, with Mr David Evans, clerk, and Mr David Morgan, assistant clerk. -Respecting the new bridge across the Dovey it was resolved to bear half the cost of the bridge and one-third of the cost of the bridge approaches, and the Clerk was instructed to attend the next meeting of the County Council to inform them of this.-The Clerk was directed to write to the parish of L'anbrynmair and to Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn asking for the promised subscriptions.—The Council considered the amount of remuneration due to the Clerk for the year ending March 31st, and decided to pay him £ 60.—The Surveyor was directed to proceed with the Bont water supply at once. URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL.- TUESDAY. A special meeting of the Machynlleth Urban District Council was held on Tuesday, there being present Messrs. Edward Rees, W. M. Jones, John Pugh, J. M. Breeze, Jjhn Thomas, D. D. Williams, and Henry Lewis, with Dr. A. 0. Davies (medical officer), and Mr. Rowlands (clerk).. THE ROYAL VISIT. The Clerk reported having received three letters from Mr. David Evans, the hon. secretary of the Executive Committee carrying out the arrange- ments for the forthcoming royal visit.—One letter was read under date of June 9th, asking under what authority the Council proposed to delegate its power to the Executive Committee ? The matter was highly important, and it appeared to hitn necessary that the Council should further con- sider the matter and be properly advised without further delay.—Another letter was read describing the route of the procession and the times of entry and departure of the royal visitors. The third letter asked that the public lamps should be kept alight during the evenings of the 25th and 26th inst.— The Clerk said he had replied intimating that the Council were prepared to assist the Re- ception Committee as much as possible.—Mr. D. Williams enquired if the Council had any authority to delegate its powers to a committee outside the Council.—The Clerk, in reply, said that as far as he could see he did not think the Council had the authority to do so, inasmuch as they were powers incorporated under the Public Health Acr.. He understood that some members of the Council were also members of the Committee.—Mr. Williams thought that as the members of the Streets Com- mittee, were also members of the Executive Com- mittee that the Council should delegate its duties to the Streets Committees, with which the Execu- tive Committee could co-operate. He thought it very important that the Council should be alive to the responsibilities of the occasion. Thsy should see that the fencing was "stron enough to save lives." He therefore proposed that the Council delegate its powers to the Streets Committee.— Mr. Pugh, in seconding, said he did not believe in delegating powers at all. He thought they ought to carry out the work themselves, and look to the Executive Committee to defray the cost. — This was carried, as also was a resolution proposed by Mr. Williams, and sec- onded by Mr. W. M. Jonos, that an order be issned Herniating the street traliø. on the occasion. It was agreed to barricade^Baoll, Pen- rail t, and Maengwyn streets during the two days named.—It was decided that the public lamps be kept alight during the evenings of the 25th and 26th as requested.—Subsequently the question of convening a special meetiug at which to confirm the order in regard to the regulation of the street traffic cropped up, and some of the members present intimated uhat they would be uuable to attend on the date suggested because a certain Cymaafa Ganu was fixed for that day.— Mr William Jones inquired if they would not see the other members of the Council who were not in attendance that day present ?—The Chairman I suppose not. It isn't likely (laughter).—Mr Breeze: Well, if they don't come here we will let the matter drop.—The Chair- man Yes, and the order will not then bo put in force.—It was subsequently agreed to meet the following Friday afternoon. -Messrs C.Kirbyand Son, engineers for the Machynlleth water supply, wrote under date of June 15th asking to be informed how matters stood iu connection with the Local Government Board's approval of the water supply scheme. They presumed that the Local Govern- ment Board had been supplied with the statutory declaration as to the noli cos but that no date had been fixed for the inquiry. They would therefore be glad to receive instructions from the Council to proceed with the obtaining of the tenders, when they would arrange with the Council as to the dates of insertion of the advertisement. Their motive in thus writing was to urge upon the atten- tion of the Council the desirability of having the works well advanced before the coming winter set in. Of course no furthei absolute step such as entering into a contract for the works could be taken before the assent of the Local Government Board was obtaiued but the tenders could be got in readiness for same so that the contract could be entered into immediately the assent was received. If the tenders were to hand at the time of holding the inquiry it would be a very good thing.—The Clerk said they had not yet had all the necessary agreements entered into in regard to the easements or the consent of the owners obtained. He did not think they could move further in the matter until theyigot their consent. The matter was thereupon deferred,—A letter was read fro; Mr Morgan Davies, Swansea, saying that he iderstooi his plan had been adopted and that the prize had been awarded to Messrs Kirby and Son. He asked for information on the mattef.—Mr Pugh said he did not know where Mr Davies got his information from, but it was incorrect his plan was not adopted.—It was agreed to write to Mr Davies to this effect. AL'I'OINTMENT OF COLLECTOR. Only one application, that of Mr. Rees Lewis, Tudor House, Machynlleth, was received for the post of collector, he offering his services for a com- mission of 5 per cent. on the amount collected.— Mr. Williams moved the pa-ymeut of the collector's salary by commission in the interests of the town. It was reported at the meeting the other day that the sum of £12 was outstanding, and if they had before paid by commission they would, perhaps, have had that money in. This was agreed to.— Mr Pugh said, there being only one application, they had no alternative but to appoint Mr Rees Lewis. —The Chairman Do you propose him ?—Mr Pugh U nkss you like to adjourn it.—The Chairman: It is well that we should give it our best considera- tion.—Mr. Breeze moved, and Mr. Thomas seconded the appointment of Mr. Lewis.—Canied. MISCELLANEOUS. A letter from Mr. Humphreys, expressing sur- prise at the claim of £8 odd, sent in in respect- of work done by his late father when surveyor being reduced to £198;, was read, and was ordered to be considered at the next ordinary meeting- The Clerk to the Board of Guardians wrote to the effect that the Guardians had resolved to charge Council 2s. 6d. each time that body used the Board- room. On the motion of Mr. Williams, the matter was postponed for consideration at the next meet- ing, the Clerk in th9 meantime being requested to ascertain the charge of holding the meeting in the Town Hall. A letter was read from the Local Government Board, in which they sanctioned the re-appointment of Dr. A. O. Davies as medical officer of health.—A question having been asked where the committees would now meet, the Clerk said be would be pleased for them to meet at his office until they decided upon some other course,- Mr. Williams brought forward the question of bye- laws, and it was agreed to discuss the matter at the next meeting.—This was all the business of public interest.

CAERSWS. CHORAL FESTIVAL.—The annual choral festival in connection with the Arwystli Rural Deanery was held on Wednesday, under circumstances of a most favourable character. The day was gloriously fine, and this fact, no doubt, contributed not a little towards the success by which the event was at- tended. For the festival (which took place last year at Llanidloes) choirs from the following parishes had been carefully prepared by Rev W. D. Roberts, Llanidloes, and under the experienced leadership of this gentleman, attained a high degree of excellence :Llanidloes, Llnngurig, Llandinam, Trcfeglwvs, Carno, Caersws, Llanwnog, and Pen- strowed. These choirs, consisting of nearly 150 voices, assembled for service in St. Mary's Church on Wednesday morning, when the preacher was Rev Cecil Hook, Vicar of Oswestry. The choral celebration was taken from Dykes in F, as was also the Te Dellm. The remainder of the service was conducted as follows Celebrant, Rev W. L. Richards, Penstrowed; Gospeller, Rev Morgan Jones, Llandinam, R.I).; Epistoler, P.ev O. K. Williams. Revs D. Parry, Vicar, and D. Williams, Vicar of St. Harmons, were also present. At tho conclusion of service the choirs were entertained to lunch, the caterer being Mr D. K. Thomas, of the Buck Inn, who prepared an excellent repast, and as usual, gave complete satisfaction. In the evening, at six o'clock, evensong was celebrated in Llanwnog Parish Church, Rev T. H. Hughes,^ Vicar of Llan- gurig, occupying the pulpit. The Processional Hymn (as in the morning) was The Son of God goes foth to wax," the tune being St. Peris," taken by permission from the new Welsh Hymnal, Emynradur yr Eglwys yng Nghymrn," whilst the Chants were "Llyti," Gweddi," Cerddorol" (by Rev W. L. Richards). Tallis's Choral Service was performed, the anthem" The Lord is King" being given with great effect. Rev T. E. Jones, Carno, intoned the service, the lessons being read by Revs E. O. Jones, Llanidloes, and E. Edwards, Tref- eglwys. At the services, which, morning and evening, were attended by much success, Miss Marshall, Llanidloes, discharged the duties of ac- companist with her usual ability.

LTjANDRINIO. FORESTERS' ANNIVERSARY. On Friday the members of Court Bryn-y-Pvs celebrated theii 33th auniversai-y. The weather was beautifully fine and the village was en. feic on the occasion. After preliminary business had been transacted at the Court the members formed in procession, and headed by the Band of the 3rd Batt K.S.L.I., under Bandmaster Dignan, and the handsome new Court banner, proceeded to Church where divine service was held, Rev E. Robinson, Penrhos, officiating, and preaching a, most appro- priate sermon from Genesis iii, 19. The hymns sung were Nos 274, and 380 (Ancient and Modern). The collection taken was in aid of the Salop Infir- mary and amounted to 10s 7d. On leaving the Church the procession re-formed and paraded the village, calling at Llandrinio Hall the residence of Mr. L. B. Whittiugham, who has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of the club, acting as trustee for many years. Here the members were regaled with refreshments. At 3 p.m. the members and a large number of visitors sat down to an excellent dinner at the Punch Bowl lUll, Host and Hostess Lewis leaving nothing to be desired in the way of catering. The Ven. Archdeacon Thomas presided, and was supported by Mr R. Whittingham, Middle- town Mr Pritchard, the Haim; Mr A. Wilde, IVollaston Air Tiiiiisw'), d,Oswcstry; Mr Williams, The Lane; Mr Davies, Portland House; Mr E. Davies, the Rhos, and Mr Geo. Lloyd, Bryn Offa, and vice-chairman, Mr L. B. Whittiugham. Amono' the visitors were Messrs Moorh .use, Bausley; Robinson, Domgay; Morris, Gweruygo; Evans, Rhos; Sankey, the Shop; Moore, the School; Edwards, the Fields; Thomas Gregory, Criggion: Lees, Four Crosses; Job Boddoes, Pinfold; R. lurnor, the Rhos; 51 Lewis, Penthryn; Jones, Gwernygo; Thomas Morgan, Trederwen Hall; James Gregory, Severn House A Vaughan, Crewe Green E M Jones and T A Jones, Lower House; J. W. Pritchard, the Haim Morgan, Canal House Burgess, Butcher's Arms, Wm. Vaughan, CrewE Green; W. Pritchard, the Haim; F. Jones, Deytheur; John Vaughan, Crewe Green, etc. The cloth having been removed, the Ven. Arch- deacon proposed the toast of The Queen, the Prince of Wales, and the other members of the Royal Family," which was loyally drunk. The Army, Navy and Reserve Forces was the next toast, and the Chairman in proposing it said there was one name he should like to mention in connec- tion with the toast. It was a nam which they in Bryn-y-Pys Lodge knew more of than he himself. He referred to the eldest son of his late predecessor, their late rector, Major Lewis. Some of them would no doubt have read this week about a very smart action in the Soudan, where the Egyptian, foreea moved silently in the night time through a most dangerous codntry and managed to surprise and completely rout the dervishes, carrying every- thing before them. The Egyptian forces were led in four divisions, and one of these divisions was led by Major Lewis (loud applause). He had already distinguished himself by the part he had borne in the transport service, and they were all proud to know that the success of that expedition was shared by a Llandrinio man (loud and continued applause). The toast was Iou pled with the names of Mr Lewis and nIr Pritchanl. Mr Lewis, in responding, re- ferred to the loss the county had sustained by the death of Col. Harrison, and to the honour done to the Montgomery cavalry in being selected as a guard of honour to the Prince of Wales on his visit to A beryst,,Yyth.The "Bishop and Clergy" having been given by Mr Whittingham, and responded to by the Ven. Archdeacon Thomas, the toast of the evening, Success to Court Hryn-y-pwys" was next given by the Chairman. Three thousand and eighty were figures which expressed a great deal. They showed what a very large, wide, strong, and powerful body they belonged'to. They had a good strong club in the village. The population of the parish was only about 600, and yet they had an adult membership of 131 in the club, and the total membership including the juvenile members was now 157. That was a very large number for their population, considering they had two clubs in the village. The report before them this year was rather brief but it was satisfactory. The first sen- tence spoke of its nourishing condition. The next clause spoke of its position as being the result of the care and labour and the attention of those who had its management in their hands. No society eonld thrive or flourish without great care by its officers. It was now 39 years since the club was started. On that occasion 17 members joined, and though 39 years had gone he was glad to say there were there among them three of its original mem- bers. Mr Samual Vaughan, Mr Wm. Pughe and Mr Lloyd Jones (loud applause). In the case of M r Lloyd Jones they had all seen his name again and again in connection with the work of the club, as for many years he had been their unpaid but undefatlg- able treasurer (loud applause) so that among these three original members they still had at least a member worthy of all praise (loud applause), There had also see:; another member who could not be passed over. They bad a trustee of this society Mr Whittingham who had displayed great care in the investment of. the^cliilvs money and for that they must also be thankful, for a great deal depended on the action of the trustees (applause). He had also to mention tho name of Mr Evan Evans, whoso services were by no means new to the club for Mr Evans had taken as active a part as any man in its welfare (hear, hear). In con- clusion he congratulated the members on the successful state of the club's finance. The statement of accounts showed a gain on the year of C67 9s 9d, although there had been a heavy sick list, the amount of sick pay being £31 5s 8d more than last year. The total funds wore now zC2439 16s 5d. The toast was coupled with the names of Mr Whittingham and Mr Evan Davies.—Mr. Whittingham, in reply, said he was very much indebted to the chairman for coupling his name with the toast. His connection with the club dated many years back, hat since he was connected with it, nothing gave him greater pleasure than to give his work for its benefit (hear, hear). After a lapse of so many years it was a pleasure to know that the club was thriving. It was something to be able to contribute some little help to their fellow-men in times of suffering, and he hoped the club would still continue to flourish (loud applause).—Mr. Davies also responded in similar terms, and trusted that the members would do their best to get new members. In this way they were certain of success (applause). The other toasts were "The Medical Officer," proposed by Mr. Evan Evans The Chairman," proposed by Mr. Whitting-ham; The Press," proposed by Mr. Tinniswood, and responded to on behalf of the COUNTY TIMPS; "Host and Hostess," proposed by Mr. Gregory, and briefly acknowledged by Mr. Lewis, the genial landlord of the Punch Bo.vl. The pro-' ceedings were enthusiastically entered into by the members and visitors, aud the entire arrangements were carried through without a hitch.

JUDICIOUS ADVERTISING 'creates many a new business, enlarges many an old business, and secures success in every properly managed business; and advertising in the COUNTY TIMES is certainly the surest way of obtaining this result in this district.

ITEMS FOR LADIES. WOMEN JOURNALISTS. Those whose daughters have expressed a desire to earn their livelihood by means of newspaper work may be interested in knowing what a woman who has had nine years' experience of journalism has to say on the subject. This lady, who writes above the initials L.M.D." in The Queen, remarks —" People like to see described in a graphic and interesting way functions at which they have themselves been present, and a local ladies' letter, brightly written by one wi'o is here, there, a; d everywhere, cannot fail to be widely read, and to be far more highly valued than the stereotyped London article dealing with matters ia the Metropolis, and supplied word for word to a dozen journals or more. As I happened to be among the first of those who began writing local ladies' columns in the provinces, I can, I think, claim to speak with some knowledge of the subject, and I heartily recommend any girl who wishes for a journalistic career to endeavour to get on to the staff of her own local paper as the writer of such an article. There is a foolish idea on the part of many that one must be in London in order to succeed as a journalist. This is an utter fallacy. The ranks there are sadly over-crowded, and a woman of re- source, ready to srizc all her opportunities, has every chance of su icess in the provinces, for in .many districts competition is by no means keen. But now let us touch on the question of taking the first step. In my own case 1 wrote.a short article dealing with local events and treating them a feminine standpoint. This was dispatched to the editor of a good local paper, along with a noLe setting forth a desire to make it a. weekly feature in his paper. I had had no previous journalistic experience and had absolutely no influence of any kind. I did not even know the gentleman by sight and no one spoke that word in season for me which is erroneously supposed to do so much good. From that week to this my ladies' column has appeared regularly in that paper. Some, I can well imagine, might fear an inability to keep up the inierest of such an article week by week. But once let the writer be known as reliable, judicious, bright, and interesting, and she will generally be inundated with invitations to almost everything that takes place in the district, while tickets for Co nc-r.s, bazaars, and other affairs will flow freely in, thus providing plenty td write about, and on subjects of great interest to large sections of the community." Continuing her remarks, L.M.D." says :—" The chief point to aim at is to interest people of very varied tastes, and not to write in such a way that men will not read the articles. It is a great mis- take to imagine that women want to hear of nothing but fashions; treat the question of dress by all means, along with household matters, cook- ery, fancy work, decoration, and so on but always make a point each week of touching on something of wider and higher interest as well. There are few towns of any size which will not provide plenty of matter, if one goes about with one's eyes open. It is well not to be afraid of graphic descriptions of the institutions in the place- ita workhouse, its hospital, and so on. Then its spots of interest, its attractive neighbourhoods, its shops, can all be dwelt on. The writer should take everything feminine under her wingf not, however, leaving severely alone those which are purely masculine. She should endeavour not to write in a reporter's style, but strike out with original thoughts and unhackneyed ways of putting things. Dress at local functions can be touched on, and those who are endeavouring to do good in the community may often be helped very materially by means of a ready pen. I venture to think that in many towns a woman's work on the local Press would not ouly be highly valued, but would prove also a potent factor for good. As regards the writer's relations with the editor, it must be said that something more than pen, ink, and paper are required before, a woman can set out on the paths of journalism. Quick observation, ready wir, aptitude for choosing interesting subjects, versatility of mind, aud a bright and interesting style, are a few of the quali- fications necessary. Then, too, it is very necessary to be business-like. No ono should undertake to contribute regularly to a journal without resolving to keep steadily to the work. Carelessness and big, untidy 'sprawling' handwriting ought to be scrupulously avoided. Then, again, women very often, it must be admitted, are not particularly distinguished for correctness in punctuation. They generally understand the vise of the period, they are frequently a little bit hazy about commas, and the average woman apparently deems it prudent to avoid the semicolon and colon. But punctuation is undoubtedly one of the subjects to which study should be given before attempting to write for the Press. Local journalism, for many women, will be found a thoroughly cong-enial sphere, for it need have none of the drawbacks of those occupations in fulfilling which women are spoken of sometimes as unwomanly. If any, of my readers have any incliivatiou to contribute to this column I shall be most happy to treat it with favourable consideration. wedding GOWKS. There seems to be a decided disposition to forsake the stereotyped white for wedding gowns, and replace it by light materials, such as silk muslin and chiffon with lace. Another innovation is the introduction of a little colour, as in the case of a beautiful wedding gown of hrory satin, artistically draped with mousseliue de Soie the bodice was arranged with Marie Antoinette sleeves. and the corsage entirely draped with mousseline d3 soie and seed pearls. This lovely gown was lined throughout with the palest shade of La France rose glace,, which gave it a perfect effect. A very smart visiting gown in the same troussean was composed of cafe au lait canvas, through which showed the lovely shade of turquoise silk on which it was mounted; the bodice was tastefully arranged with embroidered mousseline de soie and rich turquoise glace silk; this was held to the figure with an artistic arrangement of ribbon and beautiful Louis XVI buttons. THE PRICE 01" SILK. Are we to have a gradual fall in the price of silk, so that ultimately we shall be able to wear this delightful, cleanly material as cheaply as we now wear cotton ? I am moved to ask this question in consequence of hearing that soino clever chemists and engineers have discovered how to make siJk out of—what do you think ? actually timber pulp and cotton waste. How good of them, if it only turns out to be really as nice and charming as the natural silk. I am sure the women of this countrv will gladly get up a handsome testimonial to the men who give them silk at the price of cotton. You may say it is too strange to be true that the material produced from these unpromising raw materials cannot possibly be anything like that given by the silkworm. But I ain" in a position to whisper to you that the gilk" is all right and takes the most lovely glossy colours, for I was privileged to see and handle some of it last week. If our London tradesmen Would only confess the truth, dress and other fabric8 of the new timber silk have already been extensively this season in the Regent Street shops. But at present, while the manufacture is yet in its infancy it is obvious to the mteiest of the silk-tnercer to sav nothing about the new silk, or even to pooh-pooh its existence. Nevertheless, am assured that before another season comes round we shall see the windows flooded with beautifm fabrics made from the artificial silk, and if it only as cheap as it ought to be, considering the lowly stuff from which they make it, tnere is a good time coming for us. I for one shall welcome silk for every-day wear under such conditions, for few of us reflect on the i amount of dust and dirt that tnodern woollen and cotton fabrics pick up. Silk is the cleanest wear thai exists. I hear that no less than six weaving firms have agreed to take the whole output of the new silk factory, which is being built in Lancashire. SUMMER DRESSES. I think we may cousider that the summcrfashions are about settled. A lot of experiments in detail which were introduced early in the season have fallen out of favour, while other developments have come to the front. Very shortly one will be thinking of seaside clothes, and the smart summer gowns will be less interesting. \Ve need hesitate uo longer to gratify our tastes in form or colour. But I cannot help feeling that the present arrange- ment of the two main parts of a dress namely, the bodice and skirt—looks a very capricious one. We see the bodice trimmed to elaboration and covered with embroidered and lace while the skirt is absolutely plain, with not a flounce or a bit of ornamentation to break the lines into which the full skirts fall. It is necessary5 however, to admit after all that this style appeals to our common sense,for so long as it is fashionable to wear blouse bodices we must have skirts that can be worn with any bodice, and bodices that will sometimes have to do duty with a different skirt. Only in this shifting of parts of the toilette one has to be careful to have some regard to preserving the relationship between the materials and colours used. Women commit terrible blunders of taste in this way. Amongst the revivals of colours this year is the very pale primrose and a very strong gold. Middle shades of yellow do not seem to be in such favour, therefore you can bear in mind that Abysynnian gold or primrose yellow are very good colours to choose for the next three months. In materials, black alpaca appears in a great measure to be superseding silks. It is better suited to the new requirements, and is cheaper than silk; a low-priced quantity of the latter soon grows shabby, whilst the I more homely material, if well cut and fitted, is more m )dish. A good alpaca dress can be worn on many occasions when silk would be rather out of place. It also recommends itself to home dressmkkers as being easily put together, and not requiring such an elaborate finish as a silk. Another virtue it possesses too the costly silk linings absolutely necessary to grenadines, canvasses, and other diphonous fabrics are not needed for this material. CYCLING ItRKSS. j Though ladies are still wearing blouses. I cannot recommend them with a cycling shirt it looks makeshift even under the conditions, anil as if the wearer could not- afford to go to a tailor, and get a proper rig out. An open-fronted jacket, showing a shirt, has got a way of revealing too much when the rider faces the wind, and is quite unconscious that her wind-inflated jacket presents to the spectator an appalling expanse of waist. Here is a description of a most becoming cycling onWt. It. consists of a short shirt, not too full, buttoned on the left side with three buttons, the nnmo number decorating the other side of the skirt. Of course, these last are for ornament only. With this is worn a pretty double-breasted coat, with detachable rovers and cuffs of buff figure or grass lawn. For headgear nothing beats a neat Amazon straw hat of the same colour as the dress, with trimmings of buff ribbon. This costume looks equally well made up in mohair of a dark brown colour or a becoming shade of green. HATS AND JjOXNETS. There seems to be apparently 110 chantro in mil- linerv, most, people liaviog provided themselves with their summer bats and bounets. I don't rhink von will be sorry to hear that the smartest Parisian milliners are discarding the use of tulle, and in ii* place u,iug a sihe gauze, which is certainly more durable. In many cases flowers and foliage with, perhaps, a single bow of ribbon are irade to do duty as trimming for hats. That modest flower, mig- nonette, comes out very well in some of the newest hats. It looks especially lovely with a background of violet straw, but somehow I fancy that it gains in effects when used in conjunction with crimson roses. Another innovation is making its appearance in the shape of fruit. Now, I think that fruit, on millinery is quite out of place, but still there are people who like it and who are consiantlv on the look-out for novelty, so I have no doubt that fashion will have its votaries. Tiny apples, clustering with the pink and white of apple blossom blackberries contrasting with the pure whit mess of their flowers: and even currants, red and white, I saw massed together on a rose-pink straw hat of all others. Now you must not think that it will be necessary to immediately discard your hats and bonnets of tulle, but 1 only mention as a significant £ act that the very smartest people, very likely disgusted by its universal use, are refusing to have a bit of it in their new hats. Before leaving the millinery question, let me tell you of a new ribbon which has appeared, and which I should imagine is the very ideal trimming for ladies' bicycle hats, and which, too, will be welcomed by mothers for use on their children's school and seaside headgear. You will be interested to hear that it is made of the very silkiest alpaca, so silky, in fact, as to deceive anyone unless it is very closely scrntinised. This ribbon is wonderfully durable and dust- resisting, and is therefore a decided acquisition to millinery. One hat I saw looked charming in a pale shade of blue on a brown straw, with little clusters of pink roses all rjund the ei-onvii. DAISY BELT,. —-4,

PARLIAMENTARY. MONDAY. In the House of Commons Mr Curzon, inreply to Sir C. Dike, said the negotiations with France with reference to Madagascar were being continued, but as it was a matter of considerable importance it could not be hurried. Earl Compton asked whether the sum of £ 503,000 advanced by the Caisse de la Dette for the Soudan expedition had been already spent, and in that case from what source the current expenses of the expediriun-were being drawn. Mr Curzon said no returns had been received of the amounts so far expended in the Egyptian expedition, but it was not believed that liabilities so large as £ 500,000 would for some time to come be incurred. Asked by Mr C. P. Scott whether he would cause the military censorship on telegrams from the Soudan to be suspended with a view to testing the accuracy of the statement of a special correspondent with regard to the looting of the property of the dervishes and the trium- phant appropriation of thi-ir women by the black troops after the battle of Firket, Mr Curzon said he saw no necessity for the suspension of the censor- ship, and he did not think that the words quoted demanded the construction that appeared to have suggested itself in some quarters. Mr Balfour stated as regarded the future course of business, they would take the Education Biif for the remainder of this week and next, with the excep- tion of the Fridays, on which Supply would be taken. There were a certain number of measures which the Government must pass before the House rose in the middle of August, and he would have to break off the proceedings on the Education Bill in order to give as far as possible time for those measures to pass. Mr Dalziel asked and obtained leave to move the adjournment of the House in order to call attention to the unsatisfactory posi- tion of public business. He said the object was to obtain a little more information than had been given on the state of the business of the House. He urged that there was not sufficient time to pass the Education Bill and all other bills the Govern- ment had introduced before the middie of August. The motion was put from the chair, Mr Bal Tour not rising to reply. Mr Lloyd-George asked whether the Government meant to make no reply. Mr Balfour then said he had .not risen because it" thought the leader of the Opposition would wish to make some observations, when he could have replied to him at, the same time. However lie entirely recognised that before the 12th of August it was not reasonable to expect that they would get all the principal bills and also get through the remaining stages of the Education Bill. The\ would take the Education Bill at a later stage of the present session. He did not say of the present year, nor did he contemplate that in all probability it would be in the preseEtyear that the remainder of the bill would be discussed. But they would adopt and improve upon models set them by their predecessors, and he hoped they would find ample time for discussing what remained to be j discussed of the Education Bill after the present part of the session had terminated. In reply to Mr Dillon, Mr Balfour said he hoped to pass before the House rose in August the Finance Bill, the Light Railways Bill, the Cattle Diseases Bill, and the English Rating Rill. They ought to pass the Scotch and Irish Rating Bills and tl e Uganda Bill, and he believed, if the House set itself to the task, there onght to be time either wholly or very nearly to pass the Irish Land Bill. Sir William Harcourt explained that lie had not risen before because he had felt this discussion ought not to have taken place until they had some information as to what had taken place at the meeting of tho Unionist party that day. He contended that the present state of business was due to the introduction of a revolutionary Education Bill. After some further discussion the motion was negatived without- a division, and the House went into Committee on the Education Bill. TUESDAY. In the House of Commons Mr Carvell Williams asked the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Euucatinn if lie would explain on what grounds the department had replied to the Noncon- formist parents of 193 children in Hewood who memorialised them for free places in a public elementary school that there were at present 296 free places available in the district in which such children resided, and that therefore there was a sufficient supply of free school accommodation; whether he was aware that 172 of such places were in a Church of England school and 100 in a Roman Catholic school; and whether the Department had decided that the accommodation in such schools was suitable for the children of Nonconformists. Sir J. Gorst replied that the facts were correctly stated, and the answer to the last paragraph was in the affirmative. The House afterwards went into Committee on the Education Bill, resuming the consideration of an amendment moved by Sir J. Lubbock the object of which was that in places where the areas of the School Board aud the county or borough council were conterminous the education authority should be a joint committee of the two, with, the mover of the amendment hoped, some members added to represent the principal educa- tional institutions. At the close of a prolonged debate Mr Balfour moved the closure. The Chair- man accepted the motion, which was carried by 219 votes to 134, and Sir J. Luhbock's amendment was then rejected by 212 votes to 138. i; Uryu mor Jones moved to insert the word may instead of "shall," so that the clause would read every council may appoint an education authority for the I purposes of this Act." This was defeated by 200 votes to 139, and the committee were discussing an amendment proposed by Sir Charles Dilke, to the effect that the county council in appointing an education authority should have due regard to t,he representation of minorities, when progress was reported. WEDNESDAY. The House of Commons, in Committee on the Education Bill, resumed consideration of the amend- ment proposed by Sir Charles Dilke providing that in appointing the education committees the county councils should have due regard to the representa- tion of minorities. Sir John Gorst said the GdVejn- ment entirely sympathised with the object of the amendment, but the plan of the bill was to leave all matters to the discretion of the county councils themselves. Tliore was ouly one exception the Government were inclined to make, and that was in favour of Mr Jebb's amendment suggesting that the county councils should take into considera- tion the inclusion in the education committees of persons not being members of the council, who had special educational knowledge and experience. After lurcher discussion Sir Cnarles Dilke withdrew his amendment. Mr Ather'ey-Joues proposed that- the county or municipal council itself should be the education authority. Sir John Gors", opposed the proposal, which, ho said, was practically a new scheme. Subsequently, in answer to Mr J. Stuart, Sir J. Gorst said that in respect to finance the education committee would be entirely under the county council. The general committee could be best illustrated by saying that it was intended to have the same pDsition iu relation to the county council that the watch committee in a municipal borough had with regard to the municipal council, Mr Asquith declared unhesitatingly that the commit tee must be subordinate to the elected j representatives of the ratepayers, and that they were not going to intrust the powers given under rhe bill to a. body that was to a large extent co-opted. 8ir W. Harcourt aud MrAclaud followed to the same effect. Mr Balfour said that if members desired at a later sta^e to introduce any terms as to the education eommmittee reporting to the county council they cuuld do so. Ou a division the amend- rneiit was dof ated b; 293 votes to 118- The dis- cussiun was then adjourned. THURSDAY. Asked by Mr T. Bay ley in the House of Commons on ursday if he could furnish the number of natives shot and hanged as spies in Bula.vayo and the neighbourhood, and whether any form of trial took place before the execution, Mr Cham- I berlain said he was unable to say. He had, how- ever, no doubr that any spies taken were tried by some form of court-martial. A itt]e later, while answering a question put by Mr H. 1 Roberts, Mr Chamberlain said he had received I a telegram staling that Sir F. Carrington had issued a general order in which he directed that during the continuance of hostilities elemenev wan to be shown to the wounded, that womeli wan to he shown to the wounded, that womeli and children were not. to be injured, and that prisoners were to be taken wherever possible. Mr G. Curzon, replying to Mr J. Ellis, said the British Consul in Crete had reported that three churches had been desecrated by Turkish soldiers. The representatives of the Great Powers were in constant communication, and their combined efforts were oeing energetically directed to induce the Turkish Government to take steps of a conciliatory ¡ character with a view to restoring order and pre- venting further conflicts." In answer to Mr S. Smith, who asked whether it was true that Venezuelan soldiers had invaded British Guiana, Mr Chamberlain said the Government had received a telegram stating that some Venezuelan soldiers had crossed the boundary and had interfered with the proceedings of a body of English officials who were surveying a road.— I Tne House again went into Committee on the Education Bill. Mr. J. Stuart moved an amend- ment with the object of excluding elementary education from the purview of the proposed auth- ority. In the course of the (it bite Sir W. Harcourt said there was a great pait of the Bill which the Opposition were quite willing to join with the Government in passing. They were desirous that there -should be established a g-od system of secondary education, and with regard to the general objects and principles of that part of the Bill they desired to help the Government. With regard to elementary education, so far as the proposals to assist Voluntary schools and to secure attendance were concerned, although they might differ as to details, they did not differ in substance with the ob- ject the Government had in view. The question on which they were absolutely and entirely at issue with the Government was the necessity for creating a new education authority, and the particular authority created by the first clause. Such an authority as that proposed was not only unneces- sary for elemeutary education, but was an inferior machine to that in existence, and would create friction. Sir J. Gorst reminded the committee that in introducing the Bill he said that the new authority would not in-terfere with existing School Boards, and added that anything inconsistent with the principle that the education authority created under the Bill should" supplement and not sup- plant such existing organisations for educational purposes as for the time being supply efficient instrnction" would be struck out of the Bill. Sir W. Harcourt hoped that declaration might cross the river to Lamiieth^ aud that it. might bo under- stood there that all notions of checking School Boards and creating new authorities which were to restrain expenditure and also efficiency were at an end. — ♦

LITERARY ITEMS. Mr A. C. MacLaren has been interviewed by a contributor to the Strand Magazine," and we make the fol.owing extracts from the report: "Who are the best amateur batsmen ?" he queried, in part repiy to a question. I should say Mr W. G. Grace, Mr A. E. Stoddart-, Mr K. S. Ranjitsiuhji, Mt L C. H. Palairet, and Mr F. S. Jackson amongst the amateurs. The professionals ? Oh, Abel and vV ard. Both are blessed with the necessary patience, and their defence is very strong. I have, however, a great opinion of J. T. Brown as a batsman on any wicket, and his inability to add to his reputation last season I put down to his want of rest. Brock- well, too, is sure to come to the front again. Gunn I should leave out of my list, also Shrewsbury. The former, although by no means done with, I reckon as having passed his prime, and the latter has pract- o»Pv finished his first class cricket. Hay ward, however, should not be overlooked. He has played mnaett iutu quite the front rank. Bowlers ? Mr C. L. Townsend and Mr F. S. Jackson I consider te be the two best of the amateurs. The former is very tricky and can disguise his break, and I have always thought, the Yorkshire amateur a much better bowler than most people imagine. Mr C. J. Kort-right, too, appears to be more reliable than Mr S. M.J. Woods, although he. does not get exactly the same class of bats-nen to contend against. Then tJere is Captain Hedley. He is very difficult, to play upon a sticky wicket. Of the professionals, I look upon Richardson as little short of a marvel. For t ogged determination he is not to be beaten. I should say Peel comes next to the Surrey man. He has lost Lone of his old cunning, and upon a nasty wicket there is not a bowler who can make I better use of it or find out the batsman's weak points quicker than he does. Briggs on a soft wicket is as clever as ever, but if he h*s a fault- it is displayed in a tendency to feed the batsman too is displayed in a tendency to feed the batsman too much. On a hard wicket Mold is one of our finest bowlers; Pougher is quit.e in the front rank Hirst has improved considerably, and Davidson is most j persevering. Lohmann I thought was just as difficult when I played against him last August, aud ] have the highest opinion of Mead. Who should I class as the hardest hitters ? Mr E. Smith and Mr H. T. Hewett. and F. H Sugg and Bean. Baker also possesses a fine free style. An All England eleven f Well, that is a difficult thiDg to suggest, but on last season's form I should take Mr W. G. Grace, Mr A. E. Stoddart, Sir F. S. Jackson, Mr K. S. Ranjitsinhji, Mr C. L. Townsend, with Ward, Abel Lilley, Richardson, Peel. and Rougher. Mead has perhaps a better claim than the latter, but Pougher has al ways proved very successful against the A ustra- lians. Cricket of late years has greatly improved. Indeed, there appears to be more fine cricketers to- day than there ever was before. University cricket, however, appears to have deteriorated some- what lately, judging from the small number of Un- iversity men who play cricket in the vacation. County cricket., however, is very different to playing almost the whole of your matches upon your own ground and amongst your own friends." We have received a copy of Part. 1. of the "People's Edition" of «(1¡:elr. Natural Hhir>ry. This publication, which is edited by Professor P. Martin Duncan, M.B., F.R.S., &c., treats of Apes and Monkeys (bv the Editor), Lemnrs (bv J. Murie, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., F.G.S., Arc.), Chiroptera (by W. S. Dallas, F.L.S.), Insectivora (bv W. S. Dallas. F.L.S.) We should advise all Students of natural hibtory to take.iu the whole edition, which, we may say, is to be completed I in 26 weekly parts (each containing about 90 pages) with about 2,000 illustrations. I A iresh risir.g of the Matabele in a district en- ¡

tirely apart from that which ba-s been hitherto the scene of operations is reported from Bulawayo. Lord Salisbury addressing a deputation of the International Arbitration League on Thursdav made an interesting announcement. His Lordship said that whilst opinion on the subject of arbi- tration was now well advanced in Europe, a better of stare things prevailed in the United States, and the Government had reason to believe that the Cabinets of Washington and London would be able to give to the world the first instance of the triumph of the great principle of nternational arbitration,

CORRESPONDENCE. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. To CORRESPONDENTS. — Communwationg for this column should be addressed ro the Editor, and must be u;ritte-n upon ora& sidc of the vaver only They sltiOuld m all canes be accompanied by the name and address of the tender, not necessarily for publication but an a guarantee of good faith. RODNEY'S PILLAR. To the Editor of the COUNTY TIMES AND POST. q,ir,-In reply to the enquiry in your last issne, I have much satisfaction in reporting that the restoration of the Pillar has not only been taken in hand, but has been completed and paid for. There only remains the inscribed tablet to be put up, and that will be done within a week or two. The restoration has been carried out by Jaiies Rees, of Smethvick, under the supervision of Mr. Pryce, Pentreheylin, and Mr Moon, of Llany- mynecn. The funds have been collected by Mr W. H. G. Weaver, of Oswestry and myself; and in diio time every subscriber will receive a detailed account of all monies received and expended. The Pillar is now secure, barring accidents, fAr another fifty years or more, and I appeal to ali visitors to co-operate in preventing wanton injury to it for the future. 16th June, 1896. D. R. THOMA"- -+-- THE CHIEF CHORAL COMPETITION AT THE POWIS (OSWESTRY) EISTEDDFOD. To the Editor of the COUNTY TIMKS AND POBT. SIR,—Judging from your interesting remarks 0.. the above competition in your last issue, and what I had previously observed elsewhere, the impression seems to prevail generally that Builth is represented by one choir only; but such is not the case. Whether it, is wise for a small town like Builth to have two competing choirs is an upon question. The one which competed at Welshpool last year is led by Mr A. P. Morgan a choir of considerable merit, and which can claim some successes—the other is led by Mr E. Evans (Llew Buallt), and is the one according to its record to which the term victorious combination would fairly appy, it having won the second choral prize at the Llanelly National Eisteddfod last year, and the chief prize at the Dolgelley Eisteddfod on New Year's Day, besides scoring well at the Brecon Provincial Eisteddfod two years ago, &c. I simply write this in the interests of accuracy.—Yours, &c., Musi cos. -+- DAIRY FACTORY AT LLANERFYL. To the Editor of the COUNTY TIMES AND POST. SIR, After going through Mr Addie's va nable paper at Welshpool I have come to the conclusion that a butter factory could be profitably and favoiir- aoly worked at Llanerfyl on the principles of the Normandy system, which is mentioned in Clause 10 of that paper. All the necessary addition to the present facilities would be a suitable building, a water wheel, and a butter worker. A building might be erected at the cost of £ 100 to £ 120, a water wheel about £ 26. aud a butter worker (the Victoria circular) about £ 23 to £ 44, the whole cost barely reaching £250. A factory with all modern requisites (steam power) could be erecrpd for OO, One man and a woman" auld be sufficient to eon- tend with the whole labour. the first-mentioned system would be far better for meeting the require- ments of this rural district than a mere expensive system. A butter factory establisbed at Llanerfyl would also be sufficient for the combined butter industry of the three adjoining parishes. Further, I may say that by the establishment of a butter factory within the district the working of butter would be more informal and better appreciated ill the markets for at the present time, I am sony to say, more than one-half of the butter manufactured at Llanerfyl is either too salty or rancid owing no doubt largely the laziness, negl.gence, and carelessness of dairymaids and those who pretend to understand dairying. Many are too lazy or too careless to wash out the buttermilk from the butter, which soon becomes incorporated with the air and consequently rack, and so makes the butter totally unfit for human food. Higglers and provision merchants continually suffer heavy losses through buying rancid butter. BUTTER USER. 0 THE LLASFAIR RAILWAY. To the Editor of the COUNTY TIMES and Pos*. Sir,—We are all of us in this town and in the distriet generally eagerly anxious tp avail ourselves of the provisions of the LJgbt Railways Bill whieh is soon likely to become law. If the opportunity is allowed to slip by, it is very probable that the present generation of this large and important agri- cultural district will not have this particular bless- ing of civilisation conferred upon them. I rejoice to find that the district is to some extent bestirring itself in the matter. We had at our parish meeting on Saturday evening last the clearly expressed y I opinion of the shopkeeper class, and although the veteran of Gelli with his wonted, candour told the meeting that there was far more warmth thaa sense in the utterances of the speakers which pre- ceded him, yet it was well to have the subject thoroughly ventilated, even from the shopkeepers' point of view.. It would, however, be far mose desirable to have the uncooked and independent expression of opinion from the farmers themeJve8 as to the route best calculated to benefit them, especially so as the Bill has been chiefly framed by the Government in the interest of depressed agri- culture, and not solely in the interest of shopkeepers who as a class are fairly prosperous. The only agriculturists who spoke at the meeting struck quite a discordant note and as the mind of this speaker has been trained to think rapidly, possibly other farmers who think a little slower mav be of his opinion when they have finally mads up their minds. The question of route, beyond the shadow of a doubt, is one which should receive the most careful consideration of the whole district, for it is possible to conceive that in determining the mafcter of route the interests of the shopkeeper lDaJ materially conflict with those of the customer-the working man and the farmer. The shopkeeper apparentl v is keenly alive to his own interests, mtd if his interests are identical with those of the customer all is well, but our fellow townsman, Mr John Peate. who spoke with such excellent warmft rather "let the cat, out of the bag" when he said, and probably he simply voiced the feelings of his class, that the Welshpool route would open the door to the enemy." Mr Peate seemed from his manner of speakingjto possess an inherent selfish fear of opening the district for fair and wide competition to all comers. I suppose when lie spoke with sonh touching pathos about- opening the door to the enemy" he must have meant the enemy of tlie shopkeeper, and perhaps the coal merchant in par- ticular, as he could not by the wildest stretch of imagination mean that the W elshpool route co*hi possibly be the enemy of the consumer workipg men and farmers, the people most concerned. The consumer and general purchaser is probably awais by this time that wholesome competition, and not monopoly means cheaper coal, and cheaper gootte and materials of all kinds for the district. And unquestionably the Welshpool route would bring a far keener competition into the neighbourhood than a line from the direction of Four Crosses which would result in far cheaper provisions of all kinds to the people. Some of the Llanfair tradesmen aee not afraid of outside competition, and t,hey are wise in their generation. It is enterprize and not monopoly which makes prosperous men in them days. What should be considered after all is the preatest good for the greatest nnmber and Fovr Crosses is far too distant—(and after reaching it it lands one almost nowhere a paltrv littde station far from everywhere) far too much so to hecome a real benefit to any appreciable number of the inhabitants of this district. We should m the event of this route being adopted, practicaTly speaking, be almost as much as ever, out of tou-eh and contact with large centres, and thus ccntinmc ia our isolation. The farmers of Llancrfvl, LkMt- g idfan and Garthbeibio, should also be ou the alert, and they should not allow themselves to be hood- winked in this matter, with t!,c. somewhat gJi- superficial and self interested arguments of* shopkeeper. The Bill has been cliieflv deviled far farmers let them think and act for themselves aad look alter their own interests. Whatever mav be said in favour of the competing I thine is certain, that the Welshpool route would be f&r away the best for the farmers of the npoer nail of this district, inasmuch as it would operno thetn more numerous markets and fairs, and brim' fc far more ra.,idly in contact with the bi^'v prosperous life of the commercial wo-ld various points—which to farmers is of r! importance. Now is the time to tl rhoronghJythe pros.and cons of the two once tho district properly lepre.P-p-i 1 nounccd a clear ripe and de%u»"n, aS should all work together win*' Pinion, tkey voice, sinking all minox^ UT,d united and concerted action'' "f \s°as to into the district a boon of value to an.—I am. £ c.