The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

AFTIR a second campaign of organised obstruction, the'Govemment have pushed their Agricultural Rating Bill through its various stages in the House of Commons. The proceedings on reporting the Bill out of Committee to the House were quite exceptional and unprecedented. The first clause uf the Bill, which established the principle of the exemption of agricultural land from half the rates to which the Bill applies, had been discussed for no less than five days in Committee. Some idea of the inordinate length of such a discussion may be gathered from the fact that in the debate on the Home Rule Bill, after the first clause had been debated in Committee for five days, Mr. MOKLEY came down and moved the closure. And yet the Home Rule Bill attempted to separate Ireland from England and to give Irishmen a Parliament of two chambers, together with right to send members to Westminster. Five nights, in lr. MORLEY'S opinion, were enough to discuss such a momentous event and yet the Opposition grumbled terribly when, after five days' discussion in Committee, Mr. BALFOUR closured the first clause of the Rating Bill, after it had been again dis- cussed on Report for three days. The public should try and grasp these facts, for they are really important. The first section of the Agricultural Rating Bill consisted of fourteen lines, the principle of which had been discussed on the first reading for one niffht, on the second reading for three nightr-C and in Committee, practically for eight nights. And yet Sir W. HARCOURT, with his group of half-a-dozen Welsh members, declares that he must appeal unto CVsar from the majority of the House." Such an appeal is mere bombast. The constituencies understand the policy of brag, which the leader of the Opposition is now carrying on, and estimates it at its true value. The question which is really coming up for discussiou is how Parliament can be made an effective legislative instru- ment. The action of a minority in the House, determined to oppose all legislation, good, bad, and indifferent, has had a very good illustration during he present session. Take the Education Bill, which the Government were obliged to drop from sheer want of time in the face of organised obstruction, and examine how time would have been wasted under the present condi- tions of Parliamentary warfare. Mr. BALFOUR'S own description should be re- membered. Announcing the withdrawal of the Bill, he said:—" There are now on the paper ninety-six pages of amendments. Excluding duplicates, there are one thou- sand two hundred and thirty-eight—or one thousand two hundred amendments. Allow- ing twenty per cent. for friendly amend- ments, which might possibly be withdrawn or accepted-a not illiberal allowance- that leaves nine hundred and sixty amend- ments to be disposed of. That number we cannot regard as final, for one of the pecu- liarities of the last four nights' debate has. been that for every amendment of which we dispose, two at least appear on the'paper next day. Let us take it at nine hundred and sixty—that no further amendment is put down on the paper, and these nine hundred and sixty hostile amendments have to be disposed of. I see, or I think I see, plain indications on the part of those responsible for the conduct of the Opposi- tion to this Bill, that no amendment shall be disposed of except after resort to the closure. Assuming that it takes ten min- utes to divide-which is a low estimate- and on those amendments we had to divide twice, it would take up-without any dis- cussion whatever, without a single word being said for or against those amendments on their merits—it would take, by the mere operation of walking round and round the lobbies, no less than forty eight-hour days to dispose of the amendments. on the paper —forty days of eight hours continuously occupied, not in debate, not in discussion or argument, but in the healthy, but some- what barren process of walking round and round the lobbies. I think it will be admitted after what I have said that the idea, in the face of such opposition, of finish- ing this Bill before a new session had to begin was chimerical and one which no rational man could possibly entertain, however much justification there may have been before." Such a calm statement of the absurbity of the whole situation will do a great deal to clear the atmosphere of cant with respect to the disposal of public busi- ness by the Government. The logical result of such opposition, as the Radical party with Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT'S con sent has inaugnrated, can only be a further reform of Parliamentary procedure.

THE vexed question of the appointment of trustees on the Downie's Bequest at Aber- ystwyth has now been settled by the Charity Commissioners, who, taking the matter into their own hands, have ap- pointed Messrs J. D. PERROTT, F. R. ROBERTS, H. C. FRYER, HUGH HUGHES, and PETER JONES to fill the vacancies. Whilst this method of finding a solution of the difficulty may not secure favour in the eyes of certain sections,we are, however, inclined to believe that the settlement of the ques- tion will be welcomed by the majority of the inhabitants. The statement made by the Charity Commissioners that the publi- cation of the usual notices had not elicited any objections to which they could attach any weight, and that so far as they were concerned, they were quite willing., if the law allowed them, to appoint the whole of the gentlemen named, will no doubt occa- sion heart burnings in a more or less degree amongst those who sought for an inquiry. The objection taken by Dr. BEDDOES in the first instance has, however, been the means of opening the eye of the Churchpeople to their interests, and awakening them to a sense of their duty. We have known in other parts of the Princi- pality of attempts being made to reconcile the Nonconformists and Radicals to the Church by kindness and good wishes, but more often than not they have taken advant- age of this generous conduct only for their own aggrandisement. To some extent this has been the state of things at Aberyst- wyth. The money in the charge of the Downie's Bequest Trust was left by a Churchman for the Churchpeople. Of this there is no doubt but owing to some flaw in the will of the late Mr DOWNIE there has been left a loop-hole of which the Radicals and Nonconformists have taken advantage. For years together the Radical Councillors of the town took care to appoint none but their own colour on the Trust. True they were in a majority on the Council and they found a posi- tion on the Downie's Trust an excellent election platform, of which they made every use. Knowing as they did the rights of the Conservative party and the Church people to be represented on the Trust they purposely refrained from giving them a voice in the management of the Charity and arrogated to themselves all the credit which the position gave to them by distributing the funds at their command. Whilst they were in a position to give the Conservative and Church party a fair representation they absolutely ignored them, and year after year appointed their own clique. Appar- ently it has been the case that the Conser- vative party have not actively opposed the unwarrantable incursions of the Radicals upon their rights and privileges, and pro- bably the awakening which the Radical party here received at the present juncture will show to them how ♦mean and con- temptable have been their actions in their treatment of the Conservatives upon this matter. The longest lane has a turning, and the turnig in the present case has been reached. Political and religious bigotry are potent factors in the creation of local unpleasantness and, giving the Liberals of Aberystwyth every consideration that they are entitled to in this respect, they have much to atone for in their treatment of their neighbours who are opposed to them in religion and politics. Churchmen are quite able to manage their own affairs without the assistance of the Nonconformists, and if they are too modest to proclaim their ability to do so, that is no reason why the Dissenters should pub- licly arrogate to themselves the position of superiority which they have been doing in the past, and which has of late been accen- tuated.

—— THE Royal visit to Wales last week more than fulfilled the most sanguine expecta- tions, and the day of ceremonial passed off in a blaze of sunshine and of triumph, and with a consensus of opinion and sympathy which is better than either. All those who were responsible for the success of the visit are to be cordially congratulated upon their admirable arrangements, which evoked warm comments from the Royal and other distinguished visitors. Aberystwyth cer- tainly distinguished itself by spirited con- duct. It is neither big nor wealthy, but it has done large and liberal things, and we hope it will profit by the result. Machynlleth, also, deserves equal praise, and at both these places there was nothing to mar the success of the visit, and the perfect order which everywhere pre- vailed must especially be acknowledged and praised. The University authorities and the Cambrian Railways Company set them- selves to their arduous tasks in a manner which won loud encomiums from the Royal visitors, as evidenced by the letters which appear in another column from H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, and the way in which the very large number of excursion trains were passed over the single line of the Cambrian Railways Company reflected greatly to the credit of the officials. We should not forget to mention either the Mayor and Cor- poration of Aberystwyth, and both the Machynlleth and Aberystwyth Reception Committees, all of whom worked with in- domitable pluck, which, it is gratifying to know, brought its due reward.

— NOTES By THE WAY. The Quarter Sessions for the county of Mont- gomery were held at Newtown on Thursday, Mr A. C. Humphreys-Owen, M.P. (deputy-chairman) presiding. In the course of his charge to the Grand Jury, the Deputy-Chairman said he should be acting in concurrence with the feelings of many in the county if he congratulated the Grand Jury, and through them the county, on the auspicious event of the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to the county on the occasion of his instal- lation as Chancellor of the University of Wales. The circumstances of the visit of the Prince and of his installation as Chancellor had been of the most gratifying character, and not the least gratification was it for them to note that the address presented from the county received from his Royal Highness special notice in respect to the reference made in it to the late Prince Consort, which in his reply the Prince said would give special pleasure to Her Majesty as well as to himself. Mr Evan Kinsey, Maesmawr, was qualified as a magistrate, whilst Major E. Pryce-Jones, M.P., was appointed on. the Standing Joint Committee in the place of the late Col. Harrison. There were only two prisoners for trial, against each of whom the jury found a verdict of Not guilty," and they were accordingly dis- charged. *#* At the Shropshire Quarter Sessions on Tuesday a letter was read from the Earl of Bradford stating that his resignation of the Lord Lieutenancy had been notified to the Queen and accepted by her Majesty. Advancing years and infirmities are the reasons given for his resignation. On the motion of.the Chairman (Sir Offley Wakeman), a resolution was passed expressing the sincere regret of the Court and county at the resignation sf Lord Bradford, who had held the office twenty-one years. At the half yearly meeting of the Shropshire Mayors' Charity Football Association, Oswestry Cottage Hospital was voted a donation of £3 from the funds. At the National Eisteddfod on Monday the Degree of Orate was conferred upon the Hon. Mrs. Bulkley-Owen receiving at the same time the nom de plume Gwenllian Gwynedd. Miss Lalla Parry, Oswestry, and Miss Cissy Pritchard, Cefn Mawr, carried off the prize for the soprano and alto duet. They won a similar prize at the Powis Eisteddfod and their continued successes must be very gratifying. At the temperance meeting held in Oswestry on Tuesday evening, the chairman Mr. C. S. Denniss, general manager of the Cambrian Railways Com- pany paid a high compliment to the railway ser- vants and referred especially to the manner in which they had done their work during the Royal visit last week. He also stated that His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales had expressed him- self as highly gratified with the way in which the arrangements had been carried out. At the meeting of the Machynlleth Board of Guardians on Wednesday, a letter was read from the Local Government Board in which they in- sisted upon that Board of Guardians at once pro- ceeding with the construction of tramp cells, so that a uniform system might be obtained through- out the country. The Guardians had written to the Local Government Board explaining that they did not see any necessity for the construction of the cells. What the effect of this would be at the London offices it is hard to say; but it is to be hoped that the audacity of the Guardians in daring to express any opinion at all, did not upset the equilibrium of the official mind. If the anxiety to obtain a uniform regulation is real and sincere, names of the tramps might also be affixed over each cell and these gentlemen provided with diaries in which they could book their lodgings for the twelve months. Every one is anxious that the tramp should be properly cared for and London is particularly anxious that so admirable an institu- tion as the tramps of old England should not die out for want uf proper care and attention. The letter was referred to a committee. The magnificent exhibition recently opened at Cardiff, by Lord Windsor, the present Mayor of Cardiff, and visited on Saturday last by T.R.H. the Prince and Princess of Wales, together with the Prir:cf.s\Ïctoria and Mauri, may not unjustly be rigardfd as the chef-do;urre of that, thriving, progressive, and truly wonderful municipality. The extensive scale on which everything has been carried out, the infinite care displayed in the organisation of each department, the lavish manner in which the multitudinous sights are laid out for the delectation of the visitors, are a splendid tribute to the resourcefulness and genius of the leading townspeople, and entitle the chief town of Glamorgan to take rank with any municipality outside the metropolis, whilst all portions of the exhibition will be found interesting, the one that will possess the greatest attraction for Welsbmen- not only on. account of the fact that nothing of the kind has been seen in the Principality before, but because of its unique musical features-will be the water spectacle, depicting the bombardment of Santiago, which is worked into a musical drama. It is really an out-door opera, and the scenery exceeds in beauty and magnitude even the magnificent displays at the Belle Yue Gardens, Manchester. Oddfellowship appears to be in a flourishing con- dition at Ellesmere, where the anniversary of Loyal Bridgewater Lodge was celebrated with much success on Thursday. Mr. R. E. Lloyd made an excellent chairman, whilst the remarks of the new Vicar created a favourable impression. At the Shropshire Quarter Sessions held at Shrewsbury, on Tuesday, Dr Wm. Alma Aylmer Lewis, Oswestry, qualified as a new justice and took the oath. Dr Lewis was already a magistrate by virtue of his office as coroner, and his promotion to the County Bench has given the greatest satisfac- tion to his many friends in Oswestry and neighbour- hood, where he is well-known and highly respected. The tablet to be placed on the Rodney Pillar is now 0:1 view in the Monumental Works, of Davis and Mantle, Oswald Road, Oswestry. It consists of a slab of grey granite, with leaded letters. The following is the inscription :—" Erected in honour of Sir George Brydges Rodney, Admiral of the White, by subscription of the gentlemen of Montgomeryshire, 1761. Repaired, 1847. Renewed by subscription by the gentlemen of Montgomery- shire and Salop, 1896." At the half-yearly rent audit of the Plas Machyn- lleth estate held at the Lion Hotel, Machynlleth, on Wednesday, an abatement of five per cent was made to the tenants.

♦ — WELSHPOOL. D. JONES & SON'S Indian and Ceylon Tea, at 2s. per lb. is absolutely pure, therefore best.-Noted Home Cured Ham and Bacon Stores, High Street. -[Advt.] LEGAL.—Amongst the successful candidates for the intermediate examination held at the Incor- porated Law Society on the 18th inst. is Mr Roland Gilbert Evans, son of Rev Walter Evans, of Castle Caereinion, articled to Mr Charles Howell of this town. PRESENTATION.—Mr Fred Owen has been pre- sented with a marble clock bearing the following inscription :—" Presented to Bandmaster Fred Owen as a token of respect and esteem by the band of the 4th Batt. South Wales Borderers. 26th June, 1896." THE FREE LIBRARY.—At a meeting of the com- mittee on Wednesday, it was decided to close the lending library from July 30 to August 12. Books will, however, cease to be issued, three days before the closure. On re-opening, the new books recently purchased by the committee will be put into cir- culation. A WARNING TO CYCLISTS.—About half-past four o'clock on Sunday afternoon a paity of cyclists were riding at a furious rate down the Church Bank, when one of their number, of the name of Barratt (formerly of this town, but now of Wolver- hampton) being about to turn the corner into Union street, dashed with terrific force into the shop window of Mr T. Hughes, with the result that two plate-glass windows were shattered, the frame also being damaged. Barratt escaped with little injury. The amount of the damage is between JE3 and R4. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.—At the Police Court on Monday befoie Messrs C. E. Howell, M. Jehu, J. Reese and D. Jones, John Simmonds and Joseph Perry, labourers, hailing from Manchester, were charged with committing this offence on Saturday night, the cases being proved by P.C.'s Lewis and Roberts. Each defendant was sentenced to 7 days' hard labour.—John Stone, Bangor, and John Dodd, Stafford, stood in the dock on a charge of beinsr drunk on Saturday night. P.C.'s T. Hughes and G. Owen laid the charges which were, however, dismissed. THE ROYAL VISIT.-At a meeting of the Choir Committee on Tuesday in the Town Hall, a vote of thanks was accorded to his worship the Mayor (Mr W. Forrester Addie) for his generosity in offering to defray the expenses of the Royal visit choir. Votes of thanks were also passed to Mr Price (the conductor) Mrs Price (accompanist), Mr R. Owen (hon. sec)., and also to Mr Bond for kindly lending his organ upon the occasion of the Royal visit. The choir has been photographed by Mr Maclardy, of Oswestry. CRICKET.—A match between the County School, Welshpool, and the Grammar School was played on T uesday, and resulted in an easy victory for the County School. Score:— Grammar School: F Fildes b Lambert 3, Mr Maeler c Mr Scott 12, S Fildes b Lambert 0, H Hiles b Watkins 6, N Powell c Watkint3 0, H S Hiles st Hutchins 0, F Anderson c Mr Scott 0, E Davies c J Davies 0, S White c Hutchins 2, H J Davies b Lambert 0, L Davies not out 0, byes 4, total 27. County School: F Morris b S Fildes 0, A Hutchins c F Fildes 8, H Watkins b S Fildes b, Mr Scott lbw b Fildes 0, G Roberts c White 1 A Cowan b Fildes 0, F Lambert b Fildes 0, J Davies b Fildes 10, W Smith b Fildes 0, H Morris c Brides 3, F Owen not out 8, byes 16, total 51. PRESENTATION TO REV. W. H. BICKERTON JONES. -At St Winefride's Church on Sunday after Bene- diction, Rev W. H. Bickerton Jones, who was recently ordained at Northampton, was presented by the congregation with a handsome marble time- piece in recognition of his services to the Mission during the past few years. The presentation was made by Rev Father Moore, and was suitably acknowledged by Father Jones. The timepiece bore the inscription Presented to the Rev W. H. Bickerton Jones by the congregation of St. Wiuefride's. Welsbpool, on the occasion of his ordination, May 30th, 1896." Father Jone3, who was educated for the priesthood at Oscott, has now left to take up the duties to which he has been appointed at Pembroke Dock. WELSHPOOL CRICKET CLUB.—A desire having been expressed by several members to mark the club's regret at the approaching departure of Mr. R. F. Parry, and their appreciation of his services, the matter was taken up and a sufficient sum of money collected to purchase a presentation bat with an appropriately engraved silver shield fixed thereon. On the return of the team from Newtown on Saturday, an adjournment was made to the Oak Hotel, and, after speeches by Messrs. J. H. Addie and T. F. Hiles, the bat was presented to Mr. Parry by the captain of the club, Mr. C. F. Tallis. Mr. Parry responded in a suitable manner, and the ceremony concluded with a few words from Mr. H. Blackith and a song from Mr. W. Jones, Mr. Parry's health and prosperity being drunk with musical honours. The following gentlemen subscribed:— Lord Powis and Messrs. W. F. Addie, J. H. Addie, Blackith, Cronk, Groves, G. Harrison, Hiles, Hart, D. Jones, T. Simpson Jones, W. Jones, Manford, H. Smith, J. Pugh, Twist, Tallis, and F. Wall. BOWLING CONTEST.—On Thursday afternoon a friendly match took place between teams from Welshpool and Newtown Bowling Greens on the ground of the former. The following scores were made:- NEWTOWN. WEESHPOOL. P. W. Jones 34 A. H.Jones 35 E Powell 33 M. Powell 33 Norton 32 J. W. Griffiths 32 W J. Cottle 31 E. L.R.Jones. 31 J. Owen 28 F. Roper 31 H. Driver 27 E.M.Jones. 27 E. Lucas 26 H. D. Barrett 23 W. P. Phillips 26 R. H.Jones. 22 R. Bnckley 24 H. Handy. 20 J. L. Hughes 23 T. Morris 19 J. Danily 15 P. Barrett 16 J. W. Swain. 10 F. D. Ward 13 Total 309 Total. 302 ACCIDENT.—An unfortunate accident befel Mr H. Rudge, of the Mermaid Inn, about eight o'clock last evening. It appeared that at the time Mr Rudge, accompanied by Mr Ray nor, was at Trehelig training his two-yeai-oid colt, by A ictcr II ont of Lady's Maid, which he intended entering ihe forthcoming Leicester meeting. Mr Rudge was I holding the animal's head while Mr Ravnor was saddling, and the colt becoming frightened broke loose from Mr Rudge's hold, knocking him to the ground. and striking him on the forehead with the forelegs. Besides receiving a nasty cut on the head, Mr Rudge received a bruise on the left thigh. He was at once driven home and there attended by Dr Hawksworth. On enquiry made just before I going to press, we are glad to find that thf. injuries are not very serious, and that Mr Rudge is pro- gressing as well as can be expected. NONCONFORMIST SUNDAY SCHOOL TRIP.—It is now some time since the various Sunday Schools of the town decided to unite in a trip to Aberyst- wyth, that being the most popular seaside town within easy reach of Welshpool. It was accordingly resolved to make arrangements with the Cambrian Railways Company for a trip to be run on July 1st, a large representative committee being formed for the purpose. Mr A. H. Jones (chairman) and Mr Amos Jones (secretary) worked hard to nake the trip a success, and they were rewarded by seeing a great number at the station on Thursday morning, bound for Aberystwyth. In addition to the Welsh- pool Schools there were also the Groeslwyd Con- gregational and Methodist Schools, and the Mont- gomery Wesleyan School, as well as a large number from the Cefu and Forden Schools. Two trains were filled, containing over 800 passengers. The first train arrived about 9 a.m., the second follow- ing shortly afterwards. Sooa after their arrival, the scholars met at their respective denominational schools for luncheon, each school making its own arrangements. Luncheon finished, the children and adults rambled at their will, some wending their way over Constitution Hill or the Castle grounds, others enjoying the strains of Mr Harry Collins' merry minstrels, whilst others, more courageous, had a lively time on the backs of the Aberystwyth donkeys. A slight rain falling most J of the day prevented the excursionists eiiioying themselves as they would otherwise have done, but notwithstanding the rain, everyone seemed to spend an enjoyable day. The weather interfered greatly with the boating, still many exhibited sufficient nerve to sail O'l'r the briny," From 4 to 5 p.m. tea was provided for the scholars, after which they once more dispersed to have a little enjoyment before leaving for home. The train left Aberystwyth at 7 p.m., arriving in Welshpool about 9-30 p.m. The following ministers accom- panied the various schools:—Revs. T. C. Jones (Calvinistic Methodist), J. Kendrew and W. Lewis (Wesleyan), and D. Morgan (Welsh). The superin- tendents, secretaries, and teachers had charge of the children, and we are pleased to learn that no accident occurred during the day, everything pass- ing off successfully. PETTY SESSIONS—TUESDAY. Before the Mayor (Mr. W. Forrester Addie), the ex-Mayor (Mr. C. E. Howell), Col. Twyford, Messrs. D. P. Owen, W. Rogers, and M. Jehu. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.—Mary Jones, Puzzle square, together with her two daughters. Elizabeth Lloyd and Jemima Jones, was charged by P.C. Roberts with committing this offence on the 13th inst.—The officer stated that the three defendants were very drunk and making use of filthy language. They were a terror to the neighbourhood.—Mr. D. P. Owen You have no right to say that.—The senior defendant maintained that she and her daughters had taken beer into her house, and that the officer came inside.-Fined 5s. and costs.—Mr. D. P. Owen I think I ought to have had a voice in the matter. The fine ought to have been 10s.— The Mayor You had a voice in the matter.—Mr. Owen The fine is not enongh.—For being drunk in the Smithfield on the 15th inst., R. Bebb, Mill lane was fined 5s. and costs. P.S. Humphreys prosecuted. DISISSED.- P.C. Roberts charged Mr. R. Scotson, Caethro, with having no name on a certain cart of his, but on Mr. Scotson proving that the cart belonged not to him, but to his son, the case was dismissed. ILLEGAL REMOVAL OF Swi.NE.-Evan Lewis, the Hem Lane, Westbury, and Joseph Lee, Hinwood farm, Westbury, pleaded guilty to a charge of illegally removing swine from Shropshire into Montgomeryshire, on the 15th inst.—A fine of 2s 6d each, including costs, was inflicted. FURIOUS DRIVING.—David Parry, Powis Arms Inn, Welshpool (who was represented by Mr C. P. Yearsley, solicitor), was summoned at the instance of P.C. Lewis, on a charge of furious driving, on the road from Garreg to Middletown, about 9-30 on the 13th inst. From the statement of the officer it ap- peared that the defendant who was accompanied by three men, was driving a horse and trap down the road in question, at a furious rate, cutting the horse with a whip. He pulled up a little and witness told him he should report him.—Cross examined by Mr Yearsley, witness admitted that there were no people on the road whose lives might be endangered by the furious driving of defendant. He did not know the horse was 27 years of age. He bad a witness whom he bad not summoned.—John Waring and William Mills, having tendered evidence for the defence, the case was adjourned, for further evidence. STEALING APPLES.—A case against Robert rryce, 15 years of age, Powell's Lane, for stealing apples from the garden of Mr T. J. Evans, ironmonger, Berriew Street, was adjourned.

MIDDLETOWN. GRAND PICNIC.-This pretty little village which nestles at the foot of Moel-y-Golfa, and which is close to Rodney's Pillar, was all alive on Thursday, on the occasion of the popular picnic. The morn- ing was rather showery, but later the rain ceased and did not interfere with the proceedings. There were upwards of 250 present, amongst whom we noticed Rev. W. F. Lightfoot Harrison, Mr and Mrs Whittingham, Mr. and Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Powell (Bank, Welshpool), and Mr. and Mrs. Holt. Dancing was kept up with much vigour to the strains of the Band of the 4th Batt. S.W.B., conducted by Mr. Owen. Refreshments, which were supplied by Mr. Brown (Coedway) were laid out in a large marquee. The arrangements were admirably carried out by an excellent committee, viz., Mr. R. Whittingham (chairman), Rev. W. F. Lightfoot Harrison, Messrs. R. Parr, H. Wilde, C. Morris, A. Wilde, W. Eddowes, W. Morris, and E. Wilde, with Mr. J. Baker as hon. sec. These gentlemen were assisted by Mrs. Whittingham, Miss Morris, Miss Eddowes, Miss Hillier, and Miss Parr. Arches were erected and decorated with flags by Messrs Whittingham, C. Morris, G. Griffiths, and E. Evans. A vote of thanks to the chairman was proposed by Mr. C. Morris and received with loud applause. The pro- ceeds are to be devoted to parochial purposes.

LLANSANTFFRAID FUNERAL.—The remains of the late Martha Eleanor, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morris, Tynewydd, were interred in this Churchyard on Thursday. The Vicar (Rev. T. H. Lloyd) took the service throughout. The deceased died rather suddenly in Oswestry. She was only 15 years of age and had been ill only three days. Much sym- pathy is felt with the family in their great bereave- ment. Some very beautiful wreaths were sent by the following :—Rev. and Mrs. T. H. Lloyd (Vicar- age), Messrs. Jones and Morris (Oswestry), Mr. T. J. Davies (Trewyllan), Kilthren family, Miss Lewis (Penthryn, Plandysilio), Miss M. A. Watkin (Wernycilio), Miss L. M. Evans (Sun Hotel), Miss Edith Hanmer, Miss M. J. Griffiths, Mr. and Mrs. Gough (Tywyntigain), Mr. and Mrs. Evans (Shop), Miss Morris (Jubilee terrace), Mrs. Mason, and the family at Tynewydd, and others.

LLANWNOG. SCHOOL TREAT.—Thursday week was quite a red letter day for the children attending the School at Llanwnog, the managers generously entertaining them to tea in the afternoon. After tea all present adjourned to a field lent for the occasion by the Vicar, Rev D. Parry, where racing and other games were indulged in, and prizes were given to the winners. At 5 20 p.m. a move was made to Pont- dolgoch to see the Royal train passing conveying T.R.H. the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Princesses Victoria and Maud | to Machynlleth. The children returned to the Schoolroom, where prizes were given to those who had distinguished themselves at the last Diocesan Inspection. The prizes were distributed by Mrs. Jones, Gwernypwll. Mr. Jones Henblas, hon. secretary and treasurer, addressed each child in a very encouraging and hannv manner, and hoped that the prizes given that day would act as a stimulus to the children to attend school more regularly. The scholars sang several songs during the evening. The tea makers and those presiding at the tables were Mrs. Rowlands Llanwnog; Mrs Francis, Tynwtra; Mrs Lloyd, Plasydern; Mrs Jones, Gwernypwll; Miss Jones, Neuaddnewydd; Miss Jones, Church House, &c. Mr Jones, Henblas, proposed, and Mr T. Rowlands seconded, a vote of thanks to Miss Mytton and the Bangor Diocesan Board of Education, for so kindly giving money for the prizes. Votes of thanks were also given to the ladies for presiding at the tables, amid great cheering, and to the Chairman, Rev D. Parry. This closed a very interesting and pleasant afternoon.

LLANFYLLIN. PETTY SESSIONS.—YKs-rr.r.NAY. .Pl)il F I!; i.J !<¡: í !l:1 r 'V. Hollow. li-'tr iijrr :it <! en ht'lJ,r «.f :lr Edward Newell f >:• Davies. Rock Cot!go MolforL—The- application was adjourned ::t ?! <- Court owing to the scrvice of notice to qui: being proved to their worships' satisfacti'i. Z.Ir I>tt applied forthe order under the Smjil! Holding Act. and contended that service by post 1. il;i Tl.e Act did not require personal s--i vice, so long as the intention of the landlo,i the tenancy came to the knowledge of tin.' tennr.r that was suiffcient and it was for Worships to be satisfied in their own minds that snrh i!f1,'P did come to the knowledge of the wiis b post. n'i i.e called Frederick Davies, clerk to Mr Martin Woosnam, solicitor for Edward Ncweil. who proved that he had posted the letter which con- tained the notice fo quit to John Davies. Rock House, Meifod, and the receipt produced was the one he received at the Post Office.-P.C. Hughes deposed to serving the notice of these proceedings. -Mr Bott said if the Bench were satisfied that such notice came to the knowledge of the tenant they were bouud to make the order.—Mr C. R. Jones We are satisfied that the notice came to the know- ledge of the tenant but we do not consider that the notice was properly served, and on the ground that there is no evidence of the service of the notice to quit we cannot make the order. --Appli(,ation refused. DRUNK ON LICENSED PREMISES.— John Morris was charged at the last Court by P.C. Roberts with being drunk on licensed premises, viz., at the Three Tons Inn, Llanrhaiadr, on the 1st May. The case was then adjourned to enable the police to get further evidence.—P.C. Roberts said that at ten minutes to ten on the evening of May 1st "he went to the Three Tons Inn and found defendant in the parlour with his head down as if asleep. His cousin was by his side. Defendant was very drunk and witness and defendant's cousin got him up and helped him to go out. The landlord told him to go out and he went ont on his cousin's arm.-Ctarles Jones, landlord of the Three Tons Inn, said he saw John Morris about Ten o'clock on the night in ques- tion. He seemed to be drunk, and bad his head down as if sleep. He asked him to go out and not get him (witness) into trouble. He did not notice anyone helping him to get up. In reply to defendant, witness said "You were drunk and asleep." Defendant: If I was drunk why did you serve me with drunk Witness said he did not get any.—Hugh Morris, deposed that he was with John Morris at the Three Tons about ten p.m. on May 1st. John Morris, who was sober, was sitting by his side. He was not asleep but he put his head down as the constable came in. Witness did not take hold of his arm, and as far as he could under- stand, the police officer did not do so either. They had been in the house about an hour, and had two glasses of beer there. Defendant was not drunk neither was he sleeping. He said in reyly to the landlord I will not do you any harm and went out.—The Bench said they were bound to believe their officer's evidence, and defendant was fined 5s costs. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.—P.C. Roberts charged Thomas Vaughan with committing this offencej on May 29th, at Llanrhaiadr. (This case was also adjourned from the last Court, in order that the Police might get further evidence).—The Police Officer said he saw defendant about 10 minutes to 10, coming out of the Plough Inn. He was cursing and swearing. His mother tried to get him to go home. Witness also requested him to go. Defen- dant became very noisy, and he took hold of him and threatened to lock him up. His brother begged him not to do so, and he let him go.—David Jones, shoemaker, could not say that he saw defendant, but heard him. He (witness) was on the bridge, and defendant and his mother, were on the path below the bridge leading to the factory.—The Clerk: How do you know it was defendant; you said you did not see him ? I did see him and was not a yard from him. Witness did not hear him cursing, but he heard him say I will grind him." By what he heard witness understood that he was drunk.— Margaret Jones said defendant came to the Plough Inn, about 10 minutes to 10 p.m., on May 29th. She refused to serve him as she thought he had bad enough. She asked him to go out as there were sick people in the bouse.-Fined 5s. and costs. RIDING WITHOUT REINS. Evan Phillips and David Benbow, waggoners, were charged by P.C. Hughes with committing this offence on the Meifod main road, on June 3rd.-P.C. Hughes said he met them about 11 a.m., going towards Llansantffraid. Evan Phillips was in the waggon and David Ben- bow was on the shafts. They had four horses.— Evan Phillips, the head waggoner, was fined 15s. including costs, and David Benbow, the under waggoner, 10s. including costs.—Neither of defen- dants appeared. ALLOWING A HORSE TO STRAY ON THE HIGH- WAY.—P.C. Brumwell charged Mary Price with allowing her horse to stray on the Winllan road, on the 13th May last.—Defendant said she had come up to see her son, and as he was not at home she had nowhere else to go to so she went to this road. —The Clerk: I see you are an old offender, here's a list of 10 previous convictions against you.- Defendant: Eh! No; It is not me, it must be another Mary Price (laughter).—The Clerk I am afraid you are too well known for the police to make any mistake.—Defendant: There are other Mary Prices (laughter).—P.C. Brumwell said the horse was 200 yards from the cart and from defen- dant.—Fined 10s. including costs. BEGGING AND SLEEPING IN OUTBUILDINGS.—P.C. Rees charged John O'Brian and Thomas Dorking with begging at the New Mills in this parish on Wednesday last.—The wife of David Edwards, New Mills, said on Wednesday last one of the defen- dants came to New Mills about 9-15 p.m., and begged some matches of her husband. He gave him some and he went away. In about a quarter of an hour afterwards they both came and asked for lodging, and being refused threatened to thrash her husband, who was an invalid.—P.C. Rees said they received information from New Mills, and P.S. Meredith and himself went in search of prisoners, who were found in the Grainery at Cwm Farm. One of the defendants stated that they received permission to go there from a man who assisted them to get his perambulator and two children into the grainery.—P.S. Meredith stated that he enquired at Cwm if anyone had given prisoners permission to go to the grainery. They replied that they did not know there was anyone there. He had received complaints in the town about the conduct of prisoners.—Prisoners were sentenced to seven days' imprisonment.

LLANFAIR. THE CATTLE AND PIG FAIR was held on ihursaay and was very well attended. Stores sold well, but carters were low. Cows and calves were in great requisition and sold at good prices. PROPOSED LIGHT RAILWAY.—A meeting was held at the Board School yesterday (Friday) under the presidency of Dr Humphreys, supported by Capt. Luxmoore, Capt. Walker, Mr J. JehuJ.P Mr E. Anwyl Evans, Mr Richards, Lower Hall, and others, for the purpose of considering the best route for the railway to take. A resolution was unanimously adopted that a surveyor should be engaged to take a survey of both the Meifod valley and Cestle and Welshpool routes, and that the expense should be borne by the different parishes. It was also de. cided to call another meeting, which each parish interested was iuvited to be represented.

ELLESMERE. ELLESMERE LADIES' CLLB.-The eighty-sixth anniversary of the above club took place on Wednesday. The members of the club met at the Town Hall at 2.30 p.m., where they formed themselves into a. procession and marched to the church, headed by the Brass Band of the H Company, King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Hundreds of people assembled in the streets to see the procession. The sermon in the church was preached by the Rev. Rossendale Lloyd. The pro- cession, on leaving the church, marched to the Bowling Green, where tea was provided after partaking of which, dancing wa.s indulged in till late in the evening. The sum received as the gate amounted to L32. The club is in a verv flourishing condition, and has invested in the North Staffordshire Railway zC906 3s 6d., and in the Ellesmere Savings Bank X486 16s. 2d. The total receipts for the past year amounted to £ 127 3s. 5d., including donations, and after paying all expenses there remained on hands £ 23 7s. 8d. The success of the jlub is, no doubt due to the energy of the able secretary, Miss Gough, and also l to the stewaidesses James and Mrs. Peake. The sum received at the gate last year amounted to X29 15s. 3d. VOLUNTEER ORDERS. FOR WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, JULY 4TH. Orderly Sergeant for the week, Sergeant C. Davies. Orderly Corporal for the week, Corporal T. Preston. The Company will parade at the Armourv to-day (Saturday) at 7 p.m. Dress, Drill Order. Band to attend. (Signed) R. E. LLOYD, Captain. Commanding H Company.