The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

THE SPIRIT OF CRITICISM. Before Greneral GATACRK UAS misled by a Capo policeman into the jaws of death, before Lord METHUIN had attempted to dislodge a force of Boers and nondescripts from trenches and behind boulders and almost inaccessible places, before Sir Red- vers BULLER met with a check in his attempt to fo-c;e the passage of the Tugela, the spirit of criticism was silent. But immediately (xATACi: i; took a wrong turn by night, as soon itS Lord METHUEN discovered I that his best plan was to retire and await reinforcements, when BeLLER found the enemy too strong for him at one point, someone began to murmur, the discontent spread, a number of journalists became panic-sxricken, &nd the cry went forth that our forces in South Africa were in- capable A&f performing the task before them, those in charge of the affairs of the War Office had blundered and the country must demand a strict account from the Govern- ment. Not two months ago the British public were congratulating themselves upon what Sir REDVERP BTTLLEK was going to do with the Boers. They were astounded that sixty thousand troops were to be sent out and the new panic-stricken journalists wrote as though they had visions of hosts of Boers fleeing at the first sight of a red- coat and a magnificent march of British troops straight to Pretoria to accept the surrender of KRI/GER and the other ring- leaders of the ajati-Engissh party. We go still further a&d state that in the early stages of the war it was not an uncommon opinion in this country that Sir GEORGE WHITE ought to De able to meet and defeat the whole force of Boers with the eleven or twelve thousand troops he then had at command. When Mr. MICHAEL RAY declared to the people of Newtown that when the history of this war came to be written by a dispassionate and impartial historian the defence of Lady smith would be one of the most glorious chapters in the whole mili- tary history of Britain, there were more than a few who did not believe him. The :S.tock-in-ti\ide and the clap-trap of the pro- Boer party in this country was made up of references -to the poor untrained people who were seeking to defend their Father- land against our trained and well-armed legions. The very people who are now doing all the shouting are the people who at the coi-ninen, -eiiient thought it would be so easy, and who were astonished at the decision to send,, out as many as sixty thou- sand men. On what evidence is the War Office or the Government to be condemned ? We deny that any substantial case of ineffi- ciency or incompetence has been made out. We deny that any case has been presented which could not be Thattered by the news of one solid victory by the wings and main body of BULLER'S army over the Boer forces, and we have no hesitation in saying that the alleged lessotif, we have learned at the hands of the Boers will have been for- gotteii within a fortnight of the recep- tion of the news of a. solid victory. The people who alone will profit by these lessons are those now accused of incompetence and who are commanded to make way for better men:" Every war which this country has waged, this country has profited by. This war has been man- aged far more to our credit than was the Crimea, as those who are old enough to remember, well know. We have profited by our previous fights, and we are now receiving valuable lessons in the method of dealing with a wily, mobile, crafty foe, generalled and led by officers the best and most skilled in modern warfare—a com- bination of the crafty methods of fighting adopted by the half-savage and those of the best skilled Europeans. Much of the criticism has been directed towards our artillery, and no sooner was it discovered that our field artillery had not the range of guns owned by the enemy n y which did not come within the same category, than there was a roar of "I told you sc," and I thought as much," and there at onoe sprang to the front the vast body of people who had known it all along and expected exactly what bad happened. They rejoiced when they learned that a number of our Naval' guns had been mounted on favourable positions, but when they talked of organising field batteries of 4-7 naval guns, they talked arrant nonsense. A man cannot carry naval guns under his arm, neither will it be possible to drag them over rough and heavy roads should the principal characteristic of the rest of this struggle be mobility. Long Tom may be an excellent gun in position but if ever there is a rush for Pretoria, it will be found that Long Tom" will not stand the pace, and that our Royal Horse Artillery is neither composed of duffers nor armed with toy shooters. The news of a victory to-day would sober the nation in an hour, and within a week the effects would have disappeared.

4 WELSHPOOL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The continued existence of the Welshpool Horticultural Show, the most popular and most patronised event of the who.e ear m this locality, hangs in the balaiiee. The Earl of Powis has for several years inti- mated to the Committee that there were reasons why the show should be held at some time other than during the first fort- night in August, and the Committee have, so far with success, urged that the show should be held on the Thursday following the August Bank Holiday, believing that 9 r, on that day a greater degree of patronage ZD would be afforded than on any other day. The Earl has yielded to the wishes of the Com- mittee on several occasions, but now comes a deadlock. To put the matter plainly, asection, possibly the majority, believe that to h )ld -jvjrltv., i the show on any other date, other than the one selected, means courting failure, and they have decided that after the result of last year's event, as they have no hope of carrying the show to a successful termina- tion, they cannot fritter away the savings of former years, and the show will not be held in 1900. Should the general body of subscribers confirm this decision, the festivity for 1900 will be declared off. The Earl of Powis on his part has intimated very firmly that he cannot allow the Park to be used for the purpose of the shov during the first fortnight in August, but that lie will willingly grant the use of the Park on some other date, to be mutually agreed upon. Nothing is to bt gained by conceal i nig the fact that many people believe that the Earl is desirous of quashing the whole affair and that he is acting ir an arbitray spirit. On the other hand Lord Powis, as the owner of the Park, might believe that the Committee have acted in a dictatorial spirit in insisting that they should have the Park on this particular day, or that they would hold him responsible in a moral sense, for depriving the large number, who appreciate this annual event, of their enjoyment. Lord Powis has the right, as the owner, not only to say whether he will grant the use of the Park or not, but also on what date the Show shall be held. So far as we can see both Lord Powis and those who insist on a particular day or none, are acting under a misconcep- tion. Lord Powis is under no obligation to give his reasons why the first fortnight in August does not meet with his approval. but from what we know his Lordship has his own personal reasons, while on the other hand it is probably a bona- tide contention that this one day is the best for the show. It seems to us that. as matters now stand, the only course open is to throw up the show or conduct it on different lines, that is, more as a hor- ticultural exhibition than as an entertain- ment. We hope sincerely that this pleasing function will not be allowed to fall through, and that efforts will be made to arrive at a better understanding with Lord Powis on the matter. It would be a great pity were such an exhibition allowed to fall through, and we trust the committee will strive to come to some other decision which will properly respect the rights of Lord Powis, as owner of the land., and at the same time attain the end in view.

— NOTES BY THE WAY. At the last meeting of the Aberystwyth Efard of Guardians, Mr James Jones declared that a man ought to live on 3s lOd per week. Few men, if any, can contest the statemeiat, for if any man has attempted it. he has probably bidden farewell to this world, and the public must bow to Mr 5a.mes Jones as an authority upon how to live cheap and grow fat. At the same meeting Mr E J EVEES, another country guardian, sought to raise a dis- cussion upon certain remarks m&de by the Rev T A Penry at a previous meeting respecting the interference of some person or other with the Workhouse officials. Mr Evans tried to show that j Mr Penry referred to a member of the Board, which statement the rev gentleman stoutly denied. 1 Then, turning to Mr James Jones, Mr Evans de- manded to know if he did not inform him that Mr Penry referred to a member of the Board. Mr .Jones appeared genuinely surprised and denied that he ever said anything of the kind, upon which the members joined in a roar of laughter and the dis- cussion collapsed. The defence of Aberystwyth from attack by sea is a matter which has not been overlooked by the War Office, who on a previous occasion have refused to permit guns of large calibre and more modern construction being placed on the Castle. A further application has now been made, and as stated by Lieut Stephens, in a letter to the Town Council, the War Office are anxious to put new 9-inch guus on the Castle, which is the only avail- able site. Of course, no one cares to think of Aberystwyth being attacked, though it is just as well to be prepared for it. The Welsh coast has always been open to attack by a foreign force, and it should not be forgotten that, as compared with the early years of the century, the wealth of the town has enormously increased. On the other hand, the townspeople might feel anxious to keep the Castle grounds free of any further encroach- ment by artillery equipment, but when they are informed that the Castle ground is the only site, all objections will disappear. Capt Doughton does not appear to be in favour of the scheme, and he is just the sort of man who, after having his house knocked down about his ears by an opposing force, would turn round and blame the Government for not being prepared. 'Ii' Aberystwyth young men are as ready and wil- ling to fight as any similar body of men in the country and it must not be imagined that because there is no war fund, and that no appeal for help for Tommy Atkins and his family has been made by the Mayor that the townspeople are not sub- scribing towards the fund. A«ian can be a man of peace and at the same time be patriotic, and if the Mayor of Aberystwyth holds views not strictly in accordance with the majority of the people on the war, that is not sufficient reason for his neglecting to open a fund in the town. There is scarcely a hamlet or town in the whole of Wales which has not got its fund, but Aberystwyth, a town which prides itself on its progress, stands aloof from the good work of the rest of the Prin- cipality. Welsh regiments are going to the front. What has Aberystwyth done to make the men's journey lighter and more comfortable ? Nothing! In this issue we give the first instalment of a new serial story entitled The Crowning of Esther." In an open competition Mr Morice Gerard, who has written several well known stories, carried off a £100 prize with The Crown- ing of Esther." The plot is most carefully laid and the incidents are worked out in a manner which must interest our large circle of fiction readers. The "Crowning of Esther" will be found to be anything but conventional or common- place as regards the general plan or mode of treatment. Once again has the attention of the Public Works Committee been called to the state of the Aberyst- wyth Castle Grounds, and on Tuesday the Mayor himself referred to the disgraceful condition of affairs. We do not know why an appeal should be made to the Public Works Committee. It is well known that Alderman Jones is not a martyr to progress and only moves when he is probed. Let the ratepayers of Aberystwyth take a walk round the Castle Grounds and see for themselves how the best and most favoured resort of the summer visi- tors is being looked after. They have year after year to pay in rates thousands of pounds; they do so willingly, feeling that the more money is judiciously spent the better will be the return. But it is questionable if they get the best value out of the Castle Grounds. The ratepayers are at the mercy of the town officials and the chairman of the Public Works Committee is worse than inactive in the matter. All of this is leading up to a day cf reckoning when the ratepayers are sure to take their payment in full. Ttie order or the new fire engine for Welshpool has been placed with Messrs Rose, of Manchester, the makers of the Oswestry engine. Other firms tendered, but looking at all the facts and consider- ing also the. equitable manner in which Messrs Rose have treated the Corporation, we are of opinion that "the Corporation could not have done better. At Thursday's meeting of the Town Council Mr J ? Jones questioned the validity of the proceedings, but whether the proceedings were valid or otherwise, we fail to see how the order could have been placed with any other firm. One firm despatched a special representative to Welsh- pool, and his cetivassing of the members of the Council ought of itself to have been sufficient to disqualify that particular firm, while his methods of canvassing could only gain even less favour for his object than the canvassing itself. The members of the Corporation have under the circumstances done the best th'g possible for the town. According to a statement at the conclusion of the business at Thursday's Council meeting, the Rifle Range proposal lies in abeyance pending the receipt of further information from the War Office. The military authorities, ifl addition to ground for ■camping, inquired if there was sufficient land available for mano&cvres, but before the Committee can definitely reply or give the terms they wish to know how much laad is required for this purpose. The authorities are1 too busy with South African business to hasten on the Heldre scheme, but their last inquiries convey the impression that, in the event of the Heldre range being accepted, they are prepared to make a very extensive use of it. Whan the Army system comes to be re-considered or overhauled, as it certainly will, at the close of the-war, it is more than likely that ranges, such as the Heldre, will form a subject of most careful consideration by the authorities. The Directors of the Cambrian Railways Com. pauy, who recently re-introduced second class fares for through bookings with other railways, have decided to extend this arrangement to their local traffic. The alteration will, we understand, come into operation shortly. There was a hearty discussion at the meeting of the Ellesmere Literary and Debating Society on Wednesday evening on "Ho,w. to keep the labourer on the land." The consensus of opinion was that the lot of the agricultural labourer must be made more comfortable, and it was suggested that to this end the labourer should be provided with better cottages, that he should .have at least three acres of land for his own use, and that his hours of labour should be made shorter. times like the present, when there is a big boom in the staple trades, when employment is found for almost every man who applies, there is .a rush from the rural districts to the towns, and the labourers who thus change tiieir place of abode seJdom return to the rural districts. Farms thus become mere graz- ing grounds. But granting the present system offers little inducement for the labourer to remain in the country, who is to remedy it Who is to build comfortable cottages and to provide the acres of land ? While the majority reply that they would expect this from the landlord, they mustinot overlook thefaofcthat allalldkrd manageshisestateacn business lines and that he will hesitate to make the class of investments which bring no return. While it would be an excellent thing, too, to have the cpczitry laid out in .small farms, landowners frequently find that it is more to their advantage to let their land in large tracts, rather than multiply tenants and farm buildings, with the additional advantage that I the large farmer is usually a man of subetance, while the small farmer is too frequently just abrade higher than the farm labourer. *• £ The report of the work accomplished during the year by the Aberdovey Literary Institute, as pre- sented to the annual meeting on Friday evening, shows that the library and newsroom are appre- ciated in the town. In every branch there is an improvement. New books have been added, the adverse balance at the bank has been lessened, more books have been taken oat than ever before, and visiters have found the room very useful in ¡ gummer as proved by the number of books issued in August. This is very gratifying in view of the fact that the Institute is maintained by voluntary subscriptions. Unstinted praise fGx the success of the institution is due to the secretaries (Messrs G Williams and W J Eves), and the librarian (Capt Edwards), as well as the members of the committee. Mr John Corbett has been re-elected president for year. It is a pleasure to note that a Volunteer Com- pany has been formed at Aberdovey, &tld that between 40 and 50 young men have already enrolled themselves. At a critical time like the present such an event can only be looked upon as indicating the existence of a healthy public spirit and we hope, for the sake of Aberdovey, that the existence of this patriotic spirit will be further emphasised by other eligible young men throwing in their lot with the Company. Our special contributor this week continues his arguments in favour of a re-division of the Mach- ynlleth Union. His one point is that the pcor rate at Towyn more than provides for the needs of the poor of Towyn, while the sum obtained from the rating of Llanbrynmair falls £150 short of meeting the demand in that parish. From this he draws the conclusion that the system is very unfair to Towyn, and that Towyn ought not to contribute more than sufficient to maintain the poor and destitute of that place. The basis of the conten- tion rests upon a fallacy, for the writer disposes of the problem of the poor as though it were merely a local, whereas it is a much larger question. If his argument were founded on a substantial basis the whole, poor law system in the United Kingdom would have to be abolished and a now system set up. We should have, accept- ing our correspondent's contention as sound, each parish supporting its own poor, each parish a separate union of itself, each parish with a Board of Guardians doing the work of the parish, and possibly each parish with a Workhouse of its own. How could any saving be effected with such a mul- tiplication of offices, of clerical work and of official- ism generally ? The amount the county pays, for officialism and red tape generally, is enough in all conscience and any scheme to be satisfactory must provide for the elimination of this evil rather than its aggravation. Last week we asked why, seeing that Llanbryn- mair ratepayers derive no benefit from the presence of the poor in their midst, they should be mulcted in an advanced rate ? Our contributor retorts that Towyn is already so mulcted. Towyn is nothing of the kind. The rate of contribution is the same at Towyn as in any other parish of the Machynlleth Union-it is so much in the zE. The fact that the rate at Towyn produces more than at Llanbrynmair is a mere indication that there is more wealth at Towyn than at Llanbrynmair; the proportion of contribution is the same all over the Union. The proportion in Towyn more than maintairs the un. fortunate poor of Towyn at Llanbrynmair it falls short. This implies that there are more poor at Llanbrynmair than at Towyn, and also that it is not so much for the rich to help the poor as for the less rich to relieve the richer ot the burden. This is in direct opposition to the spirit of the age. The tendency of national finance, as evidenced by Sir Wm Harcourt's graduated death duties, is to make the wealthy contribute according to their means. Our contributor's scheme carried to its logical issue would be an unmitigated evil. If each parish had a special local poor rate, a wealthy man, owning the whole of the property in a parish, would be a I fool to his own interests if, on such a re-arrange- ment becoming law, he did not at once serve ejectment notices on all the poor in the parish. He would tnrn them out, demolish the old dwel- lings in which thev resided, and leave them to wander along the highways exposed to the winds, the rains, and the tempests. Vagrancy wouid Iw a far greater evil that, ever in the past, crime would increase, and the sickening spectacles of olden days of women giving birth in roadside ditches or seeking & haven of rest from some bridge of sighs, horrors not excelled even in the slave market, would serve as illustrations, evolved from the heart and head of modern civilisation, of the Sermon •an the Mount. Modern boards of guardians are already bad enough, but we would not commit a human being to the mercies of a siJlall parish board whose only object would be to .save the rates.

♦ YEOMANRY AND VOLUNTEER NOTES. After receiving a letter at this office yesterday afternoon all doubt as to the popularity of the Imperial Yeomanry, which might have existed in our mind, has vanished. Lastsveek we knew that the troopers had wen the respect and admiration of the male population, but now we learn of a vastly greater victory, a victory over the hearts of the fair sex at Newtown, which seems to h&ve caused the native male things -co contemplate, if not actually to break out into open revolt. The following is a copy of the letter we hate received from one of the troopers and we guarantee its genuineness Newtown, 19th January, 1900. Dear Sir, Upon perusing an article in your New- town contemporary 1 thought it would be only the duty of one or more of the Imperial Yeomanry to reply. Although altogether incapable and unac- customed tG this kind ef work, I nevertheless venture to offer a few remarks by way of protest. I think the gentleman whe wrote the article must be one of the disappointed youths who must have discovered a successful rival amongst the troopers, and being thus enraged has tried to throw discredit on the fair sex in the ceighbour- hood. But, I think, and I am sure that all my comrades will agree with me when I say that only a few (if any) of ue have fallen by Cupid's dart, and those of us wha have so fallen, I have not the slightest doubt will be as true to the girl that Tommy's left behind him as they will be to their Queen and country. If after our departure the ordinary town youth leaves the fair sex severely alone," then I beg to state any previous attachment he had for her was far from genuine, and she would be far better off without bis companionship.— Yours truly, A TROOPER." # # To talk of leaving the young ladies severeiv alone because of their admiration for bravery, pluck, patriotism and a true British spirit, will certainly not advance the cause of the would-be suitors, and they must be very careful that they be not hoist with their own petard. How if the ladies themselves conduct the boycott, and threats and supplications avail not! How if their hearts are closed from this time forward until the return of the troopers true, and the civilian youths be nst required Gulliver will have to resume his travels. The Newtown youths must of themselves conquer this indifference. If they seek favours at the shrine of Cupid they must ask worthily, e Ise they cannot hope to plead successfully. If the Newtown ladies demand the pluck, physique and chivalry of the trooper, they must have d. There- fore prepare, civilians. Study Don Quixote, read Baden-Powell on scouting, for this is a warfare for which ye must be fully armed. And if yon can't do anything further, join the Volunteers. Though it is not yet definitely settled when the Yeomanry will leave for the front the advance guard have been selected and will probably start next week. Though the advance section is only a small one, it looks like business. By the way one member of the advance section 4odds to his list of accomplishments that of water finder. This does not imply that it will be part of his duty to carry a backet for the purpose of collecting little drops of water from pools or wayside ditches, nor that he will be told off to ride a camel into the wilderness in search of lakes. A water finder is a person so constituted that he can ascertain exactly where water is to be found under the earth, either in the form of springs or subterranean streams. The process usually is for the finder, or diviner as he is more generally termed, to take hazel twigs in his hands, to walk over the surface of the land where it is desired that water should be found to keep an eye on the twigs. Should the twigs begin to shake and tremble after the manner of a man in a fit, it is said to be a sure token that water is at hand. Should there happen to be large quantities of water, the twigs will do more than tremble, they will twist and turn as though bent on seeing that the supply is not overlooked. Then it is customary to mark the spot, set workmen to dig, and it is said that if the digging is only carried deep enough an ample supply of water will be discovered. It is, of course, good to have a water diviner with a troop of Yeomanry, but a few diviners of another sort would be welcome. We should like to divine where Kruger gets his men from, how he finds his victuals, and where his money-bag is. To divine the exact nature of a lyddite shell might be useful, but to divine the personalities and aims of enemies in the camp would be the next thing to the salva- tion of this business. As we pointed out last week, we have some wonderful men in bile troop. m # There was a considerable weeding out last week, something like 50 men being sent home as unfit. The vacant places were filled up on Saturday when a batch of 62 men came from London. There are now about 130 men at Welshpool, and about a dozen less at Newtown, so that Sir Watkin's cherished wish to send out two squadrons will be accomplished. Among the early recruits was Sturgess, the champion walker of the world. Why should the world's champion walker need a horse ? He might just as well do it on foot and pass on the horse to some inferior pedestrian. Then again, another recruit, Hay by name, is one of the champion runners of the Southern counties and a prominent exponent of the football game. Some very good football players are already enjoying themselves on the racecourse at Pretoria. As we have already shown the list of remarkable persons is a very long one. *>jt' Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn states that a most wonderful improvement has taken place at the shooting ranges, the way in which the men handled the new Lee-Enfield rifle being a surprise to im. Sir Watkin feels very strongly on the high stand- ard fixed by the War Office authorities for the musketry test. The qualifying standard, hp i_vs is an exceed ingly severe one, and is higher tha;, ;at imposed on the line regiments. He had recced no complaints about the new -Lee-Enfield rifle not being accurately sighted, the only difficulty with which the men had bad to contend with being the ammunition supplied them by the War Office, which bad a reduced charge, and which had had a I deleterious effect on the shooting. The result had been that the regiment had had to purchase, at its own expense, 10,000 rounds of proper service ammunition in order to teach the recruits. With regard to the officers likely to accompany the Montgomeryshire contingent the list has not yet been made out, but they will be selected from the following :—Sir Watkin himself, Major and Hon Lieut-Col G Wentworth Forbes, Capt R W Williams- Wynn, Capt C T Dugdale, Capt E G Williams- Vausrhan. Capt A K Armstrong, of the Indian Staff Corp, Cflpt F H Fernie, of the 4:11 Ba'fa'i.m I,' S I irol,sbii-(- Light I iif a zitrn-, Lipnt G Pritch- ard Rayner, Lieut Godfrey Fitzl-ngh. Lieut W S R Cox, of the 4th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry, Mr Frank Cotton, of Overton on-Dee, and Mr Trevor. Orders have been received inti- mating that the Montgomeryshire squadron are to be linked with the Denbighshire Hussars. At the Oddfellows entertainment at Newtown on Thursday evening, Mr Roberts, Three Tuns Hotel, Bishop's Castle, i; vited the members of the Imperial Yeomaury stationed at Newtown to his house, any day when they could come, when he would be would be pleased to entertain them. Mr Roberts wittly remarked that if they could not march to Bishop's Castle and back, a distance of 16 miles each way, they would not be much use in the Transvaal Was it a joke ? Who will venture ? # Though the reception accorded to the gallant volunteers when they arrived in Welshpool had just the least suspicion of a freezer about it, they are to leave the towc with far pleasanter memories. At the close of the Welshpool Town Council on Thursday the Mayor referred to their presence in the town and suggested that they should arrange something in the -way of a hearty send-off for the members of the Yeomanry. The idea of a dinner was a substantial one and probably much more acceptable to the men than, for instance, the presentation of medals reproducing the Town Hall and the clock, three faces of which give different versions of the Greenwich time. Mr Simpson Jones and Mr VI Humphreys have under- taken the duty of collecting for this worthy objeor, and, like the lady who sang at the concert, they have met with a hearty reception. It will take a considerable sum to pro- vide a suitable dinner for J,30 yeomen and pay the incidental, and we hope the response will be farther augmented. The collectors are doing their best to call upon all the townsmen, but should any people be overlooked their contributions will still be thankfully received. We hope the after pro- ceedings, which should include a rule for five- minute speeches, are being arranged.

ABERYSTWYTH. THE ARTILLERY.—The recruits of the Cardigan Artillery Militia will meet on March 12th next for two months' drill. OBITV..RY.-On Monday morning a working man named Timothy Thomas, died at his home in Mill street. A special sadness surrounds the death of this man, inasmuch that his wife, who nursed him in the early part of his short illness, was only buried just two weeks ago. A DRUNKFI S' PEDLAR.—Jane Williams of Carnar- von, pedlar, was found by P.C. Williams in Thes- pian etreet, the worse for drink. Shewas brought before Mr Edward Evans on Monday and fined 5s and costs. LICENSED VICTUALLERS' ASSOCIATION.—Council- lor T E Salmon represented the Aberystwyth and District Licensed Victuallers' Association at the ]or T E Salmon represented the Aberystwyth and District Licensed Victuallers' Association at the meetings of the National Trade Defence at Cardiff last week, and was present at the lunchec-n given by the Mayor of Cardiff (Councillor S A Brain). TO-DAY'S MATCJ?.—The Town are going in for that little bit of Welsh silver to-day for aU they are worth. The following is the team, and football en-hiisiasts are asked to turn up in force and sup- port their men :-Goal, L R Roose; backs, C Parry, G Evans; half-backs, \V Jones, J H Edwards, D M Evans; forwards, T Whelan, A Green, G Marshall, G Barson, and 0 James. Je KIOR Cup TiE.-The last match of the fourth round in connection with the Junior Cup was played on Saturday, when the Swifts defeated the team named after a certain South African race of men by four goals to nil. The referee was Mr Walter Jones. The draw for the semi-final took place on Saturday night, there being present at the committee meeting Mr E K Thompson, chairman Messrs W H Hollier, H Bearue, W Heritage, and Walter Jones. The result was as follows: North End to play National United; Swifts to play Padarn United. MILITARY ITEMS.—The Yorkshire Hussars are among the first squadrons of Yeomanry chosen to leave this country, and amongst those who form the regiment is Mr David Protheroe, second son of the Ven Archdeacon Protheroe, of this town.- Apparently another attempt is about to be made tc form a company of Volunteers in connection with the Montgomeryshire Regiment, and all anxious to serve are invited to give in their names at, Progress Hall on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday next. JUNIOR RADICAL CLUB. — On Friday, with Mr P B Loveday in the chair, the members of the Junior Radical Club spent a nitrht with the poets. E A Poe was represented by Mr T G Jones, R Burns by Mr James Rees, Islwyn by Mr J Roberts, Tennyson by Mr A Lloyd Williams, Mynyddog by Mr D E Jones, Rudyard Kipling by the Chairman, and Longfellow by Mr S Hopkins. Should military training be compulsory ? is the subject for debate at Friday evening's meeting, when the affirmative will be taken by Mr J A Phillips and the negative by Mr T B Hall. COUNTY SCHOOL. This school was opened on Tuesday, when a large number of new scholars were registered, fifteen boys and fourteen girls, making a total of twenty-nine in all. The altera- tions made in the art room have been completed and the room is splendidly fitted for art purposes. The scholars had a meeting on Wednesday for the purpose of electing officers of the literary and de- bating society for the present term. The fol- lowing were elected Miss Ewart, M.A., senior mistress, president; Jonathan Jones and Miss Edith Thomas, vice-presidents; W Tom Williams, secretary Miss Minnie Jones, treasurer. The f,,]- lowing is the committee Messrs William Hosea, J Arllwyd Jones, R J Williams, Hepworth Davies, and the Misses Una -inlorgrii, Lizzie Jones, Lilian Morgan, and Mabel Edwards. THE CONSERVATIVE CLUB. The adjourned annual general meeting was held on Tuesday evening, Councillor T E Salmon presiding.-Afr Salmon having briefly thanked the members for the honour done him in electing him as their chairman for this year, a communication was read from Mr J Jenkin Jones stating that he could not act as vice-chairman of the club during the ensuing vear.-It was agreed that Mr George Fossett Roberts be elected to fill the vacancy.—Mr Jenkiu Jones was added to the Executive Committee.—Mr H Biddulph having resigned the duties of secretary, Mr D M Lewis was appointed.—Various suggestions for the improvement of the club were submitted, which the Chairman promised should receive due consideration.— The meeting unanimously approved of a suggestion that a testimonial be presented to Mr Thomas Bubb, who has left to join the ranks of the King's Own Rifles, in recognition of his ener- getic services to the club, Mr D M Lewis, Mr J D Williams, apd Mr E J Evans being appointed a committee to carry out the same. ACCIDENTS.—On Monday morning Mr J Roberts, Clarach, employed by Messrs John James and Co., Terrace-rosd, met with an accident. He was riding on the top of a waggon load of cases, and when going up North Parade, near the London and Provincial Bank, he fell off one of the boxes, bruising his arm and injnring his side. He was taken to Dr Thomas's house, and it was found that no bones were broken. Subsequently he was taken home.- Mr J II Edwards,captain of the Town football team, met with an accident on Wednesday afternoon while engaged in his work at the Saw Mills in Trefechan. Four fingers of one hand were cut bv a circular saw, but not seriously. Dr J J Rowland attended to the injuries.—On Monday morning Mr John William Hughes, Prospect street, employed in Messrs Green and Colquhoun's foundry, met with an accident. He was engaged in placing an iron fixture about a foot from the ground. When step- ping down he tripped over something and cut and sprained his ankle. He was at once conveyed to the Infirmary, but was afterwards taken to his home.—On Tuesday morning Mr Samuel Davies Pound place, who is also employed at the foundry met with a serious accident. It seems Mr Davies was moving a strap from one pulley to another by means of a piece of wood. While so doing, the piece of wood got into one of the wheels and struck him across the body. He was at once taken home and is progressing as favourably as can be expected. TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the North Cardigan Teachers' Association was held at the Board School on Saturday, Mr W Hamer Trefeirig, occupying the chair. The following officers were elected :—Vice-president, Miss Baih- hurst, National School, Borth secretary, Mr J D Saer, Board School, Aberystwyth representative at York conference, Mr E C Wiflmott, Albany road Board School, Cardiff. The following were nominated for the University of Wales Court of report which showed that the Association v in a satisfactory condition, and that nearly tI. 1 the teachers of the district are members. Miss Roberts, Capel Seion, and Mr Evans, Gogiuan, were adopted as new members, and Miss Brand, the new mistress at Commins Coc-h School. was welcomed. CHOIR STOPPER.— O:) Wednesday evening, the members of Holy Trinity Churcil Choir and Sunday School teachers were entertained to dinner at i he Hllarth Hall. The Rev Prebendary Williams, pre- sided. and he was supported by the churchwardens (Mr Colbv and Mr J Jenkin Jones), the lay elector (Mr J D Perrott), Mr T A Sarjeant. Dr Beddoes, Mr Richard James, Mr E Price, and Mr G T Smith. The proceedings were varied with songs bv some of the choristers, amongst whom were Master E Dallison, lIliss Swen Sarjeant, Miss Emily Dallison, Mr W H Davies, Mr J E Hughes, and Master H A Sheraton. All the arrangements and preparations were in the hands of Mrs J Jenkin Jones, with whose name the toast of the ladies was coupled, Mr Jenkin Jones suitably responding. A vote of thanks to the Chairman and ail who assisted was proposed by Mr David James, Bridge street, and the pro- ceedings terminated. TEMPERSNCE MEETING.—A meeting of the Good Templars Lodge, was held on Friday night at Progress Hail. Six new members. including the Rev D R Williams. Salem, were enrolled. Short addresses having been given bv the Rev D R Williams and Mr D C Williams, M.A., the following programme was gone throngh :—Piano- forte solo, Miss Nesta Hughes; recitation, Miss Governors:—Miss Annie Rule, Radnor road Board School, Cardiff; Mr Robert, Brynhyfryd Board School, Swansea; and Mr L D Jones, Garth Board School, Bangor. The Secretary read his annual H M Evans; song, Mr Walter Jones; recitation, Mr David Davies; duet, Messrs Stanley Jones and Tomley Evans; song. Miss Lizzie M Jones. The Church of England Temperance Society's weekly meeting was held at the Y sgoldy on Friday even- ing. The Archdeacon, who is president of the Society, was unavoidably absent, accordingly the election of a Chairman took place. It was proposed by Mr E Lewis, and seconded by Mr Rea Richards, Heart of Oak House, that Mr Peter Williams, North road, take the chair, and unanimously agreed to by the meeting. The programme was as fol- olws :-Short address by Mr Peter Williams; speech in Welsh, Mr W Ri hards, Penparke; read. ing, Mr Mallory, J.P., Llanbadarn road; mandoline duet, Miss Emily Smith, Northampton, and Miss Doughton address in English, Mr H C Richards, Little Darkgate street; soug, Miss Emily DallisoD, Llanbadarn; recitation, Mr Arthur Morgan, Llan- gawsa; pianoforte duet, MisE Alice Lewif and Miss Lloyd, Railway ter-ace mandoline duet, Basket of Flowers," Miss E Smith and Miss Doughton.— At the request of the Chairman and meeting. Mr Rea Richards again undertook to draw up a pro- gramme for next week. Three yonng men offered themselves for membership and will be enrolled next week. OPPOSITION TO PRIVATE STREETS ACT. At the Borough Sessions on Wednesday, before Messrs John Morgan and T Griffiths, the matter of the operation of the Private Streets Act in regard to Trevor road and Loveden road, which has been adjourned for several Courts, came on for hearing, when Mr W P Owen, who appeared for the appel- lants, Captain Jenkins, Mr W J Watkins, and Mr Nightingale, objected to members of the Council, who were putting the Act into operation, sitting in the hearing of the case. He did this in accordance with the wishes of his clients.-Alr A J Hughes, the town clerk, who appeared on behalf of the Council, said bhat members were entitled to sit as far as putting the Act into operation, but as some of the Councilor magistrates might have been present when the plans and specifications were approved, it was perhaps desirable that they should not sit.— Messrs C M Williams, R J Jones, and Isaac Hop- kins then retired.- ;,lr Hughes referring to Trevor road said with regard to Mr Watkins's objection, it was no good inasmuch as it was served personally upon Alderman Peter Jones and was not given within the month.—Mr Rees Jones, the borough surveyor, said he prepared provisional plans, &-c., for paving, drainage, metalling, lighting, &-c., of Trevor road, and the provisional appor- tionment by which Captain Jenkins had to pay X58 Os 3d and Mr Watkins zC65 16s 3d, arrived at by adopting the principal of frontage I The estimate was a fair and reasonable one.—Mr Hughes explained that if the estimate was ex- ceeded in carrying out the work an extra charge not exceeding fifteen per cent, could be made and the owner would have the benefit if the cost was lower.—Cross-examined Did not know whether the Corporation intended taking over the road after the work was done. They had not taken over North-road, but he did not know that it was be. cause the road did not lead from Corporation-road to Corporation-road. There was a considerable difference between other charges and the present charges, because in the present work paving was included. There was a gradient in the street and a cinder path might be made by the owners, and would be all right, but a cinder path was not a per- manent footway, and be should never certify that a road had been properly paved (with a view of taking the road over) if a cinder path was provided. The cost of paving was estimated at "11, and the saving by a cinder path would be £ 40 or £ 50. He said that paving was necessary. Without that paving the road would not be properly made. The road was not now made at all. He accounted for the difference in the cost between North road and Trevor road by the fact that Trevor road was new, whereas North road had been partly formed and much used before. Another reason for the difference was the increased charge for macadam.—By Mr Hughes: There were no cinder paths in the town and he considered concrete paving the best. He intended grooving the pave- ment on the gradient. There was concrete in other steep streets and there had been no accident. The road was now in a bad condition.—Mr Owen said his objection was that the expenditure w as un- reasonable, having regard to the vicinity and having regard to the fact that Mr Watkins had paid for the site L43 lis. 3d. in 1893 and that he already had to pay JE9 10s. for North road, for whicn he received no benefit. Captain Jenkins had to pay £18 10s for North-road. Mr Owen contended that a cinder path would do and would save £ 60.—Mr John Morgan asked Mr Owen if he meant loose cinder path or cinders set with tar. -Mr Owen replied Yes," and Mr Morgan added The same path. as are in other seaside places ?"—The Surveyor said by using the words "cinder path," it did not occur to him cinders set in tar or asphalt, because that would be nearly as dear as concrete.—Mr Owen replied th:it. he meant cinders laid down and rolled; and the Surveyor replied that that was what he meant.—Mr Hughes replied that a cinder path was not a permanent work and the road way could never be taken over by the Corporation. Mr Hughes added, with regard to Mr Watkins, that he (Mr Hubes)was acting for a public body and must adhere to his objection to Mr Watkins' notice.—Mr John Morgan, given the decision of the Bench, said that at the present mou.ent the Bench did not feel justified in deciding the question. They would reserve judgment for a week so that the Bench might visit the place and examine it. As regarded the price, again, the Bench was not in a position to say whether it was right or wrong.—Mr Hughes: Only the evidence.—Mr Moigan Only the evidence of the Surveyor.—Mr Hughes: Which is uncontra- dicted and when evidence is not contradicted it is to be taken as correct.—The matter of Loveden road was then taken when Mr Nightingale objected to a proportioned charge upon him of JE4 Is 3d, on the ground that it was a highway repairable bv the public.—Mr Hughes, who again appeared for the Corporation, pointed out that no new road was repairable by the public until it had been properly made, maintained for twelve months, and formally dedicated to the public after three months' notice. Mr Rees Jones, the surveyor, said Loveden road was made in its present form eight or ten years ago. -By Mr Owen There was a public path from Queen's road, by a bridge over the ropewalk, up the hill and on to Borth. That path abutted Mr Nightingale's house. The Corporation took down the bridge and made the read as far as it was made. Before houses were built, he received instruc- tions from the Council, as was shown bv the minutes, on the 23ch May 1889, to make the road thirty feet wide. The old footpath was in existence as long as he conld remember. I He believed the path abutted the houses on the south side. Did not think the owner ofPittville House, at the corner of Queen's road, had been asked to contribute anythiug.—Mr John Morgan Has John Jenkins been asked or the representatives of Owen Daniel been asked to contribute for the other part of the old Ropewalk ?— The Surveyor replied "Yes.Mr Hughes said the owner of Pittville House was not a frontager. He also stat- ed that that part had been done through a misun- derstanding and not by the direction of the Council. He should advise the Council to claim repaymenL, The Surveyor, in further reply to questions, said that Loveden road. as far as that action was con- cerned, began beyond the old Ropewalk bridge.— Mr Hughes addressii.g the Bench, contended that the road was of recent origin, and not an ancient road repairable by the public. The action of the corporation in widening the path, of fencing it out, and even of partly forming it did not make it so repairable. Mr Hughes quoted cases in support of his contention. — Mr Owen having addressed the Court, contending that it was au ancient road re- pairable by the public, the Bench reserved judgment.

TJRINTING of every description executed neat quick and cheap at the COUNTY TIMES Office Welshpool.

MACHYXLLETH. WAR. — A public dinner was given on Friday evening at the Lion Hole:, pe-sid-d -••ver by the M ay or, as a send-off to two i aiives f the town, who are about to leave for the fi\ r. The two men are J Artbur and Alfred Harris. The dinner WHS arranged by Lieutenant Wakelieid. POLICE (7 (-) U, RT. -At a special police, court held on Monday morning in the Town Hall, before Messrs Richard Rees and Richard Gillart. Edward Jones, Lion Hotel, applied for an extension of time for two hours on the occasion of the railwavmen's supper on Thursday night.—The application was granted. IHE NEW WOMAN- On Thursday evening Mr W 0 Jones of Aber delivered a lecture at the Wesleyan chapel on The new woman." Mrs Maglona Lloyd presided, and in a carefullv thought out speech urged the women of '.Iacl,N-nlleth to accept more fully the ideas of the new woman in as much as home government was affected. CYLLE ACCIDENT. Mr J A Ellis, son of Air Lewis Ellis, Lglwysfach, met with a encle accident on Monday afternoon. He was riding from the direc- tion of Taiiesin when the mud guard got into the wheel of his cycle, causing him to be thrown on his head, which was cut open. Dr A 0 Davies at- tended and Ellis is progressing as favourably as can be expected. BADMINTON.—The Machynlleth Club which has now been going for some years is rapidlv gaining ground and favour amongst the gentry of the neigh- bourhood, and the social gatherings on Wednesdays are thoroughly successful. The movement was started by Mrs Trevor, the Rectory, and Mrs Anwyl, of Llugv.-y, has given much help as treasurer, k-C. A year ago a match was played between the Mach- ynlleth Club and the Aberystwyth Badminton, the result of that was a win for Aberystwyth. In the y meantime the homesters were going at it very regularly and practising with much assiduity, and were bent upon avenging the defeat if possible*, and would the reader believe t the Machynlleth brigade trounced the sea-siders most beautifally, and the Aberystwythites looked and gazed on in amazement, but in fairness to them be it said they took it ia very good grace. The match took place on Wed- nesday afternoon at the Vane Hall, where a most Bymptuous tea was provided by Mrs Sackville- Phelps, of Kewlands, which was much enjoyed by the combatants. The teams consisted of four couples each, aud faced each other in the following order:—Machynlleth: Dr A 0 Davies and Mrs Davies, Mr ES R Trevor and Miss Gwladys Trevor. Mr Edwards and Miss Clifford Browne Mr T W Trevor and Miss Laseelles: Aberystwyth: Mr Lloyd Hughes and Miss Violet, Jones, Mr Cecil Jones and Mrs Leir, Mr Bonsall (Cwm) and Miss Amy Morgan, Mr Tudor Jones and Miss Morgan. The first round of the lively bout was between Mr T W Trevor and Miss Lascelies versus Mr Lloyd Hugbes and Miss Jones, and on the other side of the room the following ladies and gentlemen were keeping up the liveliness of the proceedings, viz.:—Dr and Mrs Davies and Mr Cecil Jones and Alrs Leir. Aberystwyth seemed a bit off it and at sea, as if unused to the new arena and courts, the surroundings seemed strange to them, and their movements and play were conse- quently a wee bit strange, and were beaten easily 15 to 5 and 15 to 1 respectively. Game followed game with eagerness, excitement, and rapidity, but notwithstanding the mighty pluck of the "Marines" they could make no headway against the home experts. The keenest struggle was that between Mr Lloyd Bughes and Miss Jones v Mr E S R Trevor and Miss Trevor. Result Home 15, Visitors 12. Mr Hughes and Miss Jones were really playing well, but the rest seemed a bit bewildered by the swift movements of their more wary opponents. The result of the grand tourna- ment was a win for Machynlleth by 16 games to nil. A hockey match is to come off soon, which promises to be of an interesting character. I noticed the following ladies and gentlemen present at the scene of operations — Mr ar-d Mrs Lascelies, Mr and Mrs Anwy I, Major and Mrs Bonsall, Mrs Clifford-Browne, Miss Wakefield, Mr and Mrs Wood (Dolguog). Mr and Mrs Jenkins, Mr R Gillart, Canon Trevor, Miss F Clifford-Browne, Miss Halle, Miss Rasbleigh, Miss Bonsall (Fronfraith;, Miss Morgan. Mr D E R Griffith and Mr A Lascelies kindly acted as referees. CAMBRIAN RAILWAVMEN'S DINNER. This annual dinner took place on Thursday evening at the Lion Hotel, and a most pleasant evening was spent. The president was the Rev D T Hughes, and he was ably supported by Mr Thos Plumb, one of the senior engine drivers on the line, who acted as vice-president. Between 60 and 70 men sat down at the tables, and Mr Hughes met with a very hearty reception as he entered the room. After an excellent dinner the tables were cleared, and the glasses having been charged, the curling fumes of the soothing weed were sent rolling. In addition to the vice-president, the President was ably supported on his right and left by Mr Lewis Jones, the main road superintendent, Mr Richard Jones and Mr Evans, two senior engine drivers, and Mr Wm Sajiger, of the Loco office, Mr Llewelyn Davies, station foreman, Mr Bowen, chief of the goods department, and Mr W E Evans (railway bookstall). A capital programme had been arranged and interesting toasts ready on the toast list.—The President, in proposing the health of Her Majesty the Queen," referred in glowing terms to the marvellous influence the character and the personality of the Queen throughout the world.—The toast was drunk with acclamation. Song, Colli y Tren," Mr Rd Evans, which was enjoyed very much, all joining heartily in the chorus.—Mr William Sanger proposed the Army and Navy and Auxiliary Forcess. Home and Colonial." He referred to the splendid wav in which our soldiers so nobly did their duty for Queen and country. We were all proud of them, and had every reason to be (cheers). He had great pleasure indeed in proposing the toast of the Army and ay.Sergeant Phillip Jones, D Company, 5th Batt S.W.B., replied and quoted the splendid readiness with which the local Volunteers had replied to the call to arms. He felt sure that the Volunteers of Machynlleth would give a very good account of themselves when called to the front.—Then came a Transvaal War Song by Owen John Ellis, who possesses a capital voice. An encore was demanded and given.— The toast of Bishop, Clergy and Ministers" was very ably proposed by Mr E Williams, who referred to the great and important and responsible work done by the clergy and ministers.-Thepresiden- suitably re- plied.—Mr G Caffrey then sang "The Gipsy's Warn- ing." The Town and Trade or ZUachynlleth was proposed by Mr Liomas Da\ ieF,/wbo in the course of a witty Veech said he had very little to say on the matter as he was a stranger in these parts having only lived in Machynlleth some 30 years.—Mr W E Evans, the popular and courteous manager of the Railway Bookstall responding to the toast made some very practical remarks and threw out some valuable bints. He noted it as a good sign that through some enterprising people in the place a large number of working men's cottages were being built, and he hoped to see the day when the Cambrian Railways Company would build cottages for the large number of em jjloved in the place (cheers). He would also like to see Man- lleth advertised a great deal more, on account of its surrounding scenery, which won the admiration of all who saw it. Mr Plumb, the vice-president gave a splendid rendering of a very breezy and beautiful eld song called Blow your whistle, bovs, blow. The Cambrian Railways" was to have been proposed by Mr John Pearce. but Mr Pearce only just recovering from a serious illness Air D P Jones took his place and referred to the great necessity of advertising the town more. He said the unpunctuality so often charged against the Cambrian Railways was most unfair, the fazilt was with the connecting railways, and not the Cam- brian. He thought the Cambrian Railways up to any line in the kingdom, although a doubi.' line would be an advantage. Mr Lewis Jones \ma:u road survever) responded for that department in Welsh. Mr Tom Plumb replied on behalf of the driveis and stokers. Mr Bowen, chief of the Goods Department, responded on behalf of the Traffic Department. He thought the Cambiian Railways had as their staff in Machynlleth and other places, as an(! faiti,flil a ,ot of servants as were to be found ou any railway in the kingdom. Comic song, That was me by Mr Geovge Weaver, an encore was demanded and given. Gong, Mr Ellis. Mr Humphreys "Thai's -he man for me." Mr W Llewelwyn Davies, the station fore- man, proposed a vote of thanks to the president in very select and flatter.ng words, vwocn were very well received by all present. Mr Griffith Williams seconded. Ti-e Host and Hosier was proposed bv Mr Richard Jones, a senior engine driver, who wished Mr and Mrs Jones and their family every prosperity in their new home in Chirk. Mr Rogers suitably responded. Mr Jones thanked both for their kind words. God save the Queen" and "Role Britannia" having been lustilv sung, the company partE-d, having passed a. thoroughly eiijoyabie evening. Mr Llo\ u Roberts, the veteran harpist, accompanied the songs with bis usual ability, and gave selections ou the harp during dinner.