The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

MONTGOMERYSHIRE IN 1908. Although there are few events of out- standing. importance to record of the past year, a brief readme may be alike interest- ing and valuable as a chapter in county history to which reference can be con- veniently made. TRADE. • Although feeling the effects of that uni- versal cycle of industrial depression, Mont- gomeryshire has not suffered to any great extent from unemployment. Its chief manu- facturing industries have yielded steady employment in fact, at Newtown the de- mand for skilled weavers could not be locally supplied. Here, too, Messrs Pryce- Jones, Ltd., have provided work for their average number of hands, and in no other parts of the county have the privations of unemployment been such as to necessitate an organised distribution of relief. The prosperous days of Welsh flannel are gone, but other Welsh manufactures continue to enjoy a reputation afield, thanks largely to the enterprize and character of our cap- tains of industry. For the rest, our trades- people are to a great extent dependent upon the patronage of the surrounding agricul- tural population, who were blessed by a fruitful season of harvests. It has not, however, been a money-making year for traders or manufacturers, who contemplate with much satisfaction the portents of an industrial brightening that appear with 1909. AGRICULTURE. Agriculturally, the year's retrospect gen- erally is a pleasing one. Seed time and harvest were favoured with capital weather, and the crops all-round were de- cidedly better than the average. Sheep did not maintain the high value of the previous year, but all other kinds of stock realised rent-paying prices. The farmer is depend- ing more and more upon stock-breeding, and the various district and county shows held throughout the year denoted that he has learnt the lesson of breeding only from the best. Not many years ago the prize- winning strains in horses and sheep were confined to a few large farms, where, with sufficient capital and other favouring re- sources, development in breeding could be practiced on a scale absolutely impossible to the smaller class of agriculturists, but the latter, encouraged by the high prices given for superior animals, are coming fast up on the former doyens. It is still to be regretted, however, that cattle-breeding in Montgomeryshire shows no improvement. While our horses and sheep figured prom- inently at the National Show, and annexed a large number of the chief honours, the county was practically unpresented by cat- tle. Why Montgomeryshire makes such a poor show in cattle breeds, whilst famous for its "Shires," is a problem that con- tinues to puzzle the ordinary mind. True, ours is a cattle-breeding rather than a feed- ing district, but, surely, the better the breeding the more valuable the stock. We may look forward to such an improvement as one of the results of that splendid scheme initiated by the County Member, under which an agricultural director is to be appointed for the county. The particu- lars of this scheme are so fresh in the memory that they need not be recapitu- lated here. Mr Davies undertakes to pay the salary of the director for the first five years, at the expiration of which time he believes that the County Authority will feel warranted in continuing his services by the great benefits which the appointment will have bestowed upon the agricultural industry. Mention of the County Member also recalls the continued progress which has been made in the breeding of hunters by the association which Mr Davies formed and so generously supports. While on a visit to Canada in tile. autumn, he pur- chased a number of prairie brood mares, as seeming suitable for the production of good hunting stock. and the progeny will be looked forward to with much interest by members of the association, to whom they have been gratuitously presented. SMALL HOLDINGS. The year has been one of inordinate im- "I y portance agriculturally. It witnessed thel operation of the Small Holdings and Allot- ments Act, which was conceived of the idea of stopping rural depopulation by opening up a career for the unfixed tiller of the soil, who is too often doomed to a depend- ent old age. No fewer than 170 persons ap- plied to the County Council for land, ex- tending in the aggregate to 2,619 acres. Up to the present only about one-third ot j the applicants have been satisfied, the ma-, jority through direct negotiations with the landlords. Mr David Davies made over to the County Council the small farm of Pen- dref at Llandinam, which will accommodate some half a dozen tenants, and other farms have been under consideration of the Com- mittee. But the Committee, if we are cor- rectly informed, have been relying too much on voluntary agencies for finding the necessary land. These are not forthcoming, I at least in sufficient numbers, and although successive committee reports are very plausible, it is not at all unlikely that com- pulsory powers will have to be enforced in order to acquire the land and land suitable for the grouping of holders, so that they may enjoy the benefits of co-operative work- ing. In the latter part of the year farmers were startled by a demand from the Meat Traders' Association for a warranty of the soundness of all animals purchased by them in market, fair, smithtield, or tarm, and at the instance of Mr Edward Green, The Moors, and other leading agriculurists, meetings were organised throughout the county to make united opposition. While farmers admit the butchers' grievance in having to sustain the loss of unsound meat, they repudiate a transference of that lia- bility to the breeders and sellers, and con- tend that the State should provide the com- pensation. These meetings were useful as illustrating the lessons of co-operative ac- tion in the agricultural industry, and they have evolved the formation of district so- cieties for the furtherance of the farmers' I interests. If conducted on sound co-opera- tive lines, they are likely to yield very sub- stantial benefits to an industry which has severely suffered for the want of unity. SUGAR BEET GROWING. Successful sugar-beet growing experiments in the neighbourhood of Montgomery have stirred considerable interest in the cultiva- tion of that new root crop in the county, and though farmers dislike innovations gen- erally, the chances are that the expert pro- nouncement upon those experiments will encourage their practice elsewhere. The multiplication of district auction sales has undoubtedly proved advantageous to the farmer by enabling him to dispense of stock almost at his very door, and so saving him the time, expense, and trouble of driving or conveying it to distant fairs or smithfields, where he was often tempted to sell at un- profitable prices by the double ordeal of having to bring the animals home again. We understand that satisfaction is ex- pressed with the prices obtained at these dis- trict sales, which, thanks to the enterprise of auctioneering firms, have falsified the no- tion of those people who prophesied their early failure. The Kerry Hill Flock Book Society goes on flourishing, and with the firm of Messrs Morris, Marshall, and Poole as its secretaries, the accomplishments of the future are certain to eclipse those of the past. During the summer the district and county agricultural shows were an average success, and we are glad to applaud the efforts of the Machynlleth Committee which rescued the local society from a parlous state, created by defections in the manage- ment. On the whole the retrospect con- tains few regrets for the farmer, who has enjoyed a fair share of fortune. We hope that the year that has just dawned will have as much goodness in store for him. It is gratifying to hear from time to time how much the agricultural community appre- ciate the instructive literature which we serve up for their special benefit every week. During the year we shall endeavour to maintain the reputation of The Farm- ers' Circle" by making it helpful to all classes connected with the land. MUNICIPAL. The doings of the various municipal bod- ies in the county have been followed with characteristic interest, and progress in many ways falls to be noted. It is gratify- ing to record that the public health has bulked so largely in the municipal mind. At Newtown, Machynlleth, and Welshpool this vital question has evolved schemes of sanitary improvement, whose operation is calculated substantially to diminish the death-rate. Although the scheme has not yet been realised, the Newtown Council have resolved upon the erection of a refuse destructor, thanks to the persistent efforts of the Medical Officer of Health. Nobody can defend the present primitive system of tipping, which creates miniature mountains of unsightly and evil-smelling rubbish. Erected on the gasworks land, where the necessary chimney stalk is already pro- vided, the dsetructor will be centrally placed, and so save labour and cost. Mach- ynlleth is completing an entirely new sew- age system, which it has long stood in need of, while Welshpool also comes into line with its Henfaes sewage scheme, which should not only prove of immense benefit to the inhabitants, but effect considerable retrenchment in sanitary administration. Intent upon sanitary conditions as perfect as they can be made, the Medical Officer at Newtown has advocated public baths and a public slaughter-house, neither of which, SrWlVer' he has as yet keen aWe to carry! VVe have to thank him for his great efforts in the interests of pure milk and meat sup- plies, the sources of which he has striven successfully to improve. The ratepayers of Newtown relished a reduction of sixpence in the rates, and the promise of a further reduction of their heavy financial burden this year. Unhappily, there has to be put on the contra side a serious falling off in the size of the monthly fairs, owing to the establishment of district auction sales. The Urban Council have been freely criticised for their inaction, and the year closes rather dismally for those tradespeople who depend so much upon agricultural custom. At Machynlleth, however, the local authority has taken a step forward by the provision of monthly fairs. The great event of the year at Llanidloes was the opening in June of the new munici- pal buildings, reading and recreation rooms, free library, hotel, and market hall, gifted to the town by Mr David Davies, M.P., who, on that memorable occasion, was created the first honourable freeman of the ancient borough. The opening ceremony was fully reported in these columns. It is pleasing to record that the revenue bearing portions of the buildings have been pro- fitable beyond the most liberal expectations, while the intellectual side of them has been most worthily appreciated by all classes in the community. The Llanfyllin Council have done their work quietly, but progres- sively. Considerable communal indignation was created by an attempt to cel public access to the Green Hall Park, which the Council handled in a dignified and success- ful fashion. Noteworthy among the pro- posals debated by this Council during the year are a smithfield and a golf course, upon which projects committees are deliberating.! "Something attempted; something done" may also be recorded of the Welshpool Corporation under the chieftainship of Dr Thomas, and if the Council has been lack- ing during 1908, the blood of children that parish prematurely in the notorious slums of Powysland cannot come upon the Mayor's head. The municipal fathers have succeeded in getting for the boys and girls a recreation ground on lease at a nominal rent from the Lord 'of the Manor; it is situate on "the top of the town," and by no means so convenient and pleasant as those portions of Powis Castle Park which formed the communal playground in by- gone years. But beggars must not be choosers," even though they be represen- tatives of the people. The Corporation again has at last decided what to do with the site of the Puzzle-square slum, which the late Alderman Charles Howell pre- sented to the town. This small space is being transformed into an open-air gym- nasium-a scheme which, however, has not commended itself to those burgesses who have to live in the surrounding houses. At one period in the year it seemed as though the Council would tackle the hous- ing conditions of the town. A working- man's candid revelations, set forth in the Express,' strained the sanitary authority into activity for a time. The Mayor has given his colleagues a progressive lead, but it is to be feared that on this housing question he has not met with the co- operation which his efforts deserved, and which his enthusiasm would command, if directed towards such a subject as the celebration of Empire Day." THE COUNTY COUNCIL. Several important questions stand out in the discussions of the County Council dur- ing the past twelve months, and not the least gratifying accomplishment was the re- duction of the county rate by 3d and the education rate by 2id. The Conservatives, wishful to justify their electioneering charge of extravagance against the Liberals, de- manded further reductions, but were unable by sound financial reasoning to convince the majority that a smaller estimated bal- ance than F-3,000 would ensure administra- tive efficiency. Notwithstanding an influ- ential call to increase the higher education rate from a half-penny to a penny, the Council held that a good case had not been made out for the increase as yet, though it seems inevitable that the increasing cur- ricula of the County schools will eventually bring about the necessity for levying the penny. Throughout the Bicton Asylum controver- sy the county ratepayers anxiously watched the conflict of opinion. The triumph of the Lunacy Commissioners, whose scheme, backed by the Chairman of the Council, was to extend the asylum, would have in- volved the ratepayers in an expenditure es- timated at between £ 10,000 and £ 12,000. The proposed purchase of Copthorne estate for £ 18,500 for the purpose of extending the asylum was but the first cost, and this the Home Secretary promptly vetoed, for the primary reason that future legislation was calculated to materially reform the whole system, of lunacy administration. Mr Glad- stone inquired whether there was no accom- modation for the overflow of patients at Bicton Asylum available in any of the county workhouses, and to this end Colonel Pryce-Jones and Mr Richard Lloyd, strongly backed at headquarters by the Borough Member, vigorously applied themselves. Happily, the Forden Board of Guardians came to the rescue with the offer of a partial apportionment of their workhouse as a sup- plemental asylum, and also an expressed willingness to consider the question of yield- ing up the entire House on certain condi- tions. This offer at once provided a prac- tical way out of the difficulty, obviated an enormous expenditure, and laid the basis for an amalgamation of local unions, which would effect a very substantial diminution of poor-law administration, while at the same time benefiting all classes of county tradesmen, few of whom have reaped any return from the many thousands of pounds contributed by the ratepayers towards the maintenance of the Bicton institution. Moreover, it was proved that under such an arrangement all the three partners in the joint counties asylum would be financially benefited. But Shropshire, or at any rate its representatives on the asylum board, were determined, if possible, to carry out the extension scheme which the Lunacy Commissioners favoured, and not until the Home Secretary had been exhorted to de- clare his final refusal to sanction it did they give up hope. The ratepayers of Mont- gomeryshire are indebted to those of their representatives who fought so untiringly and successfully to defeat the realization of that costly project. The disastrous overflowing of the Green Brook provided a subject for a somewhat long drawn out controversy between the Council and the Urban Authority of New- town, which ultimately resulted in the for- mer agreeing to raise the wall by eighteen inches, surmounted by a fence, on condition that the latter undertook to keep the water course clear. It is generally thought that this provision will safeguard Newtown from a Recurrence of such ravaging floods, though many people are inclined to the opinion that the increased height of the protection wall is not adequate. Time will tell. The re-election of Captain Mytton as Chairman of the Council deservedly honoured a veteran public servant, whose untiring devotion to the public interests of his native county cannot be unduly extolled. Mr Hugh Lewis was worthily retained in the vice-chair. Under the direction of these two gentlemen the Council have worked satisfactorily, and, on the whole, harmoni- ously. Owing to the memorable flood in June, which caused serious damage to roads and bridges, the Council have had to levy an additional penny rate to make good an estimated damage of £ 1,000. This, of course, is exclusive of the destruction done to roads and bridges belonging to the rural district authorities. EDUCATIONAL. Although since those exciting meetings of the revolt period educational administration may have lost much of its grip upon public attention, the past year has witnessed con- siderable progress in many things that make for educational efficiency. Prominent of these is the erection of a new schoool at Clatter, which marks a pleasing and peace- ful evolution of revolt. Towards the cost of the building £ 1,066 was received from the McKenna grant, which, together with a contribution from the campaign fund, left but IV-33 to be provided by the district and county ratepayers. Resolutions have been passed during the year to erect new schools at Carreghofa, Aberhosan, Aberhafesp, and Céfncoed: At Aberhafesp there will be a balance of but E465 to be defrayed by the county and district, as E700 has been prom- ised towards the building. The new school at Cefncoed will cost between P-750 and 4:800, but with a subsidy of JSBnn the snr. I plus to be made up from the rates cannot be a heavy one. Aberhosan school not be- ing a single area school, no McKenna grant is available. The present school, held in the old chapel, has been condemned by the Board of Education, so that the County Authority is obliged to build a new one at an estimated expenditure of about £ 900, half of which will fall on both county and local rates. Nor will this grant come to the assistance of the rates for the Carreghofa school, where the accommodation of from 100 to 150 children requires a structure cost- ing between £1,200 and £ 1,500. From time to time the Conservative party on the Education Authority have strongly criticised expenditure on the schools, and recently Mr Forrester Addie declared that the Education Authority had already in- curred liability in respect of new schools to the extent of £ 25,000. This was obviously an erroneous statement when one reflects that the new Education Authority had to take over the loans of the old School Boards. We daresay, however, that that serious chal- lenge will not go unanswered-in other words, we may expect soon to see the finan- cial situation explained by a detailed re- turn. Not a little criticism, too, has been directed towards the avoidance of costly ex- tras involved in the erection of new schools, particularly p,t Dernol, where, however, it should be remembered that these were in- curred consequent upon a visit of the Local Government Board inspector, who insisted up6n certain additional works relative to water and sanitation. But that criticism proved useful in convincing the authority of the necessity for a more efficient system in the carrying out of new erections and ex- tensive repairs. A notable event in the year was the dis- bandment of the six district committees on the ground of economy. Both financially and educationally, we think, the departure has been abundantly justified. To all in- tents and purposes the district committees were but school attendance committees, with no powers of initiative or control. As an intermediary between the school manag- ers and the County Authority, the existence of those committees was sometimes respon- sible for the needlesss prolonging of com- municative interchanges, and although their abolition was strongly opposed by some of our educationalists whose opinions I in most matters carry weight, the results are satisfactory. The two large attendances committees are perhaps more independent than the local bodies; at any rate, the aver- age attendances have risen, with a corres- ponding increase in Government grant. With regard to school attendances, con- siderable disatisfaction has been expressed with the lenient treatment of defaulting parents by the magistrates as a whole, and by one or two Benches in particular. This is a grievance to which we have long di- rected attention, and a recent pointed refer- ence to it within the Education Authority itself may have the effect of teaching ma- gisterial discretion" to be more discreet. Magistrates contend that they determine such cases according to the circumstances brought before them, which is tantamount to saying that the attendance committees have not sifted the whole facts, or are bad or unsympathetic judges, guided only by the desire for Government grant. It has been repeatedly pointed out that parental prosecutions are determined upon only after all other means have been exhausted and every consideration made for the particular circumstances of each case. In a review of events, it may not be considered proper to opinionate, but we may, at least, hope that throughout the new year "magisterial dis- cretion" will keep the fact in mind, and regard such cases primarily from the stand- point of the educational needs of the children. Reports and results attained have testified to the excellent work done at the Interme- diate schools during the past twelve months, with the single exception of the school at Llanfair, whose closure was seri- ously talked of in the earlier part of the year. A secondary school which attracted but twenty pupils, and kept them for not more than two years, suggests that either the school is not required in the district, or that the desire for higher education is want- ing. It appears that the establishment of a county school at Llanfyllin, together with the opening of the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway, have affected the attendance; but in deference to local protest that its aboli- tion would be "a breach of faith with the inhabitants, who sacrificed so much to erect the building," the County Authority contin- ues to recognise the school. Those who strongly advocate fewer and better equipped secondary schools are not satisfied with this decision, and so the last word has not been spoken. At all the other Intermediate schools the numbers of pupils have been well maintained, and, in some instances, in- creased, and this satisfactory state of things is likely to be improved upon by the crea- tion of 25 per cent. of free places, in order to extend the advantages of higher learning to the children of the working classes who cannot afford to pay the fees. The introduction of agricultural teaching has given practical effect to a widespread desire for industrial specialisation at these schools suited to the needs of the district, and ere the year has run its course we hope to see this idea greatly developed. Equally gratifying are the reports of pro- gress made at the elementary schools and the evening continuation classes, which are certain to be multiplied in both town and country. Not the least important feature of the year's record educational was the systematic inspection of all school children, carried out for the first time under the new Act, the purpose of which is to ascertain whether the children are physically fit, properly nourished, and housed in healthy buildings, and whether they are sustaining any bodily or mental injury from their school attend- ance. This beneficent Act was conceived of the neglect of school hygiene, and its operations will undoubtedly prove of enor- mous assistance, not only to the cause of education, but to the production of a and healthier race. The Education Autho- rity appointed medical officers over groups of district schools, their inspection has been completed, and before long we shall learn of the results. OBITUARY. The year will be remembered for the re- moval by death of a very large proportion of our old people. It will be interesting to recall the names of septuagenarians, octo- genarians, and nonogenarians, that have gone from among us since the advent of the old year. Here is the list culled from the weekly obituary columns of the Express' Caroline Davies, Llanfair, 75 Mrs Jane Evans, Montgomery, 79; Mrs Edward Morris, Stepaside, Mochdre, 75 Mr Thomas Evans, Albion House, Machynlleth, 72 Mr John Jones, Vachir, Berriew, 74 Mr James Hamer, Llandinam Hall, 77 Mrs Evan Humphreys, Fraithwen, Adfa, 75 Mrs Philip Pritchard, Newtown, 75 Mrs Mar- garet Thomas, Welshpool, 76 Miss Morris, Bronhaul, Llanfyllin, 73 Mr John Davies, Gas-street, Newtown, 70 Mrs/ Jones, The Cross, 71 Mr Swancott, Caersws, 75 Mr Thomas, Forden, 76; Mrs Jones, Dolydd, Llanfair, 78 Mrs Davies, Llanwyddelan, 71 Mr Thomas, Wesley Place, Newtown, 79 Rev Mr Williams, Merton- terrace, New- town, 70 Mr Edwards, Welshpool, 78 Mrs Ruscoe, Welshpool, 79 Mr Jones, Caerbwla, Llanerfyl, 78 Mr Pryce, Upper Pentre, Llandyssil, 77 Mr Morgan, Trelydan, 78 Mr Young, Montgomery, 77; Mrs Howells, Forden, 70 Mr Rowlands, Moat Lane, 70 Mrs Hopkins, Meifod, 73 Mrs Hughes, Penllwyn, Llanwnog, 73 Mr Morgan, Coed- poeth, Mochdre, 72 Mr Richard George, Gorphwysfa, Llanidloes, 70; Mrs Thomas, Yerchan, Dolfor, 78 Mrs Davies, Bryn, Abermule, 77 Mrs Whitticase, Cockshutt, Churchstoke, 77 Mrs Ann Davies, Church House, Hysington, 76 Mr Williams, Salop- road, Welshpool, 72 Mr Bebb, Trefeglwys, 78; Mrs Edwards, Upper Mount, Cefncoed, 72 Mr Breeze, Cefnuppole, Berriew, 77 Mr Jones, King's Head, Guilsfield, 72 Mr Pryce, Sarn, 74 Mrs Pryce, Lower-terrace, Welshpool, 74 Mrs Davies, Old Church- street, Newtown, 73 Mr Jones, Church- street, Welshpool, 73 Mr Reynolds, Crown- street, Newtown, 71 Mrs Jones, Pool Cres- cent, Newtown, 76 Mrs Marston, Forden, 78 Mrs Bevan, Bryn-street, Newtown, 75 Mrs Morris, Rock Cottage, Cefnmawr, 78 Mr Williams, Kerry-road, Newtown, 75 Mr Twentyman, Castlecroft, Wolverhampton, 75; Miss Davies, late of Llanfair Caereinion, 75 Mr Evans, Trevaldwyn, Shrewsbury, 79;! Mr Pughe, late of Abermaide, Aberystwyth, 71 Mr Thomas, Oswestry Dispensary, 78 Mr Bevan, Caersws Workhouse, 72 Mr Griffiths, Caersws Workhouse, 78 Mr Pilot, Caersws Workhouse, 77 Mrs Watts, Cwm- digal, Kerry, 77 Mr Pugh, Church-street, Bishop's Castle, 74 Mr Bebb, Park-road, Cwmparc, Treorchy, 70 Mr Davies, Brook Cottage, Llanbister, 74 Mr Pryce, Frolic Farm, Sarn, 74 Mr Jones, Ravenstreet, Welshpool, 78 Mr Cottam, Caxton House, Oswestry, 79 Mrs Stephens, Pool-road, New- town, 85 Mrs May Lloyd Jones, Newtown, 83; Mrs Wm. Bowen," Rock, Newtown, 82; Mr Thomas, Newtown, 88 Mrs Elizabeth Hughes, Llanwnog, 82 Mrs Powell, Garreg, Dolfor, 89; Mrs Henry Elias, Black Mill, Welshpool, 83 Mrs Evan Evans, Moat, Chirbury, 80 Mr Robert Roberts, Thorn- leigh, Newtown, 82; Mr Charles Turner, Wain, Llandinam, 82; Mr John Roberts, Bod- lith, Llansilin, 80; Mr David Jones, Fron- heulog, Berriew, 80 Mr John Wooding, Welshpool, 83 Mr William Woosnam, Cefn- caled, Kerry, 83 Mr Thomas Sexton, Llan- erchydol Lodge, 80; Mr Henry Barratt, wool merchant, Newtown, 81 Mr Thomas Humphreys, Welshpool, 82 Ann Pryce, Welshpool, 88 Mr James Jones, Welsh- pool, 80; Mr Edward Davies, Dolcaradog, 88; Mrs D. Humphreys, Upper Caerau, Llanrhaiadr, 84 Mr Edward Lloyd, Rock Cottage, Montgomery, 83 Mrs Ann Pugh, Cwm Dingle, Welshpool, 89 Mr William Vaughan, Penybank, Llanidloes, 84; Mr Evan Davies, Brynmawr, Llanerfyl, 83; Mr Pryce Wilson, Fflnant, Manafon, 83; Mr Thomas Gardner, Welshpool, 81; Sarah Gregory, Crosswood, Llandrinio, 84; Mr John Hickman, Welshpool, 87; Margaret Ingram, Welshpool, 80; Mrs Philip Jones, Newtown, 89; Mr Edward Allen, Kerry, 89; Mr Cooke, Market-square, Bishop's Castle, 87; Mrs Owen, Fronfraith, Abermule, 82; Mrs Hmuphreys, Upper Caerau, Llandinam, 84; Mr Jones, Forden, 80; Mrs Pryce, Lower Terrace, Welshpool, 88; Mrs Jones, Berthen- gron, Bronwylfa, Wrexham, 80; Mr Hum- -phreys, Welshpool, 82; Mr Andrew, Shakes- haft-street, Blackburn, 84; Mrs Roberts, Fron, Llanfyllin, 80; Mrs Edwards, 24, Melville-street, Portobello, Edinburgh, 86; formerly < Llanfair; Mr Grice, Caersws Workhouse, 88; Mrs Hicks, Pentre, New- town, 80; Mrs Jones, Orchard Villa, Caer- sws, 85; Rev Wilding, Westbourne-ter- race, London, 84; Mary Owen, Kerry-road, Newtown, 95; Mrs Sarah Francis, Cwm, Bettws, 91; Mr William Davies, Little Cefnpool, Bettws, 91; Mr Daniel Edwards, Caersws, 99; Ann Morris, late of Gaer, For- den, 92; Mrs Allen, Brickfield, Kerry, 90. ELECTIONS. In Newtown, Welshpool, and Llanidloes the municipal elections excited an unusual amount of public interest. Quite a galaxy of candidates entered the lists for civic dis- tinction at Newtown, and three new mem- bers gained seats-Messrs J. H. Jones S Jarvis, and R. E: George, the unsuccessful, aspirants being Messrs Evan Ashton, Edward Jones, and George Jones. The seat in the Newtown Ward vacated by the death of Mr David Owen fell to Mr J. H. Jones, and the retiring members who found favour with the electors were Mr John Parry and Mr T. A. lorster. In the town ward, Mr Jarvis headed the poll with 581 votes, Mr George coming second with 530, and Mr Forster third with 493. The surprise packet of this election was the rejection of Mr Edward Jones, wool merchant, who had been a mem- ber of the Council for a quarter of a century. To the chair of the Council, Mr A. S. Cooke succeeded Mr Alfred Ford. At a subsequent bye-election, caused by the death of Coun- cillor Richard Lewis, Mr R. H. Bennett, Pentrehedyn, won over Mr Thomas Rogers the Bryn. 6 There was no contested election at Mach- ynlleth, all the retiring members being re- turned uhopposed. Mr H. Lewis was elected chairman. In November the ratepayers of Welshpool were not prepared for a single contest until the eleventh hour, when personal feeling to- wards Councillor J. Pryce Jones caused a poll in the Llanerchydol Ward, the Tories bringing forward Mr Richard Jenkins, who suffered rejection by a majority of 144. Dr Thomas was unanimously retained in the mayoral chair. At Llanidloes the four vacant seats fell to Messrs Edward Hamer, J. Kinsey Jones, Richard George, and Evan Williams. Mr O'Neil was unsuccessful at the first time of asking.. For the mayoral chair, then held by Mr Richard George, Mr Horsfall Turner was unanimously chosen. No election dis- turbed the peace at Llanfyllin, and the Mayor (Mr Edwards) was given renewed lease of honour. Nor in the County town were candidates required to fight for their seats, and here, too, the Mayor (Mr Fairies- Humphreys) found acceptance for another lease of the chair, which he has now occu- pied ten years. The members of the Forden Board of Guardians once more honoured their faithful and popular Chairman (Mr William Pritchard), who was also voted to the vice-chair of the Rural Council. Mr M. ii. Francis was exalted to the chair of the Machynlleth Board, and Mr Edward Hughes was retained at the head of the Rural Council. Mr Richard Evans has efficiently presided over the Caersws Board of Guard- ians, and with equal success Mr D. Lloyd has conducted the deliberations of the Rural Council. DISAPPEARANCE OF THE VOLUNTEERS In Montgomeryshire, as elsewhere, the year marked a memorable change in matters military. Mr JIaldane's army re-organisa- tion scheme, while dismissing the old volun- teer, re-enlisted him in what is known as the Territorial Army. The conditions of the new service were locally criticised, and many volunteers dropped from the ranks dissatis- fied with the new conditions of enlistment, and individual obligations and responsibili- ties. A series of explanatory speeches deliv-, ered by Colonel Sandbach and others did much to remove the prevalent disturbing doubt and to enlighten the general concep- tion of the scheme, but numerous familiar figures in the old Dandy Fifth" are no longer wearing the scarlet tunic. On the other hand, recruits were enlisted from dis- tricts that had hitherto contributed little to the patriotic manhood of the country, and on the whole the response to Mr Haldane's call may now be regarded as satisfactory. The establishment strength—i.e., the total number required in Montgomeryshire-is 511, and it is confidently conjectured that when the new conditions have been thoroughly tested, this number will be forthcoming. Although affiliated to Merionethshire for the purpose of raising a battalion of recognised strength, Montgomeryshire practically pre- serves its old regimental distinction with four companies as hitherto. The construc- tion of new rifle ranges and drill halls, as is contemplated, will doubtless give an im- petus to the movement, and by another year we feel certain of having to record that each of the four companies is at full strength. 1908 has been a sorrowful year for mili- tary Welshpool. The militia colours, taken from the barracks and handed ceremon- ioulsy into the safe custody of another de- partment of State, now hang in the parish church. Nor has the prospect of a rifle range at Castle Caereinion consoled the shopkeepers of Powysland's capital for the commercial loss caused to them by the disbandment of the 4th Battalion of South Wales Borderers. The town made a bid to become a cavalry depot for the Welsh Command. But the prevailing pessimism has not yet vanished from Pool. POLITICAL.. Although uneventful, politically the year has not been an uninteresting one, thanks to the Protectionist propaganda of our Tory friends. Vanmen and other itinerant ser- vants of the Tariff Reform League stumped the country, prefwhing the inestimable bene- fits of taking the foreign manufacturer. On the Liberal side there was, unfortunately, little activity, and whatever the Protection- ists may have gained from their campaign, it is the reward of energy and enthusiasm. Both County and Borough Members of Par- liament. htive faithfully and assiduously at- tended to their duties, and striven to pro- mote all local interests. Mr Rees has es- pecially distinguished himself in many of the more important Parliamentary discus- sions of both national and imperial affairs, while his persistent and influential represen- tations to various Government departments are publicly unrecorded efforts that have gained much for these boroughs.. At the re- cent meeting of the Tory party in Newtown, it transpired that Colonel Pryce-Jones in- tends at next election to again contest the seat, but up till now the county Tories have not-at any rate publicly-discussed their in- tentions with regard to the sitting member. Some political excitement was witnessed at Pool in connection with the municipal election in the Llanerchydol Ward, where an irresponsible section of Toryism opposed the return of Mr John Pryce Jones, chiefly on personal grounds. To mark their disap- proval of such tactics, many Tory electors abstained from voting, while some members of that party actually polled for the sitting member, whose opponent suffered the crush- ing defeat noted elsewhere. A MEMORABLE RAIN STORM. The afternoon of the third of June will long be memorable for a disastrous rain storm, the like of which cannot be recalled by the oldest inhabitants of Montgomery- shire. Though of short duration, it wrought almost indescribable havoc. At Newtown the Green Brook overflowed, and inundated to the depth of several feet a large low-lying portion of the town; disastrous occurrences on the Cambrian Railway temporarily stopped all traffic on the line between Welshpool and Machynlleth; between Carno and Pontdolgoch, a railway bridge, known as the" Black Bridge," which spans the Carno brook, was washed away; flat lands presented the appearance of miniature seas distressing scenes were witnessed at Welsh- pool, consequent upon the flooding of the Lledan brook; an enormous amount of poul- try was lost; fields of potatoes were prac- tically washed out, and from all parts of the county came reports of serious destruction. Such, indeed, was the storm that human in- genuity could not have provided for it, so sudden was its coming and so irresistable its might. Accompanying this cloud-burst was a thunderstorm, from which farmers suffered severely in the loss of stock struck by lightning. RECREATION. SpoA of all kinds has been well main- tained, and although we may not boast a return to those days when Montgomeryshire enjoyed a widespread reputation for the high- class character of its footballers, the various clubs have shown up well in all their com- petitions. Within the county a keener rival- ry never perhaps existed. A few years since the devotees of golf in our county could be enumerated with little difficulty, but to-day they are counted by the hundreds. New- town, Montgomery, Machynlleth, and Welsh- pool are now great golfing centres, and pos- sess many fine exponents of the game. The season's honours went to Newtown, which did not lose a single inter-club match. A similarly creditable position is occupied by the Newtown Bowling Club, which holds an unbeaten record between Oswestry and Aber- ystwyth. The presidential prize of a silver cup was won by Mr David Bunford, one of the club's most popular and most skilful players. As usual the most attractive athletic fea- ture of the year was the Royal Welsh Ware- house Recreation Society's annual sports in June, which, as formerly, proved a great triumph of conception and management, and produced a programme of sport, music, and amusement of rare excellence. A record crowd estimated at 14,000 witnessed the pro- ceedings. For the Society's 60 guinea silver cup, A. E. Maycock, T. Sherratt, and Minton (previous winners) competed, but the trophy was deservedly won by Denniss Hodgetts, of the Rovers C.C. In the band quickstep Shaw won, and in the contest piece the hon- ours were annexed by Crossfield's Soap Works. Moelwyn was adjudicated the best male voice choir, and the Dovey Glee party came first of the mixed choirs. Our cricketers enjoyed a fairly successful season, and the formation of a county club will do much to popularise the grand old summer game by inciting batsmen and bowl- ers to qualify for inclusion in the team of all the talents. Hockey, too, has developed a considerable measure of popularity throughout the coun- ty, and the recognition of several local play- ers for national honours denotes their out- standing merit. MISCELLANEOUS. Notable among events in the life of church and chapel was the departure- of the Rev Prebendary Burd from Chirbury, where he had laboured for 45 years with much accept- ance. We witnessed at Newtown the extraordin- ary spectacle of a strike of Wesleyan local preachers, brought about by the re- fusal to allow the church at Newtown to dis- sociate itself from the Severn Valley Mission for the purpose of securing a Welsh pastor. Our readers will recollect the lively con- troversy which took place in these columns over the declaration of the Rev Norman Dodd, at Welshpool, that the Church of England was the Church of Christ, but that Nonconformist institutions were mere man- made. The epistolary debate ran through many issues, and much straight hitting at- tested the sharp divisions in religious thought. We had the pleasure of congratu- lating the worthy Vicar of Dolfor upon hav- ing obtained the distinction of Doctor of Divinity from one of the leading universities in the United States. At Llanidloes considerable feeling was manifested regarding the enforced retiral of the station master (Mr Dulston), who was subsequently appointed librarian at the new free library. Speaking of railway matters recalls the sanction obtained to the Cam- brian Railway Company's desire to raise ad- ditional capital with which to pay off loans, and devote the balance to the development of traffic. As we go to press, we have the pleasing information that the efforts to erect a new county infirmary at Newtown are approach- ing successful completion. The major por- tion of the necessary cost (of which the County Member contributed £3000) has been raised, and plans are in the course of pre- paration for the new building upon an ad- mirable site generously gifted by Mr Edward Powell, of Plasybryn.

The Turkish Speaker. In accordance with an Irade of the Sultan Ahmed Riza Bey, the well-known Young Turk leader, who received the highest number Qf votes for the post, was installed Prpsident of the Turkish Parliament amidst a general displayof enthusiasm. Speaking from the chair, he counselled modera- tion, reminding the deputies that the eyes of all Europe were fixed upon them, and that they would be judged by their political capacity and their behaviour. The selection of Talaat Bey, of Adrianople, as First Vice-President, was also greeted with cheers. In a forecast of the Address in reply to the .Speech from the Throne, a special correspondent describes the dooument as courteous but decidedly severe towards the Throne.

In a cemetery on the slopes of a snow-clad mountain at Nyack, in the State of New York, gathered the devoted followers, all women, of a prophet named Spangler, to await the end of the world and their own flight to heaven. The amazing scene is described with picturesque detail. Spangler himself deserted the faithful on the eve of the journey, and a warrant is in pursuit of him on the ground that he is a public nuisance.

A DEFENCE OF THE I UNITED STATES. Interesting Letter and some J Noteworthy Figures. ¡ A resident of Newtown, writing to a ministe j in the United States, referred to the apparen "rottenness" of affairs over there. The follow ing reply was received, and we are pleased to be granted permission to publish it:- You asked some questions in your letter about conditions—religious, moral, social, financial. Your impression over thero seemed to b, that there was nothing but rottenness in the whole fabric. In the first place I want to say that I do not wonder at the impression that prevails abroad, because so many of our papers parade such things in startling headlines when anything is found amiss. I want to say, however, that take this country man for man, the moral and religious and com- mercial standards are very much higher than the England that I used to know. There is not any- thing like the drunkenness and degradation here that there used to be in England, and the busi- ness failures as a result of those things. That the tremendous development of resources and quick accumulation of wealth has made possible certain abuses by combinations no one cares to deny, but that is merely like the foam on the tull and hurriedly flowing river. The great body of water is not largely affected by it. In regard to combines take the strongest one, the Standard Oil. It has done a good deal that does not satisfy our rapidly advancing commercial standards, but things that used net to be thought anything of, yet we get our kerosine to burn at ten cents a gallons, while I have paid in Canada forty cents a gallons, and it used to be twice the price it now is in this country before the Standard became prominent. A person can get a self- binding harvester in this country for about half the price he can in England, while the workman that made it is getting about twice as big pay as the English workman. I am wearing while writ- ing this, a run-about sort of business suit, that I have worn for over three years, and I paid ten dollars for it when I got it. I have just got by far the best frock coat suit with a fancy vest that I ever wore and it only cost me 27 dols. By far the most of things that we use in the house are cheaper here than in England. About one hundred church Mc-mbers in only the ordinary circumstances of the community, are able to pay me over 1,000 dols. a year salary and house rent free, besides giving about 300 dols. a years to the various funds for missions, etc., outside. In our little town of about 1,000 people we have two banks, three department stores, two meat markets three groceries, one bakery, one exclusive dry goods, and a number of smaller concerns, and all making money, and many of them have become independent in a few years. I know numbers of farmers that started around here from 25 to 12 years ngo with practically nothing, that are now worth trom 20,000 dola. up to half a million. As to the ordinary person being afraid to invest it is just the other way on, and that is what largely causes the panics. In very good times a person makes investments in land, stocks, and various enterprises and borrows a great amount of the moneys he invests, as long as business goes as strongly as it did, he can pay his interest, but if business slacks a little he cannot meet his interest payments, and this means closing out his business at loss. This being quite general the banks refuse te loan their money because of unsettled conditions, and many of them having money out cannot realize on it though the security is ample and so panic ensues. As to investing, I wish I had a few thousands of dollars to invest in some things that I know I could soon make money on without any effort on my part. I did own a quarter section of land for a year and a half, and it made me about 450 dels. clear profit, and it is very cheap at the price I sold it. Fancy, land that will produce at a very low estimate 15 bushels of wheat on an acre per year, and wheat selling at ninety cents a bushel, and such land selling at ten dollars an acre. A person could pay for it easy in one good year. By far the greater part af the business of our merchants is a cash business, and the farmers all get cash prices for grain, cattle, poultry, etc. A sheep man six miles west of here just marketed wool that has brought him over 16,000 dols. No, you are mistaken about this country. There are abuses, there are rascals, there are things that need remedying, but there is not another eighty million people under the shining sun where the rank and file of the people are getting as large and as comfortable a share of God's bounties, and where the moral tone is, taking all in all, as high as here. Of course, this country has a tlisk that no country under heaven has been called upon to solve, and that is to take over a million a year of Europe's poor, and ignorant, and often criminal, from all nations and languages, and kinds of government and civilisation, and try to make good Americans of these, worthy of free institu- tions, and self rule, many of whom are utterly ignorant of free government, and become often the eaay prey of the shrewd and criminal from their own lands. This is a giant task that God hat given this nation, but it has the salt, I believe to accomplish the task.

DREADFUL EARTHQUAKE One Hundred Thousand Lives Lost. Another of those seismic convulsions by which Southern Italy has so often been devastated has visited a wide district of Calabria and Sicily, causing terrible loss of life and great destruction of property. In at least four provinces a violent shock of earthquake was experienced, and several towns were temporarily given over to panic, the inhabitants in some cases camping out in the fields. People were killed by falling walls or buried beneath falling houses, and heartrending scenes were witnessed on all sides. On the coast huge waves arose with appalling suddenness, engulfing numbers of fishing vessels, and Messina is practically destroyed. The disaster is greater than anything you can imagine." This poignant sentence in a telegram sent by a deputy from Messina to the Italian Premier sums up the details of the awful catastrophe beside which the Calabrian earthquake of 1905 Peems almost a small matter. The same message describes Messina as totally destroyed," and added: The victims must be counted by thousands. Fire is completing the work of destruction." Another report quoted by our correspondent in a special despatch from Rome says the number of victims in Messina and neighbouring places is nearly 100,000, and the worst is feared for Reggio di Calabria, overwhelmed as it was by a vast seismio wave immediately after the earthquake shock. Indeed, the majority of the villages on the Straits of Messina have been swept out of existence. The King and Queen of Italy, whose departure to the afflicted district bas gratified the whole country, have received messages of deep sympathy from the heads of many foreign States, and British war vessels have baen despatched to Sicily with means of succouring the distressed population. Thq Lord Mayor has loar, no time in opening a Mansion House Fund on behalf of the victims of what is only too likely to prove the greatest catastrophe of the kind recorded.

Looking Healthy. "I have nothing special to report," said Inspec- tor William Davies at the monthly meeting of Forden Rural District Council on Wednesday. This was taken by the Guardians to be indicative of a very satisfactory state of affairs, and, quoth Mr John Edwards, of Heldre (the veteran coun- cillor), I must congratulate our District Council upon having no report from their Inspector." Yes," added the Chairman (Mr J. T. Ward), that looks healthy enough."

Life-Boat Services in 1908. Although the storms and gales of the year 1908 provided plenty of work for the life-boats of the Royal National Life-Boat Institution and their gallant crews, the year, as a whole, was not a remarkably boisterous one. The heaviest gales of the year occurred on the 6th and 8th of March, the 31st August, and the 1st September. On the first occasion 62 lives were saved and five vessels, and 13 other persons were landed, 19 life-boats being launched; whilst during the other gale mentioned, 28 lift'-biats were launched, resulting in the saving of seven lives and one vessel, 59 persons in imminent danger being also landed.