The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

Fighting has occurred on the Venezuelan coast bbtween supporters of the ex-President and the crew of a gunboat, about twenty men being killed. s Mr Claus Spreckels, the Sugar King of the Pacific Coast, died at San Francisco at the age of 80. Starting life in a grocery store at1& few shil- lings a week, he accumulated by his own efforts a fortune of Xio,ooo,ooo. At a crowded meeting, one of the preliminary gatherings in connection with the Indian National Congress at Madras, a resolution was carried with enthusiasm expressive of warm gratitude for the Government's scheme of reform. Laden with a heavy Christmas burden, the Llandudno mail van came into violent collision on Tywyn Hill with a motor-car. The van-driver, falling on his head, WAS severely hurt, and one of the occupants of the car, a lady, was also injured. A. message from Caracas states that the Presi- dency of General Gomez is recognised by Venezu- elans generally, and active measures of reform have already been taken. It is expected that a formal demand will be made for the extradition of Senor Castro. A portent has appeared in the streets cf London in the person of a lady professional chauffeur. Educated, Irish, and a fully-qualified nurse, Miss I O'Neill" proved her fitness for her new vocation by skill and self-confidence in negotiating the traffic of the busiest thoroughfares. After a period of comparative cheapness, coal has now practically reached the figure at which it stood at the end of last year, the extremely wintry weather having caused a rise of 2s per ton. The prudent householder can only be advised to buy enough fuel to keep his fires going for three months. Indignation is widespread at the cowardly assault on President Fallieres. His assailant, the ex-cafe waiter Mathis, explained the motive of his outrageous action to the Procureur-General. I was grieved," he said, "to see M. Fallieres on terms with the anti-miiitarists, and I hopwd to bring him back into the right path." A message from St John's describes the fishing season of 19 8 on the Grand Banks of Newfound- land as the most disastrous of modern times. Some fifteen vessels, chiefly from French ports, have been lost, with a sacrifice of over 300 lives. The cause of several of these disasters is said to have been the unseaworthy condition of so many of the French craft. Over twenty persons-mostly women and children—were injured in a stampede resulting from an alarm of fire at a cinematograph enter- tainment at Gale's Picture Palace, in High-street, Stratferd. The fire was confined to the operator's box, but in their panic the people made a frantic rush for the exits, and were swept down a flight of stairs, at the bottom of which many were trampled on. Speaking at a meeting in connection with Edin- burgh Savings Bank, Lord Rosebery declared that all great Empires that were meant to abide were thrifty. Germany was made, and France was saved, by thrift, and he complained that the ab- sence of that quality had reached such a pitch in the House of Commons that it was a subject of joy to economists when votes were passed under the guillotine. Professor Sayce reports from Khartoum the in- teresting discovery of early Christian remains as far south as Wad-el-Hadar, on the Blue Nile, sug- gesting that further excavations will throw light on the history of Christianity in these regions. The find consisted of several bowls and jars in good condition, scratched with Christian emblems. The probable date of the pottery is the seventh or eighth century.

BUTCHERS' HIDE, SKIN AND WOOL Company Limited, New Canal-street, Birmingham. —Current Prices: Hides—95 and up, 5 £ —5 £ 85 to 94, 511-5 75 to 84, 5$—4 £ 65 to 74, 5—4$; 56 to 64, 5—4f; 55 and under, 5-41 heavy oows, 4f-4i; light cows, 4f—4* bulls, 33-31; warbled and irregs., 3}—4f. Calf, 17 and up, 8; 12 to 16, 8f 9 to 11, 8f; light, 9. Horse hides, 22/ 21/ 19/ 16/9, 15/ 11/6, 8/6, 7/ Wools- Lots, 10/1, 8/9. 8/4, 7/5, 7/ 6/9, 5/9, 5/ Wools —Al 6/6, A 5/7, B 4/3, c 3/1. Welsh Wool"13, 3/1, 2/1. Fat—Best beef, 3fd; best mutton, 3d; seconds. 21d; common, lid. Mixed fat, 2id. Bones-Ma"ow 1/2. Waste, 9d score.

The Late "JOHN JAMES, of GWENLAS." Sad Stories told at the Inquest. Mingled feelings of great surprise and intense regret possessed the inhabitants of Mochdre district and of Newtown, on Wed- nesday morning, when it became known that the body of Mr John James, farmer, Walkmill, had been found in the Mochdre pool. Mr James was a noted musician among other things, and was on that ac-. count well known in the neighbourhood. It appears that he spent the previous day at Newtown, and, unfortunately, returned home, as appears from the evidence, under the influence of drink. Unhappily he had to traverse a difficult footpath which skirts this pool, and owing to its slippery state he had no doubt lost his footing and fell into the water. The pool at that part is only some three feet deep, but a thick layer of mud at the bottom had held the old man until he perished. Next morning a hand was seen protruding from the ice- covered pool, and upon the body being got out it was readily identified as that of Mr James. THE INQUEST. On Wednesday the Coroner, Mr J. T. C. Gittins, held an inquest at the Lion Inn, Mochdre. Mr Evan Woosnam Savage was foreman of the jury, and the proceedings lasted four hours. The first witness called was Mr John Leach, Brook Terrace, Mochdre, flannel manufacturer, who said he identified the body as that of John James. Deceased, he said, lived by himself and was a small farmer. He was about 65 years of age. That morning witness heard that deceased was in his pool, and subsequently he found him in the water. In coming from New- town deceased would have to pass the mill pool on his way. Witness saw the body there about nine a.m. that morning, and arranged to send for the police to get it out of the water. He could not identify him in the water, but he could see his left arm above the water. He was present when his son and P.C. Hamer got him out. Witness ran the water out o fthe pool, and then fixed ladders in the pool and boards on top to walk back and fore. The body was taken to the inn. It appeared to him to show a bruise on the nose, which was surely caused by the fall. The body was found in the middle of the pool, where the water was about two feet deep. Under that was mud. The deceased was generally the worse for drink when he went home from town. David Thomas Humphreys, Ivy Cottage, Mochdre, wheelwright, said he lived quite close to the pool, and went to bed about 9-30 on Tuesday evening. About 10 o'clock he heard a shout, Hey." About five minutes later he heard a similar shout, which was again followed by another. Each shout seemed further away. The shouts did not seem as those of a person in dis- tress. When some of the men came from town they were usually shouting Hey' He could not recognise the voice. About half-past nine o'clock that morning he made enquiries from David William Davies, Brook House, if he had heard the noise the previous night, and the latter replied No." In consequence of what Richard Kinsey told him they proceeded towards the Walkmill, and there saw marks on the banks. There was a steep bank, almost perpendicular, for seven or eight feet, and a hedge on the side of the road, but it was not strong. They tried deceased's house and the door was locked. On their return they saw some footprints, and in the middle of the pool observed a hand above the water. Witness then informed Mr Harry Leach, who told them to go for a policeman. P.C. Hammonds and others got him out of the pool. A Juryman Is there any sign of a scuffle ?-No, sir. P.C. Hammonds, Newtown, said he went to Mochdre Factory mill pool, having been informed of the affair about 10-25 a.m., and he reached Mochdre about 11 a.m. He found deceased in the ice lying on his back. Witness could only see his left hand above the ice. With the assistance of others he managed to get deceased out by means of ladders and planks after the water had been loosed out of the pool. There was ice on the body about three- quarters of an inch in thickness. De- ceased's left leg was a little above the level of the body, and his right arm was resting on the body. They carried it to the back of the inn, where he searched it Life was quite extinct. On deceased he found two sovereigns in a purse in a trousers pocket, and Is and 6d and a key and two letters in one of the coat pockets, and a bill which he had paid and a de- mand note for income tax. Deceased had a mackintosh and a cape on. There was a bruise on the nose and two bruises on his leg. Deceased wore corduroy trousers. Dr Jones, Newtown, stated that there were marks on the body, but they were very slight and like what the last witness described. The injuries were quite slight and trifling. He expected to see on any person who fell down there very serious in- juries. In his opinion the cause of death was drowning. The marks in the ice were like those that. would be caused by a man struggling. He felt certain that there had been no foul play whatever. There were only the foot-prints of one man. P.S. Morgan, Newtown, said the deceased he had known for many years. The last time he saw him alive was on Tuesday in Bridge-street about four o'clock in the af- ternoon, where he had a conversation with him. Deceased and witness met opposite the Lion Hotel. After speaking about the winterly weather, deceased said he wanted to go as far as Samuel Powell's, as he had some business there. Then deceased said to witness, "I want to go afterwards to the Music Salon for a programme of the eis- teddfod, and then home." On that de- ceased left him and went towards the door of the Eagles. He was sober there. Wit- ness had examined the bank where de- ceased had apparently fallen. There were foot-marks and impressions of a ripped trousers, and a few spots of blood. It was like as if he had been kneeling. The foot- prints were going in the direction of the hedge. Mr Ben Corfield, Cross Guns Inn, New- town, said he saw deceased on Tuesday. It was about six o'clock when he came into the Cross Guns, and it was about 6-45 p.m. when he left. Witness observed his state. Deceased was quite sober. He had only one glass of ale, which another man paid for. Deceased was speaking to the company about music, and was quite sober when he left there. He paid for two glasses for someone there. The Foreman: If deceased had any whiskey in his pocket, it was not from you ?-No, sir. Charles E. Woosnam, Llanidloes-road, Newtown, stated that he left home in the direction of the town about five minutes past seven. Witness knew deceased, whom he met by the allotment gardens. Witness was walking on the side and deceased was on the road. He did not consider him ex- tra sober. Deceased said good night, sir," and witness answered him. He could hear him mumbling something after say- ing "good night." It was very slippery walking that night. There was snow on the ground. Sergt. Morgans: You knew the distance from the Cross Guns to where you saw him?—Yes, sir. 9 Could you have done it in less than 20 minutes ?-Yes, sir. Mrs Garnett, Nantoer, wife of William Garnett, said she knew deceased by sight. The last time she saw him was between seven and 7-30. That night she happened to go to the door, and saw John James go- ing from town. He was opposite the house and in the middle of the road, when he fell on his back. He tried to get up, but fell again. Witness asked him if he had hurt his head, to which he replied, "No, but I think I have hurt my arm." Then he fell once more. Wh'le he was on the ground she asked him if he had too much whiskey, and he said, "I have had a glass to keep the cold out." Then he got him, and she asked him if she could help him, and he said No," and walked on. He walked the same as usual. He spoke alright. Witness thought he had had something to drink. The Foreman: Did you see any slides about there ?—No, sir. Sergt. Morgan: Did you leave the door- step P—Yes. Were you near enough to smell any drink P—No, sir. Mr B. Morgan, Lion Inn, Mochdre, said the deceased was well-known to him. He went to his house about eight o'clock 4ast Tuesday night. Witness saw him going through the door, and he (deceased) walked into the kitchen. Deceased asked for a glass of beer. He was pretty full and not quite sober, but he was not drunk. John Jones had just gone in before deceased, and was the only customer in the house. Deceased and John Jones talked together. He talked clearly and rationally. Alto- gether he had two glasses cf beer. He paid for one and Jones for the other. He left about quarter to nine. directly after Jones left. He went down the steps al- right, but witness did not see where he went to afterwards. He heard no shouting. He had before last Tuesday night refused to serve deceased, because he was too noisy and swearing. He felt quite justi- fied in serving him when he came in. After he had two glasses he asked for a third one, but was refused, as witness thought he had quite sufficient. He did not have the third. He began swearing after the first glass, and more after the second. By Sergt. Morgans: I did not think it necessary to see deceased home that night. The Foreman: You did not think he had too much ?-No, sir. Mr John Jones, Little Brynbedwyn, Dol- for, said he went to the inn that night about five minutes past eight, and there was on one there when np wpnt in hut. tha deceased came in about two minutes later, and walked in very tidy. Deceased sat down, and they had a chat with another for about half an hour. Witness left the inn first, and deceased was getting up to go out after him. Witness did not see him outside. Deceased said during the conversation in the inn that he was going to stop in bed until ten in the morning Witness could not say he was sober, but he could not say that he was drunk. De- ceased was addicted to swearing, and did not seem able to help it. Witness did not see any difference in him after the two glasss of beer. He thought deceased was fit to go home by himself. The Jury returned a verdict of "Acci- dental death by falling into the pool while under the influence of drink."

Llanfyllin Petty Sessions. A PUBLICAN FINED. On Tuesday, the above Petty Sessions were held in the Town Hall, when there were present the Mayor (Mr T. Edwards) and W. Jones. Evan Pugh, Gwaelodmynydd, Pontilogell, was charged by P C. Hamer with riding a bicycle without a light on November 26th. The officer stated that on the date mentioned at 6-50 p.m. he saw defendant riding up High-street on a bicycle without a light. Witness asked him where was his light, and defendant replied, I never thought of lighting it." Defendant, who did not appear, was fin..d Is and costs. 'P.S. Priest charged Martha Roberts, licensee of the Old Cross Keys with having supplied intoxi- cating liquors to a drunken person on November 18th. P.C. Hamer proved the case, and defendant, who pleaded guilty, was fined 5s and costs. For trespassing in pursuit of conies, on Novem- ber 12th, Thomas Jcnes, Fobby, Penygarnedd, was on the information of Thomas Lockett, game- keeper, Penygarnedd, fined Is and costs. Mr William Hampson applied for the temporary transfer of the license of the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel. A telegram was read from Mr Hampson stating that owing to the snow storm he was unable to attend. The police having no objection the appli- cation was granted.

9,2 Each. NEW YEAR'S GIFT FOR MONTGOMERY FREEMEN. .£2 was the New Year's gift that the Montgom- ery Town Council decided should be givl-n last Thursday to each of the 22 eligible" freemen" of the ancient borough. The Rev J. C. Whall is not on the freemen's roll, but in virtue of being rector of Montgomery he takes as much in tithw as any four freemen." The account which the Town Clerk (Mr C. S. Pryce) submitted for the half year ended Michael- mas recorded the following items :— Receipts: J. C. Williams, rent, .£60. Cambrian Railway rent charge, X9 19s Gd. Total (with X10 9s Id in band), .£80 8s 7d. Payments: C. S. Pryce (clerk), R2 10s. Cor- porate duty, ^6 2s 3d. Tithe, X.8 1« 8d. Taxes, X6 9s 5d. G. Evans, Llegodig, amount of tender for gates and fences, X14 15s Sd. Total, £ 36 19s 9d. Balance .-£53 5e lOd. 22 freemen at JBI 15s," added the Town Clerk, £ 28 10s. 22 at £ 2, £ 44. 22 at X2 5s, Y.49 lOs." 11 1 think," said Alderman Vaughan, we can give them X2 this Christmas time. There's a good balance then. I propose that we give them X2 apiece." It is Christmas time. I second it," said Coun- cillor C. B. Williams. As a burgess myself," admitted Councillor Charles Davies, I should like as muck again. I don't want to keep any back. Christmas observed Councillor Williams again, Those that want it, this is the time to have it! It is batter to keep a little off the Jane rent than Christmas," said Alderman Yaughan. Cold weather! So the Council agreed to distribute X2 to each freeman. When is it to be distributed ? inquired the Mayor. 11 To-night if you like, sir" replied Councillor Charles Davies-himself a freeman— i To-day, any time that will suit your Worship, Mr Mayor!

TREFEGLWYS. IMPORTANT NOTICE.—A. H. Bennett, Draper, Caerswg, attends room adjoining Red Lion Hotel Trefeglwys, EVERY WEDNESDAY, from 12 till 6' with a good assortment of General Drapery Goods. at lowest town prices for cash.

Defrauding the Police. Entering Bethnal-green-road Police-station, George Rowland Williams accosted Detective- Sergeant Handley, and producing a convict's license proceeded to tell an extraordinary story. He represented himself as the son of a late super- intendent of the City police, and said he was the black sheep of the family. During his last journey" (penal servitude) he had made the acquaintance of some coiners, one of whom he had arranged to meet in a public-house that night. He proposed that the police should follow him and so track the gang down. According to the evidence of the detectiv/^ergeant, Williams asked for and received 5s, and the plan was put into execution, but after going from one public-house to another he at length admitted that the whole tale was false. Then he was accused of having obtained 5s by false pretences, though the officers found no coin on searching him. The prisoner was brought before the Old-street magistrate on this charge and remanded.

A NOTEWORTHY FIGURE. I

JONES.—December 12th, at Caersws Union, William Jones, formerly of Newtown, aged 76 years. The above appeared among the obituary notices in last week's Express,' but not many readers would learn from the bald announcement that Billy Poacher" was dead. As William Jones he might be known to a handful, but as Billy Poacher he was known throughout Mont- gomeryshire and western Radnorshire. The name "Jones" was his mother's sur- name, which poor Billy had to adopt for the same reason which compels others of his unfortunate ilk to follow the maternal patronymic. But Billy's father was a doggy man up to the day of his death; he was a Nimrod, too, who hunted the hare and netted the salmon without any too scrupulous regard for licenses or permits. Hence Billy in- herited at least his father's sobriquet, if not his name, and wherever he went he was known as poacher." Billy, however, be it said to his credit, never appeared in any court of law indicted on a charge of trespassing in pursuit of game, and the only occasion on which he infringed the sacred laws which guard property was when he appropriated—or misappopiated— a few black diamonds from the coal wharf; and it must be remembered that coal is personal and not real property-at least the lawyers say so, and their word is enough. "No," said an old mate of Billy's to the writer, Billy was a darned sight too lazy to poach, and if he had felt inclined to, he couldn't have done it, for I don't believe as he know'd the way." But here again authorities differ, for an old butty" of William's (who remembers him from his! early years, and who saw his poor clay re- j turn to mother earth) confidently avers that Billy would go out for a night's poaching when he was hard pushed and bound to go. As the old adage puts it: Whom the devil drives needs must." Billy" was one of those gentlemen who lived upon their wits, not by gambling on the stock exchange, or "diddling" stupid investors and other such easy prey, but by wringing from the hard hands of trades- man and farmers the vile trash which he found necessary in his professional career. Still, although an itinerant, it would be an unfair reflexion to call him a mendi- cant. Billy ought to have been born a nobleman, and on his crest the motto "Labor ipse voluptas" ("Work itself is a pleasure') might have found a place. For obvious reasons Billy had no infant baptism and no birthright, but he received what very., few others in a similar station at that time were privileged to have, and that was an education. Compulsory edu- cation in those days was unknown; the State did not then consider it a duty to see that the rising generation were in- stilled with the elements of learning. But the Church provided education, and thus it came about that Billy received a relig- ious and secular education under the wing of the Church, and he was able to read a newspaper intelligently and write a letter. Under the antiquated systems of teaching he must have had plenty of natural gift to Jearn what he did, for at no period of his career did he evince any predisposition to over-exert himself. His mother must have denied herself a great deal in sending Billy to the Newtown Church School, in- stead of keeping at home to run errands. When his education was complete, our hero became a jenny spinner. He was ap- prenticed to the late Mr John Jones, the Brickfield. That was in the days ef the old hand-loom, and when Billy was initi- ated into the mysteries of hand-spinning there were between 800 and 1,000 of these hand-looms in Newtown, reeling out miles and miles of flannel, and earning for New- town the title of the Leeds of Wales." But the advent of labour-saving ma- chinery was at hand; steam and water power were destined to displace the hands which directed and drove the machines. This wrought a tremendous change in the whole industry. New power looms were continually being installed by some of the more enterprising manufacturers, while those who did not or would not introduce the new machinery soon found themselves left behind, and had to quickly follow suit or give up. Some of the operatives were quick in adapting themselves to the new conditions of affairs, and secured themselves, but others for different reasons were thrown on their own resources, and Billy was amongst that number. For a time at least he went to Sheaf-street, where he worked a hand-loom for Mr Thomas Davies, but once more he was thrown on the world, and being a strong, wiry fellow, he turned from jenny spinning to labour- ing. At no period in the industrial history of this country has the unskilled labourer found his lot a lucrative one. About 500 years ago, when the Plague swept through and decimated the ranks" of labour, this scarcity "brought up the prices, and the bottom dogs were beginning to get com- petitive wages for their services. But this "evil" was soon checked by the ':Statute of Labourers." The present-day condition of labourers in a permanent berth is not an ideal one; even in the employ of the County Council the labourer receives 16s per week, and finds his own tools, and works hard every day. The scale of pay- ments of labourers' wages on other of our public bodies also needs revision. But what of the unskilled labourer with- out a regular berth ? To this genus did Billy belong-small profits and quick re- turns. Odd jobs were his speciality, and often in the course of a week he would make much more than the County Council roadman. But Poacher seemed to lack any thrifty instincts, though it is true that he once saved a sovereign when working at Aberystwyth, and told a mate that he would take it home for his poor owld mother." Remembering that the railway fare from Aberystwyth would make too great a hole in the sovereign, he decided to go afoot, and tramped the whole of the forty-eight intervening miles. This hap- pened to be false economy, for upon arrival all the balance in hand for the poor owld mother" did not total two shillings, and the journey had taken the traveller three days to perform. For some time he worked in South Wales, where he had a brother, though it is stated on the authority of people to whom Billy unlocked his heart that the "Poacher" could talk a lot more than work. A tale is told about his brother that when William was "on circuit" in South Wales he took a strong fancy to a sleeve waistcoat, which adorned his host. After some parleying, the latter agreed to "swop," and Billy was tramping the high- road two days later, and twenty miles away, when he remembered that he had left a threepenny bit in the pocket of the waistcoat he had left behind. He consid- ered for a moment, and only for a mom- ent, and straightway returned in search of the lost piece of silver, telling his brother, in making the claim, that he did not think he was such a dash rogue. It can be claimed by the itinerant un- skilled labourer that there is not such a grinding monotony about his work as is the lot of the cotton spinner or screw maker, for he sees all the changing scenes of life, fresh country and fresh faces fre- quently. In the early days of the 'Ex- press,' when" the sheet was printed by hand power, Billy used to take a hand at the wheel which governed the press; and when the Elan Valley waterworks were in course of construction he "trekked" to Rhayader, and was on the labouring staff until the completion. Be it said, however, that every Newtown fair day he laid down his tools, and returned to his native town, there to sample the nut-brown and talk to old pals. He was not naturally quarrelsome, and avoided coming to blows whenever his code of honour would permit him te do so; but it is stated in some quarters that he once had a fisticuffs with Tom Higgins, but the match was left drawn. Another time he had a desperate encounter with a fellow named Jonah Williams. Billy was laying into his opponent with might and main, but Jonah was taking his punish- ment in a way that made Mr "Poacher" feel a little uneasy over the ultimate issue. "I will have to beat you, if I stay here all night," said the imperturbable Jonah after the tenth round. "Look here," said the tired Billy, addressing his second, "I'll only fight him this one more round, and then we'll shake hands and be friends." The career of Billy's opponent was an interesting one. He afterwards went to America, and was killed in some blasting operations. The dynamite had not been fired by the fuse, so Jonah volunteered to go and see what was wrong. His fellow- workmen soon heard a deafening explosion. and when they searched for Jonah they found he had got very much mixed up with crowbars and rocks. His daughter gave this information to an enquiring friend at one of the R.W.W. sports gather- ings. Billy was artful. He got into argument once at Llanbadarn in a public house with a man who wanted to fight him. "Poach- er" was willing to fight, but he would not fight at Llanbadarn-Iet the man come to Newtown, and he would wipe the floor with him. The next fair day the two men quite by accident met in the streets. "Come on," said the Radnorshire man, "I'll fight you now. Let's get to some quiet place, I'll teach you to challenge me." But Billy was not in the least taken back. "Thee't not the man I quarrelled with; I never had anything to do with thee," was his reply, and so he left the be- wildered man standing on the cobbles, and continued his search for free drinks. An ardent Radical-in fact a Republican Radical—he could uphold his political views, and his voice has been heard ad- dressing public meetings of his own call- ing by the Market Hall. Jim Bebb was always a ready heckler, and in ose of Billy's most spirited periods he yelled out, "D'you remember Billy when we stole them ducks?" The answer was prompt. "Shut up, you fool; now everybody knows." Once in pursuit of work he trudged to Abbey-Cwm-Hir, and enquired from Mr Poundley's bailiff if there was any werk he could do. But on this occasion neither work nor alms were forthcoming. Billy again enquired the name of the place, and added. "If it's Abbey-come-here," then its Billy get from here, and that very quick, too." With thi? Parthian shot he went to seek fresh pastures. Billy had for some years past hibernated in the workhouse. They were his winter quarters. Meeting an old pal on the road last November, he said, "Well, Evan, I'm going up to Caersws again." "Now that the cold weather is coming, you're quite in the right," was the rejoinder, and the workhouse-bound man was presented with a wooden pipe and a good pinch of tobac- co. In the churchyard in his mother's grave he was laid to rest. His mother's uncle- John Jones the slubber—was the first to be buried there. He was brought down from Caersws, and a bevy of old butties met his corpse and attended his last rites. Those who came included Messrs W. Morris, Evan Owen, Edward George. R. Davies, T. Jones, F. Stephens, Edward Knagg, T. Davies, W. Williams, and Jim Bebb. These men came in their working garb to see the earth close over a pauper's grave sentiment, in any strata is a force to be reckoned with. "I'll tell you what sir," said one of these mourners to the writer, "on the coffin they put him 76 years old, but that's quite wrong. If he had lived poor Billy would only have been 71 next March." No epitaph was placed upon his grave to become obliterated; he never laid claim to any special virtues; he liked his glass of ale, and having never been tutored to appreciate aethetic pleasures, he was de- pendent for enjoyment upon what appealed to his senses. But there was no vice in him. An old friend summed it up nicely, and let it serve us as an epitaph: "Billy never did no harm except to himself"; and who knows when the trumpet sounds what the answer of the Sentinel may be. The portrait which appears above is from the unique collection of snap-shots of similar Montgomeryshire worthies who have faced the camera of Mr J. W. Pound- ley, of Kerry.

The Territorials. WELSH COMMANDER'S VIEWS. General Francis Lloyd. C.B., D.S.O., who this month takes up the command of the Welsh division of the Territorial Force, attended the prize distribution of the Oswestry company, and, replying to the toast of his health, said some 25 of his 40 odd years of service had been spent in connection with the auxiliary forces, in connection with signalling, cycling, and so on. He felt cer- tain thtt good results must follow from the enthusiasm with which a great scheme, framed by one of the greatest of our War Ministers, had been received. He bad a great belief in the Territorial Force, because it was the best that could be brought to defend our shores. Lord Roberts, the greatest authority in England, if we excepted Lord Wolseley, said we needed a million men to defend these shores. That did not con- cern them, but their governors; but if a million men were required, and only three or four thousand were available, it was for them to see that that number was thoroughly trained. The Territorial Force was capable of being highly tiained, and made fit to meet any foe that might decend on our coasts. Three things were neces- sary, the rest would follow ability to shoot, ability to ride, and above all discipline. They were to be armed, be was glad to be able to say, with the best modern weapons available in Europe-the short rifle (cheers).

Old-Age Pensions in the County. A meeting of the County Pension Committee for Montgomeryshire was held at Newtown on Tuesday. Mr Hugh Lewis, vice-chairman, presided in the absence of Captain Myttou, and there were also present Col. Pryce-Jones, Messrs J. Hamer Jones, J. Pryce Jones, Richard Jones, Matthew Davies, C. W. Nerton, E. R. Owen, and C. J. Newell, with Mr J. E. Tomley, clerk. Mr C. Playfair, supervisor of inland revenue, and Mr W. Taylor, pension officer, Newtown. Forty pension applications were considered. Of these 37 were original applications, and three ap- plications for increases ia pensions previously awarded. Twenty-two claims were allowed the full 5s., one was allowed 4s., and two were allowed 3s. Eight were disallowed because of the means exceeding the 131 10s. limit, one for being under age, and three for receipt of poor relief. The three applications for increases were granted, two from 4s. to 5s., and one from 2s. to 5s. The Sarn division of Kerry parish and the parish of Llandyssil were transferred to the New- town Sub-Committee, and it was decided to hold the next meeting of that Committee on February 2nd, the date for the meeting of the Welshpool Sub-Committee being left to the Chairman, Capt. Mytton. The Clerk reported that the total amounts of pensions allowed by the various eub-committeet and the County Committee were as follows: Llan- fair, XI,697 16s; Llanfyllin, X2,082 12s; Llanid- loes, £ 1,560; Machynlleth, £ 1,539 4s; Mont- gomery, £ 1,625 Newtown, £ 2,457 Welshpool, ■ £ 2,940 12s £ The claims received numbered 1,219. Of these 1,009 were allowed 5s, 37 4s, 36 3s, 17 2s, 12 Is. The total claims allowed were 1,111, disallowed 138. The total amount of pensions allowed was £ 267 7s weekly, or jEI 3,902 4s yearly. This represents 5s Old per annum per head of the population of the county, and the pensioners are exactly 2 per cent of the population.

Mr. David Davies' Foxhounds. On Wednesday, December 23rd, thtse hounds met at Newtown. Cefncaled planting was drawn first, when the Master's Tally ho was quickly heard. Reynard broke away for Dolforgan, then turned to the right down for Penarth Tack, and back to Weston and Great Wood. After running round the wood several times he broke out at the back of the gardener's house into Dolforgan Weod with hounds pressing him. He broke out of the Kood on to the lawn, where they rolled him over. The brush was presented to Miss Lewis, Glan- hafren. While the hounds were chopping their fox, another Tally ho was heard from the top of the wood. The Master took his hounds ana quickly laid them on. They ran him round for Vastre, Yewtree Hill, Cefnvastre, Shorrod, and Brimmon, where he turned back over the top for Cefnvastre, down Cefnperfa dingle, into the Great Wood and Dolforgan Wood, where he went to earth. He was quickly bolted by little Nell." Making his way for Red House and Cefncaled, he turned back into the wood again, where he also came to grief. The following were amongst those present: Master (Mr D. Davies), Miss Harrison, Miss Verdon (Welshpool), Mr W. E. Pryce-Jones, Miss Lewis (Glanhafren), Messrs Hugh Lewis, E. W. Savage, F. W. Watchorn, F. Morris (Sarn), H. Cleaton (Newtown), Alderson (Perthybee), Alderson, jun. (Glanmiheli), Venables (Peny- gelly), R. Evans (Newtown), Greenhow, Tileley, Perry (whips), Courtenay and Jones (grooms). On Saturday week these hounds met at Llan- dinam Bridge. Those present were Mr D. Davies (master), Miss Davies, Miss Stable, Miss-Lewis, Glanhafren, Messrs Russell, W. E. Pryce-Jones, Dr Rees, Hugh Lewis, N. B. Owen, Gwernavon^ E. W. Savage, Edwards, Talgarth, Jones, Lion Hotel, Trefeglwys, Rees, Lion Hotel, Llandinam, Savage, Glanfeinion, Williams, Bwlchllyn, Jarman, Penrhyllan, M. Kinsey, Maesmawr, Savage, Emporium, Pryce, blacksmith. Craigfryn was drawn first, and despite the hounds speaking to one or two lines they failed to raise a fox. Nyodd- llwyd and Llanarch plantings both proved blank. Coedmawr Ruff was next drawn. Hounds soon got on a line which they worked out on to the hill, where they dropped on Reynard. Jumping up he made his way through the rough for Coedmawr over Pencastle Top to Bwlchllyn wood and Pwllglas, crossed the Van Railway to Pwll- glas meadow, where they ran into him in the open. At the meet at Bettws the following were present: Mr D. Davies, M.P. (master), Miss Harrison, Miss Verdon, Welshpool, Miss Elwell, Newtown, Messrs B. Jones, Llanllwchaiarn, F. Morris (Sarn), Pryce, Llandinam, Greenhow and Tilsley (whips), Latham (groom), and a great number of footmen. The young plantation near Bettws Hall was first drawn, the hounds tinging- Reynard at home, he broke away, crossed the road over to Penygair back to Brynycil planting, then crossed to the other side for Brynycil oak wood, then to his old home in the planting. But poor Reynard's pursuers did not intend leaving him in peace, but soon routed him out. From there he retraced his steps back to Brynycil oak wood, where he was killed. The next fox was found in Pentre gorse. The hounds being in excellent form ran him into Brynrorin wood, turning right handed up the valley. Leaving Gwernhowell on the left ran for Llwyncoch and then into Cefn- dinas planting. The hounds pressing him very hard he went through Llwyncoch wood to Lane House, where he again entered the planting. He broke out again for Gwernhowell, Glanbechan, and Cwmdockin, then turned back to Brynycil oak wood, crossed over into Brynycil plaiting, where the honnds rattled him from one end to the other with splendid music. Crossing the valley he again entered Cefndinas planting, from where he had to beat a hasty retreat, going this time by Bettws Hall to Kilans weod up Belan-newydd road. By this time the hounds, owing to the downpoaring rain, had to give up, as the scent was completely washed away.