The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

NEWTOWN URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL Medical Officer's Health Report for 1908. The following annual report by Dr Fred Wilson was submitted to the Newtown Urban Council at its meeting on 7th Janu- ary, and ordered to be printed: Tymawr. Newtown. 4th January, 1909. To the Chairman and Members of the New- town and Llanllwchaiarn Urban District Council. Gentlemen,—I have the honour to submit to you my annual report on the health and sanitary condition of your district for the year ending 31st December, 1908. MORTALITY STATISTICS. During the year 1908, 82 deaths at all ages and from all causes were recorded in the district, as against 74 in the year 1907. This is a slight increase, but is accounted for by the epidemic of measles in the first three months of the year. In the first quarter of the year there was 40 deaths, making a death rate of 6.2, while in the last nine months of the year there were only 42 deaths, making a death rate of 6.6. The total death rate per thousand of the population, based on the average for the last ten years of 6,500, being thus 12.8 per thousand of the population for the year. We ought to be very pleased with this, as it is an exceptionally low death rate. The infantile death rate is one of the most exceptional I have heard, being the small total of three deaths for the year under one year of age, making a death rate of 0.10 per thousand of the population, or 22.10 per thousand births. In the year 1907 the in- fantile death rate was 80.4 per thousand, and in the year 1903, 164.2, while in the year 1897 it was 147.2. This speaks for itself. ine better sanitary arrangements account for the small death rate. There were 39 deaths out of 82 over the long age of 65 years, or a death rate of 6.1 per thousand; over 50 years of age there were 55 deaths, or a death rate of 8.6 per thousand. Under five year of age there were only four deaths, an exceptional death rate of 0.8 per thousand of the population. Cancer accounted for six deaths, the same as last year; this is a death rate of 0.12 per thousand of the population. Consumption accounted for nine deaths, a slight increase on last year; this is a death rate of 1.6 per thousand of the population. lniectxous diseases accounted for seven deaths; this is 1.1 per thousand. All these cases occurred in the first quarter of the year. Inquests were held on five deaths, and seven deaths were recorded in the hospitals. There were 56 deaths in the parish of Newtown, and 19 in the parish of Llan- llwchaiarn. BIRTH RATE. The births recorded during the year were 131 as against 103 in 1907. This is a very good increase, but a long way behind former years. The birth rate is thus 20.2 for the year per thousand of the population. There were seven illegitimate births dur- ing the year, or 1.1 per thousand of the population. Thefe were 67 females born during the year and 64 males, so the females are slightly in the majority. MORTALITY FROM CHEST DISEASES. Eleven deaths are recorded from chest diseases, not including phthisis. This is a slight increase from previous years, the majority being from bronchitis in aged people. MORTALITY FROM ZYMOTIC DISEASES. # Measles in the first quarter of the year accounted for seven deaths; since then we have been practically free from infectious diseases. There were notified to me during the vear ItS cases of scarlatina, three cases of mild diphtheria, and four of erysipelas. One case was contracted away and another from foul drains. TABULATED STATISTICS. Detailed statements of the vital statistics will be found in the tables accompanying the report. PHYSICAL FEATURE OF THE DISTRICT. Newtown is situated in a hollow between thl 'yriley Th.Teth?n'em fl0"ing through bills around are well wooded. These mountains would incline anyone to think that Newtown was very un- healthy and favourable to consumption, but statistics will prove the opposite. The condition of the people on the whole is good, but would be better if trade had! been brighter in this part of the district. The occupations of the inhabitants are chiefly mill workers, labourers, and agricul- turists. The house accommodatibn is fair, and is gradually improving by the closing of yards in congested areas. The open air space is good, and cleanliness is also gradually im- proving. The Housing of the Working Classes Act is not in operation in this dis- trict. WATER SUPPLY. The water supply is derived from the up- lands a few miles from the town, and col- lected in a large reservoir, from which it is distributed for consumption in the town. Filter beds have not been laid down. An analysis taken in different parts of the town and reservoir shows a good, clean, healthy water, with but little organic matter con- tained therein. The Council have made their- annual inspection, and found every- thing in a very satisfactory condition. Certain repairs were ordered to be carried out to different parts of the reservoir after a serious storm, which had done great dam- age, and the work has now all been com- pleted. The water pipes in some parts of the town are deficient, and will require replacing in the near future, as a scarcity of water sometimes occurs in the higher levels of the town. MILK SUPPLY. The milk supply is good, and out of six samples taken during the year, one was found to be poor in fat, and a conviction was obtained. The Council have adopted the Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops Order, and every- thing has been done to put the cowsheds in a good sanitary condition. A great many alterations have been carried out, and I must thank the owners of property and the tenants also for their help in this matter. I sent out a pamphlet giving instructions on how to keep their cowsheds in a sanitary state, and also about grooming the cattle and keeping the utensils themselves in a clean, and healthy, and sanitary condition. SLAUGHTER HOUSES. During the year I have had trouble with a slaughter house situate in a very conges- ted and insanitary area, but I am pleased to say that I have now got the owner to pay more attention to cleanliness and sanitation in general. The position of this slaughter house is i 7an<^ sllould be Phased if the owner would obtain a better position, seeing that he does a very large business. This gentleman applied for a license for another slaughter house in pother part of the town, which, I am sorry to say, the Council granted, as it is situated in a very congested and insanitary area, with a pub- lic school in close proximity. The other slaughter houses are small, and are kept in good condition; three of them are situated out in the open country, while the other two are just on the outside of the v?-" advocated the erection of a public abattoir, unless the owner of the slaughter house in the congested area can busines situation for carrying on his SEWAGE FARM. The Sewage Farm has not been looked after so well as in previous years, and in my opinion, unless septic tanks are put down, the farm will go from bad to worse, I although, if properly attended to, and all parts of the farm used for sewage disposal, I do not see why this farm should not be sufficient for all our sewage. Three large pools have been allowed to form on the farm, which I strongly con- demn, and I recommend that the tenant should keep a caretaker in the house on the farm to constantly control the effluent in the barriers. The sewers in the town are now good, but have been out of order, caused by the, serious floods we have experienced during the year. I should recommend that some of the flush- ing doors be put in proper working order so as to more effectually flush the sewage system. The ventilating shafts recently erected have proved an effective means of preventing foul smells from the street sur- face gratings. As far as I am aware, no serious pollution of the river has taken place in this district. We have a thorough system of water clos- ets throughout the town, and I am very pleased to state that on the whole they are iin first class order. The refuse is collected by carts, and taken out to a dipping station, which I have con- demned, but I am glad to say we are on the eve of having a refuse destructor put down, and I purpose having the refuse collected regularly, and no tipping on the streets will be required. Instead of ash-pits, boxes will be provided, and everything done to better the sanitation of the yards ilany nuisances have occurred durine the levvinJ1,nfaU har6 be8n attended to after the serving of a preliminary notice, with the ex- ception of one case, where a statutory notice had to be served, and this is now receiving tte6 wirk! thG °Wner haVing promised to /o the work. We have no offensive trades in the dis- ked &in y Tei°JdgiSg h0USe' which 13 7^ P 1!? .a splendid sanitary state 2191 tramps being lodged during the year. SCHOOLS. The water supply to the schools is good, rfluTIirm°V0t eV°Ugh water is used to flush the urinals and water clospfs ""A.A. tionemSS°hp -h8 Wat7 Cl0Set accommoda- tion might be improved upon. fofrierlo^Pn6? I-ha<! t0 Cl0se the schools ing cough epidemic of mu*ips and whoop- The Notification Act of Infectious Diseases is in operation in this district, but we have no infectious diseases hospitals other than for small-pox. The disinfection of homes after infectious cases is carried out with great success. There is no notification of tuberculosis disease, but this subject comes before the next meeting of my Council, when I have no doubt the same will be adopted. There is no hospital which admits tuberculosis cases. The Midwives Act has been adopted, and under my care are five registered midwives. I always find their homes and everything connected with them in a most sanitary and efficient condition. During the year I was appointed medical school inspector for Newtown schools. The inspection was carried out in a satisfactory manner, both to the school authorities and the parents, no friction occurring. A full statement of the hygienic condition of all the schools is in the course of preparation to be presented to the County Council before the end of this month. The bakehouses in this district are all kept clean and healthy, and no underground bakehouses are in this district. BTREETS, PAVEMENTS, CHANNELLINGS. These are in an excellent state, and are now cleaned and disinfected very easily after our monthly markets and fairs. The disinfec- tion is thoroughly done, and everything to ensure cleanliness is looked after. The Green Brook again overflowed, and broke through its banks, thus flooding a great part of the town, and causing great in- convenience and suffering to the inhabitants of the district. The roads were badly cut up, and the sewers and drains were blocked for a time, causing a very insanitary state of affairs in the district, but, thanks to the Surveyor and his staff, this was remedied in a very short time. I notice the wall of the Green Brook has not yet been built, and whoever is responsible, I hope will at the earliest moment have the work carried out, in case of another storm end flooding. In previous reports I have recommended the following:— 1. The erection of a destructor, which I hope is fairly on the way, and now only waiting the sanction of the Local Govern- ment Board. 2. The erection of a public slaughter house, or that the owner of the slaughter house in the congested area of Stone-street be compelled to find a new position. 3. The advisability of erecting public baths and wash-houses. 4. The public urinals are insuffiicent and badly placed, and require immediate atten- tion. 5. Immediate attention to the Sewage Farm. In conclusion, I must thank the sanitary authority for their past eflorts in placing Newtown in a good sanitary state; but, at the same time, I hope and trust they will give careful and immediate attention to the different points I have now brought before them in my annual report, and so further promote their good name as a Council bent on all sanitary reforms for the benefit of the public health. I have the honour to remain, gentlemen, Your Obedient Servant, FREDERICK WILSON, Medical Officer of Health.

Montgomeryshire Teachers take up the Cudgels. The following resolutions were presented to the County Education Authority at New- town, on Tuesday, from the Montgomery- shire Teachers' Association: 1. That this Association protests against school supplies being limited to 2s 6d per head per annum. They suggest that a more equitable arrangement would be 3s 6d for scholars in the upper school and 2s 6d per head for infants. 2. That this Association considers that all applications from head teachers for in- creases of salary should be sent direct to the Executive Committee. 3. This Association respectfully recom- mends that the Education Committee should direct the local managers, when framing the short list for the appointment of teachers, to give preference to candidates from the county (other things being equal). 4. Migration of Scholars.—That this As- sociation suggests that the following regula- tion be passed by the Education Committee: That no child be allowed to move to another school except at the beginning of the educational year." (N.B.-Tliis motion is directed against the capricious migration of children for insuffi- cient reasons. It is especially felt in those districts which have schools in close prox- imity to one another.) riJf1 fL+in8i ,^rffiths asked what was the date of the letter. The Clerk: The 7th December. Mr Griffiths: I think these resolutions were passed a considerable time before imagine that when the teachers, -W?at °Ur P°sition is with regard to requisitions, they will be more sCHdeent W tl0W th8 filSt resoIution to have now resolved that while 2s 6d per head is to be taken practically as a minimum, yet if anything more is ur- gently required this Authority will be pre- pared to grant it. p The Chairman (Mr Hugh Lewis): We had a very exhaustive discussion of that mat- ter, and it was decided to adhere to the ln cases of new schools. Mr Griffiths: But I think that any merits CaS8S Were to be considered on their hif ^UeSo°tTon°neS said that that was also his recollection. Mr Edward Powell moved that the reso- lutions be referred to the Executive Com- mittee, which Mr Richard Lloyd seconded. Mr Lane Griffiths asked whether the teach- ers would be represented at the Executive. The Clerk (Mr Llewelyn Phillips) said it was resolved that the 2s 6d be adhered to except in cases of new schools, but a subse- quent resolution gave discretion to exceed that amount in cases where the claim was considered to be good. The Chairman: The only one of the reso- lutions we can deal with is in regard to the children moving.from one school to another. I think we have dealt with their first reso- lution; I don't think we can deal with the first three. Mr Lane Griffiths: I think there are points in the second resolution which might be put before the Committee. The Chairman: Well, of course, I am in the hands of this Committee. Mr Lane Griffiths: If the teachers are not represented at the Executive they shall not be able to put their claims before you. When the Executive comes to a decision as far as they are concerned, and make a re- commendation, it is very difficult indeed to upset it. It would be much simpler that the teachers' representations, whatever they might be worth, should be presented to the Executive before that Committee arrives at a decision. Mr William Ashton: That will be a ques- tion for the Executive. If they think repre- sentatives of the teachers necessary, they can have them. It was thereafter agreed to refer the teach- ers' resolutions to the Executive, with au- thority to call for representatives from the teachers. p

ei Preacher and Politician. T t The Rev J. Hugh Edwards, of London, M who has been speaking at a series of meet- ™ ings in Breconshire under the auspices of the County Liberal Association, addressed ei an enthusiastic meeting at Lower Chapel, Brecon, on Thursday night week. After re- ferring in eulogistic terms to Mr Sidney Robinson, the county member, and to his devotion to his Parliamentary duties, Mr ra Edwards proceeded to give an exposition of p Liberalism, the fundamental principle of co which he declared to be, in the words of Mr Gladstone, "trust in the people." This he illustrated by allusions to the legislative measures introduced by the Government. The Education Bill was based on the fixed principle of public control. In both the Army and the Navy men were given their opportunity of service without any denomin- ational tests, but in education denomination- alism was made the determining factor. In 14,000 elementary schools, now supported by public money, and in the great majority of the training colleges, Nonconformists were absolutely debarred, however brilliant their capabilities. The Licensing Bill had its basis also in popular control. Liberalism stood for no preferential treatment either in education, commerce, or religion. It placed the interests of the people above those of either priest, peer, or publican. Already the Government had legislated nobly for the interests of the children and for the wants of the aged and infirm. They had extended the rights of ciitizenship to the conquered people of South Africa, and the boon of re- presentative government to the oppressed nationalities of India. He looked forward with confidence to the near future, when the Liberal Government would liquidate its long-standing debt to Wales by removing the festering sore of ecclesiastical tyranny. If the Government would stand true to Wales, they would find in the Welsh people their most loyal and valiant allies in the crusade against the House of Lords, and in their determination to bring to an end the great anachronism in the political constitu- tion of Great Britain.

ALLEGED DUCATIONAL EXTRAAGANCE IN MONTGMERYSHIRE. Mr Forrester Add's Charge Answered More TalkLbout Extras. Mr Wilson Jones Worrying Obser- vions. Some time ago,dr Forrester Addie, in directing attention o what he considered extravagant expencure on the part of the County Education uthority, declared that that body had alrey spent £ 25,000 in loans alone. The asserti, was briefly repudiated at the time, parularly by Mr Richard Lloyd, but in viewf the prominence given it by the press, thOhairman of the Educa- tion Authority (Mr ugh Lewis) has thought it advisable to me an exhaustive reply. This he did at a reting of the Committee held at Newtown o Tuesday, when he pre- faced the proceed^s with a general ex- planation of the fi:ncial position. Mr Lewis said heras sorry that Mr Addie was not present, b he did not think that gentleman would qect to anything that would appear in tl statement about to be made, especially alis remarks were taken notice of by the loil press. Mr Addie told us (contended the hairman) that this au- thority had alreey spent in loans alone over E25,000," andreplying to Mr Ashton, remarked that th interest alone on the borrowed money -ould come to £1,000 a year. Captain Mytton Don't you think it would be advisableto defer this statement, as Mr Addie is no present ? 1, of course, leave it to you. The Chairman: shall not say anything which he will objet to, I am sure. It is important, in our iterests, that this matter should be cleared p. To the initiated it would appear fron Mr Addie's statement that over £ 25,000 hi been borrowed by the authority. Mr Richard Lloy: I think I corrected that at the momer when he stated it. I said that I thougt there was a mistake here, and that thOE25,000 represented the sum borrowed on ducation from the year 1872. The Chairman: don't think your re- marks were taken rtice of by the press. Mr Lloyd: Yes, aey were; I read it in the paper. The Chairman: W11, I wish to put it more clearly than you culd do. at short notice. THE FACTS, said the Chairman,were that from the time the Education Autbrity was constituted in 1903, to the end ofthe last financial year, it had obtained on oan only £ 7,126. It was true that its total liability was f-24,353 7s lid, not over 1:25,00 as stated by Mr Addie, and that it paid on that sum interest amounting to £ 635,-not £ 1,000 as Mr Addie said-but the Z24,32 was made up chiefly of loans contracted oy the old School Boards many years ago, pmcipally for the erection of their school buidings. Of those build- ings, twenty-nine passed at the appointed day to the Autority, together with, of course, their outstnding liabilities, which amounted to £20,88 7s lid. They were gra- dually paying off Íte debt, and had reduced it to £ 16,000 odd. :f they added to that the £7,126 borrowed bj the Authority, they got the total liability )f C24,353 7s lid, a sum only E3,476 in exQss of the debts they in- herited on the anointed day. They had erected two new schools, at Clatter and Dernol, purchased the former Church of England school at Wellington, and the head teacher's house adjoining, and had procured by transfer, paying off existing debts in many cases, seven Church and undenomina- tional schools-altogether ten additional schools—while a number of Council schools had been thoroughly restored, equipped, and brought up to modern requirements. In considering the dbt of £ 24,353 7s lid, IT SHOULD BE BORNE IN MIND that the weight of it was not felt throughout the county, as half 01 all the loans fell upon the districts benefitea. Further, in estimat- ing their financial position, it was absurd to look only upon the cne side of the accounts, to groan about then debts and ignore the value of their assets No firm would draw up a balance sheet on such lines. They pos- sessed 39 Council sclools; twelve of those they had already put into thoroughly good condition, some of the others were new bulid- ings, and required little or no expenditure; the remainder they hoped to deal with dur- ing the next two years. The whole property he should roughly estimate to be worth about £ 100,000. From a business point of view, he should say they were in a thor- oughly sound financial position, and he thought they might, as an Education Com- mittee, congratulate themselves upon the economical way in which their business had been managed. They compared very favour- ably with many othet Welsh counties. FAVOURABLE COMPARISONS. The Clerk had kindly obtained some par- ticulars from neighboring counties, and they would find the returns received from Denbighshire, Breconshire, Carmarthen- shire, and Merionethshire bore out what he said. Placing those counties, under the different items, in an order of decreasing ex- enditure, they would find that Montgom- ryshire was always bottom of the list. he total amount of rate levied for elemen- iry education during the last four years as:—Merioneth, 4s 2d; Brecon, 4s Id; Car-1 larthen, 3s lOd; Denbigh, 3s 4d; Montgom- recon, 4s Id; Denbigh, 3s 4d; Mnotgom-j :y, 2s 5jjd. The comparative cost of the 4 'ection of new schools Was also favourable. armarthen had erected eleven schools at a ist of E24,377, and Denbigh fifteen schools a cost of £ 20,922. The other counties were .ther difficult to conipare, but Brecon ap- ared to have erected three schools at a st of £ 7,702, Merioneth three at a cost of 1,750, and Montgomery three at a cost of- ,882. The smallness of Montgomery's ex- snditure was due to the McKenna grant. The existing loans on the appointed day were:—Denbigh (63 schools), £ 101,982; Carmarthen (106 schools), £ 90,221; Brecon (42 schools), £ 50,111; Merioneth (58 schools), £ 37,992; Montgomery (39 schools), £ 20,886!) The loans raised and received were:—Car- marthen, £ 24,065; Denbigh, £ 23,771; Meri- oneth, £Í7,047; Brecon, £ 7,430; and Mont- gomery, £ 7,126. They would, therefore, see that Montgomery compared very favourably with other counties. They were at the bot- tom of the list of expenditure. They had no reason to be ashamed of their finance, and after the figures he had just laid before them he thought it was quite out of place to talk of extravagance in connection with that body. Members might meet their con- I stituents cneertuiiy, coniiaent that they had had every regard for their purse, consistent with the performance of their duty as an education authority. He thought it well to make that statement, especially as the press had given publicity to Mr Addie's state- ment, and he hoped the press would take notice of his reply. THOSE EXTRAS. Mr Richard Lloyd: I should have al- lowed the statement of the Chairman to have gone for what it is, and anyone who chose could reply to it at the next meeting, but for the last words that have iallen from him. He says that there has been no ex- travagance. I think the Executive Com- mittee shortly since made a statement here, and asked that certain matters should be referred to them to look thoroughly into. It concerned extras" in connection with various schools, and since then the Execu- tive have reported that there was extrava- gance, and that these extras had resulted from unbusiness-like ways, and in a very loose way. Mr Edward Powell: I think we as a Com- mittee ought to offer our thanks to the Chairman for that explanatory statement, <vhich, I am sure, will be welcomed by the public throughout the county. While we have increased our liabilities by some £ 3,400, we have added to our. assets ten times that amount. We have, therefore, nothing complain of in that respect. Two things I would like to mention. Personally, I hope that this Committee will, when they obtain future loans, see to getting them for a shorter than a longer period (hear, hear). We make a great mistake when we try to borrow money for a long period, because it means payment of a larger amount of inter- est, and in the long run it is far more ex- pensive to the ratepayers (hear, hear). The other matter is one in regard to which I should not be doing my duty if I did not mention it. One asset claimed by the coun- ty does not belong to it, and it ought to have been given up. I refer to the two school houses which the Newtown people built. They were paid for largely by New- town, but they were taken by the county. Those houses ought to be treated as the property of Newtown. THE CAPTAIN ADMITS RESPONSI- BILITY. Captain Mytton: I rise to second the vote of thanks to Mr Lewis for his very lucid exposition of the financial state of the edu- cation department of this county. I am afraid that I am the particular offender with regard to the t25,000 statement. I thought it my duty, as chairman of the County Council, looking after finance, to go to the Clerk's office, where I got the amount of loans, as stated, of £ 25,000 from him, and I furnished it to Mr Addie and Mr Lloyd also, I think, with the exact figures. Mr Addie, therefore, is not to be censured for having stated that the loans obtained by this authority amounted to £ 25,000. I rather think the Chairman takes rather a favourable view of the financial state of'our education department, and I must say I don't think it will tend to economy if we flatter ourselves that we have done the best we could. There have been, as Mr Lloyd says, a good many mistakes. I don't think we should take too much credit for what we have done, but we should try to carry out the work on an economical basis. Mr Richard Phillips: With regard to the statement made by Mr Edward Powell con- cerning the two school houses at Newtown, I think this Committee were prepared to hand over one of them. Our late chairman (Mr Humphreys-Owen) promised to go to the Local Government Board and the Edu- cation Department and see about getting their sanction. The one house was occupied at the time for educational purposes, but the other was not. Mr Humphreys-Owen informed me himself that he had not had time to see those Boards about the matter. I think that one of the houses, at least, belongs to Newtown. Mr Powell: Both houses. Mr Phillips: I don't say both; I don't think the Board of Education will allow the two. The inspector recommended that one of the houses should be handed over to the town authority, and I think that is due to them. The Chairman: The question was referred to the Board of Education, and they decided that the rents should be used for the county. We have dealt with Newtown in the same way as with other parts of the county. The houses have all been hanued over. Mr Phillips: The one house was not oc- cupied for educational purposes, and it was strongly recommended by this Committee that it should be handed over to the town authority. NO EXTRAVAGANCE, SAYS MR. ASHTON.. Mr William Ashton: I am very pleased to hear that exhaustive statement from the Chairman, because the assertion made at last meeting-I don't say it was done inten- tionally-was rather misleading in the way in which it was put. I know there were some members of the Committee who took it that we had borrowed E25,000 since com- ing into possession of the schools. Accord- ing to the Chairman's statement, we have spent not much more than £5,000 in the last five years. Mr Powell: £ 7,000. Mr Ashton: We have it from the Clerk that we have spent P.6,381, and we had £1,300 of that money. That is to say it cost the ratepayers about £5,000 for the five years, and that is not equal to a penny rate. 1 consider, seeing we have built srhonTs kept the others in thorough repair for a penny rate, that we have not been very ex- travagant. I think the Chairman's state- men is very important, and I propose that it be included in our minutes. Mr P. Wilson-Jones seconded. I am pleased, he said, to see Captain Mytton again among us after his indisposition (hear hear, and applause). I think I raised the question once or twice in regard to extrava- gance m connection with the building of statement wV hr hef^g the Chairman's statement, which must have cost him stable trouble, I hope the Srtl notice to it, because ratepayers are verv easily misled,—(hear, hear)—and they have been misled in that.. y ve penditure might have been saved in conriec- tion with extras. Yet we can very well con- gratulate ourselves. as thanks to th?Sh3rmS. Camed' as wel1 Powell's Remark6 'hat Mr money for shorter periods ought not to be Powell's remark with regard to borrowing tioh because vation he was SlXfSJ'SSfrfX the'loansTwere pa°W up^ -HAS TOO MUCH BEEN SAID ABOUT EXTRAS ? At a subsequent stage of the proceedings, the question of "extras" again cropped up, at the instance of Mr Wilson-Jones. The Executive Committee, in reporting upon, the new school agreed to be erected at Aberhafesp, stated that the Local Gov- ernment Board had sanctioned the borrow- ing of £465, subject to certain slight altera- tions in the plans. The Executive recom- mended that the requirements of the Bdtrd be met, and the plans afterwards returned. Mr Wilson-Jones asked if that was the amount the school was to cost. The Chairman: Plus the McKenna grant. The Clerk: £ 1,165. Mr Wilson-Jones: Has the question been gone into, in order that we shall have no extras (smiles). It is a new building, and I hope we are not going to have one or two hundred pounds of extras. There is, I think, a minute to the effect that the Clerk has to ascertain all about the extras before they are sanctioned in future. The Chairman: We are largely in the hands of the Government inspector. Mr William Ashton: I think too much has been said about these extras." No- body is so infallible as to forsee these things, and if the inspector comes down and sug- gests things, they have to be done. Mr Wilson-Jones: I object to that. We have now had sufficient experience with the Board of Education to know what is actu- ally wanted. We have six or seven new schools, and we ought to know what they want to meet their requirements. The Chairman: Two new schools. I Mr Wilson-Jones: Two are sufficient to teach practical men what is wanted. I hear ratepayers complaining about extras con- tinually cropping up, and I am voicing the opinions of those who have to pay the rates. Mr Lane Griffiths: We have all to pay rates. I am sorry to intervene in a matter of this sort, but I feel this is a question of degree. It is utterly impossible for anyone to prepare estimates that will cover all pos- sible extras. If you get an extortionate es- timate it should, of course, be denounced and objected to, but slight extras will arise. I know of schools that are doing without things which are really necessary, because of this attitude we have taken up in regard to estimates. Mr Edward Powell: I am sorry to say I have never yet put up a building without having some extras (laughter). If you want absolutely inclusive tenders, you will have money put down for contingencies, and it will cost more in the long run. I think there has been too much talk about extras. MR. LLOYD ON THE POSITION. Mr Richard Lloyd: I am afraid the gen- tlemen who have spoken of these extras know little about them. They did not at- tend the Executive Committee, who went into those extras, or they would have had a different opinion. They found extras amounting to IC130 and £ 150 on a contract of £ 500, and inquiring into it they discov- ered that nobody ordered the greater part of them. The Executive knew nothing about it, and there were no records in the minutes. Some member of the Committee or some manager had ordered some im- provements. The question has arisen solely with the object of providing in the future that there shall not be these extras, and the Executive have agreed by resolution and report that these ought not to take place again. It is now provided that before there are any extra charges beyond the contract amount the work shall be sanctioned by the Committee. Mr Ashton: It was said at one of the Committee meetings that there were no ex- tras in Merionethshire. Certainly there were not, but there was a large sum for con- tingencies in every contract. THE CHAIRMAN SURPRISED. The chairman: I am rather surprised at the way in which Mr Wilson-Jones has spoken of extras." Although apparently unnecessary, those "extras" were actually necessary, and we are getting full value for our money spent on them. We are spending less than other counties, and I am surprised at Mr Jones' remarks. Anyone who knows about building knows that he cannot esti- mate everything at the start, and I am sure Mr Wilson-Jones will say that his own house cost him very much more than he anticipated. Mr Wilson-Jones: Refer back to your own minutes. You yourself, as chairman of the Executive Committee, have passed a minute to the effect that we hope these things won't occur again in future, and when the Execu- tive makes that recommendation, surely a humble member of the Committee has a right to refer to it. We had in one instance a contract of £98, and when the bill came to be paid it was over £300. These are items I complain of. Mr Richard Lloyd: All extras have to be sanctioned and approved. The Chairman: We all agree upon that. Mr Lloyd: But that has not been done in the past.

A FISHMONGER'S AFFAIRS A. NEWTOWN TRADESMAN PASSES HIS FINAL EXAMINATION. Before the Registrar (Mr William Wat- kins), E. G. Morgan, fishmonger, Newtown, appeared in the Bankruptcy Court on Thurs- day to undergo an adjourned examination at the hands of the Official Receiver (Mr F. Cariss). The Official Receiver: You were last here on the 10th of December, when the examina- tion was then adjourned until to-day pend- ing enquiries into claims made by your wife and niece as to the furniture in the house. Since that date you have lived.at the same address and carried on business there? Debtor: Yes. Upon what terms?—With the company as manager. What company is it?—E. G. Morgan, Ltd. Then your business was transacted into a limited company?-Yes, and it was regis- tered on January 7th. What terms are you upon, Mr Morgan?— I get a weekly salary. Will you tell me the amount?—Yes- it is not a very big one. Is it El per week?—Yes, El per week. And you have the use of the house as he- fore ?-Yes. Have you any other interest in the com- pany?—No. Have you any other promises?—No Has anyone any shares in the company on your behalf?-My wife has the option of taking up some ordinary shares. Has she any interest in the company apart from that?-No, sir. se^are'likelr; Mr M,°rgan- that rour as' sets are likely to realize very much less than your estimate of them?-Yes, after S ducting the creditors. laree ? me 0W U was that these relftivp !timS ?y/0Ur wife and niece and tiirp Kfli 6 to be made?—Well,' the furni- her mnth«ging+v!° i117 niece was left her by S8mbrooks ™ Have you seen the details in the list?- No, I cannot say. Then you cannot say whether the claims cause T t y are correct, be- was working at her own business and earn- ing money. What you say is that most of the furni- ture, which is valued at E39 2s 6d, is her separate property?—Yes In °/+°U say that whatever furniture be- onged to you has been realized for the bene- fit of your creditors?-No furniture did be- long to me. Whatever assets you say belonged to you have been realized?—Yes, sir. Have you made a full disclosure of your estate and effects?—Yes. And you have concealed nothing?-No, nothing whatever. Mr Cariss: Well, sir, in this case the debtor filed a cash agcount, and it answered the purpose that was required-that of ex- plaining what had become of the large turn- over of £ 1,300. I have not admitted the claims I have referred to, but I don't think I need keep the examination open. What enquiries we want to make can be made without the debtor. The Registrar then declared the examina- tion closed.

For Chronic Chest Complaints, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. 1/11, 219. BUTCHERS' HIDE, SKIN AND WOO' Company Limited, New Canal-street, Birmingham. —Current Prices: Hides-95 and up, 6i~4f • 85 to 94, 6^—4 £ 75 to 84. 5-41; 65 to 74. 4|—; 66 to 64, 4f 4g j 65 and under, 4|—4f heavy cows, 41-41 light MWs, 4J—41 bulls, 3-1-31; warbled and irregs., 3 £ —4f. Calf, 17 and np, 7}. 12 to 16, 8%; 9 to 11, 8f; light, 8f. Horse hides, 21/ 19/9,18/6,16/ 14/ 11/6,8/ 7/ Wools- Lots, 10/1, 9/1, 7/10, 7/5, 7/3, 7/ 6/6, 6/2, 5/6 Walsh Wools—4/ 2/7,1/10. Welsh—A 1 6/4, A 5/4, b 4/ o 2/7. Fat-Bt beef, 3id; seoonds.2id; best mutton, 3d; common, I#d. Mixed fat, Hid. Bonos—Marrow 1/2. Waste, 9d tocr*.

WELSHPOOL'S WET CALENDAR. Firstfruits of 1909. Drunkenness was the subject of the four cases that came before the Welshpool Bor- ough Bench at their first session in the New Year last Tuesday. In three cases the effect of alcohol upon the brain had been to pro- duce disorderliness as well as drunkenness. All the defendants pleaded guilty, and the penalties imposed totalled 29s. The magis- trates numbered seven: The Mayor (Dr R. D. Thomas) was in the chair, with Mr D. P. Owen, Mr William Humphreys, and Mr John Pryce Jones on his right, and Colonel Twyford, Mr Maurice Jehn, and Mr David Lloyd on his left. But, though it was en- tirely a wet calendar that took up their time, the Bench did not consider it part of their duty to inquire where the defendants had been suppleid with too much drink. I. THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 11-30 p.m. on Boxing night was the time that P.C. John Morgans found a farm la- boured very drunk and disorderly on the road leading from the village of Guilsfield to the Groes. The man was shouting, and declared that he cared for nobody. But somebody cared for him, because friends took him away. The defendant hailed from Hendre Hen, Guilsfield, his name being John Jones. "Have you anything to say?" queried the Justices' Clerk (Mr C. P. Yearsley). "No, sir!" replied the rural labourer. "If you wish to make any statement, now's your time!" "No, sir!" "Speak to the Bench, if you wish." "I hope you will look over it, if you please, gentlemen" (smiles). But the Bench declined to do so, and the Mayor said, "You will be fined 5s, includ- ing costs." "Will you pay now?" asked the Clerk. John Jones turned to Court officer J. A. Hughes, and with a puzzled expression in- quired, "5s?" "5s altogether," explained the sergeant. John Jones paid the penalty, cash down. II. CHRISTMAS EVE. P.C. Thomas Jones told the next story re- garding the behaviour of James Morris, a town labourer, living in Bowling Green- lane. "On the 24th of December, at 11-30 p.m." said the constable, "I was on duty in High-street. There was a lot of people about. I had occasion to speak to some men, when defendant came on, and passed a remark, which was likely to cause a breach of the peace. He was dunk. I told him to go home. He refused to go. I started him down Powell's-lane, and he struggled most violently. Another man helped to take him home. At 12-30 he was out on the street again, but he was per- suaded to go home." The Clerk: Any questions? Defendant: No. Anything to say to the Court?-No. Sergt. Hughes: He was convicted six times for being drunk and disorderly, and once for travelling on the Cambrian without a ticket. The Mayor (to defendant): You will be fined 12s. The Clerk: And costs, sir? The Mayor: Including costs. Mr D. P. Owen: No, no! 12s and costs! Mr Maurice Jehu: Including costs! Mr Owen: That's what he had last time. The Clerk (to defendant): 10s, including costs. Will you pay now? Mr Owen: That's the same as last time! Defendant asked for time to pay. Mr Owen: I should not allow him time at all! The Mayor: How long? Defendant: A fortnight. Mr Owen: In a case like this it's a farce giving time to pay! Defendant said he was not working now, but would start working next week. The Clerk: Are you with the steam roller?—Yes, sir. Mr Owen: It makes no difference. I should send him down to Shrewsbury straight away! The Mayor: You will be allowed seven days to pay. The Clerk: Seven days. III. FIRST FAIR-DAY IN THE YEAR. "Helplessly drunk" was the description which P.C. Morgans gave of a farm labour- er whom he found in Hall-street at 2-30 p.m. on Monday, January 4th. The unfor- tunate man proved to be Thomas Davies, of the Gaer Farm, and the constable took him to the police station and locked him up. "Anything to ask him?" queried the Clerk. "Nothing at all!" replied the defendant, "Anything to sav?" "Nothing, sir!" P.C. Morgans, replying to the Clerk, said that the defendant was Rot charged with being disorderly. The Mayor (to defendant): You will be fined 12s, to include costs. Defendant: I can pay half now. Will you allow me a week to pay the rest? The Mayor: You will get seven days. IV. NOT WANTED IN WELSHPOOL NOW. A stranger to the borough was the next occupant of the box—a burly-built man, whose figure and clothes corresponded with the description he gave of himself as "a navvy chap." His name was Richard Weaver, and he was one of those who helped to build the Elan Valley waterworks; he then lodged at Llanidloes. Now he was brought up in custody on a charge of being drunk and disorderly the previous Monday in Welshpool. "About 4-30 p.m. yesterday afternoon," said P.C. Arthur Price, "I was on duty on the Cross. I saw defendant. He was very drunk, and used very bad language. I told him to get away. He wouldn't go. I had to lock him up. I had cautioned him once or twice before the same day. I told him to clear out of the town the same afternoon." The Clerk: Any questions? Defendant: No questions. I have been on the road about nine or ten days, making my way for Cardigan. Anything to say to the Court? Oh! I have nothing to say. I am making my way to Cardigan to the new railway there. I am a navvying chap. I am sorry I got too much, and the policeman came up to me. After a consultation, the Mayor indicated that he was going to pass sentence. There- upon the Clerk addressed the defendant: "Listen to the Bench! Take your hands out of your pockets!" The "navvy chap," who had secreted his hands in his trouser's pockets, complied with this direction to respect the dignity of the Court, and then the Mayor said: The case against you is dismissed, if you clear out of the town in half an hour. I will clear out of the town," promised the defendant. "Very well," said the Mayor. "Half an hour from now!" "That's all," said Deputy Williams, and in less than half an hour the "navvy chap": had quitted the ancient town, where he had left behind him too much drink money.

Struck by the reports of the heroic rescue work accomplished at Messina by two Welsh sailors named Smith and Read, the King has communicated his wish to the Home Secretary that their gallantry should be suitably recognised.