Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
11 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
[No title]
The ExpRESS ANu TtMEM will be aent to your poatal itddreNa for one year for the *u'n o! <!e. M. (prepaid), or by quarterly pttytuant" of ts. 9d.—Address The MANAGKR, ExpREss OfRce, Newtown.
THE BREWSTER SESSIONS.
THE BREWSTER SESSIONS. The annual licensing courts have of recent years commanded increased public interest, chiefly owing to the fact that modern legislation has given magisterial direction to the reduction of licenses, and provided the means of diminishing their number irrespective of the question of char- acter and conduct, which formerly deter- mined the continuance or abolition of pub- lic houses. Therefore, as the Brewster Ses- sions come round we are anxious to know of the licensed premises black-listed by the police, and the reasons that are to be ad- vanced for their extinction. This year a wide, sweeping effort is being made by the police, principally in the Newtown district, where, we understand, the renewals of no fewer than eleven licenses are opposed. A iamous historian cynically observed that the fact whether honesty was or was not the best policy depended very much on the condition of the police force. However, in judging of excessive drinking and drunken- ness by judicial statistics one must have regard to the different police modes of deal- ing with intoxicated persons. There are districts which, on paper, present quite an ugly record, due largely to the official short' shrift given to "drunks," and, on the other hand, there are places which, in the light of police returns, appear as models of so- briety, ascribable in some measure, no doubt, to the less vigorous enforcement of the law. But while statistics of drunken- ness are not always a reliable basis for magisterial action, it is none the less re- markable that where the number of public houses is reduced, the cases of drunkenness fall in proportion. Llanfyllin, with the largest proportion of licenses according to population, is notorious for its "wet" calendars at the petty sessions, and it may be worth noting that this place has also the largest percentage of tied public houses. Is its drunkenness attributable more to the quality of the drink than to the bibulous propensities of the inhabitants? That ques- tion can only be determined locally, and we hope the magistrates will give it considera- tion. The Caersws district, with the least proportion of inns, and only one tied house, enjoys the character of exemplary sobriety. The number of public houses in many parts of Montgomeryshire far exceeds the legiti- mate requirements of the surrounding popu- lations, and a substantial reduction is de- voutly to be wished in the interests of morality, peace, and social well-being. In villages and other rural parts, as well as in the towns, there are clusters of pubs, which, whatever might have been the local needs that established them, have now abso- lutely no warranty for their existence. And where there is no public need, no public house should be. We take by no means a narrow-minded view of the Trade-the fa- natical reformer does not count with us- but what we want is that magistrates, now that they are vested with power, the exer- cise of which imposes little or no hardship, should resolve to get rid, in the first place, of the mere drink shops-those little boos- ing dens in town and country which are not justined as places needful for refresh- ment. There are, too, to be found here and there isolated licensed houses which, while passing muster on the score of structural character and respectable conduct, have positively no reasonable title to be spared as necessary "half-way" hostelries or halt- ing places. They exist largely upon temp- tation. They tempt the farmer on hia journey to and from market, and at night lure the agricultural labourer from the neighbourhood around. On public grounds they are not required, and, therefore, the licenses should be cancelled. Another aspect of the licensed house which concerns rating authorities was brought in- to prominence at the Welshpool Sessions, where the rateable value of each pub in the county division was given, the figures rang- ing from jE9 up to P.22 10s. Most people will agree with the opinion from the Bench that these values appear in some instances to be very low. The hint may be accepted by the authorities interested. Higher rateable values and licences will shut up redundant houses, and at the same time require the Trade to pay to the Treasury something more commensurate with their monopoly. The present system of license taxation is indefensibly inequitable and absurd. A public house in a village rented, say, at Y-10 a year pays a license duty of j:4 10s, nearly half its rateable value. The same proportion holds good on hbuses which pay rents up to t40 to £50, and the duty in- creases by .E5 for every ;E100 rateable value; but the limit duty is .&60, notwithstanding a house may be worth thousands of nounds a year. We have here a great untapped reservoir of local and national revenue in rates and taxes, which, it goes without say- ing, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has kept closely in view while framing his forth- coming Budget.
- -------------NEWTOWN MARKETS…
NEWTOWN MARKETS AND FAIRS. On the principle of better late than never, the Newtown local authority are to be congratulated upon effecting an arrange- ment with Lord Powis for the transfer of the local market rights, which will give them absolute control of the markets and fairs. But why should his Lordship require the ratepayers of Newtown to pay him £50 over and above the legal cost of transfer? What is £5U to him? He was drawing nothing from these market rights, and so sacrificed nothing in conveying them to the town. We do not say that the Council have made a bad bargain, but for the sake of a £50 note the owner of 60,000 acres might have made a free gift of these manorial rights, which concession does not diminish his rent roll to a fractional extent. Now that the "secret," as Mr Evans calls it, has been divulged, we shall doubtless be ex- pected to exonerate the Council from the charge of indifference towards the decline of local fairs. It was not so much their in- difference that we upbraided as their mani- fest inability to timeously grasp and arrest a trend of circumstances which evolved the establishment of district auction sales. If at first they had entered into negotiation with certain auctioneering nrms, we feel positive that the irreparable injury done to Newtown fairs would have been prevented. The acquisition of the market rights will certainly carry many benefits to the town, but the creation of these rural stock sales which influence and enterprise are steadily developing, cannot encourage the hope that our fairs will ever be restored to their former dimensions. THE COUNTY "TERRITORIALS." It is satisfactory to learn that the strength 'of the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry is short of the establishment only to the extent of five omcers and 26 rank and file. Unhap- pily. figures relative to'the infantry form a somewhat discreditable contrast as regards Thomas Atkins. We have 14 of the 18 omcers required, but of the rank and file, established at 511, there is a shortage of 143. Critics of the new army re-organisation scheme may be disposed to parade this shrinkage of volunteers, compared with the days of the "Dandy Fifth," as proof of Mr Haldane's failure, having regard to the fact. that this decreased number includes recruits from country districts hitherto untapped. It is, however, too early to judge of the scheme. A few years hence, when the new regulations are better understood, and the improved system of training fully appre- ciated, will be the time to pronounce an opinion. A large percentage of old volun- teers quitted the service with the advent of this scheme, which provided the oppor- tunity of reasonable excuse for retirement, I while many othera left because of revised regulations that seemed to them too exact- ing. As to the practical operation of these regulations we hear no serious objections, save perhaps from those who are inclined to view the annual camp more from the sf.andDuInt of olensure than o patriotism. There is reason to believe that with each successive year every company in the coun- ty will gain in numbers. The construction of a rifle range at Castle Caereinion is cer- tain to encourage recruiting in the lower part of the county, and perhaps' it will be the means of restoring to Welshpool the an- nual yeomanry camp. NEWTOWN ELECTORAL WARDS. Whatever the rural ratepayers may have to say against the proposal to re-arrange the municipal electoral wards at Newtown, they cannot indict the Council for hasty action. For many years this subject has been kept in the forefront by the 'Express' as the unfulfilled part of a municipal pro- gramme which it has striven to see carried out, and the credit of giving effect to it will belong to the present Chairman of the Council. It is needless to recapitulate the v.ery obvious reasons for the change, though Councillors E vans' and Parry may at the adjourned meeting of the Council illuminate an opposition which has never before been intelligible to us. At any rate, these re- doubtable guardians of rural interests have signified a criticism of the proposal that is not likely to lack entertaining character. SOLDIERS FOR CIVIL POSTS. We note that the County Territorial As- sociation have overtured the Chief Constable to give preference in future appointments to the constabulary to men who have served in the regular army or territorial forces, and also submitted a similar suggestion to the Postmaster-General with regard to post- men. Frankly speaking, we are not in love with a movement which is calculated to militarise branches of the civil service. It may be argued that the country should in such ways reward those who, after devoting the best part of their years to her defence at home and abroad, find themselves un- fitted for skilled employment. But is not that the fault of our military system? Our intervals of peace with all other nations are surely long enough to admit of our soldiers being trained in various handicraft, as is the case, we understand, in most conscript countries. As a matter of fact, our military system contributes very largely to the ranks of the unemployed. This can be proved by the large proportion of ex-soldiers among town loafers and tramps. Here is a con- crete and striking instance. Of 57 "hunger marchers" who reached Reading the other day, 43 were* old soldiers who have seen active service. Moreover, we have been in- formed by constabulary omcers of many years experience in both industrial and rural districts that military men do not make the best type of policeman That, of course, is a debatable point, but what we object to is the attempt to reserve civil ap- pointments for the benefit of one class at the expense of all others. DR. PURCHAS. Strong in character, straight to a degree tliat harboured no thought of unfairness, sincere in speech and action, and warm- hearted, which a certain measure of quite natural abruptness sometimes concealed, were qualities that stood out in the late Dr Purchas, whose untimely removal is universally regretted. That feeling of re- gret we profoundly share. The removal by death of a physician always creates a de- cided vacancy in any community, and touches in a very special manner hundreds of homes, the life history of whose inmates is so intimately associated with his profes- sional ministrations. Of Dr Purchases medi- cal skill his numerous patients had a high estimate and now that he has gone many a instances are recalled of his devotion to cases in the very humblest of homes. He loved his calling, and realised the immense importance of his trust. So he died hon- oured by the community he served, and be- loved by those who possessed his personal friendship. The several public institutions with which he was prominently connected will greatly miss him. The Doctor was not a skilled debater in point of ready fluency ) —singularly enough comparatively few medical men are-but he rarely spoke with- out having a message or a motive, and often as not he conquered by a genuineness of personality, honesty and simplicity of purpose. His was a nature stamped with sincerity, combative enough when occasion called, but never aggressive-a type of man whose loss is long felt. To the bereaved widow and daughter we can oner, on behalf of the community, an expression of heartfelt sympathy. TO THOSE ON THE BORDER. Mr J. E. Tomley, the excellent clerk to the County Old Age Pensions Committee, calls our attention to a point of importance to those aged people who are on the border of "the allotted span." While, of course, a pension cannot be granted to any person a day under seventy years of age, yet a claim may be provisionally allowed' within four months of the seventieth birthday, and what Mr Tomley desires intending applicants should understand is that in thus taking time by the forelock they will obviate the loss of pension money during the period of necessary inquiries. The sons and daught- ers of old people should note this important direction. FARMERS' ASSOCIATIONS AND POLITICS. It looks as though we were on the eve of a political party upheaval in Montgomery- shire. According to the feelings voiced at their organised meetings, farmers are re- solved to denounce party polities, from which, as is asserted, agricultural interests derive no benefit, and in future vote only for Parliamentary candidates. "pledged to support agricultural measures, whichever side they may take on other questions." An important agriculturist like the tenant of Sutton, for instance, is convinced that both parties have "played false" with the farmer in that "neither has fulfilled its promises," and so he plumps for the creation of a purely agricultural party in the House of Commons, directly, if not exclusively, representative of farming interests. No one can have any quarrel with an attitude of such reasonable selfishness, but the plan of its operation may just puzzle the average mind. Let us suppose the case of a Radical candidate, who, while reckoned the most progressive in his sympathies with agricul- tural needs, is strong in favour of Church Disestablishment and Disendowment: would agricultural members of the Prim- rose League, the Church Defence Society, and the Conservative Association, whose professed primary object is the mainten- ance of State religion, cast aside these party ties, fling their official badges to the back of the lire, and vote for him? If true to their ideal, as it is plainly presented at these meetings, that is what they must do. For our part we cannot imagine a politician more heartily devoted to the best interests of agriculture than the present County Mem- ber. But what would the Tory leaders say of their agricultural following if they de- clared for that Radical and Nonconformist Squire? We shall watch the course of this agricultural rising with increasing interest, in anticipation of a peculiar situation. THE BOROUGH MEMBER'S POSITION. During the past week most minds have been politically exercised over the arresting speech which the Borough Member deliv- ered at Welshpool, and which was fully re- ported in our last issue. It was our intention to discuss some of the points of that speech, as well as Mr Rees' explanatory letter published elsewhere in to-day's 'Ex- press,' but in view of a meeting of the Lib- eral Association, which the Borough Member will address this week at Newtown, we con- sider it right, in the interests of all parties concerned, to reserve comment. For the same reason several letters sent to us for publication have been held over.
Councillor Parry on the Qui…
Councillor Parry on the Qui Yive. NABS A CULPRIT. The element of comedy at Newtown Council on Thursday evening was supplied by Councillor John Parry whose narrative of ho<v he caught a citizen up a lamp post furnishes another practical illustration of the singular alerts eea of this ubiquitous public servant. The matter aro?e from a complaint made by the GM Manager (Mr Taylor) that he was continually finding some of the outside lamps at the ends of the district Hghted before the time when th« Council's men were ordered to light them. The Surveyor and himsetf had been on the look-out, but tailed to catch anybody at it. He shou!d like the Council to take some action in the matter, as it was becoming serious. The night before iaft one was lit more than an hour before the proper time, and it had been lit at least twenty timet. dming the winter by unauthorised persons. A considerable waste of gas was being incurred. Mr J. H. JoBM: Ta it done by children ? The Manager: No; I believe by grown up people. I be)ifve it is done purposely to light np en to "pCPS to certain places. Mr Forater: Any particular lamps ? The Manager: One at the end of Pool.road which I can particularly mention. Mr Parry: I have noticed eomething in respect of this for sometime past. I shortly since eaw some boys playing in this way with lamps, and I pulled one of them down. After I had done so and was chastising him, a ratepayer-a respect- able ratepayer—climbed up the lamp poet and was putting the light on—(laughter)—when I asktd WHAT ABE YOU UP TO THERB ? These lamps were neatly painted and you will rub the paint off (laughter). If you have any objec- tion or anything to elate report it to the Gas Committee or to the Gas Manager. I think it will be my duty to bring the matter before the" Council and have you prosecuted for your con- duct" (hear. hear). I mentioned this at the time that I had actually caught a boy doing tb« mischief, and two minutes afterwards a man of 40 years of age at the very same thing. It is a serious matter, and I think what induces them in some measure to do ]t is that: some of the lamps have a jet too large. It induces the boya to woik it out. Some of the lamps have two or tbr«e candle power burning all day, as you can observe when it comes to twilight I think it would be well if our manager would look into this matter thoroughly in ordet to reduce a waste ot gas. There is no reason why one lamp should have a slight jd and another a strong light burning during the day. The Chairman k Mr Cooke) We are all pleased to think that Councillor Parry is always ou the alert. He not only keeps up the Severn Banks, but looks after the lighting of the town. I have no doubt the matter will be inquired into. Mr Ford I am very pleased to be able to make a satisfactory statement with regard to the gas loan. You are all aware that we intend to raise a loan or loans to wipe out that adverse balance at the bank which the auditor has been com- plaining of year after year. Well, we are on the high road to obtain the loan for the whole amount in one lump sum instead of in small puma. We hope to be able at next meeting to report that we have got the money. Mr George What is the amount ? Mr Ford Not exceeding XI,000. On the motion of the Chairman, the Gas Com- mittee were empowered to take whatever act they deemed advisable Tith regard to the UBwarrant able lighting of the lamps by unauthorised per- sons, the Clerk also being directed to communicate with the police.
DRINK LICENSED
DRINK LICENSED Montgomery whire Ma-gixtratew* Annual Meetings. More Storme a.t Welehpool The yearly brewster meetings for various petty eeBsional divieions in Montgomery- ehir< were held last week. As usual, the report;! from the justices were prepared by Deputy Chief Constable Williams, and sanc- tioned by Chief Constable Holland. The 1 Deputy's statistics showed the following etttte of licensing affairs:— I Average Number of InhtbitMtt* Free TiedP.e.ofTied to eacki DtTitioct. HouoM. HonM*. HontM. Lieetm". MMhyBlIeth 14 8 363 2905 Courswei 5 1 166 5M1 Llanidloe. 21 7 2& 1:l4 Newtowu 20 23 M4 238 Berriow 3 2 40 4763 Montgomery Cty 1 2 143 353 and Borough 1292 Llanfa,r 11 2 ]64 348 U&BdytiHo 12 6 333 J47 UMfyMin(Cty) 8 16 666 2037 Ll&nfyUin(Bofo') 2 9 8L'g 1272 Weltlupool (Ct» 7 1 125 3358 WoIahpOol(Boro') 25 14 358 li>3'1 WELSHPOOL (COUNTY). When Colonel Twyford, Mr David Jonea< and Mr Charles Shuker took their seats at the Welshpool County Sessions last Mon- day, a young mother entered the court with a baby in her arms. The youngster began to yell, and a police constable promptly or- dered it to be removed from the room, so that the Justices' Clerk (Mr C. P. Winnall) was able to read the Deputy's report in peace: Eight licensee were granted at the last Licensing Sessions; four hold seven day licenses and four six days. One application for transfer was made and granted, namely, of the Four Crosses Inn, Middletown, to Agnes Wilkes; two occasional licenses were granted, and two extensions. The conduct of the houses has been satisfactory. As re- gards offences against the public order, four cases of drunkenness and drunk and disor- derly were brought before the justices, as compared with two in the preceding year. The Clerk also read the schedule of par- ticulars regarding each public house in the division, showing that their annual rateable value was as follows:—?9 15a, J?13 10s, ?20, ?9, ;E18, ?10 15s, ?22 10s, and ?9. Mr David Jonea remarked that the rate- able value seemed to be very low in some casM. Colonel Twyford: It is impossible to say what is the value now it is liable to confis- cation. The Clerk: The licenses are granted? Colonel Twyford: Yes. WELSHPOOL (BOROUGH). The proceedings at the Welshpool Borough Sessions on Tuesday did not pass off so har- moniounly as at the "County." Owing to the funeral of General Herbert, the magis- trates, instead of meeting at noon, adjourned until two p.m., having previously met pri- vately in the morning. License holders or their representatives, numbering nearly 40, stood in the Council Chamber before the Mayor (Dr Thomas), with the senior magis- trate (Mr D. P. Owen) on his right, and Mr William Humphreys, Mr John Jones, and Mr David LloVd on his left. Opposite Mr David Lloyd there sat Sergt. Hughes, who submitted the Deputy's report, and on Mr D. P. Owen's left was Mr Fred Hughes, assistant to the Justices' Clerk (Mr Years- ley), who, like Sergt. Hughes, had the breadth of the table between him and the Bench. The report was handed to the Mayor,' who passed it on to the Clerk, and Mr Yearsley had just read who the report was addresesd to, and "Gentlemen"—when the storm broke. "Haven't we heard this before?" queried Mr D, P. Owen. Mr Yearsley: I don't know. The Mayor asked me to read it. Mr Owen: Excuse me, Mr Yearsley! I want civility! Have we heard this before? Mr Yearsley: The Mayor asked me to read it. You can judge for yourself whether you 'haveâci it before or not. Mr O*Oif, Very well! I shall take no- tice of your impertinence to me! Mr Yearsley: I am obeying the orders of the chair, sir! Mr Owen: I know you are-very care- fully. Mr Yearsley then continued his reading: Thirty-nine licenses were granted at the last Licensing Sessions, 35 to sell beer, wines and spirits, for consumption on or off the premises, two to sell beer, wines and spirits, for consumption off the premises, one to sell beer on or off the premises, one to sell beer for consumption off the premises. Twenty-seven hold six day li- censes. Five applications for transfers were made and granted. Thirty applications for occasional licenses were made and granted, and five extensions. The conduct of the houses had been satisfactory. Regarding applications for occasional licenses, the Deputy submitted that the number is ex- cessive, and therefore giving additional fa- cilities for drinking. Twenty-nve cases of drunkenness and drunk and disorderly were brought before the justices (20 of which were convicted), as compared with 51 in the pre- ceding year. One offender was convicted three times, and two others were convicted, j The Deputy asked that the renewal of the Foxes Inn, Trewern, be adjourned to enable the police to oppose the same on the ground of redundancy. The Mayor said the Bench had considered the report, and considered it very satisfac- tory, with the result that they had decided to grant all the licenses except the one 'in regard to the Foxes Inn, Trewern, in which case they granted the application of the police. A feature of last year had been that the cases of drunkenness in the borough had reduced nearly 60 per cent. The Clerk explained with reference to the occasional licenses that one was granted for each fortnightly fair. The Mayor: That will account for it then. When Mr David Jehu, Plough Inn, But- tington, stepped forward, Mr D. P. Owen asked had he continued to refuse proper accommodation to timber people? The licensed victualler: No. Mr Owen: I am very glad you have taken the advice. Otherwise I should have spoken to your landlord. The licensed victualler: I have refused to some drunken men— Mr Owen: That's another matter. At a later stage, when the Clerk was ex- changing the signed licenses for 8s 6d each, Mr D. P. Owen exclaimed at him: You ought to give change! You have no right to insist upon these men giving the 8s 6d, and if you were in a larger town as magis' trates' clerk you would find you would be nipped! Mr Yearsley smiled, and the senior magis- trate continued: I have never heard such foolery in my life as your refusing to give change! Mr Yearsley: Am I to do my business. or are you going to do it? Mr Owen: I am going to try and assist you to do your duty to the publicans. Mr Yearsley (ironically) Thank you! I am very much obliged- Mr Owen:. They have a perfect right to change. Mr Yearsley: I can conduct my business- Mr Owen: You are rather cleverer than an old man (smiles). After this parting shot, the senior magis- trate kept silent, and shortly afterwards quitted the Court. By a. queer coincidence the Welshpool Borough Bench had to resolve itself from Brewster Sessions into a Police Court, in or- der to try a case of drunkenness and dis- orderliness. The defendant was Evan Owen, a labourer living at Nelson-place, and the complainant was P.O. John Casewell, a young but stal- wart constable, hailing from Churchstoke. He has joined the force, and was sent to Welshpool to fill the vacancy caused a long time ago by P.C. Rees Williams being trans- ferred to Forden. P.C. Casewell gave his evidence very well in this his first case. He said that when on duty in Brook-street at a quarter past ten the previous night, he saw a crowd of people standing and the defendant using filthy language, swearing and shouting that he cared for no man in the town. Witness told him to get into the house, so he went. On his second parade down, however, witness saw him again in the street. Defendant pleaded guilty, and said he was very sorry. The Mayor said he would be nned Is and costs, and it was to be hoped he would nut come there again. Defendant asked for a fortnight's time to pay the 5s 6d, and was allowed a week.
NEWTOWN URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL
NEWTOWN URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL The monthly meeting of this Council was held on Thursday evening, when the Chair- man (Mr A. S. Cooke) presided over the fol- lowing members:—Messrs T. A. Forster, S. Powell, A. Ford, S. H. Jarvis, W. F. Pryce, W. H. Evans, David Jones, J. H. Jones, E. Bennett, and R. George, together with the Clerk (Mr Woosnam), Medical Officer (Dr Wilson), Surveyor (Mr E. C. Jones), and Gas Manager (Mr 0. D. S. Taylor). THE LADYWELL SLAUGHTER HOUSE. The Correspondence Committee intimated that they had had under consideration a cummunication from the Local Government Board, together with copies of letters the Board had received from Mr W. E. Gordon, Ladywell-street, and the Clerk to the Coun- ty Education Authority, relative to the grant of a slaughter house license for prem- ises in Ladywell. The Board requested to be furnished with the Council's observa- tions on the subject, andalso desired to have a report from the Medical Officer stating whether the place conformed to the Coun- cil's bye-laws, and whether a nuisance was likely to be caused in the vicinity. The I committee recommended that a committee be appointed to draft a suitable reply, and remit same to a special meeting of the Council. To this course the Council agreed, and I appointed as a committee the Chairman, Messrs Powell, Jarvis, Forster, and Ford. THE REFUSE DESTRUCTOR. The Local Government Board also wrote with regard to the resolution to borrow £600 for the erection of a refuse destructor, stating that they would direct a local in- quiry to be held by .one of their inspectors, and requiring that the Council should send plans of the place and immediate surround- ings. The" Clerk intimated that the Surveyor had made the plans, and forwarded them to the Board. THE FINANCIAL POSITION. According to the Treasurer's statement, the balances of the Council's various ac- counts at the end of January were as fol- lows:—General account (credit), EISO 12s Id; gas revenue (debit), £1,483 18s 9d; gas loan account, E791 7s 7d, Free Library account, -E33 6s 8d. The Collector reported that he had col- lected and banked during the month the sum of £287 14s 9d. HEALTH REPORT. Dr Wilson, the medical ofEcer, stated that the general health of the town and district had been good during the month, and no case of infectious disease had been notified to him. The usual monthly inspections were made, and, with few exceptions, everything had been found in a good sanit- ary condition. The houses which he con- demned some time ago in Vaynor-court, Bryn-street, were now unoccupied, but on the owner putting the same in a habitable condition the houses might be again tenanted. A LANDSLIP AT THE RESERVOIR. The Surveyor reported that the water supply generally had been satisfactory, though several complaints were received as to burst service pipes on account of the re- (Mtut f«Bt. A rattier alaimitg landslip ba<i occurred on gr< und wdj-'i' ing the reservoir, wb'ob enhdl..d a g'ood do-it c)t wcrk and extra exppnpe. m order t) ratega-4.r(i tht< works. He sugverted that the W<.ter Committee should visit and insptct the sewerage in order that they mig-ht SAD-tion what be had done. The Water Cemmittfe staled that the work which the landslip involve,) coat .E20, and tht;y recommended the approval of that outlay.* This was agreed to, umd the Committee undur- took to make an early visit to the reservoir.
Short of the Number.
Short of the Number. RETURN OF THE TERRfERS A meeting of the above was held at Welsh- pool on January 7th, when there were pres- ent Colonel A. E. Sandbaeh (chairman), Mr J. Lomax (vice-chairman). Colonel A. W. Wynn, Lieut.-Colonel Napier, Mr J. M. Dugdale, Major Walton, Captain Corbett- Winder, and Mr A. E. 0. Humphreys-Owen, together with the Secretary (Major G. H. Mytton). On the recommendation of the Recruiting and Organization Committee, it was decided to approach the Chief Constable with the suggestion that in future appointments to the County Constabulary preference should be given to men who had served in either the regular or territorial forces of the Crown. It was also decided to make the same sug- gestion to the Postmaster-General in regard to the appointment of postmen. On the recommendation of the same com- mittee it was decided that the regimental headquarters of the Montgomeryshire Yeo- manry and the headquarters of C Company 7t'h Batt. R.W. Fusiliers be moved to the Ar- moury, Welshpool, by March 25th. It was reported that the plans of the range at Castle-Caereinion were now com- pleted, and that it was proposed to ask for tenders for its construction forthwith. It was reported that the strength of the yeomanry in the county was 17 omcers and 312 rank find file, out of an establishment of 22 omcers and 338 rank and file; and that of the infantry 14 omcers and 368 rank and file, out of an establishment of 18 omcers and 511 rank and file. On the recommendation of the Finance and General Purposes Committee it was de- cided that the contracts for the supply of great coats to the 7th Batt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers should be given to Messrs Pryce- Jones, Ltd., Newtown.
NEWTUWNT.
NEWTUWNT. We ,re pleasrd to learn that Mr EUiot Seymour Stokes.t who was articleli with Mr William Watkin, County C«urt Registrar, has passed his final law examination. THE National Society for the Prevention of Crusty to Children. A lecture was dt-livered by Mr J. C. Teasdale (of the Society's Central Office), on Friday evening, at the Public Hall, when the chair waa ably taken by the Rev. Canon Wcosnam, M A. There was a larize attcada.ac' LADIES NiGHT.—At the Baptist Mutual Im- provement Society on Thursday evening, t-h- tadies took charge of the programme, and enter- tained a large muster of members tr< several weF sustained items contributed by the following :— Pianoforte solo, M)S8 Gladys Humphreys read- ingf;, Miss Agnes Pugh and Emity PUg-hi solos. Miss Maggie Hughes and Miss Kate Morgan recitations, Mie3 Edwards, Severn fquare. Miss Trow and Miss Amy WilliRms; duet. Misses Morgan and Pearce; accompanist, Mrs George Astiey. Dr F P. Jones presided.
HUNTING APPOINTMENTS.
HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. MR. DAVID DA. VIES' FOX HOUNDS WILL MEET Moada.y, February 8th .Llairdloes AtIO-30am. Wednesday, Febrnary 10th .Bettwa At 10-30 a.m. Saturdav, February 13th.Leighton Bridga At 10.30 a.m.
-----GOLF GOSSIP.I,
GOLF GOSSIP. I, I BY COLONEL FOOZLER.J Newtown golfers, lend me your ears' Instead of only during the last week in each month as hitherto, you will henceforth be privileged to "go" for "Bogey" any day of the month, in any day of the week- barring Sundays. Understand, therefore, that the competitions in the two divisions- from scratch up to 15, and from 15 to the limit-for the .silver spoons can be engaged in at any time, provided, of course, that the sixpenny card is obtained from the "pro" beior starting from the first "tee," the card to endure for one day. I hope to hear that the "Colonel" has had many stiff fights dur- ing the month to maintain his supremacy. And yet another message to the Newtown members. I am requested to state that the tutoring services of the "pro" are available only in the aiternoons. According to ar- rangement, Lewis has to devote himseli ex- clusively to the care of the links during the earlier part of the day, after which he is tree for all who desire his tuition. I hear excellent accounts of him as a teacher, and I have also seen the effects of it upon the improved play of comparative novices. Lewis, by the way, is himself playing an exceptionally fine game just now, and proud would be the man who could lower his colours. He and the hon. Secretary are a combination that has recently thrashed all comers, and any pair wishful to test their prowess are welcome to interview that genial omcial, who will gladly accommodate them. Fencing of the greens on the Newtown course is being completed, the heavy horse roller is bruising smooth the irregularities, tons of Aberdovey sand are about to be given as dressing to the greens, and other improvements decided on will all go to en- hance the pleasure of play on the Gro links. Once all the "tees" are put in proper order little will be left for criticism. Players will agree with me that an intel. ligent acquaintance with the new rules is essential to a full enjoyment of the game. There are numerous troublesome little knot- ty points arising in almost every round, in- ability to solve which on the spot may make all the difference in the result. Every6ne should, therefore, study the regulations, so as to be in a position to determine every conceivable point there and then. For instance, in connection with the new rule governing the out-of-bounds ball (Rule 23) it is important to note that the words "under penalty of loss of distance" have been omitted. A good many golfers never seemed to understand quite what this ex- pression meant, so that, from that point of I view, its omission is not to be regretted; but it is doubtful whether in its new form the rule will make it sufficiently clear to a I certain type of golfer that he has to count the out-of-bounds shot as a stroke, although he is not allowed to go on playing the ball. This class of golfer will need to be reminded that it is not only after his first shot from the tee, but after every shot played from within those limits (which finishes up out of bounds) that lie may tee up another ball. It is curious to note what a lot of uncer- tainty and misunderstanding prevails as to dropping. Many players think that the fact of the ball touching their body or clubs while in the acting of dropping, or after it has dropped, annuls the drop; others go further, and imagine that they thereby sub- ject themselves to a penalty. Others, again, seem to be of the opinion that the spirit of the game demands that the ball should drop on to and rest on the particular spot which they had in their eye before dropping; hence the grotesque contortions of the body in the effort to achieve this end. Some think that a lifted ball is enti- tled to a "brassie tie," and if it drops into a cup, or among thick grass, they will lift and drop again, ignorant of the rule which only allows a second drop in the case of a ball which has "rolled into a hazard." The very vigorous drop of the golfer who suc- ceeds in getting his ball to fall a few yards behind him on to fair ground seems to clash with the scientific law which states that gravity acts "vertically downwards." Again, let us take special note of Rule 28, which adds worm casts, snow, and ice to the list of impediments previously restricted to dung. These may now be scraped aside with a club. For years have golfers-in medal competitions as well as in private matches-transgressed on the putting-green by an irregular use of the club in clearing the line of the putt; let them see to it now that they do not still break the rule by us- ing the putter-head to remove twigs or leaves' But the most sweeping change (literally as well as metaphorically) is the abolition of the "brushing" privilege. The hand may now be used for lifting; a peb- ble, a hayseed, a twig, a worm (dead or alive) must not be pushed, scraped or brushed aside, either with hand, fingers, or club-it must be picked up. This is a hard rule, whose letter goes far beyond its spirit. So hard, indeed, that it may react on it- self, as in case of a dried worm-cast or blob of clay. It is not always possible to tell by ocular evidence whether such an impedi- ment is loose or fixed. Under the old rule the conscientious golfer settled the point by a wary brushing of the back of the hand, and at the least sign of resistance he for- bore from further investigation, and left the impediment where it was; the unscrupulous player settled the matter in an equally satisfactory and a much more vigorous way by manual pressure. The new rule places the conscientious player on the horns of a dilmma; he must either risk plucking up a fixed impediment, or leave all doubtful ones severely alone—a considrable handicap on a worm-covered green. Most criticism on this rule have drawn attention to the saving of time which it will effect by doing away. with the tedious opera- tion of brushing the line of the Dutt-a fine art with a good many professionals, and a good many more amateurs-but it is doubt- ful whether the new regulations will prove to be quite so beneficial in this respect as they are expected to be. The confirmed squatter will take his three or four minutes to each putt; the time he used to spend in brushing will now be spent in picking uo or in a still greater exuberance of waggling; this class of player'cannot make his stroke within a certain limit of time. And the quicker player* will surely find that to Dick up each individual impediment will be a longer operation than to brush them away —half-a-dozen worm-casts could be swent away by one movement of the hand, as against several separate "liftings" under the new rule. MaehynIIeth golfers are happy in their choice as captain of their club of Major Barry Taunton, J.P., Yuyshire Hall, Glan- dyn. Added to this is the appointment of Fred Branch as their "pro." who comes from the Woolacombe Club, North Devon. On the latter links. Branch has to his credit a drive from the "tee" over a dis- tance or 330 yards. MaehynIIeth players will be anxious to learn of him how to achieve such mighty nights. I hope the anxious times for the committee are past, and that the membership will be a-apidly swollen as a reward for their enterprise. Scene on Newtown links. Fifth tee. P. and A. versus the "Pro" and Hon. Sec. P. essays to drive. A great effort (in which the surrounding trees nod violently to the order of the swipe) results in the ball going splash into the middle of the river. A. 'tees" the ball under the new rule, and let's himself out at it. Result ditto. P. vigor- ously sets up another "Colonel" on the sand hill, nrms his features in a look of deter- mination, eases his shoulders, and swipes mightily. The white 'un makes swiftly to join its companions in the pellucid stream. And then there ensued a profanity of si- lence, while the jack pike in the pool played merrily with the guttas.
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SEEN AND HEARD. Nothinie MtMmttt, tor Mt dowm &no, < miUje. SttfBPttAfN. In years to come I imagine that some of the most distinguished names in the billiard world will carry an Idloesian flavour. In the municipal building from early morn till dewy eve you may hear the crack of the ivories and the accompanying plaudits to brilliantly negotiated "jenny's" and "haz- ards." Late the other evening a youthful cueist, impatient for a game, thus qu-eried the e'er-laboured marker: "I say, when can I have the table?" The wom-out and ex- hausted marker wearily surveying the crowd: "You can have them both, my lad, at ten o'clock, and take them away with you!" Verily, we have passed through a week of gloom, sadness, and pain. Death shafts have flown thick and fast, whilst mumed peals tolled funeral marches to the grave, and an atmosphere of mourning hung o'er us like a pall. Familiar faces and forms have vanished for ever, 'midst our tears and sighs and vain regrets—passed over the bourne, and we now but hear the moaning at the bar. In the ranks of our venerable citizens there have been created many woe- ful gaps, as may be gathered from the 'Express' obituary, which records six deaths of persons whose ages range from 70 to 90 years. I recall a glorious spring day, two years ago, when the late Dr Parch as and I met at a parting of the ways, both of which led in different directions to the Bryn top at Newtown, whither we were making for a. game of golf. At this junction a difference of opinion arose between us as to which was the shorter road, and finally we agreed to put it to a pedestrian test. I was con- vinced that my choice denned a straighter and therefore a shorter course; he was equally certain that his provided the easier ascent, although perhaps being a mere triSe longer. So off we started each on his own road, with a similar stride that was neither to be lengthened nor quickened. I arrived on top first, but not half-a-dozen yards ahead of the doctor, and to an impartial witness he must have seemed to auner the least ex- ertion. We latterly enjoyed a similarly equal game, and ever afterwards I sought the hill-top by his road. Now he sleeps by the murmuring stream, across whose waters old club mates will often cast an eye of sadness and of longing upon his grave. It was market day in Pool, when, as he strolled by the local Billingsgate, an 'Ex- press' man was vigorously hailed by a fish- monger busily emptying a barrel of "caller herrin" which permeated the immediate neighbourhood with a fragrance of the briny that stirred up delightful visions of the sea shore. "You don't often see fish wrapt up in paper like that," said the merchant, pointing to a pile of newspapers literally lying in the gutter near his cask. On inspection the pressman discovered it to be a file of local newspapers dating back t& the forties. Just then a customer came along, and one of these precious journals allowed itself to be torn in what almost seemed an agonised shriek. Asked to ab- stain from further destruction of these an- cient tomes, the fishmonger paused to unfold the story of how he became possessed of them at a recent sale of the household goods belonging to a deceased local townsman and tradesman who was famed for the know- ledge of everything about his day and gen- eration, and who was reputed to have care- fully husbanded a series of most interesting files and scrap books replete with local information. Promptly the 'express' man annexed the valuable bundle, and later in the day the merchant bestowed upon him three more files obtained from the same source. It is. a pathetic coincidence that one of the first papers to be opened and scanned contained the marriage announcement in 1846 of Mrs Naylor, Leighton Hall, whose death oc- curred the previous day. These files, of course, cover the period of the anti-corn law agitation in Montgomery- shire, and as they consist of Tory and Radi- cal newspapers, that campaign is viewed from opposite standpoints. Then, as now. farmers' associations were being formed up and down the county, and meetings of farm- ers and landowners took place at the Town Hall, Welshpool, and resolutions passed against the proposed abolition of the tax. These resolutions had to be advertised, and while those of the landlords commanded much space in. the papers, it is interesting to observe in an insignificant corner the virtues of Free Trade proclaimed at a meet- ing at Llanbrynmair, which has ever been famous for its sturdy Radicalism and Non- conformity, under iIe inspiration of the late "S.R." This little advertisement re- corded the true conviction of a people which ultimately triumphed over the forces of landed lords. By and by 'Express' readers will be enter- tained to some interesting extracts from these local journals of other days. From them they will learn something of the misery caused in Newtown during the sum- mer time when drought dried the Severn and stopped operations at the mills along ita banks. These were the days before the general adoption of steam power. They will read %Iso of parsons sitting as magistrates at Llanidloes to try passive resistors to the payment of Church "Easter dues" and of other happenings in those "good old days" just over sixty years ago, which will provide a few chapters of most interesting local history. Most of us are wondering who was that forty-year-old ratepayer that Councillor John Parry found rejuvenating up a lamp- post. A greater wonder still is that John, in his righteous indignation, didn't cane the calhmt, and so give a' glamour of heroism to that public-spiritedness which prompts him to watch over Newtown's every public interest with feline-like intentness. See how he has reclaimed his own loved river banks from an unsightly refuse tip, and enriched the communal locker through the works of his splendid ingenuity. Who does not sym- pathise with his unsunerable vision of a refuse destructor placed upon that sphere of his influence, where, unquestionably, he contemplates further improvements that v.'ill immortalise a municipal career now remarkable for its transcendant enthusiasm and prolixity of speech and effort? But who was the callant aforesaid? Must we look for him in paint spotted trews? John holds the secret, and that right mercifully. LUKX SHARPB.