The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

MACHYNLLETH URBAN DISTRICT OOUi\ OIL Mr Henry Lewis presided over the month- ly meeting of the above authority at the Town Hall on Tuesday. There were also present Messrs Edward Jones, T. Parsons, Richard Gillart, Ll. Jones, J. Pugh, Evan Humphreys, E. Morgan, J. Micah, John Evans, and J. M. Breeze, together with the Clerk (Mr Edward Gillart). Medical Officer (Dr Davies), and the Surveyor (Mr J. Thomas). HALL CHARGES. Mr J. Jones, Felingerrig, wrote respecting terms for the use of the room on fair days. The charge of the Council was 10s. Mr Jones was prepared to pay 5s as before. Mr Micah proposed, and Mr Parsons seconded, that the charge should be 5s. Mr Pugh said that the committee had carefully 0 gone into the question of charges, and the lowest had been adopted. Applica- tions had been continually coming in for re- ductions, and this was very unfair to the ratepayers. If all those reductions were agreed to, the Council could never make the hall pay. Mr Parsons agreed with Mr Pugh, but considered that Mr Jones' application was more deserving than any other they had al- lowed. The Clerk suggested to the Council that the resolution fixing the charge should be rescinded, but this could not be done at the present meeting. Mr Micah gave notice to rescind the reso- lution. It was eventually resolved that the re- commendation of the committee be adhered to. THE GUIDE BOOK. A letter was read from Mr Denniss stating that the guide would be placed in their offices in English towns, and complimenting the Council on having such a complete and artistic little book, which he hoped would be a great benefit to the town. It was resolved to thank Mr Denniss for- distributing conies of the guides. A RETORT. The Clerk to Isygarreg Parish Council called attention to the serious condition of the Caergybi-road. It was remarked that the matter was be- ing attended to by the Surveyor, and the Chairman thought it would be well for the Council to call the attention of the Parish Council to the state of the roads in their district, specially the. one leading to Llyf- nant Valley. SHEEP DIPPING. A resolution was passed in favernr of ap- plying to the Board of Agriculture to modi- fy their Order as to compulsory sheep dipping, and to suggest that only one dip- ping should take place unless scab was Known to be in the district. The Chairman said there was no doubt the matter was an important one for farm- ers. Mr Parsons: It is a universal grievance amongst the farmers. CLAIMS. A letter was read from Mr Lowcock, en- gineer for the sewage works, with regard to the claim of Mr Banks for accident to pump and also leakage in the beds. As to the former, he considered it reasonable, but an item for fencing was due from the con- tractors. It was resolved to pay the amount due from the Council, namely, 17s 6d. As to the accident to the pump, the Surveyor was in- structed to make inquiries, and report to the Council. With regard to the leakage, this will ,ac- cording to the engineer, have to be made good by the contractor. The Council having asked the engineer to prepare a list of all extras and deduc- tions from the contract, that official replied that he would be prepared to do this if the Council paid for the work, which would ex- tend over several weeks.^ Mr E. Humphreys, referring to the con- -tract, said he knew that several important items had been omitted. On the proposition of Mr Pugh, seconded by Mr Humphreys, a committee consisting of the Chairman. Vice-Chairman, Messrs E. Humphreys, Richard Gillart, and J. M. Breeze was appointed to go info the matter and see the engineer there on Wednesday. AFFORESTATION.. A letter was read from the Board of Agri- culture requesting to know whether the Council had taken any steps to plant trees in the Catchmant area of the waterworks. Mr J. Pugh moved that the Clerk reply that nothing had been done. but that the ground was favourable for afforestation. Mr R. Ll. Jones said it was not Crown property, and therefore nothing could be done. a The Chairman seconded, and the motion was carried. ADVERTISING OURSELVES. Mr W. H. Gough, of the Cambrian Rail- ways Company, now entered the room, and stated to the Council that lie had been asked by Mr Denniss to ascertain whether the Council were prepared to allow the use of the hall for a joint meeting of authorities on the coast, where they would meet Mr Kiralfy, of Sheoherd's Bush Exhibition fame, to discuss the matter of advertising the coast places of resort at the Exhibition next summer, at which advertising was to be a special feature, and on somewhat novel and modern lines. Machynlleth would be invited to attend that meeting, to be held on the 18th of February. Mr Parsons proposed that they grant the use of the room, and Mr R. Ll. Jones seconded. Mr Pugh said that they should make some arrangement to meet the Cambrian Railways Company. He thought that this project would be of great advantage to the town. I The motion was carried unanimously. MISCELLANEOUS. A report referring to the rating of the town was submitted, and on the motion of Mr Gillart it was decided to thank the over- seers for the work they had accomplished up to the present. The Sanitary Committee referred to the question of a drain at the stables belonging to Mr William Lewis, Maengwyn-street, not being connected with the town sewer. Dr Davies said that he required that the drain should be connected. The Surveyor was empowered to settle with the contractors with regard to the levelling of roads; estimates were ordered to be procured for two turnstiles to be erected in Cae Jones, and the Surveyor was ordered to report to next meeting as to Hoel lorwerth and New-street. The amended tender of Mr John Humphreys ( £ 254 5s 6d) for renovating the Town and Market Halls was accepted. TIME OF MEETING. Mr John Evans moved that the time of meeting be altered from ten o'clock in the morning to seven in the evening. He said that ten in the morning was a very import- ant hour of the day, especially to business men. The banks and the law courts opened at ten o'clock. The Chairman: The fox hounds go out at ten (laughter). Mr Evans, continuing, said that banks closed at four or five, and the offices at six o'clock. Mr Humphreys seconded. The Chairman said that the reporters had been telling him that it was impossible for them to attend the meeting if it started at ten o'clock. Mr E. Morgan did not think it was neces- sary for the Council to sacrifice the rights of the townspeople for the sake of the re- porters. If, however, the meeting was held in the evening they could get men to be members who were unable to attend in the morning. Mr J. M. Breeze considered ten o'clock in the morning the best hour to do business. it had been suggested that they would lose the reporters. That was an important matter, especially to those who made good speeches (laughter). Mr Humphreys: We are leaving our business entirely at ten o'clock in the morn- ing and get nothing for it except kicks and I don't know what (laughter). Mr Gillart supported the holding of the meeting at ten o'clock. On a vote being taken it was decided to alter the time from the morning to the even- ing, the hour being fixed for seven o'clock. BEQUESTS OF THE LATE MR. E. MORGAN. Mr R. LI. Jones said that he had seen in the "Montgomeryshire Express' a report of the Montgomeryshire Higher Education Committee, which referred to the education bequests of the late Mr E. Morgan. Mr R. Lloyd, the chairman, had said that there was an amount left to the Aberdovey, Towyn, and Machynlleth Councils, and the residue of a considerable sum to the Educa tion Committee. The Clerk of the Commit- tee was instructed to take the necessary steps to secure the interests of the Educa- tion Committee. That was all he (Mr Jones) knew about it. Mr Parsons said the meeting Mr Jones referred to had already instructed the Coun- cil to take steps on their behalf. Certainly they ought to take some steps, so that their rights, if they had any, would be protected. The Clerk said that the report in the paper referred to was not correct. The Machynlleth Urban District Council was not mentioned at all in the late Mr E. Mor- gan's will. The parties interested were the Aberdovey and Towyn Councils and the trustees of the National school of the Mont- gomeryshire Education Committee. The matter then dropped. I

Old Age Pensions in Mont- gomeryshire. The two sub-committees which from the beginning of the new year administer the Old Age Pensions Act in Montgomeryshire, held meetings on Monday and Tuesday last, when the claims received in 1909 were dealt with. Captain Mytton presided at the meeting of the Welshpool Sub-Committee at the Town Hall, Welshpool, on Monday. There were also present Messrs D. Pryce and W. Humphreys, with Mr J. E. Tomley (clerk) and Mr W. Perry (pension officer). Out of thirty-eight claims, 25 were allowed 5s, one 4s, four 3s, and one 3s. Seven were deferred. The quorum of the Commit- tee was fixed at three, and future meetings were fixed for the first Monday in the month at the Town Hall, Welshpool, at noon. The Newtown Sub-Committee met at the Police Court, Newtown, on Tuesday. Mr Hugh Lewis presided, and there were also present Messrs D. H. Powell, D. Hamer, R. Jones, P. Wilson-Jones, and J. Hamer Jones, with Mr J. E. Tomley (clerk) and Mr Taylor (pensions officer). The quorum of the Committee was fixed at three. It was decided to hold the meet- ings of the Sub-Committee at the Police Court, Newtown, on the first Tuesday in the month, at 10-30 a.m. Out of 29 claims, 21 were allowed 5s, one 3s, one 2s, and five deferred. The Clerk asks us to mention that it is worthy of notice by intending claimants for old-age pensions that a claim may be pro- visionally allowed at any time not exceed- ing four months before the date at which the claimant will become entitled to the pension. Under this provision the Com- mittee at their March meeting will be able to allow the claims of persons who will no.t attain the age of seventy until the end of June next. The pensions will not be paya- ble, of course, until the necessary age is reached, but the advantage is that the claimant, by applying beforehand, does not lose the pension during the time that must elapse while the necessary enquiries are being made. The Committee have no power to date the pension back.

The Borough Member on Protection. Sir,-Referrinp,ptc, the report of my conversations at Welshpool with Liberal workers, which was re- ported as a connected speech,there has been som misreporting or misunderstanding as regards what I said on Free Trade. The view I expressed was that with prepont unemployment in view there could be no ohjecvion in principle to the steps the Government had taken, or, indeed, to any steps which would increase employment in this country, but that taxes designed to bring about this desirable end, would be, so far as I could see, im- possible to impose, without giving such a tax to the agriculturist, as would increase the price of hrend The manufacturer could not be helped, and the agriculturist left out in the cold Therefore T thought ?uoh taxes could not be imposed. I do not think I was misunderstood by those present, but reading the report I ee that it leaves out the point of my remarks.-Yours faithfully, J. D. BEES. 14, Pall Mall, S.W. 4/2/09. J

Impressive Funeral Scenes. THE LATE DR. PURCHAS, NEWTOWN. A magnificent manifestation of the univer- sal respect and esteem enjoyed by the late Dr Purchas was witnessed in the great and representative assemblage which stood within and around the hallowed precincts of Llan- llwchaiarn Church, where, on Wednesday afternoon, his mortal remains were iaia to rest, 'neath a gorgeous mass of exquisite floral tributes contributed by high and low, rich and poor. Shortly before the appointed hour of two o'clock, Newtown assumed an impressive aspect of mourning. From all quarters of the town, whose business premises were either temporarily closed or had their window blinds lowered, sombre dressed citizens, singly and in little bands, were observed making in the direction of Homestay, which sits upon a secluded knoll off Llanfair-road, hard by the site of the new County Infirmary, in the inception and planning of which project the deceased gen- tleman envinced a warm and hearty interest. Here since returning from hi3 last excursion in search of restorative change, the doctor had found solace and quiet joy in commun- ion with his flowers and trees, 'midst which he was often to be seen, until exhausted strength laid him away for ever from our sight. Around this home of an estimable citizen hundreds of people gathered, and discussed in subdued tones of reverence the exemplary qualities of one who in the prime of his manhood had passed from mortal ken. From homes so often retrieved from pain and distracting anxiety by his medical fekill and devotion there came to offer their last tribute of respect the highest and the hum- blest in the community. The representa- tives of all institutions to whose objects lie so liberally gave of his means, counsel, and personal help; members of various public bodies and societies; Freemasons with whose craft he was associated; professional col- leagues, with whom he had always lived in happy relationship; professional citizens, tradesmen, artisans, postal employees, farm- ers—all classes came to form a most solemn- ising procession, notwithstanding the preva- lent damp and cheerless weather, and a long journey over roads deep in mud and through intermittent showers of wind driven rain. The long procession, which had been or- ganised by Mr D. H. Lewis, the undertaker, was headed by two carriages, the first con- taining the Rev R. Evan Jones (vicar of Llanllwchaiarn and Rural Dean), Canon Williams, and Rev J. Abel, and the second Mr Hugh Lewis, of Glanhafren. Following in order came— A posse of police. Post Office officials. Friendly Societies. Governors of Montgomeryshire Infirmary. General publics Cede wain Lodge of Freemasons. Hearse. Open carriage containing wreaths. Carriages with chief mourners. Private carriages. The chief mourners were Sir Pryce Pryce- Jones, Colonel Pryce-Jones, Mr A. W. Pryce- Jones, Mr W. E. Pryce-Jones, Mr Edward Powell, Plasybryn, Mr Sydney Powell, Mr Arthur E. Powell, R.E., Captain Gillespie, Mr Wilson, Fronfelin, Dr Shearer, and Dr Edmunds. Five of the deceased's professional col- le.igues--Drs Wilson, Jones, Davies, Steven- son, and Rees (Caersws)—were the pall- bearers, and the bearers were formed of ser- vants and others personally associated with the family—Messrs B. Hudson Phillips, Tregynon; E. Lewis, Frydd; Edward Mor- ris, the Rock; A. H. Pilot, the Bank; Abraham Williams, Plasybryn; J. Bed- dowes, Plasybryn; J. Horton and Newman, Homestay. The societies represented were the Loyal Cambrian Lodge of Oddfellows (M.U.), Cede- wain Lodge of Druids, Ancient Order of For- resters, Free Gift Society, Hafren Tent of Rechabites (S.U), Kymric Mills Benefit So- ciety, Cambrian Mills Benefit Society (all marshalled by Mr John Bennett), together with the Newtown and Llanidloes Board of Guardians, represented by their Clerk, Mr Cecil T. M. Taylor. The rear of the proces- sion, as we have already noted, was brought up by the Cedewain Lodge of Freemasons, with their Worshipful Master (Bro. George Astley), each member of which wore a sprig of acacia in his coat lapel and carried a wreath. The beautifully polished panel oak coffin, furnished with heavy brass mount- ings, on the purple, silver-braided pall of which lay the family wreaths of choicest flowers, was inscribed- Frank Utten Purchas, Died 31st January, 1909, Aged 48. The cortege, which extended fully a quar- ter of a mile, numbered between 300 and 400 persons. At the east end of Commercial- street, where the procession slowly swung round into Canal-road, a very large congre- gation of men, women, and children wit- nessed its solemn progress. Employers had allowed their workpeople to view the obse- quies, and all who desired to^,ttend the fun- eral were released from thw Royal Welsh Warehouse, on whose summit the Union Jack floated at half-mast. All along the route stood groups of sympathisers, and every house on the canal side had its blinds drawn in keeping with the general aspect of mourning. Seldom has there been witnessed at a fun- j eral in Newtown such a floral splendour,' as was contained in that open landau j heaped high with wreaths, the complete list of the donors of which is as follows:— Mother; Wife; Daughter to Daddy; Sir Pryce and Lady PryceJones; Mr and Mrs Powell; Pryce and Beatrice; Ernest; Bert and Ida, Aberdovey; Rex and Robbie, Aberdovey; Archie and Kate; Frank and Rose; Vera and Harry; Sydney and Florrie; Dr and Mrs Shearer; indoor and outdoor servants at Dolerw; Mr and Mrs Williams; Mr and Mrs Beddowes; Nell and Arthur; Mrs Richard Parry (atir-t) Nurses Tilsley and Allard; Mrs G. F. Wil- son; Mrs Arbuthnot; Captain and Mrs R. J. W. Arbuthnot., Newtown Hall; Mrs Lea Jones, Maenol, Llanidloes; Mrs C. Whitley Owen, Fronfraith; Mr and Mrs Hugh Lewis; Mr and Mrs W. H. B. Swift and children; Mr and Mrs A. Lovell Simons, Crystal Palace, Park-road, Sydenham; Mr and Mrs Percival Wilson, Fronfelin; Mrs Lewis Andrew, Glanhafren; "A Friend and Colleague"; Mr and Mrs Girling; Mrs Black, Moor Lodge, Harrowgate; Dr and Mrs Davies, Woodlands; Mr and Mrs W. H. Lambert; Miss Clara Jones, Bank House; Mrs Hampden Welch; Miss Hall, Ponthafren; Mr and Mrs W. Watkin, Dolguan; all at Aberhafesp Rectory; Colonel Gilbert Jones Army and Navy Club; Misses Thompson, Edinburgh; Mr and Mrs Hutchinson, Cheshire; Phyllis Hutchinson; Mr and Mrs Poundley and family Mr and Mrs Christopher Martin; Mr and Mrs Matthew Powell, Welshpool; Canon and Mrs Woos- nam, Aberhafesp Hall; Lord and Lady Joicey and the Hon. Miss Joicey; Mr and Mrs E. El well, Neyoddfraith; Mr E. WToos- nam Savage, Glandulas; Rev and Mrs Mar- tin, Tregynon; Mr and Mrs H. E. Breese; Miss Easton, Infirmary; Mr and Mrs Hud- son Phillips; Mr Richard Parry, Shirniff- -i) y road, N.W.; Mr and Mrs Alexander Sefi; Mr and Mrs Powell Mr and Mrs Smith, Black Hall; Mr and Mrs Martin and Miss Morris; Cleaton Powell and Gladys; Mr and Mrs A. 1. Guest; Mr and Mrs D. H. Lewis; Mrs Kinsgy and family; Mr George Barrington, Johannesburg; Mr and Mrs Arthur W. Barratt Mr and Mrs T. Meredith; Mr and Mrs George WOOR- nam; Mr and Mrs H. A. Davies, Short Bridge-street; Mrs Barratt and Mrs Daniels, High-street; Barbara and Boy Daniels; Miss Evans, Station Inn; Mrs Shute and family; Mrs Laird and Marie; Sincere Sympathisers at the Royal Welsh Ware- house; Cedewain Lodge of Freemasons; | Newtown Friendly Societies; Postmaster and Staff, Newtown; the Police of the New- town division; the Board of Management of the Montgomeryshire Infirmary; New- town Golf Club; the servants and gardener at Homestay; Mr and Mrs W. D. Crofts; Mr and Mrs Wilson (Worthing); Dr Fred Jones; Mrs Kinsey and family (Broad- street); Miss Story; Mr H. A. Davies; Mr J. M. E. Lloyd (laurel wreath). At Llanllwchaiarn the coffin was removed from the hearse, and borne inside the church, where a short service was conducted before a congregation which completely packed the sacred building. As the mourn- ers entered, Mrs Lewis (the organist) gave as a voluntary a tasteful rendering of "Angels ever bright and fair." Canon Wil- liams read with touching effect the 90th Psalm, "Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations." The funeral les- son followed from the Vicar in Corinthians 15th, and prayers were then read by the Rev J. Abel. Chopin's funeral march was played on the organ, and the congregation retired amidst the sweet and impressive strains of "0, rest in the Lord. To the place of sepulture the remains were closely followed by Sir Pryce Pryce- Jones and the chief mourners, and there the Vicar conducted another short service. The interior of the bricked and moss-lined grave had been beautifully decorated by the gar- deners at Newtown Hall, Plasybryn, and Dolerw. At the head was a most artistically worked cross in violets, and on each side of the grave an anchor designed in the same flower. At the foot was inlaid a wreath of violets, and all around the interior was finely festooned with bunches of violets and leaves, while beneath were scattered nar- cissus, tulips, Christmas roses, and Harrisi lilies. After the remains had been lowered, the Freemasons in turn drooped their sprig of acacia into the tomb. After these simple, but impressive, obse- quies, many a stout heart throbbed with emotion among that crowd of mourners as they reverently quitted the little churchyard where lies at Deace from ail his sufferings one who adorned his noble calling by ability and self-sacrificing devotion, and went to rest 'midst the affectionate farewells of his fellows. The funeral arrangements were made and carried out by Mr D. H. Lewis, Trade Hall, and the beautiful coffin was the work of Mr E. C. Phillips.

THE LATE GENERAL HERBERT. A sheathed sword and a wreath of white flowers rested on the polished oak coffin that passed through Welshpool streets a short time before five o'clock last Monday evening. It was a lonesome, pathetic pro- cession of three carriages. A mourning coach, containing half-a-dozen bearers, pre- ceded the hearse, and an empty mourning coach brought up the rear. Most of the shop windows in Broad-street and High- street had one shutter up, and bystanders on the pavement doffed their headgear while the carriages passed. It was the last entry into Welshpool of Major-General the Hon. William Henry Herbert, uncle to the pres- ent Lord Powis, youngest brother of the late Earl, and the fifth son of the second Earl of Powis, R.G., and of Lady Lucy Graham (daughter of the third Duke of Montrose, K.G.). The body was now being taken to rest over-night in Christ Church, the founda- tion stone of which had been laid in 1839 to commemorate the coming-ox-age of the departed General's eldest brother, when "Master William" was a little boy, getting on for his fifth birthday. To one Welshpool lady the sad sight brought to mind pleasant reminiscences of a recent bazaar at Westbury, which she and a friend had visited. The General noticed that they were strangers, who did not seem to know anyone there, so he introduced himself, and without asking who they might be, took them all over the grounds of Winsley Hall, performing the part of hon- orary guide with the courtesy of a thorough- bred gentleman. To another onlooker, a Welshpool tradesman—such are the differ- ent impressions made upon different minds by the same subject—the simplicity of the little procession, as it wended up street, suggested a pathetic contrast with the pomp and ceremony of the late Earl's fun- eral some 18 years ago, when many Welsh- pool tradesmen were sworn in as special constables to kee,t; clear the route to the parish church. And again from an aged Poolonian this passing of the General drew forth the mournful observation: "There's the last of that generation gone! The youngest and the handsomest. We'll never see their likes again!" It was the tribute of a man born and bred under the shadow of the Castle to the memory of a generation of feudal chieftains that is now defunct. Having arrived at the entrance to the churchyard, the coffin was removed from the hearse, placed on a bier, and carried just inside the gates. The Shrewsbury under- taker and the bearers stood on the pave- ment for a minute waiting: The town of Pool lay in the glen below, and the flag was flying at half-mast over the parish church. A flag also flew at half-mast over Powis Castle for the first time since the death of Queen Victoria. Outside the gate a small group of children viewed the scene curiously, whilst the presence amongst them of out-porter William Edwards fjrom the rail- way station sufficed to restrain any desire to invade the churchyard. If any stranger had happened then to see the coffin resting this length of time with neither clergyman before nor mourner behind, he might at first sight have thought it was an unknown I pauper's funeral. But the eye would soon be caught by the glistening steel scabbard, which shone like silver beyond the snow- white wreath, and there was also the mas- sive brass breastplate, whereon had been engraved the words: WILLIAM HENRY HERBERT, (Major General). Fifth son of Edward, Second Earl of Powis. Born February 8th, 1834. Died January 29th, 1909. After this waiting a short while, the un- dertaker ordered the men to carry the bier and coffin towards the church, but, when they had marched a few paces, two surpliced clergymen appeared from around the corner —the Rev D. Grimaldi Davis (vicar of Welshpool), and the Rev Douglas Morgan (his junior curate). Mr Forrester Addie, the Powis Castle estate agent, was standing nearby, and two family mourners also fol- lowed into church—the Hon. Tom Chol- mondeley (whose wife is Lady Margaret, Lord Powis' sister), together with the Rev Percy Mark Herbert, youngest son of Gen- eral Herbert—a tall, young curate, 24 years of age, who has just been ordained. The elder son is a confirmed invalid. The open- ing part of the order for the funeral of the dead was read, ending with the paragraph that is recited before the bodies of neer and peasant alike: "We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." The bier was laid in the nave under a circle of gaslights, which dispelled some of the cold gloominess within the bare church, and reflected brightly upon the brasses of the altar and coffin alike. The Vicar read a few prayers, the short service was ended, and General Herbert was left for the night, guarded by the two local vergers, ana surrounded by the dead. Yet not forgotten by the living. Witness the testimony on the card attached to the wreath from "his loving and broken-hearted widow": Only good night. Beloved, Not farewell, Until we meet ag-aiu Before his throne, Clothed in the spotless robes He g-ives His own, Until we know as we Are known. Good night. The bells of St. Mary's Parish Church had been rung joyfully when the General was born; they sounded merrily to cele- brate his marriage in 1871; and last Mon- day the selfsame bells gave forth muffled peals of sadness on the eve of a very quiet funeral. These last rites were timed for Tuesday noon, and by the morning trains there arrived representatives of Salopian public life with which the deceased gentle- men had associated himself. These included the Mayor of Shrewsbury (Councillor Ben- jamin Blower), Alderman R. E. Jones, Coun- cillor E. B. Kersley, the Town Clerk (Mr H. C. Clarke), Mr John Williams (Shropshire's secretary for Higher Education), and Mr H. P. Weaver (art master), representing the Borough Technical Schools); Alderman Heber Percy (chairman of the Salop Stand- ing Joint Committee); and Capt. Derriman (Chief Constable of Shropshire). There also came seven representatives—including the Rev D. E. Rowlands (vicar of Middletown)- of the Westbury Lodge of the National Con- servative League, which is named after General Herbert. Amongst other sympa- thizers were the Rev H. P. Alford, rector of Worthen; Messrs A. Chester and S. M. Lee, representing the Westbury Church School managers; Mr Edward Corbett (Longuor Hall), and Mr Stafford Price Davies (Marrington Hall). At a quarter to twelve, the Earl of Powis, accompanied by a small group of relatives, walked from the direction of the Castle along the Maesgwastad path to the church, and they sat in the front pews of the left nave, whilst the immediate family mourners occupied the Castle pew in the southern aisle. The congregation which had assem- bled included some officials and a number of tenants connected with the Powis Castle estates-Mr R. H. Newill, of Lydbmy North, (the Salop estate agent), Mr Forrester Addie (the Montgomeryshire estate agent), Mr H. N. Salt (Shrewsbury, the family solicitor), Mr J. G. Tavondale (bailiff of the Powis Castle Home Farm), Mr J. E. Watkins (Powis Castle liead gamekeeper), Mr Edward Green (The Moors), Mr E. H. Morris and Mr W. H. Morris (Chirbury), Mr Jones (The Bank, Pool Quay), Mr Jones (The Farm, Pool Quay), Mr W. P. Hole (Crowther's Hall), Mr D. Pryce Owen, and Mr Charles Shuker, while in the second pew from the front nave there sat Captain Devereux Mytton (chairman of the Montgomery County Council and Quarter Sessions), a very old friend of the deceased General. Before the service began the Mayor and Corporation and officials walked into the church, having walked in state from the Town Hall, carrying wands trimmed with crape bows. They appeared in the following order:—Councillors John Pryce Jones and George Macqueen, T. J. Evans, A. E. Bond, and William Humphreys; macebearers David Jones and Richard Bishop, in their quaint livery of blue with red piping; Dr Tliomaa, wearing the golden chain of office; the Town Clerk (Mr C. P. Yearsley), the Medical Officer of Health (Dr Arthur Crump), the Borough Treasurer (Mr Mat- thew Powell), the Rate Collector (Mr Thomas Elledge), a Borough Auditor (Mr Charles Galloway), and the Borough Librarian (Mr John Griffin). Councillor T. F. Hiles acted as churchwarden, and the Borough Bench was represented, curiously enough, by four Liberal Nonconformists—Messrs David Lloyd, John Jones, Joseph H. Davies, and Maurice Jehu. At the organ Mr Edwin Gwalchmai gave an impressive rendering of Mendelssohn's "Funeral March" and "Oh, rest in the Lord." A surpliced procession of 16 boys and a dozen men, with Mr Samuel Manford (choirmaster), emerged from the choir vestry, having been pre- ceded into the church by four clergymen from the other vestry—the Vicar of Welsh- pool and his Junior Curate, with the Vicar of Middletown and a stranger; lie proved to be the Rev W. Leeke, vicar of Lydbury North, who used to be at the Abbey Church, which General Herbert attended when living in Shrewsbury. The Rev Grimaldi Davis read the 39th Psalm and the prayers, the Rev Douglas Morgan taking the lesson. Hynn/1 537, "Peace, Perfect Peace,"was sung at the opening of the service, and the choir also rendered "Nunc Dimittis." By a quarter past noon the indoor pro- ceedings were ended. To the accompani- ment of the "Dead March" from Saul, Powis estate workmen bore the coffin out of the church, and the mourners and con- gregation filed out slowly towards the burial place, which was situated in a strip of ground under the shadow of the south- west wall of the church, opposite the mid-II dle window,. and facing the nark. It was an ordinary grave, lined throughout with moss, the sides being beautifully dotted white with snowdrops, hyacinths, Azaleas, Eucharis lilies, and lilies of the valley from the Powis Castle gardens. Two wreaths— from the widow and the children-were let down with the coffin, but the sword of the Crimean veteran was not buried with him —it will be an heirloom in the family. The Vicar of Lydbury North uttered the com- mittal sentences, and then the choir sang: Now the labourer's task is o'er Now the battle day is past. Every spectator's symDathy went forth to wards the pale young curate, the Rev Percy Herbert, and his two sisters--Miss Lucy Herbert and Miss Alice Herbert-who stood on either side of their father's graveside. bravely they joined in the singing of the hymn. The other relatives near by were the Earl of Powis, Major-General William Montgomery, Major-General Robert Mont- gomery, C.V.O., C.B., Colonel Edward Herbert, C.B., Colonel Graham Herbert (nephews); Lieut-Colonel the Hon. George Windsor-Olive (cousin); Major W. Hussey and Mrs Hussey (niece); Lady Magdalene -Herbert, Lady Margaret Cholmondeley, and Mrs R. J. Harrison, late of Caerhowel (nieces); Mr Tom Cholmondeley and Sir Powlett Millbank; Major Robert Williams Herbert Wynn, D.S.O. (cousin); and Mr Jpuigh Harrison (grand nephew). In the group of mourners there also appeared the Hon. Mrs Alington, of Shrewsbury, and the Rev Percy Hales, together with Mr A. George, Mr B. Massingham, Mr W. Mered- ith, Mrs Dykes, and Miss Chipchase—serv- ants at Winsley Hall. On the outskirts of the crowd there stood a detachment of the Shropshire Constabulary (under Inspector Jones, Oswestry), for the deceased had been a borough magistrate in Shrewsbury, and of late years presided over the Pontesburv Borough Bench. J The five verses of the committal hymn having been sung, the Vicar of Welshpool pronounced the benediction, and a minute or two after 12-30 the last rites had been ended over the mortal remains of a soldier who had served in the Crimea, at the siege and fall of Sebastopol, and later in India and Burmah. The General was at rest in his native and military borough, wherein he would have liked to spend the last years of his life. But Not a soldier discharged a farewell shot, O'er the grave where our hero was buried. < "No flowers" was the request attached to the obituary notice of the deceased General, and so only the following floral tributes were placed in the chancel against the choir stalls, and after the service were laid on the grave from: Eddie and Beatie; Mary, Winnv and Willy; Lady Mary Herbert; Charlotte Harrison; Lady Milbank; Miss Mont- gomery and Miss Evelyn Montgomery; Earl and Countess of Powis; Aunt Aline; Mrs Arthur E. Lloyd Oswell, Shrewsbury;' Cant. C. F. Adams, Tonbridfe; Servants a't Wins- ley Hall; the Secretary and Students of Shrewsbury School of Art; the Agent, wl Office Staff, and Officials, Powis Castle. All the five sons of the 2nd Earl of Powis are buried in different places—the late Earl in the family vault under the Parish Church of Pool; Sir Percy Herbert at Styche, near Market Drayton; the Rev George Herbert Dean of Hereford, in the cloister garth of Hereford Cathedral; Robert Herbert at Orleton, near Wellington; and Genei-al William Herbert in Christ Church, Pool where he rests the nearest geographically to their ancestral home, the Red Castle. --4-

THE LATE MRS. JOHN NAYLOR LEIGTHTON HALL. "Aye, her died last Sunday morning at ten minutes past ten—just the very time she generally set out for the church There was just a touch of huskiness in the voice of the aged country labourer, as lie spoke these words outside Leighton Church- yard last Thursday. More than half an hour before the appointed time he had ar- rived on the scene to attend the funeral of Mrs John Naylor, the deceased mistress of the stately Hall, whose lofty tower stood far above the trees, a mile distant, in the midst of a far-spreading, beautifully-wooded park. Well did this peasant remember the coming of Mr John Naylor's bride to the parish in the summer of 1846. Fresh in his memory also was the building of the present Hall in place of the its less imposing predecessor, for, as a boy, didn't he use to boil 100 tins of water a day for the army of craftsmen that worked there? A noteworthy impres- sion had Mrs Naylor's life left on the feel- ings of this humble rural toiler. "Look here r" he exclaimed, raising his voice em- phatically; "there was never a gentleman or lady in our country like her, or wunna come again, I doubt!" The countryman retained a vivid impres- sion of the economic result produced in the feudal district of Powysland by the advent of the young Salopian bride and her hus- band— a Liverpool banker, rich -beyond the dreams of avarice. "My father and three more men," said the speaker, "were working for Mr X., and they were getting eight shil- lings a week, and the farmer said to father when he was paying 'em one night, 'Well, you know I have the same rules as Mr Y., and he's going to drop the wages to six shil- lings.' 'Well, it dinna matter,' said father, 'we're only just living now! I suppose you don't want me any more now?' 'Oh, yes.' But the farmer didn't happen to drop the wages then, and the very next spring Mr Naylor started here, and gave 12s. He had plenty of money!" "And now, look here!" Continued the old man, warming with enthusiasm over the subject, "Mrs Naylor was presented with uhat vasey, if you recollect, on her 90th birthday last summer, and her wanted them that had been on the estate the very long- est, and Miss Fanny sent me to her. 'Mrs Naylor wants to see you. She's yonder-un- der the laurel bush.' Mrs Naylor said, How long have you been here, since you were here first?' 'Sixty years, mum.' 'What was going on when you was here first?' And then I told her, 'Do you re- member the old hall?' I remembered. My missus is very bad with asthma. Mrs Nay- lor was very sorry for her, and her sent to London straight for one of these little things for her breast. It cost her three guineas! And every bottle of medi- cine as is required is 8s a bottle! And her sent her footman with it, and sent the next morning to see was she better!" The Leighton labourer finished-his eulogy, and walked sadly into the churchyard where his Lady Bountiful would be buried. Pres- ently carriage after carriage was driven up the hill, and amongst the earliest arrivals were Captain Devereux Mytton, of Garth; Mr Forrester Addie, Powis Castle Park; Mr Hugh Verdon, Llanercliydol Hall, and a group of three strangers, present-day re- presentatives of Lancashire's commerce, whereon were founded the fortunes of the Naylor family during the years of the in- dustrial revolution. These men were Mr Thomas B. Bewsher, North and South Wales Bank, Leylands King-street, Liver- pool, T. G. Raleigh, Leylands' branch, Liver- pooh and Mr James Baillie Arkle, of West Derby, Liverpool. The local branch of the North and South Wales Bank was repre- sented by Mr Sinclair Jones. The group of men, women, and children—numbering about 50 or 60-that were assembling out- side the entrances to the church and the Park drive contained representatives of nearly all classes of society from small- holders and cottagers to Vice-Admiral H. Niblett, Mr C. Burne Callender, Kerry, Major J. Marshall Dugdale, Llwyn, Major W. M. Dugdale, Mr C. T. Dugdale, Mr W. C. Peppe, Dr H. Elliott, of Welshpool (the Leighton family's physician), Dr F. E. Marston (Brithdir Hall), Mr Stafford Price- Davies ('Marrington Hall), Chief Constable W. J. Holland, Mr Noel Turner (Sylfaen Hall), Mr Whitmore Jones (Cefn Bryntalch), Mr Charles Parry, Dr Herbert Hawksworth, Mr E. S. Mostyn Pryce (Gunley Hall), and Colonel Pryce-Jones, while the advent of two local tradesmen—Mr J. H. Anderson and Mr Ernest Farmer—brought to mind the temporary revival of trade which the extensive works on the Leighton estate brought to Pool. Semi-private in nature were the funeral arrangements. Alongside the drive there came a number of maidservants carrying wreaths, and the lady mourners. Then punctually at noon there came in sight the polished oak coffin, resting upon the little open hearse—a wreath-covered bier on wheels—which serves the Leighton country- side. Eight of the estate employees did the duty of bearing—Mr William Williams, Mr James Williams, Mr Richard Bennett, Mr George Jones, Mr Field Williams, Mr A. Breeze, Mr W. Croft, and Mr Leonard Evans—the pall-bearers being the four prin- cipal servants-Mr J. Higgins (the pleasure ground foreman), Mr W. Bruce (the house steward), Mr W. Rothwell (the head garden- er), and Mr Purceival Hurlbutt (the estate agent). They marched through the first en- trance towards the church, and halted a few seconds at the lych-gate, being followed by the mourners. Owing to illness, the eldest son of the deceased lady—Mr Christopher John Leyland-was unable to be present, but there attended Mr Rowland Naylor, the second son; three sons-in-law—Admiral Drummond, Mr G. D. Harrison (Fronllwyd, WTelshpool), and General Bayley; and eight grandsons—Mr Murray Naylor, Mr T. H Naylor, Mr Christopher Naylor Leyland, Captain Drummond, R.N., Mr G. R. D. Harrison, Mr J. M. Harrison, Mr 1-1. E. Harrison, and Mr Eric Bayley. The Rev E. H. Beattie, vicar of Leighton, came to meet the corpse at the entrance of the churchyard, and preceded the procession into the church. Clearly did the opening words of the service for the dead ring in the gusty open air. The cortege turned with the pathway to the left, then to the right, parallel with the southern aisle of the splen- didly sculptured church. On the right they passed the entrance of the Naylors' family vault, opposite which on the green sward to the left there stands a solitary grey cross to mark the resting place of the late Mr John Naylor (junior). Inside the church and amid the "dim, religious" light which filtered through the many stained-glass win- dows, the second portion of the service was conducted impressively. The 90tli Psalm having been sung, the Vicar of the parish, standing in the chancel, read out the reas- suring message regarding the resurrection, which St. Paul had delivered to the Corinth- ians. The thirty-eight verses were voiced with thoughtful feeling, not as though the clergyman were hurrying through the service to pocket any available fees. Meanwhile the February gale from the west could be heard raging around and above the graceful, yet substantial, building. The congregation sang haber's hymn "Hark! Hark, my soul the Rev E. H. Beattie read the prayers, and then another hymn was ren- O) God, our help in ages past." Mrs^Sawer, who was at the organ, played the Dead March," after which the congre- gation formed a semi-circle around the open- ing into the Leighton Hall sepulchre. Tim entrance is situated in front of the private door which opens into the Naylor's square pew on the left and into their family mauso- leum on the right. The walls which flanked the downward stone staircase were coated with moss and sprinkled with snowdrops. Just before the funeral a beam of mid-day sunshine had intruded upon the subter- ranean sombreness, but now, as the coffn was gently lowered along an inclined plank, a grey pall covered the sky, and the dark ciouds scudded rapidly eastward. The Rev Ireuendary John Burd, veteran vicar of Chirbury, who was also to sign the official register of the burial, pronounced the com- mittal sentences, after which the assembly sang touchingly the hymn, "Now the labourer's task is done," the voices of the Leighton lasses being particularly sweet- toned. It was a sombre scene, and the gen- eral dark colour of mourning was intensi- fled, if possible, by the scarlet Oxford M.A. hoods of the officiating clergymen, and the red cloak of a little girl who stood near the ault. At 12-40 the Vicar of Chirbury pro- nounced the benediction, and then a number of the relatives went down into the vault where, on a stone ledge by the side of her husband Leigh ton's Lady Bountiful had been laid to rest. In the open-air near by a stretch of grass was carpetted with about sixty floral trib- utes to the memory of the deceased, ranging from the simple bunch of flowers sent by a cottager's little girl to; the magnificent cross- of white lilies, hyacinths, and tulips, with pink carnations, which came from the Red Castle across the Severn. The wreaths and crosses had been sent by:- Mrs and Misites Arkle, West Darby the keeper at. Leighton Hail; Rowley and Polly; Mis H. M. Weetby; Brynilywarch tenants and employees; Servants at Fronllwyd; Welshpool tra.desmen;. Mrs Mary Bowdler, Pentre; Mr and Mra Arthur Crump Christopher and Helen Col. Sir Clement M. and Lady lioyds Misses Howell, Rbiewport; Mr Percival Hurlbutt; Mr and Mrs J. Marshall Dugdale; Mr and Mrs Charles T. Dugdale and Miss Winifred Dugdale, Terrick Hall, Whit- church; Lord and Lady Joicey and family; Mr Hugh and Mrs Harrison Mrs Pryce, Shrewsbury (late of Cyfronydd); Miss M. E. Parker, Oxford Eleanor M. Edwards, Nesa Strange, Shrewsbury Mrs Williams and Lizzie, Severn Lodge; Mrs Huddlesbon, Llwynderw; Leighton School; Magdalene Naylor; Tenants of Brynllywarch estate; garden employees; tenants and employees on the Leighton and Nantcribba estates Mr and Mrs Herbert Hawksworth; Mr and Mrs Mostyn Pryce, Gunley Miss Violet Kenyon Slaney; the Counwsa of Powis -BerN ants at Brynllywarch; Mrs Maclean, Pentreheilyn, Llanymynech; the Estatti woodmen; Messrs J. Stuart Sawer and A. c. Sawer, Harrogate; the Servants at Leighton; Little Lizzie and family Emmy Mrs Rotliwell and family; Murray and Torn Mrs John U. Hayes, Hertfordshire House; the gamekeepers; Eliza and Eleanora Devereux Pryce; Major and Mrs E. R. Morton; Grandchildren at Fron- llwyd; Mrti White and Miss White. Severn House, Welshpool; Sir Pryce and Lady Pryce- Jones, Dolerw; Mrs Clayton, Mr J. Clayton, and Sergt.-Major Clayton; Miss Kate Lee, Albert Bridge-road, S.W.; Mrs Leyland, Haggerston Castle; B. A. Mytton, Welshpool Rev aud Mis Beattie, Leighton Vicarage; the Misses Hurlbutt; servants at Brynllywarch Hall; The Park, Leigh- ton; Mrs Jones and the Misses Jones, Cefnbryn- talch Mrs, Curling, Brookland Hall Mr and Mrs Forrester AddiR; Mrs W. J. Twyford; Mr and Mrs W. C. Peppé; Mrs and Miss Corbett-Winder, Eedcliffe Mansions, South Kensington Mrs M. J. Leigh; Eleanor M. Edward?, Lizzie, and Mrs Lightfoot Harrison; Mr Charles Winnall; Alra E. H. Armstrong. Most sympathetic were the mes- iiages that had been attached to the flowers, yet none could exceed the sincerity of the peasant, who, failing to find words that did full justice to his benefactress, blurted out, Look here There was never a gentleman or lady in our country like her, or wunna come again, I doubt!

I THE LATE MRS ELIZABETH HAMER. We regret to announce the death, which occurred on Monday last at Hedgerley, Bucks, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs Hoime, of Mrs Hamer (relict of late Mr John Hamer), formerly of Commercial-street. Newtown Mrs Hamer, who was in her 82nd year, spent practically the whole of her life in Newtown, and endowed with a very retentive memory, could recount many early reminiscences of the place, and of events such as the Chartist riots and the funeral of Robert Owen. Up to a tew days before her death she was able to get about, and the end came peacefully and unexpectedly. On Thursday morning, before the body was removed from Hedgerley, a short service was conducted by the Rev J H. Matthews, rector of Hedgerley. The same day the body was conveyed in a (special coaeh attached to a Great Western express at Paddington and reached Newtown late on Thurs- day evening. On Priday the interment took place at the Parish Church. The funeral procession from the station to the church was headed by by Canon William?, rector of Newtown, and Mr R. Phillips, of Plasyndre, and was joined by many old friends. The blinds of tho Royal Welsh Warehouse and many private residences were drawn as a mark of respect. The service in the church and at the graveside was conducted by Canon Williams. The coffin, which was of oak with brass mountings, bore the inscription:— Elizabeth Hamer, Died February 1st, 1909, Aged 83 years. The mourners were Mr John Hamer, Darlington (son), Mrs Holmes, Hdgerlpy (daughter), Mr F E. Hamer, Manchester (son), Mrs and Miss Hilda Hamer (daughter-in-iaw and grand-daughter), Mr F. Holme, Hedgerley (son-in-law), and Mr K. E. Hyoma, Leeds (grandson). The funeral arrange- ments were satisfactorily carried out by Mr D. H. Lewis, Trade Hall.

MRS JOHN MILLS, LLANIDLOES. Amidst manifestations of mourning the funeral of the late Mrs John Mills, of Mid Wales Villa, Llanidloes (whose death was recorded in our last issue) took place on Wednesday, February 3rd. There was a large attendance of friends from the town and countryside, those present including the deacons of China-street Chapel (of which the deceased was a faithful member), the Vicar (Rev E. O. Jones, M.A.), and the ministers of the various churches in Llanidloes a.nd district, and officers and representatives of the Upper Mont- gomeryshire C.M. monthly meeting. A short service was held at the house, where the Rev R. W. Jones, Aberangell, read in Welsh some scrip- ture passages. Rev Cunllo Davies, Machynlleth, followed with a prayer in English. At the grave- side Rev W. G. Jonas, Old Hall, read, and the Rev Elias Jones prayed. The mourners were Mr John Mills (husband), Messrs W. Mills and J. E. Mills (sons), Mr Handel Mills (son-in-law), Master Gwilym Mills (grandson), and Mr Phillip Jones, Wolverhampton. Some of the oldest employees at the Railway Foundry were the bearers: Messrs Thomas Morgan, David Hughes, David Ingram Richard Morgan, Elijah Owen, Evan Jones and Edwin Morgan. Wreaths were sent by husband and falnily; Mr and Mrs W. Mills, Hyfrydle; Mr and Mrs John Hale; Mr and Mrs Philip Jones, Wolverhampton Mr and Mrs James Kerr Mrs and the Misses Jones, Gorn View; Mr and Mrs Redwood, Mr and Mrs Dolby. The workmen at the Foundry also sent a wreath In token of their respect and esteem." I

MRS JAMES HAMER, LLANDINAM., We regret to record the death of Mrs James Hamer, Llandinam Hall, which sad event took place on Tuesday last. Deceased had been in indifferent health for some time. The funeral, which was a public one, took place on Friday and was largely attended. The Rev James Jones* vicar, officiated at the house and also at the church. Suitable funeral hymns were sung, and as thw body was borne out of church the Dead' March in Haul was played by the organist. The polished oak coffin was supplied by Mr John Evans, Caersws, while the funeral arrangements were in the hands of Mr David Lewis, London. House, JSewtown. A number of beautiful floral tributes were sent by the following :-In loving memory of dear mother, from Charles and Pryce;. Ursula and David Sallie, Jessie, and little Edie Nephew and Nieces at Abermule; Mrs Blair and family, Heaton Moor Mr and Mrs Pryce Davies, Tremynfa; Miss Kinsey, Tybrith, Carno; Mrs Lloyd, Bournemouth Mrs Edward Davies, Plas Dinam; all at Gellydywell; Mr T. A. Reese, Llandinam,

MR. D.. RICHARDS, LLANIDLOES.. The funeral of the late Mr David Rich- ards, Smithfield-street, took place on Tues- day afternoon, and was largely attended. A number of beautiful wreaths were re- ceived, including a permanent token from the members of the Baptist Church. The service at the house was taken by the Revs B. T Davies and W. Roberts, and at the graveside the Revs T. Mordaf Pearce and B. T. Davies officiated. The Baptist Sunday bchool choir attended, and sang two of the hymns composed by the deceased, "Dolenog" and "Smithfield Street." The chief mourn- ers were Mrs Richards (widow), Mr Edward Richards, Llangollen (brother), Mr and Mrs D. Richards, Mrs Jones, Mr Edward Rich- ards, Mr and Mrs J. Breese, Mr W. Richards and Miss Maggie Richards (sons and daughters). I

PERSONAL. The Countess of Pc wis was con- fined to the Castle last week by an attack of bronchitis. At the close of his inquiry into the Tottenham tragedy the e,ronpr warmly commended the bravery of the witn^ses, both police and civilian, who had described their pursuit of and attempts to capture thp murderers. The jury fcund that Constable Tyler wa shot by HefJd. and that the boy Joscelyn was ki'l d by a bullet tired either by H,"f",Jd or .Tacob, thus returning a vtrdiofc of wilful muider.