Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
7 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
THE BOROUGH MEMBER'S POSITION,
THE BOROUGH MEMBER'S POSITION, The Borough Member has re-established himself in the confidence of the Liberal As- sociation, seriously shaken as it was by our publication of his recent speech at Welsh- pool. That, at any rate, is the official declaration following upon Mr Rees's ex- planation of several startling utterances contained in that deliverance. Whether or not Mr Rees was misunderstood by our re- porter is a question we are content to leave to himself and those who heard him, not, however, without saying that in this ex- perienced and capable member of the 'Ex- press' staff we have implicit trust. Mr Rees does not complain that the report is literally wrong, but that in several instances it car- ries a misleading interpretation. The hon. Member confesses to a perplexing rapidity of speech, and to a somewhat confusing fashion of oratorical presentation, which baffles the capabilities of Parliamentary re- porters. If his diction is obscure, then the blame for misconception must lie on him- self. What matters is that the hon. Mem- ber, when brought to book, reiterates his steadfast adherence to Free Trade, which, whatever advantages he may discern in Pro- tection elsewhere, he recognises as abso- lutely essential for the commercial pros- perity of this country. We are glad that he has rid himself of the suspicion of coquetting with Tariff Reform. Had we noted in his explanatory observations at Newtown on Thursday the slightest dis- position towards Protection, it would have been our duty to oppose his continuance as the elected Free Trade representative of these Boroughs. For Mr Rees knows better than we can tell him that if at the election he had shown the least instability on Free Trade, he could not have won. It was as a widely travelled man, who had witnessed the operative evils of tariffs, that he con- vinced the doubting minds of many people in this constituency, and though his recent visit to Germany has evidently made him discount some of the literary illustrations of Free Trade pamphleteers, it has also con- firmed his conviction that our economic system is best suited to our exceptional con- ditions. Mr Rees does not, we take it, pre- tend to set off his necessarily limited know- ledge' of industrial Germany against that of those who have made it a special study, and whose reports-many of them the re- ports of unbiassed officials--fully substan- tiate the statements and statistics embodied in every pamphlet we have read. If Pro- tection can offer to the working men in these Boroughs no higher wages or better conditions generally than obtain in Ger- many, we undertake to say that not a sin- gle vote will it secure from among them. At peace for a quarter of a century, Ger- many has enjoyed the most favourable op- portunity for building up her industrial re- sources, and yet, with all her scientific tariffs, what is the condition Qf her na- tional finance, what the relative position of her working classes that stirs our envy? The reasons why Mr Rees cannot support Protection, are those of every intelligent per- I son who realises the grave danger of med- dling with the economic foundations of our great world trade. Who, for instance, can appreciate the logic of the contention which, while admitting that the taxation of foreign wheat might raise the price of bread, a tariff on imported manufactures would prove industrially beneficial? If bread would be made dearer by a tax, would not foreign wares which we buy be- cause we require them, be similarly in- creased in price? "Oh," but say Protection- ists, "it would mean more employment at home." Upon this hypothesis—fallacious as it is-why should not the same benefi- cent results follow for the agricultural in- dustry? There is in these days a clamorous cry of "back to the land." If Protection be economically sound, why hesitate to apply it as the grand panacea for all agricultural ills? Again, if the foreign manufacturer is to pay the tax levied upon his exported goods, why should not the foreign producer of foodstuffs pay ? Why, indeed, should the price of bread become dearer under the tax? Why, indeed, should we exempt from tariffs any raw materials whatsoever? Sim- ply because the Tariff Reformer knows- the whole history of Protection proves it- that the price of every protected article is increased by the amount of the tariff im- posed upon it. Instance the honest ad- mission of the Protectionist candidate for Forfarshire that the consumer of protected goods would have to pay the tax. In 1907, a harvest shortage all over the world sent up the. price of corn. Wheat in this coun- try rose from 28s 3d to 30s 7d per quarter, but in Germany it could not be purchased under 43s IOd. Why? Because of the protection- ist tax of lis lOd. The same thing was wit- nessed in France, where the corn duty is 12s per quarter. With regard to the "open mind" of Mr Rees, we are glad to learn from him that it is nothing more than an intellectual re- ceptivity, which, while greedily gaping for enlightenment generally, disclaims any in- clination to palter with the Protection peril. .In that case the "open mind" is admirable; on the question as between Free Trade and Tariff Reform we should not tolerate it for a moment in the representative of a Free Trade constituency. On the question of the House of Lords, it was well that Mr Rees should have heard the whole-hearted con- demnation of those who felt "stunned" and dismayed to read his panegyrical allusion to that assembly. Mr Rees is reported to have said that the Lords "watch carefully public opinion, and never imperil their own interests by rejecting bills in the teeth of public opinion." In that pasan of praise the Liberal Association certainly did not join. How carefully watchful of public opinion were the Peers, who slept through- out those ten years of Tory Government, awakening only at intervals to register the behests of the Balfourian Ministry? Never a measure did they object to, far less reject. Was their watchful care specially evidenced when, without the slightest mandate from the country, they accepted an Education Bill which battened every Church School upon the rates? Was their solicitous con- cern for the interests of the people mani- fest in the rejection of the Plural Voting Bill, the Scotch Land Bills, or in that un- constitutional indecency committed at Lans- downe House, which creates the "dominant issue" at next election? Mr Rees tells us that he stands pledged to a reform of the Second Chamber. With that assurance we must be satisfied. But let us be perfectly candid and straight I with the Borough Member and the Liberal Association in our conclusion. In a Liberal candidate who would hold this constituency at the next election there must be no open- mindedness with regard to Free Trade, be it hypothetically an "inexact" science. The issue between Free Trade and Protection must be clearly and sharply defined. His speeches must be typical of the principles and the causes for which he stands. It is necessary that he should have a conspicu- ously clear judgment on the insidious ques- tion of Tariff Reform, with which to guide the people in striking down the fallacies of Protection. He must be ready with cogent reasons for the faith that is in him, and must have made up his mind on all the questions which fundamentally divide our politics. This journal stands for Free Trade and social progress along the lines of human betterment, and if from these great causes there was any admitted retrogression on the part of the Borough Member, we should instantly assail him. Mr Rees has fully assured us of his unswerving attach- ment to Liberalism, and of the fixity'of his faith in Free Trade, and, therefore, he is reasonably entitled to claim our continued confidence and support. That assurance is consistent with his general support of the Government. But since Mr Rees has the "open mind" for instruction, we would ad- vise him to desist from those oratorical flights int6 regions where he suggests the journalistic pencil cannot intelligently ac- company him, and set a guard on those vagaries of speech which not infrequently require the correction of public misconcep- tion. For this incident must give him plainly to understand that in these Bor- oughs the slightest wobbling on Free Trade or divergence from distinct Liberal prin- ciples will not be permitted.
THE CHARGE OF EXTRAVAGANCE.
THE CHARGE OF EXTRAVAGANCE. Mr Addie was not very happy in his reply to the Chairman of the County Education Committee respecting the financial position of that authority. It will be remembered that Mr Addie recently stated that the Com- mittee's indebtedness in the matter of loans amounted to C25,000-a statement which conveyed the idea that that sum had been borrowed during the Committee's exist- ence. At a subsequent meeting, the Chair- man exposed the absurdity of this asser- tion by pointing out that the amount of loans was E24,353, something like four- fifths of which represented liabilities trans- ferred from the old School Boards. Mr Addie retorts that the Committee must have known he included those liabilities. Strange, is it not, that Captain Mytton, from whom Mr Addie obtained the figures, did not seem to know. Mr Addie's inten- tion was to convict the Committee of ex- travagance, and so discredit the majority. We cannot help regarding it as a party at- tack, and its failure is not lessened by a laboured effort to revive that story of "extras." Some of those extras were or- dered by Government officials, and what were executed without consent of the Com- mittee have evolved an arrangement where- by in future all extras, though necessary, must first be sanctioned. Mr Addie was I .Vv.2.! awno: if tills arrangement, but he had j to make some show of argument in ack- nowledging an erroneous error the mislead- i ing impression of which the Chairman effec-, tively corrected. NEWTOWN FLOWER SHOW. In to-day's issue a correspondent comes in succession of many others with a plea for the restoration of Newtown Flower Show. Everybody laments the lapse of the local horticultural society, which organised a show and fete of a character unexcelled in this part of the Principality. Its dis- continuance made a distinct blank in the list of annual events in Montgomeryshire, and we regretted it most from the stand- point of its primary purpose-the propaga- tion of horticultural pursuits. As our cor- respondent truly observes, gardening is an excellent temperance agency, in that it ab- sorbs the leizure moments of men in a whole- some hobby, and cultivates tastes of a re- fining kind. His suggestion that the Royal Welsh Warehouse Recreation Society should endeavour to resuscitate the show is not a new one; it has been previously put for- ward in these columns, and the Society must have good reasons for declining the invitation. The organisation of their own annual musical and athletic festival is per- haps a task that sufficiently engages them from year to year. Could not a public meeting be called to consider the subject of the show's revival? THE IMMORALITY OF EXHIBITORS. Unfortunately, corrupt practices creep into almost every institution, and largely defeat the objects for which they were formed. The distressing feature of most flower shows is that loose morality among exhibitors, whose pot-hunting ambitions subordinate the genuine pleasures of hor- ticulture, and the true satisfaction of hon- ours clean, fair, and honestly won. These dishonest methods, of which everybody is well aware, destroy public interest in such exhibitions. They are nothing else than a robbery of the public who subscribe to the societies, and it is regrettable to think that the remedy for this cheating is by no means easily found or applied, since we are often asked to believe that committee men even are so deeply involved that they dare not bring the most flagrant cases to book. The honest amateur stands aside from such com- petition, lest his honours should be tarn- ished by discrediting aspersions, and the public, who now know so much about these unscrupulous practices, are not easily pre- vailed upon to subscribe without an assur- ance of the purity of exhibition and man- agement. SMALL HOLDINGS IN MONTGOMERY- SHIRE. Frorn time to time inquiries reach us from not unreasonably impatient corres- pondents as to the proceedings of the Coun- ty Small Holdings Committee, of which we know nothing, for the reason that its meetings are held in private. We under- stand that unsuccessful efforts have been made to throw this committee's delibera- tions open to the press. Some of our cor- respondents are wrong in thinking that the new Press' Admission Act entitles the press to be present. The Small Holdings Com- mittee is but a committee of the County Council, and it is for that authority to de- termine whether or not the reporters should be admitted. In view of the prevalent im- patience over the slow progress that is being made with the acquisition of small holdings, perhaps some member of the Council will raise the question at next meeting. One cannot well criticise in ig- norance of the committee's work, but pub- lic dissatisfaction is breeding suspicion, and the Radical members of that committee are 'courting not the least displeasure. We would advise correspondents to extend their patience until the committee reports again. Then we may have something to say on the subject. MACHYNLLETH SHOW. Happily, the promoters of this popular show are once more working harmoniously. Old differences have been smoothed down, and under the valued presidency of Lord Herbert Vane-Tempest, than whom none i more seriously regretted the managerial feud, the Society should enjoy increasing prosperity. The success of every organisa- tion and institution depends upon efficient management, but efficiency can never be looked for in a body distraught by personal divisions. Now that these are healed, we hope that former subscribers will .renew their practical interest in the Society, the character of whose officers and committee is a guarantee that next season's show shall excel all previous exhibitions. An agricul- tural show is of great educational value, not only to people engaged in farming; its various features are interesting and instruc- tive to all classes in the community. Thus it is that town and district should heartily co-operate in support of the new manage- ment, whose enterprising efforts are en- couraged by Lord Herbert's personal as- sistance. THE MARCH ELECTIONS. There is not yet a whispered interest in the forthcoming municipal elections at New- town and Machynlleth. Public disinter- estedness in the management of local affairs is an unhealthy sign, and it always has an unhealthy effect. The public service is ever purest and most efficient where the eyes of the electors are turned searchingly upon it. It is when the ratepayers become in- different, and belittle the honour attaching to civic office, that extravagance, jobbery, or careless administration begin. Much is expected of the Ratepayers' Association at Newtown, and if all classes and sects can be gathered within its membership, grati- fying results are certain. It will stimulate electoral concern for municipal efficiency, awaken an intelligent and pleasurable in- terest in public questions, and influence the enlistment of the most capable citizens into public life. The official constitution of the association places it beyond the possibility of party or sectarian intrigue, and if for nothing else than the removal of political and denominational feeling from electoral contests, it claims the enrolment of every ratepayer. A TWO-EDGED ARGUMENT. In the bitterness of their disappointed hope of extending Bicton Asylum, the Shropshire representatives are becoming positively amusing. Their latest objection to the further boarding out of patients in Forden Workhouse is that it .would inflict injustice upon the relatives of these unfoT-; tunate p«r=<-ms. Mr Blakeway Phillips re- gards the proposal as "most unfair and un-' kind to friends and relatives, who would j be entirely precluded from visiting," ow- ing to the distance from Shropshire. We wonder whether the friends and relatives of Montgomeryshire patients now interned at Bicton have any feelings worth consid- ering. A double-edged argument of this kind does not carry the Salopian advocates of a costly extenstion very far, especially when it is viewed in the light of Mr Phil- lips's subsequent admission that "as far as possible boarded-out patients are selected from among those who have not many rela- tives, and that notice of their intended re- moval is always given to the patient's friends." We note their threat to refuse to admit any more patients from the unions as a means, of forcing the hands of the Home Secretary. Let them act upon it. A VALUABLE SOCIETY. We anticipate with great confidence excel- lent results from the work of the Mont- gomeryshire Hunters' Improvement Associa- tion, inaugurated and so liberally supported by the County Member. It may be that the earliest progeny of "Likely Bird" will in some instances fall short of the requisite hunting type, but as the brood stock im- I proves, the blood of this firstrclass sire will provide the strain from which the class hun- ter can be developed. In this process of improved breeding special interest will be centred in the Canadian prairie mares which Mr Davies has gifted to the Society. They are of a type wholly distinct from the class of mares familiar to our country, and this introduction of foreign stock will give the opportunity for a useful experiment, which, we hope, may realise expectations. By and by the Association should have a largely increased membership. The average farmer is not by any means addicted to innova- tions, and until the benefits of this Society have been practically demonstrated his con- servative mind will remain unmoved. The lesson, however, to be learnt by every farm- er is to breed the best -stock. It is just as easy to breed and feed good as indifferent animals, and this Association not only offers him cheap facilities, but the means of pro- ducing that class of horse for which there is always a profitable market. GAMING IN PUBLIC HOUSES. The sensationally sweeping character of the police objections to licenses at Newtown Brewster Sessions contains a lesson which the "Trade" cannot afford to treat with any measure of indifference. It declares a de- termination on the part of the police to see that public houses are conducted strictly in accord with the conditions of their li- certse, which prohibits card-playing and other games that come within the category of gambling, and it ought to be noted by all persons concerned that the justices are in complete sympathy with this effort. The Chairman of the Bench makes it clear that in giving effect to recent legislation which is directed towards the elimination of re- dundant licenses, the Court will give prim- ary attention to those houses where gam- bling can be proved to have taken place after this warning. It is unnecessary for us to amplify Mr Lloyd's pointed observa- tions to the "Trade," save to say that they,, were not lightly spoken. )
THE BOROUGH MEMBER'S POSITION…
THE BOROUGH MEMBER'S POSITION ON FREE TRADE. Mr Rees's Explanation Regarded as Satisfactory. What looked likod an inevitable rnp.ure between Mr J. D. Rees, the Borough Member, and the Liberal Party in the 3or<iughs, conse- I quent upon his recent do-liverances at WeUbpoo1 I has been obviated. On Thursday morning a meeting of delegates from the various Boroughs rapresented by the Liberal Association Wtl.i\ held at Newtown, under the presidency of Mr Hugh Lewis, when Mr Rees attended and gave an fxhauctive explanation of his utterances on Free Trade, Disestablishment, and the douse of Lords, which was considered satisfactory. Th-re was a large attendance of delegates. The Chairman, in the course of his opening speech, said that Mr Rees had been claimed by their opponents as a supporter of Tariff Reform. He believed their member would be abl > to explain that he was nothing of the sort. If they wobbled on Protection they could never expect to hold the seat, but he felt quite sure that Mr Rees would readily dispel the uneasiness which the report of his Welshpool speech had engen- dered. The Montgomery Boroughs never had a more energetic and faithful representative than Mr Bees, and he trusted that the forthcoming explanation would prove thoroughly satisfactory to the Association. After various delegates had commented upon the Welthpool speech, Mr Rees rose and gave his explanation. The ) meeting which he addressed in Welshpool was, he I said, that of a few Liberal workers, and his address was not of the nature of a set speech. He was a ( rapid speaker-so rapid that oftiunes the i.ffi-i shorthand writers in the House of Commons came and asked' him for his notes-and to this fact, he ascribed the alleged misapprehension on the part of the 'Express' r@porter. If in the House of Commons he said anything for the purpose of a picturesque presentation of his case, he sometimes found that his particular conclusion was left out of the newspapors and the picturesque argument put in. Very much like that happened at Welsh- pool. What he said there was that in England the impression was that Tariff Reform was mak- ing great strides, and that he always kept an open mind on It subject, because one lived to learn. He had alluded to what Tariff Reformers said, that if you put a tax upon manufacturers coming, into this country you will increase employment," but he contended that they ceuld not tax manu- facturers without doing the same for agricul- ture, which was the greatest industry of all. He said that to do so would raise the price of bread, and he was pledged to resist that (ap- plause). He often argued the question with Tariff Reformers and what he did at Welshpool was to put forward their various contentions and deal with them. He had told his Tariff Reform friends that be could not see how their policy would wash. Did anybody present object to that ? There might be some who thought that Free Trade was a compact and exact science. He was not a scientific, but a practical Free Trader (hear, hear). When a candidate for these Boroughs he said again and again that the economic conditions of these islands were absolutely different from those existing in most other countries (applause). He did not BAoY at Welshpool that because the Germans were doing well we should adopt their system. Ho should consider that the most ridiou- lous conclusion in the world. Nobody was more astonished than himself to find the interpretation that had been put upon that speech. He re- minded the Association that in four out of every five divisions he had supported the Government. They should not tie down their member to every detail or every point so long as he arrived at the same conclusions as they did. On the question of Disestablishment he had urged the Government with much persistence. He had also supported the Government throughout the Licensing Bill, though he believed that they attempted too much at a bound. Reforms were obtained by degrees not by one great sweep, not by one heroic Act. He was an ardent temperance reformer, because of the terrible evils resultant of drink which he had witnessed in foreign countries. In throwing eut the Licensing BilL he thought the. Lords belfiurad thai; they vvera twofcinjj aooording to the opinion of the people in England. He, however, did not say they were right. Of course, he would vote for a reform of the House of Lords. He was a second chamber man and was prepared to vote for whatever form of a second chamber appeared to be best suited to the circumstances. Concluding, Mr Rees said that if the Liberal party in the boroughs thought they might have one who gave a better representation to their interests, he would not only make way for him but come and speak for him. In that event they would agroe to differ, shake hands, feel that they had had a good time together, and that it was better to part than to stick together with any illfeeling en either side (applause). After various delegates had referred to the injurious impression which Mr Bess's Welsbpool speech had created througout the constituency, and expressed themselves as wholly satisfied with the member's explanation, Mr D. J. Jones, Welsh- pool, moved the following resolution:—"That this meeting of delegates of the Montgomery Boroughs Liberal Association, having heard the statement of Mr J. D. Reap, M.P.. with regard to his recent speech made at Welshpool, declares itself quite satisfied with his explanation, and having regard also to his past servioes, records its unabated confidence in him as their member." Mr Wilson Jones seconded the resolution, and was unanimously carried amidst hearty applause. Mr Reps, in returning thanks, said he quite owned that he was a rapid speaker, and never prepared speeches, and was, therefore, susceptible to be misunderstood. He could assure them that under no circumstances would he ever, so long as he had the honour to represent them in Parliament, take any steps contrary to their wishes,—(applause)—of which he was perfectly well aware. If at any time his open mind" produced a feeling that he could not properly represent their views he should write to Mr Hugh Lewis, and ask him to call the Liberal Association together for a discussion of the matter (applause). A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.
Llanidloes Town Council.
Llanidloes Town Council. The monthly meeting of the above authority was held it the Town Hall on Thursday, when the Mayor (Mr E. R. Horsfall Turner) pres;ded. There were also present Messrs William George, E. Wil- liams, David Rees, R. George, E. Davies, E. Hamer, E. Bowen, E. J. Meredith, G. Hercomb, D. Owen, W. J. Brown, J. Kinsey Jones, Jarman and Morris, together with the Clerk (Mr A. Dalies). The Sanitary, Watei, and Farm Commit- tee reported through Mr Kinsey Jones that two tenders had been received for the con- struction of the nece4sary manholes on Newtown-road, and thy recommended the acceptance of the tender of Mr Edward Meredith for £ 3, that being the lowest The Medical Officer igain reported as to the distribution of milk in the borough, which subject had been referred to the com- mittee.—It was decided to instruct the Sanitary Inspector, un4er the direction of the Medical Officer, to see that the section 17 and the sub-section of the section with respect to dairies and m:Ikshops was strictly carried out. The report of the Fimnce Committee was submitted by Mr J. Hgrcomb to the fol- lowing effectThe old borough rate col- lected during the morth was Y-57 2s 7d; water rate, £ 8 Os 6d; previously collected, £ 636 19s, making a total of E702 2s Id. The new rate collected up t, the present was: Borough rate, P-41 18s ltd; water rate, F-4 10s, making a total of ;46( 8s lOd; Tolls collected during the monh, £ 2 16s Id; new Market Hall tolls, 6 lis 7d. The overdraft at the bank on the boc>ugh account was £ 436 6s 83. Mr Jones Meredith pointed out that the committee had not yet appointed a finan- cial secretary for the. rauiicipal buildings. After a short discussbn it was decided to deal with the matter :n committee at the close of the Council m«et;ng. Mr Evan Williams moved that the report be adopted, He expliined that the one item due to himself wa; incurred before he was a member of the Council. The motion was secotded and carried.
IN THE "FOXES,"
IN THE "FOXES," And a Sequel in the Police Court. Mochdre Innkeeper Fined. At Newtown Sessions on Friday before Messrs R. Lloyd (presiding), Richard Morgan, Parry Jones, A. Ford and W. P. Phillips-Runner Morgan, licensee of the Lion Inn, Mochdre, was charged with having on the 29th of D* cumber, served John James (deceased) with intoxicating liquorR on his premises On this particular even- ing it wid he remembere t that John James on his homeward journey fell into a mill pool, and was drowned. The licunsee was represented in Court by Mr Martin Woosnam. Sergeant Morgan, in opening the case, said that the man who was alleged to have be..n served met his death. He was in town on that day, it was a fair day in Newtown, and he would call five witnesses who saw him at different parts of the road between Newtown aud Mochdre, who would say that be was under the influence of drink. The Sergeant was continuing to address the Bench when Mr VVoosnam said the Sergeant was entitled to conduct his case, but unless he was a professional mm. he was not entitled to make a speech. Of course ho did not like to stop the Sergeant. The Beach supported Mr Woosnam's con- tentions. Mr Anderson, solicitor of York, said he appeared on behalf of Messrs Lassell and Sharman, the lessea. All the witnesses having been removed, the prosecution proceeded. I IN "FAIR GOOD CONDITION." John Jonea, of Litt;e Brynbedwyn, Dolfor, said that on the 29th of December, a Newtown fair day, he called at the Lion Inn at about 8 p.m. About two minutes after him John James came in and they had a glass of ale apiece, which John James paid for. They talked for about 20 minutes afterwards and the witness paid for drinks again. He left the house at a quarter to nine, James was on his legs when he went, out, but he did not see him go out. Jamas was in fair good condition," he was quite capable of looking after himself, he was not drunk, but he was not really perfectly sober. Mr Woosnam then objected to the Sergeant putting questions as to evidence taken before the Coroner at the inquest on John James. Mr Wooanam submitted that as witness was the Sergeant's witness he could not cross-examine him. The Bench allowed Mr Woosnam's objection. Continuing witness said that Bonner Morgan supplied him with liquor. He could not say that the defendant had had more. He could not say. exactly what sort of a night it was. He found it very rough walking home that night. He had heard no language from James different from his usual language. He was usually a rough talker. JAMES' LAST GOOD-NIGHT. Cross-examined by Mr Woosnam: He saw James coming in and he was walking quite straight and erect. He had been talking to James during the whole of the time he was in. They were talking about horses and music. When leaving him James said, Good-night; I'll go home and go to bed and I won't rise till 10 o'clock in the morning." The night was so rough that he had to go the furthest way around to get home. By the Bench: He could not say that James was perfectly sober, he thought that because his eyes were a little red, though his walking and convers- ation were alright. Charles Ernshaw Woosnam, a solicitor's clerk, said that on the night in question as walking towards town he met John James near the allotment gardens. James said II good-night, sir," and he replied good-nigh t." He did not think he was exactly sober; he did not think he was walking straight. Cross-examined: It was a slippery night. James always had an siwkward gait. "ENOUGH TO KEEP THE COLD OUT." Mary Elizabeth Garnett, of Nantoer, said that at 7-30 p.m. she saw John James passing. He said good-night." Then he slipped on his back, and in getting up he fell back again. When he got up on his feet altogether he fell again. She asked him if he had hurt himself, and he replied J bU1"t. bi. HiuP -♦re had too much whiskey, and he replied I jnst had a glass to keep the cold out." He went off then. She had seen no one else slip there that day. She would say that he was not sober. Cross-examined: He had a peculiar gait. The ground was slippery. He spoke to her quite rationally, and he went off at last without any assistance. Richard Griffith Davies, of Step-a-side, Mochdre, quarryman, said he met John James on the Llanidloes-road at a quarter past eight, about 15 yards above the turning past Castleydail. It was snowing. but it was a very light night. They exchanged good-night. He asked him to tell him where he was, and lie told him he was by the Castle turning. He was for going in the wrong direction, and witness set him right. He would say that James was drunk on that night. Cross-examined: The roads were not slippery, and there was a little snow. James and he did not have a long conversation. He was staggering about the road. He did not give evidence before the coroner, nor was he asked to. Re-examined: He did not know of the man's death until after he returned from his work. By the Bench: He noticed James was stagger- ing when he was approaching him, but he did not turn to look after him. "IN THE FOXES SOON." Richard Gittins, of Castleydail, said on the night in question he was on the bridge by the Lion Inn when James came up and asked where he was, he replied If you keep on a little you will be in the Foxes soon,"—the Foxes was another name for the Lion. James was drunk that night. It was a rough night. Cross-examined: I was a very rough night, snowing and snow on the ground. One side of the road was unfenced, and it would be an awkward road for a very drunken man. The snow was clogging under the heels. Re-examined: He came to the conclusion that he was drunk from the way he talked and walked. By the Bench: He was sure James was drunk. By Mr Woosnam: Witness did not give evi- dence before the coroner. tie did not know when he first told anyone about the incident. P.C. Hammond said that on the 30th December he went to Mochdre Mr Woosnam successfully objected to the admissibility of evidence of what occurred after the event. P.S. Morgans said that in the ordinary course of events they would have had John James pre- sent that day in court, but as things stood they had no depositions. The Chairman thought it would be better not to press the question which the Sergeant was anxious to ask. I MR WOOSNAM'S APPEAL, Mr Woosnam next addressed the bench. There had been five witnesses, three of whom could not speak with certainty as to the man's state. He thought the first witness had told the truth. It was a very rough night and an awkward night to travel. It must not be forgotten that when James fell he got up again without the assistance of anybody. If James had been in that drunken state he might have taken the broader road and gone on to Llanidloes. He would prove that when James left the last public house in Newtown that day that be was not drunk. One witness who said that James was drunk had never as much as turned around to see "There he was going. Jones's evidence should be taken before that of the others, because he spent three-quarters of an hour in conversation with James. When they. heard the remainder of the evidence he was certain they would give the defendant the benefit of the doubt. Robort Hibbott, of Nantoer, said that he was in the Cross Guns on the night in question, and saw the deceased, John James, walk in quite steadily and sit down on a little bench by the fire-side. He had one glass of beer while witness was there. The night was dark and slippery. He wculd say that James was sober when he entered. Cross-examined Jatres entered the Cross Guns between six and ten past. Soon after James ordered his glass of beer witness left. He did not take sufficient notice of James to notice whether there was anything peculiar in his walk Thomas Jones and George Jones, of Mochdre, was standing at the bar with witness. STRAIGHT FROM WORK. Thomas Jones, of Bont Dulas, Mochdre, said he left off work at six o'clock and wenr, straight to the Cross Guns. Deceased, John James, came in when he was there; he was walking alright. He did not notice whether James had anything to drink. There was nothing about James to make him think that he was the worse for liquor. Cross-examined He had not heard James sing there that night. George Jones, of Brook-terrace, said he was at the Cross Guns on this night. John James was there when he went in. He was sitting down by the fire. He had half full a glass of beer. He asked him if he'd have a drink with him and he said, yes. Witness had a glass of ale with him. There was a programme produced with regard to some male voice choir competition in South Wales. He read the large print, but could not read the small because he had not his eya glasses. He sat by James' side most ot the time and he was ppeak- ing about music. He had only that half-Dint of bear. He was quite steady because he picked up a little child. Witness said James was quite sober. Cross-examined: He could not say he had a bottfe in his pocket He did not sing at all in his company. James was very attractive, because he was always speaking about music. Benjamin Corfield, Cress Guns, said that John James was in his house (the Cross Guns) between six and quarter-past. He saw him walk into the house. He walked steadily. Witness said that the boy served him with beer James sat down by the fire in the corner. He stayed there half to three quarters of an hour. He had one glass of beer. Ho was in conversation with Jones. Jamos called for one beer for Jones and James paid foi it. He had a programme reading. He Raw James going out. HH picked his little girl np and put her down by the counter. He was not the worse .for drink. Cross-examined: One glass was all James had. James was sober, but it would not do for him to say he was otherwise. LICENSEE IN THE BOX. Bonner Morgan said he had been licensee of the Lion Inn, Mochdre, for four months. It was five or ten minutes past eight when James entered, and he had two glasses of ale, and left about a quarter to nine. James was walking quite steadily when going out and coming in. Cross-examined: He had not said at the Coroner's inquest He was pretty full." He did say at the inquest that he had served James with two glasses of beer, but did not know whether he had said he had seen him worse. He had not said that he was cursing and swearing in the house that night. James had not asked that night for a third glais of beer. He bad not said at the coroner's inquiry that after he had had two glasses he asked for a third. He admitted that James was not quite sober. Re-examined: He knew Welsh better than English. He had given his evidence in English at the inquest; if he had given it in Welsh he could have done it better. He had seen the report of the inquest in the Montgomeryshire Express,' and he had said that he felt justified in serving the defendant. After a short retirement the Bench announced that there was net the slightest doubt about the case, and that they had decided to inflict 0..fine of X3 and costs. The Justices' Clerk: The costs are XI 6s 6d, besides witness's fees. P.S. Morgan: I have five witnesses, and they are all summoned. The Bench decided to grant the witnesses' costs in addition.
A DOG'S DISLIKE FOR THE DEPUTY.
A DOG'S DISLIKE FOR THE DEPUTY. Mr Martin Woosnam and the Deputy's Motor Cycle. To Annie Easton, of the Montgomeryshire Infirmary, Newtown, matron. Information has been laid before me, this day, by William Robert Williams, of Newtown, Super- intendent of Polica, for that you, on the 20th day of January. were then and now are the owner of a dangerous dog which was not then and there nor now is kept under proper control, con- trary to the form of the statute in such case made and provided. You are therefore hereby summoned to appear at the Police Court, Newtown. r — ALBERT 3. UOOKE. Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid. On Friday the legal sequence of the above notice was followed in the Police Court by many keenly interested spectators. The defence of Mil's Easton was undertaken by Mr Martin Woosnam. After the charge had been read by the Justices' Clerk (Mr J. T. C. Gittins), D.C.C. Williams said that on Wednesday, January 25th, at 5-15, he was riding his motor bicycle through the Cross, when the defendant's dog rushed at him, and followed him for a few yards and finally got hold of his front wheel. The defendant was on the pavement close by, she did not call the dog away. He had to get off his bicycle and P.C. Thomas was on the Cross and he called his attention to it. He bad previously cautioned the defendant about the same dog rushing at him when on the bicycle and once in particular, on the Milford-road, where the dog rushed at him, she did not call him away. He considered the dog was dangerous. He was a little fox-terrier. The defendant came to him on January 29th and then admitted that she had no control of the dog, and that he would not come back when she called him. Then ho told her she would have to do away with it or keep it under control, and she again said the dog would take no notice of her. Mr Woosnam: Now what do you mean by dangerous, dangerous to the public, dangerous to bicycles, or dangerous to mankind ?-He is dangerous to the public. Have you ever heard of this little puppy biting anybody ?-I have had scores of complaint of him rushing at people. No; have you ever heard of this dog biting anybody ?—I don't think I ever have. Have you ever heard of that dog attacking anybody?-No, I haven't. Have you ever heard of the dog attacking any auimals ?-I haven't. J Have you ever heard of any accident happening in consequence of the dog running after people ? -No, I haven't. So that rtfaily all the dog dope is to run after your bicycle. Have you ever heard of the dog catching hold of one?—Ho has never actually caught hold of one, but he has tried. He couldn't very well catch you, could he ? P.S Morgan S'sh. Silence in Court So if the d')g had not run after you you would not have been here to-day, and now you want the dog destroyed?—I want him kept under control. Have you ever heard of this dog upsetting anybody in Newtown ?—No, but that is because the rider is careful. Are you applying that to yourself ?—Yes, I am. I am a very careful rider, and I defy you or anybody else to prove to the contrary. Mr Woosnam (suavely): Well, it is the noise, perhaps, and not the speed that attracts the dog. P.C. Thomas corroborated the evidence of the Deputy. He had seen the dog many times rushing at the Deputy's bicycle before and at others. Cross-examined: Have you ever cautioned the defendant about it —No. You did not think it necessary ?-She has been cautioned by the Superintendent. Have you ever had occasion to caution Miss Easton about it ?-No, sir. Have you ever seen the dog biting the bicycle ? -1 have seen him attempt. The Deputy: Of course I had told Miss Easton that all I wanted was for her to keep the dog under in-oper control. Mr Woosnam: We are quite willing to keep the dog under control, but you have asked to hava him destroyed. The Deputy If you want to make a statement you had batter take an oath and go in the box, Mr Woosnam: I understand that one man is not the only pprson who can tell the truth. I don't like all this parading of oaths. I am quite willing to say that we will keep this dog under control. This dog has never attacked any man or beast, and I don't know any dog that will not run after a motor cycle.—Mr Woosnam, after touching on the legal aspect of the case, said his client was quite willing to undertake to keep the dog under control, but he thought it was a bit rough on the part of the Deputy to summoa a lady there who held a responsible position. The Chairman: We make an order that this dog must be kept under proper control, and costs (8s. 6d.) must be paid. Mr Woosnam: The dog is not worth 2s. 6d. (laughter).
SEEN AND HEARD.
SEEN AND HEARD. Xothing extennato, nor set down auffht in maliM. SHIKESPKAUZ. With the lengthening day, the heart of the angler rejoices, as lovingly he turns to his store of tackle to trim and adjust it, in preparation for the season nigh at hand. Dear old Isaac said that "angling is some- what like poetry, men are to be born so." It may not be that all poets are anglers but certainly all true anglers are poets. He who delights to stroll, rod in haild, by some secluded stream, where animal, bird, and insect life in many forms. manifests itself, and where nature blossoms variously, must have something of that knowledge and love of nature which are the poet's. For the charm of the true angler's pastime does not lie in slaughtering fish, nor merely in the exercise of that skill necessary for the capture of so wary a creature as the trout, but in that joy in living which one feels when far from the jostling crowd, where the struggling of life is one between man and man, and not between man and nature, as it was wont to be. I have never envied the motorist or the cyclist, who contemplates nature from the dusty roadway. For such the country is largely a matter of roads dotted at intervals with inns and milestones. One in real love with nature, and wishful to witness her wondrous works, must lose oneself in her lap. He must allow her to engulf him. He will carol in his heart as he swings through the hazel dell, singing with the murmuring stream, or keeping silent with the stillnes9 of the hills as he is filled with their awe and dignity. Along the course of the whimpling stream he passes through a syl- van'd paradise, by shady banks and mossy rocks, where the trout dart across dreamy pools that mirror the overhanging wood- lands; on he goes, past fragrant pines, through the lovely bracken, oer soft car- pets of turf and moss, traced in bewitching patterns by the sunlight sloping through the trees, past the ivy-clad church and the grim, grey ruins, redolent of old-time ro- mance and mystic legend-these are the in- expressible, incomparable delights of the angler. And 'midst such scenes as these man can think.. A brace of brave chiels yont the Dulas, Set their hands at pi-killing. whiuh, thoerual,is Child's play for a savage, Juat as you'd cut a cabbage And chop it and boil till its viewless. But these chiels they were wanting in knowledge, Thongh both have seem school or a college They were not sure how To place the old sow For the Rtroke that would make bacon-or porridge. They seized and strung grumpy right fair, Ilka brittle stood straight in the air; But well you may guess The most terrible mess When razors got lost in the hair. Th",y plotted, they scraped, aud they swat Till the family dog, yea, e'en the cat Got sickened and took To a place to puke While the neighbours sniffed crying Ie What's that ? The glory of old Pig-town is rent By the inglorious way grumpy was sent To the region of bacon, And these chiels they're now quakin' To reld of their splore in cold prent. Tau remember m "HTamiet" the King s remark to Laertis: "Goodness growing to a pleurisy, dies in his own too much." Of such I am reminded by the following busi- ness notice in a contemporary::—"To Secre- taries and others. Bring your printing to, the office. We will do it well for you, and the event wj,ll be properly reported; I am not so sure that this superb generosity will be relished with that measure of grati- tude which it ought to command, but, at any rate, it is a modern form of enterprise that speaks well for our captains of in- dustry. Speaking of printing recalls an invitation which I have been asked to address to all readers of the 'Express' who are interested in the organisation and production of their household journal. They are welcome at any hour of each working day to come and view operations in the various departments, in which they will find some things to ar- rest their interest and excite their wonder. Of machinery, the marvellously constructed linotype claims prior attention, but there are many other complex pieces of mechan- ism used in the. process of producing the 'Express' which they little dream of. I cannot definitely promise that the gates of my own particular "den" will be thrown ajar to the order of every visitor. That will largely depend upon the mood and the moment, the man and his mission. In the upper part of the county there lives an old dame, who, though poor, rejoices in subscribing her utmost penny to the chapel. "Mrs Jones," said the parson to her the other day, "I hear you give generously' to your chapel." "Oh, as much as I can, sir; you see, God gives to me, and I give to it." "But I believe you are on the parish, mam," inquired the vicar. "Ah, yes, sir, I'm that," sighed the old lady; "I gets half-a-crown a week from the union, and, sure, it is a great help." "Why don't you come to church, and then, instead of you having to give to us, we would help you?" "Well, sir, you see, it's like this. If I thought my soul as well as my body was on the parish, I'd come to church; but it's only my body, and so I goes to chapel." My correspondent here ends the dialogue. Presumably it did end there. A professional man of literary bent, who dwells in a famous city on the northern shore of the Severn, had been for many days and nights stewing over the subject of antiquity for the purpose of a lecture in an ancient borough higher up the stream. All over the town the hoardings were blaz- ing with illuminated posters announcing this professional star turn, who, for the appointed evening, reserved his best horse to convey him thither. Manuscripts, dia- grams, sketches, chronological, and geneo- logical details, illustrative specimens and other impedimenta having been bagged, the lecturer set out for the scene of his historic oration, presumably conjuring by the way visions of a hall crowded from floor to ceil- ing. In due course he reached the door of the building, but round that closed door there stood nothing but the night, and from the dark hall there came no sound of an impatient audience. He had come a night too late. But that undelivered lec- ture will keep. LVXM SHARPS,