The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

NEWTOWN EISTEDDFOD. The Newtown Eisteddfod flourishes under the excellent management of its enthusias- tic promoters. Although money-making is the least of its objects, we are pleased to observe in the balance-sheet of New Year's day meeting that the receipts exceeded those of any previous year, and that, not- withstanding a substantial addition to the prize money, a surplus of £ 31 6s 2d re- mained after meeting all obligations. To assist the local Nursing Association, the committee have devoted over E8, and a similar sum to the Rechabite Order, by whom the Eisteddfod was instituted, and not less deserving of his honorarium is the hon. Secretary (Mr W. E. Gordon), whose energetic and efficient work has subscribed very largely to the success and the public enjoyment of recent gatherings. We con- gratulate the committee upon their prosper- ous institution, which has done, and is doing, much to elevate taste in music, art, and literature by an annual programme that eschews the rubbishy, if more popular, items usually given a place at country eis- teddfodau. In to-day's issue our readers are entertained to a reproduction of the prize paper on Place Names in Montgom- eryshire," by Mr Robert Owen, Welshpool, who writes with the authority of knowledge. It will, we feel sure, whet their desire to have more of these topographical sketches from this erudite pen.

THE HEALTH OF MACHYNLLETH. In his health review of Machynlleth for the past year, Dr A. O. Davies directs ser- ious attention to the fact that tuberculosis or consumption again heads the list of deaths. It is a fact which neither the Urban Council nor the people of Machynlleth can regard with other than a feeling of anxiety. A comparatively low rate of 12.7 per 1,000 inhabitants may leave little room for reflec- tion as to the health conditions of Machyn- lleth, yet, when of all the different diseases to which the 26 deaths are ascribed, con- sumption claims the largest number of vic- tims, obviously there is need for official action, either by scheduling tuberculosis as a notifiable disease, or by effectually edu- cating the public in regard to its disposing causes, as well as to its prevention. Dr Davies has no doubt that milk from tuber- cular cows is an agent of consumption in man, and so he advises the local authority to urge upon milk vendors the importance of keeping careful watch upon their animals. Good advice that is, but hardly worth the paper it is written upon. We shall have some guarantee of wholesome milk only when the Legislature compels strict regard for the essentials—healthy cows housed in healthy buildings, and scrupulous cleanli- ness both of animals and milkers. These vital conditions, we hope, will be secured under the forthcoming Pure Milk Bill. Now that Machynlleth has provided itself with an efficient sewerage scheme, the Council will surely require no further prompting to see that all house property is properly con- nected with it, otherwise its value is left unrealised.

THE NEW COUNTY INFIRMARY. Gratifying progress is being made towards the erection of a new County Infirmary upon the site at Newtown, gifted by Mr Powell, of Plasybryn. On Friday afternoon next, ten sets of competitive plans will be exhibited for public inspection in the Vic- toria Hall, and the adjudication there made by the assessor, Mr Brook, of Manchester. The Infirmary Committee have been spec- ially fortunate to enlist the services of this doyen of architects, who designed the Man- chester Royal Infirmary, which is consid- ered to be the highest attainment of science and art in hospital construction. It is the ambition of the building committee to pro- vide an infirmary which in every respect shall be worthy of the county, and we feel sure that their praiseworthy efforts, pains- taking and onerous as they have been, will be warmly supported, by a people who have ever responded generously to the call of charity. Only £1,650 of the requisite £6,000 remains to be subscribed, in fulfilment of the condition upon which the munificent Plas Dinam donation is given. Philan- thropy could not be more nobly bestowed than upon the provision of an efficient in- stitution for the care of the sick and wounded, and all classes in the county should realise a special pleasure and self- satisfaction in contributing to such a beneficent object. All are invited to view this interesting exhibition of high-class ar- chitectural art, which is certain to excite much speculation as to the winning set.

HELPFUL HINTS TO FARMERS. The County Inspector of fertilisers and feeding stuffs, foods and drugs, makes some instructive observations in his quarterly re- port, which we commend partcularly to the notice of farmers. While manures have stood the test of analysis, Mr Hamer des- cribes some of thefeedidg stuffs as very poor value for the prices charged," and pro ceeds to offer these helpful hints:— Farmers and retail traders should be very careful in the purchase of compound feeding stuffs. Farmers are inclined to trust too much to their observations as to whether cattle like the foods. Cattle will often show their preference for a food containing sweet or spicy substances to a plain linseed or cotton cake. It is a big mistake to jump to the conclusion that the former must therefore be the best for feeding purposes. Purchasers should examine all invoices and labels. The samples taken of pea meal and barley were both mixtures. The pea meal was labelled Pea meal' In large letters, and in small faint letters were the words, This meal is sold as having been pre- pared from more than one substance or seed.' There is nothing irregular about this, quoting the words of the Act as it does, but it is not understood by many purchasers." These are material points which farmers and traders will do well to study, and their presentation shows how thoroughly the In- spector is discharging his responsible trust.

ANOTHER SENSIBLE SUGGESTION. The Inspector's report on his quarterly examination of weights and measures shoars a pleasingly small percentage of rejections, though 643 weights required adjusting. Of 431 instruments, however, 202 were rejected. Only four samples of milk taken during the year were found below the standard, and three of these did not justify proceedings against the vendors. In future the number of samples taken informally through or- dinary customers is to be increased. Less satisfactory results are given of the analysis of what we generally regard as coffee, which in one instance contained 79 per cent. of chicory. It is unfortunate," the Inspector I remarks, that the Food and Drugs Acts do not compel the retailer to state upon the labels the proportions of coffee and chicory respectively contained therein. This pro- vision is found in the Fertilisers and Feed- ing Stuffs Act, and the sooner it is extended to articles intended for human consumption the better it will be for the consumer and the honest tradesman." We commend that sensible suggestion to the notice of our local Members of Parliament. Of alcohol, we note that Mr Hamer took but one sample, and that of beer, which survived the test. One hears frequent complaints about the quality of whiskey from those experienced enough to pronounce a reliable opinion. These persons would doubtless feel grateful to the Inspector if he despatched a nip now and then for analytical examination.

THE ONE BLACK SPOT. Machynlleth magistrates may indignantly repudiate the aspersions cast upon their treatment of sheep scab prosecutions, but the fact remains that this petty sessional district is the one plague spot in the county. That is clearly established by figures. Of 48 cases of scab existing in the county, Machynlleth district is credited with 28, while 13 other cases are attributed to sheep moved from that quarter. Other parts of the county account for only seven out- breaks, and but for this nursery of the di- sease, Montgomeryshire flockowners might have enjoyed a fuller relaxation of the re- strictions than the Board of Agriculture propose to grant. The farmers in the Machynlleth neighbourhood will have to pay the penalty for their remissness, and in some instances wanton disregard of the regulations, until they can show themselves entitled to that freedom which is being de- nied them in the interests of others who have been respectfully observant of the law. The county is now rid of swine fever, and but for reprehensible indifference towards the Order, palliated, if not encouraged, by magisterial leniency, it might also by this time have seen the end of that vexation and loss which the eradication of an obstinate plague of scab necessarily involves.

HONOURS RENEWED. The repeated re-election of a Tory to the chair of a Radical- County Council marks the confidence and personal esteem which Captain Mytton enjoys from his fellows in public life. During recent years party politics have bulked largely and loudly in the county senate, and not infrequently have they severely tested the impartiality of the man charged with the direction of deliberations. From those ordeals the Cap- tain emerged with striking success, because he consistently subordinated the interests of- his party to an honourable conception of the duties imposed upon him, and to the single-minded desire for well conducted business. He occupies the chair with much acceptance, and we re-echo the wish ex- pressed at Tuesday's meeting of the Council that he will be long blessed with health to continue his active participation in the "public work of the county. The most likely successor to Captain Mytton, Mr Hugh Lewis retains the vice-chair, as a well-deserved recognition of his devoted and self-sacrificing labours for the common good.

THE MUNCIPAL ELECTIONS. Not a sound is heard, not a public- spirited note in connection with the mu- nicipal elections,—at any rate, at Newtown, where the political associations have met and decided to run their old political re- presentatives. The ratepayer yawns and contents himself with the thought that the expense of contested seats is avoided. Lord Rosebery and other distinguished thinkers have preached the fundamental import- ance to the State of a proper administration of civic life, and the high duty devolving on every citizen to bear his share in se- curing such administraton, but their words in this part of the planet, at least, fall on dull ears, and things go on in the old, sweet way. Somehow the average ratepayer never realises that the gas and water works, the schools, the streets, and other public pro- perty are partly his, and so he doesn't feel that a proper appreciation of these things, expressed in a careful selection of the men who watch over them for him, is a funda- mental duty. While to invest a shilling in a ratepayers' association is unthinkable, he will disgorge that willingly for the tran- sient pleasure of witnessing a play or a football match. For Imperial politics he will shout and strive, and fight, if need be, but upon local politics, which directly con- cern his pocket and his social well-being, he looks, if he looks at all, with chronic inertia. And so political associations con- tinue to rule the roost municipal. Nothing can pinch him into a sense of real citizenship but a heavier burden of rates. Then his un- wholesome yawning would stop to growl, but, perhaps, to growl and nothing more.

A Protest Against Cant. Sir,—Standing on the banks of the noble Severn is a little village, and on the mount near by, "four square to all the winds that blow/' stands the "auld kirk." But, alas! the influence of this grand old pile on the lives of the villagers is very small. A few of these have gained for themselves the name of honest, straight-forward people, but the rest-well, their prime object in life is to make their fellow-beings look as small as possible, and by so doing raise them- selves in the world of gossip anffi "cant." Now what beats me, when you ask for an explanation, all the reply you get is, "So I was told," or "It has just leaked out." The latter things, I am bound to admit, have a nasty habit of doing. Just at pres- ent there seems to be quite a rush, tongues are wagging freely, and the hearts of the owners wax joyous thereat. It is really amusing, where two or three are together, to listen to the excited "whispering," and to note the sheer joy on each face as con- fidences are exchanged. Now, sir, I ask you and all lovers of peace and quiet, "Is this consistent with a true Christian spirit and life?"' "Speech is silvery but silence"—ah! Hoping to see this inserted in your val- uable paper.—I am, yours, etc., VILLAGER.

ALLEGED LIBEL ON A MONTGOMERY SOLICITOR. Serious Charge Against a Woman. It is several years since a charge of criminal libsl has been heard in a Montgomeryshire court of jurisdiction, but on Friday last, Mr Charles S. Pryce, the town clerk of Montgomery, was the complainant at a special court in Newtown, when Mr Kichd. Lloyd was the sitting magistrate. The defendant was a Mrs Caldwell. of 73, Butler-street, Liverpool, daughter of the late Thomas Evans, of Montgomery. In Court aha was accompanied by her husband, but had no legal assistance. The complainant's case was outlined by Mr M. Woos- nam, who said that Mr Pryce had acted as one of the executors and trustees of the late Thomas Evans, of Garden Cottage, who died in 1905, and he had drawn the deceased's will. After the death of Thomas Evans the complainant explained the will to defendant, and that was the beginning of the trouble. Under the will, he said, the defendant only received the interest from what her father had left, and if she had children the money was to go to them, otherwise, it went to deceased's brother, Matthew Evans. It appeared from the letters and postcards which she sent the complainant that she was annoyed that she did not benefit to the full extent under the will. With that Mr Pryce had nothing to do. Because she did not benefit absolutely she seemed to have taken it into her head that Mr Pryce had acted in an unprofessional way, and made that will so as to deprive her of her property. She had been writing libellous postcards, not merely to Mr Pryce but also to his co-trustee, LIBELLING HIM IN SHAMEFUL FASHION. Mr Pryce had no wish to bring this charge, and the defendant had been warned, but she seemed to revel in it so must suffer for her misdeeds. He had written to defendant on behalf of Mr Pryce and asked her to desist, but as she continued he thought that she did not realize her position and had written again telling her to consult her solicitors he also wrote to her husband. On the 11th of December last he received a letter from defendant stating that she was not going to apologize to Mr Pryce for having robbed her of her property and that Mr Pryce was the liar and not she. Further, that he had taken X40 by his shameless and disgraceful charges. Mr Woosnam pointed out that Mr Pryce had only charged £ 15, and he had had his costs taxed by Mr Watkin, the Newtown registrar. The will was made in 1900, and a copy of the will was supplied to the old gentleman on January 10th, 1901, and he did not die for a long time after that. DISLIKED HIS SON-IN-LAW. Mr Charles S. Pryce said he had acted as solicitor to the late Mr Thomas Evans, of Garden Cottage, Montgomery, during his life time, and alpo took instructions from him in making his will. He took instructions in writing on the first occasion when Mr Evans called upon him, and the notes produced were the rough instructions he took at the time. The date was the 6th Septem- ber, 1900, and he drew the will the same day, and it was pigned. In addition to what was on the paper, the late Mr Evans said that he did not like his son-in-law (defendant's husband); that he had tried to do him in many ways. He did not wish them to have any money. If they had issue the money could go to the children, otherwise all was to go to Matthew. He produced a certified copy of, the will, which he would put in evidence. As far as he was concerned, he did not know that the late Mr Evans had a daughter, and did not know until after his death that she had no children. In fact, after the death of Mr Evans she hereelf bad told him that she had no children when he had road the will over. Some time after he had prepared the will Mr Evans called on him, on December 6th. That was in respect to some other business, and witness read the will over to him' again-he had a note in his diary to that effect. The deceased asked him for a copy of it. THE CORRESPONDENCE BEGINS. Witness gave instructions for the copy to be made on January 3rd, 1901, and b anded him the copy him- self on the 10th January. The deceased died on January 6th, 1905, so he had the copy of the will four years before his death. Deceased handed him his bank book and the original will with a request that be would keep them for him. After the death of Kvana the defendant first wrote to witness on January 16th, 1905, saying she was amazed, and asking that a copy of the will should be sent to her. He wrote her on the 17th in reply, enclosing a copy of her father's will He wrote to her on March 13th saying that her uncle Matthew had called upon him and was prepared to make an arrangement if she would pay £ 20. He was quite agreeable that the rest should go to her. With regard to the articles which were at Garden Cottage, one of his clerks took an inven- tory of them, and they were subsequently sold. On the 30th January, 1906, he sent her an account showing a balance of .£76 18s 8d due to the estate from the trustees, and he informed her at the time that that money had been invested. On February 3rd, 1906, he wrote again saying her uncle had called about a settlement, and a reply to this letter was dated February 21st. The substance of the letter was to the effect that she looked upon the letter as most disgraoe- ful and quite in keeping with that disgraoeful document-her father's will-which she said was not her father's will. She believed her father, but she did not believe him (Mr Pryce) nor his false will either. The deceased had said he owed Mr Pryce nothing except for taking charge of his books. There was one item charged for-for advice in his going to Liverpool. Had Mr Pryce told him not to sit with HIS BACK TO THE ENGINE? She saw, continued the letter, he had only received -81 10s 9d from the sale of her father's goods, which should have reached about xio. He put all the deceased's goods in a sale held in the neighbourhood with the exception of two old boxes and the watch and chain; these articles realized .£1108 9d. The valuation of the whole of the goods of the deceased, minus his cash, made for probate was £ 4 8s 6d; in actual sale these goods realized (including the clothes and watch and chain), X3 10s 9d. He decided to have the costs taxed, as she took exception to them; so he wrote to her, and gave her, his co- trustee, and Matthew Evans formal notice of the taxation of costs. The defendant did not attend the taxation, his co-executor met with an accident on his way to attend, and Matthew Evans did not attend, so he left the whole matter to the Registrar (Mr William Watkins). The one bill was taxed at .£11 5s, and the other at .£5 2s lOd. This took place on April lotb, 1906. The amount taxed off the two bills was X6 15s 6d, and that increased the estate to ilo83 14s 2d. He and his co-trustee decided to invest that money in consols. When he saw there was no chance of a settlement he sold the clothes for X2, and also invested that as well, so the total amount from which Mrs Caldwell got her interest was £ 85 lis 8d, and which was paict regulariy every quarter. THE DECEASED'S INVESTMENTS. By the Bench The deceased's property when he first consulted witness was £ 80 in the North and South Wales Bank, about .£80 in the Welsh pool Savings Bank, and about .£10 in the Chirbury I Club. He used to come at intervals of about a month to the witness's office and draw out .£1 or ..e2. At the time ot his death in W elah pool Savings Bank he had X81 199, in Chirbury Club £ 11 5s 2!d, in North and South Wales Bank, Montgomery, XlR 10s 7d. The total of all the amounts was X117 5s 6Jd. Witness then detailed the various payments which had reduced the estate to .£83 14s 2d, for which he was prepared to vouch every item. Further examined, witness said: Up to June. 1906, correspondence in the form of letters took place between defendant and himself, and every letter he had from her he answered. Just after that date he received two libellous postcards from her-one dated June 24th, 1906, and the other July 4th, 1906. He did not reply to the first postcard, but he did write in reply to the second card, and told her that when she made proper communications to him they would be answered. "The first postcard Mr Pryce received ran as fpllows Are you going to comply 'with my father's wishes and his instructions, by giving me all that was left on father's death, allowing for all proper legal expenses? The fact of your giving me a paltry interest for life meanSl giving unto yourself the control and benefit to the very end, which will enable you to use up the most of it, if not all, in charges You have made a good beginning in taking about one third of the capital by your shameless and disgraceful charges. Your insertion oi children and Matthew Evans into the will is also beneficial to yourself. The second postcard wiis i)ko very similar, but contained the following addendum:— In this will against my father's wishes why don't you take me into court for these calumnies as you call them ? Are you afraid of your position in this will being exposed. This will, as drawn up by you. is a false representation of my father's wisheB.-Your victim, A. E. CALDWELL. Altogether there were 25 of these postcards put into evidence, extending from March, 1905, to the present month, On Oct. 9th, 1907, she wrote- I ask you once more are you going to give me my father's money which you have so crually and heart- lessly robbed me through the agency of this false and fraudulent will, wherein you have made yourself a liar and an impostor On the 25th of August I wrote to the Mayor of Montgomery asking him to use his influence with you, by asking you to defend your professional name by taking proceedings against me. MOn another postcard the succeeding month the following appeared:— I denounce you as a liar, impostor, and thief May the curse of the Almighty God be upon you while I remain.—Your Victim. Last October one sentence ran as follows :— I ask you to defend your professional character against my accusations in a court of law. After receiving Mr Woosnam's letter, the defendant's postcard io January was no more compromising. It ran Your conduct was cruel and shameless, when you asked me, through your Newtown solicitor, to apolo- gize—which I will never do-for accusing you of hav- ing robbed me of my father's goods and money, but it was quite in keeping with your conduct. On the 1st of February she was still more defiant, for she wrote:— When are you going to take those sterner measures which you said you were going to take ? If you wish to study your own interests you will settle with me, as I don't mean to leave you alone. Duplicates of this last card were received by the complainant on February 14th, and the 3rd inst When the proceedings had reached this staye, defendant said she had written up her own case, and had sent up to the Crown for help, which had been refused her. She had kept copies of some of the letters she had received from Mr Pryce, and she would put some in evidence. At this juncture the defendant's husband came forward to assist her in taking some documents, out of her bag, and remarked something to her in an undertone. Mr Woosnam (to defendant): Yes; you had better be guided by your husband. Mr Caldwell: If she had been guided by me this would not have taken place to-day, but I see that she has lost her head altogether. Witness (continuing) said that all the post cards had been addressed to him; nearly all had been delivered to his servant at his house, and in his absence to his managing clerk (Mr J. E. Tomley). In some cases they were delivered at Mr Tomley's house. VERY IRRITATING." He had been in practice at Montgomery for 24 years; he was clerk to the Guardians of Forden Union, an appointment he had held since 1886; he had been town clerk of Montgomery since 1887, and he was also clerk to two Benches of Magistrates, and also clerk to two Rural District Councils; and held other minor appointments. Those post cards were very irritating and annoying, and tended to a breach of the peace. He had always considered it a pity that the woman could not have the money, but he had simply obeyed instructions. The Clerk (Mr J. T. C. Gittins) Do you wish to ask any questions ? Defendant: Yes. Defendant (to witness) Why did my father leave me out of his will as he has done ?-I don't know; I only know what he told me about your husband. Mr Caldwell (examining for defendant): What proof can you adduce that the old man was at enmity with me ?—Only what he told me—that he did not like his son-in-law, as he had tried to "do" him in many ways, and he did not intend him to handle even a penny of his money. Are you aware that he was receiving clothing from me ?—No, I was not. Defendant: Why did not father give some reason why he should not have left his money to me ?—He gave no reason to me, only what I have said. THE CO-TRUSTEE'S EVIDENCE. Evan Thomas Davies, of the Checker's Inn, Montgomery, said he was one of the trustees and evecutors under the will of the lato Thomas Evans. In the will he was named Edward Thomas Davies, but the grant of probate was in his proper name-Evan Thomas Davies. He recollected the deceased coming to him at the Gullet Inn when he lived there, and asking him to be an executor. He informed witness that Mr Wood, of Dndston, wanted to make his will. but he was afraid of him leaving something for defen- dant's husband, but, added deceased," he shall not reap anything from me." Witness advised aim to go to a solicitor. He asked what solicitor, so witness said Mr Pryce. He consented to be an executor. Mr Pryce kept him informed of the proceedings right through. At the present time he regularly sent Mrs Caldwell the interest from the dividend warrants every quarter. He remembered receiving a notice from Mr Pryce that be was going to have his costs taxed by Mr Watkins. He intended going to the taxation, but the wheel came off his trap, and he had a nasty accident, and so was prevented. He also had received letters and postcards from Mrs Caldwell. One letter came on November 9th, 1906, saying that she looked upon the will as being false and entirely contrary to her father's expressed wishes and desires; also, that Mr Tryce had made himself the principal receiver of all benefits under the will. That she was entitled to a proper account of the payments the winding up of her father's affairs was not complete, as he had allowed Mra Jones, of Garden Cottage, to keep some of his things, so strangers could get something. Mr Pryce had thought nothing of injuring her and benefiting himself. When he went to get his costs taxed he had a "FINE SLAP IN THE FACE," for they were reduced by .£7. She was deter- mined that Mr Pryce should be exposed in a court of law. She was going to ask for the help of the Crown. He also received postcards on October 17th and 23rd, 1906; also on June 3rd, 1907, and July 7th, 1907, all containing libellous matter similar to that contained in the postcards to Mr Pryce, and asking why Mr Pryce did not take proceedings against her. He wrote one letter in reply, saying that if he received any more of her dirty letters he would not send her the interest any more. After that he always subtracted the cost of the postage stamp and the cheque when sending the dividend every quarter, as before that he had been paying the twopence out of his own pocket. Cross-examined by Defendant: What benefit are you getting out of the Will ?—Nothing. What did you do it for then ?-Because he asked me to do it as a particular friend of his. Just the same as if I asked you to be my executor. To help Mr Pryce in his dirty work ?—Nothing of the kind. Did you say that I was not to reap any benefit from father's money ?-No; I said your husband. TOO MUCH OF A GENTLEMAN. John Powell, a tailor of Montgomery, had known the late Mr Evans since he was a boy he spoke to him once about making his Will, and witness said in reply that there was no necessity for him to make a Will, as the money would go to his only daughter—Mrs Caldwell. He said I shall have to make a Will, as I don't like her husband, he is too much of a gentleman for me' he shall have nothing of mine. He only spoke to him once on the matter, Defendant said that she bad no questions to ask, adding that if Mr Wood and Mr Powell had had to deal with it, all would have been right. J. E. Tomley, managing clerk to Mr C. S. Pryce, said he had been with Mr Pryce for 20 years, and since his admission in 1901, had been his managing clerk. He knew the deceased well, and was one of the subscribing witnesses to his will. The will was lead over by Mr Pryce in his presence. The deceased understood the will clearly, as he was a shrewd old man. In Mr Pryce's absence he attended to the correspondence. Some of the post cards produced had been delivered at his house. Walter John Jones said he bad been a clerk at Mr Pryce's office for about 18 years, and was also a subscribing witness to the will. The will was read over and explained to deceased. He made an inventory after the death of Evans of the effects at Garden Cottage, and also a list of the articles in the boxes. P.C. Joseph Burns, of the Liverpool City Police Force, said he served the defendant with the summons on March 9th. When he served the summons defendant said: Mr Pryce acted as solicitor for my father until his death, and Mr Pryce and my uncle drew up a will, and got my father, who could neither read nor write, to sign it, with the result that I lost all my money. I am glad it has come to this, as it will all be threshed out." She produced a number of post cards and letters, which she said were copies of those she had sent to Mr Pryce, and said "EVERYTHING I WROTE IS TRUE." She said also that she had written to the Law Association, but they would take no steps in the matter. The statements were entirely voluntary. Defendant: You as">:ed me if it was a family affair ?-I could see what it was from the summons without asking you. Yes, you asked me if Mr Pryce was a solicitor ? -No, I never asked you. Mr Woosnam said that was the case for the prosecution. The Clerk then read over the charge to the defendant, who said that she had nothing to say, no statement to make, and she had plenty of evidence to bring, but she was too poor to bring the witnesses. I will leave it in the hands of God." Mr Woosnam That's her statement. Mr Lloyd: You can say anything you like now on oath, or not on oath, or you can defer it. Defendant: I do not wish to say anything. Mr Lloyd: There is only one course open to me now, and that is to commit you to be tried at the next assizos, to be held in this county on the 11th of May Mr Lloyd, upon the application of Mr Woosnam, decided to allow the complainant's coste.

Nuptials at Newtown. Amidst hearty handshakes and congratulations of numerous friends the marriage of Miss Nora Pilot and Mr Pryce Wilson, Broneirion, Llan- dinam, was solemnized on Thursday. The scene of the wedding was the Newtown Parish Church, the officiating ministers being Canon Williams, Rev J. Evans Hughes and Rev J. Abel. The bride, who is the daughter of Mrs James Pilot, draper, is well-known in Newtown and district, and a crowd of well-wishers gathered at the church to witness the ceremony. Attired in a dress of cream stripe ribbon net, and carrying a handsome Prayer Book, the bride was attended by Miss Maud Pilot (sister), and Miss Lottie Pilot (niece), who were dressed in giey voile and white muslin respectively. The bride was given away by her brother, Mr Frank Pilot. At the ceremony there were present the following guests:—Mrs James Pilot, Mrs Wilson (Broneirion), Miss Wilson, Miss Pilot, Miss Hinchcliffe, Messrs D. W. Williams, T. Berwick, and David Morris (best man). After the ceremony a reception was held at the house. The happy couple subsequently left for London where they will spend their honeymoon. The following is the list of presents Bride to Bridegroom-Gold albert. Bridegroom to Bride-Gold curb bracelet. Bridegroom to Bridesmaids—Gold brooches. Mother of Bride—Cheque and household linen. Mother and Father of Bridegroom—Cheque. Mr C. Pilot-Brass fireirons. Miss M. Pilot-Six handpainted pictures. Mr and Mrs Knight and Miss Wilson—Overmantle. Mr F. Pilot-Trinket set. Miss G. Pilot-Dinner cruet. Mr and Mrs E. Owens, Aberystwyth—Brass stand, copper kettle, and handworked table cloth. Mr and Mrs J. Pilot, Welshpool—Drawing-room clock. Nephews and Nieces, Welshpool—Table cutlery. Misses Owen, Bryn Villas-Sugar and cream in silver stand. Mrs and Misses Davies, Plaedinam-Cheque. Mrs Wooding—Brass curb. Miss Evans, Market Vaults—Coal scuttle. Mrs and Miss Hincholiffe and Misses Woodhead— Suear and cream in silver stand. Mr and Mrs A.. H. Pilot, the Bank—Bedroom ware. Pollie and Alice—China fruit dishes. Miss E. Wilson, Plasdinam-Silver dessert .prongs. Miss P. Wilson, Wellingborough—Silver table spoons. Mrs Lloyd Jones-Cheque. Mr and Mrs Wilson, saddler-Table cutlery. Mr and Mrs Woosnam, Station, Llandinam—China and silver biscuit barrel. Mr and Mrs Richards. Broneirion Cottage, Llan- dinam-Cheque. Mrs Jones, Hopbrook, I-landinam-Silver prongs. Mr and Misses Jones, 6, North Parade, Aberys- twyth-Pair of silver topped vases. Miss Jones. 6, North Parade, Aberystwyth-Centre vase. Mr D. Morris, Park-street—Sugar dredger and cream in silver stand. Mr T. Berwick, Church-street—Crown Derby breakfast cruet. Miss Lookley, Park-street—Sugar dredger. Misses Bailey, Pool-road—Tray cloth. Mr M. C. Gunter, Chester-Silver sugar basket. Miss P. Pritcbard, Canal-Set of jugs. Miss Onslow, Oxford—Handpainted table centre. Mrs vaughan, Springfields, Gobowen—Copper kettle. Mrs Weaver, Park-street—Pair down pillows. Mrs Meredith, Bryn-street—Hot water jug. Mrs Bellis, Severn-street—Gold plated photo frame. Mr and Mrs R. James, Market-street-Dessert dish and silver stand. Mr and Mrs Martin Owen, Park-street-Glass epergne. Mr J. E. Powell, Caersws—Silver mounted biscuit barrel. Mr and Mrs J. Roberts, Short Bridge-street—Pair of vases. Mr and Mrs Manuel, The Village, Llandinam— Specimen vases. Miss Macrone, New-road—Silver topped marmalade jar. Miss C. E. Macrone, London-Prize medal plumes. Mrs Mills, Glasgow House—Cheese dish. Miss Richards, Crescent-street—Pipe rack. Mr and Mrs H. M. Barratt, Ivydene—Oak waiter. Mr H. S. Rose, 1, Skatespeare-street, Nottingham —Oak biscuit barrel. Mrs S. Morgan, Short Bridge-street—Silver shell butter-dish. Miss A. Edwards, Kerry-road—Glass vases in brass stands. Miss Arnold, New-road—Jardinieres. Mrs Griffiths, stationer, Broad-street-Ivory bound Common Prayer and Hymn-book. Mrs Handy, Frankwell-Sagar dredger. Mr and Mrs W. Perry, Neath-Suirar sifter in silver stand. Miss Clayton, Park-street—Pair of vases. Mrs Worrall, Ladywell-street-Pair of views. Miss E. Owen, George-street, Aberystwyth- D'oyleys. Misses Goodwin-Ivory handle preserve spoon. Miss D. Powell, late of Garreg—Pair of vases. Miss H. Dadge, Commercial-street—Silver top marmalade jar. Mrs Stephens, LadyweU.street-Glass water jug and breakfast diph. Mrs Birch, Market-street—Tongue. Mr A. Parry, Kerry-road—Pair brass candlesticks. Miss E. Davies, Market-street—Ivory handle butter knife. Mr G. Matthews-Preserve glass in silver stand. Miss May Davies, Market-street—Silver top pepper box. Misses Jones, Market-street—Photo frames. Mr Beale, Lion Hotel-Silver egg cups and spoons. Miss James, Pool-road-Jardiniere. Mr Ernest Pryoe-Jonea—Case of silver spoons. Mr Pryce Wilson, Broneirion, Llandinam-Salad bowl. Mr Clarke-Preserve glasses and hot water jug. Mrs Francis, Coffee House—Pair of vases. Miss Evans, Market Vaults-Flower pot. Mr and Mrs Jarman, Llandinam-Alarm clock. Miss Jarman, Liverpool—Preserve glass and spoon in silver stand. Miss Mable Evans, Newport-Salad bowl. Mr George More, Llandinam-Silver mounted pipe. With deepest condolence to a departed member and with best wishes for very much happiness from the F,O.C. J. E. Edwards, H. B. Ford, and A. N. Powell-Silver trump indicator.

Church Schools and the Rates. Sir,—The obvious reply to the letter of the Rev J. P. Lewis is this, that the immunity from rates is purchased at the expense of an open market for the choice of schoolmasters. From Blue Books it 1 would not be difficult to show how much more efficient the education given in Council schools is than that givon by the Voluntary schools. The efficiency of education is the great test after all. That is the purpose for which schools are erected, staffed, and maintained. One could elaborate this argument to any length.—Yours truly, RATEPAYER.

Colonel Pryce-Jones and Ministerial Pensioners. Sir,—In his speech the other week-I think at Newtown or Machynlleth-Colonel Pryce-Jones was petty enough to say that members of the Cabinet may be hanging on to office in order to secure a pension. I should like if you would be so good as to print the following list of ex- Minister pensioners, in which it will be seen thero are no Liberals :— Amount per year. Total up to 31st Mar. 1908. Viscount Cross (1887) £ 2,000. £ 30,760 17 5 Lord George Hamilton (1892) £ 2,000. £ 14,206 9 3 Mr Henry Chaplin (1900) £ 1,200. £ 8,533 13 11 Sir John Gorst (1902) £ 1,200. £ 6.482 12 2 Lord Balfour of Burleigh (1903) £ 1,200. £ 5,034 15 8 Mr Gerald Balfour (1905) £ 1,200. £ 2,484 15 8 —Yours truly, STATICIAN.

SEEN AND HEARD. Nothing extenuate. nor set down h at tit m malice. SK>¡:1rSP»AII. Rudely checked by a sharp recrudescence of unkindly winter, Spring is now surely signalised in the gardens. The white, yel- low, and lilac crocuses have broken through their sheaths, and are spreading their glorious eups to the sun; the pendulous purity of the early snowdrop is on the wane, but the aconite is still with us in all its beauty, with its delicately fashioned cup and crinkly saucer, which has been not inaptly described as a "ruffle"; the danc- ing daffodil, of which Wordsworth has sung so sweetly, is a bit of a laggard, but it carries the palm when it comes, and the new varieties introduced of recent years have made it Spring's prime favourite; the birds have drawn their valentines, and the rooks have begun to discuss the domes- ticities. ——— Who is insensible these sunny mornings to the joyous chorus of the feathered tribe ? Who can go back to sleep in the midst of the thrush's solo ? Who does not forgive this bird's predations for that thrilling song ? He hopped down upon my garden wall the other day, and gracefully poised his head while I watched him from the window, as though he should say, "Good day, sir, I'm the first thrush of spring." But the more masculine blackbird was hard by, and uttered a note of disapproval as only a blackie can. The latter is my favourite songster. When, as Tennyson so finely describes it, he is "fluting in the elm," his song is almost divinely beautiful, and his prodigality of performance is amaz- ing. Hear him also when he is angered or disturbed; how he lets you know it with a. shrill note that sounds like scorning. It was another Tennyson who exquisitely wrote of him: How sweet the harmonies of the afternoon, ,q The blackbird sings along the sunny breeze His ancient song of leaves, and summer boon; Rich breath of hayfields streams thro' whispering trees And birds of morning trim their bustling wings, And listen fondly-while the blackbird sings. One stops to admire the substantially constructed stone wall and iron fence which is being erected to check the ravages of the Green Brook at Newtown, though critics who profess authoritative opinions are by no means satisfied that the stream is yet under control. Its exceptional gra- dient, acute twinings, contracted channel, and the narrow culverts which span its course are the reasons for their belief that rain storms such as we experienced last year will bring the old trouble. Time will tell. One also stops to wonder why the work of protection is incomplete. From the Plantation-lane upwards the bed of the brook remains unguarded—a serious danger to vehicular traffic and to pedestrians, esj pecially on those nights when Luna's va- garies deceive the lamp-lighter. It is an unfinished job which the County Council may yet have cause to regret. But, for such as it is, we are, of course, thankful. An esteemed correspondent from whom I was wont to receive occasional happy jot- tings, has broken her rustic silence to fell me a little fairy tale concerning three goody-goody young men well known at a certain place," which, I understand, is a habitation for such as fhey, situate near one of the prettiest villages in the county. Temporarily let loose from the maternal apron strings, it appears that this exem- plary trio—" strictly brought up according to the law"—recently attended a sale not. far from the county town, and were so over- come by the change of air, that they actu- lally lost their horse and trap. After trudg- ing up and down the dark road in quest of the missing chariot and gee-gee, they ul- timately discovered a broken halter, but that and nothing more. Jocular persons in the parish are inquisitive as to the whereabouts of the lost trap, but the desti- tute horse, it is believed, was made com- fortable at the workhouse. For the future the apron strings are likely to be tied tight around these callants, to whom the ex- hilaration of freedom is evidently unhing- ing. A correspondent, who disclaims any gift of poetic originality, thus caricatures the operation of the Small Holdings Act in Montgomeryshire:— I hear thee speak of a bit of land And a cow for every labouring hand Tell me, dear mother, where is that shore. Where shall I find it and work no more ? Is it where the pheasant and partridge breed, Or in fields where the farmer is sowing his seed Is it on the hills so wild and grand, I shall find this bit of arable land ? Far, far away beyond the ken Of sober, practical business men, And far away beyond the sight Of men whose heads are screwed on right Where castles in the air do stand, Behold the cow and bit of land. The life and soul of all that concerns the well-being of Llandrindod Wells, my friend, Tom Norton, is perhaps the most popular personality in and around that famous spa. With the growth of the town his name is prominently associated, and the community owe him an immense amount of gratitude. Only a year ago he floated his successful motor and cycle business as a limited lia- bility company with a nominal capital of £ 15,000, from which the shareholders are deriving a dividend of 7 per cent. The building of a large and imposing depot by the shore of the lake is one of his latest en- terprises, and what Tom's fine business head conceives, plans, and carries through never knows failure. Still more success to this worthy son of N,ewtown. One hears angry growls from the Terriers anent the choice of this year's camping ground. Minehead and Porth- cawl were pleasant, but Conway glorious, and after experience in these delightful spots by the sea and sandy shore, the Terrier" sets a wry face at the prospect of sojourning in uninteresting Abergavenny. Undoubtedly, the joys of the annual camp exercise a strong influence for recruiting, but a fortnight in the tented field at Aber- gavenny is not calculated to stir the pa- triotic impulse. Who, I wonder, is respon- sible for this execrable selection. This year promises a boom in the realm of pastimes. Cricket and hockey have de- veloped county teams, which means that we ought to witness some fine matches in these forms of sport; golf enthusiasm has never reached a higher pitch than now among both ladies and gentlemen, each and all of whom are ambitious of a spoon," and the bowling clubs are getting their fine swards in trim for the renewal of individual and collective hostilities around their much- loved jacks." LUKE SHARPE.